| I recently received a call from one of my clients whom | | | | than just the creative aspects of development in |
| I had placed a nanny with about two years ago. | | | | children, it fosters open ended thinking, gross and fine |
| Desperately on the other end of the phone I heard, | | | | motor skills, special skills as well as it empowers their |
| “Dara! Katie is leaving! She is getting married | | | | self esteem. |
| and moving out of state”! We will need a new | | | | The new nanny might suggest snapping a photograph |
| nanny, can you clone her??! I immediately thought, | | | | of the children. Children love a camera! No matter if |
| who could take the place of this nanny who had | | | | it’s a disposable or a nice one! That in itself can |
| become woven into the fabric of this families lives and | | | | lead to a whole lot of fun, chasing one another with the |
| how were the children going to adjust to a new nanny | | | | camera’s, taking pictures at will! With the picture, |
| that will be coming onboard? I found another nanny | | | | encase it with a beautifully hand collaged frame and |
| for the family, matching almost instantly, however that | | | | send to the old nanny. If the old nanny has moved |
| was the easy part. The harder part was to help the | | | | out of state, the idea of going to the post office can |
| family shift these two children into life with the newly | | | | also be part of the entire process. The packaging |
| appointed nanny. | | | | of their beautiful picture frame, the addressing of the |
| For the ‘new’ nannies entering into such a | | | | label, packing up the gift and the excitement of |
| situation, the goal is help the children feel safe and | | | | meeting the postman, the adventure can be endless! |
| comfortable in their care. Part of that will take some | | | | This also helps them get to know the “people in |
| time and trust will have to be built. The new nanny | | | | their neighborhood”, as being a part of the |
| must understand that the children might act out and | | | | community is also important for the children to see |
| may or may not be in full control of their emotions | | | | how they fit into the larger part of our society. |
| after “losing” their nanny. The children’s | | | | I love You Cooking Projects |
| reaction to the new caregiver might not be that | | | | Children love to cook, bake and create with food! |
| embracing. The new nanny will need to know that | | | | There are a million different things you can make with |
| this is a normal part of the process, and essentially it | | | | the children! Call the old nanny and ask if she can meet |
| will part of their new position to help smooth the | | | | you at the park so that you can have a “Thank |
| children’s transitional needs with gentle | | | | You Party”. Bake cupcakes, bring tea, sliced fruit, |
| encouragement, some great insights and creative | | | | a picnic basket full of paper plates, juice, water |
| solutions. | | | | bottles. You can also incorporate a beautiful Thank |
| Here are some ideas to help ease the children into | | | | You card for the old nanny. |
| moving forward with this change. I suggest that the | | | | A cooking project on the lager scale not only has the |
| new nanny initiate and foster these adventures, | | | | children in the kitchen making something with their busy |
| projects and ideas as it will help create a bond | | | | hands and minds, but it also incorporates fine and |
| between the new nanny, old nanny and family while | | | | gross motor skills along with science, math and |
| implementing loving and trustworthy friendship with the | | | | language development, empowers their self esteem |
| children. | | | | and allows them to be creative. |
| Be creative with your time and energy with the | | | | The children miss the old nanny, of course they do, |
| children! | | | | they should. Not only has she been a reliable source |
| I’m Thinking of You Nature Hikes/Nature Collage | | | | of continual love and warmth, she has been part of |
| Take the children on a walk around the neighborhood, | | | | their routine and has been a source of continuity. |
| go to the local park, take a road trip a few miles away | | | | Although any change in a child’s life is difficult, new |
| from the house and bring a plastic bag to collect things | | | | nannies entering into a child’s life understand this |
| that can be used as a collage to make for the other | | | | progressive change. The children are the focus of all |
| nanny as a “Thinking About You” gift. This not | | | | parents and their nannies. As a team, and to foster |
| only gets the children out for exercise and fresh air, | | | | the needs of the children that are being cared for, |
| but it also encourages their language development and | | | | everyone can help ease the transition of old nanny to |
| creative open ended thought process that are very | | | | new so new memories and relationships can blossom. |
| important aspects to focusing on the “whole | | | | |
| child” through cognitive, emotional and physical | | | | Dara B. Green |
| growth. | | | | President, Seaside Nannies Inc. |
| I Miss You Art Projects | | | | |
| Art Projects for children are one of the best ways for | | | | Seaside Nannies Inc. was founded by Dara Green, |
| a child to have self-expression through a creative | | | | nanny of 23 years and preschool teacher in the San |
| endeavor. This also allows for a mood or energy | | | | Diego community. Seaside Nannies has been created |
| release. Children love making things that mean | | | | to serve the needs of each family and nanny to |
| something to someone and this outlet fosters more | | | | create relationships that last. |