Make imagination your destination!  Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on a journey into the magical worlds of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan, and Lilo & Stitch.  Discover Ariel and Sebastian’s enchanting undersea kingdom; visit the Pride Lands with Simba and Nala; soar through starry skies with Peter Pan and his sassy fairy friend Tinker Bell; and say “aloha” to fun with Lilo and Stitch. You’ll be captivated by the music, beauty and laughter in a journey so magical, you’ll never want to go home.

Nannies4hire.com has teamed up with Feld Entertainment and is offering a family 4-pack of tickets to Disney on Ice: Mickie & Minnie’s Magical Journey at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs, IA on Friday, February 24th, 2012 at 7:30pm!  If you would be interested in winning these tickets, please leave a comment with your interest in the show and 1 winner will be drawn on February 14th, 2012.

 SPECIAL OFFER! Discount Tickets

SAVE $6 in Advance @ ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000 using code 6SIMBA -or- Save $3 day of show with code 3SIMBA

$6 savings offer valid only on tickets purchased prior to the opening day of each show • Savings coupon valid for up to six (6) tickets per order • Savings offers do not apply to Rinkside and VIP seats • No double discounts • Savings offers apply to all performances EXCEPT Opening Night performance • Offer subject to ticket availability • Savings coupon must be redeemed at time of ticket purchase • This savings coupon has no cash value and cannot be sold • Additional fees may apply

Appearing:

FEB. 23 - 26  @ Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, IA

I am a Feld Family Activator, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events.

Children with special needs siblings often feel overlooked by their parents and overshadowed by their special needs siblings.  Why?  Because, of necessity, parents and others focus on the needs of the special needs children.  Other children may get only peripheral attention.  How do these children handle this and how can parents help?

Children with special needs siblings will respond to their circumstances in a way that reflects their environment and their personality in general.  For example, children who are raised in calm home environments with parents who exhibit emotional intelligence will be better able to handle their circumstances well, putting their special needs siblings before themselves most of the time and doing so without backlash.  Similarly, children who are empathetic and nurturing will also be better able to handle their circumstances likewise.  Conversely, children who are raised in chaotic, self-focused families, and children who are themselves self-focused and lacking in empathy and a nurturing nature, will have a more difficult time adapting to their circumstances.  These children will engage in attention-seeking behaviors (even if the attention garnered is negative, such as punishment from a parent), sporadically act out their anger and frustration, and, without remediation, will ultimately escalate into full-scale rebellion by the adolescent years, thus potentially charting the course for the rest of the child’s life.  (Note: even children who handle their circumstances well will, on occasion, engage in attention-seeking behaviors and may act out if the attention is not forthcoming.  However, such instances for these children are less frequent, shorter in duration, less intense, and not likely to develop into dysfunctional adult behaviors, as compared to the children who do not handle their circumstances well.)

What can parents do to help their children cope with living in the shadow of their special needs siblings?  Parents need to focus individualized attention on each of their children, not just their special needs children.  Yes, more time will need to be focused on the special needs children, but parents can and should devote some time each week (ideally, each day) to each of their children.  Here are some tips for doing this. 

• On a daily basis, ask your non-disabled children how their day is going, how they are feeling, what they are thinking, etc. Really listen to the answers to these questions. Let your non-disabled children know that you care how they experience their world.
• Know what is important to each of your children and respond accordingly. For example, you may be busy attending to the needs of your severely disabled child, but if Olympic figure skating is on the television, and you know that is something that one of your non-disabled children loves to watch, perhaps you can watch Olympic figure skating with your non-disabled child. If you have an in-home nurse, that would be an excellent opportunity for the nurse to come and spend extra time attending to your special needs child. You may also consider hiring a babysitter for your special needs child while you spend your one-on-one time with your non-disabled child. You can even make an event of your mom-and-me time with your non-disabled child. For example, you can have a cake decorated to depict two figure skaters skating . . . a treat you can eat while you watch the Olympic event. You can wear “costumes” that look like figure skating outfits while you watch the Olympic event. Or you can follow up the Olympics by taking your non-disabled child to an ice rink so that you and your child can skate.
• Parent “date nights” are excellent ways to attend to all of your children. For example, if you have two children, one disabled and one not disabled, you can designate one evening every second week as date night and you and your spouse will each take one child out to do something fun for that child. For example, you may take your disabled child to the zoo because the zoo is handicap accessible and your disabled child is fascinated with animals. Concurrently, your spouse can take your non-disabled child to the theatre to watch a movie that the child wants to see.
• If you observe that frustration, anger, or resentment is festering in your non-disabled children, speak with your children about it . . . and do so in an accepting, nurturing, non-critical manner. Accept what your children have to say. If you hear that you are a neglectful mother, that may be hard to hear; however, your children have a right to feel however they choose, even though you may disagree with their feelings. Rather than argue with your children about whether you are neglectful, it is best to apologize for how you have made your children feel. You may also say that you are trying your best to balance the needs of every member of your household. Finally, you may wish to ask your non-disabled children what they would like to see you do differently. No one parent has the corner on all wisdom: your children may come up with suggestions that you had never considered. They may suggest things that would make them feel happy, loved, and attended to . . . things that are quick and easy for you to accomplish.
• If your non-disabled children’s frustration, anger, or resent continues to fester, it is wise to seek outside assistance. Some communities have support groups for families with special needs children. Most communities have counselors who can be a neutral third party who can listen and be an outstanding resource for your family members.

In sum, non-disabled children often feel overlooked by their parents and overshadowed by their special needs siblings, but different children handle that stressor differently.  Fortunately, parents can help by following the above tips.

Make imagination your destination!  Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on a journey into the magical worlds of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan, and Lilo & Stitch.  Discover Ariel and Sebastian’s enchanting undersea kingdom; visit the Pride Lands with Simba and Nala; soar through starry skies with Peter Pan and his sassy fairy friend Tinker Bell; and say “aloha” to fun with Lilo and Stitch. You’ll be captivated by the music, beauty and laughter in a journey so magical, you’ll never want to go home.

Nannies4hire.com has teamed up with Feld Entertainment and is offering a family 4-pack of tickets to Disney on Ice: Mickie & Minnie’s Magical Journey at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs, IA on Friday, February 24th, 2012 at 7:30pm!  If you would be interested in winning these tickets, please leave a comment with your interest in the show and 1 winner will be drawn on February 14th, 2012.

 SPECIAL OFFER! Discount Tickets

SAVE $6 in Advance @ ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000 using code 6SIMBA -or- Save $3 day of show with code 3SIMBA

$6 savings offer valid only on tickets purchased prior to the opening day of each show • Savings coupon valid for up to six (6) tickets per order • Savings offers do not apply to Rinkside and VIP seats • No double discounts • Savings offers apply to all performances EXCEPT Opening Night performance • Offer subject to ticket availability • Savings coupon must be redeemed at time of ticket purchase • This savings coupon has no cash value and cannot be sold • Additional fees may apply

Appearing:

FEB. 23 - 26  @ Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, IA

I am a Feld Family Activator, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events.

Every child is born with her own unique gifts and talents.  Perhaps she has a musical gift.  Maybe she is very good at math.  Or maybe she has the soul of a dancer.  How can you recognize and nurture your child’s unique gifts and talents?

Be vigilant in watching for her gifts and talents. 

Praise her often when she does something well.

Encourage her to explore her interests by taking interest-specific classes, joining interest-specific clubs, or engaging in other activities intended to cultivate her gifts and talents.

Support her in her activities.

Provide her with the resources that she needs to develop her gifts and talents.

Allow her to drop activities as her interest in them wanes.  (A typical child will have many and varied interests as she ages.  Allow her to drop an activity that she has outgrown and pick up new activities reflective of her current interests.)

Encourage her to remain in an activity that she has only momentarily grown frustrated by or bored about. 

(Note: it can be tricky to determine if she want to drop an activity because of a permanently waning interest or because of a momentarily frustrating or boring phase in the activity.)

Help her research her interests.  For example, what are the different forms of dance?  What can a person do with dance as a career?  What kinds of music are associated with the different forms of dance?

Help her creatively solve challenges.  For example, if she has been taking dance classes and her teacher has taught her all that her teacher knows, perhaps it is time to find a more advanced teacher elsewhere who can continue her dancing lessons at a more advanced level.

By following these steps, you can recognize and nurture your child’s unique gifts and talents.

For more useful tips; continue to visit Nannies4hire.com.

We all have “those” days.  You’re tired, frustrated, and harried.  Your child is having a difficult day of her own, and she’s being a little difficult to handle as a result.  In that weak moment, you blurt out hurtful words to your child.   Immediately, your conscience goes to work.  “Why did I say that?  Why can’t I have more patience?  This is not how a loving parent should act!”  So, in the midst of your hectic Christmas schedule, you settle on your New Year’s resolution: to be a better parent.  Here are some things you can do to fulfill your resolution.

• 1. Tell your child that you love her each and every day.
• 2. Ask your child about her thoughts and feelings and listen intently (not distractedly) to her responses. “How was your day today?” “Do you like your new piano teacher?” These and other questions help your child know that she is important to you.
• 3. Consider the short- and long-term consequences of your words and actions before you speak and act. (This can be tough to do at times, but strive to live up to this standard.)
• 4. When you are feeling tired, frustrated, and harried, count to 10, listen to relaxing music, exercise, do yoga, find humor in your situation, go to a private space and utter a primal scream, or exhibit other behaviors that will allow you to decompress and not take out your negative experience on your child.
• 5. Apologize when you behave inappropriately. For example, “I am sorry that I was impatient with you. I have had a bad day at work, and I took it out on you. I was wrong to do that, and I am sorry.”
• 6. Seek to balance justice and mercy. Is your child fussy and creating a scene in the grocery store? Justice may require redirection and possibly punishment for the poor behavior. Mercy may allow for understanding and nurturing.
• 7. Use your available resources to problem-solve. Do you need two hours to shop for your child’s Christmas gifts? Ask your babysitter to sit for your child while you shop; that way, your child won’t have a preview of her Christmas gifts. Do you need a little time alone to decompress and reflect on your day? Ask your babysitter to sit for your child while you are quietly sequestered in your bedroom.
• 8. If your child is school-aged, you will need to find childcare during school breaks. Consider hiring a temporary/seasonal nanny who can provide you full-time childcare during school breaks. Alternately, you can nanny-share. That is to say that you can partner with a family that may already have a nanny, taking your child to that family’s home each work day so that your child and the other family’s children can play together and be supervised by the nanny in that home. You will then cost-share the nanny’s wage.

By following these tips, you can work to fulfill your New Year’s resolution to be a better parent.  No parent is perfect, but working toward that goal is a lofty and wonderful resolution.

To a typical toddler (perhaps two or three years old), the world is full of wonder.  Everything is new and curious.  It is easy for parents or nannies  to foster the curiosity and learning of toddlers . . . opportunities abound in every interaction and in every environment.  Here are a few tips.

Discuss the things in your environment: what they are, why they are, etc.  For example, you can say, “Can you show me a square somewhere here in our living room?  When your child shows you a square end table, you can say, “Good!  That is square.  Why do you think it is square?  What would happen if it were a circle?”  You can then roll a ball on the floor and discuss how a ball would make a poor end table.  Your child thus learns shapes, reasoning, and maybe even a little physics.

Turn every day activities into learning games.  Did you buy a some-assembly-required toy?  Have your toddler help you assemble the toy.  It may take you longer to assemble the toy, but the lessons learned by your toddler are well worth the time.  Are you going to prepare dinner?  Have your toddler help you prepare basic meals.  Lessons learned in these activities include the subject specific knowledge as well as the development of fine motor skills, reasoning, etc.  Throughout these activities, create fun to accompany the learning. For example, ask your child, “What is the best dinner-cooking music?  Do we need something slow . . . do we want to have a peaceful dinner preparation time?  Do we need something fast . . . do we want the music to give us a boost to get all this cooking done?”  Then, as the music plays, talk about food and how your body uses food, music and how it makes you feel, and don’t forget to dance!  By adding the dimension of music into everyday activities, the activities can become more fun, your child can learn about music, and his/her creative capacity is fostered.

When your toddler asks you questions beyond your scope of knowledge (i.e., “Why is the sky blue?”), don’t say, “I don’t know.”  Instead, say, “I don’t know, but we can research that together.”  You two can then search the Internet for the answer to that question, read the answer aloud, and discuss why the sky is blue.  By handling tough questions this way, your toddler will learn that wondering is only the first half of an experience . . . information gathering being the second half. 

Encourage creativity.  For example, if your child is angry, give him/her a set of finger paints and a large piece of paper.  In a mess-appropriate setting, have your child paint what s/he is feeling.  Then, you two can discuss the painting and the feelings it conveys.  Your child thus increases self-knowledge and can learn healthy ways of dealing with emotions.  Also, creative expression is fostered and fine motor skills are developed.

Foster experiential learning.  If your toddler wonders why grass is green, go on a nature hike to discover all the green things in your environment.  Take your smart phone with you to do research as needed along the journey.  If you come upon a green frog, you can talk about how the frog’s green color helps him/her be less visible to creatures who would like to eat him/her.  Therefore, his/her being green helps him/her survive.  By fostering experiential learning, learning is made tangible and fun. 

Encourage your toddler to observe, question, and experience his/her world.   If your toddler says, “Why do I have to take a bath?”  You can say, “That’s a good question!  Let’s talk about your body.  It makes sweat: even when you don’t think you are sweating, you are (just a little bit).  Also, did you play with the neighbor’s big outdoor dog this afternoon?  Do you think he was a little unclean after being in the yard all the time?  We’ve talked about pollution, so what kinds of pollutants do you think are on you now after being outside?  What other kinds of stuff do you think you should wash off in your bath?”

Read bedtime stories to your toddler every night.  Have your toddler follow along.  S/he will gradually begin understanding the written word.  Early readers are more likely to be avid readers.  In addition to reading skills, frequent reading increases your child’s vocabulary.

These are but a few of the seemingly endless options available to parents who want to stimulate the minds of their toddlers.  Look around . . . everything that adults take for granted in their daily environment is a potential learning experience for toddlers.  Seize as many opportunities as possible as these highly teachable, inquisitive toddler years come only once.

For more useful tips; continue to visit Nannies4hire.com.

When we were kids, we played hooky from school every now and then.  Aw, admit it.  But as parents, we are hard wired to scoot our kids dutifully off to school each day.  But what happens if we play hooky from work, have our kids play hooky from school, and we all spend a day doing something fun together?

First, the adult in this author must specify that family hooky days should not occur often (probably no more than once per school semester).  When hooky days do occur, parents need to specify that breaking rules is generally not acceptable behavior, that education is essential and to be respected, and that this hooky stuff is not going to be a common occurrence.  Then, parents can provide their kids with a reason that the hooky days, when they do happen, are a good thing.  For example, “We want you to know that we don’t like breaking rules, and we think it’s so very important to take your education seriously, but your dad and I have had loooooong days at work lately, including weekend work, and we have missed our time with you.  So, we are going to play hooky tomorrow and spend some quality time together as a family.  Ok?”  By setting the stage as such, parents can reinforce the traditional boundaries while allowing for the benefits of the rare exception.

On hooky days, plan fun activities that will encourage family bonding.  Take a road trip to a beautiful nature park, go horseback riding, have a picnic, walk a wooded trail, share a family appreciation for the beauty of nature.  Or tour various museums, appreciating the art, discussing what life as a dinosaur must have been like, etc.  Eat at a fun family restaurant.  Shop a mega mall.  Pop in a favorite CD and have the whole family sing along during your drive time.  Watch a nurturing, family-friendly movie in a theatre or in your home.  Don’t forget to pop the popcorn!  At the end of the day, tell your kids how much you loved spending the day with them . . . hug them and tell them that you love them.  Then, you can briefly state that it’s back to regular life tomorrow.  (Make sure you say that with a smile and a positive tone of voice.)

Everybody needs a little deviation from routine every now and then.  By playing hooky on rare occasions, all the while reinforcing traditional boundaries (i.e., the value of education and following rules), families can reap the benefits of playing hooky.

For more useful tips; continue to visit Nannies4hire.com.

Some kids just seem more prone to hitting than others.  Why?  And how do you change that behavior?

Why?

All kids experience frustration, anger, etc. on a nearly daily basis, but not all kids hit to communicate what they’re thinking or feeling or to fulfill their objectives.  Kids who choose to hit do so for a variety of reasons.  They may have learned that behavior by watching someone else hit.  They may be physically-oriented kids; all kids are at least somewhat physically oriented, but some kids are more oriented toward physical experience and expression than others.  They may have ADHD.  These and many more reasons can explain why some kids may be more prone to hitting.

How do you change that behavior?

Immediately put the child in time out.  Calmly and lovingly explain that hitting is not nice and should not happen again.  Maintain a peaceful environment (i.e., no loud, fast-paced music; no harried activity; etc.) throughout the time out so as to avoid escalating the situation.  If your child hit to accomplish an objective, do not let the objective be fulfilled at this point lest s/he learn that hitting does, indeed, help him/her accomplish objectives.  If you find his/her objective reasonable, you can bring it to pass later: ensure, however, that your child does not draw a connection between hitting and accomplishment of his/her objective.

When the child is not dealing with the emotions of the moment, ask the child why s/he chose to hit.  Where did s/he learn that behavior?  If television or movie viewing was the source, you may want to restrict what s/he watches until s/he is a little older.  If another child modeled that behavior for him/her, restrict his/her access to the physically abusive child.  (Note: you may need to follow up with others about this.  For example, if the hitting occurred in a daycare context, you should communicate your concern to the daycare center staff.) 

Talk with your child about empathy and exhibit empathy in your daily activities so that your child can see empathy reinforced daily.  For example, you may ask your child the following questions: “Has someone ever hit you, even if by accident?  Did that hurt?  How did you feel about that?  Do you want to do that to someone else?”

Discuss alternatives to hitting with your child.  For example, “I know it made you angry when Chris took your toy.  Rather than hitting Chris, what else could you have done to let Chris know that taking your toy was not ok?”  If your child can’t find preferred alternatives, you can provide some of your own.  You might suggest that your child verbalize his position to Chris (i.e., “That’s my toy, and I would like you to give it back.”), notify you if Chris doesn’t comply (parental intervention may be appropriate in some but not all situations), decide if the situation is worth creating conflict (perhaps sharing the toy with Chris is ok), etc.  If all else fails, teach your child to walk away when s/he feels like hitting someone.

If you subsequently see your child exhibit improved behaviors, praise your child generously.  If you do not see your child exhibit improved behaviors after repeated time outs and discussions, then perhaps it is time for your child to visit with a counselor to address whatever underlying concerns there may be.

For more useful tips; continue to visit Nannies4hire.com.

Welcome to Monster Jam, an incredible family-friendly experience starring the biggest performers on four wheels: Monster Jam monster trucks.  These twelve-feet-tall, ten-thousand-pound machines will bring you to your feet, racing and ripping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles to soar over - OR smash through.  Monster Jam provides a massive night’s entertainment tailored perfectly for your family’s budget, and these colorful, larger-than-life beasts are sure to capture the hearts of both young and old.

 SPECIAL OFFER!

SAVE $5 Valid on $20 reserved seats

One savings coupon required for each ticket purchased • Savings do not apply to Gold Circle seats • Not valid on child tickets • Valid on adult seating only • No double discounts • Offer subject to ticket availability • Savings coupon must be redeemed at time of ticket purchase • This savings coupon has no cash value and cannot be sold

Additional fees may apply • Offer valid FEB. 1, 2011 - JAN. 5, 2012 • Offer not valid day of show.

Monster Jam Appearing: JAN. 6 - 8 at the Mid-America Center

Discount GOOD FOR ALL PERFORMANCES

Fri. JAN. 6 @ 7:30 PM

Sat. JAN. 7 @ 2:00 & 7:30 PM

Sun. JAN. 8 @ 2:00 PM

Redeem this savings coupon, online at Ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000. Use code TRUCK online or by phone to receive the discount.

One savings coupon required for each ticket purchased • Savings do not apply to Gold Circle seats • Not valid on child tickets • Valid on adult seating only • No double discounts • Offer subject to ticket availability • Savings coupon must be redeemed at time of ticket purchase • This savings coupon has no cash value and cannot be sold

Additional fees may apply • Offer valid FEB. 1, 2011 - JAN. 5, 2012 • Offer not valid day of show.

I am a Feld Family Activator, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events.

Your children’s nanny is pregnant and requesting maternity leave.  Your treasured nanny has been with you for years: what will you and your children do without her?!  Still, you can’t (and really don’t want to be the kind of person who would) deny her maternity leave.  So, what do you do?

• 1. Acknowledge your mixed feelings about this situation. It’s normal for you to feel happy for your nanny but concerned for how you and your children will be affected.
• 2. Seek to balance the interests of all involved. For example, if your nanny requests 12 weeks of leave, and you can’t imagine being without her for a full 12 weeks, perhaps you can counter-offer with six weeks of leave followed by your allowing your nanny to bring her infant to work with her such that she can watch your children and her infant at the same time.
• 3. Make sure your nanny knows that she is a treasured employee that you don’t want to lose. Also ensure that she knows that you and your children will miss her while she’s on maternity leave, but you are happy for her because you know what an exciting time this is for her. Be respectful of her right to have a life outside of her employment with you.
• 4. Once you and your nanny have agreed upon the length of the maternity leave, you need to find alternate childcare for that period of time. Would your family members be willing to take on this responsibility? Do you have friends or mature children of friends who would like to babysit to earn additional income? Have you considered hiring a temporary nanny? How about temporarily nanny-sharing with someone you know? (Note: if you hire a nanny who is not a family member or friend, do not skip over the proper screening and selection steps to make sure that you hire a nanny that is well suited for your situation. It may be tempting to forego the time-consuming tasks of interviewing, referencing checking, background checking, etc. for a temporary hire, but the investment of time is well worth it because it affords you the peace of mind that comes from knowing you hired well.)
• 5. Once you have a plan, communicate your plan to all involved (i.e., your children, other members of your family, your nanny, your immediate social circle, and your employer if your job will be at all affected by the change). It is normal for your children to experience some degree of anxiety about the change that they will be experiencing. Ask your children what their specific concerns are and address those concerns with specific answers to the best of your ability. Reassure them that all will be fine. Have your nanny provide them with reassurance as well.
• 6. Your substitute childcare provider should generally spend at least a day or two with your nanny before her leave begins: your substitute provider will learn what will be expected of him/her. Your nanny should be happy to train her temporary replacement. However, if your nanny does experience some hesitancy, provide her with reassurance that she is treasured and her job is secure.
• 7. When your nanny actually goes on maternity leave, don’t forget to visit her in the hospital. Also, remember to bring a baby gift and a card signed by each member of your household.
• 8. Make sure that your substitute childcare provider is not floundering without proper direction in his/her new role. Supervise him/her closely in the first two weeks. Ask him/her frequently if s/he has any questions or concerns that s/he would like to discuss with you. Keep the lines of communication open. This may seem like a lot of extra work (work you did not need to do with your nanny who has served you well for years), but starting a new job always involves a learning curve. Be patient with your substitute childcare provider.
• 9. Similarly, keep the lines of communication open with your children. How do they like their substitute provider? Is everything going well? Do they have any questions or concerns that they would like to discuss with you?
• 10. When your nanny is ready to return from maternity leave, you should again communicate this thoroughly with all involved. Your substitute childcare provider should receive this news well as his/her job was acknowledged as temporary from the outset, but sometimes the separation can still be emotional. It is important to thank your outgoing substitute provider and make sure that s/he knows how grateful you are for his/her service to your family. You may even offer a going-away gift to assuage any tender emotions or to communicate your gratitude. Also, your children may experience anxiety due to another change in their childcare routine . . . this is true even though the change is a return to the routine that was in place before the maternity leave. Keep the lines of communication open with you children as detailed in #5 above.
• 11. On your nanny’s return to work date, celebrate her return with a cake, a surprise party, or a welcome-back meal for her.

By following these steps, you can handle well your nanny’s maternity leave.