Kids of all ages love a party spent doing themed activities, eating special treats, and even letting their creative side come out with some arts and crafts.

So, to help inspire you to plan out your own party for the little people in your life, I am sharing the best 3 Valentine-themed activities, crafts, and treats.

Even if you are not in the mood for an actual party, you could easily incorporate a couple of these ideas into your schedule to have some fun with your little ones.

The Best Valentine’s Day Kid Activities​, Crafts, and Treats

Valentine’s Day Activities

Get the kids off the devices and up moving or making some things to get their brain going. I love these three lovely activities that are so fun for Valentine’s Day!

 to get them up, moving, and shaking out those wiggles.

 to put their mind to creating.

. Because what kid doesn’t love slime?

Valentine’s Day Crafts

Some creative and fun Valentine’s Day crafts for the children. I love these 3 and they would be fun to make for this special day ahead.

, to always remember how tiny they started out.

. Perfect for older children that will be exchanging Valentines in school.

. Can be used to make a garland, or passed out to friends and family.

Valentine’s Day Food

Top 3 Valentine’s Day food options. Even have a healthier one in case you do not want your kiddos to have all the added sugar!

. The kids can easily help prepare this treat.

. Because what is Valentine’s day without a teddy bear and chocolate?

. A healthy, and FUN love day treat.

And that’s it! Happy party planning!!! And a Happy Valentines Day to you and yours!

Remember if you ever need to talk to us about having a nanny or household manager for your busy home, contact us here at �����鶹.

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1. Find another family wanting to share a nanny with you. Listen out & ask around if you hear of any other family that is interested in a nanny. Find another family that you feel would be a good match with and share a nanny with.  Children who are the same age or similar ages will make this easier.  Location is also important, you need to be within a reasonable distance of one another so the commute for the nanny doesn’t change too drastically.
2. Figure out a budget. Decide on an hourly rate that you can afford to pay the nanny together. Make sure you are both on the same page. For nanny share pay, you would want to take the average amount a nanny is being paid in your area and then each family pays 2/3 of that pay. Ex. the average nanny salary is $20/hr- each family pays $13.33 which then equals $26 per hour for the nanny.
3. Figure out the schedule. Consider if the nanny will be at one family’s house 100% of the time or more like 50% of the time. Come up with a schedule that best suits both families and also makes sense for the nanny
4. Interview and hire candidates. This is a great time to turn over all of this to �����鶹 as we can help you with finding the perfect candidates and take care of the screening and background check. A nanny agency can definitely help prepare you to interview the candidates as well as all of the other important things such as background checks and all of the extra paperwork to set you up for a successful placement!
5. Offer the nanny contracts and get a start date scheduled! Here at all about nannies, each family involved in the nanny share will receive a contract and be charged a placement fee. The nanny will be in contract with each individual family too.  It is a placement with each family.  Each family will have a contract with the nanny with additional documentation for the nanny share.

1. Kids get to have play buddies every day. They are able to socialize with other kids and work on socialization skills all while being in their own home with a nanny share.
2. Save money! You are not paying for the nanny alone. You split it with another family!
3. You get a higher caliber nanny for your family at a lower rate!
4. The children are still being closely supervised and receiving one-on-one attention even if there are more than 1 child.
5. Meet some incredible friends. If you are in a nanny share with another family, you will get to know one another much better and create special bonds between yourself and the children.

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Find a Nanny Placement Agency

• You need to find an agency that has a good reputation, not only with their families but among their nannies as well.  Look at how long the agency has been in business. I’d recommend going for an agency that has been in business for a while (obviously) as there are lots of agencies that come and go.

• Look at what niche or specialty the agency is involved in. Some focus on career nannies (like us) and do more long term, full time nannying and house management. Some agencies specialize in temp or part-time jobs and have a younger base of nannies.   

• Read all the reviews. Check and see if there are reviews from nannies who have been placed with them.

• Call them and ask what the placement process is like and exactly what the fees are upfront.  

• Ask them what the hiring process is like and what their replacement guarantee is.  

• Ask about the background checks.  What they include, what is required or nannies to be represented by the agency. What would disqualify a nanny from being represented? 

• Ask them if they are involved in the community and offer classes or trainings for their nannies to maintain their skill level and keep things up to date.

Know Your Expectations for the Nanny

There are some things that parents have to ask themselves before even beginning the placement of a nanny in order to find the nanny that fits their style the best.

For example these are questions that I tend to ask parents during a consultation:

• Is mom or dad a work from home parent?

• Are they hands on or do they want nanny to come in and run things? Or do they want a partner and to work with her on a plan? (And will they follow up and back up said plan when nanny isn’t there.)

• Do they want pictures and check ins through the day or do they want to go to work and focus on that and get a full report at the end of the day?

So often people think hiring a nanny is all about the nanny, but it’s almost always all about the parents. These nannies are professionals and been in so many homes, with so many parenting styles. They can adapt and perform their job. It’s really those details about the parenting style and dynamic in the home that are more important to figure out as early and clearly as possible.

Screen the Nannies

Find an agency that does this for you and makes your life easier! �����鶹 takes care of the reference checks and background checks for you.

Interview Your Candidates

After you have found the right agency, had a consultation, answered the hard questions on your expectations of the nanny and the nannies have been screened and qualified, you are ready to interview!

You definitely want to to ask the right questions to get a better idea of the candidates’ personalities, experiences, work-styles, communication styles, etc.

At �����鶹, we provide interview questions, an interview guide, helpful tips, and any follow-up or prepping that needs to be done before and after the interviews. This is all included so you are prepped and ready to interview!

Trial Run

Have a trial run for your top candidates. I’d say at least for your top two candidates. Schedule a paid, in-home trial with the candidates where you show and explain everything on the first day and the second day they put everything into practice. You’ll be able to see which nanny can perform all the requirements and if they are good fit for your children and family.

Offer the Position to your Top Candidate

How exciting! You’ve made it through all the steps (however with the right nanny agency it should be smoother and easier) and now it’s time to hire the right candidate!

I hope this has been a help on how to find the perfect nanny for your family and it makes more sense now. These steps are all so important for the process to go smoothly and efficiently.

Do you still need some more information? Check out our Families section here. We have a six-step process here at �����鶹 that makes it super easy for you to follow and find the perfect nanny. For more information and to start your family application now, head over to our Families section here. If you still have some questions and are looking to speak to us then go over to the Contact Us section of our website and fill out a quick form and we will be back with you as soon as possible.

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These are my tried and true favorite items I will choose over and over again for any registry!  With different households, budgets, and parent’s needs, they are the items that stand out. All of these items are functional, high quality, and useful that I will always recommend to people!  I’ve seen first hand through years of experience as a nanny, newborn care specialist, and household manager, that these items are the best of the best!

Stroller

Nuna Mixx 2: Located at . This is my favorite stroller of life.  It’s a perfect size, great price and always stylish.  Mesh back for breathability, one-handed fold and incredibly good looking. Cost: $599.95

Mockingbird: Located at .  This is a GREAT new addition to the stroller world.  A direct to customer brand disrupting big box stores all over the place and providing a luxury stroller at an incredible value.  It looks suspiciously similar to our next classic registry item.  Cost: $350

Uppababy Vista: Located at .  The Mockingbird’s “cousin” …The Uppababy vista has been the standard of luxury strollers for years.  A major benefit to this one is that it comes complete with a bassinet and attachments you need.  All in one, right from the time you purchase it. Cost: $899.99-$959.99

Maxi Cosi Zelia: Located at . A great budget option for those wanting something a bit more affordable, yet still stylish and sleek. Cost: $399

Car Seat:

Nuna Pipa- Located at . This is my favorite car seat of life.  To go with my favorite stroller of life J It is also consistently rated the absolute safest of the safe with its innovative leg brace suspension giving it extra support in the event of an accident, all while being lightweight!  Bonus:  This one features a genius secret “dream drape” which serves as a blackout canopy for the coziest place for your baby to rest while out and about. Cost: $299.95

Britax B Safe– Located at – The standard for mid-range car seats, all the bells, and whistles needed, incredible safety and security and simple and stylish. Cost: $199.99

Bassinet:

Chicco Lullago– Located at – Simple, stylish, and portable!  What more can you ask for? Cost: $119.99

Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet– Located at . A great alternative to expensive automatic soothing bassinets to be near your bedside those first few weeks and months. Cost: $119.99

Lifestyle:

SwaddleUp– Located at . The best happy medium with a baby who needs to be swaddled but still likes their arms out or free! Cost: $29.95

Hatch Baby Rest Night Light– Located at . An absolute must on any registry.  Nightlight, projector, AND white noise machine all in one. Can control from your cell phone and tablets. Cost: $59.99

Activity:

The Play Gym by Lovevery– Located at . An incredibly interactive play mat for the first year or more of baby’s little life!  Endless activities all designed to engage their senses and help them explore, all while being modern, simple and colorful. 

Busy Baby Activity Chair– Located at . This chair is amazing. It has plenty of activities to keep you little one busy, including a mirror, rattle, squeaky toy and more. It’s all made from soft but sturdy foam too! Such an amazing product! Cost: $139

Malarkey Kids Munch Mitt– located at . A game-changer for those tricky months when teething is bad. Put one of these on one or both hands and let baby go to town chewing!  Cost: $9.99

Miscellaneous:

Skip Hop Explore and More 3 Stage Activity Center– located at . A great baby activity center that supports the baby’s whole body. It has a 360-degree rotating seat that turns and stretches for the baby to move around. This also converts to a table as baby grows. Cost: $130

Lobana Peri-Garde– Located at . Nanny secret right here!  This is THE BEST thing you can use for diaper rash!  Stop wasting money on anything else.  Cost: $12.95

Snuggle Me Organic– located at . A great place for baby to rest and be cozy like they are in the womb.  This thing will bring on some serious naps!  A great way to have baby with you wherever you are in the home in those first few months. Cost: $99

Feeding: 

Spectra S1– located at . Finally, a hospital-grade pump available without renting from the hospital!  The most effective pump on the market. Cost: $199.99

LaVie Lactation Massager– located at . A must-have for new breastfeeding moms! The warmth and vibration from this massager help with any clogged ducts, lactation aches, and pains and a great way to help prevent mastitis.  Cost: $39.95

I hope you love reviewing all these wonderful products as much as I do. They all work wonders with a new baby! Also, stay tuned as we reveal something pretty exciting on Friday, October 4th that will help any new mom out!

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-Fashionable.  Stylish.  Comfy AND pre-shrunk!  What more can you ask for?  These pieces are made in the USA in incredibly soft fabrics and great colors. 

Sizes:  3m-14 years.  $$$

-A standard for pint sized trendsetters.  H&M offers smaller versions of high fashion styles recently seen on runways around the world, in addition to their incredible catalog of basics! 

Sizes:  NB- 10 years, runs large.  $$

-Tea collection prides itself on globally inspired patters on basic, timeless styles.  A portion of every purchase goes towards the fight against child trafficking as well!  Twice a year a new collection is built based on colors/patterns from a new area of the world!

Sizes:  NB-Tween, runs small.  $$$

-Vintage, pretty and bohemian.  They also have the kind of matching ‘ outfits you want to wear!  They have a great selection of on trend patterns and colors!

Sizes:  3M- Women’s large.  $$$$

-This adorable brand comes with the tagline “by modern moms, for modern moms.”  They offer modern, simple and fun prints on buttery soft organic, allergen free pima cotton.   All styles are tested by real moms for quality and functionality!

Sizes:  NB-8 years.  $$

Check out our other blog posts, updated weekly at all about nannies!

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email info@allaboutnanniesaz.com for even more ideas! check out our other blog posts on

Summer is well underway; the kids are home and needing constant entertainment. You’re going crazy and needing to get outside, out of the house!  Here is the ultimate list of family fun for all ages in Arizona for families and children of all ages! 

Museums: 

                –

Day Trips:

Family Fun:

Outdoor Adventures:

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1. :  

Wonder Weeks provides a calendar to the day for your baby’s development through all the mental and emotional “leaps” your baby goes through. I have used this with many babies and the accuracy never ceases to amaze me! Is the baby fussy and you don’t know why?  How long will this phase last?  What does that expression mean?  Find out exactly what is going on in your little one’s head when they can’t fully express themselves yet!  As a nanny myself, this was incredibly helpful with all of the parents and families I worked with. 

Price:  Free in the or on .

2.

An app for the entire family that allows you to assign chores to each child. When they complete the chores, they earn an allowance which they can save, donate to charity or even invest! It is an incredible way to teach the importance of finances in a way kids will understand! A favorite of nannies and families!

Price:   $14.95/year per family in the or on .

3. :

Moshi is an audio only app loaded with sleepy bedtime stories to help your children wind down and relax. It quickly eases the bedtime routine and teaches them to fall asleep on their own. We would suggest this be used after a bedtime story, once the lights are out to transition parents out of the room. It also has features that play meditations or white noise if your child prefers.

Price:  Free in the or on .

4. :

The most comprehensive baby activity tracker! This app allows you to track everything from feedings and diapers to vaccination records and growth charts! It will sync with anyone else you grant access to. A spouse or partner, nanny, or family members. I have used this with several families myself and it is incredibly easy and helpful!

Price:  $4.99 a month in the .

5.

A Parental Control app to manage how your kids spend their time on family devices. Limit screen time and monitor websites and activity or filter content.  It even comes with a convenient family locator! This app even allows for you to set rules and schedules meaning that kids can only use certain apps at certain times, i.e. after dinner or before bed. Mom, dad or nanny can get alerts and reports with the child’s location history and usage as well as panic or SOS alerts with location details in the event of an emergency.

Price:  Free in the or on

6. :

This app turns safety and basic first aid skills into a game for younger children. The game teaches kids what to do in given situations such as getting lost, fires, stranger danger and situations that require first aid or even a call to 911. Your kids can easily learn how to stay calm and feel prepared to handle the unfortunate situations life may throw at them. We love suggesting this to our nannies and families as a fun activity you can do together!

Price:  $3.99 in the for the full version.

7.  

This app is brilliant. With Artkive you can scan and organize all your kids’ art projects and important papers through the years, freeing up your counter for other things!   All those adorable art projects your kids do with the nanny or at school can be kept in one place! Plus, its stored in your phone so you know your kids will be interested in looking through them that way! It also allows you to quickly share your child’s creations with family and friends! Bonus:  You can even turn those saved photos of your child’s creations into a photo album!

Price:  Free in the or .

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Although many household workers prefer cash, you may still be responsible for the nanny tax.  Unfortunately, the IRS can find out if you don’t pay taxes on household employees.

Example:  your nanny gets hurt on the job and files for worker’s comp coverage or unemployment benefits.  Now it becomes obvious that they aren’t covered and you, as the employer and homeowner are on the hook. 

In the event of an audit, the IRS will likely ask about regular payments (even in cash) being made to a single person.  In the end it is easier and less risky to pay your nanny legally. 

How do I know if I have a household employee?

If you pay your nanny or caregiver more than $2,100 in 2019 you must pay a nanny tax.  A nanny is a “household employee” because you control the work, hours and requirements while they are in your home.  For each household employee paid more than $2,100 in a year you are responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare and the Federal Unemployment Tax.

Taxes are often confusing.  Many families think it is easier to skip the taxes and just pay the nanny “under the table.”  This is tempting, but it is illegal and easier to get caught than you might think.  Failing to pay the nanny taxes can be incredibly costly to you in the end with up to $25,000 in penalties.  You are the employer, you are responsible. 

Most families can save thousands per year by paying the nanny tax! Here’s how:

Pre-tax FSA (flexible spending accounts) are available through many employers.  This allows employees to set aside a certain amount of their pre-tax salary on payments towards qualifying costs including childcare. 

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credits:  This can return up to twenty percent of your childcare expense in the form of tax credits. 

We have partnered with to make things simple.  As experts in the field of household employees, they will help you every step of the way! They will offer all tax information you specific to Arizona. Nanny payroll, direct deposit, worker’s comp and health insurance are also available!  is an all in one provider and a valuable resource.  We are proud to recommend their services.

Did we get you wondering how much nanny taxes might cost you? (it is probably less than you think…) Check out our ! 

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