Are you still reeling from the shock and busy pace of having to suddenly school your kids at home this past school year due to COVID19? With school closures happening so suddenly, it was a real struggle for many working parents to adjust to not only working from home but also having to school your child at the same exact time. To be honest, as much as we would rather it not happen, the possibility of that same scenario playing out in the coming school year is a very real possibility.

We are in a time of uncertainty in our upcoming school year. Right now, while we are a month or so out from the start of the school year, is the time to begin preparing for the possibility of school closures. You need to right now be thinking about what options your family has for education, and to begin putting them into place. We are here to share with you the options for back to school this year which includes information all about private educators.

There are many education options available to families. From letting your child attend the public or private schools, and going with whatever flow happens during the year, to hybrid homeschooling and straight-up homeschooling. The choice is yours as the parent.

But if you are a working parent, the option of homeschooling, although appealing in current times, may not seem a possible option for you. But it can be, if you really desire it.

More and more parents are realizing that you can hire a licensed teacher, to come into their home and teach their children. Sometimes this teacher is also a nanny and will care for the other non-academic needs of your children as well.

Perhaps you are a work from home parent and you really want the confidence of knowing that your child is safe at home and that their education will not be abruptly interrupted. But since you are working, you know it would be a real challenge for you yourself to give them the time needed for their education, and to maintain your current job. For this type of situation, you might want to consider hiring a teacher to come into your home for a few hours a day and have them teach the subjects they would otherwise be learning at school.

Or maybe you are a parent that works outside the home and you still want to know that your child’s education will not suddenly be interrupted by closures. But you know there is no way you are able to stay home to teach them. Then you may want to consider hiring a nanny, who is also able to teach and administer daily school work, with the bonus of taking care or the other needs of your children in the safety of your home.

But what are some of the other benefits of hiring a teacher to homeschool your child, besides not having your child’s schedule is suddenly interrupted and knowing your children are safe at home? Here are the many benefits of homeschooling:

Your Child Will Be Able to Learn at Their Own Pace

Mainstream classrooms place emphasis on the group as a whole. Teaching your child at home, essentially puts your child in charge of the learning pace. If they understand a concept, they can quickly move on. But if they are struggling, you can focus more on that skill.

Freedom Over Your Schedule

You and the teacher you hire can set the school hours. You can choose when and where they complete their lessons. Whether that be in the morning, afternoon, or even evening. What works best for you, is what you do.

Learning Outside the Box Through Play 

You will have the ability to be allow your teacher to be spontaneous in their teaching. Perhaps your child takes a sudden interest in a topic. You can let the teacher use the time with your child to help that child learn more about that interest in unconventional ways. Whether that is researching, taking a trip, or planning an activity around that subject. The world can be their classroom.

Just know that you the parent have options during these times. And now is the time to start thinking and preparing for what might come.

We know that you are doing your best, no matter what choice you make regarding your child’s education. We hope this helps open your eyes to the possibility of private educators to help in your home with schooling this year and helps provide options for back to school this year. If we can help you in finding the perfect private educator or nanny for your home, you can find out more about our placement services here. We are here to help you along this unknown time of school and find the best fit.

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What is a household manager?

�����鶹 managers make sure the day to day operating of your home runs smoothly by planning, coordinating, or helping meet what ever your families needs are. They can be great assets to very large families or even smaller ones. If it’s a larger household with different staff, they would oversee all the staff and whatever other needs the family has; in essence a household manager would have once been called a butler. 

What do they do?

One of their responsibilities is to oversee general operations and staff if the family has any. Some expectations a family may have would be:

• Making appointments 
• Taking care of the household bills 
• Running errands 
• Supervising staff like private cooks, housekeepers, or nannies 
• Shopping 
• Scheduling and overseeing home repairs or maintenance 
• Keeping up with the home calendar and schedules 
• Family Meal Prep
• Booking Travel and Arrangements
• Party and Event Planning
• House Sitting and Pet Care

If it is a smaller household the home manager may also be required to take on the duties of cook, housekeeper, etc.

Why you may need a household manager?

Today we live in a fast-paced lifestyle and sometimes the demands of this world can take a lot of our precious time. Having a household manager keeping everything in your home running smoothly so you can get some of that time back and invest it in things more important like your family. They can take the stress out of all your planned events and monthly home needs so you can just enjoy your free time. 

How much does a home manager cost?

The salary range for a home manager can be very broad. Busy families that live in the suburbs will have a different offer than what a high profile family would require. It could range from $20 an hour to a yearly salary of $50,000 to $100,000 or more! In Phoenix and Scottsdale, most house manager salaries fall in the $25 an hour range. Some people pay for just a part-time home manager and others may want full time or even live on-site estate managers. 

As you can tell, a household manager can be anything the employer needs them to be. They can go from managing larger estates and families with the other staff that goes along with that. Or to just being a part-time manager that helps a smaller family stay organized and get back a little more time to enjoy their children whether that’s an after school ball game or dance recital. They can even help to make sure all the monthly bills are paid and finances are budgeted. I think we all wish we had a little help in taking care of some of these tasks that goes along with a home running smoothly, don’t you?

Let us help you find the perfect household manager to help take the stresses of your everyday household away. You can find out more here.

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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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Nanny Appreciation Week also known as National Nanny Recognition Week has been observed since 1998 in the last week of September to recognize and celebrate nannies. As we celebrate and recognize all the important nannies this week for nanny appreciation week, I want to provide some great ways to show your nanny you appreciate them by giving you five diffrent ideas that will surely help you figure out what to get that special nanny!

5 Gifts That Any Nanny Would Love:

• Gift Certificate for a Massage

What better way for them to relax than with a massage? Look up your local spas and get your nanny a gift certificate so she can go and enjoy some relaxation and feel rejuvenated afterward!

If you want to do something extra special, add in a manicure and pedicure and boy your nanny will feel extra spoiled!

• Weeklong of Fun and Surprising Gifts 

Credits go to for this amazing idea!!

You can do a treasure hunt for your nanny. Here are the days of the week and what you can do:

Day one: Starbucks gift card tucked away in the diaper changing station in the diapers. See all the details by clicking .

Day two: Grocery gift card hidden in the refrigerator! The note can read “Thanks for keeping us well fed. Here are some groceries for you too!”

Day three: Dunkin’ Donuts gift card hidden in the tub! Since the Nanny helps with the baby’s bath or bathing the kids, we decided to give her a dunkin gift card. 

The note can read, “We knew we would find you here. Thanks for keeping us clean. Donut you know we would stink without you. (Also consider, donut know what we would do without you!)”

Day four: Shell Gas gift card. If the nanny drives the kids around, then surprise her with a tank of gas! More details by clicking .

Day five: Amazon gift card. Since your nanny could be exhausted with keeping up with all the kids and all for the week, get her an Amazon gift card where she can shop online and relax while at home! More details by clicking .

• Nanny Themed Jewelry

I think this is a beautiful piece of jewelry that shows they are appreciated and loved. It would make a great gift for nanny recognition week or anytime of the year really! Take a look .

• �����鶹made Gift from the Kids

What better way to show your nanny how much the kids love them by the kids being involved in making a gift? There are so many wonderful ideas for the kids to make their nanny something that she can cherish forever or you an purchase something personalized with special photos too! Here are a few ideas: 

*Handprint framed art from kid(s)

Have the kid(s) paint a handprint on a sheet of paper with a creative design (like the heart pictured) or something else and then write on the paper a sweet poem to your nanny or you can do it with vinyl on the glass of the frame.��

*Picture collage of the children

You can check out Shutterfly to come up with a few gift ideas with the pictures you have of the children and nanny and create a wonderful and memorable gift that way. Here are some of my favorites:

*Cotton tote bag with picture found .

*Monogram Stainless Steel Water Bottle found .

*Photo Gallery Candle found .

• Nanny Favorites Gift Basket

Do you know what your Nanny loves? If so, purchase all their favorites and put it in a gift basket and this is a very sweet and thoughtful gift.��

If you do not know what all your Nanny’s favorites are then try using a form like this and find out:

If you are interested in the actual pdf of this you can check it out here at .

Or you can create your own with some questions and have your Nanny fill it out.

We hope you enjoy these gift ideas and that you will take the time to show your nanny how much you appreciate them. After all, they do become a part of the family. 

Also, if you are in need of a nanny for your family or you are a nanny interested in a nanny position, please check out our family section and our nanny section. We’d love to help you find the perfect match!

What are some gifts you like to give to your nanny?

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A: I have worked with children for nearly 16 years. I’ve worked in daycare’s, after school programs, behavioral health centers, and have been a career nanny / house manager for 13 years! 

Q:  How long have you worked with �����鶹?

A:  I started working with �����鶹 3 years ago doing reference checks and screenings.  I have since stepped into the ownership position. I am thrilled to continue the incredible reputation Cindy Littwin built from the ground up as the previous owner. 

Q:  Where are you from originally?

A:  The Midwest.  Born in a small town in northern Minnesota, grew up in Rockford, Illinois, and had a short stint in Middleton, Wisconsin.  Then moved to Minnesota and most of our family remains there! 

Q:  What is your favorite restaurant in the valley?

A: There are so many great options!  I love Greenhouse @ Kierland Commons, True Food Kitchen @ Scottsdale Quarter, and Sumomaya.  My husband recently introduced me to El Chorro in Paradise Valley!

Q:  What are your favorite shows? 

A:  Anything with Gordon Ramsay. I also enjoy Golden Girls, Fixer Upper, Friends, Arrested Development, and The West Wing. 

Q:  Best place you have traveled?

A:  Funny story, before we went to Hawaii I was convinced that I wouldn’t like it.  The Caribbean was my only tropical reference point and i was certain Hawaii wouldn’t be the same, I was wrong.  Hawaii is hands down my favorite place I have ever vacationed.  The natural beauty is incredible and there is a sense of calm almost everywhere you go.  It is the perfect place to recharge and remains my happy place.

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