As the weather warms and we all prepare to spend more time outdoors, we are sharing our top tips to prepare your home for a healthy, organized, and social season. From refreshing your property after the cold winter months to readying your staff for a busy calendar of events, thoughtful planning is key to an easy transition.

Examine Outdoor Spaces

Before contacting any vendors or maintenance providers, we suggest you (or your estate manager) do a full walk-through of outdoor spaces and any areas that haven鈥檛 been regularly used during the winter months. Look for damage from storms, wear and tear, and things that might need extra attention. We recommend a full inspection of the pool if it was closed for the season, including heating, lighting, and filtration. Be sure to also check gym equipment, saunas, outdoor lighting, water features, and garage maintenance. Start with repairs, painting, and servicing before moving on to deep cleaning and organizing.

Prepare Outdoor Furniture

Once you鈥檙e certain all maintenance and repairs have been completed, it鈥檚 time to move on to cleaning and aesthetics. Outdoor kitchens, seating areas, pool grounds, and other social areas should be cleaned and stocked for the summer. Outdoor furniture and cushions should be professionally cleaned after months of storage.

Breathe Clean Air

Inside the home, replace HVAC and air purifier filters and cleans any overhead fans. It鈥檚 a good time to have all curtains and window treatments professionally cleaned, as well as carpets. Make sure to dust crown moldings, exposed beams, and other architectural details. Take the time to make sure you have only the smart home apps on your phone that you need; delete old apps taking up space.

Stock Wine Cellar & Bar

Depending on how you entertain, we suggest stocking commonly used areas with summer beverages. For the pool house or outdoor fridge, we鈥檇 bring out some ros茅 and white wine, as well as sparkling water, bottled lemonade, and your other favorite refreshing beverages. Make sure the ice makers and bar sinks are all cleaned and in good working order and that the wine cellar temperature is carefully controlled for summer.

Beyond the Usual Deep Clean

It鈥檚 a great time of year to go beyond the usual deep clean and have curtains and upholstered furniture professionally cleaned and steamed, as well as silver polished, and windows washed. Take the time to deep clean appliances, ovens, and grills.

Check Artwork Conditions

Double-check artwork positioning in the home in terms of sunlight and temperature. The harsh sun can quickly damage works that aren鈥檛 properly protected. Take this time to make sure everything you鈥檝e acquired over the last year is properly documented and your insurance is up to date.

Personal Wardrobe

Swap out your items seasonally and review your closet for anything you can donate or give away. It鈥檚 a good time of year to have luggage and jewelry professionally cleaned. Luggage in particular is often overlooked but caring for high quality travel items will keep it looking fresh for longer, regardless of how often you travel.

We also recommend that you dry clean winter coats before putting them into storage, and make any necessary winter boot or shoe repairs now. Everything should be packed away clean and in good condition.

Prepare Guest Rooms

Swap out bed linens for lighter summer versions, add beach towels, and restock toiletries. Make sure the HVAC system is working properly in the room. It鈥檚 also a good time to add some little details to make your guest鈥檚 stay more comfortable – perhaps add a few books or magazines, a cozy robe, phone charger, and clearly available Wi-Fi information. Double-check that there is clear space in the closet and drawers for their items.

Security Systems Review

As we head into a busy time of year with plenty of travel, make sure you or a trusted member of your team reviews all security measures in place.听They should check that all gates, keypads, cameras, and remote systems are working properly, and听are accessible by key staff members. Make sure there is also an emergency plan in place that everyone is clearly informed of, including child caregivers and all family members.

Seasonal Staff

This is also a great time to review the need for any seasonal staff, including summer nannies or chefs. Take the time to prep staff on the summer schedule and travel plans, as well as holiday hours and events they will be working. Review staff鈥檚 summer uniforms, reorder or clean as needed, and make sure everyone is ready for a busy season.

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September 21-27 is听听this year. Founded in 1998, the event serves as a way to thank and celebrate childcare workers. Local NNRW鈩� events happen worldwide but the best way to participate is by celebrating the caretakers in your life. This week, we are sharing a few ways you can show your nanny how much their work means to you. Remember that ultimately, the most meaningful gifts are those that reflect a deep appreciation for your nanny鈥檚 unique role in your family’s life.

Nanny Gift Guide

Thank You Card

Often the simplest gestures are the most meaningful. A simple card from your family acknowledging their hard work and thanking them can be a wonderful gesture. Consider asking your child to make the card themselves or听听(see below for several nanny-owned businesses we love)!

An Unexpected Bonus

Some might fear it impersonal but a bit of extra spending money is always a great choice for employee gifts. Even a small bonus is a great way to show appreciation to a beloved nanny.

Gift Cards to a Special Shop

Whether it be a favorite store, a local coffee shop, a spa, or a boutique they wouldn鈥檛 usually splurge on, a gift card is a nice way to encourage your nanny to treat herself. A gift card lets them know you think they deserve some self-indulgence.

Extra Time Off

Offering your nanny an unexpected day off or a long weekend can be a great way to show appreciation and boost morale.

Remember Something Special

Has your nanny mentioned anything they鈥檝e been meaning to try or purchase? Maybe they鈥檇 like to try pilates or sample pastries from the new bakery across town? Remembering something small they鈥檝e mentioned – and making the effort to bring that to life – can go a long way towards making your employee feel seen, listened to, and cared about.

Special Activity

You might consider organizing a special activity for the nanny during听NNRW鈩�. Perhaps a nice dinner out for the nanny and other employees? Maybe an afternoon at a local park? Whatever you choose, make sure the nanny gets to enjoy the time and not worry about work.

Sincere Appreciation

Take a few moments in the morning to sit down with your nanny or caregiver and express your appreciation in person. With the rush of childcare logistics and the busyness of life, it can be hard to praise and acknowledge your employee鈥檚 strengths. Just saying thank you and mentioning a couple specific strengths or things you appreciate can mean the world to a dedicated employee.

Gifts from Nanny-Owned Businesses

Below we鈥檝e included some thoughtful small gifts you can give your nanny from nanny-owned businesses – these are great ways to show your appreciation for your employee, and support another nanny at the same time.

The Nanny Cards believe every moment鈥攂ig or small鈥攄eserves to be celebrated. From 鈥渢hank you鈥� to 鈥渏ust because,鈥� their one-of-a-kind greeting cards are designed especially with nannies in mind, but perfect for all occasions. They primarily sell their cards in-person and via Instagram;听.

Although Nanny Melissa is mostly known for her playful crochet dinosaurs (a huge favorite among kids!), she also offers handmade crochet blankets, shawls, and crochet patterns. These make lovely gifts for nannies heading into the crisp autumn weather.

Founded by professional nanny Stephanie Bauchum, Nanny Tees offer playful T-shirts your nanny can play in the park with, workout in, or simply lounge around on their days off. The 鈥淪upercali tees鈥� and 鈥淣anny Life鈥� tees are among the best-sellers with nannies and employers; these are a fun way to thank your nanny.

Nanny Counsel’s best-selling Nanny Life canvas tote makes a thoughtful, practical gift for nannies, especially when paired with a cozy sweater available in multiple colors.

Since 2017, Kelsey has curated a store specializing in unique nanny gifts including unique keychains, apparel, holiday items, and playful stickers that make the perfect finishing touch to a gift.

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The post Nanny Gift Guide For National Nanny Recognition Week appeared first on 百花视频.

Whether it鈥檚 the recent election or just the constant influx of news, it is quite common for children to be stressed about things they鈥檝e heard on the television or seen online. This week, we鈥檝e gathered our top tips for talking to children about hard topics with the goal of encouraging curiosity and easing anxiety.

Ask questions. Be open-minded.

If you sense your child is anxious about something they saw in the news, ask questions. Find out what information they have (children often pick up on a lot more than we realize) and give them honest, age-appropriate answers. Offer information, resources, and reassurance. If a child shares an opinion that is hard to hear or different than your own, ask questions. Older children are developing their sense of self and may feel especially passionate about their individual opinions. Try to hold back judgement about your child鈥檚 thoughts and instead, ask questions. Ask what they love about a particular idea or person. Ask what values and topics are most important to them. Ask what their fears are. Encourage them to engage in political clubs at school, the debate team, or other forums for discussion. It may help them to have an outlet to explore ideas with others their own age. The goal of all these conversations should be to ask questions, help children gain knowledge, and encourage continued communication.

Learn together.

No matter how involved you are in your local community or in politics at a nationwide level, there is always more to learn. Learning together with your child can strengthen your bond and create a safe space, one where it is okay for you both to ask questions and explore new ideas. You might learn about current politics together or take the time to study history. You and an older child might both read the same history book or biography, for example. Younger children might benefit from a hands-on approach; you might visit a local history museum or nearby historic town together.

Teach digital literacy.

As children and adults spend more and more time online, it is increasingly important that we all understand how to filter the information we are bombarded with.听听offers a number of Media Literacy resources for children of all ages.

Talk to staff.

In general, staff should never share political views with children or with other staff while at work. Talk to caretakers ahead of time about how you鈥檇 like conversations handled if little ones bring up hard topics.

Take action.

The news can sometimes feel overwhelmingly negative. Help ease children鈥檚 anxiety by taking action. Volunteer together as a family. Donate as a family to a charity that you decide upon together. Participate in fundraising walks. There are many ways you can turn the nervous energy into positive change together as a family.

Be a stable source of reassurance and support.

Make sure that your children know that whatever happens in the outside world, your family and home are a safe place. Remind them that they can always talk to you and you will always listen. Practice mindfulness techniques together. Focus on spending time outdoors and moving your bodies together. If your family is particularly politically-minded, make sure that the family dinner table conversation allows time for other topics too.

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The post Talking To Children About News & Politics appeared first on 百花视频.

Whether you鈥檙e jetting to a vacation or driving a few hours outside the city, traveling with young children requires a little extra preparation to make the experience smooth for the whole family. This week, we鈥檝e gathered our top tips for traveling with little ones.

Bring a variety of activities for planes, trains, and car rides.

Come prepared with a selection of travel-friendly activities and games for your child. We suggest bringing something interactive that can be done with a sibling or parent, games/toys that can be utilized alone, an educational game, a downloaded movie or show, and one small new item. Keep the new (or most exciting) item until later in the trip when you might need to distract a tired or overstimulated child.

We recommend magnetic travel games (like听) to minimize lost pieces, plus simple card games, coloring books, and workbooks. We love the idea of buying children a听听补苍诲 asking them to draw pictures related to their travels each day – it鈥檚 a great way to occupy your child and learn what parts of the trip mean the most to them. And, of course,听听for a list of games that don鈥檛 require any supplies at all.

Schedule wisely.

You know your children best – book your tickets mindfully. Although it will be different for every family, in most instances we find morning travel to be the best for toddlers, when they are generally less fussy and tend to have better attention spans. When booking flights, think about meal times, nap times, and energy levels for each child. Communicate the schedule to little ones ahead of time and remind them the night before; children can be very affected to changes in their routine and communication can help manage expectations. If you have a child who has trouble sleeping, you might try a travel toddler bed () – we suggest having your child sleep in it at home pre-travel for a night or two to help ease the transition.

Whenever possible, build in extra time when planning routes – running late can cause a lot of unnecessary stress at the start of the trip that can set the tone for the entire journey. All that being said, flight delays and other unexpected hiccups do pop up; do your best to adjust your schedule accordingly and give your children grace as they try to adapt to new situations.

Take advantage of services your hotel offers.

Many hotels offer family-friendly services, including cribs, toys, diapers, strollers, and more. Call the concierge at your hotel and find out what they can provide for you – often you will be surprised by how much they can take off your plate! The lighter you can travel, the better! Along the same lines, utilize the laundry services at hotels so you can pack less.听Click here for our list of hotels with great family services.

Have familiar snacks on hand.

Pack snacks your children know and love to avoid waiting in lines and trying to find suitable alternatives at the airport. Consider bringing sliced fruit and vegetables, string cheese, granola, healthy cookies, and other healthy treats they love. We like听听to bring a variety of snacks; you can restock it in your destination city to bring on the trip back. 听If traveling somewhere where the food will be quite different, you might bring a stash of non-perishable familiar snacks for your child; while it鈥檚 important to encourage children to try new things, it鈥檚 wise to have a backup ready for days when the priority is just to get them fed and out the door to explore.

Dress in layers.

Dress littles ones in easy-to-remove layers. Often the weather upon arrival and the temperature in the airplane are vastly different; make things easy on yourself and pack simple, comfortable clothing (think breathable clothing with minimal buttons etc.) in your carry on. And don鈥檛 forget to do the same for yourself!

Invest in time savers and little luxuries.

This will look different for every trip and every family. However, when possible, we suggest investing in shortcuts that will make your life easier. For some trips, this might be听听辞谤听听(children under 12 can join you in either lane without restriction). For others, it might be taking advantage of the airport lounges. If you have an American Express card, check if you have access to the听听– they are known for family-friendly amenities, including playrooms with toys and puzzles. In some instances, it鈥檚 smart to travel privately for the most flexibility and the least headaches.

Finally, instead of driving to the airport and dealing with parking, we prefer booking a car service there and back; for a small price, you can remove one complication from your trip and make the day a little easier. Call ahead and make sure they have necessary car seats and any other items your family will need.

Communicate with staff.

Make sure you communicate travel plans and expectations to your nanny and any other staff traveling with you. How will the children鈥檚 schedules be affected? Is more screen time allowed? 听What about candy to help with their ears when taking off? Will you try to keep children on your original time zone or acclimate to the new location? To avoid miscommunications, we suggest having a meeting ahead of time to make sure everyone is on the same page.听Click here for Tips For Traveling With Your Household Staff.

Stay calm.

Things will likely not go exactly as you planned. The most important thing is to try to stay calm, stay patient and present with your little ones, and not worry about what others think. Make sure you are eating and taking care of yourself too. Trips with little ones can be stressful but they are also an important opportunity to explore the world together, learn new things, and make memories.

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The post Toddler Travel Guide appeared first on 百花视频.

Dos and Don鈥檛s for the Hiring Process

From costly tax mistakes to misleading job descriptions, there are plenty of pitfalls that can happen along the way in the hiring process. The goal is not only to find top talent but to hire a long-term match for your home. High turnover in a home can waste money and time, and affect the morale of the other employees – we recommend being diligent in the hiring process the first time around, in the hopes that you won鈥檛 have to do it again for years. This week, we are sharing some of our top tips for making a successful hire.

Do write a clear and detailed job description.

The first step in a successful search is getting very clear on what you are looking for. What aspects of the job are non-negotiable? Be specific – for example, if you are looking for a nanny to take on some light housekeeping, what do you mean by that? List specific tasks they will be responsible for, e.g. children鈥檚 laundry or vacuuming the playroom. Should the candidate have a driver鈥檚 license? Should they know how to swim? Think about what qualities are听a must听补苍诲 what would be a plus, but might not be necessary. Share these details with the agency recruiter in charge of your role and be open to their feedback; in some cases, you may need to adjust expectations or split the role into two to find the best pool of candidates.

Don鈥檛 judge based on resume only; don鈥檛 overlook the importance of soft skills and personality.

When reviewing resumes, don鈥檛 make hasty assumptions. Often if a recruiter sends a candidate whose resume isn鈥檛 quite as strong as the others, there is a reason. Maybe they are a great fit personality-wise or have had specific experiences that make them an exceptionally good fit for your family. Many people are better in person than on paper – and vice versa, of course! Sometimes the best looking candidate on paper just don鈥檛 feel right when engaging in person. Household staff spend a lot of time in your home and a good personality fit is vital for longevity. Trust your instincts.

Do take your time – but move quickly when you find the right fit.

It can sometimes take time to find the right fit; the goal is to find a long-term fit and this isn鈥檛 always possible in a short period of time. You might consider hiring a temporary staff member to fill in while you do the search. That being said, there is a lot of competition for top candidates so once you find someone you feel is a good match, let them know you are serious and move quickly (while still doing your due diligence, of course!).

Don鈥檛 rely on one avenue for candidates.

Simply posting an ad online is likely not enough if you鈥檙e looking to select from a pool of top candidates. Working with an agency can be helpful as they use multiple avenues to source candidates, including referrals from clients and other candidates.听

Do your due diligence.

Never hire a candidate who can鈥檛 provide references. References are an incredible tool to learn about your potential new hire – the pros and the cons, their strengths and their weaknesses. BAHS recruiters can check references, verify employment and education, and conduct background checks on your behalf to give you peace of mind.

Don鈥檛 ignore compliance rules and regulations, especially regarding taxes.

Not classifying workers correctly, skipping overtime, neglecting to have worker鈥檚 comp – there are many mistakes that are easy to make when hiring domestic staff. We recommend working with a payroll and HR company, such as听, to avoid these mistakes, many of which can be quite costly.听

We also recommend always having a contract in place with staff members, as well as a clear summary of expectations.听听补苍诲; contact us for more contract samples and suggestions. We suggest having your legal advisor review any contracts before sharing with a new employee.

Do talk about compensation and benefits.

Don鈥檛 be shy when it comes to talking about compensation. It is best to be upfront with candidates about pay, benefits, time off, and any other perks that come with the role. You can discuss this directly with the employee or ask your BAHS recruiter to have these conversations on your behalf. Don鈥檛 forget to think realistically about what types of help you will need during busy times of year – will you need more help in the summer or around holidays? Discuss how pay, hours, and expectations will be managed during these busy times.

Don鈥檛 skip the trial phase.

If there is time in the hiring process for a short trial, we always highly recommend it. A trial allows employers to test the waters and see if it is a good fit on both sides with minimal risk. Whenever possible, we suggest that the employer be present for the trial – as well as any other key staff members – and try to structure the trial as close to a normal day as possible. Give clear instructions and watch for red flags, such as tardiness, lack of discretion, problems with other employees, and inability to take direction.

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Tips from BAHS Senior Placement Specialist听Kate Hooper

After traveling the world as a nanny for 17 years, Kate is now playing matchmaker between candidates and clients as a senior recruiter at BAHS. As a nanny, Kate traveled extensively including spending time on a working dairy farm in the English countryside, a remote cabin in the Minnesota woods, and extended time on a yacht in the Caribbean. Traveling with children is her passion and she especially loves the creativity needed to entertain children on the go. From day trips to extended travel, lakes to oceans, she is most comfortable in the water and hopes you鈥檒l consider bring your children along for your next at sea adventure!

Tips for a Smooth Sail

1. Make a list of what you鈥檒l need on board and then communicate with the Chief Stew ahead of time and ask for photos of any gear they already have on board (high chairs, portable cribs, etc.) to minimize overlap and reduce what you need to bring. For younger children, bring your own life jackets, car seats, and safety items to ensure the right fit.

2. 听Bring toys that work for multiple ages, do not take up a lot of space, and can be used on land or at sea. For example,听听补苍诲听,听, and Safari Toob听听补苍诲听.

3. Pack听听for children鈥檚 rooms as an added safety measure

4. Go over boat rules BEFORE your trip. Practice playing red light green light and singing the听听so younger children are already comfortable with directions they鈥檒l hear onboard from crew.

5. Pack familiar snacks and foods from home (including for you!) and ask to confirm menu items with the chef in advance. You can add items to your preference sheet but there is no guarantee that an international location will have items your child prefers. Packing a few extras from home will help in a pinch and be comforting for the children when they are in a new environment .

6. HAVE FUN! Be flexible with schedules but keep the routines your children know from home.

Kate鈥檚 Top 5 Activity Ideas

1. 鈥淧ainting鈥� with water: hand out brushes of different sizes and a few small containers of water and let the children 鈥減aint鈥� the deck

2. Treasure hunt or scavenger hunt, have children team up with a member of the crew for assistance and safety

3. Themed nights: space, under the sea, pirates are easy to throw together

4. Cooking class and pizza night with Chef

5. Water Olympics: this is easy to adapt depending on the ages of the kids and how competitive you want to get

Q and A with Kate Hooper

What is your favorite part of being in the water?

I truly think of boats/yachts/ships, whatever the size, as a floating classroom. There is SO much for children to learn through these experiences. I highly recommend finding some books or YouTube videos about the native sea creatures you may see on your travels and the history of any ports you may visit.

What is the longest you have been on board a yacht? What challenges did you face?

30 nights straight! I think the biggest challenge is entertaining children on board when there is bad weather as you will truly have to stay inside for safety reasons. This is a great time to do a fort building competition, have the kids make their own movie that you record, or set up an indoor obstacle course.

What has been your favorite destination so far?

St. Lucia or Mustique were both so beautiful. My nanny kid and I loved the botanical garden in St. Lucia and visiting the playground in Mustique. In the Mediterranean, I love Monaco.

What are your top 5 essentials to bring for kids onto a boat?

听with a strap/tie for windy days, a听听to to apply sunscreen, water shoes that dry quickly, child-friendly remedies for motion sickness, a couple of old toy catalogs or magazines that can be cut up to be used for crafting on a rainy day.

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The post Tips for Yachting with Children appeared first on 百花视频.

The BAHS Team thought this week would be a good time to sit down with our payroll partner GTM and explore some common household staffing tax and payroll questions, plus share some of their free online resources. If you’d like to schedule a free consultation with GTM to learn more about how they can help you, .

With GTM鈥檚 payroll service, payroll and tax professionals will manage all of the wage, tax, and labor rules that come with every household staffing situation.

Can I classify my domestic workers as independent contractors and avoid paying household employment taxes?听

The IRS considers domestic workers to be employees and not independent contractors. It comes down to a matter of control. A household employer sets their staff鈥檚 schedule, gives instructions on how tasks should be completed, and provides tools and equipment for their staff to do their jobs. Misclassifying domestic workers as independent contractors is considered tax evasion.

How much will I owe in household employment taxes?听

Typically, a household employer will pay about 9-12% in taxes on top of an employee鈥檚 gross wages. An employer owes 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare (FICA) and 6% on the first $7,000 of gross wages for federal unemployment (FUTA). There will likely be state unemployment taxes, which vary by state, but usually fall around 3-4% of wages up to the state鈥檚 wage base. If you have a hired a nanny or senior caregiver, you may be able to use a Dependent Care FSA (offered through your employer) and/or the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to offset your tax obligations.

How do I pay my household employment taxes?听

Federal household employment taxes can be paid quarterly using听听You should remit both your share and your employees鈥� shares of FICA as well as your FUTA taxes. If you choose to withhold income taxes from your employees鈥� pay, that should be remitted as well. Waiting to pay household employment taxes with your personal income tax return could result in an underpayment penalty. Your state tax agency may also require quarterly tax filings.

What is workers鈥� compensation insurance, and do I need coverage?听

Workers鈥� compensation provides cash benefits and/or medical care for workers who are injured or become ill as a direct result of their job. Most states 鈥� including California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York 鈥� require household employers to obtain coverage. Workers鈥� compensation will likely need to be separate policy. In California and New Jersey, coverage can be added to a homeowner鈥檚 policy. Not having the appropriate policy in place is one of the costliest mistakes a household employer can make with fines and penalties quickly reaching into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Further Resources from GTM

(Note that while this article focuses on Nannies, this information holds true for other types of household staff, including Personal Assistants and Housekeepers)

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When a staff member calls out听sick, it can cause stress for the employee and the employer, and can lead to schedule changes for the entire household. While it’s impossible to avoid all stress, there are certainly ways to make these unavoidable听days听a little easier for all involved. This week, we’ve compiled a few tips to best prepare and handle听days听when your听nanny听calls out听sick. Remember, BAHS recommends offering staff a minimum of 5听sick/personal听days听in addition to PTO听days听for planned vacation. Make sure your staff members have two consecutive听days听off in a row each week and a reasonable daily schedule to allow them to rest and recharge in between shifts; this will allow employees to be the best, healthiest version of themselves.

Be compassionate.

When a听nanny听(or any staff member) calls out听sick, be kind, keep any questions to a minimum, and then move on to arranging alternate care. Unless specifically agreed ahead of time, it isn’t the听sick听employee’s job to organize backup care for the day or communicate with coverage. While this change of plans might complicate your schedule for the day, don’t take this stress out on the employee. One day of inconvenience is much easier to deal with than fixing a relationship with a good employee who feels underappreciated or uncared for.听Remember, all employees are human and all of us get听sick. By making the day stress-free for your听sick听employee, you increase the likelihood that they can rest and return to work quickly, as well as communicate to them that you care about them as a whole person.

Be proactive & have a backup plan.

We recommend all families have a backup plan in place for instances when the main听nanny听calls in听sick. For families with more than one nannies for multiple children, this might be as simple as asking another听nanny听to take on an additional charge for the day. In other homes, the housekeeper is equipped to help out with childcare for a day or two. Sometimes, family members, neighbors, or a weekend babysitter can step in. Whatever the case is for your family, make sure that you have a plan beforehand to reduce stress for everyone. Have conversations with the backup care about routines, allergies, and other safety precautions in advance. Set the backup caretaker up for success by filling them in on the current skills, interests, challenges, favorite toys, schedule etc. of your child.

Keep your child in the loop.

While it may not feel like a big change to adults, little ones can be thrown off by an unexpected change to routine. Be sure to communicate to your child that their听nanny听is听sick听but will return soon. Give them specific details about how their day will change and who will be picking up them up from school and other activities. Remember to communicate the change in caretaker to teachers and any other adults who might need to be updated.

Check in during the day.

We highly recommend checking in with the backup caretaker during the day to keep both your minds at ease. They will likely need more support than your regular听nanny. Finally, it is appropriate to check in with your听nanny听near the end of the day to see how they are feeling and find out if you will need backup care the following day or if they are hopeful they will be able to return to work.

What do I do if I have a听nanny听who routinely calls out听sick?听

It can be a very tricky situation when you have an otherwise excellent employee who has started to frequently call out sick. The first step in this situation would be to have a kind, open, honest and direct conversation with the employee; the goal is both to ascertain if something is going on with the employee (perhaps they’re struggling with a chronic illness or are having a problem at home) and听also to find a solution that works for both of you. You need reliable care;听find out what they need – perhaps this is a temporary problem听that can be remedied by a听flexible schedule in the short-term听(if you can accommodate that) or perhaps it is part of a larger problem that might require extended time off or a shift听to a part-time role. Whatever the case is, be clear about expectations going forward – and what support you can realistically offer. If the employee does not engage in the conversation or does not acknowledge there is a problem, be sure to document the conversation clearly and review with them the听sick听leave policy and future expectations.

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The entire BAHS team wishes you a warm and happy holiday season! This week, we are sharing some bonus guidelines for those of you seeking to treat your staff.

Should I give a bonus to my household staff?

Giving a bonus is common in the domestic staffing industry. This does not mean it is mandatory. We recommend offering a bonus to staff members that are performing well and who you intend to keep long-term. It’s lovely way to show your appreciation听补苍诲 support during the holiday season. We recommend being consistent year-to-year in terms of giving a bonus to each employee; if for some reason you cannot match previous years, we suggest having a conversation with the employee. An employee will typically see the bonus as an indication of their performance; if you give a lesser bonus to a high-performing employee, they may see it as a signal that they aren’t doing well. If that’s not the case, communication is key.

However, if one of your team members isn’t working out, we suggest having a clear and honest conversation with them about the problems; giving a bonus to an employee you don’t intend to keep on the team sends the wrong message and provides a false sense of job security.

Of course, if you’ve included bonus information in your employee’s contract, be sure to honor those terms.

How much should I gift?

We recommend anywhere from 1-4 weeks’ pay, depending on the employee’s performance and how long they have been employed in your home.听2 weeks’ pay is the average bonus for a domestic staffing employee.

Should I give other gifts in addition or instead of a bonus?

Gifts in addition to a bonus can be a welcome gesture. Nannies will love a framed photograph of themselves with the children or handmade cards from the little ones. Extra paid days off around the holidays to celebrate with family or in the new year to recharge are also a lovely way to show your appreciation.

I’m unable to give a bonus this year. What should I do?

If you are unable to give a bonus – or match last year’s – due to financial reasons, it is important to let the employee know so they don’t assume it is related to their performance. As with most things, misunderstandings can be avoided with early and open communication.

What are the tax implications for providing a bonus?

Per GTM: a听holiday or annual review bonus is considered taxable income. As the employer is the provider, the bonus does not qualify as a gift in the eyes of the IRS.

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The post Guidelines for Domestic Staff Bonuses appeared first on 百花视频.

Whether it’s the death of a loved one, something difficult they saw in the news, or a big life change, we鈥檝e gathered our top tips for talking to children about hard topics.

Find a quiet time and place, if possible.

You know your child best. If the conversation can wait a few hours, we suggest choosing a time when the child is well-fed and rested – perhaps after dinner. Choose a quiet time in a comfortable, familiar place. You want your child to feel safe to share their emotions – or retreat for privacy – and home is usually the best place for this.

Be honest and share what you can.

We recommend adults cater the details to the age of the child, of course, but it is best to be as honest as possible, without causing any unnecessary fear or sadness. Ask questions to find out what they know – often children hear and see more than we expect and we should be prepared to help them process this information. It’s best to tell a simple, age-appropriate version of the truth rather than shield children from uncomfortable information; they will likely find out eventually and it is better to learn about it from a trusted caregiver.

Explore thoughts and feelings.

Encourage your child to share their thoughts and feelings, and share yours in return. Without leaning on a child for support, it’s possible to share that you’re experiencing sadness or anger too – and that that these are normal emotions. Remind children that these negative emotions will come and go, and that even though they might be having big feelings right now, happy feelings will return. Be prepared to give children space if needed; sometimes a child needs time alone to process emotions. Leave room for that and make sure they know they can approach you to discuss further at a later time.

Be Flexible.

After a tough conversation, you might offer a little more flexibility and choice in the child’s routine. Would they like to snuggle after dinner on the couch? Do they want you to read them a book in bed? Give them simple choices and follow their lead so you can best support them in processing challenging and often new emotions.

Reassure and offer support.

No matter what the topic is, the goal is to help your child navigate their own hard feelings and to offer safety and support. Reassure the child that they are safe and their family is safe. Offer a hug and words of reassurance. Some children might require extra attention or appear clingy in the days following tough news; it can be tricky to find a balance between promoting independence and offering reassurance but it’s incredibly important that children see the caregiver as a safe and reliable person to go to during difficult times.

百花视频 offers听nanny consultant services to provide families with more confidence and knowledge in how to best support their children and to address any specific issues or questions. You can learn more about this service here.

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