A Separate Peace
Posted: February 12, 2013 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tips, Tunes | Tags: Boss lady, engaging children, kiddos, nanny, parallel play, playtime, Sassafras, Sassy, separate 3 Comments »
As a Supernanny, I try my best to always be engaging to the kiddos. I play with them, talk to them, always trying to keep them active and excited. However, I have learned from my charges, mostly those that are only children, that sometimes kiddos, like adults, need their personal space. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s the Little Things:)
Posted: January 31, 2013 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales | Tags: anny's love, Boss lady, chores, Doc, Doc. sweet moments. Captain Awesome, juggle, juggling, little things, nanny's love, nanny/charge relationship, princess, Rebel, Sassafras, Sassy, special relationship, sweet moments, uggling 2 Comments »
Many of my most memorable times nannying are less essayish and more episodic; tidbits of time that while seemingly insignificant, in the grand scheme of things, are monumental moments to me. Here are some of my favorites. I hope y’all enjoy!
While chillin’ with Captain Awesome one evening after many hours (I think he was my third house of the day) of nannying, I felt exhausted, probably looked even worse, and hadn’t seen the sunny side of a shower in more hours than I care to admit. But to my surprise he looked at his sister, Princess’s, Disney game, then back at me, then pointed to Cinderella on its cover and said, “Looks like you!” to which I responded with the most grateful “Thanks, dude. You are so awesome.” A smile fixed on my face for the rest of the week. Read the rest of this entry »
Sick!
Posted: January 8, 2013 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tips | Tags: barf, Big Cat, Boss lady, captain awesome, children throwing up, Doc, Mr.Man, princess, Rebel, sick children, sick with the nanny, sick! shel silverstein, vomit 4 Comments »
A question I get very often when people hear that I’m a nanny is, “Do you do diapers(insert disgusted nose wrinkle)?” to which I amusedly reply that, yes, I do “do diapers”. Oh, if only they knew. I’ve changed the worst diapers imaginable, though at times in the life of a Supernanny, diapers are the least of my worries. I usually concentrate the majority of my time and energy on making sure the kiddos are having fun, cared for properly, learning, and behaving well. It takes a lot of energy to make sure all of these stars align, even in the best kiddos’ homes. However, when an ailment is afoot, then my skills, sanity, and stomach are often put to the test. Read the rest of this entry »
Kiddos and Kitties
Posted: January 3, 2013 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales | Tags: blue eyes, Boss lady, cats, children, feline, kiddos, kittens, kitties, Rebel 2 Comments »
I was nannying a few weeks ago, an evening of “babysitting” for an about bi-monthly, purely date night charge, Bruiser (one and a half year old little boy). It had been a few weeks since I had been to Bruiser’s house and with some sporadic charges there is a period of adjustment before they fully give over to my powers of play. Bruiser had a runny nose and no nap, and so I thought it best to give him some space. He had a Curious George on, and was polishing off his bottle so I took this as my cue to sit on the couch a few feet from where he was sitting on the rug. As the show unfolded I noticed that Bruiser had scooted over closer to me. After a few minutes he stood up and shuffled his way over closer. Then he glanced up at me before walking in front of me and leaning, resting his little back against my knees. (I’ve seen this slow progression happen a hundred times. Previously, it had been experienced with cats. Just as with new feline friends, it is best to approach kiddos slowly, getting nonverbal cues from them before attempting to pick them up.) I slid my hands gently under Bruiser’s armpits, smiling at him, and when he returned my smile I knew he would be ok with me lifting him onto my lap. After biding my time, he snuggled in for a nice show time cuddle and subsequent bath and bedtime both went very smoothly. Bruiser’s similarity to a certain stealthy cat got me thinking about the comparable habits of kiddos and kitties. Read the rest of this entry »
Don’t Speak!
Posted: December 11, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tips, Tunes | Tags: Big Cat, Boss lady, El Fuego, kiddos, kids, nanny, quiet, Rebel, Sassafras, shhh, silence is golden Leave a comment »
Besides being the definitive breakup song of my middle school years, Don’t Speak is also a great dollop of nannying advice. Like Gwyn Stefani, I use my voice a lot at work. I spend my days reading to the kiddos, baby-talking to the infants, singing little ones to sleep, conversing, answering questions, giving directions; nannying is a vivacious variety of verbalization. And though the kiddos crave my words, my songs, my vocal attentions, I’ve learned that sometimes they just need me to shut up. Read the rest of this entry »
Keep it Sassy!
Posted: December 4, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales | Tags: baby girl, Boss lady, nanny, princess, Sassafras, Sassy, sassy girls 1 Comment »
In the six (coming up on seven) years I have spent being an Austin Supernanny, I seem to have accumulated mostly male charges. Little dudes seem to be my lot in life, and I love it! But whenever I have the opportunity to have a gal thrown into my kiddo corral, it is quite a treat! I cherish my “Girl Time” with Princess and my Boss Lady dance parties, because it is a chance to be around that girly energy that I rarely get the chance to enjoy. And so, my newest sporadic charge, Sassafras has risen in the ranks as a kiddo to watch! Read the rest of this entry »
You Can Count On Me!
Posted: November 15, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales | Tags: attendance, big, Boss lady, capable, cat, commitment, dependable, Doc, Mr.Man, on time, punctual, Rebel, value 2 Comments »If memory serves, my first several years of nannying, or babysitting rather, between the age of 11 and 18, were filled with mistakes. Not having yet developed the valuable skill of time management I was tardy at times(most times), irresponsible simply by inexperience and immaturity (driving kiddos without parental permission. AHHH!!!!!!), and generally clueless, finding my way as a caregiver. When you’re a teenager you have little to no common sense and are still learning to take care of yourself, let alone others. However, I have always had the best intentions, and tried very hard to be helpful and fun. I eventually hit my stride, able to take four kiddos (ranging in age from infant to school age) to and from the pool, and out running errands during the day for one week (Y’all may recall M1,M2,& M3,and M4.)! This achievement was actually my foot in the Austin nannying door; upon hearing I was capable of wrangling four kiddos, for five days, the Austin mamas knew I was the real McCoy! Read the rest of this entry »
Blind Spots
Posted: November 8, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales | Tags: blind, blind spots, blue eyes, Boss lady, disciplinary blind spots, driving, nanny cannot discipline, unable to discipline 1 Comment »
Drivers have blind spots, generally located in the rear right and rear left of the vehicle. These areas make it difficult for even the best drivers to confidently make moves without an over-the-shoulder confirmation. Nannies, even super ones, have disciplinary blind spots, located in certain households, and in the shape of specific kiddos. Even the most experienced Supernanny will encounter a child/ren who make it impossible to impose discipline. There is no rhyme or reason for the assignment of a disciplinary blind spot, no criteria except the intangible power certain kiddos possess over the nannies who love them. Read the rest of this entry »
Little Radioheads
Posted: August 28, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tips, Tunes | Tags: Big Cat, Boss lady, child appropriate radio, children, children music, children's playlist, Doc, melody, Mr.Man, music, pandora for kids, picking out music for children, playlist, Rebel 2 Comments »
What kind of music someone prefers can tell you a lot about him/her. Some of the most revealing conversations I have had with friends and family have been about music, and it is through our mutual love of music, and The Doors in particular, that my fiancé Luke and I first fell in love. Music is a way to bond with people and provides a common denominator in relationships. (That, or bad taste in music can act as a red flag for someone you do not need to spend a road trip with!) Read the rest of this entry »
