Bite Me!…No, Wait! Don’t!
Posted: October 9, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tips | Tags: anne rice, biting, children biting, Doc, edward cullen, eric northman, infants, no biting, Rebel, stop children from biting, toddlers, true blood, twilight, vampire, vampire children, vampires, vampires in literature Leave a comment
Edward Cullen of Twilight. You’re welcome, moms.
I understand the long-standing allure of the vampire as a mythical creature (I’m a huge fan of Anne Rice), and the resurgence of vampires in pop culture by way of literary franchises such as Twilight and True Blood (both the brainchilds of female authors, gotta love that!), comes as no surprise to me. It’s an attractive premise-the idea of immortality, strength, power, passion, and the lifestyle it affords: late nights, sleeping the day away, no grocery shopping -hey, being a vampire sounds good to me! However, there is one aspect of the vampire legend that gives me major pause (pause, Team Jacob, not paws) and that is the whole biting part. As a Supernanny, one of the issues I run into occasionally is kiddos “turning” into biters. Now, it’s my duty to break them of this habit during my time with them, hopefully preventing it from happening in my absence. Read the rest of this entry »
Let’s Dance!
Posted: October 2, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tips, Tunes, Uncategorized | Tags: Big Cat, captain awesome, children dancing, dance, dancing, dancing nanny, Doc, kids dancing, princess, Rebel 3 Comments
Hand in hand with singing, as part of my nannying repertoire, is dancing. I love to dance, always have, always will. It is a great outlet for energy and a wonderful way to bond with the kiddos. In some ways nannying is a lot like dancing. Supernannies leave stage fright at the door, as do dancers; people who are inexperienced with children have the same pained facial expressions and awkwardness as someone who doesn’t know how to dance. Supernannies just go with the music, and no matter the moves, feel natural. Confidence is king in nannying, just like on the dance floor. Read the rest of this entry »
The Good Doctors
Posted: September 21, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: captain awesome, Doc, doctor, make believe, patient, play, playing doctor, princess, stethoscope, stuffed animals 2 Comments
As a Supernanny, who has nursed many a sick child, I rarely get the opportunity to play patient. However, when the chance for this role arises, I am all too eager to participate (if only to sit or lie down for a minute). With my older sister, Laurel being an excellent pediatrician, I have gained much experience taking on the less active part of patient. It is absolutely hilarious watching the kiddos take on the role of doctor, hilarious and adorable. Read the rest of this entry »
STOP! Bellybutton Time.
Posted: September 14, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales | Tags: bellybutton, bellybutton time, bellybuttons, Doc, funny, game, midriff, Rebel Leave a comment
It’s amazing how in a matter of minutes something hilarious and heartwarming can happen- many times out of the oddest situations. Perfect example: “Bellybutton Time” with Doc and Rebel. On a typical (though no day with these two is ever “typical”) day with Doc and Rebel, the three of us were hanging out post “rest time” and nap, when all of a sudden Rebel lifts up his little shirt and says, “Bellybutton!” Doc follows suit and lifts his little shirt and says, “Bellybutton!” Then they both look at me expectantly, eyes wide, facial expressions reading, “Ok, Miss Cheryl it’s your turn.” I balked. Read the rest of this entry »
Keep it Simple
Posted: September 11, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tips, Tunes | Tags: bare necessities, Big Cat, bubble wrap, children, Doc, gift buying, Mr.Man, nanny, play, shaving cream, simple, simple fun, simple toys, toys. cardboard box 2 Comments
Being a Supernanny, I am well-versed in the toys of now. In addition to shopping for the children myself, I often do gift recon as a favor to parents when their child’s birthday is coming up, and for past nannying gigs I’ve even done the gift buying (for the kiddos and their friends) for the parent. With tons of choices, different versions, “newest” this, “better” that, bells and whistles, navigating the toy aisle in Target becomes a trip into the modern wizardry of toys. When it comes to the kiddos I nanny, as birthdays/holidays come around I opt for books, educational toys, etc. and in my day-to-day nannying duties, I know all too well, that if it’s free, it’s for me! Many times, fun and fancy blossom from very simple items. The brilliance is in the simplicity! Read the rest of this entry »
Ease-y Rider
Posted: September 7, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tips | Tags: activity, captain awesome, Doc, ease transitions, first child, location, nanny, period of adjustment, schedule, second child, super nanny, thought 3 Comments
As a Supernanny, I run a tight ship schedule-wise. I’m always on time, or early, due in large part to the fact that I often over budget for time, because I know that when timeliness is dependent upon kiddo cooperation, there may be delays. One of the reasons I include these babe time buffers is because I know that the vast majority of children need a period of adjustment between one activity/location, and the next. It’s important to ease the transition from mealtime, to playtime, to chore time, to drive time, to bedtime. Kiddos are much more cooperative when they are not being pushed and pulled hurriedly in any direction. It’s not that there are averse to change, they just need to know it’s coming. 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 »
Right Round
Posted: August 21, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales | Tags: alice i wonderland, Big Cat, children, dizzy, Doc, glasses, intoxicated, Mr.Man, nanny, Rebel, spinning 2 Comments
As a Supernanny, I am privileged to be privy to many kiddos’ first brushes with intoxication. No, I don’t rub whiskey on their gums, I mean the intoxicating activity of spinning. I remember spinning, of any kind, being my activity of choice when I was a child. Whether I was on a tire swing, a merry-go-round at the park, or just holding hands with a friend/parent and whirling around, I loved the rush of adrenaline, the exhilaration of this seemingly simple activity. Read the rest of this entry »
Lost In Translation
Posted: August 3, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tips | Tags: Big Cat, children profanity, curse, cuss, cussing, Doc, first words, learning to talk, Mr.Man, nanny, profanity, Rebel, speech, swear, swearing, talking, toddler, understand 2 Comments
As a Supernanny, I pride myself on my ability to understand my young charges, an unspoken bond existing between us. However, when it comes to toddlers, it is in the realm of the verbal that a vast divide in understanding may occur. Toddler Speak, also known as gibberish, poppycock, and “huh?” is both endearing and confounding at the same time. Hearing a child formulate his/her first words is so adorable, it’s the chance to hear his/her speaking voice, which in and of itself is heart-melting. That combined with his/ her earnest efforts to communicate? So awesome, though not a little bit puzzling. Read the rest of this entry »
Save the Drama For Your Mama, Your Nanny’s Got Enough
Posted: July 27, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tips, Tunes | Tags: acting, actress, Big Cat, blue eyes, character, dancing, Doc, drama, dramatic, handsome, Mr.Man, Rebel, singing Leave a comment
Despite my now predominantly calm, cool, and collected way, I do have a flare for the dramatic. From a very young age I loved participating in anything theatrical(even if it just meant crying for no reason). In elementary school I joined the choir and participated in any and all school theater productions(most memorably as a singing leper, Read the rest of this entry »
Y'all Behave! 