Do the Nanny Shuffle!
Posted: July 23, 2013 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tips | Tags: connecting with children, dancing, El Fuego, nanny dancing with kids, Sassafras, shuffle 2 CommentsFinding ways to entertain kiddos, preschool age and up, is a collaborative process, involving both nanny and kiddo. When it comes to activities, I give them ideas, but they ultimately choose what they want to do, and may be in charge of where the day takes them. As far as bonding on a personal level, humors fly back and forth through conversation, empathies emerge, and we develop our rapport together. 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 »
The Threshold Phenomenon
Posted: December 6, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tips, Tunes | Tags: attitude, Doc, El Fuego, kiddos, outdoors, Rebel, Sassafras 2 Comments
There are some naturally occurring wonders that cannot be explained, only defined by their universally effective nature. Children being happier outside is one of them. I call it the Threshold Phenomenon, so named after the marked change between a restless rugrat’s immediately cheerful change to happy-go-lucky youngster when alfresco. Most “rough” days with the kiddos happen when, because of weather- the heat most often, and the cold sometimes (in Austin there’s not much of an in-between)-they are unable to go outside. Read the rest of this entry »
¡El Fuego!
Posted: November 27, 2012 Filed under: Miss Cheryl, Tales, Tunes | Tags: El Fuego, fiery, Godson, heat, hot, infant, new addition, red hair, red-haired baby 2 Comments
Introducing El Fuego!
My newest addition to Y’all Behave is my ridiculously adorable Godson, El Fuego. (Y’all may recall my reference to him in connection with an original song I penned in his honor.) I’ve begun watching him on a weekly nannying basis, plus the precious (though never enough!) Godmother/Godson time with him on the side! El Fuego is very aptly named; his fiery red hair alone begs a nickname of scorching proportions, and his need for speed is insatiable at only a few months of age! Read the rest of this entry »
Y'all Behave! 