I was recently asked by the International Nanny Association (INA) what changes I would you like to see in the nanny industry and how could INA help make those changes and I wanted to share my answer here:

“Adding a male nanny into a home offers its own very unique set of benefits; parents who are willing to hire a man to do what has traditionally been recognized as a “woman’s” occupation, teaches children at a young age the importance of equality and forward thinking. With the support of the INA and their community, I plan to spend my energy bettering and strengthening myself and my fellow male caregivers. I want me and my fellow mannies to show how paramount this role can be, particularly in scenarios where a male presence maybe lacking or non-existent.

A positive male role-model

With its widespread and ever growing network, I know that the INA can assist my agency, and other agencies by promoting the idea of the Male Nanny. With such a small number of male caregivers in the workforce, the male nanny position needs to be made a more appealing career choice – advertising the benefits of a domestic occupation, dispelling stereotypes around male nannies, and creating more awareness and acceptance of the male nanny would help to nurture a more qualified and sizable male workforce.

Gender tags

Ultimately, it is my intention for the term ‘nanny’ to lose its gender tag. Much like the word ‘nurse’ has lost its gender over recent years, now the title of a highly respected, and once female dominated position, holds little to zero preconceived gender. This is great for the medical profession – especially the males! It opens up a whole new set of opportunities.

Every journey begins with a step and I am fully committed to demonstrating the benefits of a male role model.   To do so I’ve started a Los Angeles based male nanny placement service, Angeles Mannies.

Working closely with the INA and other organizations, I will be leading by example, becoming more qualified and more equipped to handling any situation, from basic defense and protection courses to credential exams, and I’ll be encouraging my team of mannies to do the same. The world will see what Angeles Mannie’s are capable of providing the home!“

Angeles Mannies provides professional caring childcare to busy families in Los Angeles, check us out and please offer your support!

Bilingual Baby! 

Here are some pointers, facts & tips for the family raising a child to learn a foreign language, and how the nanny can help create a bilingual baby!

I work with lots of different families and their children, and am constantly fascinated by the ever-changing needs that is dictated by a child’s age. If it’s not sleep training it’s potty training, then add reading, then solid food – so much is introduced into a little one’s life SO fast it seems overwhelming. Most recently I was caring for a 10 month old infant however, I’ve seen that it’s quite the opposite.  The parents of this child, like many, are taking the “strike while the irons hot” approach to linguistics with their young one, and starting early – very early, and I’ve learned that their brains are meant to take in this huge load at this age, and that it’s in fact easiest if done as soon as possible. In short, the younger the child, the cleaner the slate, thus the greater ability to absorb, and more importantly, categorize, multiple languages without confusing one for the other. Check out a few of the tools I’ve seen in different homes to teach babies and children to become bilingual:

 

Besos for Baby; A Little Book of Kisses:

Written by Jen Arena with illustrations by Blanca Gomez, this is a fun learning tool that mixes English & Spanish in a really clear, concise, and cute way! It’s fun to read out loud and practice pronunciation, as none of the words are extraordinarily complex for children. A great beginner’s tool that reviews basic animals, family members, numbers and more!

Click here to purchase from Amazon

Toddler Flashcards:

This app is easily downloaded onto your devices and available (for free!) in 13 different languages!
More languages are available for $1.99.  Kids will love it as it melds education with technology,
and we like that they use real life photos instead of illustrations.
Have the nanny download the app on a couple devices for car rides or extensive travel!

Download the app here

 

 

Maps:  

A classic never dies! Collections of maps teach kids about different parts of the world.  Have some geographic placemats around that the nanny can easily grab during meal times – that will spark conversation (for older kids of course) about different countries, cultures, and languages around the world. You can even coordinate the cuisine with the placemats if you’re feeling extra ambitious!

Going out of town and leaving your nanny at home?

So you’re going on a family vacation and your nanny isn’t going with you. For the sake of this article we are going to assume that it has been agreed that you will continue to pay your nanny while you are out of town (because it’s the right and correct thing to do, happy to write an article on this also!)

So the question is, ‘I would like my nanny to do something while we are away, but what?’

I have placed nannies with families that have asked this very question, as have many families I have got to know through my years consulting with families.

The 1st thing I would suggest is to ask your nanny if they can schedule their vacations around yours, it’s not a completely outlandish thing to ask and if it works out, that’s great!

This does not always work so you find yourself thinking of things you would like your nanny to do. The most important thing you need to ask yourself is ‘am I asking too much of my nanny by asking them to…..?’. You do not want them to feel like they’re being taken advantage of or disrespected in anyway. It is wise to have a frank and honest discussion with your nanny before going on vacation, going through a list so everybody involved is on the same page.

Below I have compiled a list of errands that can be done by a nanny when a family is out of town.

Of course, every nanny and every family dynamic is very different, and I say this because some nannies will ONLY care for your children and some families would NEVER expect a nanny to wash clothes but this is a list compiled from speaking with MANY nannies and families so I do not expect all of you to agree!

Do a more thorough clean of the house

Pet sit. Sleep over OR take pets back to their house

Take pets to vet/groomer/walks (related to above)

Schedule playdates with other children ready for the days after they return home

Coordinate deliveries to house that may be taking place over that time

Check and restock house with any essentials that may be running low

Make sure medicines aren’t out of date and update 1st aid boxes

Update family photo albums online (categorize pictures)

Make sure family vehicles are fully gassed

Take cars to dealer for maintenance check-up (oil check, tire rotation etc etc)

(CA residents!) Check Earthquake packs and ensure everything is still working/edible

Update staff manuals, nanny handbook, list of important contacts, doctors dentists etc

Ensure all laundry is washed and put away neatly

Recycle old toys, throw away broken ones

ORGANIZE ORGANIZE ORGANIZE, there’s finally enough time for that art closet to get the makeover it deserves

Research great new places to take the children

Research upcoming exhibitions, charity events, fun runs.

Your nanny could take you to the airport and pick you up also

If the list above makes you wince with awkwardness and you would never have the audacity to suggest such things to your nanny then I feel paid time off is the direction you should head in. Paying your nanny while you are out of town is a security of your investment, it makes feel appreciated and respected as an employee. When you return home, everybody will be well rested and ready to give 110%!

For more nanny-family tips, please sign up at info@angelesmannies.com and let us know what you’d like to hear about!

Father’s Day in 2016 – What Should We Do?!

Here we are again, time to show our love and appreciation for the coolest guy out there! Check out some ideas for gifts, activities, and more to do with Dad this year (and how the Nanny can help!)

 

Paper Weight:

This relatively easy craft caught our eye because, unlike some, ahem, less attractive (can we say that?) crafts, it’s not something you want to hide away in the keepsake box.  The ingredients consist of salt, water, pebbles, gravel and flour.

Using a cookie sheet you can bake off the neutral colored weight in no time, and the kids can customize any message they’d like.  

 

Get the full rundown for the pebble paperweight at www.craftsbyamanda.com.

 

 

Succulent Planter:

We wanted to put together a list of crafts that you WANT to keep around the house, and this one hit it out of the park.  Find a sizable, rubbery, and malleable toy that your kids are willing to part with, (well, sort of part with.)  With adult supervision and an exacto knife, transform the toy into a vessel to house a beautiful succulent that you can pick out together from the nursery or plant store.  This one got a coat of silver spray paint but the possibilities are endless. Our thoughts? A great way to recycle an old toy and a great gift for Dad!

Head over to www.themagiconions.com to get full details on this craft.

 

Picnic at the Park:  

As we like to say here, a classic never dies. Grab a basket,
a blanket and a frisbee and head to the law to enjoy some
food and games with the family.
Take the headache of shopping and prepping out by asking the nanny to help.
With the extra hands to run to deli and pack up all the supplies in advance,
the kids can spend time with Dad assembling sandwiches and
doing the fun stuff before heading out the door.

 

 

What will you be doing this Father’s Day?  Share your ideas with us, and ESPECIALLY share with the number 1 guy in your life!

What is a manny?

man·ny
ˈmanē/
noun
a male nanny
“my husband would like us to hire a manny for our two boys”

Now that we’re clear on the definition, here we will focus on person behind the name: who they are, where they come from, what they should do and should NOT do, and where they’re going. I already feel like this may be a ‘2-parter’ so we’ll see what happens.

It is my intention that before the end of my lifetime, much like the word nurse, we can drop associating gender when we think of a nanny.  Remember when the word “nurse” triggered immediate assumptions of a female caring for patients?  I’d bet that these days people are not as quick to assume.  Flight attendants, receptionists & assistants, teachers, housekeepers – it’s almost endless and it goes both ways.  I believe that it would better all of these industries to balance out the ratio of men and women employed – we’re all equal, right?

The manny is a rare breed, with men accounting for a minuscule 5-10% of all nannies in America. The knee jerk reaction to understanding this imbalance may be that, “a female is better suited to caring for your children”.  Wrong – sexist and wrong. In actuality, male nannies that are good at what they do are held in high regard, often employed in more affluent communities that are rich in education, where parent’s have the resources and confidence to go against the cultural grain.

As a manny of many years, I am constantly questioned about my career choice – I have several female colleagues in my line of work and I can almost certainly say that they aren’t questioned nearly as much, if at all. In any case, lets skip the basics and get down to what a manny provides a household that a female may not:

 *DISCLAIMER – I am aware females are in no way inferior to males, but all aboard the stereotype 

express- if you disagree with any of my general assumptions please comment so we can discuss, I’d love to hear them!

A positive and engaged male role model:

Sounds obvious, right?  The child has a father that likely ticks this box, correct?  Maybe, but perhaps not. Even in homes where the father is present, research shows that the average father spends less than 10 minutes a day one-on-one with his child. Certainly not placing any blame here since this is likely on account of the fact that he works a full time job and has a laundry list of to-do items when said job is finished!  The point is, that during the other 1,430 minutes of the day, children spend most of their time in school and at home being watched over, educated, and influenced by women (remember, this is on average, not factual!).  Incorporating more balanced time with female & male figures will provide a more balanced and diverse development stage in a child’s life.

Two Words: Rough House.

Is that one word or two?  In any case, there’s no doubt that men encourage more physicality when around a group of kids. As a male nanny, showing up to an 8 year old’s birthday party is a sure fire invitation for me to either be tackled, throwing children *safely* across the pool, or inciting a game of impromptu freeze tag.  This kind of play is essential for kids – boys & girls! And even better when we can teach children how they can have fun, be their rambunctious selves event with adults, in a safe environment.  Now I certainly know some nannies who know their way around a flag football field, but more often than not, the children equate mannies with that physical, athletic activity.

We Have Something To Prove

We are the minority and well aware!  Do you think it’s easy to compete with Mary Poppins?  Frauline Maria?  Or Julie Andrews herself while I’m at it?!  

We exist in this middle ground role that’s not widely recognized yet, the work we do is paramount, high risk, and enormously important! Luck for me and my business, all of the (many) mannies I have had the pleasure of meeting since starting Angeles Mannies appear to fully understand the importance of a manny. Many have come from a tutoring background or spent 4 years in a college attaining a professional qualification; they know how to have fun, and how to discipline when needed.

That’s a brief snapshot of what came to mind on the topic and I hope to keep the list growing with the blog…..It feels strange writing the ways in which a male nanny can help a household, I didn’t even bother to add that a male can clean or that they know their way around a kitchen because it just seems insulting to everyone involved and should be a given, this is 2015 people.

I ask that you comment explaining your pros and cons of a manny, next time I will continue to talk about the manny, some of my experiences and why I was turned down a manny position (spoiler alert, it was because I was not gay.)

Daniel Butcher

1st time nannies: Top Tips

Here are a few top tips I would suggest to ALL 1st time nannies (male and female). I will write about each point in more detail in later articles, as well as create a ‘manny specific’ checklist

Get a contract

This protects both you and the family and clearly outlines what is expected of you.
There are uncomfortable topics of discussion in every role in every industry
–  and salary, holidays, benefits and responsibilities should be clear from the start.
The duties of a nanny fall somewhere between ‘anything’ and ‘everything’,
but it’s good to lay out the basics from day one.

 

 

Communication is key.

Be open, honest and transparent with your employers.
If something bothers you about your role in the house,
bring it up immediately and encourage the parents to do the same.
Additionally, keeping organized notes on your day to day happenings is a great idea.

 

“Shape Up or Ship Out”.

Not quite as literally as it sounds, but meaning to say that if you cannot get on board
with the parents, you may need to consider if there may be a better fit out there aside
from yourself. Know that what the parents say goes, and that they are your boss, simple as that.
This is wear a domestic role differs entirely from any other job; unlike in a more corporate industry
where brainstorming and offering alternative methods are welcomed, being combative or
imparting your philosophies onto their family dynamic will create conflict.
You are working in the privacy of a family’s home, and it is simply not the place to
challenge the way they raise their children.

 

 

 

 

Develop a 6th sense. 

Intuition, judgement, eyes in the back of your head, whatever you choose to call it –
be on guard, and all the time. Know when to be active, when to step back,
when to give family their time, when to step back in.
Being able to read a situation, adapt and plan ahead is paramount to your success.
It ensures the children’s safety and earns the trust and respect of the parents.

 

 

Take photos! 

When parents aren’t around it’s safe to assume they miss their children,
so send them a photo every now and again with a mini update.
‘Stopped for a quick game of soccer’, ‘finished all our greens today!’
Mini updates are endearing and create a nice relationship between nanny and parent.

 

 

 

 

Boost your resume with recognized skills and credentials. 

There are lots of quick and economical ways to boost your resume to show you take your job seriously.
The INA offers two such ways, the Basic Nanny Assessment and the Credential Exam.

 

Danny the Manny: Mannies of the World (Guest Blogger – Danny Wakefield)

This week we decided to bring in another guest blogger to talk about HIS take on male nannies and what he feels they can bring to the household. Danny Wakefield (AKA Danny the Manny) has found himself caring for children for as long as he knows.

Professional Manny | Super Manny |Travel Nanny | Adventure Nanny |Photographer | Dog Lover | Dreamer | Lover of Life | Optimist | World Sight Seeker|

On top of his impressive Instagram resume, he is also an all-round great person and caring soul.

Let’s see what Danny has to say on the topic of being a male nanny

Danny Wakefield – Early life

Ever since I was a young child, I’ve found myself surrounded by babies. I used to think that it was ironic that no matter where in the world I was or why I was there, I was always in the presences of young beings. As I’ve grown, I’ve found that it wasn’t irony that was drawing me to babies and young children; it was my destiny. The first time that I knew I wanted to be a manny was when I was twelve years old. It was at this age that I started babysitting regularly, and would often find myself daydreaming about becoming Angelina Jolie’s nanny. At the time, she didn’t even have children, but as her family has grown and blossomed, I am able to see why my twelve year old self was drawn to her.

After High School

As soon as I graduated high school, I dove into beginning my professional career as a manny. While supporting the daily development of children, I was also able to put myself through school to get my first degree in Early Elementary Education and a second in Early Childhood Family Studies with a focus on Child Development and Autism. When I finished my degree and was able to pair that with my experience, my career as a manny really took off.

Being a professional manny has not only taught me a tremendous amount about children, but also about family dynamics and how to navigate relationships with parents. I’ve learned how to create environments that open lines of communication while also empowering parents the be the best they can be, all along continuing to create a space for them to lean into the support I’m able to provide as a manny. There have been a few hard situations with families that I have been in, but I’ve always found that when one door closes with a family, another one always opens.

Pushback from Society

Through my career as a manny, I’ve also experienced some push back from society and parents alike in regards to my decision to be a male nanny. My abilities and credentials are often questioned. What I’ve found though, is that as soon as people see me with children, they no longer question my choices because they are able to see the level of passion that I have towards being a present, grounding force in the lives of children. They see the way that children flock to me in a way that can only be explained through experiencing it, not through words. They see that my gender doesn’t quantify the quality of care that I am able to provide for children; my love and passion for children does. As a manny, I can be mothering, nurturing, and be an example of positive masculinity all at the same time. I strive to create an environment where my kids feel safe to shed stereotypes and labels. I crave to instill confidence in them to find the courage to push beyond the boundaries of the boxes that society puts them in. I dig deep to drive through the constraints of societies stereotypes in order to live as my authentic self, and to be the best example for children that I can be.

Danny the Manny – A life filled with love

One thing that  I’ve loved the most about being a manny is being able to combine my passion for children and traveling the world. As an adventure manny, I often accompany my families on vacations and work travel all over the world. I’ve had the privilege of seeing the world in the best way possible, through the eyes of children. To date I’ve been able to travel internationally to Morocco, London, Paris, Tokyo, Germany, and Austria. I’ve also been all over the states including: New York, DC, Arizona, Florida, California, Washington, Hawaii, and Idaho. While traveling
with families I’ve found that it presents it’s own set of rewards and challenges. There is new layer of accountability and responsibility that comes with caring for children while on the road. I’ve traveled with families where I’ve been on the clock for the entire duration of the vacation, sometimes many weeks at a time, and also with families that consciously make sure that I get a bit of Danny downtime. I’ve found the most important tool to use while traveling with children is to bring as much of their routine on the road with us as possibly. I always make sure to pack their favorite bedtime stories, pictures to decorate the room with, blankies, and other small items that help them to feel at home while away. Over the years, my world has become so much more colorful because I’ve been given the gift of seeing it through the same lens as children.

 

 

There are many profound reasons that make this the perfect career choice for me. But what fills my heart the most is knowing that as a manny, I have the ability to change the lives of little beings. Those little beings then go out and change the world. As a manny, I have the ability to change the world, one little being at a time. While at the same time, those same little beings are changing my life – Danny the Manny.

You can follow Danny’s Instagram here.

If you’re interested in sharing your story of why you became a caregiver or if you’re looking for somebody just like Danny, please contact us here!

“Oh, a manny, like, a male nanny? That’s good!”

– This was the response I got 90% of the time when I was asked how old my darling children were as they see us wrestling in the park or picking out candy as they hide behind my leg. It’s a compliment that the children I care for show the level of comfort with me that would lead someone to assume I was the father (I don’t plan on having children for a while!).