INA - International Nanny Association

The ABC's of Raising Happy, Healthy Kids

by Melody Pritchard, Gigi Tomasek-Sage, Martin Sage

Paperback - 64 pages (June 5, 2000) Peak Peformance Publishing; ISBN: 1930647034

Book Description
This book is for any parent who wants to raise vibrant, productive, and healthy children. You will learn how to preserve your children's natural curiosity and aliveness. You will rekindle your delight and amazement of your children's genius and innocence. You will want to give it to everyone who comes in contact with your children - grandparents, teachers, coaches, nannies, etc. - on a regular basis.

Reader Review:
This is a great book with clear advice for any parent, whether you have young children, or older ones. The fascinating thing about this book is that the advice given can be applied to work colleagues, parents, friends as well as your kids!

Another Reader Review:
I loved this book because it has many simple, "how to" type instructions for parents on raising a happy family. I am an educator/trainer myself and I appreciate that the book quickly reduces complex child raising information into a usable, fun format. It also is the kind of inspiration parents need on their bedside table for those days when nothing is working. The operating system in this book seems simple, but you will find yourself reading it again to get the depth. Taking punishment out, and putting natural consequences into parenting is a courageous, high integrity way to live. The book shows us how to do this, with great tools for parents and all of us who love and care for children. Bravo!!

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The Nanny World

by H. Olivia Kittrell

Paperback 1 Ed edition Water Hill Pr; ISBN: 0965361802

Book Description
"A Must Read for Every Agency Owner and Parent I have read most of the books on nannies out there. For a dose of reality, you must read this book! It is simply the best book about the nanny hiring process in print today! As an agency owner and as someone who has spoken with the author personally, this book must be read if you are hiring or placing nannies."

Review of Texas Books, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas, Vol XII, Spring 1997
Olivia Kittrell is well prepared to write this book; she earned a master's degree in social work, was employed in Child Protective Services, and ran a nanny placement agency for eight years. Running throughout the book is the refrain, "Can't anyone take care of children?" Kittrell's experiences prove they can't, and this book provides a practical and informative guide for both the prospective employer and the nanny.

Reader Review (Nanny):
This book was an informatitive guide to the nanny world until the end. The book addressed many of the issues that families hiring nannies face, However on Page 158 the author draws a direct correlation between a nanny being overweight and a nanny neglecting her charges. The author continues to feed into the overweight stereotype stating that overweight nannies "overeat the refridgerator, are most apt to watch tv constantly, do not have the energy to chase toddlers, have emotional and physical problems and prove to be poor role models for children." As a professional overweight nanny who has help raise 2 sets of twins from birth through toddlerhood..this is just not the case and I take great offense. Considering neglect is abuse I would hope that this correlation was drawn from extensive studies from accreditied sources, and not the authors personal feelings. I hope that the loving, nuturing, quality childcare I provide on a consistent basis proves to mean more then my waistline to my employers.

Another Reader Review (Agency):
I have read most of the books on nannies out there. For a dose of reality, you must read this book! It is simply the best book about the nanny hiring process in print today! As an agency owner and as someone who has spoken with the author personally, this book must be read if you are hiring or placing nannies.

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Am I Hiring the Right Nanny? With This Childcare Hiring Guide, You Will Know!

by Doris J. Pick, Michelle Hadley

Paperback - 107 pages (July 21, 1998) Innovative Personnel Strategies; ISBN: 0966425901

Book Description
Who's Minding Our Children? (tm) With our book, test and background investigation you will know! Since you are literally inviting a stranger into your home to care for the most precious gift in your life, your child/children, doesn't it make sense to spend some time and money to find out as much as you can about this stranger? Don't you want to know whether or not the nanny you are considering is suitable for your children before the first day of employment? We have created a professional as well as an easy, efficient, and effective "one-stop shopping" concept with our book. It was written specifically to assist you, the parent, in hiring a nanny with confidence. Whether you are a parent hiring a nanny on your own or you are using a nanny agency, this book is a must. With 10 simple steps we will guide you through the entire process of writing the ad, interviewing, testing, and evaluating your nanny's work performance. Just read the easy instructions and complete the fill-in-the- blank forms. Two unique features of this self-help book are the access to psychological testing and background investigation of applicants. Our testing predicts several key work behaviors crucial to success for childcare work, such as dependability, work attitude, interpersonal skills, and common sense. Background investigation includes criminal records research, social security tracer, credit history, and driving record. By using this book in conjunction with our pre-employment testing and background investigation, we can help you make a more informed choice while saving you time and money.

Reader Review (Agency):
I am proud to lend my support to the kind of intelligent tool my parents insist upon. Does it replace an agency? Not for our families. An agency is not just a place to get a pool of names. When you use an agency you should be purchasing a rare commodity, expertise. The judgement that allows the placement professional to quickly separate the diamond from the cubic zirconia. This expertise, coupled with the sound scientific foundation upon which this test was created and book written, will provide you with the best tools possible to select a superb nanny for your child. Essential for do-it-yourselfers, too. If you can afford it, I urge to employ the most experienced agency you can find that specializes in the type of nanny you need (live-in or out, new or experienced, nanny school certified or college degreed, etc.). Our nannies, for instance, specialize in nurturing the gifted child. Bravo Dr. Pick! (Jackie, "I Love My Nanny", Nanny Agency)

Another Reader Review (parent):
My wife and I are making plans to start a family and one of our major concerns has been child care. We are both marketing professionals and plan to continue our carreers, but the added stress of leaving our child with a stranger has been the source of many long debates with our friends and family. We have heard countless stories, both good and bad, with regard to finding and retaining the right nanny. A couple we know recommended we read "Are you hiring the right nanny" and take the guess work out of who has the right system. They were right! This book makes a difference. It's an easy read, complete, and provides the tools to make informed decisions.

Another Reader Review (Nanny):
This is a wonderful book for family! I have graduated from "The English Nanny and Governess School" in Chagrin Falls, OH, and have found that this book is acurate and useful for both parents and nannies. With the bad rap many nannies are taking through media, I'm pleased that this book gives nannies the recognition they deserve. Many work long hours and want to be dedicated to the child and the family. It helps to know what to look for in a nanny so that she may stick around for quite a long time. The child will appreciate his mommy and daddy taking time to read this before hiring anyone to take care of his/her daily needs. You won't regret buying this book!

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The Unofficial Guide to Childcare (The Unofficial Guide Series)

by Ann Douglas

Paperback - 546 pages 1st edition (September 1998)
Hungry Minds, Inc; ISBN: 0028624572

Book Description
Childcare has always been a concern for parents. There are more than 20 million U.S. households with young children, more than half of whom receive care from someone other than the parents. So how exactly is a mother and/or a father to wade through the options to determine what's right for their family? The Unofficial Guide to Childcare can help set minds at ease with its unbiased, street-smart style and practical tools to help parents interview caregivers and evaluate childcare facilities. From assessing a particular child's needs to finding a caregiver, assessing health and safety practices to noticing warning signs in daycare facilities, to transitioning a child into daycare, this guide will aid parents as they make one of the biggest decisions of their lives.

Reader Review:
As a new mom, trying to sort out my childcare options before returning to work, I was terrified. None of the books that I had read were very helpful. Then, my sister gave me this book at my shower and it was a godsend. I felt like the author was my big sister who had gone through the process of finding suitable childcare and knew that is was hard and emotional -- so she wanted to help me out. The resources in the back of the book were so comprehensive that I didn't have to search anywhere other than right in this book! If I seem thrilled with this book, it's because I am. The Unofficial Guide to Childcare is just the sort of no-nonsense guide that mothers need.

Another Reader Review:
I found The Unofficial Guide to Childcare to be easy to read and packed with details on choosing childcare that I simply wasn't able to find anywhere else: what the appropriate caregiver-child ratios are for children of various ages and living in various states, the do's and don'ts of checking a potential nanny's references, detailed advice on drafting a nanny contract, tips on finding a good teenage babysitter for evening childcare, and much more.

I liked the fact that the book considered all childcare options (nanny care, family daycare, center-based childcare, etc.) without favoring any one choice over another, and that the author wasn't afraid to "tell it like it is" when it comes to the downside of using the services of an au pair. I was also impressed by the fact that the book contained information on choosing a childcare arrangement for a child with special needs and on finding suitable after-school childcare arrangements for school-aged children--topics that most other childcare books simply choose to ignore.

The book is worth purchasing for the sample documents alone: the nanny contract is far more comprehensive and far more down-to-earth than the one that is provided in Michelle Ehrich's book The Anxious Parent's Guide to Quality Childcare (the only other book I've found that has a nanny contract), and the resource directory is the most comprehensive one I've found anywhere.

I like this book so much that I donated a copy to the local public library and I've started to recommend it to the parents who sign up for my parenting workshops.

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KidCare at Home: Guide for Training In-Home Child Care Providers

by Barbara Marcus, MA. Published by aParent, company.

www.KidCareAtHome.com CD-Rom $34.95 (prepaid) from publisher.

Book Description
Today's parents often don't have time to thoroughly screen and train their in-home providers. To help parents make the right choice and to help improve provider performance there's KidCare@Home. Topics include first aid, emergency response, positive discipline and best practices. At the end of the program, parents receive an evaluation of the applicant.

Topics of health, safety, growth and development, emergency response, and best practices are presented in an exciting format, giving the user an opportunity to learn through examples, video, demonstrations and exercises. Users can complete the program in stages, at their own pace, with the ability to review as needed.

KidCare@Home is provided by aPARENTcompany. aPARENTcompany develops interactive leaning tools to help those who are unprepared or insecure when hiring in-home caregivers for their children or elderly parents. aPARENTcompany products are affordable, multi-lingual, interactive CD-ROMs for professional nannies, teenage babysitters, family members, caregivers for the elderly and children left home alone.

aPARENTcompany was established by Barbara Marcus, MA, owner and CEO of Parents in a Pinch, Inc., a childcare referral company which has trained over 10,000 caregivers over the past 16 years. Through her experience in the in-home caregiving field, she has designed the most relevant and timely learning tools available on the market today.

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The Nanny Book: The Smart Parent's Guide to Hiring, Firing, and Every Sticky Situation in Between

by Susan Carlton, Coco Myers

Paperback - 272 pages (April 1999) Griffin Trade Paperback; ISBN: 0312199333

Book Description
Hiring a nanny--and getting along with her afterward--may be one of the most important things that parents do, yet many of us approach the whole business with fear and trembling, or at least a lot of questions. Even parents who may manage dozens of employees at work can be at a loss when it comes to dealing with the person who will be looking after their children.

Reader Review:
I saw this book in an article in the New York Times a few weeks ago...at just the same time I was hiring yet another new nanny. I love this book. The advice is straightforward and there are all kinds of great stories from both parents and nannies about how to get along. The chapters on hiring, salary needs, time off (do you pay for President's Day?), and sorting out the household chores have all come in handy. If you are thinking of making a change--or are hiring for the first time--I highly recommend this book. We've bought our new nanny a copy too!

Another Reader Review:
I really enjoyed the no-nonsense approach that the authors took in this book--particularly their willingness to focus on things that can go wrong in a relationship. Not all nanny-parent relationships are made in heaven!

While I enjoyed the chatty style, the book was sometimes a little lacking in specifics. That's why I recommend that parents also consider picking up a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Childcare--a fabulous book that covers the do's and don'ts of hiring a nanny in considerable detail and that boasts the best nanny contract I've ever found anywhere. Armed with these two terrific books, a parent can't go wrong.

And yet Another reader Review:
The relationship between nannies and their employers is both incredibly important and complicated... I found the conversational "structure" easy to navigate. I've been continually struck by how little consensus there is about some of the most basic ground rules in the nanny-employer relationship. It's really hard not to feel as if you're winging it. And I thought this book is a good antidote to that feeling. I found the tone really accessible, and not fussy. The idea of including both perspectives - of employer and employee - also seems crucial, and useful.

Media Review:
Mirabella, May 1999
THE NANNY BOOK provides all the answers you need to solve the child-rearing dilemmas that keep you up past bedtime.

Oh, to have had [this book] when I hired my nanny! I was clueless, conflicted, paranoid....Do we pay for Memorial Day? What do we do if she's late? If her perfume bothers us?

Now, all of our questions are answered in this wise, sensitive, addictively readable guide that promises to do for families with nannies, babysitters, and au pairs what WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING did for pregnant couples....In chapters from "Setting the Salary" to "Living with a Live In," the authors intersperse questions and answers-culled partly from interviews with caregivers, employers, and a myriad of insurance, immigration, legal, and other experts nationwide-with helpful anecdotes from parents and complaints and opinions from nannies (the mother overschedules the kid, there's never food in the fridge)....Working parents will want to make room on the Baby Bibles shelf. Right between the Leach and the Spock

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The ABCs of Hiring a Nanny, Expanded Version

by Frances Anne Hernan

Paperback - 80 pages 2nd Rev edition (November 1, 2000) McGavick Field Publishing; ISBN: 0966692810

Book Description
The ABCs of Hiring a Nanny--expanded version, builds on the success of the step by step program in the first edition. A new section on resources and more forms, including a performance evaluation. A companion CD with Acrobat Reader installed. The CD gives parent employers the ability to print forms in the amount needed when needed. The online appendix... parent employers to download IRS and INS forms twenty four hours a day. A comprehensive needs assessment questionnaire helps you determine your needs regardless of the age, stage or phase of your children. Interview techniques and tips for the interview, and reference checking procedures establish criteria that parallels a nanny hire to a private sector hire. Employment based on the principles of the ABCs of Hiring a Nanny--expanded version bolsters the credibility of the nanny profession and takes the fear out of the hiring process.

Reader Review (Mark Bascin):
Would you let your cat wash dishes?I didn't think so, that's as silly as hiring a nanny without checking her experience or references. If knowledge is power, then The ABC's of Hiring a Nanny puts the power of an employment agency in the palm of your hand.

This handbook is a one of a kind resource that all parents should have when hiring child care of any kind. The resources in the book and on her web site.. give every parent the edge they need when hiring a nanny, babysitter, or any type of childcare.

Not only does Frances Hernan advise you on what to look for in a nanny, she guides you through the entire hiring process from A-Z including what to ask potential nannies, hiring through an agency, how to word your classified ad, what tax forms you will need, and where to find them and more.

If you hesitate to answer these questions: Who's watching your children? and How much do you really know about them?, you really need this book. There's a lesson to be learned for every parent in The ABC's of Hiring a Nanny.

Another Reader Review:
The ABC's of Hiring a Nanny is a must! Every young parents' handbook for parenting - a plain language manual with a CD of important forms. Tips & information on parent needs assessments; hiring agencies; interviewing techniques; pertinent state & federal laws; the do's & don'ts of hiring; investigating references & credentials; employer/employee relationships & contracts.

Who is watching your children? Do you really know, whether it's the baby-sitter or the nanny? Are you an educated employer of your children's primary influence -after you? Do you dread the thought of interviewing applicants for the job of being your children's nanny? What questions can you ask & what do the answers mean? Do you have any idea what the government expects of you as an employer? When you realize how unsuitable was your choice, how do you terminate the employment relationship? What really is a nanny?

If you find yourself asking any of these questions, then The ABCs is for you! Frances Anne Hernan has written a no-nonsense exuberant, acerbic & informative manual to make the job of hiring & firing more palatable, understandable & practiced. The CD containing every form you'll ever need is a blessing! I was fortunate to Interview this author & what an enlightening one it is!

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The Safe Nanny Handbook : Everything You Need to Know to Have Peace of Mind While Your Child Is in Someone Else's Care

by Peggy Robin

Book Description
Based on surveys, interviews, and the author's own experience, "The Safe Nanny Handbook" presents a wealth of information in a clear style. Photos, sidebars & sample employment agreements.

Great addition to any nanny or nanny employers bookshelf, July 10, 2000

Review:
Michelle LaRowe from Bridgewater, MA
The Safe Nanny Handbook is a great reference tool for those who seek to employ a nanny or for nannies looking to add to their professional library. The book is filled with answers to many questions parents have when looking for a nanny and takes the reader through a logical step-by step process to finding the right nanny for their family. It provides personal real-life stories as well as a question and answer section that provide great insight. It also has a nice resource guide at the end that includes sample forms and helpful websites.

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Juggling Tasks, Tots, & Time (Little Books for Busy Moms)

by Cathy Penshorng, Mary Beth Lagerborg (Editor), Cathy Penshorn

Paperback - 144 pages (October 2001)
Zondervan Publishing House; ISBN: 0310241782 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.44 x 6.50 x 3.89

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Maternal/Newborn Plans of Care : Guidelines for Individualizing Care

by Marilynn E. Doenges, Mary Frances Moorhouse

Paperback - 580 pages 3rd Bk&dsk edition (February 1999) F A Davis Co; ISBN: 0803603207

Book Description
A guide for student and practicing nurses. Focusing on wellness and common health problems that impact the maternity client and her newborn, but also includes plans of care identifying general considerations for the high-risk maternity client, who presents less common health problems. Earlier appeared in 1988 and 1994. The 3.5" disk contains software for creating documented care plans. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR

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Women, Power and Policy : Comparative Studies of Childcare

by Jennifer Marchbank, Jen Marchbank

(Library Binding - January 2001) Hardback - Routledge; ISBN: 0415239044 paperback also available

Book Description
This accessible, engaging text is invaluable for students and academics in areas including women's studies, politics and social policy in Great Britain and beyond

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Maternal-Child Home Health Aide Training Manual

by Mary Ann Chestnut

Paperback - 210 pages (June 1998)
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Publishers; ISBN: 0781712041

Book Description
In accordance with Medicare and JCAHO standards, this essential manual provides home health agencies with everything needed to train home health aides, maintain certification, provide continuing education, review progress, and assess competency. Learning modules on specific topics -- childhood and household safety, household management, infection control, communication, and care of pregnant and postpartum women and newborns -- are included for the agency's use in training. Tests for measuring competency are provided, as are educational handouts for both the home health aide and the client. A complete appendices contains personnel records, competency tests, and clinical records for the agency and its employees to use for training, review, documentation and easy reference.

Book Info
Skills guide for home nursing care of mothers and infants. Discusses Medicare and JCAHO standards, risk assessment, infection control, and more. Step-by-step coverage of essential skills. Outline format. Three-hole punched with perforated pages. Softcover.

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Child Health Nursing: Care of the Child and Family (Book with CD-ROM for Windows)

by Adele Pillitteri

Book Description
This text views child healthcare as a continuum of knowledge from the prenatal period through adolescence.

Pillitteri (nursing, U. of Southern California) provides a progressive, in-depth discussion of the many facets of child health nursing, while promoting a sensitive, holistic outlook on nursing practice. Following an introductory unit, 32 additional chapters discuss the nursing role in health promotion for the childrearing family, in supporting the health of ill children and their families, and in restoring and maintaining the health of children and families with physiologic and mental health disorders. Contains empowering the family information boxes, and many color photographs and charts. The included CD-ROM contains multiple-choice NCLEX-style questions and feedback for answers. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR

Book Info
Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles. Textbook on the nursing care of children. Emphasizes patient/family education, national health goals, individual care, and the changing areas of practice. Colorful format. For nursing students. DNLM: Nursing Care--in infancy & childhood.

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1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12

by Thomas W. Phelan Ph.D.

Paperback - 175 pages 2nd Rev edition (March 1996)
Child Management; ISBN: 0963386190

Other Editions: Audio Cassette

Book Description
Previously available as a booklet in conjunction with a workshop and as a video, clinical psychologist Phelan's simple, effective child-management program has now been issued as a trade paperback. The gist of the plan is to enable parents to discipline children, ages 2 to 12, by instituting a system of counting and time-outs, delivered straightforwardly and unemotionally. How the regimen is used to stop undesirable behavior, stimulate desirable conduct, and cope with children's testing is conveyed in Phelan's candid style, filled with common sense, concrete examples, and lots of reassuring humor. Time-and parent-tested, the methods are applied in identifiable situations (pouting, bedtime, dressing) as well in the all-too familiar incidences of children testing and manipulating their elders. Best of all, the method enables parents to control their kids without yelling . . . or worse. In addition, Phelan covers homework, active listening, self-esteem, behavior in public, and the use of his method in schools. An excellent, workable, and supportive resource for parents and educators. Irene Wood

Midwest Book Review
This newly revised second edition provides a fine coverage of effective discipline choices to be used on children ages 1-12. From handling sibling rivalry and arguing to avoiding self-defeating syndromes and reactions, this covers everything from home to public behavior, providing parents with plenty of solid tips which work.

Reader Review:
This book saved me a lot of grief with my son who has ADHD. What's magic is twofold:

1. A parent is reinforced in his or her own rightful parental power to make decisions and to discipline their child. Learning that you don't have to argue with your child saves a lot of unnecessary stress.

2. It's amazing how such a benign consequence to a child's behavior could be so powerful--the child being sent to their room (full of toys and books) for just 5 minutes. But the magic occurs because of the consistency--that is the key.

Strategies for start behaviors (things you want kids to do, like pick up their shoes), and stop behaviors (things you want kids to stop doing) are discussed, all based on the 1-2-3 go to your room.

This methods in this book are kind to the child, and kind to the parent--stops the yelling, arguing, hitting. Some of the behavioral methods I tried before required lots of record keeping, charts, etc. (and didn't work nearly as quickly and well), and this is so exquisitely simple. I also recommend the tape, as it demonstrates some common household scenarios.

Another Reader Review:
Maybe I'm too old fashioned, but I'd rather not have to tell my children anything 3 times. I like to have my kids listen to me the first time I tell them to do something. When one of my kids is having a public tantrum I want it to stop NOW, not after I give three warnings. There's something strange about calmly saying "That's 1." to a child who is engaged in intentional misbehavior. It's like saying "You have three more warnings before you have to stop." I also think that kids need to learn from their mistakes. Saying "That's two" doesn't teach anything. I'd rather use more descriptive explaining so they can learn how to behave in the future. If you want some instructions on using positive parenting skills and raising kids who behave the FIRST time you tell them to try this book: Kid Cooperation: How to Stop Yelling, Nagging and Pleading.

And another Reader Review:
As a school guidance counselor I highly recommend this book often to both parents and teachers. I am planning to use this book as an example when teaching a Parenting Class. It is easy for busy parents to read and has helpful suggestions that you can put into use immediately.

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Disclaimer

International Nanny Association does not endorse any of the publications listed on this and other pages, nor do the opinions of the authors necessarily reflect the positions of INA or its members. This is only a partial listing of resource materials available to the public. Readers are encouraged to research and inform themselves about the subjects that interest them.