Do you need ideas to do with your kids or perhaps the kids you watch throughout the long Summer days? I am a nanny and also have foster siblings, so I am always looking for new activities and things to do. Whether it is going to the park or splash pad, the pool, doing a craft, or some other cool activity I am all for finding things that are fun and make the time go by a lot better. Making homemade play dough is fun! There are tons of recipes out there, some you cook and some you don't have to cook over a stove. I tend to like the one that is cooked since it seems to last longer. The recipe I use can be found on this site- http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Playdough-Play-doh/ You can add food coloring for colors and even add things to make it smell good like Kool-Aid or vanilla extract, lemon juice etc.
One of my favorite art projects that I have done in the past and just did recently with 2 kids I am a nanny for is Rainbow Sponge Painting. For this project, you have the kids paint on a sponge and then wipe the sponge hard in an arc on paper to make a rainbow. They turn out so cool! This is a picture of some kids I have watched in the past doing Rainbow Sponge Painting.
Materials you need are: a sponge for each kid, a paintbrush for each kid, washable paint for the colors of the rainbow (I use Crayola Washable Paint),some sturdy paper like card stock or poster board cut up (I get poster boards at the Dollar Tree for 50 cents apiece and cut it into 4 pieces).
Have the kids paint the colors of the rainbow on the sponge in stripes vertically (make sure they used plenty of paint), place it horizontally on one end of the paper and wipe hard in an arc to the other end of the paper. They may need to put more paint on the sponge and finish it off as it likes to fade sometimes near the end, or you can keep it that way if you like. You can frame these and they would make cool artwork to decorate your house or the kid's room with.
Next I am going to try making big bubbles with some solution, a baby pool I think, and perhaps hula-hoops. If it works out, I will share the results with you all. Have fun creating with the kids!
I just started a new job today as a summer nanny for a family that lives less than 5 minutes away from me. It's my third time being a nanny for a family- they do say third times the charm right? My other nanny jobs went great as well, but circumstances made me have to stop so here I am again with another nanny position. I couldn't be more thrilled. I am watching 3 kids, a sweet and helpful 14 year old girl, an adorable blonde hair 5 year old girl, and a rambunctious handsome 3 year old almost 4 year old boy. So I have started doing something I love to do once again. Why do I love to do it? Because it's like training for being a mom and I love doing things with the kids. Reading with them, watching movies, playing outside, doing arts and crafts, playing games and the list goes on. I don't have to do too many household chores, but am paid to really just play with kids the whole day and keep them safe while keeping the house somewhat clean. Who wouldn't love it? Ok, so maybe some wouldn't but it's something I truly enjoy. I enjoy it so much that the hours seem to go by faster. With living the Nanny life, I have some things I have discovered and learned about watching kids.
1) Never ever fall for the line "But my mom lets me do this." It is 98% of the time wrong, wrong, wrong. Kids think they can pull a fast one over on you, but don't let them. Respond with "Well I am not your mom so I am not going to let you do that" or "Well I am not too sure about that, but I will be sure to talk to your mom later about it and ask her. If she says you can do it, then you can do it then."
2) Kids love it when you interact with them. Do a puzzle, play a game, go outside, but don't just sit there on the phone, or watch TV or read a book all day while they entertain themselves. That is not what you get paid for. They usually end up getting in trouble if you let them "entertain" themselves for too long.
3) Bring a bag full of goodies. Kids love this. They love to see what I have new in my bag each day. It may be a new game, new books, a puzzle, or crafts. It is a great boredom buster.
4) When all else fails, create. Kids of all ages love to create things whether it be robots from plastic cups, homemade play dough, watercolor paintings, etc. Just get them creating, let them be imaginative, and watch their creativity take flight.
5) If you don't know where something is, ask one of the kids. Chances are they know where it is and can show you. They normally love to help you out.
6) Don't let the kids get away with things. If you give them an order, make them follow through on it. Don't be afraid about being mean on your first day. Show them love, but expect them to obey. It is better to be strict first and sweet later, than to be all sweet first and try to be strict later. It just won't work. They will come to know what you expect and will respect you for this.
7) Don't be afraid to contact the parent about something. This does not show you that you failed, it just shows you know how to ask someone for advice or help. The parents know their kids the best and if you need to know something that is kind of urgent, text or call the parent. They will appreciate it a lot more, rather than you just letting it slide.
Well those are some tips I have picked up from babysitting and being a Nanny. I hope someone can benefit from them out there! Always remember that children are precious gifts from God. Show them His love and you will be duly rewarded.
