School Readiness – How to prepare toddlers for preschool I love my kids – the kids I nanny. Even though I’m not their parent, I still form a close, loving bond with them.  Parents and nannies start to love and get attached to who their kids are right now. You...

Taxes are stressful. They seem overwhelming and confusing when you’re just starting out, looking at piles of invoices and receipts. On top of that, there is so much conflicting information about what is and isn’t legal. They are just so confusing! But, all that being said, once you start to...

Many nannies struggle with discipline. How do you discipline the kids as the nanny? How do you discipline children of different age groups? What if you don’t feel confident enforcing discipline? Should you discipline kids while the parents are around? How can we set up an effective disciplinary system? Together,...

Today we interview Miss Angela Johnson, aka @ask.the.nanny! She is a bona fide and certified Newborn Care Specialist (NCS). She's been in the nanny industry for several years specializing in newborn care. This woman is a WEALTH of knowledge and has skills to pay the bills! But even with all...

Hello fellow tax paying nannies! Tax season can be, well, TAXING! How do you know whether you are an independent contractor or a household employee? You'll find out in this video as well as how to do those taxes! Did you know doing your taxes can be done in 5...

Nannies, let’s figure out what sets you apart from the competition. Anyone can sit with a kid watching cartoons. What makes you the best caretaker? How can you be more confident and hireable? Should you pursue skills that require a certification? How do your taxes come into play? Let’s chat...

In this colorful interview with the vivacious Nanny Nikki, we discuss the benefit of MUSIC in childhood development! Music is a powerful thing that truly transcends all boundaries! Music can bring together humans of any age to interact TOGETHER as it touches our hearts and souls. Learn how music can:...

Let’s talk money! How should you be getting paid? What about cash under the table? What’s a paper trail? What can make your taxes easier? Get the answers to these questions and more! Follow the tips in this video to level up your profession and make yourself more hirable!

Today we chat with confidence guru and health coach, Sarah Pyland on the topic of self-confidence. I would be lying if I said there weren’t tears shed in this interview as this woman truly touches our hearts! If you have ever struggled with low self-confidence then PLEASE listen closely as...

In this interview, I chat with Sarah aka @the.modern.nanny as we cover how to ask for a raise, the importance of a nanny contract & setting boundaries from the beginning. 💛

Today we are talking with a fellow nanny, Kenya, about having open communication and boundaries! Glorious, life-saving boundaries.

A doula is a professional caregiver who provides continuous physical and emotional support to mothers before, during and shortly after childbirth. The goal of a doula is to make the transition into motherhood an easy one.

Don't know how to have those awkward conversations about COVID-19, holidays or politics? Need help figuring out what to say? This article covers it, step-by-step.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyBjkKUOLsI Families, are you looking to hire a nanny? Here are THE questions to ask a nanny on an interview! The typical nanny interview questions: – How much experience do you have? – Have you had experience caring for ___ age? – Have you had experience with twins? The questions...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajCweFtTyoc Can a nanny homeschool? How much should I pay them? What kind of education background should they have?  Yes, A Nanny Can Homeschool! Most nannies have tutoring experience or have taken Early Childhood Education classes. Make sure the subjects and grade levels they feel comfortable teaching are the ones...

https://youtu.be/GyOlW96RWo0 Disclaimer: This isn’t medical advice. “Don’t go quoting me on this.” Hey everyone! Today, I’m interviewing my friend Jasmine about the benefits of essential oils for your little ones, specially with homeschooling. She goes over some of the oily routines she has with her son Jude. Plus, we talk...

https://youtu.be/kJqf-JH0ZI0 Hey everyone! It’s been a couple weeks since our last post. First time we’ve missed a week in over a year! But we’re back 🙂  Today’s video is a bit of a rant. We’re discussing things that nannies HATE.  Asking your nanny to stay late at the end of...

Learn more Baby Signs with Rainey here at Oh So Simply!

https://youtu.be/FqFgWRXNUEI

https://youtu.be/FB5zdC7Rx6A

Today, we’re going over how to set up your ohsosimply nanny binder!

It can be hard for nannies to know how much they should be charging their families to care for their children and the household. If you’re not careful to really know how much you’re worth, you could end up overworked, underpaid, and burnt out. Today, we’re talking about knowing your...

What should you carry with you in your nanny bag? Let me show you mine!

https://youtu.be/dgU6rvZc8e8 Many new business owners and freelancers feel some level of guilt billing people for doing what they love. Maybe they wonder if they’re charging too much, or otherwise taking advantage of their clients. As noble as this sounds, this guilt focused attitude keeps business owners from having success in...

It’s our one year anniversary here at Ohsosimply! Let’s take a look back over the past year.

How should a nanny organize her taxes? Do you need to withhold income? Is doing your taxes hard?

https://youtu.be/xOLxor5JVvE As a self-employed nanny, you are running a business. This means that you’ll have expenses that you need to care for that you may not otherwise notice.  What expenses do you have as a nanny?  How to you track these expenses?  How can you manage your nanny business expenses?...

Today at Oh So Simply, we’re discussing what’s involved in starting a business as a nanny.  Do you need a business license to be a nanny? As a disclaimer, I only have experience working as a nanny in the United States. Therefore, I cannot comment specifically on the legalities of...

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. It’s not a fun topic, but it is important for everyone –  especially nannies – to be aware of the signs of abuse and appropriate preventative measures. This is especially so during the time of quarantine we’re living in. With no schools to go...

Babysitting is a fun job that’s easy to break into. But, the fact is you could be making a lot more money as a nanny. Beyond money, nannying can give you the feeling that you really are making a difference in a family’s life. You are a key factor in...

What how do you work when you can't physically visit your nanny family? Become a "Virtual Nanny."

All over the world, businesses, religious facilities, and schools have been closed. While many people, including their kids, are home from work, many others are working more than ever. If you’re a nanny, and your family is still working, you’re likely busier than ever. With no school and no public...

Why is it important for nannies to talk with other nannies?  Personally, I love to talk and bounce things off of other people. I’m an external processor. I find it easier to take all of my jumbled thoughts in my brain, say them out loud, and have someone listen. They...

Hello everyone! Today, we’re going to start doing something a little different. We’ve decided to produce the next few articles as a podcast first. Then, we have transcribed podcast notes down below for those who prefer to read. We’re going to be testing out the waters this way for a...

We’ve got a new sign language video for you all. Alphabet and Introductions. Hope you enjoy! Tell us what you think and leave any questions in the comments below.

Learn how to sign about our families, emotions and questions!

“Why Should I Make My Own Baby Food?” Why make your own baby food? You could just go shopping for the family and charge them for it, right? Well, you could, but as a professional nanny, you can earn more money by providing more service to your families. It may...

As a family, a new baby means lots of changes. As a nanny, a new baby means caring for those changes. Every household is different, but a new baby often means swapping or dividing bedrooms between children. Changes will also need to be made throughout communal areas of the house....

Nannies: How are you feeling? Are you getting antsy? Feeling like you’re being taken advantage of? Do you deserve more? Are you ready for a raise? What’s the best way to ask for a raise?  Know Your Worth – Get Paid the Amount You Deserve Let’s start by finding out...

“He just won’t stop crying! I don’t know what he wants! How do I make it stop?!” We’ve all been there. We’ve tried everything, and the baby is still crying. Wouldn’t it be nice if they could tell us what they want? Well, they can. Using baby sign can help...

If you’re a self-employed nanny, you have a lot of flexibility over the jobs you take. Many of these independent contractors use their flexibility to their advantage and work with multiple families at a time.  Why would a nanny juggle multiple families?  How do they do it?  Is balancing multiple...

Hello! My name is Rainey from OhSoSimply.com Together we’re going to be learning baby signs! Today, we’ll be focusing on our numbers and colors in American Sign Language. FRUIT: 00:19 Apple 00:24 Avocado 00:27 Banana 00:41 Blackberry 00:46 Blueberry 00:54 Cherry 1:00 Coconut 1:07 Grapes 1:12 Lemon 1:19 Lime 1:23...

Kids are little walking germ factories. They openly sneeze, pick their nose, put things in their mouth and do all of this on the floor. Let me first say, I love kids! But, kids are GROSS! It is important to allow your little ones to be exposed to germs to...

I’ve often said on this site that nannies can “be their own boss,” and “own their own business.” However, if you do a quick search online, you’ll see a mass of posts and comments telling nannies that you must be an employee. Most people seem to think that a nanny...

Nannies carry massive responsibility for their job. You have to care for children. Keeping children healthy is no easy task. First and foremost, you need to protect them physically. There’s a lot involved in this:  Emergency Plans Abuse Awareness Water Safety And So Much More To Worry About… For more...

“One night before dinner, my son mentioned that the nanny had started making the kids pray before breakfast and lunch and teaching them about God… during dinner, our oldest asked if we were bad people because we didn’t go to church. As it turns out, the nanny said that everyone...

As a nanny, you get to experience every part of your kiddos’ lives. One part of every kid’s life is going through potty training. Just as you would be involved in your baby’s nap routines, feeding schedule, diet, and other routines, you will find yourself becoming an essential part of...

Nannying is a wonderful job! The experience you have varies from family to family and year to year. I’ve been nannying for seven years and love almost every second of it. This last year, in particular, has been amazing – I’ve worked with a fantastic set of families and their...

You’ve met with the family. The interview went great and they want you to be their nanny. You would be paid well and the job seems easy. While you’re negotiating the contract, they state that they need you to commit for 2 years.  “I don’t know if I’ll even want...

Student loans are starting to build up. Bills are beginning to accrue interest, and you’ve still got to pay off that cross-country trip you took six months ago. You need the money and are in dire need of a new nannying gig. As you pour over job listings, one thing...

“things have gotten out of hand with my girl … getting her to bed has become a nightmare…” “it’s a temper tantrum the whole time… it goes on and on. Two or three books are never enough… She goes from fine to temper tantrum in a second flat… she can...

I often get asked about what a nanny does. “EVERYTHING!” many long-time nannies would shout, but in reality there is a broad spectrum in the number of responsibilities individual nannies offer, or services that families need. I usually respond by listing general childcare things, like feeding and playing with the...

Nannying is fun! You get to be with cute kids all day, play games, teach, tell stories, and build great relationships with them and their parents. In reality, you are often the only adult with these kids for hours at a time. Kids get into trouble, accidents happen, and sometimes...

Get everything ready! Make sure the wipes are open, the new diaper is open and ready before you even undo the onesie. Doing steps 1-4 quickly will keep the baby from peeing on you. They typically pee as a reaction to fast change in temperature. Pro Tip: Never leave the...

Have you gone and done it? Have you landed your first job? If not, check out some of my previous articles to find the perfect job for you! In my article discussing Nanny Expectations, I talk about the Should do, Would do, Could do lists. Starting this week, we will...

Hey everyone! Today we’re continuing to learn some more baby sign together! We’ll be going over numbers and colors in American Sign Language. A few points to keep in mind while teaching your baby sign language. Sign close to your face.Signing close to your face allows them to see your facial...

How many of you have a newborn? Any newborn nannies out there, trying to figure out how to get your baby down for a nap? Have you ever realized, too late, that you should’ve put the baby down for a nap long ago? Here's how I put my little one...

They say, “we learn something new every day.” As a mom, teacher, and nanny, that is often the case. Working with kids will keep you on your toes. They will ask you questions you’ve never thought to ask. They will make comments that make you question all your own life’s...

As I sat down to write this article, I started to smile just thinking about all of the great relationships, as a nanny, I’ve been able to build with the families and kids I’ve been with over the years. Sometimes, people ask me how I can take care of kids...

How to understand what your babies cries mean, learn more baby signs, and learn how to teach them to baby!

As a nanny, there are a number of skills you’ll always need. As the child ages, the specific skills needed to properly care for that child change. Today, we’re going to go over what some of these are so that you can be prepared for any future nannying jobs! I’ve...

I’d be lying if I said my job is easy. But you don’t need formal education. When you think about it, you are essentially becoming a parent. So, you do what most new parents do:  read loads of books watch hours of Youtube skim blogs and, when in doubt, google...

Last week we talked about promoting yourself as a nanny. Once you’ve spread the word that you’re a fantastic nanny looking for an amazing family to work with, the calls and messages will start coming. But, you’re not hired yet. You have to get ready for the test run… The...

One of my most frequently asked questions is: “How do you find such great jobs?”  A lot of the job offers I receive are from people who have talked to my previous clients.  Word of mouth is my number one way of finding great families.  If you have prior experience...

One of my most frequently asked questions is:  “How do you find such great jobs?!” If you haven’t been nannying very long, you recently moved to a new area, or are new to  nannying, start with an agency. This is how I started and what I come back to when...

It only takes a few days of inconsistency to ruin a kid's good habits. Getting the kids back on track is part of what you do as a nanny. This requires communication. How do you communicate to the kids that you still are the boss? Let’s go over a few...

Invoicing is an essential part of any business. Most likely, any job you’ve ever had involved invoices in some way or another – even if all you ever saw at the end of the day was your paycheck. If you’ve never owned your own business, or have never worked with...

They say that those who can’t do, teach. Well, those who have decided to wait to have their own kids, nanny! Over time, you will love your kids like you were the one who brought them into the world. You will want the best for them. Seeing them progress –...

Learn about the basics to Baby Sign Language. This is something that is super practical for both nannies and parents alike!

This Editable Nanny Contract is all you need to start your nanny business off right. Download it HERE. Last week, we covered the first five things to include in your nanny contract. And as we pointed out, you do need a contract. Anything could go wrong. Your contract is there to...

True Story: I picked up one of the kids I have after school. We wanted to make “shiny” slime, so we had to make a quick pit stop by a grocery store to pick up some glitter. This was no big deal because I had permission from her mom since...

Facebook Twitter Google-plus Raising children, having a successful career and keeping your household together is a challenge. Honestly, we need help to do that. Sometimes we have family members who are willing and able to help, but this isn’t always the case. If this is your situation, you’ve probably already...

It's important to have a price range in mind before you go on an interview . You don’t want to be caught off guard when the parents ask you what you are going to charge. Your prices should be fair and take into account your skills and abilities. Your rates...

Today, raising children is hard. Especially if the parents are working out of the home. Usually, the only solution is to hire a nanny. Essentially, what they are looking for is someone to take the place of Mom while she is at work. Even though you play many of the...

The need to use a bottle can arise in a few situations. Maybe mom has low production and needs to supplement with formula. Perhaps baby has started teething, making breastfeeding uncomfortable for mom. How does this transition relate to nannying though? When it’s time for mom to go back to...

Maybe you’ve got a friend who is a full-time nanny. Maybe you’ve thought to yourself “I like kids, I could totally be a nanny,” and now you’re looking for a job. Perhaps someone has suggested “You should totally be a nanny!” Whatever the case, nannying is a great job. Depending...

“Are you the babysitter? ”  Have you ever heard that question? Have you ever said that to the person caring for someone’s child? Most nannies, when asked that question, think to themselves “…. Umm, no. I’m actually the nanny, which means something completely different. I love these kids and am with them...

Being a nanny is great. You get to be with children, play games, do fun projects and act like a kid again, but it still involves a lot of hard work. At the end of the day being a nanny is a job, maybe even your career. When it comes...

A series on helping nannies be the best they can through communication. How important is the interview? Should your relationship with the family be limited to work? What if the parents are bad communicators? We'll be tackling these hard questions in this article.