Meet The Regarding Nanny: Alice

When you aren’t Nannying or writing for Regarding Nannies, how do you spend your time?

Where to start? During the past year I have been learning more about the “social media” world I have been studying up on the “social media” world in order to get Regarding Nannies recognized by more people in the nanny industry and those outside of it.   This fall I am attending a Bloggy BootCamp for bloggers.

I am also a very active member of ADCAN (Association of DC Area Nannies) for the past 14 years.  I was appointed to the board of directors of the INA (International Nanny Association) this May and the Social Media Chairperson for INA as well as continuing my role as the “Raffle Lady”.  I love doing the Raffle Lady as it allows me to find donations for the conference raffle each year that the members haven’t seen before or products that they love.  For the past two years I have been tapping into my resources with my friends who are in the Direct Sales businesses.  Dove Chocolates and Miche Bags have been very popular as well as Scentsy.

I started in direct sales several years ago with Longaberger then moved onto Big Yellow Box by Crayola for several years, before they closed their doors.  I then moved on to “Stampin Up!” to be a demonstrator. I love making cards via stamping.  I don’t often have time to do it but I have challenged myself to send out 100 handmade cards this year. I made  “thank you” cards for my sister in law’s baby shower this spring. I have also been making/donating cards for Breast Cancer Walks, INA Raffle, NNRW, ADCAN’s holiday party invitations, and various other events.

Besides doing the social media, nanny awareness and card making, I have been working towards a healthier Alice in 2010.  For the past 11 years I have been dealing with PCOS (poly cystic ovary syndrome). This past spring I was chosen to be one of 10 women in the DC area to take part in the PCOS Challenge TV Show.  The challenge was over a course of 13 weeks where every weekend was devoted to working out, attending workshops and doing physical challenges.   I have to thank the nannyworld for actually getting me involved with the PCOS Challenge.  As two of my nanny friends from internet world, sent me the email on the casting call for the show.   I have known the one for the past 7 years and the other one just in the past year.  Had it not been for facebook and the networking amongst nannies I might not have been able to be a part of the healthy transitions I am going through now.

My family is very important to me.  For the past 4 years I have been spending my Christmas break at my Grandmother’s house in York, PA. When I go to her house, I bring along Lemongrass my 7 year old parakeet. My grandma calls her “Binky Bird”.   I brought my grandmother along this year to the INA conference to meet my nanny friends and see me receive my 15 year Service Award Pin from INA.  I was very excited to have my

Lemongrass on the way to Grandma's

grandmother there as she has been a strong supporter of me being a nanny.  During the past few years I have been going to the beach for a week or two with my mom and brother and sister in law among others.  My brother and sister in law live in the Seattle area so this is when we have our “family time” together.   This year we are not going to the beach because we are all visiting them in Seattle.

How have your relationships with children changed you as a person?

The children I have been with over the past 15 years have been incredible on so many different levels.  I have learned so much through the kids young and old.   I have seen the different facets of child rearing through the families.  I have to say I think the one thing that has changed me as a person is that each child has shown me that I have learning still to do and they have taught me at least one or two things during my time as their nanny.

Some things I have learned:

• no child can have too many “Muttsy” stuffed dogs

• lunch/movie dates with kids are important

• learning the car logos leads the way to a child learning their letters and colors

• that brushing a little girl’s hair has to be done a certain way

• I really enjoy working for families that have kids that play hockey

• learning to drive with teenagers is so much different then when I learned to drive

• it is awesome to listen/discuss differences in music with teenagers.  They have shared with me their love for Usher, TI, Lil’ Wayne, Eminem and Britney Spears and I like them too!

• my “nagging” as my teenager calls it, is appreciated even if he doesn’t say it at the time

• love is unconditional

• I do make a difference in each of their lives regardless of the time spent apart from them

• that kids love learning about life skills and not just about Russian literature etc

• the kids do listen to me and will even thank me weeks later for something that they couldn’t at the time

• patience and gratitude for those in my life and those around me

What do you hope to be remembered for?

I hope that others will remember me for my ability to help others out, make them laugh, smile and have a good time.  During the past 15 years, I have been involved with the nanny profession I met some incredible women and men that have inspired me personally and professionally.   I remember simple things about them and that surprises people when I remind them of those things. The people have all had an impact on my life as a professional nanny and as a person. I hope that I will have that affect on others when they think of “Alice Shaffer, professional nanny”.  I hope that people will remember the simple things I have done and yet to come along with the contributions I have made to nannies through my involvement with Regarding Nannies, ADCAN, INA, NAN (National Association of Nannies), online message boards and yahoogroups.  I remember I was having a chat with a fellow nanny and she didn’t know my name, but knew I was the “Raffle Lady” from INA.  I think I will always be known as the “Raffle Lady” to many in the nanny field.

The kids I have nannied for I hope that they will remember the life skills I taught them and the unconditional love I have given them. That for the time I was involved in their lives that I made a difference to them no matter big or small.

Since starting Regarding Nannies, how have you been affected or influenced?

So many things come to mind with this question.  I have to say that my friendship has strengthened and deepened with Glenda and Kellie in ways I never could have dreamed.  We had a little vision of doing something.  I don’t think we even could imagine how Regarding Nannies would be received in the nannyworld as well as the social media and blogging world.  During the 2009 INA conference, we heard Dr. Lynne Kenney speak on “branding” and that is when I launched The Financial Nanny.  The workshop and keynote speech also helped launch Regarding Nannies sooner rather than later.  The three of us worked many hours working on things.  There were many decisions to be made.  The three of us have different strengths and weaknesses that worked together for the greater good of Regarding Nannies.  We have shown ourselves that three very strong minded women can work together successfully.

I have been in such awe of the people who have complimented the blog and the blog stories we have shared.  It has been a wonderful experience to know that nannies, which are starting their first job to the nanny with 25 years experience, learn something from Regarding Nannies.  I love that nanny support groups, nanny agencies and nannies are sharing our blog with those in their lives.

It has been great being able to share my personal love for the nanny profession to those that are not as informed to what resources are out there for them.  With our giveaways it has been wonderful sharing INA memberships, INA Conference scholarship, books and Regarding Nannies items with our readers.  The simple thank yous we have received from those winners and the others who have read our blog make it worth it.

What are you excited about in the coming year?

Growth. Regarding Nannies hasn’t even seen the peak of our “growth” potential. I believe that Regarding Nannies will grow a lot this coming year. We have new series of topics in the works, new writers contributing and growth in the social media area. With our project in the wings will also give us another angle of resources and growth for the year to come.

Atticus at 10 hrs old!

June 25 was a wonderful day for me personally.  My brother and sister in law welcomed their first child, a son named Atticus.  He is my first niece/nephew.  I will be spending lots of time utilizing all of my nanny skills and knowledge in purchasing those wonderful “noisy” toys that our charges get.  I have already given him some “noisy” toys and tons of books. As many know I love turtles. Atticus already has a healthy start on his turtle collection.  I am excited to go visit him in August for 10 days and play “Auntie Alice” and spoil him rotten. I will be playing “Newborn Care Specialist” and not the “teenager nanny” as I do in my daily nanny job.

Personally, I am excited for the changes that I have adopted and those not yet discovered to come to life.  I started a lot of my personal health journey so that I can be here for the long term for Atticus.  I look forward to working with my personal trainer more and reaching new levels in the gym. Just basically being open to growth and change in 2010 is what I look forward to this coming year!

Here are some more notes from Regarding Nannies readers and friends…

“You ladies are AWESOME!!!”  You have given us insight on nannies across the country not only as nannies but as people.  I continue to share your articles with not only nannies in my area but also others.  Thanks for everything you do!!!

April Krause

Nanny and Co-director of Michigan Professional Nanny Association

Northville, MI

Happy Anniversary to Regarding Nannies!! I look forward to regularly reading the Facebook posts and receiving all Regarding Nannies emails from Glenda, Alice & Kellie…Thanks for all for your sound advise and keen info.

Kimberly Peters

Nanny in Long Island, NY

Everything I learned about being a mom, I learned as a nanny. Everything I learned about being a nanny, I learned from other nannies. Alice Shaffer and I worked together for several years as board members for ADCAN. Amazing times!! Thank you for your all your dedication and hardwork!

Jamie (Kinney) Beastrom

Nanny and Current Preschool Teacher in Newcastle, Wyoming

I have known Kellie, Glenda, and Alice for more than a decade (scary to think how much more with some!). I am so proud of the leadership role they have stepped up to fill in the nanny community. All three have a history of service; the Regarding Nannies blog brings their experience, expertise, and advice to a much broader audience. Keep of the good work!

Kathy Webb
President, HomeWork Solutions Inc.

Today’s Lucky Winner is:

Andrea Flagg

We have 318 friends/followers via our Facebook Friends and Group.  We took those and put them in random.org and chose one person that will receive their choice of 2~ Regarding Nannies mug, tote bag or notebook.

Congratulations Andrea!

Contact us through regardingnannies(at)gmail(dot)com and let us know your choices.