Nannypalooza is back November 2-3, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. While the nannies have been busy making travel plans and finding roommates, event organizer Sue Downey has been tirelessly securing top notch speakers for this year’s event.
New to Nannypalooza are SuperSessions, which are expanded sessions providing attendees with in-depth information and answers on today’s hot topics!
Sue has provided us with a sneak peek of the amazing line-up of speakers, and I can’t wait to attend!
The Nanny Manager- Expanding Your Duties
More and more families are looking for more than just a nanny. Plus as kids go off to school, many nannies face shorter hours or losing a family they love. Busy families need personal assistants, cooks, housekeepers and household managers and more. In the current job market, a nanny who knows how to tackle this blended position with the right attitude can not only command a higher salary, but also attains a greater degree of job security.We will discuss the specific jobs that are being offered and talk job descriptions and specifically what tasks families demand as well as how to set boundaries and tailor a job to meet the family’s needs while not losing your mind. Then we will prepare to meet the challenges head on using exercises that will help you see if you are suited to the position and where you might need to brush up your skills. Finally we will go thru a list of specific tips, tricks and tools to get you ready to go!
This session will focus on the blended position of NANNY and household manager/assistant. We will not be talking about the traditional and more formal household manager position that might be found in the estate setting.
Lora Brawley and Sue Downey.
How to Be the Nanny You Want Without Being the Nanny You Hate
“If you could wave a magic wand at home, which behaviors would you change?” Nannies will generate a list, and Dr. G will ensure that each participant leaves with strategies to fix the most pressing issue facing each nanny, as well as skills to handle whatever their kids will think of next! Interactive and relaxed, nannies will respond to the warmth of Dr. G’s seminar, finding comfort and encouragement, as well as accountability and resources. This practical workshop is Dr. G’s most popular session. Doctor G (Deborah Gilboa, MD) of AskDoctorG.com empowers parents to raise respectful, responsible and resilient kids. Around the country and around the world, she works with parents to increase their knowledge and to use the parenting instincts they already have. Doctor G focuses on practical tools and teaching skills, not just dishing out advice. From one minute tips on making your life easier while building kids’ character to her downloadable guides (chores at every age, boundaries for tech use and more) Doctor G makes parenting more simple and more effective.
As a Board Certified Family Physician, mother of four, author of Teach Resilience: Raising Kids Who Can Launch! and Teach Responsibility: Empower Kids with a Great Work Ethic, and as a professional parenting speaker,
she captivates parents through her humorous straight talk that takes the guilt out of parenting. She especially loves taking questions directly from parents and educators. Dr. Debi Gilboa is the host of and parenting expert
for the TV series “iQ Smart Parent” premiering February 2013. Doctor G has served as an expert resource for Parents magazine, MSNBC, Yahoo News, USA Today and numerous other media outlets. Doctor G is a regular
contributor to Huffington Post Parents, Your Teen Magazine and several of the largest parenting sites online. Doctor G is a Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the recipient of
multiple awards. But beyond all of these honors, she’s most proud of her family. She and her husband are raising four boys who are growing into respectful, responsible and resilient young men and have been honored for their unique community service projects.
What Do YOU Need to Know About Caring for Infants from Birth through the First 3 Months of Life??
Interested in working with newborns? Is your current family expecting an addition? Have you ever wondered about getting training to become a Newborn Care Specialist or are you a current NCS looking to brush up some skills? This SUPERsession will be presented by Carolyn Stulberg, R.N., BSN, CCE of the Alexandra School and Jill Minger M.D. Obstetrician and Gynecologist at the Cleveland Clinic. Carolyn and Dr. Jill will be able to offer information on the birthing process, the newborn’s needs at birth, the mother’s needs postpartum, infant feeding, sleeping, crying, equipment and the basics of newborn care. This session will be unique as it will be tailored to fit the audience. A short survey will be sent out a few weeks prior to the conference where attendees will give their experience levels and tell us what YOU most want to learn. The session will then be focused on the attendees.
This will be a great introduction to those interested in newborn care or offer nannies who want to add some of these skills to their resume a chance to sharpen up!
This session will:
•offer you advanced level information crucial from birth through the first 3 months ( 4th trimester) of a child’s life
• learn the latest current concepts in birth and infant care
•be interactive and intensive
•give you learn it today, use it tomorrow practical skills
•give you some of theory behind the practices
•give you direct access to an Dr. Jill an obstetrician and Carolyn Stulberg an
expert in newborn care and the first 3 months of life
This session will NOT
•prepare you to be a Newborn Care Specialist
•give you information about toddlers, preschoolers etc..
•go into detail on the business end of newborn care (i.e. contracts, how to find jobs, etc…)
Carolyn Stulberg – Carolyn, a mother of 4 and a grandmother of 5, has taught parenting, grand parenting, prenatal/postnatal classes, and Daddy Boot Camps for over 30 years. As an entrepreneur, she owned and operated her own business, Carolyn’s Kids, a program for new parents for more than 20 years while raising her family. She founded the Alexandria School for Nannies and Newborn Care Specialists in 2007, becoming the first and only State certified program for Newborn Care Specialists in the United States. She is currently in the process of moving from classroom-based to online classes to meet the needs and resources of the work force.
She is passionate about QUALITY child care in the in-home setting, and is working toward programs to develop certification processes to elevate the professionalism of the in-home child care worker, and to standardize levels of performance. As part of the Alexandria School Placement Agency she has uncovered the significant educational deficits in the consumer side of this business and is also working toward online solutions to educate the two working-parent family. She is widely regarded as one of the leading educators in this field at local, regional and national levels, and remains passionate about addressing the growing need for education in these 2 arenas. She speaks publicly for parenting groups, international nanny conventions, medical meetings, and working women groups. As a speaker she regularly addresses parenting issues from newborns to teens, for Moms/ Dads of all range of experience, as well as for grandparents. Recent forums have addressed breastfeeding, talking to children about tragedies in the media, (Boston, Sandy Ridge shootings, Hurricanes), “helicopter parents” and how to avoid being one, SIDS prevention, and how to stay legal when hiring a Nanny, to name a few.
Workshop Descriptions
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR COMPUTER?
“The Dark Side of the Internet That May Be Affecting You and Your Children”
With the internet and mobile computing becoming a way of life for millions of children, parents must learn how to keep up with new technologies to better protect their children. Chat rooms, social media, file sharing, and
mobile apps have become extremely popular for children in today’s society. Unfortunately, this technology can be dangerous to children, either through their own actions or their interactions with others, including
adults. The internet has created a virtual playground that has allowed individuals to be whomever they want while gaining access to a variety of personal information. In the wrong hands, this information can be used to
harass, threaten or intimidate children, further putting them at risk. This presentation by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will provide parents with a better understanding of the dangers on the
internet and also provide tips to keep children and families safe. The presentation will provide an overview of the problem areas, warning signs to look for and how to react if you find your child has been victimized on the Internet.
David K. Frattare
Lead Investigator
Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office
Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
David Frattare is the Lead Investigator for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, where he coordinates and supervises undercover online investigations involving the sexual exploitation of children. Prior to his employment with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office, Investigator Frattare was employed for 12 years as a Special Agent with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Investigation. From 2005 to 2009, he was assigned to the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit and was responsible for more than 60 arrests throughout the United States and Canada involving the online sexual exploitation of children. Investigator Frattare has received extensive training in the investigation, detection, and prosecution of crimes against children and has given more than 250 Internet safety presentations and has appeared on numerous television and radio news programs to discuss Internet crimes against children and Internet safety issues. A graduate of John Carroll University in University Heights, OH, David resides in Brunswick, OH with his wife and two children.
What a Nanny Needs to Know about AD/HD
Many families face a diagnosis of AD/HD. We will explore first off what AD/HD looks like, how it affects the family and how to talk to parents about living with it. Dr. Lavin will specifically discuss a nanny’s role in dealing with this challenge. We will also discuss ideas and strategies to work with children affected by AD/HD.
Arthur Lavin, M.D. is a pediatrician educated at Harvard (BA) and OSU (MD) who has been in practice for over 20 years in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Lavin has helped create standards for community pediatrics, published original research in journals such as Science, and has co-authored manuals used for teaching pediatricians to care for children with special health care needs. Along with Ms. Susan Glaser a nationally known expert in early childhood development, he has written and published several books, including Who’s the Boss? Moving Families from Conflict to Collaboration, and Babies and Toddler Sleep Solutions for Dummies. In addition, Dr. Lavin has served on several national committees of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), as president of the Northern Ohio Pediatrics Society, and was rated as one off America’s Top Pediatricians 2007-2012. He currently serves on the AAP Committee charged with developing policy relating to the psychological and social needs of families, and the AAP program establishing standards of care for America’s pediatricians.
Nanny Contracts: What YOU Need to Know!
Every nanny working should have a written work agreement (contract). It protects you and it protects the family. It also can set the groundwork for a long and fruitful relationship between all parties. Written work agreements are a key requirement of many Domestic Worker Bill of Rights bills. Come and listen to household employment expert Kathy Webb as she discusses what to include in your contract, how to negotiate one, and the legal aspects that you need to know. Ask questions and discover why you should never be working without a great contract!
Kathleen Webb, President, co-founded HomeWork Solutions in 1993 to provide payroll and tax services to families employing household workers. She has extensive experience preparing ‘nanny tax’ payroll taxes. Webb is the author of numerous articles on this topic and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, and the Congressional Quarterly. She also consulted with Senate staffers in the drafting of the 1994 Nanny Tax Law. Ms. Webb is a magna cum laude graduate of Boston College. She is a wife, mother and “Grammy” to two beautiful grand babies and resides in Northern Virginia.
Raising a Passionate Reader
Reading is one of the single most important gifts we can give our kids. It not only is a pastime that will offer hours of enjoyment throughout their life, it is of great importance for their future academic success. Some kids are happy ensconced in a book, but some kids find it more challenging. The question is, how do you make reading a life long passion? We will discuss book selection and other strategies on how to help children discover a love of reading.
Tonia Ettinger is a 5th grade teacher and mother of 3 amazing readers, two teenagers and one ten year old. She is a pretty avid reader herself and can often be found discussing children’s books of all kinds! She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and just finished her Masters Degree of K12 Education. Tonia thanks her dad for helping her discover her love of reading and also a love of gardening and campground cooking.
Reggio What? Learning about the Reggio Emilia Approach
Attend any early childhood conference and you will see workshops talking about Reggio Emilia. What does this mean? Reggio Emilia is an approach to early education that came out of Italy. It is based on the ideas that children need to have some control over learning and that they learn through relationships and experiences. What can we learn from this methodology and how can we apply these concepts to a home based learning environment? An overview of the philosophy will be presented along with specifics of how to adopt the practices.
Jackie Saggio began teaching at Parma Preschool in 2002. She slowly started helping Mrs. Surniak with some of the administrative duties and now also works as the co-director. Her favorite thing to do with the children is gymnastics and yoga! Jackie is married with two young children and when she’s not busy Jackie enjoys attending cheerleading competitions as a nationally certified judge. Jackie has a Masters of Education and also works as a part-time instructor at Cuyahoga Community College and Kent State University. She is also the facilitator of the Cleveland Reggio study group and Communication Coordinator for CAEYC.
Non- Traditional Nanny Jobs- Nanny Panel
No two families are alike. However, some family structures are even more unique. We will explore some non traditional families such as same sex parents, divorced couples and single parents, and discover the ways nannies can support these families. The panel will consist of 3 nannies who have worked and have expertise in these homes.
Sensory Activities for Infants, Toddlers and beyond!
Kids learn by using their senses. They learn best when touching, tasting and experiencing a wide variety of sensations. Making sure that you provide a sensory rich environment for your young learners is vital. Come and hear why sensory activities are important, how they stimulate the mind and how to incorporate them into your day. Bring along your ideas to share as well!!
My name is Angie Csepi, I started out as an assistant teacher in a toddler classroom over 20 years ago, I became a lead teacher and taught infants and toddlers for at least 20 years. My classroom was Reggio inspired. I dedicated my life to teaching and learning about children. I now teach as an adjunct professor at a community college. I teach infant/toddler development. I also volunteer at a homeless shelter twice a month with high risk children. I incorporate art and creativity in my volunteer work. I am currently going to school to finish a Master’s degree in child development.
Working with Children’s Allergies and Asthma
More and more children are affected by food allergies and nannies have to know the current practices on how to manage these issues in the home. Dr. Greiwe will discuss kid’s allergies and also review asthma procedures so
that you will know the basics of dealing with these situations.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Greiwe received his undergraduate training at the University of Notre Dame where he obtained his bachelor of arts and majored in pre-med and anthropology. From there, he went on to get his medical degree from University of Toledo College of Medicine. He completed his pediatric residency training at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s and is currently a fellow of allergy and immunology at the Cleveland Clinic.
How to Transition Your Career to the Next Level
Do you feel that your career is stuck in a rut? Perhaps you are just looking for ways to improve your career? Elite level jobs are not for everyone but if you are the right kind of nanny- you can make very good money, get to travel and experience some great and amazing things all while doing a job you love. Anita will discuss the skills, presentation and the attitude necessary to get a position with a top notch family. She will share with you some information about the way these jobs work as well.
Anita Rogers
President & Founder
British American Household Staffing
Anita founded the company in 2012 after several years working for two brand name household recruiting firms in New York. Anita specializes in meeting clients and matching their needs to the firm’s pool of qualified candidates. Anita’s years of experience in the industry has sharpened her abilities in both recognizing talent, and understanding the subtle qualities needed in a candidate when making a specific match. Prior to working in the recruitment industry, Anita worked in Sephardic research at The Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Greenwich Village. Her experience in research has proved invaluable to her in the recruitment industry, helping her recruit and pinpoint high quality candidates.
Anatomy of an Interview: Getting to the Heart of a Family
A good nanny interview goes both ways- while a family searches for their perfect match, the savvy nanny must also be searching for clues to determine if this job meets her criteria. It can be difficult for an interviewee to
remember to ask the probing questions to get to the heart of a family, but it is an essential skill for nannies who want long term and happy placements. Come hear some of the secrets from a pro! The Alexandria School
interviews hundreds of parents for placements and for internships and knows how to read between the lines and find the keys to a good match. Knowing their techniques will certainly help you to find a perfect family!!
Carolyn Stulberg – Carolyn, a mother of 4 and a grandmother of 5, has taught parenting, grand parenting, prenatal/postnatal classes, and Daddy Boot Camps for over 30 years. As an entrepreneur, she owned and operated her own business, Carolyn’s Kids, a program for new parents for more than 20 years while raising her family. She founded the Alexandria School for Nannies and Newborn Care Specialists in 2007, becoming the first and only State certified program for Newborn Care Specialists in the United States. She is currently in the process of moving from classroom-based to online classes to meet the needs and resources of the work force. She is passionate about QUALITY child care in the in-home setting, and is working toward programs to develop certification processes to elevate the professionalism of the in-home child care worker, and to standardize levels of performance. As part of the Alexandria School Placement Agency she has uncovered the significant educational deficits in the consumer side of this business and is also working toward online solutions to educate the two working-parent family. She is widely regarded as one of the leading educators in this field at local, regional and national levels, and remains passionate about addressing the growing need for education in these 2 arenas. She speaks publicly for parenting groups, international nanny conventions, medical meetings, and working women groups. As a speaker she regularly addresses parenting issues from newborns to teens, for Moms/ Dads of all range of experience, as well as for grandparents. Recent forums have addressed breastfeeding, talking to children about tragedies in the media, (Boston, Sandy Ridge Shootings, Hurricanes), “helicopter parents” and how to avoid being one, SIDS prevention, and how to stay legal when hiring a Nanny, to name a few.
Erin Whaley
Green Nursery and Playrooms- Choosing Organic Products
with Naturepedic founder Barry A Cik
Today the buzzwords are “green” and “eco friendly”- you see it on packaging and in all the stores. But why do we need to look for true non toxic, organic products? Barry A Cik, founder of Naturepedic will discuss the potentially harmful chemicals to watch out for when choosing not only a crib or toddler mattress, but all the items that come into contact with our little ones. You might even learn a few things about choosing items for your own homes as well!
Naturepedic was founded by Barry A Cik, a quarter century veteran in the field of environmental engineering. In anticipation of his first grandchild, Barry went searching for a suitable baby crib mattress. Sadly, he found all of the crib mattress offerings completely unacceptable and was in shock at the state of the industry. “I knew all about vinyl/PVC, polyurethane foam, and the various chemicals contained in them and there was no way I was going to put my grandchild to sleep within a few inches of these chemicals.” Barry then set out to find a suitable organic baby crib mattress. “All of the organic baby crib mattresses on the market were not waterproof… if the mattress were to get wet, it would grow mold and fungus without any effective way to clean it. According to Barry, “the organic baby mattresses were nothing more than miniaturized adult mattresses, which made little sense for babies.”
Barry, together with his two sons, set out to found Naturepedic, an organic and non-toxic baby crib mattress company dedicated to providing parents with a better alternative – the first and only waterproof organic baby crib mattress designed with a safe food grade polyethylene cover, and which eliminates the potentially harmful chemicals with which Barry was so familiar. Today, Naturepedic has a large and growing network of retail outlets across the country and abroad, and has launched many new models to meet the growing demand for high quality non-toxic baby and children’s mattresses and bedding. Naturepedic also manufactures a line of luxury organic mattresses for the most discerning consumers.