June 13, 2019 Blog By admin No Comments

Happy Camper!

It’s summer time which means it’s the perfect time to leave the electronics at home, explore the beautiful outdoors and create camping memories the kids sure won’t forget. Here are a few camping do’s to keep in mind when camping with the kiddos. We’ve also listed a few of our favorite places to camp in Arizona.
Camping Tips:
– Test Run: It’s not a bad idea to do a “test run” in your backyard prior to going on a camping trip. This will give the kiddos and you an idea of what it will be like sleeping in a tent.
– Washing Station/Wipes: It’s a must that you will get dirty camping – it’s so fun exploring in nature for worms, pinecones, fishing, etc. Although at the end of the day, it’s nice to take the dirt away. Bring lots of antibacterial wipes or set up a washing station with a bucket of soap and water.
– Entertainment: Bring along some extra fun things for the kids such as bubbles, squirt guns, coloring books, binoculars, magnifying glass and card games.
– Night Time Safety: Campsites are extremely dark at night and can be scary for kiddos but you can make it fun by bringing headlamps, flashlights, book lights and lanterns.
Family Camping Sites in Arizona:
– Woods Canyon Lake: Woods Canyon is 30 miles east of Payson and a 2 hour drive from Phoenix. You can fish, rent a boat at Woods Canyon Lake and they even have a little market to get supplies/ice cream. Check out more information or reserve your camping spot here.
– Lo Lo Mai Springs: Lo Lo Mai is located between Cottonwood and Sedona. It’s located on the creek and offers restrooms/showers, swimming pool, spa and playground. They also have a little market to get supplies. Check out this fun camp site here.
– Flagstaff KOA: If you are more of a “glamping” kind of family this is the place for you! You can rent tents/cabins, they have WiFi, Cable TV, bathrooms/showers, bicycle rentals and a cafe that serves breakfast every morning. You can get more information about Flagstaff KOA here.
We hope you found the above useful as camping with family is a lot of fun! Relax and enjoy making outdoor memories with your family.
Happy Camping ~
Caring Nannies

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May 21, 2019 Blog By admin No Comments

Memorial Day ~ remembering and honoring all who has served our country.

Caring Nannies is wishing you a beautiful Memorial Day weekend. In honor of all of the veterans as well as the active service members, thank you for all that you do. We hope you enjoy these fun Memorial Day snack, craft and decoration ideas to do with your kiddos on this holiday weekend.

How cute and yummy are these patriotic desserts? You can find recipes for these 30 easy no bake patriotic desserts at ahunderaffections.com.

Have some fun getting crafty with these adorable Memorial Day crafts and activities with your kiddos. Go to theunpreparedmommy.com to find instructions on how to create these masterpieces.

Touch up your home with some red, white and blue for your Memorial Day BBQ with these quick and easy patriotic decorations from onecrazymom.com.

We thank you and celebrate you on this day! Happy Memorial Day!
From, Caring Nannies

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February 6, 2019 Blog By admin No Comments

February 17th is Random Acts of Kindness Day

Caring Nannies is celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17th! Random Acts of Kindness Day began in 1982 and means “a selfless act performed by kind people to either help or cheer up a random stranger, for no reason other than to make people happier”. The holiday has grown over the years as organizations, groups and individuals are celebrating!
We understand that everyone is busy with day to day life, but let’s take a few minutes of this holiday to do something for someone else to make their day better. It can make a huge difference.
We hope these acts of kindness ideas are helpful to you, so we can spread joy to others.

  1. Compliment a stranger.
  2. Make dinner for a family in need
  3. Leave spare change at the laundromat
  4. Pay for someone’s morning coffee
  5. Donate canned goods to your local food bank.
  6. Do a 5k for a good cause
  7. Participate in a fundraiser
  8. Go in for a hair cut and donate to Locks of Love.
  9. Spare a dollar or two for someone who is in need.
  10. Send care packages for soldiers overseas
  11. Help a neighbor (water their plants, mow their lawn)
  12. Volunteer at school, shelters, events
  13. Donate clothing/items at Salvation Army
  14. Babysit for free
  15. Hold open the doors for people
  16. Help tutor a struggling student
  17. Wash someone’s car
  18. Buy groceries for the person behind you
  19. Take the time to listen to someone
  20. Be kind to yourself

How are you going to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day?

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October 20, 2016 Uncategorized By admin No Comments

NEW FLEXIBLE FULL-TIME NANNY JOB (35 HRS) WITH TODDLER IN SCOTTSDALE
NEW FLEXIBLE FULL-TIME NANNY JOB (35 HRS) WITH TODDLER IN SCOTTSDALE, $15-$20/HR, ASAP
N Scottsdale and Dynamite: This wonderful returning family of ours has a sweet, happy, 1 year old boy who is in need of an engaging, interactive, educated nanny to care for him for a flexible schedule of 35 hrs M-F, typically 11AM-6PM, as both parents are physicians. They are open to providing 40 hrs if needed for the right candidate. Mom is currently working from home most days or will be in and out and she also likes to take her son to classes such as My Gym. She works 8 week days out of the month in the hospital and usually leaves by 3:30PM or Dad is home by 5PM so the nanny would not be needed later than 6PM. The family desires a nanny who has completed college or has some education and it is important to be engaging with their son like singing songs, reading books, and working on developmental milestones. No travel is required and no driving is needed at the moment but maybe in the future and gas mileage will be reimbursed. Pets: one large but friendly bullmastiff so nanny must be comfortable around a large dog. Compensation: $15-$20/hr. Paid holidays. Starts ASAP (REF#SKSC)
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July 19, 2014 Blog By admin No Comments

BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS

These tips for getting off to a good start can boost children’s confidence, behavior and outlook socially and academically. The shift from summer to Fall can be a tough transition for both children and their parents, with greater structure, more activities and more stress. Help your children manage the changes by planning ahead and staying positive. Check out our tips to make it easier for the whole family.

Re-establish routines – take a week or two to gradually move up bedtime and wake-up time and let them practice getting up, dressed and eating breakfast earlier. Add in bedtime reading and chores if you didn’t do this during the summer. Talk to your child about the benefits of going to bed on time so they have energy the next day. Even preschoolers can learn to set an alarm clock to get up in the morning. Praise them for being a go-getter when they get up.

Create a launch-pad – a designated area for backpacks lunch boxes and important notices and homework papers to avoid last minute scrambles.

Set a time and a place for homework – avoid daily battles by setting up a time and place for homework. The best area is the kitchen or family room so they can be monitored and encouraged. Make sure there’s good lighting and room for books and resources. Plan ahead to be available during the homework hour to head off frustration and make sure the work gets done.

Mark your calendar and plan to attend “Meet the Teacher Night” – It is August 1 in Tempe, check your school website for other districts and attend to meet your child’s Teachers, the Principal and other staff. Arrange for a babysitter now, if necessary. Walk through the school if it is a younger child or a new school, and find their classroom, locate lockers, visit the lunchroom, and encourage your child to ask questions.

Here are the first days of school for some local districts:

Chandler – Monday July 21
Phoenix – Wednesday July 30

Tempe – Tuesday August 5

Gilbert – Wednesday August 6

Scottsdale – Wednesday August 6

Paradise Valley – Friday August 8

Glendale – Monday August 11

Clear your schedule for the first week of school and put off business trips, extra meetings and avoid bringing work home to you have time to help your child get used to the new  schedule. Have some planned frozen leftovers ready so dinnertime is easy.

With a few of these tips and strategies in place, your first days of school will create a good start to the school year and make for academic success all year.

If you need an extra hand, consider hiring an after school nanny. We’re currently recruiting candidates who will pick children up from school, fix a nutritious snack, help with homework, throw in a load of laundry, prep dinner, get the kids in the car with mouth guards, clean uniforms and socks, and drive them to sports practices or appointments. We take photocopies of their Driver’s Licenses, three year MVD Records and current Auto Insurance when they interview. When checking references, we ask prior families about their driving habits.They’re happy to grocery shop or pick up the gift for the weekend birthday party. Expect to pay $16-$18 per hour and we require a hour hour minimum per visit. Click here to fill out a Family Application. and Jenny, our Family Placement Counselor will give you a call to answer your questions.

Beth Weise

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March 15, 2014 Blog By admin No Comments

MOM OF THE MONTH–JENNY RIOJAS, OUR FAMILY PLACEMENT COUNSELOR!

Jenny Riojas, our Family Placement Counselor, was chosen as Mom of the Month by a local blogger! Here’s the story!

I met Jenny a few years ago at a moms group at church.  She was unbelievably sweet.  She and her sister in law were just so open and considerate.

Our kiddos are the same age as mine and it’s so nice to see a mom handle these ages so great.  Especially with two boys.

Jenny is funny and kind and takes great joy in her boys and it shows all over her face!
She is very dear to me and reading her answers below you can see why.

Here is Jenny’s story…..

1. How many children do you have?

List ages and names I have 2 rambunctious yet loving boys.  Carter Preston is 9 and Chase Kelan is 7.

2. Your occupation: I am the Family Placement Director at Caring Nannies in Scottsdale.  I place nannies and domestic staff with families all over the Valley.  I love my job!  It’s a business I am passionate about and it gives me the flexibility to be with my children when I need to be.

3. What is your most strict parenting rule?

At the ages that my boys are right now, I am strict about back talk and disrespect.  To anyone.  If that type of behavior is displayed, an immediate consequence is given.

4. What is the best motherly advice you have received? From who?

My parents were all about “creating memories” when I was growing up.  I have very fond childhood memories of camping, RV road trips, BBQ’s, my Dad’s silly magic shows, family game nights, and so forth.  I think that was the best advice: to create memories with your children.  It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant but I try to do things that they will remember when they are older and will tell their children about.

5.What is the biggest challenge you face balancing yourself and being a mom?

The key word there is ‘balance.’  I’m like every other Mom with lots of things to juggle every week and sometimes I feel if I’m putting too much time and energy in one area, then things are falling through the cracks in another. More often than not, I don’t feel like I have it all together.  I just do my best to fit in quality time whenever I can.  For me, that may mean leaving the laundry and sticky floors for another time….and going out for a family bike ride.  Or putting away the work laptop so I can snuggle with the kiddos before bedtime. Every little bit counts.

6. Can you share any mom tips with us?

#1  Carve out Mommy time. It’s a natural thing for Moms to put everyone else’s needs first.  I believe it is also important to remember to take care of yourself and do some things that you enjoy so that you are a re-charged and happy Mommy.

#2  Don’t beat yourself up.  We all have bad days (or weeks) and it’s easy to go to bed at night and beat ourselves up for what we feel we did wrong in our parenting.  Let the bad days go.  Moms are their own worst critics.  The next morning, those little munchkins are still going to run up to you and give you a big hug, regardless of how the prior day went.

#3 Don’t compare.  It’s great to get advice from fellow Moms but if your child isn’t reading and conjugating verbs by the age of 3 like your friend’s kid is, don’t feel like you’ve failed as a parent.

#4 Be spontaneous sometimes.  All moms need structure and routines to their days or they’d go insane; but many, many times things do not go as planned in mommyhood.  When that happens, throw the plans out the window, be spontaneous, and make the most of it.  A lot of times those turn out to be the best days.

#5  If you have more than one child, plan special one-on-one Mommy dates with each child.  My kids really look forward to this and I’m always amazed at the special conversations that take place when I am focused on them one at a time.

7. What is the hardest part about being a mom?

Moms worry a lot.  That’s a given.  We want the best for our kids.  When they are hurting, we are hurting.  We want to always protect them and shield them. But we can’t.  That’s the hardest thing.  And seeing them grow up so fast!

8. What is your favorite part about being a mom?

I’m one of those people who dreamed about being a Mommy when I was a young girl.  I’ve always loved kids, especially babies, and I simply could not wait to be a mom myself.  It’s the most rewarding yet challenging job!  I love that my kids melt my heart and keep me laughing everyday.  I love how forgiving they are of me.  I love that it is ever-changing.  Once you think you’ve mastered one stage, you’re on to the next.  I love experiencing things through their eyes.  I love that they teach me just as much, if not more, than I teach them.

9. Tell us a story….. it can be something funny your kids did, it can be an embarrassing thing that happened to you as a mother, it can be your proudest moment, the moment you felt like you were  a good mother…anything you want.

Story:

Whenever I am away from my kids or I’m traveling, I’ll leave prizes hidden throughout the house for them to find each day that I’m gone.  I’ll call with a clue that will help them find the prize. So once when they were gone for a few days and I was home alone, they surprised me by hiding notes and prizes for me.  I was cracking up with what they came up with.  One note said, “Mom, I know you are going out with your friends.  Here is a piece of gum.”
Thank you Jenny for sharing your story with us today!
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February 9, 2013 Blog By admin No Comments

Coming in From Out of Town? 8 Fun Things to Do in Phoenix

If you live in Phoenix year round or are coming to get out of the snow and ice for a few weeks, make the most of your time here. Spring is a beautiful time to visit Phoenix so here’s a fun list of things to do.

Arabian Horse Show Feb 14-24 at Westworld in Scottsdale-Since 1955, the Arabian Horse Show is the largest event of it’s kind in the world and has grown from 50 horses to 2400, bringing the top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world. A win in Scottsdale means lots of attention in the breeding barns.

Phoenix Spring Training For the fans, Spring Training means great games, great players, jumbo hot dogs, cheap tickets, and the opportunity to get up close and personal with the athletes. Scottsdale is home to the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Cactus League Spring Training The Angels will host the Chicago Cubs at Diablo Stadium in Tempe for their Spring Training and the Angels take on the Texas Rangers. Camelback Ranch in Glendale is hosting the White Sox and Dodgers and the Peoria Complex is hosting the Mariners and the Padres. The Surprise Stadium is the home of the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals.

Kayaking on  Tempe Town lake This is an urban lake just North of ASU and the Mill Avenue district in Tempe. They also have rowboats and paddle boats. The lake is just two miles long and there’s lots of skateboarding, biking, walking and horseback riding paths.

Arizona Science Center This fun interactive museum is great for ages 2 through adults. I brought my two year old granddaughter and my out of town company there and she kept busy for hours, but we had fun learning too!

Take a hike! Our family hiked in the Superstitions and my eight year old son said: “Oh, this is the desert!” It’s high desert and much more beautiful than in the alley, asd stunning in the Spring and the rock formations and Spring flowers are fabulous! Another short but fun hike is the Hieroglyphic Trail in the superstitions.

The Musical Instrument Museum in North Scottsdale is one of a kind, with instruments from all over the world, and has an interactive room where you can try out some instruments yourself.

Destination Station at the Arizona Museum of natural history runs through March 24 and is an interactive exhibit showing the inside of America’s orbiting lab and revealing the vast array of science and research being done in low earth orbit.

Arizona SCITECH festival 2013 Spearheaded by ASU, U of A, and the Arizona Science Center, this festival is a celebration of science, technology, engineering and math has expos, workshops, and tours in neighborhoods throughout Phoenix  for ages 3 to 103 now through March 17th.

If you’re staying at one of our charming Phoenix resorts, call for one of our trusted nannies to entertain the children while you enjoy a quiet dinner.

Beth

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About Us

Caring Nannies has been matching nannies with families since 1983. Whether you are a seasoned nanny or just starting, we will help match your passion with a dream job you’ll love!

Contact Information

(480) 946-3423

jenny@acaringnanny.com

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