Healthy Habits for 2021
The start of the New Year always brings around the question of resolutions and improvements. We’ve pulled together a few of our tips you can start the New Year with Healthy Habits for your work and personal life. 
You Can Only Change One Person – The fact is we only have control over one person: ourselves. When you realize that, you’ll start taking more control over your own needs without worrying about how that affects everyone else. For example, if you need to lose weight, but your spouse or family isn’t very supportive even though they could stand to lose a few pounds too, putting yourself first in this case will rub off on them – especially if you happen to be the cook in the family.
You Teach People How to Treat You – Dr. Phil is most famous for saying that if people are treating you poorly it may be because you’ve given them permission to do so via actions, if not words. Once you start treating yourself better, your friends and family might decide that they also deserve better. They may start treating themselves better as well as you better solely based on your attitude.
Communicate – The new year is a great opportunity to communicate what is working and not working in your work life and personal life. Ask to set up a meeting or annual review with your employers to go over the past year, suggestions for improvement – on both sides – and discuss the plan moving forward. How are things with family, friends and relationships? Take time to let others know how you’re feeling – good and bad – and how you can move forward for the new year.
Mirror the Behavior You Want to See – You might not learn about mirroring if you aren’t actively reading about self-help. But, as you learn more about yourself and how you want to be treated, you will learn how to act in such a way that demonstrates to others how you want them to behave. This works especially well with children.
Brighten Someone’s Day – When you study self-help techniques and how to build self-esteem in yourself, you’ll learn that an honest compliment can go a long way. As you feel more secure in yourself, you’ll find that you have more good things to say about others. As you compliment them, they will also feel better about themselves and a circle of positivity will begin.
Learn to Ask Questions the Right Way – Instead of trying to convince someone of a fact by debating them, learn to ask leading questions. Questions that make the person think about their answers deeply will work a lot better than making demands on them. As you read self-help books and practice self-help, you’ll learn the right techniques.
Set Boundaries – As you study self-help, you’ll learn more about healthy boundaries which will keep you from taking any of the other lessons you’ve learned too far in the wrong direction. Boundaries keep us from either being abused or being abusive to others. We realize that our rights end where someone else’s begins.
As you seek to improve yourself, and put to practice the things that you learn, you’ll find that your friends and family often follow your lead as long as you aren’t demanding of them. Instead of activity trying to recruit anyone into your new-found self-knowledge training, just be the example and they’ll come around all on their own.
TLC For Kids, Inc. has been St. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agency for over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Louis, Tampa and more!. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.
5 Steps to Kick Off the New Year Right in Your Job
We’ve bid farewell to 2020 and eagerly look forward to what 2021 will bring. Now that we’re in the New Year, this is a great opportunity to take a look around your personal and professional surroundings and make some excellent changes to build and enhance your nanny job. 
- Take stock of your surroundings. All those new toys and books that arrived but nowhere to put them? Discuss with the parents a plan to “Keep, Donate or Trash” old items and create new play spaces, e-learning spaces, reading nooks and quiet space. Get the kids involved and make it a special, fun project.
- Do you struggle with the day-to-day communications? Consider a daily diary for writing out your day, concerns, observations, events and more. Our Nanny Diary is a great tool made by nannies for nannies for this exact purpose!
- Review time. When was the last time you had a review with your employers? What is working? What isn’t? Set up a time to sit down and discuss. This handy check-list can help address certain areas of concern or prepare for what’s coming up.
- Make self-care a priority. If we learned anything from 2020, it’s that we do so much in the day-to-day, that we often let our own personal care come last. Make self-care a priority for 2021. Take up a new hobby. Pick a day to unplug – literally. No phones, social media. Read a book, binge on Netflix. Reconnect with friends and family. Send cards with handwritten notes. Make a phone call vs texting or emailing to a loved one. And when it’s safe to do so, book a day at the spa, a weekend away with your besties, or fly in and surprise a loved one. Make it a point to do something for yourself each month and make yourself a priority in 2021.
- Invest in your education. Whether you’ll be staying for a long while or looking for a new job this year, continuing education is vital to a nanny’s career. Consider an online course, subscribe to Nanny Magazine for current news and articles. How about a webinar hosted by Zero to Three or NAEYC? Or check out the March INA one-day Summit.
According to the 2017 INA Salary and Benefits Survey:
Experience and education affect a nanny’s hourly pay rate
+More experience and/or more education means higher hourly rate
+Those completing INA Credential Exam & INA Basic Skills Assessment get higher hourly rate
And don’t forget … TLC Family Care is here to help you along the way with your job or job search in 2021.
TLC For Kids, Inc. has been St. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agency for over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Louis, Tampa and more!. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.
Teach Your Children the Importance of Giving
Everyone says that it’s better to give than to receive. But, it can be easy to lose sight of this during the holiday season, especially for kids. So much of the Christmas season is focused on toys and presents, kids tend to catch a case of the “gimmies.” Are you having a hard time teaching your kids about how important it is to give? If so, here are a few ways you can encourage them to be more giving, during the holidays and beyond.
Start with a Small Act
Many people have a hard time getting motivated to give because they feel like their
contribution won’t matter in the long run. Prove to your kids that every little bit counts when it comes to donating either time or resources. Look for someone in your community that your kids can help with something like yard work or other chores around the house.
Don’t forget to reward them for their good deeds and show them the ways that even a small act of kindness can be a big help to someone. That way, they’ll probably more willing (and excited) to help the next time.
Set a Good Example
Kids often want to follow in the footsteps of their parents. If you want your kids to pick up on how important it is to give, make sure that you practice a bit of giving yourself. Let them see you putting aside time to help others or donating to a charitable organization. Remember, it’s sometimes more difficult to get your kids to want to give when they’ve never seen you do so. All it takes is once, to set a good example.
Find Other Kids
It will be easier for your kids to connect with the idea of giving if they’re involved in a project with their peers. Look for opportunities like food banks or toy drives in your community. Check to see if they allow children to participate in their programs. If there aren’t any kid-friendly charitable organizations in your area, consider taking it upon yourself to organize a volunteer event. You also have the option of seeking out online charities or volunteer organizations that kids can relate to.
Make Them Feel Empowered
The greatest motivator for giving is the feeling that you can make a difference. If you want your children to feel good about giving, make them feel good about themselves. Let them know that the things they have to say are important and encourage them to incorporate their talents into giving back to others. If they feel empowered, they’ll feel like they definitely can and will make a difference.
If you practice the act of giving on a regular basis, you make a habit out of generosity and charity. This is especially true of kids, who are growing up and developing into the people they will be later in life. Talk to your children about how important it is to give today and they will almost certainly make you proud of their compassion in the future.
Contact us today so we can help you find the best nanny for your family.
TLC For Kids, Inc. has been St. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agency for over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Louis, Tampa and more!. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.
Gifts to Give Your Nanny this Christmas
It is not too late to find a great gift for your nanny or babysitter. Your nanny takes care of your precious kids. It is time to give her something to let her know how much you appreciate her.
Below find our Top 10 for 2020 when it comes to Nanny Gifts! 
- Holiday Bonus
- Homemade gifts from the kids
- Extra paid time off
- Membership to a gym or club she enjoys
- Monthly Allowance toward Health Insurance
- Entertainment tickets (movie passes, concert tickets, sporting events)
- Updated phone, I-pad, computer
- Reimbursement for continuing education or seminar expenses
- Items from the Nanny Tees, AliceJoy Creations Etsy Shop, or Nanny Years shops.
- Gift Cards – favorite store, Amazon, local bookstore, coffee shop, spa!
You can check out our Pinterest boards for cute craft ideas the kids can make too!
TLC For Kids, Inc. has been St. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agency for over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Louis, Tampa and more!. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.
Making the Holidays more Meaningful
With the holidays looking much different than years past, families are getting creative in how their holidays will be spent this year. We have put together some ideas on 
how you can make the holidays more meaningful for all.
Giving Back
One of the best ways to make the holidays more meaningful is to give back. Make baked goods or a meal for someone in need, or just to let someone know you’re thinking of them. Donate winter clothing and toiletries to a local shelter. Buy gift cards for first responders and essential workers to purchase meals at local restaurants. Adopt a local family hit hard this year, and purchase gifts and groceries.
Get Creative
Set up a family craft night and everyone make holiday decorations for the tree and around the house or make for others as gifts. How about a family gingerbread house making contest? Make holiday cards for essential workers and senior citizens who can’t be with their families this year. Make someone’s holiday special letting them know you are thinking of them.
Holiday Traditions
Create new holiday traditions this year! Maybe a family scavenger hunt? Or how about a family sing-along via Zoom? Have each family member write down what they are thankful for this year and place on the tree. On Christmas morning, everyone reads their contribution.
Family connection
We may not be able to be with extended family in-person this year, but we can still be together. Set up Zoom calls or Facebook video chat. Set up games you can play from afar. Have your children interview their grandparents and get to know more about when they were children and share memories of holidays they remember. Record and write these down to share in years to come. Place photos of family members who cannot be with you on the tree, around the table, or make a festive display.
Celebrate a Different Culture
Consider celebrating another culture this holiday season. Research how other cultures celebrate the holidays – traditions, foods, songs, language, and clothing. Embrace one, or more different cultures into your holiday celebrations this year.
Furry & Feathered Friends
Decorate the outdoors with handmade bird feeders made of seeds, pinecones, and peanut butter. How about a garland of popcorn and apple and orange slices? Set out apples and carrots for other wildlife to enjoy a holiday feast
Record Your Memories
Take all the photos and video you have taken this year and create a holiday greeting for friends and loved ones. Let each family member make a special message for loved ones and share. Email to friends and family to enjoy and encourage them to do the same.
While the holidays will be different this year, new and exciting traditions and memories can be made. Happy Holidays from all of us here at TLC Family Care.
Tips for Interviewing a Nanny
Regardless of the approach parents take to finding a nanny, interviewing is an extremely important part of any parent’s nanny search and many potential problems in the employer/employee relationship can be avoided if the interview is properly conducted. COVID has changed the way traditional interviewing may take place, but don’t let that stop you from this essential part of the hiring process. Agree to meet in person in a safe, COVID-friendly environment or do an initial virtual interview via Zoom. 
When interviewing a nanny, rely on your intuition and observations when evaluating the nanny’s responses, mannerisms and appearance. A parent’s impression of a nanny candidate can be a telling sign if the nanny is a good fit for the family.
During the interview, parents should first inquire about the nanny’s background, experience, training, driving record and other skills related to working with children. Then, by asking open ended questions about the nanny’s interests, after work activities, and child care philosophies, parents can better evaluate how compatible the nanny is with their family.
When describing employment expectations, parents should be specific about job duties, hours, salary, time off and other practicalities of the position. Seeing and hearing the candidate’s reaction can provide valuable clues to how the nanny will feel about the position.
Parents should also observe the nanny with their children before offering the nanny the position. Take note of how the nanny interacts with the children and how the children respond to the nanny. It’s okay to ask the nanny to wear a mask, and she may ask about your at-home mask compliance as well.
When deciding which nanny to hire, carefully weigh all the information gathered about each candidate. Check each nanny’s references (even if they come from an agency) and interview the top candidates a second time before offering the position. Parents should listen to their intuition and remember that the nanny will be a part of their family’s life. They should ask themselves, “Does this candidate seem as though she will fit in well with our family and work well with our children?”
TLC For Kids, Inc. has been St. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agency for over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Louis, Tampa and more!. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.
Hiring a Caregiver During Coronavirus
You’ve finally decided to get some help and hire a babysitter or nanny for your children, during coronavirus. You may ask friends for referrals, or reach out to an agency in your area, and TLC is here to assist with all your care needs.
You may have some hesitation though, when it comes to COVID, knowing that your interviewing and hiring process may look a little different during these unprecedented times. Working with TLC we help guide you in your search, alleviating many of the concerns of bringing someone new into your home in these 
uncertain times.
Once you’ve started the process in your search and you’ve narrowed down your candidates, you’ll want to ensure the right questions are asked. These questions may include:
- What kids of social distancing have you been practicing?
- Are you willing to wear a mask while working?
- Do you believe you are at a greater risk for contracting the virus due to your living arrangements?
- What have you been doing to socialize?
- Are there any other commitments you have upcoming that might put you at a greater risk of contracting the virus?
- What precautions are you taking in your transit?
- What will your expectations be of working for our family when it comes to coronavirus?
- Are you willing to have your temperature checked upon arriving at work?
- Are you willing to be tested regularly for COVID?
These are just a few of the questions you can ask, and it is advised to check with your state laws which questions may be prohibited in your state.
TLC For Kids, Inc. has been St. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agency for over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Louis, Tampa and more!. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.
Hiring a Household Manager
TLC for Kids has been helping families find quality childcare for over 30 years. Did you know that we also place Household Managers and Personal Assistants?
When kids are old enough to go to school often times families still need before and after school care. Household Managers or Personal Assistants can fit this need. The employee arrives in the morning to help get kids ready for and off to school. Then during the day they are free to do things around the house.
A Household Manager or Personal Assistant has a wide range of job responsibilities that include cleaning and organizing the house, doing laundry, scheduling household repairs and maintenance services, maintaining the families schedule and running errands.
In the afternoon the Household Manager will pick up the kids from school and switch to kid-related responsibilities. These include going through book bags and reading all important school work, helping with homework and projects, transporting to after school activities, and helping with dinner.
On sick days, holiday breaks and school holidays the full-time Assistant is free to watch the kids.
A Household Manager keeps your family and home running smoothly.
To learn more about hiring a TLC Household Manager or Personal Assistant visit our website TLC for Kids or call (314) 725-5660 in St. Louis or (305) 256-5905 in Florida.
TLC For Kids, Inc. has been St. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agency for over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Louis, Tampa and more!. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.
Advantages for Using a Nanny Placement Agency
Working with a nanny placement agency is a great and effective way of finding an exceptional nanny for 
your family. The purpose of a nanny placement agency is to locate both nannies and families and match them.
Below are some benefits of going to a nanny placement agency:
• Going to a nanny placement agency saves a lot of time and effort for both the family and the nanny because of procedures (advertising, screening, recruiting and counseling) that are already tested.
• Most nanny placement agencies are well-established which draws more and more families and nannies into their lists. This improves the parents’ choices. TLC has been serving families for over 30 years!
• A nanny placement agency treats both families and nannies equally. They are considered clients that need each other.
• They have a contract for both the family and nanny.
• A nanny placement agency also serves as a counselor for both clients in case of problems.
• Placement agencies are also known for their customer service and competence of the nannies.
All nanny placement agencies have devised their own screening procedures. Other than this, they have a system for fees for registration and placement. What is so good about a nanny placement agency is that they also provide references before registering.
Below are the typical standards for recruitment:
* The nanny should have prior experience as a nanny or working exclusively with children. Most agencies require a minimum two years or more experience. Experience in teaching is a huge advantage.
* Today, many parents require that the nanny has received at least two years of college education. Before, a high school diploma was sufficient.
* Interviews are performed in person or video / Skype for long-distance applicants (both family and nanny). In-home interviews can also be requested.
* Applicants should have no criminal records.
Most applicants are also given a set of uniformed questionnaires during the interview that is very useful in evaluating all applicants. All applicants are screened to asses their individual personalities for nanny and family compatibility.
Fees are generally non-refundable due to the tedious processing of a placement. For this reason it is very important that parents and nannies are both realistic with their expectations and take the process seriously to get the most of the fees. Get as much information about the nanny placement agency as possible before signing up and make sure you are dealing with a credible company.
Contact us about all your childcare needs today!
TLC For Kids, Inc. has been St. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agency for over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Louis, Tampa and more!. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.
Bringing a Sitter into your Home
Are you finding you need an extra set of hands or need a date night or day away from home? 
TLC Family Care is here to help. TLC has experienced reliable babysitters and nannies available to help busy families. Whether you are looking for full-time help, part- time babysitting, or an extra set of hands for a day full of meetings and virtual learning, TLC sitters can help.
Here are some more ways your kids can benefit from a sitter:
1. A Positive Role Model: College students can be a great mentor for your children.
2. A Coach: Hiring a sitter who loves sports like your children is like having a private coach. Your sitter can play soccer in the backyard or pitch to your aspiring ball player all afternoon.
3. A Tutor: Your sitter could also serve as a tutor. Doing fun science experiments or learning about a certain time in history seems more exciting with a “cool” sitter.
Contact us about all your childcare needs today!
TLC For Kids, Inc. has been St. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agency for over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Louis, Tampa and more!. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.