Babysitting in the Pandemic

This month we want to give a special shout-out to our TLC Sitters in Charlotte, NC who have gone above and beyond during this pandemic. Our sitters have worked and supported families, so that essential workers to go to work on the front lines in their communities.
We asked one TLC Hero Chioma Onukogu about her experiences: 
Did you feel like you were at risk going into the families home?
For the most part, not really. I wore a mask, used hand sanitizer before and after my assignments, and made sure to disinfect anything I brought with me. Most families took their own precautions by sometimes choosing to wear masks in their houses or were okay with mine.
Were the families grateful for the childcare you provided?
I think so! A lot of the folks I’ve worked with are healthcare or essential workers themselves so my assistance helped them get to work without too much worry or even gave them some space to rest when they came home! Sometimes parents need a break too and with school being online for so long, I could tell many parents were really happy to get it (childcare)!
Do you feel like you made a difference in the lives of those families?
I hope so! I always try to make sure the kids have fun while I’m there and always make sure to give them my undivided attention the whole time I’m with them. With so much closed down, it really helped for children to have an outlet this year. As for infants, I’m one of the few “strange faces” they’ve seen during the pandemic. Because of how impactful that might be, I really try to make my interactions as joyful and calming as possible.
TLC wants to thank Chioma and all the back-up care sitters in NC who helped families with childcare during the pandemic.
The professionals at TLC Family Care personally assist nannies, babysitters and families in St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized  approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or Call 314-725-5660.

Do you want to be a nanny?

Working with children is a rewarding and fulfilling job, and today more than ever nannies are in demand. Parents are going back to work, and many schools and child care centers are closed are restricted. There’s no better time to become a nanny!

Today’s nannies are responsible for the complete care of the children. Duties include tending to each child’s basic physical needs, meal planning and preparation ande-learning fun  laundry and clothing care.  Nannies also organize play activities and outings (providing transportation when required). With the parents’ insights a nanny enforces behavioral guidelines and disciplining when appropriate. Like educators, nannies provide intellectual stimulation and language activities. A nanny must be an excellent communicator with both children and parents.

A nanny is a childcare provider whose workplace is in a family’s private home. The nanny’s role is to provide support to the family by serving as a loving, nurturing and trustworthy companion to the children. A nanny offers the family convenient, high quality care to meet each child’s physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs.

The safest way to find a nanny job is through a trusted nanny agency or another trusted source. When interviewing with a family make sure you are prepared to ask them questions as well. The interview is an opportunity for you to find out about the job description, days and hours, salary and the families child care philosophy.

At TLC we work with you to find your ideal family, provide tips on interviewing and set you up for success in working with a family.

TLC Family Care is always looking for great full time nannies, and would love to meet you.  Click to see a list of some of our current nanny jobs and apply today!

Pets Teaching Kids Responsibility

Here’s the situation: Your child wants a pet. But, should you get them one? Having a pet in the home can be one way of teaching your kids responsibility. 

Kids like cute things and many pets are cute. It shouldn’t surprise you when they ask for one. You might get a request for a cat, dog, rabbit, horse, iguana, lizard, turtle or other animal. Your first reaction might be to say no, but instead, consider how it may impact your child if they had the experience of owning a pet.

There are a few things to consider. First, choose a pet that is age appropriate. Small children are not mature enough to learn to take care of a puppy, for example. You will end up doing most of the work. Instead, find a pet that can keep their interest while they learn all about it.

Second, know the benefits of kids and pets. Kids can learn to care for something other than themselves. Pets teach selflessness and empathy. Kids learn to put the needs of something else over their own.

Pets also teach social behavior. For many kids, pets are their first friends. Also, a pet can help them make more friends by interacting with others who own pets. It’s a win-win situation for kids and parents as long as you can take on the responsibility of teaching your kid to care for their pet. It takes patience, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Here are a few ways to help your kids get started.

* Take a class – Local community centers, pet stores and animal shelters may hold classes to help others learn how to care for pets. This is useful before you buy the pet to gauge your child’s interest in certain pets.

* Visit pet stores – Let kids see pets and hold them. Some kids like the idea of pets but not the thought of handling them. For those kids, starting with a pet that they can’t touch like fish might be a better choice.

* Show them what to do – Before kids can learn to care for their pets, they need to see what it involved. If you have fish, show them how to feed the fish, clean the aquarium and change the water. It may take several times (if you have small kids) but they will catch on.

* Discuss the consequences of not caring for them – When they forget to feed or clean the cages, discuss what will happen: odor, germs and more of a mess than you originally would have had.

* Be backup – Watch your child care for their pets but know that you are backup in case they forget to do anything.

Children can learn to care for pets at any age. Start with animals that don’t need much care and graduate up as your kid demonstrates maturity and interest.

 

The professionals at TLC Family Care personally assist nannies, babysitters and families in St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized  approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or Call 314-725-5660.

Choose a Job as a Back-Up Care Provider

Love working with kids and families but need a bit more flexibility in your schedule? Consider joining TLC Family Care as a back-up care provider.

You choose when you work and for whom. With families needing back-up care for children and seniors, many times these are last-minute requests due to work or regular nanny/sitter unavailable.

Becoming a TLC Back-up care provider enables you to have a schedule built around your needs – perfect for students and part-time nannies. It’s a win-win for both you and the families, as you get a rewarding job working with kids and helping families, while maintaining the flexibility you need in a work schedule.

For more information and requirements, check out our website for all the details.

 

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, Nashville, Memphis, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Louis, Tampa and more!. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.

Back-Up Childcare Available in St. Louis

The school year has started.  And, when kids go to school they start sharing germs!

Chances are sometime this school year your kids will have sore throats, runny noses, fevers, or the flu and will need to stay home.   It is not easy for working parents to stay home from work when their child is sick.

In fact, A 2012 study by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital found that 50% of today’s work force is worried about finding sick child care.

TLC for Kids is here to help!  TLC temporary caregivers are available to take care of sick kids who can’t go to school or daycare.   If your school or daycare calls during the day and your child needs to come home let us know.  We can try to send someone over within a few hours.

If you need help after hours our Emergency Service Coordinators Sarah and Debbie are available until 9:45 pm Sunday through Thursday and start working again at 6:30 am Monday through Friday.

All TLC for Kids caregivers have experience working with children and have been screened by our professional staff.  Register with TLC at tlcforkids.com or call 314-725-5660 for the St. Louis, Mo. office and 305-256-5905 for the Florida office.