Dedicated Domestics Weblog

Fun Facts:  The Indians were paid $24.00 by the Dutch for selling them the Island of Manhattan in 1626.  Assume the Indians saved the $24.00 and received a simple interest rate of just 3% compounded annually.  Thanks to the power of compounding, they would now have over $2 million dollars saved.   So how much have you saved? 

Of course today that barely buys a condo in midtown Manhattan, and with inflation factored in your buying power would be less than $24.00.  But that is a different story.  It is still important to save for as long as you can.

How appropriate that February is “National Heart Month”.  While thinking up all of the fun things to do for Valentine’s Day, add some good things for your heart as well.  After working with so many families and children over the years we just want to ask everyone to think of something fun that will also help to keep your heart healthy.  It is not pleasant to think of the possibility of not being around to watch our children grow.  Many heart problems can be avoided or at least reduced by following some healthy guidelines while young, so start now. 

Do any of us really need a five pound box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day?  Do we need two dozen sugar filled pink cupcakes with extra creamy frosting on top?  Okay, maybe a handful of Godiva chocolates and a couple of cupcakes.  I can’t go cold turkey on sweets.  However, anything we can do to reduce our intake of non nutritional foods and increase the heart healthy diets that doctors recommend has got to help. 

Even when going out for that huge five course dinner, try to plan a walk after to help burn off some of the calories.  While it would be nice to say we are going to eat healthy all of the time, very few of us mortals have the willpower to pass on a favorite dessert.  The best advice that I have heard is to just do the best we can and every day try to do a little better. 

Heart disease is still the number one killer of both men and women in this country.  Let’s try to work together to come up with ideas to help reduce this deadly disease.  Staying healthy is something we owe to ourselves and our children.

Have a very Happy and Healthy Valentine’s Day.

Some recent articles suggest that nannies who have had their H1N1 flu shot are finding jobs much faster than those that have not had it.  While in some cases it may be true, the real advantage is to protect the Nanny.  As we are all aware, children are more prone to catching a cold or flu than an adult.  Once a child has the flu and passes it on to their nanny the problems are significant for everyone involved.  It is not just the child and their household that is affected, but the nannies household can be affected too.  If the nanny gets sick and misses work it can be devastating, as most nannies do not get paid if they are not at work.  Of course the family will have its own problems filling in for the nanny when they too need to be at work. 

The bottom line is for both nannies and families to make sure that they are all up to date on their shots to prevent serious issues from arising.

The New Year has started and everyone is trying to fulfill their resolutions for losing weight and exercising more.  Include the whole family in changing eating and exercising habits.  When  families work together then anything can be done.  It is easier to plan meals that are fun and nutritious when everyone is included.  It is difficult to stick to a diet when only one member is trying to lose weight.  Rather than worrying about how you are going to stick to a diet, try planning healthy meals which will change your eating habits for good.

Create an exercise program that includes the children so it becomes part of a regular routine.  It is easier to stick to a program of exercising when everyone is involved.  Even infants and young children can take part, when you carry them or wheel them you are burning more calories then just walking empty-handed. Just remember that adults need different levels of exercise than children.  Young children need more breaks and fluids than adults in addition to more time to rest between walks or jogs.  Start good habits early, just don’t over do it. 

Keep eating healthy meals and exercising regularly and you won’t need to worry about dieting again.

Let us know what exercise routines work best and some of your favorite recipes so we can share them with other parents in future tips.

Christmas is almost here and so many people are still looking for last minute gifts.  Brave Moms and Dads willing to battling the army of shoppers at local malls just to find the perfect toy.  Or spending even more time and money shopping online only to find that shipping can cost more then many presents.  There must be an easier way.  There is!

We have all heard it many times, but we then get excited about some new flashy toy and we forget.  Christmas is all about giving, but not just toys and candy.  Christmas is about giving from our hearts and finding ways that we can help others that may be less fortunate.  Many times it is not about monetary things, but the time we spend keeping someone company that may be otherwise alone for the holidays.  Volunteering to help others, whether it be kids in a local hospital or sending care packages to our troops overseas.  Sometimes the biggest gift we can give is just being there for someone in need. 

How many of you still have that shiny new truck you got for Christmas, or that fancy doll with the flowing dress.  Most of us can’t even remember all the stuff we received let alone still have any of it.  But I will bet that all of you remember both the good and bad times with family and friends at the holiday table.  The best gifts are the ones that we give with our hearts and they will stay in our memories forever.

Best wishes for a very happy holiday from our family to yours.

Jeff and Eloisa Nelson

Halloween has become a nightmare for many parents that have been diligently watching their children’s sugar intake only to see it spike up in one night.  However, if handled correctly the night can be a great opportunity for teaching your children about diet and excesses.  Have older children help you find reasonably healthy treats that can be fun too.  Here are just a few ideas on how to replace the typical sugar laden treats with choices that you and your kids may find equally tasty: 

• Many grocery stores have been improving their selection of products intended for Diabetics.  Most, if not all of the items available have no sugar and taste great.  Switching to sugar free candies and cookies can save calories, cavities and sugar highs.
• Party stores are another fun resource for picking up inexpensive party favors that can be used in place of candy. While everyone else is giving out undistinguishable bars of chocolate, you will be known for the house with the fun games. Just be careful of the age appropriateness and do not give to children that may swallow small parts.
• Make your own candy.  It is easier than you think to make candy and bake cookies that will be full of flavor and you get to control the amount of sugar.
• Allow the kids to scare up all of the candy they want, but require that they share part of their take with less fortunate kids or donate the candy to kids that couldn’t get out.  Your kids would have some candy and they would learn an important lesson in generosity.
• As above, let them have it all, but require that they divide it up over several months.  Staggering the treats will help them learn a valuable lesson in self control and saving for a rainy day.

Practice safety.  Whether the treats are healthy or not, make sure you check all of the loot to make sure there are no surprises or items that you would not want your child to have thrown in the bag.

Remember the holiday is not just for kids, so have some fun with it too.

Baby food recalled for possible botulism.
There’s a national baby food recall. Plum Organics is recalling some of its apple and carrot portable pouch baby food because of concerns over possible botulism contamination.

Click link for more information:     http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33397420/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/from/ET/wid/11915773?GT1=31036

October is Breast Cancer awareness month.  As many of you are personally aware, cancer affects all of us.  Our loss makes us work harder to help find a cure so that others do not have to lose the ones they love. Please join us in supporting the Susan G. Komen campaign to find a cure.

The inviting summer sun wakes you early with a burning desire to take the kids out of the house and spend a day enjoying the sunshine. You packed a giant picnic basket filled with healthy lunches and snacks but you keep thinking that you forgot something. Here is a quick list of items recommended by some of our nannies.

• Water - no matter how much water you think you will need, on hot days you can dehydrate very quickly. Bring several refillable bottles so you can save the planet while saving yourself.
• Sunscreen – even if you are going to the park and not the beach the sun is just as powerful as it peaks through the trees.
• Change of clothes – even afternoon outings can be cut short by minor spills or water gun fights. They don’t call some of today’s water guns “Super Soakers” for nothing.
• Light jackets - while not planned, sometimes your afternoon fun can extend into a cool evening.
• Garbage bags – bringing a banana is good. Shoving the peel under the seat is not good, nor is tossing it out the window. Why waste time looking for a receptacle when you can bring your own.
• First Aid Kit – kids will be kids and having fun at the park or beach means running, jumping and scraping something.
• Books – even kids run out of steam sometimes and having a book to read or have read to them for some down time can be very relaxing.
• Games – have some planned activities or games to get things started otherwise you will hear; “this is boring, there is nothing to do here”.
• Games for the car – depending on the length of the drive, kids get bored easily.
• Water – did I already mention “water”? Yes it is that important to be listed twice.

Have fun!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our clients, nannies, housekeepers, chefs, managers and all of the other many wonderful people that have helped us grow this past year. 

Dedicated Domestics wishes all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Best Wishes,

Eloisa and Jeff Nelson