To immunize or not immunize - that is the question

Many of you might have been following the news in the past few months regarding the urgency of getting the H1N1 vaccine. As a mom of school aged children I have been tracking the news, the clinics, and the latest updates. I share everyone's concerns about H1N1, and have been weighing the pros and cons.

This seems to a subject that no one can agree on, and I feel it's a personal choice that only you can make as a parent.

I agree that the media has blown things way out of proportion in efforts to urge us all to get the shot, however, some family doctors have said you really don't need to get the vaccine.

Share your thoughts and ideas about the vaccine. We would love to hear your views.

Nannies from New Zealand

We are pleased to announce our partnership with an Agency in Auckland, New Zealand to provide our Canadian clients the an option to hire a New Zealand Nanny or Au Pair for their family.

New Zealand Nannies are English speaking and have qualifications in Early Childhood Education similar to our ECE program here in Canada.

All New Zealand Nannies we refer are interviewed and screened thoroughly by our NZ partners, and are available to work short or long-term.

Your family will enjoy a cultural experience with your overseas nanny, and in turn, your New Zealand Nanny will learn so much about family life in Canada.

In addition we offer excellent job opportunities for Canadian Nannies who wish to work in New Zealand as Nanny or AuPair.

For more information on this exciting new service contact us today.

Job Postings - for October

Nanny (Full Time - Live Out) Job#AB09-09 - Bradford, On.
Care required for 2 children.
Hours are Monday-Friday shift hours. Nanny needs to be flexible.
Start Date- ASAP

Nanny (Part-Time) Job# SW10-09 - Orillia, On.1 child under 2 yrs.
Mon/Wed, some Thurs - 8am-5pm
Start date - ASAP

Nanny (Part-Time) - Job# MP 10-09 - Barrie, On.
Before and After School Nanny required for 2 school aged children.
Mon-Fri 7:00am-9:00am / 3:00pm - 6pm25 hours per week
Start Date - ASAP

Nanny (Full Time Live-out) - Job# BB12-09 - Sudbury, On.
Full time nanny needed to care for 2 children - 8 months, 2 years.
Mon-Fri / Occasional weekends / Shift work$12.00 to $14.00 Hourly, 30-40 Hours per week
Start Date -Dec/09

House Manager – Part-time - Job# LP0909 - Newmarket, On.
2 hours daily – Monday-FridayHousehold manager required to oversee household for working family. Must be organized and able to multi-task. Primary duties include tidying, preparing dinner and lunch for family.
Start Date Nov/09

Nanny (Full-time Live-out) - Job# KC12-09 - Alliston/Orangeville, On.
FT Nanny required to care for 1 child aged 2 years.Monday-Friday days, occasional Saturdays and weekday evenings requiredNanny must have flexible schedule
Start Date - Dec/09

Watch Family Care Connection on Rogers Cable

Susan Racco-Brewin (owner of Family Care Connection) will be a guest on Woman to Woman on Rogers TV on Tuesday September 15th. Susan will discuss the services Family Care Connection offers in Simcoe County, and will explain the importance of the Granny Nanny for our aging population.

http://www.rogerstv.com/option.asp?lid=14&rid=23

Loved ones can age with dignity

A caller contacted me awhile ago upset and desperate. Her mother recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the family now worried about her safety and well-being. If they sent her to a nursing home she would receive around the clock care, however, the mother was adamant about staying at home.

As a child or spouse, watching your loved one slowly slip away is a very difficult and painful experience. We want to do what’s best for our loved ones and we want them to spend their Golden Years aging happily.

The caller explained she did some research and decided to contact our Nanny Agency. Desperate for some options we discussed having a qualified Eldercare Companion or “Granny Nanny” come in and help out around the house, like a friend or companion. Someone she could trust, talk to, and call upon when in need. An Eldercare Companion would monitor and ensure she took her medication correctly and on time, ensure she didn’t forget important appointments, would cook and clean, would be there if she slipped and fell, and take her for her weekly hair appointments – the one real pleasure she held onto.

Knowing there are other options available is a relief to many. This option allows the elderly to remain in the comfort of their home; with their cherished belongings, pets, and routines. It is much less stressful and traumatic on the entire family.

A family can hire an Elderly Companion for a minimal fee to a licensed agency. Qualified care workers are carefully interviewed and screened for criminal and background checks.


The Elderly Companions referred at Family Care Connection are all Canadian citizens and must have a Degree or Diploma in Personal Support (PSW), Social -work, Gerontology, or Nursing. They are available to live-in or live-out.


By Susan Racco-Brewin

Job Postings with FCC

Updated Oct /09

The following are available jobs with Family Care Connection / Nanny Placement Agency.

To apply for any of the jobs below, please send a childcare/nanny related resume to our head office for review, or click here to fill out an online Nanny application form. Ensure you quote the Job# associated with the ad.

Nanny (Full Time - Live Out) Job#AB09-09 - Bradford, On.
Starting ASAP to care for 2 children.
Hours are Monday-Friday shift hours. Nanny needs to be flexible.
Start Date- ASAP

Nanny (Part-Time) Job# SW10-09 - Orillia, On.
1 child under 2 yrs.
Mon/Wed, some Thurs - 8am-5pm
Start date - ASAP

Nanny (Part-Time) - Job# MP 10-09 - Barrie, On.
Before and After School Nanny required for 2 school aged children.
Mon-Fri 7:00am-9:00am / 3:00pm - 6pm
25 hours per week
Start Date - ASAP

Nanny (Full Time Live-out) - Job# BB12-09 - Sudbury, On.
Full time nanny needed to care for 2 children - 8 months, 2 years.
Mon-Fri / Occasional weekends / Shift work
$12.00 to $14.00 Hourly, 30-40 Hours per week
Start Date -Dec/09

House Manager – Part-time - Job# LP0909 - Newmarket, On.
2 hours daily – Monday-Friday

Household manager required to oversee household for working family. Must be organized and able to multi-task. Primary duties include tidying, preparing dinner and lunch for family.
Start Date Nov/09

Nanny (Full-time Live-out) - Job# KC12-09 - Alliston/Orangeville, On.
FT Nanny required to care for 1 child aged 2 years.
Monday-Friday days, occasional Saturdays and weekday evenings required
Nanny must have flexible schedule
Start Date - Dec/09

Personalize your Child's Bedroom

Home decor has come a long way!

Today there are many easy and affordable ways to personalize your child's bedroom and make it their own. Your child's room or nursery should be a place of peace and comfort.

One of the latest trends is Name Art. There are a few different types of name art you can choose from.

Brightly painted wood letters create a lovely wall hanging. You can purchase custom name art online, available in a variety of styles and colours. Craft stores usually carry a selection of letters that can be painted and hung by decorative ribbons. This is a creative and affordable project that will adorn your child's room.



Vinyl wall art is another fun way to dress up your child's room. The wall art can be customized to spell out a child's name, or you can create a phrase.



For more ideas on wall art visit the following websites:

http://www.wisedecor.com/

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=cp0230

Hiring a Babysitter - what to look for

Everyone needs a night out once in awhile. Remember "date night"?

Even if you already have a full-time nanny, it's a good idea to have a sitter or two available for those nights out with your spouse or friends.

Most people aren't sure how to find a potential sitter, or feel uncomfortable asking those personal questions. Here's a handy checklist to make things easier.

• A babysitter should be no younger than 13 years old.

• Ask your babysitter if they have taken the Babysitter Course, Home Alone, or CPR and First Aid. Ask to see the certificate.

• If you are using an adult sitter - 18 years or older, ask them for a police check. Everyone needs one these days when working with children or the elderly - so don't be shy about asking to see the original document.

• Meet with your babysitter's parents. If the sitter is young, invite the parents to sit in in the interview as well. This makes the atmosphere more comfortable, and you can get more feedback from meeting with the parents as well.

• Has the babysitter been referred by anyone you know? If they have babysat for other friends or neighbours you will be able to get a reference.

• Does the sitter have any previous babysitting experience? The more experience the better, especially if you have an infant or younger child.

• Laying down some ground rules.

Safety is most important. Set a list of rules that the sitter is allowed to do with your children and not allowed. ie: pool safety, driving, outdoor safety, visitors to the home, cooking.

• Important information. Always leave a note for your sitter with emergency contacts. Include your work number, cell number, neighbours you trust, Doctors numbers, OHIP etc. If your child has allergies or is ill, leave specific information on what will be the emergency protocol for your babysitter.

• If ever in doubt, do not hire the sitter.

• For interview questions visit our website - http://www.familycareconnectionnanny.com/parent-hiring-tips.htm

Making time for Family

Being a career mom is not an easy job. In fact, they say when women come home from work; they start the “second shift.” How do we juggle all of this? When do we find me-time? Families today seem to be too busy with rushing from work, to soccer, to ballet. Does anyone have dinner together anymore?

If you feel like your family life is spiraling out of control – Stop and take a moment to re-evaluate your daily rituals.

It won’t happen magically overnight, but making a few changes here and there may actually bring you and your family closer.

Make a rule to:

Kiss your spouse and children good-bye every morning

Listen to your favourite tunes on the way to work – instead of “talking shop” on your cell phone.

Call your spouse from work to say you were thinking of him.

Once a week plan a special dinner where everyone sits together.
Perhaps Sunday nights are the family dinner night.

Whenever possible, turn off your cell phone or blackberry during dinner, and family times.

Tuck your children in, and spend a little extra time with each child cuddling each night.

Once a month – hire a sitter, and spend an evening with your husband/wife.

Need extra help around the house? By hiring outside of the home, it will free up time for you and your family.

Once a month, hire a housekeeper. Have her do all of the chores you avoid, such as: Windows, light fixtures, behind appliances, even laundry that may be piling up!

Most of all, remember to take much deserved time out for yourself. You deserve it!


Susan Racco-Brewin