LilSugar

Mommy Dearest: My Nanny's Breath Stinks!

LilSugar — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:18:33 PST

Mommy Dearest -

We love our nanny - she takes amazing care of my son every day. But all of a sudden, her breath is so bad, that I honestly can't be around her and I actually think it's really gross that my son is around it all day. How do I address this with her?

Any money she makes, she sends to her kids back home, so I doubt that she wants to pay for a dentist, but it's so gross that I am at the point where I have to position myself away from her and I feel really badly for my son.

If I make her a dentist appointment, then do I need to pay for it?

- Sweet-Talking Mama

Keep reading to see Mommy Dearest's response.

Mommy's Lil Helpers: Where Celebrity Moms Turn For Childcare Help

Rebecca M Gruber — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 06:25:35 PST

We could all use an extra set of hands when it comes to caring for our children, and Hollywood's leading mamas are no exception. Like many mamas, some of the biggest stars resist the urge to hire live-in help and turn to family and friends when needed. Others go the hired-help route - bringing in nannies and caretakers that often become part of the family. See where the celeb moms turn when they need help raising their kids!

Have You Ever Had a Sassy Caretaker?

LilSugar — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:31:24 PDT

If there's one person mommy does not want to tick off, it's her child's caretaker. When disgruntled babysitters complain of working too late or having to clean up the mess the children make, many moms grin and bear it while other moms speak their minds.

Mamas and papas may not be pleased with their current caring situation but they are often soft-spoken on the matter so that the children are not the recipients of the babysitter's frustrations. Working mothers feel they have more to lose as they face the fear of losing their hired help and worry about the predicament of finding a last minute replacement.

How do you deal with a sassy caretaker? Join our A Place to Vent group over in our LilSugar Community and share your stress with fellow moms who understand your plight.

Kissing Caretaker: A Welcomed Sign of Affection?

Heather Maddan — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:29:36 PST

Caretakers step in for parents when they aren't around. Nannies are often the ones who shuttle kids to and from school, nurse bumps and bruises, and play at the park with the youngsters. The babysitters form strong bonds with their charges, and many dole out hugs and kisses as a result. Are those expressions of affection (from nonrelatives) welcome in your household?

Lil Gift Guide: Best Gifts For Babysitters

LilSugar — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 14:20:36 PST

Whether she's at your house at the crack of dawn each day or gives you a date night with your spouse, there's no denying the importance of the babysitter in your life! Mamas trust these wonderful souls with the most important thing in their lives, so be sure to show them how much you appreciate their work during the holidays!

Clockwise from top left: Carrying the tots and all of their belongings around can strain anyone's back! A gift certificate for a massage (any price) can help her feel rested. Your babysitter may give you the opportunity to have a night at the theater, but that doesn't mean she doesn't like to go herself! A series of theater gift certificates ($10 each) encourages the arts. TKO's Slap Watches ($50) not only ensure that the sitter arrives on time, but they're also fun. If your nanny spends lots of time playing with your kids outside, a warm hat and scarf, like these from Ugg ($120), will help keep her toasty. Give her the gift of music with the ultra-small and hip Apple iPod Nano ($140) - she may even be able to hide it from the kids!

Tighten Your Purse Strings, Parents Think Nannies Should Pay!

LilSugar — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:25:59 PDT

Childcare is costly, but in some cases so is being a nanny! We asked LilSugar readers to chime in on who should pay for everything from food to movie tickets, and a number of moms had their nannies picking up the tab. Here's what they said:

Even if the nanny cooks meals for the family, six percent of LilSugar readers said she should pay for her own food.
The nanny may shuttle the kids in her own car, but 26 percent of LilSugar readers said she should also pick up the tab for wear and tear, maintenance, and gas.
Nanny wants a diaper bag? Then six percent of LilSugar readers believe that she should buy one.
Kids love to go out and about to movies, museums, and events, but 14 percent of LilSugar readers said that the nanny should pay her own admission.
When a nanny buys her charges a small trinket or treat, 65 percent of LilSugar readers believe the cost should come out of her own pocket.
There are daily expenses that come with having kids and 24 percent of LilSugar readers think the nanny should cover them and then be reimbursed.

Childcare is Costly: How Much Do You Spend Each Year?

LilSugar — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:00:28 PDT

Parenting comes with a price tag! When mom and dad can't be with their child, someone else fills their shoes. Some families have grandparents or neighbors that step in, and others have to hire help or find a service to care for their kiddos. How much do you spend on nannies, babysitters, daycare centers, afterschool programs or other forms of childcare each year?

Family Has Nanny Sit in Separate Section of Airplane?

LilSugar — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:00:13 PDT

There's a lot of nanny business going on! Kourtney Kardashian recently blogged about traveling with her son, Mason, and referenced the fact that her family sat in a different section of the plane than the babe's nanny. She wrote:

Also, I noticed a comment on one of my previous blogs about how I sent Mason to the back of the plane to sit "with the masses." I did have a nanny traveling with us on this trip, because my mom and I were flying to Chicago for a work appearance. Mason was a little bored with being in the same spot with us for four hours and wanted a change of scenery, so we had him hang out with the nanny for 10 minutes.

Airline tickets are pricey, so do you think it's understandable if parents purchase a less expensive ticket for their nanny?

Kids With Nannies Are Less Connected?

LilSugar — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:00:38 PST

Most moms are guilty of letting the boob tube babysit their kids once in a while. Screen time - be it in front of the television or computer - can give parents a much-needed break to get stuff done and keeps children entertained while they watch their favorite shows, chat with their friends, or play video games. A recent study by a caregiving provider found that a nanny or babysitter's charges spent less time wired and more time outdoors, which makes sense since the person is hired to cater to the child. It said:

Nannies4hire.com conducted a study with nannies and babysitters registered with the online database service. In a survey of 1,000 caregivers, the positive influence of a nanny in the house is clearly felt, as children ages 8-18 are only spending 1.6 hours a day on computers, watching TV, listening to music on iPods or mp3 players, and playing video games, almost 6 hours less than the average child. A surprise added benefit of having a nanny in the home involves the health of these children as well; on average children with a nanny spend 3 hours a day playing outdoors.

Do these findings surprise you?

Six Smart Spots to Scout a Sitter

LilSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:00:26 PST

Searching for a sitter? It's not always easy, as finding the perfect babysitter to watch your child takes some serious legwork. Check out our guide for a few hot spots for finding potential caregivers for your child.