Overnight Care: What's the Law?

When nannies provide 24-hour care while parents are out of town, wage laws can get a little complex.  How much overtime pay is required? Do nannies get paid while sleeping? HomePay breaks down the law in simple terms on their latest blog article.

Five Tips for Raising Caring Children

How do you raise children to be respectful, caring, and kind to others? It's not always easy, and even when we think we're doing it well, our children might not be quite getting the message. 

According to Harvard psychologist Richard Weissbourd, About 80 percent of the youth in [one] study said their parents were more concerned with their achievement or happiness than whether they cared for others. The interviewees were also three times more likely to agree that 'My parents are prouder if I get good grades in my classes than if I’m a caring community member in class and school.'”

Check out this advice from Making Caring Common (read the full article for more details and tips):


1. Make caring for others a priority.
2. Provide opportunities for children to practice caring and gratitude.
3. Expand your child's circle of concern.
4. Be a strong moral role model and mentor.
5. Guide children in managing destructive feelings.

Make A New Year's Balloon Drop

Celebrate New Year's as a family by making your own balloon drop. The best part? You can celebrate at any time during the day!

Modern Parents, Messy Kids has all of the directions here.

Conquering the Post-Holiday Letdown

While this article is targeted at helping preschoolers cope with the post-holiday blues, its tips are useful for people of all ages. After this busy season, take the time to take care of yourself!

Happy New Year!

Asking to be Paid on the Books

Nannies from the Heartland requires all of our client families to pay their nannies legally and on the books. But what if you found your nanny job through another route? HomeWork Solutions offers tips about how nannies can have that tough conversation.

Holiday Bonuses for Nannies: How Much?

Have you ever wondered how much of a bonus to pay your nanny? What about alternatives to cash?HomeWork Solutions has the information you need about common holiday bonus practices. And if you're looking for ideas beyond cash, don't miss our article about 15 Ways to Thank Your Nanny.

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Nanny

HomeWork Solutions offers up this list of mistakes to avoid when hiring a nanny. Head over to their blog to read more.

1. Not having a job description
2. Having unrealistic expectations, particularly around housework
3. Paying below-market salary
4. Not paying the nanny on the books
5. Hiring a nanny without a written work agreement
6. Not asking the right interview questions
7. Neglecting to conduct an adequate background check

Nannies from the Heartland works with every client to ensure they avoid these hiring pitfalls. Hiring well prevents problems down the road for families and nannies alike. Contact us to learn more about our services.