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Need a helping hand? Have you been thinking that it would be great to get some assistance in your daily life? We have all been in a place where we feel less than organized and that we really could use a helping hand. Work, family life and personal life can have you in a place of trying to figure out how to do (and organize) it all. Have you thought that you could use the expertise of a personal assistant, but the idea of finding one sounds a bit challenging? It’s not and let me say having a Personal Assistant (PA) is quite rewarding. Here’s why. A personal assistant helps you manage your life and the demands that are required of you. Your PA will assist you in creating a life that flows even if what is being asked of you is challenging. Not only will your PA help in this flow but will assist in the organization of your life and the people and things in it. Need your calendar managed as well as your closet? No problem. Need to book your business flights, get a suit or plan a wedding. How about organize play dates for your kid(s), while booking the interior designer for your second home, and purchasing a new car for your teenager for their upcoming birthday. Not an issue—your personal assistant can do it. We understand the importance of discretion and trustworthiness. Our personal assistants safeguard confidential information and have experience with high end clientele. We are thrilled to place our exceptional PA’s with clients as they assist in managing their lives resulting in less stress and more joy! At Tiny Treasures Nanny Agency, let us help you find your personal assistant.

So, it’s time to hire a domestic household staff or nanny for your home. You interview and trial the most magnificent household candidate who is sure to fit in well with your family. Now you are in the process of opening your home and life to that someone. Now what? Background check, but how complete are they and are they even worth it? We at Tiny Treasures Nanny Agency know first-hand the importance of checking references and conducting a thorough background check. You are inviting someone you do not know to look after your children, home and personal belongings. Your caretaker will be part of your family and it is vital that you start this relationship in comfort and safety. We here at Tiny Treasures believe in the old saying “trust but verify.” We believe tat the background checks should be as comprehensive as possible. Everything from the persons last place of employment to whether they live with sex offender. It goes without saying that overall peace of mind is fundamental regarding your livelihood. We want nothing more than to know that when we are away our children are in trusted, safe and loving care. We do complete background checks on all potential candidates. We also recommend mental health counselors if our clients want the candidate to obtain a mental health evaluation. It is worth noting that our background check process is also suitable for all our household staffing employees such as housekeepers, personal assistants, private educators, chefs, governess, Etc. We are not only going to assist in finding the best candidate that is right for your family but will also do our due diligence to ensure their credibility and safety.

Paying your nanny or domestic household staff on the books does not have to seem like a daunting task. There is plenty of help available. First, let’s remember paying your staff on the books is required by law. The IRS requires anyone who has hired household help: a nanny, chef, housekeeper, estate manager, senior caregiver, etc… to pay taxes. If you pay a candidate more than $2300 in a year (in 2021), you are required to pay Social Security and Medicare. Aside from complying with the law, you will have benefits: One is the option to take advantage of tax savings through your employer’s Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and/or the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. This could save you thousands of dollars in annual taxes. Parents will have peace of mind as you will not be concerned with fines, violations, penalties, lawsuits or audits. A few benefits to paying your candidate on the books: She will have a verifiable income and legitimate employment history. This is helpful in applying for credit, a loan, mortgage etc… If unforeseen events happen and you need to lay her off, she will be able to file for unemployment. Also, your caretaker will be thankful for the benefits and safeties of being paid legally such as Social Security and Medicare. We find it best to get your nanny taxes organized though a company that is experienced in handling taxes for domestic staffing such as GTM or Homepay Payroll Services. This way you will be guided properly and will avoid any sort of tax violations. Disclaimer: Tiny Treasures Nanny & Household Staffing Agency is providing information for general use only and does not represent personal tax advice, nanny taxes or any other type of taxes either expressed or implied. Laws change, and it is necessary to seek the guidance of a professional tax service provider.

“Prep Your Children for a Move with These 17 Tips” Moving is an exciting life event, but it can still be stressful – for you and your kids. Your children can feel especially scared and nervous about the changes that are approaching. Whether you’re just moving down the street or moving across the country from Atlanta, GA to Portland, OR, leaving a house can feel like a loss to your children. To help get you started, I, along with other experts in the field, shared some of our best tips and advice with Redfin on how to prepare your kids for moving and how to make the transition easier on them. Check out what we had to say! Prep Your Children for a Move with These 17 Tips

“If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings, and grow.” ~ Alfie Kohn As we think about nannies taking the lead in teaching and educating children this year, one bright spot shines forth for us. Nannies know how to build trust with their charges. And trust is something that must exist for children to learn. Let’s think about this for a minute. Trust is one of the first things a baby learns and this trust that their needs will be met allows them to begin to explore their world. A safe and stable attachment, that they will be fed when they are hungry, hugged when they cry, allows for babies to learn everything else. This trust circle is then expanded as children grow to include others. As children trust that their teachers will keep them safe, they feel emboldened and confident to take risks and make inquiries. They feel comfortable asking questions. Nannies know that building trust is more than just showing up everyday. It starts with spending time building connections. Being truly interested in what makes kids tick. It is about finding the joy in another person. Easy to do on days playing in the park and picking dandelions. Not so easy, but still necessary, on days when the word “no” is thrown around like confetti. Trust however is also built thru clear expectations and boundaries. Children feel safe when they know that there are rules, even as they test them, they need them. Knowing that a child is a fully formed person, one who needs emotions validated and the be treated genuinely builds trust. Great nannies speak to child on their level but never patronizing or indifferently. They speak the language of emotions and know that giving a child the space to express how they feel is as important a skill as a child will ever learn. Often times for nannies who come into situations with older children, this process takes time. As children age, they see that people come in and out of their lives and so it becomes more difficult for them to trust new people. But this just means that nannies must increase their efforts to build those bridges. It comes in the hundreds or thousands of daily interactions that demonstrate to a child that they are being heard and valued. It might be that the nanny makes their sandwiches with the preferred kind of peanut butter instead of the off brand. It might mean listening to the same kinds of music, or knowing the plot of a favorite movie. It might just mean listening to a complaint without offering a solution, just empathy and confidence that the child can handle it. It’s about respect and showing up. When nannies bond with the children in all these ways, they set up a foundation for learning. When you have faith and trust with someone you can build collaborations. You form partnerships. This allows a child to try new methods, to think creatively and to persevere when things get tough. It is a blessing to know that a nanny can build this relationship, or in fact may already have this relationship with a child in a very natural and organic way. It is an advantage that the nanny has over a classroom teacher that the relationship is very strong and can last longer than a few months over the course of one year. Building trusting loving relationships with their charges is the nanny’s bread and butter. #nanny #trust #buildingconfidence

More and more, we hear from parents that they are looking for a nanny educator, someone who can take the place of a teacher (or in some cases support a virtual learner) for the upcoming school year. What does this mean? What are parents looking for this year? Top nannies have always considered themselves to be part teachers, part educators. They provide activities that help children grow cognitively, physically, and emotionally every day. Each time a nanny sets out a stacking block set for a three-year-old and asks questions like "how can we build a very tall tower?" and "why does that tower fall down more easily than this tower?" the nanny is teaching. Most nannies instinctively know how to break down a day so that kids get time to develop gross and fine motor skills and language skills, social skills and the like. Many nannies take classes or further their education on these topics and are adept at naturally doing this. However, now we find that parents are looking for something that takes this natural enrichment and goes the next step. Educators have a broader perspective. They prepare lesson plans, possibly plans that incorporate a school or state curriculum guide. This is more than a themed week on dinosaurs. These plans include specific skills and a child's ability to retain facts and then use this information in a meaningful way. They prepare and execute some sort of assessment to ensure that students are progressing. There is some way to measure the child's success and use that measure to pace the instruction going forward. An educator supports the learner, ignites the passion of discovery and helps the child become a lifelong learner. They understand multiple teaching methods and know-how to prepare and predict what a student will need to achieve success. Let's take dinosaurs, for example;. At the same time, a teacher may prepare an activity that matches dinosaur teeth with the types of food that Dinos eat; an educator will create this lesson and then corresponding lessons and activities that show how knowing this for Dinos can help the child determine what foods animals of today eat. An educator may have a whole host of lessons planned for a month that incorporate math skills, language skills and encourage further study. To approach the topic in a way that allows for more connections to be made than just knowing the names of the dinosaurs, but what is the root of the word and how does that connect with words we use everyday. It's a deeper dive, and a broader dive than just teaching the material. It also is more intentional. Because an educator would know, and have planned, that the counting Dino activity they master in this unit then builds to learning addition in the next unit. The broad vision of an educator is very intentional. And that is key. It demands planning and thoughtful execution of a variety of learning methods. It requires a nanny to take a look at the daily practices you have and organize them to make sense and propels your goals and objectives for the child in a forward direction. It is essential to know that there is a place for all of these practices in a child's life. All are important and support kids as they grow. They learn from teachers, nannies, and coaches, and parents enrich them, educators guide them. One is not more central than the other, and when we can provide all of this for our kids, we have done our job well. We will raise inquisitive, bright humans who will have the tools to change the world! Are you thinking of finding an educated nanny or private educator for your family? Let us help you find the best fit for your family.

People who have never hired a nanny, been cared for by a nanny, or worked as a nanny may have certain misconceptions about what nannies actually do. The word “nanny” might bring to mind Mary Poppins, Maria in The Sound of Music, or even Robin Williams as a comical nanny in Mrs. Doubtfire. Whether the stereotype is comical or heartfelt, there are many myths about nannies that probably sprouted from these famous portrayals in movies and TV shows. But, really, these myths need to go — for the sake of parents, kids, and the nannies who work with them. That’s why we’re setting the record straight on a few common nanny misconceptions below. Myth 1: Nannies are just babysitters who work longer days The myth that nannies are basically just babysitters is simply untrue. A babysitter may help out a family in a pinch by watching the kids as needed: after school, on date night, or for special events on the weekend. Babysitters are paid by the hour and can often work once a week to a few nights a week. It’s a temporary to semi-regular gig. In contrast, a nanny is regularly employed by a family either part-time or full-time. A nanny takes a more active role in childcare and development. She’s not there to simply watch the kids when the parents leave the house for the night. She might help toddlers learn hand-eye coordination or develop reading skills, tutor older kids, cook healthy meals for the family, and much more. Myth 2: Nannies are only for wealthy families Depending on where you live, the price of childcare can be staggering. While nannies may be more expensive than other childcare options like daycare, that doesn’t mean that they’re only affordable for wealthy families. If you think the costs of hiring a nanny are out of your budget, think again. It actually may be a more affordable option based on your needs. Daycare centers usually have a set pricing system no matter how often your child attends. If your family’s schedule is more flexible, and care needs fluctuate throughout the week, you may be paying more for care that you don’t use. Plus, daycare centers often have strict rules on arrival times, drop offs, and illness. Fees for violating those rules can add up. You may be better off hiring a nanny who can devote her attention to your family, work flexible hours and can handle occasionally sick kids. Myth 3: All nannies are like Mary Poppins If you mean all nannies are caring yet authoritative, sensible yet fun, and might have magical powers, then we agree! A great nanny must know how to have fun with kids and discipline them when needed. She’ll have education and training in childcare or child development. Every family is different, but a nanny may also do housework, run errands, or cook for the family as well. Nannies may be like Mary Poppins in some ways, but remember that Mary Poppins is a perfect nanny because she’s a fictional character. Real nannies are human beings that are performing a job, just like any other professional. A nanny may not know how to automatically care for a child after she’s hired; she may need time to acclimate to a new family. She might make mistakes, and she might need a break from her duties. Nannying is tough, real work. Myth 4: Nannying is short-term work At the end of Mary Poppins, the perfect nanny leaves after the family’s problems have been fixed. That’s another myth: that every nanny job is short-term work, and your nanny will leave if she’s found something better or once your child reaches a certain age. Many nannies are in it for the long haul. It’s incredibly rewarding to play a role in a child’s development alongside the parents. It can also be scary for parents to let someone into their family to do that. When parents find an excellent nanny, they’ll want to hang on to them. And when a nanny develops a bond with the children in a family that treats her with respect and fairness, she’ll want to stay. Every family’s needs are different and each nanny has unique experience, childcare style, and personality. Tiny Treasures focuses on connecting the right nanny to the right family, so reach out if you’re ready to find the nanny for you.

Traveling with kids can be quite a challenge for a family. Parents might struggle to keep their kids entertained or well-behaved during long car rides or flights. And the newness and novelty of going on vacation can send kids into a frenzy of excitement. It’s why many parents opt to bring their nanny along with them on vacation. If you’re considering going on vacation with your nanny, it’s important to know how to do it right. Check her schedule before you make vacation arrangements Before you begin booking flights and hotel rooms, check with your nanny to make sure she’s free! This is especially important if you have not taken her on a vacation with you yet. If she’s new to your family, she may not know that you take a family summer trip every year, and she may have plans of her own. Avoid any miscommunication by bringing up the trip as early as you can. Review responsibilities and hours for the trip Your nanny’s responsibilities may not be that different on vacation compared to her duties at home. But consider how the hours may change. Imagine you’re flying to a destination that’s about 4 hours away. If the flight is within your nanny’s usual shift, you may not think that you’ll have to pay her overtime. But remember: she may spend a good portion of the morning getting the kids ready to go to the airport, supervise them while going through security, flying on the plane, then driving to your destination. All that extra time can easily add up. Plus, you may want to spend more time with the kids during the day and have quality time with your partner at night, when your nanny will take over. These hours might be different from her usual day shift. That’s why it’s important to review what her responsibilities and typical hours will be during the trip. And yes, you’re responsible for paying overtime for anything over 40 hours — even on vacation. Lastly, go over who will be in charge on vacation. Your kids may not know who the authority figure is when both nanny and parent are present. Will you want to work together with your nanny, or defer to her? Not every scenario will be the same, but it’s a good idea to have a strategy in place ahead of time. Book separate accommodations Be sure to give your nanny her own accommodations during the trip. You might be tempted to have her room with the kids to save money, but that’s not a good idea. If your nanny rooms with the kids, that makes it much harder to decipher when she’s on the clock or off. Book a separate room so she can enjoy some privacy. If special circumstances require her to be in the same room as the kids (for example, a child is ill or she will need to care for them overnight), clearly outline her schedule and include time that she can spend on her own. Pay for her expenses We hope this goes without saying, but remember that all of your nanny’s travel expenses and accommodations should be covered by you. If she’s taking the children on activities and excursions, make sure you give her money to cover it. That goes for meals while she’s on the clock, too. Anything she purchases on her own time, like souvenirs, are expenses she can pay for herself, but everything is should be provided. Help preparing for your vacation Planning a vacation with your nanny can be an uncomfortable discussion, but it’s necessary. It’ll eliminate any doubts either you or your nanny might have when handling certain issues. It will also show your nanny that you respect her by discussing accommodations, pay, and schedules ahead of time. Your vacation will run much more smoothly when you and nanny are prepared for what to expect while on vacation. If you are hoping to find a nanny who can and will travel with your family, or you’re currently part of our agency and have questions about travel time, reach out to Tiny Treasures. We’re happy to help you, your family, and your nanny have a great trip together.

Los Angeles isn’t just the most populous city in California and the second most populous in the United States. It’s more than the home of the entertainment industry and Hollywood. It’s also packed with fun, kid-friendly things to do during the day — and they don’t have to be as expensive as an excursion to Disneyland! Our list of daytime activities in L.A. includes kid-friendly restaurants, educational opportunities, outdoor adventures, and more. Grab our guide the next time you’re stumped for things to do in L.A. Pick an activity at Griffith Park Griffith Park is a sprawling landmark in L.A. that covers over 4,500 acres. There’s plenty to see and do at Griffith Park. Does your kiddo love animals? Head to the Los Angeles Zoo to see and learn about the hundreds of animals living there. Is he a nature lover? Check out the gorgeous fauna and flora in the Botanical Gardens. Is she obsessed with space and the stars? Griffith Observatory has free admission and has planetarium shows, interactive exhibits, and beautiful views. Grab a bite at Giggles N’ Hugs This casual dining spot in Canoga Park is a perfect choice for family dining. Giggles N’ Hugs has a large kids’ menu complete with classics like grilled cheese, pizza, and fish sticks. Even better, they also have vegan, gluten-free, organic, and healthy options for meals. The main draw at Giggles N’ Hugs is the large indoor play area, complete with slides and ball pits. Plus, there’s another Giggles N’ Hugs location in Glendale, in case the Canoga Park location is too far of a drive. Explore the aquarium at Santa Monica Pier Sure, Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is one of the most popular aquariums in the area, but give the smaller aquarium at Santa Monica Pier a try, too. Every Sunday afternoon is “Shark Sunday” where visitors can learn about sharks and watch them feast on food. As a bonus, kids 12 and under have free entry to the aquarium. And if marine life isn’t their thing, there’s the rest of Santa Monica Pier to explore: the Carousel, Pacific Park, Playland Arcade, and so much more. Roam around The Last Bookstore The Last Bookstore is an iconic, multi-level book and record store in L.A. Patrons can browse their selection of new and used items, but the star of the show is the store atmosphere and layout. High ceilings, whimsical book displays, and quirky art will fascinate the kids. Make sure you hit up the kids section on the first floor before roaming the rest of the store. Looking for a different bookstore? There’s also Children’s Book World off Pico Boulevard, not far from Zimmer Children’s Museum. Check out the La Brea Tar Pits What kid doesn’t go through a dinosaur-loving phase? The LaBrea Tar Pits are a blast to explore, with its fossil sites, excavator tours, fossil labs, and museum exhibits. Viewing the pits is free, but tickets are required to enter Page Museum. After exploring both, head over to the adjacent Hancock Park to relax, people watch, or have a picnic. Walk around a museum for free Many museums have free admission for kids, or free admission on certain days of the month. Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena has Free Family Night on the first Tuesday every month, so bring the kiddos there for interactive (and sometimes messy) exhibits. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, or LACMA, is free for kids 12 and under. There’s also the Los Angeles Arboretum, where kids under 5 are always free, but admission is free for everyone on the third Tuesday of the month. There are so many kid-friendly and inexpensive places to explore all over the city. The next time your kiddos say “I’m bored,” check out one of these classic Los Angeles activities. There’s an activity that will please even the pickiest of kids, whether they love science, books, nature, art, or simply enjoying that L.A. warmth and sunshine.

Most of the time, taking vacations with kids feels less like a “vacation” and more like a “job.” It can be a lot of work, especially when you’re traveling with younger children or multiple kids. Parents might also feel pressure to make sure that everyone has a good time. You’re spending money and time away on this trip, so you have to make it count, right? Sometimes, making a vacation count doesn’t necessarily mean artfully avoiding tantrums, going on every ride at a theme park, or letting your kids experience a ton of brand new things. Instead, we’re sharing some tips to help you (really) enjoy your vacation with your kids. Embrace the unexpected If you’ve ever gone on a vacation with kids, you already know: unexpected things will happen. You can plan and plan down to the last detail, but you can’t anticipate everything that will happen. And that’s okay! In fact, surprises can sometimes be the highlight of your trip. Imagine you take your family to a theme park and you meticulously plan all the rides to go on so you don’t miss any. To your surprise, your shy little girl wants to go on a roller coaster that wasn’t on your list. And it turns out, she’s finally tall enough to do it. Why not put your schedule on hold and try one with her? Even if she ends up not liking it, you’ll have tried something new and unexpected. That can make your vacation pretty memorable. Let the kids take the lead Similarly, let your children take the lead on activities every so often. Put yourself in your kids’ shoes for a moment. They are usually told what to do and how to act all day long when they’re in school and clubs. Give them — and yourself — a break by letting them take the lead. Have your child choose where to go for lunch, what activity to do first, or which treat to end the day with. This goes without saying, but be fair if you have more than one child. Maybe one kid can make the decisions one day and another the next day. That way, no one’s feelings are hurt. Of course, if you have a small infant, let their feeding and napping schedule guide your day a bit. This can prevent you from feeling frustrated when you need to change diapers, nurse in public, or find shade! Know your (and your family’s) limits Whether you’re planning the day or letting your child pick your activities, remember to know your limits. Know when your toddler is going to get tired and cranky, or how to work around your infant’s sleep schedule in a new location. Leave room to travel between activities and, of course, plan time for naps. Finally, leave some time to do absolutely nothing every once in awhile. Your vacation might be more adventurous than leisurely; for example, a sightseeing trip or Disney World vacation is very different from a relaxing stay on the beach. However, it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy your time. If you over-plan, you’ll only end up frustrating yourself and wearing your kids down — which, as we all know, is the quickest route to a meltdown. Have one-on-one time When the whole family goes on a vacation, do you automatically plan meals and activities for everyone to do together? That’s completely natural since you want to spend quality time with each other. But we also suggest allotting time for kids to spend with one parent at a time. An only child can spend one day with one parent, giving the other parent some time to truly relax and recharge. Or you can divide-and-conquer with multiple kids by splitting into separate groups. Not only does this prevent kids from fighting for attention or tired tantrums, but it gives your child a chance to bond with each parent individually. It also makes the day’s activities more manageable, as parents have less to juggle and can offer undivided attention. You can devote more of your attention to each child, making the time you spend all together even more precious. You might plan one-on-one time for part of the day and have everyone meet back up again for dinner. You might schedule whole days of one-on-one time or even entire vacations. It’s up to you. Remember: vacation is supposed to be fun! Planning a vacation with kids is not always easy, but it’s certainly worth it. After all, spending money on meaningful experiences like a family vacation is better for your kids than toys. Family vacations can even advance brain development and build concentration skills in children, science says. By embracing the unexpected, knowing your limits, scheduling one-on-one time, and letting your kids make the decisions sometimes, you’ll truly enjoy your vacation and your child will, too — no matter their age.

I can’t believe they let their toddler sleep with them. Who does that? Feed kids pizza and all that processed food? I would NEVER give my baby formula. Do you know what’s in that? Her son is still in diapers? He is 3! She is poisoning her kids with vaccines. OMG, She’s still breastfeeding? You have to be kidding! She is a stay-at-home mom and she hired a Mother’s Helper! This type of judgmental rhetoric happens in preschool parking lots, playgroups, online, and anywhere moms gather with their little ones. I have always been quite surprised by the blatant attacks moms launch on other moms who are most likely doing what they think is best for their child(ren). I started to ask, “Why?” What's the point? Don't we need to support each other and be there for each other when things go sideways? Shouldn't we be cheering for each other and sharing tips on how to get your toddler to sleep rather than judging where he sleeps? I thought we’d look at a few reasons this ridiculousness is happening. Fatigued and Overwhelmed Yes, we are tired. We are spread thin. We are caffeinated and snappy. We can’t attack our two-year-olds when they throw a tantrum because they don’t want to leave the playground. So next best, attack another mom. We go home tired and horrified that our toddler slapped us in the middle of the playgym, go online and rip another mom for co-sleeping with her 2.5-year-old or vaccinating her baby. Envious and Disappointed It seems like some women just have it ALL. The mom who is able to hire a mother’s helper although she is not working, the mom who has gotten pregnant so easily and effortlessly with no problems (it just happened!), the mom who married the perfect guy who is this and that and on top of it...he’s handsome or rich, the mom who somehow is in fantastic shape with all parts up and perky, prancing around at the poolside with a baby on her hip and her two-year-old in tow, the mom with the perfectly spaced apart kids (almost two years to the date!), I can go on and on because from what I’ve experienced, the list is long. This can cause disappointment in any woman who is not grounded in security and is having feelings of worry and fear. Like attracts like and moms in this delicate state of being and feeling band together and go for the jugular. Exasperated and Edgy Have you ever given unsolicited advice to another Mom? I remember a time when I was at the library with my son and he did not want to leave. As I was putting him in the stroller and buckling him in, he started hitting my arm. A nearby mom started telling me how I have to not allow him to do that and how I MUST tell him if he hits again, I will hit him back. Then give him the death stare. “For his own good and for you to strengthen as a parent”. Her exact words. He was 25 months old. I know this mom was trying to help, but she came off as aggressive and judgemental. She continued telling me how fed-up she was trying to do it all and needed to leave. Being a parent isn't the easiest and at least for me, I get overtaxed and cranky, especially at the end of the week. We moms, no matter our circumstances, are doing our best to do it all and this can weigh heavy with irritation and grouchiness setting in. The Takeaway We are quick to snap, exhausted, and worried we are messing up these beautiful little souls we love so wholeheartedly. We are doing our best, or so we think and we are judging others because our inner monologue is one of fear, worry, and doubt. We can do much, much better Ladies. We, moms, need each other! We need to support each other in the journey of motherhood. I need to know I’m not the only mom who feels like I don't know what I'm doing or that my daughter ate chicken nuggets and a crayon. Let’s build up to not knocking each other down, let’s celebrate rather than deflate. Let’s set an example of support and camaraderie for our kids. It's what we want for them, isn't it? #mommyshaming #mom #mothershelper #toddler #kids #playgroup #workingmom

Many moms, at some point, are going to make the decision to either continue to stay at-home with the child(ren), or return to work either part or full-time. We at Tiny Treasures know first hand the experience of facing this decision. For some women, this decision comes easy and for others, not so much. We’d like to share with you some of our pointers in work/life balance. First, when I came to decision to get back to work, I realized that I had to let go of the guilt. Instead, I looked at the situation differently and saw the value in contributing to my growing family. I had issues in thoughts arise of being able to flourish both at work and at home. I found that letting go of the guilt of not being with my child in combination of support really helped me be able to be fully present at work and at home. When at work, be there one hundred percent and when at-home be there one hundred percent. This is extremely beneficial. There is nothing worse than not being present with my son when it is truly his time with me. I would like to bring to light the importance of support. We at Tiny Treasures have a great diverse team and some of the women are working moms. We are very supportive of each other. It’s important to find others, weather friends or a support group, that you can talk with when having strong adverse feelings to the decision of working. Knowing you are not alone is valuable in moving forward toward a peaceful work/home/life balance. Second, aside from making the decision to go back to work, many moms feel additional anxiety regarding childcare. Will you be able to do your best at work if you are not one hundred percent comfortable with who is looking after your child(ren)? Outstanding childcare is fundamental to a successful working mama. You must know that your baby and/or kids are safe, clean, stimulated and cared for in order to prosper at the workplace. Next, recruit help at home from your partner, family, friends or kids. You don’t have to do everything! Also, kids Love to help! Have them get involved with cooking or make chores fun. Don’t forget that ordering take-out or having prepared foods isn't going to label you as a Terrible Mom. As for some chores, I clean when I am at home and I recruit my son to help me. He has his own “supplies” and he enjoys being a Big Helper. Again, please take help and ask for it. Remember, It Takes a Village. Lastly, as babies grow into young children, it gets easier. Newborns and infants require a lot of extras: breastfeeding and/or pumping, bottle preparation, or maybe you made her baby food from scratch. There is a big difference between a three month old and a young child of five. Still feeling like you are sleep deprived? Things get smoother and easier as they get older. Hang in there! You are doing your best Mama, and that is all that is required. www.tinytreasuresnyc.com #workingmom #momlife