Mary Pat doesn't fly around with a black umbrella, but she does have over 20 years of experience as a Child Development Expert. This column will answer questions about child development concerns & managing your employee/employer relationship.
Q: With the holidays around the corner I am starting to plan my time off. Can I expect to have the day after Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas off? -Tanya
A: Dear Tanya,
This is an important question and imperative to talk about with your
employer. In general, the day after Christmas and the day after
Thanksgiving are not considered holidays. Some businesses and schools do close for these days, but not all.
It is so important, not only for you but your employer as well, to be on the same page when it comes to time off. We recommend you talk with your employer when you are first hired to discuss vacation and sick time so there are no surprises! If you have not talked about this already, then you can start now. A good routine to get into is to establish a regular meeting to sit down with your employer to talk about not only vacation time but just for a general check-in. Life can get so hectic sometimes and important issues can fall by the wayside as a result of our busy daily routines. You can jot down topics when they arise, then bring these notes to your scheduled meeting so you can make sure your issues get addressed. Word to the wise - do not address “hot button” issues in the heat of the moment. Scheduling time for open communication can help to grow and foster your work relationship.
Q: I am looking for some fun Fall snack ideas to create with the
children I nanny for. Do you have any suggestions? -Debbie
A: Dear Debbie,
Apples of course! The Fall is a great time for all things apple! Here
are some ideas:
- If you are able to get a variety of apples, either store bought or hand
picked, cut them up and have a taste test. Taste Macintosh, Granny Smith, Delicious, Fuji, and Gala apples. Make a game of it: talk about flavors, sizes, and colors. This can be a fun, educational game for children of all ages.
- Bake a healthy and easy snack. Cut the apples in half and put them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle a tiny bit of brown sugar on the top for some extra sweetness and bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Cool and enjoy!
- Engage the children in smashing up a few apples to make applesauce. Click here for a great recipe.
You can go apple or berry picking too! Check out this website for locations: www.pickyourown.org
*Make sure that you do not introduce apples or any other foods until the parents have thoroughly informed you of their children's allergies.
Q: My child has an appointment in the middle of the day that I need to take him to. How do I ask my employer for this unexpected time off? -Charolette
A: This can be so difficult, especially when these appointments are in the middle of the work day. Here are some things to think about:
-How high need is this appointment? If this appointment is a general check in, like a teeth cleaning or annual physical at the pediatrician, there is usually flexibility on when you can schedule the appointment. Hopefully you can schedule it far enough in advance to prepare your employer so they can arrange coverage in your absence. You could also coordinate to see if the first appointment or end of the day appointment is most convenient for all of you.
-If this appointment is last minute and urgent, I would encourage you to explain this to your employer. Sometimes life happens unexpectedly and there are emergencies. Communicating clearly about your needs is always important. As always, the more notice you can give about your absence, the better.
If you have a question you want answered, you can send an
e-mail to: marypat@tandcr.com and it will be covered (anonymously) in an upcoming newsletter.
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