(Part 2) Best products from r/Nanny

These books are the best
Every kid I’ve worked with loves them
Best part is they’re reusable and kids love to wipe them clean
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0312521839/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gRhQDbCNV5R4Q

Does she mainly like dogs, or any animal?

I like the Richard Scarry books

and these (I think they make them for all sorts of different animals):

http://www.amazon.com/Gallop-Scanimation-Rufus-Butler-Seder/dp/0761147632/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417913155&sr=1-11&keywords=moving+horse

some of our other favorites over the years:

The Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown

Animalia by Graeme Base *this is one I recommend to everyone, it is truly a great book.

it was incredibly good, seriously. Better than Starbucks. But also wow that is a lot of money. It was this guy actually and it was amazing and delicious.

Cool! I bet they loved them! Like said before, my son was obsessed with the bath drops. They make a great stocking stuffer for X-mas.

If you add on in the future, these are also a lot of fun. The tone changes depending on how much water is in them

Also fizzy bath bombs. This company makes some awesome/unique ones: https://www.lushusa.com/bath/bath-bombs/

Water beads! OMG these have been great so far. I ordered these for $10 and I will probably order more. They are a lot of fun, and one bag makes SO MUCH.

Here's a couple of photos of the ones I made last night. I put in about half a cup of beads, and it makes so much They are kind of like the stuff that is in diapers, so they expand a TON. The best part is that you can dry them out and use them again another time if you'd like. Some folks on amazon/pintrest talked about how they smell weird after a few days, but that hasn't been my experience. I made sure the container was clean when I made them last time. I ended up leaving them in the trunk of my car for a week (oops) and I expected them to be really gross. They weren't! I did toss them since I didn't want to mess with drying them out this time, but I didn't notice any odor or mold or anything.

I highly recommend this for kiddos old enough to know not to put them in their mouths. My guys are just turning 2 and they do fine with them.

I use these ice packs. They’re amazing! I’ve had them for over two years and they work so well! I put one in my lunch box with two room temperature drinks and it actually COOLS the drink to fridge temp within two hours. So you can imagine how good it is when things are already cold. I also use this lunchbox and I’ve recommended it to so many people. I read a lot of reviews before I bought it, it’s held up so well and I really stand by it. I like that it has two compartments too so if you don’t want everything to be good you can put warm/room temp things in the other section.

Sounds like you're doing fine, the newborn is probably taking a lot in and as long as you're meeting her needs and find time to make her happy I think you're doing all that you need in regards to her care.

As for the older children, especially the 4 year old, it would benefit her to learn that you won't bring things everyday, how to manage her frustrations (know when she needs to take a break), and how to play by herself for a little bit.

Learning how to see mistakes differently may help her too

What time do you get there during the day? Are you allowed to take them out of the house? Are they signed up for any activities? When do the older children get home?

Great job! I have had similar struggles with a much less significantly delayed child. I think sometimes it takes someone other than a parent to work through some things... So it's good that you are spending more time with her, and as you help her learn new things, her parents will start to follow along. (I would hope...)

As for the shoe thing I have heard great things about this method;

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.romper.com/p/moms-shoe-tying-tutorial-goes-viral-for-all-the-right-reasons-18051/amp

But that said I have an 11M who still refuses to learn how and this is our solution:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01C5Y0B70/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1525496749&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=lock+laces

I LOVE this hat. Sits firmly on the head and the tie is awesome and secure. My kid can still yank it off if he's really determined, but that's pretty rare. I got him on board with hats by playing with a bunch of hats for us and Mr Potato Head in front of the mirror.

Good god, run.
And then read The gift of Fear

Trust your instincts/your gut. Being too careful one too many times is better than not being careful enough one time.

Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism Or Other Developmental Issues
https://www.amazon.com/Toilet-Training-Individuals-Autism-Developmental/dp/1932565493/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518660882&sr=8-1&keywords=Toilet+Training+for+Individuals+with+Autism+Or+Other+Developmental+Issues&dpID=61y4nv7eEYL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

I'm not sure this will help but this is a list of medical journal articles on the topic, it may be informative and relevant to your situation - http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1096250612451758?journalCode=yeca

The autistic kiddos I've dealt came potty trained or wore nappies, I do not have experience with this, hopefully the links will help! Good luck!

First, i would talk to your family and see if they are willing to do some baby proofing to help you out. You might offer to provide some of the things you need to make that possible. Ask if fragile things in low spaces can be moved while he is still learning the boundaries. They agreed to let you bring you kiddo so I hope they are willing to help you out on this part.

In the mean time, a playyard might be best for you. It can be used in a circle, used as a barrier to block rooms/doors, and is easily taken apart and stored. It was a life saver for me when i watched babies in places that weren't baby proof.

Edit: As an unintended benefit, the kiddos i've watched that spent time in this 'baby jail' learned to pull themselves up on furniture/gates much earlier than other kiddos. Motivation to try hard!

You guys were so beyond helpful! I decided to get a nice looking diaper bag that I can double as a normal bag too. I have 4 kiddos, two of which are a toddler and an infant. It also came with a bunch of extra goodies (link below). I hope I like it as much as I think I will.

Thanks again for the suggestions!


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T832B3Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_z2VvDbRQ1HJCR

I do a lot of yoga, and Snatam Kaur has a lovely kids album. It's not too "yoga-y" which is why I love it.

https://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-Today-Snatam-Kaur/dp/B001H50ZYI

Manhattan Toy Skwish Natural Rattle and Teether Grasping Activity Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QKIVO0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2e9NDbMK9VK77

Might be a little old for this, but I certainly get a lot of joy playing with the one my daughter has. The sound it makes is soothing vs. loud and irritating typical kid toy noises.

Sorry I'm a little late to reply. I got a seat cover for my backseat for this very reason. At the time I wasn't even transporting a dog,
it was 100% because kids are messy and sometimes they have to snack in the car. I also use a paper grocery bag as a garbage can so the kids would have a place to toss garbage or wanted items when they were done with them. When I was done transporting them I would do a spot check to make sure garbage made into the trash and food wasn't dropped on the seat or floor, if it was they had to clean it up. She's 13, accidents happen but she's old enough to clean up after herself when they do. Seat covers are relatively cheap on Amazon and I'm sure you can get the nanny family to buy it for you since it's their kid and dog making a mess. I liked that particular model because it has seatbelt access so you don't have to take it off and put it back on all the time.