Your children are in elementary school full time and you and your partner are working full time. After school childcare is a priority. Your son wants to participate in an after-school computer program once a week, and your daughter wants to play fall soccer. Mom and dad have demanding jobs, and just getting a healthy dinner together can be a major challenge. You wonder, are there after school nannies?

Peter Schutz, motivational speaker and the former CEO of Porsche, famously opined “Hire character, train skill.” In the business world it is easy to understand this philosophy. Character is ingrained, you can and should train specific skills. How does the role of character translate into the nanny hire?

Your relationship with your nanny is strained and you come home on Friday and she tells you she is done. Or you open an email or text on Saturday to the news your nanny quit. Things are going well, but your nanny gives you two weeks notice that she is moving to a new job. Whether it is on good terms or bad, there are things a family MUST know and address when the nanny leaves.

Update: 2020 reimbursement maximums are $5,250 ($437.50 monthly) for an individual and $10,600 ($883.33 monthly) for a family.

Update: 2019 reimbursement maximums are $5,150 ($429.16 monthly) for an individual and $10,450 ($870.83 monthly) for a family.
Update: 2018 reimbursement maximums are $5,050 ($420.83 monthly) for an individual and $10,200 ($850 monthly) for a family.

Helping your nanny, caregiver or other household employee pay for health insurance on a tax free basis was complicated by provisions of the Affordable Care Act in 2013. In December 2016 the 21st Century Cures Act was enacted, making it much easier for household employers as well as other small employers to provide  tax free health benefits to household employees. 

Most seniors prefer to age in place, in the comfort of their own homes, instead of moving to a care facility. Follow this guide as you plan for yourself (or a loved one) to continue living at home through the golden years.

Concerns about childcare are one of the most stressful considerations for new, first time working parents. Research into childcare options begins early in pregnancy, if not before! Looking at your lifestyle and schedules through the prism of childcare options is a daunting endeavor.

Is a nanny really the best choice for your family?

Many families use the term babysitter and nanny interchangeably - they just don't see a distinction. To the professional nanny - whether she has formal training or not - it is a big deal! Why?

My mom is 87 years old. I am blessed to still have her in my life. You won't be surprised to learn that her health is not good. She suffers from dementia, and a host of other age related conditions. She is ambulatory and decidedly wants to stay in her apartment, and when the time comes die at home. She may not get her heart's desire, however my dad, siblings and I are determined to do all that is practical to make this happen. This is the rare post that I am writing in first person based on my own experiences, experience that when shared with friends are met with an amazing number of "Oh my gosh, me too!"

As a parent, keeping your children safe and happy is very important.  You also want to build a strong relationship with them and discipline them in ways that teach them respect and appreciation for others, as well as themselves. The same goes with the nanny you hire. A good nanny does more than show up on time and keep the child safe: she is united with you in your parenting and works to cultivate a strong relationship with your child.

Raising children can be difficult at times and no matter how great the relationship is that your nanny has with your kids, conflicts are bound to happen every once in a while. When they do, how do you respond? Most of the time, the factors that are most frequently at work in a conflict situation are: