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For Houston area parents and caregivers looking for a fun place to take the kids, they’ll be thrilled to learn that My Gym is coming to The Woodlands. With its grand opening coming up on February 28, 2013, it’s sure to be a new spot Houston area families will come to love.
Lead by Miss Shannon and her husband Coach Karl, My Gym The Woodlands will offer classes to children ages 6 weeks to 13 years of age. The structured, age-appropriate classes will incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports and more. In addition to having structured classes, My Gym offers “Practice and Play,” an open gym type program that enrolled members can attend at no additional cost.
With the goal of keeping fitness fun, My Gym The Woodlands will strive to reverse the obesity trend in children by empowering them to acquire the skills, confidence and positive self-image needed to become healthy young adults. With a nurturing atmosphere coupled with positive reinforcement, children will learn physical, social and life skills as they exercise and have fun.
Miss Shannon and Coach Karl are no strangers to My Gym. Prior to bringing My Gym to The Woodlands, Miss Shannon worked at a My Gym in Aventura, Florida for five years, where she was a two time My Gym Director of the Year award recipient. After helping open a My Gym in Louisville, Kentucky, Shannon and Karl decided it was time to have their own location, and thus My Gym The Woodlands was born.
With degrees in exercise science, Miss Shannon and Coach Karl have the necessary background to help children gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and flexibility as they develop confidence and self-esteem. They’re also passionate about providing children with a rich weekly experience that gives children the opportunity to discover more about themselves as they develop independence, self-discipline and social skills, all which help increase a child’s sense of self-worth.
Over the past 30 years, My Gym has established itself as the leader in the childhood fitness industry, boasting more than 270 locations in over 30 countries. With its state-of-the-art facility, extensively trained staff, award-winning class programs, and excellent student to teacher ratio, My Gym has earned the reputation as being the best early learning program of its kind.
Families are always invited to experience a complimentary class at My Gym The Woodlands. Visit the My Gym The Woodlands website for class schedules and descriptions.
My Gym The Woodlands, TX
525 Sawdust Rd Suite 109
The Woodlands, TX 77380
281-645-6330
https://www.mygym.com/thewoodlands
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Whether you’re visiting the Houston area for business or pleasure, or you live here, the food in a city with a booming culinary culture is something to be savored. These ten restaurants in and around Houston are only a sampling of the many award-winning favorites available to tourists and locals alike, and serve as a great starting point for an epicurean Texas adventure.
Named one of the “top ten restaurants in the Galleria area” by the Houston Press with accolades from a local restaurant critic claiming that Ciao Bello’s pasta has earned a place among his one hundred favorite Houston dishes, Ciao Bello is a casual Italian eatery offering comfort food to hungry patrons.
Brenner’s Steakhouse is situated on Houston’s Buffalo Bayou, offering an awe-inspiring setting for a perfect dining experience. The two story dining room offers an impressive view and decor that’s elegant without being pretentious or stiff.
Elegance and unassailable service go hand in hand at Masraff’s, a contemporary American restaurant with an upscale menu of delectable items with a new location in the upscale Galleria shopping area. The high-end fare at Masraff’s is on the formal end of the spectrum, so be prepared for a more luxurious atmosphere.
Not only is REEF one of the premier restaurants in Houston; it was also named the Number One Seafood Restaurant in the U.S. by Bon Appetit Magazine, with Chef Bryan Caswell placing among the Top 10 Best New Chefs by Food & Wine Magazine. Consistently named among the best the city of Houston has to offer by local reviewers and critics, REEF is a can’t-miss destination on your culinary tour of Houston.
The Post Oak Grill was established in 1989 and has been at the top of Houstonian foodies’ lists ever since. With three locations in Uptown, Downtown and Sugar Land, you can access high-end dining in a superb setting quickly and easily.
Called the “Greenest Restaurant in Houston” by eco-friendly locals, Ruggles Green locations are three- or four-star green certified. All produce is locally sourced and unbeatably fresh, grown through sustainable agricultural practices and fully organic. Ruggles Green is Houston’s first Certified Green Restaurant by dinegreen.com.
Finding the best barbecue in Houston is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack, but locals largely swear by Gatlin’s BBQ. A two-time winner of the Houston Press award for Best Barbecue, if you’re looking to experience Texas-style ‘cue at it’s finest, look no further than Gatlin’s.
According to the Houston Press, “although no Greek restaurant in Houston has it all, Yia Yia Mary’s comes the closest.” If you’re looking for exceptional Greek fare in a relaxed atmosphere, Yia Yia Mary’s is the place to be in Houston.
Nestled within a circa-1938 cottage that’s been in the Patrenella family for almost seventy years, the atmosphere at Patrenella’s is decidedly homey and comforting. Named number one among the top ten kitchen garden farm-to-table restaurants in the world by National Geographic, you can’t go wrong with this Old World gem.
An English-style restaurant that firmly espouses nose-to-tail eating that offers adventurous diners the chance to expand their culinary horizons while still providing plenty of hearty fare for those who are less apt to dine on a black pudding or beef tongue. Helmed by two expatriate Brits and an American, there’s no lack of authenticity at Feast, either.
While some of these restaurants are kid-friendly and welcoming to patrons of the pint-sized variety, others may be a bit too stuffy or formal for kids’ tastes. Before you make yourself, your children and your fellow diners miserable, take a moment to consider whether or not a particular choice on your list is something your child would actually enjoy. Unless you’re lucky enough to have the rare adventurous eater on your hands, some fare may simply not be to their liking.
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After scrambling to secure last minute childcare, it can be easy to forget to give your backup care provider the details she’ll need to do her job well. Creating a simple informational sheet can help ensure that your temporary caregiver is prepared to meet your children’s needs while you are away.
Basic Information About the Children
You’ll want your caregiver to know your children’s names, nicknames, ages, allergies or any medical issues that they have. You’ll also want to share anything else that is specific or unique to your child’s makeup. If one child takes a little time to warm up to new people but the other adores all the affection she can get, it’s certainly worth mentioning.
Contact Information
It’s a good idea to include your address and phone number at the top of the sheet. You’ll also want to provide your temporary caregiver with all the ways she can reach you during the day should she have any questions. Providing contact information for your spouse and another trusted adult can also be helpful, should there be an emergency. Be sure to list the phone number of poison control, your local emergency management systems, police department and fire department. It’s also a good idea to have an authorization to treat a minor form completed should your child need immediate medical attention before you’re able to be reached.
Typical Schedule
Outlining your children’s typical schedules can help your temporary childcare provider to anticipate your children’s needs and ensure that their needs are met. Include what time each child typically eats and sleeps, and any routines in place for naptime and bedtime. If you usually take your baby for a walk after she wakes from her morning nap, be sure to include that information. If your backup nanny will be required to put the children to bed in the evening, you’ll want to outline what that process entails.
Food Preferences
Be sure to communicate if there are any dietary restrictions in place and if you have any preferences regarding what the children should be fed. If you only allow fresh fruit for morning snack, be sure your temporary nanny knows that. Since your caregiver isn’t familiar with your children and your home, keeping any meal ideas super simple will be appreciated.
Favorite Activities
If your children have a favorite toy, game or lovely, it can be helpful for your backup care provider to know. By providing your nanny with information on what the children enjoy, she’ll be better able to engage them from the get go.
House Rules
If you have house rules you want to share them with your childcare provider. If you don’t allow television during the week, you’ll want to let your temporary nanny know that. If you require the children to pick up their toys before playing outside, she should know that too. The more information she has about your rules, the better she’ll be able to enforce them.
Disciplinary Style
While everyone hopes the children will be on best behavior while in the care of a new caregiver, chances are your nanny may have to offer some behavioral guidance. Letting your nanny know how you handle misbehavior can help her to gain cooperation and nip any bad behavior in the bud. If you use time-out, tell her your time-out location and how long you insist they take a break for. If you take away privileges, let her know what is fair game for being taken away.
Having a qualified and experienced nanny pinch-hit for your regular childcare provider when your arrangement falls through can be the perfect solution to your last-minute childcare dilemma. Morningside Nannies has a pool of qualified, prescreened childcare providers who are able to provide backup and temporary care for Houston area families when their regular childcare arrangements fall through. To secure a backup care provider, call one of our placement specialists directly at (713) 526-3989 with your back-up care request.
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While your young child isn’t ready for college classes yet, he’s definitely ready for having fun and hanging out with friends. With a variety of classes geared towards young children in the Houston area, it can be hard to decide which classes are worth taking and which ones are not. If you’re looking to enroll your child in a program that will truly benefit him intellectually, physically and socially, consider checking out one of these five places that offer top-notch programs for Houston area kids.
Central Houston Gymboree Play and Music offers play and learn, music, art, sports, family and school skills classes for children birth to age 5. Located at 1990 Post Oak Road in Houston, The Central Houston location offers a wide range of classes throughout the week, accommodating most any busy parent’s schedule. Some classes are designed to be taken with a trusted adult, while others are meant for children to take independently or with their entire family. In Gymboree Play and Music classes, children are supported as they learn while they play.
Opening in February 2013 at 525 Sawdust Road in the Woodlands, My Gym offers fitness programs for kids. With a variety of classes offered for children ages six weeks to 13 years of age, My Gym supports children as they gain strength, coordination and flexibility and develop social skills, self-confidence and self-esteem. With a variety of classes offered each week, parents are sure to find a fitness class that fits in with their child’s schedule.
With classes held at the Presbyterian Church on Memorial Drive in Houston and the Cinco Ranch Conservatory of Music, Memorial Music Together offers a research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum. Classes are available for children from birth to age five, and the Mixed Ages classes provide an opportunity for children to move while they make music together. Included with tuition are a songbook and two CDs, which are provided to encourage families to continue making music at home.
With several locations throughout the greater Houston area, The Greater Houston YMCA offers aquatics classes designed to help children improve their swimming skills and water confidence. Classes are available for children ages six months and up; classes for younger children are designed to be taken with a parent or trusted caregiver, while classes for older children can be taken independently. With a variety of classes offered at many locations, there is sure to be a class that is convenient to you and will work with your child’s schedule.
If you’re looking for arts and crafts classes for your child, Art Mix located on West Alabama Street in Houston offers a variety of opportunities to create art for children ages two and up. With “Paint with Me” classes for the youngest of artists, Art Mix offers private lessons and classes for children of all ages. For parents of children who have special needs, Art Mix offers group and private art lessons especially designed for children who have a variety of special needs. Even if your schedule won’t allow you to enroll in a class, Art Mix offers a pop-in studio where children and parents can drop in and paint, draw, sculpt or create a collage for a flat fee of $15 per hour.
While you certainly don’t want to overschedule your children, enrolling in a few carefully selected and age-appropriate programs can provide your children with rich experiences that help support his growth and development.
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Whether you are taking a vacation or if you live in the Houston area, there are several places to go to keep your kids entertained. Many of the attractions also give opportunities for kids to learn new things.
Discovery Green, open since 2008, is a 12-acre park located in downtown Houston. The fountain is an interactive place for the kids to play on hot summer days. Free events throughout the year and nearby restaurants make it a one-stop location for a day of entertainment. When the kids are tired of running through the water, they can climb around on the playgrounds located within the grounds of Discovery Green. During the winter, a giant ice-rink is formed for outdoor skating for all ages.
Founded in 1980, the Children’s Museum of Houston has the motto “A Playground for your Mind,” and it certainly lives up to that reputation. Throughout the year it hosts workshops for young children in the areas of literacy, science, math, health, engineering, civic engagement, culture and social studies. If you’re on a budget, Thursdays are considered family free nights from 5 to 8 p.m. The museum’s 14 galleries make the small admission fee well worth it.
The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art holds hands-on workshops for adults and kids alike. Annually it hosts the Art Car Parade and Festival, which showcases more than 250 vehicles from all over North America. The Orange Show is also home of the Beer Can House, a monument to recycling.
The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is the perfect place for nature lovers of all ages. Not only are there walking trails throughout this 155-acre sanctuary, but also events such as “Tadpole Troopers” and “Tyke Hikes” that are geared toward the interests of the youngest members of your family.
A zoo is always an entertaining place to take the kids for a day. They get to see their favorite animals while learning a little something new about each one. The Houston Zoo is more than just typical zoo, however. There are animals that create paintings. Your child can pick one of 10 species to create a masterpiece. The zoo is also a great place to have a birthday party for your child.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science has a butterfly center and a planetarium along with extraordinary exhibits from all over the world. After viewing the permanent collection, the young ones might want to watch an educational 3D movie on the giant screen. If a day at the museum is not enough, consider a group overnight adventure.
An indoor adventure center, Wonderwild is the perfect place to visit on a rainy day. There are open play times as well as the opportunities to hold themed parties for your little princess or superhero who is eight years old or younger. For your older kids, you can head to Wonderwilder.
500,000 gallons of water fill this underwater menagerie. You and your kids can visit the rainforest, swampland, the Gulf of Mexico, a shipwreck and more at the Downtown Aquarium. The whole family can watch as sea turtles, fish, sharks and more glide through the water, living out their lives. Get a taste of the carnival with the games and rides available at the aquarium.
Ice skating is an American pastime that families have enjoyed for ages. Ice at the Galleria is open to skaters from beginners to experts year round. If your children – or you! – are a bit shaky on the ice, that is not a problem because classes are offered to learning to skate. What makes this a truly unique skating rink is that it is located in the atrium of the Houston Galleria Mall.
Planet WOW in Houston is the perfect place for your little ball of sunshine to burn off some energy. The 10,000 square-foot facility houses inflatables from giant slides to giant basketball hoops. The kiddies can run around in their stocking feet and bounce from one inflatable to the next. When they are done jumping around, they can play one of the many arcade games available at the facility. You and your kids can enjoy open play time or come together to book an afternoon of fun for friends and schoolmates.
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Each year the International Nanny Association holds an annual conference that brings together nannies, nanny agency owners, industry service providers and educators for continuing education and networking.
Nannies from across the United States attend the conference to increase their knowledge and improve their skills. This year’s event will be held April 12 – 15, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency in Louisville, Kentucky.
While the workshops are broken down into three tracks, one for newborn care specialists, one for nannies and one for agency owners, all attendees are invited to attend all workshops.
This year, the workshop lineup for nannies includes topics on early childhood education, working with teenagers and professional development. From creating a toxic free environment to learning how to teach responsibility, nannies will learn practical strategies that will improve their caregiving skills.
For those interested in learning more about newborn care, the lineup includes sessions on newborn care basics, safe sleep and traveling to families.
Nannies who attend the conference are also encouraged to take the INA Nanny Credential Exam while they are there.
For those who are new to INA and have never attended an INA conference, members who joined after June 1, 2013 are eligible for 50% off of their conference registration.
To learn more about INA’s annual conference, visit https://nanny.org/2013annualconference. Members of the Morningside Nannies team will be in attendance and we do hope to see you there!
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While it may seem like the Dewey Decimal System is a thing of the past, in libraries across the country, it’s still alive and well. With the advent of eReaders and digitized children books, it’s easy to come to the mistaken conclusion that a library card is an archaic membership that’s going the way of the dinosaur.
For families of the Greater Houston area, however, there are still lots of reasons why getting a Houston Public Library card is essential.
1. The HPL Mobile App
With the Houston Public Library app for your iPhone, Android phone, Kindle Fire or a host of other mobile devices, you can access the HPL catalog, search for both physical copies and eBooks, place holds, renew checkouts and check your account. The HPL app also allows you to obtain information about Houston Public Library branch locations and special events hosted by HPL.
2. To Browse Books
Browsing books in person is an entirely different experience then browsing titles through a virtual platform. When you and your children can touch and feel paper books, you have the opportunity to stumble upon books that interest you that you might not have otherwise discovered.
3. Britannica Online for Kids
With a valid Houston Public Library card, your children can access the vast stores of knowledge that is Britannica Online for kids. Searching through encyclopedias, magazines and informative video content can help your children ace that big report or research an important assignment.
4. Patron-Placed Holds
If you or your children are anxiously awaiting a popular title, you no longer have to hope to catch the last copy before it’s checked out again. Services available to Houston Public Library cardholders include a patron-placed holds system, which allows you to request a title and have it sent to the location of your choice for pickup.
5. Interlibrary Loans
Because there’s no library large enough to hold copies of every book ever published, you may run into a bit of difficulty obtaining more obscure titles. HPL cardholders, however, do have the capability to obtain their books from other libraries through the interlibrary loan system.
6. Novelist K-8 Plus
It’s never too early to instill a love of reading, which is why the Houston Public library offers the Novelist program for kids with HPL cards. Kids can find their next favorite book with this service, which keeps them coming back for more and helps to foster a genuine affection for reading.
7. Kids’ Admission to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts
Houston Public Library cardholders under the age of eighteen are admitted to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston for free on Saturdays and Sundays, encouraging a thirst for fine arts knowledge along with a passion for reading.
8. Houston Public Library Express
HPL Express is a facility installed within existing buildings around the community offering full access to the same information, data, services and collections of the full library system in more convenient locations. Cardholders are encouraged to request materials from any Houston Public Library branch to be delivered to the HPL Express nearest them for pickup or use if they’re not already on-site.
9. Ask a Librarian
There are times in everyone’s life when a little bit of help can go a long way. One of the services extended by the Houston Public Library is the “Ask a Librarian” online service. Email, text, tweet, live chat or call for book suggestions and library assistance.
10. Electronic Book Collections
Owners of popular eReader devices can access an expansive collection of electronic books through the Houston Public Library with their existing library membership and library card numbers.
Whether you’re a visitor or a native Houstonian, the Houston Public Library is an amazing resource worth taking advantage of. While resident library cards are free, if you’re traveling in the Houston area you can obtain a non-resident card for $20.00 that’s valid for six months, or a $40.00 membership that is valid for one calendar year.
To find a branch of the Houston Public Library near you visit https://www.houstonlibrary.org/home.
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You’re six months into your nanny placement and everything was going great, until recently. You love your nanny, but you’ve noticed she’s been spending a little too much time on your personal computer, telling you when she needs a day off rather than requesting one, and hasn’t made much of an effort to pick up after herself or your little one while you’re away. You don’t want to put a wedge in the relationship, but you really can’t let these issues slide much longer. What should do you do?
Take a deep breath. Like many new relationships, the nanny and employer relationship also has a honeymoon period and chances are that the honeymoon period is over. But don’t panic. This is a natural progression in the relationship and indicates that your nanny is feeling comfortable in her role and her in position with in the family. This also means that now is the time you’ll need to establish boundaries and reaffirm your commitment to your expectations.
For most nanny employers, confronting their employees is a difficult task – even for those who manage people for a living. Nannies work in your home, caring for your most prized possession, so it’s not surprising that talking business with your household employee can be a bit awkward and uncomfortable.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to make managing your employee feel a bit more natural and set the frame work for providing both positive and negative feedback to your nanny about her performance.
1. Be sure to complete your nanny work agreement.
If you didn’t sign a written work agreement with your nanny prior to her start date, it’s not too late. Draft up your agreement and request a meeting with your nanny to review it. Schedule your meeting for a time when you can meet with your nanny without the children present. Take responsibility for not completing the agreement sooner and let her know you’ve put it together so that you have a mutual understanding of each other’s duties, responsibilities and expectations, as well as any house rules you wish your nanny to abide by.
2. Review your work agreement.
If you do have a mutually agreed upon working agreement, give it a once over to be sure it covers what you think it does. If your nanny is violating the agreement, set aside a time to meet with her and call her attention to your agreement. “When we signed our agreement, we both agreed that computer usage was off-limits.
3. Establish a weekly meeting.
Each week, plan to spend a half an hour meeting with your nanny, ideally when the children are not present. Use this meeting as an opportunity to offer positive feedback, to ask questions, to troubleshoot problems and to provide constructive criticism. Remember to always sandwich negative feedback between positive feedback. Doing so will make it easier for your nanny to process. After sometime you may wish to meet every other week or once per month.
4. Address issues as they arise.
Like with any relationship, when an issue comes up the longer you wait to deal with it, the more your feelings about it will fester. When this happens, you’ll be less likely to address the issue is a calm, constructive manner and more likely to make an off the cuff comment that won’t go over well. When something comes up that bothers you, let your nanny know. Use I feel statements and sandwich negative comments between positive ones to help the message be well received. “I really like how you spend so much time playing with Anna, but I feel the kitchen needs more attention after meal preparation. Can you please be sure to wipe down the counters before heading off on your afternoon adventure? I love that you take her to so many great places.”
5. Keep the lines of communication open.
Having a daily check –in call, using a nanny log book, and ending the day with a short debriefing can help to keep the lines of communication open. Encourage your nanny to ask questions, when she has them and be sure to communicate with your nanny in a direct and respectful manner.
6. Have professional boundaries.
At the end of the day, even in the best relationships between parents and nannies are those of an employer and an employee. It’s important to establish professional boundaries so that this line remains as clear as possible. Avoid talking to your nanny about financial and relationship issues and don’t pry too much into your nanny’s personal life. While of course it’s always thoughtful to ask if she had a good weekend, avoid asking for too many details about how she spent her off-duty time can easily blur the professional line.
Managing a household employee can certainly have its difficult moments. If you’re experiencing an issue and you need some advice, give our office a call. We’re proud to offer ongoing support to all of our clients and are dedicated to helping them grow healthy nanny and employer relationships.
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While Texas nanny employers are not legally required to obtain a worker’s compensation insurance policy, many voluntarily opt to do so – and for good reason.
Workers’ compensation is an insurance policy that is purchased by employers to extend benefits to their employees in the event that they suffer a job-related injury or illness. Employers pay an annual insurance premium and in exchange, their employees are eligible for assistance with medical bills and lost wages in the event of a work-related injury or illness.
While it may seem like employees are the only ones who benefit from a policy, having a workers’ compensation policy in place can benefit employers too. Employers who purchase workers’ compensation are protected from lawsuits stemming from work-related injuries and illnesses because employees who opt to receive benefits generally forfeit their option to sue their employer, regardless of who is at fault.
Breedlove & Associates has announced their exclusive partnership with PMC Insurance Group and the availability of HomeStaffPROTECT, the first worker’s compensation insurance product created specifically to meet the needs of families and nannies. The HomeStaffPROJECT is an affordable, standalone workers’ compensation solution that is available to Breedlove clients.
For more information about workers’ compensation and the HomeStaffPROJECT contact Breedlove & Associates directly at 888-273-3356. They’ll be happy to answer your questions and guide you through the set-up process.
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