Regarding Nannies GiveawayPlease enter this awesome book giveaway. Tara McClintick, a mother who has written books for kids with autism is donating one to nannies. She is offering any one of her books found at: http://www.booksbytara.com/
To enter, simply comment in response to this post by midnight Friday, January 28th, and a winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Saturday, January 29th. In your comment, share something you may have learned, ideas or concepts you may use in your role as a nanny, or simply thank Tara for what she shared!
If you have a child with autism or know of one, or if you would like to donate the book to the library or to someone you know please enter the giveaway.
Click here to enter how to enter the giveaway.
To enter, simply comment in response to this post by midnight Friday, January 28th, and a winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Saturday, January 29th. In your comment, share something you may have learned, ideas or concepts you may use in your role as a nanny, or simply thank Tara for what she shared!
If you have a child with autism or know of one, or if you would like to donate the book to the library or to someone you know please enter the giveaway.
Click here to enter how to enter the giveaway.
In “Be the Best Nanny Newsletter” I actually discussed caring for children with special needs. In a survey I found many nannies are initially fearful of caring for a child with autism but once they overcome that fear they find it most rewarding.
ReplyDeleteIt is often said, “The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.” Caring for a child with autism may seem like it would be difficult or scary at first, when in fact, if a nanny or au pair would just try it, they would find it’s a blessing.
It is also often said that working for a child with special needs “requires the patience of a saint.” But elevating the status of someone who works with a child with special needs to that of a saint is a way of saying the work is so challenging that it requires a super human effort. Which is not true.
Caring for an autistic child simply requires human compassion — not super powers. Compassion is something more of us have than we may acknowledge.
Avoiding interviews for jobs to care for a child with autism thinking you lack the patience, experience, or ability to cope with such work may be a great opportunity you are missing. Nannies and au pairs who do choose to work with children with special needs, in spite of their initial concerns, will usually discover that their first cautious reactions were well worth overcoming.
All you need is simply the desire to help people. Compassion comes naturally to those who choose childcare as their profession.
I recommend nannies not be scared and to go on interviews with any family with a child with autism or any special needs. I found caring for a severely autistic child very similar to any other job caring for a child. Each child has their unique challenges, skills, and needs. Remarkably, I found that the blind and mute autistic child I cared for, one of the easiest jobs I ever had. The love and caring for a special needs child truly are no different than that with any other child. It is the growth in sensitivity and wisdom you gain from caring for an autistic child that will be your greatest reward.
I agree Stephanie! I was scared working with my first severely autistic child but now it's all I do. Don't forget it's a super resume builder. There may be some things to learn at the start of any job with any child. Working with autistic kids has been a blessing, like you said. Most people are scared to try. I found a child with severe allergies I once nannied for was harder actually since she was in and out of the hospital and I always had to watch for asthma.
ReplyDeleteI would say it's good to at least go on interviews. I've been paid more when working with great parents able to admit their children may be autistic and get them the professional help they need.
The hardest job would be working for parents in denial who don't get early intervention.
Great topic. Great points Steph. I think more nannies should give it a try. Really not so bad, pay may be more, and it's a great experience.
Thanks for this link I posted today.
ReplyDelete