Kid Friendly Recipe – Broccoli and Bread Soup from spud!

This rustic soup is quick and simple to prepare.

Servings: 6

Time: 30 minutes

1½ pounds broccoli

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

½ large onion, finely chopped

1 ¾ quarts chicken or vegetable stock

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Baguette or other rustic bread

1 large garlic clove, cut in half

Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (optional)

Using a sharp small knife or vegetable peeler, peel the broccoli stems. Chop the stem and florets into small chunks.

In a 4 to 6 quart pot, heat olive oil. Add onion and cook until it begins to soften. Add broccoli and cook until it starts to turn bright green. Add stock, bring to a boil and simmer until broccoli is soft, about 10 minutes. Once soft, puree with a stick blender until partially pureed. If using a regular blender, remove half of the soup, puree, and add back to the pot. Season with lemon juice, salt and pepper. Reheat.

To serve, toast 2 to 3 slices of bread for each bowl. Rub toast with garlic clove, and place bread in the bottom of each soup bowl. Spoon soup over the bread. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Flight Centre – Progressive Employers of Canada List

Connect Moms, momcafe and Martin Group International provided the below criteria as a guideline for possible programs or initiatives that may exist at Flight Centre.

Please describe any programs or initiatives that support the needs of working moms at Flight Centre.

Personal/Life Balance Coaching
Flight Centre offers an in-house “Healthwise” consultant to all employees to assist them in placing a high value on their own personal health and wellness through professional advice, education, inspiration and support. This includes nutrition & fitness consultations, gym memberships, personal training, massage therapy, onsite fitness classes (yoga/Pilates) and sponsorship for sports teams. The company provides an in-house “Moneywise” consultant to all employees to assist them with their personal wealth management. Services include advice on RRSPs, mortgages, savings plans, life insurance, mutual funds, benefit details, etc. Flight Centre also makes available an external Employee Assistance Program to all staff and their dependents should they wish to seek professional counseling with respect to any personal or professional matters.
In addition the company provides an in-house “Careerwise” consultant to all employees who are provide one on one career coaching through career discussions. They are dedicated to focusing on personal development in the employee’s current role, and inspiring growth for their future career goals.

Flex-time/Job sharing/Part-time or Contract Positions
Flight Centre offers employees the opportunity to work a compressed working week if possible with their position. For example, company stores work with fixed hours so if an agent finds she cannot work within those hours, job sharing, part-time and contract positions are available. Further, Flight Centre has a home-based agents program allowing for agents to work from home.

Gradual Re-entry after Maternity Leave
There is no formal policy for this, however, it is often the case that employees who were previously full time will return on a part-time or contract basis. As per the point above, Flight Centre also provides the option of its home-based agents program.

Lactation rooms
Flight Centre provides specific private meeting room at its head office which can be reserved for this purpose.

Health benefits
Flight Centre provides a flexible benefits scheme including medical coverage, dental insurance and a health spending account. With the Health Spending Account, employees can customize their benefits based on their specific needs and the benefits can be changed each year. Employees maintain full benefits during maternity/paternity leave.

Leave of Absence
Leave of absence is allowed for personal, medical, and compassionate reasons.

Miscellaneous
Flight Centre provides all employees preparing for maternity/parental leave an extensive “parent pack”. This manual provides information on benefits, staying in touch with the company, health & nutrition information, information on daycare, financial advice, contact details, etc.

The Nanny – Her Role, Responsibilities & Reason for Ranting

Being a nanny is a career choice created in a grey zone. In Canada the role has been blurred significantly with the introduction of the “Live In Caregiver Program.” Expectations on both the part of Employers and Nannies alike vary greatly. This miscommunication is the main cause for the high rate of disgruntled Nannies, disappointed employers and abandoned childcare contracts.

There are as many different childcare positions as there are childcare workers. Roles (and rates of pay) can range from, first time supervised babysitter to Executive Nanny. Titles that get thrown about with abandon can also include Mother’s Helper, Au Pair, Nursery/Maternity Nurse, Nanny, Night Nanny, Child minder, Nanny/Personal Assistant, or Nanny/Housekeeper and on and on and on. In North America we seem to flail about defining and redefining the job as each interview presents itself. How confusing!!

So without further adieu lets have a long hard look at what is expected of a “Nanny” and in turn …what a nanny expects!

What is Nanny Territory?

What is a nanny (usually) responsible for?
1) First and foremost the safety, care and well being of your children.
2) That the house is as clean when she leaves as when she arrived. (This means if you had a huge dinner party and there are mountains of dishes all over…those dishes are not her responsibility. It also means it should not take to two hours to clean up the toys and playdough after she has gone)
Then if time permits… she is responsible for;
3)Children’s Laundry
4) Children’s rooms/tidy/organized/notes left if things are running low
5)Children’s snacks and meals. (Possibly cooking and freezing/labeling baby food)
6)Maintenance, cleaning & care of children’s belongings (highchair, crib, toys, stroller etc.)

* This type of contract would be said to include “only childcare related duties.”

What is generally considered “Light Housekeeping?”
1)Unloading/Loading the dishwasher
2)Occasional family laundry, including folding & putting away.
3)General tidying/straightening
4)Sweeping/light mopping/wiping of kitchen
5)Taking out Garbage/Recycling
6)Refilling water coolers, sugar/salt containers, etc.

What is definitely EXTRA?
1)Vacuuming
2)Dusting
3)Meal Prep for family
4) Errands (mail, groceries, picking up dry cleaning, etc)
5)Ironing
6) Any additional specific tasks (ie; wiping down cupboards, sorting closets etc)

What is usually considered completely off limits?
1)Bathrooms
2)Washing the car
3)Heavy duty cleaning (the oven, inside the fridge, flipping mattresses etc.)

What Every Nanny Wants

Moving on to your nannies’ expectations. Most nannies will say that “being treated as if they are a part of the family” is what they are looking for. This seems simple, but it also creates some blurred boundaries. We often ask more from those who are in our immediate family than we would ever reasonably consider asking from a co-worker. A Nanny/Family relationship is intimate and always evolving…it is of utmost importance no matter how close you become with your nanny to always remember that this is her JOB, and to respect that fact.

Nannies also cite families who respect them personally and appreciate the work they do, as being desirable employers. Keep in mind that you should not only respect the nanny, and the job, but also the written contract that has been negotiated. Families who continually to add more and more jobs onto an already negotiated contract are likely to find themselves out a nanny…and quickly. This is one of the most common reasons nannies give for quitting or choosing not to renegotiate a contract with a family.

The absolute biggest reason given for an unhappy Nanny/Family situation is when a nanny finds her efforts with the children are being undermined or unsupported by the employers. Nannies find it next to impossible to work in an environment when boundaries and rules are changed every time the kids change hands. Nannies and parents need to work as a team. Communication is absolutely key.

MONEY
Nannies do love kids…and great nannies love their families…but they are not doing this for fun. This is a job, and for many a lifelong career. Let’s be honest, a housekeeper in Vancouver makes between $15-$25 an hour. How on earth can anyone think it is okay to have a nanny take care of three children AND do all of the housekeeping for less than $15 an hour? This may sound absurd…but it’s not unusual. The counter point to this rant is…. what employer is going to pay someone with the absolute bare minimum of experience and NO training $20 an hour?? Okay everyone… let’s take a wee step back and perhaps into the other person’s shoes.

PAY RATES

Live out nannies can make anywhere from $10-$35 an hour….seriously. This is a pretty broad range.
What factors affect how much a nanny should make?
Have a look at the following variables;
1) How many children?
2) Ages of the children?
3)How much experience/training/education the nanny has.
4) Does the nanny drive?
5)Availability/Flexibility
6) Additional Tasks (see list at top)
7) Type of contract…Part Time/Full Time/Nanny Share …Independant contractor or Employee?
8)How badly the family wants that particular nanny.
9)Where you live
10) Are there any extra perks/bonuses being offered (use of a car, a trip home paid for, paid vacation with the family)

A Couple of Examples…

An entry level nanny (two years experience, two verified positive references, CPR/First Aid, maybe a childcare workshop or two) working in Vancouver with two children under the age of five, responsible only for duties related to childcare is looking at earning 14-16 an hour (gross)

An executive nanny with 10+ years experience, her ECE, CPR/First Aid, multiple positive references who drives…and is willing to do some specifically negotiated light housekeeping is looking at making 18-23 (gross) an hour for that same job.

TO SUM UP

When negotiating this murky grey zone of roles, rules, responsibilities and eventually resumes…try and keep two very important things in mind.

How would you feel if you were in the other person’s shoes…and two, more often than not you get what you pay for.

Good Luck Nanny Hunting.
By Leanne Hume

Leanne Hume has been a live in, live out and on call nanny and a teacher in
Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Canada, and Fiji. She is first and foremost a Mum and she now works
as the Nanny Recruiter for Nannies on Call Vancouver’s premiere Nanny
Agency.

www.nanniesoncall.com

Brand YOU – Mommy Who Do You Think You Are? by Sarah McNeill

BRAND. Companies have them. At least, the good to great ones do. But have you ever considered if you have one and what people think about you? Some people might call it your image. I see it as far more than that. And the proof is found when good to great companies connect with you.

You might currently see your brand as ‘lululemon mom’ or ‘Matthew or Lucy’s mom’. Some days you may not even feel you have an identity at all other than as mom! I know, I’ve been there myself.

Current reality indicates that the best opportunities will be fewer and far between. Companies will only bring on superstars that can positively affect their bottom line. If you are not clear on whom you wish to be, or to become, then you might lose out on a great position. With a clear focus on the value you could bring to the table (beyond the dinner table), and of your brand, you could find yourself creating some excellent opportunities for yourself.

What can you do? Consider how you can stand out from the pack. I’m not talking about buying a bright red purse or wearing edgy glasses, your brand can be found in your steadiness and trustworthiness in doing what you say you will do. Take time to shortlist your strengths and talents. What makes you feel most empowered? And this doesn’t include when little Mary finally stopped wearing diapers! Take note of what you are doing when you feel that way. Perhaps it is from the compliments that you receive from others where you will begin to define your brand. What makes your memorable and irresistible to an employer? Know this sweet spot and you will have your choice of excellent job offers.

And in many cases, you can create your own job. Consider your strengths and pair it with an opportunity. In many cases, your potential employer may not realize that they had a need until you came along.

Remember, you are a seasoned mommy so this should be easy. Your new found assertiveness and ability to communicate clearly (kid tested) will serve you well. And don’t forget that super mommies all have the skill of organization and ability to work under pressure! Whether or not you believe it, walk yourself through a day in your life and all that you achieve on behalf of others. You are the epitome of multitasking. Think of how many lives you coordinate and care for.

Your brand is also your track record, what your references say about you. Your consistent themes with those who work with you define your brand. Your references are your most important ambassadors for future employment opportunities as they have actually worked with you. Get back in touch with your past supervisors. Give them a refresher. Don’t leave them without contact for years only to have a potential employer call them out of the blue and they are left grasping for the fragments of memory they have about you. A courtesy call to your past supervisor when you are interviewing with a company will help you more than you could imagine. Give them the summary of the opportunity and how you fit the bill. Make it easy for the references to rave about you!

When you are under the spotlight of an interview and the inevitable ‘tell me about yourself’ comes up, the way you define yourself will make or break your potential with that employer. Your statement should be relevant to your audience, aka ‘your potential boss’. And I’m sure you might have a few anecdotal mommy stories to tell. Just remember the context and the time you have to tell it. Believe it or not, mommy hood can produce some incredible clarity when you put your mind to it.

You define your own success. Who do you think you are? Ask yourself this many times as you balance your home and work lives. The more you understand your strengths and your vision of career success and happiness, the more fun you will have on the journey. This is a lifelong adventure! Expect it and embrace it.

Enjoy your brand!

Sarah McNeill is the chief acceleration officer at McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group, a 12 year old employment company known for its exceptional staffing experiences.

Business Opportunity – momcafe

momcafé is a local success story – going national!

From a trial meeting in a neighborhood café in September 2007, to a major on-line and event networking resource for professionally minded moms in Vancouver and Calgary, in less than 18 months! momcafé is looking for entrepreneurial moms to build their own business pportunities by licensing momcafé across Canada.

Many regions are available, including Vancouver (which is already established and operating successfully), Victoria and Toronto. We want to encourage and motivate women to take charge of the next phase of their lives and build their own businesses through momcafé. It provides the working flexibility that moms are desperate to find, a lucrative part-time income, as well as a unique opportunity to provide other moms with a much needed forum to network, promote their businesses, get career advice, share parenting stories and learn from great speakers. momcafé was created with one purpose in mind – to provide a forum which would allow for and promote opportunities for women to help women.

Our mission is to provide a supportive and encouraging environment in which moms seeking information, inspiration and balance in life can come together to share ideas and resources. If you would like to invest in your own momcafé business, are energetic, smart, entrepreneurial, want to be independent but still feel part of something great, enjoy making connections and planning events, please email: Jill Earthy – jill@momcafe.net