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 | Irish Times Interview 2007Posted by Justine Walsh on December 3, 2007. Send to a friend. |  |
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| | The Nannies in The Times (UK)
A CLASS OF THEIR OWN Last Thursday, distracted by a mound of paperwork, I left the children to their own devices. They did what you might expect any boys of 10 and 13 to do — slobbed around the TV and PlayStation and snacked on Rich Tea biscuits. It was only at 4pm, when they finally roused themselves to kick a football in the garden, that I realised they were still in their pyjamas. Mothers, in my experience, fall into one of two camps — those who can’t wait to shove their children back through the school gates, and those who wish the holidays could be stretched into late September. When my own children were at the demanding, bickering, energy-sapping stage, obviously I was among the former. Now that they can make their own toast while I read the papers in bed, well, why would I be in a hurry to restore the tyranny of the school run? Read the article in full > click here. Posted by Justine Walsh on August 29, 2006. Send to a friend. | |
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| | Nanny Wisdom on TelevisionSome recent television footage of Nannies Kim and Justine: Fox News - February 2006 - The Housecall (Segment 2) Seattle NorthWest Afternoon - September 2005
Posted by Justine Walsh on June 6, 2006. Send to a friend. | |
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| | English Nannies Know BestTraditional childcare skills are in fashion in the US, discovers Siobhan Mulholland. As featured in The Daily Telegraph (UK). Link. 'She breezed in, full of confidence, clarity and fun, with that distinct English accent - Mary Poppins come to life, in our living room." That was how the Hollywood actor Richard Gere remembers the moment his former English nanny, Justine Walsh, arrived to look after his children.
Hands on: Kim Nicholson, left, and Justine Walsh are stars in America, where they trade on their Mary Poppins approach to childcare. Photo Credit: Darrick Harris Justine has since become a bit of a celebrity in her own right, after Gere encouraged her and fellow nanny Kim Nicholson to write a book "sharing" their childcare knowledge. The result, Nanny Wisdom, has turned the two of them into stars of the US childcare circuit. If it's a good time to be a nanny in Britain - earlier this week it was revealed that there are now more than 100,000 in this country, earning up to £30,000 a year - it's clearly an even better time to be one in America, where parents can't get enough of the Mary Poppins school of childcare. Kim is quick to point out, however, that this respect for English nannies is a relatively recent thing. Far more common in the US is the use of babysitters - untrained carers who do pretty much what the name says. During the six years Kim has worked in New York, the American public have begun to have a better understanding of the role. "When I first got here the little boy I was caring for was having problems, so I called his school to talk to his teacher - something I would have done in London. I remember being so shocked because the teacher said, 'I'm not talking about homework with the babysitter, you're not his mother.'" Justine explains that it's because of English nanny-to-the rescue TV programmes such as Nanny 911 and Channel 4's Supernanny that "people are realising a nanny is a childcare professional and not just a babysitter". Which is why, in the introduction to their book, Kim and Justine sell their brand so hard. "She's more British than cricket, crumpets, Big Ben or the Beatles," they write. "She's more admired than the Royal Family. She brought up the prime ministers and generals and civil servants who built and ran the British Empire... She's the English nanny and, when it comes to child raising, there's nothing else quite like her." Evidently written for an American audience, I doubt many parents in Britain will take this as a recommendation. Lump the words British Empire, Royal Family, English nanny and child-raising together and a happy childhood isn't necessarily the first thing to spring to mind. But British readers should persevere. There's plenty of useful advice about routine, early bedtimes, healthy meals with the whole family sitting down together, "loving discipline" and respect. In terms of parenting, this is at the ''controlled crying, star-chart'' end of the spectrum. The book is full of nanny mantras, nanny dos and don'ts and nanny seals of approval. It's a straightforward approach. "If your three-year-old refuses to put his hat or gloves on when the weather is cold, do not let him play in the snow." Interestingly, these two "childcare professionals" have no formal training, no NNEB certificate, no Norland pedigree and no child psychology degree. Their knowledge comes from more than 25 years on the front line. Justine, 36 and married to a New York City fire-fighter, grew up in Croydon alongside eight brothers and sisters. She started babysitting as a teenager and landed her first nanny job with a family friend. To date, she has helped raise 40 children. Kim, 31 and from Australia, is the oldest of four children; she helped raise her siblings while her parents were setting up a family business. "I was hands on from the age of 12." And it's this experience that gives these two such an insight. "We're noticing that society in general rushes to label children," says Justine. "For example, if a child has lots of tantrums or can't complete his homework, it's almost as if the parents are looking for a label to explain what's wrong with their child. Our approach is to look for a foundation first: are the children getting enough sleep? Are they eating regular meals? Do they have boundaries?" Sort out the basics first, in other words, and then see if you've got a problem after that. The sort of common sense that qualifies as real wisdom. 'Nanny Wisdom' by Justine Walsh (Stewart, Tabori and Chang) is available for £9.95 plus 99p p&p, from Telegraph Books (0870 428 4112) 1 Enjoy your children. Put down that newspaper, get down on your knees and play with those trains together. 2 Be consistent. Everyone should be on the same page - mother, father and nanny should all be sticking to the same ground rules. 3 Set a routine. It makes life easier for everyone and children thrive on it. 4 Impose discipline lovingly. It's about positive reinforcement, not punishment. 5 Insist on good manners. 6 Ensure there's fun and play every day. 7 At mealtimes, share fresh food and family conversation. 8 Nurture self-esteem and confidence. If you believe in them, they'll believe in themselves. 9 Remember all children are different - some walk at 12 months, others at 16 months. 10 Always keep your children safe. Posted by Justine Walsh on April 28, 2006. Send to a friend. | |
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| | The Nannies on the RadioKim and Justine both have 'Ask the Nannies' radio segments. Nanny Kim is "Nanny 95" every Monday morning from 8:35 -8:45am Central Time and from 9:35am - 9:45am EST on KS 95 in Minneapolis, MN. Nanny Justine is "Nanny 95" every Monday morning from 7:30am - 8:00am EST on Sunny 95 in Columbus, Ohio. Posted by Justine Walsh on April 27, 2006. Send to a friend. | |
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| | The Nannies on 'Good Company' in Cleveland, Ohio.TV Footage wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?aid=15647&bw= Posted by Justine Walsh on April 27, 2006. Send to a friend. | |
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| | 'Nanny Wisdom' reviewed by Rainy Day BooksRoger Doeren - Rainy Day Books, Kansas City, MS "People read all sorts of books on subjects that interest them. Well, here's a book that I can recommend for people who are interested in raising functioning children. Consider this book an 'Operating Manual' for children. If you want to change the behavior of children, then I recommend that you start with changing your own behavior and set good examples. The root word of discipline is disciple, so read good books on how to become a good role model, and children will follow your example. We would be happy to sell you this book in a brown paper bag so that you can carry it home and nobody but you will be the wiser. Justine Walsh, Richard Gere's Nanny, and co-author of Nanny Wisdom: Our Secrets for Raising Healthy, Happy Children--From Newborns to Preschoolers gave us an insightful presentation at Rainy Day Books on Wednesday, September 21, 2005, at 7:00 PM." Purchase Nanny Wisdom on Amazon.com Posted by Justine Walsh on April 26, 2006. Send to a friend. | |
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| | 'Nanny Wisdom' reviewed by Kirkus"If you can't afford to hire Fran Fine to care for your little ones, get this entertaining and informative new book. Two true-blue British nannies have compiled everything they know about taking care of babies and tots. They encourage parents to establish a “regular routine and schedule.” The rhythms established in the first weeks and months of your baby’s life lay the foundation for sleeping, eating and play habits in the years to come. Routine is especially important when it comes to sleep—a child who takes regular naps throughout the day will actually sleep better at night. If napping doesn't do the trick, consider giving Junior a gold star each time he sleeps through the night. Healthy eating habits are also vital. Walsh and Nicholson include recipes for dishes that children and parents will both relish. The nannies offer plenty of practical advice, like how to give a bottle to a breastfed baby, and how to help a big sister or brother adjust to a new baby. But Walsh and Nicholson never lose sight of the simple basics. Above all, parents should be "loving, firm, and fun…every day." Mary Poppins couldn’t have put it better". Purchase Nanny Wisdom on Amazon.com Posted by Justine Walsh on April 26, 2006. Send to a friend. | |
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