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Working Mom's 411 is your one-stop resource guide for navigating through the often choppy waters of managing kids, career and home. With extensive experience as a credentialed nanny, household manager and as a working mom herself, Michelle is sure to make you laugh out loud as she shares her expert take on the common dilemmas that working mothers face.
At your fingertips, you will find expert advice, up to date information and tried-and-true tips on everything from choosing childcare to streamlining housework, homework and more. You'll discover super solutions to problems big and small from learning how to let go of that all-too-familiar working moms guilt to dealing with family and friends who have different ideas about home moms and careers should mix. Buy Now!
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America's nanny offers a large dose of healthy parenting advice with secrets for raising happy, secure, and well-balanced babies and toddlers.
Babies don't come with instructions. And since today's parents are so overwhelmed with schedules and demands, they have little time to bone up on their parenting skills. Often removed from grandparents and relatives who in times past lived next door or just down the street, they have no one to guide them through the disorienting world of raising children. Enter Nanny to the Rescue! Michelle LaRowe, 2004 International Nanny Association "Nanny of the Year," gives her tried and true solutions to childcare. Her expertise with chapters titled "Who's the boss?" and "Discipline is not a four letter word" gives confidence to parents who need specific ideas for real day-to-day problems. A proud member of Christian Nannies, Michelle offers foundational truths sure to help encourage moms and dads.
Nanny To the Rescue Again
Faced with multiple choices regarding school, friends, and activities coupled with the ever-widening influence of the outside world, parents of 6-12 year olds need help. America's nanny is back to offer a large dose of healthy parenting advice with secrets for raising happy, secure, and well-balanced children.
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Taking the Perfect Holiday Photos
 It’s every parents desire to capture the magical holiday moments on film, but often, photographing kids just isn’t that easy. The good news is, with a little patience and a lot of trial and error, you can capture the perfect photo this season.
As a nanny and now as a mom, I’ve had lots of practice taking photos of children. Although I am by no means a photo pro, I’ve discovered some tips that make photographing kids a whole lot easier.
 Whether you’re trying to capture the perfect picture for your family’s holiday card or an image to apply to a photo mug for grandma, or if you’re simply trying to score a few good photos for your family album or scrapbook, the next time you plan a photo shoot with the kids, keep these 10 tips in mind.
1. Choose a time when your child is naturally at his or her best. Well rested and well fed children make the best models. Most babies and young children do well after their morning or afternoon nap and a light a snack. Plan your child’s photo shoot for a time when he is well fed and well rested.
2. Get down to your child’s level. When photographing your child, it’s important to get down to his or her eye level so the photo is taken from your child’s perspective. You’ll also be better able to capture your child when he or she isn’t straining to see you.
3. Experiment with different angles. In addition to shooting your child straight on, experiment in photographing your child from different angles. Try to take profile shots of your child, shots when you’re lying down shooting up at your child and shots from slightly above your child. We all have our good sides, you know!
4. Take close ups. Zoom in to capture your child’s details. Close ups of chubby hands and tiny toes make great photographs!
5. Choose simple backgrounds. Choose a background that is free from clutter. I love to photograph my daughter at the park or at the beach, where the background is vibrant and clean.
6. Take advantage of natural light. The best time to photograph in natural light is just after sunrise or just before sunset. Photographing during these times will help to avoid capturing shadows and will provide the ideal light for photographing your child. If you are photographing inside, place your child near a window, rather than using the flash.
7. Consider black and white photos. Children don’t always have perfect skin. Black and white photos can capture your child’s beauty without calling attention to the blemishes.
8. Opt for simple clothes. Remember that you want the focus of the photo to be on your child, not on what he or she is wearing. Choose simple, well fitting clothing that won’t distract the viewer. Solid color clothing is always a good option.
9. Consider using props. Baskets and other sturdy props can be great to place your baby in (be sure they are safe and lined with a blanket to protect your baby’s skin). Kid sized chairs are great for keeping toddlers still.
10. Be patient. If your baby senses you are uneasy or frustrated, you’ll see it in the photos. Relax and enjoy this special time together. Take lots and lots of pictures and you’ll be sure to score the perfect one.
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Michelle LaRowe is the 2004 International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year. A career nanny specializing in caring for twins, Michelle has over a decade of nanny experience. Although she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, she has found her true calling, working as a professional nanny.
Michelle is an active member of the nanny community. She is the founder and president of Boston Area Nannies, Inc., a local non profit educational organization and has served on the International Nanny Association Board of Directors for the past five years. During that time she has also served as the associations 1st Vice President. Michelle is also a proud member of Christian Nannies.
She is called on by the media as a nanny and parenting expert, and has been affectionately dubbed America's Nanny. Michelle has appeared on television and has been featured in print. She is the author of the new parenting series, Nanny to the Rescue!, a contributing writer in the Experts' Guide to the Baby Years and a regular columnist in several parenting publications, including Twins Magazine.
Parenting Advice Article Archive
Family Organizer Keeping It Together
Separation Anxiety
Toddler Temper Tantrums
How to Hire a Babysitter
Doing It All
Are bedtime battles with your children getting you down?
Dinner Time Miracles!
Child Discipline OR Punishment
Child Allowance for Chores: To Pay or Not To Pay… That Is the Question!
Sibling Rivarly When Your Kids Don't Get Along
Dealing With A Strong Willed Child
Parenting During the Holiday Season Managing the Hustle and Bustle -- Real Advice for Real Life from the American Nanny
A New Year's Resolution Worth Keeping
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