Blog | British American Household Staffing

In-Home Educators, Certified Teachers, and Tutors

After months of children being at home, many parents are concerned about the level of education their children are receiving. Virtual schooling is simply no substitute for one-on-one time with a dedicated teacher. British American Household Staffing can help ease these concerns. We offer several options for in-home education including:

Full-Time In-Home Educators
Governesses
Certified Teachers
Private Tutors

We have educators ready to work nationwide and many are willing to relocate and/or live-in with your family. Whether you're looking to find full-time assistance during the school year or to add educational support during the summer holiday, contact us today to begin your search. Our staff is also available to advise if you are not certain what type of position is right for your child and household. Our team of recruiting specialists can help determine what is best for your family and match you with qualified candidates.

We recommend beginning your search for school-year assistance this month as private educators are booking quite quickly at this time.

Contact us today to find the educator right for your home.

Maternity Nurses and Newborn Care Specialists

In these unprecedented times, we at British American Household Staffing want to offer as much peace-of-mind as possible. New parents can be overwhelmed in the best of circumstances. If you are expecting or adjusting to life with a new baby, we encourage you to consider hiring newborn help to provide some consistency and support.

We thoroughly screen all of our nurses and specialists and present the highest quality staff to our growing families. If you choose to hire newborn help, we can guide you and your caregiver through a time of isolation before transitioning into your home to greatly reduce all risks for you and your family.

We recommend starting your search as soon as you know you are expecting as top specialists tend to be booked well in advance by returning mothers and referrals. This will allow you to have a larger selection of candidates so you can find the best fit for your family.

Contact us now to find the newborn specialist right for your family.

How a Virtual Personal Assistant Can Make Your Life Easier At Home

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Who Needs a Personal Assistant?

In life change is inevitable, but consistency is what we are craving most during this unprecedented time. Taking stock of what is in your power to control is a good way to manage stress and provide structure for your family.

Having a dedicated personal assistant (PA) is not just for CEOs and business moguls. Anyone can benefit from the assistance of another set of hands and a second brain. Entrepreneurs, busy families, tech start-ups, and public figures are just a sample of the kind of people we help find the best support for their unique lifestyle and schedule.

During this tumultuous time, it is even more important to stay on top of what you can control and maintain consistency for your family. A PA is a great support system and can do many tasks remotely, thus eliminating exposure for you and your family.

What Does A Personal Assistant Do?

While a job description for a personal assistant is as unique as you are, a PA’s daily routine may include any of the following tasks:

managing the family calendar
personal shopping
paying bills
handling investments and philanthropic accounts
Quickbooks
managing an estate or celebrity home
managing household staff
HR duties including hiring and paperwork
bookkeeping and vendor management
organizing the maintenance of any private yacht or jet travel and staff
any other home and/or office management

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant (VA) is an assistant who only works remotely. They may be available for on-site visits to assess projects or problems, but do the majority of their work, as the name suggests, virtually, and are ideal hires during times when travel is limited and people are choosing to stay home.

Ideally, VAs work with a fixed list of tasks or responsibilities to accomplish weekly or daily. Consistent communication is key, but they will be self-motivated and autonomous workers that do not need constant direction or feedback.

4 Ways a Virtual Personal Assistant Can Make Your Life Easier

Beyond the daily tasks and calendars, personal assistants can add value to your life in the following ways:

1. They can organize your life.

They will manage your inbox and help you feel more in control of your life by understanding your needs and managing them in a professional way.

2. They can delegate and manage tasks.

A quality personal assistant will understand how to communicate properly and act as gatekeeper to you and your family. They may also manage your staff and help to hire, train, and manage conflicts in a legal, diplomatic way.

3. They can save you time.

You will be amazed at the difference in your day when all the small tasks are off your plate.

4. They can help you avoid problems by identifying and solving them before you even know about it.

A competent assistant will be able to not only identify a problem, but find and implement a solution with no direction.

Most importantly, your personal assistant should practice discretion and loyalty. Competency and reliability are also key as PAs are responsible for many details of life and business being completed.

Being a team player is a crucial need for any personal assistant. Not only because no task is too small, but your assistant will be coordinating and sometimes managing the rest of your team. You want your staff to be understanding and flexible as we navigate coming back to a sense of normalcy.

Coming Back to In-Person Work

Be sure to reference our resource list for how to safely have any domestic staff return to your home. You PA can help manage other staff transitioning back into your home and stay up-to-date on your state’s guidelines for workers.

Hire a Personal Assistant with BAHS

Due to our tech-savvy culture, reviewing candidates and interviewing can be done seamlessly. Once you have a candidate you’d like to hire, options for self-quarantine and isolation before their start date are available. Depending on the area in which you live and your unique situation, testing may soon be available to ensure your family and staff stay safe and healthy.

Our expert recruiters can assess your needs and recommend the best course of action for keeping your current staff or hiring during this time. Connect with your local office today to discuss your options and begin implementing structure.

After Hours: Unwind with Food and Drink

Despite the uncertainty and difficulties of our current climate, it is important to find time to enjoy simple things, such as good food, wine and the company (even virtual!) of people you love. A little down time allows us to reset, refocus and to be better partners, parents and friends. We've rounded up a few of our favorite ways to unwind and relax after the children have gone to bed. Cheers!

Private Virtual Mixology Classes

Fancy Sips offers private cocktail making classes for groups of all sizes. They're perfect for date night or an evening "out" with friends. You can specify what types of cocktails you'd like to make or let the lead bartender, Sam, decide for you. You'll receive a list of ingredients ahead of time and then all you have to do is show up and get ready to have a good time!

Online Cooking Classes for New and Experienced Cooks

Los Angeles based chef and cookbook author Pamela Salzman is now offering online classes; courses include pre-recorded videos along with live streams and access to ask Pamela questions about the recipes and techniques. Her down-to-earth approach and easy-to-follow guidelines make her great for those new to the kitchen or who want to improve their basic skills. For those already comfortable in the kitchen looking to refine their skills and move towards a more sustainable lifestyle, we recommend the James Beard Foundation's Waste Not, an online course covering waste reduction methods, including food safety considerations, technical approaches, and creative applications for combating food waste. Finally, for those feeling adventurous this summer, we suggest Woodland Classroom's Foraging Workshop (you could include older children in this one!); the class covers how to safely identify, harvest and cook with wild foods.

Live Homebrewing

City Brew offers an at-home virtual introduction to homebrewing. The course includes a kit with everything needed to brew 2.5 gallons of homemade beer plus 3 hours of live instruction with an experienced beer maker.

The Getty: Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Take a tour of The Getty Center's online exhibition, Eat Drink and Be Merry. The show features food and drink in Medieval and Renaissance art and insightful information about the period. Afterwards, virtually wander the halls to view the museum's collection of European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and photography.

Virtual Pub Trivia

NYC Trivia League offers free online trivia four nights a week every week via Facebook and Instagram Live. They also offer private trivia events for groups. Check their social media for more information - some weeks are themed and others are general trivia.

Indulge in Award Winning Food from Across the Country

More and more restaurants, bakeries and chefs are shipping specialty food worldwide. Visit Rogue Creamery to try the cheese that was named 2019/2020 World Champion at the World Cheese Awards (the site is currently taking pre-orders for the next batch of winning cheese but has several other varieties available now). McLoons Lobster Shack, named #1 lobster roll in Maine, is now shipping supplies for their famed lobster rolls across the U.S. For a special summer weekend, order a four pack of lobster rolls and their Wild Maine Blueberry Bread Pudding. Dinosaur Barbecue, voted America's best barbecue by Good Morning America, offers meals for six, including meats of your choice and a variety of sides and sauces. Craving something sweeter? Jacques Torres' famous chocolate chip cookies are now available to order; Torres' awards include the James Beard Foundation Pastry Chef of the Year, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, the Chefs of America Pastry Chef of the Year, and Chartreuse Pastry Chef of the Year.

Drink for a Good Cause

Wineries across the country are stepping up and donating portions of their proceeds to various causes. City Winery offers a rosé from Mendocino, California that benefits ROAR (Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants). This crisp summer wine is available by the bottle or case with free shipping for either option. The Francis Ford Coppola Winery is donating $2 from each bottle of Diamond Collection Wine sold to No Kid Hungry. One Hope donates proceeds to a variety of causes, from anti-racism endeavors to breast cancer research.

As always, we're here to assist with all your household staffing needs during this challenging time. Both childcare and cleaning professionals are considered essential workers and we have implemented strict protocols to make sure your family is as safe as possible. Contact us today to learn more.

Story Time: Book Recommendations for Children

If you feel like your child has been spending too much time with their eyes on a screen lately, you aren't alone. One way to combat excess screen time is to provide children with ample alternatives, including engaging and interactive printed books. Consider heading to a local library or placing an order with an independent bookstore online and adding some new stories to your child's collection. To help get you started, the team here at British American Household Staffing has put together a list of recommendations for children's books beyond the classics.

Most of the titles below are readily available on Amazon but like many, we are aiming to support independent and small businesses during this difficult time so we have included links to local bookstores across the country for online purchase options whenever possible.

For Children Facing Stress

Helping children develop useful coping skills is essential, especially during this time of uncertainty when kids may be seeing friends and family less, facing cancelled plans and managing disruptions to normal routines. We recommend What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety, an interactive self-help book for children ages 6-12 and a Gold NAPPA (National Parenting Publications Awards) winner. For little ones, we love Ruby Finds a Worry, a sensitive picture book for ages 3-6. The book is part of the Big Bright Feelings series by Tom Percival, which aim to "provide kid-friendly entry points into emotional intelligence topics." Another great choice for children 4-8 is Mélanie Watt's Scaredy Squirrel; the story follows a young squirrel who confronts his fear of leaving his home. Supplement these stories with the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, an interactive book that teaches over 75 coping skills for children to try plus over 20 worksheets. Younger children (recommended for those as young as 5 years) can work through the book with a caregiver while older children can use it on their own.

For the Outdoor Explorer

Children spending time outdoors this summer may benefit from some of our favorite books on environmentally friendly practices and how we can all help preserve the earth. One of our favorites is Little Turtle and the Changing Sea, a beautiful picture book (ages 3-7) that explains ocean pollution through the eyes of sea creatures and helps children understand what they can do to help. Another gem is A Wild Child's Guide to Endangered Animals; the book tells the stories of 43 endangered animals from around the world with suggestions on how we can all help save them from extinction. It's full of facts young children and adults will find fascinating, as well as gorgeous illustrations. We also love Jeanette Winter's The Watcher (ages 4-8), an illustrated story following Jane Goodall's life from childhood to her time in the forests of Tanzania to her current quest to protect chimpanzees and other primates.

For Future Leaders

For ambitious young women of all ages (recommended for 3+), we adore the I Look Up To... Series highlighting leaders such as Michelle Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Serena Williams. For children 8 and up, we love the New York Times bestseller Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, which features 100 bedtime stories about the lives of extraordinary women from the past and the present and illustrations by 60 female artists from around the world. Another New York Times bestseller we love is Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World by Vashti Harrison, a book for children 8+ celebrating the achievements of 36 diverse women; for younger children, the author published Think Big, Little One, a board book covering the same topic.

For Young Artists

Creative children will love Green and Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (ages 2-6); the books are thoughtful explorations of all the things color can be. In the review, the New York Times stated “…the reader who settles down and slowly pages through its gorgeous acrylic paintings or, better yet, reads it aloud to a young child, will find rich rewards." We couldn't agree more!

Joanne Liu's wonderful, whimsical and colorful book My Museum (ages 4-8) follows a young boy on his journey through a museum, where he interacts with works by masters such as Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder, Johannes Vermeer and Piet Mondrian, and, at the same time, realizes there is beauty all around us, from the patterns of light on the floor to fellow museum goers' clothing.

For Curious Minds

For budding inventors, we suggest Just Like Rube Goldberg: The Incredible True Story of the Man Behind the Machines (ages 3-8); the story promotes creativity, resilience and passion as the real-life protagonist follows his dream of becoming an inventor and cartoonist. Similarly, we love The Most Magnificent Thing (ages 3-7), a story following a young girl with a brilliant idea; it addresses her setbacks and frustrations, joys and successes as she sees her idea through, highlighting the concept that the path to success is not always a straight line - mistakes are a natural part of the process.

For children interested in how the world works, we recommend Ask A Scientist: Professor Robert Winston Answers 100 Big Questions from Kids Around the World! (ages 6-9). Robert Winston is Professor of Science and Society and Emeritus Professor of Fertility Studies at Imperial College London; in this kid-friendly book, he answers questions ranging from Why do stars twinkle? to How do our bodies heal? and covers topics related to chemistry, the human body, earth and space.

Educator and psychologist Dr. JoAnn Deak's book Fantastic, Elastic Brain teaches ways that the brain can develop and grow with use and exercise, just like other parts of the body. The book has become known as one of the best growth mindset books for kids.

More Resources

To find many of the independent booksellers we linked to in this newsletter, we used this helpful list compiled by Book Riot of independent bookstores across the country that are currently offering online ordering and shipping.

Another great option to get books in your children's hands and in the hands of children in need is the Equal Opportunity Book Box; the subscription service send three new picture books (ages 2-6) and an educational coloring activity to your home each month; for every book the company sends you, they donate one to Bernie’s Book Bank, the leading provider of quality books to under-served children in Chicago.

Selecting the Right Newborn Care

The extra support that a Baby Nurse, Newborn Care Specialist, or Postpartum Doula can provide will truly change the experience of a new parent from a time of high stress to a period of full enjoyment. Deciding which care is right for your family depends on your unique needs. See more below on the difference between types of newborn care or connect with our office today to discuss the best solution for your family.

Baby Nurses and Newborn Care Specialists

Newborn care specialists (NCS) are often referred to as baby nurses or maternity nurses. These childcare professionals specialise in infant and newborn care. Most NCSs will hold a newborn care certification and extensive training in topics including: breastfeeding, exploring alternate feeding methods, sleep training, bonding, lactation, psychological development, and more.

NCSs provide around the clock care for infants from newborn up to one year. They will work to establish a sleeping and feeding pattern with the infant, typically working 24-hour or 12-hour shifts. Newborn care is an help to new mothers as they recuperate and adjust to life with baby. NCSs and baby nurses can also be invaluable help to parents who choose to have a baby through a surrogate.

Some newborn care specialists are multiple specialists; well versed in twin and triplet care. They can work alongside a doula or be a trained doula in addition to newborn care. Tenures may range from 3 weeks to the first year. Their duties are often transferred to a nanny once the infants are on a structured sleeping and feeding schedule.

It is good practice to hire your newborn care specialist when your doctor confirms your due date. Most NCSs are booked up to a year in advance, so planning early will make certain you are matched with the ideal care-giver. Arranging your care early will also mean more time to enjoy pregnancy or preparation time for the family.

Newborn care specialists work to care for the baby. General responsibilities include:

Care of baby
Sleep training
Provide breastfeeding assistance
Establishing a regular eating schedule
Provide overnight care
Familiar with an apnea monitor, feeding systems and other medical equipment
Help organize nursery
Will be able to detect jaundice, reflux, colic, and other common newborn issues
Bathing, diapering
Bottle cleaning and sterilization

Postpartum Doulas

The term ‘doula’ refers to a trained professional who assists a woman and her partner before, during, and after pregnancy and childbirth. They provide support, compassion, and relief of pain and stress during the prenatal, labor, and postpartum periods, acting as a coach and guide throughout. They do not perform the medical tasks or clinical care that a NCS might provide.

Research has found that assistance from a doula during labor results in fewer complications and a more seamless aftercare. Above all, a birth doula recognizes that the experience for the mother is a life-changing and memorable event. They will assist with all aspects of newborn and infant care such as emotional support and physical comfort as well as assisting in breastfeeding and lactation.

A postpartum doula offers ongoing support for the mother and newborn. They will be able to work alongside family doctors and midwife to provide holistic care and instruct techniques for soothing, latching, coping, and all post-birth infant care. Studies have shown postpartum doulas greatly reduce postpartum depression and other potential mood disorders that can follow birth.

A postpartum doula is dedicated to the care of the mother/family and provides evidenced based information on things such as:

Infant feeding
Emotional and physical recovery from birth
Mother–baby bonding
Infant soothing
Run errands
Perform light housekeeping duties
Prepare meals
Assist in breast feeding and baby basics
Care for older siblings
Local resources and support groups

Find Newborn Care with British American Household Staffing

BAHS works to match expecting families with the support that is right for them. Reach out today to discuss your needs with our expert recruiters and begin your search.

Limiting Screen Time: Unplugged Summer Activities

After months at home relying on virtual learning, video conversations with friends and many online summer programs, it is crucial that parents are aware of how much time their children spend in front of a screen and actively encourage offline activities to supplement digital endeavors. The team at British American Household Staffing has put together some suggestions for kid-friendly breaks from the screen this summer.

Plant a Garden

Whether you have space outside or choose an indoor garden, gardening with children has multiple benefits. From seeing firsthand where their food comes from to cultivating patience and responsibility, a garden is a fun, educational project for kids. For indoor options, we like this vegetable growing kit that allows children to see the roots of their growing plants. Another fun option is AeroGarden's Pizza Party Herb Garden for Kids - the package includes everything to plant and care for an herb garden and in 12 weeks, your child will be able to pick the herbs needed for an at-home pizza party (pizza recipe and instructions included)! For an even simpler introduction to growing vegetables, try one of these easy projects regrowing plants from food scraps, such as celery, garlic or scallions.

Get Creative in the Kitchen

Summer is an ideal time to invite children to help make some of their favorite warm weather treats. If your family hasn't yet tried the ice cream ball, we highly recommend you do this summer. The concept is simple: fill the rubber ball with sugar, heavy cream and any flavors you like and then play ball! After about twenty minutes of active play, open the ball to reveal a pint of homemade ice cream.

Another fun idea is homemade popsicles - just grab some molds or even an ice cube tray or small washed yogurt containers and get to work! We love this list of fifty popsicle recipes - all without any artificial sugars or colorings! We also adore this Edible Chemistry Kit; everything is included to create over sixteen tasty experiments including funny fizzy drinks and color-changing foaming jelly.

Spend the Afternoon Making Lunch and Help Children in Need

According to the USDA, more than 11 million children in the United States live in "food insecure" homes; this means that those households don't have enough food for every family member to lead a healthy life. That number is pre-pandemic and is likely much higher now. Organizations like Feeding America and No Kid Hungry offer ways to donate or fundraise to help fight the problem; however, if you'd like to get your children involved, many local organizations offer programs where families can pack lunches that are picked up in the morning and delivered to children in need that same day. Inquire with your child's school to find out if they have any recommendations for schools, libraries or food banks that may offer this. Spend an afternoon together making sandwiches and packing lunches and talk to your children about hunger and the importance of helping others.

S.T.E.M. Away from the Screen

Science, technology, engineering and math don't have to just take place on your child's device. There are plenty of unplugged ways to reap the educational benefits of S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. learning without adding to daily screen time. The If/Then game is one great example of this that requires no special equipment. This article offers several options for at-home, device-free activities that help build the skills needed for computer coding. Another option is to incorporate an educational board game into family game night; the MIND Research Institute published this comprehensive list of S.T.E.M. board games for various ages. Our favorites are Evolution, Wingspan and Planet.

Go Swimming

We mentioned Swimply in our last newsletter but we are including it again this week as it is a great option for an easy, safe summer day with children. The service offers by the hour private pool rentals across the U.S. and in select international cities. Most rentals offer completely contactless entry and exit so your family can enjoy an afternoon poolside without any risk. Many offer amenities, such as barbecues and waterslides.

How to Know What Childcare is Right for Your Family

As we move through 2020, many families are reevaluating and restructuring their homes and lives. Your needs, schedule, and income may have been drastically impacted by stay-at-home orders and virtual schooling.

Making decisions on what your family’s new normal looks like can be easily overwhelming. Below are descriptions and examples of the private childcare options available. If you have questions about what type of caregiver will provide the best support to your family, we would love to help. At British American Household Staffing, we specialize in matching experienced, educated full-time nannies with families like yours. For families seeking the highest quality career nannies or more personalized guidance through the process, we offer consulting services as well.

How to Know What Childcare is Right for Your Family

As all parents know, there is “one size fits all” approach to pretty much anything related to children. Each child is born with their own temperament, into your family’s unique circumstance, and with varying abilities.

Your idea of ideal childcare, like so many other things, will depend on your child, your family, your beliefs, and your needs. What is the perfect fit for one family may be a nightmare for another. There are many things to consider when hiring someone to help look after your kids and offer support to you as a parent.

The type of care provider is one of the most important factors to look at. Below are the different types of care providers and what you can expect from each:

Babysitter

This type of caregiver is often associated with date nights or occasionally standing in with the primary caregiver isn’t available. Babysitters are typically students or have other full-time jobs. They are great at entertaining your children and keeping them safe in your absence. This is not a caregiver who necessarily understands the full picture of your child or family dynamics or contributes to your child’s development in a meaningful way. Typically babysitters are hired as needed and found through referrals from friends and neighbors.

Mother’s Helper

Sometimes you just need an extra set of hands. Whether it is because you have multiple children going in different directions or you have obligations outside the home, even the most dedicated stay at home moms can need some help. A mother’s helper usually works alongside you and follows your lead. You are still making the decisions about the schedule, meals, and rules and should expect to provide direction and oversight. A mother’s helper typically has a set schedule and can be full-time or part-time. They may expect guaranteed hours each week or might be ok with working a flexible schedule. This type of support is often found through other parents, school referrals, or an agency (more common for full-time positions).

Nanny

The most common form of childcare of in-home childcare is a nanny. This is typically a caregiver who works full-time for your family. The education, experience, and abilities vary greatly in this group. A nanny will be more autonomous than a mother’s helper and be trusted to make decisions, take initiative, and be responsible for many child related duties (often including laundry, scheduling classes, and meals). Often, nannies won’t have formal education in childcare, but years of experience with other families or may be a parent themselves. Most nannies work 40-55 hours/week and depend on their salary as their main source of income.

Career Nanny

A career nanny has chosen to provide full-time, in home care as their career of choice. They are typically a primary caregiver who spends significant time with their charges. Often they have an educational background in education, development, or psychology. Their experience and knowledge makes them a valuable resource for advice and ideas. They should be able to not only promote and nurture your child’s development, but also articulate the reasoning behind what they do. They will also have previous experience working in private homes and are accustomed to taking initiative, anticipating needs, and managing all things kids related. As a professional, They should be capable of contributing to your child’s development in a meaningful way while providing organization, consistency, and fresh ideas to your home. This is their full-time job and they will depend on a set salary (paid on the books) and benefits. These nannies are in high demand and almost always found through quality employment agencies.

No matter what type of caregiver is the best fit for your family, its always important to make sure they are CPR certified and passed a standard criminal background and DMV check (if they’ll be driving your child).

Still not sure exactly what type of childcare option your home needs? Contact our office to be connected with an expert recruiter that can assess your needs and recommend the right solution for your family. Our team of recruiting specialists can help determine what care is best for your family and match you with qualified candidates.

Summer 2020: Staycation

With travel advisories still in place in much of the world, you may find yourself struggling to make summer plans for your family. If you've decided to cancel or postpone vacations this year, we've put together a list of family-friendly staycation ideas to bring your destination of choice into your home.

Even if the vacation is virtual, it is a good idea to plan ahead so children can look forward to time together, gather questions and ideas and so you can register and order any required supplies.

Travel companies like Airbnb, as well as many cities and institutions have pivoted to offer engaging virtual experiences while so much of the world is at home. We've put together family-friendly agendas for a few popular destinations; if your family's dream location isn't listed, you can easily create your own using Airbnb, Viator, Google Earth and a little creativity! Can't decide where to explore? Use Google Earth's Feeling Lucky option and let the destination be a surprise!

Greece

We recommend planning ahead and signing your child up for for an online class via Outschool on Greek history. They have interactive options for all ages; we love the Greek Mythology Summer Course (ages 10-13) and All About Greece For Kids (ages 8-12). Next, get familiar with the area with a live guided tour of the Acropolis in Athens; feel free to ask the local guide any questions you may have! Afterwards, take a cooking class with a Greek chef - learn to make tzatziki and other Greek favorites. Finally, celebrate the country with a Greek dance workshop and a dance history lesson that is great for kids and adults alike. For younger children, a weekend in Greece could be further supplemented with BBC's instructions for an at-home archaeological dig.

Italy

Start by sitting down with the family and learning some basic Italian phrases. Next, join this Italian pasta making class for families, led by a professional chef and teacher at Gambero Rosso Cooking School in Rome. Head to the Vatican where you'll be led in quizzes, games and other educational activities covering the highlights of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. If you didn't indulge in too much pasta, make a quick trip to Venice for a private Tiramisu class led online by a couple of Venetian locals. Finally, end the night by falling asleep to Italian children's stories; older children can follow along in English.

Mexico

Begin the day by exploring the streets of Mexico City then head over to meet Chef Graciela for a lesson in making Mexican street tacos. After lunch, the whole family can channel their creativity with a storybook making class led by a young artist in Mexico City. Finish the trip by heading east for a 3D tour of Chichén Itzá, a site of Mayan ruins on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.

Japan

Depending on your child's interests, you might spend the afternoon taking in a magic show and lesson in Tokyo or a virtual martial arts lesson for the whole family. Next join Chef Aya for a private cooking class in Japanese cuisine, recently named one of the best online cooking classes by Thrillist. Finally, end the day on a relaxing note by participating in a meditation class led by a Japanese Buddhist monk.

Adults Only: Cocktail and Wine Tastings

Toast your staycation after your little ones have gone to bed with a virtual mixology class or wine tasting. Next Friday, June 26, NYC's only vineyard, Rooftop Reds, is hosting a virtual wine tasting; sign up soon to be sure the wine arrives in time! Across the pond, we love this gin focused cocktail class hosted by a master mixologist in the United Kingdom. Finally, travel to Porto for this lively wine history class hosted by a wine expert!

Need a Break from the Virtual? Rent a Private Pool by the Hour

If you and your little ones need some time outdoors, consider booking with Swimply, a service that offers by the hour private pool rentals. Most offer completely contactless entry and exit so your family can enjoy an afternoon poolside without any risk. Many offer amenities, such as barbecues and waterslides.

Summer 2020: Virtual Summer Camps

As states across the country slowly start to reopen and at-home schooling comes to a close for the academic year, you may find yourself struggling to plan an engaging, educational summer for your child. Many summer camps have been cancelled or postponed while others have reduced their hours to offer a safer environment for children. These changes leave many parents working to fill in the gaps. The team here at British American Household Staffing has put together a list of virtual summer camps we recommend to entertain and educate children all summer, whether in place of or in conjunction with traditional summer plans.

STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Several online camps have created fun activities for children that use the foundation of STEM/STEAM education. Snapology offers live instructor-led LEGO camps via Zoom. The themed programs, with topics ranging from Planes, Trains and Automobiles to Jedi Masters, focus on building, creating, designing and problem solving. With many scheduling options and classes for all ages (including parent/child options for younger builders), there is sure to be something for all children - and all you need is a bin of LEGO bricks!

For older children, ID Tech offers small (maximum 5 campers per instructor), structured virtual classes in Python, Java, Minecraft, Roblox, Unity, Adobe, 3D modeling, and more. Private lessons are also available.

We love MEL Science, which delivers monthly science experiments to your door year-round. Suitable for ages 10+, the subscription service provides all materials for safe at-home experiments and a VR headset for further lessons.

Visual Art

This summer, The Center of Contemporary Art is offering a series of online art camps for children ages 5-15 focusing on drawing, painting and more. The Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami is also hosting a free virtual summer camp where campers are introduced to mixed media, painting, drawing, and textile arts by professional art instructors. The final projects will be featured in a virtual exhibition on MOCA’s website; as a bonus, the museum is offering free art supplies if you live in the area.

For high school students interested in fashion and design, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) offers several online summer workshops in a variety of subjects, including graphic design, public relations and fashion design. Be sure to register before June 11!

Performing Arts

This summer, the Metropolitan Opera is offering a free, virtual summer camp to students worldwide, ages 8-18. Each week, campers will discover a new opera through hands-on activities and other fun learning prompts and share their work with a global community of young opera fans.

The Atlanta Shakespeare Company is hosting several Shakespeare inspired camps this summer; many are sold out but there are still July dates available for grades 2-8. A typical camp day from 9:00 A.M.- 3:00 P.M will be a mixture of pre-recorded video content, one-on-one instruction, collaborative online experiences and self-guided activities. And the camp will end with a final performance online!

Michigan's well-known Interlochen Center for the Arts has brought its summer program online; the camp offers classes in musical theater, film, and dance (as well as may other topics ranging from creative writing to visual art) for children in grades 2-12.

Virtual Cooking School

The kid-friendly cooking company, Raddish, offers a variety of options to help your children in the kitchen this summer. Opt to sign up for their subscription service with 3 recipes delivered each month, enjoy their culinary inspired games for free or join Camp Raddish, the online summer cooking school!

Young Explorers

The Bronx Zoo invites young campers to their Wildlife Camp Online; the program includes the opportunity to get behind-the-scenes looks at animals and exhibits, engage with the zookeepers and scientists and meet new friends around the world. Suitable for children up to 8th grade.

Minnesota's Great Lakes Aquarium is offering "Summer Camp in a Box," a one week experience with with prepackaged activity kits for each day of the week and a daily live Zoom conference.

Additional Resources

PBS has created a helpful, searchable guide with tips, activities and more for reading, math, science, the arts and emotional well-being. Actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard put together Camp Hello Bello, a wealth of online resources for parents at home with children during quarantine and all summer. Finally, visit Activity Hero to view frequently updated information on online camps, classes and more.

Engaging with the Arts is More Important Now than Ever

Image Credit: Jack Martin Rogers. Rhodes. 1979. Gouache on paper. 8" x 11"

During times of high stress, the importance of art becomes even more apparent. Growing research supports the benefits of art for emotional and physical well being; in 2017, Harvard Medical School's blog shared information about the link between increased creative activities and decreased stress and anxiety, as did Ashford University. Whether you and your family choose to view art you love, discover new painters together or make your own art at home, art can serve as a comfort, a solace and an affirmation in difficult times. The team here at British American Household Staffing has gathered some our favorite ways for the whole family to engage with the arts from home.

Visit Galleries and Museums

From galleries to museums and non-profits, almost all art institutions have adapted over the past few weeks and now offer some sort of online programming to allow the public to continue to engage with their collections from home. We recommend Anita Rogers Gallery's digital catalog for Jack Martin Rogers: Drawing, an exhibition postponed due to COVID-19. The exhibition features a selection of drawings that have never before been seen by the public, including portraits, cityscapes and more. We also love getting to know Spain's Guggenheim Bilbao, which boasts pieces by Mark Rothko, Robert Rauschenberg, Richard Serra and many other masters. London's National Gallery also now allows virtual viewers to explore the halls and take a closer look at over 300 paintings.

New York's MoMA hosts live virtual experiences every Thursday; we are saving the date for June 11's virtual exploration of Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night and a live Q&A with a special guest!

Care for your Collection

If you have art on your walls, now is a great time to engage with it in multiple ways. On a practical level, take this extra time at home to make sure you have all the necessary paperwork for pieces you have purchased. Check with your insurance company to find out what specific documents they require; the gallery you acquired the work from should be able to assist with any missing documents.

It is also a good time to try moving art around the home, learning more about artists you collect or to discover new artists who may complement your current collection. Take a moment to teach your children about the art your family lives with and engage them in a conversation about what they see in the work and what you love about it.

Encourage Creativity at Home

Set aside time each day for your children to explore their creative side. We love The Kitchen Table Classroom, a free site with hundreds of art projects and activities for kids, from printable paper dolls to instructions on how to make papier-mâché bowls. Art For Kids Hub, another great family-friendly site, offers hundreds of drawing and painting tutorials for children of all ages. The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers brief virtual sketching classes every Saturday afternoon for children ages 13-18. via Instagram; children can share their work for a chance to be featured on the museum's social media.

If you're looking for creative gifts for an upcoming special occasion, we recommend MoMA's Art Making with MoMA: 20 Activities for Kids Inspired by Artists at The Museum of Modern Art; not only does the book inspire creativity but it also teaches children about the museum's collection and art history. The book is part of the "Making with MoMA" series we absolutely adore; other favorites from the collection are the storytelling kit and this Van Gogh inspired crayon.

Preserving Children's Art at Home

Once your child has finished his or her masterpiece (or series of masterpieces!), you may be wondering what to do with it next. Whether you'd like to display it, share it, archive it or keep only a digital copy, there are custom solutions for everyone.

If you'd like to save space without losing the memories, ArtKive is a great tool. You simply mail in a selection of your child's work (they provide the box!) and Artkive professionally photographs and digitally catalogs all of it and finally, sends a book or framed mosaic featuring the works to your home. Alternatively, Keepy offers a way to digitally archive and share artwork from $9.99 a month; the app even allows you to add shareable clips of your child working or talking about the project. If your young artist wants to show off their original artwork, we love this article by Artful Parent which highlights 21 clever ways to display kid's art at home. Finally, we adore Child's Own which is a specialty toy company that designs custom real-life plush toys based on your child's drawings!