7 Tips for Getting Your Toddler to Take a Nap Half the battle of early parenthood is just getting your child to go to sleep. And it’s not just the overnight rest that’s a challenge: the magical nap time can be just as tricky. Toddlers usually switch from two naps a day to one around 18 months, but just because they’re taking fewer naps doesn’t mean those naps aren’t helping. Dr. Jodi Mindell says that toddlers are going through “a marathon of development,” and that quality rest is “the only … [Read more...]
Choose the Right Cell Phone for Your Child
September 5, 2013 by
BACK TO SCHOOL - Choosing the Right Cell Phone for Your Child, a Challenge! While the idea of having a cell phone in elementary school was about as far-fetched as landing on the moon for today’s parents, there’s no denying the fact that technology has evolved at a rapid enough pace to make that situation a very feasible one for kids just a generation later. Determining when your child is ready for the responsibility of a cell phone is so largely dependent upon the maturity level of your … [Read more...]
Women & Childcare, 50 Tips for Setting Babysitting Rates
July 3, 2013 by
50 Tips for Setting Babysitting Rates As a babysitter, your most important job is watching and entertaining children. This is no small task; children are full of energy, and even a job that lasts only two hours can be exhausting. IMAGE Unfortunately, babysitters are not always paid what they feel they deserve, or even what they truly deserve. So, how do you determine what to charge for your services? Tips on Rates by Area Consider the area of the country you are living in and … [Read more...]
Witnessing Verbal Child Abuse, How to Take Action
July 1, 2013 by
As a childcare provider, you will hopefully never witness the heartbreaking and infuriating image of a child being abused by her parents. Verbal abuse, while just as damaging as physical abuse, leaves no physical marks and is rarely followed up by a social services system that’s flooded with other issues. As a childcare provider, your job is to protect and care for the children under your charge. When it’s a parent who’s harming them, though, it’s not always easy to know what to … [Read more...]
Relationships, 21 Blogs Sharing ‘Date Night’ Ideas
February 19, 2013 by
Keeping the spark alive in your marriage is no easy task, but it’s an integral one for maintaining a happy marriage. It’s all too easy for people to get wrapped up in their busy lives and forget to make time for their spouse or loved one. To avoid being one of those couples who drift apart after the kids are born, try adding a date night to your schedule. It can be once a week or once a month, just make sure you pencil time in for one. These 21 blog entries will give you some enjoyable … [Read more...]
Child Caregivers: 5 Job Tools Nannies May Want to Get for Themselves
November 12, 2012 by
After years of experience, a nanny may develop a favorite brand of bottles or model of car seat that she feels is superior to others she’s tried. But since a nanny works in her employer’s home, she’s typically limited to using the items and gear that the parents have already selected. While many nanny employers are open and appreciate the suggestions of their nannies when it comes to purchasing items, gear and supplies, often times a nanny enters the picture too late, after all the shopping has … [Read more...]
HOW TO TELL IF TEENAGER IS MATURE ENOUGH TO BABYSIT
October 25, 2012 by
Babysitting is a time-honored tradition among teenagers looking for a way to earn some extra money while selecting their own schedules, rather than being forced to adhere to one made each week by a manager. If your teen has recently approached you with a desire to begin her career as a babysitter, there are some things you’ll need to take into consideration when determining whether she’s mature and responsible enough to be charged with the very important task of caring for dependent children. … [Read more...]
“Latch Key Kid”, is your child old enough for this?
October 17, 2012 by
How do you know if your kids are old enough or responsible enough to stay home alone? With more and more households becoming two income households, the number of latchkey kids, or kids who are left home alone for a part of each day, is also steadily growing. According to NBC’s Today Show there are over 3 million children who are latch key kids today. But before you decide to let your own child be a latch key kid, it’s important to evaluate if your child is ready for that … [Read more...]
5 WAYS TO MAKE HEALTHIER KIDS MAC AND CHEESE
August 31, 2012 by
For kids and even some adults, there’s no better comfort food that macaroni and cheese. While the creamy combination of pasta and cheese is a classic kid’s favorite, it’s not exactly exploding with high nutritional value. Fortunately for parents and caregivers of picky eaters who survive by eating their fattening favorite, a few minor changes can make a major impact on its nutritional value. The next time you’re making macaroni and cheese for the kiddos, consider these 5 ways you can make it … [Read more...]
Working Moms face 9 Challenges – a Nanny can help!
August 31, 2012 by
Juggling the demands of a career and a family is a difficult task, even for the most driven and accomplished women. Both demand the majority of a woman’s time and resources, leaving her to balance these two aspects of her life very carefully, with almost no time left for herself. If you’re returning to the workplace after the birth of a child, or even after a long absence from your career while your children were very small, there are areas in which a nanny can offer assistance that you will not … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Spark the Entrepreneurial Spirit in Your Child
August 15, 2012 by
The world is filled with entrepreneurs, and it’s a good thing too! After all, where would we be without things like Velcro and disposable diapers? According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, of the over half a million requests for patents that were filed in 2010, over 244,000 were issued. Because entrepreneurs are how we continue to invent new products and services, it’s important to help create an environment that encourages our children to carry on in the same … [Read more...]
10 Things to Consider Before Hiring the Kids Grandmother as Their Nanny
July 27, 2012 by
For many grandparents, the thought of their children hiring a stranger to care for their grandchildren is enough for them to take radical action: applying for the job themselves. Eons ago, many families lived in the same community and those from within the community viewed parenting as a community effort. Today, families often live miles apart and working mothers are forced to call on nannies to provide the flexible, customized care that years ago only women in the community could be counted … [Read more...]
Positive Discipline – Dr. Jane Nelsen
July 19, 2012 by
Positive Discipline - Dr. Jane Nelsen Positive Discipline is an approach to discipline that is designed to teach children to become responsible, respectful, and resourceful members of their families and communities. It’s based on the popular book, Positive Discipline, by Dr. Jane Nelsen. Positive Discipline offers effective tools for parents, teachers, nannies, and anyone else who wants to teach life skills to children in a respectful and encouraging way. Here are a few of Positive … [Read more...]
