Many families who engage a private in-home childcare provider opt to include a probationary “trial period” in their written nanny contract in order to ensure that she’ll be a good fit with the household and can perform her duties as agreed upon. If you’ve decided to take this approach to the hiring process, there are several things you should consider at the end of this trial period before making a decision regarding the continuation of the contract. Some factors will be specific to your … [Read more...]
HOW TO FIND A BABYSITTER FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE
December 12, 2012 by
It’s hard to believe, but the New Year is almost upon us. New Year’s Eve is one of those rare evenings where the options to get out and enjoy an adults only night out are plentiful. The only problem: WHO will watch the kids? Finding a babysitter for New Year’s Eve can be challenging; there are not only lots of parents looking to snag a sitter for the evening, but many babysitters already have their own plans. Here are some tips to help you land a fun sitter for your kids on … [Read more...]
Childcare, five books that help kids appreciate a healthy diet
December 10, 2012 by
It’s one thing to make sure your kids maintain a healthy diet; it’s quite another to get them to appreciate exactly why they need to be eating what you put in front of them. That’s where these next five books come in. In these texts, parents will find answers they may not have even been aware of themselves, which describe the importance of a healthy diet. What kids ought to eat, and why, explained in easy-to-understand and creative style, are what these books are all about. So read on … [Read more...]
8 Ways to Help a New Nursing Mom Return to Work, Marcia Hall
December 7, 2012 by
It can be very difficult for a new mom to return to work when her maternity leave is over, and there is a great mix of emotions that accompany this transition. On one hand, she might be enthusiastic about returning to a job that she loves and excited to be able to get out of the house again. On the other hand, however, she almost always feels guilty about leaving her child with anyone, even if it is someone that she trusts emphatically. There is a maternal instinct that kicks in and … [Read more...]
6 Reasons Your Child refuses to do Homework after School
December 1, 2012 by
Many parents struggle with getting their child to complete homework after school. Rarely is a child ever anxious to get back to work when he returns home from school, but there are some ways that you can make homework less of a struggle for both you and for your child. To make getting your child to do homework less of a chore, you have to begin with understanding why he is resistant to doing homework in the first place. She is exhausted from a long day at school School is exhausting – … [Read more...]
CHILDCARE, 10 Signs Your Child Has Chronic Bad Breath
November 24, 2012 by
There are a lot of things that cause people to have bad breath. Usually, brushing your teeth and tongue will get rid of annoying bad breath, but sometimes there can be something more serious causing the problem. How do you tell if there is a problem with your child’s breath? Here are a few signs that their halitosis might be chronic. Strange looks from others when your child is talking – If strange looks are on the faces of listeners when your child is talking, you may want to … [Read more...]
Childcare, 10 Chores Your Toddler Can Do !
November 23, 2012 by
The trying and terrific toddler years are upon you! Your baby is growing up and there are so many 'milestones to celebrate'. Parents often wonder and worry about if their child is on track with his growth and development. What should an 18-month-old be able to do, and how can you foster his development? Parents may have great intentions of getting their children involved in chores around the house, but life can frequently get in the way of even the best of intentions. Here are a few … [Read more...]
When kids learn to treat animals with gentleness and respect …
November 16, 2012 by
When kids learn to treat animals with gentleness and respect, they also learn about compassion and caring on a larger scale, which are traits that can later be applied to the relationships that they have with fellow humans. For parents of toddlers and young children, imparting these lessons can be a bit of a challenge. Here are 10 ways to help your little one understand the importance of treating animals well. Set a Good Example – Children learn primarily through mimicry. They watch their … [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...]
Women, ‘NO’ is a complete sentence – WOMEN in RECOVERY
October 16, 2012 by
Are you constantly juggling a thousand things and getting through the day feels like a race to the finish line? It’s probably time to slow down and create some balance. A close friend of mine conducted an informal online focus group on how women find balance in their lives. Here are some of my favorites responses: 1. "I give myself permission to say No. It took me years to learn that I don't have to do everything and please everyone. I was over committed and double booked and … [Read more...]
Parenting – How to host a kid-friendly ‘Afternoon Tea’
October 4, 2012 by
While the concept afternoon tea originated in France, contrary to what most people believe, the English made taking an afternoon tea fashionable. The English usually take their afternoon tea between 4 and 5 o’clock in the afternoon, whereas Americanized versions of afternoon tea tend to be held between 3 and 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Children may not care for tea, most enjoy the pomp and ceremony that comes with a traditional high tea experience. Here’s how to host a kid-friendly … [Read more...]
“10 iPhone Apps for Keeping Track of Homework”
October 3, 2012 by
The importance of academic success in relation to your child’s future is undeniable. His grades will affect the universities he’s accepted to after high school, which will almost certainly have a bearing on his professional life as an adult. If your child is fortunate enough to be a student who also owns an iPhone, there are a plethora of time management, homework tracking and assistance apps available to him through the App Store. These 10 are among the most useful for managing … [Read more...]
Childcare, Five Significant and Common Car seat Mistakes
September 27, 2012 by
In September 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the findings of its National Child Restraint Use Special Study, a national survey of child restraint system use in children from birth to age 8. The study revealed five significant and common car seat mistakes. These included: 1. Using the wrong harness slot. When it comes to car seat harnesses, best practice dictates that in rear-facing seats the slots at or below the child’s shoulders should be used. For … [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...]
