Involvement in team sports helps kids learn to work together, encourages physical activity over more sedentary pursuits and can give your child a sense of belonging when he’s accepted by his teammates. A child who is stuck playing a sport he doesn’t enjoy, however, may not reap the same benefits as his more eager teammates. When your child approaches you with pleas to allow his mid-season resignation from the team, your first instinct may be to deny him. After all, sticking it out through the … [Read more...]
Happy Mother’s Day!, Mums celebrated in U.K., March 10
March 10, 2013 by
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March, April or May. It complements Father's Day, a celebration honoring fathers. Mother's Day is an American invention, and it is not directly descended from the many celebrations of mothers and motherhood that have occurred throughout the world over thousands of years, such as the Greek cult to … [Read more...]
BEDTIME … parenting means Taking Action!
March 5, 2013 by
BEDTIME :( ... parenting means Taking Action! Being a parent means helping a child learn and grow, teaching him to make good decisions and instilling healthy lifestyle habits so that one day he will become an independent, self-sufficient adult. This requires affection, discipline, consistency and dedication on the part of the parent. In order for children to be healthy and reach their full potential, they need adequate sleep. Still, getting kids to hit the hay without a struggle can be one of … [Read more...]
Erma Bombeck, ‘When God Created Mothers’
February 17, 2013 by
“When God Created Mothers" When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." And God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?" She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moveable parts...all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed … [Read more...]
How to Host Dinner Party, for those of us with Children!
February 4, 2013 by
The Dinner Party is a decidedly grown-up institution, and one that doesn’t typically include much room for guests of the pint-sized persuasion. As more working parents are finding they have less time to spend with their kids, they also are becoming more reluctant to spend what precious little free time they do have away from them. Throwing a dinner party that includes the children of your guests will require a bit more work than simply banning them, but you’ll also be able to enjoy the … [Read more...]
CHILDCARE, 10 Strategies for Teaching Your Child to Read
January 29, 2013 by
Learning to read is one of the first major educational milestones in a child’s life. The sense of pride and accomplishment that kids feel the first time they read a book all by themselves is something that neither you nor they will forget. Helping your child master the skills that lead up to learning to read will make the lesson an easier one for him to learn, instilling a love of reading and learning that can follow him throughout his life. While there are as many approaches to teaching a … [Read more...]
Make the Holiday Season More Enjoyable, Marcia Hall
December 14, 2012 by
When most parents hear the word “Holidays”, “Christmas” or “Hanukkah” there is a feeling of joy and excitement mixed with a bit of anxiety and possibly even panic. Everything around, from store fronts to advertisements, says that this time of year is supposed to be fun, peaceful and all about family, but rarely do parents feel that way. It is possible, however, to make it to the end of the season with some joy and peace left intact. Limit Commitments – Yes, there are some things … [Read more...]
NEW PARENTS, 10 Things to Look For During Your Nanny’s Trial Period
December 13, 2012 by
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...]
5 Books to Help Get Kids to Sleep Alone
December 12, 2012 by
The life of a child is measured in milestones of growth, and graduating to one’s own bed is one of the big ones. Getting a child to adjust from sleeping with her parents or in her crib to the point where she can sleep in her own bed can be a major hurdle to overcome. Adding to the problem is that parents will often opt for the path of least resistance, which more often than not means accommodating the child rather than dealing with the issue. It takes time and patience to make this … [Read more...]
5 Breakfast Recipes Worthy of Christmas Morning
December 4, 2012 by
Some people eat breakfast every day and others rarely if ever eat breakfast, but there’s something about Christmas morning with your family that just screams for a fabulous breakfast, but one that won’t stress out the cook because Christmas dinner is yet to come. Give one of these a try this year and see if you think they are Christmas morning worthy. Cinnamon rolls - Heat 1 cup of milk in a saucepan until it bubbles and add ½ cup of butter to the milk and stir until the butter melts. … [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...]
