Family Vacations - What If? - Preparing for the Unexpected
Excitement is at an all time high because the announcement has been made.The family is going on vacation to a theme park. Children become more hyper then if they had eaten 10 pounds of sugar. Parents become stressed as they book flights, reserve hotels and plan for traveling. So much exhilaration and exhaustion and you haven't even left yet. Now is the time to plan for the "What If".
Theme parks offer so many fun and exciting thing for a family vacation. And as many parents can confirm, children become super hyper during these trips. With so many exhilarating things to see and do in theme parks, it only takes a moment for children to become separated from their parents. We all hope that it doesn't happen, but the key is to prepare for it ahead of time just in case."
Here are some tips for parents:
* Map out the park: Many theme parks have downloadable park maps that you can review as a family and become familiar with the layout before you go. You could also identify designated relocation points on the maps if you become separated.
* Plan your wardrobe: Consider purchasing matching shirts that all family members will wear during the trip. If you become separated it will be easier to recognize each other if your all dress similarly.
* Know what to do if it happens: Instruct your child to find the closest security guard or working employee of the park. Instruct them not to ask other visitors of the park for help. While many people may be willing to help, your child should only seek the help from a trusted adult who works at the theme park.
* Time for that tantrum: If someone tries to abduct your children, tell them to scream out as loud as they can, "Your not my Mommy/Daddy!!! HELP!" Drop to the ground kicking and screaming, and to throw the biggest tantrum ever.
* ID cards for the Children: Make sure your children have up to date ID cards that contain a current phone, statistical information, and family travel contact information.
While these tips can not prevent a separation from happening on your next vacation, your family will be much better prepared to deal with the situation and will be quickly reunited so that you can enjoy the rest of your vacation experience.
# 10 Parenting Tips To Help Your Kids Perform Better in Life
Want your children to perform better in life and enjoy more success?
Here are ten tips that will help you to motivate your children to perform better...
1. Shower praise and encouragement on them. This is a great way to inspire your children to perform better.
2. Provide safe and supportive environment to your children. Laugh and Play with them. Do things together. Talk with them. Let them express their opinion and feelings.
3. Allow your children to explore and build their natural abilities and interest. For example, if your son is interested in painting, let him paint. Encourage him to participate in painting competitions.
4. Appreciate and praise whatever abilities and qualities your children have. Never compare your children with others and criticize them.
5. Don't just ask about tests and grades. Frequently ask your children what new things they are learning in school. What fun they had. This helps to create a positive impression in your children's mind that school is also about learning and fun, not just exams.
6. Celebrate your children's every achievement, even if it's small. Hang your children's craftwork or schoolwork on a wall or refrigerator.
7. Talk with your children regularly to make sure they are not feeling overwhelmed with study work, extracurricular activities and other work. If they are, help them prioritize their work. Ask them to do the most important work first and leave the less important work to the last.
8. Try to remove your children's fear and weaknesses. The best way to do it is to encourage your children to focus on their strength and good qualities.
9. Make sure your children eat healthy, nutritious food. Also, never allow your children to go to school without a good breakfast in the morning. As research shows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and influences mental performance.
10. Encourage your children to exercise for 30 minutes a day. This keeps the body fit and healthy. Also, make sure your children sleep for at least 7 or 8 hours. Good sleep provides adequate rest to brain which helps to learn better and remember more.
All the above tips are simple. If you use them regularly, you will see immense improvement in your children's confidence and success.
Crying became a normal event in baby’s life. The first thing a baby does when coming out the womb is to cry. By doing so, the baby takes in air into his or her lungs. If the baby does not cry, stroking or pinching slightly the buttock make him or her cry. From here onwards, crying will be a daily routine and sometimes can upset parents and other family members.
Babies cannot tell their needs or trouble they are having. The only way to show is by crying, feet kicking, hand waving and head turning. But the best way to get attentions is still crying. Crying usually can be sooth by carrying the baby, feeding and gentle rocking. But if the baby continues to cry excessively, the baby is showing signs of distress and maybe life threatening reasons, and should be taken seriously.
The most common reasons baby cries is hunger. A hungry baby will cry to get milk. The second most common is wetting. When the baby wets, he feels discomfort and therefore cry so that someone can help clean and make him dry again. Baby also cries when they feel lonely and need some company. They need to be hug and touched at all time, to be kept warm. Baby if dressed up in tight clothes will irritate him and end up crying. Always dress the baby in airy and non skin irritating material.
Babies also cry when they feel tired and uncomfortable in the surrounding. Extreme heat or cold make babies restless. A room with proper ventilation is conducive for babies. Some babies are afraid or dark rooms. Strong lighting is also not suitable for babies. If everything is intact with the baby’s room but the child still cries, check for mosquitoes. Babies are easy target for mosquitoes.
A child may cry due to health reasons. When his nasal is block and he can’t breathe easily, he needs some attention. Other health factors are such as phlegm in throat, general aching, fever, nappy rash, food allergic and teething. Earache is common in wet climate. The infections may spread from throat. Earache becomes worse at night and the baby become restless.
When dads read aloud to them, children are learning many different things. They are learning about the world, they are learning to love books and reading, and they are learning about language. This learning about language occurs mainly as children hear, see and understand the language as it is used. This is a kind of subconscious learning that takes place naturally. Dads do not need to do anything special. They just have a good time on the read aloud journey that we and the children have embarked on.
No need to push the teaching, it happens naturally
However, in addition to this subconscious, natural language learning that goes on during reading aloud, dads can also promote conscious language learning by calling children's attention to specific language features in the book or whatever that they are reading aloud. Before explaining some ways to do this teaching, let us emphasize caution. Do not overdo the teaching. Keep reading aloud enjoyable. Please.
What to teach
What dads teach will depend on the reading level of the children they are reading to. Also, in addition to their ideas about language points to raise, dads should respond to children’s questions about language. Here are some language features they can teach while reading aloud:
* Individual letters, spelling and phonics
* If the book has rhymes, dads can talk about rhyming and encourage children to make up more rhymes of their own
* Punctuation, such as after they have read aloud a question, dads can talk about question marks and why they are used instead of full stops
* The parts of a book, for example, stories normally begin with a setting that tells readers about who is involved and where and when the story takes place, followed by some kind of conflict that confronts the main character(s), and finally a resolution of some kind to the conflict
* Grammar, for example, noticing why past tense is used in some places while present tense is used in other places in the book or in other book
* Vocabulary, for example, in Hazel's Puppy, a page at the end of the book lists six words and definitions which dads could highlight while reading.
he first thing to keep in mind is that you have the right to ask as many questions as you would like until you are comfortable leaving your child in any day care situation. Three major categories that should be involved in making this decision are:
1. Policies on discipline, caring for sick children and other important issues.
2. Staff training in areas such as basic first aid, child development and identification of abused children.
3. Building and playground safety such as smoke alarms, electrical outlets and sharp corners.
In general I am comforted by the fact that there seem to be many more eyes on a commercial facility. I feel that they are held to higher standards. These standards include building maintenance, screening of employees, and training of employees. Also, the facilities themselves tend to be cleaner and more structured. They tend to focus on learning tools and toys. For instance a commercial day care center typically has multiple computer stations and a variety of educational computer software and games.
The argument of those who prefer daycare facilities run from someone’s home tend to focus on the comfort of the child being in a “homey” atmosphere. I feel there will inevitably be more distractions when the key person running the facility is in their own home. Phone calls, deliveries, neighbors and being concerned about the maintenance of the home on a personal level are all situations that could take time and attention away from the care of your child.
None the less, opinions will vary among parents and guardians. The very most important thing you can do regardless of whether you choose a commercial day care center or someone’s home is to make an informed decision that you feel comfortable with. Please use the categories above and make a list of your questions so that you are prepared when visiting potential day care providers. Hint: Other parents who have their children at the facility are a great source of information!
As with most of our children’s ‘milestones’, sometimes the hardest habit to break is for your child to give up their pacifier. Many children outgrow the pacifier on their own while others may need a little encouragement. So how can you break your child’s binky habit? In some circumstances, your child will tell you when he or she is ready to let go. My son for instance, was 8 months old when he no longer needed the pacifier to soothe him. Signs that your child is ready to break free of the pacifier habit included needing to use the pacifier less, sometimes they will forget where they put it or they will turn their head away to communicate that they are not interested in the pacifier.
Here are some creative ways that some mothers have used to break their children’s pacifier habit. For example one woman decided at the age of 2 for her son to ban the pacifier cold turkey. She explained that at the age of 2 binkies are not for big boys. If the binkie fell on the floor or got dirty, she explained she was throwing it out and it would not be replaced. During the binky transition, she offered more hugs and had him turn his comfort to his stuffed animals instead of being dependent on the pacifier. By the time the pacifier became so ratty that it was unusable, she had her son throw it away and explained there will be no more binkies in the house. Although this tactic may work for some moms others find it more difficult for their children to break the habit. Other moms keep the pacifier in their baby memories box with their other saved baby items so their children know it is still there. Another way to break the binky habit is to make the pacifier ‘less desirable’.
Often switching brands of pacifiers can make a real difference. One day while out at a family outing, Denise realized that she had forgotten her sons pacifier at home. After making an emergency trip to the store she realized that she had purchased a different brand. Her son, Brayden could tell the difference, he pushed it aside and he no longer wanted it. Other parents use more creative tactics then others. You will eventually find your own method and you too can break your child’s pacifier habit.
How many times have you been shopping in a grocery aisle and you have winessed an out of control child having a temper tantrum, not limited to yelling, throwing objects or crying. It is more than likely you thought to yourself, "If that was my child, I would ______". Fast forward three years, now here you are with your own child or perhaps children and are faced with these same situations as you may have once witnessed.
Unfortunately, temper tantrums are a normal part of life amongst children of an early age from preschoolers to toddlers. Almost all children will have a tantrum occasionally. The good news is that if handled appropriately most children will outgrow this stage within a couple of years.
As a parent you are ultimately the one who is responsible for your child’s behavior. Here are some tips on handling and preventing tantrums in your child.
Before planning a shopping outing you will want to make sure that your child is not over-tired. If your child is cranky you may suggest a nap for some quiet time, read a book or play soothing music. How you talk to your child can also have an impact on her tantrums. For example asking her to do something instead of a direct order can sometimes have a reverse effect on the outcome of the situation. For example, when asking your daughter to do something, you will want to try to ask her nicely first. Suggest this “Hannah, Mommy needs some help picking up your clothes” will usually have a different effect then “I asked you before to get in here and pick up your mess!” Stay consistent in your rules, if she acts out and you give in then this gives her leeway for her to do the same routine again, by being more consistent and less lenient your child will learn that tantrums just do not work. While sometimes hard, do not give in to bribery.
Think to yourself, does she really deserve a candy bar for going to bed on time or for picking up her clothes? Bribery is only encouraging negative behavior in the long run. If your child is beyond consolable often sending him to his room for some quiet time is the best solution. By yelling at your child to be quiet will only make him upset more. Many times a child will have a tantrum to get your attention. If you haven’t given her much ‘mommy or daddy time’ she may be trying to tell you something by acting out in a tantrum. Once she has settled down, spend some time with her, read a book together, go for a walk in the park. If your child is beyond consolable and you are in a public place head for the nearest restroom and try to calm her down or take her to the nearest food court and get a cup of water to soothe her. Talk calmly to her, often raising your voice and yelling will only result in a negative reaction and will tend to prolong the tantrum.
Parents can do quite a bit to help their child learn to read. In fact, children start learning about language and reading in their infancy, long before they ever set foot in a school. Children are helped on their language learning journey when their parents structure their daily routine and share the learning experience.
Read aloud daily. The most important and beneficial activity a parent can do is to read aloud to their child daily from day one. Reading aloud helps the child in many different ways. They will learn general concepts of print (reading progresses from left to right, top to bottom, the marks on the page have meaning, and much more). They will also learn what reading provides: insight into other worlds, fun, and practical information. The best part for the child is the shared time with an adult. They learn to love reading and enjoying reading does more to help your child become a good reader than anything else.
Have your child read to you. Choose books which are easy for your child to read so they will feel successful and develop confidence in their reading ability.
Talk about books. Ask your child what they liked about the story or characters in the story. Did they enjoy the pictures? How did the pictures help tell the story? Share stories of a similar event in your life or the life of your child. Talking about books helps a child connect with reading and remember what they have read.
Write notes to your child. Include a short note in your child’s lunch box, on the refrigerator, or their bedroom door. “I love you” or “Enjoy your field trip!” go a long way in motivating your child to read. Parents are the most powerful influence in a child’s life and your child will want to be able to connect with you.
Go easy on correction. Remember your prime purpose is to help your child be successful. This means you need to build confidence as well as skill. Instead of asking the child to sound out a word each time they struggle, you can use the following strategies to make reading a pleasant experience they will want to repeat.
*Ask what word would make sense at this point in the story.
*Tell the child the word.
*If the child reads the word correctly at another point in the story, gently point out the word where they had trouble and examine the word with your child looking for the similarities.
Read everything. Encourage your child to read every word they see—road signs, cereal boxes, messages on TV, newspapers, magazines, addresses, the phone book, and menus. Words are all around us and being able to decipher them is a wonderful way of understanding more about the world in which we live.
Parents can help their child to read successfully by practicing the tips in this article.
Parents: Warn Your Teens About the Dangers of Using Social Networking Websites
Online social networking websites? What are they? If you are not an internet user yourself, you may be completely unaware of social networking websites, what they are, and how they operate. The first step in protecting your teen is to famialrize yourself with them. Social networking websites are known as online communities that aim to connect internet users with each other. Unfortunately, these social networks have become the stomping grounds for many online predators and who are they after? Teenagers and chances are your teen may be one of them.
When it comes to protecting your child, your first thought may be to prohibit the use of online networking websites. Of course, you can do this if you want to. You are the parent, you can do anything that you want; however, there is really no need to. Despite the fact that danger exists, social networking sites are relatively safe, even for teenagers. However, to be safe and stay safe, your teenager needs to know what to avoid and who to be on the lookout for. Essentially, this means that they best way to protect your child from online predators is to educate them on the danger that is out there.
One of the first things that you may want to discuss with your child is who they are talking with online. Although they may not want to give you an answer, you need to emphasize the importance of knowing who they are talking to. Since social networks work to connect individuals who do not physically know each other it may seem impossible, but it can be done. Your child should fully read and try to understand the content of their friend’s online profiles. This will enable them to watch out for inconsistent stories or any inaccurate information. Tell your teen that if they learn that someone is being untruthful they need to end the conversation right away.
In addition to who your teen is taking to, it is also important to learn what they are talking about. As with who they are talking to, your teenager may not want to give you a straight answer. Even if you are unable to get an answer out of them it is important to let them know what is appropriate and what is not. Be sure they know that it is best to completely avoid individuals who like to speak of sex, drugs, and other illegal activities. Although they may enjoy having a number of online friends, there are plenty of other individuals, especially teenagers, who would more than willing to have pleasant and harmless conversations with them.
Perhaps, the most important thing to discuss with your teenager about social networking sites is arranging physical meetings. Let them know that these meeting are unacceptable. There have been numerous reports, over the past few years, of teenagers being lured away from their home in hopes of meeting a new friend, who they thought was their age. Unfortunately, many of these online friends turn out to be older and, in many cases, sexual predators. In the event that your teenager wants to meet an online friend and you feel that they would with or without your permission, you may want to offer to go with them. Of course, it is advised that you use caution and all meet in a public place.
By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, your child should still be able to use social network sites, but use them safely. In addition to the above mentioned safety concerns and precautionary measures, you may have your own. Whether you do or not, it is important that you keep your child aware of the dangers that lurk online, awareness is the key.
Parents Told to Let Kids Play With Paedophiles - What Next Give Them Guns
Were your days of growing up far happier than that of these times? A recent statement from Ed Balls, said the "vast majority of children feel happy and safe". He also said "Childhood is better than it's ever been. It's not toxic, "most" young people are doing better at school than they were, "most" young people are accessing new technologies, making friends... "most" trends are positive."
In debated breath I ask, how many is "most" The world is a big place or had you not noticed Ed? Yes there were times we slept four maybe five to a bed with coats for covers, there were the times we bared freezing conditions to empty the pee pot, and not to mention eating left overs fried up in the pan from the day before. Those were happy days I recall, bedtime laughter with brothers and sisters, no pee pot spillage on route to the communal toilet located as to what would seem a million miles away, and the left over spuds and cabbage welcomed by empty bellies that needed filling. Yesterday's childhood sure beats eating junk food, having an en-suite bathroom and designer beds with only miserable thoughts for company as to what tomorrow will bring.
Ed Balls rejected the idea that previous generations had better childhoods. Fair enough men worked their fingers to the bone down mines and kids too; however no harm done, in fact it made them more of a man, a man respected for providing for their families. You say "most," if talking in numbers, then how many kids in today's society are happy to see their role models drink the dole money in the pub, or see the parents dealing drugs, or worse still taking them (not all.) In the years gone by, we did live under threat from catching the plague and fear did prevail at the mention of Jack the Rippers name, but this does not come nowhere in comparison to the danger of being abducted by a paedophile ring, brutally murdered, mugged for your cell phone, pimped for pleasure blown up by terrorists, and having your hair pulled out by school bullies or worse still sadistically beaten by those who gave you life. Tell me Ed Balls how you compare living under the threat of disease (plague) to that of being shot for fun.
Obviously no homework has been done because a government report shows that there has been an increase in reports of bullying and emotional problems.
Morning TV announced the government was donating 25 million pounds towards children's play activities because - we as parent are over protective. The kids need to get back on the streets they say. A decrease in child abductions over the past year has the government tell us parents to give our children back their freedom. Did it never occur that the decrease in child abductions maybe due to parents keeping their children under wraps? I am all for teaching my kids on how to have a happy childhood and keep safe in the way I feel fit and if that means protecting them till our streets are safe to play then so be it. Unicef stated earlier this year that the United Kingdom was listed bottom of the league in terms of children's quality of life in industrialised countries.
Mr Ed Balls rejected such a view - saying that although there were "many" examples of problems affecting the young, such as under-age drinking or mental health problems, the big picture being overlooked was that "most" children had secure and happy lives. Contradiction of his report with under-age drinking or mental health problems highlights that our children may not be quite so happy. He also highlighted under-age drinking as an area in which an overall improvement is set against a more polarised, acute problem among a minority. Using a survey of 110,000 pupils, it says that 93% of children "felt happy about life at the "moment".
What is it with you and the Ms - Most – Many - Moment, these are all indecisive assumptions brought to the fore. Conclusive comments to his report were that anxieties in children stemmed from exam problems. Obesity was mentioned as a continuing concern and that many children felt unsafe on public transport. Does this tell us our kids are happy? Untill our streets are safe then any mum will do what comes naturally and that is to protect their young.
Ed will you please review your opinion on what you believe is a happier environment because I am afraid to say some would think you are talking a whole load of b….s.
For a mom with young children, having an extra set of hands or several extra sets seems not only helpful but critical! Do you wish your kids could do more tasks independently? Here are some tips to making this wish a reality.
Make it tangible. Use a list or "Morning cards" (cards with printed pictures of tasks to be done) so your child knows step by step what tasks need to be accomplished in the morning. If you are interested in purchasing "Morning cards", you can purchase them from me for $10. Contact Susan@perfectlyplaced.org.
Keep it low. Place plastic cups and bowls in a place where your child can reach so they can help themselves to drinks and make their own breakfast. It may sound unconventional, but consider using a drawer. Be sure the cereal is also on a low shelf in the pantry.
Simplify. Hang a sweater hanger in your child's closet. Place a folded uniform or school clothes in each slot (some sweater hangers even come with the days of the week labeled on them). Kids can easily get dressed and match successfully on their own in the morning.
It must be easy. Hanging kids clothes in the closet or using drawer dividers, makes things easier to find and put away. If you use hangers, make sure the rod is low enough for your child to reach. Double rods are inexpensive to purchase online.
Designate an area. Have a spot for kids to hang their backpacks after school. Choosing a place close to the door increases the likelihood that it will get used. Use labels for each child's hook.
Put the snacks together. Have a drawer or basket labeled "snacks" in the pantry. Place individual size portions of mom approved snacks inside. Give kids a limit of how many snacks are allowed per day. Let them pick them out themselves.
How to Avoid the Top 5 Mistakes Made by Parents with Adult Children Living at Home
Whether they've never left the nest or, like so many in the "boomerang generation, they're returning home after some time away, you're likely struggling to find ways to make the relationship with your adult children living at home work. The good news is, grown-up kids can live successfully at home - but only if you avoid some critical mistakes right from the start (or correct them right away!).
1. Encouraging rebellion by taking up parenting right where you left off
It may be hard to remember sometimes, but adult children living at home are still adults. A sure way to set yourself up for conflict is to over-parent them.
Adults who are over-parented and over-supervised will rebel as quickly as teenagers, so you need to develop some strategies to establish a new adult-to-adult relationship - quick!
2. Stealing your child's independence by giving them a "free ride"
It can be very tempting to try to help your "boomerang" kids by covering all of their living expenses - especially if they've returned home after a personal crisis like losing a job or the end of a relationship.
But why should they ever learn to take care of themselves when you're all too eager to do it for them? Even a short-term stay should require your "boomerang" kids to contribute to household expenses and chores. The best way to set these expectations clearly is by working out a household budget, so everyone is on the same page in terms of the extra costs your adult child is causing at home.
3. Assuming that since you're all grown-ups, there's no need for rules
If you think you don't need ground rules for your adult children living at home, consider how you'd feel about them smoking, drinking, or using drugs in your home - or even bringing a lover to stay overnight.
As strange as it may sound, experts agree that the best way to discuss - and stick to - these household rules is to draft up a customized contract between you and your "boomerang" kids.
4. Compromising your own financial situation to support your adult child
With adult children living at home, you'll be using more heat, hot water, and electricity. You'll need to buy more groceries. In fact, all your household expenses will increase. But no matter what you do, do not put your own financial future on the line to support your adult child. You do neither yourself nor your children any good by creating extra debt or obligations for yourself.
If you don't know where the money to make the situation work will come from, you need to think long and hard about whether you can help your adult child by having them live at your home.
5. Assuming they will leave when the time is right
The best way to ensure your "boomerang" kids leave within a reasonable timeframe is to establish a clear timeline for their stay and milestones to help them reach independence.
Most adult children living at home don't plan to stay forever. But if they don't have any clear idea of when they need to leave - or how they'll work towards being able to do so, they may end up stuck.
By establishing a timeline with clear milestones, you can empower your adult child to leave the nest. If you don't create a timeline, they may end up calling your house "home" for much longer than you - or even they - had planned.
Final Thoughts
Having adult children living at home can be extremely challenging for everyone involved. But there are some simple ways to make the situation easier for everyone, and avoiding these 5 dangerous mistakes is a key step.
Remember that a successful relationship with your adult child really boils down to establishing good ground rules and managing expectations. One of the best ways to do that is to create a contract that everyone in the home will stick to.
What Happens When You Just Don't Feel Like Being A Parent Some Days?
I had all the answers. I was well into my thirties when my first child was born and had been working with children, studying about childrearing practices, had many hours of babysitting behind me, and was more than ready to be a parent. When my first child was born I was instantly a mother of three. My husband's twin eight year old sons lived with us. As much as I embraced my role of mother and knew this is what I wanted, some days I just wanted to scream "I don't want to be a parent today!!"
Parenting is a demanding and all encompassing job. It is an around the clock job. There is little recognition or status attached to it. You're constantly having to think of the needs of others and the older your children get, you find yourself having to negotiate and problem solve almost daily. It can be draining. You're also asked to listen to things that are mundane and boring but nevertheless important to your child.
What do you do on those days you'd rather be sitting on the beach with a margarita in your hand than going over a spelling list for the tenth time, or listening to a child who can't seem to stop whining or reading a story you've already read fifty times? You allow yourself to feel what you feel. You're human and all of us feel that way sometimes. It definitely doesn't mean you're not meant to be a parent or that you're a bad parent.
We owe it to our children to be aware of our true feelings and acknowledge them. If you find yourself frequently thinking that you don't feel like being a parent, it's probably time to schedule an adult oriented activity with your partner or friends. Don't be afraid to say out loud how you're feeling. Chances are if you're speaking with another parent, they've often felt the same way and are relieved someone else feels the same. You don't want to tell your child that you don't feel like being a parent but you can say something like: "Mommy just feels like a rest today" or "I need a time out right now."
Children are a blessing and those of us who are parents know that. We can't imagine life without them. We often didn't know what love was until we had children. It doesn't mean however, we have to love every moment of being a parent. Allow yourself to be human.
Choosing a Daycare can be a one of the most important decisions in your life. As a loving parent, you need to take a few extra days to research daycares to find the one that fits you and your child.
Supervision * What is the child per caregiver ratio? * How many children are in the daycare? * How many caregivers do they have? * Are the children supervised during the whole day (restrooms, sleep time, getting drinks, and the like)?
Director Qualifications * Does the Director have a bachelor’s degree in a child related field? * What is the Director’s experience with children?
Teacher Qualifications * Are the caregivers required to have certification in a child related field? * How long has the caregiver worked with children? * Do you offer classes for your caregivers’?
Medications * Who dispenses the medication to the children? * Does the daycare keep all medication out of the reach of children? * Are all caregivers trained on how to read labels and dispense medication? * What documents do you need for prescriptions and other medications to be dispensed?
Immunizations * Are the children in your daycare up-to-date on all their immunizations? * Do you have records to prove that they are up-to-date on their immunizations?
Hand Washing and Diapering * Do caregivers and children wash their hands before eating? * Do the caregivers wash hands after changing diapers? Do the caregivers wash their hands after restroom use? * Is there a place where diapers are changed? * Do the caregivers always keep a hand on child while changing diapers?
Playgrounds * How often are your playgrounds inspected for safety? * Is there a fence surrounding the playground?
Emergency Plans * Does the daycare have an emergency plan? * Do you have information on who to contact in an emergency?
Fire Drills * Does the daycare have plan for weather issues? Toxic Substances * Are there cleaning supplies and pest killers kept away from children? * Where is your poison control information posted?
Child Abuse * Are caregivers seen at all times by others? * Have all your caregivers had a background check? * What are the steps you use to report child abuse?
You may want to visit the daycare several times to make sure all your questions have been answered. Keep in mind your ultimate job is to keep your children safe and healthy.
I was talking to a friend of mine who is very involved in the running of the local soccer club. The club has made many changes over the past two years much having to do with helping kids realize the value of learning the fundamentals and cross training to improve their soccer performance. He told me that he has met with resistance many steps of the way.
He went on to say that he was shocked because he was asked to turn this program into a top program in the state. A while back the soccer commissioner for the state of Wisconsin told his committee that he had seen my friend's system and programming and thought that it should be the template for all youth programs in the state of Wisconsin.
Stupid Is As Stupid Does.
His committee came back to him and said that even though the program looked good they were going to decide against using it because it was different than what they were used to and it would involve some work. Hmmm...
So the decision was brought back to keep the existing program as is because they did not want to change it and they were afraid of the work and the possible negative response from parents. Hmmm again...
My thought is, bring in a professional to improve a program and get out of the way. We've gotten to the point where our opinion matters too much. At least we think so. How many times have we hurt our kids chances of really getting better and achieving levels that we never thought possible for them because we couldn't understand or agree with something. You don't have to understand it for it to work.
I believe that our job as parents is to help our kids by helping them make the right choices. Once we feel that we have made the right choices we need to give the people who we have entrusted with our children's futures the opportunity to do their jobs.
Are you a helicopter parent who is always hovering or are you a parent who is willing to live by your choices and relax and get out of the way? Even though we may be well meaning parents, we can't know everything. We need help. We would all do ourselves a favor to realize that and let things just happen.
7 Lucky Ways Fathers Can Turn Poker Skills Into Parenting Thrills
Sometimes taking a different look at parenting can inspire us with new ideas or remind us to practice sound principles we learned long ago, but in a more interesting way. I'm an avid poker player but also a committed father of two girls. And believe it or not, I've made some interesting connections between the two topics. Want to know how to turn your poker skills into parenting thrills? Here are 7 lucky ways to do it:
Play the Hand You're Dealt
In life, the "hand we're dealt" is the family environment we grew up in - how we were raised. Fathers should decide to pass on the positive aspects of their family heritage or change the negative aspects. Any hand can win, depending on how it's played.
Go ALL IN with Your Kids
In poker, going all in means committing all of your chips to the outcome of one hand, which is thrilling when you win. In parenting, going all in means making enduring commitments to your kids that will pay off in the long run, such as saving for their college education or helping them to grow spiritually.
Play No Limit Poker but Play Limit Parenting
No Limit Texas Hold 'Em is the most exciting game in the world because of the thrill of betting all of your chips at one time. However, fathers should practice Limit Parenting by setting limits and boundaries, all in an effort to help kids grow up to be responsible adults who enjoy good relationships.
Give Action to Get Action
In poker, giving action means playing even when you don't have a good hand, so eventually other players will give action back to you. In parenting, giving action means getting involved in your child's activities, even if the activity doesn't interest you. Your involvement shows genuine interest in your children as people. They might not understand that message, but they will feel it, and that's much more important.
Don't Bluff Your Kids
Bluffing works in poker but it doesn't work in parenting. Avoid making empty threats to your kids just to get them to do what you want. Instead, be honest and address the issue directly.
Know When to Hold 'Em and Know When to Scold 'Em
Communicate care and love by focusing on the positive things your kids do. When necessary, hold them accountable when they do behave poorly or fail to meet reasonable expectations.
Raise the Stakes by Having High Expectations
In poker, raising the stakes helps you win more money and in parenting, raising the expectations of your children helps them learn about themselves, build self-confidence, and succeed.
One of the reasons I enjoy poker is the competition and of course, the thrill of winning, whether the stakes are high or not. Well the stakes are definitely high when raising kids in this crazy world. That's why the best thrills I get in life will come from the payoff of my parenting. I hope yours will, too.
Most people wouldn't connect crystal figurines with fairy tales, but you can do that and create an exciting adventure for your child. Using a little imagination, you can make reading a fairy tale more interesting and meaningful for your child by giving your child a crystal figurine that goes along with the story.
Pick a crystal animal figurine related to the main character or animal in the fairy tale. As an example, if you are reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears, give your child a crystal bear figurine. When you give the figurine isn't critical. You can present it when you start the story, after you've read it or several weeks later. The one thing you can count on is kids love these stories and your child will have you read them dozens of times.
Here's why using a crystal animal figurine with the fairy tales is a good idea. First, for some inexplicable reason, very young children create in their own minds a very strong connection between the figurine and the story. Perhaps it is because having the figurine there while you are reading you are adding a concrete element (something your child can hold onto) to what would otherwise be an abstract experience. You are creating a strong association in your child's mind. Once you have several figurines, your child will probably go to the figurine shelf, grab one and hand it to you and say, "Read this one." If that happens, you'll know that a very strong association has been made.
You can also carry this connection one step further. By the time you've read the story for the fifteenth time, you'll be ready for this idea. Ask your child to make up a story about the crystal animal. Let your child give the figurine a name, a place to live, a favorite food or whatever else that fertile little imagination can produce. By doing this you are stimulating your child's creativity and imagination and the stories you get will be very entertaining for you and a welcome relief as well.
If you are ambitious (and not too tired at night) write down your child's stories and put them into a book. Encourage your little one to add the art work. It will be a great project for both of you.
The second reason is one of accumulation. Over a period of several years you will have established a reasonable collection of crystal animals and crystal figurines. No doubt your son or daughter will lose interest in the figurines and fairy tales as he/she grows older. After all, there are more important things to consider like concerts, school sports, the latest music, graduation, college and let's not forget members of the opposite sex. Don't despair! All is not lost.
If and when the interest is gone and if you don't have room to display the figurines, carefully pack up all the figurines and story books. Store them in your attic or a closet. Be patient, your next big event is just around the corner. Wait for those thrilling words, "Mom, Dad, we're going to have a baby."
Decide when the time is right and rummage through the attic for those crystal figurines, fairy tales and story books. Pass then on to your son or daughter. A flood of memories will come back to both of you. Now your child can repeat the process with your grandchild. Your beautiful memories and little treasures will pass from one generation to the next and perhaps even the next. Imagine what you have just created - another family heirloom and tradition.
No doubt you can find many other ways how to use crystal animal figurines along with the fairy tales and stories you read to your child. Have fun! The whole process is quite enjoyable from beginning to end. Crystal animal figurines and fairy tales really do go together.
Most people wouldn't connect crystal figurines with fairy tales, but you can do that and create an exciting adventure for your child. Using a little imagination, you can make reading a fairy tale more interesting and meaningful for your child by giving your child a crystal figurine that goes along with the story.
Pick a crystal animal figurine related to the main character or animal in the fairy tale. As an example, if you are reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears, give your child a crystal bear figurine. When you give the figurine isn't critical. You can present it when you start the story, after you've read it or several weeks later. The one thing you can count on is kids love these stories and your child will have you read them dozens of times.
Here's why using a crystal animal figurine with the fairy tales is a good idea. First, for some inexplicable reason, very young children create in their own minds a very strong connection between the figurine and the story. Perhaps it is because having the figurine there while you are reading you are adding a concrete element (something your child can hold onto) to what would otherwise be an abstract experience. You are creating a strong association in your child's mind. Once you have several figurines, your child will probably go to the figurine shelf, grab one and hand it to you and say, "Read this one." If that happens, you'll know that a very strong association has been made.
You can also carry this connection one step further. By the time you've read the story for the fifteenth time, you'll be ready for this idea. Ask your child to make up a story about the crystal animal. Let your child give the figurine a name, a place to live, a favorite food or whatever else that fertile little imagination can produce. By doing this you are stimulating your child's creativity and imagination and the stories you get will be very entertaining for you and a welcome relief as well.
If you are ambitious (and not too tired at night) write down your child's stories and put them into a book. Encourage your little one to add the art work. It will be a great project for both of you.
The second reason is one of accumulation. Over a period of several years you will have established a reasonable collection of crystal animals and crystal figurines. No doubt your son or daughter will lose interest in the figurines and fairy tales as he/she grows older. After all, there are more important things to consider like concerts, school sports, the latest music, graduation, college and let's not forget members of the opposite sex. Don't despair! All is not lost.
If and when the interest is gone and if you don't have room to display the figurines, carefully pack up all the figurines and story books. Store them in your attic or a closet. Be patient, your next big event is just around the corner. Wait for those thrilling words, "Mom, Dad, we're going to have a baby."
Decide when the time is right and rummage through the attic for those crystal figurines, fairy tales and story books. Pass then on to your son or daughter. A flood of memories will come back to both of you. Now your child can repeat the process with your grandchild. Your beautiful memories and little treasures will pass from one generation to the next and perhaps even the next. Imagine what you have just created - another family heirloom and tradition.
No doubt you can find many other ways how to use crystal animal figurines along with the fairy tales and stories you read to your child. Have fun! The whole process is quite enjoyable from beginning to end. Crystal animal figurines and fairy tales really do go together.
Parenting Teens with Love and Logic - Crossing The Emotional Barrier
Crossing the Emotional Barrier
Time and time again, I experience teens making decisions based entirely on emotions. With this age of instant results from the internet and speed-of-light text messaging, our kids, like never before, are prone to making quick decisions. Unfortunately, these decisions are often based on knee-jerk emotional reactions rather than logical reasoning.
If we don't correct this course, we will experience more and more bad decisions made by our youth when they enter high school for the first time or leave home for college.
Parenting teens with love and logic is essential.
We need to introduce logical reasoning in the decision making of our adolescents. This is done with slowing down the process and encouraging the teen to consider options by asking questions. Yes, asking questions. Instead of barking commands or making arbitrary rules, parents need to consider teaching their teens how to make good decisions by asking them to weigh the pros and cons.
Love and logic come together with taking the time to connect with the teen and ask them to seek logical conclusions before they make their decisions. Have them, not you, identify the possible upsides and downsides to their decision.
Explore Risk Versus Reward -
Explore the level of risk vs. reward by asking them if they are willing to take the chance by making a decision that might otherwise be unfavorable. Should they make the right decision, simple acknowledge it with encouragement like, "I think that is a very wise decision".
If they choose a direction that you feel, short of endangering themselves, is not the best choice, again, in the long run they will discover the power of learning from the school of hard knocks. And there is nothing wrong with that.
We have all made bad decisions over time and no words of advice from our spouse, our boss, or our parents would have changed our minds. And we survived and learned from our mistakes.
After all, wouldn't you rather have them learn how to make their own decisions while they are under your roof than out on their own?
It is a more difficult challenge for the parent to bite their tongue and wish their adolescent well. It is scary.
It is much easier to forbid them to do a certain thing.
However, at this stage in their life, they will most likely do it anyway. The chances are even greater that they will lie to you about it and place themselves at greater risk by having to conceal it from you.
Would you rather have your child be honest with you and know how and when you can be ready to support them or do you want to receive a phone call at 2 o'clock in the morning with news that demonstrates that they lied to you and broke your trust.
I once was asked to speak to a group of teenage boys about the importance of families. I am a high school religion teacher and often speak to teens. But this assignment made me nervous because I knew it was a topic the boys weren't excited to hear.
Minutes before speaking I had an unusual experience. A visual image came to my mind as though someone had turned on a television set in my brain. I clearly saw a scene you might see on the Discovery Channel -- it was a lion scattering a herd of animals.
The image came so powerfully that it surprised me. I wondered if it had anything to do with the talk I was about to give. The understanding quickly came.
When a predator attacks a herd the first job is not the kill. There is strength in the herd and the predator knows it. The first job is to scatter. If the predator can separate the weak from the strong and the young from the powerful they become easy targets.
This was demonstrated powerfully in a National Geographic special I saw about mother elephants (cows) and their babies (calves). Elephant cows are careful to keep their calf within a step or two because danger is always waiting nearby. Lions sometimes stay as close as 20 feet. When the cow charges the lions they easily lope away. The lions understand they can never get to the calf with the powerful mother nearby. So they watch and wait for one of them to make a mistake.
The program then showed of one calf becoming separated from its mother. The lions quickly pounced on it, trying to bring it down and kill it. Somehow this lucky calf was able to escape and return to the safety of its mother.
We live in a society now filled with children not so lucky. Predators have successfully scattered and separated families. Children have become easy targets. These attacks are devastating not only families but entire societies.
In his book, The Broken Hearth, former US Secretary of Education William H. Bennett stated:
"It is fashionable these days to say and to believe that matters like divorce, illegitimacy, cohabitation, and single-parenting are "private" matters that are not the business of the wider community. To which I would respond: There are few matters of more profound public consequence than the condition of marriage and families. Most of our social pathologies -- crime, imprisonment rates, welfare, educational underachievement, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide, depression, sexually-transmitted diseases -- are manifestations, direct and indirect, of the crack-up of the modern American family."
What is the answer? Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said it well:
"We either build our children or we build more jails. Time to stop building jails. Our children are not the problem, they are our future. If you want young people to become contributing citizens and not convicts, then early in life we must give them the character and the competence they need to succeed in this exciting new world. It begins in the home with caring, loving parents and family members who pass on the virtues of past generations" (GOP National Convention, July 31, 2000).
It begins with parents. We have the responsibility to stand close to our children, to make time for them, to love them, to teach them. If we do not they will become victims to the serious predators that now surround them.
There is strength in a herd.
Timothy L. Carver is employed as a high school religion teacher for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is happily married, has two married children and two grandchildren. His hobbies include writing, golf and gardening. He is the co-founder of Families In Zion, a website that provides free family home evening lessons, inspirational stories, and object lessons.
