How to Choose a Babysitter You Can Trust

April 12, 2017 by Leave a Comment

how to choose a babysitter

 

Every parent needs a break or a night on the town. Even so, you still want to protect your child while you’re gone.  Hiring the right babysitter is critical. Otherwise, you’ll spend the evening worrying about the safety of your kid and not enjoying yourself. Here’s a guide on how to choose a babysitter you can trust.

Ask for References

You don’t want a babysitter to learn on the job, especially not with your children. You want someone with lots of experience. When you advertise that you’re looking for a reliable babysitter, you should list your expected criteria. After all, you’re an employer hiring someone for a job.

Potential workers will understand the necessity of this action, and the best ones will have a ready list of references. You should check a site like Care.com, as the best babysitters will have profiles complete with user reviews. Obviously, you should only consider babysitters with strong reviews.  How to choose a babysitter should start with a strong emphasis on references.

When you ask for references, request at least two. You should favor someone with more than that, though. Someone with a lot of references has proven they’re capable of engaging with all types of children. That’s the person you want for the job. Note that they may charge more, but you should think of the extra money as insurance. You won’t stress about your babysitter if you trust the person.

 

how to choose a babysitter

 

Set Up a Meeting

Of course, even the best babysitters will struggle with some children. Your kid may act too boisterous with strangers, making the gig feel too stressful for your new worker.  Alternately, you may have a shy child who doesn’t open up easily with strangers. That’s not good, either. Your child will feel like you’re punishing him or her any time that you leave him or her with the babysitter.

To avoid these potential issues, you want to set up an introductory meeting. Watch how your child reacts when he or she is in the presence of the babysitter. Does he or she look comfortable and engaged, or is he or she behaving abnormally? Also, pay attention to your own interactions with the babysitter. You don’t want to invite someone you can’t stand into your home. Your happiness is important, too.

You should know rather quickly whether the introduction is going well. When it’s not, you’re well within your rights to cut it short. You won’t hire a babysitter your child doesn’t like, so don’t waste the worker’s time. Alternately, when your kid likes the babysitter, you can close the deal and begin to negotiate rates.

Perform a Background Check

While you might trust someone based on his or her references and introduction, you still need to do your homework. A failure to perform due diligence endangers your child, and you can even be guilty of a crime in some states if you allow a sex offender to care for your child. The statistics about sex offenders posing as babysitters are scary. You want to approach the situation professionally. Perform a background check to verify that a babysitter isn’t a sex offender. This single step will give you piece of mind.

Hiring the right babysitter requires some parental consideration and effort. By using the tips on how to choose a babysitter, you will eventually settle on the perfect person for your kids.

 

 

 

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3 Tips To Packing A House With Kids

March 9, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Having kids running around under your feet is trying at times.   But when you are trying to pack up your house for a move, stress can becomes a big problem!  First, set a date for the move.  This will give you a clear and concise idea of how much time you have to plan.  So, go ahead and plan for your move.  We have tips on packing a house with kids.   Additionally, this gives you time to plan for child care. 

 

Consider baby sitters and/or relatives to assist with the children while you pack.  This includes packing one house and unpacking the next one.  There is nothing that’s easy about packing a house.  Furthermore, when you chuck a few children into the mix the whole move can feel daunting.packing a house wth kids

Furthermore, not only do you have to think about packing everything correctly, you have to worry about whether you packed your toddler’s toys.  There are some tricks out that all parents should live by when packing your home for a move and you have children.  For example:

Time:  Give yourself plenty of time to plan, prepare, and pack.  You will need to prepare your children for the move.  Explain that you will be packing the house for the move.  Also tell them that moving van and  movers will be in the house assisting with the move.  Explain that they will be moving the furniture as well as packed boxes to the new house.  Give them time to come around to the move and new home.

Protection: Packing a house comes with dangerous materials.  Get the packing material out of reach of the children.  Because you will be so busy packing you may not notice the baby eating the bubble wrap – not a good start!  Also, sharp objects should always be kept out of the way.  Of course, towers of packed boxes can become a crushing hazard. Keep kids away and occupied.

 

Independence:  Allow independent kids to pack their own ‘first night’ box.  Furthermore, they can assist their younger brother and/or sister.  It is a great way to both keep them busy and make them feel like they have some input.  Set out some of the essentials for them such as their favourite toys, pyjamas and books for their individual boxes.  Show them that they can have some control over a situation that truly, they have no say in.

Last, there are many other tried and tested moving secrets from parents that can make a house move feel so much smoother.  The big day is approaching and being able to face things head eliminates stress.  It doesn’t have to be a hugely stressful experience if you don’t allow it.  Be mindful of your time, and your house packing will go off without a hitch.

We hope that you have found our tips on packing a house with kids helpful.

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How To Pick The Perfect Tree For Tree Houses

February 20, 2017 by 2 Comments

 

tree houses

Building a treehouse is great fun and a great experience for families. However, it’s important to realize that not every tree is perfect or suitable for a treehouse.  Furthermore, if you have plenty of trees to work with in your backyard but you’re unsure of which tree to use, this expert guide will give you the top helpful hints.  Here’s a few tips:

Best Practices When Choosing A Treehouse Tree

  1. Look For Tree Damage

First, while all trees grow equally, not all trees are suitable. It’s important before making any decision that you check the tree for damage. Damage can come in many forms.  Some things to look for include:

  • Dead trees where the branches break off easily.
  • Rotting or infection of funguses that may compromise the integrity of the tree down the road.
  • Lightning damage or other damage during a weather event.
  • Trees that look limp while others around them are blooming well.
  • Damage from white ants, damaging insects or bugs that are eating the tree.

These are some of the key areas to look for in order to avoid choosing a tree that may be dangerous at a later time.

  1. Height Of The Tree

Next, consider the height of the tree and the first set of strong branches. While you don’t want to go too high, having some height gives the effect of freedom.  As a general rule, try to avoid going higher than 3 feet.  This distance will help to reduce the risk of major injury if a fall occurs.

Next, treehouses that are built an average of 3 feet or less in height will also feel less impact from windy conditions.  The higher the treehouse, the more wind speed and swaying motion it will be susceptible to.  Consider the impact of the wind before you build the treehouse.

Consider the tree house door when building.  If you can, try to build the treehouse in a curved effect to allow the wind to glide over it better. This will help reduce the sail effect that can be experienced with a square treehouse.

  1. Branch Thickness

The thickness of the branch is also important, because it ensures the treehouse is supported well.  Furthermore, the additional weight of both the building and the weight of the children must be considered.  The right branch should be thick enough to be able to place up to four attachment screws or bolts into it.

Additionally, the tree branch should be thick enough to secure the base of the tree house.  It should be solid enough to support the treehouse floor when positioned in the center of the branch.  Use support beams if the branch is not thick enough to support the tree house. The bigger the branch, the better the treehouse support will be.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the right tree for your kids tree house, these are some of the most important things to consider. By taking your time to choose the right tree for tree houses, you’ll be able to really keep your children safe.  So have you found a suitable tree yet?

 

About the author Daniel Stone:

Daniel has worked in the management, cutting, and caring of trees for the last 20 years. He works and helps run Bellarine Trees and is passionate about the environment and tree worker safety. He has a wife and two daughters and he enjoys playing tennis in his spare time.

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Baby Proofing Your Home Is Essential

October 16, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on baby proofing your home.  According to the experts, children between the ages of 1 and 4 are more likely to be killed by falls, poisoning, choking, drowning, burns, or fire than by a stranger’s violence.  Every room in the house can be a potentially hazardous place.  So, it’s paramount that you prevent child injuries and keep your baby safe.  Secure your home from top to bottom, by implementing some security measures.

 

 

baby proofing your home

 

 

 

Baby Proofing Your Home

 

Nursery

The nursery may seem like a harm-free space, but it’s far from harmless. Keep pillows and blankets away from babies that are under 6 months old, because they can suffocate on them.  Additionally, save stuffed animals and pointy toys for later years.  Additionally, make sure you are equipped with finger-pinch guards for hinges on doors.  A safe toy box is a must, and a thick rug will help cushion falls.

 

Living Room

Falls and collisions with furniture are the biggest threat for a child in the living room.  Babies are careless, they don’t pay much attention to their surroundings, and they can easily bump their head and hurt themselves.  Climbing on furniture is a children’s favorite sport, so make sure you move everything away that could cause them harm.  Block access to windows and place items high so they can’t reach up and topple them over.

 

Baby Proof Your Kitchen

Any poisonous substances should be out of children’s reach. Make sure you lock them. Always turn pot handles towards the back of the stove, so that a child can’t get their hands on hot pots and pans.  Sharp kitchenware including knives and forks should also be stored high.  Secure all electrical outlets with covers, so that the child can’t put their fingers inside.

 

Baby Proof All Around the House

If you have stairs in the house, make sure to secure them with safety gates.  This includes both at the bottom and on top. Doorknob covers are another recommendation, because they’ll keep the kids away from hazard areas. Additionally, this is especially true for a garden, basement and front door.  A child is not safe in these places without a parent’s supervision.  Just as important, keep a fire extinguisher in your home.  Make sure you purchase an extinguisher for electrical or grease fires.  There are all purpose fire extinguishers on the market. Make sure you turn to professionals if you need any kind of fire safety services. Additionally, install smoke detectors on every floor of the house. Keep all toxic substances like paint and sprays safely stored.

 

baby proofing your home

 

 

Baby Proofing Your Bathroom 

Install toilet locks to prevent toddlers from lifting the lid.  Make sure you keep razors nail clippers, tweezers, scissors, and any other sharp objects in locked cabinets. Medications are also a potential threat for the child.  Therefore, keep pills, ointments, herbs, or powders in a cabinet that only you can unlock and reach. Unplug the curling iron and never leave it on the counter. A child could be able to reach the cord and burn her or himself with the device.

 

Baby proofing your house should be your number one priority. Secure as many areas as you can and make sure you consult these tips for guidance. Your child’s safety should always come first.  You may also like Baby Proofing Essentials.   

 

Author  – Diana Smith is a full time mom of two beautiful girls simply in love with interior design and DIY projects. In her free time she enjoys exercising and preparing healthy meals for her family.

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Help Your Child Defeat Bedtime Monsters

June 11, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Is your child afraid of the dark or they have bad dreams?  The scary monsters are real for children.  They hear noises, see shadows on the wall, hear the wind blowing or their imaginations get the best of them and they become frightened.  I used to watch my grandson constantly look at the front door, especially when it got dark.  They have a window on one side of the front door so you can see onto the front porch. I could see that he was scared when he looked over.  My grandson is no longer afraid, but my daughter is afraid now.  Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on bedtime monsters.  

 

 

parenting, child nightmares, bedtime monsters

 

 

Both were afraid of the dark in my home and in theirs. They also liked for me to lie down with them until they fall asleep.  Of course I was happy to accommodate my little darlings, but as parents we can’t always do that.  We need every free hour to finish or to do list or just to relax from the  day for a few minutes before we head off to bed.  My goal was to make sure they were able to go to sleep without being afraid before they started school. I believe it is important that children sleep in their own beds and  have a designated bed time during the school year.  If you have the same believe, here’s a plan to help you reach this goal:

1. Use Night Lights – Using night lights takes away the fear of the dark.

2.  Read Bedtime Stories – Reading or telling a story relaxes children and takes their mind off their fear.

3.  Tuck Them In – It’s important that kids feel safe and secure. Put them under the blankets, give them their favorite stuffed animal or night time toy, tell them you love them and whatever else you do to make them feel safe.

4. Take Their Fears Seriously – Don’t tell children that they are being silly or laugh at them.  Fear for all ages is real.

5. Calm and Reassure – Hug them and make them feel safe.  Discuss the wind, shadows or whatever is bothering them and let them know that other children are afraid too.  Tell them that it’s a shadow and explain shadows. Explain how the wind blows and moves tree branches etc. They need to learn what’s happening so they can think about your conversation when things are happening, and that they are not alone .

6.  Monsters Are Temporary – Your child will out grow their fear of monsters, the dark, the wind and anything else that frightens.  My grandchildren stopped being afraid at the age of 5. We still use nightlights.  Big kids still need to be able to see at night. They go upstairs alone at night now. They just turn on the lights and head up. We still haven’t talked them into turning them off when they come back down, but at least they’ve conquered their fear.

We hope our tips on defeating bedtime monsters was helpful.  You may also like:  How to Teach Your Children Manners.

 

 

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5 Safety Tips For Latch Key Kids

August 27, 2015 by
Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on tips for latch key kids.  Do you have a Latch Key Kid?  If so, this post was written with you in mind.  When school is in session or during the summer months, some parents will be leaving their children alone for several hours.  Furthermore, some parents are single mothers who can’t afford the expense of child care.  Many families have both parents working outside the home.  Others because their children are old enough to take care of themselves.  
Furthermore, we have those who can’t find after school care.  Whatever the reason, there are approximately 15 million Latch Key Kids in the U.S.  So, don’t feel that you’re a bad parent or that you’re alone in your decision.
latch key children

 

Safety Tips for Latch Key Kids:

 

My daughter was around 10 when she became a latch key kid.  I’ve always hated that term, but it is what it is.  I was a single mother at the time, and I was trying to purchase a home.  I was saving every penny that I could.  As a result, I asked my daughter if she thought she could stay alone for several hours.  I was looking at it from the perspective of cutting out child care expense.  However, she saw as independence and she jumped at the opportunity.

Although I realized that I wasn’t the only parent who had a latch key child, the guilt I felt initially was beyond measure.  Thankfully, the bus stop was 500 yards from my front door.  In cases of an emergency, my neighbors told me that would step in.  Also, they made sure she went through the door each afternoon after school.  After several weeks, I soon released the guilt and became comfortable with my decision.

Many parents question the appropriate age for leaving children unattended. So, if you’re considering leaving your child alone be sure to check the legal ramifications.  You will also have to assess your child’s maturity level and their ability to follow directions.   Think about the time frame that your child will be alone.  Is your neighborhood safe?  If it’s more than a few hours, you may want to find another option.  Two hours was the maximum number of hours that I left my daughter.

Before we jumped in head first, we decided to do a trial run.  If we were comfortable, we would implement the plan.  If you have latchkey children, consider these tips:

1.  Rules Must Be Established – No friends over, do not answer the phone or door unless it’s for people who are checking on them, do not leave the home to play in the neighborhood etc. It’s also important that your child understand that they can’t tell people that they’re home alone and why. It’s imperative that your child understand the rules.

2.  Establish a Routine – You must give your child a routine. In my home it was to come straight home, let me know that she was home and that start on her To Do List. Today there are nanny cams and home monitoring devices that allow you to see what’s happening in the home while you’re at the office. There are also devices that allow you to turn off the alarm system remotely and reset it once your child gets inside the home. Skyping is a great idea too if it’s allowed in your office.

3.  Create a To Do List –  Keeping your child occupied is important.  When they’re occupied, they won’t have time to think about much else.  Furthermore, I created a list of things for my daughter to do once she arrived. She could get a snack, no cooking allowed.  She was allowed to turn on the television, radio etc.  Yes, sound is nice when you’re alone.  However, homework had to be completed before she could stop and watch her favorite shows.

4.  Establish Emergency Procedures – Make sure your child knows to call 911 if an emergency arrives.  Create a list of phone numbers for neighbors or relatives who are close by. My daughter knew that she could go next door for help or company if needed.

5.  Give Lots of Hugs and Praise – Show your child or children how much you appreciate them contributing  to the household by being responsible. Children love praise and they deserve it.

Finally, the experience actually built confidence in my daughter. It also made her understand responsibility and the importance of following directions.  Did you raise a latchkey child or do you currently have one?  What were some of the rules that you implemented?  They could be of benefit to other parents.  You may also like How to Keep Your Children Safe.

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10 Beach Safety Tips

July 14, 2015 by
Kids often get excited and need reminders on beach safety.  Being safe in and around the water is a must. Although my granddaughter doesn’t like the ocean, she heads toward the water to fill her bucket for sand castles.  As a result, we need to have somebody watching the water and somebody watching her on the beach.   My grandson on the other hand will stay in the water until he shrivels up. We need someone to stay in the water with him until it’s time to take a break.   Today, we are sharing parenting tips on beach safety. 
beach safety, children's beach safety tips

 

I’ve put together a few rules that we use for beach safety. Our beach safety tips will help keep your child out of harm’s way in and out of the water.  As parents it is our responsibility to keep our children safe:

  • Never enter the water alone  –  Make sure children understand that they should only enter the water with an adult or older child.
  • Set limits – Provide an area that they are not to wade past while in the ocean.
  • Observe your surroundings  – Teach them to look for family or landmarks when they want to come out of the water.
  • Train your children to listen – Teach them to listen for the lifeguard’s whistle when they’re in the water and to follow instructions from the lifeguard and family.
  • Stay Hydrated  – They should understand the importance of taking a break from the water to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Offer water, fruit flavored waters or Gatorade instead of soda or sugary fruit drinks.
  • Apply Sunscreen – Make sure everyone is adequately covered in sunscreen. My dermatologist recommended Neutrogena. A beach hat is a good idea too.
  • Explain Signs – Make sure kids understand safety signs posted around the beach.
  • Provide Adult Supervision –  Make sure an adult is always present to oversee the children in the water and on the beach.
  • Re-enforce Stranger Danger  – The beach is full of people, so go over the rules of interacting with strangers, especially adults.
  • Provide a Shaded Area – Set up an umbrella so everyone can rest in the shade and allow the body to cool down and refuel.

What rules do you have for the beach?  We would love to add them to our list.  You may also like:  15 Summer Activities For Kids

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15 Signs of Bullying By Kids

October 5, 2014 by
Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on signs of bullying.  Do you have a child in school? If so, this post is for you regardless of their age.  Bullying can start in kindergarten.  Is your child scared to go to school or scared of someone in their class?
School bullies are a national problem in America’s school systems.  Bullies can be found in preschool, elementary, junior, and high schools.  A bully is defined as a person with internal anger, resentment, and aggression.  And, they normally lack interpersonal skills and choose to displace their aggression onto another person.
signs of bullying

 

 

Furthermore, it’s anti-social behavior.  For example, school bullies usually come from families who lack warmth and affection or abusive homes. They are usually poor students and aggressive.  However, this is not always the rule.  A new bred of bullies have emerged.  They are referred to as “brat bullies or cyber bullies“.  These bullies are usually seen as spoiled, and they believe the world revolves around them.

Most importantly, bullying isn’t gender specific.  Believe it or not, girls are just as capable as bullying as boys. They just use different tactics.  Additionally, boys usually resort to physical violence.  Where as girls inflict psychological pain.  For example they may resort to calling their victim names, starting rumors, gossiping, or excluding the victim from groups or parties.  Psychological abuse can be just as devastating as physical abuse.  Some of the effects of psychological abuse are eating disorders, ulcers, depression, and suicide.

Just as importantly,  nasty emails and text messages are a part of the brat bully’s psychological warfare.  So, bullies are not limited to children who come from poverty, low income, or broken homes.  As a matter of fact most suffer from low self-esteem.  They wear the latest fashions, and engage in the latest technological trends, but deep down they feel inadequate.  So know that middle class and well to do homes have bullies too.  They call their victims fat, ugly, poor, make fun of the victim’s family or their cloths. They send emails or post pictures of the victim on-line and start rumors about them.

So, pay attention. Most importantly, if your child’s behavior changes, grades go down or they have mood swings, they may be having problems with a bully.  Likewise, don’t ignore the signs or think that the problem will go away.  You must get to the bottom of the problem and deal with it head on.

 

signs of bullying

 

 

 

Signs of bullying:

  1. Afraid to walk or ride the bus to school
  2. Feeling ill in the morning, and not wanting to go to school
  3. Asking for extra money or starts to steal
  4. Starts bullying siblings
  5. Stops eating or starts eating excessively
  6. Poor grades
  7. Cloths torn or dirty
  8. Starts stammering
  9. Crying themselves to sleep at night
  10. Crying before going to school
  11. Attempts or mentions suicide
  12. States that they hate themselves
  13. Withdraws from activities that they previously enjoyed
  14. Nightmares
  15. Have conversations with your child on what’s happening in school, with friends etc.  You may be able to detect problems during the conversation

 

It’s imperative that you let your know that abuse from other people is unacceptable.  Be sure to notify school officials of your concerns.  Safeguard your child by taking proper action. Bullying affects a person’s self-esteem and leaves life long scars.

Additionally, if your child is a bully you must address the pain that your child is inflicting.  So, don’t think that it’s not a big deal or kids are being kids.  For this reason, it’s imperative that you understand that children are killing themselves as a result of the pain they are enduring.   Most importantly, ask if you’re setting a good example for your child?  Are you contributing to your child’s mistreatment of another person?  Bullying is a serious issue within our society.  I hope my insight on signs of bullying will help you to help your child.  We would love to hear from you about your child’s bully experiences.  Please leave us a comment.

You may also like:   How to Help Victims of Bullies

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15 Must Have Items For A First Aid Kit

August 16, 2014 by
Today, I’m sharing must have items for a first aid kit.  Do you have a first aid kit?  If you have children there will always be a scrap, cut, or rash.  Also, you will evidently suffer a burn in the kitchen or a cut.  As a result, I always keep my first-aid kit stocked and ensure all ointments in the box have not expired.
first aid kit
Additionally, you don’t have to buy expensive first aid kits.  I purchased a plastic container from the Dollar Store with compartments.  And I added what I believed I would use with the children and for myself.

Here are a few items for your first aid kit:

  1. Band-aids of various sizes
  2. Ointments for rashes, bee stings, and burns
  3. Ace-bandages and clips to hold the bandage together
  4. Gauze 
  5. Medical tape
  6. Medical scissors
  7. Peroxide and Antiseptic wipes
  8. Tweezers 
  9. Disposal gloves
  10. A Tube of Vaseline
  11. Benadryl for allergic reactions
  12. Tylenol or Aleve for adults 
  13. Baby and Bayer Aspirin (heart attacks and children)
  14. Eye Wash/Saline
  15. Cold compress (Made specifically for first aid kits)


Also, if you have allergies, asthma, diabetics or other specific medical conditions include items that you will need in an emergency.  If you are a diabetic, you may want to keep glucose tablets on hand, cake icing, and orange juice in your home. Additionally, make sure you have an inhaler on hand too if you have asthma.

Again, first aid kits don’t have to be fancy or expensive.  The goal is to have items on had in cause of an emergency.  When you have children around, things happen.  There are also accidents in the kitchen, bathroom and backyard BBQs.  So, if there’s an emergency you don’t want to waste time having to run to the store.  Furthermore, running to a neighbor’s or searching your bathroom cabinet is time consuming as well.  You want to have items in a central location.

Furthermore, put a first aid kit in your car too.  Fortunately, a first aid kit was included in my car.  Accidents can happen in a parking lot, store, or the park.  So, what items do you have in your first aid kit?  Finally, you may like Caring for Kids in the Twenty First Century.
 
 
 
 
 
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