10 Tips for Taking Your Charges Out to Eat

For many nannies, taking their charges out to eat is a welcomed change to the daily routine. But eating out with young children isn’t always fun and stress free. The good news is, with a little planning and preparation, dining out with your charges can be a great experience that provides opportunities to teach and reinforce acceptable mealtime and restaurant behavior.

Before heading out to eat with your charges, consider these 10 tips.

1. Do your research. Before heading out to eat, consider the restaurants in your area. Visit their websites or call ahead to confirm hours and the availability of a children’s menu. Have an idea of what you’re going to order for yourself and the kids prior to leaving the house.

2. Choose a kid-friendly restaurant. There’s nothing more stressful than being in a place where you know kids aren’t welcome. Restaurants with booths and bright lighting and those that advertise themselves as family-friendly typically are prepared to warmly welcome children. Kid-friendly restaurants will have things for the children to do while they wait for their food and will have a separate children’s menu. Once you’ve mastered eating out at casual restaurants, work your way up to fine dining establishments 

3.  Plan to go before hunger strikes. If you know the kids are typically ready for dinner at 5 o’clock, be seated by 4:30 so that their food arrives by 5. If you wait until the kids vocalize that they are hungry before heading out they likely won’t have the patience to wait for their food.

4.  Pack snacks. For babies and young toddlers, packing puff like snacks, dry cereal, or oyster crackers can keep them occupied and provide them with something to munch on should they get hungry before their food comes.

5. Pack small items to keep the kids occupied. Depending on the child’s age rattles, crayons and paper, magnetic drawing boards, travel games, or brain teaser puzzle books can offer a distraction while waiting for dinner to arrive.

6. Plan for an hour. At kid-friendly restaurants, you should be able to be seated, order, and eat within an hour. Anything longer than that and the children will become antsy and be ready to move on.

7. Leave before the crowd. Timing your restaurant visit to end before the crowd comes in can ensure you get quick service. Getting the attention of your waitress when she has just your table is much easier than trying to flag her down when her section is full.

8. Have active time first. If you know that you’ll be heading out to eat, give young children an opportunity to run and play prior to visiting the restaurant. If they have a chance to burn some energy before heading out to eat they may be more likely to stay seated while dining out.

9. Bring a backup. Most family-friendly restaurant staff realizes that kids can be finicky eaters. Packing a backup of diced string cheese and berries can ensure your charge eats something should he refuse to eat what’s prepared at the restaurant.

10. Use natural learning moments. When dining out there are lots of opportunity to teach and reinforce good manners and social skills. Be a solid role model and teach your charges how to enjoy a restaurant meal and behave when dining with others. Look for opportunities to praise good behavior. Saying things like “Wow, I really like how you asked me to give you a napkin rather than reaching across the table for one” will reaffirm the importance of conducting yourself appropriately and making good choices when dining out.

Depending on your nanny position, you may or may not eat out regularly with the children. Since many parents are concerned about their children’s dietary needs and habits, you’ll want to be sure to ask permission before taking your charges out to eat.

 P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Anne Laurie . I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission.

See also the link below fore more information:

http://www.gonannies.com/blog/post/10-Tips-for-Taking-Your-Charges-Out-to-Eat.aspx

The life of Giuseppe Garibaldi- Sixth Part

2) The first exile after the sentence to death (1835-1848);

Before continuing with our history,  ladies gentlemen, we must briefly describe the situation of Brazil and  South America when Garibaldi arrives in Rio de Janeiro. He reigns in 1835 in Brazil e throughout South America a great tension because of the wars of independences and intestine.

After the Napoleonic conquest of Spain, the South American colonies engage in a process of independence that ends with the defeat of Spain. Vice-royalties are divided into a series of independent republics including cisplatin's  Province, the Argentine Confederation, Paraguay.
Regarding Brazil, after the invasion of Portugal by Napoleon, the royal family (who descended from a collateral branch of the Capetins, so this is a millennial dynasty begun by Charlemagne) went into exile in Rio de Janeiro and the colony is elevated to a kingdom. John  The VIth returned to Lisbon because of the liberal revolution of 1820 while his son Pierre became regent of Brazil. In 1822 he became emperor of Brazil under the name of Peter the First. In 1831, he was forced to abdicate in favor of his son Peter the  IInd, to travel to Portugal to restore his daughter to Lisbon usurped by the younger brother of the Emperor Michael I.

Peter II, however, is still a minor (age of majority is set for December 2, 1843).

 Although the Liberals, were able  to make passing a law lowering the age of the majority of Peter II from eighteen to fourteen) a regency was set up but his authority shows its limits. Brazil wins aal three international conflicts (the Plate war, Uruguayan War and the war against Paraguay).

 Believing that granting greater autonomy to provincial and local governments should calm the growing dissent, the General Assembly adopted in 1834 a constitutional amendment called Ato Adicional (Additional Act) which increases their powers. Instead of ending the chaos, this amendment only adds the ambitions and local rivalries. Violence erupts across the country. Political parties of all stripes seek by all means to direct the provincial and municipal governments, and each party took power in a province is also trying to take control of the entire electoral and political system. Parties who lost the election  raise and try to take power by force, causing several revolts, like the war of Farrapos, Cabanagem and Balaiada.

This is the situation that finds our hero in 1835 when he arrives in Rio de Janeiro.

The European dimension that Garibaldi had reached in his lifetime is also expressed in a total and sincere Masonic commitment. Giuseppe Garibaldi, Grand Master of virtually all Italian, persuasions entered the service of Freemasonry and became the figurehead of the secular and anticlerical Italy. In this he was truly the first Mason in Italy, and beyond, a strong supporter of European and universal Masonic ideals.

That's why he is naturally a fight for people who fight for their leisure. We can say that Garibaldi is a son of his time: the ideals of Enlightenment, the Napoleonic revolutional breath, the secrets of Masonry, the desires of freedom and  independency of all peoples in the world, anti-clericalism, applications, liberal instances is all that is meant and he is a close fight for all those who seek and fight for liberty!

...to be continued...

The story of the 3 elephants

Once  upon a time, in the jungle of India, lived three little elephant  called Tanèmi, Kangèpi and Shiva. These three  cubs always played together: they used to play  hide and seek, the guessing game, or making circles, linking to each other with their long trunks.

One day it happened that Shiva, the smallest of the three cubs, losing his balance, fell into a hole in the ground, injured his right front leg with the sharp blade of a sword that some thieves had hidden in that hole along with other valuables, the spoils of a robbery they had consumed against the powerful Raja Betankur.The  deep wound,  caused the poor little elephant, such a  great pain that he uttered a sharp and prolonged trumpet which shook the ground so strongly that  it is said that people from the nearby village of  Laicòn poured out of their huts thinking that this was an imminent earthquake's signal.The two brothers, passed the initial moments of shock and fear,  decided to go to the Shailesh's house,   a famous doctor's animals vet who had his own house on the edge of the jungle. So, after building the best shelter for the poor Shiva, galloped up to the doctor's house, whose door, with their  trunks, energetically rubbed their anxious restlessness.Dr Shailesh was quick to understand, and prepared his bag, was quickly  loaded on the rump by Kangèpi and conducted in a gallop on the site of the accident.When they arrived it was already night: full moon lit up the small coin where Shiva,  was lying on a soft carpet of leaves, moaning softly, now semiunconscious because of the large amount of blood that gushed from the incisive wound.Dr Shailesh deftly washed the wound with sterile water, and he disinfected after  applying an ointment coagulant, covered it with large banana leaves, so that the bandage wrapped tightly around below, would not cause him pain at the bending off time.After the operation, the  good vet, looking all around to pick up away the tools in his bag, he was attracted by a glint in the foliage. Tanèmi, who had guessed where was  directed  Shailesh's attention, blew with his trunk all the surrounding area, thus exposed a deep hole, where, along with a sword drenched in the blood of Shiva,  they found the precious jewels ruby and sapphire stolen from the Raja, for the discovery which he had promised a reward of thirty guineas of gold.Placed in a bag that stolen stuff the doctor had himself driven to the Royal Palace, and woke up the Raja himself, told him the facts accurately, giving all the credit of the discovery to his friends elephants. Nevertheless, his selflessness, earned him the prize money while the Raja ordered that the three elephants were housed during life, in the royal stables and offices without fatigue. Shiva, delivered at the Royal Palace the same night on a huge litter drawn by six pairs of white horses, sat in a few weeks, coming back stronger and more cheerful than before. And the three friends lived happily for the rest of their days.

The Pros and Cons of Taking Kids on a Cruise

Cruises have become a popular vacation option lately because they offer multiple stops and plenty of activities both onboard the ship and off, and many of them have started catering to families, planning the entire cruise around kid-friendly events.  If you’re toying with the idea of taking the kids on a cruise for your next family vacation, then check out these pros and cons and see if they help if your decision making.
Pros

1. More and more cruise lines are taking families into consideration and ships are more kid friendly now.
2. Many of the cruise lines (Norwegian, Royal, Disney, and MSC) are catering to kids with ships that have attractions such as water slides, kids’ clubs, kids’ camps, mini-golf, outdoor movies, and video arcades.
3. There are plenty of things for the kids to do so parents can enjoy some time alone.  Cruise lines have increased their staff to include camp counselors and others to work strictly with the kids on board.
4. There are teen clubs where teens are free to dance the night away in a non-alcoholic environment or just hang out and make new friends.
5. One cruise line (MSC) even lets kids cruise for free.
6. Most cruise lines will accommodate the tastes of your child and several even make their own baby food, but you will need to request this ahead of time.
7. Room service is free so if you would rather feed your child away from the crowds and distractions of the dining room you can.
8. Staff members are willing to babysit on the ship during their off hours so that you can get out and take in a show.  Some parents prefer to bring their nanny or a babysitter with them on the cruise, and the cost for an on board babysitter can vary.
9. High chairs are available in the dining room, or you can have one brought to your state room.
10. Some cruise lines even have classes geared toward teenagers like photography and film making.

Cons

1. Some cruise lines have not gone the extra mile to include very many kid friendly activities, so you’ll need to do some research ahead of time to see if they have or not.
2. Even on the cruise lines that have been touted for their kid friendly programs there is often not enough for the kids to do.
3. Typically kids have to be at least 3 to go into the kids’ clubs and they have to be potty trained.
4. The tweens (8 to 12) struggle to find their place.  They are too old for many of the kid areas where they are doing crafts and games, but they are too young for the teen club areas.  Depending on the kid you may still find them saying that they are bored.
5. While some cruise lines have added many kid-specific things to do there aren’t very many family friendly activities.  So if you are looking for a place that you can do something as a family the cruise ship may not be the place.
6. Most cruise lines charge full price for kids.
7. Most of the state rooms only have a stand up shower so if your child can’t take a shower you will need to bring an inflatable bathtub with you.
8. Toddlers who are not potty trained cannot use the pools. Pools on the cruise ship are usually highly chlorinated and it probably wouldn’t be good for young kids anyway.
9. There aren’t many outlets in the room so you will want to bring your own outlet strip to plug in cell phones, iPods, DVD players and the like.
10. Closets are very small and filled with shelves, so keep that in mind when you are packing.  There are a few drawers, but not enough for everyone to have their own if you’re all in the same room.

Before booking a cruise with kids in tow, consider the pros and cons to evaluate it family cruising is right for you.

 P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Jeralyn Nelson . I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

 http://www.housesittingjobs.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-taking-kids-on-a-cruise/

5 High Protein Snack Ideas for Kids

 According to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, the protein needs in children change and increase as they get older.  For instance, a child 2 to 3 years old requires 13 to 50g of protein per day and a child 4 to 8 years of age requires 30 to 90g per day.  Once kids get to be 9 to 13 years of age, boys need more protein than girls, with boys needing 40 to 120g and girls needing 35 to 105g.  Protein makes up about 45% of the human body and is essential for good health, so it’s important to make sure that kids fulfill their recommended daily intake.  To help your child reach their daily requirement of protein here are some tasty high protein snacks.

1. Hummus with pita chips is a high protein snack.  You can buy premade hummus or you can make your own at home.  To make your own, combine 1 can of chick peas, ¼ cup of olive oil, 1 T. of lemon juice, and 1 t. of cumin in a food processor.  Blend all of the ingredients together until they have a smooth and creamy texture.  To make your own pita chips, take 4 pitas and split them open so you have a single layer of bread. Cut each piece into wedges (6 to 8 per pita).  Brush the insides with olive oil and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and dried oregano if you like.  Spread the chips into a single layer on two baking sheets and bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until crisp and lightly browned.
2. Banana with chocolate hazelnut spread makes a tasty, protein-rich snack.  Cut a banana in half and dip one end into the hazelnut spread to coat it, and then dip it into some chopped nuts to cover the spread. When you add the 2 T of chocolate hazelnut spread and 1 oz. of chopped peanuts to the banana, the snack clocks in with a whopping 10g of protein. This snack is very versatile and you can change it up according to your child’s tastes.  If your child doesn’t care for nuts, or has a nut allergy, coconut makes a good substitute. If you want to have a sweet treat you can dip the banana in mini chocolate chips.
3. Smoothies make a quick protein laden snack, and are perfect for breakfasts on the go.  Blend your choice of frozen and fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, protein powder (optional), and some juice or milk in the blender.  If you use all fresh fruit add about a cup of ice to the blender. Be sure to use Greek yogurt in place of regular yogurt because it has twice the protein.  If you make the smoothie with a cup of Greek yogurt, fruit, juice, and a full scoop of protein powder it will contain 45g of protein.  (Protein powder is best consumed first thing in the morning or after exercise.)
4. Protein filled yogurt parfaits feel like you’re eating a decadent dessert.  In a clear bowl layer sliced strawberries, vanilla Greek yogurt, and some sliced almonds or granola.  Repeat for additional layers.  Feel free to change up the fruit to take advantage of what is available seasonally or to what your child prefers.  Bananas are available year round and add a healthy dose of potassium to the parfait.  If you use 1 cup of Greek yogurt and ¼ cup of almonds your parfait will have 30g of protein. 
5. Sliced apples, peanut butter, and a cup of milk pack a high protein punch.  Pairing peanut butter with an apple will create a satisfying snack, and having a glass of milk to wash it all down makes it the perfect nutritional powerhouse for kids. With an apple, 2 T of peanut butter, and 1 cup of milk your snack would have 16g of protein.
   

P.S. This post was created and proposed to me for publication by Sophie Leake. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more:

 http://www.aupaircare.net/blog/5-high-protein-snack-ideas-for-kids/

Preventing Diaper Rash

New parents are subjected to a veritable flood of information over the first few years of their child’s life, mostly through advice of the unsolicited variety from family members and friends. This advice usually covers every subject from parenting skills to preventing diaper rashes, and many times the advices changes as quickly as the people who give it do. Despite the onslaught of contradicting information, frequent changes, wipes, and ointments are all part of the diapering process for most parents as standard preventative measures, but even the most carefully-monitored baby can contract diaper rash.

A form of dermatitis, diaper rash most commonly occurs as a result of moisture trapped inside a diaper that irritates the skin and causes inflammation. Rashes can range from mild to quite severe, and some babies have skin that’s more sensitive and thus more susceptible than others. Parents should realize that a diaper rash isn’t an indicator of poor parenting or neglect; diarrhea, changes in diet, and even allergic reactions to the wipes and ointments designed to prevent such rashes can cause them. Additionally, urine isn’t the only source of potentially irritating moisture; even sweat can be trapped inside a diaper after a particularly vigorous play session and cause the delicate skin to become red and irritated.

Frequent Diaper Changes Are Your Friend

The most common cause of diaper rash is a soiled diaper that’s left on for too long, so the most effective way of preventing most rashes is to simply change your baby’s diaper every time it’s soiled, as soon after as possible. The same holds true for any time your child becomes sweaty after exerting himself, or gets damp from spills or other contact with fluids. By changing your baby’s diaper often you can also combat the spread of inflammation-causing bacteria carried by eliminatory waste. During a diaper change, be sure that you pat your baby’s bottom dry rather than rubbing it, which can further irritate already inflamed skin or cause inflammation to healthy skin.

Avoid Irritating Chemicals

Unfortunately, the fact that a product is marketed towards new parents for use in their baby’s care doesn’t automatically mean that it’s free of chemicals, fragrances, and dyes that can be irritating to his sensitive skin. If you’ve been vigilant about diaper changes and still find that you’re battling frequent diaper rash, it may be time to take a closer look at the wipes, ointments, and even the diapers themselves. Alcohol can burn his skin, and products containing propylene glycol may be responsible for spreading bacteria around the diaper area, rather than keeping it at bay. Look for brands that are specifically marked “fragrance free” and do not contain dyes or other coloring agents. Parents that opt for cloth diapers need not worry about the diapers themselves containing the same deodorizing chemicals as their disposable brethren, but should make sure that those diapers are laundered with detergents formulated specially for use with newborn and infant clothing items. Adding a half-cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle for cloth diapers can also reduce the alkalinity of the fabric, which may afford further protection.

Allow Air Flow

No one wants to deal with a leaky diaper, but swaddling your baby’s behind too tightly can cause a diaper rash quickly. Whenever possible, allow your baby to go without a diaper for short periods of time to promote drying and healing through natural air circulation. Using a plastic or rubber sheet to protect his crib mattress and letting him nap sans diaper on occasion is also an effective method for both prevention and treatment, though it can be relatively messy, especially as baby’s age.

Diet Can Contribute to Diaper Rash

Another powerful weapon in the diaper rash prevention arsenal is to breastfeed your baby for as long as you possibly can. The World Health Organization suggests that babies be breastfed for the first year of life, but any period of breastfeeding is better than none. The immune system boost that he gets from breast milk can help him avoid a prescription for antibiotics, which often cause diaper rash and even yeast infections in infants. Be prepared for irritation during the transition to solid food, and make sure to check and change his diaper more frequently than normal as his body adjusts.

Don’t forget, a preventative balm can work wonders for keeping a sensitive baby’s skin free of irritation. Diaper rash protective ointments are usually either petroleum or zinc-oxide based; zinc oxide tends to be thicker and offer more staying power than petroleum based brands, but may be less effective depending upon your baby’s skin. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different brands of preventative balm; just be sure that you stick with fragrance and dye-free formulas.

 P.S. This post was created and proposed to me by Kaitlyn Johnson . I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:


http://www.newborncare.com/blog/preventing-diaper-rash/

The life of Giuseppe Garibaldi - 5th Part

 The  11th  fébruary 1834, he's supposed to  participate to the  insurrectionnal mazzinian movement in the  Gênoa's arsenal; this one is meant to be jointed  with the général Ramorino's   military opération in  Piédmont in order to overthrow  the savoia's monarchy.

Garibaldi disembarks to take a  contact with the mazziniens, but the failure of Ramorino's revolt  in Piedmont and the police's alert cause the flop of the all opération.

The young hero, not going back  on bord of the Comte of Geneys, is to be considéréd like a déserter. Identified as one of the bosses of  conspiration, he's sentenced to death  by default, and considered enemy  against the Country and the State itself.

Garibaldi becomes then a« criminal ». He quickly repairs  to Nice, and afterwards crosses the  frontièr to joint Marseille, guest of his friend Giuseppe Pares.

He changes his name as Joseph Pane; on june he embarks direct to the Black Sea, and on march 1835 he's in Tunis.

 On june 1835 he joints the Jeune Europe, a mazzinien association, taking as nick name Borel,  in the memory of a  martyr of the révolutionnary cause.

Italy has become for him inaccessible because of his death sentence, that's why he starts looking for further horizons. An opportunity comes to him: the brigantin Nautonier commandéd by the Capitaine Beauregard is directed to  Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.  The 8th of septembre 1835, Garibaldi embarks in Marseille, under the name of Joseph Pane: he will arrive to Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil on novembre of the same year.

...to be continued...

5 Ways to Prevent Your Child from Catching a Cold

It’s inevitable that from time to time you and your child will be exposed to people who have a cold or who are spreading airborne germs.  While the odds are that your child will catch the occasional cold, there are certainly a few ways to reduce the number of colds that she gets.

1. Try to keep ahead of the germs.  Disinfecting wipes or a water and bleach solution can be used for this task.  Make sure that you are regularly cleaning door knobs, handles, cabinets, toys, and anything else that little hands might come into contact with.  For every gallon of water, 1 ½ teaspoons of bleach should be added to create a solution to disinfect surfaces and toys. For diapering and toileting areas, 1 tablespoon of bleach can be added to 1 gallon of water. Let the bleach solution sit for 2 minutes before wiping it down.  If you are worried about your child coming into contact with chemicals, look for all-natural sanitizing solutions.  You’ll also want to make sure that everyone in the house frequently washes their hands with warm water and soap. 
2. Change toothbrushes often.  Toothbrushes can harbor germs and re-infect your child if the germs are not killed.  Dentists recommend that toothbrushes be replaced every 3 months if you are healthy, more often if you are not.  Toothbrushes should also be replaced after an illness. To kill germs soak the toothbrush in antiseptic mouthwash for 5 minutes or run your toothbrush through the dishwasher.  Warning: Boiling your toothbrush or running it through the dishwasher will wear out the bristles faster.
3. Feed your child a healthy diet.  If your child eats a proper diet it will strengthen his immune system and he will be better able to fight off cold-causing germs.  Make sure he eats plenty of fruits and vegetables, as these contain the proper vitamins and minerals needed to build up his body’s natural defenses.  Eating foods high in vitamins is better for absorption of those vitamins than taking vitamin tablets.
4. Encourage your child to drink plenty of water.  Water not only keeps your body hydrated during the very dry winter season, but it helps your body flush out unwanted toxins.  Water also helps your lymph system run better, which is part of your body’s immune system, and it fights off illness.
5. Make sure your child gets enough sleep.  Sleeping is extremely important, and most people don’t get enough of it.  Doctors recommend that children sleep 10-11 hours per night.  A lack of sleep can affect how well your child grows because the body produces a growth hormone during sleep.  Digestion also takes place during sleep.  Bodies need this down time to recover and rebuild after a busy day of being a kid.  By getting enough sleep the body is better prepared to fight off germs.    

P.S. This post was created and proposed to me by Martina Keyhell . I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

 http://www.becomeananny.com/blog/5-ways-to-prevent-your-child-from-catching-a-cold/