How a Nanny Can Determine a Family’s Needs

A large part of a nanny’s success – or a major contributing factor to her lack thereof – is dependent upon her ability to understand the individual needs of the family she works for. Just as no two children are alike, neither are the households they live in. Learning to navigate the particular landscape of family dynamics and scheduling in a new post is essential for the nanny who wishes to maintain her post for years to come.

Even a childcare provider who’s particularly adept at reading situations should  take certain steps to ensure that those observations are accurate and in accordance with the needs of her employers, as depending solely on instinct can often lead to misunderstandings and even serious disputes. In the interest of performing to the best of your abilities and providing the family that employs you with top-notch service, here are a few tips for determining their needs so that you can make your best effort to meet them.

• Ask Questions at the Interview – All too often, nannies see an in-person interview as more of a one-sided interrogation than a dialogue between both parties; as a result, questions go unasked and needs ultimately go unmet. Rather than answering all of a prospective employer’s questions without asking any of your own, make an effort to discuss the intricacies of the position and ask any applicable questions. In addition to making it easier for you to figure out what the position will entail, this simple action can save both you and a prospective employer a considerable amount of time and wasted effort by revealing a personality clash, fundamental disagreement, or any other potentially problematic aspect of a post. Asking courteous and polite questions will help you to determine exactly what a family is looking for, what they aren’t yet aware that they need, and give you a brief but informative glimpse of the inner workings of the household.
• Work With Your Employers to Create a Checklist of Responsibilities – Putting the responsibilities that your employers will be expecting you to fulfill in writing by working together to draft a checklist provides a great opportunity to discuss their individual needs and the ideal qualities they’d like their nanny to have. Though nannies typically only provide services that are directly related to the care of children, perhaps your employers are in need of light housekeeping or full household management. Working together to build a definitive list of responsibilities and expected tasks will allow you to best determine where their needs fall and how you can best meet them.
• Contact Their Last Nanny, If Possible – If your new employers and their previous nanny parted on good terms they will probably be willing to provide you with an email address or another form of contact information so that you can discuss her duties and what tasks she was regularly charged with. Be warned, however, that a family whose last nanny left under difficult circumstances or as a result of a serious dispute may not be willing to disclose any of that information. In that case, it might be wise to ask them what they did and did not like about her methods, in order to get a basic idea of what their expectations are.
• Document and Summarize Your Findings – Taking the time to summarize all of the information that you’ve collected regarding the needs and expectations of your new or prospective employers and presenting them for review is a great way of making sure that you’re all on the same page, and that your initial observations are correct. Should you be off base in some area or another, it also allows them the chance to dispel any misconceptions that you may be laboring under and better explain those needs.

During the process of drafting the written work agreement that will include a detailed summary of the expectations and responsibilities of both you and your new employer, you should be provided with an even clearer picture of how the household runs, where assistance is required, and what you should or should not contribute. Because a good contract should be so thorough that it could be considered exhaustive, you should have few, if any, questions about what will be expected of you. During the first few weeks of your new engagement, make sure that you’re as observant as possible; this adjustment period can be very informative, revealing needs that your new employers might not even realize that they have.

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

 

 http://www.nannyclassifieds.com/blog/how-a-nanny-can-determine-a-familys-needs/

 

How to Make Your Own Baby Food with a Blender

As concerns about genetically modified produce and dangerous farming practices escalate, and controversy surrounding Monsanto become more common, the number of parents committed to – or at least considering the practice of – making their own baby food is also on the rise. There are also parents who would love to provide their baby with organically grown, preservative- and additive-free foods, but are under the misconception that the process is a long and laborious one. In fact, making baby food from locally or organically grown fruits and vegetables is surprisingly simple.

The Price Factor

Any parent who’s seen the expensive systems advertised for making and storing baby food at home could easily be fooled into thinking that the process is not only a difficult or time-consuming one, but also an incredibly pricey option. The truth is, those systems are only more convenient than the tools you already have in your kitchen, if that, and they are by no means necessary to create fresh, nutritious food of verifiable origins for your bundle of joy. With nothing more than a pot, a knife, a cutting board, fresh produce, and a blender, you can be on the path to becoming an in-demand chef for the smaller set. Because saving money by making healthful food for your baby rather than paying more for processed jarred food is one of the many selling points of taking on the task, spending a small fortune on an entire system with all the bells and whistles is unnecessary.

Storage

Buying a fully-stocked homemade baby food system brings a set of storage containers to the party, but there are several storage options at your disposal that will work just as well in conjunction with the blender you already have. Rather than purchasing a space-hogging, pricey system, take advantage of the variety of storage solutions available to you for a fraction of the cost.

For frozen foods, simply prepare an item in accordance with your chosen recipe, and allow it to cool. Spoon the pureed food into ice cube trays and freeze them until they’re solid, then pop the cubes out and into carefully labeled freezer bags. Foods can then be defrosted in just the amount you need, eliminating waste and allowing you to make food in large batches when you have free time, rather than scrambling to make baby food every day. Small storage bowls are widely and readily available in the market today, and are also suitable for baby food storage. Just be sure that any plastic containers you purchase are BPA free in order to avoid any potential health risks.

Tips for Making the Most Out of Your Blender

Because small batches of food tend to be pushed to the sides of a blender carafe and missed by the blades, your blender is most effective as a method of pureeing baby food when you’re working with a fairly substantial amount of food. This small drawback is eliminated, however, by setting aside an afternoon to make and freeze enough food for a few weeks. Properly stored in airtight freezer containers, your baby food will have a shelf life of up to three months.

Blenders are also great at liquefying solid foods, which means that it’s important to keep a close eye on food that’s being pureed in a blender, lest it become a very thin soup. Always use the pulse button for maximum control over the texture and consistency of the food; using even a low continuous setting could turn your perfectly prepared produce into something more akin to a juice if you’re distracted from the running blender for a moment. With children in the house, there’s constant potential for distraction, so use the pulse button and watch carefully. Remember to scrape down the sides of the blender carafe regularly as well to ensure a uniform texture with few lumps.

Immersion or Stick Blenders

Parents that are lucky enough to have an immersion or stick blender in their kitchen are in an even better position to make their own baby food with less hassle. Rather than transferring cooked food to a blender carafe to puree and then moving it to containers for storage, food can be blended in the cooking vessel and dished straight into storage containers for easy clean-up. Just be sure to avoid scraping the sides or bottom of a non-stick pot with an immersion blender that doesn’t feature housing or guards to prevent flakes of Teflon from ending up in your baby’s carefully prepared, all-natural organic baby food.

  P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication 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/how-to-make-your-own-baby-food-with-a-blender/

Is the Bedtime Story a Dying Art

Storytelling used to be the only way families could pass on knowledge from generation to generation.  There were no books or computers to keep track of information.  Those born in 2012 are looking at the possible extinction of the paper book in their lifetime.  E-readers are so compact and can hold so much information that they are much easier and more convenient to hold and take along.  Will this change bring back the art of the bedtime story, or further help to get rid of it?

It’s not that children aren’t getting bedtime stories. They are, but they are stories read from a book.  With millions of books available it’s often easier to grab one of those than to come up with you own story.  According to Rick Polito, creator of Shake-N-tell, by reading books to our kids we are showing them how to be consumers and not creators.  Though reading books is very important in helping children learn to read, hearing original stories helps them learn to imagine.

Kids enjoy stories that are about things that have happened in their family.  You could call these stories non-fiction.  Tell your children about adventures you had when you were young.  Let them know how you spent your days.  In the days before computers and massively complicated video games kids actually played outside and made mud pies.  Use your stories as a jumping off point.  If you were once chased by a bumble bee, put yourself in the character of the bumble bee and tell the story from that perspective.

It seems that it’s easier and quicker to just grab a book at bedtime.  Parents are tired and want to sit down, put their feet up and relax a little before going to bed.  Keep in mind that your kids are only young once and if you make up stories for them at bedtime it is likely that they will do the same for their children.

Telling and sharing stories puts a personal spin on them.  There’s something about hearing stories that connects the teller and the listener.  Watch how differently your child looks at you when you read them a story versus when you tell them a story.  There are no pictures to look at because you are creating pictures with your words in their imaginations.  The stories are more interactive because the kids can ask questions about the characters.  When you read a book it’s not really possible to get into the author’s head.  Kids really like being able to find out the “back story” and will be that much more drawn in.  If you can help your kids use their imaginations they will be more prepared for all of the writing they will do in school.  Teachers ask the kids daily, to write a page about … fill in the blank.  If you have laid the ground work with your kids in story telling they will have no trouble writing these stories in school.

Then there are those people that say they can’t come up with their own stories.  They say that they are just not good at it.  You know the saying, “There’s an app for that!”  Well there is and it’s free.  It’s called Shake-N-Tell.  This application helps by providing the bones of a story and lets you use your imagination to embellish the details of the story.  The kids can help tell the story too.  Even if you don’t use it as a bedtime tool it would be a fun way to make a long car ride go by faster.

The creator of this application, Rick Polito, is a newspaper reporter turned stay-at-home dad and it occurred to him after talking with some of his friends that this application might help those people that are tired from a long day and are unable to come up with their own stories.  He wanted to give people the tools to create their own stories and possibly jump start their imaginations and get them to create their own after a while.

Give storytelling a try with your kids tonight and watch their imaginations grow.

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

 http://www.nationalnannies.com/blog/is-the-bedtime-story-a-dying-art/

Top 10 Parent Concerns About Hiring a Nanny

Today’s unstable economy almost demands that all families be two-working-parent households, which creates an enormous need for quality, capable childcare. New parents on the verge of returning to work,  as well as those that are considering a shift from daycare to in-home childcare, are faced with the often daunting task of finding and hiring a nanny to care for their children in their home. Regardless of how appealing the idea of having a nanny may be, there are still plenty of concerns that the majority of parents have.

1. Nanny Tax Compliance – CNN reported in 2004 that the compliance rate for families and nannies regarding tax laws was less than 13%, meaning that roughly 87% of families that employ domestic workers do so illegally. The penalties for being discovered are quite steep, with interest rates and back taxes adding up to a significant chunk of change. More nannies are beginning to understand the importance of being paid legally, and are unlikely to accept posts that require them to evade taxes. The laws that govern nanny taxes are very complex, which is a deterrent for many families that would otherwise be compliant; fortunately, there are services and specially-designed software available to help parents pay their childcare providers legally.
2. Qualifications – Every parent in search of a nanny dreams that they’ll find one with an advanced degree in child development and years of experience, but the truth is that those nannies can be difficult to come by. It’s not uncommon for parents to become disillusioned soon after beginning their nanny search when they discover how many individuals without education or nanny experience apply for nanny positions, leaving them concerned about the level of care a more accessible candidate may provide.
3. Lack of Regulation – Daycare centers have their drawbacks, but properly licensed ones are almost always regulated by impartial state agencies that ensure the environment is as safe as possible, and that workers are reasonably competent. As yet, the nanny industry has no such set of regulations, making it easy for almost anyone to apply for a post.
4. Disciplinary Styles – Disciplinary tactics can be a contentious, hot-button issue between couples; worries about the stance of a stranger can be enough to make a parent worry themselves to distraction. Concerns that a nanny might be too harsh, or even physically punish their child, has contributed to the rise in nanny cam usage.
5. Criminal Background – The advent of the Internet has simplified the process of running a background check on a prospective employee dramatically; before the web made ordering searches possible, parents were often forced to rely on the word of a nanny and her references alone. Still, parents worry about a nanny’s potential criminal history until those reports come in.
6. Questionable Driving Record – Parents that don’t expect their nanny to transport the children and aren’t planning to require her to run any errands outside the home may choose to save their time and money from being spent on a check for moving violations. Those that do have these expectations, however, may find themselves in a sea of worry regarding their new nanny’s ability to transport their children safely.
7. Eligibility For Employment – In areas with a large immigrant population, employers must confirm that any nanny candidate is legally allowed to accept work in the United States, which may be a challenge if the bulk of the domestic worker hiring pool is made up of those seeking to work illegally.
8. Insurance Requirements – In addition to any contributions to health insurance premiums that an employer may choose to make, many states require that nannies be covered under a worker’s compensation and disability policy.
9. The Children Might Love Her More – Despite the unlikelihood of a child coming to love his nanny more than his parents, it’s a very real concern for some. Terms like “mommy guilt” and “nanny jealousy” are so common that they’ve become part of the childcare provider lexicon, and can be difficult to combat.
10. Negotiating a Salary Package – Hiring a nanny requires parents to undertake the sometimes harrowing process of negotiating a compensation package that meets the needs and expectations of both parties; additionally, drafting a written nanny contract can also be quite tedious.

Despite the concerns and occasional problems finding and securing a competent and qualified nanny, most families that employ a private childcare provider are loath to consider any other options due to the exceptional level of one-one-one care and personalized attention that their children can receive from in-home care.
 P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by  Jessica Jackson.  I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:


 http://www.nannyagencies.net/blog/top-10-parent-concerns-about-hiring-a-nanny/

Can’t Keep Up? 10 Ways to Simplify Nanny Management

If looking for a nanny felt like a part-time job, managing one may feel like a full-time one. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to simplify managing your nanny while maintaining what matters the most: a trusting relationship with your children’s caregiver.
1. Use a nanny payroll service. Having to calculate the proper withholdings, writing out your nanny’s paychecks, and managing your employer tax responsibilities all takes time and energy. Consider outsourcing your payroll to a household payroll and service provider like Breedlove & Associates. Since they are experts in household employment, they’ll ensure your nanny is getting paid legally and that you’ve complied with the necessary tax rules and regulations.
2. Create a family binder. Put all the important information in one place. Keep contact lists, schedules, children’s sizes, school schedules, and all other household related information in the same place. You’ll also want to keep an executed authorization to treat a minor form and a copy of your nanny and family agreement in there as well to ensure easy access.
3. Give your nanny a credit card in her name. Instead of reimbursing your nanny for grocery shopping for the kids or taking the kids on an outing, give her a credit card in her name. By making her an authorized user on your account, you can order her a credit card with her name on it. If you’re not comfortable with this idea, consider a prepaid credit card.
4. Schedule weekly meetings. Knowing you have time set aside each week to address any issues or concerns can save you time and energy. It’s hard to have conversations when someone is rushing in and out of the door, and having to find time to “talk about it later” can be challenging. Knowing you have that time set aside can keep you from feeling like you have to choose between an in-depth conversation with your nanny at that moment or your work.
5. Streamline your communications. Instead of playing phone tag, consider having a set time you check-in with your nanny each day. Whether you check-in by phone, text, or email, knowing that you can expect your nanny to check in at the same time every day will save you from having to remember to call her or from being interrupted for routine communications.
6. Select a primary employer. Having a “go to” person from the start can help ensure your nanny receives important information from one source. If one parent is delegated the task of nanny management, the question “I thought you were going to tell the nanny” won’t even come up.
7. Have an in and out folder. Set aside a dual pocket folder to serve as your in and out box so that you can say goodbye to tracking down papers and coffee stained report cards. Ask your nanny to put anything you need to review on the left side and once you’ve reviewed it and acted accordingly, move it to the right side.
8. Secure back-up care in advance. There will be a day when your nanny gets sick or breaks down while driving to work and can’t get in. Having a back-up care plan in place can turn a potentially huge problem into a minor blip on your way out the door. Find out now if your company offers a corporate back-up care program. You may also want to make a list of trusted caregivers that could pinch hit for your nanny.
9. Have a place for your nanny to stay. If your nanny has to pull an all-nighter, inviting her to stay rather than drive home just to come back a few hours later makes sense. You won’t be worried that your nanny isn’t well rested and she won’t be dreading the late night drive home. If you have a spare room, be sure she feels welcome to use it.
10. Treat your nanny with respect. Before accusing your nanny of ruining your child’s prized blanket, ask if she knows what happened to it. Instead of assuming your nanny didn’t do what you’ve asked, consider if she understood your instructions. Fixing feelings takes more time and energy than avoiding hurt ones. Be considerate when interacting with your nanny. A nanny who feels valued and respected is much easier to manage.
If you can cut back on the time and energy you spend focusing on logistical nanny management, you can invest more time and energy into relationship management. At the end of the day, when it comes to nannies and employers’ relationship is what it’s all about.

 P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Sara Dawkins  I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information: 
http://www.nannypro.com/blog/cant-keep-up-10-ways-to-simplify-nanny-management/

Kitchen Safety Tips for Nannies

Few areas in the home are as full of sharp objects, heat sources, slippery floors, and dangerous chemicals as the kitchen. Even kitchens that have childproofing measures installed can be very dangerous, and nannies should take special care to supervise their charges while in the kitchen and reduce the risk of injury to her charges or herself by taking the proper precautions.

• Keep Surfaces and Utensils Clean – Food-borne illnesses like salmonella and E. coli can be very serious, especially for young children. To prevent transmitting these diseases to your charges or yourself, be sure that you adhere to safe food handling practices and keep all of your surfaces and utensils clean. Uncooked meats and eggs are especially notorious for causing food-borne illness, so handle them with additional care.
• Enforce Hand Washing Rules – It’s just as important to be sure that everyone washes their hands as it is keep surfaces and utensils clean; even small children that won’t be handling food should be instructed to wash their hands thoroughly, both as a preventative measure in case they do touch food items and to help them learn good kitchen hygiene early.
• Turn Handles to the Back of the Stove – The handles of pots and pans should always be turned to the back of the stove to prevent them from being pulled from the scorching surface by small hands or from being accidentally spilled on your own part. Burns can be very serious, especially on the delicate skin of small children, so never leave handles turned in such a way that they can be grabbed by kids or jostled by your own arms and hands.
• Supervise Kids Closely – Children love to help out in the kitchen, and they shouldn’t be left to bask in the glow of the television while you prepare meals. Instead of exiling children to the living room and leaving them to their own devices, invite them into the kitchen but be sure to supervise them very carefully.
• Explain Tools and Their Purposes – Tools, implements, and utensils that kids aren’t allowed to examine take on a mysterious allure, so be sure to carefully explain what each item is, what it’s used for, and how it can be dangerous.
• Get Kids Involved – When children are engaged in safe kitchen activities they’re less likely to be drawn to unsafe ones while you’re otherwise occupied. Let your charges complete small, safe food prep tasks as you cook; in addition to keeping them safely entertained, it also gives them a sense of accomplishment and teaches new skills.
• Avoid Scalds – The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents turn water heater temperatures to 120° or less to avoid accidental scalds, which are the most common type of burn seen in small children that visit emergency rooms. However, some parents may have missed the memo; to be safe, assume that your employers have not adjusted their water heaters and teach kids to be very, very careful with the sink.
• Outlaw Running and Horseplay – Let it be known before you enter the kitchen together for the first time that horseplay, running, or roughhousing of any kind is strictly forbidden, and take a no-tolerance stance on the issue. There are too many potential hazards in the kitchen for kids to treat it like a playground.
• Keep Small Appliances Clear of the Sink – Small appliances that can easily drop into a sink full of water should be handled carefully, and unplugged immediately after use to prevent electrocution.
• No Climbing! – Kids are usually taught not to climb onto shelves or counters in order to reach items placed on high surfaces, so it’s important for you to model the same behavior. If climbing is unavoidable, be sure to use a designated step stool and do so safely, rather than clambering onto a kitchen chair or the countertop.
• Keep Kids Clear of the Oven – Curiosity is a major motivator for kids, especially if there are tasty treats in the oven. Watching cookies go from gooey batter to delicious snacks is fascinating for little ones, who may want to peek into the oven from time to time. Be sure that they know not to ever open the oven themselves, and to stand well clear of the searing heat when you open it for them.

All of the safety precautions in the world can’t take the place of strict supervision, so do your best to maintain a close watch on your charges as they spend time with you in the kitchen. Also, ensure that there is a small fire extinguisher on hand before preparing a meal in your employers’ home, just to be on the safe side.
 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


 http://www.gonannies.com/blog/2012/kitchen-safety-tips-for-nannies/

How to Teach Your Child to Tie Their Shoes Without Bunny Ears

Tying your shoes is something that most people do almost every day, often without even thinking about it, but with the invention of Velcro shoes some parents are putting off teaching their children how to tie their shoes.  However tying shoes is a necessary lesson that can be taught when a child is young.  If your child can handle a pair of scissors and successfully cut paper then she has the dexterity to tie her own shoes.  Kids should have the ability to tie their shoes between the ages of 3 and 6.

The easiest way to start teaching your child to tie her shoes is to get a couple of adult shoes out to practice on, one for you and one for her.  On her shoe it might make the teaching process easier if you re-lace her shoe with a white lace in which you have taken a marker and colored half of the lace.  That way you can refer to the white lace and to the colored lace instead of trying to explain right and left to her.

If your child’s dominant hand is the same as yours, sit side by side with her to teach her.  If your child has the opposite dominant hand, then sit across from her.  This will ensure that you are not teaching her backwards.

Step 1: Cross the laces and tuck one lace underneath the other lace and pull both laces tight to the shoe.

Step 2: Make a loop out of one of the laces.  While holding that loop tightly in one hand, use the other hand to wrap the straight lace around the loop.  Show her how to tuck the straight lace through the hole beneath the loop that she is holding.  Let go of the loop.

Step 3: Take a loop in each hand and pull tight.  Adjust the loops until they are about the same.

Step 4: Take a loop in each hand and cross them, just like she did at the beginning with the laces.  She will tuck one loop under the other and pull tight.  Now she has double tied her shoes and they shouldn’t come untied.

Step 5: Practice, practice, practice!

Allow your child to practice with you and patiently help her perfect her skills.  This lesson could take as little as 45 minutes or it could take several days, depending on how quickly your child picks up on the technique.  Make the process fun and your child will want to keep practicing.  If you get upset with her then she won’t want to continue practicing because it will no longer be fun.

Once she has mastered tying the big shoe let her practice on her own little shoe.  This will be harder because the laces will be much shorter.  After she has gotten good at tying her shoe with it off her foot, show her how to loosen the laces and put her shoe on and then tighten up the laces and tie her shoe.  She can sit and practice this skill on her own at this point.  Make sure that you lavish her with praise every step of the way.  Soon you will be able to have her put her own shoes on and tie them herself.  This is a huge accomplishment for her and one she should be proud of.

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

 http://www.babysitting.net/blog/how-to-teach-your-child-to-tie-their-shoes-without-bunny-ears/

30 Killer Blogs Full of Snack Ideas for Kids

It’s not uncommon to fall back on snack staples when it comes to getting food to your kids during their afternoon snack attacks, however sometimes those old standbys can get a little stale. These 30 blogs offer tons of fun, new snack ideas for you to try to keep the kids satisfied when the afternoon munchies strike.
Homemade Snacks for Kids
By making homemade snacks that look and taste like the store bought varieties that kids love you achieve two goals.  First, you can control the ingredients that go into the snacks and second, you can save money.  Kids won’t feel like they are missing out on what their friends are eating when they’re served these snacks.

• Recipes for making granola bars, goldfish crackers and more
• Free e-cookbook for copycat recipes for store bought snacks
• Recipes for personal pizzas and other yummy snacks
• Frozen custard recipe along with many other snacks
• Recipes for homemade girl scout cookies

Snacks for kids following the Paleolithic Diet
The Paleo diet, or Caveman diet as it is also known by, is made up of food that is gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, lactose-free, soy-free and preservative-free.  Eating like the cavemen used to eat before foods became commercialized and filled with chemicals can be a smart, healthy choice for kids with allergies.

• Recipes that are gluten free, grain free, dairy free, lactose free, soy free etc
• Recipes for snacks and meal ideas
• Trail mix recipe and other kid meals
• Recipes for Paleo Crunch and a new product reviewed
• Recipes from Paleo cookbooks

Bento or Muffin Tin Snacks
Bento boxes are of Japanese decent and contain many little boxes or compartments within a larger box.  Bento boxes can be used for lunches as well as snacks.  Muffin tin snacks are similar to Bento boxes in that they utilize a variety of small foods making up the lunch or snack, but obviously there is no box to hold the muffin tin.  Muffin tins are a fun way to serve lunches and snacks at home.

• Healthy wraps, fruit and other small bites
• Nutritionist and blogger that loves bento boxes
• Fun and fabulous snack ideas that are nutritious too
• Tons of muffin tin snack and lunch ideas
• Muffin tin nibbles and many other snack ideas

Vegetarian and Vegan Snack ideas
Vegetarian or vegan snacks are a great idea whether you’re a vegetarian or not.  Children need to eat approximately 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily to get all of the vitamins and minerals they need.

• Many yummy suggestions for using eggs, veggies and cheese
• Yogurt parfaits to baked potatoes the snack ideas abound
• Ants on a log to a butterfly snack this blogger is very creative
• Mini versions of larger things make for great snacks
• Snacks the kids will want to eat

Snack Ideas for Busy Moms
When kids walk in the door from school you know what comes next. “I’m hungry.”  With everything that busy moms have going on, it’s nice to have snacks ready and waiting and snack ideas for things kids can easily pull together themselves.

• Make ahead ideas so kids can help themselves
• Planning and organizing ideas to make snack time simple
• Inexpensive ideas to feed the kids when they need a snack
• Fun and easy snacks to keep kids busy and full
• Even toddlers can help make some of these recipes

Healthy Snacks that Kids Will Love
Snacks that are healthy and fun to eat are a winning combination.  These bloggers have kids too, and have found some healthy snack options that their kids love.

• Spiced edamame and frozen treats cover both hot and cold snacks
• Healthy ideas with some unusual ideas
• Healthy ideas for mind and body
• High Protein Snack ideas
• Funny and idea filled with healthy snacks
•  P.S.. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Paul Taylor,  I'm therefore publishing it by his invitation and under his permission. See also the link below fore more information:  
•  
•  http://www.babysittingjobs.com/blog/30-killer-blogs-full-of-snack-ideas-for-kids/
•  

Tips for Dealing with Separation Anxiety in Children

Few things tug at a parent’s heartstrings like the cries and pleas of a child in the throes of a separation anxiety attack; still, they are a normal (if distressing) part of childhood development. With proper coping strategies and plenty of love, the worst of your child’s anxieties can be managed until he’s older, at which point most children tend to outgrow their fears of being separated from a parent or familiar adult.
Managing your child’s separation anxiety and helping her to cope with the necessary but painful routine of parting is a matter of being patient, for the most part. Keeping your composure and maintaining a grip on your patience is absolutely necessary in order for you to successfully employ other management techniques.

• Establish a Goodbye Ritual – Sharing a special goodbye ritual with your little one is both comforting and reassuring to her, letting her know that staying at school, daycare, or under the care of a nanny is a new part of her routine. Because structure and repetition are so important to young children, establishing a ritual that accompanies every separation can help normalize that separation, making it less stressful for her over time.
• Stay Calm – Kids react to the emotional state of a parent or loved one, so allowing yourself to become overly emotional or anxious in her presence is likely to only exacerbate the anxiety and fear that she’s already feeling. Maintain your composure as best you can, saving the emotional moments for a time when you’re out of her sight.
• Don’t Hover or Linger – While it might seem that your hysterical child will never calm down after you leave, childcare providers will almost always reassure you that their emotional state will improve dramatically once you’re gone. Lingering around and hovering over her will only prolong the process, stretching out both her suffering and your own.
• Speak with Caregivers and Teachers – Experienced childcare providers and preschool or kindergarten teachers are well-versed in reassuring both hysterical children and their concerned parents, so don’t hesitate to speak with them about how your child is adjusting. When normal separation anxiety is particularly difficult for a child to shake, or persists after a significant adjustment period, these people are your best allies in combating your little one’s fears and helping her learn to cope with separation in a calm, healthy way.
• Resist the Temptation to Sneak Away – It can be very tempting to wait until your child is distracted and slip quietly from the room, but this may not be the most productive method of dealing with her separation anxiety. Looking up to find you inexplicably gone, without any sort of a goodbye, can lead to a panic that she’s been abandoned or, at the very least, to feel that she can’t always trust that you’ll be where you should be.
• Communicate With Your Child – You can help prepare your child for preschool, kindergarten, or childcare by talking about the upcoming change, practicing separation on a small scale, and answering any questions that she has. These methods can be very effective in preventing the worst of her anxiety before it starts, and maintaining that open line of communication as she adjusts to her new environment and has new experiences is vital.
• Be Firm and Consistent – Don’t waver or bring your child home after a particularly bad outburst, as it sends the message that a tantrum will yield the desired result of either leaving daycare or school with you or sending your nanny home, rather than being separated. Focus on maintaining a firm but gentle demeanor, and a strong grip on your resolve.
• Know When Separation Anxiety Indicates Something More Serious – While separation anxiety is a very natural, normal part of growing up for many children, there are times when it could indicate something more serious. If a previously happy, well-adjusted child begins to regress and show signs of anxiety again, or if existing anxiety is severe and does not lessen with time, you should contact your pediatrician or medical provider for advice.

Kids that suffer from separation anxiety rarely require the attention of a medical professional, though those that do may have an underlying anxiety disorder than manifests as a profound fear of being separated from a parent or loved one. Be sure to let your pediatrician know exactly what’s going on with your child, especially if her behavior is regressing; reverting to immature habits can be a sign of abuse, and should be taken seriously.
P. .S. This post was  proposed to me for publication byPatricia Salway . I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission

 http://www.liveoutnanny.com/blog/tips-for-dealing-with-separation-anxiety-in-children/

How to Keep Baby Cool in the Summer Without AC

Staying cool during the summer isn’t just a desire for babies, it’s a necessity. Babies who become overheated can suffer terrible consequences, ranging from heat exhaustion to heatstroke. While babies can’t exactly tell you when they are hot, there are signs that can indicate your baby is overheating. Some signs that indicate overheating include your baby being extremely thirsty, tired, and having skin that is cool and moist.

Overheating is one of the leading causes of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) according to the National Sleep Foundation.  When babies are too warm they sleep deeper, which can lead to trouble. For this reason, it’s important not to overdress your baby for sleep. When she is sleeping in her crib and there is no air conditioning in her room, putting her in a onesie or a pair of light pajamas is best.  You’ll also want to have a fan running in her room to circulate the air, but make sure that the fan isn’t blowing directly on her. To cool the air that the fan is blowing you can put a pan of ice water in front of it.

A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby like you are comfortably dressed, plus one layer. If you are comfortable wearing shorts and a T-shirt then put her in that as well, plus a onesie underneath.  If you’re burning up and have a pair of shorts on, leaving your baby just in her diaper may be appropriate.  Try to avoid synthetic fabrics when dressing her as they tend to trap the heat and moisture in instead of allowing her skin to breathe.

If you are going to be going outside with your baby then dress her in lightweight cotton long pants, long sleeves, and a floppy hat.  Keep her in the shade and preferably somewhere she can feel a breeze.  It’s better to keep her skin covered than to use sunscreen on a very young infant.  If you must use sunscreen, apply it conservatively and only to the areas of skin that are exposed. You’ll also want to avoid being outside between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m because the sun’s rays are the most damaging during these times.

On hot days holding your baby can cause her to become too hot. Your body is warm against hers and she can overheat from being held close to you.  If you must use a baby carrier, make sure it’s a lightweight nylon or mesh one and not something heavy like denim.  You want to use breathable fabrics wherever possible.

It’s also essential to keep babies hydrated when it’s hot outside.  Babies sweat too, and in warmer weather you need to make sure that you are giving her plenty of fluids.  Infants over six months of age can be given water to help keep them hydrated.

Water play can be a good option for those babies that are able to sit up on their own.  Never leave your baby unattended during water play or a bath.  Babies love to splash in the water.  Taking her to a covered baby pool will also help to keep her cool.  If these things are not an option, putting a cool wash cloth on your baby from time to time throughout the day will help keep her cool.

If it just seems too hot both in your home and outside and you fear that your baby is too warm it’s a good idea to go hang out in a public place with air conditioning.  The library or the mall can offer convenient, cool choices.

If you feel like your baby is becoming sick from the heat, contact her healthcare provider. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are serious conditions that warrant medical attention.

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

 http://www.summernannyjobs.com/blog/how-to-keep-baby-cool-in-the-summer-without-ac/

The bitter surprise

You could have told me it was so hursh, boys!!! It tastes so sour!!!!I thought it was an apple or something sweeter!!!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html

Six Months? Not really: say six days!

Six must be his magic number for the giant newborn in South Yorkshire, England.

His name is Harry and when was born he weighed more than six kilos, but he looks like a six month year old baby, though is only six days (see the picture).

It's a record for the hospital where he was born at, since the records began.

Best wishes to his parents mother Sharon and father Paul, who feel very proud of the newborn, though had to dump the too small clothes they had taken ready to use.

Meet Harry the newborn heavyweight: The baby who tips the scales at almost a STONE
By Daily Mail Reporter

Meet Harry Crossland, the giant newborn baby who made his heavyweight arrival into the world tipping the scales at almost a stone.
Harry weighed in at an amazing 13lb 15oz, leaving hospital staff - and mother Sharon Needham - stunned.
And Harry is a record breaker at Doncaster Royal Infirmary where he is the heaviest birth since records began.

Miss Needham, 35, and partner Mechanic Paul Crossland, 51, have had to dump the smaller clothes they were planning to use for their son, who is double the size of the average newborn.
Instead he is already in clothes ordinary babies would wear at age six.
Mother of five Miss Needham, of Bessacarr, Doncaster, had to give birth by Caesarean section because Harry was too big for a normal birth.
She was conscious during the operation but was shielded from the operation by a curtain as Paul held her hand. But they were left speechless when the midwife handed Harry over.
She said: ‘We were both flabbergasted . When the nurses popped him over the curtain we were both speechless. I thought they'd given me someone else's baby.
‘I had a growth scan the day before and the staff said he would be about nine and a half pounds so it was a massive shock.
‘The nurses were shocked as well . They said he was the biggest baby the hospital had ever delivered.
‘When we went up to the special care ward, they couldn't believe he was newborn, they thought he had been transferred to the wrong ward and should have gone to the paediatric ward.’
Harry weighed more than the combined weight of his 13-year-old twin siblings, Siobhan and Kyle, who were born totalling 12lb 14oz.

Proud: Harry with parents Sharon Needham and Paul Crossland at home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Miss Needham's eldest Nikkita, 15, weighed 8lb 11oz and daughter Elisha, ten was 7lb 2oz.
The astonished mother, who herself weighed 7lb 7oz, said: ‘There has never been a history of big babies in the family but I knew he would be fairly heavy because I couldn't walk with Harry in the final days of pregnancy.
‘I never experienced that with any of the other children, even with the twins, I could walk fine when I was pregnant with them.’
Medical staff calculated that she was carrying around three litres of water with Harry and her placenta weighed much heavier than normal - at 1.6kg.
But she can't explain why her son was so heavy and she didn't eat large amounts of food during pregnancy.
Miss Needham added: ‘I couldn't eat at all because I felt full after every mouthful.
‘He must have been putting pressure on my stomach.’
Mr Crossland said: ‘It was a huge surprise.’
Britain's heaviest newborn was Guy Warwick Carr, delivered in Cumbria in 1992 weighing 15lb 8oz .
The heaviest baby ever born was produced by Anna Bates of Canada in 1879, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
She weighed 23lb 12lb and died 11 hours after birth.
The record for a baby which survived is held by a boy born weighing 22lb 8oz at Aversa, Italy, in 1955.
The heaviest recent birth was a boy born last September to a woman in Northern Sumatra Indonesia at 19lb 3oz.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1268124/Harry-heavywight-Newborn-tips-scales-STONE.html#ixzz0ltTbPGq5