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7 Ways Every Child Can Benefit From Music Lessons

Posted on December 11, 2012 by admin

As public school systems slash budgets and eliminate musical education programs around the country, more and more parents are forced to find private musical instruction for their children. For parents who aren’t sure if the benefits of musical lessons justify the added expense and hassle, here are seven of the scientifically-proven benefits of music education.

  1. Enhanced Abstract Reasoning Skills – Abstract reasoning skills, which play a crucial role in the development of mathematical and scientific aptitude, are markedly enhanced by musical instruction, according to a 1997 study stating that early childhood music education has a positive physiological impact. Children who actively participate in band or orchestra, or who have pursued private musical instruction, also tend to have higher math and science scores in adolescent and teenage years.
  2. Stronger Cognitive Processes – A Henrich Heine University study reported findings that exposure to music enhances the cognitive process, boosting language and reasoning abilities. After studying the undergraduate majors of medical school students, noted physician and biologist Lewis Thomas also discovered that 66% of music majors who applied to medical school went on to be accepted, the highest percentage of any group.
  3. Higher Standardized Testing Scores – On average, students with musical instruction and performance experience scored up to 57 points higher on verbal portions of the SAT and 41 points higher on the math portion than their peers with no musical background, according to the College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers. Princeton, NJ: The College Entrance Examination Board, 2001.
  4. Increased Likelihood of Finishing High School and Attending College – Several studies, including one conducted in Florida in 1990, indicated that music, art and drama programs in public schools helped children to feel more involved with their school, and fostered a sense of community with like-minded fellow students that positively influenced their decision to stay in school. Similarly, a 2007 Harris Interactive poll suggests that 88% of those holding graduate degrees have a background in music education.
  5. Reduced Likelihood of Drug and Alcohol Abuse – The 1998 Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report revealed that secondary students who were actively involved with band or orchestra reported the lowest current and lifetime rates of drugs, alcohol and tobacco use. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has also issued a list of factors they believe could reduce the risk of adolescent and teen substance abuse; among them was success in school and involvement with school organizations. Children who are active participants in band, orchestra and other musical activities may face a significantly lower risk of addiction.
  6. Greater Self-Discipline – A paper entitled “Music Linked to Reduced Criminality”, which was released by MuSICA Research Notes in 2000, examined a group of Rhode Island natives from infancy to age 30. The study discovered a significantly diminished arrest rate among those who had been involved in music and musical education. The dedication, determination and willingness to sacrifice free time for practice and performance fosters a strong sense of self-discipline in a child, which may lead to a lower likelihood of anti-social behavior.
  7. Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem – Developing and mastering new skills dramatically boosts kids’ confidence and self-esteem. Through musical instruction, children are constantly learning new skills, improving them, and sharpening them to excellence.

Whether your child is enrolled in private music instruction, or is fortunate enough to attend a school that still offers a music program, the benefits of a music education are undeniable.

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Pros and Cons of Disability Insurance for Nannies

Posted on December 9, 2012 by admin

While most states require the employers of domestic workers to carry worker’s compensation insurance to protect employees injured on the job, few states require those employers to take out disability policies. Disability insurance is designed to protect workers that sustain injuries or contract illnesses outside of the workplace that render them incapable of holding steady employment for a specified period of time, which is generally 14 weeks or less.

Depending on the requirements and guidelines governing disability insurance for domestic workers in your state, there are definite pros and cons alike to carrying a disability insurance policy for your nanny. Assuming that your state is among those that do not require you to obtain disability insurance, there are two sides of the proverbial coin to consider.

Pros of Carrying Disability Insurance for Your Nanny

The relationship between a nanny and her employers can become extremely close, and for some, almost familial. When the woman who cares for your children and oversees your household in your absence is injured or becomes ill, the natural instinct can be to offer your assistance. However, footing the bill of both her salary and that of a temporary replacement nanny over the course of her absence can create a significant financial strain. Preparing for the possibility of a serious injury or severe illness that incapacitates her for several months by paying a relatively small premium for a temporary disability insurance policy is a wise move, especially if she has potentially dangerous or risky hobbies that she engages in during her off hours.

Temporary disability insurance also provides both nannies and their employers with a sense of stability and peace of mind by affording coverage for both unforeseen illness and injury, but may also cover maternity leave. Because the available pool of nannies consists heavily of women working during their childbearing years, this can be an added benefit of securing coverage. Furthermore, a sick or injured nanny who knows that she’ll be provided for is more likely to complete required physical therapy and adhere to recovery guidelines. Concerns of losing her post or financial constraints that might otherwise cause her to rush the process could lead to aggravation of injuries or incomplete recovery; with temporary disability insurance to cover at least a portion of her salary, your nanny is free to concentrate on her full recovery so she is able to return to her post in peak physical condition.

Cons of Carrying Disability Insurance for Your Nanny

The primary drawback of temporary disability insurance is that, even with premiums fully paid and up-to-date, some nannies may not be eligible for benefits in some cases. Benefits generally cannot be received in conjunction with worker’s compensation wage replacement, though there are exemptions to these exclusions in some states and through some carriers. Also, wage continuation payments may be as little as half of a nanny’s regular take-home pay, which may be enough to prevent total financial devastation during her recovery period, but still leave her in less than comfortable conditions.

In many cases, employers that contemplate carrying temporary disability insurance for their childcare provider are also contributing to the premiums for her health insurance and paying the requisite nanny taxes in addition to her salary and any performance bonuses or vacation pay. Though temporary disability insurance premiums may be comparatively small, any additional fees can add up to an infeasible or unmanageable strain on the family budget. Additionally, if you live in a state that allows employers to opt out of state-run programs in favor of a private insurance equivalent, you may find yourself beset by extra fees and higher rates than simply paying into state-funded disability programs. However, these programs are typically quite minimal and have no options for long-term coverage; navigating the complexities of disability insurance in these states can prove to be quite stressful.

Families that are hiring their first nanny are advised to carefully review all pertinent laws before making a final hiring decision in order to avoid surprises in the form of higher-than-expected taxes, fees and unforeseen expenses. Researching the disability insurance requirements of your state and learning what a state-funded program will cover versus a private equivalent is the best way to ensure that both you and your nanny are getting the best possible coverage. Despite the complex nature of nanny compensation and tax laws, parents are not advised to attempt a shortcut by paying off the books; this illegal and risky practice could easily come back to haunt you should she apply for unemployment benefits, disability or Social Security in the future.

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10 Reptiles That Make Great Pets for Kids

Posted on December 5, 2012 by admin

For apartment-dwelling kids or families who have limited space, traditional pets might not be a great fit. Reptiles, however, typically live in self-contained environments that require a relatively small space commitment. While not all reptiles are ideal choices for kids, there are many that could prove to be perfect for your family. Here are 10 of the most kid-friendly pet reptiles.

  1. Corn Snakes – As a general rule, snakes require significantly less space and attention than many other types of reptiles, making them ideally suited to live in a tank inside an easily-distracted child’s room. The slender bodies of corn snakes are easy for children to handle, but be warned: they can also be masters of escape if housed improperly or if the lid to their habitat is left unlatched.
  2. Ball Pythons – For kids that want a snake with a heftier body, the Ball Python might be a good choice. The humidity and temperature of their habitats do need to be carefully monitored, but they’re relatively low-maintenance pets that are typically very tolerant of excessive handling.
  3. Leopard Geckos – Hardy and tolerant to handling, the leopard gecko’s diet of insects, vegetables and greens is easily acquired and can be handled by an older child without much assistance. The biggest drawback to the leopard gecko is its nocturnal nature, which can cause kids to become less interested when they discover that it sleeps for most of the day and is active at night.
  4. Bearded Dragons – One of the most popular lizards for children’s pets is the bearded dragon, which can grow up to two feet long in adulthood and subsists on a mixed diet of insects and vegetables. Bearded dragons typically have good personalities and are well-suited to children.
  5. Fat-Tailed Geckos – Generally quite docile and easy to tame, the fat-tailed gecko is another suitable reptile for children, and their 10 inch average size is easy for smaller hands to accommodate. They are also very tolerant to regular handling. They typically live for 15 to 20 years, so you’re not likely to have to handle the delicate subject of death when your child is still too young to process the concept properly.
  6. Fire-Bellied Toads – Despite their ominous-sounding name, the fire-bellied toad can be the perfect pet for a frog-loving child. They also can survive comfortably in a smaller environment and are generally less expensive and less difficult to keep up than other types of reptiles.
  7. King Snakes – Slower-moving than many of their snake relatives, the king snake is small and quite friendly. With proper handling, the king snake is far less likely to bite than other species, and is also much easier for children to hold securely.
  8. Box Turtles – These turtles have acquired the reputation of being quite easy to care for, which is sometimes true and sometimes not. Their disposition typically depends on the area in which you live and whether or not the box turtle is a naturally-occurring species and if you plan to house it outdoors. If your accommodations are adequate and you provide proper care for your new box turtle, it can live for a very long time. It is very important, however, that you make sure that the turtle you’re purchasing was captive bred; laws governing the sale of these reptiles have caused a huge spike in the capture of wild adults, which is rapidly diminishing the number of these creatures in their natural habitats.
  9. Crested Geckos – Less finicky about heat than some of their lizard brethren, the crested gecko does require a vertical cage to accommodate his ability to walk vertically across a surface. Though the crested gecko is another nocturnal lizard, their relative ease-of-care makes them one of the better choices for kids.
  10. Anoles – Though their five to seven year lifespan is significantly shorter than those of many other lizards, the anole is quite small and can change colors from green to brown. Docile after taming, they can tolerate capable handling once they’ve become accustomed to it, though they are easily frightened in some cases.

It’s important to carefully research the habits and needs of a particular reptile before bringing it home, as there are many factors that make specific creatures less than ideal for kids. Some, for instance, can become so stressed from frequent handling that their health is affected. Also, children that are too young to understand proper hygiene should never handle a reptile without adult supervision, as some varieties can carry the salmonella virus, which can be easily spread if kids don’t wash their hands thoroughly. Be sure to take your time before making your decision to ensure that both your child and their new pet are happy and healthy.

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5 Fun Poses for this Year’s Family Christmas Photo

Posted on November 27, 2012 by admin

Every year, many families like to take a Christmas photo with their family. Whether they use this photo for their Christmas cards, to place in their scrapbook, or to frame and hang on the wall, it can be challenging to come up with the right outfits to wear, the right location to have the picture taken, and how to differentiate it from past Christmas photos.  Have no fear, Christmas photo pose ideas are here.

  1. Spell something- Ideally you would spell your last name, but sometimes the number of people in your family doesn’t match up with the number of letters in your last name.  If you have a short last name and it works out with your family members that’s great, but otherwise you can spell out words like: Love, Joy, Peace and Cheer.  Start by creating the letter signs.  You will need one cardboard rectangle for each letter.  Write, adhere or otherwise get the letters on the cardboard.  Find a rustic place to shoot the picture.  Have everyone in the family wear blue jeans and white shirts.  Line up tallest to shortest and hold the signs.  Have a friend take the picture or use a camera with a timer.
  2. Stairway pose- Use the stairs in your house if you have some or take advantage of steps at some other pretty holiday location.  Have everyone wear red shirts and black pants.  Shoes will be visible in this picture, so black dress shoes would work best.  The tallest person can be on top or bottom.  If there is a very young child, you might want the tallest person on top so that the second shortest person can hold the baby in front of them.  Everyone line up on the stairs, making sure that your head is visible over the person in front of you.  Have a friend take the picture or use a camera with a timer.
  3. Beachy delight- If you live by the beach, or you think about this ahead of time while you are at your favorite beach, you can shoot this picture and use it for your Christmas photo.  Everyone needs to wear jeans and roll them up like you have been wading in the water.  Button up chambray shirts left open over white T-shirts or tank tops on top are a good option to pair with rolled up jeans.  Don’t wear shoes, but have everyone wear a Santa hat.  Try to have someone shoot a few different shots.  Casual shots of everyone walking along the water are pretty, or you can pose together with the water as the back drop.
  4. All tied up- This is a kids only picture and works best with only two kids.  Dress the kids in their Christmas pajamas and Santa hats.  Put them in chairs back to back.  Put green painter’s tape over their mouths (nothing too sticky).  Have them clasp their hands together in their lap and then wrap strings of Christmas lights around them.  Make sure to do at least one wrap around their legs and hands.  For this one you must have a sense of humor.  Looks like Santa caught some spies!
  5. It’s a wrap- Take a box large enough for all of the kids to fit in.  Wrap the box with solid red or green wrapping paper and some festive ribbon, leaving the top open.  Try to keep the patterns simple so as to not distract from the kids.  Put Santa hats on all of the kids and have them peeking out from inside of the box.  You can decide whether you want to see just their eyes and fingers or their whole heads.

Use your creativity and come up with your own funny Christmas pictures.  Break away from the same boring posed pictures with mom and dad in the back and the kids standing in front of them.  The crazier the better – your family and friends will love it!

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10 Tips for Parents Hiring a Nanny Online

Posted on November 15, 2012 by admin

Online nanny jobs sites are an inexpensive and effective way to find a nanny, and both nannies and nanny employers alike are utilizing them more frequently these days. Here are 10 tips that will help make your online search more successful.

  1. Understand how the online hiring process works. Online nanny job sites are often referred to as “online nanny agencies”, however, online sites don’t do any of the legwork associated with matching or screening a nanny, which is the primary job of a nanny placement agency. Online site do offer parents a variety of tools to help them do the matching and screening themselves. By understanding exactly what an online job site can do for you and what you need to do for yourself, you’ll be much better prepared to successfully navigate the site and the nanny hiring process.
  2. Create a clear, detailed job description. Before you begin your search, make sure you have a clear vision of what your needs are. Outline the hours you need coverage, list the tasks and responsibilities you want your nanny to take on, and detail any unique needs you have, like extensive travel, help with a child with special needs, or cooking for a Kosher household.
  3. Know what you want in a nanny. Obviously you want a nanny that can fulfill your job requirements, but what else is important to you? Are you looking for a nanny with at least 5 years of experience? Do you want someone who has a lot of creativity? Do you want a caregiver that has a strong background in education? Before you can effectively find the nanny you want, you have to know exactly what you’re looking for.
  4. Develop a systematic approach to reviewing and responding to nannies that contact you. Parents are often surprised by the high number of nannies that respond to their family profile. If you’re not prepared with a plan of action, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. By knowing what you want in a nanny, you’ll be able to quickly scan candidates and locate the ones who have a real hiring possibility. Follow-up immediately with those candidates and let them know you’re interested in learning more about them.  For the candidates that don’t meet your requirements, make sure to let them know. If the site you’re using offers an automatic “reject” option, take advantage of it. This is a quick, easy and considerate way to let applicants know they don’t match what you’re looking for. If your site doesn’t offer that option, have a statement already prepared that you can simply cut, paste and email.
  5. Protect your family’s privacy. Overall, nanny job sites are safe places. However, you also need to remember that it’s still an online forum, and during the initial stages you really don’t know who’s on the other end of the private messages and emails. Take the same precautions you’d take in any other online forum, like using the blind messaging system and meeting for the first time in a public place, that way you can protect your family’s privacy and security.
  6. Conduct a comprehensive interview. Once you’ve narrowed your search down to a few standout candidates, invest the time needed to do an in-depth interview. Start with a shorter phone interview, then move onto a longer face-to-face interview. Make sure you prepare for the interview and know how to get to the information that’s most important to you. Before you make a final decision, it’s a good idea to bring the nanny in for a working interview, that way you can see her in action.
  7. Do an in-depth reference check. After the interview, check all the nanny’s references. Talk with former employers, teachers, clergy and other professional references. Ask open ended questions rather than simple yes or no questions. Ask about her experience, her work ethic, her personality and the type of job she does best in. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. This is the time to get the full picture.
  8. Put the candidate through a thorough background check. Before you welcome a nanny into your home make sure you do a Social Security Number verification, check her criminal history, her driving record and any other checks you feel are necessary.
  9. Don’t stop your search until you and the nanny have a signed contract in place. It’s easy to connect with a nanny early in the process and feel like you’ve found “the one”. And when she feels the same way, both parents and nannies often stop looking. However, sometimes as employer and employee get to know each other better, something comes up that will torpedo the connection. So keep looking and pursuing matching candidates until you’ve gotten through the interview, the references and the contract negotiations. Of course you want to be honest about where you are in the process but you also want to avoid putting all your eggs into one basket.
  10. Trust your instincts. It’s important to follow a process when hiring a nanny to make sure you cover all your bases. However when deciding on the right nanny for your family, follow your instincts. If something seems off, if something doesn’t sit well with you listen to that. This is a very personal decision and it’s key that you’re fully comfortable with your new nanny.

Using an online job site can be a great path to your next nanny. Create a plan of action, follow your instincts, gather as much information as possible to make an educated and informed hiring decision and hire the right nanny for your family.

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How to Hire a Nanny without Using an Agency

Posted on November 6, 2012 by admin

While nanny agencies are a popular way of securing private, in-home childcare, there are parents who would prefer to find a nanny on their own, without the services of such placement agencies. Fortunately for those families, there are a wide variety of ways to find a nanny without the assistance of an agency. From the best ways to find a nanny without agency assistance to the ins and outs of running the hiring show yourself, here are a few tips to help you along the way.

  • Take Advantage of Nanny Websites – Nanny agencies typically charge families a fee in exchange for placement services because the agency does the job of sifting through their pool of available childcare providers and sending over the contact information of those they feel would be the best match for the household. Nanny job sites, however, operate on a different model, generally offering prospective nanny employers access to a master list for a nominal fee. While a job site designed specifically for nannies and their employers won’t cull candidates that aren’t likely to make the grade, they do charge far less. Some of these services are even free, existing solely on advertising revenue.
  • Peruse Online Classified Ad Sites – While online local classified ad sites like Craigslist have been on the receiving end of a bit of bad press from time to time, they’re still one of the more popular ways to find a nanny without using a placement service. These sites allow users to post and respond to classified ads for free, and are broken down into cities or regions to ensure that most respondents live locally.
  • Don’t Forget About Print – Taking out an ad in a local newspaper or free press publication might not be completely free, but it does tend to be fairly cheap and can still net results, despite the prevailing idea that print is a dying medium. The trick is to choose a publication with a fairly wide readership in order to reach the highest audience.
  • Don’t Underestimate the Power of Word of Mouth – Ask around and you may be surprised at what you find. Friends-of-friends that are experienced and capable career nannies or the college student studying child development who lives on the next block could turn out to be a perfect fit for your family, and one that you never would have found through an agency. Social media is a great way to spread the word you’re looking for a nanny.
  • Never Skip the Background Check – One thing that most nanny agencies do handle is the criminal background screening and driving record check that helps to ensure that you don’t inadvertently hire a nanny with a documented questionable past, a criminal record or a suspended license due to unsafe driving or poor decisions. Because nanny job websites and online or print classified ads offer absolutely no screening of the candidates that reply, it’s of the utmost importance that you never choose to forgo a background check.
  • Be a Stickler for References – There’s nothing stopping a respondent to any advertisement from creating an entirely fictitious job history, so it’s imperative that you make every effort to comb through references submitted to you by promising candidates. Ensuring that an applicant is who she says she is, and that she actually possesses the level of education and childcare experience that she claims she does is solely your responsibility when you choose not to use a full-service nanny agency.
  • Insist On Certifications – CPR and first aid certifications are required by all applicants in the hiring pool of reputable nanny agencies, but are not required by law for private childcare providers. There’s no standard licensing or certification process for nannies, so it’s up to you to ensure that a nanny applicant has up-to-date CPR certification and first aid training. This ensures that she is capable of handling any emergency situations that may arise.

While a nanny placement agency does take a lot of the hassle and guesswork out of hiring a nanny, it can also diminish the scope of your hiring power and be quite expensive. Rather than being restricted to a relatively small list sent over from an agency, you can cast your net wide and have a hands-on hiring experience. Provided that you take the proper common-sense precautions, are willing to invest the time and energy into screening nannies, and are vigilant about checking a candidate’s background and references, hiring a qualified nanny without the services of an agency is possible.

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10 Reasons Kids Seem to Learn the Words to Songs So Fast

Posted on October 27, 2012 by admin

There’s something astounding about the way that even very small children are able to learn the melody and lyrics to simple songs so quickly. From the time kids first begin to grasp their native language, they seem to be most fluent when learning and parroting the songs they hear; here are ten of the reasons why.

  1. Sequence and Predictability – Most songs, especially those of the kid-friendly variety, have a predictable sequence that allows a child’s developing brain to grasp the pattern of the rhyming phonetic sounds and cadence.
  2. Repetition – Children seem to have, in most cases, a remarkable tolerance for repetition. In fact. it’s not unusual for kids to request the same song several times in succession; this familiarity with the song and its lyrics help them to catch on much more quickly than they would otherwise. Also, many childrens’ songs have often-repeated refrains and choruses, so that they same few lines recur several time within a single performance.
  3. They’re Enjoying the Process – A child might find themselves too bored to be stimulated into paying attention to a succession of flashcards, but enjoy the action of singing a new favorite song so much that they’re entirely focused on the endeavor.
  4. Positive Reinforcement – Children, like adults, attach favorable responses and outcomes to specific actions. While learning a new song, they’re most likely being taught by an adult or older sibling that they feel secure with and crave the attention of; having the command of this person’s attention helps kids to connect a positive experience with the action of learning a new song, causing them to be receptive to the process in the future.
  5. Learning Lyrics Boosts Vocabulary and Grasp of Words – As children learn the words to a new song, they’re also expanding their vocabulary and increasing their understanding of those words. They then find it easier to learn more new words through new songs, creating a cyclical effect in which they learn more because they’re learning more.
  6. Active Teaching – Though children are certainly able to learn the words to songs without much coaching, it’s more common for them to learn the lyrics as a result of being actively taught by an older child or adult. This one-on-one attention helps children to focus and develop skills more quickly.
  7. Immersive Experience – The fact that so many children’s’ songs have accompanying hand gestures, structured dance movements and interactive aspects makes it easy for kids to become completely engaged, listening and learning on every possible level.
  8. Their Brains Are Developing Rapidly – At no other time in our lives do individuals learn as quickly and absorb as much as children do during the first few crucial years. The brains of young children are developing at such a rapid pace that some experts believe that they work differently during this period. Studies with Alzheimer’s patients in which they’re able to recall the lyrics to children’s’ songs from their own era but nothing of the recent past has called into question the difference between the child brain and a more mature one.
  9. Music Actually Boosts Retention – Studies indicate that music can positively affect cognition, memory and retention skills. By pairing new words with the stimulating influence of a melody, kids may be learning the lyrics because of the tune.
  10. Encouragement and Praise – Children react to praise and encouragement with similarly positive responses. With each new song learned, parents and caregivers are likely to lavish them with praise, which in turn boosts their confidence and eagerness to tackle new songs and skills.

Statistically, older children with musical instruction and the ability to play an instrument tend to perform better on standardized tests, finish high school more often than their peers and even be better adjusted socially than their non-musical peers. Many educators believe that music is one of the most important aspects of a curriculum, as it boosts so many other areas of performance. Your toddler is proof that it’s never too early to gain a love and appreciation for music.

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10 Ways to Manage Kids’ Screen Time

Posted on October 16, 2012 by admin

A study conducted in 2008 by scientists at the Division of Epidemiology at Ohio State University, the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, and the Department of Public Health and Family Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine indicated that 37.3 % of American children between the ages of four and 11 years had low levels of active play, that 65% had excessively high screen time, and that 26.3% exhibited both of these behaviors. This study also indicated that the rising levels of childhood obesity could be combated by public health programs and initiatives aimed at reducing screen time while boosting active play. In today’s switched-on, always connected world, it can be difficult to determine the best way to control the amount of time your child spends with electronic entertainment devices. These 10 tips, however, can help you get your kids’ screen time under control.

  1. Screen Time is a Privilege – The first step to managing the amount of time that your kids spend in front of an electronic screen is to establish the concept that screen time is a privilege, rather than a right. Kids should understand that they’re allowed to watch television, surf the Internet and play video games only after their other responsibilities have been fulfilled.
  2. Encourage Hobbies – When children are actively involved in a hobby that doesn’t require an electronic screen, they’re less likely to complain of boredom and beg for additional gaming or television time. Make an effort to figure out where your child’s interest lie and how he can best pursue them.
  3. Get Kids Involved in Extracurricular Activities – Extracurricular activities have the double-whammy effect of getting kids away from their electronic devices and encouraging the physical activity their bodies need.
  4. Tie Phone Upgrades to Academic Performance – As kids get older they’re more likely to be concerned with how new and feature-packed their phones are in comparison to those that their friends own. Establishing a phone upgrade policy that relies upon good academic performance and a balance of screen time and physical activity gives kids an incentive to make the right choices.
  5. Use a Chart – Placing a screen time-tracking chart somewhere within your home can help your child understand how much time he’s allowed to spend with electronic entertainment, and can reduce the bargaining, pleading and sulking that can accompany the end of his daily allotment.
  6. Establish Family Time – A family night spent playing board games or participating in other group activities will not only distract kids from the television for the evening, but can also help to strengthen bonds, keep lines of communication open, and foster an environment of affection.
  7. Make Kids’ Rooms a Media-Free Zone – Keeping televisions, computers and gaming devices out of kids’ rooms will eliminate the distraction that these items can present during those times when kids are supposed to be sleeping or doing homework. When electronics are in a high-traffic area of the home, it’s also easier for you to keep up with how much time is being spent on them and what sort of content kids are accessing.
  8. Explain the Importance of Physical Activity – Kids often respond better to boundaries when they understand why they’re in place than they do when rules are enforced without an explanation as to why. In addition, talking to your kids about the importance of being physically fit and active will help them establish the habits they’ll need to maintain their health as they get older.
  9. Encourage Imaginative Play – When you purchase toys for gift-giving occasions, look for those that promote imaginative and active play, rather than passive enjoyment. Tailor these purchases to your kids’ existing interests and they could very well eschew electronic entertainment in favor of these toys without any prodding or cajoling.
  10. Put Technology to Work for You – Encourage kids to spend the screen time they do have playing physically active games on the Wii or Xbox 360 Kinect, and use your DVR to pre-record favored television shows. Pre-recorded shows will allow you to view them first, and also to skip commercials that encourage materialism and are directed solely at impressionable kids, while active games satisfy kids’ hunger for video games while keeping them moving.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that, as of 2008, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight. They’ve also reported that these kids are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and pre-diabetes. While controlling and monitoring your kids’ screen time can feel like an uphill battle, it’s a vitally important responsibility of the modern American parent.

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10 iPhone Apps for Busy, Working Moms

Posted on October 4, 2012 by admin

Climbing the corporate ladder and raising a family are both very demanding, full-time jobs. Women who are juggling these two aspects of modern life know just how precious any time-saving tool is, which is why so many use iPhones and the host of applications available in the App Store to shave minutes off of a variety of everyday tasks and capture precious memories. These 10 apps are among the most valuable to working mothers, due to their time-saving and convenient features.

  1. Baby Connect – Keeping up with your baby’s feeding information, the time and duration of her naps, and medication dosage schedules while you’re at work was once a difficult proposition. These days, Baby Connect makes it easy for the modern, working mother to track all of Baby’s information. Your nanny or caregiver can synchronize her own app with yours, allowing you to access baby tracking data throughout the day.
  2. Evernote – Rather than keeping all of your notes about childcare, doctors’ appointments and meetings on scraps of paper that can be easily lost and will eventually end up in a landfill if they’re not recycled, you can keep all of your information in one app that can be accessed with a few taps of the screen. The app is free, and creates a completely searchable database that makes finding your existing notes a snap.
  3. Simple Grocery List – A trip to the grocery store can easily turn into two or three extra ones when crucial items are forgotten, which is a luxury that busy, working mothers simply don’t have the time for. Keeping track of your grocery list is quick and easy with this no-frills, easy-to-navigate, free app.
  4. Intuition: Mom’s Assistant – Created by moms to act as a virtual assistant for other working moms strapped for time, this free app manages several crucial aspects of a mother and career woman’s life. Everything from wish lists to grocery coupons are accommodated, along with location assistance that will send alerts when you’re near stores or other landmarks connected with a task in your to-do list.
  5. PhotoShare & PhotoTransfer – Snapshots of your little one are precious, and can be shared with a few taps of the screen using this $0.99 app. Post pictures from family time to Flickr, Facebook, Picasa and Twitter, or urge your childcare provider to post any particularly adorable moments throughout the work day with her own iPhone.
  6. Dragon Dictation – Dictating your emails rather than typing them out won’t just save you from an expensive traffic citation or the possibility of an accident during your morning commute, but it also is up to five times faster than using your keyboard. When every moment counts, opting for this free app’s ability to compose emails and text messages while you’re away from the office might be the best choice.
  7. AllRecipes.Com Dinner Spinner – Search for meal ideas based on the ingredients you already have on hand or shake for a random recipe on the rare evening when you have time to invest in a meal. A free app that allows you to search by dish, ingredients, and cooking time is valuable enough; this one also offers recipes for gluten-free and vegetarian diets.
  8. Remember the Milk – This free app is one of the most comprehensive, feature-laden options in the to-do list/reminder application corner of the App Store. The app corresponds and syncs with the popular web application of the same name, allowing you to add tasks from your desk and check them off with your phone. Receive reminders of remaining tasks via email, SMS or instant messenger to ensure that you never forget an important meeting, moment or errand again.
  9. Text’nDrive –  The rising number of serious car accidents resulting from a texting driver has spurred many states to outlaw texting and driving, meaning that it’s important for rushed, working mothers to find a safe and legal alternative. This free app will read any messages you receive off to you, and allow you to reply with your own voice, rather than taking the risk of using your keyboard.
  10. CardStar – Fumbling for your customer loyalty, membership and rewards cards can be a hassle when you’re in a rush, especially if you have quite a few of them. This free app lets you import those cards quickly and easily, freeing up space in your wallet and time spent shuffling through them as lines behind you back up. Never miss another special offer, daily deal or card-linked coupon again, as CardStar also allows you to browse through those connected with cards you already have! 

Thanks to the power of Apple’s iPhone and the vast array of options in the App Store, working mothers have an almost endless number of time-saving tools at the tips of their fingers. The iTunes App Store also hosts a wide variety of apps directed at children, providing them with a diversion during those times when you’re able to surrender your phone in the interest of keeping the peace and staving off boredom.

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5 Practical Topics Nannies and Employers Should Discuss Before the Job Starts

Posted on September 17, 2012 by admin

In the midst of hiring a nanny, skipping over the discussion of some practical details can occur. While every possible situation that the nanny and parents will encounter can’t be addressed in advance, there are some that can. Here are five practical topics that nannies and employers should discuss prior to the nanny’s start date. Discussing them will confirm that the parents and nanny have clear expectations of each other, which can reduce conflict down the road. 

  1. Unscheduled Time Off – While nannies typically get paid for 52 weeks per year, some employers do not want to pay their nanny for days that she doesn’t work – even if the reason she’s not working is no fault of her own.  For example, if the parents give the nanny an unexpected day off because mom doesn’t need to go to work or grandma is visiting and can watch the kids; some parents will not want to pay their nanny, even though the nanny is willing and able to work. The same is true if a family plans a vacation and doesn’t want the nanny to come along.  While the employers may wonder why they should pay their nanny if she’s not there, the nanny may wonder why she is getting docked pay given she was planning on working. Determining how to handle unscheduled days off, including employer issued ones and the nanny’s sick and personal ones, will go a long way in reducing anxiety and uncertainly in both parents and nannies.
  2. Additional Duties – Sometimes a nanny’s job will grow and change over time and additional duties and responsibilities become required. Working out in advance how a nanny employer will request additional duties and compensate her nanny for them will prevent confusion and clarify expectations. Before sealing the deal, nannies and employers should discuss how the nanny’s duties, responsibilities, and compensation would change if the parents welcomed a new baby, what to do if job creep begins to occur, and what the specific duties are as it pertains to the nanny’s current role.
  3. Transportation – In addition to discussing if the nanny is allowed to take the children out and to where, it’s essential to discuss how the children will be transported. Some families provide their nanny with a “nanny mobile” and allow her to take children on whatever age-appropriate outings she sees fit. Others opt for the nanny to drive her own vehicle to and from outings and reimburse their nanny using the IRS business mileage reimbursement rate. Whether your nanny is driving the family’s vehicle or her own, it’s essential to confirm that the nanny is properly insured for transporting the children for work and that the proper safety seats are installed and used correctly. Some nannies will only accept posts where they can transport the children, others don’t really care. Discussing transportation up front allows nannies and parents to confirm that they are on the same page with regards to transporting the children.
  4. Reimbursements – Many parents provide their nanny with a credit card linked to their account, others leave a set amount of petty cash for the nanny each week, and still others ask the nanny to spend her own money and turn in her receipts with a written request for reimbursement. It’s important for nannies and parents to communicate about how money for the children’s activities and outings is handled. Discussing a budget with regards to purchasing craft supplies, outings, dining out, and the likes will help ensure that the nanny and the parents are on the same page.
  5. Termination – No one starts their first day on the job thinking about how their last day will end, but all nanny jobs eventually come to an end, and it’s important that nannies and parents include a termination clause in a written work agreement that outlines how the agreement can be broken. The termination clause should spell out how much notice the nanny must give if she wishes to resign, how much notice the parents must give the nanny if they are letting her go without cause, any severance pay that will be issued, and on what terms and how unused accrued paid time off will be handled.  The termination clause may also include a confidentiality agreement and a clause with regards to the parents giving the nanny a letter of reference.

When parents and nannies have a clear understanding of each other’s expectations, only then are they truly able to strive to meet them. Communicating about practical items lays the foundation for communicating about other items as the relationship grows and develops.

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