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30 of the Best Blogs About Saving for College

Posted on September 13, 2012 by admin

Without a college education, a young person’s prospects for a reasonably secure job that pays well can be dramatically reduced. The cost of a degree, however, can be almost prohibitive for some families. Thankfully, there are several methods of saving for college and finding outside financial aid that can make the dream of an advanced education a reality. The following 30 blog entries discuss various methods of financing a college education without completely destroying the family budget.

529 College Savings Plans

Named after section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code that created such plans in 1996, a 529 Plan is designed to help families set money aside for use towards future education costs. Almost every state currently has at least one 529 plan available, but the particulars can differ from state to state. Before beginning to invest, it’s a good idea to research the features of 529 plans in your individual state.

Certificate of Deposit

A certificate of deposit, commonly referred to as a CD, is a risk-free savings plan insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration for banks and credit unions, respectively. CDs are designed to be held until the end of a fixed term, at which time they’ve “matured” and money can be withdrawn, along with all of the interest accrued over that term. These five blog entries discuss the ins and outs of CD as a savings method.

Money Market Accounts

Banks and credit unions offer money market accounts, which are similar to standard savings accounts in many ways. The major difference between the two is that a money market account typically pays a higher interest rate with a higher minimum balance requirement. Most money market accounts also allow only three to six withdrawals each month, which is typically a non-issue for families using the plan solely as a method of saving for college. These plans are also insured by the FDIC, making them a safer alternative to higher-risk, higher-yield methods.

I Savings Bonds

Once upon a time, savings bonds were paper securities sold at financial institutions as low-risk, liquid savings products. While the U.S. Treasury no longer offers paper savings bonds as part of their ongoing effort to increase electronic transactions, you can still purchase savings bonds to help finance a child’s education. In these five blog entries, I Bonds are discussed at greater length.

Offsetting Tuition Expenses with Scholarships and Grants

Depending upon your child’s athletic or scholastic aptitude, you may find that qualifying for and receiving partial or even full scholarships is easier than you realized. For some families, government grants are also a possibility. Offsetting some of your child’s tuition costs with scholarships and grants can make your existing savings stretch farther, as discussed in these five blog entries.

Student Loans

Sometimes, despite parents’ best efforts, the college funds they’ve set aside for their children simply aren’t enough to cover all of the expenses. In such cases, especially when grants and scholarships aren’t an option, student loans may be the only choice. These five blogs tackle the issue of student loans, offering valuable insights and information.

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10 Reasons Why Sesame Street Has Been On For So Long

Posted on September 9, 2012 by admin

Few children’s shows are as beloved and well-known as the venerable Sesame Street, which made its television debut in 1969. The staggering length of the show’s run can be attributed to many factors, but there are a few that especially stand out. Aired in more than 120 countries and the recipient of a record-breaking 118 Emmy Awards, Sesame Street is a cultural phenomenon that’s lasted for more than four decades, and is showing no signs of losing steam; here are ten of the explanations for its incredible longevity.

  1. Lovable Characters – While there are a vast array of characters populating the children’s television landscape these days, few have the ability to seize the affection and adoration of little ones like those created by the Sesame Street Workshop. Case in point: the infamous Tickle Me Elmo doll that launched a thousand scuffles during the 1996 holiday shopping season sold for several times the retail prices when shortages forced parents to shell out big bucks for their kids’ favorite Muppet in doll form.
  2. The Love of Children and the Support of Parents – Sesame Street grabs kids’ attention and doesn’t let go; fortunately, it uses those powers to help kids learn valuable lessons. Because of the educational tone and content, parents support the show and even encourage little ones to watch.
  3. Marketing and Merchandising – If it’s manufactured for children’s use, there’s a very good chance that some variety of the product with a Sesame Street character’s likeness emblazoned upon it is available somewhere. The tireless marketing and merchandising of Sesame Street, from toys and clothes to books, games, and toothpaste, help to raise visibility and have created an entire subculture in support of the show itself.
  4. The Artistry of Jim Henson – The creator of Sesame Street’s Muppets was also responsible for The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and the cult kids’ hit feature-length film, Labyrinth. The vision and incredible talent of Mr. Henson allowed him to create those iconic characters that still help little ones learn their letters and numbers, and even answer big ethical questions that are happening today.
  5. Bridging the Generation Gap – Because of its incredible run, parents are able to watch Sesame Street with their children and remember their own experiences watching the show as a child. A shared love of Big Bird or memories of Bert and Ernie serve as talking points while allowing parents to spend time with their children without a desperate sense of boredom and irritation.
  6. Seamless Combination of Morality, Education, and Fun – Many shows have attempted to strike the balance between being fun and informative over the years since Sesame Street’s release, but none have been able to do so with quite such panache. Kids enjoy learning their alphabet through catchy musical numbers, and thrive on learning their numbers from a zany vampire; along the way, they may also pick up an ethical lesson or two.
  7. Refusal to Become Outmoded – The Sesame Street staff has done a commendable job of staying relevant throughout changes in the cultural landscape, never becoming an obsolete cultural dinosaur. By navigating these changes so well the show has been able to survive more than four decades of leaps in advancement.
  8. A Courageous Approach to Tackling Tough Issues – From the first-ever HIV-positive Muppet, Kami, to the devastation of September 11, Sesame Street writers and production staff have never shied away from controversial and difficult topics, opting instead to help kids understand them.
  9. Celebrity Cameos and Their “Cool Factor” Impact – The number of big-name celebrities that have had cameo Sesame Street appearances over the life of the show is astonishing, and today’s current crop of celebs are also accepting the mantle for themselves. From pop stars to “serious actors,” Sesame Street has been a veritable Walk of Fame for kids.
  10. Genuine Multiculturalism – Aside from the fact that the Muppets themselves display an impressive level of cultural and racial diversity, Children’s Television Workshop, and later Sesame Workshop, have shown a dedication to depicting a diverse group of humans as well.

While it is a cultural institution and one of the world’s most beloved television shows, not to mention one of the few shows that has targeted any and all demographics, Sesame Street currently holds the 15th slot on the list of “most popular children’s shows,” taking a beating from cartoon sponges and bilingual preschoolers. However, the childhood institution that is Sesame Street is showing no signs of cancellation; Big Bird and his cohorts will continue to delight and educate future generations for the foreseeable future.

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When Children Get Hurt in Their Nanny’s Care

Posted on September 5, 2012 by admin

While it’s no secret that bumps and bruises are part of every childhood, even the most minor injury may cause a seasoned caregiver to become riddled with concern when a child is hurt on her watch.

When children get hurt in their nanny’s care they are at the mercy of their nanny to act fast, assess the situation, and administer appropriate care. Nannies must be prepared to deal with any injury that arises, and having an action plan in place can help her to do just that.

What steps should a nanny take after hearing the bloodcurdling scream that indicates trouble?

Step 1. Assess the situation. Take a deep breath and assess the situation. Is the child bleeding from a small scrape to the arm or does he have a gash that has so much blood flowing from it that it looks like it might need  sutures? Is the child on the ground in a location and position that indicates he fell from a play structure or is he bent over holding his knee in an open area indicating he likely tripped and fell? Is he choking? Is he breathing? Is he conscious? Are there bumps or areas of swelling? Is there any visible injury? Can the child indicate where he is hurt? The answers to these questions, along with any other observations, will help you to determine the level of care a child needs.

Step 2. Attend to the child. Whether it’s giving a Band-Aid or administering CPR, it’s important that you act fast to minimize the damage. Now is the time to put your first aid and CPR training into action. If the child needs medical attention, call for help and contact the parents as soon as possible.  Some children, regardless of how small their “ouchie” is, need lots of emotional comfort following an injury. Be prepared to hug the child and offer all of the affection he needs to bounce back from whatever affliction he is suffering from.

Step 3. Articulate the Incident. Be sure to write down any and all injuries that occur on your watch in your nanny log. Doing so provides important information for the parents to refer to should complications arise from a seemingly harmless incident. Documenting the injury may also help discredit any accusations of abuse or insinuations that you did not inform the parents or report the incident. Be sure to include the nature of the injury, the date and time, any first-aid or medical treatment given, and who was notified of the injury and when.

Step 4. Alert the parents. If the injury is minor, like a bump on the head or a scrape on the hand, and does not need medical attention, you may not have to make a special phone call to alert the parents of the injury. However, some parents may wish to be contacted if any injury, regardless of how minor it is, occurs. It’s a good idea to discuss when and how the parents wish to be contacted should minor routine childhood injuries occur before they actually do. Sometimes sending a quick text or email during your next period of downtime is an appropriate way to notify parents of non urgent injuries.

Step 5. Assess the cause. Did the child trip over a planter in the garden and chip a tooth? Did he scrape his head on the corner of a raised hearth? Did he get into medication that was not properly stored? While all risks can’t be eliminated, nannies can take steps to create the safest environment possible so that her charges are able to safely and freely explore and interact with their world.

While every nanny dreads a child getting hurt under her supervision, the reality is that even the most safety-conscious nanny will have a charge experience some type of injury while in her care. Knowing how to effectively treat an injury is essential.

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10 Spanish Words Kids Learn from Watching Dora the Explorer

Posted on September 2, 2012 by admin

Pint-sized, animated seven-year-old Dora Marquez has been coming into living rooms since 2000, teaching children her signature blend of morality, adventure, and Spanish vocabulary words via the hit cartoon series Dora the Explorer. As one of the most successful children’s shows on television today, Dora the Explorer has generated an estimated three billion dollars in merchandise around the world and won the hearts of a generation. If your little one is a Dora fan, here are 10 of the Spanish words he’s likely to learn from her.

  1. “¡Hola!” – This friendly greeting, which translates to “hello!” in English, is one of the many words that kids pick up from the gregarious Dora.
  2. “Amigos” – Dora’s friends, or “amigos,” are by her side through all of her many adventures, helping her to achieve her goals and complete her quests. Boots the Monkey is Dora’s best amigo, offering his assistance in solving puzzles and figuring out clues.
  3. “la Familia” – From her cousins Diego the Animal Rescuer, Daisy, and Alicia, to her beloved Mami and Papi, Dora Marquez’s family is a big part of her life. Diego has proven to be such a popular member of Dora’s familia that he became the star of his own show, Go, Diego, Go! in 2005.
  4. “Abuela” – Abuela, Dora’s grandmother, is featured prominently in the show as Dora visits her often. Because Abuela is Mami’s mother, she isn’t Diego, Alicia and Daisy’s grandmother; Abuela is one of the recurring characters popular enough to be the subject of merchandising in the form of toys and books set in the Dora universe. While kids learn the Spanish word for their own grandmothers, they’re also learning a bit about family dynamics and relationships.
  5. “las Estrellas” – Spanish for “stars,” Backpack’s Star Pocket stars are referred to as Estrellas on many occasions. Kids also learn the Spanish word “¡delicioso!” from Backpack, who receives items placed inside with the phrase, “Yum yum yum yum yum, ¡delicioso!”
  6. “¡Espera!” – The Spanish word for “wait” appears in Dora’s vocabulary quite often, ostensibly because rushing headlong into her many adventures would be reckless. Children that are big fans of Dora are likely to learn “espera” early on, and use it often.
  7. “Azul” – The first Spanish word taught to English-speaking audiences by Dora the Explorer was “azul,” which means “blue” in Spanish. This word began Dora’s tradition of helping kids learn basic vocabulary along with the action verbs that are her trademark, seamlessly integrating Spanish words in a way that helps kids who are already learning basic language skills absorb foreign words alongside more familiar ones.
  8. “¡Lo hicimos!” – English-speaking parents are often baffled by the phrase uttered in Dora the Explorer theme song; kids know that she’s crooning “¡Lo hicimos!” which means “we did it!” “Swiper, no swiping, Swiper, no swiping (oh, man!) Dora the Explorer, ¡lo hicimos!”
  9. “¡Cuidado!” – Another cautionary word from our tiny, animated adventurer, “¡Cuidado!” loosely translates to “look out!” It’s no surprise that Dora and her amigos need to warn each other, as they traverse the landscape to complete one quest after another.
  10. “¡Vamonos!” – “Let’s go,” indeed! Dora spends a lot of her time on the go, and teaches all of her viewers that speak English as a first language how to get people moving, too. In addition to teaching kids the importance of doing the right thing and helping those in need, Dora’s enthusiasm for seeking out physically active adventures emphasizes the importance of getting off the couch and into the world. Dora Marquez definitely doesn’t subscribe to a sedentary way of life!

Dora, along with her best friend Boots, cousin Diego, and the antagonist Swiper have starred in more than 140 episodes of Nick Jr.’s highly-rated series, and have helped millions of children around the world acquire second language skills. Interestingly enough, Dora only helps children in English-speaking countries learn Spanish; in other countries, she’s accepted as an American girl, with the majority of dialogue in the country’s native language and her Spanish-language beats substituted for English.

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Is the Bedtime Story a Dying Art

Posted on August 29, 2012 by admin

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.

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10 Things Kids Learned from Mister Rogers

Posted on August 28, 2012 by admin

From 1968 to 2008, when PBS permanently pulled Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood from their programming line-up, kids tuned in every day to watch Fred Rogers cheerfully come home and take them on an adventure filled with fantasy characters and life lessons. Though the beloved Mister Rogers died in 2003, the lessons that he passed along to those children, now adults themselves, have carried on. For the sake of nostalgia, here are 10 of the things that a generation of children learned from Mister Rogers and his neighborhood.

  1. Always Change Into Play Clothes – Before any of his adventures or learning experiences began, Mister Rogers always took off his jacket, hung it carefully in the closet, changed into his sweater and tied up his tennis shoes. Shedding the accoutrements of adulthood mimicked the way that a generation of children were taught to change into “play clothes,” in order to protect their more expensive “school clothes.”
  2. Be a Good Neighbor – The underlying theme in every episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was the importance of accepting those around you and helping them whenever possible. In a modern world where today’s children rarely even know their own neighbor’s names, Mister Rogers’ insistence on being a good one seems foreign; however, a generation of youngsters learned that message by heart from watching him exemplify it every afternoon.
  3. Take Your Time – Nothing about Mister Rogers’ methods, or his legendary neighborhood, was rushed. He took his time and constructed his show in a way that was deliberately low-key and relaxed. The importance of learning to take it slow and absorb the good things is a lesson that many of his young viewers took to heart.
  4. Curiosity is a Good Thing – Every lesson that Mister Rogers taught was based around the idea that it’s good to be curious, and that asking questions about the world around you is okay. That thriving curiosity was what spurred him to learn how restaurants work and what a postman does, and this was then shared with his young viewers.
  5. It’s Okay to Have Feelings – Much of Fred Rogers’ concept for his show was built around the concept that kids should be taught to accept their feelings, and that those feelings were valid. Even negative emotions like fear and anger were touched upon over the course of his 900 episodes.
  6. Be Yourself  – The immortal lessons of Mister Rogers and his message of acceptance can be summed up with one of his most enduring quotations: “There was no one like you before you and there will be no like you after you’re gone.”
  7. Everybody Has a Job, and Every Job is Important – From doctors to zoo workers, Mister Rogers met them all. He also took his young viewers along for the ride, emphasizing the importance of every job and the way that it positively affected his Neighborhood.
  8. A Pet is a Responsibility – Part of every episode’s opening ritual for Mister Rogers was feeding his pet fish, and he often reminded kids of how important it is to take good care of the animals in their care. Kids learned that having a pet meant caring for it properly, and Mister Rogers led by example every single day.
  9. Your Imagination is a Powerful Thing – The Neighborhood of Make-Believe was featured prominently in every episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The puppet characters that inhabited this special place were largely designed by Mister Rogers, who also acted as principal puppeteer. His boundless imagination helped kids to see what a powerful force it could be.
  10. Optimistic is the Way to Be – Beneath every lesson that the beloved Mister Rogers taught the youngsters that faithfully watched his show was the underlying theme that optimism makes a difference. There’s no doubt that Mister Rogers saw every glass presented to him as half-full, and that looking on the bright side of every situation would always be his advice. 

Despite the impact that he had on a generation of children, there’s nothing in today’s television landscape that bears much resemblance to the gentle, soft-spoken Mister Rogers and the world that he created. Modern kids’ programming, full of blaring sounds and garish colors, is on the other end of the television spectrum. While those shows may have their merits, the slower pace and hopeful message shared by Mister Rogers will always hold a special place in the hearts of his loyal viewers.

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10 Ways Cartoons Help Kids Learn About Different Cultures

Posted on August 26, 2012 by admin

Learning about cultures and ways of life that are different from those that your children are familiar with is an important part of growing up; as he ages and spends more time with people outside of his immediate family and childcare providers, he will encounter an entire world of people whose ideas and customs are different from his own. Though there has been a significant push in severely limiting or eliminating kids’ exposure to television shows, there are some valuable lessons that children can learn from these brightly colored animated adventures.

  1. Focusing on Cultural Diversity Education – Some cartoons, like The Misadventures of Maya and Miguel, are focused primarily on both presenting realistic depictions of different ethnicities to non-minority children and providing children from similar ethnic backgrounds with characters that look, sound, and live the same way they do.
  2. Depicting Everyday Situations – Rather than underscoring every reference to non-minority culture with heavy-handed preaching, cartoons tend to center around characters in ordinary situations (or extraordinary, if the shows are fantasy-based) that simply happen to be from a different cultural background.
  3. Featuring Characters from Various Ethnic Backgrounds and Walks of Life – Cartoons that feature large groups of characters working together, striving for a common goal, or simply interacting with one another regularly tend to do so with a racially and culturally mixed group. The things that make these characters different may be touched upon in specific episodes, but they’re most often simply accepted, as the main focus is on finding adventures or overcoming obstacles together.
  4. Musical Diversity – Music and children’s television tend to go hand in hand, and cartoons that feature diverse “casts” also tend to include music from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Kids may be prompted to sing along with their favorite characters in another language, or mimic dances associated with other cultures.
  5. Discussing Cultural Ceremonies and Traditions – Jewish characters may discuss a bar or bat mitzvah, animated Latina girls may get excited about their quinceanera, and Christian cartoon characters often celebrate Christmas or other religious holidays. These frank depictions of cultural ceremonies observed by characters from various backgrounds and ethnicities help kids to see beyond the scope of the ones celebrated in their own households.
  6. Foreign Language Instruction – Cartoon juggernaut Dora the Explorer opened the floodgates for early education in second languages; while she still holds the crown as the undisputed princess of animated language instruction, followers like Ni Hao, Kai-Lan and others of her ilk have created an entire cartoon subculture centered around teaching diversity by teaching basic second-language vocabulary.
  7. Creating Talking Points for Parents and Kids – When kids watch cartoons and are exposed to unfamiliar cultural and ethnic depictions, their natural reaction is to question their parents and caregivers about the things that they don’t understand. By presenting different cultures and diverse groups to small children, cartoons are also presenting parents with a priceless opportunity to discuss such things with them.
  8. Eschewing Stereotypes – In cartoons, a girl might take the lead while a boy shows reticence; stereotypes are broken and disregarded in cartoons today. While this attitude is in direct opposition to the sometimes-racist cartoons with rigid gender roles in the days of yore, kids today are not being conditioned by their animated entertainment to view the world in such ways.
  9. Presenting Diversity to Culturally Isolated Kids – Some kids grow up in rural areas, or fairly homogenous neighborhoods, and have limited interaction with kids from other backgrounds. For these kids, high-quality cartoons provide a glimpse into those backgrounds and expose them to cultural differences that they might otherwise be unaware of.
  10. Direct Imports – It’s difficult to dispute the huge impact that Japanese cartoons have had on the global landscape. Collecting and merchandising crazes spurred by imported shows like Pokemon are the stuff of legend; they’re also chock full of references to Japanese culture, more often than not.

Exposure to high-quality children’s programming, in moderation and paired with a significant amount of physically active play, can help kids form a well-rounded world view at an early age. Screening the shows that your kids watch for any questionable content, like excessive violence or lack of educational merit, can help you find shows that keep your kids entertained as they learn; rather than taking an all-or-nothing approach to children’s television, allowing a limited amount of high quality programming that introduces them to new concepts and ways of life might actually prove to be beneficial.

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10 Ways To Recognize Your Nanny During National Nanny Recognition Week

Posted on August 11, 2012 by admin

Since 1998 National Nanny Recognition Week has been recognizing and celebrating nannies during the last week of September. This is a great opportunity to do something special for your nanny and let her know you appreciate her hard work and dedication. She’ll be touched by your efforts and know that the wonderful care she provides doesn’t’ go unnoticed.

Help your child make a special, hand crafted gift for her. There are quick and easy gifts you can create with your child to give to your nanny. A simple card, a handprint mug or a jeweled stepping stone are all things your nanny will treasure for years. It’s also a fun project for your child and gives her the opportunity to say thank you in her own special way. Your child can complete the project by using crayons, stickers or paint to decorate craft paper to create custom wrapping paper.

Give her a personalized, framed picture of her with your child. Even in this digital age, pictures are one of the best keepsakes around. There are lots of places where you can get a frame personalized with the nanny’s and child’s name. Add a favorite picture and you’ve got the perfect appreciation gift. You can also use a college frame and include pictures of all your children or your child at different ages.

Give her an extra paid day off. Your nanny works hard and it’s a good bet she doesn’t take much extra time off. Giving her the chance to sleep in and then spend the rest of the day doing whatever she likes is a great surprise. It shows you understand her busy schedule and want her to take some time out to enjoy what she loves to do.

Send her to the spa for a day of relaxation and beauty. Who doesn’t love a invigorating facial, a relaxing massage or a new cut and color? Nannies often take care of everyone else before they take care of themselves. This is a way to help your nanny enjoy some wonderful self-care and let someone pamper her for the day.

Send her flowers. Flowers are an instant smile maker. She’ll think of you each time she walks by and enjoys the scent and sight of bouquet. She’ll also be reminded of the special place she holds with your family.

Have a family dinner together. Your nanny probably doesn’t have the chance to spend time with your family outside of work or kid functions. Take her out to her favorite local restaurant and connect with her in a way that shows you really value her as a person and a caregiver.

Write a thank you letter. Personal letter writing doesn’t have to be a lost art. Put pen to paper and let her know the many ways she contributes to your family. List some of the things she’s done that have meant a lot to you and your child. Knowing you took the time to write the letter will mean just as much as the sentiments offered.

Give her a special gift she really wants. Does your nanny really want to go to an upcoming concert? Has she been talking about trying out a new restaurant? Is she excited about the latest crafting tool? Giving her something she really wants lets her know that you are paying attention and you want to do something special for her.

Give her a membership to the International Nanny Association. A membership is this childcare organization will give your nanny benefits that last all year long. She’ll have access to the members only portion of their website and she’ll receive discounts on professional development tools and resources, like the Annual Conference.

Send her to a professional development conference. Your nanny wants to do the best job possible. One way to help her do that and let her know you see her as a true childcare professional is to send her to a childcare conference. There are lots of local, regional and national opportunities for her to connect with other caregivers, learn new things and get reenergized about the work she does.

Having a quality nanny is truly a gift to your family. She not only provides great care to your children, she supports you and your family in so many other ways. National Nanny Appreciation Week is the perfect opportunity to do something special for her and let her know you appreciate her all year long. Your child will love doing something special for the person that takes such good care of him.

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Ways Nannies Can Save on Healthcare

Posted on July 31, 2012 by admin

There are a significant number of nannies and other domestic workers in the United States who are lacking affordable health insurance coverage, and, as a result, healthcare costs can quickly become financially crippling. This is especially true if an illness or injury sustained outside of your employers’ home prevents you from working and precludes you from workers’ compensation coverage. There are, however, several ways that uninsured nannies can save money on healthcare with a bit of research and planning.

  • Get a Flu Shot – Vaccinating yourself against the flu and other common illnesses is especially important for nannies, as it’s the most effective way to both protect charges from contracting a potentially-serious illness and to prevent becoming ill yourself. Rather than paying medical costs associated with complications due to flu or other sicknesses, you can invest a small amount in getting vaccinated at various low-cost walk-in clinics. Some drugstores even offer discounted vaccines for common illnesses, making it easier than ever for nannies to get a shot, stay healthy, and save money in the long run.
  • Take Advantage of Health Resources and Services Administration Programs – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources, through the Health Resources and Services Administration agency, helps millions of Americans access low-cost, quality healthcare dependent upon income. Health centers with sliding fee scales and Hill-Burton obligated facilities across the country make it easier for cash-strapped citizens to obtain healthcare for free or at a reduced rate; these services can be invaluable to uninsured nannies with health concerns.
  • Shop Around – A Lot – For Private Insurance – If your employer doesn’t offer health insurance benefits or contribute to your premiums as part of your nanny work agreement, you may be forced to obtain your own private coverage. The prices can be quite steep in some cases, but patiently shopping around for the best rate can actually translate to significant savings. Take things like deductibles, annual limits, and other factors into consideration when choosing a plan; the lowest monthly premium may not always indicate the cheapest plan.
  • Stop Smoking – While nannies should never smoke around the children, if they do smoke, they should consider quitting. Health insurance providers offer one very strong incentive for their policyholders to stop smoking: significantly lowered premiums. Nannies that choose not to obtain private health coverage can still save money by quitting; the Centers for Disease Control estimates that smoking-related diseases and health complications cost Americans $96 billion annually. In addition, taking advantage of any smoking cessation programs in your area not only saves money on insurance premiums – smokers are more susceptible to colds, the flu, respiratory infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia, according the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. Kicking the butts, therefore, can also help you rack up serious savings on routine treatment for non-serious illnesses; it may also help you win brownie points with your employers.
  • Get Preventative Care – Routine screenings for serious health conditions, along with a healthy lifestyle and plenty of exercise, can help nannies save a small fortune in medical bills by helping to prevent many expensive illnesses altogether. Delegate a relatively small portion of your income to cover regular checkups. Doing so can confirm that you’re in good health and help to ensure that you catch warning signs of potentially serious and expensive problems early.
  • Find a Discount Club – Joining a discount healthcare or prescription plan doesn’t take the place of a health insurance policy, but it can dramatically offset the costs of doctor visits and prescription medications when used properly. A membership allows nannies to access these discounts by visiting participating medical professionals and healthcare providers, and by shopping at pharmacies that accept the discount card. Some plans offer discounts of up to 60%, which certainly isn’t anything to sneeze at.

Speaking with your employer about contributions to your health insurance premiums may also be an effective way of slashing medical costs, and many don’t realize that those contributions aren’t considered taxable by the Internal Revenue Service. While there’s no guarantee that your employer will be receptive to the idea, approaching the subject carefully and presenting them with information about the tax benefits of such contributions also isn’t likely to be the cause of any disputes. If you find that you cannot manage your medical costs on your own, speaking to your employer about reimbursement for flu vaccinations and other preventative care that directly affects their children and the care they receive may also be an option.

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10 Technologies That Could Have Saved Rapunzel

Posted on July 28, 2012 by admin

With the recent success of the loose Disney adaptation of this classic German fairytale, Tangled, interest in the tale of Rapunzel has spiked considerably. Inspired by the updated girl-power theme and modern sensibilities embedded in the age-old tale, here are ten technologies that could have saved Rapunzel from her troubles.

  1. Grocery Stores – Had Rapunzel’s pregnant mother been able to access one of today’s supersized grocery stores with overflowing produce departments, she might have been able to legitimately purchase the rampion that drove her husband to make the bargain that sealed their daughter’s fate.
  2. Delivery Services – Even if transportation was an issue for Rapunzel’s biological parents, the grocery delivery services available in today’s world might have been another solution to that pesky rampion-procurement problem.
  3. Hydroponic Gardening – The Brothers Grimm never mention the season or the weather around the time of the mother’s pregnancy, only that the thriving garden was owned by a very powerful witch. Assuming that the witches powers would allow her to grow lush flowers and produce even during the winter season, thus making her garden the only place for rampion to grow during that time of year, the modern advances in hydroponic and indoor gardening would have made it possible for Rapunzel’s parents to grow their own rampion. In this scenario, they never would have stolen from the witch, so she never would have demanded their unborn child.
  4. Modern Police Forces – Even a witch is no match for modern crime labs and police forces. Rather than surrender their daughter without a fight, Rapunzel’s parents could have enlisted their aid to stop her kidnapping.
  5. Private Investigation Services – Today’s developed world leaves far fewer remote areas for a witch to hide a child, and makes it almost impossible to go about the business of daily life without leaving a paper trail behind. An experienced private investigator with modern technology on his side would be able to restore Rapunzel to her parents long before her twelfth birthday.
  6. The Internet – The modern witch would find it quite difficult to keep today’s teenager from mutiny based on sheer boredom without Internet service. With an online link to the outside world, Rapunzel could have easily engineered her escape without resorting to a risky plan hastily cobbled together with the aid of the Prince.
  7. Cell Phones – With a cell phone at her disposal, calling the Prince or sending him a text to warn him of her banishment would allow Rapunzel to keep him out of the witch’s clutches, saving his eyesight and the years he lost searching for his beloved.
  8. Child Protective Service – A single anonymous call to Child Protective Services would have sent a horde of social workers to Rapunzel’s aid, springing her from her prison and landing the witch in one of a more official variety.
  9. Hardware Stores – The escape plan hatched by Rapunzel and the Prince begins to fall apart when they rely upon the tedious, time-consuming task of creating a ladder from skeins of silk rather than simply bringing an already-assembled modern ladder to her window. One quick trip to the hardware store would have sprung Rapunzel from her tower immediately, eliminating any chance of the young lady fouling up her own plans with a slip of the tongue.
  10. Global Positioning Devices – Slipping a small GPS tracker into a pocket or the folds of a voluminous dress while being whisked away to her desert exile would have led the Prince straight to her, provided that he got her text message and managed to hold on to those charming eyeballs.

There are virtually thousands of devices and technologies that we take for granted each day that would have saved Rapunzel from her fate altogether, or at least prevented the tragic series of events between her separation from the Prince and their reunion. Then again, generations of children would have grown up without knowing her tale, so perhaps it’s all for the best.

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