Family

How to Find a Nanny

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:08:00 GMT

Mary Poppins made it look easy, but in reality, finding the right caregiver for you and your family can be an arduous task. To help out with this important undertaking, we spoke with Martha Scully, president and founder of Canadiannanny.ca and Canadiansitter.ca, and put together a list of indispensable nanny sourcing tips.

1. Take Your Time
First and foremost, says Martha Scully, when searching for a caregiver, give yourself plenty of time. “Sometimes families will call us and say ‘We need care for next week’, but we think you should give yourself four weeks to find live-out care, and even longer for live-in care.”

2. Spread the Word
Web sites and agencies are useful, but you should also check with friends, family members and coworkers when beginning your quest for a nanny. Liz Davis, a Toronto mother of two, shares a nanny with a friend in her neighbourhood. “A good friend of mine from a mommy-baby workout class mentioned she was going on maternity leave and needed to reduce her nanny’s hours. I now employ her nanny two days a week, and it’s working out very well. Once my friend’s maternity leave is over, I’ll have to start looking for someone else, and will probably rely on word-of-mouth again. I’ll ask around at the classes I go to, and tell friends what I’m looking for.”

3. Find a Good Agency
If you choose to go with a nanny or sitter placement agency, use the internet or the yellow pages to find a reputable firm using the following criteria:

Evaluate how long the agency has been in business. Many of the best agencies in Canada have been established for at least five years.

Seek out agencies with good reputations. The Canadian government does not regulate the activity of caregiver agencies (in the United States, these agencies are governed by trade agencies) so it’s important to shop around and ask friends, family members and coworkers about their experience with various agencies. You may also want to ask the agency to provide references from previous clients. If they cannot do this, best to keep shopping!

Be sure the agency employs a Certified Immigration Consultant and is familiar with the employment and tax laws in your province.

4. Use the Web Wisely
The internet is a cornucopia of nanny finding resources. Sites like Canadiannanny.ca and Canadiansitter.ca operate almost like dating agencies, says Scully. “Parents can complete profiles and match themselves to the right caregiver.” The benefit of using this kind of service is that there’s no ‘finder’s’ fee, which can run up to a whopping $2000 with some agencies. Instead, families pay $75 dollars for online access to that database, and also receive a comprehensive manual that details the many steps in finding and keeping a great nanny. The manual includes information on in-home caregiver options, wage guidelines, tax basics and more.

5. Check Backgrounds
If you’re working with an agency, they should carry out all background and reference checks, plus provide potential nanny/sitter profiles for you. However, if you’re hunting for a caregiver on your own, you’ll want to get this information yourself. Visit your local police station to find out how to perform a police record check on your potential caregiver. And always ask for at least three references, even if they don’t all pertain to child care. “The references should be relevant to the type of work the nanny will be doing,” says Scully. “So, for example, if she worked at a clothing store previously, checking that reference won’t really help you. But if she worked with special needs children or seniors, calling that reference will give you an idea of how well she cares for and interacts with people.”

6. Set the Stage
“Have a calm, face to face interview with the children present, and be sure you have plenty of time set aside to get to know the nanny,” says Scully. But don’t expect your potential employee to spring into action right away. If the interview goes well, Scully recommends setting up a trial day, which the nanny will be paid for. “She can come into your home, and you’ll be there and available if she has questions. You can get a sense at that point of what she’s like with your kids.” Once you’ve decided to hire, Scully also recommends easing the new nanny or sitter into your lives gradually. “Set up maybe two or three days of care during which you’re at home and readily available. Observe her during that time and be sure you still get that good feeling from her.”

Tips for Dealing with Squabbling Siblings

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:54:00 GMT

Hina Khan, W’s Relationships Strategist and host of Save Us from Our House.

As parents, our quarrelling kids tend to get on our nerves, but there are some hidden benefits to these skirmishes. With every fight, your children learn how to solve conflicts on their own. But, when they begin to get out of hand you will have to step in. Here are some tips to resolving the squabbling and getting some peace and quiet.

Step in and end the battle
If one child is unmercifully teasing, bullying, or hurting the other. Separate the combatants and say, "I love you both. I won't allow you to hurt each other.

Teach them skills for managing the conflict
Suggest strategies for trading or taking turns, such as using a timer to determine when time is up for each turn-taker.

Let them to resolve the conflict themselves
Even if the older one is clearly taking advantage of the younger, stay out of it. How else will the younger child learn to stand up for himself?

Make it their problem
With young children, you intervene. But, as they mature, step back and make them responsible for any disruption their conflict causes.

Send them to their room
If any of the rules are broken, send both children to their rooms. Make no attempt to determine who did what to whom, or who was "right" or "wrong." They both pay the price. And make sure the price is one they’ll want to avoid.

Recognize good behaviour
It’s easy to catch them being “bad”, but don’t forget to catch them being “good.”

Article courtesy of:

Bedwetting Blues

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:22:00 GMT

What is bedwetting?

Bedwetting, or enuresis, is a condition where a child involuntarily urinates while sleeping at an age when this would not normally happen. In most cases, bedwetting usually stops between the ages of 5 and 6 years.

Why it occurs

Bedwetting occurs during a very brief awakening or partial arousal from the deepest stages of sleep, primarily during the first 1/3 of the night. Children sleep much more deeply than adults do and therefore, have more difficulty awakening during the night. Another reason is that the bladder may be small or increase a large production of urine during the night. Bedwetting often runs in families. If one or both parents were bedwetters as children, their child is more likely to wet the bed. Bedwetting can also be a symptom of a physical problem such as a urinary tract infection, kidney problem, small bladder or a hormonal upset. For some children who wet the bed, the bladder may not hold enough urine to get them through the night.

Is it a problem?

Most children who wet the bed are completely healthy. A urine test may be the only test they may ever need. Parents of bedwetters often believe that their child sleeps too soundly. However, the amount or state of sleep a child has is no different in children who wet the bed than in children who do not. If a child wets the bed during the day or experiences pain with urination, parents should talk to their pediatrician. Children are not at fault

Bedwetting often occurs at a very important time in a child’s life. When they are making new friends and developing their social skills, a child who wets their bed can feel insecure and embarrassed. When a child starts to refuse invitations to spend the night at a friend’s house or doesn’t go to camp because of bedwetting fears, parents need to show the benefits of being able to do these things. How to solve it

Many children outgrow bedwetting and do not necessarily need to be treated. However, there are some treatments that can help. A bedwetting alarm can be used and is most effective for a child. When the child begins to wet the bed, moisture hits the pad and an alarm goes off. This signals the child to wake up and then go to the bathroom. The alarm conditions the child to recognize the sensation and wake up before he has to urinate. There are other treatments available such as medicine or behavioural therapy, if the situation persists but it’s best to consult your pediatrician in this case. When children outgrow it

Bedwetting is usually outgrown and decreases after the age of five. Some children will go several months without incident. If suddenly there is a relapse and the child begins wetting the bed again - the cause may be a psychological one, such as the arrival of a new sibling or moving to a new environment. What parents can do to help

Be positive and reassure your child that bedwetting will stop with time. The last thing you should do is punish your child or blame them for wetting their bed. Don’t let your child drink water, milk or other beverages too close to bedtime. Reward your child if he has made it through the night with a dry bed. Encourage your child to help clean up, such as taking the sheets off the bed or helping with the laundry. Providing reassurance and support for your child is extremely important and should be dealt with patience and understanding.

By Susan Chung

Article courtesy of:

Hiring Childcare 101

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:51:00 GMT

By Tracy Feduck

You couldn’t be prouder of your bundle of joy, but now comes the daunting task of hiring the childcare for him/her because you have to go back to work.

The best way to hire your own nanny is by word of mouth. If you have a friend that knows a friend that knows someone who’d be great, then give him or her the first interview. There will be many issues that need to be discussed to be sure you’re hiring the right person, but the key is to be sure how you feel about certain things before the interview. Have a definite opinion in your mind about the following things before you interview your candidate:

Discipline -Feeding
Diapering/toilet training
Naps -Indoor vs. outdoor play
Structured vs. free play
Use of television
Nanny responsibility for other work in your home (i.e. doing dishes, making beds, doing laundry)
Ability of nanny to do personal things (telephone calls, errands) while your child is in his/her care)
Hours of work

If you don’t even know where your head is at on these things, then no one will be able to give you the right answer. Once you know where you stand on these issues (hopefully before he/she reaches university), then you’re ready for the face-to-face interview. Here are some questions to help you along:

Why do you want to be a nanny?
Why did you leave your previous position?
What child rearing philosophies do you lean towards?
What are your strengths in working with children?
What is your experience working with children of xx age?
What was the best part of working with children of xx age? What was the worst part?
How would you discipline a child in the following situation (describe one appropriate for your child’s age)?
What sort of activities would you plan for a typical day with the children? A rainy day?
When the weather is nice, do you prefer to be inside or outside?
Have you ever had a dangerous or emergency situation with a child in your care? What was it and how did you handle it?
What are your expectations of your relationship with parent/employer? How much direction/autonomy do you need?
What are your hobbies/interests?
Do you smoke?
Can you drive?
Do you consider yourself a tidy person?

When you are finished your interview, it might be a good idea to have your child meet the candidate. If your child runs screaming from the room, set up some more interviews! When you are interviewing complete strangers (no preceding thumbs up from anyone you know), be sure and ask for personal references as well as employment references. Most of all, check every reference you get.

Hiring childcare is one of the most difficult things to do. Once you have found your Mary Poppins, treat her well and hopefully you won’t have to go through this interview process again. Above everything, follow your instincts.

Article courtesy of:

Fussy Toddlers

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:33:00 GMT

By Tiffany Richardson

Research has shown that it can take 15 or so exposures to a given food before a child accepts it, so if he doesn’t like it the first time around, don’t give up.

At the toddler stage your children grow very quickly and are usually very active so they need plenty of calories and nutrients. They should be eating foods from the four major food groups (including milk and dairy foods, meat, fish and alternatives, bread and other cereals and fruits and vegetables).

Each day your child, age two to six, should be eating 6 servings from the grain group (one serving can be a slice of bread, ½ cup of cooked rice or pasta, ½ cup of cooked cereal, one ounce ready-to-eat cereal), 2 servings of fruit (1 piece of fruit of a melon wedge, ¾ cup of juice, ½ cup of canned fruit), 3 servings of vegetables (1/2 cup of chopped raw or cooked vegetables, 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables), 2 servings of meat (2 to 3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish, ½ cup of cooked dry beans or 1 egg, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter count as 1 ounce of meat), and 2 servings of milk (1 cup of milk or yogurt, 2 ounces of cheese).

To reduce the risk of allergies, don’t offer peanut butter until your child is 3 years old. Peanuts can cause violent allergic reactions and they’re also large enough for your child to choke on. Whole grapes should also be cut into quarters for toddlers as they can get lodged in a child’s throat.

The food a child eats affects his or her health and growth. Good food habits learned between one and five years of age can form a lifetime pattern of healthy eating. Children learn from example so don’t eat pizza five nights a week or be munching away on a bag of potato chips as you’re making dinner.

Here are some ideas that you can try to get your fussy toddler to eat and help ensure that he is eating healthy:

Give foods special names like ‘flying saucer pancakes’ that can have bananas or berries stirred into the batter.
Make faces or animal shapes from vegetables and fruit. Cucumbers make great eyes and carrot sticks make the perfect nose!
Serve frozen vegetables as a snack and tell your child that they are Eskimo food.
Cut sandwiches into a variety of smaller shapes such as rectangles, triangles, half-moons, etc. This is also an effective way to teach your toddler about shapes.
Let your child help you prepare the meal, obviously don’t stand them by the hot stove, but try to make them feel like they have choices.
Have themed meals such as a circus dinner where everything is colourful or shape dinners where everything is cut in shapes. It makes for a lot of work, but if it gets them eating, Kudos to you!
If your child refuses to eat certain foods then respect your child’s wishes, even if nothing is eaten. Children will not let themselves go hungry, they will eventually eat, but after a reasonable length of time, remove the food if it is untouched. Toddlers have small stomachs and do not need to eat every meal.

Remember food likes and dislikes change over time, so a food refused today may be eaten next week. Hang in there and happy dining!

Article courtesy of:

Put your child’s best foot forward – Buying baby and kid’s shoes

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:58:00 GMT

Buying the right shoes for your child goes a long way to protecting the pitter-patter of their little feet. And browsing the kids' footwear section in any store will bring out the inevitable "oohs and aahs." What's cuter than a pair of baby runners from the Gap? But according to the California Pediatric Medical Association, almost 80% of children of all ages have trouble with their feet because of the shoes they wear. So how do you make the right buying decision at the store? Are the more expensive brands any better? And when your child is still too young to talk, how to do you know if the shoe really fits?

BABY SHOES

Pediatrician Dr. Godfrey Baumgard says, "Until you learn to walk, you don't really need to wear shoes." He sites a 1979 study that found that babies who wore shoes early on were more likely to develop foot problems as children. At this early age, babies only need footwear that will protect their feet and keep them warm and dry. Socks and booties do the job just fine. But if it's too hard to resist those little patent leather shoes, remember the key is to look for shoes that have a soft sole and that aren't too tight or too loose, especially in the toe area.

TODDLER SHOES

Once your baby has learned to walk independently for a few weeks, it's time to hit the pavement in search of a pair of well-fitting shoes. John Lewis, manager of shoe store The Kerrisdale Bootery, says guidelines have changed for buying that first pair of shoes. "The old way of thinking was that the first pair of shoes had to have a very high top, have laces and be very rigid. But we've moved away from that to a first pair of shoes with a slightly lower top, that's sturdy, but not too rigid. The thinking here is that if the child's ankle is overly supported by the shoe, the ankle might not develop properly."

Support, structure and fabric are still important. Here are some tips on what to look for in the shoe store:

"Well ventilated shoes are very important," says Dr. Baumgard. Leather shoes are generally better as they allow the foot to breathe and they have more give.

Shoes should have a firm "shank." That's the area from the ball of the foot to the heel. This keeps the foot from rolling inward.

Look for shoes with rubber soles. However, soles that are too sticky can cause new walkers to trip over their feet. So find a shoe with a bit of slide.

Shoes should be flat - no heels.

The toe of the shoe should be wide (square or round) so that the toes have lots of room to spread out. That's why open-toe sandals are a good choice.

And as for size:

You should have ¼ to ½ of an inch of space between the tip of the shoe to the tip of the toes. Make sure there is also some room in the width.

The heel should not be able to move up and down in the back of the shoe.

As all parents know, children's feet grow very quickly. You should be buying a new pair about every three to five months. In an effort to save money, some parents may be tempted to purchase shoes a size too big and wait for the child to grow into them. Experts say that's a no-no.

"We never allow for more than an extra half an inch. That's less than a full size between the end of the toe and the shoe. Anything more than that and the child's foot will slip out and they could trip. It's okay to get a little extra room when the child is small, but when they get older, the shoes should fit exactly," says Lewis. Although you'll have to upgrade those shoes regularly, there's no need to spend a bundle. Dr. Baumgard stresses that inexpensive shoes are fine as along as they're comfortable and well ventilated.

CHILDREN'S SHOES

The good news is that your child can now help you get your money's worth; they'll be able to tell you if you the shoes are comfortable or not. The bad news is kids' shoes can be almost as expensive as adult shoes - the same workmanship goes into both. And kids, like adults, often choose fashion over comfort. But to ensure you get the best fit possible, here are some things to keep in mind:

Buy shoes late in the day. Feet are 5 to 8% bigger then than in the morning.
Make sure the salesperson measures both feet. Most people have one foot that's bigger than the other. Buy shoes to fit the larger foot.
The toes shouldn't touch the end of the shoe and the heel should be firm. The width should be ample across the front and top.
The sole of the shoe should bend in the ball, not the arch. A sturdy arch provides support.
A rubber sole supplies the best cushioning.
Shoes should feel comfortable right away. Don't expect your child to break them in.
Velcro isn't as stable as laces. So if you do buy Velcro, make sure the fastener is wide, sturdy and good quality.
Hand-me downs or second hand shoes are not optimum as shoes mold to the feet that wear them.

A key thing to remember for all ages is that the shoe shape should mirrors the natural shape of the foot. Finally, since we all spend so much time in shoes, it's not a bad idea to encourage your kids to run barefoot as well. Not only will it help muscles develop properly, there's also nothing like tiptoeing through the cool grass or feeling the warm sand between your toes on a sunny summer day.

Article courtesy of:

Get Moving! With Treehouse TV

admin — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 21:12:00 GMT

Healthy Active Living

Let’s Get Moving! It’s an important part of growing up, it’s FUN and it’s good for you!

Check out some of the articles for ideas & activities on how parents & kids can be active together:

Get Moving with some of your favourite Treehouse shows

Watch our active videos below with your kids. They will love bending, stretching, jumping, and dancing as they watch and follow along with these video shorts.

Roll Play

Chloe and Horatio | Chloe and the Kite | Chloe and the Snowcat | Crab I Used to Be I 50 Leagues Under the Sea | The Tortoise and the Crab

4 Square

This is Daniel Cook

Baseball | Disco Dancing | Yoga

This is Emily Yeung

Ballet Dancing | Skipping Rope | Playing Soccer

Get Up & Go Go

We took a look at what you had to say and made a bunch of changes…

admin — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:59:00 GMT

Treehousetv.com has a fresh new look and it’s all as a result of feedback from you, our users. You wanted more games, more crafts, more articles, so we made it happen.

The new and improved site hosts many more articles and tips for parents, plenty of crafts and recipes, and a plethora of games for you to play with your preschoolers. In addition, you will discover new books to read and a calendar of events to attend.

Treehousetv.com will also be home to 3 new bloggers looking to discuss the ups and downs of parenthood with you while providing personal anecdotes of adventures with the kiddies in their lives.

Furthermore, you will have a chance to comment on all the articles, crafts, and recipes on the site along with continuing access to our Tree Boards.

With all this room for discussion, it’s easier than ever to share parenting experiences, tips, and advice in a safe and warm environment.

And this is just the beginning.

Stay tuned to all of the exciting changes to come here at Treehousetv.com.

All the best,
Your Friends at Treehousetv.com

(In our excitement to get all of this great stuff to you, there may be a few little gitches on the site. If you find one, let us know! Thanks for your support and patience.)

Winning Isn’t Everything: Teaching Fair Game Play

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:31:00 GMT

Let's be honest, no one sits down to play a game to lose...and there is nothing wrong with that. From a child's perspective, winning a game can instill self-confidence. Nevertheless, we can't win all the time and learning how to play and lose with dignity is every bit as important as learning how to win with respect.

Here are a few tips for playing games with the whole family:

Have fun with the process of the game. If the game cannot be enjoyed through its duration and is only being played to win, then it is probably not a game worth playing.
Let your children know that while you are proud of them when they win, that does not mean you love them less when they lose.
Teach the little one not to gloat when they win. Again, everyone should be proud of a tot that can win a round of Go Fish, but it's important to remember not to laugh at the losers.
It's okay to allow your little one a few ‘advantages', but always be clear that cheating is not permissible. Even in a small context, the concept of proper ‘gamesmanship' for boys and girls is one that transcends generations and helps us grow into adults with respect for our fellow human beings.
Teach them the value of learning from a loss. The best thing about falling down is learning how to get up. Simple games provide this in a metaphorical sense and allow children the opportunity to learn and grow.

By Chris Giardino

What Cartoon Characters Show You About Your Kids

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:26:00 GMT

Next to yourself and their best playmates, those that your child will undoubtedly form a bond with in their early life, will be the characters that they watch on their favourite cartoon shows during the day. Cartoon characters can be a fantastic outlet for your children and the type of characters that they latch onto will not only influence them, but it will also tell you something about their personality.

Whether it is the Berenstain Bears, Babar, Franklin or Toopy and Binoo, these affable, animated creatures will become friends to your little one. As such, you should try watching the characters with your children. This is not just to approve of a show's content; it is so that you can have a better idea of what makes your children laugh, cry or affect them emotionally.

Similarly, knowing how these characters affect your little one can help you out in times of crisis. Knowing what character to give your children a stuffed animal of when they feel stressed can help alleviate anxiety.

Many cartoon characters teach morals or lessons to kids through their shows. If you know that your tot particularly relates to The Backyardigans, and you are familiar with the show and its content, you can use that as a tool to helping to teach your child the power of imagination.

Similarly, feel free to ask your children what exactly it is that they like about a particular program. These shows and their characters can be used to help teach your child everything from values to music to spelling and history.

By Chris Giardino

What Breed is Best?: Choosing a Dog for your Family

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:24:00 GMT

With the help of Dr. Scott Bainbridge, a veterinarian at the Queen West Animal Hospital in Toronto, we've put together a list of things to consider when selecting a dog breed.

Choosing a Dog Breed

Whether you choose one of the suggested breeds or any one of the many other suitable breeds, please keep the following in mind:

While toy breeds may be attractive to parents, some may be too delicate or skittish for smaller children.
Larger dogs are surprisingly better for kids because they tend to be more resilient to the rigorous play of younger children. Make sure, however, that you have the space to accommodate a larger breed and understand just how big that puppy will get.
Mixed breeds are generally great and usually have fewer health problems, but be sure to learn about the background of any perspective pup.
Popular and trendy breeds tend to be over bred which can affect the quality of the dog - including its temperament and overall health.
Wherever possible it is best to get a dog from a reputable breeder. You can't always rely on pet stores to know the full history of a dog nor can you see the conditions the puppies were raised in prior to arriving at the store.

By Rochelle Strauss

Watching TV with Preschoolers

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:22:00 GMT

When television is not watched with reckless abandon, it's a great tool for young children to acquire vocabulary, information, ideas and even learn about values. But how children watch television is very important.

Here are a few helpful tips to guide in television viewing.

Avoid open-ended TV viewing. Try watching a specific show for a specific amount of time to ensure your kids remain active viewers, instead of simply zoning out.
Choose a show and stay with it. This helps children understand a show has a beginning, middle and end. It also makes it easier to monitor your child's viewing and limit the length of time he or she watches.
Watch calm, quiet shows. Not only are they more conducive to learning, the slower pace allows children the chance to think and absorb new words and concepts.
Not all "children" shows are appropriate for children of a preschool age. Make sure the shows your child watches are suitable for his or her age group.
Watch TV with your children. This allows you to help them engage in the show, rather than just tuning out. Also, asking and answering questions about what's going on in a show helps expand the ideas and concepts presented while finding out what your child finds most interesting.
Avoid commercials. Children's cable networks usually offer commercial free TV, as do shows on video and DVD. Being able to pause or rewind a certain scene also allows for further discussion about what's going on.
Incorporate aspects of favourite shows into everyday games. For example, make a map for your next outing and follow it the way Dora does.
Most importantly, if there is nothing worth watching, turn it off.

By Rochelle Strauss

Visiting the Doctor

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:15:00 GMT

One of the more frightening things that a child can endure is a trip to the doctor. Whether it is only a check-up or something more serious, a trip to the doctor can produce in a little tot a level of dread and paranoia that is difficult to top.

Here are some small hints at trying to alleviate your child's fears:

Do not shrug off fears. It is normal for a child to be afraid of the doctor even if most adults know that there is usually nothing to fear.
As best you can, try to explain to your child why a doctor's visit is necessary. Reassure him or her that the doctor is not there to hurt and is only trying to help.
Most doctors will allow the parent to be present during the child's visit. If your child knows that you will be present during the appointment then he or she will feel more comfortable going in.
Bring a book or game that can provide amusement while waiting. If you can pre-occupy your child before they go in with a friendly cartoon character or the like, it might make the experience easier.
If a needle looks like it might have to be part of the procedure/check up, the best you can do is talk your child through it. Your little one will be frightened, but the more you assurance you give, the more you will alleviate those fears.

By Chris Giardino

Use Your Imagination

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:13:00 GMT

Imagination games are not only affordable; they are a necessary way to encourage your little one to use his or her mind to the fullest. Studies have shown that children who are encouraged to use their imaginations build skills that will benefit them later in life.

Here are some ways to encourage imagination-play with your child:

Use the concept of Mr. Dressup's costume trunk that many of us grew up with. Put into it any old clothes or fun costume pieces such as hats, etc. and on special occasions or rainy days, don the clothes with your child to pretend you are someone else or make up stories together.
Try closing your eyes with your little one and take turns telling a story from scratch.
Neutral ‘toys' such as cardboard boxes, sponges or scarves can be given to your little one. Kids can create space ships, zoos and more.
Backyard treasure hunts for hidden objects that you place can lead to all sorts of fun discoveries. Trees can become monsters, hills can be places to hide behind and every where you look something can transform into something else.
Teach your child to paint objects such as old egg cartons or stones. Again, not all toys need be purchased, and when so many household objects can be used for so many different things, it is a shame to let the opportunities go to waste.

By Chris Giardino

Top Ten Things to Consider when Choosing a Pet

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:12:00 GMT

When it comes to the kind of pet to get for your family, there are so many options - from traditional dogs, cats and fish, to the less conventional birds, reptiles and even hermit crabs! Here are ten tips to consider when choosing a pet.

Involve your child in the choice. To avoid neglect, if your child cannot have the pet he/she requested, be sure to discuss why and suggest alternatives before arbitrarily bringing home something else.
Children less than ten to twelve years of age cannot yet handle many of the responsibilities associated with a pet's care. Since the bulk of responsibilities will likely fall to you, choose your pet accordingly.
As a family, learn everything you can about a perspective pet. Make sure you understand all of its requirements and have the equipment needed.
Choose a pet that fits your family's life style. Do you have the time to care for the pet? Who will care for it when you go away?
Make sure the pet you choose is within your family's budget. When it comes to pet care there can be many unexpected costs - toys, habitats, vet bills, etc.
Consider the space a potential pet needs and make sure your home can accommodate it - this includes space needed for aquariums, cages, etc.
Baby animals grow up! Something tiny and adorable as a baby may grow too large for your child to handle.
Make sure you can provide your pet with a safe retreat when they need a break, such as a bed or crate for a dog. Instruct family members about the importance of leaving pets alone when they're in their safe space.
Know the history of all possible pets. In particular, if you are considering an exotic species, make sure it has been bred by a reputable breeder.
Consider a pet's potential life span. For some pets, such as smaller pocket pets, it can be quite short (a few years or less), for others, such as parrots, it can be very long (forty plus years).

By Rochelle Strauss