Children are often excited when they get a summer break after a long and tough academic year and they want to be entertained for the entire day, however, for parents it could be equally exciting yet tough to find a good and affordable summer child care programs. It feels great to be with kids for a few days or even a week, but soon you want to keep your kids occupied so that you have some time for your daily routine. Hence proper planning is essential than the last moment rush.  Though the process starts in winter where you need to line up for summer childcare, but it mostly goes on till it is back to school days. For people who work at home, one solution to summer childcare does not work. Thus planning sooner for the summer can make your life much easier. Summer childcare should be one that not only entertains your child, but should be quite affordable for you too. Here are 4 ideas for summer childcare that are affordable and fun for your kids too.

• Adjust your work schedules: Both the parents are equally responsible for their kid’s upbringing so during summer break, you and your partner can think about adjusting the timing of your work schedules. Though this option is not perfect for every family, but if you have flexible work schedules and you plan to work at different hours, you can baby sit your baby easily. Look if there are temporary night-time or part-time shifts, or if there is work from home option available or maybe there is an option where you can work for 10 hours a day and take an off on the other day to stay with your child. There may be some viable options, just talk with your boss.
• Summer camp: There are summer camps that are arranged for kids from different age group. Though the summer camps are not so affordable, as you have to pay for the field excursions, extra activities and meals, but it is always a better option to leave your kids during your work hours as these are safe and specially planned as per your child’s convenience.

Besides safety, quality and cleanliness most parents think a lot simple yet essential things before sending their child to a childcare. One amongst the most essential things to think about is the best types of food snacks to send with their child to child care. Most children are quite choosy when it comes to food and want to binge on all the unhealthy food items that are not safe in the long run. Ice-creams, chocolates, chips, cookies, pastas, pizzas, noodles etc. may be on top of their priority list, but what about their health? Every parent’s main concern is that their child should eat healthy and balanced meal so they do not suffer from any deficiencies or illness.

Make sure you stock in plenty of fresh food items that are loaded with essential nutrients. Avoid giving your child pre-packaged or processed food stuff. These meals are high on sugar, fat and salt. Processed food contains preservatives that are really harmful for your child’s health. Plan a night before so that you have all things sorted. Pack your child’s lunch box neatly without any kind of messy food that get sticky and wet after some time.

Think about some simple, easy to pick, small bite size food snacks which are:

• Whole-grain and low-sugar breakfast cereals
• Fresh fruit cut into small pieces
• Cup cakes or mini muffins
• Whole-grain crackers
• Cheese slices or small cubes

Every parent wants that their kids should never miss their schools even for a day, but it is not possible. Kids fall sick ever so often and they need rest. Usually kids are vulnerable to viral infections almost every month which can lead to health conditions that can last for nearly 7 days. When the kids fall sick, the most confusing decision for you as a parent is when to keep your child home if they are not feeling well. This is really hard to decide as you have to consider several parameters before coming to a conclusion. You want your kid to be back to normal at the soonest and also don’t want other kids to get infection and suffer later. But at the same time you do not want your kids to miss their school as their education suffers eventually.

It is definitely a difficult choice, but you need to consider the medical viewpoint as well.

• Is he really that sick? Some kids are so sick that they have difficulty in breathing, or feel dizzy or maybe suffer from unbearable abdominal pain. These symptoms of sickness need immediate attention. Well, your choice becomes easier in such cases. Make him rest at home till he gets well.

Oh we so wish if kids could come with an instruction guide, things would have been so easier! This is just what every parent desires. Every parent wants his child to be happy and successful. But the question that most parents ask is how to raise a happy child. Now the meaning of the word “happy” is different for everyone. Parents want to give the best things possible to their kids, but above all, they should teach their kids the actual value and meaning of happiness. It is a tough philosophy for them to grasp at such a tender age, but you as a parent can try these 7 tips for raising a happy child.

A lot of parents are usually confused whether they should put their child in a child care facility or not and on top of that choosing the best one that suits their child is yet another issue. It is very important to choose a child care facility that not only satisfies you but is definitely suitable for your child too. It should be an environment where you child looks forward to, the next day. Your satisfaction and peace of mind is of utmost important while your piece of your heart is at a childcare away from you when you are at work.  

Here are 8 tips for choosing a child care program in Albany that will make your job easy:

Finding the perfect day care for your child is never easy. As a parent, there are a lot of factors you need to consider when choosing the perfect child care center where your children find a comfortable, healthy and an educational environment.

If you’re a new parent and are desperately in search of a great child care center, here are five things you need to look out for before you make the decision.

#1 Take a Tour
When you’re finding a place to leave your child for the day, you want to make sure it’s an ideal environment. The only way you can do that is by personally visiting the child care center. We normally would advise both parents to be present for the tour on the first day but if that’s not possible, at least one of you should. When you’re visiting the child care center, keep a keen eye on how the caregivers are interacting with the children or how the children are behaving with each other. You can have a pretty good idea about how your child will be treated by keeping a sharp lookout.

One common problem both adults and children face is a fluctuating sleeping schedule. For children especially, this can be particularly worrisome because a good night’s sleep is essential to promote the proper growth of your child. Singing lullabies and reading princess stories might work for some but there are other more realistic tips to ensure a peaceful shut eye for your child.

Make the Bedroom Sleep-Friendly
You might think that children can fall asleep anywhere as long as they’re tired but that’s not usually how it works. Just like any adult, optimum environmental conditions to encourage sleep are essential for your child. Studies have proven that rooms that are warmer result in a more peaceful, uninterrupted sleep while colder temperatures even in the hot summers can be uncomfortable for sleeping.

Apart from making sure the temperature is ideal, you need to keep the lights dim and the noise minimum. A quiet, dark room is the first step to making your children sleep. Don’t worry if your child is scared of the dark; you can leave the door open or install a dim bulb in the corner.

Lay Off the Caffeine
Now unless your child is too sophisticated and mature for his own good, he probably won’t be reaching out for a cup of coffee or tea. But those beverages aren’t the only ones that keep you up at night. Soda and cokes are loaded with enough caffeine to disrupt your child’s sleep as well.

Don’t get me wrong – I love babies. But there’s just something that I think any parent can relate to: the trouble of carrying a baby bag with you at all times. Forget your Louis Vuitton handbags, ladies and welcome a new accessory on board – an enormous baby bag.

So what do parents carry in that big bag of baby heaven anyway? The simple answer would probably be a few diapers. But there’s really a lot more you need to have with you at all times if you decide to head out with your toddler.

If you’re confused on what exactly to keep in your baby bag, check out this comprehensive and helpful checklist below so you won’t ever have to face an emergency crisis no matter where you are!

1.  Diapers, duh!
Perhaps the most essential item your baby needs is a diaper. If your toddler is less than two years old, you’ll probably be changing diapers every hour so make an estimate on how many you should keep. Or to make things simple, keep the whole medium-sized pack.

2. Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are excellent to clean your child safely without the risk of a rash. Keeping a pack of wipes can save you from a giant mess later.

The 21st century has been wonderful in terms of technological advancements and computer engineering. But roses don’t come without the thorns and the advancement in tech doesn’t come without some major drawbacks. There was a time when the word ‘internet’ and ‘iPads’ were foreign and that time wasn’t so long ago either. Back then children would spend their time playing outside and engaging in actual physical activities.

Now, though, studies have revealed that an average child spends over eight hours in front of a screen, whether it’s a TV or a smartphone. While these machines can be educational and productive, too much of anything is never good.
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Have you ever wondered why the older generation is a lot more physically active than their children? That’s because they were always wired to stay on their feet as children. Unlike the lazy couch potatoes the new generation is turning into, the previous one had a healthy, active lifestyle.

It’s not too late!

There’s nothing more beautiful than the arrival of a new life at your home. But with this blessing come responsibilities – and a whole lot of them. While babies are undoubtedly adorable, they are also extremely careless and dependent. Unlike a kitten or a puppy, human babies need a good few years to find their footing and to realize that poking their fingers in an electric socket isn’t such a wise idea.

While you can find a bunch of tips and tricks to baby proof your home, here’s a concise list of some of the most essential elements that you need to address.

Don’t Let the Baby Fall

Babies like to crawl around and discover new places. But sometimes crawling can go a bit too far especially if it’s on top of a staircase or a bed. Use safety nets, window guards and safe landings on any risky place. Installing a safety gate on the top of the stairs is a great strategy to prevent a staircase fall. Also, never leave your child unattended on a bed or any other high place such as a counter.