Child Proofing

     Child proofing your home when you have a little one is a must! Having this done before they are rolling over and crawling is vital for their safety. You can begin this process and have your home a safe environment long before the child is performing these milestones. You will feel much better when you know your home is child proofed. Some of the important steps in child proofing are as follows:

Ø  Cover all electrical outlets using protective coverings

Ø  Move household chemicals on higher shelves or cabinets

Ø  Install cabinet locks

Ø   Insert safety gates on stairs

Ø  Use anchor straps to tie down furniture that could tip over

Ø  Use foam to cover furniture corners

Ø  Put toilet lid locks on

Ø  Use clips to keep window blinds string out of child’s reach

Ø  Keep breakable items up higher

Ø  Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors  are installed and working

Ø  When the child begins walking make sure a yard fence is installed, if possible and gates are locked

Ø  Cover pool, if applicable

Ø  Store medication in a locked cabinet

Ø  When cooking make sure you have the pan handle turned in

     These are just a few important child proofing tips. Each home is unique, you need to walk through your home and make sure there are no other hazards that could harm your child. Accidents happen, but it’s your responsibility as a parent to provide the safest environment possible for your child.

Potty Training

     Potty training is one of the largest stresses when raising a child. Normally, the child will show signs that they are ready. Pushing a child into potty training before he/she are ready is asking for an emotional disaster. Usually when a child is between eighteen to twenty-four months old, they will begin to show signs that they are ready.  This is the best time to start the” can be” dreadful task, known as potty training. Some of the signs that they are ready include: staying dry for an hour or two at a time, saying that they need to go potty, or wanting to sit on the toilet. People may think that this is an easy task, but it can be a hard, long drawn out process for many children.  Parents need to develop a plan and ideas that engage the child in wanting to go potty. Some ways to get the child excited is with rewards.  Kids love to get prizes and awards; it’s a fun way to get the parents involved also. As a parent, showing the child how proud you are of them when they go makes the child want to go even more. A couple ideas for a reward program could be hanging a chart of some kind on the wall and every time they go potty they get to pick a sticker out and put the sticker on the chart. Another idea would be to have a special piggy bank and when they go, give them a penny to put in the bank. This makes them want to go and gives them a little motivation.

     A good way to make the transition from diapers to big kid panties is by using pull-ups, which takes away the frustration of accidents. Putting them in a diaper at night for a while is a good idea because diapers tend to hold the wetness in better. Buying underwear and showing them that when they go potty like a big kid they can wear the special panties. Pick out a character that they like to make it more exciting for them. Also, using a child’s floor toilet that they can get on and off by themselves is a good idea. This is a very easy way to start this process.  

     Parents are afraid that if they are working with their child at home and they take them to daycare that they won’t have time to work with them. This does sometimes happen and it can be very frustrating for the parents. As I’ve experienced working in a day care center, they are very willing to help the child with this difficult stage. You just need to be open with your daycare and do this process together and soon they will be all potty trained, which is a very exciting step. The most important thing to remember is that your child is just learning and that each child learns and develops at different rates. Patience is a vital part of the whole process. A child can sense when you are upset or frustrated, so try to keep this under control and give the child the support they need.

Car Seats

Car seats are probably the most important baby necessity, but there are many things you need to know about them.  You’ll want to make sure your baby is in the safest car seat when you bring him/her home for the first time and every time you travel after that. In 2013, the Chicco Kayfit 30 was picked for the most reliable car seat for your infant of twenty- two pounds or less. It showed that there were a number of infants involved in crashes and were safe and protected in this car seat. New born babies don’t have enough strength to hold their heads up, so it’s important that you have the car seat adjusted correctly so they are safe at all times. The first step is to adjust the straps so they are snug and it is best if the car seat is reclined a little to prevent their heads from flopping back and forth. Another important part of putting a baby in a car seat that new parents may not know is that you shouldn’t have the baby in winter gear or anything else buckled up with them. The only thing that can be put under the straps is the baby. This will help secure the baby more, with the straps being placed right on the baby instead of on the layers. The best way to comfort the baby is to snug a blanket around him/her.

                Rear facing does not usually make the new born very happy. But it is state law that they are in rear facing until they are about a year, for most children. This is safest way to keep an infant safe in the car while they are developing stronger bones and muscles. If the air bags would ever go off in the car, they may not survive because of how fragile they are at this point. Many babies will scream when they are put into the car seat, especially if there is not a parent sitting right next to them. Here is a couple of tips that will help prevent this. Have soothing music on in the car or even the sound of your voice may help them calm down, because they know that are you near. 

Most children outgrow the rear-facing process at a year, but it’s suggested that parents wait until they are about thirty-three to forty-five pounds to turn around and switch to a convertible. The older they are the stronger their bones and muscles are in their body to prevent injury if there is an accident. It’s helpful to go by the weight and height on the car seat to see when they can be switched.

Did you know there are expiration dates on car seats? Well there are, and it’s very important to be aware of the expiration date because when it expires, it’s not safe for your child to be in it. Weight is another big priority for a car seat. Car seats have weight limits, so it’s best to look at the weight limit before purchasing the car seat. This way you can use it longer and get the most out of your money. 

When your child out grows out of the rear-facing car seat, they need to be switched over to the convertible car seat. GRACO was selected as the best convertible car seat that was passed by the NHSTA test. This car seat can be used as rear facing and forward facing. This is the next step of car seats used when your infant grows out of the rear facing seats. These are best used until your child reaches sixty- five pounds and from 40 to 52 inches.

Booster seats are the next phase of car seats to purchase after your child outgrows the convertible car seat. GRACO has been certified as the best brand to buy. This is also the last step before your child is ready for a regular seat belt. There isn’t any certain age to keep your child in a booster seat. It’s recommended that they are taller than 4 feet.

It’s very important to always make sure your child is safe in the car, by following the weights and expiration date on the car seat. Also, follow the rules and make sure they are in the right car seat for the right age, weight and height. The safety of your child is always the most important part of traveling.

Child Care Expirence

I was born in a family where my mom did daycare. I was two years old when mom was forced into closing her daycare to go back to work. My brother had serious health issues and the doctor said he wouldn’t live if we didn’t get the germs out of the house. So, when I was two years old mom took me to a daycare. I don’t remember much about her daycare, but my sister and two brothers reminisce about it often. They talk about how glad that they were that she was home when they got home from school and when they were sick. They loved the preschool program she had and always having kids to play with. But there were drawbacks like all the other kids playing with their toys and getting into their stuff.

Now I have a job working at a daycare center and I love it. I love working with the kids in the different rooms. There is such a difference from one age group to another. They all have their own uniqueness and personalities. Each child has their own rate of growth and achievements. Some are a little slower than others at taking their first steps or saying their first words. But that’s ok because it’s who they are.

Our daycare center has a daily routine which I think kids really need in their life. Each room has unique ideas for arts, crafts and activities for the children. We have special events which include the parents for mother’s day, father’s day, and some of the holidays. There is a special graduation ceremony for the four years old. The kids get so excited about the special activities we do.

                I have worked in different classes and can’t pick my favorite one. I have learned so much about each age group and enjoy getting to know the kids and their families. I love being called Miss Kirsten and feel good when I get a big good bye wave or hug.

Choosing the Right Daycare

One of the most difficult decisions for new parents to make when it is time to go back to work is what kind of daycare they should use. They need to ask themselves many questions on what kind of care they want their child to have. Some families decide to have one of the parents stay home with their child/children because the cost outweighs their income. But for many families the parents must both work out of the home. This leaves the question on what kind of daycare best suits their family. Making a list of pro’s and con’s for both daycare center versus in-home daycare's. This will hopefully make that important decision a little less stressful. This is one of the most critical decisions that parents will make. They need to go back to work self- assured that their child is getting the best care possible.

The following are a few pros and cons of in- home versus daycare centers and visa-versa.

Pros of in- home:

Ø   In- home usually cost less than daycare centers

Ø  In- home may work around your schedule if you have to work late or go in early

Ø  There are not as many children which minimizes the chance of illness

Ø  There are fewer kids so your child may receive more attention

Ø  In- home offers more of an at home feeling for the child

Pros of daycare centers:

Ø  Are  licensed and are state regulated

Ø  The child to provider ratios

Ø  More child to child interaction

Ø  More dependable than in home. If a provider is off, you can still bring your child

Ø  May be more secure

If you’re having a difficult time making the decision it would be good idea to set up interviews or tours for both types of daycare. This is a good way to ease the stress. You may walk out of the interview knowing that this type of daycare is or is not right for you. Having a list of questions prepared will make the process more smoothly.  I have composed a sample list of questions that can be asked at the interview below.

Ø  What the hours are?

Ø  Additional fee for late pick up?

Ø  What the daily schedule is?

Ø  What type of activities?

Ø  Are there any field trips?

Ø  Is there outside time?

Ø  What is included in the price?

Ø  What items you need to supply?

Ø  What type of discipline is used?

Ø  If they have references?

Ø  Scenarios of how they handle different situations?

     Hopefully, these suggestions will help make the transition back to work go a little more smoothly. Leaving the child for the first time is always stressful, but feeling confident that you made the decision based on what works best for your family will make the adjustment easier. Always ask the provider how your child’s day was and if is anything you need to know. Lastly, try to be open and honest with your provider and form a good relationship with them.  Be reassured that your child is getting the best care possible so that you can return to work more confidently.