Are the grandparents getting too involved with your parenting? Here's how to establish grandparent boundaries without stepping on toes. "My parents won't listen when I tell them no TV!" a friend vented. Her parents care for her kids in their home. And despite my friend's request to turn the TV off, they continue to keep it on all day. For many parents, it's not just TV, either. Grandparents offer food parents forbid, buy too many toys, don't follow safety rules, and even smoke. That's not all. You hear about grandparents who have all sorts of opinions about their kids' parenting … [Read more...]
How Caring for Newborn Twins is Different from Singletons
Are you expecting twins? Learn how caring for newborn twins is different from singletons and what you can do to manage with two babies. "Our bodies are only meant to carry one baby during pregnancy," my doctor said. I sighed, knowing right then and there that caring for newborn twins would be a challenge. And this goes beyond the pregnancy and its complications. For instance, supporting them financially, from child care to education, takes a toll on anyone's pocket. Then there's the part where you handle two crying babies. Two kids going through the same developmental stages. Two … [Read more...]
How to Tell Grandparents to Stop Spoiling Your Kids
Excessive gifts can impact values and behavior. Learn how to stop grandparents spoiling grandchildren (without offending them) with these tips. The toys, the clothes, even the sweets—you can't seem to put a stop to it. As much as you appreciate grandparents showering your child with gifts, it's getting a bit excessive. Receiving gifts may be fine if they were the occasional day or so, but it happens more often than you'd like. In fact, he receives so many gifts from them, he now wants you to buy even more, things you'd rather not get. You're tired of saying "no" to his requests, … [Read more...]
8 Things to Do When Hiring a Nanny
Hiring a nanny can be a stressful experience. Here's what to do when you're choosing a nanny, interviewing childcare providers and making your selection. I had one week to find a nanny for the twins. Now, I'm not a procrastinator. In fact, quite the opposite: I started my search for a nanny several months before I planned to go back to work. But just one week before that nanny was set to start, she called to decline the job. Yeah... not easy on the nerves. I found myself scrambling to find childcare, somehow fitting in interviews as well setting aside a few days for the nanny to … [Read more...]
Toddler Acting Out at Daycare? What You Need to Do
Handling your child's behavior when you're not there can be a challenge. Learn exactly what to do about your toddler acting out at daycare with these tips. Disciplining at home is hard enough, but what do you do when you're not there to manage your toddler's behavior? From daycare to preschool and even to a nanny caring for him, you'd think it'd be easier to let someone else handle his behavior. Instead, you feel helpless hearing about his outbursts. You might even feel judged, wondering what the staff must think of your parenting skills. Perhaps you're frustrated that it's still … [Read more...]
Toddler More Attached to Grandmother? How to Cope with Your Emotions
Is your toddler more attached to grandmother so much that he clings to her over you? Learn how to cope with your emotions and discover the REAL issues to focus on. It's the feeling that stings every mom: the sight of her child pushing her away in favor of someone else. Even if that someone else is grandma. At every opportunity, your toddler dives into her arms. He has a meltdown when she leaves the room, even if you're right next to him. Meanwhile, you're struggling to put on a brave face, even though inside it hurts to see your toddler more attached to grandmother. Maybe grandma … [Read more...]
Do You Appreciate Your Child’s Caretakers? Show Them with These 5 Ways
Does your child have a special caretaker? Show your appreciation with these 5 simple ways, including nominating them for Create the Good. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Create the Good. All opinions are 100% mine. Every week, my mom comes over with lunch for me and the kids. She'll also bring bags of groceries—bananas, a loaf of bread, things that can add up. Later that afternoon, she'll hang out with my twins while I bring my eldest to his science class. And at dinnertime, she treats us to a meal at a restaurant. Every week. These simple acts of kindness … [Read more...]
Are You Asking the Right Nanny Interview Questions?
Finding the right nanny is important, but could you be asking the wrong questions? Discover the nanny interview questions you need to ask before you hire. I hadn't been this nervous in a while. I've never had to hire any employee in the past, much less a nanny or even a babysitter. I was scared to hand my twins to a stranger—someone I'd hire only after a brief time of getting to know her. And I was clueless about what exactly to look for or ask during an interview. 3 problems with typical nanny interview questions And so I looked online and found questions I was supposed to ask. Many … [Read more...]