child care Archives - Sleeping Should Be Easy

What You Need to Consider when Hiring an Au Pair

Jul 17, 2021

Hiring an au pair can be a great option to your childcare needs. Before you decide, here's what you need to consider. By Dr. Lisa Ng For many parents, deciding on childcare includes many factors: convenience, cost, the proximity to work. In our case, putting both kids in day care would've stretched our budget too much. And while we considered a nanny, we eventually decided on hiring an au pair instead. I'd like to answer a few questions you may have on hiring an au pair, as well as point out considerations you should make before making your decision. But first, what is an au … [Read more...]

Nanny Interview Questions You Should Be Asking

Infant

Jun 29, 2021

Want to find the right nanny for your baby? Discover the nanny interview questions you should be asking 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. Like most jobs, a nanny needs to be vetted for several factors, from competence to reliability to how you get along with her. But making a decision can be … [Read more...]

How to Establish Grandparent Boundaries (Without Stepping On Toes)

Parenthood

Jan 21, 2021

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

Newborn

Nov 11, 2020

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...]

8 Things to Do When Hiring a Nanny

Family Life

Jul 17, 2020

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

Behavior

Mar 04, 2020

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...]

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