Studies

With today’s stagnant job market, it isn’t unusual for workers to accept job offers that require a move. For those with children, this can often be a difficult decision to make. Parents want to be sure they are making a choice that is not only beneficial to them and their professional aspirations, but to their children’s continued growth and overall well-being.

With these statistics in mind, it becomes apparent that choosing the right school district for your children is every bit as important as finding a good job, perhaps more so. Thankfully, many cities are starting to understand the importance of a quality education, and are improving their public school systems accordingly.

Take Chicago, for example: In addition to being home to countless Chicago attractions that are both entertaining and educational, the Windy City now offers preschool to all children between the ages of 3 and 5 who are legal residents of Chicago. Preschool for All is a half-day preschool program that’s open to children who are at least 3, but not yet 5 on or before September 1^st of the current school year. Proof of residency is required, as all children must reside within the city of Chicago.

The curriculum for Preschool for All is designed “to promote a comprehensive approach to early childhood development.” By focusing on basic reading, writing, and math skills, Preschool for All prepares children for entry into Kindergarten, giving them a leg up on other children who are not similarly prepared.

For those parents who are inclined to educate their children themselves, Preschool for All offers Virtual Pre-K, an interactive learning opportunity that can be experienced from the comfort of your own home.  Virtual Pre-K has partnered with PBS on the Ready to Learn program in order to offer a quality experience to children and parents alike. This way, the youngest Chicagoans can be assured of a quality education regardless of whether they are formally enrolled in a preschool program or being taught by their parents.

Regardless of whether you choose to send your child to a public or private preschool, or take advantage of at-home options, it is increasingly important to begin your child’s education early in order to prepare them for school. This is something you must consider when contemplating whether to move; with enough research and information, you will make the choice that is right for you and your family.

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The reality is that if you have an infant or a toddler the best chance you have to be able to pay for their tuition after they leave high-school will be if you start saving now.   By the time your toddler graduates from highschool many of your investments in the old ‘college fund’ will have matured to the point where they will either make a huge dent in your child’s college loans, or cover the nut.  Unfortunately there is a perfect storm brewing: in a time of unemployment, marginal employment and economic turmoil, people are seeing their savings wiped out or severely reduced.  Meanwhile tuition costs continue to rise.

College debt has surpassed passed credit card debt as the largest debt-load that individuals are saddled with, and research has shows that $300 billion dollars of debt have been incurred in just the last four years.  Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of FinAid.org and FastWeb.com, has calculated the current student debt in the United States to be $829.785 billion and the debt of revolving credit to be approximately $826 billion. As the unemployment numbers continue to rise these numbers will increase too. But don’t stress too much about paying for your child’s education. More students are finding alternate ways to raise money for school and still work towards a degree.

The number of students pursuing online degrees has been increasing steadily, partly because of the increased flexibility that comes with the ability to take classes whenever students want to. With that flexibility, they can work full-time jobs and still go to school. With online classes, students know when assignments are due just like in a traditional class. Online students are also able to avoid paying room and board, parking fees and fees associated with commuting back and forth to class.

Because taking courses online is on option, more students are taking a couple of classes per semester and extending the length of the average college career. Students can opt to only take the courses that they can afford to pay for at the moment and avoid debt. They would be working at the time, so rushing through college is not important. Some jobs offer tuition reimbursement which would help as well.

Any money that you can provide your child to assist with paying for college is helpful. While the numbers can look intimidating there are ways to raise the money needed. Here are a few ideas/tips to help you begin saving for your child’s education early.

• Set aside at least $100 a month: If you have an infant and you can set aside $100 a month, by the time the child is ready for college you’ll have a substantial amount to contribute.
• Get children involved in extracurricular activities: Students can earn for college many different ways. Whether they’re playing sports, playing an instrument or being an artist, encourage them to give it their all.
• Look at scholarships: Encourage your child to explore different scholarship and grant opportunities. Students can earn money for a number of different reasons and this money is not required to be paid back

The current economic downturn has many people feeling uneasy about their financial future and the future of their children. The thing to remember is that this won’t last forever. Things will eventually come back around.

1. Movie time

My siblings and I always liked watching Halloween-themed movies when I was a kid, a custom that has been passed down to the next generation. My sisters and their children usually come to my house in early October and we have a cookie decorating party. When we’re done cutting out pumpkin shapes and decorating ghosts, we slide the cookies into one of my wall ovens (I cook a lot in my spare time) and start our movie marathon. Some of our favorite movies are “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “Monsters, Inc.” I’m glad all the kids are young now; I have the perfect excuse for avoiding scary movies that they may someday request we watch.

2. Pumpkin funAs you might guess, one of our standard activities is carving pumpkins. Really, since the kids are still toddlers, we spend more time drawing designs that the adults cut out, but the kids still really enjoy seeing the finished product. Sometimes we cut the tops off the pumpkins and let the kids scoop out all the seeds, which we then prepare for roasting. They have license to get messy and we end up with a tasty treat for our movie time. We also play around with glitter and paint, which results in pumpkins which look great on display on the front porch and show off the children's personalities.3. CraftingFor those who are too young to carve pumpkins, we usually end up drawing pictures, coloring Halloween-themed cutouts, and drawing monster faces on orange balloons that we later inflate with helium for our annual party. We usually let the kids just make whatever they want, which has resulted in great drawings of movie characters (the characters from Monsters, Inc. seem to be especially popular), decorations (orange-and-black garlands are super easy to make), and even Halloween stories about dastardly candy thieves.Jack-o-lantern (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4. Haunted houses

We love visiting haunted houses (during kid-friendly, lights-on hours) and going on hayrides at a local farm. The latter presents a great chance to pick out the pumpkins that we later decorate and is a great family tradition that I’m glad the kids all enjoy. We also get fall treats, like cider, and make a day of it, usually ending up at someone’s home for pumpkin soup and other fall treats.

5. Costuming

It seems like my family and I spend the entire year deciding what to be for Halloween the next year. Needless to say, by the time Halloween actually rolls around, we’re all pretty excited to get dressed up. The little kids love having their faces painted as all sorts of characters, including Spiderman and The Hulk. Our face painting ‘party’ starts pretty early in the afternoon, as we head out for trick-or-treating before the evening gets too late. It’s great to see the littler kids wearing costumes their siblings wore in years past and to take lots of photos that usually get posted to Facebook for everyone to later enjoy.

Options abound for Halloween fun ideas and I’m happy that my family is as excited about the holiday as I am. Whether we’re watching movies, baking cookies, or headed to a pumpkin patch, we have a great time, from toddler to adult.

Anita Vance, who blogs on behalf of Sears and other prestigious brands, enjoys spending quality time in the kitchen with her family and keeping up with the latest innovations in home appliances.

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Of course, you have to consider the cost of all this “inspiration” and “protection.”  Intellicot baby cribs and diamond encrusted Barbie dolls don’t come cheap, after-all.

So for those of us on a budget, but still want the very best nursery for our young ones, here are a few ideas that won’t break the bank:

Change the Wall Color

It’s the easiest way to change the look and feel of a room.  And you don’t need to use paint, either.  Paint usually leaves an awful, chemical smell that lingers for days after you’ve painted the room, and paint also includes chemicals that can be prove harmful—and even deadly—to your babies delicate respiratory system.  Instead of painting, we recommend brightening up the room with wall graphic stickers or even repurposing artwork that you have around the house.  It’s safer for your baby and the environment.

If you have hardwood, get a rug

While carpeting is generally the less expensive choice for flooring, it also holds a higher risk of contamination (from dust and allergens that become trapped in the fibers).  However, hardwood planks and stone tiles can be just as inexpensive if you opt to find them in a reclaimed state rather than buying brand new.  And you can purchase hypo-allergenic throw rugs as a way to add some padding.

Join the Baby Registry

The baby registry is one of the best ways you can decorate the nursery for less.  By throwing a baby shower and referring guests to the registry (at the store of your choice) you may be able to get many of the accessories (and even furnishings) that you want in your baby’s room.  Also, try encouraging guest to give gift cards.  That way if you don’t get what you want, you can also go buy it yourself.

Buy Furniture at a Garage Sale

The crib, changing table, and other items of furniture for the nursery will likely comprise the majority of expenses; but they don’t have to be overly expensive.  While many new parents are drawn in by the idea of getting the best for their baby, you shouldn’t allow yourself to be overcharged by vendors who will use this sentiment to bilk you of more than the items are really worth.  Instead, look at garage sales, second-hand stores, and even sites like Craigslist for lightly used items at less cost.  You’ll be surprised at what you can find for a deal.

Ditto for the Accessories

Although you will almost certainly want some items new (plush toys and bedding, for example), many of the items that will decorate your child’s nursery need not be straight off the assembly line.  Lamps, mirrors, and other accessories can be bought second-hand and spruced up, while toys, books, and mobiles that aren’t received as gifts may also come from alternative sources like friends whose children have outgrown them, or even garage sales.

Sarah Danielson writes for BluWiki. Aside from finding discounts on baby products and also finds Oil of Olay Coupons and Maggiano’s Little Italy Coupons.

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While researching for the potential benefits of listening to classical music while pregnant I came across one major roadblock: there has been no medical evidence to prove that listening to classical music actually improves the intellectual development of the baby. My heart dropped. With all the hype that I’ve heard about the positive effects that this would have on the child, I was expecting some sort of research to back it up. But it seemed as though finding that proof would be fruitless.

I started to feel as though all of those Bach listening sessions had gone to waste. But after doing a little more digging, it seems as though there are some benefits after all. While there is no proof that listening to classical music will actually stimulate the baby’s intellectual development, there is evidence to support that the baby, if exposed to the music enough, will recognize the music after they are born and will often be calmed by the sounds of the music.

As you parents out there know, a newborn will create numerous sleepless nights for you, so the best thing you can do to prevent this is by creating an aura of relaxation for your baby. The classical music inspires this state of calmness for your baby which will help them sleep and stay asleep for longer. By creating these good sleeping habits for your child, there may be something to this Mozart Effect after all. So, once your child is born, both of you can relax to the soothing sounds of your favorite composer, and just might receive a full night’s rest as a result.

Carve out space: Find a spot in the house where your child will have peace and quiet, but is also close enough to ask you for help if he needs it. This can be a space in the kitchen or family room, or in his bedroom; but make sure it’s roomy enough to spread out all of the books and other things needed. It is probably best that there is no television playing or cell phones ringing during designated study time.

Ample furniture: A sturdy table or desk is vital, and it’s good if you can find something modular so you can add to it as he grows. A basic desk is great for little kids, maybe with just a drawer or two to put away papers. Later on, file cabinets and cubbies will come in handy. You also want to give them a nice comfortable chair, but not one that is so cozy they curl up and take a nap instead of studying. In addition to normal room lighting, add a good desk lamp to prevent eye strain.

Storage and organization: It’s important to stock up on essentials like pens and pencils, paper, ink cartridges, staples, and tape. You might buy a small cabinet to designate the supply closet, and a pencil cup for writing tools and scissors. A calendar put up nearby makes it easier for them to keep track of when projects are due, and a corkboard can be used to show off good marks or special accomplishments. Labels and bright colors make it fun for kids to use the space, and easy for them to keep it clutter-free so they’ll want to spend more time there.

Giving your kids a nice space to study free of clutter and noise will help them learn good study habits. These habits will serve them well into the future, and keep the stress levels to a minimum in your home for years to come.

Denise Gabbard writes about a wide range of topics, from caring for children and pets to learning to compare life insurance and how to get great travel deals.

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Stickr Train from Butch & harold

Want to decorate a room for your special girl or boy without spending all day painting stars and rainbows?  Try a wall sticker.  They’re fun.  They’re exciting.  And, most importantly, they’re removable.

The following are the top three coolest websticker companies on the block.  Enjoy.  No more painting for you.

3. What is Blik: whatisblik.com

Blik is certainly one of the more colorful wall peel options for your boy or girl.  Super cool and funky, this Amsterdam based company knows how to pull out the little Picasso in your little one.  Choose from all sizes and shapes and colors.  Most importantly, don’t worry about cleaning up afterward.

2. My Munchkin Home: www.mymunchkinhome.com.au

My Munchkin Home is a dream—perfect for your the little astronauts and seasoned ballerinas.  Choose from a bevy of creative designs: from little owls tucked away in a bright pink tree to space ships and airplanes.  You’ll even find a large giraffe, available in pink and blue.

My Munchkin Home was launched in 2007 by Amanda Evans, a mother in her first pregnancy.  She was looking to create a sanctuary for her first child, but living in a rental apartment made things difficult.  The look she creates is stunning and a perfect complement to her Melbourne contemporary Australian style.  Job well done Amanda.  And thanks for allowing others to do the same.

1. Butch and Harold: www. Butchandharold.com

Now, you may be wondering why Butch and Harold is number one?  The answer is easy.  Butch and Harold makes stickers so that kids can hang their art work. Hang your fourth grade “Race Day” pictures all over your wall—not just the fridge.  Why not post the painting from Mrs. Sawchuck’s drawing class.  Butch and Harold creates an environment where kids can grow their talent.  Butch and Harold have some very cool wall stickers.

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Getting a Guardian Bond

If you’re looking to become the legal guardian of a minor or mentally disabled person, you’ll first need a guardian bond.

How to Get a Guardian Bond

1. Find out the bond type and amount owed. The courts should have this information. For reference, the amount is usually twice the annual earnings (or total assets) of the minor or disabled person.
2. Find an insurance agent who has experience writing bonds. Beware of insurance agents from name brand companies or with only home and auto insurance experience. Ask your attorney for suggestions.
3. Pick your agent.
4. Apply. Create an application with your agent. For small bond amounts, you’ll only need the basics: your name, date of birth, home address, and reason for the bond. For large amounts, the court may ask for a complete financial statement of your assets and liabilities as well as a personal credit report.

TIPS:

Remember this is not an insurance policy. This is a surety bond.

The decision on your bond is based primarily on your credit history; henceforth, we recommend that you check your credit before applying.

Be wary of insurance agents with no guardian bond experience. Ask your lawyer for referrals.

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The information in this article was provided by JW Bond Consultants Inc., a family owned bond agency established in 2003. They are the largest surety bond company in the U.S. and located just outside of Philadelphia. For further details you can call them at (888) 592-6631 or visit them online at http://www.jwsuretybonds.com/

So you have the world’s pickiest eater and you are worried that he or she is super skinny! Well here are a few tips that will help your picky eater:

• Your child has managed to make it this far. Remember your idea of not eating anything and what they actually eat are completely different. So what if your child only eats 7 items. Feed them those 7 items. If your child likes macaroni and cheese, than that’s what you serve. By using those books such as “Deceptively Delicious” and the “Sneaky Chef” you can find ways to puree other ingredients into the foods they like without them knowing. You can also try mixing other veggies, meats, and fruits into items that they like. This might encourage them to try new things. Also no one says that their has to be certain foods that we eat for breakfast lunch and dinner. If your child likes Rice and Beans at every meal, than have it for breakfast! At least it’s something in their stomach!
• Recognize your child’s patterns. My son is not a big breakfast person but eats big lunches and small dinners. So I stopped fighting him on breakfast. I make sure he gets something in his stomach (in his case he likes toast with jam or mini muffins and milk) and I make sure I pack big lunches and have healthy food options. This way food stops being a battle. When you fight about foods it causes you to have a more resistant child who will not eat. All of our bodies are different and it’s important to take a look at what your child’s body is saying.
• Most children get some sort of junk food. Make sure your child understands that junk food is a treat. Do not serve it as meals all the time. If your child only wants corn chips for dinner, do not give in. Let her know that if and when she eats the meal chosen, then she can have the chips. If she refuses than don’t give in. Unless your child has a serious eating disorder, she will not allow herself to go hungry. When she is hungry she will eat the nutrition she needs.
• Let your child pick the meals she wants to eat. By letting her make the choice (its okay to give options) you are letting her take control of her food. Also, let her help make it if possible! Set rules at meal time such as: No treat foods until we are done, eating in one place, or putting only the amount of food we are going to eat on our plate. This helps provide structure to meals without being over bearing. Children love and crave structure.
• Always have a treat or reward for picky eaters. Whether it is a show or a special dessert, by having a positive reward the child looks forward to finishing their food. Avoid negative phrasings and punishment. Again, we don’t want to battle our children and make life harder. We want food to be fun! If your child doesn’t eat a meal, save the reward for the next meal. Don’t make a huge deal and throw the treat away or scream that they can’t have it and eat it yourself. By saying, “Don’t worry I am sure you will get your treat at the next meal” you are saying, I know you can do it. Positive reinforcement will help!

If you find that you have tried all of these things and your child is still eating nothing, speak with your doctor. If your child is not gaining weight she may have a more serious condition that a Nutritionist or physician can help you with, Remember hang in there, your child will not starve!

For further reading:

• Children’s nutrition: 20 tips for picky eaters – Mayo Clinic
• Picky Eaters. They Get It From You – New York Times

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