Photo courtesy of Steve Navarro

In a world where Jamie Lynne Spears is pregnant at 16, and Lindsay Lohan has just come out of rehab, it is hard to find people to look up to. Gone are the days where icons such as Mary Tyler Moore and Marie Osmond were positive role models for young girls. We have now reached an era where Britney Spears is continually showing her private area, and as mothers it may be hard to find a way to counteract these negative images. Here are a few ideas to aid in assisting your child in finding her way through this media madness:
continue reading "Protecting Our Daughters From The Wrong Role Models."

Children often become ill after using the sandbox at the park! Squirrels and various other animals that may have disease often use these convenient dry places to release feces and urine. When your child touches this sand these germs are then transferred to your child resulting in a wide range of aliments from a simple cold to something more such as a bacterial infection. Sandboxes at the park can also carry illness from other children, and as the sand is often not changed your child can pick up common childhood illnesses leaving you to wonder where they would have picked it up…

continue reading "Stay Away from the Sandbox & Petting Zoo!"

So you have found this program that you think you want your child to be a part of but have this nagging feeling of is this program right for him? The best way to ensure this is to observe your child and ask the following questions: Does my child like large groups of children when we go to playgroups or birthday parties, or does he do better in smaller intimate play groups?

Is my child artistic? Does this program do a lot of art? Does my child love to read? Does this program have a lot of story time? Does my child love to build, or work with trains? You get the point, think of your child’s interest and match it to what the program offers. A child who loves art and creativity may not do as well in a school that focuses mostly on academic skills.

continue reading "Is This Day Care or Nursery Program Right for My Child?"

In this day and age when sending your child to school there are a few simple steps that you as a parent can do to help ensure the safety of your child: Ask if there are back round checks performed for each staff member and how often medicals are required.

Find out when the Board of Health last visited the site and find out if any violations were found, and how they were rectified.

continue reading "How to Keep Your Pre-Schooler Safe:"

There are a few telltale signs to detect if a preschool is terrible from the first time you set foot in the door. Here are a few preliminary tips that will help you avoid those horrendous schools without investing too much time and energy:

When entering a school to find out information, always walk in during class times and unannounced. When parents call in teachers know to expect some one and often act on their best behavior. Also Directors will ensure that all their best people are present, and that they are fully staffed during scheduled tour dates. The class will always look extremely clean on a tour date and will not gibe a realistic picture of the classroom environment. Even if the school doesn’t allow you to tour right at that moment walking in and being observant for even a few seconds will give you a lasting impression.

continue reading "How to Detect a Bad Preschool or Child Care Facility"