Top parenting stories this week
How to Interview a Babysitter or Nanny
Asking the right questions can help you get the best care for your child
by: Martha Scully
Interviewing a Nanny
- Always do a face-to-face interview and contact all references.
- Ask the caregiver about age-specific activities to gauge their experience.
- Ask scenario questions to determine if the caregiver has the common sense you need.
- When checking references, be sure to ask specific questions about conflict that arose and how the caregiver handled feedback.
- Only hire a caregiver who agrees to a trial day before hiring.
iring a nanny or babysitter can be a time-consuming and stressful time for a parent. The first step is to dedicate enough time to the hiring process so you can make sure that you’re making the best decision for your family. To view the full story click here.
How to Hire a Nanny
Your guide to finding the perfect nanny for your family.
by: Martha Scully
Finding a Nanny
- Decide on the qualifications and/or education you require the nanny to have.
- Because you can deduct room and board expenses, a live-in nanny may have less take-home pay than a live-out.
- Any nanny who is caring for an infant or toddler should have current First Aid and CPR training.
- Personally interview each nanny and ask specific, scenario-type questions (“What would you do if…?”)
- Have your nanny come to your home for a paid trial day.
iring a nanny for your children can be stressful, especially for the first time. Here’s everything you need to know to make the process easier so you can find the best care for your kids. To view the full story click here.
Managing with Multiples
How to cope when you’re expecting twins, triplets or more.
by: Melissa Stanton
Managing Multiples
- More women are having multiples–the number of twin births in the U.S. increased 74% from 1980 to 2000, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
- The best thing you can do is get support from other moms of multiples. Check out multiplebirthsfamilies.com or multiplebirthscanada.org, which includes a list of local support groups in Canada.
- Consider hiring a doula or baby nurse for those early days when you're still recovering after the babies are born.
- Young teen and pre-teen neighbors can be great helpers and can entertain a baby or two while you do laundry or organize dinner.
- If friends and family ask how they can help, be specific. If you need help grocery shopping or an extra pair of hands at bath time, say so.
can spend hours talking about the joys and challenges of raising twins (I have twin girls, and an older boy), but first I usually try to assuage an expectant mom's fears and address her main concerns about delivering multiples. Here's my two-minute pep talk about managing with twins–or more. To view the full story click here.
How to Handle Jealous Siblings
If your first-born has started acting up since the birth of his new sibling, he may be jealous of this new challenger for his attention. Here’s how to smooth things out.
by: Elizabeth Pantley
First-born Jealousy
- Teach your toddler how to play with the baby in the same way you teach him anything else: talk to him, demonstrate, guide and encourage.
- Don't blame everything on the new baby–be careful not to say things like: "We can't go to the park because the baby's sleeping."
- Acknowledge your toddler's unspoken feelings by saying things like: "Things sure have changed with the new baby here. It's going to take us all some time to get used to this." When your child knows you understand his feelings, he'll have less need to act up to get your attention.
- Say extra I love yous, increase your daily dose of hugs and find time to read a book or play a game. Temporary behavior problems are normal and can be eased with an extra dose of time and attention.
efore your new baby arrived, your toddler was told he'd have a wonderful little brother to play with and how much fun it would be. Then the little brother was born and your toddler started thinking, "This squirming, red-faced baby that takes up all your time and attention is supposed to be fun?" Here are 10 ways to help him make the transition from only child to eldest: To view the full story click here.
Find the Best Child Care
Not all day cares are created equally. Here’s how to make sure your child is getting the best care possible.
by: Nancy Ripton
Child Care
- A long wait list doesn't necessarily mean quality childcare.
- An acceptable child to adult ratio is 3:1 for infants and 4:1 for toddlers.
- Not all day cares are regulated and licensing requirements vary.
- Always do your own background check, regardless of the child care you choose.
- Allow eight to 10 weeks to find a live-in nanny or six to eight weeks for a live out.
inding the right child care fit for you and your baby can be tough. In those early, sleep-deprived days there were likely moments when you would happily have handed him over to someone else but, now that you don't have a choice, it can be a lot harder to let go. Fortunately, there are a variety of child care options to choose from. Here's an overview of the top three: To view the full story click here.
