10 Family-Friendly Earth Day Activities
Posted by Auntie Em
Looking for ideas for celebrating this year’s Earth Day with your family? Here’s a list of 10 eco-friendly family activities compiled by the Kiddie Academy education team:
- Involve your children in finding ways to repurpose things you already own before you purchase new items.
- Ask your children to help you gather gently used items and donate them to charity organizations.
- Turn packaging items like cartons or plastic sleeves into new art projects – instead of sending them to a landfill.
- Sew an old pillowcase into a new tote bag; use it to replace plastic bags when you shop.
- Take a nature walk together and discuss what you see along the way – like streams or flowers.
- Walk – don’t drive – to the neighborhood playground.
- Shop at your local thrift stores with [...]
Statistics Class
Posted by Martha
In going through some consumer research for my job in marketing, I recently read a new statistic that said moms check Facebook 4.7 every day—that is considerably more than any other demographic. I was amazed at the frequency, I mean, who has less time than a mom? How does she fit in the several minutes it takes to click, scroll, like, comment, like, swipe, and ignore? Certainly I didn’t have that kind of time. Until I started to pay attention. That number was right on. Shockingly, this working mom of two makes time to check Facebook while coffee brews, during a commercial, at her desk in the office, as a passenger in a car, and before bed. That adds up to 5 times in a day, and that may be an underestimate. Facebook has [...]
Bringing Baby to Work?
Posted by G.I. Jane
Last week there was an emergency at day care and I had to pick up my daughter unexpectedly. With it being only 11:00 a.m. I still had a ton of work to do, and honestly, felt guilty about heading out so early in the day. Knowing I’d be taking a half day of vacation anyways, I brought her back to the office to finish a few things up before heading home.My colleagues, whom I adore for this reason and many, had set up my office to be a mini playroom. It helps that I work for an educational child care company – our corporate office has lots of toys and games sent by our vendors. Dolls, bean bags, balls and markers were strategically positioned all over my office—my daughter couldn’t take [...]
Filtering for your Children
Posted by Kiddie AcademyIt happens when we least expect it. You’ve got the TV on in the background while you play Legos with your seven year old and a program begins on the 9/11 Memorial, and he asks, “What’s 9/11?” Your response? “Uhhh…well…it stands for September 11th… and umm, a few years before you were born…a long time ago…some evil people wanted to hurt the United States and, umm, kill a lot of innocent people…”
As parents we are genetically programmed to protect our children from harm, and we try to limit their exposure to negative situations. However, the reality is…we can’t always prevent them from uncovering a sensitive topic that will require an explanation. In order to maintain our children’s sense of security, we can filter the way these topics are presented, what is seen or answer questions with an age-appropriate response.
Claire Haas, vice president of education for Kiddie Academy, offers [...]
Tips for Choosing the Best Summer Camp for Kids
Posted by Kiddie Academy
Educator and working mom Claire Haas, who also serves as vice president of education for Kiddie Academy, offers the following tips for choosing the right summer camp for your child.- Send your child to college. Many community colleges and universities offer summer camp programs that will give your child a taste of campus life, including building a schedule.
- Consider childcare providers. Some facilities boost their programs with traditional camp activities over the summer. This is a great choice if you have more than one child, as they accept more than one age group.
- Sneak in continuing education. Look for programs that combine educational enrichment with fun activities. At a great program, your kids won’t even notice they’re building on school skills.
- Consider the kids’ perspective. Don’t forget – [...]
Changing Child Care is No Joke
Posted by G.I. Jane
Before I had a child, child care was just one more thing that came with the territory, a necessity for working parents. When I became pregnant, researching and finding child care suddenly became an overwhelming task, but without knowing exactly what to look for or expect it wasn’t real. It was like the empty crib in the nursery – I know what it’s for and it looks pretty but it was just furniture. When I had my daughter, dropping her off at child care became a scary reality. I had to leave my baby…with someone who was almost a complete stranger.After weeks of settling in, crying on my way to work and texting my child care provider daily, I was able to relax and trust that my daughter was [...]
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Posted by Auntie EmParenting Essentials Newsletter – January 2012
It’s a Big Deal
Posted by G.I. Jane
I attended my first one-year-old’s birthday party this past year – or last year – and swore up and down that I wasn’t going to make a big deal of my daughter’s first birthday. I know there might be some parents reading this and gasping that I wouldn’t want to recognize such an important milestone…to those parents, please keep reading.I saw the stress my girlfriend encountered as she put together invitations – mailed them no less – and handmade the decorations and then carefully instrumented the entire event as she shuffled us from one part of the house to another for food, then present opening to cake. I endured this with no alcohol and at the whim of a toddler who had no clue what any of this was for. Afterwards, I [...]
Family Roles Change
Posted by ClairMy family recently fell victim to the economy and unemployment. In short, my husband lost his job. It was a gut-wrenching shock to my lifestyle. We had always been a family of 2 working, professional parents. We equally shared the responsibilities of providing for our family and physically taking care of our children – sharing the cooking, grocery shopping, driving car pool, and standing on sidelines. We truly were the family that divided and conquered. We both wore 2 hats, parent and professional, all day, every day.
Our family is now no less strong, supportive, or functional, but we are different. We are now a single income family. I am the lone provider. My husband is now the primary caregiver. He has energetically taken on the role of toting the kids, cooking the dinners, washing the clothes; he has willingly and happily become Mr. Mom.
I have had a bit more of [...]
Check out our Parenting Essentials Newsletter
Posted by Auntie EmParenting Essentials – November 2011
