How to Choose the Right Summer Camp for Your Child
The right summer camp can provide more than just a relief from boredom. If chosen wisely, summer camps can offer kids memories that will last for the rest of their lives, and teach them valuable skills. Summer camps range from day camps that are a few hours each, to week- or month-long overnights (sleep-away camp). How do you choose the right one for your child?
Age, of course, is your first consideration. But we’ll take a look at some of the key points to consider in choosing the right summer camp for your child.
How Long Has It Been in Operation?
You may like the idea of a brand-new camp, and if it’s a good program and the other things check out, it may be just the thing for your child. Alternatively, you may find that you prefer a tried-and-true camp, like a Boy/Girl Scouts program, or something at the YMCA/YWCA. It’s a good idea to find out how long the camp has been in existence so you can make an informed decision.
Ask Others
If you are looking at a camp that has been around for at least the previous year, check with others to get their feedback. Would they recommend the camp to others? What kinds of activities were they doing? Did the kids like it?
The Camp’s Staff
Day or overnight camp will have some sort of staff running it. Meet them and talk to them about their credentials, and ask the head of the camp how the staff is trained. Make sure that staff members and counselors undergo background checks.
Do You Agree with Their Philosophy?
Any camp may offer good programs, but if you aren’t in agreement with their underlying philosophy, you might not want to go with that camp. For instance, some camps focus on learning, others on creativity, still others on independence. The activities will be geared toward whatever philosophy the camp claims as its own, so even similar activities may be approached differently.
An example would be an art camp. If the program’s emphasis is on learning, then art projects would be more likely to focus on technique and method. An art camp with more of a creative focus might have art projects that are more emotion-based and free-form.
How Regimented Is It?
Your child may have a temperament that responds well to external discipline, or he/she might thrive in an environment where there is more freedom and the opportunity for self-discipline. Find out if kids get choices with regard to activities and so forth.
Child Safety Tips for Yard and Garden
As adults, it’s easy to overlook the potential hazards in our yards and gardens. But the truth is, accidents will happen, but many are preventable. To minimize problems and maximize safety, here are some child safety tips for yard and garden.
Garden Chemicals
Garden chemicals like weed killers, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers should be kept well away from the reach of children. Those warnings aren’t on the containers for nothing!
Perhaps you garden organically and don’t have synthetic chemicals lying about. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a safety risk, though – organic fertilizers and compost are definitely not healthy to ingest. Garden lime and diatomaceous earth are other natural products that are harmful if swallowed or inhaled.
If you treat your lawn with fertilizer, pesticides, or other chemicals, keep children off of the lawn for at least 48 hours.
Tools
So many yard and garden tools are sharp, or can cause injury. Hoe handles, for instance, can inflict a nasty head wound if a child steps on the head of one that’s lying on the ground. And of course, sharp tools like clippers, hedge trimmers, saws, and scythes need to be kept far out of reach. Hanging them on a tool board in the garage is not safe enough. The sharp stuff should be in a locked shed or supply closet.
Ladders
For some reason, children seem to love climbing on ladders. This can be very dangerous. Make sure you put all ladders away, whether they are small stepladders or large, A-frame ladders. Store them where children cannot drag them out and set them up. Even if they don’t get them set up and climb them, folding ladders can inflict injuries to fingers and hands due to the nature of the folding joints.
Mowers
Children under 12 should not operate push-type, gas-powered lawn mowers, say experts. And no child under the age of 16 should be on a riding mower, even as a “passenger” while an adult drives. Most mower injuries occur to children below these age groups. For younger kids, clearing the yard of toys and sticks before the adult mows is the safest mowing-related yard chore.
All motorized tools should be avoided by children, sources warn.
Water Features
For crawling babies and toddlers, ponds can pose a drowning hazard, as can fountains. And children are so attracted to these water features that a fence is really the best option.
Plants
Make certain than there are no toxic plants on your property. If there are, replace them or fence them off so your baby or child cannot ingest them.
8 Layer Casserole
Ingredients
3 cups uncooked egg noodles
1 lb ground beef
2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
1 tsp. dried basil, crushed
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
8 oz sour cream
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup milk
1 small onion, chopped
1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray a 9×9 square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Boil the noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Cook the frozen spinach according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
While noodles and spinach are cooking, brown the ground beef. Drain the grease
To the cooked beef, add the tomato sauce, basil, sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Using an electric mixer and a medium bowl combine the sour cream and cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the milk and onion.
To assemble…
Evenly distribute 1/2 of the noodles across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Top with 1/2 of the meat mixture, then 1/2 of the sour cream mixture.
Next, add all of the spinach.
Top spinach with the remaining noodles and meat.
Cover & refrigerate the remaining cream cheese mix until ready to use.
Spray a piece of aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray and cover the baking dish.
Bake for 45 minutes or until heated through.
Uncover and spread with the remaining cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese.
Bake, uncovered for 10 minutes or until cheese melts.
How to Find an Excellent Child Care Program – a Checklist
If you are looking for child care for your kids, you don’t just want a good one – you want an excellent one. In order to pick out the cream of the crop, it’s a good idea to make a list of what to look for. Here is a checklist for your child care program search.
The First Phone Call
When you call a child care facility, program, provider, or whatever, here are some things to watch/listen for.
* What is the receptionist’s demeanor like? The person who answers the phone should be friendly, welcoming, and competent. If he or she is new, then the receptionist should be able to direct you to someone who has answers efficiently.
* Was the response to your call organized? A facility should have a plan in place for how new clients and visitors are treated. Did they offer to send you a packet of information? Did they invite you to take a tour of their home/facility? Maybe it’s as simple as taking down your name. The point is an efficient response.
As you make that first call, here is a checklist of things to mention/discuss.
* Find out the cost of child care, and whether or not there is any financial assistance available and if you qualify.
* How flexible are they? Is the child care they offer an all-day, every-day thing, or can you pick and choose when to drop your child off? If you are running late, what happens?
* How many adults are there per child?
* Ask if they have any accreditations at the state and/or federal level. Federal accreditations adhere to national standards that might be higher than local ones.
Your Initial Visit
As you visit (unannounced) the prospective child care facility, whether it’s a home, church, school, or elsewhere, consider the following.
* Cleanliness is important. Of course, no place can be neat all the time; but cleanliness is discernible even if there are toys on the tables and floor. You can see if there is dust, dirt, or areas that look like they haven’t been cleaned in a long time. If there is a kitchen, look in the refrigerator and at the appliances to make sure they are clean. There should be a dishwasher for sterilizing dishes.
* Are the kids happy and content? While it’s rare that every member of a group of kids is happy at the same time, you can get a sense of the overall attitude of the kids.
* What method of discipline method is used? Are you comfortable with it?
As you consider child care for your kids, you will probably come up with more things to think and ask about. Make your own list and don’t hesitate to bring it with you on a visit and keep it by the phone.
Bedtime Routines – How Dads Can Get Involved
Bedtime can be a great time for dads to bond with their kids. And for many dads, bedtime is the only time when they can really get the cuddles and bonding that they need to have with their children.
Of course, every family dynamic is different; some are divorced, some have wives who work and also want to bond with the kids in the evenings; others are married to stay-at-home moms who breastfeed. But as you look at the following ideas, tips, and suggestions, you can probably find some things that work for your family, or that you can adapt to your unique family dynamic. Here are some ideas.
Benefits of Routine
Children and dads tend to like routines. Routines make kids feel secure, but they may also make dads feel secure, too. After all, the routine provides an outline and a “to do” list for dads who may feel unsure about what to do. Other benefits of dads doing bedtime include:
* Mom gets a chance to rest and have some time to herself in the evening (or even time to clean up the kitchen so she isn’t doing it late at night). For work-at-home moms, this can be a chance to catch up on some work.
* Bonding is a wonderful benefit of bedtime routine, but it may go beyond the bond you’ll form with your kids. You’d be surprised how helping with the kids may endear you to your wife, bringing you closer.
* Better sleep for everyone may well be a consequence of a regular bedtime routine with dad. Kids tend to sleep better when there is a routine in place, and when kids sleep well, parents do, too.
Now we’ll look at routines for different ages. The following routines are just suggestions, of course. Don’t be afraid to get creative, and your kids will appreciate your customized bedtime routine.
Infant Routines
For infants, the routine might involve:
* A bath
* Diaper change
* Bottle-feeding (or standing by to take the baby after Mom finishes nursing)
* Cuddling and rocking baby to sleep
* Laying baby in bassinet or crib
Toddlers and Preschoolers
For this age, a routine might look like this:
* Bath
* Get pajamas on
* Bedtime snack (this has been shown to really help toddlers and preschoolers sleep better)
* Brush teeth
* Use the toilet
* Get in bed (you can always make it fun – dive under the covers, for instance)
* Stories
* Back scratch/rub
School-Age Kids
School-age kids can have age-appropriate versions of the toddler/preschooler routine.
For all routines, experts point out the importance of dim lighting, low voices, and a generally relaxing atmosphere. Some kids really like having the routine written out and/or illustrated and posted where they can see it.
Here are some ideas for other things you might change or add to any of the routines above.
* Let the child read a book in bed
* Play a CD of a bedtime story or relaxing music
* Do shadow puppets together with a flashlight
Affordable Summer Child Care Ideas
The cost of summer child care can be a major concern for some families. Options that seem great are suddenly off the table when you find out the cost. There are some affordable options for child care in the summer, though. Here are some ideas.
Students
During the summer, students are out of school and often looking for work. Perhaps you can hire one to watch your kids. Generally, the younger the babysitter, the fewer the responsibilities and therefore the cheaper the cost. If you hire a “tween” or young teen, though, remember that he/she will be limited by being unable to drive and other lack of independence. However, you might find that a young babysitter who comes to your home is an affordable solution.
Upper high school and college students will probably charge a lot more, but they will be able to drive your kids somewhere (if you are comfortable with that) and get them out of the house. High school and college students will appreciate the opportunity to add a babysitting job to their resume, so that’s a benefit that offsets the cost a bit.
Family
For some, this is not an option; but for others, there may be familial options you have not considered. What about extended family, or in-laws? Even if you are divorced, you may have a cordial enough relationship with your ex to look at his/her family as an option. Maybe you could toggle your child’s paternal and maternal grandparents, or enlist cousins, aunts, uncles, and siblings.
You could also have a family member or members come to your house rather than dropping your child off. Depending on your job, maybe you could let your child spend weekends with family and catch up with work then. With a little flexibility, you might find that you can have your child care needs met through family alone.
Volunteer and Community Service
If your children are older, say tween or teen age, then they can get in on your local community’s volunteer programs. There are all kinds of volunteer organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, animal shelters, women’s health clinics, and nursing homes.
Many of these organizations have programs for children, and it will occupy your child’s whole day without costing you much (and sometimes it costs nothing, especially if it’s not an “official” program, but just your child contacting an organization and volunteering). You may need to partake of several options to take up the whole summer, but that just adds variety!
Southwestern Nachos
Ingredients
1 cup pre-cooked chicken breasts, shredded
1 Tbsp. hot pepper sauce
60 snack crackers such as wheat thins (or tostitos potato chips)
1/3 cup roasted corn
1/3 cup black beans, rinsed
1/3 cup red peppers, chopped
1 cup Mexican blend shredded cheese
1/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup chunky salsa
2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions
In a bowl, combine the chicken and hot sauce. Stir and set aside.
Using a microwavable plate, place half of the crackers in a single layer.
Top with 1/2 the chicken mixture and 1/2 the corn, beans, peppers and cheese. Microwave on until cheese is melted.
Top with 1/2 the sour cream, salsa and cilantro.
Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Serve immediately.
** Note ** You could also do this in the oven by arranging the crackers on a cookie sheet and placing in the oven under a broiler for about 15-20 seconds or until cheese has melted.
Work-at-Home Moms – Tips for Summer Child Care
Whether you’re single or married or in a domestic partnership, being a work-at-home mom means you will need some kind of child care in the summer. You might think you can be Superwoman and juggle your at-home job with your kids around, but you’ll probably find it just isn’t that easy.
Even if your kids are able to entertain themselves for a lot of the day, having your kids at home involves a lot more than entertainment. There are falls, accidents, messes, arguments, meals to cook, and other needs for your intervention during the day. And if you have a baby or toddler at home, the need for your intervention is almost constant!
So to concentrate on your work, you’ll need some help when school’s not in session. Here are some tips for summer child care for work-at-home moms.
How Many Hours Do You Need?
First, determine if you need 6-7 hours, 5 days a week of child care (this is the approximate time that they are in school). Depending on what you do for a living, you might be able to tighten things up, focus, and get the work you need done if your children are watched a few hours a day, or for 2 or 3 full days a week. Also, if your job and income needs allow, maybe you can cut back on your workload for the summer.
So get out a calendar and take stock of what your hourly needs are during the week.
Mother’s Helpers
A mother’s helper is usually less expensive than a babysitter, because a mother’s helper comes into your home and helps with your kids while you are there. Therefore, their responsibilities are less extensive. But a trusted mother’s helper who is old enough to drive can take your kids on outings, such as for a walk or out for ice cream.
You can often find a mother’s helper among college or high school students who need a job for the summer. Check with friends and family for candidates, and find out how much you’ll need to pay and how many hours you’ll need their help.
Summer Camps and Workshops
Summer camps and workshops encompass a lot of activities. Here are some of the possibilities.
* Overnight camps usually last anywhere from a week to a month. A lot of them are outdoors-oriented, such as camping, hiking, backpacking, staying in tents or cabins, and so forth.
* Day camps are usually a week or two long, especially if they last the whole day. They may have a specialty, such as music, dancing, art, or science. They may be indoors or out, all day or half a day.
* Workshops where you can drop your kids off are like day camps, but perhaps shorter in duration. Find out if other children’s parents are willing to carpool with you so that you can save driving time to the workshop. For workshops where your presence is required (or if your child isn’t ready for you to leave him or her), maybe you can bring your work along and sit off to the side.
For many work-at-home moms, a combination of these options works best. Toggling these options keeps kids interested and helps prevent boredom, and it can also save you money.