MomTrusted on Parenting, Kids, and Early Education

5 Surefire Ways to Fight Germs at Daycare and Preschool

There’s no germier combination than dozens of little grabby hands, runny noses and the irresistible urge to taste everything. No matter what precautions your childcare service takes, daycares and preschools are loaded with potential colds, flus and fevers. Here are some tips to help fight off those bugs:

 

1. An apple a day…

You know the saying. But it’s true! Healthy eating habits help keep children’s immune systems strong. Make sure they maintain a well-balanced diet. The USDA recommends kids ages 2 to 3 should eat a cup of fruit and a cup of vegetables daily.

 

2. Catch those zzzs.

In addition to the proper nutrients, enough sleep is also essential for a strong immune system. Here are the total hours of sleep children should get, depending on age:

• 6-12 months: 14 hours
• 1-2 years: 13-14 hours
• 2-3 years: 12-14 hours
• 3-5 years: 11-13 hours

 

3. Wash hands!

Remind your kiddo about the importance of washing his or her hands. Make sure they understand that the job needs to get done after using the bathroom and before they eat. You can monitor them at home to make sure they’re being diligent with their hygiene.

 

4. Be courteous to other families.

Read up on your daycare or preschool’s guidelines about when to keep a child home. If your child is super sick, save other families the trouble of going through the same thing. We all know bugs spread like wildfire with little ones so keep your kid at home until he or she is no longer contagious.

 

5. But remember: things will only get better.

As time passes, your child’s immune system will adjust to its new germy world. If it’s their first time in daycare or preschool, they’re likely to be sick a lot more in the beginning. As their little bodies adjust to the new surroundings, they’ll build the ability to fight off germs, keeping them happy and healthy.

 

 

Sources:

-Austin, Elizabeth. “8 Tips for a Healthy School Year.” Parenting.com.

-“Healthy Kids Diets Guidelines.” Eating Well.

-Gelman, Lauren. “Baby and Children Sleep Chart.” Parents.

 

Extreme Parenting: 360 Degrees Longitude, the Family That Traveled Around the World

John, September, Jordan and Katrina Higham at Machu Picchu

 

John Higham, his wife September and their two children Katrina and Jordan took one full year to travel around the world. During their time on the road, water and in the air, they saw 28 countries on five continents. Higham wrote 360 Degrees Longitude, a book documenting the family’s journey. He talked with MomTrusted about his family trip.

 

MomTrusted: How did you decide to take a trip around the world?

John Higham: Before our children were born, my wife and I spent a year in Japan on a work assignment. We had traveled previously, and knew what a life changing impact traveling can have on a person. Nevertheless, that year in Japan was the genesis for wanting to take our kids abroad for a year. Initially, we were going to travel to four places and spend three months in each place. It grew from there. See “Chapter Zero.” [in 360 Degrees Longitude]

 

MomTrusted: How did you budget for the trip?

John: About three years before our RTW [around the world] trip, we took a month-long “prototype trip” to the most expensive place we could think of: Switzerland. From that we scaled the budget for 12 months and for other less expensive locales.

 

For more information, visit the family’s website.

 

MomTrusted: How did you choose the countries you visited?

John: Initially, we were going to cycle from London to Istanbul over summer, and from there the plan was to follow the sun (stay in warm weather) to Africa, Asia and South America. This worked out, but we really screwed up in a few places by arriving in what I thought would be a shoulder season [the time between high and low season in a travel market], but it turned out to be freaking cold. Of course, cycling didn’t work out so well after my daughter broke her leg….

 

Also, we wanted our kids to have some ownership in the trip. A few years before we left, we started putting sticky notes on a giant map and discussing those places as a family. We let the kids pick one destination each. My son picked China to see the Great Wall (he had studied it in school) and my daughter picked Tanzania because of her love of lions.

 

MomTrusted: How old were your children at the time?

John: Eight and 11. In our prototype trip, we concluded that there were long periods of time where there wasn’t much to do so we wanted our kids to be old enough to keep themselves entertained with a book. They also couldn’t be too old where hanging out with the ‘rents was embarrassing.

 

MomTrusted: What was the biggest challenge of bringing kids along on your journey?

John: I’m struggling here. There were far more rewards than challenges… stuff management, maybe. You just have more stuff, but the adults tend to manage most of it from hand washing their clothes to helping them spell a word when they write in their journal. Also, finding the time for meaningful homeschooling.

 

MomTrusted: Tell me about a time that you really wanted to jump on the next plane home.

John: Never happened. Never. The thought did creep into the shadows of our minds after Katrina broke her leg, but my wife and I each gave each other that look and both knew what the other was thinking. It wasn’t even discussed, except in terms of “we have to cope because we’re not going home.” Many friends even offered refuge in various cities across Europe, but we soldiered on.

 

MomTrusted: What is one of the most valuable lessons you learned on your journey?

John: I never planned to write a book.  I’m an engineer by training and profession.  But when friends would ask questions like, “what was your take-away?” the responses felt so vacuous that summing up my thoughts in a book was natural.

 

But if I were to pick two things, they would be that as a family, you can overcome any obstacle as long as you share common goals and do it together and that around the world, people are more alike than they are different. Media tries to amplify the differences and it is very divisive. Travel is a great humanizer.

 

MomTrusted: If you could, would you do it all over again?

John: Oh, yeah.  Even 6+ years later, it occupies my thoughts every waking moment. I yearn to do it again, this time with just my wife.  And maybe the occasional visit from kids and grandkids (which had better still be 10 years in the future!).

Kids Parties: Five Hosting Tips for Moms

Busy moms know how hard it is to host a budget-friendly kid’s party. From the decorations to the food to the goody bags, kids’ parties can be expensive and stressful. Yet every child needs, wants and deserves a celebration on their special day. Instead of blowing the family’s budget on a single party, implement five money saving trips that also eliminate stress.

Choose a Theme

Is your child into Batman, zebras or princesses? Give your child the chance to decide on the theme, and dress up in a costume that he or she may already have.

With a theme and early preparation, you limit stress. Instead of running out at the last minute to buy matching paper plates and napkins, you already have everything you need. Save money and your sanity by choosing a theme and getting your shopping done early.

Accessorize the Decorations

Character-themed birthday decorations can get expensive and are sometimes challenging to find. Instead of buying themed tablecloths, centerpieces, balloons and wall hangings, choose one or two well-placed decorations.

A single table decoration or tablecloth conveys the theme without cluttering the party venue. You can always add party ambiance by using coordinating colors for balloons and the paper products. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also keep your sanity when accessorize the party decorations.

Serve Simple Food

A hand-carved watermelon looks cute if you have time and money to add it to the menu. Realistically, most moms need simple and affordable foods their kids and guests will love.

When planning a birthday party, choose simple, fun foods. Think easy finger foods like mini hot dogs, apple slices or pretzels and cheese. And don’t forget the cake. If you let the guests frost their own cupcakes, you save time and provide a fun mid-party activity.

Eliminate the Party Favors

Instead of spending time and money on finding the perfect gift for your party guests, either eliminate party favors altogether or make a craft during the party. The guests can decorate small wooden picture frames, bead necklaces or paint T-shirts. These crafts serve as effective and affordable party favors for your budget.

Limit the Guest List

Inviting everyone your child knows takes a bite out of your party budget. Does your child really want or need the entire preschool class, tee ball team or dance studio at the birthday party? Not only do more guests increase your stress, but they also add cost to the party.

It’s OK to be selective when choosing the guest list. Invite only a handful of friends for an informal sleepover. Maybe you want to limit the party to only boys or girls. A family party with only one or two special friends also eliminates extra expense and stress.

Throwing a special birthday party for your child celebrates his or her importance. Hosting a budget-friendly party doesn’t limit the fun. Instead, it gives yourself permission to enjoy the day without blowing your budget.

10 Snow Activities for Toddlers

1. Snow painting:

Grab some empty spray or water bottles. Fill each with water and a few drops of food coloring then head out into the fluffy stuff. Let your toddler spray the snow, making rainbow pictures. But remember that food coloring stains so get down their old, tattered jacket from the attic for this activity.

 

2. Pick up pinecones

And pine tree branches and any other wintery craft supplies. Then, head home to sip coco and make wreathes or table centerpieces with them.

 

3. Build a snowman

Keep it classic. Snowmen never go out of style. Recreate your whole family and have a frozen flock of them in your front yard. Let your little one create the faces with buttons, carrots, candy or anything else you have lying around the house.

 

4. Roll around in the snow

Snow’s best quality is its fluffiness. Let your kiddo run wild and rejoice in the fact that the soft snow will work as a cushion and eliminate any bumps, bruises and scrapes that rough housing would usually result in.

 

5. Tracking

If you live in the suburbs or a more remote area, try tracking. Your little ones will be fascinated by the different marks of birds, bunnies and deer. Plus, this is a great learning activity to spark interest in basic science.

 

6. Snow Sketching

Think of your backyard as a giant sketchpad. Show your tot how to use their creativity to traces pictures in the snow. Then, use your whole body to add to the pictures. There’s nothing like a classic snow angel.

 

7. Blow bubbles

Take bubbles into below freezing temperatures and see if they freeze.

 

8. Footprint Tag

This game is for kids on the older end. The person who’s “It” isn’t allowed to make footprints of their own. They can only follow in other people’s tracks. This simple game is fun and a great way to even the playing field between older and younger children.

 

9. Sledding

When in doubt, stick to the basics. Sledding never gets old.

 

10. Snow Castles

Imagine your own tropical vacation by pretending the snow if sand. Take a break from building snowmen and build a snow castle instead. Scoop the snow into buckets, pack it tight and flip it over to make towers or bricks for the castle. Grab some of the leftover snow paint from activity #1 and add a splash of color to the castle.

 

 

SOURCES:

-Lindermans, Candace. “Snow Day! 10 activities for toddlers.” January 10, 2010.

-Wilson, Laura. “Winter Snow Activities for Toddlers.” 

-Levine, Joni. “Let it Snow!” 

-Brown, Stephanie. “Readers Respond: Fun Activities for Snowy Days.” 

-Photo courtesy of Tina Phillips/freedigitalphotos.net

Combatting Cabin Fever with Activities for Toddlers

When the wind blows and temperatures drop below far freezing, forget snowmen and snow angels. You have no choice but to stay inside, even if you have a toddler. Here are a few activities to help keep both of you sane, without zoning out in front of the TV:

 

Go on a scavenger hunt.

Create a scavenger hunt inside your home. Hide toys that your little one is familiar with- favorite blankets, stuffed animals and trucks. Then set your little one lose to find his or her prized possessions in goofy spots.

 

Build a fort.

Nothing beats an old fashioned fort. Construct a castle out of cushions, pillows and blankets. The best part? Let your little one destroy his masterpiece.

 

Paint faces.

Lock the two of you in the bathroom and play face paint. Before you know it, both of you will be covered in tribal war paint, but never fear, the tub is just a couple steps away.

 

Make homemade playdough.

Spend some time concocting homemade playdough together and then playing with it. Here’s a simple recipe:

-Mix 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, ½ cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar, food coloring.

-Heat the ingredients in a saucepan until warm.

-Take the mixture away from the heat and add 1 cup of flour.

-Simply stir and kneed until you have a smooth, thick texture.

-When you’re done playing with it, throw the playdough into the fridge in an airtight bag.

 

Buy some shower paint.

Let your little one paint rainbows all over the shower walls. Sure, it’s a bit messy, but it guaranteed easy clean up for both your toddler and your shower.

 

 

Sources:

-“Boredom Beaters.” Parenting.com

-“Homemade playdough recipe.” Family Education

-Photo courtesy of imagerymajestic/freedigitalphotos.net

Mommy Math: Mommy Money

When it comes to the financial world, women rule. Women own as many stock options, control more private and personal wealth in the U.S. than men. They also take the reigns when it comes to big decisions like those on healthcare or cars. Check out these girl power stats:

 

Fitness Tips for Moms on the Go

Sticking to New Year’s resolutions is never easy, but it’s even tougher for busy moms. Take the start of a new year as an opportunity to revamp your health plan. Here are some fitness tips for moms to help squeeze workouts into your busy schedule:

 

Set a routine

And stick to it! Pick a few days a week and put your workouts on your calendar. You already have everything from play dates to soccer games on it, so the best way to guarantee your own time is to pencil yourself in.

 

Overlap workout time with social time

No matter how hard you wish, there are only 24 hours in a day so take advantage of the little free time you can squeeze in. Get a group of friends together and go on a bike ride. Call up your sister for a running buddy. And socializing while you exercise will make burning calories a lot more fun!

 

Find a gym with daycare

Lots of gyms are family-friendly and have childcare options available. Many even have special playrooms so your kids can run around and get some exercise while you’re pounding away on the treadmill.

 

Sneak in mini workouts throughout the day

Don’t have time to set aside for the gym each day? No problem. Just sneak in simple exercises like crunches, pushups, squats or planks during nap time or while your little one’s tuned into Sesame Street. If you do so on a daily basis, you could start seeing results within a month.

 

Bring your toddler along

Can your little one join in on the fun? Coordinate a stroller run with other moms or buy a bike with a child seat on the back.

 

Don’t forget about what you’re already doing

Chasing a toddler around, cleaning the house and walking the dog are workouts in themselves. Pick up a pedometer to see just how much ground you’re covering every day.

 

 

Sources:

-“Workout tips for working moms.” Every Day Family

-“Family Go Fitness.” Disney

-Photo courtesy of photostock/freedigitalphotos.net