Finding the Perfect Babysitter

This is a guest post by Rachael Cherry. Rachael is passionate about helping connect families in need with high quality caregivers.

When it comes to finding a babysitter, you don’t want to worry about second-guessing your choice. You need to have a great deal of trust in this individual for he or she is responsible for the most important aspect of your life while you’re away. You don’t want to spend time at work or a night out worrying if your children are safe with the person you hired as a babysitter. What can you do to help ensure you find the perfect candidate to care for your little ones?

1. Use a Reputable Agency – Nearly every babysitting and nanny agency provides screening for candidates. Many of these organizations will go to great lengths to help you find the best person for your particular needs. Personal bio, profiles and more can be obtained prior to meeting the individual allowing you to choose which you would like to interview for the position.

Winter Just Won’t Go Away

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March 30th, 2014. Yes, technically it is spring. Yesterday we got a taste of it with warm weather. Today, back to cold rain and ice. It really is getting depressing.

There is so much waiting to be done outside. Gardening, cleaning out the garage, pumping up the bike tires and just getting more exercise.

Being stuck in the house needs to be over. The boys are ready to explode through the walls.

Guest Post: Teaching Children About Violence in Video Games

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This is a guest post by Ken Myers.

While you may not allow your children to play violent video games, that does not mean they won’t be exposed to them. Here are some tips to help you teach your children about violence in video games and help them to grow in maturity and understanding:

Teach the Children Wisely – Teaching children about digital violence and how it doesn’t relate to the real world isn’t as difficult as some parents may think. Although I believe that certain ages really don’t need to be subjected to some forms of violence, I also believe that parents have a responsibility to discuss the difference between reality and fantasy with children. Even though you may not allow violent video games in the home, it doesn’t mean that his or her friends won’t have those games at their houses.

Do You Take Your Kids Grocery Shopping?

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Grocery shopping. Love it or hate it, there is not many options to avoid it. Unless you like eating takeout food your whole life, you are going to have to step into a grocery store at some point.

I have always loved going grocery shopping. The thrill of picking out new foods and all the possibilities just waiting to be put in your cart.

Yes, some days are harder than others. Some days you can’t stand how busy it is in the store. But generally, I enjoy it.

So how did that change once kids came on the scene? Well there were changes of course.

Grocery shopping became more like a strategic mission that you hoped would work.

My Boys Are Growing Like Weeds

As the weeks fly by and you are just trying to get from point A to point B, you can easily stop noticing things. Lately, I have started to really see the growth of my two boys. I am not talking about new stages of life or new talents achieved, I am talking about literal growth.

We did an update to our growth chart that we mark on a wall with marker.

Harrison: 53 months – 44 inches tall.

Charlie: 16 months – 32.2 inches tall.

Like I said, they are already big kids and I can see at least one of them  outgrowing dad (6’5).

Here is a photo that shows it really well.

harry-charlie

The Pink Eye Of The Beholder

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They liked to be called the pink eye brothers. You don’t want to mess with them.

If you have kids, odds are pretty high that you have had an outbreak of pink eye in your house. We are currently living that dream.

Both boys, different eyes and loads of fun when it comes to medicating them with drops.

Based on how Harrison acts when it is drops time, we were pulling out his lungs, shining them up and sticking them back in. Yes, he hates it.

Although, he has given in after a few days and as long as we follow his process, it does happen.

Charlie was ground zero when it came to our house. We are pretty sure he picked it up at daycare as everything and anything spreads like wildfire there.

Ask A lot Of Questions When You Rent Car Seats

It is a decision that I don’t think we will ever find an enjoyable solution.

When it comes to flying with young children, do you bring your own car seats or rent car seats with your car at the other end?

Bringing your own does provide the comfort of knowing how to install them and that they are perfectly fitted for your kids. Plus, there is no cost.

But, they could get lost by the airlines and you have to carry them around as part of your luggage.

With renting, you don’t have to worry about the extra baggage and you know that they are there waiting for you. The cost however is a little steep (we paid I think $30/day for each seat).

But, they are foreign to you in every way. You have to install and adjust them to fit your kids. Plus, they tend to look like they were purchased at Value Village. No offense to Value Village, we love going there.

Twice, we have flown with the kids and rented a car at the other end. Twice we have rented car seats for our boys. Twice we have run into problems.

On our latest trip to Manitoba, the issue was something we could not of predicted and was so avoidable, if only the car rental company asked a few more questions.