There are lots of people out there who are offering you top-notch care for your child, for a price, of course. And quite likely, that price is exorbitant. While they appear to actually care for your child–at least on the surface, the more time your kid spends there, one thing becomes apparent: They are merely in it for the financial advancement they can get out of it.
Yet there are signs, or red flags, as with anything else, that you usually see, but don’t see, in choosing a day care. Have you really checked it out? Do they comply with teacher student ratio at Teddy Kids Kinderdagverblijf? Is it clean? Are the teachers competent? Are they able to live up to their job description of being teachers, or are they merely babysitters? Are they patient? Are they likely to hit your child when they become exasperated? And if the day care has been around for awhile, and are part of a daycare chain–what is their standing on the Better Business Bureau website? Any complaints on such sites as Angie’s List? All these concerns need to be thoroughly checked out. Also, parents, I urge you to network with other moms and dads, asking them what their experiences have been.

First, let’s talk about student-teacher ratio. I’m not sure what it is for my state, but state laws are in place to prevent one teacher from having too many children in their care. This is for safety reasons. One instructor cannot look after thirty crawling toddlers. That is physically impossible. God help the teacher responsible for that many rugrats. Little Dustin could get into something and badly hurt himself while the lead teacher is helping out little Dawn. Then Dustin’s dad could come in and hold the entire daycare liable.

Second, is the daycare kept clean? Very important, since we are dealing with viruses as potent and deadly as the Swine Flu this year. Indeed, there are new strains coming in, and they are saying that it may not be until the middle or end of October of this year that vaccines may be available. Do the workers in the daycare wash their hands after going potty? Well, honestly, there’s probably no way to check that out. But if there’s a way to find out how many of the workers call in sick, and for how long, and how often, you better jump on that train!

Third, are the teachers there really teachers? I mean, are they actually apt to teach? Or are they merely babysitters? One function of a good daycare is to prepare kids for kindergarten. The teachers there need to be adept at teaching social skills, as well as basic reading and writing skills. At the daycare Mrs. Koolbreeze works at, she must come up with a theme, and sometimes even a lesson plan. The theme can be something having to do with a month, and a holiday that month is best known for.

You ask, “How do I know if there are actually teachers at the daycare I’m interested in, or if they are merely babysitters who warehouse the kidlets while their parents are away for the day?” Well, it’s best to ask the daycare director what he or she expects of his teachers. Take notes–it’s your money, parents! It’s also good to Google the state requirements, and to see how the expectations of the director of that daycare stack up.

Also, research that daycare. Ask questions of other parents, if at all possible. Has there been evidence of corporal punishment? Mind you, I am, as many of you know, an advocate of a good buttwhipping. But I also believe it’s the parent of that child who should administer it, and not some stranger. And in most states, it is also illegal. With that in mind, then, has there been any instances of this?

Gotta tell you, on Monday, July 6, 1970, my first day at a certain daycare in Detroit, I encountered a situation where I accidentally spilled juice all over myself. I was just four. I’ll never forget, that teacher came over, undressed me, and gave me a paddling I will never forget. Needless to say, she was done with that daycare! No sooner did she hear about it that she came and got me. I did not return to that nursery school, as they were called in those days.

Parents, you need to be careful who you allow to take care of your children. For if there is physical violence, or inappropriate touching there of any kind, it could have an impact on that little person for life. You, the parent, are responsible for guarding and protecting that child. You must make an informed decision. Please listen to your gut. If it tells you that you can’t trust these people, follow it!

Am I writing this to say that all daycares are bad? A thousand times No. But what I am doing is to say, just as you would a potential marriage partner, scope it out. For the kind of money you’re required to pay, you should hang in there for a child care centre that will be a perfect fit for you, the parent, the customer.

One would oftentimes feel giddy and excited by the idea of unfolding another year.

For travelers, another year of going places, meeting people and grasping opportunities, and learning life through what the world offers, is there in the offing.

And for one itchy feet—seasoned or starter—he would always go for the convenience rather than deal with complexities when it comes to travelling, either for a 3-day trip or a long-term one.

And though you already crossed out your most essentials travel gears on your must-have list—your trusty backpack, that comfy walking shoes you have, the fleece you always carry around, and your personal kit, people continue to chase and scout for things that makes traveling safe and light.

Check out these five things you might want to boot on your travel essentials for a better experience while on the road this coming 2018.

1. Kindle

Who wouldn’t like having a good author to spend a serene morning or a breezy afternoon with?

Travelers, especially solo ones, like to keep themselves armed with a book or two when going places. However, it seems a bit hassle for one to take two to three paperbacks while on the road.

A practical way to reduce the load of your baggage is a one-size fits all virtual book shelf that could store a whole library.

Kindle is the easiest and most convenient gadget for the bookworms who are on quest. Having the handy tool will definitely mean lighter baggage and a vast choice of books to choose from right from a size of a notepad.

You may also want to carry around a small tickler to jot down your thoughts and random ponderings on the books you read.

 

2. Powerbank

The last thing you would like to experience is witnessing stunning sunsets and breathtaking views only to realize that your phone or camera is dead.

And we try to avoid this disheartening scenario by fully-charging our batteries before we hit the road.

But not all places we went to have an outlet to plug in our chargers, let alone an electricity, to fuel up some power for our gadgets.  For reviews, check out site for gadget reviews R-Tech24.

With this, you might want to invest on a good and quality power bank. And In case your battery runs out in the middle of a remote area, you have something to save you from isolation.

Be sure to invest on the quality ones (there are many power banks sold in the streets that wouldn’t even change half of a smartphone’s battery life). It is also advisable to check if it has different port sizes for your different gadgets.

Also pair your powerbank with a monopod for your unlimited selfie cravings whenever, and wherever.

3. Packing cubes

There is an easy way of packing clothes and other travel essentials for the adventure seekers and wanderers aside from messy plastic bags.

To save extra space, why not try buying zippered packing cubes that comes with different sizes and colors.

It’s see through design makes it easier to locate the undergarments from the towels, to the clothes and your personal kit. You also have separate cubes for your travel accessories like charger, power banks and more, making it one effective organization hack for backpackers.

4. Transition lenses

 

You just jetted in for a scheduled business meeting and you have golf match with your partners after lunch. You’re a light backpacker who’s itinerary encompasses a food tasting at a newly-opened restaurant and a city tour later in the afternoon.

If you’re the type who enjoys the fusion of indoor and outdoor activities, then this one’s might fit your lifestyle.

 

Instead of having to pack your reading glass, plus your sunglasses for your activities under the scorching heat of the sun, you can use a single glass which can adopt to your changing environment.

When indoors, the lenses are clear (like that of ordinary ones) and when you go outside, your lenses turns in the shade of grey or black which reacts when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

Transition lenses, which has sun-activated tints, can adapt your busy lifestyle—whether you go hiking up the mountains, sightseeing by the beach, or when you are just lounging in the resort’s bench or shopping for some awesome finds in the mall.

5. Lock box

 

So where do you store your important belongings when you’re about to dip in the waters or go spelunking in the caves?

Forbes recommends having a lock box when you leave your valuables.

Perfect for your passport, keys, phone, wallet and other important documents, a lock box could be safely attached to any sturdy thing like a lounge chair, banister or boat railing.

This way, you no longer have to mind the safety of your belongings when you’re catching the waves or skinny dipping.

With all these awesome travel finds, a more convenient and enjoying trip are waiting for you.

 

 

When a mother makes the choice to work outside of the home choosing who will care for her child is a huge decision to make. Not only do you want to find a place that will meet the child’s basic needs but a place that they can grow and thrive in. You want to be able to drop them off each day and know that they are safe and well cared for. Since infants can’t communicate what happens with them during the day, it’s important to do your homework before choosing a childcare option. There are so many choices out there it is difficult to know where to begin but here are some tips to help get you started.
Start looking early. Many daycares operate on a waiting list so it is important to get an early start. This will help to guarantee that once you have chosen a daycare your child can actually have a spot there by the time you are ready to go back to work.

Take a look at all the available alternatives. Make sure you look at several different daycares. Each will be unique and offer different things. Also, the more you look the better idea you will have of what is important to you. Chances are you will see things you like and don’t like about each one. Keep a list of these things so you can evaluate the differences as you make a final choice.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Since your child’s health and welfare is at stake it is important to ask lots of questions. Find out how they handle every possible scenario. How they deal with children who are sick, what security measures do they employ, what is the child to teacher ratio, basically anything you can think of , ask it. No matter how small you may think the question is, in the end it will help you to feel more secure in the choice that you made.

Call the references. Most daycare centers will provide you with a list of references. Call the reference to get their feedback on the center. Don’t stop there though, ask around your community. Chances are if anyone has had an unpleasant experience at the center they will want to share it, so you may learn a lot just by talking to your friends and neighbors.

Don’t discount a private sitter. This can be an excellent alternative to a traditional daycare center. Many times retirees or stay at home mothers will babysit in their homes to earn extra money. If you can find one they are often less expensive than a daycare center and they care for fewer children. This means that your child will likely get more one on one attention but still get the socialization benefits that they would at a daycare because there are typically a few other children there.

Make a surprise visit. When you call most daycare centers they will set an appointment for you to visit so that they can be prepared for you. This is great but before you make your final choice make sure to pop in for a surprise visit. It will allow you to get a more clear idea of how the daycare functions on a day to day basis and most importantly to check out their security features first hand. Make sure that the door is secured and that take the time to find out who you are and what your purpose is before they allow you to wander around the center and even then make sure that you are escorted around. Again, it will just help to ease your nerves when the big day arrives.

Most importantly, be patient with yourself and listen to your instincts. You’ll know when you’ve made the right choice. Just like how I ended up buying a nice product from dermaroller amazon.

 

Ambiance and atmosphere can make all the difference when planning a special occasion. Mother’s Day should be pretty and festive while not too much work to clean up. It should be memorable and might even be long-lasting. After all, with a little bit of effort, moms may be pleasantly surprised by the decorations you’ve displayed. They may even be able to keep a few of them just for the fun of it.
Every party needs balloons. Local party and craft stores, as well as mega chains such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart have more than enough choices. These days, you can get packages of balloons in just about any color you can think of. Blow them up and let them float around on the floor. Family and friends get playful as they kick them back and forth.

Decorate table tops with paper table cloths and long curly ribbon. Add a little confetti if desired. When the party’s over, wad the entire set up in a ball and throw it away.

Flowery garland can make all the difference. You can run it down the center of the table instead of having a centerpiece. You can coil it or weave it around buffet dishes. You can even place it in an archway or on low hanging beams.

Tailor made banners that highlight your mom’s unique personality are always a hit, especially if all the kids and grandkids sign them. It’s easy to stencil some pretty designs on them, or even have the little ones decorate them with hand prints.

If your mom is into cooking, then I recommend garlic and pepper braids. You may want to combine some flavored oils with these to make a pretty centerpiece. Offer to let mom keep it when the gathering is over.

For something a bit more energetic, pick up some clear glass bowls at Wal-Mart. Get some colored rocks and individual goldfish to put in each bowl. Place the fish on the coffee table, book shelf, or entertainment center. Place them anywhere you want. Be sure to get mom an aquarium as a gift so she can keep these active decorations as pets. This is one pet that doesn’t require too much work once the tank is set up correctly. You can even gift your mom with some nice wooden dinnerware sets you can buy online.

Make some special homemade wreathes or swags. You can get ideas on line, or pick up books from the library. Local craft stores also have lots of inexpensive ideas and supplies to help you put together the perfect personalized swag for mom.

Candles are fun to use as decorations. They come in so many sizes and shapes. You can add to them with silk flowers, or personalize them with charms. You can use a whole bunch of small candles throughout the house, or only use two or three depending on the mood you want to create. They can be used to add light and scent to your event, or simply kept for display. Candles are extremely versatile.

Small potted plants make great decorations, especially if you add little ornaments to personalize them. You can pick up doll house items at craft stores and place them noticeably in your plants. It’s just as easy to put appropriate stickers on toothpicks, and poke them in the soil. If you like to use photo software, you can even print out tiny pictures. Cut out small shapes of colored construction paper to use as backs for your toothpick decor.

Flowers are a requirement on Mother’s Day. Go to your local nursery, and pick up some landscaping flowers. Instead of planting the six or twelve individual plants in your garden, replant them in clear, pastel drinking cups. Put a small hole in the bottom, and seal the base with plastic wrap. Give one to all of the moms at your gathering when they leave. Every mom deserves to receive fresh flowers on Mother’s Day.