As the current year winds down and new one approaches, it is the perfect time to evaluate child care and make sure it is still working well for your child, family, and you personally.  Some options include scheduling parent-teacher conferences, checking out other facilities or care arrangements on occasion to see if there is a better option, or even using in-home surveillance (like a nanny cam) to view interactions.   You may be fortunate in that your child's care arrangements work well.  If not, know that there are other choices that can be considered in 2010!

Your kids are probably already counting the days to the holidays, not just for the seasonal celebrations, but also from a well-deserved break from school.  Often, parents can't afford to take as much time off from work as kids get from the school year.  So, how do you make sure you keep your kids safe and happy over winter break?  It's not too late to make plans, but you had better hurry!

Are you planning to host houseguests over the holidays?  Any young children in tow as well?  If so, make sure that you take extra care in providing a safe and inviting home away from home for them to encourage them to feel comfortable  in their temporary surroundings.  Here are ways you can make houseguests of all ages feel welcome!

Most child care providers try and provide an inexpensive gift to children under their watch during the holiday season.  For some, it is a simple treat or homemade craft.  Others spend a little more and may purchase a book or other item that can be shared with parents at home.  Regardless of the dollar amount spent, a simple and heartfelt gesture means a lot to parents and the children themselves.  Consider these ways caregivers can express that lovin' feeling to their special kids this year.

Who isn't aware that germs lurk everywhere?  It's a parent's never-ending challenge to try and keep their kids from getting exposed to a case of the germies.  While I consider my self a health-savvy parent, I was still surprised to learn that the playground is one of the top places where kids will be exposed to some major--and potentially really nasty--bacteria.  Bring on the hand washing and hand sanitizer...and hurry!

We no sooner brought down our artifical Christmas tree from the attic when my daughter (and husband) started sneezing like crazy.  We don't buy a real tree because of allergies, but who would have thought a fake tree can also cause seasonal allergy outbreaks as well?  Apparently, all the dust and pollens collected while up in the attic, and then we released them into our living room.  Yikes!  There are many culprits that can exacerbate allergies this holiday season, so be sure to clean off the tree and wipe down decorations (outdoors, if at all possible) before hanging them up this holiday season!

My husband and I are meeting friends at a pricey restaurant on Friday night--their treat.  The problem isn't in what to wear, but who will watch our kids.  Finding occasional child care is always a challenge, but even so during the holiday season.  Wish me luck in finding a babysitter on short notice!  Maybe a drop-in option is the answer. 

Do you know much television your child is watching while in family day care?  You might think again.  According to a new study by the Seattle Children's Research Institute, the amount of television viewed by young children is double previous estimates.  More TV time occurred in home-based settings than in center-based daycares.  So, how much are we talking here?  A lot.  The study found that among preschool-aged children, those in home-based daycare settings watched TV on average of 2.4 hours daily.  This compares with .4 hours of TV viewing of the same age group in center-based programs.  What's more, a majority of these same children watch more television once they return home from daycare, meaning in many cases, young children are literally spending hours in front of the TV.  Excessive TV watching is linked to language delay, obesity, aggression, and other behavioral problems.  Parents need to know what their child is doing when at daycare, and then make sure they provide their child with opportunities outside TV viewing once home. 

Thanksgiving is a great time to encourage kids to use proper manners and to remember to say please, thank you, and not to comment about food they dislike.  It's always a test to see how my children act at their grandparent's scrumptious food spread on Thanksgiving Day.  I know that things that appeal to me are absolutely gross to my children.  There is a standing joke with my husband's family about green olives, for example.  My husband pops them like popcorn into his mouth, and I'm hoping that this year my daughter will finally be able to pass them without a comment about how terrible they smell or look (to her, anyway).  I'm just so thrilled that I can now keep my kids sitting around the table until they are excused--which is usually quite a while after they are finished eating!

National Family Week is traditionally celebrated the week of Thanksgiving, which this year is Nov. 22-28.  The weeklong observance, by the Alliance for Children and Families, is simply meant to promote ways that families can connect with each other and with their community.  Part of the reason that it is planned over Thanksgiving is to encourage volunteering as a family and to be appreciative of loved ones.  Since more families are struggling this year financially, look for ways to help others in need as a way to promote charitable giving and instill a generous heart!