The month of July is considered the ultimate summer experience. Warm (or hot) days seem to last forever, vacations and "staycations" are planned, and no school means great times for family fun. There's even a holiday in this month, adding to the excitement! Alas, parents are always having to be on the lookout for the dreaded, "I'm bored!" comments and safety and good kid health need to stay at the top of everyone's list. Beyond that, enjoy what many consider the best month of the year!
Celebrations of outdoor cookouts, parades, and fireworks have become a family tradition in the summer. But, fireworks can turn into a unplanned trip to the emergency room or at least a painful memory if safety practices aren't followed carefully. The best bet is to leave fireworks displays to the pros; however, if you are planning to shoot of fireworks, consider these safety guidelines and remember to keep ANY fireworks away from small children. Happy Fourth!
"I'm bored!" are the dreaded words no parent wants to hear during summer months. Fortunately for parents everywhere, there is an array of activities to keep tots to tweens happy and safe this summer.
Breaks from school often mean that parents are in a quandary for child care. Many turn to family and friends, but having a kid dropped off to someone's house all day presents extra costs and burdens. And even if the generous caregivers offer to watch your child for free, parents should consider these things before unloading a child on someone else, even family, for a day or days during the summer.
Most families are planning some type of road trip this summer, even if it's just a local "staycation." When temperatures rise, so does the risk of an unthinkable tragedy of kids accidentally left strapped in a car seat and dying from excessive heat exposure (hyperthermia). Parents need to be vigilent with their kids (and pets too) in not leaving them in the car for any length of time.
School's out ... now what? The summer months can present fun opportunities for travel, camps, and time with kids. It can also be stressful for families, especially with too many (or not enough) things to do and places to go. Here are tips for having a stress-free summer!
Who would have thought a cellphone can be used for much more than just talking? Techno-savvy parents with cellphones know they are good for a few tricks. Readers offer these handy parenting uses with your cellphone...even entertainment value in a flash!
Finding child care while on vacation or away from home can be somewhat...well, scary! How do you really know your kids will be taken care of properly and kept happy and safe? Numerous resorts and vacation hot spots offer child care services, but parents should really check out the facilities and staff qualifications before leaving kids at an unknown facility. Here are places to try and things to consider before dropping off your tots!
Whether your family is host to friends or extended family on summer vacation or you're traveling to someone else's home, take time to go through these safety checks to ensure kids not only have fun while together but remain safe and healthy as well. Safety considerations should go beyond locking up the family hot tub or making sure kids can't get into the backyard pool unattended. Make sure cleaning supplies and other dangerous chemical products are stored out of harm's way, that kids know what to do in case of a fire (especially if the house is two-story), and other rules and procedures. Once you have greater peace of mind, you'll relax more too!
Child care providers and parents can create some book-reading fun for kids during summer months for school-age kids or throughout the year for preschoolers and even toddlers. The key is to make it fun, keep it simple, and foster a love of reading! Rewards can be as simple as stickers, with special book marks or a trip to the library for reading hour for special achievements. Here is how to get started.
Kids and camps aren't always a perfect match, particularly if it is your child's first extended time away from home or there has been a recent change in your family life. Kids can get homesick just spending the night next door or going away to daycamp, for that matter. While common, there are things to do (and not) to help transition the emotional stress a child may feel and help the overall experience be a great one!
The leisurely days of summer just beg for long bike rides and summer picnics. But before your family heads outdoors on a bike outing, take the time to review the rules of the road. After all, there's much more to bike safety than just wearing a helmet...although that is a good place to start!
Waiting a year to enter start school can help benefit kids throughout the rest of their school years, right? Experts are mixed and their pros and cons to both decisions. In the end, parents typically know best. The practice, sometimes known as "red-shirting" helps youngsters gain a year of maturity or size to enter formalized schooling with a greater sense of self-confidence. If you're considering it, you typically need to decide no later than registration for the upcoming school year, meaning this this is the time to carefully mull over your options.
