Parent Newsletters - Issue 18

No Limits Learning
kids goals Ezine

Issue 18, September 23rd, /06

IN THIS PARENT NEWSLETTER

1. A WORD FROM THE EDITORS
2. HOW TO PICK A SITTER
3. TRAVELING WITH YOUR KIDS
4. KIDS CORNER COOKING AND CRAFTS
5. TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONE (JOKES FOR KIDS BY KIDS)
6. WORDS OF INSPIRATION
7. SPONSORS

1. A WORD FROM THE EDITORS

Welcome to the next issue of kidsgoals.com Newsletter. The proper care of our children is of the utmost importance, so choosing who will watch over our little ones when we are away should never be taken lightly. The first article deals with the all-important subject of choosing a sitter.

If you are getting a little tired of hearing, “Are we there yet?!” when you travel with your children, you will appreciate our second article, where you will find ways to help your kids to pass the time and make the journey much more enjoyable for the whole family.

Monicka and Cassie

2.HOW TO PICK A SITTER

I’ll never forget my first time as a babysitter. I had looked after my younger brothers when they were babies many times, but when I got my first paid babysitting job I was beside myself with nerves.

I showed up at 7pm precisely, and was welcomed in by the couple, who seemed impossibly sophisticated to my young self. They showed me around, introduced me to the TV and the biscuit tin, casually said that the baby was asleep upstairs, and left!

TV?! There was no way I could sit and watch TV while I was responsible for this child. I turned it on, and nibbled on a biscuit, but every 10 minutes I felt obliged to sneak into the nursery and check that my charge was still breathing. Unfortunately he breathed very quietly, so I had to creep right up to the crib and hold my breath, straining to hear him, until I was satisfied he was okay.

Nearly four harrowing hours later, the baby was still breathing, hadn’t stirred, and the parents arrived home safely. The Dad drove me home and paid me my fee of $7. I thanked him and staggered to bed, exhausted, feeling that the money I was clutching was the most well earned I had ever possessed.

Not all baby sitters are as conscientious (or paranoid!) as I was. Here are some suggestions to make the whole experience successful and stress-free.

The best way to find a great baby sitter is by personal referral. Ask around among other parents at school or nursery until you find one that can’t speak highly enough of their sitter.
Always ask for references, and be sure to check them out.
When you have an initial chat with your potential sitter, be sure to ask what they would do in an emergency. You’re not looking for a qualified nurse, but you do need to know you have someone with enough sense to recognize an emergency and call the right numbers if needed.
Always leave your own contact number in case of emergencies, as well as a list of other emergency numbers such as your doctors, in a handy place near the telephone.
Keep lots of snacks on hand.
Be sure to tell the sitter what they can do, e.g. where to find food and drinks, how to work the TV, whether they are allowed to use the phone and the computer.
Most children need to be introduced to the sitter once or twice before being left in his or her charge. If your children are a little shy or insecure, you may need the sitter to spend a little more time with them before the first evening.
If the children are going to be up for a while once you are gone, give straightforward instructions regarding the bedtime routine, and also let the sitter in on some important secrets – like the children’s favorite games!

If you are lucky enough to get a good babysitter, you might be surprised at how much the children start to enjoy your nights out!

By Cassie

3. TRAVELING WITH YOUR KIDS

If you are traveling with your children your main concern is most likely going to be how to keep your kids happy and content until you reach your destination? Many a parent is ready to pull their hair by the end of such an endeavor. Keep in mind that a little bit of preparation can make what could be a potential disaster into an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

Keep plenty of healthy non-messy snacks handy depending of course on age. Some suggestions might be healthier style cookies or biscuits such as oatmeal or digestives or cut up fruit and vegetables in little sandwich bags. This will keep them content until you can stop for a proper meal.
Try audio books. Audio books will entertain your children and are much better than the repetitive nursery rhymes or songs that you have heard umpteen times over. Some even come with picture books that your child can read along with.
Play games such as I spy, travel bingo or choosing a certain color car and seeing who can spot the most cars of their chosen colour in 20 minutes.
Photocopy a map for each child of the route you are taking. They can follow along as you enter each town and this may prevent the dreaded, “Are we there yet?”
Take extra pillows and blankets to make sure they are comfortable.
Give each child their own coloring book and crayons or drawing pad with extra pencils and erasers and stickers.
If you are planning a long trip, stop often to allow your child to expend some energy. Most towns offer parks or playgrounds, check in advance to see where they are located to save time.

The most important thing is to have fun. Getting to your destination doesn’t have to be traumatic - a little bit of know how will ensure that your vacation is enjoyable.

By Monicka

4. KIDS CORNER COOKING AND CRAFTS

Granola Bars for Your Travels

These are great for those long road trips as they are delicious but aren't too messy - and they keep well (as long as the kids don't scoff them in one go!)

Ingredients:
3 cups oats
14 oz of sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
3 cups of tidbits, choose from flaked coconut, dried fruit, chocolate chips, nuts or any combination of these!

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Grease a cookie pan (about 9 x 13 inches) and press the mixture in.

Bake for 20-25 minutes in a medium oven (350 F) until the granola is lightly browned.

Turn out, let cool and cut into squares before packing ready for your trip!

A Travel Game for the Car

Here's a game to play on those boring car rides!

What You Need

Cardboard
Construction paper
Popsicle sticks
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Glue

How To Make It

1. Cut a piece of cardboard into a 6"x6" square.

2. Lay four Popsicle sticks across it like a Tic-tac-toe board and then glue them down. You may have to cut the Popsicle sticks so there are no cracks.

3. Take any color of construction paper. Cut out circles as your pieces. Make 10 - 5 of one color for one person and 5 of another color for the other person.

Next, Play tic tac toe!!!!

5. TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONEFUNNYBONE (JOKES FOR KIDS BY KIDS)

What do computers have in common with sharks?
They both have mega bytes (bites)

What does a super achieving pig say?
The sties the limit!!

What do you call an English actor?
A cele –BRIT- y

Babysitter: A person who gets paid for emptying your fridge, deep freeze, kitchen cabinets, and who asks you for money to reimburse the Pizza delivery person.

6. WORDS OF INSPIRATION

“The car trip can draw the family together, as it was in the days before television when parents and children actually talked to each other.” — Andrew H Malcolm

“A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of the television. “ -Unknown

“Babies don't need a vacation but I still see them at the beach. I'll go over to them and say, 'What are you doing here, you've never worked a day in your life!'.” - Stephen Wright

7. SPONSORS

If you can suggest any organizations or websites that might want to sponsor this newsletter, or reprint our articles, please email Cassie or Monicka at kidsgoals.com.

To receive regular installments of the kids goals parent newsletters please scroll to the top of the page and subscribe today!

Join Today! FREE Parent Newsletter for Kids Goal Setting and Parenting Resources