How much should I pay a babysitter?

From the Parent Club archives (and timely following The Real Babysitting 101 Course post)

We invite you to read one of the top-ten most read Parent Club posts: How much to pay a babysitter?

Here is the question of today Parent Club -- How much do you pay a babysitter?


Some of you may have loverly grandparents who babysit free-of-charge (or siblings/extended family/whatever) - or - some of you may have great neighbours who are willing to watch your kids for a couple of hours for a future return of service.
I have never known a teen babysitter to actually set a fee - they have left it up to me to set a price. I try to overpay -- so that the teenager A.)books me first if ever I call for a babysitting day B.) takes especially good care of my krazy kids C.) I know most of the parents of our babysitters and well, there is a point of not looking cheap...

Click to continue reading (and the comments are full of great tips on paying babysitters!)

#TravelTuesday Tip: Airport playgrounds

Travelling with kids?  Research your airports and learn about the in-house playgrounds.  That's right!  #TravelTuesday tip: airports have playgrounds.

Toronto Pearson has a children's slide and play structure in front of several gates in the international departure area.

Frankfurt airport has a climbing slide in a restaurant on the 2nd floor as well as a play area (with Disney movies) in the airport.

Paris has a kids video game console in the international departure area. 

I know this all first hand from many trips where the kids needed to stretch their legs and play after a +8 hour flight.  When the kids are jumpy and mommy's tired a playground is a life saver!

Activities for Kids on a Hot Day

Never have board games been more fun in my house then this week of hazy, crazy, blazy heat.  "Mommy wanna play Monopoly?" "Mommy wanna play Connect 4?" we enjoyed a slew of mad-playing-board-gamin'. 

And then of course, when Mommy had to go do Mommy things (like changing diapers and feeding babies) the kidz wanted e-activities.

"Can we watch tv?"
"Can we play on your tablet?"
"Can we make cookies?"

I don't mind screen time nor supervising kids' cooking.  However, neither are really appealing at 2pm on a hot summer day.  Let's get away from the screens and hot ovens...

Well kids...why don't you...

<li>run through the sprinkler
<li>read a book
<li>draw a picture
<li>listen to music
<li>dance in the living room
<li>play with your toys *insert kid groan here*
<li>draw a hopscotch game outside
<li>swing (we have the swingset outside remember)
<li>play in the shade
<li>swim in the pool
<li>make popsicles
<li>stamp
<li>colour
<li>play go fish

Summer is the season to disconnect from screens and hot ovens.  *she hypocritically typed from her laptop* C'est la vie.

Tablets for Tots

I was recently invited for a Tablets for Tots luncheon (hosted by Best Buy, the Geek Squad and reps from RIM) to munch and meander the opportunities for kids and tablet devices. 

Confession:  I have a tablet - a Samsung Galaxy Tablet and no I do NOT let my kids touch it (thems got sticky fingers)

Take-away: the Geek Squad is solution based so if it takes them 10 minutes or 10 hours they will work dedicated to your problem until its solved.  (recommend bookmarking the online support feature)

During that Tablets for Tots discussion, my opinion of kids and tabs did open up.  We talked about how mobile tabs are family friendly (one device = your library, camera, movie player, social network, e-mail and game system).  We talked about how tech savvy kids are and that learning how to manipulate a tab can be part of their education.  We also talked about the cool apps (not Angry Birds...despite the fact that my kids think it's pretty cool) out in the free and paid markets which can keep kids entertained (and bonus if they have educational quality).

We also discussed "screen time" and most of the invitees agreed that screen time should not be limitless.  (chez nous it's 30 minutes) Nor do screens replace books.

On our lunch table was every tablet imaginable and I thought it might be prudent to share a quick run-down for you dear readers.

ipad

The ipad was the biggest tablet on the table (PlayBook and Samsung are half the size).  The biggest fail on the ipad is that it can't play flash (which means when there is a video on a website - it just shows a blank area).  Amazing amount of apps.  Good video quality.  My research tells me ipad does not have a built in camera - can anyone confirm this?

PlayBook

The picture quality of the PlayBook* is fantastic! From pictures to games to video the imagery is the top amongst this tablet listing.  It's a smart device with easy one finger swiping.  With this, dad can check e-mail using the blackberry bridge, mom can surf the internet and kids can watch videos and play movies (think of it one vacation, one device and only one cable to pack!).  Yes, it has a built in camera.  And it plays flash.

Samsung Galaxy Tablet

I received the galaxy tab for my birthday and at first I thought it was just a toy.  But after extensive testing (ok daily use really) I have found it's a really COOL tool.  It is my hand-held go-to for twitter, facebook, web searching and camera (do you notice a trend of the importance of camera to me? multi-purpose devices are my thang).  Android operating system.  Plays flash.  Extensive app market (my new fav is talk-to-tape where I can audio record interviews - great for a writer-type like me).

Disclosure: I received a PlayBook at this luncheon for hands-on experience.  Moment it came into the house the family was all "Can I have it?" "Can I have it?" "Me!"

Free Summer Activity - West 49 LRN2SK8 TOUR PRESENTED BY DISNEY XD

Free and fabulous: This summer West 49 has big plans to continue being part of that first skateboarding experience for Canadian kids. West 49 is pleased to announce West 49 LRN2SK8 Tour presented by Disney XD.
Starting this June (2011) and running through to September 2nd The West 49 LRN2SK8 Tour presented by Disney XD will be making 30 stops at West 49 locations across Canada (mall parking lots) offering an amazing program targeting beginner skaters age 5 and up.

The ½ day program will include the following elements:  mock-classroom lessons where trick description (Tech Deck Trickology 101) and the history of skateboarding will be reviewed, Build-a-Board Workshop learning how to install bearings and apply grip tape and small group lessons aiding in individual progression execution and analysis will be taught with skate-educated seasoned riders providing the lessons. 
 
This program is FREE to kids aged 5 + across Canada and you can register online starting June 1st, 2011 at http://www.west49lrn2sk8.com/. Each location offers two sessions 10am - 12pm & 1pm - 3pm with free skate being offered at 3pm.


*Helmets are mandatory. Helmets and skateboards will be available for use during the programs.

Pools, kids and drowning: A Big Reminder!

Did everyone hear the recent U.S. study that found a child drowns in a backyard portable pool once every five days in the summer?  (original study is in the Journal of Paediatrics).

From inflatable pools to wading pools even to in-ground pools - this is a big parent reminder - children should be closely supervised around water.

I learnt this the hard way.

A few years ago, the kids were swimming at a friend's house.  I got out of the water (they were at the edge in the shallow end) to get them towels.  (back up - they were 6 & 8 and had water noodles keeping them up - I wouldn't leave a toddler or baby ever in water).  So I turned just for a minute to get them a towel.

I was right there.

And I turned to see both kids under water - eyes open - near-drowning.  (Thing 2 had lost her noodle - grabbed Thing 1 - who at that exact moment lost her footing and went under with the weight of her sister holding her). 

And I froze.  You would think Mother instinct would set it.  I would jump to save my babies.  And I was just frozen for seconds.  Precious seconds.  I will never forget freezing.  Ever.

Our friend jumped in.  Propped the girls up.  And they were fine. 

The saying "water is a silent killer" is true - because kids don't scream while they go under.  I was right there and I didn't hear a sound.

Keep your kids in arms reach while they enjoy water play this summer.  Take a CPR course (I really need to do this myself). 

Pools should be fun for kids...not deathly.

Easy Kid-Cooking Cookies | #LMDConnector

Challenge: bake kid-made cookies with an 8 yr old on a Friday night while baby sits in highchair.

Do-able?: apparently yes.

Not only did we make really yummy and cool cookies (merci to this easy Life Made Delicious Bunny Cookie recipe)

These cookies also won 1st place in the school cookie contest! (#WIN for dd's self-esteem - since losing her "baby" status in the family we've been taking extra steps to make her feel special - this was such a boost for her)

How easy? betty crocker sugar cookie mix + a few other ingredients +  kid creativity = ready in no time!

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

MapsGirls Safe Car Seat

From May 30 to to June 5th, My friend @mapsgirl will be writing many posts about car seats, car seat installation and passenger safety as part of Safe Kids Canada's Safe Kids Week 2011.

Wanted to share with Parent Club readers to surf over her Funny Things Are Everywhere blog to read about car seat safety (a hot topic in my house as you know we are in the infant car seat stage again).

She's also giving away a True Fit Convertible Car Seat.  I might enter that myself ;-)

Champions for Healthy Kids | Life Made Delicious

This is a PC-PIA (Parent Club - Parent Information Announcement) that might be good to file away for your next charity committee meeting (trivia: I'm a long-time volunteer at a Children's Centre).

Champions for Healthy Kids is an initiative launched by General Mills with the goal of the providing a grants program to encourage communities across Canada to improve the eating and physical activity patterns of young people ages 2 - 20.
So far, twenty-five grants of up to $5000.00 have been awarded in Canada each year. 2011 is no exception. If you know someone who may want to be considered for a grant you can get more information here -> http://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/AboutGeneralMills
Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Easter Egg Decorating for kids

Back in the Parent Club archives you'll find a post on Easter Egg Decorating for kids - jr & senior edition.

Click on the post for complete instructions but the gist of it is...

Egg Decorationg for little kids
Use hard boiled eggs, sponges and tempra paint.

Egg Decorating for bigger kids
Use foods (such as carrots, blueberries, tea) as natural dyes

And for a tried & true method...

Easter Egg Decorating with Food Colouring

You need:

Hard boiled eggs (or blown out ones)

Food colouring

Water

Vinegar

Container

Spoon (or wire)

Paper towel

Mix about 20 or so drops of food colouring with 1 tbsp of vinegar and 1/2 cup of tepid* water.

Repeat this step with different colours to create a rainbow (tip: use clean, used, coffee cans to hold the mixtures - then you can trash them).

Using a spoon (or my friend once made an egg holder with copper wire) lower the hard boiled egg into the colour mixture. The longer you leave the egg in the more vibrant the colour.

Pat the coloured egg dry with a paper towel.

Remember: food colouring stains so break out the art bibs.

*tepid means not hot, not cold, but just right.

Ssshh! Chocolate Cheerios | #LMDConnector

As a #LMDConnector...an opportunity presented itself...which really I shouldn't share. But I will. Because I'm a share-er. But don't tell anyone. Just between you and me.

Chocolate Cheerios

Really.

Whole grains, low in fat, chocolate and fibre (see how I ended that with fibre totally skimming over the chocolate part...never mind about that...ignore the chocolate...nothing to see here...move along...)

Tho, they will be on Canadian store shelves June 3rd I had a chance to test-drive chocolate cheerios. And let me tell you, great for dry munching as you type...nom nom nom.

I also sent said dry munchies off to school for 3rd snack (the sweet one) and the kids much enjoyed them. (Dry cereal us a go-to for school snacks in our house - they are nut free, easy and a good sweet alternative).

There is going to be a FREE chocolate cheerios coupon offer...so check back here in the comments section where I'll reveal where/when/how later in June.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Actions Vs Consequences

The other day school called*.

School: Hello Madame, Thing 2 seems to have forgotten snow pants today.
Me: Hi Madame, Thing 2 chose not to take snow pants today.
School: Well, she has no snow pants for recess...
Me: Then I guess she will be cold today.
School: Yes.
Me: Ok then, have a nice day.
click

Lesson in Actions Vs. Consequences here my friends. Forget to take your snow pants and you're going to be cold. Now, I could have dropped everything and rushed snow pants. I was close to doing it (but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades right?**). I would rush for a fever. For a hurting tummy. Even a headache. But for snow pants. No. That is my rushing stopping point. Because kids do need to learn about responsibility (I reminded Thing 2 to take snow pants in the morning. The fact that snow pants were not taken. That was a choice. Or a forgot. Either way it was Thing 2's action (or non-action). Actions Vs Consequences is a life skill.

Snow pants are the learning vehicle.

*that call was in French. and I was nursing at the time. so text may not be exactly verbatim. **that's a famous expression. really. google it. no hand grenades were used in writing this post.

March Break Activities and Tips

Staycation? Vacation? Wherever your March Break plans take you we've got the tips you need!

Well, to start our #1 March break tip:

Remember to put a bit of "me time" in your March break. Go to yoga class, uncork a bottle after the kids go to bed, tweet, read...do whatever it is that relaxes you. Because if the parent-in-charge has March break burn out...everyone gets burnt (there is a trickle down effect there).

Family Travels

Tip: Plan for life's road blocks.

✈ Pack your usual children's medication in your carry on
✈ The best fast food is food you already have on hand (i.e. pack snacks!)
✈ Fill your ipod with free video podcasts (Nick & Disney)

✈ Music soothes the savage beast (audio books and kids' fav. music)
✈ Pack enough diapers to get you through the day (plus 2)

Free Family Field Trips
Tip: Check back on Parent Club for more field trip tips next week

✓Read my Yummy Mummy Club article 10 March Break (or Anytime) Activity Ideas.
✓ Library, swimming pool, indoor ice rink are all great activities
✓ Movies at home or in the theatre are a special treat
✓ Kid swap! You take the kids this morning and I'll take them this afternoon.

Errands
Tip: Mix fun stuff with boring stuff so the kids will want to go back to school

✯ Book dentist and doctor appointments for the family
✯ Get an eye check up
✯ Go grocery shopping

Check back here for specific things to do, family events and kid activities for March Break.

Parent Club Profiles | Hélène Boudreau - Children's Author Extraordinaire

Name please...
Hélène Boudreau

What's your specialty? (work-wise - you're probably pretty special at a lot of things)
Children’s author. I write picture books, chapter books, novels and non-fiction for kids and teens.

What's your shameless plug? (books, blogs, bling, etc.)
My new book, REAL MERMAIDS DON’T WEAR TOE RINGS, is about first zits, first crushes and first…mermaid tails? A great mother-daughter read and ideal for girls (9-13) entering puberty, especially those who like humour and a light touch of tween romance.


The YA-5 says:
REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS is an unputdownable adventure, part Judy Blume, part Hans Christian Anderson, and 100% delightful, this fun, fresh tale (tail?) will have girls begging for a sequel.

Parent or not a parent?
Mom of two chicklets; seven and nine.

Best thing about your work:
I get to work at a job I absolutely adore between 9 am and 2 pm and still get to pick my girls up from school, have family dinners, put them to bed, then carry on from 8 pm, onward!

Share a typical Tuesday (really we want to hear how you "do it all")
Up at 7, breakfast, lunch bags and chicklets to school by 8. Morning power walk, then shower and at my laptop from 9-2. Those hours are spent writing, reading, online ‘marketing’ (code for noodling around on Facebook and Twitter), critiquing manuscripts, revisions. I do author visits at schools on occasion as well and volunteer for field trips and class functions at my kids’ school.

Then, school pickup at 2:45, playtime at the park until 3:30, homework/projects/reading until 5. Dinner at 6ish, kids to bed by 7:30, then a few more hours of writing or relaxing with hubby, depending on the deadline-du-jour.

Notice, I didn’t mention ‘cleaning’ at any point during my typical Tuesday.

Do you blog?
Yup! About books, life and my love of cheese and cheap chocolate. HERE

Do you tweet?
Follow me, follow you? http://twitter.com/HeleneBoudreau

Link to a post/portfolio piece you think shows your most supreme skills:
My on-line home: http://www.heleneboudreau.com/

Wallflower or social butterfly?
I used to be shy but I think I’ve come out of my shell a bit since turning a ‘certain age’. That may be partly caused by the onset of senility or partly because I care a lot less what people think of me.

I is who I is, and all that. ;-)

Name 3 people you know in the virtual world that you would like to meet in real life?
My writing pal and critique partner, Sharon Jones, who lives in the UK.

My literary agent extraordinaire, Lauren MacLeod. (we’ve only ever spoken by phone and e-mail!)

Long lost cousins I’ve reconnected with on Facebook. We met way back when we were kids but don’t all the cells in your body regenerate every seven years? They are completely different people now!

Bullying, Kids & KidsHelpPhone

I remember a boy, in elementary school - a grade above me, who was bullied. Really badly bullied. Like jacket ripped bullied. Like moved to tears bullied. Like isolated from the whole school bullied. He must have gone through hell.

Parent Club recently had the opportunity to interview Shawna Ginsberg, a counselor, at Kids Help Phone to discuss bullying & kids. No one ever wants to see their kids being bullied...but if it happens perhaps this information can help.

Parent Club: What is a parent to do when they see their child bullied at school?

Shawna Ginsberg:

Empathize with your child, but don't encourage them to be a victim. Instead, build on their strengths by asking them what they have already tried, and making other suggestions.

Are other adults that they trust aware of the problem? Teachers? Guidance counsellor? Coach? Have they helped to end the harassment?

Support them to be involved in their choices and making decisions about how they handle the problem. This empowers them and thus builds confidence and resiliency.

Encourage different peer interactions with different groups of people. This is a great way to make friends, instead of sticking with one person or one peer group.

Things to remember...

you are not alone - many young people struggle with these issues (check out the posts under bullying at http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/Teens/AskUsOnline.aspx )

do what is right (carrying a weapon, or throwing a punch might get you into trouble.)

keep your cool whenever possible

share your feelings with people you trust

it's not your fault - no one deserves to be abused.

it is okay to ask for help.

I don't know what happened to that boy in elementary school. As a grown up, looking back, I feel so badly for him. He must have felt so powerless. So alone. No child should have to feel that way about going to school.

KidsHelpPhone.ca is a FREE Canadian service for counselling for kids & teens with options to speak live with a counsellor, ask a question on line or read their articles. Open 24/7 and bilingual it is a great resource for kids (and Parents - you can "get-in-the-know" on their site too).

This post is NOT sponsored - we really feel that Kids Help Phone is an important service to share with the Parent Club.

Bounty Ghastly Ghost Puppet & Giveaway

Bounty Ghastly Ghost Puppets
[Courtesy of Bounty and HGTV’s craft queen, Wendy Russell]

What you need:
·Bounty paper towels
·White pipe cleaner
·Cotton balls
·2 small black pom-poms (or googly eyes)
·Wooden frozen treat stick
·Glue
·Scissors

Directions:

Place cotton balls in centre of the Bounty paper towel. For each ghost, cut a piece of paper towel measuring approximately 5x5 or make it a square shape.

Wrap the Bounty paper towel around the cotton balls to make a ball for the ghost's head.

Secure the ball with the pipe cleaner.

Wrap excess pipe cleaner around the wooden stick.

Glue two black pom-poms (or googly eyes) on the ball for the ghost's eyes.

Push the wooden stick into the bottom of the ball.

Glue can make a mess. To help with the clean-up, just wipe down all surfaces with Bounty paper towels - one sheet of Bounty leaves the surface cleaner than 3 sheets of the Bargain Brand*.

BOUNTY GIVEAWAY
WIN: a craft basket worth $100

TO ENTER: In comments answer - How many sheets of Bounty leaves the surface cleaner than 3 sheets of the Bargain Brand?

THE RULES (because life has rules)

One entry per day

*winner will be randomly chosen

Giveaway is now closed. Congralations to winner - edmontonjb!

Parent Club Review: Medieval Times Thrills Kids' Birthday Parties

THE WHAT:

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament - Toronto, ON castle

THE WHY:

It all started with a discussion about where to have Thing 1s 10 year old party. Being October, we couldn't have it in the backyard. Being pregnant, I didn't want to go to great lengths to host at home. Solution? I offered to take a few friends out to something special. Thing 1 said "I'm ok to go to Medieval Times for my birthday".

THE BONUS:

• Kids study medieval times (the history - not the dinner theatre) in Grade 4 curriculum - so this party theme fit perfectly with things they had already studied #teachablemoment.
  
• Medieval Times has a complete birthday party package: dinner, activity, photograph, cake and souvenir programme & cup & banner (think: loot bag!). No clean up by parents required!

THE FOOD:

Eating with your hands has never been so fun! Tomato soup, half a chicken (the kids LOVED the chicken), a spare rib, half a potato, garlic bread (kids asked for 2nds of garlic bread - which the serf nicely and dutifully brought)and a pastry. Drink choices at table are water or Pepsi - beer & wine available at the bar.


THE TOURNAMENT:

Edge of your seat entertainment. From the horses, to the knights, to the falcon, to the story-line. Kids cheered & booed. Smiled and laughed. Completely kept their attention!

THE RECOMMENDATION:

Go forth to Medieval Times for your next celebration! With complete honesty, I can share the kids had an awesome experience. Be prepared to go past a gift shop in order to enter the stadium (read: "Mom can I get that?". The noise levels can be loud. There is a bad guy who cheats. However, the tournament is action packed for the whole family. There are no bad seats. The food is good and servings are humongous.

Medieval Times is a great place for a birthday party - also a fun family field trip - so keep it in mind over the winter holidays as a go-to destination.

November/December promotion: Medieval Times is running a seat sale – all seats $35.95(upgrades additional) so it’s fun and affordable over the holiday break! (http://www.medievaltimes.com/)

Our friends at Medieval Times sponsored our experience

Not everyone gets an invitation: She's Connected & birthday parties

If you aren't into social media - keep reading anyway - because I'd love to hear your comments about how we live in a world where not every kid is invited...

This past weekend twitter was all a-twitter about the upcoming She's Connected Conference (a conference "connecting with 100 of Canada’s most influential women in a one day event" - for transparency - yes, I was invited).

The issue: there was a limit for 100 attendees. Digital peeps had to apply with their stats on connectiveness (# of twitter followers, blogs, websites, etc).

Popular digital lady - Cocktail Deeva wrote a post (which I agree with)about the conference and not feeling bad about attending (give it a read).

Brands are looking to get their message out to the greatest number of people. If you had the choice between someone who has two readers Vs. two thousand - wouldn't you want the one with two thousand?

We live in a world where not everyone gets an invitation. It's a fact of life.

Thing 2 is about to celebrate a birthday in 5 days. This year, we decided 2 friends could be invited for a cool outing (I'll share that experience next week). Only 2 friends. (budget limitations + I'm really, significantly pregnant and don't feel up to hosting a gaggle of screaming kids chez moi).

Apparently, only 2 invitations caused drama amongst the 'usual invitees'. Such drama - that the teacher had to have a sit down with the class and discuss the fact that not everyone gets an invitation - and that's OK.

Now, let's think of the She's Connected drama - grown-ups were getting upset because they weren't invited. Same issue. Different age.

ASIDE:

Just because you aren't going to something doesn't mean you should call "UNFAIR" - get creative and act. For example:

Back in August, another digital lady - Maria, (amotherworld) was creative and hosted a twitter #NotGoingToBlogHer party because she (and many others - including moi) weren't attending BlogHer.

And upcoming, is Blissdom Canada (and again, for transparency - I am attending - thanks to sponsorship from Foundation Studio). Many aren't attending that event either - but are arranging to join in after-parties instead.

...those 10 year olds could call and have a separate play date with the birthday kid...those grown ups can have an #NotGoing event on their own.

Not every kid gets an invitation - it's a fact of life. Is this a teachable moment or a reason to make waves?

Kid Activities for Thanksgiving

In preparation for Thanksgiving this weekend (Canadian - that is)...I have made a few suggestions over at my Yummy Mummy Club column for...

Activities for kids - while you're busy with the bird

Some of the ideas include having the kids make decorate the table with fall multi-coloured leaves, making menus, folding napkins.

Whether you are cooking the turkey yourself, contributing to a pot luck or going to someone's house for dinner...I'm sure we could all use some activities this weekend to keep the kids busy.

Share you Thanksgiving kids' activities with Parent Club in the comments below!

Yummy Mummy Club: Do organized sports bring out the worst in parents

Surf over to my space at Yummy Mummy Club to read my latest post about how organized sports sometimes bring out the worst in parents.

Kids' Sports: Activity or Armageddon?

This weekend, at my kids' year-end soccer tournament, I heard a parent yell "Hey, Jane* if you want a play date tomorrow you better WAKE UP!". My jaw dropped, as did the Mom sitting next to me. WTH? Threatening your kid the loss of a play date if she didn't improve her field performance? Who does this?

(Click the link above to keep reading)