Archive for the ‘Guest Posts’ Category

How and when to talk to kids about adult content on the Internet by Michelle LaRowe offers advice to parents who are about to let their children use the Internet for education and entertainment. If you haven’t opened a dialog on this topic it’s probably time. Thanks to Michelle we have some advice that will encourage you to get started.

Michelle LaRowe

• With over 20 years of experience in the nanny world as an award-winning nanny, agency director, and parenting author, Michelle LaRowe is considered a leading industry expert. A mom herself, she loves to educate parents and nannies on the importance of quality in-home childcare. Find out more by visiting her @eNannySource on Twitter.

It’s a Jungle Out There

• When it comes to the Internet, the content displayed isn’t always age-appropriate. If your child is a frequent Internet user, there’s no better time than now to educate him or her about appropriate and inappropriate content. Opening the line of communication with regards to adult content will help ensure your child knows how to safely use the Internet and how to handle situations that come up when exposed to more than one bargained for. Here are some tips to start the conversation about adult content on the Internet.

Start the Discussion Early and Often

• Parents are no longer encouraged to have the talk with kids regarding sex. Instead, sex educators have found that having multiple small discussions over the course of months and years not only allows children to process information in manageable portions, but strengthens trust and open communication with their parents. The same is true for discussing adult content on the Internet.

  Starting the discussion on adult content doesn’t have to be overly revealing or scary. In fact, many parents start this discussion well before the subject of sex education is brought up. By simply stating that there is some content that is inappropriate for children when a child accidentally stumbles on an adult site or finds they can’t access search engine results, parents can alert their children that there is adult content on the Internet, priming for a discussion on what constitutes adult content and why it is unsuitable for children. Be sure to discuss adult content on the Internet in age appropriate ways.

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Safe Science Crafts for Children by Ashley Hardway offers four safe scientific experiments you and your children can do at home. Once you get started with these activities, your children may not want to stop. Once you open the doors to scientific experimentation, your children just might never want to stop.

Intro

• Science can be an entertaining way to expose children to how the universe works. Through various crafts and experiments, you can open doors to a world that the child may never have realized. Each example here can lead to additional questions that need answers. However, you want to ensure your child’s safety when exploring the many facets of science. Here are some sample projects can you do at the home that won’t turn your child different colors or catch your kitchen on fire.

1. Understanding Xylem

• By using white flowers such as daisies, you can teach children how the xylem of a plant will transport water to buds and petals. This can be seen by using non-toxic food coloring such as those you would use in cake frosting. The xylem provides water and nutrients to the petals – including the dye itself. Over time, the daisies will actually begin to take on the color of the dye. This shows that even a cut flower can still reserve the ability to stay alive – for a short time. Do a Google search on “xylem diagram” to see how this works.

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Things Your Childcare Provider Absolutely Needs to Know by Rachael Cherry can help both parents and child care providers increase the probability of a successful experience. This is written from the view point of the parent, but can also be great advice for people who provide child care who are often known as baby sitters.

Experience Helps

• Experience can do a great deal to help a childcare provider prepare for the task ahead. Interacting with various children can provide an insight towards certain behaviors or assist in avoiding specific situations. Each child, however, is unique, and there could be things about him or her that the childcare provider should absolutely know. Even the child’s home environment can vary a great deal from one home to another. Parents should let the provider know what to expect as they give a complete tour of the home.

Disciplinary Actions

• Not every household views disciplinary actions the same way. Although everyone involved would like the experience to go smooth, kids will be kids. The care provider needs to know what is considered an acceptable method of interaction. Is a time-out involved? Do certain toys or electronics get taken away? Most importantly, is the parent going to enforce the disciplinary action for severe situations after the care provider has left for the day? If you don’t collaborate with your childcare provider in this manner, the child could grow to disrespect any child care provider as an authoritative figure.

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It’s a Technological World, Are Your Teachers Up to Par? by Ken Myers is aimed at helping education leaders with their vision in regard to modern technology and its use by teachers. Since just about any decent job today requires technical skills, we can no longer abide teachers who aren’t interested in making the most of their school’s technical resources.

Ken Myers

• Ken Myers is a father of three and passionate about great childcare. He’s always looking for ways to help families find the support they need to live fuller, richer lives. He is the owner of GoNannies, a nationally known nanny recruiting website. He strives to provide parents and caregivers with quality and up-to-date content. Find out more about expert childcare by checking out @go_nannies on Twitter.

It’s a Technological World, Are Your Teachers Up to Par?

• As we live in the digital age, technology is abundant no matter where you turn. Our pockets are full of gadgets and gizmos that make life more efficient on a professional and private level. With every innovation, education has been impacted by the same technology as well. However, many teachers are simply not using the tools to their fullest potential. Statistical analysis and device capabilities look good on paper, but they don’t live up to expectations of educators if they’re not used correctly.

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You Don’t Have to Be Religious to Embrace the Christmas Season
by Elizabeth Reed will help you focus on the real meaning of the season regardless of your religious beliefs. There is a good message here, especially for children who can often be more concerned with what they are going to get than what they might do for others.

Beyond Jesus

• The holiday season is more than just celebrating the birth of Jesus. It’s more than participating in one of the biggest shopping excursions of the year. It’s about togetherness with friends and family and appreciating what you have as a whole. It’s not what you should want thanks to commercials or religious icons. The Christmas season can be embraced by others from all walks of life for reasons other than religious significance.

Family and Friends

• From the end of October, the spirit of the holidays wafts in the air like the smell of a freshly cooked spice apple pie. It is the time of year when you want to surround yourself with those you love and appreciate them for who they are. Anyone regardless of spiritual beliefs can appreciate that aspect of the season. You don’t need to be any denomination of Christian or any other faith to embrace those who are dearest to you. Although this should be a year-round event, the holiday season seems to put more emphasis on this aspect of existence. Perhaps its the candles, music, festive decorations or a combination of all of them.

Fellow Humankind

• The holiday season also brings out the very best in humanity without a religious undertone. People who normally don’t bother with transients throughout the year find themselves donating money or handing those less fortunate a blanket in order to keep warmer through the winter. It is the embodiment of goodwill towards humankind. It’s the one time of the year when those belonging to higher social groups are more likely to lend a hand to those in need. It is the spirit of giving to the world that is embraced – not the religious belief structure that is tied to the holiday. You find yourself giving gifts to complete strangers because they look like they could use a friend.

Festivities

• Although there is a great deal of religion in the medium of Christmas, there is almost an equal balance of entertainment for those who don’t wish to involve themselves with religiousness. Some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives are those of Christmas parties either at home or in the office. It is the act of enjoying each others company that makes this time of the year special. Traditions can easily be created adding more to the atmosphere. None of it requires a religious aspect in order to be appreciated. Christmas is a celebration of life to many and not simply because of Jesus, but because the message that is being conveyed to those willing to participate. You don’t need to be holy to decorate the home in holly.

And To All A Good Night

• Although there is nothing wrong with having a religion and believing in other meanings for Christmas, the season doesn’t merely have to be for those who believe as you do. It doesn’t matter who or what the figure head is as long as the message is relatively the same. Not being of like-minded beliefs shouldn’t have a bearing on what the holiday season brings to everyone. Instead of being locked away and denying Christmas because of its religious affiliations, why not embrace the season for what it truly reflects – love, respect and harmonious balance between the people of this planet. Regardless of your religious tenancies, we are all still of the same species with similar desires and needs.

Elizabeth Reed

• Elizabeth is a freelance writer and a resident blogger at Livenanny.org. She particularly enjoys writing about parenting, childcare, health and wellness. In addition, she is an expert consultant on issues related to household management and kids. You can reach her at elizabeth.livenanny@gmail.com.

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