I received the info below from one of my newsletter recipients, Heather. I had a brief article about these new infant seats called "The Babysitter." They are extremely developmentally inappropriate for infants - tell your daycare parents!
babies r us/toys are us are not the only places carrying those "babysitter" things -
http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2534416&cp=2255975
but the scary things is readying all the reviews--i did not see one negative things about them. there are ones on there saying they are used in day cares too...
they also have them at target too
http://www.target.com/gp/search.html/601-3074659-1751305?field-keywords=bumbo&url=index%3Dtarget&ref=sr_bx_1_1
just thought you might want to see these!
heather
Monday, May 21, 2007
Back Where I Started
Well, the countdown begins! I have three weeks left at Patty Cake Preschool. But this week, instead of getting geared up to say "goodbye" to my kids - I get to say "hello" to a baby! One of my families has a two-month-old, Mom has been taking maternity leave and staying home with him, but she's a teacher and needs to return to school for the final weeks. I was elated when she asked if I could take him a couple of days a week! (Dad is staying home on other days.)
17 years ago I opened my family child care business with one client - a two month old baby! So here we are, all these years later, ready to close the doors, and I get the opportunity to open my door, and open the world, for one more baby before I go! I feel so blessed. I can't think of a better way to spend my last day than holding a baby and hanging out with the kids I've loved for years.
But if I'm honest, I'd have to admit it makes it a bit hard too. Nothing gets me going more than looking into the eyes of a newborn and seeing all those possibilites. All the joyful days watching butterflies, giggling at the older kids doing a show, learning those first words, taking those first steps, petting a cow for the first time, watching a plane take off and land and take off again, putting on a real fireman's helmet, throwing toys in the wading pool to see which float and which sink, slapping paint on a sheet with a fly swatter, making that first handprint in clay to give to Mom on Mother's Day. So much to show them, to teach them, to share with them. I love the infinite possibilities in an infant's eyes. So I have to admit, knowing I won't have the chance to offer these experiences to this little guy tugs at my heart.
But also, knowing I DID do all these things and more with his older sister tells me that she's got it in her to open that door to the world for him. I know each of my kids has in them the desire to keep going with what I started. They know that being curious can lead to knowledge and adventure. They know that being creative can solve their problems and add beauty to our world. They know that being courteous is the foundation for friendship and the most effective form of communication. They know. And they'll spread the word, I can count on it.
17 years ago I opened my family child care business with one client - a two month old baby! So here we are, all these years later, ready to close the doors, and I get the opportunity to open my door, and open the world, for one more baby before I go! I feel so blessed. I can't think of a better way to spend my last day than holding a baby and hanging out with the kids I've loved for years.
But if I'm honest, I'd have to admit it makes it a bit hard too. Nothing gets me going more than looking into the eyes of a newborn and seeing all those possibilites. All the joyful days watching butterflies, giggling at the older kids doing a show, learning those first words, taking those first steps, petting a cow for the first time, watching a plane take off and land and take off again, putting on a real fireman's helmet, throwing toys in the wading pool to see which float and which sink, slapping paint on a sheet with a fly swatter, making that first handprint in clay to give to Mom on Mother's Day. So much to show them, to teach them, to share with them. I love the infinite possibilities in an infant's eyes. So I have to admit, knowing I won't have the chance to offer these experiences to this little guy tugs at my heart.
But also, knowing I DID do all these things and more with his older sister tells me that she's got it in her to open that door to the world for him. I know each of my kids has in them the desire to keep going with what I started. They know that being curious can lead to knowledge and adventure. They know that being creative can solve their problems and add beauty to our world. They know that being courteous is the foundation for friendship and the most effective form of communication. They know. And they'll spread the word, I can count on it.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Potty Training The Parents
This is a CALLING ALL PROFESSIONALS post from the KIDBIZ newsletter. See if you have some advice to offer this fellow child care professional.
Rachel, a family child care provider in Iowa, recently wrote to me asking for help with potty training a young girl in her daycare, just about 3 years old. She wrote:
Rachel, a family child care provider in Iowa, recently wrote to me asking for help with potty training a young girl in her daycare, just about 3 years old. She wrote:
I'm currently in a situation where the parents wanted to start training their daughter at 22 months. No big deal right? Now, almost a year later and she still will not tell me when she has to go. If i ask her if she has to go I am told no and she goes in her underwear. Now, I've given them a checklist on what the signs for readiness are and I know that she doesn't have all the signs but the parents insist on training her. I'm kind of at a standstill here. Also, they use a mixture of Pull-Ups and the vinyl pants with the padded underwear built in them. Often they forget to send any extras so after an accident she has nothing to wear except a diaper I can give her from my own supply. She has accidents here and at home. Can you help?
It sounds to me like Rachel is having more problems with the parents than she is with the child. Successful potty training always begins with the parents! Everyone has to have an agreed upon plan in order to teach the child, or there will just be mixed signals for the child. I have a plan to offer Rachel, but I'd really like to hear your input first! Send in your comments to Rachel and let's help her solve this problem!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
What I Love About Child Care
I think it's time for a more personal blog entry...
I have been in the child care business for over 17 years and I have loved every moment of it. This is why it has been such a difficult decision for me to close my Family Child Care business, Patty Cake Preschool. But being an author, speaker, provider, mother, wife among many other titles has finally gotten to be a load too big for me to carry. June 7, 2007 will be my last day for my school. Each day that it gets closer my anxiety grows. I LOVE these kids! I don't remember what life is like without getting a hug every morning, snuggling with a child on the rocker to read, playing ball on a summer day or even having apples and graham crackers for a morning snack! I have been defined by my child care business for so long it's scary to consider that part of me to be gone.
As I try to sort through the toys to sell at the end of the month I find myself hoarding away many of them! There are certain things I just can't imagine not being in my house. Like the castle with a dragon and princess, the number cups I made with the kids over 10 years ago, my song cards, our tea set, the dump truck in the sandbox. I've decided to keep these items and my excuse is that someday I'll get to be the cool Grandma with lots of neat stuff to play with at her house! Sounds viable right?
Then there's the things I can't save. Like the kisses little Kolton gives. Or the roll of the eyes from Ellie. And the giggle from Carley. I've had to say goodbye to dozens of children over the years, and let things like this go. But knowing they won't be replaced this time makes it so much harder.
I do have moments where I get excited about who I will be soon. Like when it's 11:00 p.m. and I'm writing a new workshop speech and I realize I will soon be able to do this when the sun is shining. Or when I'm inside on a Saturday writing a new chapter for my next book while my family is out on a bike ride and I remember that I will soon regain my family time. I love to write. I love to talk to people about child care and adoption. So I'm looking forward to having more time for these things. My only concern is that without the children in my daily life my creative juices will stop flowing!
Nothing gets the writer in me going faster than spending time talking with the kids about what they like, what they don't, what their wishes are. I have stacks of scrap paper where I furiously wrote an idea for a book after such a conversation. The kids have such an honest view of life. Nothing messy about it. Pure joy. Pure love. Pure pain. Pure sorrow. Genuine interest in the world they live in. I learn so much from them every day!
So, I'll continue to work on some articles for you, but if you'll indulge me, I'll also spend the next month sharing a bit about what I love about child care, what I'll miss, and what I've learned from these precious children I've been so lucky to have in my life.
I have been in the child care business for over 17 years and I have loved every moment of it. This is why it has been such a difficult decision for me to close my Family Child Care business, Patty Cake Preschool. But being an author, speaker, provider, mother, wife among many other titles has finally gotten to be a load too big for me to carry. June 7, 2007 will be my last day for my school. Each day that it gets closer my anxiety grows. I LOVE these kids! I don't remember what life is like without getting a hug every morning, snuggling with a child on the rocker to read, playing ball on a summer day or even having apples and graham crackers for a morning snack! I have been defined by my child care business for so long it's scary to consider that part of me to be gone.
As I try to sort through the toys to sell at the end of the month I find myself hoarding away many of them! There are certain things I just can't imagine not being in my house. Like the castle with a dragon and princess, the number cups I made with the kids over 10 years ago, my song cards, our tea set, the dump truck in the sandbox. I've decided to keep these items and my excuse is that someday I'll get to be the cool Grandma with lots of neat stuff to play with at her house! Sounds viable right?
Then there's the things I can't save. Like the kisses little Kolton gives. Or the roll of the eyes from Ellie. And the giggle from Carley. I've had to say goodbye to dozens of children over the years, and let things like this go. But knowing they won't be replaced this time makes it so much harder.
I do have moments where I get excited about who I will be soon. Like when it's 11:00 p.m. and I'm writing a new workshop speech and I realize I will soon be able to do this when the sun is shining. Or when I'm inside on a Saturday writing a new chapter for my next book while my family is out on a bike ride and I remember that I will soon regain my family time. I love to write. I love to talk to people about child care and adoption. So I'm looking forward to having more time for these things. My only concern is that without the children in my daily life my creative juices will stop flowing!
Nothing gets the writer in me going faster than spending time talking with the kids about what they like, what they don't, what their wishes are. I have stacks of scrap paper where I furiously wrote an idea for a book after such a conversation. The kids have such an honest view of life. Nothing messy about it. Pure joy. Pure love. Pure pain. Pure sorrow. Genuine interest in the world they live in. I learn so much from them every day!
So, I'll continue to work on some articles for you, but if you'll indulge me, I'll also spend the next month sharing a bit about what I love about child care, what I'll miss, and what I've learned from these precious children I've been so lucky to have in my life.
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