The health and safety of your child is very important when looking for a daycare facility or nanny. As new parents, it is hard to entrust your child with anyone. Especially when you hear things like: child is abused or neglected on the news. It is important for your child to interact with other children their age to help stimulate growth and development. Most parents do not know where to start with regards to getting started in selecting a daycare.
Best way to get started is to consider all options, even if it’s not in your price range. This allows you 6to see the bigger picture before eliminating possible choices. In my case, I am still a college student and my daughter’s paternal grandfather is retired, so I don’t have to worry about daycare costs, right now. But I still had to go through the process, the fear. This option is not feasible to all new parents or single parents.
In the province of Ontario, eligible parents are eligible for daycare subsidy. This option varies in the region you reside in and perhaps the city or region you are looking for daycare services. To be eligible you require you recent tax year summary. This will allow the government to see if you qualify for this program. You would need to do your research with regards to the facility, and the cost. Each region has a comprised list of subsidized daycare facilities and home based day cares that have been approved by the ministry and offers subsidy. When I was pregnant, I was attending a school outside of the region I lived, it was recommended that I apply while I was still pregnant as a lot of students enroll their children at the daycare facilities at the college, unfortunately because the school is outside the limits of where I reside, I would not be eligible for subsidy. If this is the case for you, do your research to see if you may be eligible for other subsidies in other cities if you will be working or studying full-time in that city. Also keep in mind that because this is a government program that the wait times might be long, so apply early.
Who can apply:
• Child is under the age of 12
• Is in a licensed child care program
• Is a school aged child enrolled in a recreation program
• Is in a before and or after school program in a school that offers full day kindergarten.
Make sure to check out the facility. Things to look in a day care facility are:
• Cleanliness
• Happy, learning environment
• Each teacher is a certified in ECE
• Teacher to toddler/infant ratio ( usually 1:3)
• Parents being involved in their child’s progress
• Snacks are provided ( depending on the facility)
• Your overall feel of the facility and Teachers running the program
If subsidized daycare is not an option you feel comfortable with and you don’t have family that can help out, another option, if you can afford it is a nanny. This option allows parents to personally screen and hire the candidates; discuss rates; and the conditions (whether they will be live in or come over the days needed). This option is great if you want dedicated service for your child, not stating you wouldn’t receive that in a daycare facility but it would be more personalized towards your child. The only downsized it is considered a luxury and you would not be eligible for any subsidies.
The most important thing is your comfort level with whatever choice you make. You need to be comfortable with the environment that your child will be in; the care that will be given to your child; and the people or person watching your child. Your child is the most important person in your life, their unique and there will never be another one like him or her. Make sure you do your research as it will benefit both you and your child in the long run.
If you would like more information with regards to the province of Ontario child care subsidy please look at link:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/paying.html#subsidy
This information is very generalized and I would advised to look at your city's page for their subsidy information
Thursday 27 February 2014
Thursday 20 February 2014
Store Bought Food vs. Home Made
We live in a very busy world, where were constantly on the go. Moms these days are constantly juggling between going to school, work and raising their little ones. Healthy choices are always a concern for any new parent, but when your on the go what can you do? Grocery stores and super stores make it quite easy for parents on the go, to purchase bottled food for there growing little ones. With a variety of vegetables such as peas, carrots, sweet potatoes and a very reasonable price 60-80 cents per bottle, it allows mass purchasing at a given time. Parents who choose this route can ensure that their little one is getting the recommended amount of vegetable intake. To keep these products as fresh, companies such as Gerber and Heinz have to add preservatives to their product. How can you really know if its the type of food or the add-preservatives your baby may be allergic too? You really don't know! Snacks such as rice cakes/husks, rice puffs, and bottled fruit can be purchase. Just make sure to read the label and purchase stage appropriate foods for your little one, as choking is a big concern.
Not all moms are living the fast-paced life of juggling work or school and raise their child. Moms who have time may want to make their own baby foods. Ensuring that there are not any additional stuff added to the food they choose to introduce. There are many easy ways to puree and prepare baby food. Most people tend to boil the vegetables until they become a mushy state, and then strain it and put in in a blender or magic bullet to get it to the consistency they want. Foods prepared at home, tend to be bland, but you can jazz it up with just a little bit of butter. Fruits and meats can be prepared the same way. You can keep track of when you prepared the food, but I would recommend only to make a few servings at a time to avoid wasteful dumping.
In my case, I just found that was not enough time in the day to make my own food, and relied on purchasing bottled baby food. As Serena grew, her taste in the baby food declined as she was more interested in what I was eating. As she progressed, she ate fresh fruits daily, the only store bought items were her DHA yogurt( Stimulates brain development)rice puff snacks and baby cereal. She is 14 months now and eats whatever I or her grandparents cook. At this stage, it is very cost-efficient, but I still have to slowly introduce new foods just to make sure there is not an allergic reaction.
If you do choose to purchase bottle food, make sure you read the ingredients. Don't buy too much at one time, to avoid expiration, and watch to see if they go on sale, they will probably drop by 10 cents if theys do go on sale.
Happy Feeding :)
Not all moms are living the fast-paced life of juggling work or school and raise their child. Moms who have time may want to make their own baby foods. Ensuring that there are not any additional stuff added to the food they choose to introduce. There are many easy ways to puree and prepare baby food. Most people tend to boil the vegetables until they become a mushy state, and then strain it and put in in a blender or magic bullet to get it to the consistency they want. Foods prepared at home, tend to be bland, but you can jazz it up with just a little bit of butter. Fruits and meats can be prepared the same way. You can keep track of when you prepared the food, but I would recommend only to make a few servings at a time to avoid wasteful dumping.
In my case, I just found that was not enough time in the day to make my own food, and relied on purchasing bottled baby food. As Serena grew, her taste in the baby food declined as she was more interested in what I was eating. As she progressed, she ate fresh fruits daily, the only store bought items were her DHA yogurt( Stimulates brain development)rice puff snacks and baby cereal. She is 14 months now and eats whatever I or her grandparents cook. At this stage, it is very cost-efficient, but I still have to slowly introduce new foods just to make sure there is not an allergic reaction.
If you do choose to purchase bottle food, make sure you read the ingredients. Don't buy too much at one time, to avoid expiration, and watch to see if they go on sale, they will probably drop by 10 cents if theys do go on sale.
Happy Feeding :)
Thursday 13 February 2014
Organizing a Swap Party & Second-Hand Stores & Buying Clothes
Many young mothers and young parents struggle with daily expenditures such as food, diapers, baby essentials and most importantly clothes. By organizing a swap party young mothers can benefit from getting essentials from friends and families without spending any money. A swap party is when a group of young mothers and family members get together to swap clothing and baby essentials that they might not need anymore for their child but can be useful for those who are expecting or new moms. The party entitles everyone to get together and provide food and snacks prepared by those attending and bringing a whole bunch of things that they might not need anymore for their children. By providing one article they may swap for another essential from a group member. This is extremely beneficial and encouraged to many young parents to participate in to help them provide for their young families.
If swap parties are not your forte there are other resources you can use such as; Second hand stores. Although they require to spend money they are relatively inexpensive to shop at. You can generally find brand name items gently used for the fraction of the price at retail stores. They also buy gently use clothing (almost like a swap). I personally have bought many items from 2nd hand stores for my daughter Serena. Many things including; strollers, change tables, cribs, high chairs, car seat snuggles and age appropriate clothing.
If any of the two options are not your cup of tea you can just wait for retailers to put certain items of sale. The best time to buy clothing and other essentials are during off seasons for example; buy winter clothing for your tots during spring and summer and vice versa. Many retailers provide promotional coupons as well for certain child friendly products they just require you to sign up on their website.
Hope this helps :) keep smiling and buying
Thursday 6 February 2014
Disposable Diapers vs Cloth Diapers
When it comes to being a new mom, especially a young mom you have a lot of concerns for your little one. You want to provide the best for your child, but also being bombarded with everyone's opinions and advice. Every young mom wants to provide the world to their child and do it reasonably priced.
Whether one chooses disposable diapers instead of cloth is a very personal choice. A woman might choose disposable diapers instead of cloth because it is convenient; easily available; there are no extra loads of laundry; no additional laundry costs and, it can be disposed of with the weekly garbage collection. However it is also very costly. In addition to the diapers, the costs of the diaper genie, diaper genie refills and disposable wipes must also be considered. Eventually all this diaper garbage goes to a landfill and, the cost to the environment cannot be ignored since it takes years for these diapers to decompose.
On the other hand a woman might choose cloth diapers because her infant is allergic to all disposable diapers; cloth diapers are cheaper; less garbage is created; but you have to wash them yourselves.
When it comes to disposable diapers the market is monopolized by two large companies
Pampers- is a diaper brand that is the most widely known. It was introduced by Procter & Gamble back in 1961 and paved the way for a whole new category of baby products.
Huggies-is the second leading diaper brand and is a market innovator as well. Over the years, they have continuously evolved with new diaper products to meet the changing needs.
There are other brands of diapers, but in Canada most people buy either Pampers or Huggies.
Each brand of diapers have a wide aray of lines, that fit each stage of your childs growth. They come in BIG giant boxes or packages. Dispoable diapers are very pricey, if you subscribe to Pampers or Huggies as a memner you are able to order free manufacture coupons. Only catch is you can not use more than one coupon per transaction.
There are alot of great reptuable companies out their that provide cloth diapers at a reasonable price. A few sites are:
www.diapersupply.ca
www.happybabycompany.com
I would recommend if you are going to be going through this route to do your research.
Whether one chooses disposable diapers instead of cloth is a very personal choice. A woman might choose disposable diapers instead of cloth because it is convenient; easily available; there are no extra loads of laundry; no additional laundry costs and, it can be disposed of with the weekly garbage collection. However it is also very costly. In addition to the diapers, the costs of the diaper genie, diaper genie refills and disposable wipes must also be considered. Eventually all this diaper garbage goes to a landfill and, the cost to the environment cannot be ignored since it takes years for these diapers to decompose.
On the other hand a woman might choose cloth diapers because her infant is allergic to all disposable diapers; cloth diapers are cheaper; less garbage is created; but you have to wash them yourselves.
When it comes to disposable diapers the market is monopolized by two large companies
Pampers- is a diaper brand that is the most widely known. It was introduced by Procter & Gamble back in 1961 and paved the way for a whole new category of baby products.
Huggies-is the second leading diaper brand and is a market innovator as well. Over the years, they have continuously evolved with new diaper products to meet the changing needs.
There are other brands of diapers, but in Canada most people buy either Pampers or Huggies.
Each brand of diapers have a wide aray of lines, that fit each stage of your childs growth. They come in BIG giant boxes or packages. Dispoable diapers are very pricey, if you subscribe to Pampers or Huggies as a memner you are able to order free manufacture coupons. Only catch is you can not use more than one coupon per transaction.
There are alot of great reptuable companies out their that provide cloth diapers at a reasonable price. A few sites are:
www.diapersupply.ca
www.happybabycompany.com
I would recommend if you are going to be going through this route to do your research.
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