Having trouble choosing a daycare or preschool for your toddler?

I don’t blame you. The choices can be completely overwhelming.

Not only do you have to figure out location and monthly budget, but you also have to choose between many different educational philosophies that sometimes differ drastically from one another!

It’s a big decision to make. That’s why I started this Curriculum Comparison series, where I’ll break down the similarities and differences between some of the biggest schools and approaches out there.

In this article, we’ll dive into Goddard vs Montessori.

Read more

If there‘s any one product that can help you live life with your new exploring partner in tow, it’s a baby carrier.

Babywearing is a practice of carrying a baby on one’s body in a sling or any other type of carrier. It’s also extremely convenient for both the parent as well as the baby.

With the baby safe in a wrap, sling, or a classic carrier, your hands will be free — and you could do household chores, cook, shop, or even have a mini dancing session!

But there are so many types of baby carriers to choose from, how do you know which one will work best for you?

Read more

Sending your little one off to go spend the night with grandma and grandpa is supposed to de-stress you.

It doesn’t always work that way.

What if they get sick? How do we handle it if they act up? Will they eat their dinner? What if grandma and grandpa let them do whatever they want with no rules?!

Oh, yeah, and where the heck are they going to sleep?

Well, those other problems are probably best saved for another article, but there are actually some pretty great toddler beds for a grandparents house out there that will make this whole parents-night-out thing easier (on you, your kid, AND the grandparents!)

Read more

So you’re feeling brave…

… and want to take the little one camping!

You’re definitely in for an awesome time. But camping with a baby or young toddler definitely has its challenges.

Here’s a big one: How do you keep an eye on them when they’re sleeping in the pack and play or travel crib and you’re awake, having fun?

If you’re just planning on quietly sipping cocoa (or wine) outside the tent or trailer, you probably won’t need a baby monitor. Just keep your ears open.

But if you want a little more freedom to wander from the tent, visit others’ camp sites, or just want a little extra reassurance that the baby is OK, you might want an actual baby monitor you can bring with you.

(Alternatively, you could get an awesome portable battery pack and plug in your normal baby monitor from home.)

Let’s take a look at some of the best baby monitors for camping, battery operated baby monitors, and alternative portable baby monitor options!

Read more

Looking for a ‘be quiet’ hand gesture?

Quiet coyote is a hand signal which is often used by teachers and parents as a non-verbal sign to instruct children to stop speaking and listen.

To use it, you simply make your hand into the shape of a coyote with a closed mouth and pricked-up ears.

Featured in the Disney movie Soul, the quiet coyote signal can be a very effective method of silencing a large group of children in a positive and empowering way.

However, the hand signal is very similar to some other gestures and salutes, some of which have negative connotations.

Read on to find out where the quiet coyote sign originated from, the meaning of quiet coyote, the psychology behind it, and why you may want to think twice about using it with your children.

Read more

Have you ever sat in the store staring at boxes in the baby aisle …

… and wondered:

“What the heck is the difference between diapers and pull-ups?”

They look almost exactly the same, come in similar sizes, and do the same thing, too!

(Though one usually costs a little bit more than the other.)

So what’s the difference, and how do you know if you should be using one or the other?

Diapers vs pull-ups in a nutshell:

Read more

Installing car seats is no one’s idea of a good time.

Most of us parents want to, ideally, do it once and then never think about it again.

But it’s not always that easy.

Whether:

• it’s your first time putting the seat in
• you’re moving it to a new car
• you’re installing a rental car seat
• you’re adjusting a seat that’s come loose
• you’re turning the seat around for your toddler
• or you’re putting in a brand new car seat

SO many people run into this problem: They can’t get the car seat tight enough!

Read more

Holidays are times that special memories are made with your kids.

It’s when tiny hands are kneading the dough for Christmas cookies or being dipped in paint to make precious turkey crafts for Thanksgiving.

But they can also be tricky for parents. On some smaller holidays, daycare and other forms of childcare might be unavailable, and parents may still need to work.

That might leave you in the lurch.

So let’s get into it in some detail:

Are daycares open or closed on holidays?

Read more

In recent years, many people have left the work force, began working from home, or gone to work in a hybrid work environment.

In other words, people’s childcare needs have changed.

We’ve also seen significant increases in childcare costs and decreased availability of childcare. According to Care.com, approximately 85% of families needing childcare are spending 10% or more of their income on childcare each month.

Also, more than 50% of American families live in a “childcare desert,” a geographic area in which the demand for childcare outweighs the supply of childcare centers and providers.

The combination of all these factors has led to more and more parents seeking flexible and part-time daycare schedules — generally 3 days or less per week.

What are the pros and cons of part-time care? What is the feasibility, cost, benefit to the parent, benefit to the child, and benefit to daycare provider for 1,2, or 3 days a week daycare?

Read more

Choosing a daycare for your child is one of the hardest decisions you’ll face in your baby’s first couple of years.

With so many choices, not to mention alternative options like nannies, in-home daycare, and more — how can you possibly decide?

You want a daycare that feels like a home away from home to your child, but you also want the experience of going to daycare to be an enriching and safe one. 

If you’ve been doing your research, you’ve probably heard of a school called Kindercare.

Is Kindercare worth it? Here’s a full review.

Read more