ⓒ iStockPhoto - sbossert

It’s no secret that Hanukkah’s irresistible draw of presents makes it a child’s favorite holiday.  However, sometimes, the real significance of Hanukkah gets lost especially when kids become preoccupied with gift expectations.   Here are some simple suggestions that can help your family develop a new and more meaningful approach to the holiday of Hanukkah.

Music

Break away from the monotonous Dreidel song.  Here are some funky, playful, CD’s with a touch of the traditional.  (continue reading…)

©iStockphoto.com - alexeys

I send out a lot of holiday cards- these days many of them are e-cards for any friends and family that I have email addresses for.

But nothing says the holidays like receiving Christmas cards full of photos and letters from friends and family that live far away or some that you just don’t get to see very often anymore.

It’s an old tradition that does use a lot of resources but some people still enjoy the personal feeling and joy you get from something as simple as a card in your mailbox. (continue reading…)

ⓒ iStockPhoto - inhauscreative

Are you tired dealing with a Christmas season that is stressful, commercialized and consumer-oriented? Have you been trying to live a simpler, greener lifestyle, but you are not sure of how to go about greening the holiday season? This year you can make your Christmas more eco-friendly and meaningful for you and your family.

Make Your Own Holiday Magic

One way to add more meaning into the holiday season is to slow down and make time for the ones you love. Shop less. Spend more time not money on your loved ones. A great way to make memories that last is to create holiday traditions that you look forward to doing as a family: like making and decorating Christmas cookies, decorating the tree together or wrapping gifts together. Other traditions could be reading Christmas poems and stories, such as “The Night Before Christmas,” as a family. (continue reading…)

©iStockphoto.com - Catherine Yeulet

Approximately half of the pre-school children do not have breakfast with their parents on most mornings. Parents set the food on the table in a hurry to finish off the household chores in busy morning time. Dozens of scientific studies have demonstrated an impressive list of benefits associated with eating together as a family.

The nutritional benefits alone are dramatic. Each meal at home is healthier than a meal on go. The meals on go also lessen the enjoyment and fun time that kids can actually spend with their parents. As kids eat more at home with parents, they naturally begin to eat whole food grains, dairy products, fruits and vegetables than their peers do. They are more likely to achieve the nutritional benefits derived from the food. They eat less deep fried foods and drink fewer sugared and carbonated drinks. (continue reading…)

©iStockphoto.com - Kate_sept2004

A well-balanced meal containing all the nutrients is very important for young children. Preparing healthy breakfasts for kids while rushing to get to work, is very difficult for parents. Breakfast that kids carry to school often does not meet all the nutritional requirements of growing kids.  It has been proved that kids who have a breakfast containing all the essential nutrients, have an overall good health.

Snacks are a great way to cover up  whatever healthy nutrients were missed at the previous meal. But remember an important thing: do not go for  prepackaged and processed snacks. They are high in sugar, salt, artificial flavors, preservatives and fats. Rather, choose fresh food containing  vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber. If you  give your child healthy  snacks according to a set routine everyday, it will be  helpful to  balance  an uneven diet. It will also deals with  snacking on unhealthy food between the meals. (continue reading…)

©iStockphoto.com - kate_sept2004

Choosing a child care center is a very important decision, and your decision as a parent will influence your child’s comfort with and response to the new settings. While selecting one for my baby, I looked at lists of qualities and requirements for a good child care place after visiting many of the child care centers over a month’s time. I was not in a rush. The final one was visited at least a 5 times before I left my child there for the first time. After all, it is for my beloved son! And now I feel so satisfied and happy that he loves to go there and enjoys his time with the caregiver and other kid. The caregiver, Ms. Nancy, is a very good and loving lady. That day I was getting late for a meeting and in rush I just forgot to pack his lunchbox. And when I rushed into the door of the center I realized my mistake. By that Ms Nancy came over to greet my son Naunidh. She noticed my harried look and questioned what the matter was. I said sheepishly, “I forgot Naunidh’s lunch at home.”

Ms Nancy assured me that she would take care of this. She said that she would arrange for some fresh fruits, peanut butter, whole grain toast, strawberry yogurt (he loves it!), crackers and milk of course.

I was so relaxed. I consider child care centers as a family support system, which proved so true this very morning.

Thus, it is very important to find a quality child care for your child. I remember that the people at the center where my son goes now were very polite and easy going. I asked them many questions and they answered all of them. They even allowed me to observe them in action, which made me believe that it can be good place for my kid. (continue reading…)