The COVID-19 pandemic forced many schools to switch to remote learning. However, concerns arose when it became evident that online instruction was not engaging students in the same way as in-person learning. Disparities in education quickly became evident as well: Not all students had access to a working computer, and some students had additional responsibilities at home that … [Read more...] about What Are Pandemic Pods, and How Could They Help Your Child’s Education?
Child Care
6 Ways to Get Wi-Fi When You Don’t Have Internet
School has started again, and for many, that means online learning this year. This is very difficult for some families who can’t get an internet connection due to financial difficulties. School districts are struggling to fill in the gaps. In the meantime, here are six ways to get your child online when you don’t have an internet provider. Public Wi-Fi: This one might be … [Read more...] about 6 Ways to Get Wi-Fi When You Don’t Have Internet
American Indian Women and Men: Know Where to Seek Help in a Crisis
Shelter-in-place measurements to prevent the spread of COVID-19 can also increase the likelihood of women and men being trapped in domestic and/or sexual abuse situations at home. Despite the threat of the virus itself, stay-at-home orders and the suspension of community rituals and events have been attributed to a rise in domestic and sexual abuse in both rural Native … [Read more...] about American Indian Women and Men: Know Where to Seek Help in a Crisis
Your Guide to Guardianship and Kinship Care
What’s the difference between guardianship and kinship care? Guardianship is a legal process that allows a designated person to have responsibility for a child and the authority to make decisions on her or his behalf. Kinship is when the guardian is a relative or, in some cases, a close family friend. The guardian in both of these options is responsible for the well-being … [Read more...] about Your Guide to Guardianship and Kinship Care
What Does Baby Really Need?
Shopping for a new baby can often feel overwhelming and confusing, especially when there is so much to consider. However, babies don’t need the fanciest or newest products to thrive. Below are a few things you should expect to use in caring for a baby: Diapers: You might choose to use disposable or cloth diapers, and neither option is better or worse. Brand does not matter. … [Read more...] about What Does Baby Really Need?
Shutdown Parenting: Protect Your Child’s Education
I’m going to respond to some comments I’m receiving during this shutdown. As a former homeschooling mum with previous homeschool support experience, I have some words of affirmation for the parents trying to maintain academic consistency at home. “My child refuses to participate.” I’m sure many parents trying to follow the distance learning programs coming in by the … [Read more...] about Shutdown Parenting: Protect Your Child’s Education
11 Tips for Homeschooling Temporarily
Many schools are closing across the country. Some of these schools are switching to more of a homeschooling format to keep the learning going through this unplanned time off from school. So now, parents who have previously sent their kids to school are finding themselves needing to act as their children’s teachers. Here are some tips from someone who is right there in the … [Read more...] about 11 Tips for Homeschooling Temporarily
How to Start a Babysitting Co-Op
Raising children and supporting parents is a community job. A babysitting co-op is a group of parents who babysit for each other. It helps the children to socialize, and it gives the parents the peace of mind of knowing the person who is watching their child. It helps to build the community that is so important in raising a child. 1. Start small. Ask around in your group of … [Read more...] about How to Start a Babysitting Co-Op
Where Can You Find Emergency Babysitting?
Many parents are being placed in the difficult position of trying to find someone to watch their child so they can go to work. If you are in this position, there are resources for you. First, the best thing for you and your child would be for you to calm down and list out all of the people you know. The simplest solution may be right under your nose with an unemployed … [Read more...] about Where Can You Find Emergency Babysitting?
Getting a Head Start on Head Start
Head Start is a federally funded program serving low-income children and their families. The goal of Head Start is to give your child the best social, educational, physical, and emotional preparation to start kindergarten. What Services Does Head Start Provide? half-day preschool classes for children ages 3 to 5family health servicesprenatal and infant development … [Read more...] about Getting a Head Start on Head Start
Finding the Right School for You and Your Family
When someone recommended a school to me that was billed as “catering to working adults,” I thought, “Why not?” So I requested information and began a journey of discovery about schools and how it all meshed with single parenting. Simultaneously, I was in transition and needed to find a school for my rising kindergartner. How it all came together is still a mystery, but with … [Read more...] about Finding the Right School for You and Your Family
What to Do If Your Child Is Bullied
Bullying has become a huge problem in schools, and every day we see its terrible consequences all over the news. Children are often reluctant to talk about it. Here are some warning signs to look for: Unexplained cuts and bruisesMissing or destroyed itemsA child being particularly unwilling to go to schoolFrequent headaches or stomach troublesChanges in eating habitsSudden … [Read more...] about What to Do If Your Child Is Bullied
Helpful Hints on the Child Care Tax Credit
You may be able to deduct a percentage of child care expenses based on your adjusted gross income. To qualify for this credit, the child care must have been provided to enable you or your spouse to work or actively look for work. Child care may be at home or at an outside facility, but the expenses claimed must be specifically for the care of the qualifying individual. You … [Read more...] about Helpful Hints on the Child Care Tax Credit
What Type of Child Care Is Best for Your Family?
Most parents need at least some form of child care. Unfortunately, child care can be quite expensive. However, the good news is it doesn’t have to be! It is possible to find good child care and still stay within your budget. From school and government programs to private arrangements with other parents, there are a number of ways to find quality child care. Visit … [Read more...] about What Type of Child Care Is Best for Your Family?
How to Find Child Care in Your Community
Finding child care can be one of the most challenging tasks all parents take on. It’s not always easy to know where to find the highest quality care in your area. Even beginning the process can be a daunting task. There are, however, resources to help! Child Care Resource and Referral, known as CCR&R, are agencies that keep a database listing of child care centers, … [Read more...] about How to Find Child Care in Your Community
What Are Au Pairs, and How Do They Save You Money?
Parents today have several options when it comes to hiring child care, such as nannies, day cares, or babysitters. An additional lesser-known alternative, hiring an au pair, can be a wonderful and very cost-effective solution for families with an extra bedroom. Au pairs are young adults from another country who live with a host family and provide up to 45 hours per week of … [Read more...] about What Are Au Pairs, and How Do They Save You Money?
