Managing a Toddler Tantrum

If you have ever had a slumber party for little girls at your home then you know that the most of these end up being a very crabby affair. This is because there is always lots of whispering, giggling and telling ghost stories late into the night. Sometimes there is also a great deal of fighting, crying and tickling and pinching and you name it …
To make sure there’s actually slumber at your child’s next slumber party for you and the kids there are certain tacts you can take.
Shorten the guest list. Handling four kids at night is easier than ten kids. Tell your child that she can invite fewer friends than for a daytime party and then just make the most of it.
Make sure the house rules are laid out clearly and with great confidence. They may test you, but children feel insecure if the adult isn’t in charge — and the more secure kids feel, the more easily they’ll sleep at night.
You should also create a quiet zone in the house that is set up far way from the sleeping area with snacks. Put cereal, muffins and other foods on the table for early risers. This means that kids can sneak downstairs and eat without waking up anyone to be fed (and that includes you…
Make a firm rule that there should “lights-out” at the outset. I let the kids talk after that as long as they don’t make noise or get out of bed. Once they’re in their sleeping bags and it is really dark they tend to stop talking. You can leave a night light on if you have a kid in the crowd who is a bit squeamish.
It is also very important to make sure that each and every one of your young visitors knows where the bathroom is so nobody is stumbling around waking up everyone at night with noise. It might also be a very good idea to not to serve kids a lot of liquids just before bedtime to prevent frequent bathroom visits and even possible night time accidents.
It also helps if you slow down. Even after the best sleepover, everyone’s tired the next day. Plan a quiet afternoon so both you and your child can relax. You can also expect your kid to be a bit out of sorts the next day.

Parenting Tips
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How to Find Child Care

Whether you’re heading back to work after a mat leave or you’ve moved to a new city, there are lots of factors to consider before your search begins, such as your schedule, location (and how much you can afford.
Next, consider your parenting style; you’ll want a caregiver who shares your childcare philosophies and goals or you could run into problems. If you’d prefer to send your child to a place that’s licensed and government regulated, run by professionals and one that offers an age-appropriate curriculum with daily routines, then childcare centers might be right for you. If you’d rather take your child to a caregiver’s house where an intimate and small group setting is encouraged, think about home childcare. And if you’re looking for help with your kids and some daily chores, you may opt for a live-in nanny.
Depending on your child’s age, childcare centers can be anything from a nursery school to a before-and-after-school program. The way to start investigating this is by calling a handful of potential centers and ask how long they’ve been operating, if they’re licensed, the age range of the children in their care and the ratio of staff to children.
You should also ask about availability. Are they accepting new clients? What are their qualifications? How many adults are onsite? Depending on age of the kids and where you live, you could be looking at $800 to $1,000 per month.
Follow up your phone calls by scheduling a tour, or better yet, drop in unannounced to see how the centre functions. Make sure there are fire detectors in the place and that the kids look content. Are they attentive, disciplined and pleasant? What will they do if your kid gets sick?
Go through a private home-daycare agency to find a placement for your child in a private home or conduct the search yourself. No matter how you choose to do it, you’ll want to look for someone who promotes a supportive learning environment in their home.
You should also ask about the number of children in the program, hours, health policies (television rules, sample menus, daily schedules and references.
Be prepared for the caregiver to have her own questionnaire, says Bernard. She’ll ask for parent contact information, medical history, favorite toys, allergies, diet restrictions, emergency contacts and who is permitted to pick the children up. The more permission the place requires the better it probably is as they are trying to protect your kid!

Parenting Tips
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