Special need caregivers Archives - TLC Family Care Where Family Comes First Sun, 22 Jun 2025 13:52:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 /wp-content/uploads/2017/08/cropped-hearts-for-favicon-32x32.png Special need caregivers Archives - TLC Family Care 32 32 Family Travel: Traveling With Kids /blog/family-travel-traveling-with-kids-2/ Tue, 24 Jun 2025 11:40:22 +0000 /?p=6795 Family travel is something most families do throughout their years together. Traveling on vacations is often an annual tradition families have. From the time your child is born, it is likely you will take him or her on trips to see family members, theme parks, and even just one day drives. While safety is often…

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Family travel is something most families do throughout their years together. Traveling on vacations is often an annual tradition families have. From the time your child is born, it is likely you will take him or her on trips to see family members, theme parks, and even just one day drives. While safety is often the first thing parents consider when traveling with their kids, keeping them happy and busy along the way also adds to the success of the trip.

Safe Travel Tips

Safety is the most important factor with children traveling. Family travel should always been done with caution paid to safety above anything else. Here are some tips to keep everyone safe.

• Insure everyone is using proper safety belts and car seats throughout the trip. It’s tempting to loosen the belt for long trips, but high speed accidents on highways are common during the summer months.

• Be sure that the driver gets enough sleep and that parents are able to stay alert not only in the car but also on airplanes and buses.

• Keep items out of the car that could be choking hazards for small children. Travel games often have small pieces and are meant for older children. The jarring of a car can easily cause these to slip down the child’s throat.

• Be sure everyone knows where to meet if for any reason the group is splitting up. Cell phones are a good communication device and the responsible person’s within each group should have one.

• Talk to your children ahead of time about the risks of strangers and who to talk to if they do get lost. For family travel to be fun, everyone has to remain safe.

Family Travel Things To Do

When it comes to being on the road or in a plane for an extensive amount of time, busy kids are happy ones. Parents can do a number of things to keep kids active and busy so they don’t become overwhelmed with the long trip.

• Pack snacks. Kids are hungry every few hours and snacks are the best way to keep them quiet. Prepackaged items are sold in individual sizes, but you can also choose crackers, grapes and other small foods and place into small bags. Juice boxes and bags travel well.

• Pack an activity bag. For younger children, these goody bags can be a surprise for once you are on the road. Load them up with small toys, coloring supplies, stickers, and other activities you know they will enjoy. Don’t let them go into the bag until they are on the road.

• Pack things to do in backpacks. For older children, keeping them busy will help to cut down on your stress. Handheld games, video games, a deck of cars and travel size games can work very well. Include a few comic books, a magazine or even a book they want to read.

Many of today’s ultra fun activities for the car are in the form of technology. Portable game players, tablets, and movies are sure ways to keep everyone busy. Download the latest songs, movies and books. Challenge each child to a photo scavenger hunt using a camera or phone camera.

Family travel is often best when everyone on the trip is looking forward to something that interests them. When there are two completely different opinions, cater to both. For example, if you are traveling to an area where there is a lot of camping and wilderness hiking, and one child does not care for this, find out if there’s a local show or museum nearby they may like to stop in during the trip.

Traveling with kids is enjoyable when you plan ahead. Take the time to talk to your kids about the trip alerting them to the length of the drive. While traveling at night is not always an option, this is also a good way to cut down on the boredom factor. Many kids are happy enough with a few things to do and the conversation of the parents to keep them busy. Make this a trip that everyone enjoys by sharing stories, ideas and thoughts in an open forum. Everyone will feel welcome and happy before, during and after the trip.

The professionals at ë˵personally assist nannies, babysitters and families inSt. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us attlc@tlcforkids.comor Call 314-725-5660.

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Why Having a Backup Child Care Plan is Essential During the Holidays: How ë˵Can Help /blog/why-having-a-backup-child-care-plan-is-essential-during-the-holidays/ Tue, 03 Dec 2024 12:49:00 +0000 /?p=12993 The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and spending time with loved ones, but it can also come with its share of challenges. For families with nannies, the holidays often mean navigating nanny vacations, illness during flu season, or last-minute schedule changes. When your trusted caregiver is unavailable, having a backup child care…

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The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and spending time with loved ones, but it can also come with its share of challenges. For families with nannies, the holidays often mean navigating nanny vacations, illness during flu season, or last-minute schedule changes. When your trusted caregiver is unavailable, having a backup child care plan can save the day—and your holiday plans!

Here’s why backup care is especially important during the holidays, how to prepare, and how ë˵can step in to support your family.

Why Backup Care is Crucial During the Holidays

Keep Holiday Plans on Track
The holidays are packed with events, shopping, and to-do lists. If your nanny calls out sick or is away on vacation, it can disrupt your carefully planned schedule. A backup child care plan ensures that you can attend that work party, finish holiday shopping, or simply relax, knowing your children are cared for.

Maintain Consistency for Your Children
The holidays can already disrupt your children’s usual routines with travel, activities, and visiting family. When your nanny isn’t available, a backup caregiver can help provide consistency and normalcy, keeping your children comfortable and happy during a busy season.

Eliminate Last-Minute Stress
Scrambling to find child care at the last minute is stressful for everyone. With a solid plan in place, you can avoid the panic and focus on enjoying the season, knowing your family’s needs are covered.

How to Prepare a Backup Child Care Plan for the Holidays

  1. Identify Reliable Providers
    Start by identifying trusted child care options, like TLC Family Care. Our professional caregivers are ready to step in when needed, ensuring your holiday plans stay on track.

  2. Communicate with Your Nanny
    Discuss holiday schedules and your backup care plan with your nanny in advance. Open communication can help prevent surprises and ensure everyone is aligned on expectations.

  3. Prepare Essential Information
    Create a care guide with your children’s daily routines, allergies, emergency contacts, and holiday-specific details. This will make it easy for a backup caregiver to step in seamlessly.

How ë˵Can Help

At TLC Family Care, we specialize in providing reliable backup care, especially during the busy holiday season:

  • Vetted and Experienced Caregivers
    Our caregivers are thoroughly screened and experienced, ensuring your children are in trusted hands.

  • Quick and Reliable Service
    We understand the urgency of holiday schedules and offer fast support when your nanny is unavailable.

  • Flexible Options
    Need care for just a few hours while you wrap gifts or a full day during holiday travel? We’ve got you covered with flexible options.

  • Peace of Mind
    Enjoy your holiday celebrations knowing your children are being cared for by professionals who will maintain their routines and keep the season magical.

Plan Ahead for a Smooth Holiday Season

Don’t let unexpected nanny absences derail your holiday plans. By partnering with TLC Family Care, you can ensure a stress-free season with reliable, professional backup child care.

Contact us today to learn more about our backup care services and how we can help your family navigate the holidays with ease!

The professionals at ë˵personally assist nannies, babysitters and families inSt. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us attlc@tlcforkids.comor Call 314-725-5660.

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Creating Family Traditions /blog/creating-family-traditions/ Tue, 19 Nov 2024 12:52:32 +0000 /?p=6360 What are some good ideas for creating family traditions? Here are some ideas based on the holiday. These can be useful to get you started but remember that your own family traditions can be whatever you want and they don’t have to be centered around a holiday at all. Part of the fun of a…

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What are some good ideas for creating family traditions? Here are some ideas based on the holiday. These can be useful to get you started but remember that your own family traditions can be whatever you want and they don’t have to be centered around a holiday at all. Part of the fun of a family tradition is that it is yours and you can do whatever you want.

• Create your own special day or holiday such as “unbirthdays” or “family day”
• Never go to bed without saying I love you
• Have a special birthday meal whenever a family member has a birthday
• On Saturdays, everyone cooks breakfast together
• Have a monthly movie day where you watch movies that explore traditions
• Sing a special birthday song made up by the family
• Keep a family journal and let everyone write in it
• Make a scrapbook for every family vacation
• Always eat dinners together as a family and talk about your day
• Take turns choosing topic of discussion at dinner

These are just some ideas for creating family traditions. You can use these to boost your own ideas and be sure to ask your family members to think of their own. You can have everyone write down their ideas for traditions and then vote as a family on the ones you want to make happen.

Ideas for Passing on Family Traditions

When it comes to passing on family traditions, there are many ideas here as well. The most important thing to remember is to remain consistent. It’s important to do something over and over again each time to become tradition. If your family does not seem enthusiastic about it right away, you will have to help motivate them by being consistent.

For example, hold an event every year at the same time and continue to encourage the family to participate. Remain positive about it even if others do not and always continue even if only a few show up. By doing this consistently and with enthusiasm, others will begin to join in and the tradition will continue. As soon as all parties give up and miss an event, the tradition dies along with any enthusiasm to do it.

Holiday Traditions

Here are some holiday traditions that we enjoy and might help you get started:

• Volunteer at a homeless shelter for Thanksgiving or Christmas
• Collect or make an ornament each year at Christmas
• Have Thanksgiving dinners together with everyone helping to make a dish
• Have the children dress up as pilgrims and Indians on Thanksgiving
• Re-enact holiday events or perform a small skit as a family
• Act out the Christmas story
• Make cookies and milk for Santa
• Leave shoes outside for “baby New Year” to fill with goodies
• Create family New Year resolutions together

These ideas should help you with creating and passing on family traditions of your own. Whether you have your own family now or hope to one day soon, we hope that you will explore these options and ideas for family traditions. The memories you will create together as a family will last a lifetime.

The professionals at ë˵personally assist nannies, babysitters and families inSt. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us attlc@tlcforkids.comor Call 314-725-5660.

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Why Having a Backup Child Care Plan is Essential When Your Nanny is Ill: How ë˵Can Help /blog/why-having-a-backup-child-care-plan-is-essential-when-your-nanny-is-ill-how-tlc-family-care-can-help/ Tue, 24 Sep 2024 11:50:00 +0000 /?p=12678 As a parent, you rely on your nanny to provide consistent care for your children, making it possible for you to focus on work and other responsibilities. However, life is unpredictable, and even the most reliable nannies can fall ill or face personal emergencies. When this happens, it can throw your entire routine into chaos—unless…

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As a parent, you rely on your nanny to provide consistent care for your children, making it possible for you to focus on work and other responsibilities. However, life is unpredictable, and even the most reliable nannies can fall ill or face personal emergencies. When this happens, it can throw your entire routine into chaos—unless you have a solid backup child care plan in place.

Here’s why having a backup care plan is essential, how you can prepare, and how ë˵can support your family when your nanny is unexpectedly unavailable.

Why Backup Care is Crucial

  1. Minimize Disruption to Your Schedule When your nanny calls in sick at the last minute, your workday and other commitments can be affected. Without backup child care, you might have to take an unexpected day off, causing stress and potential disruptions at work. A backup plan ensures that even when your nanny can’t be there, you don’t have to cancel meetings or rearrange your entire day.
  2. Consistent Care for Your Children Children thrive on routine and consistency. When your nanny is unavailable, it’s crucial to maintain a sense of normalcy in their care. With a reliable backup child care plan, you can ensure that your children continue to receive quality care, keeping their day as close to routine as possible.
  3. Reduce Stress for Everyone Scrambling to find last-minute child care can be stressful for parents and unsettling for children. With a backup plan in place, you eliminate the panic and pressure of finding suitable care on short notice. A trusted backup provider will already be familiar with your family’s needs, making the transition smoother for everyone.

How to Prepare a Backup Child Care Plan

  1. Identify Trusted Providers Begin by identifying a few trusted child care providers who can step in when your nanny is unavailable. This could be a family member, a friend, or a professional child care service like TLC Family Care, which offers vetted and experienced caregivers who can be there when you need them most.
  2. Discuss Your Backup Plan with Your Nanny Ensure that your nanny is aware of your backup care plan. Open communication about what will happen in the event of an emergency can ease any concerns and ensure everyone is on the same page. This way, if your nanny is unwell, they know who to contact or inform about the situation.
  3. Keep Important Information Ready Make sure you have all the essential information prepared for your backup caregiver, such as your children’s daily routines, allergies, emergency contacts, and house rules. Creating a care guide or written instructions ensures that even if your regular nanny isn’t there, the backup caregiver can easily step in and provide seamless care.

How ë˵Can Help

At TLC Family Care, we specialize in providing backup child care services, so you never have to worry when your nanny is unavailable. Here’s how we can support your family:

  1. Vetted and Experienced Caregivers All of our caregivers are carefully screened, with extensive background checks and years of experience. Whether your nanny is out for the day or longer, ë˵offers professional and reliable sitters to care for your children.
  2. Fast and Reliable Service Our backup care service is designed to respond quickly to your needs. When your nanny calls in sick, you can count on us to provide a caregiver as soon as possible, ensuring minimal disruption to your day.
  3. Flexible Options We understand that each family’s needs are different. Whether you need backup care for just a few hours or for an entire day, ë˵offers flexible care options that fit your schedule.
  4. Peace of Mind With TLC Family Care’s trusted caregivers, you can go to work with peace of mind, knowing your children are in good hands. Our experienced professionals ensure that your children’s routines are maintained, helping them feel comfortable even when their regular caregiver is unavailable.

Plan Ahead to Protect Your Family

No one can predict when your nanny might fall ill, but with a solid backup care plan, you can protect your family from last-minute stress and disruptions. By partnering with TLC Family Care, you’ll have access to experienced, reliable caregivers who can step in whenever you need them.

Don’t wait until an emergency happens—prepare now. Contact ë˵to learn more about our Backup Child Care Services and how we can help you navigate the unexpected with ease.

The professionals at ë˵personally assist nannies, babysitters and families inSt. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us attlc@tlcforkids.comor Call 314-725-5660.

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National Nanny Recognition Week Begins Sunday, September 22 /blog/national-nanny-recognition-week-begins-sunday-september-24/ /blog/national-nanny-recognition-week-begins-sunday-september-24/#respond Tue, 17 Sep 2024 11:03:40 +0000 /?p=3996 National Nanny Recognition Week (NNRW) is a week long event, created in 1998, to bring awareness to the positive impact nannies and caregivers have on the children and families they work with. All too often we hear the negative stories of caregivers, but not enough of the positive. Nannies give their hearts to the children…

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is a week long event, created in 1998, to bring awareness to the positive impact nannies and caregivers have on the children and families they work with. All too often we hear the negative stories of caregivers, but not enough of the positive. Nannies give their hearts to the children they care for, often sacrificing time away from their own family and friends. Being a nanny isn’t about working for wealthy or celebrity parents – it’s walking in the door and having the child run to you with open arms because they are happy to see you and can’t wait for the next adventure. It’s about the child drawing a picture of their family, with the nanny proudly displayed for all to see.

What began as an effort of few now spans hundreds of professionals the last full week of September each year. NNRW continues to focus on the positive, quality aspects that nannies bring to their charges and jobs every day; and for parents and agencies to say “Thank You” to their wonderful caregivers. ~ www.nnrw.org

How can you say Thank You to your nanny?

♥ Say Thank You ♥ Tell your friends good things about her knowing she will hear them back ♥ a surprise day off ♥ Have the children say Thank You ♥ Treat your nanny to breakfast or dinner made by the family ♥ a card and framed photo of the family ♥ Pay for dinner out with friends ♥ gift basket of favorite treats ♥ gift certificates to favorite stores ♥ movie tickets ♥ gift certificate for manicure/pedicure or massage ♥ handmade card or gift from the child/children ♥

From the TLC family to all our nannies … Thank You! We appreciate all you do day after day, and are grateful to have you as part of our family of caregivers.

The professionals at ë˵personally assist nannies, babysitters and families inSt. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us attlc@tlcforkids.comor Call 314-725-5660.

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Helping your Preschooler with Separation Anxiety /blog/helping-your-preschooler-with-separation-anxiety/ /blog/helping-your-preschooler-with-separation-anxiety/#respond Tue, 27 Aug 2024 11:55:19 +0000 http://www.tlcforkids.com/blog/?p=1414 It is common for kids, especially preschoolers, to suffer from separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is hard on both the child and the parents. Trust me I know, I have lived through it. Whether it was taking my children to school, a birthday party or a leaving them with a babysitter they cried. Leaving them was…

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It is common for kids, especially preschoolers, to suffer from separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is hard on both the child and the parents. Trust me I know, I have lived through it. Whether it was taking my children to school, a birthday party or a leaving them with a babysitter they cried. Leaving them was hard but leaving them when they are crying was even harder. Thankfully, I don’t have these problems anymore. Now when I leave them with a TLC babysitter they wave goodbyewith a smile on their face and start playing.

Hereare some tips from Dr. Laura Horsch , a child psychologist in Menlo Park, California on helping your kids deal with separation anxiety.

1. It’s important for parents to keep their morning goodbyes consistent and short. “Lingering in response to crying or tantruming may inadvertently reinforce those behaviors,” explains Horsch. The rule of thumb in such situations is to strive for a short goodbye process.

2. “Parents are encouraged to prepare their children for what to expect, acknowledge their child’s feelings, engage their child in a goodbye ritual (for example, hug, wave, etc.), and reassure their child that they will return,” she says.

3. And it’s crucial for parents to talk openly with their children about their feelings. Read a book about kids going off to school or Mommy going to workand then discuss with your child. And remind them that Mommy or Daddy will always come back to get them.

Horsch reminds parents that being tearful beforemom or dad leave iscommon and natural. “Remember that these challenges are likely a normative part of healthy child development. These experiences are part of a child’s building resilience and emotion regulation.”

And she adds that there is almost always a silver lining: “Most children calm down quickly and enjoy their day shortly after their parents’ departure.”

To read the complete article and interview with Dr. Horsch click

The professionals at ë˵personally assist nannies, babysitters and families inSt. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us attlc@tlcforkids.comor Call 314-725-5660.

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Being Prepared for Disasters /blog/being-prepared-for-disasters/ Thu, 16 May 2019 11:00:17 +0000 /?p=6380 If the event of a disaster, does your family know what to do? Do you have a plan for if you get separated? Where will you go? Do your children know who to call if something happens to the adults? These are all scary things to think about happening but important things to prepare for.…

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If the event of a disaster, does your family know what to do? Do you have a plan for if you get separated? Where will you go? Do your children know who to call if something happens to the adults? These are all scary things to think about happening but important things to prepare for. As is often said, it’s much better to be prepared and never have to do it than to have a disaster occur and not be ready.

Have an Emergency and First Aid Kit

Every family should have at least one emergency first aid kit. If you have a large family, a large house or multiple family members, it may also benefit you to have more than one first aid kit.
You may also want to take the time to learn basic first aid and CPR. Classes are held in most local areas and you never know when the situation will arise where you need to know this.

Your first aid kit should include:

• Medical-grade vinyl gloves
• Poison ivy relief cream
• Burn relief cream
• Sunscreen, SPF of 30 or greater
• Antibiotic ointment, Polysporin® or similar
• Sting relief lotion or ointment, calamine or similar
• Box of sterile gauze pads, either 3″ x 3″ or 4″ x 4″
• Abdominal (ABD) or combine sterile pad, 5″ x 9″
• Rolled gauze of 2 sizes, 2″ x 4 yards and 4″ x 4 yards
• Bandages of assorted types: finger, knuckle, plastic, Telfa®, and general adhesive
• Sterile oval eye pad
• Small sharp scissors
• Tweezers with pointed tip
• Thermometers, oral and rectal (for babies)
• Elastic bandage, 3″ x 6″
• Instant ice pack
• Roll of adhesive tape, 1″ wide, may use plastic type if preferred
• Triangular bandages, 2
• Package of safety pins, assorted sizes
• Absorbent cotton balls, 1 box
• Diarrhea remedy, Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate or similar
• Popsicle (craft) sticks or finger splints
• Antibacterial soap, liquid or bar
• Medicine dropper
• Water purification tablets
• Small bottle of bleach
• Sharp knife or multipurpose knife/tool
• Bottles of aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen
• Splint materials: thin boards 2-3′ long
• Cough syrup and throat lozenges
• Large plastic trash bag and several smaller, zip-closure bags
Your emergency kit should include:
• Flashlights
• Extra batteries
• Radio
• Emergency phone numbers
• Back up cellular phone if possible
• Blankets, sheets
• Fire extinguisher
• Supply of prescription medicines

Have Insurance whenever Possible

Do you have the proper insurance? While it’s difficult for some people to pay for expensive insurance to possibly never have to use it, you should also remember the expenses that could be involved if you are not properly insured.

There are many different types of insurance such as:

• Medical/health
• Life and death
• Automobile
• Home or renter’s
• Mortgage
• And more

Insurance will help protect your family financially should a disaster of some type occur. But it’s not enough just to have insurance. You also need to be sure your coverage is thorough, your premiums are paid on time and your policy remains up to date and that beneficiaries and other important members of the family know about your insurance policies. You should also carry copies of the insurance policies in a safe place in case something happens to the originals, such as a house fire.

Being prepared for disasters is one of the most important things you can ever do for yourself and your family. Will you be prepared if something unexpected happens to you? Be sure and discuss with your nanny your family disaster plans. Make sure he/she has the necessary information should you become separated in the event of any emergency. Make sure Medical Authorizations are in place and your nanny has the insurance information and contact information of close family member or friend. Also, make sure you have some information on your nanny – how to contact her family members, in the case of any emergency.

 

TLC For Kids, Inc.has beenSt. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agencyfor over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more. We serve St. Louis, Atlanta and Florida. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660

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How to be Cool, Calm and Collected When Kids Push Your Buttons /blog/how-to-be-cool-calm-and-collected-when-kids-push-your-buttons/ Tue, 14 May 2019 11:53:53 +0000 /?p=6396 If you are a parent, you know that your own children are those who are most skilled at knowing and pushing all your buttons. Since we are generally in contact with our children more than anyone else, they become very knowledgeable about who we are and what makes us tick. They also know what to…

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If you are a parent, you know that your own children are those who are most skilled at knowing and pushing all your buttons. Since we are generally in contact with our children more than anyone else, they become very knowledgeable about who we are and what makes us tick. They also know what to do when they are seeking a reaction from us. Here is what you can do to remain cool, calm and collected when your children push your buttons and are waiting for a reaction.

Count to Ten

This is not for the sake of your child, nor is it a countdown to consequences for him (or her). This is a countdown for you. Sometimes when our children are being immature, which is normal for their age and to be expected, we simply need time to refocus and put things into perspective. Stop, count to ten, and remember that your child is only acting this way because they are indeed a child.

Talk It Out

The best way to resolve a conflict between you and your child is not to explode in anger, but to talk it out with them. Sit down and discuss what is really going on. Talk to them calmly and aim to find out why they feel the need to push your buttons in this manner.

Do a Relationship Checklist

Often when a child is intentionally pushing your buttons, there is a reason he wants your attention. It is possible that you have not been spending enough time together, and he is looking for a way to connect? Does he feel like at this point, any attention is preferable over none? Jog your memory and see if you can find any reason why your child may be acting out in this way towards you.

Remember How It Felt to Be That Age

Sometimes pushing buttons is simply the normal actions of an immature child. Children do not have the life experience we do, and often struggle to find efficient ways to communicate with others. Take a moment and remember how it felt to be that age. What made you feel good? What made you feel sad? What made you feel connected to your parents, and disconnected? Remember what it was like to be a child, and this will surely lead you to a place of greater understanding and patience with your own.

Think about Life in 20 Years

When all other methods fail to help you feel calm, think about the future. Picture you and your child 20 years from now. What will you fondly remember about these days? What will make you wince with regret? This can be an effective way to quickly put things back into perspective. Times passes so quickly and we only live each day once. Think about how special these days are as a family, and you are certain to emerge as a more caring parent who is slow to react in a negative manner.

Children can surely push our buttons, but our time as parents of non-adult children is relatively short. If you can keep this in mind, and compile a list of distraction strategies for your own benefit, it will help you get through the moments that you feel you are close to losing your cool. When your child is saying and doing everything to get a reaction out of you, maintain your composure and stay cool, calm and collected.

 

TLC For Kids, Inc.has beenSt. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agencyfor over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more. We serve St. Louis, Atlanta and Florida. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660

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Child Proofing Your Home: In An Adult Friendly Way /blog/child-proofing-your-home-in-an-adult-friendly-way/ Tue, 12 Mar 2019 11:47:05 +0000 /?p=6358 A number of great tools and products are on the market to help make your home as safe as can be for your new baby. By the time baby is six months old, he will likely to exploring the home is his own way. This gives you just a small amount of time to get…

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A number of great tools and products are on the market to help make your home as safe as can be for your new baby. By the time baby is six months old, he will likely to exploring the home is his own way. This gives you just a small amount of time to get anything and everything out of the way so that he can’t hurt himself (or hurt your things) in the process. Today’s baby proofing products are more adult friendly to use, but there are often better choices available than those you may remember using in the past.

Get Down On Your Knees

The best way to find potential problems within your home is to see your home as your child does. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl around. Make a list of all the potential problems you expose your child. At this level, you will see electrical outlets, cords for televisions or lamps, small fringe or other small items on tables that can be picked up, thrown or put in their mouths. Look for corners on tables or other surfaces that are sharp. Look for stairs or places within the home they can get to as they crawl and later stroll around. This may include cabinets, closets and doors.

With a list in hand like this, you can start finding the solutions to your problems. Luckily there are many great products on the market that can help you to child proof your home without a lot of worry about expense or the difficulty in using your home as you would like to.

Child Proofing With Adults In Mind

Your baby’s safety is the most important consideration but you do not have to compromise the ease of living you currently have. The following are some of the most important tools available to you to both protect your child while still have easy access to your home and things.

Safety Latches: Perhaps you have drawers and cabinets that baby can get into. It is important to keep these locked so that your child can’t get into them and access poisonous chemicals and medications. Latches are available that can be attached to these cabinets (with minimal if any damage to the cabinet itself) You will want to buy latches that are durable can handle the pulls that your child is likely to do to them. Still, many of these products are very easy to install and easy to use.

Corner Protection: As you crawled around you may have bumped into the corners of tables and chairs along the way. Either remove those with a point from the area or they should have a corner bumper installed on them. These will soften the edge and allow the child to bump into them with little or no effect. Most are widely available for just a few dollars. Choose bumpers that stay snuggly in place.

Outlet Covers: One of the most effective ways to prevent baby from being hurt is with outlet covers. A package of 20 or more can cost just a few dollars. These plastic covers are in the sockets throughout your home, keeping fingers out of the outlet. Parents can easily remove them and replace them when the outlet is in use.

Safety Gates: Older models of safety gates were hard to put in place and often were cumbersome to deal with. Newer models make getting through them must faster and safer. Protecting baby from stairs and areas of the home that are too dangerous is one of the best ways to child proof your home. These gates are available in a range of sizes and styles to accommodate virtually any home’s design.

There are many other things to add to your home to child proof it. You may wish to add locks to doors to rooms where you do not want your toddler to venture. Every home should have carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms installed in them. Be sure to secure all items on tables safely or otherwise remove cords that could cause an item to fall on the child.

There’s a lot to do but by making a few simple changes to your home you will successfully protect your child from all the problems that usually affect children. Since thousands of children end up in the hospital each year due to injuries or poisonings at their home, don’t overlook the safety in child proofing.

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Caring for Children with Special Needs /blog/caring-for-children-with-special-needs/ Thu, 28 Feb 2019 12:50:35 +0000 /?p=6378 When it comes to caring for children with special needs, there are different approaches you will need to take. As a parent or caregiver, you may need to treat the special needs child different from an ordinary child, depending on what their needs are. It can be difficult for many parents, especially when they first…

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When it comes to caring for children with special needs, there are different approaches you will need to take. As a parent or caregiver, you may need to treat the special needs child different from an ordinary child, depending on what their needs are. It can be difficult for many parents, especially when they first find out or when they feel like they are going through this alone.

Caring for children with special needs mean facing many obstacles and challenges that can be difficult at times. These children need extra attention that can take up much of your time. There are numerous hours required for medical appointments and hospitals visits and some children even require regular therapy sessions.

When you are caring for a child with special needs you not only have to consider the present but you must also think about the future. What will happen to that child if you were to become sick or if you are involved in an accident? As you age you may no longer be physically able to care for them but they may still need assistance. As important as the here and now is, the future must be considered.

Part of planning for the future includes taking steps to teach that child as much as they are capable of learning now. You will work with them to help them achieve independence and teach them the basic skills needed to survive but that still may not be enough. It will depend on their disabilities and they may always need someone to be there and help care for them. Take the time now to plan for the future and it will help to relieve some of your worries.

Resources for Special Needs

What resources exist for children with special needs? When your child was diagnosed with a disability or other issue, you were probably told then that there are many resources available for special needs. But you may be surprised to find out how many different options really exist for you out there. Search for resources for special needs with:

• Doctors
• Therapists
• School
• Online resources
• Online support groups
• Local support groups
• Books
• Videos/ DVDs
• Other parents and caregivers

These are just a few of many places you may be able to find more info about your child’s special need and what is available to help you.

When you are caring for a child with special needs don’t hesitate to use any of the resources designed for children with special needs. It’s a difficult task and no one expects you to go it alone. You should never feel like you have to deal with it all on your own, especially when there are so many people out there who know what you’re going through and so many resources to make it easier.

Seeking Help with Special Needs

As a parent, the more you learn about special needs and what options are available to you, the better prepared you will be to give your child the help they need and deserve. Don’t hesitate to seek help with the special needs of the one in your care. There are people out there more qualified and more experienced than you in this type of problem and they can help show you the ropes and gives you hints, tips and ideas for how to better care for your child.

As a parent or caregiver for a child with special needs you will spend countless hours worrying about your child and doing all that you can to comfort them. Many people spend sleepless nights simply listening and watching over the child so they will be right there in the event they are needed during the night.

Parents and caregivers of children with special needs display extraordinary strength and courage when caring for these kids. They focus all of their attention on the child and do all they can to nurture and protect them in every way. In the end, the most important thing is that you give your child the best opportunities available, regardless of what types of special needs they may have. In the end, caring for children with special needs can be one of the most rewarding experiences you ever have.

 

TLC For Kids, Inc.has beenSt. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agencyfor over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more. We serve St. Louis, Atlanta and Florida. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660

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