A former nanny and daycare worker discusses the classic choice. It turns out, Nannying can actually be more cost-effective!
http://www.modernmom.com/blogs/heather-berkowitz/the-benefits-of-hiring-a-nanny-vs-daycare
Be sure to follow us on our new twitter page @Nannyplacement! https://twitter.com/#!/NannyPlacement
With long, school-free days of summer just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about all of the fun ways to fill them. A summer day camp is a great opportunity for your children, or the children you care for to try something new and have an adventure close to home. Check out these exciting possibilities to provide kids with the best in fun and learning that the city has to offer.
Cincinnati Summer Farm Camps for 2012 at Gorman Heritage Farm (Ages 4-18)
Where kids grow on farms! Camp activities include: interacting with barnyard animals, exploring the woods, garden fun, games, hiking, crafts, music and more. Special themed camps for wilderness, art, cooking & science. Conveniently located in Evendale.
Camps Available for More info: http://www.gormanfarm.org/camp.shtml
Cincinnati Park District: NatureCamps in the Parks (ages 5-12)
Held entirely outdoors, campers participate in active fun centered around an “Olympics” theme daily. Children are divided into groups by age and given t-shirts to add their own personal touches.
For complete brochure and program information, click here: http://www.cincyregister.com/parks_summercamp_2012.pdf
Art Academy of Cincinnati: Visual Arts Day Camp for (ages 5-12)
Session topics to include Connecting to Art Basics, Art and Design, Art Inside/Out, Close Up/Far Away, The Art of Craft, Look & Listen & Create, Cartooning.
Call 562-6265 or email commed@artacademy.edu for information and class descriptions. Register by phone, 562-8748 or on line www.artacademy.edu/community_education/
Cincinnati Ballet-Kids Dance Camp (ages 4-8)
Combine physical fitness and artistic expression. Introduce your child to the fascinating world of ballet. Children learn the basics of ballet, from technique to costuming, through enduring classic ballets. Program information: http://www.cballet.org/academy/summer/kdc
Cincinnati Baseball School (ages 5-18)
“The Cincinnati Baseball School has served the West Chester, Mason, and Tri-State area well for 23 years. CBS offers the area’s number one camp for boys and girls, attributed to our unique approach of teaching fundamentals while having fun. Our aim is that all campers will be the best they can be.”
More information: http://www.cincybaseballschool.com/summer.php
Summer’s almost here, school’s almost out, the days are continuing to get longer, and the sun is shining, and shining, and shining….and you and your children will want to spend more and more time out in it. Here’s a guide to protecting delicate young skin from the potential risks of sun exposure, so that long hot summer days are nothing but safe and fun.
Babies
Babies have particularly delicate skin, but fortunately they also are more likely to stay in stroller or carrier and therefore have less of their bodies exposed. Be sure to take the following steps to keep them safe while they are completely in your care
Toddlers
Toddlers are more likely to want to move around while playing outside and won’t stay in whatever shady spot you park the stroller. They need to be thoroughly protected for running around a playground or beach.
Kids
While nearly all of the above precautions still apply to kids as they older, they become more independent and less likely to want to be controlled or told what to do. The key is to teach proper sun safety and let them feel in charge in as many ways as possible.
Resources:
Many parents and caretakers are starting to discover the benefits of making baby food at home from scratch. It’s greener (fewer little jars being disposed of every day), cheaper, fresher, and you get complete control of what goes into it (no added preservatives, sugars, or sodium). With a little time and know-how, you can lay a healthy food foundation for the babies you care for and save money in the process! Here are some tips and a recipe to get you started. Then the creative possibilities are endless!
Safety
Basic food safety rules always apply of course, but here are a few essentials to keep in mind:
-Always wash pots and pans in hot soapy water, then air dry
-Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly in cold water
-Use separate cutting boards for produce and meat products
-Refrigerate all cooked food within 2 hours to prevent bacteria.
Preparation
Baby food is essentially fresh fruits and vegetables cooked and pureed to a texture that your baby can take in safely. Early on that usually means pureed or blended, but as they get a little older, you can start mashing into a courser texture. There are endless possibilities of produce to cook, but the basic techniques are pretty consistent:
-Choose a cooking method; steaming maintains the most nutrients, but boiling and baking work too. If you boil, save some of the cooking liquid to thin out the puree and add some of the nutrients back in
-Puree food to desired texture: Food processors and blenders make this quick and easy.
Storage
Part of the economical benefit of homemade food is the ability to make large batches at once, saving time and money down the road. Proper freezing technique is key to making this possible:
-Spoon food into squares of an ice-cube tray (each cube is 1-oz of food), cover with plastic wrap, not foil
-Once cubes are frozen, empty them into a zip-lock freezer back. Individual cubes can be thawed one at a time as needed, and can be stored for up to 3 months
If only a small quantity is made, it can simply be kept in the fridge for a few days.
Recipe: Summer Squash
1. Choose small, tender yellow and green zucchini
2. Cut into small chunks, (6-8 months, remove skins, 8+ months, leave skins on)
3. Steam until tender, then puree in blender or food processor
4. Add water to thin as needed
5. Spoon-feed and enjoy the smiles!
Resources: http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/VegetableRecipes.htm,
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Every month we try to feature some fun events happening around town, many of which have a small price-tag but are worth the investment. However, it’s always good to know that there are lots of great times to be had in Cincinnati that are available year round and don’t cost a thing. Keep these fabulous destinations in mind anytime you need a fun day out; the money you save can always go toward a cup of Graeter’s after a long day of exploring.
Eden Park
There’s no nicer place in the city to spend a sunny day. Bring a picnic to the benches by the duck ponds, and be sure to bring some extra pieces of bread to feed the ducks. Soak up stunning views of the river and KY, and take a leisurely walk around Mirror lake. Tucked in the natural beauty is another destination for dazzling man-made beauty- the Cincinnati Art Museum. Admission is always free so pop in for an hour or two to grab a little culture.
Downtown
There’s a lot of great entertainment downtown that doesn’t involve expensive shopping or theater tickets. The Taft museum is a gem of an art collection located inside a historic 1820’s mansion. It’s free on Sundays and a good, modest size to take kids who may have a shorter attention span. Around the corner is Sawyer Point which kicks off the Yeatman’s Cove park to the west (full of Native American and Pre-settlement history) and Theodore M. Berry Friendship Park, whose gardens represent five different continents. Drive across the river to Covington to see the magnificent St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, complete with 26 gargoyles and one of the world’s largest church stained glass windows.
Boone County Arboretum
Boone County Arboretum at Central Park is the nation’s first arboretum within an active recreation park setting. It is located just outside Union, Ky, a short, 25-minute drive southwest from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. There is no charge for admission or parking. The arboretum is open daily from dawn to dusk for year-round enjoyment of our more than 2,700 trees and shrubs. The arboretum encompasses 121 acres, and has over two miles of paved walking trails, winding through various plant collections, woodland settings, and athletic fields. A perfect country escape conveniently close to urban life!
Aremleder Park
One of Cincinnati’s newest city parks, this 238-acre site features hiking trails and a bike path, a playground, shelters, a nature center, recreational fields, and meadows (get out your kites!). It also features a large dog park and provides access to the Little Miami Scenic River. Just east of Hyde Park!
The March Newsletter is here! Look inside for tips on overcoming toddler fears, helping babies get to sleep, some fun St. Patty’s Day recipes and much more.
The February Newsletter is here! Look inside for fun Valentine’s Day recipes and tips for having the perfect Nanny Interview, as well as much much more.
