Child Care Archives - Oh My Heartsie Girl

How cute are those toys you can buy in any regular kids’ store? They are colorful, and flashing, and make a ton of engaging sounds. This makes them perfect for kids! Or so you might think.

In reality, most plastic toys, while seemingly awesome, are best left on the shelves. Instead, choose sustainable toys for your little ones, and here’s why:

1. They’re Kinder to the Planet

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Ultimately, the toys we choose to give our children represent our vote on the kind of world we want them to grow up in. Sustainable toys provide a nod to a cleaner, greener world. These toys are made with natural, renewable materials that have little impact on the environment, including bamboo, wood, and recycled plastics. The sourcing of resources is equally as important as the materials themselves.

Producers of environmentally friendly toys frequently go above and beyond to guarantee that their goods are made morally, with an emphasis on energy and waste reduction. Once these toys have fulfilled their intended use, they don’t spend generations gathering dust in landfills. They are an eco-friendly option for those who care about the environment because many of them are biodegradable or fully recyclable.

2. Safety First and Always

Children’s safety is a top priority, and eco-friendly toys honor this promise. Because they are made of natural materials, these toys are devoid of potentially dangerous chemicals that are frequently present in their plastic counterparts. Lead, phthalates and other chemicals that shouldn’t come anywhere near mouths are, unfortunately, often present in traditional plastic toys. Conversely, non-toxic paints and finishes are used to create sustainable toys, making them safe for children to handle and gnaw on.

Beyond simply considering the materials used, safety is also considered in the design of the toys. Durable and high-quality construction is a top priority for manufacturers of sustainable toys to avoid breakage and choking dangers. With this careful approach, parents don’t have to worry as much about what their children are doing with the toys and focus on the creative and exciting play these toys provide.

3. Encouraging Eco-Friendly Play and Learning

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In the world of sustainable toys, eco-conscious living, and child development are given priority when it comes to materials and designs that are environmentally friendly. For instance, let’s take a look at educational Montessori toys for 2 year old kids, which are a bright example since they use sustainable, natural materials to encourage learning and development via hands-on play.

What we like the most about these toys is their obvious sustainability which is very easy to pass on to your kids during and after play. Many of such toys are made of natural durable wood that can last for decades and can go with your kids anywhere–to kindergarten, park, playground, family trip, etc.

4. Sparking Imagination Without the Bells and Whistles

Although the lack of electronic parts in sustainable toys may appear to be a drawback at first, it works to their advantage. With these toys, the onus is on the child to interact meaningfully with their playthings and create original games and stories. Children learn how to solve problems when they come up with new uses for the same object, which fosters creativity.

With their straightforward patterns and organic textures, sustainable toys encourage children to explore and dream, transforming a basic wooden block into a vehicle, a boat, or a skyscraper. This type of play fosters emotional growth and cognitive flexibility, setting the stage for a lifetime of creative learning and thought.

5. A Lesson in Responsibility

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Choosing eco-friendly toys starts a conversation with kids about the environment and our duty to protect it. These toys highlight the value of conserving natural resources and cutting waste by providing concrete examples of what it means to make environmentally sound decisions. Children can learn about product lifecycles and the circular economy by selecting toys made of recycled materials or designed to be recycled.

Children are encouraged to consider their impact on the world around them as a result of this early exposure to sustainability techniques, which instill values of mindfulness and stewardship. This lesson equips students to be responsible global citizens and goes beyond the playground.

Sustainable toys might be trendy today, but investing in them goes much further than just fashion. This move will give your kids hours and hours of precious fun, and all that safely and healthily that will benefit them long-term. And when your kids grow up, you will pass on these amazing playthings to new generations!

July 8, 2022

4 Things To Keep In Mind Before Buying A Stroller

What-4-things-your-should-look-for-when-buying-a-stroller. Having a baby and handling them is a tough task to perform for the parent as it takes a lot of hard work and compromise to raise the baby. You must be aware of the fact that if you have a baby, then you must keep a particular amount of money to invest in the best stroller in NZ and similar products to keep your baby happy. These strollers are available in the market in a wide range but at the same time, you must make sure that you buy a product that is reliable and serves you for a long time.

Reputable Brand:

If you are in the market for a baby stroller then it’s important to look for brands of strollers that are reputable. Products manufactured in Thailand or Japan are generally much more reliable than products made in China. If you buy a stroller from a brand that is reputable, then your stroller will serve you for a long time. Browse stores online and offline to make sure that you get the best value for your money.

Good Quality Parts:

When choosing a stroller for your baby, make sure the parts used in making the stroller are good and strong. There have been several documented cases of strollers suddenly becoming damaged and breaking up due to poor quality parts or an unreliable build. The safety of your baby is of utmost importance, so it’s crucial to choose a stroller that’s made well. Look for strollers made from aluminum or alloy, as these are durable and long-lasting.

Low Maintenance:

When buying anything for the baby or even for ourselves, we definitely check the maintenance cost of it to make sure our money is invested in the right direction. If the stroller is not made of good quality material and is not of a good brand, it might cause issues later on down the track, which can become costly if repairs are involved. Ensure that the baby stroller you purchase is of a high standard and free from abnormal maintenance requirements or costs.

Long Life Of The Stroller:

While investing money in anything we make sure that it serves us for a long time. When buying a baby stroller, your priority should be that it works well for a long period of time. If the life of the stroller is long, then you as a consumer will have satisfaction in mind that you invested your money in the right place, and customer satisfaction is one of the most important aspects of any purchase. Hence, make sure that the stroller you buy has a long lifespan so you can enjoy it to its full potential.

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7 Useful and Practical Baby Products Worth Investing
Baby Gates: An In-Depth Buyer’s Guide

June 22, 2022

What is the purpose of an Au Pair?

What-is-the-purpose-of-an-au-pair. Au pairs are young people from all over the world who have obtained a secondary school degree and have applied to live with a family in the United States. These young people not only provide childcare and light housework but also help their host families adjust to life in a new country. In addition, these young adults get a modest wage and receive a wealth of benefits, including education, childcare, and cultural exposure. Ultimately, au pairs are an elegant solution to the child care dilemma.

Au pairs provide childcare and light childcare-related housework.

While au pairs may not do general housework, they help with childcare-related chores. These tasks include doing children’s laundry, meal preparation, and room pick-up. Most au pairs require a private bedroom, so they cannot live in a dorm or daycare. However, they should be aware of your family’s and children’s expectations. Au pairs are not domestic employees, so they are not required to pay employment taxes.

Initially, an au pair will be expected to provide child care and light housework. This can include ironing and vacuuming. They may also be expected to teach their host family the language of their country. While most au pairs only perform these light tasks, some families choose to hire au pairs who are not expected to do heavy housekeeping. If you would like your au pair to perform this additional chore, you can consider hiring someone who speaks your native language.

Au pairs also help their host families adjust to living in a new country.

A positive side effect of working as an au pair is the cultural exposure your child will receive, which benefits both the au pair and the host family. Exposure to different cultures teaches kids how to respect others and appreciate differences are some of the goals of the Au Pair program. It also helps kids develop empathy and understand differences. In addition, kids are remarkably gifted at learning new languages, and their exposure to a foreign language is an invaluable benefit for both the au pair and the host family.

Typically, an au pair will live with the family hosting them, as they financially support the entire family. The host family will benefit from temporary help with childcare and housework, and the au pair will get pocket money, board, and lodging. Both parties should agree upon the conditions of the stay and any other requirements for a successful placement.

Au pairs can be an elegant solution to the problem of child care.

An Au Pair is an elegant solution to the problem in a world where childcare is expensive. The minimum stipend for an au pair is less than $200 a week, less than a full-time nanny or most daycares in most metro areas. Au pairs live with the host family and are encouraged to participate in family activities. An Au Pair is a cultural exchange, not a job.

The flexibility of an au pair is unmatched by any other childcare provider. In the U.S., au pairs can work for as few as 45 hours per week. In addition, some au pairs work only a few hours a day, which gives parents more time to do other things. However, you may have to rely on the office staff if your au pair works more than ten hours daily.

Au pairs can ensure that their children are happy.

Parents should treat their au pairs with respect and care. They should treat them as if they were their children. Treating them like a family member is a crucial aspect of the role and should be modeled when the au pair leaves. However, parents should be careful not to impose their views on the au pair. Instead, let them observe the parents in action. This way, they can understand how to deal with children.

Parents should ensure that their au pairs are included in family activities, including holiday parties and vacations. It is vital to give the au pair time to relax as well. They should also be able to spend a whole weekend alone, as weekends are essential for mental health. Parents should also make sure that their au pair receives a decent amount of pay. This is a crucial aspect of ensuring that their children are happy.

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Finding Someone Safe to Care for Your Kids

June 22, 2022June 22, 2022

Finding Someone Safe to Care for Your Kids

There is so much in the media about children being mistreated that it is very difficult to decide who they will be safe with. If you need a nanny or a babysitter, how do you know that they are responsible enough to give your children the care they deserve and you want them to have? You should never just accept someone because they are convenient; there are processes you need to go through to be sure.

What Do You Need And What Can You Afford?

Childcare costs are often the second biggest expense for families in the US after housing costs such as rents and mortgages. You need to look carefully at what you need and then at how much you can afford to pay. With babysitting averaging at $16 an hour and full-time nanny’s earning more than $650 per week, it is an expense that you have to be certain you can afford before taking anyone on.

Of course, you will always find people that will work at a lower rate, and that is fine as long as they fill the criteria you have for the person caring for your children. Do some research and find what the going rate is in your locality, and that will be much fairer for you and whoever you employ.

See if you can move the hours around as it could be better to employ someone for two full days rather than for a few hours five days a week.

Nanny Agencies Are Not Always The Best Way

Nanny agencies are not always the best place to find the perfect babysitter or nanny. To start with, you need to be confident that the relevant background checks have been carried out and there have been instances in the past where false information has been provided regarding these from nanny agencies.

The only way to trust the checks is to do them yourself. See if you can find a company like Jumio, but who will work with parents/nannies, for an identity verification check, and take up any references they have provided, ones from past employers will usually throw up a red flag if they had a problem with them. Check out their social media pages, as these will show a truer picture of their personality.

Speak to friends and relations to see if they can recommend anyone, and there are also nanny and babysitting sites that have qualified people advertising their services.

No one would suggest that all nanny agencies are bad, but you still need to do the checks yourself to be certain they are right.

Interviews Next

When you get to the interview stage you need to be well prepared. Have your questions ready and answers to any questions you expect them to ask you. Try to avoid questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no as you will not learn much about them that way.

Do not expect them to automatically know all the answers regarding your children, as some things will depend on your practices with child-rearing.

Anyone that you think might be suitable, let the children meet. Try to leave them alone for just a few minutes and see how things are when you return to the room. If you do this with 2 or 3 candidates you will find that your children have a preference, and that is great of it agrees with yours.

Have A Trial Period

A trial period is vital just to see how things work out before making it a permanent arrangement. Set a period of a month or so and see how the children and the nanny are getting on after that.

Always be aware of your children’s reactions. This does not just apply to nannies and babysitters but to anyone, they come in contact with. Children do not generally shy away from people without reason, so be wary of anyone they do this with.

Some parents go to the extent of having cameras fitted around the home when this happens, but if you do this you should inform the person providing the childcare that they can be seen.

Reviews

Every two or three months you should sit and chat with the nanny to find out anything they are not happy with, and vice versa. This should be seen as a review of their performance. It is a chance to reward them if they are doing exactly the job you wanted, or to point out things that need to change.

This chats can be useful for you and them, but the people that should benefit most from them will be the children.