While I love that I’m able to stay home with my kiddos at this time in our lives, that wasn’t always the case. For a long while, not only did some of my littles go to daycare all day, but I always worked in an at-home daycare for many years – because it was my moms! Having the varied experiences, I have some tips on Things to Consider When Looking for Childcare for your kiddos.

Check Referrals

Talk to those that have used that daycare/sitter before, and those that are currently trusting them with their kids. Not just ‘hey do you like this place’, but real questions about their thoughts on all aspects. Word of mouth is huge for sitters, because most parents won’t just sweet talk a place that cares for kids that doesn’t deserve it. Try to make sure the referrals are not only real (of course), but not related or have no other interest in ‘selling’ that center or person.

Do You Agree With Their Policies

Find out how they handle everything, such as punishment or if you’re late dropping off or picking up. How often do they feed the kids, are they allowed to bring toys or toys (blankie) from home? If someone is sick (child or caregiver), what happens then? Make sure you know all their rules and how things are run.

Do Their Location and Hours Work for YOU

Will you be spending far too long driving between home, there and work? Will it badly affect work if you have to leave early to pick up your child before the center closes, or are they open late enough? Make sure it’s not so far that you can’t get their in a decent amount of time should something happen. How do they handle holidays or vacation days as far as time changes or openings?

Is Their Rate Reasonable

Is it comparable to others in the area of good quality? Be wary of the cheapest, but the most expensive doesn’t necessarily mean best, either. Do they charge even when you don’t come, or for holidays you miss or they aren’t open?

Are They Certified & Following State/Local Laws

There was an in-home daycare in our neighborhood that wasn’t licensed – meaning that not only was there no regulating the child-to-caregiver ratio, but no training required, no safety inspections, nothing to protect the kids or parents if something went wrong. Do they have their CPR/First Aide training (and is it current)? How extensively do they do background checks of their employees, and how often are employees leaving/being replaced?

Do They Have Openings

Especially if you have a child under 2 or 1 (because those spots fill faster, and are fewer because of laws), you’ll want to plan ahead to make sure there’s openings – or at least so you can get on a list for when you need! I know several friends who, unfortunately, were stuck with a daycare they didn’t honestly like because they had no options because of lack of openings.

Does It Appear Safe

Safety is most important, so check and make sure it looks clean. Are the plugs covered, dangerous cords out of the way and furniture (dressers, shelves, etc.) secured to the walls? Check for signs of the big things, but don’t forget the little things. Is the banister wobbly, so a child could potentially fall through? Also check if there’s tiny items all over the floor that babies have easy access to. Do the kids nap in safe, secure cribs or clean mats on the floor? How regularly do things get cleaned and sanitized?

Seriously, it’s SUPER nerve-racking trying to find a place you really trust with you child. Especially as a mom, you always feel leary because ‘WHAT IF?’ Overall, be alert, ask as many questions as you need (and don’t feel bad about it – it’s your CHILD, so they can deal with a million questions if that’s what it takes) and use your best judgement.

Do you have any more tips for looking for childcare?

This post was sponsored by the National 4-H Council as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Through my own life, and especially now as a parent with multiple children, I’ve learned that there’s many different types of learning styles. I’m more of a visual learner, while others are auditory. Some learn best by more creative ways, while some are more analytical. Regardless of what style matches best, I think we can all agree on the benefits of Hands-on Learning for Kids. Inspiring kids to ‘do’ as they’re learning can really help the skills and lessons stick, and help set them up for a more successful future.

As I’ve gotten older, it seems my learning speed has sure slowed – probably due to a mixture of busyness (not actively learning) and parental exhaustion. Kids, on the other hand, really learn fast – but when it’s more hands-on they can learn even faster! That’s why 4-H Wellness 360º program is kicking off their year-long national campaign ‘Inspire Kids to Do‘ with 30 Days of Doing. It celebrates all kiddos across the nation who don’t just watch, but also ‘do’ with purpose with awesome tools, tips, as well as resources and stories for parents and children. It’s a great way to get more hands-on learning for kids in your home or community.

Remember a bit ago when I told you all about the 4-H Wellness 360º program and how incredible it is for teens and other youth? They not only are helping teach teens essential life skills, but giving them actual experience leading their peers, thus setting them up for a bright future. Everything from cooking classes and learning about nutrition, to activities like yoga, even lessons on avoiding risky or dangerous behaviors are helping build a framework for today’s youth. By giving them the knowledge they need, along with the confidence, they can live healthier lifestyles – and then go on to share that knowledge and experience with their friends, families and peers. It’s a wonderful cycle of hands-on learning for kids, giving them the tools AND the experience to be the best they can!

There are many kids and youth out there who don’t really have opportunities to learn and grow, so I love that 4-H’s Inspire Kids to Do Campaign gives them those opportunities, and helps them develop into leaders that are ready to tackle life and – eventually – careers. This amazing campaign will help mark the path for 4-H to empower 10 million true leaders of our future, youth who DO with a purpose and can navigate themselves (and help guide others) through life’s challenges -a s well pursue their passions and actively contribute to the worth around them – all by 2025. That’s quite a goal, with a beautiful looking result.

As a parent or youth leader, YOU can be a part of kicking off 4-H’s 30 Days of Doing with a fun Twitter party! During this awesome party, you can build a ‘To Do’ list of skill-building ideas for your kiddos. Be ready to be inspired, chat with fellow doers and possibly win some prizes! To join in, all you need to is:

• Log in to Twitter on August 28 from 9:00pm to 10:00pm EST
• Search the party hashtags: #gno and #30DaysofDoing
• Participate in the conversation with other moms, parents and youth leaders like you

After the party, be sure to participate in 30 Days of Doing – you can inspire kids to DO more by joining in hands-on, positive learning for kids with activities dealing with health, wellness and more. To get started, be sure to download 4-H’s ‘Inspire to Do’ list – and don’t forget to enter the photo contest at 4-H.org/InspireKidsToDo on September 1-30. You could even win a $10,000 scholarship for your kid! I don’t know about you, but I could DEFINITELY use some help with my kids’ future college costs.

What are your best ideas for hands-on learning for kids?

My girls are 11 and 12, meaning that in less than 2 years I’ll be the mom of two teenagers. I’m trying not to panic, but have to admit that it really freaks me out! I was a HORRIBLE teenager and put my mom through so much, I can only imagine what my girls have in store for me. I’ve collected some tips for Preparing Kids for the Teen Years – maybe they’ll help you other soon-to-be-teen-moms, as well! It may be challenging, but at least we don’t have to be preparing for teen years alone.

Preparing Kids: Don’t Wait to Discuss the ‘P’ Word

Yes, I mean ‘puberty’. This is definitely not a favorite topic of most people, and it can be an uncomfortable conversation for parents to have with their kids – but it’s super important that you discuss it with them. It’s probably best to talk about the changes they’ll go through – the physical as well as the emotional – before they’re overwhelmed in the middle of it all. The more you treat it as a very normal thing (because it IS a normal thing!), the less embarrassed they’ll be by it.

I remember when I first hit puberty (it was a bit earlier than the other girls) I wasn’t too embarrassed – it was a normal part of life, so why make a big deal? But when other girls started acting like it was this awful, horrifying thing that had to be kept hushed and secret, I began to let them convince me it WAS weird. Help your kids feel comfortable, which will also help their confidence.

Preparing Kids: Communicate Often (be available to listen)

When kids are little, it can be frustrating to hear every little thing about this one show or random game, or perhaps a tidbit from school that happens almost every day. It takes a lot of our energy and patience to seem interested in what WE consider the ‘little, unimportant things’. But guess what – they may be important things to THEM. And if we help them learn that we’re happy to listen and will be there for them to go to when it is the more ‘minor’ things, they’ll feel more comfortable coming to us when it’s a bit more major.

We parents expect respect from our kids, but it’s extremely important that we reciprocate. If our kids don’t feel like we respect them back, why would they want to share these crazy things going on in their life? Why would they trust us to react without judgement or criticism, or trust any advice or thoughts we may give?

Preparing Kids: Pick Your Battles

This is suggested in so many aspects of life, and with teens it can save your sanity! There’s going to be so much going on, that you can’t nitpick or comment on every single thing that may not be perfect. Save it for the things that will truly matter. If you spend all of your energy fighting about a clean room (not saying they shouldn’t clean their room, it’s just an example), then how much MORE are you going to feel the need to fight about things like dating, drugs, school, good friends, etc.

Small Things Might be the Big Things

Just like I mentioned earlier – what we consider to be little or insignificant may be very important to your teen. Don’t shrug things off or downplay how much it matters, or they may not come to you with anything.

Teach and Give More Responsibility

Kids kind of learn that actions have consequences when they’re younger – hitting your brother may get you a time out, or not doing your homework may mean missing out on a school event. When they’re teens, actions matter more and have more lasting or severe consequences. Make more of an effort to teach them, so they can understand their choices better – and hopefully make better ones when life throws obstacles or unwise things in their way.

While we should expect more responsibility of our teens, keep in mind that they’re not only still learning – but their brains are LITERALLY not fully developed. Their frontal lobe isn’t to the level of an adult yet, so be reasonable with your expectations. Guide them, give them some slack, but help them so in the future they’re prepared.

Prepare Them for the Future

Not only prepared to do well in school and make educational or career choices, but to also be prepared to support themselves. One of my biggest frustrations as an adult is finances, and a large part of that is because I was never taught. In the teen years, it’s crucial that they learn good money sense – how to earn it well, manage it well, and especially to save and avoid debt. This lesson can make a MAJOR difference in their future, trust me!

Teach Them to Serve

It’s pretty natural for people to focus on themselves – especially teenagers. Help teach them to serve others, to recognize and focus on the feelings and needs of others. This will not only help them become amazing adults who can make a difference in the world, but will help them have a happier life because they’re not just focusing inward to themselves.

It’s Okay to be an Emotional Rollercoaster

Looking back, it’s clear that much of my teen years were spent on a rollercoaster of emotions – not just day to day but even minute to minute. The biggest stress was not knowing WHY I’d be crying one instant and fine the next. Or crying and feeling angry but not understanding why I felt that way. I’m trying hard to point out to my kids that it’s normal – their hormones are going to go out of whack as they get closer to the teen years, so it’s literally a chemical imbalance in their body causing that. It doesn’t mean they’re unreasonable or ridiculous. And it may help them get past those mood swings better when they understand that’s all it is, and that it’ll pass.

Friends Can Ruin You

Parents often talk about ‘good friends’ or ‘bad friends’. It’s important to not push your child away by criticizing their choice of friends, but find subtle or creative ways to help guide THEM to point out ways the friends may either be helping them in their life – with their goals and where they want to go in the future – or hindering that. That can help your child make their own decision about their friends!

Watch for Warning Signs

Pay attention to your child, their actions and words – and even more subtle things – just to keep an eye out for warning signs of really bad choices that could hurt their lives or futures. Catching things before they get too far can make a huge difference in redirecting things and getting back on the right track.

Remember Walking in Their Shoes

It’s really easy to get frustrated – my kids aren’t quite teens YET, but I still feel like I’m going crazy dealing with all the pre-teen drama and such! The thing that’s helped me the most is remembering when I was a teenager, how crazy it was and how difficult to understand everything. This helps me see from their perspective a bit, and grant a bit more patience.

Wishing luck to us all as we’re preparing kids for teen years!

Summer is pretty predictable when your kids attend public school, but many are not sure how to plan summer when you homeschool! Maybe you’ll take time off, maybe you’ll work year-round, or perhaps a combo. Either way, it’s likely that schedules will be a bit different – so here’s some tips to help.

As a homeschooling parent, you have more control over when and how you educate your kids, but it’s pretty normal that summer will interfere at least SOME with your regular plans.

Here are some basic tips to plan summer when you homeschool:

1: Decide if you will break for the summer – Will you go all year round, or will you take some weeks off in the summer months? This is the most important first step to determine. If you go all year, you won’t need to change your schedule very much. If you break, you will need to plan for that and adjust your schedule accordingly.

2: Determine what time you will doing certain things – When will you wake? When will you eat lunch? Will the kids nap or are they too old for naps? When is dinner and bedtime? Making your summer schedule involves knowing when you will be doing these important things.

3: Plan your summer schedule – Now sit down and write out the full summer schedule. Remember to remain flexible, but having a schedule in writing helps everyone know what to expect so things go more smoothly in summer, and all year long. This also helps for adding in any fun vacations or outings you may have.

Now that you know more about how to plan summer when you homeschool, you’re ready to get started! Whether the summer has already started for you, or you’re just getting a head start on next year, it’s good to have a game plan in place so everyone knows what to expect.

If you homeschool, how do YOU do summers?