Guest Post: Children's Museum in PWC!!

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Published: 06/18/2013

Imagine a place where interactive exhibits and diverse educational programs spark curiosity, creativity and lifelong learning for children, their families and the community that supports them.  This is the mission of Discovery Junction Children's Museum, an emerging museum in Prince William County.
We are a group of educators, business professionals, and parents who live, work, and play in Prince William County.  We believe that the children in our community deserve a space devoted to their physical and intellectual development through the most natural activity of childhood, play.  We want a place that celebrates children for who they are but also allows them to dream about who they may become.  Families should have a place to spend the day together where creative interactions and learning opportunities are present in each moment.  Teachers need a local destination for field trips that will complement and reinforce the curriculum being taught in their classrooms.  We are excited to bring Discovery Junction Children's Museum to Prince William County to serve those purposes.  We would love to have you join us in making it happen!
How can you help?  In the near future there will many volunteer opportunities but in the mean time you can learn more about Discovery Junction by visiting our website at www.discoveryjunction.org.  Help us spread the word by following us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Discovery-Junction-Childrens-Museum/374497385894306, and share our page with your friends.​  Visit us on July 10th at Manassas Mall for Movers and Shakers where your children can interact with our first activity, Magnetic Creations.
Most importantly, support our first fundraiser being held on Friday, June 28th and Saturday, June 29th at the Evergreen Fire Department in Haymarket, VA.  We are holding Antiquities Children Portraits.  For $10 your child(ren) will get a 20min photo session with vintage clothing and props and an 8x10 classic vintage portrait.  You can choose to purchase additional photos in packages but no additional purchase is required.  Please visit http://www.discoveryjunction.org/#!antiquities/c1tik to learn more or send any questions to info@discoveryjunction.org
We look forward to working with you to bring Discovery Junction Children’s Museum to Prince William County!
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Guest Post: Free Things to Do With Little Ones In PWC

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Published: 06/14/2013
 
Free Things to Do With Little Ones In PWC

My oldest, Max, is 5 ½ now, but when he was about 1 we realized we REALLY had to tighten up our budget or else I wouldn’t be able to continue to stay home with him.  It really wasn’t much fun at all having to turn down adventures with other mom friends because it just wasn’t in the budget.  At that time,  I even had to make sure I didn’t use much gas because there wasn’t much for THAT in the budget either!  Anyway, I managed to find some things to do to get me out of the house as well as stick to our budget.  These might not be the kinds of things that get your heart racing with excitement as you picture your child’s  pure joy when you arrive at your destination, but trust me when I say that little ones have as much fun in these places as they do at some place like House of Bounce(which I loved and love, but can’t always afford). 

Chik-Fil-A:  My favorite is the one on Liberia in Manassas.  Max & I spent many mornings there in the  dead of winter or summer.  I would get a coffee and he’d play.  I couldn’t enjoy my coffee a lot since you can’t take food or drinks in the play place with you, but it was something other than our 4 walls.  And it was usually pretty quiet in the mornings.

Manassas Regional Airport:Always a fun thing to do!  I actually used to go over there before I had kids and just take a camping chair, a good book, a cup of coffee and read and watch the planes take off and land on pleasant-weather days.  WITH kids, we would go over and walk around outside the fence and just look at the parked planes & helicopters and if some were taking off and landing, all the more exciting!  They also have a museum in one of the buildings there.

The Mall:  I think Max was almost 2 or 3 before he realized that the ride-on toys at the mall served a purpose other than indoor playground equipment.  We’d go to Manassas Mall and he’d play on the ride-ons for a long time.  He was perfectly happy to do so, but once in a while, if I saw a dad or a grandparent, I could almost guarantee they were going to get schmoozed into paying for a ride and sometimes Max got the benefit of that on things like the carousal ride!  Most of us moms just claimed we didn’t have money to make the rides go.  Manassas & Potomac Mills have ride on toys.

Mall Play Area in Potomac Mills:  I’m so bummed this didn’t exist when I was in the stage of life I’m sharing here.  I would’ve gone there all the time!  Now Max is nearly too tall to go in, but it’s a great play area!  No shoes or coffee allowed (what’s with all these places not letting us get our coffee on??  I mean, REALLY!!  I know they could spill & make a mess, but still…..)

Prince William Forest Park: I can’t believe how many people I have run into who haven’t been here!  It’s so close and for just $5 per car per visit or $20 for a one year family pass, you get entry into the park and all it’s trails, including a stroller & wheelchair accessible trail AND it’s awesome playground!  If you’re military, you get in free.  This is one of our favorite places to go now - it’s almost always very quiet during the weekdays and we pretty much have the place to ourselves! Sometimes we hike to a creek and throw stones in for a while, other times we just play on the playground.  Last year I found that if you go during the week days in May & June, you might meet up with large groups of field-tripping kids.  They tend to head back to school around 1ish, so after that you’re golden!  They also have a quaint visitor’s center with a store and some displays.

Frying Pan Farm Park- This is actually a bit of a drive, it’s off of Route 28 in Fairfax.  However, they have great free programs in the spring & summer (get on their email list) and they have pigs, goats, cows and horses and there are often baby goats & pigs to be seen.  Again, if you get on their email list, they will let you know when new babies arrive.  They also have a farmers market during the week.  There is a playground, a country store, a wagon-ride tour of the property (last I checked it was $3 for adults and $2 for kids), and some kid-sized tractors for them to climb on.  Everything but the wagon ride and whatever you want from the store is free.

The Farm at Broad Run-  This place is a plant nursery, but they also have chickens, roosters, turkeys & donkeys you can walk around and view.  One area even has the feed dispensers where you can get a handful of feed for a quarter and feed it to the animals.  I like to walk around the whole place with the kids and then end up in the small store inside and buy a basket of organic berries and maybe pick up some grass-fed ground beef before leaving.  When we were there last time, they had about 14 baby chicks staying warm inside the store.  A torrential downpour began while we were inside, so we hung out eating our berries and playing with the chicks!  It is a hike from Eastern Prince William -  about 40ish minutes, but my kids love it more every time we go.





Sarah Meisenhelter is mom to two boys, ages 5 & 3 and resides in Montclair.  She has a passion for God, girls & women facing unexpected pregnancies and  natural living.  She blogs about these things over at www.TheWildRuby.com

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Guest Post: Helping Children Sleep After a New Baby

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Published: 06/10/2013

I just had a baby and now my older child won’t sleep – Help!!

You knew you would lose sleep with a newborn, but you may not have been expecting your older child to suddenly need your attention in the middle of the night.  This is however a problem I see quite often, especially if at one time your older child did have some sleep difficulties.

What is going on?

If your child previously slept with you or in your room, they may not understand why the brand new baby is now getting to sleep in your room.  After all, you may have told them that your room is just for Mommy and Daddy if you were transitioning them out of it.  They may start waking in the middle of the night trying to get in bed with you, or may start giving you a hard time about going to sleep at bedtime.  Even if your child did not sleep with you, just the change of having a new brother or sister may cause them a slight amount of stress, which could affect their sleep.  All the changes going on could also be causing their bedtime to be later.  If children are overtired at bedtime, they are more likely to wake during the night and earlier in the morning.

Having Patience

The first step in solving your child’s behavior is to first have (or try to have!) patience and realize where they are coming from.  If your older child was an only child before the baby came, they were used to getting all the attention.  Now, not only is the baby getting some of their attention, the baby probably gets to stay up later with Mom and Dad and gets to spend all night in their room.  How fair is that?!  It is a good idea to spend some extra one on one time with your older child during the day.  You should be totally focused on them (no cell phones or television) and this should last for at least 20 minutes.  Each parent should try to do this every day.

Bedtime

You may need to factor in a little extra relaxing time before sleep time at night.  Your child may need a couple of extra books or some extra songs.  Decide before hand what you will add, and do not let your child dictate what you do.  If you tell them you will read an extra book, stop at that extra book.  If they beg and cry for another one and you give in, you will have taught them to keep begging and crying even if you say no.
If your child is really upset at bedtime, you may think about sitting in their room with them while they fall asleep, then every several days moving further and further away from them or come check on them every 5 or 7 minutes for extra reassurance.

Middle of the Night Wake-Ups

If your child is waking in the middle of the night, discuss with your partner during the day how you want to handle it.  Being consistent is essential in changing a behavior.  So if you do not want your older child coming into bed with you, do not let them do that, even once.  This is especially important if your newborn is sleeping in bed with you – your older child may not be as aware of the baby and could roll on them or crawl over them. 
If you are okay with your older child coming into your room at night if they do not wake you or your baby, you could make a bed for them on the floor.  You could put a crib mattress or sleeping bag on your floor.  You will need to give your child rules – if they sleep in this bed, they need to come into the room quietly and not wake anyone.  This is probably a better idea for a child at least three years old and one that has not shown any jealousy issues toward the newborn.

It Will Get Better

Remember that it will get better, especially if you handle the behavior consistently and with as much patience as you can have being a sleep deprived parent!  Your child may need a little extra reassurance now, but will once again start sleeping well.  And by that time, your newborn may be sleeping better too!

About the Author:
Michelle Winters, of SleepWell Sleep Solutions is a certified Gentle Sleep Coach and Greenproofer based in Northern Virginia. Michelle provides sleep consultations for children up to 6 years old in which she assists parents in creating a gentle, respectful plan to get their children sleeping.  She can also assist parents who are trying to conceive, who are pregnant, and who already have children identify and remove toxins in their environment.  Michelle conducts in person consultations in the Washington DC Metro area and can also conduct consultations over Skype or phone for clients outside the area.  She is also available to conduct workshops and group talks to businesses, parents’ groups and preschools.
For more information, check Michelle out at www.sleepwellsleepsolutions.com, www.facebook.com/sleepwellsleepsolutionsand www.twitter.com/VASleepCoach.
This post is provided by SleepWell Sleep Solutions.
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Guest Post: Safety When Home Alone

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Published: 06/04/2013
The next few months are filled with vacations, summer camp, swimming, and cookouts for most families. But for working parents, it can also mean decisions about if your children are ready to be home alone. Babysitters or daycare can be a huge cost but it can be dangerous to leave your kids home alone while you’re at work. Any parent is nervous about the safety of their children, especially when you hear horror stories about kids left home alone over the summer. Deciding whether or not your children are ready to stay at home by themselves doesn’t have any hard and fast rules to follow—it depends completely on the responsibility and maturity levels of your child. If you decide they are ready, go over these points with your children to make sure they stay as safe as possible.

Role Playing

Role playing situations with your children and what they should do when they’re home alone can help you make better judgments on whether they’re ready and teach them what to do. Talk about what to do in a fire, injury, or intruder situation. By role playing, your children will be more ready to take action and stay safe in worst case scenarios. Do things like pretending there’s a fire or that you’re a stranger asking to come inside your home with an “emergency.” Taking time to remind your kids to never open the door to strangers or to someone they feel uncomfortable with will keep them safe and give you some reassurance.

Rules for Being Home Alone

Part of the basis to stay at home alone needs to be about following rules. If your children can follow your rules well and understand why, they might be ready. Setting special stay at home alone rules is important to keeping them safe when you’re not there. Decide if they can use kitchen appliances, play outside, have friends over, and what chores and tasks they need to do when you’re not home. Having a family meeting with a conversation works better than laying down the law—but you can also use technology to keep an eye on your children.

Emergency Planning

Going over what they should do in emergency situations and the family plan that is modified for when they’re home alone will help them know what to do and help you get to them quickly if something should go wrong. Talking about what to do in severe weather of if someone breaks into your home and judging his or her reactions to these conversations can help you make your decision about your child.

Routine Checks

If you’re able to, schedule check-in times with your children while they’re home alone to see how they’re doing. While it might not fit into your work schedule, it’s important to know what they’re up to when you’re away from home. Home security systems are also a good option to keep track of your kids. Text alerts can be sent from certain systems when different unlock codes are used upon entry to your home. And even more advanced systems allow you to peek inside your home with your smartphone and cameras installed in your home. The cost of a security system is an investment but is less than an all-day babysitter all summer long.


About the Authors: First Security provides home security services from their home office in Ellicott City, Maryland, offering three times the protection at half the cost of competitors. Their blog has lots of home security tips, including posts like Is Your Son Really Safer Than Your Daughter?, Why Hide-A-Keys Are a Bad Idea, and more home alone security tips. Disclaimer: Not every child is capable of or should be left home alone. If you plan to leave your child at home alone, ensure your child is of age and maturity to be left alone and conform with local and state laws. - 



Disclaimer: Not every child is capable of or should be left home alone. If you plan to leave your child at home alone, ensure your child is of age and maturity to be left alone and conform with local and state laws.
 
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Guest Post: Summer Education Tips

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Published: 05/30/2013
The following is a guest post by Winter Harris the editor of Christ Centered Home Magazine. She shares her own tips and tricks to keep your kids learning, yet having fun, this summer in Prince William County!
Guest Post: Summer Education
by Winter Harris

One of the most talked about problems for children during the summer is how much information they lose from the previous school year because there is not an option at home to continuing building upon what they have learned. As a mom, I understand how difficult this can be when you are used to transporting kids from school to practices and other extra-curricular activities. If I’m being completely honest, the end of the school year signals a welcome break for more than just the kids; Mom is officially on “Summer Vacation” as well. However, the older my kids got, I began to realize the importance of them retaining the information they had learned during the school year.
I strive to set my kids up for success so I went on mission to find the least stressful way to promote learning throughout the summer. Thanks to our dear friend, the Internet, we don’t have to go far to find the tools we need to make things fun and interesting. My children range in age, so I have a variety of suggestions you can use.
  • First and foremost, encourage your children to read at least 15-30 minutes a day. This alone can help them keep the mental juices flowing. Use your local library to check out a variety of subjects, and not just the ones they enjoy reading. There are great fiction and non-fiction books that promote learning without seeming too obviously educational. My children like to read books about history and facts. My son can tell me information from the 1800s that I had no clue about.    
  • Use online resources like ABC Mouse, Disney Jr and Sprout Online that include free printable worksheets, grade appropriate games and learning challenges. I’m huge on electronic devices, so if you have a tablet or device, utilize those free educational apps. My kids will jump at the chance to play on my tablet. I would suggest any apps by IntelliJoy.   
  • Take field trips to places like the Manassas Battlefield Park, Bull Run Regional Library or the Teaching Garden in Bristow. There are an insurmountable number of options to choose from in Prince William County, but these are some of the ones we frequent.  
  • At home I like to choose a letter of the alphabet each week and attach a scripture to it. We have a large empty pretzel container and each time they can repeat the scripture back to me or name something that starts with our letter of the week then they get to put their name in the jar. We have a weekly drawing and that child wins a prize. We attach age friendly scriptures to promote fairness in the game. This concept could also be applied to poems, historical speeches, or the Bill of Rights as a way to promote memorization.
Summers can be relaxing and educational. As moms our job is to do our best in finding the balance between the two. Try visiting the National Summer Learning Association to get the facts and to find additional resources. While I get the importance of taking a load off, I just want to ensure my kids don’t dump the whole load and that they are adequately prepared to start the new school year refreshed, ready to learn. Enjoy your Summer!
Winter resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and four children.  She enjoys traveling, photography, scrapbooking, writing, socializing, and decorating.  She attends Fireside Church, where she is a part of the worship team.  She owns Christ Centered Home Magazine, a modern periodical for today’s woman of faith.  She is active in the non-profit community, member of Off the Field PWA, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Meant 2 Live foundation. You can follow Winter on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.
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Virginia Campaign for 1000: Virginia Adopts

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Published: 05/29/2013

Hey, guys! It's Kristina.  The Governor has announced an initiative to try to get more children adopted out of VA Foster Care.  You can find more information on the "Virginia Adopts" program on their website.  Did you know that 50% of kids who leave foster care without a family will be homeless within two years or that 94% of Foster Youth won't graduate from college?  

I know that the idea of Foster Care and adopting from Foster Care can be intimidating, so I invited Kristina Nohe to share her story with us.  She's a PwcMom of four kids, and her story is awesome.  If you'd like to share your foster care or adoption story with us, I'd love to share it, too.  Thank you, Kristina, for sharing this intensely personal story! 


There’s a story in every family: some families begin with moving to a new home, some have chapters focus on overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, and still others are laced with whimsy and fun.  Our family’s story has a little of all of that, but, at its core, our family is a love story.

When my daughter was small someone asked her about the make up of our family.  With child-like innocence and honesty, she told them, “We’re like a twisty cone.  I’m chocolate and my parents are vanilla.  We’re twisted together onto one cone and that’s our family.”  We’re a trans-racial adoptive family, which is a fancy way of saying that we adopted children of a race other than our own.  When Rachel, our daughter, was three, she called us a ‘Choconilla’ Family.

Most parents have nine months to prepare for the arrival of their first child.  My husband and I heard we were “expecting” over lunch and by dinner a three-year-old girl and a 22-month-old boy, Rachel and Nicholas, were bounding down our driveway and into our hearts.  We were suddenly foster parents to two adorable and rambunctious children.

Be it fostering, adopting, or expecting, no one is ever really prepared the first time someone hands you a child and declares that you are solely responsible for its care, feeding, and safety.  That first night, we called our friends with kids and asked, “What should we feed them?  What is an appropriate bedtime?  What size diaper does a toddler wear?”  In other words, we were pretty typical first time parents.

After a few weeks, we felt like we were getting the swing of things, which meant that it was obviously time for a curve ball.  I found out that I was pregnant.  We had gone from no children to expecting our third in under a month.  If the existence of the platypus hadn’t convinced me of it before, I was then certain that God had a very highly tuned sense of humor.

Ten years, four kids, and a pug later, we can look back through the haze of sleepless nights combined with active days and marvel at the start of what became our family.  We adopted Rachel and Nicholas, added two bio-babies, Jack and Teddy, to the mix, and life’s been one great adventure ever since. 

Like every family, we’ve had our challenges.  If I had a nickel for every time I was asked, “What country did you adopt them from?” I could retire in luxury.  I’ve gotten used to the look of surprise that I get when I tell people that we adopted from the foster care system, but it still breaks my heart a little each and every time.  All too often, children in foster care are seen as second-class, broken, or something to be avoided.  We had well-meaning, but woefully misinformed people warn us that taking in foster children would lead to any number of horrible things based mostly on what they seen on a made-for-tv movie.  When we took in children of a different race, we heard ugly comments about our children being happier “with their own kind” or questions as to whether a parent could truly love a child that didn’t look like them.  Ignorance can be a very unseemly thing.
The other comment that I hear a lot is “These children are so lucky to have you.”  The funny thing is that it is the exact opposite.  We are so blessed to have them in our lives.  They are bright, funny, imaginative, talented, inquisitive, and being their mother has made me grow in ways that I couldn’t even imagine before they walked into our lives.  It was not a sacrifice to add them to our family; it was a gift.  I look back now and realize that there was a place reserved for them in my heart that I didn’t know was empty until they each stepped in and filled it.  They are my children.

Our family is like a twisted up cone, sometimes the flavor is Rocky Road, sometimes it is Cherries Jubilee, and sometimes the whole thing is rolled in a rainbow of colored sprinkles.  It doesn’t matter the color, the flavor, or where it came from; we all sit side by side in the crazy banana split of life, sprinkled with nuts, a whole made better by its different parts. 

If you’ve ever considered adding to your family through adoption, visit www.virginiaadopts.virginia.gov to get more information about Gov. McDonnell’s new initiative “Campaign for 1,000” with a goal of matching a thousand families with the thousand children eligible for adoption in Virginia’s foster care system.  It could be the best decision you’ve ever made.  It certainly was for us.



 Kristina Nohe is the mom to four fabulous children. When she isn't driving them around to their various activities, she is homeschooling them and cooking Gluten-Free food. She is a former Navy brat who has lived all over the United States, but can't think of any place else she'd rather raise her children than Prince William County, Virginia.
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Guest Post: Improve Your Health, Your Community, and the Environment - Eat Local!

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Published: 05/24/2013
The following guest post is by Sarah of Healthwise Home. She's a fellow PWC blogger who blogs about health, food and family and has some great tips to share about farmers markets and eating local!


Improve Your Health, Your Community, and the Environment: Eat Local! 
by Sarah Young



Knowing where your food comes from is an important step in improving your overall health.  When you know the origin of your food, whether buying from the produce section of your grocery store or at your local farmers’ market, you will have greater insight on whether it is local or shipped in from thousands of miles away, if it is genetically modified, and whether or not it has been treated with potentially harmful pesticides and fertilizers. In general, the more local and in-season your food is, the better it is for your health, your local economy/community, and the environment.

Did you know that on average, produce travels more than 1,500 miles from its source -- the industrial farm -- to your dinner table (National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service)?

And who knows how old it is. At best, grocery store produce is at least a few days old, although the average “age” of many items is closer to a few weeks and beyond.  Yes, that’s right, I said “and beyond”. Take apples, for example. In the U.S., apples generally ripen between August and September. Industrial farmers harvest apples when they are slightly unripe, treat them with a chemical called 1-methylcyclopropene (also known as “SmartFresh”), wax them, box them, stack them on pallets, and keep them in cold storage warehouses for an average of 9-12 months. Nine to 12 months!

Now, if you want to enjoy apples all year, regardless of the season, then you may be glad to hear that modern science has mastered the art of keeping our produce “fresh” for up to a year. But at what cost? Numerous studies have shown that the overall nutrient quality and antioxidant activity of the fruits and vegetables that we are eating today are declining due to modern agriculture methods, a decrease in soil quality, and the extended “shelf life” of our food.  While this certainly does not mean that fruits and vegetables from your local grocer should be avoided, those in search of the most nutritious and freshest produce are better off buying from a local organic farmer.


Luckily for Prince William County residents, there are many local farmers’ markets and resources in our area. Local Harvest and Eat Local Grown are two of my favorite online resources for locating farmers’ markets, CSA’s, co-ops, and farms in your area.

I hope that I have inspired you to improve your health, your community, and the environment and eat local!

Here are a few tips to help make your next trip to the farmers’ market more successful:


  • Come Prepared - Bring your own canvas tote bags, baskets, or boxes to carry your purchases in and to reduce the use of plastic bags. Also, bring cash! Many vendors are cash only.  
  • Arrive Early and Shop Around - The early bird gets the goods! Get to the market early to avoid having to choose from picked-over produce. Also, take a stroll around the entire market to scope things out before you buy anything. Prices, types, and quality can vary among vendors.  
  • Talk to the Farmers - Go straight to the experts. No one knows the food better than those who grew it.  Ask the important questions, like where their farm is located and whether or not they use chemical pesticides. Farmers can also often share tips on how to properly store and prepare produce. And who knows, you may even get a recipe or two out of them!  
  • Bring Your Kids! - There is no better way to introduce and connect kids to REAL FOOD than letting them have a part in the process. Make this a family experience by bringing your kids along and allowing them to explore, ask questions, sample new items (when offered) and pick out some of the week’s purchases on their own.  
Good luck, have fun, and healthy (local) eating!

Sarah Young resides in Prince William County with her husband and three young children. Sarah is a full-time mother, Certified Health Education Specialist, healthy living advocate, and the creator of Health Wise Home, an online resource that focuses on educating, empowering, and inspiring others to help build a healthier future. In her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking, gardening, being outside, and spending time with her family.
For healthy recipes, information, and inspiration you can follow Sarah and Health Wise Home on Facebook and at her Blog.
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Guest Post: Favorite Spring Fashion Pieces on a Budget

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Published: 05/16/2013
Guest Post: Favorite Spring Fashion Pieces on a Budget

Hey y'all, I'm Molly and I've lived in PWC for just over 3 years. I blog over at Stilettos and Diapers about fashion, motherhood and life in general. As much as I love fashion and wearing all the current trends, I'm frugal and never like to spend too much on my clothes. Today, I'm sharing with you some of my favorite pieces for spring and summer that fit into a Mom's budget. All these pieces are under $30! 

Floral and Print Shorts 

These are hot, hot this season. In tons of patterns and lengths, there are trendy shorts out there for everyone.


1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Maxi Dresses 

These are all the rage again this year. I love them because I love to wear dresses, but short ones can be awkward when leaning over to tend to your babies. Maxis can be dressed up with wedges, or down with flip flops. You can wear them to the park, for a playdate or a night out with your husband. I love a good versatile piece that gets me the most bang for my buck. 


1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 

Colors and Patterned Tops

Just like the patterned shorts, there is no lack for color in this seasons tops. Neon, floral, stripes and sheers are all over the place. Don't be shy with your color! 


1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Hope this easy guide helps you fill your closet on the cheap this season! If you want to keep up with me and more of my frugal fashions, you can follow me on my blog, Twitter or Instagram! 

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Guest Post: How I Found The Perfect Playgroup

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Published: 05/14/2013
The following is a guest post from Samantha at Happily A Housewife. Samantha lives here in Prince William County and shares something I think many of you will relate to: Her own experience in moving to PWC, not knowing anyone in the area, being a new mom, and trying to find the perfect playgroup.




One thing I have noticed since moving here 6+ years ago, is that no one else seems to be "from" here either. When we had Matthew our first born, I knew NO ONE. The six months we had lived in the DC metro before he was born I basically stayed in my apartment all day, everyday. I knew once having him, that had to change, we had to socialize. But living in a new place, with no family or friends, makes that tough.

The way I changed things was joining a playgroup. It was hard at first, I felt left out, like I was never going to fit in. Here is how I changed that:

First how I found the perfect playgroup.

1. Look online. This is the easiest way if you aren't too outgoing. Meetup.com is where I found so many groups to chose from. Especially in the DMV there are so many different groups. Find a couple. Join and attend a few meetups to see what fits you and your kids best.

2. Find a group that has kids the same age as yours. A group with school aged kids probably isn't going to meet when you are available to play with your toddler.

3. If you are more outgoing and willing to talk to people at random (I am not), go to your local library. During the story times and playtimes. Also hit up a local park. Talk to the other moms, they probably have a group they can refer you to.

Fitting into a playgroup.

1. My biggest piece of advice to give anyone...... GO TO THE MNO (mom's night out) or girls night out events. It is SO worth making that extra effort, trust me! Being able to talk to other moms without cranky, whinny, hungry toddlers at your feet is much easier.

2. Don't get discouraged. If the first few times it feels a bit off, like the other moms aren't making a huge effort, they probably aren't. They don't want to put in the time to meet someone new if they don't think you are going to stick around. The more events you attend, the easier it will get.

3. Don't push your parenting philosophy. It is so nice to have a group of women you can turn to when your child isn't eating, sleeping, or having problems at school, but advice is different than a mom who thinks her way is the only way. Be the mom you are, and don't change that. At the same time, don't expect others to change the way they parent either.

There are still so many times while sitting at a play date with my kids, that I remind myself how glad I am that I took the effort to find a playgroup. The kids have all become friends, and probably more importantly I have founds a group of women that have become true friends.

People I can rely on.

Other moms who keep me sane.



I am Samantha, a wife, SAHM of 3 wonderful kids (Who apparently doesn't have ONE photo of her family of five, awesome, right). We live in PWC and love it! I blog at Happily A Housewife.  You can also find me on Twitter, and Instagram where I over share about our life, write the things I wish I could say to my kids, attempt to share recipes every once and awhile, and most importantly post 8 million (unnecessary) photos of my babies!
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Party on a Budget

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Published: 04/28/2013

Party on a Budget
By:  Angela Pounders
 
I told myself that I would not be the type of parent who would go all out and spend a lot of money for my children’s birthday parties.  Instead, I would buy a few themed items and work around that with what I had and/or buy some inexpensive items to go with it.  My parents never went all out and I have some of the best birthday memories.  To me, it’s not about how much money you spend, but about the time spent together.

This year, Sweet Girl, my (now) four year old, wanted an Elmer the Elephant party.  (He’s a patchwork elephant featured in books by David McKee.)  I couldn’t find party stuff to buy so I had to be creative. Love Bug, my (just turned) two year old, picked a Thomas the Tank Engine theme.  Of course, there is a ton of stuff out there with Thomas!  However, I ended up spending about the same for each girl’s party with these easy, fun and inexpensive ideas.

Plates and Napkins:  I always let the girls pick out plates and napkins that go along with their chosen theme.  We have done solid colored plates and printed napkins before as well.  I found the cutest elephant napkins that stand up.  There is a wide variety of designs available.  So, not only did we have napkins, but a table decoration at each spot! 


Tablecloth:  Go with a solid color and something that can be reused.  If you are having a bunch of children over, plastic tablecloths from the Dollar Store work great.  Oriental Trading has a good selection to.  We used our nice cloth tablecloths (you know, like the ones you pull out for the holidays) this year for the girls and it made them feel so special.

Decorations:  A lot of money can be spent in this category, but it doesn’t have to be.  I printed out color pictures of Elmer and his friends and also of Thomas and friends to hang around the living/dining rooms. I also printed some in black and white so the girls could color them and used those as decorations, too. You can find a lot of free printables online to go along with any theme.  I found some elephant party invitations at the Dollar Store and used those for decorations and for making Sweet Girl’s birthday card. Remember, think outside of the box!  Also, streamers and balloons in colors that go with your child’s theme are an inexpensive addition to the décor.  The Dollar Store is the best place to go for these disposable decorations.
The new idea I came up with this year is free!  I thought it would be fun to decorate using books.  Yes, the kind you read.  We went to the library and checked out a bag full of books for each girl’s theme.  We set the books up around the living/dining rooms.  They decorated the rooms and were in reach when the girls wanted to look at them.  You could also buy some new books for your child and put them out the morning of his/her birthday as a surprise.



Activities:  Again, you can find many free printables online with patterns and craft ideas.  There are also a variety of BINGO type game sheets that you can print out, too.

Sweet Girl really wanted to look like Elmer and asked if I could paint her.  Um, no, but how about coloring a t-shirt to wear instead?  I drew a checkerboard on a couple of t-shirts and let the girls go at them with fabric markers.  I even made one!  What child wouldn’t think it was neat to draw on and make his/her own shirt?  You could prep each shirt with a picture related to your child’s theme (draw it on, iron-ons, etc) and have each child decorate his own shirt.  An activity and party favor in one!



Cake:  Maybe you feel like you’ve saved enough money with everything else to buy a bakery made cake, but why not make one at home?  Whether you make it from scratch or a box, it is so fun to have the birthday child make the cake with you.  Sweet Girl even wanted to help place the animal cake toppers (which doubled as toys afterwards—another money saving tip!) on her cake.
I hope these fun, easy and inexpensive ideas help you with the next party you plan.  Remember to think outside of the box and be creative.  Think about how things can serve double functions to save even more money.  Spend more time and less money and everyone will benefit from it!


Angela Pounders is a transplant to Prince William County Park from Arlington.  She is blessed to be a stay at home mama to two beautiful girls.  As a former teacher (as well as preschool director and Children and Family Director), she is always on the look out for fun, easy and educational things to do with her girls.  She shares her ideas on her blog, The Master’s Daughter.
 
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Favorite Books for Toddlers

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Published: 04/24/2013

Favorite Books for Toddlers
By Carolyn Brace

"Image courtesy of [Ambro] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net"


Once upon a time I used to read books to my pregnant belly. Then I read to my tiny little babies while they snuggled in my arms. Soon those books were chewed on with great love. Before I knew it we were reading books at every meal (a great time to read since they are a captive audience) and now we are constantly nagging our 8 year old to put away her book at dinner and talk to us. I live in a house with five children who love to read. They are ages 8, 5, and 2. No, that doesn’t equal five kids, until I mention that I have three 2 year olds. Three opinionated 2 year olds. It is wonderful that they love books, but with that love comes strong opinions and definite favorites. With that, I thought I would share my 2 year olds’ latest favorites with the hope that your children will enjoy them too.


Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

This book really touches on the bedtime routine and nervousness children feel when they are alone in their rooms. I recommend reading it with a great amount of drama and theatrical skills. Yell and holler along with Llama as he wonders where his mamma has gone. My children also like to point out Llama’s stuffed llama as they too sleep with stuffed animals. They clearly see themselves in Llama.


The Neighborhood Sing - Along and When will Sarah Come

The first book is written and photographed by Nina Crews, while the second is written by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard and photographed by Nina Crews. You may have read books by Nina Crews’ father, Donald Crews and she has clearly inherited his talent and vision. My children have always loved real photographs of people in books. They like to see other children’s actions, expressions, and movements. The Neighborhood Sing –Along is a collection of favorite children’s songs with authentic, beautiful pictures of children. The only downside is that it is long and my children want to read every single page of the book: sometimes twice.

When Will Sarah Come is perfect for any child with an older sibling who attends school. It is the story of a little boy who wonders all day long when his sister, Sarah, will be coming home. Life just isn’t the same without her. Its repetitive nature has my children reading along with me and happily predicting the ending.



Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

Who needs words? Good Night Gorilla has only a handful of words but that is all it needs to capture my children’s attention. They love saying goodnight to all the animals and gasping with delight when there is nothing on the page but the surprised eyes of the zookeepers wife. (Once again, being theatrical is a big plus). With three children reading at the same time we opted for the lap book sized version and it wore out after receiving heaps of love.



Grandpas are for Catching Worms by Harriet Zeifert

What child doesn’t like to lift the flaps of a book? Many lift the flap books have lost their flaps in this house, but either my children are becoming more gentle or this book is sturdier because it still has all it’s flaps intact. This delightful story gives us a chance to remember our grandpa, who lives 10 hours away and is not seen too often, and to talk about all the wonderful things we can do together as families. Harriet Zeifert is a fantastic author for young children and also has lift-the-flap books for mommies, daddies, brothers, sisters, grandmas, cousins, teachers and many holidays.


Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley and Don’t let the Pigeon Ride the Bus by Mo Willems

What 2-year-old child doesn’t want power and control? In these books the children get to tell the monster to go away and tell the pigeon “NO!” as he constantly asks to drive the bus. After only a few readings my children were happily yelling “Go Away” and “No” at these engaging books that encourage audience participation. Another plus? My 5 year old can easily memorize them and “read” them to his younger siblings.


Last, but not least, books with your children as the main characters!


I use Shutterfly to create books with pictures of my children. Whether it’s a quick book with the pictures of all the people we love or a long journey through our memories of the holiday season, children love to see themselves and the people they love. What is more fun than a book about yourself?!


It’s been said before and I’ll say it again. The best way to teach your children to read is to read to them. So grab any book and enjoy! You’ll create a foundation that is priceless.




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Preschool Busy Bag Exchange

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Published: 04/21/2013
 Preschool Busy Bag Exchange 
by Courtney Power

If you already have a Pinterest account I am probably not going to tell you anything you don't already know. If, like me, you still don't pin keep reading because I've got an exciting idea for you. Preschool Busy Bag Exchange Being a non-pinner I had to google the term when an interest thread was started on my local neighborhood mom's Facebook page. Basically, it is the same principle as a cookie exchange but instead of baked goods you swap games/activities geared at the preschool age group.


As a mom of a 4yr old and 21 month old with self-professed "paint by numbers" crafting ability, I jumped at the idea of making multiple copies of a kid's game in exchange for getting back all new games in return. Our exchange was the Wednesday before Spring Break and the activities were lifesavers on vacation. A special thanks to Kelly who organized our neighborhood exchange and to all the other Montclair Moms who participated, you ladies ROCK!


We had 16 moms participate in our exchange. This may seem like a lot, especially when you’re in the throes of making 16 copies of a game, but when you walk away with 15 new games it is totally worth it. Below are pictures of the different games made. [Note: there are 17 items listed because two were bundled together] Some are overtly educational (alphabet match-up), some are just for fun (I-spy bottles) and some build great fine motor skills (anything with clothespins). While this was titled as “preschool” busy bag exchange the games really fit a spectrum of ages. My youngest one uses the I-spy bottle as a shaker and loves the pool noddle threading with no concern for following a pattern whereas my older child can easily do color matching but has been stretched by letter and sound identification.



A picture of my haul!



1) Counting/Shaking Eggs: match egg top and bottom, insert lentils or candy to match the number
2) Connect the Dots: a laminated flip book of connect the dots puzzles and a dry erase marker
3) Color Match: grab color card with appropriate clothespin
4) Number Tracing: trace numbers with monster finger puppet using rhyme to help remember
5) I-spy Bottles: small water bottles filled with rice and assorted treasures to find
6) Pool Noodle Lacing: pool noodle segments of different colors & numbers, pattern cards to replicate




7) Double Trouble: use the loose shapes to recreate the patterns
8) Felt Puzzle: match felt puzzle pieces to outline on background
9) Magnetic Fishing: wooden dowel fishing pole, felt fish with shapes and numbers
10) Color/Number Wheel: grab color or number with appropriate clothespins
11) Popsicle Shape Makers: Velcro dots allow creating of shapes with Popsicle sticks




12) Popsicle Stick Puzzle: line up popsicle sticks to create the puzzle image
13) Lacing Cards: practice lacing shoelace in the holes
14) Playdough Gingerbread House Mats: use playdough to make assigned number of decorations
15) Pipe Cleaner Threading: thread appropriate color and number of beads on the pipe cleaners
16) Colored Animal Sorting: use tweezers to sort animal figurines by color or animal type
17) Alphabet Match Up & Beginning Word Sounds: match uppercase letter bottle cap to lowercase letter or to picture that matches the beginning word sound



If you are interested this would be great to do just before school ends, in the middle of summer when boredom sets in or anytime really. Some thoughts on successfully executing a busy bag exchange. -- 16 participants were a lot and more than probably a high threshold level. You want to have enough participants to make the crafting effort worth your time and money, especially since it is generally more cost effective to buy materials in bulk but not too many that it becomes overwhelming and you run the risk of repeat or extremely similar activities. -- we used a Facebook event to organize our exchange. This way each participant could post a link to or describe what they planned on making (avoiding repeats). You could also feasibly use a Facebook group to coordinate as well. The communal forum also allowed for sharing of supplies that participants might have had in excess or weren't using. -- the exchange date should be set a couple of weeks if not at least a month from the initial setup time. This gives everyone time to browse for ideas, shop the sales and make the game/activity. -- Pinterest and Google are great places to get ideas. There are a ton of very crafty mom bloggers out there. -- for all you military mommas out there we had a participant from out of state who mailed in her contribution. If you were organizing for a geographically separated group you could either share addresses or ship to a single POC who would then separate, collate and ship.


The school year is drawing to an end of if you are going to host one of these with your child and classmates, now’s the time to start organizing!




Courtney Power is an Air Force wife and mom to two crazy kids. She lives in Montclair and can’t say enough good things about the Prince William County community and Montclair Moms in particular. 





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4 simple ways to sneak exercise into your day!

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Published: 04/14/2013

4 simple ways to sneak exercise into your day!




 Gone are the days when I had hours to spend at the gym or time for long runs through the neighborhood. Now that I am a stay at home mom with 4 small kids, I have to make sure to grab all opportunities to sneak some 'fitness' into my day! Here are 4 simple ways to help you fit in fitness:

 1. Dance parties! My kids love when I put on loud music (especially Gangham Style, of course!) and we dance all around the house. You are guaranteed to work up a sweat if you do this for 30-40 minutes.

 2. Lunge, squat, lunge. Whether we are at the park or just playing in the basement, I practice this one. I lunge, I squat, I lunge. Repeat as many times possible. Do this 4-5 times per week and you will notice firmer and stronger legs.

 3. Make use of your stairs. I don't have a gym membership, but who needs one when you have a built in stair master in your house? Here is a stair workout that I love to do 2-3 times per week. Quick and intense!

4. Races! My boys are very competitive and love to race Mommy. Sometimes, I even let them win! ;) Either way, we do this over and over for 20-30 minutes and I'm exhausted. The extra bonus is they are usually exhausted too!   How do you squeeze fitness into your day?  



Lisa is a stay at home mom of 4 boys (ages 7 and under). In her life before kids, she was a personal trainer and marathon runner. Now she blogs at Workout Mommy to provide motivation, inspiration, and ideas on how to fit in exercise, fitness, and health in your busy day. She firmly believes that exercise is what keeps her (somewhat) sane and it's a lot cheaper than therapy! Workout Mommy can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
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Get Outdoors with NoVA Outdoors

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Published: 04/12/2013



If you haven't heard about NoVA Outdoors, our area's finest blog for reviewing parks and playgrounds, you've been missing out!  You can expand the county list on the left sidebar to find a large number of parks in Northern Virginia and beyond.  Families love the honest reviews and pictures, so you can "know before you go."  

I got a chance to chat with Kamber Petty,  local mom and founder of NoVA Outdoors and asked her a couple of questions. 

Kamber Petty, NoVA Outdoors



What do you look for when reviewing parks and playgrounds?

When I'm reviewing parks I look for fun equipment for the kids to play on, restrooms for the potty training crowd and natural areas where the kids can walk the trails. Safety is always a concern so I look for parks that are kept up and if the equipment is in good shape.



Have you had any funny moments on any of your adventures. 
One of the many funny moments I've had over the past two years while reviewing parks was with my oldest Cooper. Cooper was 3 years old at the time and I asked him what he thought of the park we were at. I'll never forget, he put his hands on hips and in a very serious voice he told me he was concerned there were no swings for his baby brother Max. From that day on every time we get in the car after a park visit he lets me know what he likes about the park and what was missing.


Although the website boasts many, many reviews.  Here are some that are specific to towns in Prince William County. Click on the town to read the reviews. 





Article written by Micaela WIlliamson, author of Kid Trips Northern Virginia Edition. 



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Guest Post: Better to Give than Receive: Kids' Birthday Party Presents

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Published: 02/28/2013



We love giving special presents to our friends...even to friends that we don't know very well.  Whenever my children are invited to a birthday party, we take time to think about the child and like to get something unique.  However, the past few birthday parties that we have gone to, we never even saw the child open the present!  We end up leaving it in some bin.  If we're lucky, we will get a generic card in the mail saying "Thank you for coming to my party."  There is NO mention of our specific gift.
I remember my grandmother complaining about such a party years ago.  She was invited to a  child's birthday, and there was no present opening.  She didn't even receive a thank you card, and that is a huge no-no in her book.  At the time, I didn't even have a child, but I vowed to her that I would never to do this.  She would be proud to know that two children and twelve birthday parties later, I have kept my word!

My children open EVERY PRESENT they receive from friends at their birthday parties (except gifts from people that are not in attendance.)  I don't care if other children are bored and don't like sitting around.  We have small parties anyway, and the whole process takes 10 minutes.  Everyone will receive a PERSONALIZED thank you card within a week (okay...maybe 2 weeks tops.)

I realize that some people invite the whole class to their birthday party, or they are paying for playtime at a fun kids' place.  If I had a 90 minute party for my child at a bouncy place, I would want the time to be spent playing or jumping too, but I would never send a generic thank you card.  I wouldn't subject my guests to sitting through 25 gifts being open, but I also do not want/need 25 new toys in my house.  (Another reason I like to keep the parties small.)

What do you think?  Am I out of line?  Do you feel like you pay so much for your child's birthday party that a generic thank you card is enough, or do you forgo thank you cards all together?

Image credit:  © Mschalke | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos
Thanks to Micaela Williamson, AKA SuperNovaMommy for this fantastic guest post.  If you're on the Fairfax border, be sure to check out Micaela's fantastic site for even more great events to keep you and your family active and happy in Northern Virginia. You can also find SuperNovaMommy on Facebook. 
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Guest Post: Switch Up Your Winter Workout

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Published: 02/20/2013
It's about this time that I hear many students say , "I'm bored with my workout and don't have many options". Here is some of what I tell them to beat winter workout boredom and spice up that cardio routine:
-Make a cardio medley by picking three different cardio machines, or circuits, and workout on each for 10 minutes or so. This is a great alternative to just getting on the same machine for a certain length of time.
-Break up your workout by separating them into segments, each with a different focus-speed, incline, resistance, steady state, etc. By changing your workout  every five minutes, you get  variety and,  because you're  focusing on just a few minutes at a time, the workout will fly by.
-Try  something  new.! We  all  have  our  favorite  machines & routines  but  winter is a great time to experiment with something completely different. Challenge yourself to do something new.  When was the last time you tried the rowing machine or the stationary bike at the gym? What about an at home workout?  Moving your  body in  a different way can  rejuvenate  your workouts.
-Try group fitness.  Even  if  you're  not into group fitness classes, giving  one  a try  can  give  you  new  enthusiasm  for your workouts.  Pick up a schedule at your club and make a deal to try one new class every two weeks. You get a lot of energy from working out in a  group,  so take advantage of it!

I have to say, I’ve tried all of these and yet not one is perfect for me.  One day I may feel like taking a class or,in my case, teach a class. Another day, I may turn on some music and create my own “cardio medley” at home or at the gym.  Other times, I may pop in Insanity or Turbo Fire to check working out off of my to do list.

I challenge you to try something different over the next two weeks. Be sure to share your experiences with someone. They may want to give it a try too!   
Adrienne Vose is a Certified Fitness Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, dedicated wife & mother of 3. She likes to workout & motivate others to "MOVE IT" and believes that without exercise, people are inhibited from achieving and maintaining their health goals. 
No matter what your fitness goals may be or how hectic life becomes, there is a way to accomplish those goals. As a trainer, her number one priority is to create a routine that works towards your needs and gives you the results that are best for you. "Eat Healthy, Move More & Stress Less" is her motto and she fully believes this is the KEY to a healthy lifestyle. 

This guest blog is presented as an opinion.  Health changes should always be discussed with a doctor. 
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Guest Post: Top 10 Tips to Save Money at Grocery Stores (Besides Using Coupons) Part 1

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Published: 02/14/2013

This guest post was originally published on BeltwayBargainMom.com.  We hope it helps you out, and that if it does, you subscribe to Laura Harders' blog posts for more money-saving tips each week! 

I know most of you reading my blog are regular coupon-users, but I wanted to share some simple tips on ways you can save at the grocery store besides couponing. This post may also be helpful for those of you who are new to couponing and want to find ways to save money now as you gradually learn the ropes of “extreme couponing.” For those of you seasoned savers and savvy shoppers: I’m sure you’ve heard these tips from other frugal folks before, and there is nothing below that is a shocking, new discovery in the land of grocery store savings, by any means. But hopefully this will help some of you put on your thinking caps on how you can save even more money at the grocery store in addition to regular coupon use.

Ten tips to save more money on your grocery shopping trips:
  1. Make a list and stick to it! To avoid impulse buys, create a meal plan and grocery list at home based on deals featured in the weekly circular or on frugal blogs/coupon forums. Take your list with you to the store and stick to it (an exception I make to this is purchasing “quickly reduced” items… see #9).
  2. Buy less prepared foods. For example, buying a small bagged salad will usually cost you much more than buying a head of lettuce, some tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, etc. You may not have quite the same convenience factor, but you will save money.
  3. Be willing to go generic, try new brands and put aside your brand loyalty/bias. Yes, I know it may be hard to “leave your loyalty at the door” initially, but think of it as a way to be adventurous and try new things with your main goal being: saving money. I will stock up on name brand items when there is a really good sale and/or coupon that brings that item price down to my “price point.” However, when my stock pile runs out and I want to purchase that item to use for a meal during the week, I’ll buy that item at ALDI (discount grocery store) or buy generic at another store. For example, a jar of Peanut Butter at my local ALDI is $1.29. This week Safeway has a deal on Skippy Peanut Butter for $2 each.  If there were any Skippy coupons available (which I don’t believe there are…there was one from the 1/31/10 Red Plum but it expired on 2/28/10) I would buy these if the coupon made it less than my regular ALDI price.
  4. Learn the different store policies. Find out the return policies, reusable bag policies, coupon policies, rain check policies, price-matching policies, etc. for your favorite or most frequently visited stores. Many, but not all, grocery stores in the DC metro area double manufacturer coupons up to $0.99. Some stores accept a manufacturer coupon combined with a store coupon on the same item (this is called “stacking coupons” because normally you can only use one coupon per item you are purchasing). Some stores offer a small credit (like $0.05) toward your total grocery purchase if you bring your own re-usable tote.  Most stores will accept returned items with an original receipt within a certain time frame (say 30-90 days).
  5. Sign up for your grocery store’s membership card and e-mail list. These are free to sign up for, and you need them to get the special sales price at many stores. For example, at Bloom this is the “Breeze Card”, at Bottom Dollar this is the “Membership Card”, at Giant this is the “Bonus Card”, at Harris Teeter this is the “VIC Card”, at Safeway this is the “Club Card” and at Wegmans this is the “Shoppers Club Card.” Also, sign up for email updates or special offers from the store.
Check back next Thursday for the rest of Laura's Tips!
Laura Harders lives in Prince William County and is a native Northern Virginian who loves to share ways to save. She runs the blog BeltwayBargainMom.com and teaches local Savings Nation coupon workshops. You can find Laura sharing tips & being social on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
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Guest Post: Stop Over Thinking (Over Reading) Parenting

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Published: 02/12/2013
Stop Over Thinking (Over Reading) Parenting
By Nicole Dash

34,711. This is the number of books on parenting that appears when searching on Amazon.com. Parenting advice books are a big business. So are their online counterparts, with dedicated websites, blogs, and message boards telling you how to put your baby to sleep, how to discipline your child, how to tell if he or she has roseola, the best way to swaddle your baby, whether or not to encourage the use of a pacifier, the best way to read to your child, how to tell if your child is going to one day be obese, and the list goes on. At some point you have to realize two things:

You cannot parent from a book
You will make mistakes and that is okay

No parent is perfect and trying to “learn ” how to parent from a book is just going to lead to frustration. We cannot let go of our instincts in favor of all the “experts.” Does this mean you should never read? No. Does this mean I haven’t turned to the Internet to figure out if my child’s rash looks normal? No. The information age is wonderful, but it is also a slippery slope, especially if you allow yourself to be swayed from your instincts.

Good parenting is about trusting your instincts, learning from your mistakes, reaching out to your community, and forgiveness – for yourself and your child. When I say community, I mean leaning on your family, friends, co-workers, and yes books and the web.

Raising children cannot be approached like a professional or a student. You cannot study for some test or find the answers in one place. Here is an excerpt from an article in the National Post, a Canadian newspaper:

"At the end of the day, parents just need to trust their instincts and pay more attention to their child — that unique little snowflake that will never be a carbon copy of the next, said Judy Arnall, a Calgary-based parenting educator, who recently wrote a parenting book entitled The Last Word on Parenting Advice. It contains a few short sentences and key take-home message: “Trust yourself.” The rest is a whack of blank pages."

Would you follow your GPS off a cliff or would commonsense prevail? I like to think that you would keep your eyes open and pay attention. The same applies to raising children – and I’m sure at least one of the 34,711 books out there would agree with me.
Credit: K Photography
Nicole Dash is a writer, blogger, and child care business owner who lives in Annandale, VA, with her husband and four children. Nicole shares her journey on http://www.TinyStepsMommy.com – a blog about family, life and caring for children – yours and mine.
 
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Guest Post: Games to Improve Your Child's Strategic Thinking

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Published: 02/09/2013
There are a lot host of cool games available on the internet nowadays for your children to play with. A lot of these games are actually highly beneficial in the sense that they improve the way in which your child thinks strategically. This is because they help them to think on their toes, to become better at problem solving and to be more efficient. 
Your child may enjoy the games mentioned below:
  1. Ben 10: Cannonbolt Strikes
In this game your child will play Ben 10 who is inside a cannonball. Your child has to move the ball effectively around a platform – picking up diamonds along the way. Nevertheless, it’s not as easy as that; because there are enemies placed around looking to shoot the ball. Moreover, you need to avoid falling off of the platform as well. This aids your child’s quick thinking and they need to have a solid strategy to make it to the end.
  1. Scooby Doo: Creepy Castle
In this game your little one will get to play Scooby Doo and they will have to find the rest of the gang who are hidden in a creepy castle. The only problem is that there are lots of ghosts around. Thus, whilst trying to find the gang your little one will have to pick up objects e.g. a plank of wood, in order to seal a door shut to keep the ghosts out. This improves strategic thinking because your child needs to be clever when thinking how to use the objects they pick up by being effective and efficient.
  1. Gumball: Elmore High Jigsaw
Jigsaws are always great when it comes to improving strategic thinking because your child needs to think about how they are going to fit all of the pieces together. This requires forethought and clever planning.
  1. Tom and Jerry: Trap-o-Matic
This game is all about carefully planning and having a solid strategy. Your little one will play as Tom and will have a box full of tricks; such as a moving kid’s train. These all need to be used in order to create an effective path whereby Jerry will be trapped. Thus, your little one will begin with a mousetrap and then use their box of tricks in order to create a way to Jerry. If one thing is out of place, then the trap won’t work.
  1. Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends: Big Shot Checkers
This game puts a fun twist on checkers. And as you know; checkers is all about outsmarting your opponent. You need to think of all the possible moves and be strategic in order to win the game. There is no better game for thinking strategically.
  1. Ed, Edd n Eddy: Candy Machine
In this game there will be a gobstopper at the top of the screen and a bucket at the bottom. Your child will have a box of pipes and they will need to find a way for the gobstopper to make it to the bucket without being destroyed. This is all about being efficient, solving problems and thinking ahead.
The games mentioned in this article are all great when it comes to improving your child’s strategic thinking. Each game is linked to a different popular cartoon and thus your child is assured to enjoy at least one of the cool games that have been mentioned.
Author bio – 
CJ is a freelance journalist. She used Cartoon Network and tried several of their cool games in order to determine how they aided a child’s strategic thinking


This is a submitted post and does not necessarily indicate the views of PwcMoms.com
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Guest Post: Are Health Foods Hurting You?

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Published: 02/07/2013
As a fitness professional, it is my goal to help others learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. By doing so, I like to lead by example & practice what I preach. With one living such a healty lifestyle,  you might assume that they are healthy, with no issues what so ever, right? WRONG! 


I recently discovered that the fruits and veggies I thought were good for me are actually hurting me. Who knew that my love for broccoli, beans, apples and brussel sprouts (yes even those) could make me so sick? I thought these types of foods were essential for living a healthy lifestyle. While for some people, this may be true but not for me. 
After an interesting discussion with my GI doctor, she handed me a paper which listed foods I should eliminate. Of course listed was the "normal" stuff like high fructose corn syrup , dairy, certain sweeteners etc ....all things I avoid anyway. But then in other catagories I noticed all of my yummy veggies, fruits and beans!! YIKES!
Seriously? I'm not getting it. Why in the world shouldn't I eat an apple ? It contains fiber, phytonutrients, vitamins & minerals.
I realized I had been consuming a high "FODMOPs" ( Fermentable, Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides and Polyols ) diet. FODMAPs are carbohydrates that are found in foods. 
I need to limit daily intake of anything containing Lactose, Fructose, Fructans, Galactans, Sugar alcohols (polyols), otherwise I'd keep having severe GI issues. Some of my favorite fruits and veggies contain these types of carbohydrates which can make me sick in the gut. Moving forward, I will try this approach and see if it has any impact on my body. My hope for you all is that you will listen to your body and know that just because products are supposedly healthy, they may not be good for you!
For more information regarding FODMAP, please check out these sources:
Adrienne Vose is a Certified Fitness Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, dedicated wife & mother of 3. She likes to workout & motivate others to "MOVE IT" and believes that without exercise, people are inhibited from achieving and maintaining their health goals. 
No matter what your fitness goals may be or how hectic life becomes, there is a way to accomplish those goals. As a trainer, her number one priority is to create a routine that works towards your needs and gives you the results that are best for you. "Eat Healthy, Move More & Stress Less" is her motto and she fully believes this is the KEY to a healthy lifestyle. 

This guest blog is presented as an opinion.  Health changes should always be discussed with a doctor. 
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Fields of Fear

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Published: 10/12/2012
We just shared with you about our daytime experience at Cox Farms, and that I am a giant pansy about going to the farm after dark.  PotomacLocal.com editor Uriah Kiser, however, revels in the scary side of Cox and was all too happy to check it out for us:

Photo from Cox Farms
"On this farm is Cornnighttmare; a twisted trail of haunts and lost souls trapped in a corn field at Cox Farms in Fairfax County. Once on this trail of terror, small sounds in the cornstalks reveal themselves as clowns with chainsaws who jump out at you, mummies rise from their tombs, and a seven-foot tall brown grizzly bear chases visitors out of a log cabin."

To read the full review, including prices and hours, visit their site to read "Find Nightmarish Fun at Fields of Fear"
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Guest Post: The New American Trail at the National Zoo

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Published: 09/12/2012


I wouldn’t normally venture out to the Smithsonian National Zoo on a humid Saturday at the end of summer, but this wasn’t an ordinary weekend.  After two and a half years of work, the American Trail was reopening to visitors.  Did you know that this trail has been part of the National Zoo since the late 1800’s?  And that it was originally called “Beaver Valley” before they changed the name in 2007?  Or that one of the main reasons for the renovation was that the seal and sea lion pool was leaking over 100,000 gallons of water a day despite efforts to conserve the water?  Well, if you didn’t, you just learned your new thing for the day. 
Waterfall Near the Beginning of the Trail
We started at the part of the trail closest to The Elephant Outpost (which is awesome if you haven’t seen that new addition!) and worked our way down the hill.  It was late afternoon and we were finally getting a break from the sun. As we walked along the trail we experienced several of North America’s ecosystems, including coastal upland, wet forest, eastern woodland forest and the shore. The trail ignites all of your senses as it is filled with sounds of running water, a variety of green trees and flora, tall rock walls and smells of the water.
Busy Beaver!
The first animals we saw were the two American river otters.  Their exhibit is not as large as the Asian river otters’, but it was fun to watch them swim and wrestle underwater.  Next, we saw the North American beavers. The beavers were pretty active, too!  This particular exhibit hasn’t changed that much, but you do get a great view of the beavers. One was having a snack on land while the other was busy carrying sticks and such to their dam.  My girls just loved going back and forth watching the beaver work.  Also included in their exhibit are two hooded merganser ducks, but they were sound asleep on a rock when we were there.
Photo from Smithsonian National Zoo
Adjacent to the beavers are two gray wolves (the white one is beautiful).  This species has never been exhibited before at the National Zoo.  The white one was in plain view pacing his area.  The revamped exhibit allows for visitors to see the wolves better when they are out and about.  Don’t worry about the Mexican wolves the Zoo had before on exhibit on the trail. They were part of a conservation release program.
Across from the wolves is a bald eagle.  I don’t think people realize how big this bird actually is.  I noticed that the exhibit was not enclosed as I remember it being in the past.  This is because the eagle fell from its nest when it was young and can not fly.  I like the openness of the exhibit and you can get a pretty clear view from a side viewing area.
We did not actually see the raven exhibit, but there are four of them.  One of them is a rescue. This is another species the National Zoo has never had on exhibit before. 

We didn’t intentionally save the best for last, but it worked out that way!  Of course, the big talk has been about the new seal and sea lion exhibit that was being unveiled.  I don’t know how many of you remember the old exhibit for the seals and sea lions, but it was more like a huge, white-bottomed swimming pool than a natural habitat for the creatures.  This new exhibit is totally different!  You will seriously forget you are at the zoo and will be transported to the west coast once you enter this exhibit.

Photo from Smithsonian National Zoo – sign by entrance of tide pool
As we got closer, we could hear children screaming and laughing.  I thought the seals and sea lions were swimming and that’s why everyone was so excited.  I had totally forgot about the tide pool!  My tired husband suggested we walk on by so the girls wouldn’t notice.  Granted, we had been at the zoo for a LONG time by then, but I said we should go for it.  (I am trying to do more of “living in the moment” these days.  The “old” me definitely would’ve agreed with him.)  He asked if I was sure and I said let’s get these socks and shoes off!


 
Photos from Smithsonian National Zoo:  Empty tide pool

The tide pool is very kid-friendly and is surrounded with model sea stars, barnacles and sea urchins – which my 3 ½ year old loved searching for and touching.  Water shoots up from numerous holes in the ground.  I almost got caught over a couple of them, which my husband found very funny. (Did I mention I was wearing a skirt?)   Every two minutes, a “tidal wave” sweeps across the area.  The water came up to my ankles.  My 3 ½ year old would rush up to where the water would come out of and my 17 month old was trying to “catch” the water spewing from the “geysers” around us. My girls love the water, so they had a blast! After we were well soaked, we headed on to the rest of the exhibit. 
Having fun!
The first seal we saw was a gray seal.  She is a retired NAVY seal whose skills were utilized during the Cold War.  (Maybe that’s why she was napping.)  She will have three friends join her in the late fall. Two harbor seals will also join the exhibit then.  This is another species that the National Zoo has not previously exhibited.
Next, we got to see four very active California sea lions (two which are rescues) and two lazy brown pelicans.  Both pelicans have wing injuries that prevent them from being released into the wild.
Trying to touch the sea lion--how precious is that?!
The underwater viewing area was filled with adults and children alike trying to get a glimpse of the sea lions swimming by.  This is a great place to just park the stroller and let the sea lions do the entertaining.  The sea lions seemed to be showing off by swimming on their backs and looking right at us as they swam by.  I could’ve sat there longer myself, but we wanted to give other people a turn.

Photos from Smithsonian National Zoo – This is the view from the seating area pictured below.  I love the natural look and feel of it.

As we walked further along the path, we saw this huge seating area where visitors can sit and watch the keeper talks, which happen twice a day.  It would be a great place for a break or just for watching the sea lions if they are on the rocks.  However, it’s not very shady.

Photo from Smithsonian National Zoo – The hidden gem of the exhibit

We were getting ready to leave the trail when I noticed another path.  I decided to go ahead to see what it was.  I saw the sign that said “stroller parking” but the kiosk was shut down for the night.  So, I peeked in the cave and boy was I taken back!  The flooring is soft and bouncy and there is a HUGE underwater viewing area.  There is no ambient lighting behind you and except for not being wet, you feel like you are under the water.  It really felt like the floor was moving.  We took advantage of the fact that we could have our strollers in there and parked the girls for a private show.  A few other people meandered through, but other than that we had the cave to ourselves. There is also a small seating area where visitors can sit and watch.
Waiting for the Sea Lions

There is also the Seal Rock Cafe on the trail, but it was closed by the time we made it by there.  The cafe serves local Chesapeake Bay seafood meals and it even has a vegetarian option.  These meals feature local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients such as shrimp and fish.  

The National Zoo did an exceptional job with the American Trail renovation.  There is so much more to it than meets the eye.  I didn't even mention how so much for the trail was done with "green" thinking in mind.  I have spent quite some time reading about the building of the train, the exhibits, and the animals themselves.  I definitely recommend that you take the family and learn more about what treasures are around us in our own country- from flora to fauna.  The American Trail is certainly an experience for the senses as well as the mind and a great field trip for the entire family!


A Few Tips
-Bring water.  I didn't do this and had to shell out $3/bottle and it wasn't even cold.  They gave scups of ice, but bottled water was hard to come by that hot, humid day!
-Be prepared to park your stroller to enter the cave
-The closest bathrooms are a three minute walk uphill.  They actually have a sign posted with the time!
- Not all parts are shaded, dress for the weather/sun appropriately. 
Angela Pounders is a transplant to Manassas Park from Arlington.  She is blessed to be a stay at home mama to two beautiful girls.  As a former teacher (as well as preschool director and Children and Family Director), she is always on the look out for fun, easy and educational things to do with her girls.  She also loves to share her ideas and is looking to start her own blog, The Master’s Daughter, by the fall.


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Guest Post: Play is Exercise for Children

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Published: 09/06/2012

Play = Exercise
Watch a young child playing and you will notice how much they move their body.  Children will walk, run, sprint, lift, squat, jump, climb, and stretch; all of the things we pay a personal trainer to tell us to do!  The children are doing it because they enjoy it!  Play is a form of exercise for children AND parents.    During play, children are usually laughing, smiling, encouraging each other, sweating, and high fiving each other when they accomplish something together.  These children are exercising and moving their bodies, but to them they are just playing and having fun!  When we play with our children, we not only reap the benefits of exercise, we also form a stronger bond.
Children need and want to move.  As parents and child care providers, we must provide children with opportunities to move.  Children are action-orientated and like to be challenged mentally and physically.  Movement promotes physical fitness and the enhancement of a positive self-image, self-confidence, creativity, and self expression.  Movement has also been proven to stimulate the learning process.  Early motor development has been recognized by physical educators and human development specialists to be one of the most important factors in the optimum physical, mental, academic, and overall development of your child.
We are all aware of the increase in childhood obesity in Prince William County.  Obesity can lead to numerous health issues.  By encouraging movement and increasing opportunities available to our young children they will naturally develop an enjoyment of moving their bodies and gain self confidence to accomplish anything in school and life.    
Here are a few ideas to get you started:  
INFANTS
  • Bicycle baby’s legs and arms gently to stretch out large muscles.  Afterwards, lay baby on back and do push-ups, give baby a kiss for each one completed. 
  • Supervised tummy time helps back and neck strength for the baby.  Lie on your stomach beside the baby; arch your back and move arms and legs like a swimmer.  
  • Hold older baby up and encourage them to jump up and down.  Use your biceps to lift baby higher and lower gently to work your arms. 

TODDLERS
  • Use a large ball to kick around with your child.  “Race” your child to get the ball.
  • Place child’s favorite doll/toy in a wagon and have child pull.  Walk beside wagon.
  • Have an ‘aerobics class’ with your toddler.  Turn on music and stretch, jump, and dance.  Your toddler will imitate your movements.

AGES 2-3 YEAR OLDS
  • Play Monkey See, Monkey Do utilizing different arm and leg positions, bending activities and other body movements.
  • Have your child throw balls or bean bags into a laundry basket.
  • Play a simple game of Follow the Leader through an easy obstacle course, using small blocks or chairs to step or climb over.  Use the entire room.
AGES 3-4 YEAR OLDS
  • Have your child toss bean bags or balls into a box while pretending the box is a mouth of an animal that you are feeding.  
  • Set up an obstacle course with streets and bridges to go through, over, and under by driving their imaginary car, bus, or train.
  • Play imagination games where you ask your child to be different things such as an airplane, popping popcorn, a floating balloon, frog, and various animals.  Demonstrate when necessary but encourage your child to use their imagination.
AGES 4-5 YEAR OLDS
  • Have your child move to music use movement words such as:  run, gallop, hop, skip, spin, twist, jump, and roll.  ‘Freeze’ when the music stops.
  • Give your child a balloon and challenge them to keep it up in the air and not let it hit the ground.  Volley the balloon back and forth to each other.
  • Provide a tumbling mat or carpet area where they can perform somersaults and other tumbling exercises.
Get moving - you and your child will have FUN!



Kathy Harju and Christy Moore recently opened their own child care center, Above & Beyond Child Care, in Manassas.  While working together for Prince William County supervising children's programs, they both realized they had the same dream of opening their own center.  Kathy and Christy have the same positive, energetic approach to working with children and enjoy it immensely.  They have a combined total of 45 years of child care experience.  They are looking forward to serving the Manassas area and would love to meet you and your child!

Phone:  703-361-2692

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Guest Post: National Night Out in Prince William County

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Published: 08/29/2012

Anglea Pounders, a frequent contributor to PwcMoms.com, gives her feedback on the National Night Out in Manassas Park, Virginia.  For more information on National Night Out, visit their website. 
National Night Out is a nationwide event that is held the first Tuesday in August and was from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Signal Hill Park for Manassas Park. I checked out to see what other local cities were doing and let me tell you, Manassas Park really does this event up!  Not only is this a time for communities and local law enforcement to stand together against crime and interact in a laid back environment, it is a night full of fun for the family!  The night included free food, giveaways/freebies and a variety of local, state and federal vehicles to view up close and personal. We have gone to this event for several years and were looking forward to attending again this year.

We weren’t so lucky to get a parking spot on the park grounds, but we got one of the first spots in the field across the street.  Police were directing traffic by the entrance of the park, so that made it easier to get where we needed to go—both for parking and crossing the busy street with a toddler in a stroller and a preschooler in tow.

From www.manassaspark.patch.com
McGruff the Crime Dog greeted everyone as we made our way into Signal Hill Park.  As we got closer to the event area (it’s a little walk), we could hear bagpipes playing.  Finally, we saw three men all decked out in kilts serenading the group.  Live music is always a plus.
The first thing we did was to go and see the Chick-fil-A cow.  My 3½ year old is in love with that thing.  So of course, we ended up at Chick-fil-A Signal Hill’s tent.  They had a prize wheel with awesome prizes.  We left with a CFA water bottle and coupons for a free kids’ meal, a sandwich and a lemonade.  A good start to the night, I’d say!
Then, we decided to get dinner before the lines got too long and there were still tables available.  The set up was a bit different from years past.  The picnic tables were set on the other side of the pavilion away from the grills and such.  This was nice except the ground tilts on that side.  All of the tables appeared to be leaning!  It made for some tricky balancing on the table, but we survived!
They had some live music under the pavilion while we ate.  I suggest bringing a picnic blanket if you arrive later in the night so you have a place to sit.  According to Manassas Park Police via www.manassaspark.patch.com, some 3,000 people turned out for the event.  That’s a lot of water and food!!  Of course, they had the usual grilled burgers and hot dogs, but they also had pizza, cold sandwiches and Chick-fil-A sandwiches.  On the side, there was watermelon, chips, cookies and freshly made popcorn (which ran non-stop all night).  My girls were a bit too hot (it was quite humid) and excited to eat too much though.
The Aaron’s dog, Lucky, served as one of the distractions during dinner.  My 3½ year old was actually following him around!  I guess she has a thing for big, fuzzy animals. Their giveaways included a stuffed Lucky and an Aaron’s baseball cap.
Our next stop was the helicopters!  A little Miss Someone was very eager to get a closer look this year as we missed out last year.  How many people get this opportunity in their lives?
First, we saw Aircare 1, a medevac helicopter used to take patients to area hospitals.  My daughter loved sitting in the back and checking out everything.  
There was also a border patrol helicopter manned by a gentleman with a large firearm.  We got to sit inside this one as well.  They even let the children try on the headphones with microphones – very cool.
Many local, state and federal agencies had tables set up with information and giveaways like pencils, stickers and coloring sheets for the children.  Local businesses and the utility companies had tables as well.  Several of the tables had candy for the children, but we had to keep declining because we don’t do lollipops in my house.
However, we do eat sno-cones! Snowie BUS was there with free shaved ice for the children; adults had to purchase their cones.  There was a flavor station next to the bus where you could pump out your own flavoring.  A fun idea except for the bees that were hanging around!  This served as a great way of keeping my girls hydrated on such a humid, warm night.
After our little break, the family checked out the numerous vehicles on-site.  These included the typical fare such as a police car and fire engine to the not-so-typical 8-foot-tall Alpine Pit-Bull VX armored SWAT vehicle, a replica of the Delorean time machine used in the Back to the Future movies, and “Barricade,” a 2006 Ford Mustang GT used in the 2007 Transformers movie.
My 3½ year old really enjoyed checking out the SWAT vehicle and with Daddy’s help, got to stick her head out of the manhole in the roof. We even got a close up view of how big a dump truck tire is.  (It was actually very clean.)

After three hours of walking around the park, exploring the vehicles and such, everyone was ready to go home.  We were tired and sweaty, but couldn’t go without the promised freshly popped popcorn.  Who knew so many people would want popcorn!?  I waited in line forever, but my sweet girl was very patient.  There was even some watermelon left over for her little sister.
Above the glow of the police lights, God blessed us with this beautiful sunset before we left.  All in all, a fun, but tiring night!

Additional thoughts:
  • Arrive early for a good parking spot.
  • Be prepared for the weather!  There is little to no shade from the sun and it is usually humid this time of year.  Bring sun protection and stay hydrated!
  • Bring a blanket to sit on, unless you don’t mind sitting on the grass, because picnic tables fill up fast!
  • The bathrooms are located under the pavilion and were pretty decent.  (You know me and bathrooms!) Bring hand sanitizer though. 
  • Bring a bag to carry home your goodies in.  We had very minimal stuff to bring home (as I was determined not to pick up a bunch of things “just because”) but still, a bag would’ve been nice.
  • Take some time to actually talk with the law officials and thank them for what they do.  Plus, you might learn something new!
Angela Pounders is a transplant to Manassas Park from Arlington.  She is blessed to be a stay at home mama to two beautiful girls.  As a former teacher (as well as preschool director and Children and Family Director), she is always on the look out for fun, easy and educational things to do with her girls.  She also loves to share her ideas and will be starting her own blog, The Master’s Daughter, by the fall.

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Guest Post: Building Good Teacher/Day Care Provider Relationships

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Published: 08/28/2012

Building good relationships with your daycare provider/teacher
By Nicole Dash, Tiny Steps Mommy
The start of school is a time of new beginning for many families. This year, my three older children start eighth grade, first grade, and kindergarten (insert sad face here). In my daycare, I am welcoming a few new children to replace my rising kindergarteners.
For many parents with children beginning daycare, preschool, or kindergarten for the first-time, the question is always the same. How do we stay connected with our children? When they are infants, we depend on and expect their providers to relay pertinent information about what how many ounces they drink, what they eat, whether they had a BM or not, etc. As they get a little older, our child care providers and teachers may share information about what they are learning, what story they read, and what fun activities occupy their day. But, this is not all we want to know. Are they having fun? Do they have a best friend and play well with others? Are they discovering something new each day? Did someone hurt their feelings? Do they enjoy learning?
So, how do we find out the answers to all these questions? The truth is as our children grow, we have to accept that sometimes we will not know everything that happens each day. Not even a webcam can tell the whole story. As children spend more time away from us, they develop a world beyond our scope. It hurts to think about, but it is a normal part of growing up. 
There are ways, however, to gain glimpses into this world. And this is through the eyes of their teachers and child care providers. As a child care provider, I feel privileged to witness the dynamics between the children who spend so much time together. With each month, their relationships become more intricate. Some days, I feel like I am observing a social experiment. 
If you build a positive and open relationship with your child’s provider/teacher then perhaps you will hear about stories that go beyond the daily report. Here are some tips for building a relationship with your child’s daycare provider/teacher. These tips may not make a difference beyond kindergarten, but are certainly worth a try.
  1. Introduce yourself. This may seem simple, but as your child heads into a larger setting, you want your child’s teacher to know you beyond “mom of one of the students.” You want your child’s teacher to know your name, face, and perhaps something about you.
  2. Ask their preferred form of communication. Don’t bombard your teacher/provider at the end of each day. Instead ask their preferred form of communication. Let them know you want to hear stories and updates. Not just on their “academic” progress, but about their social interactions. Sometimes you just have to ask.
  3. Don’t over communicate. Just because your teacher/provider gives you his/her e-mail or cell phone number does not mean you should call or e-mail every day, on weekends, or just because. Save your phone calls and e-mails for real questions or occasional check-ins. And be patient with a response. Your teacher/provider has a personal life and may not be able to (want to) respond at midnight or on Saturdays.
  4. Volunteer your time. Find out how your provider/teacher feels about volunteers. Even if you work full-time, try to make yourself available at least once or twice a year. I have always worked, so my ability to volunteer regularly is limited. I do, however, make a point to attend special events, like Thanksgiving lunch, Mother’s Day teas, or other special events. Your teacher and children will appreciate the effort.
  5. Offer to help. Teachers and providers often spend their own money on supplies. Ask if there is anything you can provide or bring to the classroom. Even better is to simply donate supplies like tissues, glue sticks, and anti-bacterial wipes throughout the year without waiting to be asked.
  6. Get to know them. Be interested in your teacher/provider as a person. Ask them about their weekend. Get to know if they have a family. Did they grow up locally? Is this their first year teaching? Did they have a profession before teaching? Don’t interrogate, but let this getting to know you process happen organically. The more you and your provider/teacher get to know each other, the more comfortable he/she will be sharing about your child.
  7. Be appreciative. You don’t have to buy expensive gifts or make grand gestures to show your appreciation. My favorite things have been handwritten and personal cards telling me how I have made a difference. Showing your appreciation is important, because it helps teachers/providers get through the hard days.
  8. Be proactive.  If you sense a problem at school, or if your child is suddenly acting out at home, please do not wait to communicate these issues. Your teacher/provider is there to help you and your child. They may not be aware of an issue, but probably have the insight needed to fill in the blanks.
Taking these steps may not guarantee the extra information you desire, but, it can go a long way to making you feel connected. And the next time your provider/teacher witnesses a funny scenario or example of some positive accomplishment, he/she may think to pull you aside or e-mail you to tell you the story simply because of the mutual relationship.
Do you have suggestions for building a positive relationship with your child’s teacher? Do you have a story about a good or bad relationship with your child’s provider? I want to hear from you. Connect with me on the Tiny Steps Mommy Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/TinyStepsMommy) and visit www.TinyStepsMommy.com, a blog about family life and caring for children – yours and mine, to read more.
About Nicole Dash, The Tiny Steps Mommy
Nicole Dash, creator of the blog Tiny Steps Mommy (www.TinyStepsMommy.com), is a mother of four, childcare business owner and writer living in Annandale, Va. Five days a week she welcomes infants, toddlers, preschoolers and all their parents to Tiny Steps Day Care, her home-based daycare and preschool.

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