Parenting
by gleefulblogger

Memories from your Childhood – #ThankfulThursdays

July 8, 2017
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“Childhood Memories are Happiness Elixir of Life”

Childhood the most amazing time of life – it’s just not said for the beauty of it, but for a simple fact everything is awesome ‘being a CHILD’. Your best friend is the world to you, fairy-tales come alive during nights, you talk to plants/grass/trees and no one looks at you in a quizzical way. Everything bears the badge of ‘MY Favourite’ and mother loved you most when you were a child 😉 plus what is ‘worry’? never heard of that being a kid!!

 

childhood memories

I bet each one of us have some amazing childhood memories, I had many and yes they are truly wonderful. I am fortunate to relive those whenever we cousins meet-up for reunions or get together. #ThankfulThursday is giving us a chance to revisit our childhood memories, I am thankful for that 🙂

Childhood memory of – “What Do You Wish To Become When You Grow Up?” question.

childhood memories

When my school principal asked me this question many many years ago (can’t mention the age here 😉 ) in-front of the entire school on some special day, I remember answering her with full confidence and grace – “Ma’am I want to become Helen!!”

Needless to say I was rechristened as Helen in school and principal never forget to mention that to my folks during parents-teachers meet. Phew… all I wanted to become that time was an exceptionally good dancer with all those fancy clothes and glamours make-up.

Childhood memory of ghost of the mirror

Summer vacation was the most fun time during school days in North India, we get to spend good 2 months at home with cousins and aunts who come to stay for vacations. I recall one such incident where my cousin sister (who is marginally elder to me) told me a scary COOKED-UP story of a ghost entering her mirror and during nights if anyone looks in the mirror, they can see their face turning into a ghost’s. 😀 can it get any more weirder than this.. today I laugh it off but during those days Oh Man! I was so scared of mirrors at home. Post 9 p.m I would shut my eyes and never look towards any mirror.

Childhood Memory of Parroting English Songs

childhood memories

English Pop Music was a craze during 90’s, MTV was launched around that time in India and at school “who knows this song”, “which is that singer” competition was at peak. As for putting up the best impression of Cool tag, I would sit in front of television set with pen and paper and try my level hard to understand what Bryan Adams or MJ or Enrique is singing (and mind it I come from a very small industrial town of Uttar Pradesh, Firozabad – which is famous of it’s glass work and bangles)

Coming back to my memory, when exam results came out and Dad found I was more keen in writing songs instead of mathematics – cable connection was terminated indefinitely.

Memories are beautiful, make sure you preserve them for lifetime. Treasure your Motherhood Memories for the precious little ones.

Linking Up this post with #ThankfulThursdays by Tina Amrita Mayuri  Deepa

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Hiring a live-in nanny

How to Prepare for a Live-In Nanny

July 24, 2024
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Hiring a live-in nanny is a significant decision that can greatly enhance your family’s daily life by providing dedicated childcare and household support. However, it requires meticulous research, planning, and preparation to ensure a smooth transition and a positive experience for both the family and the nanny.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for a live-in nanny.

Define Your Needs and Expectations

Before you start searching for a live-in nanny, it’s crucial to clearly define your family’s needs and expectations. Determine what tasks the nanny will be responsible for, such as childcare, meal preparation, housekeeping, and driving. Establish the nanny’s working hours, including start and end times, days off, and flexibility for overtime if needed. Identify your parenting style and any specific childcare practices you want the nanny to follow. Outline any household rules and guidelines that the nanny should adhere to, such as curfews, guest policies, and use of household amenities.

Prepare a Comfortable Living Space

Creating a comfortable and private living space for your live-in nanny is essential for fostering a positive working relationship. Ensure that the nanny’s living quarters are private, providing a separate bedroom and, if possible, a private bathroom to give the nanny their own space. Equip the room with basic furniture, including a bed, dresser, nightstand, and possibly a desk or seating area. Ensure the room has adequate lighting, ventilation, and access to essential amenities such as Wi-Fi. Add personal touches such as fresh linens, toiletries, and some decor to make the space feel inviting.

Undertake Legal and Contractual Preparations

After using dedicated nanny recruitment agencies to find your ideal nanny, you need to establish a clear and legally sound employment agreement. This contract should outline a detailed list of duties and responsibilities, specific working hours, days off, and any expectations for overtime or weekend work. Clearly define the nanny’s salary, payment schedule, and any additional benefits such as health insurance, paid vacations, and sick leave. Describe the living space provided and any related house rules. Include conditions under which the agreement can be ceased by either party. It’s a good idea to speak with a legal professional to ensure that your employment contract complies with local labor laws and regulations.

Prepare Your Family

Introduce the idea of a live-in nanny to your family, especially your children, to ensure everyone is comfortable with the arrangement. Explain the nanny’s responsibilities and how they will be part of the household. Set clear boundaries regarding privacy and personal space for both the family and the nanny. Emphasize the importance of treating the nanny with respect and maintaining open lines of communication.

Conduct a Thorough Hiring Process

Finding the right live-in nanny involves a meticulous hiring process. Use various platforms to advertise the job, including online job boards, nanny agencies, and local community boards. Review résumés, conduct phone interviews, and check references to narrow down your list of candidates. Invite top candidates for in-person interviews to assess their compatibility with your family. Consider offering a trial period to observe the nanny’s performance and ensure they are a good fit for your household.

Create a Welcoming Environment

Making the nanny feel welcome is crucial for building a positive working relationship. On their first day, introduce the nanny to all family members and give them a tour of your home. Explain household routines, emergency procedures, and any specific instructions related to childcare or household tasks. Provide a welcome package with essentials such as keys, a list of emergency contacts, a map of the local area, and any other relevant information.

Establish Clear Communication Channels

Effective communication is key to a successful live-in nanny arrangement. Set up regular check-ins to discuss the week’s activities, address any concerns, and plan for upcoming tasks. Encourage open and honest feedback from both sides to continually improve the working relationship. Ensure the nanny knows how to reach you in case of emergencies and keep each other informed about any schedule changes or important events.

hiring a live-in nanny

Set Boundaries and Respect Privacy

While a live-in nanny is a part of your household, it’s important to respect their privacy and personal time. Clearly define the nanny’s off-duty hours and respect their need for personal time. If certain areas of the home are shared, establish guidelines to ensure everyone’s comfort and privacy. Avoid entering the nanny’s private living quarters without permission.

Provide Ongoing Support and Training

To ensure the nanny can perform their duties effectively, provide ongoing support and training. Encourage the nanny to attend relevant training sessions or workshops to enhance their skills. Ensure they have access to resources such as books, educational materials, and any tools they need to perform their duties. Be available to answer questions, provide guidance, and offer support whenever needed.

Conclusion

Preparing for a live-in nanny involves thorough planning, clear communication, and a commitment to creating a supportive and respectful environment. By following the above advice, you can ensure a smooth transition and a positive experience for both your family and your nanny. With the right preparation, a live-in nanny can become a valuable addition to your household, providing excellent care and support for your children and contributing to a harmonious home life.

Copyright

©Dipika Singh. This article is the property of the site’s author. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger). With the right and specific direction to the original content.

healthy meal plans for kids

6 Innovative Ideas to Make Tasty & Healthy Meals For Kids

July 24, 2019
34

If there is one thing that all moms universally dread is their children complaining – “Ma, I don’t want to eat what you have put on my plate!”. Life as a mom is indeed beautiful – there are plenty of cuddles, sweet baby talks, free hugs, kisses, and more. Then, there’s the other side – feeding a picky eater, especially during early morning rush hours. As a mom, I keep hunting for easy ideas of making tasty and healthy meals for kids.

healthy meal for kids ideas for picky eaters

Nothing is as frustrating as watching your child throw yet another tantrum for eating, or opening the barely-touched lunch boxes when your child comes home from school. So, is there any way to handle picky eaters without losing your sanity? How to ensure that your child’s meal is tasty as well as nutrition-rich?

Guys, we’ve got some excellent tips for you right here. This is the REAL deal – ingenious tips on how to make your child’s meals tastier and healthier, from other mommies just like you and me. We hope you enjoy this as much as we did and pick a tip or two that works for your family.

1. Fun Shapes and Creative Presentation – Healthy Meals for Kids

Kids love colors. If you’ve got a picky eater who runs a mile on seeing veggies, curries, and gravies on their plate, then this one’s for you. Instead of serving veggies and fruits as regular salads or curries, present it in new ways – you can give them popsicle sticks made of fresh fruit juice, veggie kebabs (raw cubed vegetables on a stick and drizzled with seasoning), fruits and veggies cut in fun shapes (use cookie cutters) and so on.

2. Load your Pantry with Nutritious, Kid-Approved Brands

You’ve got to rush to work, the kid has to get ready for school/day-care, and who has the time to arrange food meticulously, especially during the morning rush? We get you. It’s not possible to create a beautiful masterpiece in the kitchen all the time.

This is where kid-approved brands like PediaSure, the No.1 Toddler Health Drink, can come to your rescue. Filled with essential nutrients and minerals, adding a couple of scoops of PediaSure to your child’s milk not only makes the drink tastier but also healthier and filling. Serve them chilled PediaSure milk as a milkshake. You can even mix it up by using different flavors like vanilla, chocolate or even Kesar badam.

It’s a win-win for all. No more food strikes, as PediaSure is kids-liked taste, and you can feel happy knowing that your child has got their fill of daily nutrients.

3. Healthy meals for Kids – Switch the Ingredients of their Favorite Dishes –

Let’s say that your child loves pasta. Then, instead of giving them pasta made with refined flour, you can opt for whole-wheat pasta. This way, you can add an extra dose of nutrients to your child’s favorite meals. Other ideas include making Rotis with beetroot flour, pancakes with millet flour, etc.

Look for different ways to recreate your child’s favorite dishes with healthier ingredients.

4. Get Your Child Involved in the Healthy Meal Planning and Cooking

When your children are involved in the kitchen like – stirring, picking ingredients, plucking greens – then they are more likely to eat the meals you have prepared. However, make sure that you don’t give knives or let children unsupervised in the kitchen. Keep an eye on them at all times. Remember, they are not cooking, but just getting involved.

5. Extraordinary Eggs are Best wholesome and healthy meals for Kids

easy ideas for make tasty and healthy meals for kids

Eggs are a great source of protein. Most kids don’t like eggs. Here’s a way to get your kids to finish off their eggs – place a few large cookie cutters on the frying pan. Crack open an egg into it, load it up with veggies and cheese. Cook for a few minutes, remove the cookie cutter, toss and cook on the other side. The most delicious healthy meal in itself for anyone.

6. Draw a Face on It

This works for pancakes, dosa, rotis, and even waffles. Make a round pancake, dosa, or roti. Decorate it like a face – with olives or cut grapes for the eyes, carrot sticks for the nose, a peeled banana for the mouth. Your kid will love the funny face, and you get to sneak in veggies and fruits as well.

Use one or all of these ideas, and make mealtimes fun and healthy. So what are some of the ways that you use to make foods fun and healthier? Tell us in the comments below!

COPYRIGHT NOTICE –

© Dipika Singh. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger). With the right and specific direction to the original content.

DISCLAIMER –The content is not for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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