It's hard on every working mom to say goodbye to her kids. Add in tears, crying, and clinging, and daycare drop-off can be really rough on both baby and mom! Make leaving for the day a little easier with these tips. PACK A LOVEY Your little one's beloved comfort object is a must-include when packing her diaper bag. If your child doesn't have a lovey, help her pick a favorite toy to bring to daycare, that way she'll have a bit of home with her at all times. Warning: Do not und

The first two years of my son’s life, I was a working mom with a son in daycare. Then, after my daughter was born, I decided I wanted to stay home with my kids. But financially, giving up a second income all together was not an option, so we decided to open a small family daycare out of the home. I retired from daycare almost a year ago and think about those years often when I meet new moms who are putting their child in daycare for the first time. I always like to offer advi

After a long day at work, the last thing a tired parent wants to do is engage in a daycare pick-up battle with a child who isn’t quite ready to leave playtime with friends and head home. Your child is happy to see you, of course, but sometimes they have a funny way of showing it! Have you had days like this? Members of the Family Room blog team are sharing their favorite tips for making the end-of-day child care routine a little easier. One universal tip that our mom bloggers

Offer a safe environment. Successful preschools set-up their space to allow children to safely explore the world around them which builds confidence, independence, and self-esteem. Owen’s preschool classroom is filled with discovery centers that encourage kids to take a hands-on approach to learning. There are often interesting (and sometimes gross) items decaying in a jar, a place to practice building ramps, potatoes growing in a bucket, and a pretend kitchen/vet/farmer’s ma

You run a million lists through your head all day, every day, but when it comes to what to ask for from a day care center, you're stumped. Especially if this is your first child care rodeo, it's much too easy to forget to ask something that really matters to you. You don't want to leave out any detail about your child's safety and well-being. Experts including Barbara Willer, deputy executive director of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), re

Is your child being bullied at school? In a Harris Poll from February 2014, 60 percent of respondents said they or someone they know have been or are now being bullied in school. A groundbreaking new study on peer victimization among tweens and teens, published in the March 2014 issue of Pediatrics, associated bullying with worsening physical and psychological health, depression, and self-worth over time. To prevent the lasting effects of bullying, the study emphasized the im

Imagine your teenager asks to borrow your frontal executive network rather than your shoes today? Sounds laughable? You've actually been lending it to her since she was a toddler. Think back to your child's third birthday party. The parents all stayed at the party in order to follow their child through the chaos, squashing their impulse to grab a present, drying tears after they didn't get the first piece of cake, and keeping an eye out for the first steps in the "bathroom da

Start with play therapy at home… Even little figures, stuffed toys, or puppets will work. Have your little-actors experience a transition to a different place, but don’t forget to act-out some coping tactics. Have a dialog around the transition with your kiddos in a constructive way and try to not allow your own personal concern about the transformation show too much. Try visiting the school as quickly as you can this summer... If they offer parent-visitor days you and your k

Choosing a childcare center can be a difficult and long process. To help make this important decision easier and less stressful, consider making search and review plans. Then, add these strategies to make sure you’ve covered the major details. Remember that even a good center with a positive reputation may not be the right one for your family. It’s up to you to get all the details to make the best childcare choice for your family’s needs and it begins with learning how to cho