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It is amazing how quickly homework moves from sweet arts and crafts or basic informational projects to some pretty serious assignments that require concentration. I can still hear my parents remarking how funny I looked as a small girl struggling with my heavy backpack and a set of books that were nearly as big as […]

Okay, so you are well on your way with your personal journey of getting organised, right? RIGHT? But what about your kids? Are they organised enough to be successful in school? A cluttered workspace, backpack and brain will not provide the foundation for the success you and your child are hoping they will achieve. And […]

Don’t know much about history; Don’t know much about biology; Don’t know much about science book; Don’t know much about the French I took. But what I do know is…. How to have a great first day of school! We might have had fun with Sam Cooke’s famous song but we are very serious about […]

“Mommy, can we have a pway date with Ewica?” your three year old asks, one morning. “Sure, honey, let me check in with Erica’s mommy, okay?” Erica’s parents work outside the home and have a nanny, so Erica’s mom suggests that you talk to the nanny, Matilda, directly to set up a play date. Just like at […]

The start of school is right around the corner and it’s time to start gearing up for it. One of the things you can always do, to prepare your kids for school and for life, is to help them to develop their reading skills!   Share these ideas with your caregivers: they can help with […]

By Chris Farley Ratcliffe I was a babysitter for many years in my youth. I was the oldest kid in my group in the neighbourhood. At 12 years old I started babysitting the younger kids. It was sometimes an awkward situation since some of them were my friends. I babysat for about five years. Less […]

Most parents know intuitively that teaching their kids to be respectful of adults, including Nanny, is an important part of parenting. But have they ever thought about why it is so important and why it is particularly important to get this right with Nanny? What is being respectful? When you have respect for someone you […]

Hot! Hot! Hot! We spend months bemoaning the cold and dreaming of warmer days. Be careful what you wish for because it can get really hot at the height of summer! If your family is feeling the effects of the blistering sun, try some of these fun ways to beat the summer heat: Running through […]

It’s summer and the kids want to be outside enjoying the sun. Gosh, those wonderful days of summer as a kid. Simply awesome! That is until someone gets burnt! But sunburns – which can bring tears and pain and long-term damage – are avoidable. Here are some tips for Moms and Dads and Nannies and […]

Whether you are hiring a new Nanny or have had a Nanny for a while now, you need to ask yourself honestly if you have been clear about Nanny’s responsibilities. And if you think you do not need to do this because things are going so smoothly, think again. Why? For three reasons: Over time, […]

By Natalia McPhedran Ever have a show-off in your house? Has your child ever had a friend over who hogs all their decisions and decides what they’re going to play, and you wish you could stomp over and tell him that he’s not the boss? (I know you have) Let’s talk attitudes— shall we? While […]

Keeping up with the kids during the summer months can be exhausting! Not just because they are home from school, constantly under foot but also because they have so much energy to burn. Babysitters can be a great way to give you a break but can also be a big part of making summer as […]