Q. Hi I am 15 years old and I was asked to babysit 6 children, and to ask a friend. I asked my family friend who is 19 years old so both of us will be babysitting the kids.
The ages are 7, 5.5, two 4.5, 2.5, and 10 months old.
Only two of the kids are girls.
Supposedly they are all easy children.
Any tips to handling everyone? Activities we could do to keep the busy, etc? How to stay organized?
The ages are 7, 5.5, two 4.5, 2.5, and 10 months old.
Only two of the kids are girls.
Supposedly they are all easy children.
Any tips to handling everyone? Activities we could do to keep the busy, etc? How to stay organized?
A. First of all, I would split up the kids. For instance, I would take the kids that are 4.5-7 (all of whom should be more independent), and I'd ask the other sitter to take the 2.5 year old and the 10 month old. You could also ask the other sitter to take the 4.5 year old, leaving you with the 5 and 7 year olds. Or vice versa (you could take the younger ones). I prefer caring for the older children, so I have listed for you the way I would go about this.
If you are caring for the infant and the toddler, you'll want to make sure that you are watching them around the clock, and keeping them happy. Play with toys, get down on the floor, be interactive.
For the older kids...it really varies on "handling them". Do these children get along with one another? That is usually the biggest problem...sibling rivalry. I usually bring along with me board games, crafts, and maybe a ball.
This one ball can be used for indoor games like monkey in the middle, silent ball, or even hot potato; and also the typical outdoor games. Crafts can be whatever you want to make out of them. With that many children, I'd keep it simple. I bought a great "Spin Art" kit from Meijer which was a huge hit. I also like the "Color Wonder" paints (no mess!), though crafts are endless in possibilities.
How will the weather be? With four kids, tag is great. As is hide and seek (which can also be played indoors). Then of course there are the typical outdoor games (Football, etc.). Ride bikes, shoot hoops, possibly put together a scavenger hunt.
Also if you are indoors with the older kids, you could always make a fort! They normally LOVE that!
Of course keep all of the children fed and well cared for. If this runs into the evening, I usually would bring the kids in and calm them down an hour or two before bed time. Watch a movie. That is a great way for the kids to unwind and get prepared for bed. Read books to any children that request it, and get them to bed! Once they are sleeping soundly, enjoying the rest of the evening for yourself, but be sure to check on the kids frequently.
Best of luck, and have fun!!!
~ Kris
If you are caring for the infant and the toddler, you'll want to make sure that you are watching them around the clock, and keeping them happy. Play with toys, get down on the floor, be interactive.
For the older kids...it really varies on "handling them". Do these children get along with one another? That is usually the biggest problem...sibling rivalry. I usually bring along with me board games, crafts, and maybe a ball.
This one ball can be used for indoor games like monkey in the middle, silent ball, or even hot potato; and also the typical outdoor games. Crafts can be whatever you want to make out of them. With that many children, I'd keep it simple. I bought a great "Spin Art" kit from Meijer which was a huge hit. I also like the "Color Wonder" paints (no mess!), though crafts are endless in possibilities.
How will the weather be? With four kids, tag is great. As is hide and seek (which can also be played indoors). Then of course there are the typical outdoor games (Football, etc.). Ride bikes, shoot hoops, possibly put together a scavenger hunt.
Also if you are indoors with the older kids, you could always make a fort! They normally LOVE that!
Of course keep all of the children fed and well cared for. If this runs into the evening, I usually would bring the kids in and calm them down an hour or two before bed time. Watch a movie. That is a great way for the kids to unwind and get prepared for bed. Read books to any children that request it, and get them to bed! Once they are sleeping soundly, enjoying the rest of the evening for yourself, but be sure to check on the kids frequently.
Best of luck, and have fun!!!
~ Kris
We will be having a fun day to mark the end of the school year. I need ideas for infant and toddler fun day?
Q. I work at Early Head Start and we are limited in what we can do. Last year we did a carnival day and the year before that we had a Luau. We can't think of an easy theme for this year..any ideas?
we are required to have a fun day theme.
we are required to have a fun day theme.
A. Have a "Beach Day" or "Water Play Day"
This is assuming you have an adequate outdoor area, of course.
Set out a few wading pools, water sprinklers, slides, etc. The children will bring their bathing suits,towels and sunscreen and just enjoy a day outdoors in a less-structured environment. Have a sand table with lots of digging toys available; a small tub of sand with seashells; a bubble center, and so on. You can have a picnic-style lunch with popsicles.
Not a whole lot of work in terms of decorations, props, etc. but loads of fun for the kids.
This is assuming you have an adequate outdoor area, of course.
Set out a few wading pools, water sprinklers, slides, etc. The children will bring their bathing suits,towels and sunscreen and just enjoy a day outdoors in a less-structured environment. Have a sand table with lots of digging toys available; a small tub of sand with seashells; a bubble center, and so on. You can have a picnic-style lunch with popsicles.
Not a whole lot of work in terms of decorations, props, etc. but loads of fun for the kids.
what to know before buying a cat in the UK?
Q. I'm looking to buy a kitten as a pet, from a breeder.
However, I don't want to take any chances so I need to know EVERYTHING you need to look for when buying the kitten, such as seeing the parents and visiting them at least once.
I'm not having much luck so if someone could tell me or give a link to something?
if theres something special about the breeds, its a tonkinese or an oriental shorthair I'm planning on getting.
thank you. :)
However, I don't want to take any chances so I need to know EVERYTHING you need to look for when buying the kitten, such as seeing the parents and visiting them at least once.
I'm not having much luck so if someone could tell me or give a link to something?
if theres something special about the breeds, its a tonkinese or an oriental shorthair I'm planning on getting.
thank you. :)
A. Do research on the breed of cat you are considering, and investigate the pedigree if your new pet (family member) has a family history of disease. I recommend finding out all you can about the breeds habits; example: is the breed playful- this could be helpful if you want your new family member to be good with children.
Ask yourself questions and know what the answer is before you decide to bring home a new family member, questions to ask yourself.
Do I want an indoor-outdoor cat? Or - Do I want an indoor only cat? The answer could determine how long your new family member lives (usually indoor cats live longer).
Can I afford vet bills?
I like my furniture and curtains more than I would like my new family member, as cats (especially as
kittens) can destroy curtains, furniture, rugs, bedspreads, and much more.
Is there any person in my household who may be allergic to my new family member?
Can I tolerate my new family member shedding its hair everywhere?
Do I want my new family member to be male or female?
Male cats have been known to require special diets or food because cheaper foods can cause a build up of particles in their uretha, which makes them unable to urinate due to a blockage, this is deadly to the cat unless surgery is done to remove the blockage, to prevent the blockage from happening again the cat will require an expensive special diet or cat food most likely that has to be purchased from the vet's office.
Indoor cats can live many years, my sister-in-law's cat was 25 years old when he passed, it was very sad.
Do you have any other family members (dogs, etc) that will not tolerate the new family member?
Do you plan on having your new family member declawed (please don't do this if the cat will be outdoors, other cats will win a cat fight if they have all of their claws).
Can you deal with the odor of the cat box?
Can you clean the cat box DAILY, this is a task that should be done daily or twice per day and make your new family member much happier.
If a catbox gets too full, the cat will start going other places in the home.
Other family members (dogs) will possibly start "doing what comes natural" in the same place the new family member will go to do the "natural" business as other family members have a very sensitive nose.
Something you probably already know, cats don't listen or follow rules easily and tend to do what ever they want to do, sleep, eat, play, then sleep, eat, play..sometimes they won't want anything to do with you at all.
What ever you decide as long as you are prepared for your new family member, give him or her attetion when ever you can, cats love to lay in your lap, or on top of your head when you are trying to sleep. Cats by instinct seek heat, and will crawl under the covers with you, sometimes a cat will seem as though you are the last person they want anything to do with, other times they will not leave you alone. If they want attention from you and you give it to him or her they will let you know they appreciate your affection by a warm vibrating purrrrr.
Only a couple of other things to think about, and one of them is very important! If there is or will be an infant in the home, wait to get the cat! If you are pregnant, don't handle the cat box. Some cats will catch bugs and mice, and some will just watch them "walk on by." Strings are great toys as well as balls, make sure you don't leave a string around when they are by their self, they could try to swallow the string, and for a ball make sure it is big enough not to be swallowed.
Teach your cat (if you can) to stay off of the kitchen and table areas (they have been in the catbox).
I wish you well in your decision, and if you do get a new family member I hope you will both be happy. There are many cats in shelters, or cats born from a litter needing a new home, which they will beleive is their home, and you are there to take care of her and her home (or him).
I know you said you were considering getting a cat from a breeder, if you do PLEASE ASK TO SEE THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF WHERE THE CAT CAME FROM!
I don't want to give breeders a bad name, I'm sure there are many good breeders, however unfortunately there are bad breeders as well.
When you get a cat from a breeder I think there is a huge chance of disease, feline leukemia, peritonitis, distemper, diabetes, AIDS, and herpes as well as many others.
Ask yourself questions and know what the answer is before you decide to bring home a new family member, questions to ask yourself.
Do I want an indoor-outdoor cat? Or - Do I want an indoor only cat? The answer could determine how long your new family member lives (usually indoor cats live longer).
Can I afford vet bills?
I like my furniture and curtains more than I would like my new family member, as cats (especially as
kittens) can destroy curtains, furniture, rugs, bedspreads, and much more.
Is there any person in my household who may be allergic to my new family member?
Can I tolerate my new family member shedding its hair everywhere?
Do I want my new family member to be male or female?
Male cats have been known to require special diets or food because cheaper foods can cause a build up of particles in their uretha, which makes them unable to urinate due to a blockage, this is deadly to the cat unless surgery is done to remove the blockage, to prevent the blockage from happening again the cat will require an expensive special diet or cat food most likely that has to be purchased from the vet's office.
Indoor cats can live many years, my sister-in-law's cat was 25 years old when he passed, it was very sad.
Do you have any other family members (dogs, etc) that will not tolerate the new family member?
Do you plan on having your new family member declawed (please don't do this if the cat will be outdoors, other cats will win a cat fight if they have all of their claws).
Can you deal with the odor of the cat box?
Can you clean the cat box DAILY, this is a task that should be done daily or twice per day and make your new family member much happier.
If a catbox gets too full, the cat will start going other places in the home.
Other family members (dogs) will possibly start "doing what comes natural" in the same place the new family member will go to do the "natural" business as other family members have a very sensitive nose.
Something you probably already know, cats don't listen or follow rules easily and tend to do what ever they want to do, sleep, eat, play, then sleep, eat, play..sometimes they won't want anything to do with you at all.
What ever you decide as long as you are prepared for your new family member, give him or her attetion when ever you can, cats love to lay in your lap, or on top of your head when you are trying to sleep. Cats by instinct seek heat, and will crawl under the covers with you, sometimes a cat will seem as though you are the last person they want anything to do with, other times they will not leave you alone. If they want attention from you and you give it to him or her they will let you know they appreciate your affection by a warm vibrating purrrrr.
Only a couple of other things to think about, and one of them is very important! If there is or will be an infant in the home, wait to get the cat! If you are pregnant, don't handle the cat box. Some cats will catch bugs and mice, and some will just watch them "walk on by." Strings are great toys as well as balls, make sure you don't leave a string around when they are by their self, they could try to swallow the string, and for a ball make sure it is big enough not to be swallowed.
Teach your cat (if you can) to stay off of the kitchen and table areas (they have been in the catbox).
I wish you well in your decision, and if you do get a new family member I hope you will both be happy. There are many cats in shelters, or cats born from a litter needing a new home, which they will beleive is their home, and you are there to take care of her and her home (or him).
I know you said you were considering getting a cat from a breeder, if you do PLEASE ASK TO SEE THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF WHERE THE CAT CAME FROM!
I don't want to give breeders a bad name, I'm sure there are many good breeders, however unfortunately there are bad breeders as well.
When you get a cat from a breeder I think there is a huge chance of disease, feline leukemia, peritonitis, distemper, diabetes, AIDS, and herpes as well as many others.
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