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A Message From Kathy.

“Mommy. I don’t feel so good”.

Oh, those words we dread hearing. Practice them in your mind and make preparations while they’re just an annoying thought so when the time does come, (and it will) you’ll be able to put an intelligent plan into place that works with the precision of a military maneuver.

First of all, what are the considerations for keeping your child at home? Pediatricians suggest that a mild case of the sniffles or sore throat is not sufficient reason in itself to keep your child at home, and I would suggest that a safe bet is that bosses everywhere feel the exact same way.

At my program, if your child is exhibiting a temperature of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit axillary, or more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit orally, we ask that you keep your child home for a minimum of 24 hours fever-free. If your baby has a frequent and persistent cough that limits their activities, or if they are unusually lethargic, those too are signs that compromise their ability to function in normal activities and speak of things potentially more significant. Effortful vomiting, diarrhea that cannot be contained in diapers or normal toilet use, and rashes accompanied by behavioral changes are other signals that could indicate that more serious things are yet to come.

Any consideration for keeping your baby at home is not only about whether they will be making an emerging problem even greater for themselves, but the impact it will also have in creating a situation that will have a contagious affect on their classmates and teachers. (Yes, teachers, too).

If you’re the least bit unsure, call your center and describe what’s going on, or better still, consult your doctor to find out how serious your child’s illness may actually be.

Here are some suggestions when the decision to keep your child at home seems like it is the right thing to do. Plan well in advance: You know that keeping your child at home is inevitable, so try and make it as painless for your entire “support team” as possible. Schedule each person’s role well in advance. Learn your childcare center’s policies in this regard, have your back-up caregivers in place, and know your doctor’s schedule.  Try dividing the responsibilities into shifts: A whole day off is not a pleasant option to some families, so splitting the role might be a welcome resolution. In this way, breadwinners fulfill their caring functions while only requesting just a few hours away from their jobs. Have your back-up team in place: If you’re lucky enough to have a good support crew, you might not have to miss any time at all from your job. Grandma, Aunt Jane, and retired Uncle Ernie are more than willing and able to help. Be ready to call on them and transport your child, if necessary to their homes.

Just like the anxiety of obtaining good childcare can be minimized by carefully planning in advance, so too can a day home from childcare when your child needs it most. In fact, if it coincides with a day you were planning on taking anyway, staying home to comfort and nurse a sick child can be another opportunity to create a warm and loving memory for them that will last their lifetime.

★ CHILD CARE Tips

Losing Your Sleep Over Bedtime Issues.

If you haven’t had any sleep for as long as you can remember, you have to be yearning for some relief.

Between bringing your newborn home, to a toddler that wakes up at 2 am ready to rumble, something definitely has to happen, real soon.

Start by setting up a bedtime routine. This will help them to learn when it’s time to go to sleep. Consistency is the key. Your routine should include doing the exact same thing at the exact same time every time you lay your child down to bed.

Some families read a story before putting their child into the crib or bed. Others cradle their children in a rocking chair while singing a lullaby. There’s no one-fits-all bedtime routine. As long as it’s comforting, loving, and relaxing it should work. If you’re stressed while rushing through your bedtime routine, your child will sense it and not likely go to sleep as usual. Children even know when you skip a page in the book while reading them a story and will be more than happy to let you know.

As your baby grows, the signs of his sleepiness will become more evident and begin with yawning. Pulling on his ear or rubbing his eyes are other common signs that soon follow. Some older children will take you by the hand to either the couch or their bedroom.

There’s no magical age when your child will sleep through the night. Some babies will at eight weeks, while some five year olds still get up once during the night. Go in and make certain they’re comfortable, give them a kiss, and say goodnight. The rest is up to nature.

SIDS Prevention: As a preventative measure against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be put to sleep in the follow manner:

● On a firm mattress. Never put your baby to sleep on a pillow, sheepskin, waterbed, or other soft surface.

● On their backs.

● In a room that isn’t too warm. Keep your baby’s bedroom at a temperature that’s comfortable for an adult in a short-sleeved shirt.

● In a non-smoking environment. Research shows that exposure to secondhand smoke doubles a baby’s risk of SIDS.

● Without bedding in the crib that may inhibit baby’s breathing. Once babies can roll over on their own, usually around four to seven months, they’re able to choose their own sleep position and often don’t stay on their backs. At that point, it’s safe to let them pick a sleep position on their own.

Recommended books:

Goodnight Moon

by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd

Guess How Much I Love You

by Sam McBratney

Sleepy Sun

by Mari Prescilla Hanson