Great Ideas For The Family

Genesee County Parks
March ~ Nature Preserve has wonderful children & family activities. Most are $3.00 per person, but, some are free.

Toy exchanges ~ Instead of buying new toys for your children consider trading with a friend. They may be older toys but seem brand new to your children.

Thanks Diane for these great tips!

Be Proactive During Cold and Flu Season

This time of year can be especially trying for parents who are trying to juggle the responsibilities of work and family. Children, who constantly have their fingers in their mouths in addition to other less appealing orafices, are virtual breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria. Consequently, it is a time when parents are called upon more frequently to pick up children from school who may make others sick.

I understand this challange as well as anyone. When my two oldest children were little, I was a single, working mom. I did not have family nearby who could help with them when they were too sick to go to school. One year, my son contracted chicken pox, and as soon as it looked like I could return him to school, my daughter developed symptoms. It was a full three weeks before I could return to work! However, I NEVER missed work unless I had to be home with one or both of my kids. I kept all my personal and/or sick days for such instances. That year, I had exhausted all the days alloted toward personal/sick time, and only had vacation days left. Because my superiors knew I only missed time for my kids, they made a special exception to allow me to use them. There's more. Later that spring, I developed a severe sinus infection. After being off work for three days, I returned over concern for my job. My face was badly swollen and the infection had not yet begun to clear. I worked for less than an hour when my boss took me into her office. She complemented me on my work ethic and expressed her appreciation for knowing that the only time I would miss work was to take care of my kids, but that I needed to go home until I was better.

I'm trying to say that I understand how hard it can be. Especially if you don't have family around who, for whatever reason, cannot help. So, I've developed a small list of things that I think can help all working families during this particular season.

Have a back-up plan in place, if possible. Ex: Gramma, Neighbor, etc.

Bank any personal/sick days while your children are preschool age. Your child's immune system is getting stronger and stronger with every runny nose, but they WILL need to miss school from time to time in order to provide everyone a moderatly healthy environment.

Give your child daily vitamins and other supplements. This is a blog all on it's own. See me if you have questions, or do the research online.

Make sure your child is getting the proper rest and nutrition in order to fight off illness. Again, a blog of it's own. See me, or get online!

For married couples, alternate who stays home to care for your sick child.

I trust that most parents not only understand the importance of enforcing a reasonable better health policy, but support it wholeheartedly. Occassionaly, I am faced with the frustrated parent who is understandably concerned about the consequences of missing time from work to care for their child. In every instance, I can honestly say that I have and will continue to adhere to the better health policy set forth in the handbook that each parent says they have read and agree to before signing the placement contract. I am responsible for ALL the children who attend LZP - while they are in attendance. And I believe that the majority of parents would want their children at a place where decisions are ALWAYS made based on what is best for children.

Miss Crystal's 2 Cents

It's me Miss Crystal.... on our blog you will be able to experience the knowledge of 3 ladies, who all happen to work at Learning Zone Preschool! To kick off our blog I will post a old post that was on our website... www.LZPdaycare.com.
Being Active with your children:

Staying active! Help your child develop good physical activity habits at an early age. You might be thinking, “Crystal, how can I do that?” Well, I have some great tips to help you and your child. Limit time on the tv, video games, computer, and movies. Get them outside moving around. Plan family outings that involve physical activities such as biking, hiking, swimming, etc. Give your child more chores around that house that require physical exertion. Take advantage of you communities recreation opportunities, such as soccer leagues, T-ball, gymnastics, etc. Help your child live a long and happy life, by helping them stay active.