Thrifty Thursdays: Swap Babysitting
Now that the holiday season is in full swing, it seems like I have a party or event to attend almost every other night. (It doesn't help that so many of my friends are Sagittarians and I have to celebrate birthdays left and right.) To save what would be a small fortune in babysitting, I've been talking to other parents about babysitting swaps.
Here's how it works: You find other parents -- preferably friends and family who you know and trust, and whose kids your child likes to play with -- who are in the same bind (they need to attend a party or have to finish their holiday shopping, or even need an hour or so to get their hair done for an upcoming holiday gathering). Then, you babysit their kids while they do what they need to do and vice versa.
It's win-win for everyone. Your child and his friends get to play together while you and the other parents save money on babysitting. (Amazingly, that same little boy who clings to me when he sees me getting dressed to go out barely has time to give me a hug and a kiss goodnight when he's playing with a friend.) The only glitch may be if all the couples in your circle decide they want to attend a Christmas Eve party, for instance. In that case, you may want to consider relatives who you know will be staying home, such as a couple with a new baby or grandma and grandpa.
So set up some babysitting swaps and enjoy those holiday celebrations!
More Thrifty Thursdays Blogs:
Whew! Zhu Zhu Pets are Off the Hook
Here's a big sigh of relief for all those parents who've bought -- or are hoping to buy -- Zhu Zhu Pets for their kids. A new finding by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has found that Zhu Zhu Pets do meet federal safety standards for toxic chemicals after all.
The popular hit toy had been identified by consumer watchdog group Good Guide as having higher-than-acceptable levels of antimony, a toxic chemical that can has been linked to cancer and heart and lung problems after prolonged exposure. But analysis by the CPSC has determined that Good Guide's testing system, which measures compounds found on the surface of the toy, was different from the one required by the federal government, which uses solubility tests.
In a recent press release, Good Guide states, "While we accurately reported the chemical levels in the toys that we measured using our testing method, we should not have compared our results to federal standards. We regret this error." They've also explained their testing method in a blog.
So while Mr. Squiggles may be off the hook for now, it looks like more than a few irate parents are now going to be left wondering just how reliable Good Guide's safety tests are, which is a shame. There are lots of potentially-toxic kids' toys and products out there, and we parents could all use some reliable information.
Fun Brain-Building Board Games for Grade-Schoolers
Your kids may be clamoring for the latest trendy toys in their letters to Santa, but consider adding a challenging brain-building game or two to the list. Grade-school age kids are developing math and verbal skills every day, and are really able to enjoy mind-challenging board games.
Just this past weekend, my 8-year-old son played chess and Monopoly with friends and family, and I was amazed to see how much his skills had grown in just a few months. He not only beat grown-ups at chess, but he also acted as the "banker" in Monopoly (and made change without any help!).
Board games can come in especially handy during family get-togethers over the holidays, when you have lots of grandkids and cousins of all ages running around. So get some great board games and get your game on!
Are Zhu Zhu Pets Unsafe?
As parents scramble to find Zhu Zhu Pets (and their accessories!) to fulfill their kids' Christmas wish list, a new report by Good Guide, a group that works with a range of non-profit organizations to educate the public about health, environmental, and social issues, has found that they may contain a potentially-harmful chemical called antimony. According to the report, the hair on Mr. Squiggles was found to contain unacceptably high levels of this chemical, which has been linked to cancer, heart, and lung problems.
Meanwhile Zhu Zhu Pets' manufacturer, Cepia LLC, says it stands by the safety of its toys and says the Zhu Zhus passed rigorous testing standards.
To see the report about Zhu Zhus, or the potentially-toxic content in other hot toys this season, check out Good Guide's list of chemicals in toys.
The Santa Talk
My son, who is 8 years old, just wrote his letter to Santa this week. It was one of the sweetest yet. He wrote, "Dear Santa. I don't want you to work too hard on Christmas night, so I only have a request for one present: Wii Ski, the Wii game. Thank you! Love, Sam." Then he added, "P.S. I am very, very thankful for what you have given me in the past."
The thing that's remarkable (aside from my son's gratitude and concern for Santa's well being) is that my son had expressed suspicions about Santa as much as two years ago. Not too long after my friend's husband, Ben, dressed up as Santa at a kids' Christmas party, my son asked me where Ben had been when Santa visited. I told him that Ben had probably been in the kitchen. Then my son looked me in the eye and asked, "Mom, have you ever lied to me?'" I squirmed and said, "What do you mean?" whereupon my son asked, "Was that really Santa?"
Now really sweating under the hot lights of interrogation, I said, "I believe in the magic of Santa." That seemed to satisfy him, and I breathed a huge sigh of relief and tucked him into bed.
Since then, we are coming upon another Christmas with a heartfelt letter to Santa. I've spoken to a number of other third-grade parents who said their kids don't believe in Santa anymore. I am not sure if my son has talked to their kids about this, but I'm reluctant to even bring up the subject with my child. After all, wouldn't it be great if we could all believe in Santa for as long as possible? No matter what your faith or background, couldn't we all do with more magic and love in our childhood memories?
Have you had the Santa talk with your child yet?
Working Off Your Feast
I don't know about you, but my family and I collectively threw our diet and exercise plans out the window and feasted on yummy Thanksgiving goodies this past weekend. If, like me, you are stuffed full of stuffing, turkey, and pies (and still working through the leftovers), you're probably looking forward to a week of light meals and exercise.
A great way to get back to a workout routine is by taking a fun exercise class. There are also lots of fun ways to get fit together as a family, and even great ideas to get reluctant little couch potatoes on the move. So re-start your healthy eating habits, put on your workout clothes, and work off that Thanksgiving feast!
Where to Find Great Cyber Monday Deals
Last Friday, a.k.a. Black Friday, marked the official start of the holiday shopping season. Today is known as Cyber Monday, the day when most folks return to work and continue their shopping online from their desks.
If you are thinking of continuing or starting your shopping online today, check out this list of great Cyber Monday deals.
Ready to Do Some Online Shopping?
If you are not one of those intrepid souls who will be hitting the stores on Black Friday, here's a great online shopping gift guide, complied just for you by the guides on About.com's Parenting Channel. You're sure to find something for everyone on your list. Happy Shopping!
Gifts for MomGifts for the Whole Family
Gifts for Babies
Gifts for Kids
Gift for Teens and Young Adults
Gifts for Grandparents
Gifts for Teachers
Family Movies Gift Ideas
Got Holiday Stress?
Are you feeling some holiday stress this Thanksgiving? Between trying to get things done at work to make time for the holiday break, cooking, hosting or traveling to see family, and possibly dealing with family friction, you may find yourself wondering if all the effort is worth it.
If you're feeling the holiday stress, take some time for yourself and recharge, even if it's just a quick walk outside. Spending a few moments just reflecting about the positive things in your life can do wonders for your outlook and your ability to handle holiday stress. And try these holiday-stress relief tips from Elizabeth Scott, MS, About.com's guide to stress management. Happy Thanksgiving!
Turkey Anxiety and Funny Turkey Questions
Got turkey on your mind and thawing in the fridge? As I shop and chop and bake and prepare for the big day, it gives me some comfort to know that I am not the only one who is stressing about whether or not the turkey will come out perfectly done or dry and mealy this year.
Each November and December, the people manning the turkey tips hotline run by Butterball, the nation's most popular turkey brand, field as many as 100,000 calls from people -- as many as 12,000 on Thanksgiving alone -- asking about everything from cooking temperatures and thawing techniques to how much stuffing they should use.
Here are a couple of examples of more amusing turkey situations reportedly handled by the people at Butterball, according to an Associated Press story:
If, like me, you are suffering from a bout of pre-turkey anxiety, check out these tips and recipes from About.com's guide busy cooks, Linda Larsen.