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Smart Mom

Day care dialog Talk with your child care provider. By Maria Bailey and Jennifer ArnoldPublished: September, 2009

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Making the decision to place your child in the care of someone else can be an emotional and difficult one. It’s important to note that the success of your experience and the experience of your child can be greatly enhanced by your relationship with the child care provider. Everyone who cares for your child can be part of a winning team to nurture him intellectually, emotionally and physically. And, as the foremost authority on your child – the one who knows him best and understands his needs – you are the team captain. You provide the leadership and set the tone to establish good lines of communication with the rest of your team. Think of them as part of your support system, and work together to develop your child during the hours you are away. > Opening the lines To begin, it is essential that you are totally comfortable with the personnel and instructors who will be caring for your child. This group might include a nanny, or if you’ve chosen center-based care, it would include your child’s teacher, assistant teacher and the center’s director. If you feel any apprehension, that emotion can be detected by your child and could lead to behavior issues or tearful goodbyes each morning. > Create a plan When you enroll, take the initiative to find out what form of communication your provider prefers, and be sure you agree on how that will transpire. Create a communication plan. This plan may take a written format. For example, a notebook passed between home and the child care setting (or sending e-mail messages) lets parents and care providers jot down observations, updates on health and schedule changes. Or you may both prefer to communicate verbally, touching base at the beginning and end of each day. Your personal touch builds the relationship with your child’s caregiver. Your plan might ultimately end up as a combination of both. Whichever format you choose, stick to it; this plan is essential to ensure the transfer of information required to meet your child’s needs. > Share what you know No one knows your child better than you – his funny little quirks, habits and personality. The more the staff knows about your child and his unique personality, the more likely they will be to make adjustments with his care. Offer an “All About Me” sheet created by you and your child with photos and details of his likes, dislikes, favorite things, family members, etc. Continue this communication throughout the year so that your child care providers understand your family. Fill them in on new skills your child has learned and skills you are working on at home. Keep the staff informed of any developments or changes at home, such as a death in the family, potty training, illnesses, behavior changes, changes in bedtime, visiting relatives, and so forth. Sharing this information will help the staff understand related changes in your child’s behavior during this time. > R-E-S-P-E-C-T  Communication should always be a two-way street, and it always begins with an equal level of respect. You should be able to talk to your child care provider about any issue, but you also need to be open to what she has to say to you. Respect her as a person, and treat her as a professional. Your provider should respect your role as final authority for your child. Be confident in your position as your child’s parent, the one who knows and loves him best.     Every working mother must come to terms with a child care solution that works best for her and her child. Establishing positive, open lines of communication is a key component in developing a strong relationship and is essential to providing quality care.  • > SMART MOM GOES GREEN Training Unders So you’re getting ready to send your little one off to day care or preschool, and it strikes you that your cute angel is only, well, semi-potty trained. While you certainly don’t want to thwart her progress or contribute to the landfills by putting on diapers or pull-ups, you also don’t want to worry about accidents.     For a more eco-friendly option, try these cloth training pants from Hanna Anderson. Made from 100 percent organic cotton, these little undies don’t have a plastic layer, which means they still feel wet but are absorbent enough to prevent pesky little puddles. A set of three reuseable “Training Unders” pants runs $28.50.  • > SOLUTION OF THE MONTH Study time Tackling homework after school can be tough enough as it is without the constant interruptions from phone calls and little neighbor pals calling with invitations to play.     Start your kids on the right foot with good study habits by setting designated homework hours at the same time each day. Create a sign or door hanger for the front door - many of the local craft stores sell these in precut wood or foam. Let your kids decorate it with their names, paint, glitter and fun sayings like, “We’re booked. Please come back later!” or “Sorry, we need to be alone. This is the Homework Zone!”

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