Babysitting in the Pandemic

This month we want to give a special shout-out to our TLC Sitters in Charlotte, NC who have gone above and beyond during this pandemic. Our sitters have worked and supported families, so that essential workers to go to work on the front lines in their communities.
We asked one TLC Hero Chioma Onukogu about her experiences: 
Did you feel like you were at risk going into the families home?
For the most part, not really. I wore a mask, used hand sanitizer before and after my assignments, and made sure to disinfect anything I brought with me. Most families took their own precautions by sometimes choosing to wear masks in their houses or were okay with mine.
Were the families grateful for the childcare you provided?
I think so! A lot of the folks I’ve worked with are healthcare or essential workers themselves so my assistance helped them get to work without too much worry or even gave them some space to rest when they came home! Sometimes parents need a break too and with school being online for so long, I could tell many parents were really happy to get it (childcare)!
Do you feel like you made a difference in the lives of those families?
I hope so! I always try to make sure the kids have fun while I’m there and always make sure to give them my undivided attention the whole time I’m with them. With so much closed down, it really helped for children to have an outlet this year. As for infants, I’m one of the few “strange faces” they’ve seen during the pandemic. Because of how impactful that might be, I really try to make my interactions as joyful and calming as possible.
TLC wants to thank Chioma and all the back-up care sitters in NC who helped families with childcare during the pandemic.
The professionals at TLC Family Care personally assist nannies, babysitters and families in St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized  approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or Call 314-725-5660.

Pets Teaching Kids Responsibility

Here’s the situation: Your child wants a pet. But, should you get them one? Having a pet in the home can be one way of teaching your kids responsibility. 

Kids like cute things and many pets are cute. It shouldn’t surprise you when they ask for one. You might get a request for a cat, dog, rabbit, horse, iguana, lizard, turtle or other animal. Your first reaction might be to say no, but instead, consider how it may impact your child if they had the experience of owning a pet.

There are a few things to consider. First, choose a pet that is age appropriate. Small children are not mature enough to learn to take care of a puppy, for example. You will end up doing most of the work. Instead, find a pet that can keep their interest while they learn all about it.

Second, know the benefits of kids and pets. Kids can learn to care for something other than themselves. Pets teach selflessness and empathy. Kids learn to put the needs of something else over their own.

Pets also teach social behavior. For many kids, pets are their first friends. Also, a pet can help them make more friends by interacting with others who own pets. It’s a win-win situation for kids and parents as long as you can take on the responsibility of teaching your kid to care for their pet. It takes patience, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Here are a few ways to help your kids get started.

* Take a class – Local community centers, pet stores and animal shelters may hold classes to help others learn how to care for pets. This is useful before you buy the pet to gauge your child’s interest in certain pets.

* Visit pet stores – Let kids see pets and hold them. Some kids like the idea of pets but not the thought of handling them. For those kids, starting with a pet that they can’t touch like fish might be a better choice.

* Show them what to do – Before kids can learn to care for their pets, they need to see what it involved. If you have fish, show them how to feed the fish, clean the aquarium and change the water. It may take several times (if you have small kids) but they will catch on.

* Discuss the consequences of not caring for them – When they forget to feed or clean the cages, discuss what will happen: odor, germs and more of a mess than you originally would have had.

* Be backup – Watch your child care for their pets but know that you are backup in case they forget to do anything.

Children can learn to care for pets at any age. Start with animals that don’t need much care and graduate up as your kid demonstrates maturity and interest.

 

The professionals at TLC Family Care personally assist nannies, babysitters and families in St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized  approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or Call 314-725-5660.