Little Duck Family Child Care

This article appeared first on  Funky Frugal Mommy! Starting your own business as a single parent is a huge endeavour, however, it’s by no means impossible. You might have to work a tad harder to balance all your responsibilities, but the advice and experience of other entrepreneurs who are in the same situation as you can be extremely helpful in getting you started. Here are 10 tips that every ambitious single parent should know before opening their own business. Pick the right job Single parents often opt for starting their own business so that they have a little more flexibility when it comes to their family. For this reason, businesses that can be operated from one’s home are usually preferred. Logically, some  business ideas  are more suitable than others if you are to juggle entrepreneurship and parenthood at the same time. Blogging, tutoring, offering consultation services, starting a food delivery business, and opening an online store are just some of the examples...

A new  study  in the journal JAMA Pediatrics found a direct association between screen time at ages 2 and 3 and development at 3 and 5. In fact, another recent  study  found that only 5% of U.S. children meet the recommended daily guidelines for sleep, exercise, and screen time use. How can we fix the problem? Vinay Saranga M.D. is a child psychiatrist and founder of  Saranga Comprehensive Psychiatry .  His advice for parents: -          Exercise daily : Children should have at least one hour of moderate exercise per day. Lack of physical activity in children is just one of the reasons obesity is an epidemic in America. Make exercise a family event by going on a walk or playing outdoors. Encourage your children to get involved with sports and activities. Take them to the local playground for a fun, free way to stay active.   -          Limit screen tim...

There are a lot of things that you have to take into consideration when you and your partner are deciding to start a family. Of course, you need to be sure that you're secure in your relationship, as well as the fact that  you're emotionally mature enough to care for another human being . However, there's one thing that a lot of people tend to forget about, and that's the financial responsibility involved in raising a child. Like it or not, kids are expensive. The average cost of raising a child is up in the hundreds of thousands, so you really do have to be fully aware of whether or not you're in the right financial position to raise a child. In order to make sure that you and your partner are making the right choice, here are some things that you can do to make sure that you're financially ready to be parents. Ditch your debts Image Source The last thing you want is to be dealing with all of the potential stress that comes with having a baby along...

  The holidays are a wonderful time that brings together family and friends to celebrate.  However, it can also be a challenging time for our healthy lifestyle goals. Food is often at the centre of our celebrations and gatherings make treats and snacks readily available. So how can we as parents, continue with our healthy living goals over the holidays? One way is to plan for and choose healthy snacks as much as possible, while also allowing room for enjoying smaller portions of our favourite holiday foods.   Here are some healthy snack options and suggestions to keep you on track from dietitians: Keep it simple: sliced fruit and vegetables are excellent snacks packed with nutrients and fibre to help keep you full and satisfied. Tip: plain yogurt (mix in a small amount of ranch dressing for extra flavour), hummus, and salsas are tasty and satisfying vegetable dip options. For a healthy fruit dip try mixing plain yogurt with mashed berries and a...

It's the moment every parent dreads ... a toddler temper tantrum in a public place. When it comes to temper tantrums, prevention is always the best approach. But let's face it, some temper tantrums can seem to come out of nowhere. Temper tantrums are usually a response to extreme frustration and, like it or not, they are perfectly normal toddler behaviour. So what can you do if you are faced with a temper tantrum in the mall, grocery store or anywhere else for that matter?      Ignore it - If your toddler is not getting your attention there is a good chance the tantrum will stop. Try standing a short distance away from your child and continuing to do what you are doing. Stay close enough to see your child without focusing directly on them. During this time try not speaking to your child - if you need to speak keep your voice calm and quiet.                Try to ...

Have you heard of radon gas? It is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground throughout the world and also the second leading cause of lung cancer. Most homes that are in contact with the ground will contain some amount of radon gas. Radon becomes a concern when it reaches high levels. According to Health Canada, about seven per cent of the Canadian homes have radon levels that may be putting residents at risk. Here in the B.C. Interior we have some "hot spot" areas with high radon levels in approximately 40 per cent of homes. Radon can enter a home through the foundation, including concrete and more commonly through cracks in a foundation or dirt floor such as in older crawl spaces. It can also enter a home through the ventilation system. The good news is testing your home is easy and inexpensive. Testing involves placing a small puck-like kit within the lowest area of the home that could be occupied for at least four hours per day. The ki...

Baby's first food is a very exciting time. Get the camera ready to capture those funny faces and messy hands!  Like all new things, parents often wonder where to start. Here are some common questions and answers. How do I know when my baby is ready for solid foods? Your baby is ready at about six months and when he or she: sits, leans forward and holds her head up watches and opens her mouth for the spoon  does not always push food out of her mouth with her tongue can turn head away to let you know when she doesn't want to be fed can pick food up and bring it to her mouth What food is best to start with? Start with high iron foods like well-cooked, finely minced or tender pieces of meat, poultry or fish, iron-fortified infant cereal, cooked egg, lentils, beans or tofu. Next you can begin to offer vegetables, fruit, cheese and plain yogurt, and a variety of whole grains. Try a variety of textures: smooth, mashed, lumpy, tender cooked, minced, and soft finger foo...