KidsPark centers offer day, evening and weekend care for children ages 2-11 and is open almost each and every day of the year with parent schedule friendly hours – they’re open from 8 am to 10 pm Monday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. KidsPark also offers recession conscience prices (about $7.50 per hour) so most families can afford it. There’s no reservation needed – families register once and they’re in the KidsPark system.

Safety - KidsPark exceeds state licensing requirements with an average teacher-child ratio of 1:8. At all times, no matter the number of children present there are two staff on site. If a child needs one-on-one attention, another teacher is available to the group.

All KidsPark staff is:

• Certified in First Aid and CPR
• Screened by the Department of Justice
• Trained in Early Childhood Education and Recreation
• Required to attend staff development and skill building workshops

KidsPark offers lots of hands-on projects, art projects, games and a pretty slick calendar of seasonal special events. Additionally, various areas for different activities are designated at each center. Such as…

• Creation Station – for art, cooking, hands-on-science and more.
• Activity Area – where kids can play individually or in group with toys, play pretend in the playhouse or investigate the book nook.
• Mountain of Energy – an active minded structure that kids can pretend is a mountain, space ship and more.
• Theater – an areaused for story times, music, G-rated movies, games and guest performers.
• Sport Court – perfect for kids tired of being inside all winter, kids can kick goals, shoot baskets, play 4-square or just enjoy a game of catch.
• Blue Crew – a school-age area that encourages interaction with peers. Older kids can learn more detailed art projects, play age appropriate games and non-violent video games or do homework.

The only downside I see to KidsPark is that there are not nearly enough of them. Current locations include Arlington/Texas, Jacksonville/FL, Scottsdale/AZ, Olathe/Kansas and in California – Chico, Northridge, Corona, Fresno, Rocklin, Sacramento, and their pilot centers in San Jose, CA. That said there are also three additional locations opening in the first half of 2010.

If you live in one of the areas with a KidsPark you may want to check them out for holiday care this year while they’re out of school or while you need to holiday shop OR set up a date night with your partner.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

1)  Stay in groups.  Never go trick-or-treating alone. 

2)  Teach children to never enter a home without prior permission from their parents.

3)  Teach your children to never approach a vehicle unless they have their parent or guardian.

4)  Carry a flashlight or glow stick and wear reflective clothing.

5)  Never go up to a home that is not well lit.

6)  If possible, go with your children.  If not, go in groups or see if your child can tag along with another parent.

7)  Consider attending fall festivals and community events rather than trick-or-treating.  Usually these are more fun because they have games, bounce houses, and other activities.

8)  Teach your children not to eat any treats without permission.  When they get home, check their candy and treats.

9)  If something seems suspicious, report it to the proper persons.

10)  Take a cell phone. 

I don’t mean to be paranoid, but it’s always best to be safe.  What tips can you add to this list?

image morganz at sxc.hu

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Never tell anyone your baby’s gender-to-be.

Start an emergency fund asap, I mean the second you find out your expecting, if you haven’t already.

Borrow most of your baby items. Regardless of what you may hear, it’s safe to do so.

Talk with an expert about the big issues. A good tax accountant should be able to help you plan for college, get the most tax returns on that baby, and help you plan for future needs.

Skip the baby life insurance, but review your own coverage and your partners to make sure your family is covered if the worst should happen.

Budget smartly for baby toys – this is basically one non-essential that’s money wasted if you go nuts.

Breastfeed – not only is it a HUGE money saver but it’s green too.

Plan ahead (WAY ahead) for maternity leave. Most Americans can’t afford to even take a decent amount of maternity leave, but if you plan you’ll be ahead of the curve.

What else can you think of?

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Here are few ways to save on babysitting.

1)  Go on a lunch date. This is our newest way to save.  Our three oldest children are in school and our youngest is in preschool part-time.  We finally have a consistent time that we can get out together.

2)  Trade babysitting with others.  If you know of other parents that have kids, offer to trade with them.  Everyone needs some time alone and they would probably be willing to work something out.

3)  Call on friends and relatives.  We are really unfortunate that we don’t live near family.  If I did, we wouldn’t have any issue with babysitting.  Thankfully, we have a person that we call on every few months to give us a night out together.  She does this for free because she loves us.  I used to do this more often before I had kids.  There’s nothing wrong with helping people out, right?!?

4)  Join a babysitting co-op.  Some co-ops are very organized and they have systems with points where you can earn points per hour, per child, etc.  It sounds a little complicated, but these parents have found a system that works for them.

5)  Check into community babysitting services.  Some churches offer free or low cost babysitting.  Sometimes it is a fundraiser for the youth group.  Activities are planned and supervised by adults while the youth of the church play with your kids.  Some churches offer a night of free babysitting as a service to the community.

What ways do you save on babysitting?

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Telling our kids “no” is inevitable.  Here are some tips to make it a little easier.

1)  Use emphathetic and understanding statements. “I understand that you want this new outfit for the dance, but it’s not in the budget.  Maybe we could find something on the clearance rack or at the thrift store that you would like.”  “I’m sorry that you feel this way.”

2)  Teach them to be creative and unique. Show your child how to create their own style.  Teach them how to repurpose old things.

3)  Provide them opportunities to earn money. If your child wants something special then tell them they can have it so long as they earn the money.  You can even explain how you work for the things the family has.

4)  Compromise. If your child really wants something and you can tell it’s not just a passing thought, then find a way to work with them.  If the item is $75, then maybe they can earn half of the money through extra chores around the house and you can pay for the rest of the item.

5)  Set an example. If you are out frivilously spending money and making impulse purchases, then you are teaching your children that this kind of behavior is acceptable.  Yes, you’re the adult and you can make your own decisions, but it’s wise to teach your children how to make smart financial choices.

Do you have any tips for telling children “no”?

image sxc.hu

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

 1)  Utilize available light: Turn off your flash and use a tripod or even the back of a chair to stabilize your camera and use a slow shutter speed to photograph your child by jack- o- lantern or candle light.

2)  Light your child from below: For a really “haunting” photo, have them hold a flashlight below their face pointed up. Under-lighting is sinister and very scary.

3)  Tell a story with your camera: Start with a “still life” that says “Halloween” (a costume box, a jack-o-lantern, an empty trick or treat bag, etc). Next photograph your child before the transition from suburban student to blood dripping vampire. Capture the make up, the costume, the process.

4)  Create a portrait of them in costume as if it were real: A princess on her throne, a cowgirl in front of a barn, or a ghoul in the cemetery. Engage your child in the fantasy.

5)  Photograph the haul! Every child remembers the special Halloween when the mountain of candy was beyond belief. Photograph them close up using a wide angle setting. Fill the frame with candy as well as their joyful expression.

Do you enjoy taking Halloween photos of your children?  Which ones are your favorite?

image sxc.hu

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Entertaining a family on a budget can be a challenge. It isn’t impossible though. Investing a little time and following a few simple tips, can save you a lot of money. 

Research.
This doesn’t have to be a lot of work. I regularly check the event calendars on our state, state parks, and library websites. These are full of free and low cost events for all ages. We also get a free paper that lists quite a few events.
If there is someplace you want to go, check their website first. You can find coupons or times that are discounted. For example, by checking the website I found our local art museum is free on Tuesdays and offers free kids classes on Saturday. Another museum near us is free on Thursday nights.

Sometimes the website will have deals you can’t find anywhere else. I learned of a local theater’s free movie camp (kids movies in the AM) on the web site. I haven’t seen this advertised anywhere else, not even at the theater itself.

Go early. Go late. Don’t go on the weekends!
In other words go when it isn’t busy. Not only is it more enjoyable, (in my opinion!) it is cheaper. Movies offer matinees, restaurants early bird specials, some museums and amusement parks offer after 5 specials. (and with little kids do you really want to spend the whole day at the amusement park?!) We used to have a minor league ball park near where we lived. They offered lots of family specials and discounted tickets during the week to try to fill the park.

During the week you can find great deals at restaurant. Does going out to eat count as entertainment? Well, in this house it does. We love to go out to eat. During the week there are often specials where kids eat free. There is a local Italian type restaurant here that offers Two for Tuesday, buy one pasta dish and get one free. As rule going out for breakfast is also cheaper than lunch or dinner.

Buy the Membership.
To the museum, to the zoo or other places your family loves. It is one money for a year of entertainment and fun. Zoo and museum memberships are very reasonable. In addition to allowing you year long access to your local location, many also give you free (or discounted) entry to zoos and museums all over the country. This is wonderful when you are traveling to visit family or on vacation.
What I really love about memberships is that you can pick up and go whenever. You don’t have to plan it for the budget or even plan to spend an entire day for your outing. You can go to the zoo for an hour. You can the budget is tight. By the way, memberships are great family gifts to give and receive!

Pack a lunch!
If you are not taking advantage of cheap dining as mentioned above, save yourself a ton of cash and pack enough food and drinks for the day. The food at places like the zoo or amusement parks is so over priced! Even running through the drive thru for lunch can make free entertainment at the park an expensive day. If you find yourself with little in the house to pack for your outing, swing by the grocery store instead of the drive thru. Quick and easy foods at the grocery store cost a fraction of what you will pay at a restaurant.  

So enjoy cheap entertainment this summer, and all year round! Research. Go early or late and during the week. Buy the membership and pack your lunch! 

Stephanie at Make it from Scratch and Stop the Ride!

image sxc.hu

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Charity is giving this away in support of Joel Tenenbaum’s defense against the RIAA music-sharing lawsuit.  Enter the code SILLYRIAA to get your free music.  Hurry, I’m sure this will go quickly!

In case you miss this freebie, you can download Charity’s Song of the Month for free. Currently, there are eight free songs available.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

The event is on August 15, 2009 from 10 am until 1 pm and is available while supplies last.  For more information, visit The Knack website.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I have received several free Fisher Price dvds and have found them to be a great addition to our dvd collection. 

Thanks to iMommies for the tip.  Image from Fisher Price.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy