by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

Recently I had a chance to catch up with Cindy Wilkinson, friend, musician and fellow INA Nanny of the Year award recipient, about her latest adventures and her next CD, Jumpin’ Into Dreamland. Here’s some of Cindy’s expert advice for incorporating music and the arts into the everyday lives of children.

eNannySource: Why are the arts important for children? 

Cindy: I once heard a teacher say that we need to offer art and music in the schools as an outlet for “artsy children,” that they will be the ones who benefit the most.  In my opinion, all children will be influenced greatly by exposure to the arts, whether it is theater, music, visual art or dance.  Studies have shown that key components in fields such as engineering and business include the abilities to think outside the box and work collaboratively.  Think about it… when I was a child, many televisions were still in black and white, computers were just entering our culture and landline phones were our only means of communication.  It took those who are true visionaries to come up with these new and unimaginable ideas, then develop them into the advanced technology we find in our culture today.  Exposing today’s young children to the arts will help us in developing our creative thinkers for tomorrow!

eNannySouce: How can a parent incorporate art and music into their child’s day?

Cindy: It is easy to go to Google and find an array of interesting art projects for children.  Introducing your child to painting, cutting, pasting and working with an array of other mediums will open the door to that child’s creative expression!  Once a child masters the basics of scribbling with a crayon or dabbling with a paintbrush, that child can begin to explore creatively each day.  Encourage the use of a wide variety of mediums, such as chalk, tempera paint and watercolors, pompoms, googly eyes, cotton balls, foam sponges, popsicle sticks, string and, one my favorites, tin foil.

While children can learn from following directions in a parent directed art activity, also allow for the child to think outside the box.  Present your child with different items and see what he or she can create.  For example, what happens if you have tin foil, pompoms and tempera paint?  The child could use the pompoms as a way of painting on the foil, or perhaps paint the pompoms and then glue them onto the foil, or even roll up the foil to create an alien!  The possibilities are endless… you get the idea. Make each art project with your child a new and great adventure!!

Incorporating music into your child’s day can be an exciting way to enhance literacy development.  Learning a new song or finger play is much the same as hearing a favorite story.  Children will love singing a song or acting out the story, as in a finger play, again and again. Repetition is a key component for activities with young children.  Just like a favorite book, the child will want to hear it frequently.  And if you’re not a great singer, don’t be afraid to just chant the words with your child.  It isn’t the melody the child is focused on, it is more the interesting story being told.  Be sure to introduce your child to a variety of songs, both new and old.  While there are wonderful recording artists with a repertoire geared to kids, also include traditional songs too.

eNannySouce: Are lessons or classes important?  At what age?

Cindy: A child’s early introduction to music and art can play an important part in their development.  While many aspects of an art or music class can be done at home, there are also some great benefits to participating in a formal class.  As a long-time arts educator, I often take classes myself from others working in the arts.  Every class I take, I walk away with something new, which I can then use in the work that I do.  I see this as the same rationale that a parent and child can gain from such an experience.  There are so many educators with a wealth of experience in what impacts children the most.  Taking a class with such an educator can allow both the parent and child to learn activities, which can then make their way back to the child’s home and become a part of that child’s daily life!

There are wonderful classes for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.  I don’t feel there is any best age, it is mostly important that the class is geared to the age group of your child.  If the class is age-appropriate, a child of any age can benefit.

eNannySource: What should parents look for in ECE art and music programs?

Cindy: Again, the age appropriateness of the class is very important.  For example, when I am teaching a music class for toddlers, we focus more on exploration of sound, while older children would focus more on music fundamentals.  I have created a collection of shaker bottles – empty water and soda bottles filled with rice, confetti, beans, etc. My toddlers love to watch the colorful items inside the bottles, banging them in different ways; they’re very interested in how they are creating sound.  Older children use them for creating rhythmic patterns or playing along with other percussion instruments.

Making sure that your child is actively engaged is also a key factor in finding a great arts education program.  Whether it is a music or art class, if your child is spending much of his or her time waiting, rather than working on an activity, this would be a red flag.  A great teacher will have enough paint brushes, glue bottles, tambourines or rhythm sticks for the children in her class, allowing each child to remain enthused about the amazing works of art they are creating in their class!  A wonderful teacher can both inspire and empower children, encouraging the budding artist inside each child!

Cindy Wilkinson is a graduate of the University of Nebraska – Kearney with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked extensively with children since 1977 as a pre-school teacher, music teacher, nanny and children’s performer. In 1998, Cindy was named the International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year. To learn more about Cindy and her music visit http://www.jumpinwithcindy.com. 

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

Recently I had a chance to connect with Wendy Wolff, a writer, thinker and mother who is passionate about making life easier. We talked about time management and ways parents can make life just a little easier. Here’s some of her thoughts and tips for putting more easy in your day.

eNannySource: What do you think parents waste the most time on?

Wendy: I’m not so sure that parents waste their time, it’s that time is fleeting. Everything moves so much faster and technology forces us to have an immediate response to a call to action. If both parents are working and don’t have flexible schedules, then the majority and priority of their time is spent focusing on work. Children are often left to their own devices – and I mean that literally.

eNannySource: What are some practical tips parents can do to make life easier each day?

Wendy: Time management is key. I try to spend Sunday’s cooking for the week so that we all have a healthy meal when the day is over. If we can sit down at the table at least three days a week as a family and eat dinner together, I’m thrilled. Make lunches for the kids the night before, or give another child that job.

Always say, “I need a minute to think” before responding to a request. 60 seconds is not a lot of time to take when making a decision—and that time will help SO MUCH.

Parents should remember to take a moment and be still. That means no phones, no texts, no TV, no music, no talking….just quiet so that the brain can relax. This only needs to happen for five minutes per day. Just five mere minutes. Teach your children to do it as well. Have a family quiet session in which everyone is still and closes their eyes and breathes.

Talk to your teenager. Go into their room, find a comfy spot and listen to what is on their mind.

Drink water, take vitamins and SLEEP!

eNannySource:  Does technology really make life easier?

Wendy: Yes and no. The smartphone gives you immediate access to all kinds of information, which can sometimes make our lives easier, however technology requires you to respond in a knee-jerk way to any request that comes at you and this creates CHAOS.

eNannySource: What about relationships with teens? Any tips for treading through the teen years easier?

Wendy: Spend lots of time with your teen. Most people pull away, thinking that their child is mature enough to relax the reins. I disagree. I spend incredible amounts of time with my teen boys doing the things they want. I listen to silly soccer statistics, bad music, silly trends and anything they want to share all day long. Sometimes I need a minute—and that is good too. We take the teens to see live music, outdoor nature experiences, dog parks, museums and anything we can think of. We make sure they have time with their friends too, but communication and experiences with us are top priority.

When my 9^th grader was in 7^th grade I sat him down and told him that if he plans on ever leaving the house, he will have to communicate with me. He brilliantly shared that he doesn’t know how. So we role modeled how to talk to either myself or dad about intimate subjects. It worked like a charm. From that point on we talked every day about whatever was on his mind. We walked together daily and he would share what he was thinking. I’m sure I don’t know everything—but I know enough.

There is NO SUCH THING AS PRIVACY. Passwords to online social media are kept by both my husband and myself. We spot check them whenever we feel like it. I found out some very horrific information about things that kids were doing by seeing what my son sees. This gave us a great series of discussion points. If you want to keep your kids safe, know what the heck they are doing at all times. You can do this in a fun, kind-hearted way. It doesn’t have to be a punishment.

Bottom line, my job is to raise productive, upstanding citizens, and I tell them that all of the time. Their job is to learn how to become a productive upstanding citizen and to do well in school. That’s it.

eNannySource: Are parents too busy? Are Kids? Why?

Wendy: Parents are way too busy. My opinion is that it is related to the economy and working. No one I know feels like they have more than enough time on their hands. Some kids are overscheduled and some don’t have anything to do because their parents are working. Schools need to step it up and provide a safe, afterschool environment where children/teens can interact with adults who care while enriching their brains. All teens need something meaningful and exciting to be involved in or they will search for it in very inappropriate forms.

eNannySource: Where can we cut back?

Wendy: Oh, wow. Tough question. I think we need to do more to help each other out rather than cut back. Neighbors need to get in alignment with each other, looking out for each other’s children and providing substantive access to caring adults. I think we’ve cut back—that’s our problem. We are satisfied with pumping our youth full of videogames, reality TV, Facebook, Instagram and fast food. How about making the plunge into getting each and every kid involved with an instrument, artistic endeavor, sport or hobby?

eNannySource: What about saying no? Should parents? Should we not?

Wendy: Absolutely! It is your role as a parent to say no. Your job is to keep your child safe at any cost. If no is needed then use it! YES is a fabulous word and I use it as much as possible, but boundary setting begins with giving children/teens limits to the things that your family does not approve of.

eNannySource: Any additional tips?

Wendy: Set a family constitution for everyone to know and honor. I know that sounds crazy, but if our teens aren’t super clear about our family’s values then how can they uphold them? Make sure you acknowledge your own humanity, and if you need to say I’m sorry, then do so. We are not perfect. Goodness knows and so do my kids—that I’m far from it.

Wendy Wolff is an independent writer and thinker. She is working on a collection of essays regarding Making Life Easier. Wendy also contributes to http://indyreader.org. 

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

Recently I had a chance to catch up with good friend and nanny supporter Dr. Lynne Kenney, pediatric psychologist, author and mom. Dr. Lynne Kenney has been actively supporting nannies for many years and has spoken at many industry events, bringing a message of empowerment to those who partner with parents in caring for children.

eNannySource.com: Tell us a bit about what you do and what you’re doing these days.

Dr. Lynne Kenney: I am a pediatric psychologist who teaches brain-based parenting and academic skills to teachers, clinicians and families.

eNannySource.com: What components do you think are essential to having a healthy family?

Dr. Lynne Kenney: This is a BIG question. The short answer is that I think first comes love, then patience. Considering the developmental needs of your children and building your days/activities to enhance their growth and learning are fruitful.

eNannySource.com: What are some easy, practical things parents can do to improve the quality of their family life now?

Dr. Lynne Kenney: First, build social-emotional intelligence by helping children label and manage their feelings without getting angry at them. Second, build motor intelligence with fun movement throughout the day. Third, build thinking skills by describing what we are doing throughout the day. Fourth, enhance their learning, and fifth, look at books, notice words and read for fun to build literacy.

eNannySource.com: What do you think parents are struggling with most today? What are some solutions?

Dr. Lynne Kenney: I think families struggle most when they believe that consequences improve behavior. What really improves learning, communication and behavior is teaching children new words, thoughts and actions. We review this in our new book Bloom: Helping Children Blossom. When we focus on what skills children need in the moment and then we teach those skills, children thrive.

eNannySource.com: What are your best three tips for new, first-time parents?

Dr. Lynne Kenney: Tip one, read good books, like Nanny to the Rescue and The Family Coach Method. Tip two, develop a clear culture in your family communicating what you wish the children TO DO, not what they should not do, throughout the day. Tip three, think of your children as wishing to learn and grow through loving, connected daily experiences with you.

eNannySource.com: How can parents gain more confidence in themselves?

Dr. Lynne Kenney: I think if parents consider themselves teachers and learn about child development, social-emotional intelligence and (later on) academics, they will parent from a perspective of growth not punishment.

eNannySource.com: Tell us a little about Play Math.

Dr. Lynne Kenney: Play Math is an integrated program of motor math activities that gets kids up and moving in order to learn math facts, factors and fractions. Integrating the work of Dr. Martin Fletcher, J.P. Das, Zolton Dienes, Suzy Koontz, SPARKPE, Jean Blaydes Madigan, Georges Cuisinaire, Thomas Carpenter and more, this program provides opportunities for children to develop their math facts and understanding of math factors through movement and play. The program and the overview for motivated parents and nannies can be found at http://www.lynnekenney.com/national-nanny-training-day-play-math/.

Lynne Kenney, Psy.D., is a mother of two, a practicing pediatric psychologist in Scottsdale, AZ and the author of The Family Coach Method. She has advanced fellowship training in forensic psychology and developmental pediatric psychology from Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School and Harbor-UCLA/UCLA Medical School. Her NEW co-authored book BLOOM: Helping Children Blossom is available this Spring on Kindle. Combining her love for motor movement and brain development, Dr. Lynne’s newest endeavor, Play Math, is helping children ages 6-11 learn their math facts with playground balls and hoola-hoops for better algebraic thinking. To learn more about Dr. Lynne Kenney and her new book Bloom, visit http://www.lynnekenney.com/is-your-family-blooming/. 

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

Recently I had a chance to connect with Deborah Tillman, host of Lifetime TV’s America’s Supernanny: Family Lockdown. From the difference between a nanny and daycare center worker to her best advice for parents and nannies, here’s what Deborah had to say.

eNannySource: With your background in center-based care, what do you find the main differences are between center care and in-home care?

Deborah: Both center-based and nanny-based have their pros and cons.  In center-based care, your baby will be surrounded by other children in a stimulating environment, whereas a nanny is able to provide a tremendous amount of personal attention because she is not caring for as many children.  A nanny may be more flexible in terms of days and hours, whereas a center-based facility will provide designated hours of care.  There are more teachers and regulatory agencies on site in center-based care, which may make the parent feel more safe. The curriculum, daily routine, eating and naptime schedule is more structured in a center-based setting.  It really depends on what the parents are looking for.  The only way to really decide what is in the best interest of your child is to visit a number of centers and interview a number of nannies.  Once you have narrowed it down to a few options that work with your schedule and budget, go with your intuition and gut for the final decision.

eNannySource: What do you think parents should look for when hiring a nanny?

Deborah: When hiring a nanny, it is important to make sure they have education and experience.  It is also important that they have integrity and characteristics like patience, kindness and honesty, which play a huge role in working with children and families.  You want someone who shows up for more than a paycheck.  They must have a heart for improving the lives of our precious little ones.

eNannySource: Three most common mistakes parents make?

Deborah: First, not spending enough time with our children. Being a parent in today’s age leaves very little time for us to spend any time with our own kids. This is sad. There is not a child alive who asked to be born, so why do we neglect them so? So, if the parents do not have time to raise their own kids, who is to teach them discipline and respect? Who is to teach them right from wrong? What kind of morals will they have? What kind of person will they grow up to be?  The way to combat that is to make our children a priority.  Spend time getting to know and understand them.  If you don’t, someone else will. Another mistake is that there are no limits on technology. Television is a very dangerous force that is doing much harm in America today. We put our children in front of the TV for hours upon hours a day to babysit, and then get mad at the babysitter (TV) for not doing a good job.  Violent video games in the house affect children.  They mimic what they see because they are very impressionable. Cell phones and text messaging keep you from bonding, connecting and strengthening your relationship with your child.  Limit technology to zero time during the weekday and two hours on the weekends with the exception of school work. The third is not leading by example. We argue in front of our children, saying things we ought not. We lie and then tell them not to. We fall short of God’s standard by yelling, swearing and carrying out humiliating discipline techniques, knowing all the while that our precious children are watching our every move.  Finally, when all heck breaks loose, we wonder how did it all go wrong and say to ourselves, “is there any hope of changing the pattern of our bad habits?”  I am here to tell you that there is hope, mercy and godly wisdom waiting for all of us, but we have to do the work.

eNannySource: Do you think the skill set required to be a nanny is different than the one required to work in center-based care?

Deborah: The skill set required for being a nanny is not much different from that required by a center based Lead Teacher. They should both have the education, experience and professionalism.  Not all nannies are equipped to work with more than three or four children at one time, while a center-based Lead Teacher may have up to 10 children depending on the age.  They both should be certified in MAT, First Aid, CPR, Food Handler’s license etc., in addition to having the following qualities:

Patience

• Nannies are generally hired to look after young children, and young children can be exhausting and frustrating to manage. Daily duties are apt to be long in number and may include feeding, cooking, games, putting the children down to nap, bathing, dressing, making lunches and helping with schoolwork. Both children and parents will have a variety of needs and expectations, and a person who is easily angered or who cannot handle stress well may not be suited to be a nanny.

Trustworthiness

• Nannies need to be dependable for a number of reasons. Paramount is that nannies are entrusted with the care and safety of children for long periods of time. Another reason is that nannies cannot afford to be habitually late, as this may cost the parents wages, or to not fulfill the duties asked of them, as these usually pertain to the overall well-being of the children. Also, nannies need to be trusted to model appropriate behavior at all times. A nanny who sits and watches TV all day, uses foul language, drinks alcohol or spends time on personal errands or phone calls is not a suitable role model or caregiver for young children. Additionally, nannies usually have unrestricted access to the family home and may be given funds for lunches or grocery shopping; they need to be able to be trusted with the possessions and money of others. Families and lives are put in the hands of nannies; they must be trustworthy.

Knowledge of Early Childhood Education

• It’s not a legal requirement that a nanny have training in early childhood education; however, some agencies and families may ask for it, and receiving such training will make it easier to understand children, as well as plan and execute appropriate games, meals and activities for them. Families who hire nannies want personalized, engaged care for their children, not just someone to make sure they don’t get hurt. The children will need to be involved in many social and physical activities, and nannies should be able to plan and take part in them.

Good Communications Skills

• Nannies will need to communicate and report to the parents on a daily basis. Good communication skills are mandatory for working well with the parents and in representing the children. Someone who cannot articulate the child’s needs, accomplishments, behavior problems and daily activities will not work well with a family. Also, a nanny who cannot get along with the parents and listen to or implement their plans and ideas is not well suited for professional childcare work.

eNannySource: What’s your best three tips for new parents?

Deborah: First, set limits and guidelines so that children know what is to be expected and tolerated and what is not. Second, cling to consistency and follow through with consequences.

Third, ages 1-10:  talk, teach and train.  Ages 10-20:  Listen more, learn them again and love them through their mistakes.

eNannySource: What are your best three tips for nannies?

Deborah: 1. Be Patient and Professional 2.  Educate and Empower parents and children 3.  Set limits and boundaries with the children and families

eNannySource: What did you think of National Nanny Training Day?  Did you know there were so many nannies out there dedicated to continuing education?

Deborah: The National Nanny Training Day was informative and inspiring.  I always hoped that there would be so many nannies dedicated to continued education.

Deborah Tillman is the host of Lifetime TV’s America’s Supernanny: Family Lockdown. She is the CEO of the Happy Home Child Learning Centers and is working on writing a second book for children. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood special education from George Washington University. To learn more about Deborah, visit www.deborahtillman.com. 

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

Recently I had the chance to connect with friend and fellow author, Rachel Randolph. I’ve had the opportunity to follow her journey into vegan parenthood and have learned a few things about food and family along the way. Here’s a little of what she dished about on living vegan with kids.

eNannySource:  What type of diet does your family follow?

Rachel: We follow a vegan, mostly plant-based diet. No eggs, dairy, meat or fish; lots of veggies, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds and minimal processed foods.

eNannySource:  How did you start and why?

Rachel: My husband and I started eating this way three years ago after listening to an audio book together about the many health benefits of a plant-based diet and the health risks associated with the Standard American Diet (aptly named SAD). The China Study by T. Colin Campbell linked several diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and several cancers to the consumption of dairy and animal products. Still newlyweds at the time we heard this research, the thought of losing one another to a completely preventable disease saddened us both, and we committed to eating a plant-based diet for a month to see if we could do it. Three years later, we’ve never looked back.

eNannySource: What were you raised eating?

Rachel: I was raised eating frozen pizzas, Ramen Noodles and fast food. In high school, I got a job at an Italian restaurant and started doing my own grocery shopping. As an athlete, I wanted to eat healthier, so I ate a lot of lean protein like tuna and chicken and low calorie dairy products like mozzarella sticks and Slim Fast shakes. I didn’t really learn to cook until I went vegan, so throughout high school and college I relied on a lot of pre-packaged “health” foods.

eNannySource: What about your little man? Will you serve him a burger if he asks?

Rachel:  For now, I try to avoid giving him any meat. At some point, when he can understand the reasons we don’t eat meat, I’ll let him make the choice for himself. Last week we grilled burgers with my husband’s family. I grilled veggie burgers for us; he didn’t even know the difference. He has asked for bites of food with dairy or eggs in it and if he insists after I’ve redirected him to something else, then I give him a little bite. I try to be proactive and bring snacks and food I know he loves when I know there may not be good options for him. For example, we went to a birthday party this weekend. I knew he would want a cupcake, so I made him a vegan cupcake and brought it with us. I froze the rest so I’ll have a stash for future parties. His Mother’s Day Out and church nursery teachers know that we are vegan, but I’ve told them that if he ever gets upset because he wants a goldfish like the other kids, then let the boy try a goldfish. A few tiny gold fish are not worth a giant toddler tantrum.

eNannySource: What were some of the first foods you introduced?

Rachel:  As soon as Jackson was past the typical purees and onto solids, he ate things like kidney beans with a little smoked paprika and finely diced sautéed kale, lentil soup, tofu scramble, baked sweet potato fries, green smoothies, nut butter banana smoothies, coconut yogurt with hemp and chia seeds, rice bowls with finely diced veggies, zucchini risotto. For the most part, he ate a finely diced, milder version of whatever we were eating. At 20 months, I rarely have to make a separate dish for him. I advise young moms having trouble getting their kids to eat veggies to up the flavor. Don’t be afraid of seasoning your child’s food. One of Jackson’s first words was “spice.”

eNannySource: What is his diet like now? Give us a rundown of what he eats in a day.

Rachel: Breakfast: He eats my recipe for Healthy Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal (on my blog) for breakfast almost every day with a cup of almond milk.

Lunch: Peanut butter sandwich, Field Roast sausages with steamed green peas and carrots, or leftovers.

Dinner: Whole wheat pasta topped with roasted veggies and chickpeas, light tomato sauce, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or a tortilla filled with sautéed veggies, beans and avocado. Lightly thawed frozen blueberries are a favorite easy dessert (and are soothing for teethers).

Snacks: Rice crackers with white bean guacamole, slice of Ezekiel bread, spoonful of peanut butter, cashews, whole wheat pretzels, bananas, green smoothies, peeled and sliced apples, diced avocado, a little dark chocolate and raisins

Typical packed lunch for Mother’s Day Out: Field Roast sausages and green peas, coconut yogurt with chia and hemp seeds, diced banana or apple slices, almond milk. Sometimes I send whipped coconut cream and Annie’s bunnies for a special treat.

On the go: I always have Green HappyPuffs, organic fruit and veggie squeeze pouches, raisins, and a few whole wheat pretzels in the diaper bag for the car or errands.

eNannySource: How do you keep it fresh AND easy?

Rachel: Plan ahead and do double duty in the kitchen whenever possible. Make one big green smoothie for three days, rather than making one small one every day, or freeze half into popsicles for a dessert next week. Make a double batch of brown rice and dice a bunch of veggies. Have tacos one night and oriental rice bowls the next. Wash your lettuce and herbs the day you bring them home from the store and seal them in zip-top bags with a paper towel. They’ll keep fresh longer and be ready any time you want to add a fresh salad to a meal. I always double soups and freeze half.

eNannySource: Best tips for young families wanting to make dietary changes.

Rachel: Do it together. Make the change together. Cook together. Eat together. When my husband and I went vegan, I wanted him to learn about what he was putting into his body, too, so he planned and cooked one balanced meal a week for us. Now that we have a child, Jackson helps me cook every day. And we sit down and eat together as often as possible. Yesterday, he begged for a bite of my kale salad, so I tore it up and gave him some. He ate it all and reached for more. If your family isn’t on board, then encourage healthy habits by demonstrating them yourself. Let your family see you eat and enjoy beautiful, healthy, flavorful food. Soon they will be begging for a bite of what you’re having.

eNannySource: Pros of a vegan lifestyle? Cons?

Rachel: Pros: I’ve learned to love cooking because being vegan made me get in the kitchen. The flipside, I can’t just easily call in take-out when I don’t feel like cooking. I used to suffer from headaches and bloating. Now the only time I get a headache is when it’s going to rain and I haven’t had a “food baby” in years. I love that I get to eat large volumes of food. Moderation is not a strong point of mine, but I pretty much can eat as many veggies as I want. A big pro, I don’t have to cook with raw meat anymore. I never did like this part of cooking and now I know my kitchen is always salmonella free.

eNannySource: Tell us about your blog and book.

Rachel: My mom, Becky Johnson, and I share a food blog at www.laughcrycook.com. We are opposites in many ways. I’m a vegan, she loves bacon. I crave order, her dishwasher looks like it was loaded by a drunken monkey, but we somehow balance each other out, or at least get a lot of funny material when we’re together. The female side of our family tree is dotted with funny storytellers, prolific authors, hospitable home cooks, and champion chatters. My mom and I just finished co-writing a humorous food memoir with recipes, We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook: Mother and Daughter Dish about the Food that Delights Them and the Love that Binds Them. It will be released by Zondervan in August 2013. In it, I navigate our newly vegan diet, pregnancy, birth, and my first year of motherhood, with my mom by my side cheering me on, supporting me when I need it, and offering an understanding shoulder to cry on when my once orderly life seemed a long distance memory of the past.

To learn more about Rachel, her recipes and her book, visit www.laughcrycook.com.

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

Recently I had a chance to catch up with David Bakke, dad and personal finance blogger. David blogs about family finances and some of the biggest financial mistakes parents make. Here is a little of what he had to say.

eNannySource: Tell us about some of the most common money mistakes today’s parents make.

David: One of the most common mistakes parents make is not saving enough for retirement, as parents who can’t support themselves financially may become a strain on their children’s finances. For that reason, and the fact that Social Security and Medicare both have uncertain futures, it’s important for parents to ensure they have enough to retire. Another mistake is carrying an excessive amount of credit card debt. The worst thing that could happen is for your children to need you someday for financial assistance, only to find that you cannot provide it due to being deeply in debt yourself.

eNannySource: Should kids have allowance?

David: The decision of whether to give your children an allowance or not is a personal choice. It has both advantages and disadvantages, and parents should carefully consider both before making their final decision. Giving a child an allowance is a great way to get them on track for a sound financial future, and can give them a sense of independence as well. If you decide to give your kids an allowance, you should consider tying it into weekly chores or other responsibilities. That way, they won’t feel like it’s an entitlement. Furthermore, you should use an allowance as a means to educate your children about how to save money and the importance of budgeting. The sooner you start teaching your kids about proper money management, the better off they’ll be.

eNannySource: How can parents save money with the rising cost of raising children?

David: First, search for ways to obtain kids’ clothes without paying full price. Garage sales are a good place to start, and Goodwill and other nonprofit organizations also offer a selection of quality, low-price clothes, both new and used. If you simply must have brand new clothes, there are still ways to get them at a discount. Sign up for a Kohl’s charge card if there’s a store in your area and wait for a sale – you may save as much as 30% using the charge card, and the store also has a solid clearance section. Sign up for a website such as FatWallet (a daily deal website), and look for deals and discounts on all kid-related purchases, such as toys, clothing, supplies and more.

There are also plenty of ways to save money on groceries. The cost of feeding those hungry mouths can add up in a hurry, but one of the best ways to cut costs is to clip coupons. Buy several copies of the Sunday paper and get the kids involved in clipping all the coupons for the items your household uses regularly. And during the warmer months, shop for fresh fruits and vegetables at a farm stand or local farmers’ market, which offer very low prices.

eNannySource: Save for college or retirement?

David: Most experts now say that you should forgo saving for college costs in lieu of saving for retirement because your kids will always have federal loans and other financing options at their disposal. But this is a very emotional decision to make. Some parents just can’t get away from the desire to help their kids with education costs, especially since it’s so expensive. And there’s nothing wrong with that – work hard, and find a way to do both. Rid yourself of credit card debt, find ways to reduce your monthly bills and cut back on personal purchases to free up more funds.

eNannySource: Best cost saving tips for parents?

David: Every time you go to reach for your wallet or purse to buy anything, ask yourself: Do I really need this? If you answer the question with complete objectivity, you’ll find that in plenty of cases, the answer is no. Next, never pay full price for anything. If you’re willing to wait for a sale or do your research on the Internet, there’s a way to get a discount on virtually everything that you buy.

Finally, arm yourself with great cash back or rewards credit cards and pay the balances in full each month. For instance, the American Express Blue Cash Preferred card gets you 6% cash back on groceries, 3% on gas and 1% on everything else. What parent doesn’t spend a lot on food and gasoline? Even with the $75 annual fee, you’ll still come out better off in the end over using other credit cards.

Also, consider a Discover or Chase Freedom card, both of which offer 5% cash back on a rotating set of categories throughout the year. And if you shop frequently at Target, consider the Target RedCard. You get 5% cash back on all purchases, applied directly at checkout. You’ll have a tough time getting approved for a large credit limit, but it’s still a great way to save.

eNannySource: Where is the most financial waste in today’s families?

David: One big area of financial waste is that of food. According to a recent report done by the National Resources Defense Council, the average American family tosses one-quarter of the food it purchases. The best way to prevent this is to create a shopping list before you shop for food, and plan out a weekly menu. Be careful not to over-purchase on produce, and keep your refrigerator and pantry organized.

Another area of waste is credit card interest payments. According to NerdWallet, the average American household carries more than $7,000 in credit card debt, resulting in a great deal of wasted money on interest payments. Families that want to get ahead need to seriously address this. One way balances can be paid down is to adopt one simple strategy: If you can’t afford to pay for it by the end of the month, then you just can’t afford it.

eNannySource: Top 3 practical tips for parents struggling financially.

David: First, get yourself on a budget. You won’t be able to improve your finances unless you know where they currently stand. Next, parents should sit down and regularly discuss money to ensure that you’re both on the same page financially. Use this time to establish savings goals, set spending limits on personal purchases and to jointly figure out a way to get out of debt. Lastly, closely examine each monthly bill and see if there’s a way to get your services for less. Cut back your plan whenever feasible, and see if any hidden fees have recently cropped up that you can have eliminated.

David Bakke started his own personal finance blog, YourFinances101, in June of 2009 and published his first book on ways to save more and spend less called “Don’t Be A Mule…” Since then he has been a regular contributor for Money Crashers. He lives just outside Atlanta, GA and most all of his free time is taken up by his amazing three year old son, Nicholas.