MLK Day!

Kaboose.com asked, Why Do We Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day? “Just days after his death in 1968, Congress introduced a bill intended to recognize his birthday as a national holiday, but it took almost 20 years for the bill to become law. Although King’s ideals were embraced by many, there were certainly those who resisted his call for change, and, after his death, worked against recognizing his many achievements.

These groups pointed out the cost to the country (said to be in the billions) of another national holiday on the calendar and questioned why the United States should recognize King over any other well-known person. Yet King’s supporters pressed on, offering up petitions and conducting marches--just the way King would have done things himself--until the bill was signed into law and the first official Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated in 1986.”

To educate your children about Black History Month and Martin Luther King Jr. please check out this list of recommended books from www.apples4theteacher.com.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did nothing but help others and encouraged others to volunteer and do good.  So, while your children have off from school on MLK Day, take this time to teach them to help others and volunteer. 

Ways kids can make a difference:

-Go through toys and donate to kids who are less fortunate. 

-Go through drawers/closets and do a little "spring cleaning" while finding clothes to donate to  your local homeless shelter

-Check out Alex's Lemonade Stand– a foundation created by a four-year-old with cancer, to help raise money for children and their families fighting childhood cancer.

-Check out Cards of Joy– a non profit company started by a 9 year old boy. Matthew and his friends have been selling cards made by Haitians as well as making and selling their own greeting cards.  All money is given to Beyond Borders. (An organization that has been working hand in hand for almost 2 decades with the children of Haiti.)  

Do you know of any other great organizations to teach the children to give back?  Martin Luther King Jr. was a courageous man who put his life on the line to change the country.  We are lucky for people like him, and we should encourage our children to give back and be brave just like he did.

What do you do when your oldest doesn't want a babysitter but your youngest still needs one?

This is a dilemma that many families encounter.  I have heard parents tell their oldest, “when you’re 13 you will be the babysitter” or something along those lines.  Well, 13 came and went and there was still a babysitter present.  I recommend, not making any promises as to when the oldest can be the babysitter and just wait until the time is right. This predicament rang true with my family, I am 8.5 years older than my brother.  So when I was 13 and didn’t want a babysitter anymore, my brother was 5-years-old.  Time to time my parents let me stay home alone with him, under certain circumstances. However, on a Friday night if I had my friends over, my parents knew I wasn’t going to be watching my brother.  Against my will, my parents would still get a sitter for my brother.  Take it from me; remind your oldest that having a babysitter isn’t a bad thing!

After my younger siblings went to sleep, I was allowed to stay up and watch a movie or play a fun game with my babysitter.  The Babysitting Company always brings age appropriate games, toys, movies, etc. to each assignment.  If you have an older child, make sure to let us know.  Tell us about what interests them, likes, dislikes, etc.  If they like to bake, they can make dessert together. We will bring magazines, crafts, games, books, movies, and make sure that the oldest child is not forgotten about.

The Babysitting Company also offers babysitters that are tutors!  Why not kill two birds with one stone and have your teenager finish up that essay or math homework with the babysitter.

Every situation is different, but remind your teenager that you do trust them and that it is not just the right time.  Maybe, you don’t want to put any pressure or too much responsibility on your child.  Having a babysitter isn’t embarrassing or childish, it will be fun and babysitters make great friends!  I know that some children look to their babysitters as a part of the family, and a sibling, that is always a positive and great experience.

Are you faced with this situation? How are you handling it? We hope we could help you and we look forward to your feedback.