Babysitters

Do you hire babysitters? Do you and your significant other take the time to go out without kids? I was probably one of the luckiest people. When the kids were super young my mom lived nearby and she watched the kids for us. When we moved here to Santa Barbara, my daughters old preschool aid moved up here to attend school. When my husband and I would go out, she would come watch the kids. He and I even were able to go away for weekends and she'd stay with the kids.

If you have older kids, do you allow them to babysit? Are they CPR trained and emergency trained?

I have allowed both of my girls to babysit, but only if I'm available should an emergency arise. One of my daughters is CPR trained the other is not.

Would love to hear your thoughts on using babysitters and allowing your own children to babysit.

Audrey :)

Your Kids Bedrooms

There are two very different philosophies when it comes to kid's bedrooms. Some parents believe that the room is the child's space and if they choose to mess it up, that's fine. Other parents believe that the room is in the parents home and therefore the parent will dictate how clean the room must be.

What is your philosophy? Are your kids allowed to keep a messy room? Are they allowed to eat in their rooms?

What kinds of rules do you impose when it comes to your kids bedrooms?

As you've read before, my two girls are very different. One of them has always taken pride in a clean bedroom. The other almost never cleans unless I tell her to.

Share your thoughts here.

Audrey :)

Curfews

I was very fortunate. I really never had curfews growing up. I don't recall taking advantage and so no curfew worked well for me.

My own kids were not as lucky as I was. They both had curfews. Their curfews got more lenient as they got older.

My 19 year old recently came home for a visit (she is living overseas) and she was pleasantly surprised to learn she no longer has a curfew. On the flip side I was also pleasantly surprised that she really did not take advantage and has come home at very reasonable times when she's gone out with her friends.

What about your kids? Do they have curfews? What times do you set for them to come home? Are their curfews different during the week and on the weekends? Share your parenting curfew strategies here.

Audrey :)

Where Do Your Kids Sleep?

There are so many thoughts on kids sleeping with parents versus kids sleeping in their own rooms. One of my daughters slept in my bed for the first several years of her life. My other daughter preferred her own crib and never slept with me.

You'll find experts on both sides of this issue.

Where do your kids sleep?

Audrey :)

Homework

Do your kids have a set homework time? Are they allowed to do homework when they choose to do it?

I was always pretty flexible on homework times. My kids have always had friends on both sides of this issues. Some of their friends had very set homework schedules, while other friends were allowed to choose their own schedule.

Leave me a comment, share your thoughts on homework time.

Audrey :)