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Archives for December 2012

Keeping Santa Alive

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With Christmas fast approaching, choosing to introduce Santa is a choice parents will have to make soon! While my husband and I will be partaking in the traditions involving the jolly old man, I have friends who have chosen to forego the Santa tradition entirely. My opinion is that in today’s world of violence and technological advancements, the innocence of things like Santa are needed to keep our children grounded; almost forcing a sense of enchantment and mystery, things that have seemingly been lost entirely.

How a family introduces Santa will vary between families, cultures and across continents. Here are a  few ideas on how to help keep the magic alive in your house:

Santa’s Key

Santa’s Key is something you can make yourself or chose to buy. The story goes that leaving the key will help answer questions about how the big fat man makes it into your house if you don’t have a chimney or just a skeptical kid.

Santa’s Footprints

A large pair of boots, some flour and a little glitter (for magic) is all you need. Leave the flour footprints by the front door or fireplace for kids to find when they wake in the morning to see if he actually came!

A Letter

Writing a letter early on in your child’s life about how you want the memories of Santa to be remembered might be a good idea. You can choose how you want Santa to be perceived in your house; is he a physical man or more of a giving characteristic found in all of us? Does he bring many gifts or just one? Does he have any rules-like being good all year? Write a letter to your child, when they reach an age of understanding, and explain what or who Santa really is.

Cotton Ball Beard?

I’ve heard of friends parents using pulled cotton balls and putting a few ‘Santa beard whisps’ in the tree, where his beard gets caught when bending down to put the gifts under the tree.

NORAD Santa Tracker

In today’s world of computers and i-everything, kids have great fun following Santa second-by-second on NORAD’s Santa Tracker. NORAD goes into great detail about exactly how the Santa tracking works, it’s a lot of fun.

Whatever your chose to do, make sure your kids are excited about it. Let them enjoy the mysteries behind it and indulge in their questions, be creative and do your best to keep Santa alive as long as you can!

Do you have any special tips or tricks you like to use to keep the spirit of Santa alive in your house?

The New Approach to International Parcel Delivery – Pay Less, Get More!

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Parcel DeliveryIt is not all that long ago that the phrase “cheap courier” might have seemed like a contradiction in terms. The idea of using a specialist to deliver parcels overseas would be something that would only be considered by businesses that needed to ship products to clients quickly and reliably. Quite a lot has changed over the last ten years or so and one consequence of those changes is that more of us than ever before are turning to online couriers in search of good deals and dependable services.

Competition Had Made Delivery Cheaper

As demand for a given product or services rises two things can be expected to happen. Either the supply remains the same and prices rise or supply increases and prices tend to fall as a result of competition. While you can no doubt think of at least a few examples where this does not hold true, it is fair to say that increased supply has indeed led to more affordable international parcel delivery services. A quick online search will present you with a multitude of couriers promising the lowest prices for the very best services.

Do You Recognize The Courier?

If you find yourself worrying about whether an online courier can live up to their promises there are a few very basic points that you can use to identify the genuinely first-class services available. Probably the most telling of these will be whether a courier is partnered with a recognized global carrier or not. There are currently only four such carriers (soon to be three if UPS’s proposed takeover of TNT is completed in 2013) and you’ll likely have heard of them before now: DHL, FedEx, TNT and UPS. As long as your courier works alongside at least one of these you can at least feel assured that whatever you’re sending will travel with an established worldwide delivery specialist.

So, why not cut out the middleman and deal directly with the experts?

Making The Final Decision

The short answer, as it seems to be so often these days, is cost. The large global carriers operate on a model that is generally designed to work best for businesses sending out tens, if not hundreds, of items on a regular basis – this type of traffic did, after all, represent the clear majority of the volume handled until very recently. Many smaller couriers simply buy the services of their larger partners in bulk at appropriately discounted rates and pass those same services on to you at a price that represents a significant overall saving.

As you can see, a cheap international delivery does not mean you should need to compromise on the level of service you receive. It is more than possible to find a truly great price and still feel confident that your parcel will arrive intact and on time.

What service have you used in the past for international shipments?

The Summer Job That Prepped Me For Motherhood

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NannyDuring my undergraduate degree I worked part-time at a local pharmacy as a pharmacy technician. I loved this job. I got to interact with so many different people every day, working with the public is certainly anything but boring, especially in healthcare. One particular summer, the job wasn’t able to offer me the full-time hours I had received during the previous years due to new FT permanent hires; being a university student and not a ‘lifer’, I was low on the totem pole. It was no secret to my employer and fellow employees I was actively pursuing a second job that wouldn’t interfere with my current one. During a conversation with one of our regular customers, I came to find out she and her husband were in the process of looking for a nanny. She had just finished her pediatric residency in a big city and was moving home to settle down and start her new job as an emergency room pediatrician. She wanted to know if I knew of anyone looking. Well, in fact, I did.

Hire Me!

The words, ‘hire me’ came out of my mouth before I even knew what the job entailed. What did I know about kids?! I was 21, babysat my cousins a few times but I certainly didn’t consider myself confident enough to mind a 23 and 4 month old on a full-time basis for the five months leading up to my classes starting back up. I had NO idea what I had just signed up for.

She did hire me. She liked me at the pharmacy, knew my boss on a personal basis, and had way more confidence in my abilities than I did.

I was scared. to. death.

When she and her husband were at work, I was 100% responsible for these two amazing little kids. What if something happened? Their MOM would be the ER doctor! What if the kids didn’t like me?! What if I managed to totally screw up their lives somehow?! What if…

Learning as I Went

I quickly learned I had to let go of the ”what if’s” and just go with it. I was thrown into the fire so-to-speak and am so glad. Even in the dreaded long hours of dealing with a colicky 4 month old baby girl who was unknowingly fighting a severe lactose allergy from moms breast milk, I quickly grew to love those two kids.

Between the nannying and pharmacy job, I was working over 80 hour weeks. It was exhausting but I loved every minute of it.

I grew up thinking parents and caregivers alike had some sort of manual they were able to refer to, but it became clear to me very quickly that although it appeared they were experts, they were totally winging it.

Raising Children Makes You Mature

Providing childcare is a very humbling job. Children force the youth and silliness out of you. You try maturely playing with a 23 month old; he’ll have you on the floor playing ‘ride the horse’ faster than you know, and know what? You’ll enjoy it. Being able to make a child smile, especially from the simplest of things, is one of life’s greatest rewards. What are simple silly tasks for an adult, bring happiness and memories for a child.

The summer all too quickly came to an end. I remember putting the little boy to bed on what I knew would be my last night there, he snuggled in bed with me as I read him stories and I quietly cried as he said ‘Goodnight and I love you, Catherine’. I loved him too and would miss our fun-filled days together playing with his baby sister. His mom and I cried some more before I left that night, these two kids taught me so much more than diaper changes and stain removal techniques. They brought the ‘mom’ out of me.

I can honestly say that summer prepped me in so many ways for becoming a mother. Being a first time mom, people would often ask during my pregnancy if I was scared or nervous for all that motherhood was sure to entail. I was confidently able to say ‘no’. I knew I could do it, I was taught by the best 23 and 4 month old teachers this world had to offer.

Have you ever had a job that helped you prepare to become a parent?

Free iPad Mini Giveaway at The College Investor

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Our Favorite Things

Part of Kids Ain’t Cheap is highlighting great contests and giveaways around the web that anyone can benefit from.  Well, The College Investor, along with 11 other awesome websites, is hosting a giveaway that includes an iPad Mini and other great prizes.

Not all of the giveaways have started yet, but the goal of them is to highlight the 12 Days of Christmas.

Great Giveaways

Good Luck!

Things to Consider When Traveling with Children

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Disney CruiseIf you’re planning some holiday travels, or even thinking about a trip for next summer, there are some things that you should consider about traveling with children. It can be very expensive…you have to get extra plane tickets, pay for more meals, and spend more to have fun.  However, that doesn’t need to hold you back from your dream vacation.   Here are some things to consider when traveling with children.

Do The Road Trip

One of the first things you should consider is doing the road trip.  This can be a great trip for children because you just take your regular car, and you can set your own agenda.  This means traveling as much or as little as you want each day.  You can also have the kids pick out which sites they want to see on the trip, which will make it a fun experience for them.  Take a look at some of these other tips for traveling with kids.

Ditch the Hotel

One of the worst parts of traveling to a new place can be cramming into a hotel room with the whole family – dealing with roller beds or sleeping on hotel couches is not fun.  Neither is sleeping 2-3 per bed.  Instead of staying in a hotel, consider renting a timeshare in your favorite destination.  Timeshares typically have 1-2 bedrooms and family room, which can be used to sleep the whole family.  Also, timeshares usually have kitchens, which can be used to cut back on costs by preparing small meals and snacks at the room, instead of buying everything.

Go on a Family Friendly Vacation

Finally, you could consider going on a vacation specifically for children.  For example, you could take a Disney cruise, or go to a family resort, that has a lot of activities specifically designed for children and families.  The perks of these types of trips is that they have plenty of activities for kids and adults alike, and that makes the whole experience enjoyable.

What tips do you have for traveling with children?

Does Insurance Cover Infertility Treatments and IVF?

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IVF CenterIf you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve been struggling with infertility for a while.  This is such a tough situation to be in, because you know that all of the next steps (no matter how small or big they may be) are going to be hard emotionally, and have the potential to be very expensive.  However, what many people don’t realize is that, in many cases, some types of infertility treatments are covered by insurance.  This can be a huge benefit to an otherwise dreary situation.

 

Diagnosis and Treatment of Underlying Condition

This is the phrase that you’ll here the most: Your insurance covers the diagnosis and treatment of the underlying condition of infertility.  But the real question is what does this mean when you actually get to see a specialist?

This clause usually means that you get the following covered for the woman (based on your normal plan deductibles):

  • Exams
  • Blood Tests
  • Radiology Tests
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Possible Treatments Relating to Infertility (i.e. blocked tubes)

 

What Insurance Doesn’t Cover

That sounds like it covers a lot of things, and it does.  It also covers a lot of the more expensive aspects of treatment, including radiology tests and prescription drugs (like Clomid).  However, insurance also doesn’t cover a lot of things when it comes to infertility as well.

For example, it doesn’t cover anything related to the male reproductive system (unless the male is covered under an insurance policy that also has a diagnosis and treatment of underlying condition clause).  Some common things that applies to this are:

  • Blood tests he needs
  • Sperm Analysis
  • Hormone treatments or other prescription drugs

It also doesn’t cover anything related to actually getting you pregnant.  This means, the following typically aren’t covered:

  • Insemination
  • In vitro fertilization (IVF)

 

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that if you are going to see a reproductive endocrinologist or other specialist, make sure that you check and see what your insurance company covers before going.  You may be surprised to find out that a lot of it will be covered.

Plus, if you have a condition like PCOS (Poly-cystic ovarian syndrom),  and everything else is functioning normally, taking a round of clomid and having intercourse normally may be all you need to get pregnant.  This also won’t cost you very much beyond your visit copays.

However, if you are going to need much more extensive help, like IVF or even using a surrogate, it can be a large expense.  In this case, you should consult with a financial planner or other advisor that can help.  Many of the top fertility centers also offer financial guidance if you are in these situations.

What are your thoughts on the cost of care for IVF or other reproductive procedures?

Entertaining Kids During Christmas Break

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Entertaining Children Chirstmas BreakWith kids being out of school for a few weeks during the Christmas break, it’s easy to run out of ideas on how to entertain them. Growing up, my mom would send me to the mall with friends, handing me $40.00 to basically entertain myself for the day. While a nice treat once in a while, for most families, especially during the holiday season, this would quickly add up to be a big budget buster. Here are a few ideas to entertain the kids (young and old) while on their Christmas break:

Host a Gingerbread House Building Party

This is loads of fun for kids of all ages. Have your child invite their friends over, either with a gingerbread house kit in hand, or you can provide the house for them (using an easy recipe and template). Have candy provided in dishes (on your well wrapped table, it will be messy!) and let them have fun creating. Don’t want to do a whole house? Try decorating gingerbread or sugar cookies instead.

Have them Volunteer

While volunteering with your children year round is encouraged, Christmas is usually a time when extra help is needed. Soup kitchens and food banks in particular are often looking for extra help during the season. If your child is under the age of 16, you may either need to grant permission or be present. Check to see if your local mall needs gift wrappers. Many malls offer gift wrapping services, often provided by volunteers, with funds raised going to local charities. Although this should never be the only reason why one does it, volunteer work looks great on university and college applications too.

Host a Christmas Themed Pajama Movie Party/Sleepover

Have a few of your kids friends over for a fun night of watching Christmas movies in their PJ’s (sleepover or not, you have to be comfy!). Provide a few snacks or have them help you make a homemade pizza and you’ve got yourself a budget-friendly party.

Go Outside and Play

Especially in today’s technology driven world, we forget about the simplicity of encouraging outdoor play without an abundance of toys. Encourage them to explore; pick up a stick and use their imagination! Make sure they’re well bundled if you’re fortunate enough to live in a cold winter environment and let them enjoy the fresh air.
Have them Help You Prep Meals for the Holidays. Most kids like to explore in the kitchen. It’s a great opportunity to have the learn some kitchen skills from you and your family.Yes, it will take longer than if you did it yourself and yes, your kitchen will likely be much messier but the skills that you’ll be able to teach are much more important than some spilled flour.

Check to See if Your Local Theater Offers Christmas Break Discounts

Most movie theater chains will offer discounted tickets during the local school break as a way of encouraging the movie-going experience so check it out!

Crafts

Have your kids make everything from Christmas cards or gift tags to tree ornaments. The possibilities are endless and most require very few supplies. Who wouldn’t love a homemade card from your young one?

Encourage the Inner Entrepreneur

If you have older kids, encourage them to use their time off to make some money during their break. Ideas include: shoveling driveways, offering to get groceries (or run errands) for people who need extra help, or dog walking for people who may be away or just too busy to do it themselves.

Christmas can be stressful enough, you shouldn’t have to worry about what your kids are going to be doing while off from school. With a little creative planning, you can quickly fill their time without breaking the bank!

What holiday activities have you done with your kids?

How I Spent My Thanksgiving Weekend

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turkey dinnerI love Thanksgiving weekend because it is a nice break from work, and it’s a nice time to spend some time with family.  However, 4 days does tend to drag on, and I don’t know about you, but here is how I spent my Thanksgiving weekend.

Eating

I did a lot of eating!  Starting on Thursday, I spent a lot of time eating.  In the morning I helped get the turkey ready with my wife, and then we headed over to my aunt’s house for dinner.  It was great to see all of the family, and even better to enjoy the food.  I love getting together with family because everyone brings such different dishes.  I got to have a little bit of everything, and I promise you I filled my plate more than once. 

Shopping

I’m not going to lie, but I was one of the millions of shoppers who shopped on Grey Thursday this year.  I actually don’t mind going shopping on Thanksgiving night, and I don’t know what all the fuss was about on the news.

Instead of waking up early, I got to eat dinner, and then do some shopping before I went to bed.  I found it to be incredibly convenient, and based on what others in line were saying, I think they found it convenient too.  My wife wanted to do Black Friday shopping last year, and staying up until like 4am was terrible.  This year I was back home and in bed at midnight.

That’s not to say we didn’t go out again on Friday, because we did go shopping that day too! 

Bored

But you know what, I did spend a lot of time being bored over the holiday break.  It wasn’t a bad thing – it was nice to have a break from work.  The trouble is that I found myself wasting time playing on sites like JackpotCity Online Casino, which cost me a few pennies.  That’s okay though, because in the end it was worth it!

How did you spend your Thanksgiving?