Free preschool: What’s the state of universal pre-K programs and who can they benefit?
Many parents assume they’ll send their children to pre-K before kindergarten. After all, vast amounts of research shows that preschool benefits kids socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. It helps prepare them for the expectations of structured school and exposes them to new ways of learning and interacting with the world... more
Got child care experience? Here are 7 great careers, plus tips for getting ahead
Caring for kids can be a rewarding and fun job, and — because you’re ambitious — you might naturally start to wonder: Where can I go with this? The good news is, with child care experience, there are several different career paths you could follow — and you get to... more
Dependent Care Accounts: The best way to save on child and senior care costs
If you’re looking at the cost of child care or senior care solutions, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by hourly and monthly rates, among other expenses. How can you cut down on these costs, you may ask yourself? For most families, the biggest savings you can attain is... more
Can caregiving for your parents get you a tax break?
Many adult children eventually experience a role reversal and become caregivers for their parents. The responsibilities of this range from helping an aging parent with housework and errands to offering financial support and guiding medical care or even sharing their home. Nearly 66 million Americans (31 percent of U.S... more
Advance directives: What they are and why you need one
Sometimes known as a living will or medical directive, an advance directive is a legal document that spells out your health care wishes if you are unable to speak for yourself. Though many people associate it with older adults, an advance directive has nothing to do with age: It goes... more
How much does after-school transportation for kids cost?
It’s 3 p.m., your son needs to go to swim lessons and your daughter has to get to soccer practice — but you don’t get off work for two more hours. How can a family of four be in multiple places at once? If you don’t have a go-to... more
Is an after-school child care job right for you?
I found my first after-school child care position when I was taking morning classes for my degree and working odd lunchtime hours for another family. I knew I needed some extra income, but many jobs I considered couldn’t fit into my schedule. Fortunately, I found a family who needed an... more
8 fun Mommy and Me classes for babies and toddlers
When author Gretchen Rubin described life with small children by saying, “The days are long, but the years are short,” she hit the nail on the head. Parenting babies and toddlers provides an unmatched sense of joy, but let’s face it: Finding ways to enrich and entertain kids on... more
6 tips for being a great after-school sitter
If you’re considering finding a gig as an after-school sitter, it’s important not to underestimate the amount of work a role like this requires. Not only are you picking kids up from school and getting them home safely, but you’re often the snack prepper, homework helper, activity chauffeur and playmate... more