Picky Eater?

Is it hard for you to get your child to eat more than one solid meal a day? You’ve cooked everything you could possibly think of and he just doesn’t want anything that has been made. Then dinner time comes and he can’t eat enough! Getting toddlers to eat unless they are extremely hungry can be a struggle, but with these fun ideas, I have noticed that it is so much easier to get my kids to eat.

First, involve your child in picking out and making the food. “Picking out” the food could mean guiding them to the right ingredients, and “making” could be something as small as stirring or putting the measured-out amount of water into a bowl. The point is to get them excited about the food!

After the easier part of the preparation takes place, allow your child to play with safe kitchen items (e.g. plastic bowls, wooden spoons, plastic measuring cups). This will give you time to do all of the things the little one can’t. Right before the food is ready to go in the oven or on the stove, let your child see what it looks like. They can be so amazed by the transformation of food, especially baked items!

Cooking also serves as a great time for learning, listening and following directions! When you turn on the stove or oven, make sure to let your child know. Talk to him/her and let him/her know that the oven is very hot and we need to stay away from it while the food is cooking. Time to set the table! This could include a fun plate, utensil set and special chair for your child. Or it could be just one of those three; something to help signify that it is time to sit and eat. It also takes up a few minutes while the food is cooking to keep them in the mind-set of lunch time!

Ding! Lunch is ready and your child is already excited to see what he/she has made! After much praise and excitement, it’s time to dig in. Now is the perfect time to sit with your child, eat, and talk about what a great meal you have prepared together. This process might seem like it would take 10 times longer than just cooking the food for your child, but after you factor in the time it takes to set up something to entertain them while you cook, the little guy/girl pulling on your leg right as you’re turning on the oven, and trying to get him/her to eat, having your child cook with you actually saves you time and creates a more enjoyable environment!

Keiki Sitters: Only the Best

Your child deserves the best care-- and you give that to them every day. There are times of course, where you need to hire a sitter, and when you do, hiring a nanny from Aloha Sitters ensures that you will find the best fit for your family.

Our service provides a large variety of sitters, all of whom are highly qualified. Whether you want someone who is lifeguard certified, a swim or surf instructor, or someone with an educational background, we have you covered. Our highly qualified, fun, and energetic staff is perfect for all your needs.

 When only the best will do for your family, contact Aloha Sitters and sit back, relax, and let us attract the perfect sitter for your family.

Prepared for the Unexpected

Last minute or spontaneous plans, emergencies, unexpected responsibilities, sick children-- sometimes, things come out of left field and we are in need of helping hand last minute. Things might come up unexpectedly, but that doesn't mean you can't be prepared for them. Having a few sitters on call to reach out to in time of need will set you mind at ease that even when things come up, you've got a team in place to take care of things.

 How are you going to find sitters willing for a last minute job? Sign into keikisitters.com and post an "on-call" job position. Interview a few sitters until you find a couple you are comfortable with, and who are flexible with their schedules and able to come last minute when something comes up. You may have to pay a higher rate for the peace of mind of having someone on call, but when that thing comes up, whatever it is, you will be happy you did!

Keiki Sitters is "Best of Honolulu"

Keiki Sitters and Aloha Sitters have once again won "The Best of Honolulu" for 2014! This prestigious award indicates the quality of service, professionalism, and growth a business has achieved and we are proud to once again be recipients. 

What is the Honolulu Award Program?

Each year, in and around the Honolulu area, the Honolulu Award Program
chooses only the best local businesses. We focus on companies that have
demonstrated their ability to use various marketing methods to grow their
business in spite of difficult economic times. The companies chosen
exemplify the best of small business; often leading through customer
service and community involvement.

For most companies, this recognition is a result of your dedication and
efforts as well as the work of others in your organization that have
helped build your business. Your team is now a part of an exclusive group
of small businesses that have achieved this selection.

How to Burp Your Baby

Photo Courtesy of BaiBoo.com

No one likes being gassy-- but lucky for you, you know how to burp on your own to expel that extra gas. Not so for your mini-me-- babies typically swallow a lot of air as they feed, and thus it is important to burp your newborn after feeding to minimize the gassiness and irritation that can result from gulping down air. Why do they intake so much air? In part because babies feed laying down, and the air sits in the esophagus causing discomfort. Here are three ways to burp your baby to help alleviate that discomfort:

 1. Hold your baby against your chest upright. You can either be standing or sitting for this, whatever is more comfortable for you. Rest your baby’s chin on your shoulder, supporting the baby with one hand. Gently pat your baby’s back with your other hand. The standard for burping is about four minutes-- if your baby hasn’t burped by then, it probably doesn’t need to.

 2. Hold your baby upright in your lap. With one hand, support your baby’s chest and head, being cautious of its neck and throat. With the other hand, gently pat your baby’s back.

 3. Lay your baby on your lap on its stomach. Again, it is important to support your baby’s head to make sure it’s neck is supported, as you always want the neck higher than the chest when burping. Pat your child’s back until it burps.

SBA 2014 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award awarded to Kathy Custer, owner and founder of Keiki Sitters

Kathy Custer, founder and owner of Keiki Sitters, is on fire! Last year, Kathy was a Pacific Business News "Forty Under 40" finalist.  Now, she has once again been recognized for her entrepreneurial efforts with an award from the Small Business Administration as a SBA 2014 Young Entrepreneur of the Year. The Hawaii House of Representatives and Senate recognized Kathy, along with the other nine winners in a ceremony March 24, 2014.

Kathy was nominated for the award by Michael Libertini of Bank of Hawaii.

Kathy's father, David Custer, flew in from California to help celebrate.

Congratulations to Kathy on her continued successes!

Vaccinations for Children

A recent measles outbreak has been confirmed on Oahu, stemming from a child who traveled to the Philippines without a vaccination and brought back the highly contagious disease-- measles-- that we have had a vaccination for since 1963. 

In 1962, the year before the measles vaccine was introduced, almost 500,000 cases of measles were reported in the U.S. Ten years after this there were about 32,000 cases, and ten years after that there were fewer than 2,000. In 1998 and 1999, only about 100 measles cases were reported each year, but in 2013 there was a spike in measles, with 175 confirmed cases and 20 hospitalizations according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 98% of measles patients were unvaccinated, indicating the outbreak was not a failure of a vaccine but rather failure to vaccinate. 

It's not just your child you are protecting from disease with vaccinations-- as in the case of the unvaccinated child bringing the disease back, an unvaccinated child can become highly contagious, spreading disease like wildfire to anyone who is not vaccinated or immune to the disease. 

Protect your child, and other's children by getting the proper vaccinations. Go to the Center for Disease and Prevention Control to find out more. 

New Year's Resolutions for Kids

With 2014 upon us, now is a great time to set goals with your children for the new year. The American Academy of Pediatrics has some great goal ideas for children, broken up by age-group. What are your resolutions this year? 

Preschoolers

• I will clean up my toys and put them where they belong.

•  I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating. 

• I won’t tease dogs or other pets – even friendly ones. I will avoid being bitten by keeping my fingers and face away from their mouths.

• I will talk with my parent or a trusted adult when I need help or am scared.

Kids, 5  to 12 years old

• I will drink reduced-fat milk and water every day, and drink soda and fruit drinks only at special times.

• I will put on  sunscreen before I go outdoors on bright, sunny days. I will try to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses, especially when I’m playing sports.

• I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!

• I will always wear a helmet when riding a bike .

• I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I’ll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt. 

• I’ll be nice to other kids. I’ll be friendly to kids who need friends or who may have a hard time making friends – like someone who is shy, or is new to my school.

• I’ll never give out private  information such as my name, home address, school name or telephone number on the Internet. Also, I’ll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without asking my parent if it is okay .

• I will try to talk with my parent or a trusted adult when I have a problem or feel stressed.

Kids, 13 years old and older

• I will try to eat two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables every day, and I will drink sodas only at special times .

• I will take care of my body through physical activity and eating the right types and amounts of foods .

• I will choose non-violent television shows and video games, and I will spend only one to two hours each day – at the most – on these activities.

• I will help out in my community – through giving some of my time to help others , working with community groups or by joining a group that helps people in need.

• When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find helpful  ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal or talking about  my problem with a parent or friend. 

• When faced with a difficult decision, I will talk about my choices with an adult whom I can trust.

• When I notice my friends are struggling or making  risky choices , I will talk with a trusted adult and attempt to find a way that I can help them.

• I will be careful about whom I choose to date, and always treat the other person with respect and without forcing them to do something  or using violence. I will expect to be treated the same way  in return. 

• I will resist peer pressure to try tobaccoe-cigarettes, drugs or alcohol.

• I agree not to use a cellphone or text message while driving and to always use a seat belt.