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Affordable Father's Day Affairs
Most fathers I know use the same cop out every Father's Day, "I don't need anything. Just a card. Maybe some new socks or golf balls."
Ecomomics: Have You (or Your Spouse) Been Laid Off?
Layoffs are a result of the current economy. After receiving pink slips, many moms and dads are spending more time at home than usual. For some parents, the down time is an opportunity to reconnect with their kids, for others it is sheer stress.
Mommy Dearest: Footing the Bill For Friends?
Mommy Dearest,
Our six-year-old son loves to play with a little girl his age in our neighborhood. Since both of her parents work, the children usually hang out at our house and she regularly goes on outings with us.
She's a well behaved, lovely girl so my husband and I are happy to have her join in on our family fun.
Other Search Results
Did You Take Advantage of Full Maternity Leave?
Before an expectant working mama checks out to welcome another baby to the world, she usually has a good idea of how much time it will be before she settles back into her desk. In some countries, mothers take the entire first year of their babe's life to stay at home and get to know them. In the States, it's a bit different.
Elmo to Face Consequences of Economic Downturn
Even the businesses lining Sesame Street aren't immune from the effects of a sinking economy. To help kids better understand the recession, Sesame Street will air a one hour special next week called Families Stand Together: Feeling Secure in Tough Times. The show stars Al Roker and Deborah Roberts, as well as personal finance and parenting experts to discuss strategies for maintaining children's well-being during hardships.
Mommy Dearest: Babysitter Leaving, but Offers Sister to Sit
Mommy Dearest,
Our babysitter is a local college student and we really like her. Sadly, she is going to be studying abroad for her Fall semester this year. She told us that her younger sister, who is still in high school would be interested in sitting for us while she is gone.
Who Did You Consider First When Deciding on Another Child?
Many women have a magic number — how many children they hope to have. Age, health, finances, and ambitions are just a few of the realities that can influence a couple's decision to either keep procreating or be content with the family they have. Some mothers know the benefits of giving their child siblings, but others prefer to focus their attention on one offspring.
Would Economics Influence Your Decision to Raise Baby?
One loving mother of three did something she never imagined — she put her fourth baby up for adoption. Struggling to make ends meet raising her teenagers as a single parent, Renee Siegfort, 36, did what she believed was in all of her children's best interest when she found herself unexpectedly pregnant again — she found a family to raise her infant, Joie. While the decision was heart wrenching, a recent report said that it is not uncommon as many moms are considering adoption due to the economy and the fact that raising children is so expensive.
Mommy Dearest: Friend Doesn't Pay Babysitter's Fee
Mommy Dearest,
A friend and I occasionally use the same babysitter when we spend an afternoon together. Like many nanny share situations, we split the rate in half making it less expensive for us both. The sitter's rate to watch one child is $15 and $20 to watch two.
Tell Mommy: Did You Bank Your Baby's Blood?
An expectant mommy is faced with a sleuth of important decisions, but none so important as deciding whether or not to bank her babe's cord blood — the blood that remains in your baby's umbilical cord after it has been cut.
Preserving your newborn's cord blood to potentially treat life-threatening diseases (such as cancer) is gaining momentum. However, the use of stem cells remains controversial, expensive (popular cord blood banks charge around $2000, with a $125 yearly storage fee), and there is no way to tell if your baby (or another family member) will ever have a need for it.
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