Parent tips Archives - Calroo - Family calendar and messaging app

How to Handle Your Kid’s Video Games Obsession Positively

September 25, 2019/in Parent tips /by Marcelo Ribeiro

Kids playing video games

Guest blog post by Amanda Moore

Video games are here to stay. Even if you ban them from your house, your child will go to someone else’s house and play. It’s just how it is.

It’s also unfortunately easy to get overly obsessed with video games. Parents worry about video game addiction, where kids become so enthralled with playing games that they neglect everyone and everything else.

But there are lots of positive ways to handle your child’s hobby and even use it to spur new interests.

8 Easy, Kid-Friendly Super Bowl Recipes

January 30, 2019/in Parent tips /by Marcelo Ribeiro

Guest blog post by Amanda Moore

It is that time of year again! Super Bowl is almost upon us. No matter where you are located, there are bound to be many things to do with awesome deals for the whole group! However, if you aren’t up for hanging out with the crowd this Super Bowl Sunday, you can always watch the game from the comfort of your own home. You can make some good food and your kids can help! Here is a list of kid-friendly Super Bowl recipes your kids will love to help with.

5 Indoor Activities Your Kids Will Love

January 22, 2019/in Parent tips /by Marcelo Ribeiro

Guest blog post by Amanda Moore

One of the best ways for your children to learn something new is by incorporating the material in fun activities that will not only engage your kids but will also allow them to retain that new information. Many people think that school is the place where children go to learn. Although that may have some truth to it, learning should continue at home. Many schools provide ways to keep kids active and learning outside of school by sending home homework, providing before & after school care or organizing summer camps programs. However, it’s always nice to change up the pace and find new ways to learn and have fun at home. And while it may seem daunting to think of different indoor activities that your children will enjoy, committing to providing your children with engaging, entertaining, and educational activities will be absolutely worth the effort you invest in the end. If you’re uncertain of where to start, look no further. Here are five indoor activities that your children will love.

Important Things to Remember When Hiring a Nanny

October 21, 2018/in Parent tips /by Marcelo Ribeiro

When you hire a nanny, you become a “household employer”. And the nanny – or any other person performing work in or near your home, like a health aide, housekeeper, gardener, cook, personal assistant, estate manager, etc. — is considered an employee of the family. Misclassifying an employee as an “independent contractor” is viewed as tax evasion by the IRS.

If a household employee is paid more than $2,100 in a calendar year, the household employer is required to withhold and remit payroll taxes to the state and the IRS. If a household pays an employee less than the threshold in a calendar year, payroll taxes are not required to be withheld and remitted; however, the household is still legally considered an employer and, therefore, must adhere to federal and state labor laws.

In this post, we review your responsibilities as a household employer, and suggest a done-for-you solution by our partner, HomePay.

Summer activities

June 23, 2018/in Parent tips /by Marcelo Ribeiro

Summer has arrived! While your children may have been out of school for a while now, the weather is finally warming up enough for it to really feel like summer. We’ve compiled a list of 25 activities to cross off your list before summer ends. We have everything from swimming to fruit picking – enjoy!

Ending the battle of sleep, tips to get your kids to bed

May 21, 2018/in Parent tips /by Marcelo Ribeiro

Getting your children to go to sleep quickly, easily and early can be a battle. Having these issues can not only affect your children’s mood and health but also your own. (Your sleep is important as well, so check out our post on getting a good night’s sleep here!) Below are some tips to help get your children to bed.

Get a better night of sleep

May 13, 2018/in Parent tips /by Marcelo Ribeiro

Sleep is incredibly important. It affects both your mental and physical health. If you don’t get enough sleep, your productivity, emotional health, and even your weight can be negatively affected. The problem is, sleep is often not a priority or there are outside factors that interfere with a restful night. Here are some tips to make sure you are getting the rest that your body needs.

Tips for smoother, calmer mornings

May 13, 2018/in Parent tips /by Marcelo Ribeiro

Mornings are infamous for being chaotic and hectic. There is always an element of urgency in getting yourself and your kids ready, fed and out the door in time. While going to sleep early and waking up an hours before having to leave is ideal, it is not always the most realistic for families to be able to do. Instead, here are some tips to help make your mornings easier. Read more

Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas for Families

May 4, 2018/in Parent tips /by Marcelo Ribeiro

Breakfast time can be extremely hectic. Make your life a little simpler by teaching your kids some simple meals that they can make themselves. If they get good enough, maybe they can use some of these easy recipes to surprise you with breakfast in bed!

Summer Survival Guide for Busy Parents

May 1, 2018/in Parent tips /by Marcelo Ribeiro

Summer is almost here! Summer is a happy time for kids. But for many working parents, summers can be stressful. You might only be able to take one or two weeks off for a summer vacation with your family. How do you keep your kids busy, happy, and safe the rest of the time?