Free Items and Coupons for this Weekend

Free Pizza and Drink at Unbelieva-Bills

Free Pizza and Drink	Get one slice of pizza and a medium fountain drink for Free with the purchase of any adventure pass. Limit one coupon per person. Must present coupon at time of admission purchase.
Offer valid: November 6-7, 2008 only at Unbelieva-Bills
SAVE $5 when you Spend $25 at CVS This Weekend 5/25 Coupon

Reduce the Risk of SIDS with a Fan

Sleeping in a room with a fan lowers a baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome by 72%, a new study has found.
The finding, published in The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, is the latest evidence to suggest that a baby’s sleep environment is a critical factor in the risk of SIDS, which is diagnosed when an infant’s sudden death cannot be explained by other factors.
The study was not designed to identify why fans make a difference, but researchers said they thought that by circulating air, fans lowered the risk of “rebreathing” exhaled carbon dioxide. That risk has been suggested as a reason the rate of SIDS is higher when children sleep on their stomach, in a soft bed or without a pacifier. Since 1992 the rate of SIDS deaths has dropped by more than half, to about one death per 2,000 live births from 2.4 per 1,000.
The decline is linked to a national “Back to Sleep” campaign that promotes putting babies on their back instead of their stomach, which has been shown to lower the risk of sudden death. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that parents avoid soft bedding, allow babies to use a pacifier and avoid overheating a baby’s room. Despite the gains, SIDS continues to be the leading cause of death in babies under the age of 1, and researchers are looking for more measures to lower the risk. The latest study compared 185 babies who had died of SIDS with 312 randomly selected babies and matched them by age, race, ethnic group and country of origin. “Even though we don’t know why certain babies are more susceptible, sleeping environment matters,” said a co-author of the study, Dr. De-Kun Li, a reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist at Kaiser Permanente’s division of research in Oakland, Calif. Parents who worry that their child will be chilled by a fan should know that fans do not cool the air; they just move air around. A baby will feel a chill only if he or she is perspiring, doctors say. Parents who use fans in a child’s room should make sure to take normal safety precautions, keeping cords out of the way and making sure the fan cannot be knocked down by a toddler or pet.
Dr. Li said the use of fans should not replace other sleeping strategies for lowering SIDS, like removing soft bedding and putting babies on their back. He noted that the gains shown in the study were an average for the whole group, including for babies whose care did not meet the guidelines. Still, even if a baby had a safe sleeping environment, the risk of SIDS was lowered by about 16% for those who had a fan in the room, although the trend was not statistically significant. “If parents wanted to do more to reduce the baby’s SIDS risk,” he said, “they can add a fan.”

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - Those Crazy Penguins are back along with all your favorites from the Original Madagascar. This time they have landed in Africa and if they are going to survive they will need to tap into their wild side.
Here is a trailer for Madagascar Escape 2 Africa it looks funny I am planning on seeing it Friday and should have a review this weekend.

The Best way to Find a Babysitter

Finding the right babysitter or Nanny for your Child can be a daunting experience, After all you are entrusting the care and well being of your child with someone else (you need to get it right).
If relatives such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles are available, willing, and competent then they are one of your best options.

Trusted friends, especially those with children of their own that are at a similar age as your child can also be a good option. You can swap sitting time and your child can have a play date. Even with Family and friends you will want to be sure that they are caring for your child as you would. Clear communication is key in letting them know up front how you do things and what your expectations are.

One method that we used to assist in the vetting process was to have our prospective babysitter watch our daughter with us present.
This enabled the babysitter to develop an understanding of our expectations, and a feel for our parenting style while providing our daughter with the time to be become comfortable with someone new. It enabled us to conduct a more extensive and relevant interview.
This process would be carried out over five 1-2 hour sessions in which we would pay the babysitter. The sessions would vary with earlier sessions being in home with both of us present. Other sessions were outside the home at various locations such as the playground, library, and the local strip mall. (These subsequent sessions were conducted with one parent present.)
During these engagements we would have the babysitter be responsible for an increasing amount of the child care until we were sure that the babysitter was the correct choice.
We have been fortunate with our babysitters. Two of them have held long terms positions with us. They have become a part of our family. Our daughter is happy and even excited to see them is at ease whenever she is left with either one.

Over the next few weeks I am will be running a series of articles on: Online Babysitter Services that assist families with finding Babysitters and Nannies. Tips for Conducting Online Background checks, Tips for interviewing a babysitter, Checklist and rules.

To receive these and other great articles as soon as they are published please subscribe to our Blog

Thank You

Mike at KidZense

Related Posts:

Finding a Babysitter Online

Election Day Voter Stimulus Packages

Starbucks:On Tuesday November 4th Go into any Participating Starbucks Let them Know that you voted and they will give you a free 12 oz Coffee. Limit 1 per Customer

Ben and Jerry's : Come to participating scoop shops on November 4th from 5-8pm, and you'll get a free scoop of ice cream.

Krispy Kreme Donuts: Krispy Kreme will celebrate National Election Day by offering all retail customers an "I Voted" Sticker and a Doughnut with Red, White, and Blue Sprinkles.

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Blogging Idol 2

Blogging Idol 2 will take place between November 1st and November 30th. During that period 104 bloggers will compete to see who can gain RSS subscribers more efficiently. You can track our standing in the contest via the Live scoreboard that displays contestants with their initial and current RSS subscriber count, as well as their net gain of subscribers. There is almost $5,000 in prizes.
If you subscribe to my blog through November you will be help me get one step closer towards My Dream becoming a Blogging Idol (Just kidding about the Idol part... sort of)
And I will provide you with articles with Activities to do with your Kids, Coupons, Tips on Education, finding a Babysitter and more. It's a win win Proposition!

Thanks in Advance,

Mike at Kidzense

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Subscribe to Kidzense Feed

Weekend Planner Oct 31-Nov 2

Obviously this Friday will be spent trick-or-treating for Tomorrow I recommend the Pumpkin Buckwheat Pancake recipe that I posted earlier this week then if your inclined you may want to go to the Home Depot - Kids Clinics This months project is a Leaf Press. The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.
After Making your Leaf press you could go on a hike and pick some leaves for your press and walk off some of that candy. Here are some Local Nature Centers
Flat Rock Brook Nature Center - Flat Rock Brook Nature Center is a 150-acre preserve and education center situated on the western slope of the Palisades in Englewood, New Jersey. The Center was established in 1973 by citizens who were deeply committed to land conservation and environmental education.
Family Hike Sunday, November 2, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. For families. Have you ever wished you had a naturalist guide along on a family hike to help you point out the sights? Here’s your chance! Join Miss Jill and her family for a fun and informative nature walk and learn about what’s going on in the natural habitats of Flat Rock Brook.Registration by mail is required. Per person cost: $5 members, $8 non-members.

For a easy to moderate hike check out the Tenafly Nature Center.
313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly NJ

A Dolphin Up A Tree
Sat., Nov. 1 - 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM $17
Special Concerts for younger Kids in bergenPAC’s Drapkin Family Cabaret. Gather on the floor around the stage in this intimate setting. Including artists from Nickelodeon’s “Noggin” channel and many more.

Saddle River Valley Cultural Center
305 West Saddle River Road
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
November 1st at 2:00pm
Madeline and the Bad Hat, by ArtsPower
* this show will be held at the Cavallini School one mile north of SRVCC

Newark Museum - November Schedule

Art Activity: Be an Impressionist Painter!Saturdays & Sundays, 1–4 pm (ongoing)Make a painting that captures the light and color you see around you.

Science Activities:
Saturdays & Sundays, 1–4 pm (ongoing)Investigate the science in our every day lives.
Insecta Fantasia
Join our Science Explorers to learn about fascinating insects and partake in creepy bug activities.
Optics and Impressionism
Understand how your brain perceive light, and how does light travel to your brain.
Fall Family Tours
Saturdays & Sundays, 1 & 3 pm
Fire Escapes—Danger & Survival
At the Hazard House, kids and their families discover home fire hazards and explore ways to prevent them and escape from them. Guided by a Museum Educator, kids can climb a real fire truck, try on equipment and bunker gear, learn about real-life escape stories, play the Rookie-Firefighter game and more.Saturdays & Sundays, 2 & 4 pm
begins October 11
Once Upon a Dime: The World of Money Young people are invited to discover the fascinating story of money, which has existed for thousands of years across the world. Peek into a large bank vault filled with different kinds of money, follow money's evolution through interactive exhibits, and determine how to spend, save and invest your own money. Then become an inspector in our Crime Lab and identify the counterfeit bills!
Reading Program: Story time in the Galleries
Saturday, November 8, noon–1 pm
Stories come alive as special guest readers lead you and your family on adventures all over the world. Especially for kids and the young at heart.
For further details, call 973–596–6550.
Meet artist, Lorraine Neimela, who will read Linnea in Monet’s Garden by Christina Bjork and illustrated by Lena Anderson (translated by Joan Sandin). The artist will show how she captures light in her paintings.
Enrichment: The Art & Science of Keeping Zoo Animals Happy
Sunday, November 9, 3–3:30
Learn how zookeepers create fun and engaging activities to mentally stimulate our Mini Zoo animals. Zookeeper's Corner
Sunday, November 16, 3–4 pm
Discover fascinating facts about the rare and unusual animals in our Mini Zoo by taking a gallery tour with one of our expert zookeepers.

Lakota Wolf Preserve
Enjoy a scenic walk to the Lakota Wolf Preserve observing the many forms of local wildlife along the way. Upon arrival at the Preserve you will be invited to the observation area, in the center of four packs of wolves. During our informal talks with the people who raised and care for the wolves you will learn about the social structure of wolf packs, their eating habits, their interaction with man and many other interesting facts. We will try to educate you on the true behavior of the wolf and will be glad to answer any questions you may have. While in the observation area you will be able to watch the wolves play, interact with each other and maybe even hear them howl.

Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

As a young child of around 5-6 I would go Trick-or-treating with my brother, (who was 3 years older) a warning not to eat any unwrapped candy, and told not to go in any ones house.
In the fall of 1982 seven people died due to Cyanide poisoning. This year was going to be my last Halloween to Trick-or-Treat since I was getting "too old". There were many warnings in the media that copycats may tamper or poison candy, so my friends and I decided to pass on the Trick-or-Treating. While the tampering incidents changed the way over the counter drugs were produced and packaged it also changed the way parents sent their kids off to trick-or-treat. Suddenly you saw parents walking (or driving) their kids around the neighborhood. Malls started to have trick-or-treat events, Museums, and Zoos have also started to have Trick-or-Treat events as well. Things seem safer now but I don't know if they are better. Halloween used to belong to the kids now it has become something else (Please leave the SUV at home and walk off the Milky Way you are going to eat when you get home). As kids we used to cover most of the town I lived in. When we were finally done trick-or-treating my pillowcase sack was filled to capacity. My candy would sometimes last past Christmas. But enough of me waxing sentimental the world is a changed place and we shouldn't put our heads in the sand and pretend it is something else. So here are some trick or treat tips for parents to ensure that your child is safe and has fun.

Feed your kids a healthy meal prior to going trick or treat.
Your children will be happier, and it will help reduce the temptation of kids wanting to eat candy along the way.

Children should be accompanied by a parent.
An Adult or Older Teen Chaperon is best but, Tweens or young teens who still trick or treat may have friends that are trick-or-treating by themselves and want to join them. If they trick or treat without an adult, set firm rules and require a child to carry a cell phone that can be used in the event of an emergency.
Older kids should know where they can go, what etiquette they must follow, safety rules, carry a flashlight or a lit device, and have a deadline for returning home.

Costumes:
Purchased costumes should be made of flame-retardant material. Provide adequate visibility, and be appropriate for the weather.
Comfort and safety should come before the appearance of the costume.

Make sure that there are no part of the costume that the child can trip on.

The princess high heels are probably better saved for an at home or in school party.

Logistics:

Know your Child's route and the places they will be trick or treating if you are not going to be present.
When Trick-or-Treating with smaller children make sure they go to the bathroom before leaving the house. And, be considerate of your child's bathroom needs by choosing a costume that is easy to get on and off in time to avoid last-minute bathroom trips, if at all possible.

Street Smarts:
The scariest thing on Halloween is traffic. According to the Centers for Disease Control, cars killed 89 child pedestrians on Halloween evening from 1975 to 1996. That's four deaths per day, which is four times higher than the average rate.
•Children should trick-or-treat only in well-lighted neighborhoods with sidewalks.
•Be sure your children can remember to cross streets at corners and to look both ways before they go.
•Make sure trick-or-treaters carry a flashlight after dark.
•Attach reflective tape to costumes and candy bags.
•Bracelets and necklaces that glow in the dark can serve as alternatives to reflective tape and also make your child more visible to a passing motorist

Inspect your Goodies:

Never allow children to eat candy before it is inspected. Any opened candy should be thrown away, and unless you personally know and trust the families who make homemade treats, they should be discarded as well. Immediately toss any items that are suspect in any way.

Set limits for how much candy your child is allowed to eat in one sitting. Portion out the candy and don't allow them to eat close to mealtime.

Happy Trick-or-Treating: and feel free to add any tips you may have