A former preschool teacher and nanny have recently opened a new childcare facility in Bluffton, and they are taking applications for new families. T'Lene Sanders and her daughter, Sarah Sanders, opened Little Sprouts Christian Childcare Center located in Sheridan Commons near Jim 'N Nicks Barbecue.

From the moment you held your little bundle of joy, you knew this day would come.  You knew it wouldn’t be easy. You knew it would be gross.  Potty. Training. Perhaps the one part of parenting everyone would rather skip. But guess what?

What do you do when toys or DVDs don't entertain your baby, toddler or preschooler? You asked. We answered.

Let’s face it. We’re not all super parents. You know, the ones who can make a smiley face mask with a page from an old magazine and a piece of hair? Well, maybe they're not exactly like that, but there always seems to be that special parent who can entertain a child for hours without breaking a sweat (or their partner’s neck at the end of the day). I am not one of those parents. After playing with my son, Cole, for half an hour, I start to wonder, "What now?" 

As much fun as it is to point that registry gun at your favorite store, how do you know you're selecting the items you'll really need and use? For first-time moms or for those who have been out of the game for awhile, it’s important to seek guidance from other moms to discover which tools of the trade are the most important. As I’ve learned from trial and error, there is no right or wrong when it comes to baby items but some just work better than others. And there are those must-needed items that no mom should be without.

My grandson Max woke up this morning and the first words out of his mouth were, “Are we going to Grandpa and Nana’s house today?” It’s those moments that reinforce why Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday: It’s the one time of the year that my husband and I get to have all of our children and grandchildren together.

In the world of childcare, there are many challenges we face as children progress happily through their different phases in development. The most challenging of these is the biting phase! Biting is something that cannot be tolerated and causes harm to others – which is why parents and caregivers need to draw the line. It’s a common problem for our little ones due to teething and a general expression of frustration, anger or excitement when they are not yet able to communicate. But it’s a problem that we do not tolerate at Kids College and should not be tolerated in any childcare environment – in a center, in your home or otherwise.

Bicycling is a great way for children and their parents to get exercise, but it's important to follow a few safety rules. Both children and adults should wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet and ride a bike that is the right size, has functioning brakes, and fully inflated tires, according to National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration. The
NHTSA also recommends that children younger than 10 years old ride on
the side walk.
Parents riding with their children in the street should follow the rules of the road and use bright colored clothing or gear to make yourself more visible to drivers.

You’ve suffered through sleepless nights, crying, and a constant stream of drool as those first tiny, white teeth poked through. But now how do you take care of them?

Just when you thought you and your baby had gotten the hang of breastfeeding, it starts hurt. When this happens, something is wrong. Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby, but it does include its fair share of challenges, even after nursing is established. And new moms are often so busy taking care of baby that they neglect themselves. If you experience pain when nursing, consider the following fixes to common breastfeeding challenges.

My first pregnancy, I was prepared weeks in advance for labor and delivery. My bags were packed and I'd read all the books. Five years later, and thirty-nine weeks pregnant with my second son, my doctor told me after an ultrasound appointment that I needed to be induced the following day.