The Dad Shoes Podcast

Re-release: Season 2 - Special Guest Tyler Carlin

Welcome to Dad Shoes season 2! We learned so much last season and this season we want to grow even bigger. If you have listened to this show for a while you have definitely heard of this guy, our guest today is Tyler Carlin from the Bacon and Eggs podcast and the WBNE Podcast network. Bacon and eggs was a big influence on the format of our show.

 

@dadshoespod on Twitter and Instagram email us at dadshoespod@gmail.com  

 

Find Tyler @tycarlin11 or  https://wbne.org/   

Help support St Jude's Children's Hospital: https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/Heroes/Heroes?px=6634017&pg=personal&fr_id=121871  

 

 

 

Traveling with your kids

Today we talk about traveling with kids, Spiderman, movies that don't hold up, and the happiest place on earth; The Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC.

 

Reach out to us @DadShoesPod on Instagram or email us at DadShoesPod@Gmail.com

The Lies We Tell Our Children

When you enter a hotel room what is the first thing you do? That's right! Lie to you Children. What lies have you gotten away with telling your kids? Was it worth it? Share with us 

@DadShoesPod on Instagram or email us at DadShoesPod@gmail.com

Podcasting is Cheaper than Therapy

Have you ever thought about life without your parents, as a parent?

 

DadShoesPod@gmail.com

The First Day of Kindergarten

The beginning of a new journey for both our families. We each share about our kids first days of elementary school!

How did your kids handle the transition? Do you have a story about your first day of school? Email us at DadShoesPod@gmail.com

The SAHD Episode

Stay At Home Dad.

Give us some feedback on Instagram or Twitter  @DadShoesPod or email us at Dadshoespod@gmail.com 

 

Screen time and children, and you

Navigating screen time with your kids

[Upbeat Music Playing]

Host: Welcome, dear listeners, to another thought-provoking episode of the "Dad Shoes Podcast" – the show that helps you step into the challenges of modern fatherhood with confidence and purpose. I'm your host, [Your Name], 

and I am your other host [your name]  and today, we're going to tackle a topic that's been on every dad's mind: navigating screen time.

[Sound of Kids Playing]

Host: Picture this: It's the 21st century, and screens are an inseparable part of our lives. Smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions have become constant companions, especially for our children. But as dads, we're left grappling with a complex question - how do we help our kids navigate the digital landscape while fostering a healthy balance?

[Thoughtful Pause]

Host: In this episode, we're diving headfirst into the world of screen time: the good, the bad, and the strategies that'll help us find our footing. We'll explore how to make informed choices, set boundaries, and ensure that screen time serves as a tool for learning and connection rather than a digital babysitter.

[Sound of Knowing Nods]

Host: Whether you're a tech-savvy dad or still adjusting to the digital age, we've got insights and ideas that will resonate with you. We'll bring together personal stories, expert advice, and relatable experiences, all designed to help you tackle this vital aspect of parenting.

[Laughter and Connection]

Host: So, slip into your comfy dad shoes, find a cozy spot, and let's embark on this journey of exploring the digital world with our kids.

[Music Swells]

Host: We'll delve into questions like, "What's the impact of screen time on children's development?" "How do you set healthy boundaries?" and "What are the best practices for managing screen time at different ages?"

[Music Fades Out]

Host: But before we dive in, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Dad Shoes Podcast on your preferred platform. Your feedback means the world to us, and it keeps us motivated to continue sharing valuable insights for the modern dad.

[Upbeat Music Returns]

Host: So, settle in, relax, and join us in our quest to master the art of navigating screen time with our children. It's a journey that holds the promise of stronger family bonds, informed choices, and confident parenting.

[Music Fades Out]

“Tell me about your kids relationship with screen time”

Pull out your phone, what are your personal screen time numbers right now. 

 

Segment 1: The Impact of Prolonged Screen Time - Connor is the expert

Parents may not always know what their children are viewing, or how much time they are spending with screens. Children may be exposed to:

• Violence and risk-taking behaviors
• Videos of stunts or challenges that may inspire unsafe behavior
  • Chive tv is my favorite thing to watch at sports bar
• Sexual content
• Negative stereotypes
• Substance use
• Cyberbullies and predators
• Advertising aimed at your child
• Misleading or inaccurate information

Too much screen time may lead to:

• Sleep problems
  • Johnny’s kids are hard to put down.
  • Connor stopped watching youtube with the kids and they are easier to put down.
• Lower grades in school
• Reading fewer books
• Less time with family and friends
• Not enough outdoor or physical activity
• Weight problems
• Mood problems
  • We have to take the tablets away periodically.
• Poor self-image and body image issues
• Fear of missing out
• Less time learning other ways to relax and have fun
  • I hate being told that my kids are bored so they want to play on their tablets….

I almost hated to include this list because I don't want to sound like fear mongers. Sure they are things that could happen, but unless the screen time is out of control I think you will be able to manage

• Discuss the findings from the News-Medical article on the sustained increase in children's screen time after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
• Share statistics on the amount of screen time kids typically consume.

Sources:

• News-Medical - In the Wake of COVID Restrictions Being Lifted, Kids' Screen Time Has Remained High
• AACAP - Children and Watching TV

 

Segment 2: The Importance of Setting Screen Time Limits and Content Parameters 

• Discuss the Mayo Clinic's recommendations on the importance of setting screen time limits.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use, except for video chatting, by children younger than 18 months. If you introduce digital media to children ages 18 to 24 months, make sure it's high quality and avoid solo media use. For children ages 2 to 5, limit screen time to one hour a day of high-quality programming.
• “A University of Cambridge study found that the brainwaves of adults and babies synchronize when they hold eye contact. Signaling the availability and intention to communicate might synchronize when it is time to speak and when to listen, which would make learning more effective.” - psychology today
• Share practical strategies for parents on how to establish these limits and enforce them.
• Share amazon tablet limit experience

Sources:

• Mayo Clinic - Screen Time and Children: How to Guide Your Child
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-fallible-mind/202012/link-between-screen-exposure-and-autism-symptoms

Segment 3: Finding the Right Balance

• Explore Forbes' insights into how to determine the appropriate amount of screen time for kids of different age groups.
• Discuss the concept of screen time as a tool rather than a detriment.

 

• Familiarize yourself with programming to make sure it is age-appropriate.
• Talk to your child about what they are seeing. Point out good behavior, such as cooperation, friendship, and concern for others. Make connections to meaningful events or places of interest.
• Be aware of advertising and how it influences choices.
• Encourage your child to learn other activities such as sports, music, art, and hobbies that do not involve screens.
• Set a good example with your own safe and healthy screen habits.
• Teach children about online privacy and safety.
• Actively decide when your child is ready for a personal device.
• Encourage using screens in ways that build creativity and connection with family and friends.
• Consider your child or teen’s maturity and habits. The right plan for one family may not be a good fit for another.

 

Sources:

• Forbes - How Much Screen Time Is Okay for Kids?

 

Screens are here to stay and can offer many positives. It’s never too early to develop a screen-time plan with your family. Let your children share their ideas and concerns. 

Conclusion:

Host: We hope this episode of The Dad Shoes Podcast has shed light on the delicate balance of screen time with your children. It's about finding the right balance and fostering healthy habits. Remember to lead by example and be an active participant in your child's screen time choices.

Outro:

[Music fades out.]

Host: If you found this episode helpful, please leave us a review on your preferred podcast platform and share it with other parents who might benefit from this discussion. We appreciate your support. Join us next week for another insightful episode of The Dad Shoes Podcast. Until then, keep those dad shoes on and make the most of your journey through fatherhood.

[Music fades out.]

Code carts

iReady

ABC Mouse

Kahn Academy 

How to Find a Babysitter

Welcome, dear listeners, to our first exciting episode of the (relaunch) of the "Dad Shoes Podcast" – the show where we explore the convoluted world of modern parenthood, one step at a time. I’m your host (Johnny)

And I am our other host (Connor), and today, we're diving headfirst into a topic that's as essential as a trusty pair of dad shoes when it comes to parenting: hiring a babysitter. Because the first thing we want to talk about on our parenting podcast is how to get away from your kids. 

Picture this scenario: It's a Saturday evening, and you and your partner are desperate for a date night. You've been knee-deep in diaper changes, school pickups, and superhero bedtime stories all week. What are you going to do? 

Finding the perfect babysitter who not only cares for your kids but also shares your values and parenting style. In today's episode, we're here to guide you through the process, from initial search to the moment you step out the door and maybe a little bit about what you are going to do with this new found ‘me’ time.

Or ‘us’ time for you and your partner!

We'll be sharing some researched tips, and sprinkle in a little from our own experiences, as we try to answer some of the biggest questions parents face when trying to hire a babysitter.

Whether you're a seasoned parent or one soon-to-be, we've got you covered. So, grab a comfy chair, slip into your favorite dad shoes, and let's embark on this babysitter-hunting journey together.

But before we jump in, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Dad Shoes Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback means the world to us, and it helps us continue bringing you invaluable insights and heartwarming stories from the frontlines of parenthood.

So, sit back, relax, and lace up those dad shoes, because today, we're diving into the world of hiring a babysitter. 

So we have 5 questions we think you need to ask when trying to hire a babysitter:

How do I even find a babysitter?

How do I vet a babysitter? 

How do I prep the kids/my house? 

How much do I pay a babysitter? 

And finally, what do I do while the house and kids are covered? 

That last one is probably easier to answer than you think. But before we get into all that…

 

How do I find a babysitter 

If only there was a website where it was just as easy to find a babysitter as it is to find a ride. Turns out there is! 

https://www.urbansitter.com/ 

           https://www.care.com/babysitters 

https://www.indeed.com/hire/how-to-hire/babysitter - how to hire a babysitter

 

Some suggestions from Indeed

• Ask around the neighborhood. Asking neighbors may lead to teenagers or young adults who are qualified to look after your children and seeking an income. 
• Ask your coworkers. Your coworkers may have qualified teenagers, nieces and nephews who can take care of your children. 
• Post help wanted signs around the community. Putting up posters around the neighborhood may create leads and generate quality candidates to watch your children. 
• Check online sites for the right candidate. There may be some potential caretakers who have posted on popular internet sites looking for work. 
• Post your job online. Try posting your babysitter job on Indeed to find and attract quality babysitter candidates.

 

Ask your friends and family, maybe there is a cousin or a grandma who would love to help out. 

 

Community connections! For me that means church, is there an event you can take them too. Our church does parents night out once a month. 

 

Who else watches your kids? Ask their teachers, coaches, activity leaders. Maybe they are looking for a little extra side hustle and it's someone you and your kids already know. It is likely they know other parents who have babysitters and help you find someone with experience. 

 

I used to work in Aftercare in an elementary school and we could put our names on a babysitting list if we were interested in working over time. 

How do I vet a babysitter? 

Interviewing babysitter candidates

Strong candidates for babysitter positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• Discipline techniques
  • How they manage multiple children
  • Their experience working with children

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of babysitter interview questions for examples (with sample answers). 

Do you smoke or vape?

Do you drink?

Do you have a valid driver's license, insurance, a clean record?

Do you do drugs?

Do you know CPR/first aid?

Tell me about your family.

How do you plan to entertain kids?

(CUT)If you were hiring a babysitter for your own kids, what would YOU look for?

Can 11-year-olds babysit?

There is no legal minimum age for babysitting work. The minimum age to take a babysitting course with the Red Cross is 11, and the average age that people start babysitting is from 11 to 14 years old.

 

How do you prepare you house and kids for a babysitter?

Prepare your kids, and prepare you home.

Make sure the house is, relatively, picked up so the babysitter can find the appropriate tools and toys.

Be sure to have dinner plans for the kids, whether that is eating before you go out, or have dinner ready.

Make sure the babysitter knows what those plans are.  Will they be eating with the kids, or will they need to eat before they arrive?

How do you determine who can watch your kids?

Certifications,

Relationship to the family,

How old are your kids

 

https://www.news4jax.com/news/morning-show/2022/07/27/parents-heres-how-to-vet-your-babysitter/

“Most say they pay/charge between $12-20 per hour depending on the number of children.”

Kidsafefoundation.org no longer works.

https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-and-family/videos/how-to-vet-a-babysitter

“What do you like about children? What kind of activities do you like to do? What ages have you been engaged with in the past? How would you handle an emergency?” 

https://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/5-tips-for-hiring-a-babysitter 

Get references

Do a trial run: have them come to the house and watch the kids while you are home.

Make sure rules and expectations/responsibilities are clear.

How do you handle discipline?

 

What do I pay for a babysitter? 

It is alway appropriate to ask if you don't know. Most experienced babysitters will have a rate they can share with you from the start 

According to Care.com, in an article from June of 2023, the average charge for a babysitter in the US is $18.30 an hour.

https://www.care.com/c/babysitter-pay-rate/

The rate can vary based on the number of kids from 16-20+ depending on the number of kids they’re watching.

 

According to a quora post from four years ago, $10-20 seemed like the rate.  I think that, depending on your area, and how many kids, $10 now seems very low.  I think you would be…lucky? to get a babysitter now for much less than $20 an hour.

Someone in the answers, also four years ago, said that, when their daughter was 16, she would get $20 for the first 2 hours or so, but for 5-6 hours she would only get $40.  I feel like that is low, but I would be comfortable paying a 16 yo 50-60 for 5 or 6 hours.

 

Connor Experience: We recently hired a babysitter and we asked her rate and she told us $18-$20/hr. She came recommended by a friend who works with kids professionally. She was with our kids for 4 hrs. 

 

I want to ask you, do you think you should tip? 

 

John Experience: We’ve been lucky to have my mother able to watch the kids if we wanted to go out without them.  Most times we have had work events it was for only one of us, or the kids were invited as well.

What do I do while my kids are covered? 

 

To have a night out without the kids, I figure a minimum of three hours.  If you just go to dinner, maybe two hours, but figure at least an hour for dinner, once you sit down.  Depending on the restaurant you go to it could be two hours just sitting down and eating.  Factoring in travel time, I wouldn’t expect to need a sitter for any less than three hours.  If you go to a movie as well, you’ll need to include another two hours for the movie.

 

I have never been a very creative date planner.  My wife and I tend to like to go out for a motorcycle ride.  We may only ride out to dinner and maybe a movie, if there is one we both want to see.  Sometimes we’ll eat at home with the kids and take the bike out and go for a nice ride by the beach, maybe stop and walk around.  We may go to a friend's house for a game night or something.

 

If there is an event we want to go to, like a play or something, then I can come up with a decent plan.

What are some things you like to do when the kids are with the sitter? 

(your suggestion could be featured on a future episode)

Dad Shoes Podcast Promo

Hey parents! Ready to navigate modern parenthood in style? Slip into your Dad Shoes and join us on the Dad Shoes Podcast. We tackle one burning parenting question each episode, bringing in experts and doing the research so you don't have to.

From screen time struggles to bedtime battles, we've got you covered. Subscribe now on your favorite platform, leave a review, and let's make this parenting journey a little less confusing and a lot more fun. Dad Shoes Podcast – your go-to guide in the chaotic world of parenting!

Lace up, hit play, and let's dive into the adventure together. See you there!  Find us @dadshoespod on instagram and on the web at DadShoesPod.com