I have a friend who runs a "mishpachton" (home day care) for a few children. Every year, she has a harder and harder time finding clients. Initially she only took children who can walk, and for part of the day, but throughout the years she has been forced to accept them younger and younger and for longer and longer days. She recently told me that interested young mothers come to visit the mishpachton, but ultimately send elsewhere. These are interested in a spotless environment, with "pinot" of various sorts, and an organized daily schedule. My friend prides herself on the fact that her mishpachton has a warm, homey atmosphere. She laments that parents today prefer put their kids in a mosad … [Read more...]
Olim and daycare: Don’t lower your standards
February 11, 2007 by 7 Comments
I was listening to the Aliyah Revolution radio show as linked to from a comment on the Aliyah Blog. While discussing the economics of aliyah, the host and his guest gave an unrealistic view of daycare expenses in Israel.The host stated that daycare costs even more than university, but is still relatively cheap. This is true as far as tuition goes (the real cost of university must consider dormitory and book expenses). But the quote of NIS 1100-1500 a month for daycare is wildly misleading (and was disputed by a listener during the show, who said that in Haifa he paid NIS 2000/month). This lower fee will get you full-time daycare in many cities, true. But what are you getting for that price? … [Read more...]
Gananot on little brothers and sisters
December 14, 2006 by 9 Comments
Another truth known to all Israeli gananot (preschool teachers) is that younger siblings should never be brought to a party in the gan. One ganenet actually sent home a poem with a story about a boy who was so upset because instead of watching him sing and dance, the mother was occupied with the little brother. Can you say propaganda?Now let me be perfectly clear. I have no desire to bring a small child to a gan party. Any party that lasts more than half an hour is torture for me, and much more so for a toddler. My almost 3-year-old, as much as she is insisting that she is coming along, will have to stay home with my older children. But I still remember those years of leaving an older baby … [Read more...]
Telemarketing in Israel
November 27, 2006 by 12 Comments
Just about every day we get unsolicited calls falling into three categories: telemarketers, surveys, and charitable organizations. I have found that the best way to get rid of telemarketers is not to give them a chance to talk. One of my children once asked me, "Why do you always say, 'Lo meunyanim'" (not interested)? After saying those magic words I hang up immediately. I figure I am doing them a favor by not letting them waste their time on a non-sale, although one called me right back to chastise me for being rude. I don't think she has much of a future as a telemarketer!On the rare occasion that I agree to answer a survey on the phone, I always regret it. They invariably take about … [Read more...]
Marketing in preschools
October 22, 2006 by 5 Comments
Haaretz reports on the latest marketing ploy directed at toddlers: Marketing activities in preschools have now become regulated. Tadamm Focused Marketing recently received a concession to manage marketing and advertising campaigns in private preschools and day-care centers. Here's what will be happening:"One of the restrictions we adopted is not to allow marketing activity that involves personal contact with the children," Eilam explains. "Whereas previously a commercial company could send a marketing representative to a preschool, now the teachers will hand out any marketing materials. Any company interested in operating in the preschools will have to present a genuine educational agenda. … [Read more...]
Controlling Children, Controlling Ourselves
October 17, 2006 by 9 Comments
Anshel's wife (blog taken over by spam) had a hard day. She asks, "What do you do when your kids don't act the way you want them to act?" A very good question, although I might rephrase it, "How do you get your kids to want to act the way you want them to act?" The short answer is that it's not about the techniques you use to control your children, it's about the relationship you build with them from birth. Children who are "out of control" are often responding to a lack of connection with their caretakers (barring some kind of developmental problem). A mother who is too stressed out on a regular basis to communicate or play with her children, or is preoccupied with other things, will … [Read more...]
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