April 2008

Babysitting

QUIZ:

You & your spouse want to go to dinner and a movie.  You should:

a. Hire a babysitter

b. Throw candy on the floor and hope for the best

c. I have a spouse?

In February, we covered “Date Night.”  Many people who saw the segment told me, “I would love to have a date night, but I have a hard time finding a babysitter.  What should I do?” A wonderful babysitter who thinks highly of your children, who puts their needs ahead of his or her own, who is dependable and reliable is worth their weight in gold! Here’s how to begin…

Ask relatives & friends

Start with relatives that your kids know and like (hint: grandparents are usually free).  If no relatives are available, start emailing and calling friends to see who they have used in the past.  Make sure to keep a list of the names and numbers you receive.  Even if a babysitter is not available now, you may want to call her again for a future night out. 

Babysitting Co-op

A babysitting co-op is a group of parents who share babysitting responsibilities with one another.  A list of members is provided to everyone in the co-op, and a parent needing a babysitter can call anyone on the list.  One parent will sit for another for free, but in return, the parent receiving the services will have to sit from time to time.  For each hour of baby-sitting provided, members earn an hour of free babysitting in return.  A treasurer keeps track of hours used and earned. If you are looking for a way to save money or want a pool of reliable babysitters to call, a babysitting co-op may work for you. 

Online services

There are many online services that offer babysitter profiles and allow you to search by area code or town to find a babysitter in your area.  I logged onto gonannies.com, babysitters.com, babysitters4hire.com, sittercity.com, and care.com to test the services and was pleasantly surprised to see how quickly I found several people who appeared to be accomplished and reliable babysitters.  However, you should always interview a perspective babysitter and check references before hiring…

Questions to ask during interview

For teenage babysitter…

full name, age, address and phone number, and at least two references. 

Other questions may include:

Do you have any younger brothers or sisters that you baby-sit for?

Have you had experience taking care of other children?

Have you completed any babysitter training, first aid, or CPR courses?

How do your parents feel about you babysitting?

What do you like best about babysitting and being with kids? What do you like least?

For adult babysitter…

full name, age, address and phone number, and at least two references. 

previous names and addresses, date of birth, driver's license, social security number

Other questions may include…

Describe your babysitting and childcare experience.

What are the ages of children you have cared for?

Do you still baby-sit for any of your prior clients?

Do you have any children of your own? If so, how old are they?

Do you have any special training or certification?

Are you trained in first aid or infant/child CPR?

Consider a test-sit

A test-sit is when you have your potential babysitter come to your home and watch your children while you're still in the home. She should be completely responsible for the children while you do work somewhere else in the house. Don't hover over the kids while your potential babysitter is test-sitting! Let her do her job and you observe occasionally and subtly in the background. This is also a great way for your children to get to know their new sitter in a comfortable setting, especially if they're very young.

Rate of Pay

Another big questions I got after the date night segment was “How much do I pay a babysitter?”  What is a fair rate of pay? Consider the following: 

What do other babysitters in the area charge?  What did your babysitter make at her last job?  Does the babysitter charge by the hour or the job?  Does the babysitter charge the same for every family and every job?  Keep in mind that the time to discuss the fee is when the babysitter accepts the sitting date.  Also keep in mind that working time begins when the babysitter arrives and ends when you return home.  

Before You Leave
Set boundaries with your babysitter and make sure the expectations are clear. If you have specific rules, spell them out (no cell phones, no texting, no internet, child-friendly TV, no friends over, etc.) Babysitting your children is a serious job and you should expect a serious attitude from your sitter.  Always leave written contact and emergency information (see checklist below).

When You Get Home
Do listen to your kids and what they say about their babysitter. As an adult, you can filter out the irrelevant and the trivial. They will likely tell you anything your babysitter did that was different from what they are used to. The fact that she likes peanut butter on her ice cream and they've never seen that before is fine. The fact that she cussed at them or told them they couldn't come out of their rooms for the whole evening is not fine.

Babysitter Checklist
IMPORTANT NAMES AND NUMBERS:
Where you can be reached
Two nearby friends, relatives or neighbors
Fire department
Police department
Poison Control Center
Pediatrician
Hospital (Choose one that is close and offers good emergency care for kids.)
INSTRUCTIONS:
What your child is allowed to eat and drink
Bedtime (or nap time) and how to enforce it
Play activities your child enjoys
Activities not permitted while you're gone
How much television (and which programs) your child is allowed to watch
How you want behavior problems handled
How to use any baby equipment
Warning not to open door to strangers
Warning for sitter not to tell phone caller she is alone, just take a message
Rules for sitter on her use of phone, television, smoking and alcohol
What to do in case of fire or other emergency
Show all entrances and exits, fire and burglar alarms, first aid supplies, flashlights and fuse box.
Post your address and clear directions on how to locate your house (in case sitter needs to provide directions to emergency services).

EMERGENCY MEDICAL CONSENT FORM:
Without parental permission, doctors will only treat children in life-threatening situations. To make sure your child receives emergency medical treatment when he's under a sitter's care, prepare a consent form that includes:
Your child's name
Date of birth
Insurance carrier and policy number
Doctors' names and phone numbers
Important medical history, including allergies and chronic conditions
The following statement: "Any licensed physician, dentist or hospital may give necessary emergency medical service to my child (YOUR CHILD'S NAME) at the request of the person bearing this consent form."
Your signature

Kids & Money

Allowance

QUIZ:

Kids today spend more money in a week than

a.                 kids 10 years ago spent in a month;

b.                 kids 20 years ago spent in a year; or

c.  Their parents spent on the honeymoon that started it all.

Spending is an issue that affects all families.  How do we begin to teach our children the value of money?  Many people say that an allowance is the key to that teaching.  With an allowance, kids can learn to manage money through their own experience while they still have their parents to teach and guide them.  If they learn to manage money as children, our kids will be more successful at managing money as adults.

What is an allowance? 

An allowance is a fixed amount of money given to a child during a fixed period of time. It is money that you are going to spend on your child anyway, just given in a different form.  It is not “extra” money.  An allowance is a hands-on method of teaching children how to spend and save.  By using their own funds, a spending limit becomes real.  The ultimate goal of an allowance is to teach children to distinguish between need and wants, and to prioritize and save.

Why do kids need an allowance?

Kids need an allowance because:

-          Having a regular amount of their own teaches children to manage money.

-          If they make mistakes managing money at a young age, the cost is minimal but the lesson is great.

-          Knowing the limit of available funds forces kids to think about how much things costs.  It also forces them to make choices between the many things that they want.

-          Kids have more appreciation for the things they buy when they use their own money

-    First hand experience is vital to learning smart money management.  Without the money, there is no experience.

When should you begin giving an allowance?

What is the best age?  Some say that as soon as they are old enough to get the “gimmes” in the grocery store, it’s time to start teaching about money.  While that might be stretching it, once your child shows both an interest in and an understanding of the concept of money – that money is exchanged for goods –  he or she is ready to start learning the basics of money management.  For some, that could be as young as age four. For others, it may be later.

How Often?

Some say once a week.  However, older children may be able to receive and manage a bi-weekly or monthly allowance. 

How Much? 

Some parents use the formula of “a dollar for each year of age.”  To be more accurate, you should consider how much money you already give your children when you open your wallet to pay for everything they ask for.  Estimate how much you are already spending by fulfilling requests to buy this or that, then set that amount aside as their allowance.  This allows them to make their own decisions about spending. You'll probably save money in the long run.  Also, be flexible to reviewing the amount when appropriate as their needs change.

What is the allowance to be used for?  

Once you have the amount, you should make a list of what your children are expected to pay for with their allowance.  It is critical that your child understands where the money will be spent.  This will solve conflicts later.  And, while most of us think that allowances are to be used for “wants,” it is a good teaching tool to make some of the allowance be for things they need.  For example, let your child buy his or her own toiletry items.  Even your first grader will quickly get a sense of whether he really “needs” the six-dollar Lightening McQueen electric toothbrush. 

Keep a journal:

Work with your child to keep track of exactly where the allowance money is going.  Keeping a journal requires your child to be accountable for his or her spending.  It also prepares him or her to handle large sums of money and to manage a checkbook.  As a rule, you should avoid questioning the purchasing decisions.  However, you may offer helpful advise on how the money could be spend more productively.

Allowance vs. Chores:   

Should you tie an allowance to doing chores around the house?  Most experts say no.  If you would normally pay an outsider for things like raking leaves, mowing the lawn, etc., then you can pay your child for doing that job above what the allowance would be.  However, do not set up chores that your child is expected to do regularly around the house (making bed, cleaning room, etc.) as tasks that allowance “pays” for.  These should be part of normal household responsibilities.  Likewise, do not “take away” an allowance as punishment for not doing household chores.  You should withhold other privileges instead. 

Saving Money: 

What if your child doesn’t spend all of his or her allowance?  Great.  Teach the value of saving.   Make savings visible to young children in a jar so that they can see their money growing.  If they save on a regular basis, you can even add “interest” to the jar to encourage the practice. 

Borrowing Money: 

Should you let your child “borrow” money from future allowance?  That’s up to you.  But if you choose to allow borrowing, you must make it a learning experience.  Use a visible IOU jar just as you would a savings jar so that the child can see how much he or she needs to repay.  You can also charge interest just like a bank.

What are the parents’ responsibilities? 

First – don’t forget to pay the allowance and pay on time.  Treat each allowance payment with the same respect that you treat your own paycheck.  After that, teach your children the basics of spending, saving, and borrowing.  Guide them with love and wisdom through the world of financing.  Any time that you put in now will pay off when they are on their own. 

Helpful website & source materials:  www.kidsmoney.org

If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?  

February 2008

Y Love Your Partner, Love Yourself Y
(It will make you a better parent)

QUIZ:

Children are…
a.                  the greatest thing that can happen to you
b.                  angels sent from heaven
c.                  gaping holes of need 

The answer is all of the above.  But “c” is the inspiration of this month’s YGBKM.  By nature, kids are “gaping holes of need.”  That’s their job.  Our job as parents is to attempt to fill them.  But that monumental, all-consuming task can leave us feeling drained and without time left for our spouses, partners or ourselves.  So smile people!  This month is for you! 

 Make Date Night a Priority
Make time to be together with your spouse or partner to talk about things other than the kids.  Reenergize the feelings that brought you together as a couple in the first place.  With our busy schedules, it may seem daunting to carve out time without the kids.  Here are some suggestions on how to make it happen:

         It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive…
You don’t need a fancy meal in an expensive restaurant; you just need time together without the kids.  So grab some beverages and head to the nearest hill to watch the sunset.  Go for a walk.  Give each other a foot massage.  Drive around and listen to old music.  Look at the stars.  The best things in life are free, including time together.  But the rewards are priceless.

.         But you do have to be alone…
You can’t take the kids with you on date night.  Develop a relationship with a babysitter you trust.  If you can’t find one, exchange babysitting nights with friends who also have children or create a babysitting co-op.  Grandparents make wonderful babysitters.  Encourage your children’s relationship with them while having some time to yourself.

.         Put it on your calendar….
Schedule date nights well in advance.  Having it already penciled in and the babysitter scheduled makes it much more likely to happen.  So get out your calendar and commit to some dates.  Sign up for a class together.  Go to a museum.  Go to the Dairy Queen.  Just go.  Sign up for season tickets.  If you’ve already paid for seats at a concert, theater or sporting event, you’ll feel committed to an evening out. 

.         Show your children a happy relationship….
As parents, we are the model for what a good spousal relationship looks like.  Show your kids that marriage and/or partnership is important enough to invest some time and creativity.  They will learn how to have healthy relationships later in life because they have been taught to give a relationship the respect it deserves.

         At some point, your kids will leave…. 
If you work at keeping your relationship with your partner strong now, you won’t have to stare at each other and say, “Huh?” when the kids are grown and off to college or work.  Invest now for that inevitable future. 

Single Parents Need Date Nights Too
.         If you are a single parent, you still need to make date night a priority, even if you are not dating anyone.  As a single parent, you are the plate spinner rushing from stick to stick keeping each plate spinning and aloft.  Keep those plates spinning by taking care of you. 

.         Get a babysitter (see above), then go do something that is just for you:  Go to dinner with friends.  Go to a movie.  Spend some quiet time in the library.  Have a pedicure.  Take a class.  Take a bubble bath.  Exercise.  Do whatever you need to do in order to relax and recharge your batteries.  And don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself.  Your kids will have a more balanced and fun parent when you get home.

Time By Yourself.        
If you are married or in a committed relationship, you also need time by yourself.  If you can’t find alone time during the day, trade nights with your partner so that each of you gets an opportunity to get out of the house once in a while.  This is a perfect opportunity to take a class, learn something new, or improve on something you already enjoy.  Your children will learn that parents are also individuals and that there is more to them than just being Mom and Dad.

The bottom line is that you, as a parent, need to invest in yourself and in the relationship with your partner.  Being a centered and happy parent is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child.

Manners

 What is the most frightening fact for a parent to learn about teaching manners to their kids?

            a.                  5-year-olds can belch louder than most adults.
b.                  2 year-olds enjoy throwing food at the table.
c.                   Kids learn most of their manners behavior, good or bad, from their parents.

 Although a & b are both correct, the answer is “c.”  Scary, huh?  From infancy, babies are tuned in to the way their parents interact with them and others.  So your behavior becomes a model long before you see its effects. Your toddler is too young to understand fully the values behind polite words, but teaching him to say “please” and "thank you" has many long-range benefits in helping him to become a thoughtful, considerate, well-mannered person.  (Source: Judith Wagner, Ph.D.)

 How soon should you start teaching manners to your child?  Beginning at age 2, Please and Thank you are magic words that can be understood.  Beginning at Age 3 or 4, Courtesy and Respect are good lessons.  Basics that can and should be taught at an early age include:

  -          “Hello” & greetings
-          “Please”
-          “Thank you” & “You’re Welcome”
-          “Excuse Me”
-          “I’m Sorry”
-          Wait for others to finish speaking
-          Respect for older people
-          Respect others’ privacy & belongings
-          Be quiet in public places
-          Get along with siblings and other children
(Source: Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette (Doubleday))

Children as young as 4 can begin learning Basic Table Manners: 

-          Wait to begin eating until your host (or parent) says it’s ok
-          Use the appropriate utensil
          Use your napkin
-          Compliment the cook
-          Don’t complain if you don’t like something
-          Don’t talk with your mouth full
          Remember to say please & thank you
-          Offer to help clean up

 (Source: Emily’s Everyday Manners By Peggy Post & Cindy Post Senning, Ed.D.

The Golden Rule of Parenting:

Always behave the way you want your children to behave. 

They will learn most from you!

Be a model of good behavior.  Greet people with a handshake and a smile.  Remember to say “please” to the waitress or “thank you” to the salesclerk.  Try not to interrupt others, including your own kids.   Don’t talk with your mouth full.  Compliment the cook, especially if he or she is your spouse or partner.  And, when you aren’t sure what to do, be respectful, considerate and honest. Your kids will learn from your example. 

Helpful Resources: 

Books: 

Please Is A Good Word to Say

By Barbara Joosse
(for preschoolers & early grade-schoolers) 

This book is fun to read to young children. The narrator is a young girl who reminds us to:
-          Say “Please (but not too many times in a row, because that’s whining.)”
-          Say “Thank you (it makes everyone happy)”
-          Say “I’m sorry.”
-          Say “Excuse me.”
-          Say “Hello” & “May I help you?”
-          Compliment others.
She also says, “When someone asks a question or says hello, you should answer them back” and “when someone else is talking, you should be quiet until they finish.” 

Emily’s Everyday Manners
By Peggy Post & Cindy Post Senning, Ed.D.
(for ages 4-7)

A colorfully illustrated book for young readers that discusses the Magic Words (Please, Thank you, You’re Welcome & Excuse Me); Polite Table Manners (wait to begin, use the appropriate utensil, use your napkin, compliment the meal, do not complain about food you don’t like, don’t talk with your mouth full, say please & thank you.) and other everyday manners.  This book also reminds us that using manners is more than remembering magic words and table manners.  It is being helpful, kind and friendly. 

 Emily Post’s The Guide to Good Manners for Kids
By Peggy Post & Cindy Post Senning, Ed.D.
(for ages 8-12)

Helpful discussion for older children (ages 8-12) about words (spoken and written); home (family, table manners); school (classroom, lunchroom, bus); playing (parties, sporting events); public places (malls, hospitals, worship); travel (planes, trains, restaurants, camp, subways, etc.) and other special occasions (weddings, funerals, coming of age celebrations).

Smart Girl’s Guide to Manners – the secrets to grace, confidence and being your best
By Nancy Holyoke
(for preteen & teen girls)

Part of the American Girl series, this book is geared primarily to preteen and early teen girls.  It has colorful illustrations and presents the information in a clear and understandable form.  It covers everything from first impressions to sleepovers, table manners and special occasions. Highly recommended by my pre-teen friend, Samantha.

A Little Book of Manners for Boys
By Bob and Emilie Barnes
(for boys)

This book is geared for boys but covers the basics as well.  It contains a lot of information in only 32 pages.  It also includes a “Coach’s Corner” on each page with examples.

Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation:
a Book of Etiquette.
By George Washington
Williamsburg, VA: Beaver Press, 1971. (historical)

Written by our first President sometime before his 16^th birthday, this list contains etiquette 110 rules of etiquette.  Some still apply today:

 Rule #5 – “If You Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put Your handkercheif or Hand before your face and turn aside.” 

Rule #6 – “Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.”

Rule #7 – “Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out your Chamber half Drest.”

Traveling with Kids – Air Travel

While “c” may be tempting before the day is over, and “a” is also correct, “b” is the best answer.  You need to check everything that you do not absolutely have to have on hand.  Why?  Because the essentials you need to take on board with you are plenty.

PREPARE
Call the airline:
          Make reservations in advance to get preferred seating.
            Check to see what restrictions may apply for lap riders.

            Ask about carry-on size restrictions for your flight.

            Ask about recommended check-in times for your departure airport. 
Research security requirements:
Visit the TSA website - http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm
            TSA is a separate entity from the airlines.
            Screening process includes kids, strollers, carriers and all carry-on items.
Limits are still in place with regard to liquids, however medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are now allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces.  These items will be inspected.  
Prepare your child:
Explain what will happen at the screening points, on the plane & in the airport. 
Explain the screening process so that they will not be frightened or surprised. Remind them not to joke about threats such as bombs or explosives. Threats made jokingly (even by a child) can delay the entire family and could result in fines.  Tell your children that their bags (backpack, dolls, etc.) will be put in the X-ray machine and will come out at the other end and be returned to them. Let your children know that a Security Officer may ask to see their shoes, but that they will get these back as well.  (source: TSA).
Prepare yourself:
Allow yourself and your family extra time to get through security.  Prepare yourself for inevitable delays and travel glitches. 

PACK
Pack Plenty!
In your Carry-on “Bag of Tricks” you will need… 
Food & drinks
Remember you will have to purchase most of it after the screening check point.
Hand sanitizer & wipes
For airports, restroom, on board.
Diapers & extra clothes
Pack what you think you will need, then add one more.  Don’t forget a plastic
bag for trash and dirty diapers.
Toys & Stuff

Babies & Toddlers – pacifiers, rattles, music makers, pop-up toys, plastic mirror, stick together blocks, nested containers, busy box, blankets, stuffed animals, wind-up toys, board books, bubbles (for airport)….
           Younger Kids – picture books, stickers, activity books, crayons (with container), crayola “magic” markers & paper, small wipe-off board, post-it notes, scotch tape, masking tape, magna-doodle, etch-a-sketch, view master, pipe cleaners, colored wax strips, magnets, CD player with audio books or music, silly putty, small wind-up toys, card games (go fish, old maid)….
Older Kids – books, comics, activity books and kits, card games, hand-held electronic games, CD player, miniature chess/checkers, blank paper and pencils/pens, travel journal, travel games….

Karen’s Personal Tips for Traveling with Kids:  

Reduce Holiday Stress with the Kids

If you answered “c,” you are not alone.  The holidays bring out stress in even the most pliable yoga instructor.  Our children are also affected by the stress of the season.  December is crazy-busy, so here are some tips in keeping your holiday season with kids stress-free: 

Be Realistic.  You are not Martha Stewart.  Thankfully, you and your kids are normal, well-adjusted human beings.  So don’t make yourself crazy by trying to recreate the holiday as portrayed on TV or in magazines.  If you do too much, you and your children will be too exhausted to enjoy it.  Remember that family members will be the way they always are. If they fight, they won’t suddenly stop just because it’s a holiday. If your family causes too much stress or creates a toxic environment for your kids, spend the holidays with friends or just your kids.  Help your children be realistic.  With all the advertising in the media, wish lists become unattainable.  Show your children, by your actions, that your holiday is about more than gifts.

Reassess. Gather together and decide which activities are important and which can be eliminated. Are there things that you do because you have always done them? Have you stopped enjoying them? Have your children outgrown them? Look at how you can do the activity differently or make this the year to let it go.

Start a new tradition. Find an activity that your family enjoys and create a new tradition this year. Rituals that occur every year are comforting to children and help create positive holiday memories.  Talk to your children about what is important to you during this holiday.

Prioritize.  What has to be done and when? If you plan and schedule activities, you won’t feel so pressured.  Make a list and mark your calendar.  Make a shopping list so you won’t overspend.  Tell your children what the plans are and ask them about their priorities. 

Keep your routine.  During this hectic time, changing the normal family routine can be stressful to children. As much as possible, keep mealtimes and bedtime the same. If there is a big activity, make sure your child is rested and fed.  Help reduce the impact of schedule changes by telling your child what to expect.

Delegate responsibilities.  Remember, you are not Martha. You don’t have to do it all! Ask for help.  Can everyone pitch in to help bake the cookies? Make a production line, and you may start a new tradition. Let children wrap their presents for others. The gift may not be wrapped “perfectly,” but children will have fun in the process (buy extra tape).

Simplify.  Reduce holiday stress by simplifying the things that get out of hand.  How big a holiday dinner do you really have to cook? (answer: potluck).  How many people that you know really need a gift? (answer: not that many).  Do you really have to hand print all the holiday cards? (answer: email). 

Plan for fun.  What do you and your kids enjoy doing the most? Holiday memories involve time spent together, and many of the fun activities we can do with our kids are low-cost.  Play fun holiday music in the car while you drive around to see the lights.  Go sledding.  Visit the children’s museum.  Watch Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer and eat popcorn.  

Carve out self-time. Making time for yourself is a gift to your family because it makes you more fun (less stressed) to be around.  So take a walk.  Take a nap.  Get your nails done.  Have lunch with a friend.  Trade “watching the kids” nights with a friend so that you and your partner can reconnect.

Roll with the punches, even if you are on fire.  There will be days when things don’t work out as you plan this holiday season, so find the humor in the mishaps.  One Christmas, my brother Ronnie stood too close to the fireplace while we were opening gifts.  A spark landed on his new sweater, and he went up in flames.  Thankfully, my brother was unhurt, even after my uncles tried to get him to “stop, drop & roll” into the wrapping paper that covered the floor.  The story, “Remember the Christmas when Ronnie caught on fire?” is a family classic that still makes us laugh. 

So rejoice in burned cookies, revel in bad gifts, and laugh yourself through the holiday season.  And remember, in another month, all of this holiday stuff will be over.  Do what you can to make the holiday season a pleasant memory for your family.  
 

                                                
                                                
                                              Kids & Clutter                                                  

The answer is “c,” of course.  You can herd thousands of squirrels before you actually get a handle on cleaning up the clutter that kids leave behind on a daily basis.  But fear not, here are a few suggestions to assist in the round up….

 TOYS
This is the best time of year to clear out old toys because they are busy with their shiny new holiday gifts.  So, when they aren’t looking, get rid of the old ones that they don’t play with anymore or have outgrown.  Make 3 piles: 
Give Away -- Toys that your kids have outgrown but would be enjoyed by another child.  give these to friends, relatives or charitable organizations.
Throw Away -- Toys that are broken and cannot be repaired.  Why are these still in your house?  Get rid of them.  
Keep & Store -- Toys you want to keep.  For these toys, you should create a system for keeping what you have.  Are they sentimental items that could be stored in the attic? Or are they items the kids still play with but need to be organized…

STUFF HOLDERS
Baskets -- Large baskets or bins are nice to have in each of the rooms where your children play.  They can be moved around, and your kids can put their own toys away when they move from one room to the next.  Shallow wicker baskets are good for small cars, Legos, action figures, etc.  
Boxes -- Clear plastic boxes with snap-on lids allow you to see what's inside. They also make great space savers since most are stackable. If