1. Students will participate in an "Egg Baby" parenting project where they care for a hard boiled egg over the course of a week to simulate the responsibilities of parenting. 2. Students must bring their egg to each class in a secure "car seat" and will receive daily points for the condition of their egg. They also must complete journal entries and assignments about the costs and experiences of caring for their egg baby. 3. The project aims to teach students about the challenges and rewards of parenting through caring for an egg as if it is a real baby.

1. HHS4M Name_________________________
“Egg Baby” Parenting
Objective: The purpose of this project is to allow you to experience some of the
responsibilities that are involved in the care of human “babies”. The following guidelines
are laid out to help you succeed in this project.
Resources/Materials: Hard boiled egg, imagination, creativity of design, responsible
parenting skills, and money for babysitting if needed.
Egg Baby Project Requirements, Activities and Procedures:
1. This project begins on Thursday/Friday, at the beginning of class and ends at the
end of class, on Wednesday/Thursday, of the next week. Each day at the beginning
of class there will be an “egg” check worth 20 points. Your “egg” must remain in
good condition. (These checks are worth 60 points!)
2. Remember these are your children. They are very young and can never be left
unattended. If you must leave them during this activity for any reason, you must
secure “egg” care for them at the rate of 5 cents per hour but be aware as to not
neglect your baby. (EGG SITTERS I would suggest payments in advance for any
care!) Eggs may not be left in lockers. Keep your egg in a secure environment at all
times. During your classes, make sure your egg is secure in its “car seat” and beside
your desk. The baby cannot sleep more than four hours at a time. It must be fed,
changed and entertained. A loving environment will help your baby grow up into the
best egg it can be.
3. Please come to class on Thursday/Friday with a “car seat”. It should have a
“restraint” and cushioning so that your baby will sit safely.
4. You will need to have a face on the baby. (Bring anything you may need to “dress”
your baby, i.e. cloth for diaper, googly eyes etc., I will have markers in class)
5. During each egg check, I will be assessing your egg for cracks, holes, and crushed
spots. The points deducted each day will depend upon the severity of the abuse to
your egg. The destruction of another person’s egg will result in a ZERO for your
final egg grade.
6. You will receive 10 points for your parent’s signature on the bottom of this form.
By signing this form, your parents are indicating that they have read it and are
ready to assist you as “egg” grandparents.

2. HHS4M Name_________________________
7. On Monday/Tuesday, class time will be given for a written evaluation of your
experiences during this time. The title for this will be “Egg Baby – What did I
Learn from Caring for mine?” This will be worth 20 points of your total and needs
to be stapled to the back of this form.
8. This form must be with your “egg” during each check and must be kept in a neat,
clean, and un-crumpled condition. This is worth 10 points of your total.
9. You are also required to complete an Egg Baby Journal. Students will fill out a
journal (see example below). There should be at least four entries for each day
(4entries x7days = 28 entries). Activities should reflect the reality of the time
spent with the baby but feelings may be exaggerated to reflect a real child.
Sample Journal Entries:
Time Activity My Feelings
Lunch
Day 1
Eating lunch
Formula and spinach puree
Baby’s lack of appetite is
understandable but upsetting, perhaps
I should get another kind of food.
Baby threw up on my new shirt and I
may be late for my next class.
Afternoon
Day 1
Watching friends play soccer and
changing diaper
I am feeling frustrated because I can’t
play soccer but no on responsible is
around to babysit.
However it is all worthwhile when the
baby sees a butterfly and giggles happily.
I love parenthood!
Considering how little baby ate, the
diaper change is a disgusting job. Not
loving parenthood quite as much.
10. Cost Analysis Exercise: In order to appreciate the impact a child has on the
family’s finances students will research the costs of furnishing a house with furniture
and baby things.
Steps to Complete:
a) Calculate the cost of furnishing a child’s room. Create a drawing or cut and paste
representation of what the room would look like.
b) Calculate the cost of feeding a baby for a week.
c) Find the cost of all things associated with the bathroom process – baths, diapers,
talcum powder, baby wipes etc. Calculate the start up cost of stocking the home.
d) Research the cost of a babysitter. Find out how much they charge by the
hour/evening.
e) Find out the cost of properly dressing a baby for day, night and winter/summer
outings. (4 outfits)
f) Calculate the grand total.
g) Create a journal entry that gives your thoughts on the best way for a family to
prepare for a baby entering the home.

3. HHS4M Name_________________________
In class Egg Check #1 __________points (20 Possible)
In class Egg Check #2 __________points (20 Possible)
In class Final Egg Check #3 __________points (20 Possible)
Egg Baby Journal __________points (28 Possible)
Cost Analysis __________points (32 Possible)
Parent Signature __________points (10 Possible)
“Egg Baby” Evaluation __________points (20 Possible)
Condition of Handout __________points (10 Possible)
Total __________points (160 Possible)
********************************************************************************
I have read this handout and understand that my child needs to have his/her egg with
them at all times or must pay egg sitting fees. Each child will need something to secure
their egg in each day i.e., basket/”car seat”.
Parents Signature ______________________________________________
*NOTE: Eggs will be given to the parents in class on Thursday/Friday. “EGG BABIES” may
be decorated or given whatever necessities you feel necessary to make your “baby” more
real.