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Does your child know how to say “NO?” Do you? Practice what you preach! How many of you moms find yourself saying “yes” to things you really don’t want to do, just to please people or to avoid conflict or disappointing someone? Oprah has spoken on this topic many times. So many women say “yes” at the expense of what is in their best interest. We know this is not a good or healthy way to be…right? So if you, the adult, can’t seem to say “NO,” how can you expect your children to say “NO” when it really matters? You can’t. You must practice what you preach and model for your children how to say “NO” – so they make smart choices and stay safe.
Don't know how to spend Labor Day with your kids? Try making paper kites and having a kite flying competition with the family! There's no better cure for the back-to-school blues than a day of fun with the family. Here are instructions on how to make the coolest paper kites you've ever seen!
Just when you think life will start getting easier now that the kids are occupied for six hours a day, you start to experience the hectic mornings; the homework; the carpools; the bake sales; the PTA obligations; and the embarrassment of begging your co-workers to buy chocolate bars they do not want (no matter how much they like you or your kids.)
After the school bell rings and teens are dismissed from school for the day, trouble lurks behind almost every corner. The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center notes that between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., teens are most at-risk for participating in juvenile crimes, engaging in teen sex, drug and alcohol use, and may even become victims of violence. With the decline of available after-school programs, it's essential that parents find ways to keep their teens busy and safe, once the school day has ended.
The summer has come to an end. There are no more lazy days by the pool, no more BBQ’s at the park, no more sleeping in, and most importantly no more kids around. Now, us child rearing adults are faced with the fact that our kids are at school (maybe even away at college!), leaving us with an empty house and an uncomfortable void to fill. This is what the experts call “empty nest syndrome.” We can choose to dwell on this fact and sulk in our sorrows, or we can move forward and learn something new. Personally, I always choose to move forward. How do we move forward one may ask? Let me share with you some helpful coping mechanisms.
When I pulled up to my mom’s house the other day, I noticed a minivan parked on the side of the road. Our neighbors were having a garage sale, so I assumed that the owner of the car was just popping in to see the sale. But then I noticed that the car was idling, so I took a closer look through the tinted windows. That’s when I discovered that an infant was inside, buckled into a car seat, while a toddler bounced freely around the back seat. Alone. “Mom, there are two kids in that car and it’s running,” I said as she came out to greet me. We looked around. The sale was inside a garage about 50-yards away. There was no one in sight.
Does anyone else think kids today are growing up too fast? It’s not that they are growing into responsibilities of adulthood or suddenly learning faster than the rest of us did, but the youth of America is becoming more and more mature as they become more and more overexposed. And while many of you are thinking about our culture teaching children new and exciting curse words or spreading violence, I’ve noticed kids today are exposed most in matters concerning sex.
The Internet is a vast world full of information, perfect for learning and researching. Unfortunately, amid the resources and enriching information, there is a swamp of distracting, inappropriate material. Being aware of the options, your child's activities and available websites are the best ways to keep him safe online.
Starting preschool is a huge step for your kid. The routine he is so used to will change drastically. Your kid’s transition to preschool is the start of him becoming more independent and less attached, as he is beginning his journey into schooling, where he will be for much of his life. You should try to understand it not only from your perspective, but from his. Change is a hard process for anyone, whether you’re three or thirty three. Here are ways to ease your kid’s jitters about starting preschool:
Whether at home on a rainy afternoon, outside at recess, at a party or just hanging out with friends, children love to play games. The most fun kids' games are those that keep everyone enjoying themselves and playing rather than waiting a long time to take a brief turn. Take a classic game, like Go Fish, and amp up its fun factor by assigning a wild card.
Lots of educational games for today's kids are synonymous for fun. While kids are entertained and engaged in a variety of educational games, they are also learning, practicing or polishing various skills, in such areas as science, math, reading and logic. These fun educational games are available as boxed and packaged games, computer games or on-line games.
While you may feel tempted to just hit "Play" on the DVD player and call it a day, most children appreciate fun party games rather than spectator activities. If you feel daunted by organizing games for a group, set up stations with different activities that guests can rotate through or choose. Your guests will remember the kids' party games long after the party has ended.
Teaching teenagers life skills prepares them for their futures. Learning the skills they need prevents them from calling you every time they need to wash laundry or change a flat tire. It gives teens an advantage to know how to budget their money wisely and saves them money by knowing how to do basic maintenance skills. When a teenager knows basic life skills, he is more self-sufficient and adjusts better to adult responsibility.
Christmas usually brings entire families together. It can be a great time to catch up with the siblings, nieces and nephews you don't see too often. While it's usually an exciting time for children, you should be prepared with ways to keep them entertained when the family isn't eating, going to services or opening presents. Keep your children and their cousins occupied by showing them how to play a few Christmas-themed games.
While it may be painful to watch your children grow so quickly, one good thing about them hitting the preteen and teenage years is that your days of playing simple, not-so-interesting-for-you games are over. Children who are age 12 and up are able to play games that are more complex and that may be enjoyable for adults as well. Break out the deck of cards and some fun board games for a game night that will entertain everyone.
The most important aspect of planning a children's birthday party is setting up festive party games and activities. Before getting everyone into a beach ball volleyball match in the pool or soccer in the park, consider the range of skills and ages, as well as the group size. Some competitive and traditional team sports do not keep children entertained as well as traditional and creative party games.
Rather than plan a humdrum party with the same old activities, make this year's birthday party special with fun party games. Even simple games such as musical chairs can get a birthday party makeover by using pillows instead of chairs or by having children walk backward during the game. Consult with your child to plan party games that align with the event's theme or with the interests of the guests.
Teenagers can be hard to please, making the task of hosting a teen party quite the challenge. To ensure that your finicky party guests stay engaged from the start of your event to the conclusion, prepare an assortment of games. With some ingenuity and the assistance of your teen birthday girl, you can throw an exciting teen bash without breaking a sweat.
A birthday party for your 12-year-old requires solid planning to make the event feel festive and not too childish. Before staging a big bash, consult your 12-year-old. Some tweens prefer a small gathering away from your home, while others want a blowout at your house or at the park. Either way, selecting an interesting theme, activities, decorations and menu will make the event memorable.
Children tend to run higher fevers than adults do, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your child may have chills as a precursor to a fever. Chills are the body's way of generating heat when it feels it is cold. Children often get chills and a high fever, even if the illness is mild. A child has a fever when his temperature, taken orally, is more than 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit, or if it is more than 100.4 F, taken rectally. You don't necessarily have to treat all fevers, according to the Kids Health website.
If only they could stay little forever. You could watch over them and protect them from pending dangers, even bullies. You can wrap him in a momma bear hug and keep him from any hurts or scrapes he may encounter. Even more so, you can stop her from bullying anyone else, by keeping her sweet and close to your heart. Unfortunately, they do grow and leave, and, out of your hands, they may find themselves dealing with life in inappropriate and unhealthy ways. If your child begins to act like a bully, intervene immediately.
You may think of studying as sitting at a desk with your book open, taking notes, but this isn't the most effective way for most children to learn. Children can learn through playing games and having fun. Even the most basic games can help to teach skills that the child needs to learn, including gross and fine motor skills in addition to cognitive abilities and subject knowledge.
While some babies are born bald, others come out with nearly a full head of dark, wavy or curly hair. Just because your baby has a great deal of hair doesn't mean you should treat it as you would your own or even an older child's. Avoid using styling products on his hair, and only shampoo a few times a week. Use gentle products so that you do not irritate baby's eyes or skin.
Your child's birthday is an important event that she looks forward to every year. Like her friends, she wants to have a birthday party, but you may worry about what this means for your budget. Fortunately, you can plan her birthday party without breaking the bank--it simply takes a bit more time to get things together.
When a competitive sport proves too structured, and a board game too quiet, consider playing fun recreational games. Most recreational games have few rules, keep children active and involve elements of creativity and imagination. Before organizing recreational games, take into consideration the number of participants, equipment needs and the age range of the potential players.
