Parenting Tips Archives - Page 11 of 36

Home Buying Tips for Families

September 11, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Searching for a new home can be something of a stressful thing to do. But, when you have a family it is even more troubling and challenging to get it right. So, today we’re sharing parenting information on home buying tips for families. When you are purchasing a family home, you will need to know how. You must have a good sense of the things you want in terms of quality, price range or budget, and the location in which you want to live.

And, you’ll need to make sure that you are considering your entire family. That’s something that you might find challenging. However, you do need to work on it if you really want to find the ideal home for your family. Here are a few other things to consider:

Size

Our home buying tips include considering the size of the home you are purchasing for your family. In fact, it is going to be one of the most important things that you will need to consider. If you don’t have a large enough home it is unlikely that you and your family are going to really enjoy living in it. So, if you plan to expand your family consider it when you look at homes. Or, you can focus on finding a home with a decent amount of space for everyone now and purchase another home if your family grows. Bear in mind, you will want to provide your family with enough room to spread out. But, you shouldn’t go over budget massively just to ensure that your children have huge rooms. In some cases you might find that just an apartment is going to be ideal. And, in others you may need to think about something considerably larger.

Location

Another one of our home buying tips includes considering the location of the home. So, when you are searching for a new family home think about it. Consider schools, safety of the neighborhood, distance from the kid’s activities and shopping. It’s important to pay attention to the crime statistics in the area you are considering. Use your common sense and keep your wits about you when you are exploring the area in question.

In addition to safety, you’ll also want to think about good schools. Hopefully schools which are not too overcrowded. It’s definitely worth researching the schools in the local area just to make sure that you know what your options are. Otherwise, you might be in for a surprise in regards to your children’s education.

Safety In The Home

Although all homes on the market should be safe enough to sell, you might find that some lend themselves better to childproofing than others. So, consider childproofing options when you are looking. Obviously, you will want to keep your family safe. Especially, if you have small children. Ask yourself how much childproofing needs to be done and is possible to do it. You might be surprised at just how simple a process will be to install safety measures. But if you overlook it, it can be troubling down the road.

5 Back to School Tips for Mom

September 7, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

It comes around once a year, every year. We’re talking about the kids going back to school and all of the chores, responsibilities, and preparations that go along with it. Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on back to school tips. Our tips will reduce the frustration that usually accompanies the hustle and bustle of back to school. We’re offering a few helpful suggestions to assist in organizing and getting you started early might be of service:

Get School Supplies

Getting school supplies should be at the top of most people’s list. But, you would be surprised at how many folks wait until the last minute to get even the basic essentials. This includes writing tools, paper, folders, and backpacks. By waiting so late a lot of supply stores are barren. And, you really aren’t getting quality products for your child. That may not be the way that we want to start off their school year.

Set Aside Time to Work on Assignments

One good way to get your child back into the swing of doing homework is by giving them small assignments before school starts. This will gradually increase a few minutes every week. By the time they are back in class it’s not such a shock to their system.

Setting up a dedicated work station that they will use throughout the year is also a good idea too. Children have a way of falling out of the habit of learning and concentrating over the summer. The sooner they can get back into the routine, the easier the beginning of the school year becomes.

Establish a Routine and Set a Bedtime

So, we suggest starting it at least a week (and preferably two) before the first day of school. This includes everything from taking a bath to what point the TV or devices are turned off. We suggest you start at least an hour before their designated bedtime. Blue screens have been known to hinder melatonin production in the brain. It becomes a robber of a much needed natural sleep aid.

Getting a good night’s rest is vital for a child. For general reference: preschoolers need ten to thirteen hours of sleep, school age children need nine to eleven hours, and teenagers need eight to ten.

Create Positive Habits

When you get a routine going, positive habits can and should be instituted as well. Getting up early, eating a healthy breakfast, taking care of a few chores, and any other beneficial activities and recreations can be introduced.

Take the Time to Address any Anxiety or Stress

Don’t let the urgency of the season create an unnecessary strain on the emotional well being of your child. Sit down with him or her and talk about anything that may be bothering them. Furthermore, ask them what’s on their minds. The start of a new year can be quite scary for many children. And, it’s common for them to be concerned about meeting new people and making friends.

Keep the above back to school tips in mind, and your child will be sure to have a great, uneventful return to school.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: back to school, back to school tips, organization tips

Tips To Create Child Friendly Gardens

September 3, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Getting out into the great outdoors is important for everyone. But, when you have young children it gets a bit more difficult. Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on how to create child friendly gardens.

Cover The Pond

When it comes to any water features, you want to be careful of children wandering and falling in. Whether it’s a swimming pool or a small pond, water can be dangerous for those who can’t swim. So if you do have a pond be sure to cover it over with pond netting. The netting should be strong enough and secured in place so that little hands can’t lift it up. You can find most pond netting at a DIY store near you. This will ensure you won’t have wet children having to be pulled out of the pond! As a side note, Tsurumi pond pumps are certainly a good thing to have when it comes to your pond water feature.

Buy A Playhouse

Children love outdoor toys. What better way than to teach them about growing up than to have their own playhouse? Playhouses can come in a variety of sizes. Furthermore, they are perfect for getting little ones outside into fresh air. These playhouses will also keep them warm when the colder weather hits. And, they’re usually made out of strong enough material that will help them last a long time.

Swings And Slides

Outdoor activities can encourage your children to be more active. Swings and slide sets are still as popular as ever and provide parents with a great opportunity to connect more with their children. Swinging high into the sky is a wonderful experience for any child and is one that they will likely remember into their adulthood.

Pick The Right Plants

Children at young ages are receptive to exploring and tasting things they come into contact with. That means that you need to be cautious about what plants and flowers you put into your garden. Some are relatively harmless, but some of them can be poisonous. And, if ingested could cause serious problems. Obviously, you want your child to be curious. But, also to be safe. So, ensure all plants and flowers are child-friendly.

Add More Lawn

Replace some of your concrete with more grass. Concrete can cause injury; however, grass provides a safe and soft area to run, jump and play. They may bring in a little grass stain, but nothing a little detergent can’t handle.

We hope our tips on creating child friendly gardens was beneficial. Getting your children or grandchildren outside is very important and should be done so from an early age. You may also like: Nature and Garden Tips for Children.

Filed Under: Entertainment Tagged With: children's activities, childrens garden, gardening with children

Early Childhood Education Activities

August 28, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Any parent would agree that having kids for the first time is certainly a learning curve. Not only do you have to take on new responsibilities, but you also have to deal with the stress. However, this post is about your child learning; not you. Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on exploring different options for early childhood education activities and the ages which they apply:

Educational Toys

All toys and objects are educational for a baby. While some aren’t safe, they will give your little one the chance to explore the world’s physics, as they grow up. However, some toys are designed with learning in mind. And, you can find examples like this for just about every age group. There are companies who offer learning toys on a subscription basis. This option makes it incredibly easy to get your hands on products which will teach your children as they grow.

Tutoring

It’s becoming increasingly common for parents to pay tutors to help their children with early learning. This will usually start before they are old enough to go to school, providing your little one with an edge against their classmates once they’re finally old enough to attend, and is a great way to help them to learn dense subjects like languages. Some parents choose to use this as a way to promote skills which won’t be taught in school, like finance.

Preschool

School doesn’t start for most children until they are about five or six years old. While this gives parents a chance to spend a good amount of time with their kids, it also opens opportunities for social development. Preschool is the perfect place for early childhood education activities. Also, it gives your child an opportunity to interact with kids their own age without having to worry about schoolwork in the process. It’s easy for the first day of school to be overwhelming, so preschool is worth considering and preparing them as much as possible.

Parental Education

Being a parent means that you have to take on a range of roles. The most crucial of these is being a teacher. A lot will happen naturally, but it is crucial that you’re being a good role model. Also, actively working to help your child with things they find difficult. No one is born an expert on early childhood education activities. So, you will need to support them on their journey.

With all of this in mind, you should be ready to begin the process of helping your child with early childhood education activities. Parents struggle with this sort of work. They find it hard to know exactly when their little ones should start learning, though this is usually from the day they are born.

You may also like: Investing in Education and Our Children’s Future

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: educational activities, educational activities for kids

Benefits of Purchasing Diaper Bags Online

August 23, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

When it comes to your baby’s essential needs, the Internet is a great place to shop! You can find everything you need, and get it delivered right to your doorstep. Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on purchasing diaper bags online. `

Diaper bags are a blessing for any mother, but it’s especially important for those who love to travel with their baby. They help keep all the baby’s essential items neatly organized in one place. Your wet wipes, or a changing pad, diapers, and cremes they’re all just waiting for you inside the diaper bag.

Why Should I Look for Diaper Bags Online?

There are several compelling reasons for purchasing diaper bags online:

The Basic Stuff

If you’re a first-time mother, you need to know exactly what you want to carry in a diaper bag. These items will basically dictate the style, type, and size of the diaper bag that you need. You should also consider where and how you’re going to use the diaper bag. Are you regularly going to go out with your baby in a stroller? If so, you may want to consider finding a diaper bag that can be affixed easily to the stroller. Additionally, are you a fashion-forward parent? Then maybe fashionable diaper bags are on the top of your list. Using the Internet can help you narrow down the search on what diaper bag will answer these basic needs.

Extra Features

Many diaper bags come with extra features that you should also consider. If you’re still bottle feeding your child, you might need a diaper bag that has insulated pockets to keep the bottle warm. If your baby is still wearing diapers, you definitely need a diaper bag that has a changing pad. Or, a compartment for a changing pad. You want to make sure you can include a changing pad so that you will always have a clean and hygienic place to change your baby’s diaper.

Filters Help Immensely

The problem with going to brick-and-mortar stores is that you tend to look at every diaper bag model. If you’re on the Internet, many websites have search features or categories that can help you narrow down your choices. What’s more, if you’re inside a store you’re limited to the stock that the store sells. If you’re browsing online, you can virtually look up any model or brand that comes to mind or you’re given more options.

Reviews Matter

If there is one source online that can be invaluable when it comes to feedback and reviews, it’s other mothers. There are so many forums, websites, and blogs that can help you choose the right diaper bag. The reviews are based on honest feedback and reviews from mothers who have used the products before.

Many blogs contain affiliate links; however, most are based on reviews from actual product use. Amazon also has a number reviews to consider.

Choices Galore

Once you’ve determined what type of diaper bag you need in terms of style, size, and features, making the selection can be fun. You can now treat the process of buying your diaper bag the same way you buy any other bag. Look for a color or pattern that’s trendy and stylish, or one that goes well with your own aesthetic.

Cheap Doesn’t Always Equal to a Bargain!

When it comes to purchasing a diaper bag online, you need to consider this as a long-term investment purchase. Sure, you can easily find a bag that’s $20, but you will most likely get what you pay for. Odds are the bag won’t last long before the straps snap, the stitches come apart, or the zipper breaks. What if those things happen while you’re out while your baby? Now you’re stuck with having to carry everything! Invest in your diaper bag, you’ll be using it regularly.

Look for a diaper bag that’s made from sturdy materials, has an ergonomic design, and has enough room and pockets to keep everything in a nice and organized manner. It may cost a bit more, but when you consider the safety and convenience that the diaper bag offers, you know that it will be worth the price.

Filed Under: Financial Tips, Shopping Tips Tagged With: baby gifts, on-line shopping, shopping tips

Cool Facts About Moms From Around The World

August 4, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Moms are cool. There is just no way around it. Think about everything that they do! Taking care of everyone else, cooking fabulous meals, doing everything from school runs to soccer clubs. Not to mention either being a fulltime mom or having a job. Yes, moms are the coolest! Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on cool facts about moms from around the world.

Age

Would you believe that there are some moms as ‘old’ as 70 who have given birth in the last few years? At the age of 65, Annegret Raunigk, in 2015, gave birth to quadruplets! Not only that, but she had 13 children before those new little babies arrive.

Omkari Panwar aged 70 gave birth in 2008 to twins. Although Omkari had to undergo IVF, this didn’t put her off her mission to have a son. Instead, they ended up with two sons who will now be an heir to their farmland.

Finally, Daljinder Kaur, at the age of 72, in 2016 had her first and only child with her 79-year-old husband. They opted to go for IVF after waiting for over 50 years to conceive naturally.

Flowers

There are more flowers purchased on Mother’s Day than any other holiday – except for Christmas. Meaning that when the time rolls around, the gift of choice for billions of mothers is a beautiful bunch of flowers. In fact, that single day accounts for ¼ of all holiday sales of flowers.

Mother’s Day

The very first Mother’s Day was on May 10, 1908. It was founded by Ann Jarvis, and Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday. Although later on, Jarvis asked for it to be removed from the yearly calendar sue to it being commercialized. It is a cool question, though, where did Mother’s Day originate from? – because there is so much more to learn about how and why we celebrate this lovely day.

Big Baby

The biggest baby born to a land mammal is an elephant! After a massive 22 months of pregnancy, a mother elephant gives birth to a 200-pound, blind calf. The most significant human baby was born to Carmelina Fedele of Italy. Her bundle of joy weighed in at 22 pounds and 8oz!

Mama

Ma and Da are two of the first sounds that babies learn to make. At least those are the two that we associate with something recognizable like Mama and Dada. Most languages around the world adopted that ‘ma’ as the basis for the worth ‘mother.’ In Vietnam, you will hear children say ‘me,’ ‘mamma’ in Iceland and ‘em’ in Hebrew. The most common names for Mother are Ma, Mom, Mum, Mama, Mam and Mummy.

The Feels

Across the board, it is reported that mothers face a few of the same feelings. Although they may face different daily challenges, typically guilt for not spending enough time with their children, or not being a good enough mother, feeling overwhelmed and in many cases frustration at being the one everyone goes to.

Being a mother is a journey, and there is no one way to do it right. Most of the time, you have to do what is right for you and your family. So there you have a couple of cool facts about mothers around the world!

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: moms who need wine, parenting information, parenting tips

Tips on High Back and Backless Booster Seats

July 19, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Parents are often confused on buying high-back and backless boosters for their children. Besides the obvious, one booster has a back and one does not. And, the height and weight recommendations can be different also. Furthermore, all boosters are the next seat once your child exceeds the height and weight limits for front-facing car seats. Booster seats raise your child up on the vehicle seat. As a result, the seat belt will fit them properly. Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on purchasing high-back and backless booster seats for children.

It is essential to wait until your child is ready to upgrade from a forward-facing car seat to a booster seat. Waiting will ensure the safest situation if you ever get into an accident. According to healthychildren.org, your child has grown out of their forward-facing seat if they meet the following requirements:

The child has outgrown the height and weight limits of the car seat
The child’s shoulders are above the top harness slots of the seat
The tops of the child’s ears reach the top of the seat

Once your child has outgrown their forward-facing car seat, decide which booster seat would be best for them. Here are the differences between high-back boosters and backless boosters:

High-back Booster Seats

The goal of the high-back booster seats are to boost your child high enough for the seat belt to fit across them properly. The upper back of these seats are used to provide extra protection for your child’s neck and back in the event of a car accident. Additionally, this type of booster seat is better for younger children who still need the extra support. High-back booster seats are usually combination car seats that can transform from a 5-point harness seat to a booster.

This option is useful for vehicles that don’t have high seat backs or headrests.
This booster-style is also suitable for younger children who fall asleep during car rides. It is more comfortable for them and provides extra support to keep them from slouching down in the seat.
Some of these boosters have a seat belt guide to help the seat belt fit over your child better.
Seats that convert to a high-back booster have the option to use the 5-point harness. This option keeps smaller children safer for a more extended time.
Most models have cup holders attached.
Most models are adequate for children weighing 30 or more pounds.

Backless Booster Seats

The backless booster is used to raise your child for the seat belt to fit correctly as well. However, it lacks the high back. So, it doesn’t give the extra head and neck support and protection for your child.

This booster seat is suitable for older children who don’t need as much support.
This option is useful for cars with high seatbacks and headrests.
Some high-back boosters will convert to a backless booster when needed as your child grows.
Most models have cup holders attached.
Most models are adequate for children weighing 40 pounds or more and at least 35 inches tall.
Parents also love this option because these seats are usually cheaper to purchase. Also, they are easy to move between vehicles when needed.

Booster Seat Safety

Both booster seat provide the extra safety your child needs. When your child outgrows their forward-facing car seat and meets the height and weight requirements, they are ready to upgrade. Read the booster seat manual for recommendations on the safest way to install the seat. Also, check the check the car seat laws in your state to be knowledgeable of which car seat your child is required to use. You can check your car seat laws at www.ghsa.org.

Some booster seats have a latch option to connect to your vehicle’s latch system. Other boosters are just secured to the chair with the seat belt as your child is seated in the booster. Your child should be tall enough with the booster seat that the shoulder belt rests across their shoulders and the lap belt rests across their laps.

Healthychildren.org recommends that children be at least 4 foot, 9 inches tall before they should switch out of a booster seat. Children can usually reach this height between the ages of 8 and 12, but in most cases, they will reach this height between the ages of 10 and 12.

When choosing which booster option is best for you and your family, you should consider what type of vehicle you have. Furthermore, consider what your backseat consists so you can provide the safest choice for your child. Unfortunately, if your backseat only has lap belts a booster seat will not be an option. Booster seats booster seats must provide your child with the chest belt they need. In this case, you will need to find a forward-facing car seat with a harness that will accommodate a higher weight limit. Or, you can look at options for installing chest belts into your car.

New Law Requiring Longer Use of Booster Seats

In Washington state, a new law will be put in place next year after Governor Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1012. This law states that children under the height of 4 foot, 9 inches must sit in a booster seat. So children between the ages of 10 and 12, will be required to use a booster seat until they reach the required height. Also, the seat belt must fit properly across their shoulder and their lap. If a driver is not following this rule, they will be pulled over and given a traffic citation.

According to CNN, Governor Jay Inslee signed this stricter car seat law to provide the safest possible way for children to ride in a vehicle. No other states have followed this exact pursuit yet, but 12 other states did update their car seat laws to require the use of rear-facing car seats for a more extended period. This new law will go in effect for Washington on January 1, 2020.

In Conclusion:

Upgrading to a booster seat is an exciting time for both parents and children. The seats are quickly transferable between vehicles and tend to take up less space than the average car seat. Choosing the right type of booster seat is very important, and you should consider your situation when making that decision. Many parents make the mistake of upgrading their child to a booster seat too soon or skipping the booster seat altogether, causing tragic consequences in the event of a car accident. Remember to read the manual of the booster seat for safety recommendations and also be knowledgeable on your state’s car seat laws. For more information on booster seat safety and tips, go to www.safekids.org.

You may also like: Educating Children About Safety

Arthur Bio:

Keren Simanova is a busy mommy by day and a passionate writer by night. While spending countless hours researching car seats for her children, she created an educational car seat blog, CarSeatsMom.com to educate other mothers about the importance of car seats. Further, along the way, the blog became an invaluable source for research of a variety of car seat brands, unique features, and mommy reviews.

Filed Under: Safety Tagged With: parenting safety tips, safety tips, vehicle safety tips

Child Safety Tips on Outside Dangers

June 28, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Keeping your kids safe inside and outside your home is a top priority for any parent. There’s a few dangers that you need to be aware when your children are outside of your home. Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on child safety. Furthermore, we have tips on vacation dangers. Unfortunately, there are dangers in the neighborhood and at school. Here are a few tips on how to address them:

Stranger Danger

While it would be great if you could trust everyone to be safe and not be a threat to your children, that’s just not the case. There are many people who live near you who could pose a threat and you might not even be aware of them. As a result, it is worth looking at police records to explore whether anyone with a record is living in your area. Furthermore, you can think about using a tracker for your child. They are discreet, and a great way to teach your children about outside dangers. They are a great way to ensure a child up to sixteen is wearing one. And, you can use the tech that they have on them at all times to keep track. For instance, a typical iPhone can be tracked using the Find My iPhone app as long as it is enabled. This can give you the peace of mind you need when your kid is out playing with their friends.

Of course, you have to be prepared for the fact that they might already be familiar with the person who is a threat. Older children can meet people on-line and unfortunately, chat rooms do still exist. It’s for this reason that you might want to keep a check on what your children are doing online. It’s important that you make sure you’re aware of anyone they might have made friends with.

Location is also important to think about here. If you happen to be buying a home, it’s worth exploring a property on a cul de sac or a closed road. With lower levels of traffic passing by your home, there is a lower chance of your child being at risk from strangers.

Dangerous Animals

It is possible for animals to be a threat to your child. The problem here is that children will often want to make friends with animals, and they can certainly not be as pleasant as they seem. Unfortunately, dog bites can be quite serious and lead to horrific injuries. They can even be fatal. Be wary of homes in your neighbourhood with owners who do not keep their pets on a leash. If you are worried about these animals, it might be worth advising your children to stay away from these areas. Alternatively, you can speak to the owner about ensuring that a pet will be on a leash in the future. Remember, you have every right to implement child safety when encountering a potentially dangerous animal. According to lawyers like Hupy and Abraham, you need to make sure that you take action against a potentially dangerous dog owner. Otherwise, it could lead to a serious personal injury for your child.

Traffic

If you live on a cul de sac, you might not have to worry too much about this when your little one is playing near your home. But it’s still important to teach them about road safety. Make sure they are aware that they can’t trust drivers to be responsible. It’s possible that a driver will be on their phone and be completely oblivious to a child playing on or near the street. The days are gone when kids were able to play in the streets. Now you need to make sure that they are going to somewhere like the park. It’s worth making sure that you are taking your child to places like this to ensure that they can stay active in a safe environment.

Alternatively, your child is cycling or skateboarding make sure that they are wearing a helmets and safety gear. Wearing a helmet can be the difference between a bump and a brain injury.

School

Are your kids safe at school? You would hope so but sadly that’s not always the case. Kids can be both cruel and dangerous. We’re of course talking about the threat of bullying. You need to be prepared for the possibility of your child being bullied.

You might think that the teachers or the principal will put a stop to this. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. It’s quite common for teachers to have no idea how to handle a problem like bullying except to hope that the kids sort it out themselves. This can be frustrating for you as a parent because you probably want a more rapid solution.

You have a several options. You can teach your child how to deal with bullying themselves. Or alternatively, you can think about speaking to the parents of the child responsible. Neither of these are foolproof options and both can go catastrophically wrong. However, in most cases, if you get your child to ignore the situation the bully will get bored and leave them alone. The most important thing is that you are aware it’s happening in case it gets worse.

We hope our child safety tips helps you understand some of the most significant dangers to your child outside the home and how to keep them safe.

Filed Under: Safety

Financial Security for Single Parents

June 25, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on achieving financial security for single parents. As a single parent, stretching your money can be a significant concern. Taking on lucrative side gigs can bring in extra funds to help make ends meet. However, with smart money and time management, you can pad your financial cushion without giving up time with your family.

Flexible opportunities – The gig economy is a haven for entrepreneurs, temporary workers and freelancers. It offers the freedom and flexibility to take on as much or as little work as you want. Along those same lines, Entrepreneur points out gig work allows you to earn as much or as little as you need. By altering the level of intensity, difficulty and quantity of your workload you can adjust your income level and time commitment. You are free to take a light load on the weeks your youngster is performing in a play, or engage more work to pay for gifts during the holiday season. Side gigs offer opportunities for variety as well. So, if you become bored doing routine tasks you can switch things up when things become dull.

Personal and financial growth. When you’re tight on time and money, your circumstances can feel limiting. But, a side gig can be a long-awaited chance to get your foot in the door to a new career. For example, maybe you’re talented in graphic design. But, you can’t get hired in a traditional role without experience. As Coople explains, a side gig can bring much-needed notches in your belt. It’s also a chance to put a hobby or skill to work in your spare time. For example, doing things like pet care, bookkeeping or house cleaning. The income can be deposited into retirement savings, a vacation fund or just used to pay routine bills. No matter what you decide, it’s income that can be earned in a manner flexible and pleasurable to you.

Monitor that money – Obviously income is a driving force in your choice to pick up a side gig. Some experts point out that many people who participate in freelance work don’t do an effective job of managing finances. However, you need to keep tabs on your gig income because you will pay taxes on it. And, tracking it can also help you learn market trends. For instance, if you decide to be a dog walker or sitter, you may notice you stay especially busy during the spring break season. Or if you’re cleaning houses, your busy season may be during the holidays. Setting up separate accounts can help keep your finances on track. Furthermore, it will project when you will see increases in income and being busy.

Tracking your expenditures is another issue. You don’t want your personal money going into your business venture. Also, you need to monitor exactly what you spend on your business adventures so you can make appropriate tax deductions. A business credit card can simplify tracking your spending and alleviate bookkeeping headaches. It’s important to choose a card that supports how you’ll use it. For example, some cards are better suited to traveling, some are more accommodating if you lack credit history, and some offer cash back incentives. Another option is taking out a loan for your small business. Short-term loans usually work best if you have a new business and decent credit. Research your options before committing so you can make the best choice for your situation.

Engage tools – With the growth of the gig economy, tools for effectively engaging in gig work are plentiful. One way to participate is through a platform. Platforms are websites that connect people desiring services with people providing services. For instance if you are a bookkeeper, you might engage an administrative professionals platform. Then busy entrepreneurs can go to the platform to hire you. The platform page typically vets the freelancers they list. This in turn provides peace of mind to clients hiring help and validity to those offering services. As Forbes notes, engaging a platform website can be a way to find work in the gig economy quickly.

Side gigs help. If you’re a single parent and strapped for cash, taking on a side gig can be a boon. The flexibility makes it possible to enjoy family time while making ends meet. Use the tools at your disposal to manage your finances and business carefully. Side gigs can provide financial security for single parents as well open a wealth of opportunities to you!

Filed Under: Financial Tips Tagged With: financial security, financial tips, single parenting

Parenting Tips on Understanding Your Child’s Needs

June 21, 2019 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

No matter how old your children are you are always looking for ways to understand them. As a parent, your goal is to raise a happy, healthy, well-rounded and independent human being. One who has the ability to thrive at everything in life. You want your kids to grow up with the life skills you were taught and so much more. This can only be done when you truly understand your individual child’s needs. So, today we’re sharing parenting tips on Understanding Your Child’s Needs.

Every child is completely unique in their development and behavior. So, there will never be a one size fits all approach. As a mother you will be thrown a lot of curveballs during your parenting lifespan. And, you won’t always know the best approach to take. Learn how to listen to your child and tailor your actions to suit their needs. Communication is absolutely essential when you are a parent. It gives you the ability to solve their problems and raise them to be vibrant and bright youngsters. Here are some of the challenges you might face during your parenting journey and understanding your child’s needs:

You Always Want to Protect Them

Every parent goes through the struggle of wanting to shield their child from every potential danger. Technology is scarily popular amongst young adolescents. So, you might feel slightly out of control with this phenomenon in your lives. Luckily, with iCloud, you can monitor phone calls, texts and photographs on your child’s phone without invading their privacy too much. You want to be able to trust them implicitly, but you also want to do everything in your power to protect them. Find a balance, and you will have peace of mind when it comes to technology.

Dealing with Behavioral Difficulties

Raising a child with ADHD or autism can bring many hurdles to overcome. Learning to deal with challenging behavior will become second nature to you eventually. But, it can feel like a huge mountain to climb initially. Remember that your child’s behavior is no reflection on you as a parent. You will learn to deal with certain triggers in a way that works for you both. Seek professional advice if you are not understanding your child’s needs.

Monitoring Their Development

If your child isn’t developing as quickly as other kids, you can feel overwhelmed. It is very easy to compare your child to others, but that really won’t help the situation. As long as you are able to monitor and understand your child’s needs, this is all you should concern yourself with. Your family doctor will be able to advise you on any signs that are truly concerning. So, you should never jump to conclusions without seeking professional help.

Keeping Them Healthy

Before you had children you vowed never to give them sweets, chocolate or fizzy drinks. However, you can’t keep them away from the bad stuff! Keeping your child healthy is obviously at the forefront of your mind, but you shouldn’t get too overprotective when it comes to their diet. As long as they are getting a wide range of food groups such as protein, carbohydrates and good fats, you shouldn’t worry about the odd sweet treat here and there.

The Communication Barrier

As your child learns to talk you will find it easier and easier to communicate with them. You might actually start to miss the days when they were peaceful and quiet as a tiny baby! Their vocabulary will develop at an alarming rate and your language will definitely have an impact on how much they pick up on. As they grow into their teenage years they will suddenly revert back to a time where talking is the hardest thing in the world! It sometimes takes a miracle to get a conversation out of a grumpy teen, but this will soon pass.

Overwhelming Advice from Outsiders

When somebody else thinks they know your child better than you do, it can be quite upsetting. Whether you have a new baby or a developing teenager, there will always be someone out there who wants to give you unsolicited advice. Unfortunately, this happens to the best of us and you need to learn to take it with a grain of salt. You will always know what is best for your child. So, don’t listen to people who have anything negative to say about your parenting skills.

Letting them Grow Up

It can be very difficult for many of us to master, but allowing our children to grow up is part of our life. They need to grow up in order to start their own life and gain their independence. Letting them go will always be difficult, but your job as a parent will never be over. Even when they have children themselves, they will need your help and advice more than ever. Understand that when it is time to loosen the reins, you will always be well respected as their parent.

It can be very difficult to accept that your child has to grow up. Especially, when it seems they were only babies a few weeks ago! Their life will flash before you in a split second, so make sure you cherish every moment with them. When they do start to grow up and show their independence, you will need to step back from time to time. You won’t always find it easy to let go and give them freedom, but it can do them a world of good.

There are ways to regain some elements of control, but you should pick and choose your battles wisely. Every mother will go through a different journey when raising their children, but you will always know what is best for yours. Don’t listen to people who have no experience in the field of parenting and always strive to do the best you can during this adventurous time in your life. We hope that you will find our tips on understanding your child’s needs beneficial.

Filed Under: Parenting Tips Tagged With: healthy parenting, parenting advice, raising children