How to Deal with Teens and Respond Appropriately

April 9, 2019 by Leave a Comment

The idea that all parents are going to encounter a rebellious teen is far from the truth. Certain teens are easier to deal with than others.  Even within the same family system.  So, we have parenting tips on how to deal with teens in a constructive way.  Regardless of the struggle with your teen, you want them to make decisions that won’t have a negative impact on their future.  This pertains to things like driving if they have been drinking or being on either side of a teen pregnancy.

The best thing that we can do as parents is to be as involved in their lives without being overbearing.  Additionally, this helps a parent recognize if their teen’s moods or behaviors are changing.  This could be signs that they are having trouble at school, experiencing emotional problems, or having trouble in their personal relationships. The following are problems parents can encounter with teens.

 

 

raising teens

 

 

Grades Are Plummeting

One of the first signs of a problem with a teen is that of their grades dropping. This is not the time to start accusing your teen of anything, but rather ask why their grades are falling.  Often times this is a sign of something like bullying or even substance abuse.  However, there is a chance that your teen is not living up to their potential and might need extra help in school.  Furthermore, teachers who are not of the highest quality just need their students to pass the standardized test rather learn the material.  Getting the students to pass the standardized test is all that is needed for job security.  Check the on-line portals to ensure your student is completing assignments and studying for tests.

Practicing Unsafe Sex

Practicing unsafe sex can lead to various diseases as well as pregnancy. Bringing a child into the world is nothing a teen should have to deal with.  Birth control and other types of contraception are easy to obtain.  Consider options when you’re wondering how to deal with teens. Also, setting ground rules is important.  Don’t allow the significant other of your teen to sleep over.  This is simply asking for trouble. Educate your teen about safe sex.  Remember, preaching abstinence might lead them to avoid birth control because they want to discuss sex with you.

 

 

tips on teens

 

Drug Use

Drug use can be tough to detect if your teen makes a beeline for their room once they arrive home.  The last thing that you want as a parent is to figure out your teen is on drugs.  But, their addiction is now out of control. Marijuana probably is not going to ruin your teen’s life unless they are arrested for possession of the drug.  Marijuana can impact the growing brain negatively.  So, educate your teen on marijuana.  It is widely available, especially in states where recreational use is legal.  Drug testing a teen that you suspect of drug use can be done.  Home tests are affordable, and they can help keep your teen from falling into a life of destruction.

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse can impact a person of any age, religion, race, or gender as well as impacts all levels of the socioeconomic ladder.  Fortunately, alcohol can be easier for a parent to detect due to the smell and impact it has on an individual.  The one thing that you need to consider if your teen has been drinking daily is a supervised detox. The last thing you want is your teen to have a seizure due to the effects of stopping daily alcohol use immediately. Take the time to talk to your teen about how alcohol abuse can impact them now and in the future.

Teen Arrest Jeopardizing Future

If your teen is arrested this is not the time to show them tough love.  Depending on their age, certain arrests can impact their future.  A drug related arrest can lead to a student who has been accepted into a college or university having their admission revoked.  For time arrests for a teen with the right lawyer, it is possible that your teen can enter drug education program or outpatient rehab.  Additionally, they may have the offense wiped from their record.

Noll Law Office, a criminal defense lawyer in Springfield, IL notes “You need to know that the attorney you hire has the training, knowledge and experience to defend you or your loved ones. When your future is at risk, there is no alternative but to obtain the best criminal defense lawyer available.”  An arrest can be a wakeup call for your teen.  But, do not let their arrest impact the rest of their life if you can help it!

This is just a shot list on how to deal with teens.  React with a plan in mind rather than flying off the handle.  You should implement this response even if your teen does need a good verbal reprimand.  The teenage years only last a while.  As a result, make sure that you help set your teen up for success in life.

Filed Under: Parenting Tips, Teens Tagged With: , ,

How to Choose the Perfect Baby Name

April 3, 2019 by 2 Comments

How to Choose the Perfect Baby Name is a question many parents have.  We have parenting tips on how to choose the perfect baby name.  Not only do you need to find a name that you both like, but you also need to consider suggestions from over-eager family and friends.

One of the main concerns for parents now is that they may unintentionally choose a bad name not realizing that a particular name has connotations and could even threaten job opportunities later on. With so much to consider – how can you possibly choose the right name?

 

how to choose the perfect baby name

 

 

Consider Family Names

When you are choosing a name, one of the best places to look for family approval is your own family names. There is a long-standing tradition for naming children after parents and grandparents though you wouldn’t have to stick to the strict rules for which child gets named after which person!

 

Naming a baby after a family member is a huge mark of respect and something you might consider. Even if you want to choose another first name, picking a middle names from within your family is a nice way to show someone how much you care about them. And, if you are worried about choosing a ‘bad’ first name, a more regular middle name could be used later on. Of course, the same is true the other way around.  You could just pick a regular first name and then go a little wilder with the middle name.

 

baby names

Factor Nicknames into Your Decision

Finding a name is hard enough without having to worry about the kind of nicknames it might bring up. For example, you might love the name ‘Minerva’ but hate the inevitable nickname ‘Minnie’.  Nicknames tend to follow a similar pattern so you should consider all the different options that may present themselves.

A nickname might also be part of the reason for choosing a name. You might love ‘Minnie’ but worry that it won’t look great on a CV where Minerva might look better. Of course, the reality is that by the time your baby is looking for a job, things might have changed considerably. It’s entirely possible to overthink the name you choose and in the end, you have to pick something that you love.

A Name is For Life!

Something that some parents seem to forget is that a name is for life.  In some cases, it’s until the child reaches the legal age to be able to change their name.  While celebrities seem entirely fine with giving their children cutesy and often bizarre names, this seems to be a Hollywood thing that is best left alone.

While you are looking down at a little baby, do consider what that baby may grow up to be. Nominative determinism may not be a sure fire way towards success but equally, your baby is going to be an adult for a lot longer than they are an adorable bundle of love.

Finding the right name is a case of trial and error. As you research throughout your pregnancy, you will likely go through phases but in the end, when you look at your baby in your arms for the first time, you will know what the right answer is.

 

Filed Under: Empowerment, Family Time, Pregnancy-New Mom Tagged With: ,

Arizona Educational Activities

April 3, 2019 by Leave a Comment

So, I have created Arizona educational activities that I want to share.  We’re continuing our state word search puzzle and related activities series.  There’s word search puzzle, fact sheet, coloring pages and other activities for children to learn about the great state of Arizona.  

 

 

homeschool activities

 

 

First, we created a word search puzzle. It’s filled with words connected to Arizona and should give you ideas to start a conversation about activities in the state. You can also find information on the Arizona Fact Sheet. These are great activities for homeschooling or extra homework lessons.

 

 

Ariizona educational activities

 

Incorporate additional facts into the lesson plan.  We have provided a Fact Sheet as well.  Furthermore, we have coloring pages .  For example, the Cactus Wren is the state bird for Arizona.   The Cactus Wren became the state bird of Arizona in 1931.  They rest on the cactus using the prickly thorns as protection for their nest.  Also, the male and female mate for life.  They are also similar in appearance.  Expand on these facts by discussing the mating habits, what they eat etc.

You can also discuss the state flower of Arizonia, the Saguaro Cactus.  The Saguaro Cactus blooms  May through June.  It is the largest cactus in America.  You can find the Cactus Wren resting the Saguaro Cactus.

In addition to the word search, we included a cross word puzzle on Native Americans.  There are Approximately 22 tribes that reside in Arizona.  The crossword puzzle includes words associated with the Indian culture.  You can expand on the puzzle by having the kids google wigwam, bison, breechcloth and more.

 

 

 

 

 

We also included a coloring page of the Two Tail Swallowtail Butterfly, which is Arizona’s state insect since 2001.  It is also called two-tailed tiger swallowtail butterfly.

Arizona educational activities

 

 

So, be sure to incorporate these Arizona educational activities into your homeschool history lesson plan or extra homeschool activities. You can download the activity pack here. Stay tuned for our Arkansas educational activities. Finally.  Be sure to download our Alabama Educational Activities and Alaska Educational Activities.

Filed Under: Education, Printables Tagged With: , , ,

ISEE Tips That Will Help Students Ace the Test

March 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment

If you have a children interested in going to a private institution of higher learning we have a few parenting tips on helping them ace the Independent School Entrance Examine (ISEE).  This is a great standard assessment of skills and knowledge.  Every student looking to go into a independent post-secondary education needs to take this test.  It is a single, fair, and standardized test that all students take.  It is a way for universities and colleges to judge who the best, top, and brightest applicants are.  With our ISEE tips, your child will ace the test.

So, one of the things you will need to begin with is the best ISEE prep test book.  A prep test book can help because it allows students to familiarize themselves with the content as well as the format of the ISEE test.   So, let’s go over them:

 

 

ISEE Tips

 

 

  1.  Know Each Section of the Test

As is the case with every test, including this ISEE test, there are going to be standard sections and topics.  It is recommended that your child become familiar with them.  There are 5 main sections that will appear on every ISEE test. These sections include verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics achievement, and the essay section.  We suggest that you child take sample tests so they are familiar with these particular sections, and what to expect from them.

Additionally, these sections always come in the same order as we have just listed.  Your child will need to score in the top 50th percentile to get into any school of their choice.  Elite schools often only accept students in the top 85th percentile.

 

  1. Answer All Questions

People who do not score well on the ISEE test, or even fail it, often make one big mistake.  Students think that if they don’t know the answer to a question, or are not totally sure of the answer, that they should just skip the question.  This is detrimental to the test score.

There are no deductions made for wrong answers. As a result, losing points shouldn’t be a concern.  However, if your child does not answer a question that they are unsure of,  they will not get points if their answer turns out to be correct. Simply put, encourage your child to throw a Hail Mary, rather than not answering the question at all.

 

ISEE Tips

 

 

  1. Be Prepared For Test Day

Another reason students do not fare well on the ISEE is a lack of preparation for test day. Yes, this includes many variables.  However, your child needs to be prepared for all of them.  One of the biggest ISEE tips is to start studying early.  But, not the day before.  Allow your child to take the day off  before the ISEE to let their brain rest.   Encourage your child to get a good night’s rest, so their brain will be in top condition the day of the test.

Additionally, wear a watch to help manage time, and bring enough writing utensils  in the event that one breaks or stops working. Also, leave your phone at home, eat a good breakfast, and wear comfy clothes.  You child will better prepared to ace the test if they are comfortable and rested.

 

  1. Practice, Practice, Practice

As we mentioned in the introduction, one of the absolute best ways to ensure that you ace your ISEE test is to practice. Yes, studying, reading, and being familiar with the test helps a lot. However, there is really nothing better than an ISEE prep test or multiple ones.  The more test preps you complete, the more familiar you will be with what is expected of you.  And, this counts for your allotted test time,  materials, and the format of the test as well. Get some practice books immediately!

 

  1. Time Management

Yet another big tip you need to adhere to in order to ensure success on your ISEE test is to engage in effective time management. There are too many test takers that will stress out over single questions, or a few of them.

This is bad because you will end up spending way too much time on one section of the ISEE test, while potentially neglecting others.  This could result in the last several pages of the test being unanswered due to a lack of time.  Know how much time you have for each section, and if you run out of time, move on to the next one.

 

  1. Read & Build Vocabulary

The last of our ISEE tips is to read as much as you can in the months leading up to the ISEE test. We are talking about high quality books, intellectual books, and any other kind of reading material that will both further your knowledge of the world and build your vocabulary. Simply put, the more vocabulary you know, and the more information you have in your arsenal, the better your chances of succeeding on the ISEE test.

 

Conclusion

So, we hope that you find the ISEE tips helpful.  Make no mistake about it, this test is not for the faint of heart. However, it will determine your child’s future.  So, you should do everything in your power to ensure they are adequately prepared for it!

 

 

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: , , ,

Educating Children about Safety

March 23, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Some time back, there was a bizarre story of relatives who wanted to teach their son about safety. The six-year-old boy’s aunt, grandmother, and a co-worker plotted a kidnap. The co-worker kidnapped the child, locked him up and showed him a shotgun to silence him. He tied up the boy’s hands in a basement using plastic bags. With a threat of never seeing his mother, the child had to comply with the orders. Eventually, he was released, and every adult that was involved in the “lesson” was charged and arrested. Today, we’re going to give you parenting tips on educating children about safety.  

 

 

educating children about safetyHere’s our parenting tips:

 

1.     Start early

Teaching your children about safety practices is something you should start when the child is about four years. At first, you will use simple explanations to explain this concept, but advance it over time. Begin by explaining the idea of crossing the road and move onto training them on how to behave when you are away. Safety training is not an event that you do at once, but rather a process that you follow over a period.

 

2.     Talk about uncomfortable situations

Keep it low-key, but be clear on cases that you know would make your little one uncomfortable. Ask them whether they have been in such a circumstance and seek to understand how it made them feel. You may have plans to protect your kids, but working through such situations will help them to remain safe for a lifetime. 

 

3.     Avoid scaring your child

Just like in the case of the boy where the relatives decided to use scare tactics, sometimes parents feel that the only way to make their children safety conscious is by scaring them. That should not be the case because it will only freak them out and they will have a hard time managing when faced by such circumstances. When educating children about safety, explain safety concepts to kids the same way you would talk about fire safety or wearing a helmet on a bicycle.

 

4.     Be specific

Explain some of the uncomfortable things that unsafe people may do. For instance, somebody with ill motives might want to give presents to your child. They might even want to be physical with the kids even when they request them not to. Unsafe people might also give inappropriate words to compliment on how a child looks. They can even ask them for directions or invite the child to help them look for a lost item such as a lost dog.

 

educating children about safety

 

 

5.     Move past the ‘stranger danger’

Most parents focus on strangers when they explain safety tips to their children, which is not always the case. Strangers are not the only people who can harm a kid. Even people who are known to your little one might have anterior motives. Let your child understand the importance of trusting their instincts and reporting anybody who forces them to do something that seems wrong to them.

 

6.     Make your child the ‘boss’ of his or her body

There is nothing that is as important as your child knowing that they are in charge of their body. Make sure that he is aware that nobody is allowed to touch his body uncomfortably. If your little one has to go for a doctor’s appointment that involves physical examination, accompany them and ask the physician to explain what he or she is doing.

 

7.     Make sure they know the vital information

Every child should know their parents’ names and contact information. Knowing their home address is also an important aspect. It is crucial for your little one to have an idea of a safe place to hide when faced with a dangerous situation.

 

safety tips

 

8.     Practice when you can

Play what-if scenarios with your child. For instance, you can ask them, “What if you coming home from school and a stranger asks for directions?” “What if someone invited to your home?”  Asking such questions gives you an opportunity to empower your child to handle tough and risky situations.

 

Every responsible parent should be educating children about safety.  Allow your kids to socialize from a young age so that they have a level of freedom and independence. But, it is all about finding a healthy balance and empowering your child.  

 

 

Filed Under: Safety Tagged With: , ,

Tips for When a Family Crisis Strikes

March 22, 2019 by Leave a Comment

A family crisis is by far one of the most stressful situations that you can find yourself in. Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on resolving a family crisis.  As you know, one minute everything is fine and the next minute something smacks you in your face.

Unfortunately, your entire life can be turned around.  Even the smallest issues can send your mind racing.  Especially, when it involves your family.

 

family crisis

 

A crisis can either be something completely expected, or something totally unexpected.  If the crisis is expected you can plan or at least think about the situation.  But, an unexpected crisis can make dealing with things ten times harder. So, these tips will help you coup when a family crisis strikes.  Furthermore, you’re going to need all of the support and knowledge you can get.  Even though some of the situations we mention may not happen to you, the may affect another family.  As a result, our tips for when a family crisis strikes are for many.

 

family crisis

 

 

Check out our tips on resolving a family crisis:

 

Thinking Logically

First, if there’s one thing that we’re all really bad at handling is being in a panic.  We can feel like the whole world is crashing down, and our rational thinking just flies out of the window.  Panic really can lead you to make silly mistakes.  So, you must think about the problem at hand, and how you can deal with it. Once you eliminate the initial shock, your logical thinking should come into play.  It should become much easier to deal with the issue once you begin to think logically.

If you’re the type of person who gets overwhelmed by stress, rely on the family to help come up with the best solution possible.  Bottling up all of your feelings and trying to deal with it yourself is not wise.  If you feel like you can’t lean on your family during the crisis, consider your close friends to help you.

Furthermore, if you feel like you’re having a hard time mentally, it might be worth visiting your doctor for some form of counselling.  Sometimes talking to someone that you don’t know is better than talking to people who you do know!

 

The Biggest Crisis

So, if we’re going to go on about a crisis, we might as well give you a scenario that you might face once in your life, and you really should be prepared to deal for. Many people feel like the biggest crisis that they could endure is when a family member or yourself becomes ill or injured.  When a serious incident or illness occurs, it can cause the whole family to panic.   For example, a car accident.  A serious or long term injury from a car accident can quickly become a family crisis.

You will need a considerate car accident attorney who outworks their opponents.  Especially, if the accident is the other driver’s fault.  You will need to pay for doctor, hospital, rehabilitation, and possibly long term care.  The money you could get from it could sustain your life and household expenses while you’re re-cooperating.  Obtain relevant professionals who have your best interest at heart while you are going through the crisis.

 

Uniting As A Team

As a final note, you really need to make sure your family is united as a team through the crisis.  It should help to bring you closer, and to appreciate what you have as a family. When a family crisis strikes, you can’t appreciate your family enough. So, pull each other through, and come out the other side stronger than ever!

We hope you don’t have to go through a family crisis, but if you do we hope it is over in a flash.  Being prepared is much better than facing a family crisis in the dark.  We hope our tips will in resolving a family crisis.

 

Filed Under: Family Time, Parenting Tips Tagged With: , ,

Tips for Teaching Children to be Assertive

March 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Parenting is a monumental  job.   It requires teaching our children to be assertive, how to deal with their emotions, and dealing with positive and negative feelings.  Even when they don’t know what they’re feeling or why.  This parenting skill requires communication skills, empathy, and understanding.  Remember your childhood and teen years.  Today, we’re giving you a few parenting tips on teaching children to be assertive.    

 

 

parenting tips

 

Teaching your kids to be assertive

Children are not the best at articulating their thoughts and feelings.  Furthermore, they lack the experience in articulating many aspects of their human experience.  The responsibility of teaching children to be articulate, honest and respectful is a major responsibility.  While we want our children to express themselves, and ask questions like an HST lawyer,  they don’t always have the skills.

We must remember, teaching children to be assertive is vital to them being able to create boundaries.  Furthermore, it helps them improve their self-esteem and confidence.  As adults, we have seen the issues that come with not being assertive.  It can range from saying yes to things we don’t want to do to being burned out because we can’t say no. To avoid creating a similar future for your child, teach them assertiveness early.  They will know to stand up for themselves in an amicable manner and thus develop stronger relationships.

 

Helping children navigate their emotions

The initial stages of teaching a child to be assertive can be difficult.  Children will follow your example.  If you have issues with assertiveness, now would be an excellent time to practice what you will be preaching.  For example, if you always clean up after dinner  make it clear that others must help.  You will likely be emotionally charged, but remember to remain calm as your children will be watching and listening.

As you master assertiveness in your life, encourage your children to do the same.  Temperament plays a role in how your child conveys their message. Those with stronger personalities can come across as aggressive.  If so, gently point it out to your child how others may perceive them.  Remind them that the point of getting their message across is to create understanding.   It is not to offend others. It is vital that they learn to respect others even while disagreeing.

Your child might initially have a hard time because they are still learning about their emotions and how to communicate them. Be patient and ask them to extend the same for themselves.  Teaching assertiveness creates an opportunity to have conversations about the importance of self-awareness and boundaries.   Additionally, you can discuss what they can do when someone is unkind or dismissive after they assert themselves.  Equally, praise them for the times they are confident and encourage them to express their feelings too.

 

Remaining positive through the teaching process

No parent gets everything right, so remember that it takes practice. When you feel the message is not getting home take a different tactic.  Most importantly, remember there are factors we have to contend with that are out of our control, including their social circles.  Be diligent, and do your best.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Character Building, Parenting Tips Tagged With: , , ,

The Aloe Vera Plant is the Remedy for Sun Burn

March 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Summer brings lot of fun in the sun and the backyard garden.  Unfortunately, it also brings sunburn if your skin is not protected.  In the summer we spend hours on the beach or at the pool.  Fortunately, Aloe Vera plants hold the perfect remedies for sunburned skin.   Today, we’re sharing parenting tips how to use the Gel from the Aloe Vera plant.

 

aloe vera plant

 

 

 

 

The Aloe Vera Plant below was growing on the Chenay Bay Beach in St. Croix, Virgin Island.  It’s the biggest Aloe plant that I’ve ever seen in my travels.  They doted the island in all sizes.

 

 

 

aloe vera plant

 

 

The gel inside the plant cools sunburn on contact.  And, it has been found to penetrate the skin 500% better than water.  The steps to applying the Aloe Vera is simple:

 

  • Applying the gel is easy, just break off a stalk
  • Squeeze the gel directly onto the burn.

 

 


 

 

I’ve been growing Aloe Vera plants at home for years. I use it for burns when I’m working in the kitchen.  The best thing about Aloe Vera plants is that the stalks will heal and grow back.  So, don’t be afraid of destroying the plant if you break off a piece.

Furthermore, if you’re heading to the beach for a week and take a piece of the plant with you.  I break off a few stalks or a stalk depending on how small or large the plant is.  Simply, wrap them in a wet paper towel.   Make sure the stalks stay moist by placing the stalk in a wet paper towel.  Place the wrapped stalks into a plastic bag and keep them moist during my stay.

An Aloe Vera plant is easy to grow.  So, purchase a small plant and place it in your kitchen window.  Stick them in a sunny spot and water it once a week. They’re very forgiving, there are times when I forget to water mine for weeks at a time. They look great outside in the summer too, just remember to bring it in once winter sets in.

The best way to prevent sunburn is to use plenty of sunblock and to wear a hat while relaxing on the beach or at the pool. Playing in the sun can be fun, but it can also be dangerous if we don’t protect ourselves.  If all else fails, put your Aloe Vera plant to use.

 

 

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: ,

Driving Safety Tips You May Be Overlooking

February 22, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Roughly 90 people each day are the victims of fatal car accidents in the US.  Unfortunately, this is the highest rate among other comparable countries. That’s certainly a scary statistic, but you can still take your family on the road.  The good news is that nearly all traffic collisions are preventable.  Driving the speed limit, proper car safety seats, and eliminating distractions are all well-known precautions. 

 

 

driving safety tips

 

 

 

Driving Safety Tips: 

 

Safety Measures Outside of the Vehicle

When shopping for a vehicle, be sure to exercise due diligence to select a vehicle that will keep your family safe.   Remember, though, that your kids don’t have to be inside of a car to be injured by one.  Nearby streets, busy or not, are a potential risk if your child isn’t consistently following safety guidelines.  Remind your child to stay out of streets and pay attention to their surroundings.  A majority of drivers speed in school zones, according to a study by Safe Kids Worldwide. This study also indicated that stop signs and other safety features put in place in neighborhoods with children are frequently ignored.  So, no matter how child-safe you think an area is, you must remain diligent with safety.

Age-Appropriate Seating

Child safety doesn’t just pertain to babies and toddlers. Children between the ages of 4 and 8 tend to be more at-risk for injury in cars.  This is due to oversight when it comes to proper child safety seats for kids in this age category.  They’ve likely grown out of their car seats at this age.  Many parents that means that they’re ready to ride with a standard seat belt.  However, most children aren’t big enough for regular seat belts until 10 years of age.  Once they’ve outgrown their car seat, they should be placed in a booster seat.

 

driving safety tips

 

Be Aware of Stationary Safety Risks

Also, you should also teach your kids about car safety when vehicles are both moving and parked.  For example, never cross the street by themselves.  They should have someone take them across or watch them as they’re crossing.  In addition, many accidents involve non traffic incidents.  Children playing inside the vehicle can get caught in a power window or trapped in the trunk.  Your children need to know that a car is n not a toy.  In addition, be sure to keep your car locked.

Remember: all precautions only part of the time are only partially effective in preventing vehicle accidents. Employ all of these techniques to increase vehicle safety.  Pass on this information to others as well; sharing is caring!

 

Before You Go

Before you even start driving, you should make sure that everything is as it should be. For example, some vehicles have ignition interlock devices which requires the driver to pass a breath test before the vehicle will turn on. If you experience an ignition interlock violation, the vehicle simply won’t allow you to move. Furthermore, make sure that everyone is buckled in safely before you move the car.  This will minimize the risk of an accident.  I hope you will take these driving safety tips into consideration, and make sure you and your family on safe before you hit the road and while you’re on it. 

Filed Under: Safety Tagged With: , , , ,

Building Your Child’s Confidence Through Family Projects

February 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on building your child’s confidence.  Spending time with your children is something all parents want to be able to do.  However, finding time can often be difficult.  Especially, when you’re trying to juggle work schedules, meetings, school, after-school activities, and chores.  So, why not get your children involved in family projects?  Not only will you be doing projects with your children, but you will be strengthening your bond as well.

Furthermore, you can build confidence in your children with family projects. Doing projects with your children teaches them new skills, and helps build their confidence.  And, they will teach your children how to work as a team.  A skill that will help them in all aspects of their lives.

 

building confidence

 

Gardening is a good project for the entire family and combines art and science for a great learning experience.  It can be refreshing to get your children away from their electronics and outside learning about nature. Whether you want to start a vegetable or a flower garden, you must prepare the soil. Even younger children can help out because they love to play in the dirt.  Make sure they aren’t using any tools that may hurt them. By working together as a team you, your family can not only start a beautiful garden, you can also work together to maintain it. It will need to be watered if it doesn’t rain enough. When vegetables are ripe, they will need to be picked.  Your family can enjoy eating the fruits of your labor together.

Another way to building your child’s confidence is to bring out their artistic side. If you have a bland wall in your home give it some pizzazz.  For older children or teens, especially if they have an innate artistic ability, why not let them put their talents to good use? You can paint your walls, put up textured wall art, or decorate with stencils or pictures.  It will add some color and uniqueness to your home. The younger children can help by choosing the wall art, choosing the colors or handing tools to the older ones.  To further include your younger children, have them decorate the mailbox. Most children enjoy drawing, coloring and painting.  They will feel special, and have something to show off to their friends and others who visit your home.

Treehouses are very popular.  It’s a great family project, and another way to build confidence in your children.  You want to be sure you are using a sturdy tree basic woodworking skills. A treehouse can become a home where your children can spend time alone, time with their friends, or other family members. In order to make sure the treehouse is safe, it will take some time, patience, dedication, and determination. In a world where instant gratification is what most people expect, this can be a valuable lesson.  Once the treehouse is complete, you may consider starting a new tradition such as a weekly Friday night of telling stories and playing games.

 Family projects can include cleaning out the garage? Although this idea of a project might not sound very appealing, the entire family will be glad they worked together to organize their garage once it is done. You never know what you might find when you clean out clutter. Your children might find something they thought they had lost forever! You can install shelves or racks that will help maximize the clutter. Think about how much easier it will be to find things in your newly organized and neat garage. Planning a family movie afterward might also be a good incentive. Your children will be given the satisfaction working together to complete a task.

Working on family projects together is a way to building your child’s confidence. It’s similar to taking family vacations. You are making memories working and playing together. You might even learn new things about your children that you didn’t know.  Their responses will give you insights into what is important to them, and their confidence will rise as you include them in important projects for your home.

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