Tips for Single Dads and the Period Talk

May 22, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice for single dads and the period talk with their daughters.  As a single mother, I understand the fears and stress of parenting alone.  At times, it can be daunting.  After all, you probably never thought it would be down to just you. But as your daughter’s closest family member, and person she looks to for security and affection, equipping yourself for the “period talk” is huge.

First, get your facts straight before talking with your daughter.  As your daughter enters puberty, her body is preparing for womanhood. Every month, her body prepares to have a baby. But if she doesn’t become pregnant, her body renews and cleans itself in a safe and healthy way through her period. It can start irregular, but generally her period will happen every month.  Are you ready dad?

 

the period talk

 

 

Tips for Single dads and the period talk:

 

Prepare yourself early

Prepare yourself for the talk while your daughter is too young to face puberty. The average age a girl gets her period is 12 years old, but the normal range is from 8 to 15 years old. If you have a close female friend or relative you can go to for advice, ask them the best way to talk to your daughter about her period. If you would rather research on your own.

 

Equip yourself and equip your daughter

Next, prepare your daughter with items she will need during her battle.  In fact, this might be a concrete, action-oriented way to prepare even yourself for the talk.  Learn about what your daughter may need.  For example, easy to use and comfortable tampons and pads.  When you shop for tampons and pads, purchase  different brands for beginners like her to try out.

As your daughter gets older, encourage her to carry a couple in her bag in case they’re needed and she’s away from home. She might feel embarrassed at first, but she will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

 

Assure her that it’s part of growing up

As you open the period talk, you can begin by describing different things that can happen as she grows up.  You can begin with duties and responsibilities she can help with around the house.  It will help her in seeing  her period as a part of the transition to adulthood.  Most importantly, assure your daughter that it’s something the two of you can manage together.

 

Don’t make it a joke

As you have the period talk, you are setting the baseline for how your daughter treats her period. If you tiptoe around the subject, she might not feel comfortable talking about it. Explain the scientific facts of what’s happening in a simple manner. If she expresses fear, acknowledge that yes, it might be scary.  However, every woman experiences it.  Don’t turn it into a joke, but reassure that everything is natural.

 

 

the period talk

 

Affirm your relationship with her

At the end of the day let her know that you are dad, and want to take care of and protect her. After the talk, let her ask questions, and try to answer them (or say you’ll get back to her). And then remind her that you are her father, and that you love her and you want her to always come to you with her troubles and concerns. An assured relationship is the best way to maintain her trust in you.

 

Author Bio – Jenny Hart is a health and wellness writer with a passion for travel, cycling and books. Her focus is on topics related to feminine health for young girls. When she isn’t writing or traveling, she’s traversing NYC with her two dogs Poochie and Ramone.

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: , ,

Gift Ideas for Every Occasion

May 20, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gift ideas for any occasion.  There are many occasions where you need to buy a gift. A birthday, a new baby, a wedding, a special occasion, or just because you care. Choosing the right gift can be stressful and overwhelming.  But, don’t worry.  Here have a few solutions. 

 

gift ideas

 

 

Here are a few gift ideas for every occasion:   

 

Birthday Gifts for Kids 

Most kids already have toys that get played with for a few minutes and then they lost interest and move to something else.  Other gift ideas for kids instead of another toy are sensory toys, subscription boxes, or tickets to an event. 

Sensory toys like a hanging indoor swing or balance board are great. They not only help children process their feelings and excess energy, but they can also give mom a break from their hyperactivity. 

Subscription boxes are another fun idea. Every month they will receive an activity to do in their mailbox. This is so exciting for a child and you can tailor the boxes to match their personalities. There are boxes that range from literary experiences to science experiments, cooking or baking, and STEM activities. 

Experiences are also a great way to give a gift to a child. Tickets or memberships to local events, museums, or zoos are gifts that they can remember forever.  

 

Baby Shower Gifts

New moms usually feel overwhelmed and sometimes may not even know what they need. What to get a new mother will depend on their situation.  A brand new mother will need different things than an experienced mother. 

So, if you are buying a gift for a brand new mother, it is important to think about things that saved your sanity.  Diapers and wipes are always a good idea since that can never be overused.  Furthermore, a gift card to be used at a later date is also a great idea.  Additionally, bring your favorite book from when you were a child to share with the new baby. 

The transition to motherhood or addition of a new baby to a family is always stressful on the mother. Getting a gift aimed at the mother instead of the baby can be a very thoughtful gesture as well. A day at the spa, some of her favorite items, or gift cards to eat out with hubby or her significant other.  

 

 

gift ideas

 

Wedding Gifts

Couples normally have a wedding registry, so that makes buying gifts easier. Sometimes there aren’t many things on the registry or the things in your price range have already been purchased. If this happens, then you need some ideas to fill in the gaps. 

One great idea is to get them either a subscription box or gift box that they can use for date night. If they are moving after the wedding, then they will probably appreciate something fun to do. Wine and cheese,  pretzel delivery boxes, or date night activities are a fun addition too.

Filed Under: Shopping Tips Tagged With: , , ,

The Benefits of a Graduate Degree

May 13, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on the benefits of a graduate degree.  Unfortunately, the global pandemic has confined most of us to our homes. With a quarantine in full swing, parents are finding their groove balancing work and homeschooling.  We should all be proud of what we have achieved during this difficult time.

 

benefits of a graduate degree

 

While many households have young children and are helping with their development, however, many young adults are contemplating their future.  Especially, those who have recently finished their college degree and are ready to head out and start a career.  Since the economy is not in a great place, now might be a great time to discuss the benefits of a graduate degree.   

College degrees are a great stepping stone into a new career, but a graduate degree does offer several benefits.

Here are a few benefits of a graduate degree:

 

  • Potential to earn more 
  • Opens doors to better positions
  • Gives international recognitions
  • Higher potential for promotion
  • Access to advanced equipment and technology

 

The business world is a highly competitive environment. It also requires tremendous dedication. Obtaining a graduate degree can take anywhere between two and seven years to complete. This could add a lot of pressure to the family.  Especially, if your child is thinking about starting their own family. 

However, education is the key to opening many doors.  So, we should speak to our children about their options.  If they have decided this is a route they want to take, it’s a good time to prepare them for the work ahead. Researching degrees, speaking to other graduates and building a network is important steps to take.  

Supporting your child through this stage of their education is going to be challenging.  It’s unlikely that you can help them with my GRE exam preparation.”  So, your role is going to be one of emotional and financial support. For example, supporting them through difficult times when they may feel like giving up. Making sure they eat when they are busy with their thesis. Of course, there is also going to be substantial financial cost involved too.   

There are lots of resources online that can help both your kids and you through this stage of their education. Once you know the Grad school your son or daughter will be attending, you might find there are Facebook groups for the families of students. It can be a useful tool to help you discover how best to support your child. 

 

benefits of a graduate degree

 

It’s also worth looking at the local area if your child will be moving away from home to study. It may not be possible to do this physically, but you can take a virtual tour of most cities and locate the local amenities. Google street view is an excellent way to do this. 

Finally, prepare yourself for the goodbyes! This step is the last of many before your children become adults. So enjoy every moment you get to share with them! 

Filed Under: College, Education Tagged With: , , ,

Parenting Tips Preventing Childhood Obesity

May 2, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on preventing childhood obesity.  As parents, we want to do everything we can to protect our kids. We teach them to be careful around strangers.  And, to wear helmets and kneepads whenever they ride their bikes. Furthermore, we monitor their time online and steer them away from offensive content. However, for all the threats we look for, there may be one hiding in plain sight.

Unfortunately, millions of children across the country are affected by childhood obesity.  Your children may not been affected now, but they are not immune. The ages most affected are between 6 and 19. If you think there are bigger things to worry about, you may not fully understand childhood obesity.

 

preventing childhood obesity

 

Check out these tips on preventing childhood obesity:

 

What Causes Childhood Obesity?

The most obvious factors relating to a child’s weight are diet and exercise. But, there are others you may not realize. These causes may be more subtle.  Unfortunately, they can have just as profound an impact on a young person’s health as what he or she eats.

For example, childhood obesity studies have found that family meals are important.  When families eat together, children reduce the risk of developing obesity. This may be because family mealtimes are an opportunity for parents to model healthier eating habits.  Parents can also control portion sizes. When kids eat on their own, they are less likely to be mindful of how much they’re consuming.

Neighborhood design is another contributor that does not receive enough attention. Because of the density of many subdivisions and rental properties, often there is not enough space for parks. Building communities around cars can also cause a lack of sidewalks or bike paths.

 

What Are the Consequences?

Beside weight, obesity can have serious effects on young bodies. These can include high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Both can lead to heart disease.

Children who suffer from obesity often report higher-than-average breathing difficulties. This includes sleep apnea and asthma. Overweight kids may also experience joint pain, heartburn and gallstones. Additionally, obesity has a strong correlation with Type 2 diabetes.

 

 

 

Also, it has been found that childhood obesity can have severe psychological repercussions.  Overweight children have a higher chance of experiencing bullying and ostracization. This can lead to significant issues such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.

 

How Can You Prevent It?

There are a number of steps you can take to help your children make healthier lifestyle choices. First, focus on overall health. Our weight tends to fluctuate from day to day, and kids can become easily frustrated if it appears their efforts to avoid obesity aren’t working.

Make nutritious meals at home with fresh ingredients.  This requires the elimination of processed foods. Most importantly, this will help control calorie and fat intake. Limiting screen time is another helpful strategy. This prevents kids from spending too much time on the couch or at the computer desk. Be supportive and reward your children for making healthy decisions.

Obesity is one of the dangerous threats to our children’s health. For more tips in preventing your kids from gaining too much weight, see the infographic.

 

Author bio: Kids Car Donations is a national organization that accepts vehicle donations to better the lives of children. The organization partners with a number of well-known nonprofits serving children and teens who are confronted with physical, mental and emotional challenges to provide the care they need.

Filed Under: Meal Time Tagged With: , ,

Teach Your Kids to Have Fun

April 21, 2020 by 1 Comment

Today, I’m parenting advice on how to teach your kids to have fun.  Lately, we’re spending a lot more time at home. Fortunately, that means we also have a lot more time to play with our kids.  It’s a joy and boon that might be tough to give up when it comes time to go back to work.

Unfortunately, you still have to do work at home and deal with other responsibilities.  So, you have to make sure the kids don’t getting bored, cranky, or disruptive. No worries, I have the solution to help you keep your household happy. 

 

teach your kids to have fun

 

 

Here are a few ways to help your kids have fun:  

 

Help them tap into their creativity

Now is the perfect time for your kids to find their passion.  Helping your children get creative can include crafting fun. They can make things to decorate their rooms or other areas in the home.  This can be an excellent way to spend time together too.  Also, kids can easily get lost in their own imagination for hours with the right tools. Consider ordering a child-safe art set.  And, add in things like coloring books that encourage them to tap into that playful side.  Be sure to color a few pages with them.  

 

Turn the garden into a playground

Do your children love trips to the local park? Do they miss the swings, slides, and other attractions? If you have the space for it, there’s nothing to stop you from bringing part of the playground to your yard. Seek help from the team at Component Playgrounds. It might be a little more costly than the average toy, but it will bring hours of fun.  Most importantly, with the right care and maintenance, they’ll love playing with their new swing set for years to come.  It’s a great way to teach your kids to have fun.  

 

 

help your kids to have fun

 

 

 

Engage Your Children 

Kids can and will rise to a challenge when you put it in front of them. There are plenty of toys that will inspire them to play independently. For instance, a train set, playset, or dollhouse as shown at Very Well Family will help to engage them. These items are great way to teach your kids to have fun.  

 

Show Your Kids How to Entertain Themselves 

Some might think that you’re being a little neglectful, but playing alone is an important skill for kids to learn. Getting comfortable on their own will be helpful throughout life. So, it’s important that they understand that spending time playing alone is okay. Make sure they understand they are big enough to take care of some of their needs without you.  Just as importantly, make sure they understand not to disturb you as well. And, don’t you disturb them when they’re clearly engaged in their own play, too.

 

teaching your kids to have fun

 

It’s important to spend time playing with your kids, and to teach your kids to have fun.  Especially, when their opportunities to play are limited to the home. However, you can make sure that the time they spend alone or with each other is still fun and safe with the tips above. So, don’t feel guilty about encouraging independent play.  Remember, you still need to keep an eye on them.

Filed Under: Entertainment Tagged With: , ,

Home Inspection Tips for Buyers

April 8, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing home inspection tips for home buyers.  Home inspections have been known to make both the seller and buyer uneasy. Sellers often feel that the home inspection company will automatically side with the buyer if issues arise.  However, buyers feel the opposite.

If you’re in the market for a new home, you need to be aware of the intricacies involved in a home inspection.  You should become familiar with the process before purchasing a home.  Educate yourself on the before, during, and after inspection processes.  It’s important that a home inspection go well for both the buyer and seller.  

 

home inspection tips

 

It’s very common for purchasing contracts to include a provision stating that the home inspection pass or the sale won’t occur.  If you don’t like the results of the inspection, that means you can simply walk away.  Another option would be to simply negotiate a lower price with the seller .  Especially, if the inspection doesn’t go as planned.  Having a home inspection go off without a hitch is ideal for both parties. 

 

Here are a few home inspection tips for buyers:

Include It in the Contract

Many buyers make the mistake of not putting an inspection contingency clause in the purchasing contract. Don’t make this mistake. You need to make sure the real estate agent properly includes the inspection.  A verbal agreement with the seller isn’t enough.  You need the clause included in the contract to make it legal.  

 

Inspections Are Essential (But Not Foolproof)

Home inspections are essential. Using a quality inspection service is important (e.g. Octopus Home Inspections).  But, equally as important is realizing that inspections aren’t foolproof. Not every inspection will be perfect.  And, there will almost certainly be minor details that are missed. Remember, the inspection report will detail everything the inspection company finds. So, much of that depends on the level of access granted by the seller. 

 

home inspection tips

 

 

Deciding Between Repairs, Credits, Etc. 

If there are issues found during the inspection, this is where strong negotiation skills come into play. Being able to negotiate is important.  Especially, when it comes to buying a house. For example, let’s say that the inspection found problems with a brick patio. The buyer can try to negotiate with the seller.  The buyer can ask that the seller give them credit for that repair.  Or, have the seller hire a contractor to complete the repair. You will want to do this before the sale is finalized. 

 

Getting It in Writing Is Important

If the seller agrees to hire a contractor, have all repairs documented. This also includes any recent/past repairs.  Especially, repairs the seller is using to make their home more appealing to buyers (e.g. “brand new floors”). While this isn’t essential by any means it certainly shouldn’t be ignored. 

 

Tips for Finding a Quality Inspection Company 

It’s important not to rush into choosing a home inspection company. Make sure the company you choose is experienced, licensed, and is well-reviewed. This is where using Google and other search engines can be handy. Look at the company’s reviews. 

What are people saying? Do they have lots of positive reviews? Does the company offer a sample report for potential customers to view before hiring them? These are the kinds of questions you should be asking. You should also look into whether or not the inspection company belongs to any of the major inspection associations (in the United States).

Last, don’t be afraid of asking questions.  Also, the inspection company should allow you to be present when the inspection occurs.  If you have any questions or concerns, voice them. There’s nothing worse than leaving a question unanswered about a home inspection.  

Finally, using the home inspection tips will allow you to hire a qualified inspection company. Keep in mind everything covered above will help you during the purchasing process.

Filed Under: Shopping Tips Tagged With: , ,

Kids Easter Ideas for Foods and Crafts

April 5, 2020 by 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on Kids Easter Ideas for foods and crafts.  I’ve put together a round up of delicious and fun, but easy recipes for Easter cupcakes and cookies as well as Easter crafts that your kids will love.  We also have Easter Bunny masks, spring colored deviled eggs, Easter bingo, Easter printable activities and more.   You just need to select a few recipes and crafts and start planning a baking and craft day with the kids.

 

kids Easter food and crafts

 

 

So, celebrating holidays is always a special event for the kids and kids at heart.  Keeping them busy and serving foods that they will love can be stressful.  But, I’ve taken out the stress.  Just choose your menu from the kids Easter food and crafts below, and start planning a great day with family and friends.

 

Kids Easter Ideas 

 

 

Easter Activities

 

 

Bunny Butt Cupcakes – First, aren’t those bunny butts adorable sticking out the grass.  Make one for each of the kids, they’ll love you for it.

Easter Peep Mobiles – Second, these peep mobiles are perfect for your male and female guests.  Let the race begin!

Bunny Butt Sugar Cookies– These would perfect in a gift bag for guests to take home.

Rice Krispies Nests – These would look so cute on a tray on the dessert table.  Save a few for yourself.

Easter Bunny Mask –  Next, this mask will make a great Easter craft activities.  Have an adult oversee the activity while you finish dinner or entertain guest.  Or, set up a craft day with the kids.

Hand Print Bunny Craft – This hand print bunny craft is one of my favorite Easter crafts.  I love hand and foot print crafts for any reason.

Easter Bunny Bags – Also, these Easter Bunny Bags are so cute, and it’s a great activity to do with the kids.  Let them select a few treats to put in the bags to take home.

Easter Bingo – Easter Bingo is always a favorite activity at family gatherings.

Peeps and Bunny Sugar Cookies  – So, who wants a cookie?  Bake a batch of these and give them as a treat to the guest to take home.

 

 

easter food and crafts

 

 

 

Easter Bunny Sundaes – Perfect way to end a perfect dinner.  A scope of ice cream made to look like a bunny.  The kids and kids at heart will love it.

Easter Trifle Dessert – Can you say yummy in my tummy?  This Easter trifle would be perfect as the center piece on the dessert table.  Choose your colors wisely.

Egg Carton Chickens – Purchase and save the egg cartons to make these adorable carton chickens.

Rice Dyed Easter Eggs –  I love trying new things.  Are you brave enough to dye eggs with rice?

Jello Eggs – My grandchildren love Jello.  Making Jello in the shape of an egg is even better.  I love the colors.

Pastel Deviled Eggs – Additionally, these spring colored deviled eggs are perfect for the Easter dinner table.  They are fun and delicious.  The kids in my family love them!

 

 

 

easter food and crafts

 

 

 

Hen Chick Nest  – How cute is this Easter hen and her chicks.  The kids will love coloring the hen and decorating the eggs to make the chicks.

Chirpy Chicks Truffles – These little Easter chick truffles are almost too cute to eat.  Almost!

Fabric Easter Basket –  I love the color of the fabric used for these baskets.  So bright and uplifting.  They would make a great gift for Easter cookies or other treats for dinner guests.

Jelly Bean Tic Tac Toe –  So, did I tell you that I love jelly beans.  Especially, the gourmet jelly beans with all the different flavors.  Using them for Tic Tac Toe is out of the question.  But, a bag from the Dollar store will work for this game.

 

 

 

Easter Ideas

 

 

Easter Bunny Cupcakes – I love these bunny ears cupcakes.  Nice change from the Bunny Butt cupcakes.

Easter Bunny Dirt Cups – Be warned, there’s a lot of chocolate in this treat.  Perfect treat for the chocolate lovers.

Hatching Chicks  – This is a cute craft.  Assign an teen to the craft table and let the kids have fun making this Easter chick baskets.

Chocolate Bunny Cupcake – Eating a chocolate bunny for Easter was my favorite thing to do beside dying eggs when I was a kid.  A chocolate bunny in a cupcake, yes please.

Unicorn Easter Eggs – Next, these unicorn eggs are adorable.  This would be a great craft projects for girls.

Skittle Easter Egg Dye – I would have never thought of dying eggs with skittles.  Purchase a few bags from the Dollar store and try your hand.

Chocolate Chicks – These chicks are cute and delicious.  They would be perfect on an Easter dessert table.

Easter Egg Dog Cookies – Lets not leave out our doggies.  They would love an Easter treat too.

 

 

Easter Ideas

 

 

Easter Books for Kids – Next, reading is fundamental.  So, add a few Easter books to your kid’s reading list.

Paper Plate Chick – This is another cute Easter craft that you can use to keep the kid’s occupied.  Nice little Easter gift idea for guests to take home.

Easter Activities – Keep the kids busy with these fun Easter activities.

Peeps Chicken House – Last, how cute is this edible Easter chick house.  They kids will love making this or make them in advance and give your guests one to take home.

 

Finally, pick out a few of these Kids Easter ideas and start making plans.  The kids will love being your helper making cupcakes and have even more fun eating them.  Get creative, make the bunny crafts and be sure to fill a few bunny bags with my recommended Easter books.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Holidays, Meal Time Tagged With: , ,

10 Ideas for Family Fun

April 2, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on ideas for family fun.  Thinking of things to do while your family is stuck in the house can be very difficult. Depending on the age of your kids, you may need to think of lots of different tasks to keep different ages happy.  As a result, I’ve put together a list of activities that will get your kids excited and ready to take on a new experience.  

 

family fun

 

Ideas for family fun: 

 

Have a Movie Day

You don’t always need to be productive.  Taking a day to be lazy and enjoy your family is a good thing.  Grab a few blankets, and a stack of movies and have a great time.  Don’t forget the snacks.  

 

Start A Book Club

Reading is a great habit to get into.  And, your kids will benefit from reading.  So, start a family book club.   You could all read different books as you relax together, or take it in turns to read passages from the same book. Have everyone take a few minutes to discuss the book that they’re read with the family.  

 

Camp Out In The Garden 

Why not camp out in the garden? This will be a memorable experience that everybody can enjoy!  You can plant flowers or vegetables.  If that doesn’t interest them, plan a few kids garden crafts.  

 

 

family fun

 

 

Decorate The Sidewalk or Driveway 

Next, grab some colored chalk and have fun decorating the sidewalk or driveway.  It’ll make the world seem a little bit brighter whenever you look outside. 

 

Show Your Appreciation

Furthermore, get the kids to draw or paint pictures for nursing home residents.  This is a way to show love for the elderly and nursing home staff.   

 

Try Tik Tok

So, this is a new platform that can be a lot of fun to use. You can learn dances as a family and post them, as well as lip sync to your favorite films and shows. Most importantly, it will kill a few hours.  Start watching videos to get inspired and then work on making your own! 

 

 

kids baking

 

 

Get Into Baking

Next, try baking bread, cookies, marshmallow squares, or just about anything you like.  Make a grocery list and take a trip to the grocery store.  Let the kids help you pick out the ingredients needed.  The kids will learn valuable cooking skills and you’ll have lots of yummy things to eat afterwards. 

 

Lighten The Mood 

Work on ways to lighten the mood if you or the kids are feeling low.  Take a look at my favorite April fools pranks and see who you can trick with them! You modify or adapt them if you need to.  It’s a great way to lift everyone’s spirit.  

 

Learn New Skills

Perhaps you could learn a new skill. You don’t need anything fancy or special equipment. Why not see if there are online classes that interest everyone.  The kids or you can learn how to draw, paint, sing, sew etc.

 

Meditation 

Additionally, you can use the time to get into the meditation habit.  Meditating will help you to remain calmer and happier as a family. Meditation is about going inward, rather than looking outward, and can help with so many different aspects of life. If you get into the habit of doing this for just 5 minutes a day, you’ll strengthen the bonds with each other and yourselves. This is another great habit your kids will benefit from. 

 

Finally, do you have any ideas you’d like to add? Leave a comment below!

Filed Under: Entertainment Tagged With: , , ,

Tips on Finding Your Child’s Passion

March 26, 2020 by 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on finding your child’s passion.  All children are creative in their own way. They play and invent, they come up with worlds that you couldn’t dream of yourself.  But, while creativity is a natural thing for kids some are more creative than others. To help foster this creativity, there are plenty of things that you can do as a parent.

 

creative children

 

Here a few tips on finding your child’s passion:   

 

Let Them Play

Every child loves to play.  To them, it’s more than idly messing around with their Legos or dolls. When playing, kids  are creating. Whether they are inventing absurd family drama with Melody Jane Dolls Houses or reenacting the best action scenes they’ve seen on TV.  Either way, they are indulging in their creativity and developing tools needed for story-telling and more. 

While it’s essential for kids to learn, it’s just as essential to allow them to play. Furthermore, when playing with friends, they learn to be creative collaboratively.  And, this is something that will benefit them later in life. Rather than push them towards education every free moment, allow them to play and create, also. 

 

creative children

 

 

Make a Creative Space in the Home

While most kids will be happy to play and create in their bedroom or the living room, it’s not always ideal. Especially, when you’re struggling to keep the house tidy.  So, try putting together a creative space for them to indulge and discover that creative spark. 

Not only will this space keep the rest of the house tidy, but it will also encourage their brains to associate such an area with being creative. Inside, you can fill it with toys, musical instruments, and blank sheets of paper where they can draw and paint. They’ll discover what they love, and pursue it further. 

 

Introduce Them to Books, Songs and More

There’s a lot to be said about letting the TV be the parent for your kids.  But, exposing them to appropriate media can help give them inspiration for their creative ideas.  They will borrow from other media to create stories, and it will help them invent their own characters and scenarios.

Expose them to music, especially if they’re not proficient at an instrument yet. Rather than invent their own melodies, they can copy existing songs, which gets them used to using an instrument and improve their skills. 

 

The Creative Spark

Every child has a spark of creativity nestling within them. Rather than suppress it, you can encourage the creativity spark to ignite and flame into something beautiful.  Regardless of which creative activity they end up pursuing, it will help them to grow, change, and learn.  And, this is something that every parent should encourage in their children.

Filed Under: Education, Entertainment Tagged With: , ,

How to Make Your Home Safe For Children

March 26, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on how to make your home safe.  Your home should be a safe space for your family.  Especially, if you have small children.  Perhaps, it’s you’re a first time parent.  If so, your home might pose a significant danger that you hadn’t realized until you became a parent.  Every parent wants to make sure their home is the safest place for their children. 

 

child safety tips

 

Here’s a few tips on how to make your home safe: 

 

Keep Chemicals/Dangerous Objects Locked Away

Your typical household cleaning products aren’t usually a threat.  But, if you have children you can imagine the damage they could do if your child got hold of a bottle of bleach? Simply, spilling bleach on their sensitive skin could cause severe damage. We don’t think about this as adults because we’ve been taught the danger growing up.  Now, it’s our turn to teach our children. You can start by locking up your chemicals.  Furthermore, you can switch to more natural products that use natural ingredients, rather than chemicals.

Ideally, you want them to not only be out of reach, but to behind a locked door.   Children are clever and can often surprise us with how they manage to get into things.  So, make sure you’re taking the necessary steps to secure dangerous products and materials.

 

Child-Proof Sharp Edges

There are plenty of objects around your home where you’ll often bump into and yell a few cursed words. Whether you stub your toe or touch the curling iron that you left on.  It’s important to recognize these as added dangers for your children.

When children are young, they may fall when learning how to walk.  They may find themselves bumping into tables and causing an injury. Try to child-proof sharp edges.  Furthermore, focus on things like the coffee or dining table.  For example, make sure sharp edges are baby-proofed.  Check for other products that will help you childproof your furniture.

 

Ensure All Smoke Detectors Are Working

Smoke detectors can go inactive for long periods of time.  Only until you accidentally burn some toast do your hear the deafening sound of the alarm going off remind you it’s there. However, they can still end up running out of battery power if not checked regularly.  So, it’s important that you replace your batteries often.  If you have multiple smoke detectors, make sure you test all of them.  Having smoke detectors that are working properly can help reduce the likelihood of anyone getting hurt if a fire starts in your home.

 

Debug and Pest-Proof Your Home

Debugging your home is an important part of maintenance.  Having pests running around is something you don’t want.  Pests carry illnesses and bacteria, so you want to debug and pest-proof where you can. If you have a mosquito problem, there are services like Mosquito Authority that can help reduce the amount of mosquitoes you have.  Additionally, when it comes to pest-proofing your home, check the exterior and interior of your property for any gaps or cracks within the walls. These can be ideal entry and exit points for pests.  And, it’s good to seal these up where you can.

 

Keep Plug Sockets Covered

Plug sockets can be an ideal place for your children to explore with their small fingers.  As a result, plug socket covers should be used to cover outlets.  They have been around for years, and are a good preventative measure.  As a rule, you might want to make sure that any appliances not in use are switched off too.  When you see your child near an outlet, teach them about the danger.  Children can comprehend, and when they don’t we must keep reminding them.  When you make them aware, they take you seriously rather than disobeying.

 

Get Rid Of Choking Hazards

For any parent that’s ever experienced a little one choking, it can be utterly terrifying. That feeling of helplessness that comes with not knowing how to dislodge something from their throats is horrible.  It’s imperative that every parent have knowledge of first aid.  Knowing how to help your child or another one when they are choking is a serious issue.

Check your home regularly, for items that children can put in their mouth and possibly choke on.  We forget that there are things in the home that are dangerous to small children.  Sticking things in their mouth to taste it is normal.  De-clutter every now and then to ensure you’ve gotten rid of anything that might be dangerous.

 

 

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Never Leave Small Children Alone

As much as you’d want to have a spare minute (or second) of alone time, small children should never be left alone. You can child-proof your home, but they still manage to get themselves into a predicament if left unattended.  Don’t take your eyes off them, it doesn’t take long before they find something to explore.

If you need a moment or two alone, seek out your partner or another adult in the household.  Make sure you work together to ensure the child is never left to their own devices. You’re responsible for them and they rely on you to help them navigate the world.  If all else fails, put the child in their crib or another safe place until you return.

It might be worth having a home monitor to help you keep your eyes on your children.  If the task can be done with the child in tow or done later on in the day, opt for that instead of leaving them alone.

 

Making your home a safe space for your child is a difficult and challenging task, but one that needs to be done.  Our tips on how to make your home safe will help.  Use these tips to make sure that your home is a comfortable space for everyone, and one that gives your child the safe space they need to grow.

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