3 Obstacles to Your Kids Hobbies

March 24, 2020 by 1 Comment

Hobbies are fantastic for kids.  Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on obstacles to your kids hobbies. Hobbies can help shape their lives, passions, and even careers.  At the very least, hobbies can encourage youngsters to step outside their comfort zones.  It helps them to think creatively, and test the waters of what they exactly enjoy. 

 

 

But, let’s be honest, it’s easy to push our hopes and dreams onto our kids.  In fact, few parents ask their kids what they want to do. Instead, they push them towards karate when all the kid wants to do is take piano lessons at First Choice Music Studio. This can lead children to see the activity as more of a hurdle than something they enjoy.  It may also interfere in their true calling.  Projecting your desires onto your kids can be harmful.  Worse, you may not even realize you’re a part of the problem.    

 

Here’s a few obstacles to your kids hobbies:  

 

Trying to Mirror Your Childhood 

If you loved a hobby or club when you were younger, it’s natural you would want your kids to get that same enjoyment. They may even go along with such a plan because of stories you’ve told them. Still, this is no way to a hobby that suits their tastes. There are, of course, exceptions to this but, if you’re in any doubt about whether you’re letting your past enjoyment sway their sign ups right now, then you might just be letting your desires get in the way. 

 

 

kids hobbies

 

Forcing Your Children to Participate 

Preparing your kids for school can be challenging, but hobbies should be the opposite. If that isn’t the case, you may want to rethink the situation.  You shouldn’t have to force them to wear their Scout uniform.  If you do, it’s a sign this hobby is more for you than it is for them. Hobbies should be fun. If they never look forward to it, then who’s really benefiting? 

 

Hobby Failure 

When kids are passionate, they usually progress fast. A child who wants to get their progress report for their piano lessons is passion about their hobby.  If they’re not doing well during their lessons, it could be a telling sign that they are not interested.  It’s your job as a parent to find out what’s happening, and if your child is really interested.  This particular activity may not be for your child.  

 

Admittedly, hobby failure doesn’t always land on your shoulders. It’s certainly not unusual for kids to try out a few things before they find a hobby they love.  But, if you’re noticing the above warning signs, take a step back and be honest.  Ask yourself if you are an obstacle to your kids hobbies.  

Filed Under: Entertainment Tagged With: , ,

How to Prepare Kids For School

March 21, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing tips on how to prepare kids for school.  Parents have a huge role to play in the education of their children. So, it is imperative that we make a huge impact on our children before they set foot inside a school.

 

 

Here’s a few tips on how to prepare kids for school:  

 

Build a Foundation 

There are plenty of early childhood education activities you can spend a little time on each day with your child. Give them a head start by practicing their numbers from 1-10.  Also, teach them the alphabet, how to write their name, and make sure they learn to have a good grip on the pencil.  Teaching these basics will provide a solid foundation for school.  When you start ahead of the curve, then it’s easier to stay ahead of the curve.

 

Read to Your Kids Daily 

The benefits of reading to your child are too numerous to count. But, two of the most important benefits are: it helps your kids to read better and promotes better communication. Furthermore, reading to them daily promotes a longer attention span and teaches them to read independently.  Most importantly, reading at a young age tends to lead to a love of reading as they grow up.  This passion will have numerous benefits throughout their life.

 

 

preparing kids for school

 

 

Practice for the Real Thing

The experience of going to school for the first time can be a little traumatic for children. For many of them, the break to their daily life and the shift away from mom and dad can be quite a shock. Daycare and preschool have been shown to help tremendously.  They are a great way to help with socialization and providing a solid foundation in their most formative years.  Additionally, Day Care and Preschool helps kids get used to the school environment before the real thing. It’s certainly worth enrolling your child in one if you can.

 

Establish a Educational Routine 

Kids can get used to the idea of school whether they’re in daycare or you’re teaching them at home. For instance, packing their schoolbag and unpacking it at the start and end of the day. Get creative and help your children find a routine before heading to school.  When they enter kindergarten, they will be prepared.  

 

Be Active in Their Education

It’s not only the child who has to navigate new relationships, you must do the same.  Establish a good relationship with their teacher.  For instance, you might want to consider joining their PTA.

Taking the time to prepare your child for school socially, emotionally and otherwise.  Preparing your kids for school will help them have a great first year.  Ensuring they have a great school year will influence how they do the year after. 

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: , ,

How to Get Your Children to Be Creative

March 18, 2020 by 1 Comment

Today, I’m sharing tips how to get your children to be creative. When it comes to your children, giving them the best opportunities in life is important.  Furthermore, you don’t want to limit them in anything they do in life. Being creative is important.  Creativity ties into so much of our lives.

 

 

creative children

 

Here’s a few tips to get your children to be creative: 

 

Encourage It Wherever You Can

Try to encourage any creativity when possible. Your children might express an interest in painting, or perhaps they want to start attending a drama or pottery class. Whatever it might be, it’s good to encourage them to do it.  Exploring new things with your children is important.  It can contribute to what they actually end up doing later on in life. Limiting them can be detrimental.  So, as a parent encouraging them in anything they express an interest in is good. It’s a great way to teach your children that they can do anything they want in life.

 

Read To Them

Reading to them can be a valuable way of helping them get more creative. When it comes to reading, make sure that you provide them with books that are inspirational.  They could be classic books that you enjoyed as a child or books that will teach them important things about life. Make sure you’re giving them the opportunity to learn something new.  Let them pick out the books that they want to read. Start compiling a selection of books that they will take them through their teenage years and beyond.

 

Provide Them With Opportunities

Furthermore, it’s a good idea to provide your children with as many opportunities as you can in life. One way to do this is by looking at ways to involve your children in creative activities.  That can include the Visions Academy of Performing Arts or something online that teaches them about a certain creative skill. They can all be beneficial to your children, and  present them with opportunities to learn.

 

 

creative children

 

Avoiding Living Your Life Through Them

Finally, one mistake that parents can often make is living your life and aspirations through your children. That’s only going to cause them unhappiness and perhaps some unrealistic expectations that they may not be able to meet.  They are their own person, and you should avoid pushing any of your wants and needs onto them.  Let them make their own decisions in life.

 

Finally, getting your children active creatively is important.  So, use these tips where you can to give them an opportunity to express themselves.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: ,

3 Tips on Home Buying to Consider

March 14, 2020 by 1 Comment

Today, I’m sharing on tips on home buying. Purchasing a house is a big step in everyone’s lives.  Especially,  if you’re about to start or recently started a family. It’s essential that you buy a place that makes you feel inspired.  Make sure it’s a place were you can see yourself hanging around for a long time.  And, where your kids can grow up without any issues.

Buying a house is an important decision.  There are many decisions to make and ensure everything is in order before  making your purchase.  After you purchase your home, you can make it feel like a home by adapting it to your taste and liking.

 

home buying tips

 

Structure 

Your tips on home buying is the  construction of the house you want to purchase. Especially, if it’s an old home.  Asking questions is imperative.  For example, which renovations were made and when?  When was the last time a new roof was added?  Is the structure capable of withstanding a natural disaster hit, and more.

The roof is important because an old one can cause health problems or your family and damage to the resistance of the house. Dominion Roofing Company states that keeping the roof in a good shape is essential for maintaining the entire structure of a house.

If you see that the home has issues, it’s best to keep looking around to find a better fit for you.

 

Security

The streets are not as safe as most of us think.  Dangerous things sometimes happen, even when you feel secure in your neighborhood.

Take a look around the neighborhood before deciding on buying a home.  Observe the behavior of the people living there. A good sign of safety is watching the people outside their homes and the kids playing on the front porches or yards.

If a place is unsafe people will be weary.  They may wonder who you are and why you’re looking for a place in that neighborhood.  Just remember, many neighborhoods are gated communities with their own security gates and private streets.  So, check those neighborhoods too.

Also, an important aspect to check is the security system installed in the house. Do your homework and be knowledgeable of how many camera should be in a house.  Having this information will help you determine if more cameras will need to be installed, and if it’s worth purchasing the home.

 

 

home buying tips

 

Entertainment 

Buying a “forever home” requires you to look at the home and the neighborhood and surrounding area where your kids will spend most of their childhood.  Having a park nearby is a great plus for every home.  Movie theaters, sport facilities, etc. should be considered.

We all know that kids love to play with technology, but as parents, need to make an effort to have them enjoy their childhood as we used to. Going to parks, getting dirty, and building memories is essential for their development.

 

Final Thoughts

Finally, purchasing a home is never a simple decision.  Especially, if you’re going to raise your kids there. You have to check for a lot of things, especially the neighbors, security systems, the structure of the home, and places for your kids to play and enjoy their childhood.

You may also like Tips for Buying the Perfect Home.

 

Filed Under: Financial Tips, Shopping Tips Tagged With: , ,

Tips for First Time Parents and Baby

March 8, 2020 by 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on tips for first time parents.  If you tried to create a list of the scariest things you will ever do in your life, becoming a parent would be number one. Becoming a parent will be a magical and wonderful time in your life.  It’s generally the fact that you will be responsible for another human being that scares everyone.

You wonder if you will do things right?  What if you don’t hear your baby cry?  What if you can’t figure how to change diapers, heat the milk to the right temperature, bath them correctly.  

 

 

 

tips for first time parents

 

 

 

Tips for first time parents:

 

Why Is Parenthood So Scary

When you are pregnant for the first time, you will find yourself fearful for many reasons.  Most of your fears will be justified, and you will find that it comes from everybody and everything around you.

Other parents and family members who are already parents will always be on hand to offer information.  They will tell you what you should and more often than not shouldn’t do. The trouble with this information is that it applies to their baby and their experiences.

You may find some universal information that will be useful.  However, you will find it’s baby specific and does not apply to you. Finally, all that fear you currently feel now, will  float away when you hold your baby in your arms.

Parenting is a learning experience.  You can’t find a manual telling you everything you need to do and Dr. Spock may have written a book, but he doesn’t have all the answers either.  You can take a class on giving birth, learning how to diaper your baby, feeding them, it’s a great experience for new parents.  However, I believe the true experience is taking your baby home and bonding with them.  You will get to know them, and they will get to know you.  You will learn and grow together.  

 

 

tips for first time parents

 

 

Be Mindful Of Your Shopping

If there is one thing that every mother does, it’s shop.  Lets be honest when it comes to having a new baby you will need many items.  This includes diapers, clothing, furniture, blankets, monitors and the list goes on.  So, make a list of what you need to shop for.

You will see shelves filled with products that you may think are great for your little one. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. So, before you buy anything, research the best and most reliable brands and what is truly needed.

While you may think this is crazy, there are simple things like talcum powder that can cause issues.  Unfortunately,  there are talcum powder lawsuits going on to this day.  Be sure to take a little extra time on your purchases.  And, make sure you are buying the best products that you can get for your little one and for the money.

 

Safety Proof  Your House

Finally, child proof your home.  Adding safety features to your home will give you peace of mind.  Children grow up fast.  Before you know it, your baby will be crawling and walking.

When it comes to safety proofing the home, be sure about what you need to secure or change things.  Grab a pen and paper and do a full walk through of your house. While you are walking around, make notes of anything that could pose a danger to your baby.

Once you have identified problem areas, make a list of everything you need to keep your little one out of harm’s way.

Baby proofing is one of the most basic things you can do as a parent.  Once you complete the safety procedures, take the time to enjoy your new baby.

 

Filed Under: Safety Tagged With: , , ,

Tips for Buying the Perfect Family Home

February 14, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing shopping tips on buying the perfect family home can be exciting, but it can also be daunting task.  It’s a huge investment, so you will want to get right. Searching for the right home for you and your family requires research and a lot of compromises. Be prepared for your budget not to fulfill all of your hopes and dreams.

 

 

home buying tips

 

 

You should spend some time with your husband or significant other and decide what’s a deal-breaker for your family when viewing properties.  You can eliminate wasting time on visiting properties that aren’t the right fit for your family.  Maybe you’re a family that enjoys the outdoors instead of a large living room area.  Or, perhaps you enjoy watching your children play while cooking.  So, you would like to have an open floor plan.  Put your thoughts down on paper.  You can check off your priority checklist when buying the perfect family home.

 

 

Buying the perfect family home:

 

Location 

Location is one of the first things you need to decide on when buying any home.  A family home should not only be close to high standard schools, but also be in an area where you can access local amenities.

Shops, doctors, dentists, hairdressers, and family activities should all be on the top of your location scout.  If you’re a family that enjoys the outdoors, then a compromise needs to be made to find the perfect location near open spaces.  But, one that’s also accessible to local amenities.

Do a quick internet search about the local area you’re interested in moving to. The majority of real estate agents in the area will produce a rundown of what the area has to offer for potential buyers. For example, Msyorkville.com mentions the importance of properties that are only 45 minutes from downtown Toronto and 20 minutes from the airport.

 

Size and Layout 

The next step to finding your perfect property is deciding what size is suitable for your family.  The number of bedrooms will be determined by how many children you have or plan to have and if you have frequent visitors. Whereas the size of your kitchen will depend on how much time you spend in there cooking.

The layout is also another crucial aspect to decide on. A closed plan property gives your rooms privacy and allows you to shut doors on mess and keep pets out of certain areas of the home. On the other hand, a popular option for families is an open plan concept where you can see different areas of the house from the kitchen or living room, for example.

An open plan allows you to keep an eye on your children as they play, and you can easily communicate between spaces. The concept you choose may depend greatly on the age of your children.

 

 

home buying tips

 

Outdoor Space 

Outdoor space is often a budget breaker. For most, it’s crucial to have some outdoor space attached to your property.  It gives your children a secure area to play in. Your garden is an extension of your property.  And, it’s a great place to spend time with your family and friends.

How much outdoor space you need is your preference. A large grass lawn, for example, is perfect for hours of endless fun and space for all sorts of play equipment but is a nightmare to maintain. In comparison, a smaller paved yard is simple to keep tidy, but it can be challenging to spend time with young children in a tight area.

The perfect garden for the average family is often one that’s comprised of sections. A sectioned garden gives children a place to play, but also an area for adult relaxation.

 

Security 

Security should also be considered.  Your potential home should have secure windows and doors.  A  fenced-in outdoor space is desirable as well as a safe neighborhood.

Make sure when you view any property that you check the locking systems and bonus points if it already has an alarm or CCTV system in place. Remember, once you have bought the property change the locks for added peace of mind.

 

Find a House You Can Call a Home 

By following these tips you will be on your way to buying the perfect home.  Most importantly, you will cut down on the worries and stress during your home buying experience.  Don’t be disheartened if you view a property and it isn’t right for you.  So, try not to rush the process and make the wrong decision.  Doing so will lead you to the house that fits your family!

 

You may also like How to Make Your House a Home.

 

Filed Under: Financial Tips, Shopping Tips Tagged With: , ,

How to Help with Childrens Allergy Symptoms

February 7, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on how to help with childrens allergy symptoms.  You might be surprised to hear that one out of every four children in the United States suffers from some kind of allergy.   Depending on the severity of the allergy, it can either be a minor nuisance or an extremely depressing situation.  Allergies can make even the simplest things feel complicated.  So, how can you help your child cope with it?  Check out our suggestions below.

 

 

childrens allergy symptoms

 

How to Help with Children’s Allergy Symptoms:

 

Identify what triggers the allergies

Make sure you take your child to visit a doctor in order to identify what allergens are affecting your child. We also suggest that you take note of your child’s actions, taking note of what they consume, the medicine they take and so on. This information can be vital in helping you identify your child’s allergies.

 

Support them at all times

It’s important to be patient with a child who is suffering from allergies. They can often feel excluded, especially if their allergies lead to them being unable to participate in family activities or eat certain foods.  If possible, adjust your plans to include the child that is suffering allergies.

 

 

 

childrens allergy symptoms

 

 

 

Teach your child how to manage their allergies

Your child should have a deep understanding of their allergies and what they should do if they experience an allergic reaction. This will give you more peace of mind and could potentially save your child’s life.

 

Gain a better understanding of allergies in general

As a parent, it’s your responsibility to understand the issues that your child is going through. This is why we suggest taking a look at the infographic below and doing your own research on allergies that your child might be facing.

 

 

 


Infographic: Regis’s Online DNP Program

 

We hope that you find our suggestions on how to help deal with your children’s allergy symptoms beneficial.  We hope that your child feels better too.

 

 

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: , ,

How The Government Is Keeping Your Family Safe

February 6, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on how the government is keeping your family safe from disaster.  As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the chances of a major disaster hitting is going up. Over the last six months, we’ve seen a host of problems from the Australian bush fires to the new Wuhan coronavirus.

 

safety tips

 

 

If you get the sense that there are more crises these days than in the past, you’d be right.  In 1994, there was one state of emergency declared.  The infographic shows the disaster.  By 2016, that number had risen to seven states of emergency.  At present, most experts believe that the biggest threat we face comes from climate change.  As the planet warms, they argue, the number of extreme weather events will increase.  Are you wondering how our government will get prepared for future state of emergencies?

 

This understanding has led to a growing sense that the government needs to improve its disaster preparedness.  It needs to develop strategies that will allow it to deal with major crises in the best way possible, as they unfold.

 

How the Government is Keeping Your Family Safe:

 

For any crisis or emergency, there are four ways in which a government can respond: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery assistance. Over the last year, we’ve seen all of these in action, from the preventive action being taken right now to prevent the spread of the coronavirus to the reconstruction following the Australian bushfires.

 

The infographic below shows the government’s role in disaster response.  It charts current statistics on the threat of disaster and shows how public administrators can respond. It also highlights some of the emerging technologies being used for disaster mitigation.

 

 

 


Infographic by Norwich University

 

Finally, we hope that our infographic has provided some insight on how the government is working to keep your family safe during a disaster.  Have a conversation with your family on this information.  It will give an understanding of the government’s role and help them feel safe during a disaster.

 

Filed Under: Safety Tagged With: , , ,

How to Prepare Teens for Adulthood

February 5, 2020 by 1 Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on how to prepare teens for adulthood.  When your children reach their teenage years, life will change for everyone.  Where did the time go, they’re not babies anymore.  Driver’s license, college, weddings and grandchildren flash before you.  Are you wondering how to help them prepare for these responsibilities?

 

how to prepare teens for adulthood

 

 

Here’s a few ideas on how to prepare teens for adulthood:

 

Give Them Responsibilities

First, start with things that helps prepare them for adulthood.  It is your responsibility to ensure they become responsible adults. This means having chores and actually doing things to take care of themselves.  Without these responsibilities, it’s hard for them to be able to understand what life as an adult is really like.  Doing laundry, taking out the garbage, mowing the lawn, cleaning or getting a summer job will help ensure they understand responsibility.

 

Talk About Their Future

It’s important for you to make sure that you’re talking about their future with them. Rather than protecting them and just trying to make them a child their entire life, help them make decisions.  These decisions should include planning for their future like college preparation or obtaining skills for a trade.  Make arrangements for them to visit colleges/universities, trade schools or businesses that jobs in the fields they’re interested in.  Also, include fun things like traveling and family activities.

 

Manage Their Health

Finally, ensure they are as happy and healthy.  This means eating well, exercising and also managing their mental health. Because anxiety can be an issue for teens, include their mental health.  If you’d like to learn more about helping teens with anxiety, take a look at the infographic below.

 


Infographic Design By Bradley University

 

I hope that our tips on how to prepare the teens for adulthood are beneficial to you.  Start with responsibilities and add our other tips in slowly.  You don’t want to overwhelm your teen, so slow is best.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Education, Health

How to Make Moving With Kids Stress Free

January 29, 2020 by 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on moving with kids.  There’s perhaps no bigger change in a child’s life than moving to a new home.  As a result, it’s extremely important for all parents to make sure their children are a part of the moving process.  Also, have a conversation with your kids about the reason for the move.  And, ask how the child feels about it.  It can make the entire process much easier.  

 

 

moving tips

 

 

Before the move, it can be very beneficial to involve your kids in planning for the move as early as possible.  Allowing your kids to choose their new bedrooms or how the room will be decorated gives them a feeling of control.  If your children contribute to the move early in the process, they may get excited about the move. 

Unfortunately, some parents may believe that not disclosing the news about the move will lessen the shock.  But, in reality keeping it a secret can make your children feel anxious.  It’s important to make a family effort to explore the new surrounding area together after the move.  This can help them become more familiar with their new neighborhood as well as find their new favorite places.       

 

                                                                                                                    

 

Most importantly, make an effort to show your children that although they’re in a new home, their lives haven’t changed.   Moving with kids doesn’t have to be a traumatic experience for the children.  This can include playing games as a family, going out to dinner on a particular night of the week, or a bedtime routine.  Keep some kind of consistency in your kids’ lives during a big life event.  It can be powerful for them. The infographic details some of the most effective ways you can help your children adjust to the process of moving.

Author bio: Kate Houston is Director of Client Services at Ward North American. She attended Minot State University and has more than 25 years of experience in the transportation and relocation industry. 

 

Filed Under: Organization