Children Archives - Page 2 of 7

4 Fun Games That Turn Cleaning With Kids Into Fun

June 2, 2017 by Mandy

Do you need help cleaning? Do you want to teach your kids how to pick up after themselves? You can marry these ideas with a bit of strategy. You need to make cleaning fun for your children! Here are four fun games that turn cleaning with kids into fun.

The Sack Game

Image via Flickr by wuestenigel

Is your house a mess? Picking up is something kids hate to do, and you probably agree with them. Still, you can persuade your children to do it by turning the process into a game. Give your kids an empty sack. Tell them that the goal is to take stuff off the floor that doesn’t belong there. Then pay them a quarter for every item they have in their sacks at the end of the game.

You should also offer bonuses when your kids do a particularly good job. That way, you’re using positive reinforcement to make your children neater. They’ll earn more when they do a better job. So, it’s an introduction to capitalism, too!

Fun With Colors

Another way to get your kids to pick up their stuff is the color game. Tell them that you want to play, and then describe the rules. When you say a color, the kids have to pick up something with that color. As a parent, you can rig this game. You know which junk you want picked up, so keep saying those colors until your kids grab them. Just like that, they’ve won the game. Meanwhile, you have a cleaner floor!

The Ticking Clock

A countdown clock has a strange effect on people. It makes them work faster for fear of not finishing a task before the timer expires. You can take advantage of this behavior while teaching your kids how to clean.

Tell your kids that they have to clean up their rooms by a certain time. If they finish the job satisfactorily enough for you, they get some sort of reward. You can make it money, a treat, or something that the kids pick for themselves. Then, start the timer and watch them go. You’ve given them incentive to clean their room.

Have a Chore Draft

Something else you can try is turning the cleaning of your house into a schoolyard game of picking teams. You and your kids will write a list of chores. You should pick some that are less fun than others. Kids like things that let them interact with their toys, even when they work. They hate anything that involves garbage or the bathroom, so add those to the list, too.

Then decide who gets to pick first. As the adult, you should use your selections for the harder chores. For example, you want to take care of wiping down the walls and fans. You need to reduce the allergens in your home, so you should pick dusting. After everyone has a few chores, grade the draft to see how everyone did. Who ended up with the hardest chores as opposed to the fun ones?

You love playing with your children. You also want a clean home. Using the four tips above, you can achieve both goals!

7 Reasons to Get Your Kids a Dog

June 2, 2017 by Mandy

For the most part, dogs are friendly and affectionate animals that can have a positive impact on a child’s development. Dogs aren’t just the family pet; they can become a firm best friend, a protector, and even a teacher for little ones. So, it’s no surprise that many children dream of having their very own dog as a pet.

However, from a parent’s point of view, the decision to get a dog isn’t a small one. A dog will not only take up a chunk of the family budget in food, accessories and vet bills, they also require a lot of attention, with daily walks and perhaps training if you choose to get a puppy. If you can’t decide whether it’s worth it, here are seven reasons to convince you.

Reason #1. Dogs are a Great Best Friend:

With their own pet dog, you can be sure that your little one is never going to be lonely or bored. Even if their friends can’t come over to play, siblings are busy with homework or the weather outside isn’t great, a dog provides the perfect, eager playmate who’ll always be there for them. Dogs are well known for their companionship and loyalty, and they’ll be right there through the good times and the bad to celebrate with your child or cheer them up if needed. Check out these top dog tips to help your child get started looking after their new friend.

Reason #2. Dogs Encourage Physical Activity:

Today, more and more kids are spending their spare time playing on games consoles or staring at an iPad screen. But, while technology certainly has a part to play in education and development in the modern world, it’s important to get the balance right. Many parents worry that their children aren’t playing outside and getting as much physical activity as they should be at such a young age. Dogs need to be regularly walked and exercised, plus they love to play, run and chase – helping to keep the whole family active. In turn, this will lead to a stronger, healthier immune system – in fact, studies show that children who grow up with dogs tend to take less time off school due to sickness. Another study even found that dog owners in general recover from illness more quickly – in some cases, even a heart attack.

Reason #3. Dogs Teach Skills and Responsibility:

Children like to spend a lot of time with their pets, and looking after a dog is one of the best ways to teach them responsibility and accountability from a young age. Even young children can understand that a dog must be cared for every day, giving them food and water and taking them for a walk. As your child grows up, they will learn how it feels to be in charge and how to uphold their commitments to others. Also, having a dog can help with a range of other skills. For example, your child can practice reading by reading stories to their pet, who’ll be more than willing to listen without interrupting. On the other hand, having a dog can be one of the best ways to help your child improve their social skills, and when you’re out walking your dog, you can meet and interact with other pet owners.

Reason #4. Dogs Offer Protection and Security:

When trained correctly and cared for, dogs are very loyal pets who will do anything to protect their beloved owners. A dog can offer protection for your child when they need it most; they will be there to fend off any bullies when you aren’t around, and can even detect if something is wrong, for example, if your child falls ill but isn’t yet showing any symptoms. Since dogs have excellent noses, they can also be hugely useful for children with certain allergies, as you can train them to detect various allergens around the home. In addition, dogs can also offer your child a sense of emotional security; knowing that your pet loves you is one of the best feelings in the world.

Reason #5. Dogs Can Reduce Stress and Anxiety:

Children of today can often be under tremendous pressure, with school exams starting at younger ages than ever before, and mounting peer pressure becoming the norm. So, it’s no surprise that many children are no stranger to stress and anxiety; whether it’s about fitting in with peers at school or doing well on an entrance exam. Thankfully, dogs are here to help them through the stressful times. Cuddling with your favorite pet releases a hormone known as oxytocin, which acts by relaxing the body and mind and soothing away anxiety.

Reason #6. Dogs Can Help Manage Behavioral Problems:

A pet dog can also help to manage any behavioral problems that kids may display. Many children grow out of their childhood behavioral issues, and a dog can help to speed this process up. For example, children who are overly hyperactive and even aggressive can find a healthy outlet for their energy by playing with a dog. On the other hand, even children who tend to be bad-tempered, or even spiteful, can be softened and taught discipline when looking after and interacting with a faithful, patient dog. In addition, children with special needs and learning difficulties often respond well to having a dog around.

Reason #7. Dogs Can Boost Self-Esteem:

Every caring parent wants their child to grow up with good self-esteem and a strong sense of self-worth, but sadly, this doesn’t always happen. There are many factors, both inside and outside of the home, that could have a lasting effect on the way your child views and thinks about themselves. However, having a pet dog has been shown to have a positive effect on children’s self-esteem. This is for a number of reasons; along with reducing anxiety and stress, the loyalty of a dog to your child serves as a constant reminder of how important they are to their pet.

Getting a dog may be a big commitment, but it can certainly be worth it regarding benefits for your little ones.

The Family Way: Addressing your Financial Responsibilities as a Parent

May 24, 2017 by Mandy

Becoming a parent is a big deal, no matter how you look at it. Make sure you’ve got everything in place before the happy arrival, and new parenthood may be a lot easier than you imagine. Now is the time to get your financial house in order in anticipation of the blessed event that is bound to change your life in significant ways.

Before you make a baby

It’s a good idea to sit down as a couple and take a look at your future well in advance of becoming pregnant. Think about the ways you’ll reconfigure your personal and social life. Do you envision mommy going back to work, or will she stay at home while daddy earns the family living? If mom does return to work shortly after the birth of a baby, who will be in charge of day care? Do you want to hire an at-home babysitter, or would you prefer to enroll your little one in a pleasant daycare facility?

While you’re pregnant

Soon-to-be parents need to look at their current expenses and devise a postpartum budget, too. Carefully examine child care costs and don’t forget to factor in extra charges for extended hours. Many days care centers operate at similar hours to other businesses. Parents who are accustomed to staying late at the office may need to rethink that strategy or find a way to pay the additional price.

Eliminate as much debt as possible before the birth of your new baby. Speak with a professional, and learn how to settle your debts. Open a savings account in your child’s name at birth, and by the time they are ready to go off to college, much of that future expense may be covered. It may seem outlandish now but trust us. Time passes quickly and before you know it, your cute little baby will be a teenager with a whole different set of expenses.

Have enough cash stashed to tide your family over for three months to half a year, advises USA Today. Experts estimate that a couple spends around $13,000 per year to raise a child. During pregnancy, both parents would be wise to stock away money for anticipated and unexpected financial events. If one parent expects to stay home while the other returns to work, put together a budget that works with only one income. Determine if maternity leave will be paid and for how long.

Hope for the best, plan for the worst

Make a will. There are many websites that provide DIY will forms, but it’s generally a better idea to have a professional draw up the documents. Obtain a life insurance policy for each parent, as well. If the worst happens and one parent dies, the surviving family may not suffer financial hardship, say financial experts at The Guardian.

Having a baby is an exciting experience. Plan ahead, stay calm, make a budget and stick with it. A few savvy decisions now can lead to a happier financial life for your new family.

3 Ways to Get Kids Excited About Moving

May 17, 2017 by Mandy

Moving is always hard on kids, maybe even harder than it is on mom and dad because they have no life experiences to gauge a move by. The unknown is always a frightening prospect and even teenagers can rebel to leaving family and friends behind. Unfortunately, who can blame them? If you are trying to get your kids at least accepting of the move, if not excited by it, here are a few things you can do to make it a bit easier on all involved.

1) Promise Them Video Chats Frequently

At the moment, you are reading this online. This means you obviously have access to the internet and whether you are here via smartphone or computer, you can still open up some kind of video chat so that your kids can stay in touch with friends back home. In fact, your older kids probably have their own smartphones and laptops or tablets, so remind them that their friends are only one Facetime away. If they are like the average teen in America, they spend upwards of 9 hours a day on social media!

2) Postcards from Your New Neighborhood

Grade school kids are still thrilled about sending and receiving mail via the United States Post Office. Maybe because it’s something tangible that they can hold in their hands, or maybe it’s because they are already burnt out on social media (yes even in third or fourth grade!), but for whatever reason, kids really do like mail! Take your cell phone around the neighborhood to get some pictures of your new area. Turn them into postcards your kids can send to friends back home. They can even be designed on a web server and printed at home on your local printer. To get an idea of the various free templates available, click here.

3) Offer Them One Adventure a Week

While everyone is so busy getting set up in your new location, sometimes it’s easy to forget that your kids are not mobile like you are. They go to school, come home and play with any new friends they might have met at school. If not, television and Facebook become their BFFs and that’s not a good thing at all! What you can do is offer to take them on one adventure a week. Together, look at travel sites because this is where you will find the best listing of “What to Do” and “What to See” in literally any city on earth. From there, you can pick and choose kid-friendly places to explore and that should pique their interest throughout the coming week.

No, moving isn’t easy on the kids but with a little creativity and a lot of compassion, you can get them to accept the move a little more readily. They may not be happy about it but with some extra care and a bit of time on your part, you might even get them excited about moving somewhere they’ve never been. Just remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. It may take time, but eventually they’ll meet new friends and settle in. It’s just a matter of time.

Pre-Vacation Chores Your Kids Can Help With

May 15, 2017 by Mandy

If you’re about to embark on a family vacation, you might feel like you have too much to do before you leave. Don’t worry, that’s normal. You simply need to make a checklist of must-do jobs and then get some help from the family. Here’s a guide on some pre-vacation chores even your kids can help with.

Prepare for Your Absence

Image via Flickr user JeepersMedia

You need to do a few routine tasks before leaving. Make sure your home looks like someone is there as a way to discourage theft. You’ll also want to prepare your HVAC system for your absence.

Set it at a neutral temperature, around 80 degrees in the summer or 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, so you’re not paying to cool or warm more than necessary while you’re away. It’s a good idea to have a professional inspect your HVAC unit to make sure it’s in good working order if you’ll be away for a week or more. This will limit the chance of a breakdown occurring while you’re gone and unexpectedly returning to a sauna in the middle of summer.

Make Laundry a Joint Effort

Clothes are a big part of any vacation. You’ll wear a lot of different items, and you’ll have to pack for various weather conditions. You may need jeans for when the weather gets cold, shorts for sunny days, and maybe even a dressy outfit or two for special events. Plus, a lot of vacationers enjoy swimming or water sports, so you’ll need clean bathing suits, too. Clearly, you need help with your packing!

You don’t want your child to take care of all the laundry, of course. That’s a bad sitcom episode waiting to happen. Still, you can get your kids to help. Ask them to collect all their dirty clothes and put them in the laundry hamper. If they don’t already know how, teach them how to separate colored clothes from white garments.

When you’re ready to begin laundry, check each item before putting it in the machine. That way, you work as the supervisor for when your kids accidentally put some white clothes in the wrong hamper. You’ll have all the clean clothes you need for the trip. Plus, your kids will have a better idea of how laundry works.

Teach Kids to Pack on Their Own

Packing is one of the most grueling parts of vacation preparation. You have to pick enough outfits for several days away from home. Then, you have to add extra clothes for the reasons above. You wind up with three or four extra days of clothing, and it takes a while to pack.

As a parent, you have to repeat these steps for your kid unless they help. Take this opportunity to teach your kids how to pack. Tell them to go to their closet and pick out several of their favorite pieces of clothing. Supervise as they choose various outfits, pointing out what they still need to add. Your kids will learn a life lesson while you’ll spend less time packing.

Vacation packing is rarely fun. Just remember that you have help. Kids are never too young to start learning valuable skills that will help them all the way into adulthood. And you’ll really appreciate the extra help!