kids Archives - Serendipity Mommy

3 Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe

March 31, 2019 by Mandy

It’s a large world. When your kids were babies and toddlers, you might have always been there, and if you weren’t. you left them in the care of a responsible adult. However, as your kids grow, you’ll need to hold their hand less and less often. This can be absolutely nerve-wracking. So, here are a few ways that you can ensure they stay safe as they grow.

Help Them Develop a Good Judgement

There’s never a good substitution for supervision and knowing everything that happens in the life of your kids, but as they get older, they get more independent and they’ll need to be aware of their own instincts when it comes to what’s safe and what isn’t. They’ll also need the confidence to follow those instincts. That said, the typical teen’s brain is geared for being influenced by their peers, and this allows them to override that inner voice that tells them things like drugs are wrong when all of the other kids are doing them. If this happens, you might end up needing to check out some drug detox programs to help get them straight again. Assist your kids with the development of good judgment as well as social intelligence so that they’ll be able to resist that social pressure allure when they come across it.

Online

Face it. The online world can be a nasty place. Between explicit content, malware, predators, and other bad things, parents can easily find themselves facing a never-ending cycle of horridness as they try to fend off every negative thing their kids might find online. It can be a tricky situation to find yourself in and a bit hard to know even where to begin. There are kid-friendly browsers, parental blocking software, antivirus software, and the ever present temptation to simply ban the internet, but when it comes to internet safety, the most important step is to have a frank conversation and an open line of communication with your kids.

On Public Transportation

When you first let them begin using public transportation, go with them. Once they’ve gotten a bit used to it, let them travel alone but stay near them. Then they’ll be ready to go with a friend. Role play with them. They need to know what to do if they become separated from their friend. They need to know what to do if someone happens to pull a knife in their vicinity. They need to know what to do in the event of a mugging. It happens. What if their phone falls onto the tracks of the subway? What if they’re being stared at by a guy who just gives them the creeps? Get them a phone and have them call you once they board and get off public transportation. That said, make sure they don’t otherwise use it while they’re on board because it might make them a target.

Talk to your kids. Listen to them. This will keep you connected and make them feel safe. Make sure to introduce topics that’ll assist them with thinking, reflecting, and developing good judgment.

The To-do List You Must Check For Your Kid’s Birthday

February 11, 2019 by Mandy

The day our kid is born is the happiest day of our lives and celebrating that day with love and vigour is every parent’s priority. However, it is not an easy task to accomplish as a lot of preparation goes into making a birthday party a success. If you miss any little detail, it may play spoilsport on the fun of the festivities. Hence planning the event is always a great idea. You can start with making a to-do list of everything you have to do and then arrange the tasks in a logical and optimum order as per priority, whether it is getting birthday cakes for kids or finalising the decoration.

To save you some time and energy, here is a ready-made to-do list to get you started with the birthday preparations. You can add or skips things from this to-do list as per your own ideas you have for the party.

Location

You can begin by selecting a venue for the birthday party. So, you will have to decide whether you want to party at a restaurant or diner or you prefer a private celebration at your home.

Decoration

Once you have finalised the venue, you can opt for an appropriate decoration. If you are celebrating at a restaurant, you can contact the people there to book tables in advance, brief them about the kind of decoration you need. If you are organising the party at home, you can base the decoration and the entire event on a theme that will excite the kids. Doing so will not only keep the kids interested but will also add a youthful and fun vibe to the proceedings.

Getting the birthday cake ready

The birthday cake takes the centre stage in an event like a birthday party, hence getting it perfect is very important. As its the kid’s birthday you are planning for, so a custom cake based on themes popular amongst the kids such as cartoons, superheroes, games, dolls etc. will be an apt choice. You can either bake the cake at home or order it online and get it delivered wherever you want. The latter will surely save you from the hassle.

Finalising the gift

You kid is every bit special and means the world to you hence the gift you choose should be equally special and meaningful. Gifts which encourage them to be more observant, creative and improve their analytical and cognitive skills should be preferred. A binocular, a walkie talkie, a zigsaw puzzle, monopoly, books, etc. are some of the gifts you can consider. You can also consider gifting him a family trip to his or her favourite destination as it will help you bond with your little bundle of joy.

Preparing the guest list

Preparing the guest list is very important as it gives you an idea about the number of attendees and their age group. As it is your kid’s birthday, so other kids will also be a part of the guest list apart from their parents and your own friends and family. You will have to make arrangements keeping the guest list in mind.

Food menu

Last but not least, you have to finalise the food menu for the guests. It should include things which the kids love as they are going to be a significant portion of the guest list. If you are not too confident of your own culinary skills, you can contact a good caterer and get it sorted. Make sure you do that well in advance to avoid any last minute hiccups.

With all these items checked off your to-do list, you can surely breath easy and be confident of having a rocking birthday party for your adorable kid.

A Portrait Painting to Cherish your Child’s Memories

November 5, 2018 by Mandy

Handling a child can be a strenuous process but a rewarding one too.

There are times when they get on our nerves but there are also times when they put a wide smile on our face.

Thus a child can be an immense portal of happiness for everybody around and childhood is the time of some unforgettable memories.

We all wish that we could live these childhood days but one does inevitably grow old so it cannot be helped.

You can still turn photo to painting of your children’s most beautiful memory and cherish them every single day of your life.

Even though it is said that people become more smart and wise as they grow old but an adult can learn a lot from the mentality and outlook of a child can certainly teach us a lot.

Their ability to derive pleasure from little mundane things, their belief and their ability to learn from their failures are a few examples.

A baby may not be a baby forever but you can get a baby portrait done to remember those golden chaotic days.

A portrait painting of your baby can thus be the perfect memoir for you.

It could be a painted portrait of any moment, be it the first time your child walked or the smile on his face when he got his first cycle.

The best thing is that with a child in your house there are seldom any moments which are not filled with frantic movements and large smiles.

PortraitFlip is one of my choices and recommendations where you can get your portrait painting from.

You have a wide variety of mediums to choose from such as oil portrait, charcoal portrait, acrylic portrait and more.

You can also avail of a custom portrait whose dimensions as in the length and breadth can be customized according to your wish.

They need not be confined to your regular ones such as the small, medium and regular sizes.

What else can one ask for!

A custom made baby portrait is also a great way to attract the eyes and capture the heart of any human being.

It is an awesome way to make your house a storehouse of positive energy and great vibes.

Capturing any moment has become comparatively easier than it was in the olden days thanks to the blessing of modern technology.

Art can be a great way to transform and transcend a picture or moment into something better.

A portrait painting or baby portrait is not only visually appealing but also has a great aspect of intrinsic beauty attached to it.

It is the perfect way to recreate some beautiful childhood memories.

Childhood is the time when you can live carefree without much thinking about what you will do tomorrow.

There is no extra pressure or burden of any sort.

Turn picture to paint and watch as you immortalize those beloved memories which you hold so very close to your heart.

Time flies by and things change rapidly, one day they are holding your hand trembling with fear as you take them to school on the first day and another day they are starting a family of their own.

I would urge everybody to relive their childhood along with their children once again.

The smiles, the cries, the pain as well as the happiness, it is all one crazy roller coaster ride but in the end it is totally worth it.

Get a baby portrait and enjoy your baby’s childhood while you can for the words once said the stone once thrown and the time once gone can never come back.

Super Cute Ideas for Your Toddler’s Bedroom

October 31, 2018 by Mandy

It probably seems like it happened overnight: your baby suddenly transformed into an energetic toddler who is walking, talking, running, laughing and getting into everything. To celebrate your happy and healthy toddler, you want to do a room makeover, transforming the original nursery into a space that is more fitting for an active young child.

Fortunately, there are a variety of ideas and themes for your toddler’s room that will look adorable while not breaking the bank. Here are a few to consider.

Idea 1: New furniture

Whether you have a young boy who is all about cars or a little girl who adores trains and dolls, every toddler’s bedroom should have an area where they can spend quality and cuddly time with you. For example, a comfy chair and sturdy ottoman is a great place to read books together.

In addition to a cozy place for snuggling, invest in some colorful fabric bins and storage cubes for your kiddo’s toys; by keeping them on the ground, you can make it easy for your little one to learn the art of cleaning up all of those cars, trains and blocks.

Finally, change out the crib for a toddler bed. They use the same sized mattress but can be dressed up with themed bedding that tends to be reasonable in price and is super cute. Take your toddler shopping and see what patterns and colors he or she might like for the bed.

Idea 2: A space-themed room

If you have a toddler who is obsessed with checking out the moon every evening, a space-themed room might be just the ticket. Shop for decals that apply to the walls and can easily be removed later in designs like planets, cute aliens, astronauts and of course, the moon. Purchase stick-on glow-in-the-dark plastic stars and decorate the ceiling with constellations and add some space-themed artwork on the wall. As Parents.com notes, keep some of the accents non-themed like solid-color sheets, pillows and rugs — this way, you can easily update the theme as your toddler gets older and his or her tastes begin to change.

Idea 3: A room ideal for a tea party

Many little girls (and boys!) love nothing more than setting up and serving a fancy tea party. If this sounds like your little one, Babble has some ideas for a tea-party-themed room complete with a table and toddler-sized chairs that are perfect for a spur-of-the-moment serving of tea and cookies. Of course, the table can also be used for coloring, blocks and other activities as well; choose a low-to-the-ground table in a neutral wood shade and make sure the chairs are capable of supporting an adult weight — you don’t want to accidentally break a chair while in the middle of a fancy tea party. For the walls, stick-on decals can create a lovely flower garden accented with birds. You can also paint one wall a vivid shade like a deep pink or bright green to complement the bedding.

It may be hard to believe, but before you know it you will be redecorating the room again with a big boy or girl bed and other accessories. But for now, you are happy to transform your nursery into a cute and welcoming place for your toddler to play, sleep and cuddle with you.

How To Raise Self Confident Kids

June 12, 2018 by Mandy

Confidence in their abilities is going to help your child learn that anything is possible if they put their mind to it. Raising children is a full-time job, and within the hours, the days, months and years, you need to be instilling a “can do” attitude and encourage their efforts to do better and try harder. Your kids crave and need your support, encouragement, and love, so you need to be on hand to give it freely and without question. When your child doesn’t do so well on a test, for example, you should tell them that you’re proud of them regardless and then help them to work on their skills together. Your kids need to see an improvement in their learning and accuracy if they are to believe in their ability, so help them gain experience of learning topics with resilience and emotional support.

Choose The Right School

Kids feel confident if they’re performing well at school and receiving praise for what they’re doing. A substantial amount of your child’s education will happen at school, which is why it’s especially crucial to select one that nurtures their individualities, as well as strengths and areas that need improvement. Consider visiting St. Margaret’s Prep Schools’ Nursery if encouraging independence and initiative in your child is important to you. When deciding on a school, be sure to ensure that your child spends a taster day there to get a feel for the place, to meet prospective teachers and learning assistants, and to interact with peers.

Praise Them

You need to tell your child that you’re proud of them no matter what. Encouraging your child should become second nature, and telling them that you love them and are proud of them are words you should say every day. Children continually seek your support and validation when they undertake activities, so be sure to let them know they’re doing a good job and that you understand and recognize the hard work and effort they’ve applied to achieve something.

Homework Help

Basic literacy and numeracy skills are essential, and you can aid them to success in these areas as you’ll be far more adept and experienced. When homework is set, be ready to lend a hand and explain numbers and words to help them make sense. Your child’s confidence may suffer a knock if they feel they’re falling behind, so be prepared to recognize problems and report any learning difficulties you might suspect.

Extracurricular Activities

There’s far more to self-confidence than just academic performance; your child needs to have a range of skills and hobbies to make friends and be happy. So, ask your child what sports team they might like to join, as well any clubs and societies that are of interest to them. Try to remember that you’re trying to foster a love for the arts and sciences in them, so that they’re well rounded, intelligent and informed throughout their studies. It’s your responsibility as a parent to nurture any talents they show and to enable them to engage in activities they love, like rugby, soccer, painting, or learning to play a musical instrument, for example.