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Here’s Why You Should Consider Catholic Education for Your Child

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Your kids are finally approaching the age where it’s time to send them to school.

You thought of sending your little ones to the local public school but are wary.

You’ve considered homeschooling them, but there aren’t any local co-ops nearby.

So, you turn to private schools. There may be many, or few options nearby, but your biggest concern is what the possible benefits of Catholic education are.

Whether you’ve received a Catholic education or not, you are certainly wondering why Catholic schools are better than your other options.

Read on to learn why.

Benefits of Catholic Education

An important note: you do not have to be Catholic to attend or send your children to a Catholic school. This leads to the first major reason for considering Catholic education.

A Culture of Service and Respect

There is an important culture of and communal understanding of other persons, from all parts of this world which is integral to Catholic faith and education.

ALL of us are God’s children, and a Catholic education emphasizes as such.

With this in mind, consider how Catholic education, versus a public school education, encourages such respect.

This same community that teaches respect does so through more than policy but through direct acts of service.

The culture and community of respect grow from families, educators, and religious working together–directly forming children into generous persons.

Discipline and Excellence

Catholic education emphasizes academic rigor. Students are taught discipline as part of the faith, which leads to high expectations in scholastic achievement.

Students are seen as good, not simply because they follow rules, but because they were made as such. The discipline taught in Catholic schools stems from the recognition of the inner goodness of all people and then helping students behave accordingly.

Excellence naturally follows, with emphasis on both moral and academic discipline. This often leads to a clear path to college. In fact, the majority of Catholic high school graduates attend college.

An Enlightened Worldview

Through the high expectations of behavior and academic performance, the discipline instilled to achieve them, and the strong, healthy relationships, Catholic school education shows students how their goodness is part of the world.

This results in an emphasis on the arts and humanities less common in public school education–which tends to focus on results, over the quality of independent performance.

In essence, these students learn to see true goodness, in the Catholic, classical sense of goodness, in everyone and everything around them. These are the benefits of a Catholic education from Notre Dame Academy.

Is Catholic School Worth It?

The benefits of Catholic education listed above should be evidence enough, but one last concrete note to consider: on average, Catholic schools are far less costly than other private education.

You’re also investing in more than your child’s academic future, but that of their entire well-being when you choose Catholic education.

Furthermore, the majority of Catholic schools also include financial aid, in light of the necessity of Catholic education.

When you determine the worth of your child’s future, don’t stop at whether they’re academically equipped for this world, but if they’re ready for the emotional and spiritual demands, too.

The Ultimate Soccer Mom Success Guide: How to Be the Best in 10 Steps

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So your child is into soccer? Now the pressure is on.

You want to show your child and their team as much support as you can as a soccer mom. Being the best soccer mom you can be is all about patience, persistence, and good planning.

This article will outline 10 steps to soccer mom glory.

  1. Buy a Calendar

Children’s soccer is an intense thing to schedule. There are games, practices, and socials to consider. You want to start a calendar so you can mark down what lies ahead of you this season.

This way you won’t schedule any dental appointments during a tournament, or forget when it’s your turn to bring snacks.

  1. Practice at Home

If you want your child to succeed at soccer, you can’t just let them be lazy at home. You should be running drills with your child on off days as well.

Fun ideas for soccer practice will include high energy games to keep your child interested. Invite neighborhood kids so your child has new people to play with.

  1. Bring Nutritious Snacks

It is typical that soccer parents switch off who brings snacks every week.

When it’s your turn, make sure to pack snacks that have nutritious value. Junk food might taste good to the kids, but it will make them sluggish on the field.

Bring foods that have a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Granola bars, oranges, bananas, and fresh-made muffins are good options.

  1. Keep Your Kid Hydrated

Hydration is key for optimal athletic performance. Keep your child hydrated by making sure the drink at least 8 hours of water per day. This number should be even higher when it’s hot outside or on game days.

Water should be your child’s number one beverage. They should avoid caffeine and sugary drinks as these can actually make them more thirsty.

One Gatorade after a game to replace electrolytes is acceptable.

  1. Teach them Sportsmanship

Your child can’t possibly win every game. When they lose they will be looking to you for a reaction. It’s important to teach them that winning isn’t everything.

Lead by example by being a gracious loser. Shake the hands of the parents on the winning team. Remind your child that winning a soccer game isn’t everything. Winning a soccer game isn’t as important as making quality friends and playing with integrity.

  1. Celebrate Either Way

Sure, it’s fun to visit a nice restaurant after a win, but it’s equally important to celebrate losses sometimes. Your child might need a pick me up even more after they lose a soccer game.

Taking them to get ice cream after reminds them that life goes on after setbacks.

  1. Stay Active

It’s going to be difficult to be a soccer mom if you’re huffing and puffing walking out onto the field.

In order to be the best mom you can be, you need to get in shape yourself. Join a gym and start working on developing cardiovascular strength and muscles. Build a foundation for yourself by doing cardio three times a week and strength training two times a week.

If you are new to exercise and want to be able to run across the soccer field with your kid, try a running program like Couch Potato to 5k. During Couch Potato to 5k, you slowly progress from short running intervals to being able to run a full thirty minutes.

Running is one of the most important skills a soccer mom can have.

  1. Bond With the Other Parents

Being a soccer mom is a social activity.

Much of your time is going to be spent on the sidelines watching your kids play.

This is the perfect time to build relationships with the other moms on the field. Getting to know the other moms will build bridges for your child to have more social interactions.

Once you trust the other parents, your child can have sleepovers and spend more time with other kids on the team.

Plus you being social teaches your child appropriate social cues. Remember they’re always watching your behavior, so keep any resentment to yourself and off the soccer field.

  1. Bring Balance To Your Child’s Life

Remember that soccer is just one element of your child’s life. They also have school, friends, and hobbies to juggle.

Don’t let them become so obsessed with soccer that they neglect their academics. Teach them about priorities early by not letting them practice until their homework is done.

Place soccer lower on their totem pole then homework, friends, and family.

  1. Set Early BedTimes

Soccer is an extremely physically exhausting sport.

Your child needs to be getting extra rest to make up for all the running their doing.

Encourage this by setting early bedtimes for your child. Set the time early enough so they’re getting 9-12 hours of sleep each night.

The amount of sleep your child needs will depend on their age as well.

You Now Know How To Be the Best Soccer Mom

Being a great soccer mom isn’t too much different from being a great mom in general.

It’s all about patience and listening to your child. If they feel too sick to play one day, listen to their needs. Allow them to take soccer at their own pace.

Remember to set an example for your child by being fit, active, social, and full of good sportsmanship. The soccer field could be the place they pick up valuable life lessons for other aspects of their life.

Check out more of our parenting articles for further advice on being an amazing mom.

How to Motivate Kids to Do Well in School: A Guide for Parents

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When it comes to our children we can all agree that we want them to do their best in school – right? Have you been struggling with an unmotivated child lately? If you have been looking for different ideas on how to motivate kids to do well in school, you are in the right place!

Keep reading to learn some tips to help you out.

Positive Relationship 

An important part of helping your child stay motivated in school and in life is to be the most influential person in their life. A great way to be their biggest influence is by maintaining a positive relationship with them. You want a relationship that is respectful, positive, and open.

If you try the opposite which is threatening them, punishing them, and manipulating them to get what you want will backfire. It might seem to work at first but it will hurt your relationship with your child and will not help motivate them to do good in school.

Reacting out of emotions when your child is not doing good in school will be ineffective. They are more than likely not doing this on purpose, kids typically want to make their parents happy and proud.

Instead of getting angry and reacting remind yourself that your child is just not there yet and your job is to teach them how to be responsible when it comes to their responsibilities.

Positive Reinforcement

Kids do well when they have positive reinforcement. This does not mean buying them a ton of toys every time they do well in a quiz, exam, or report card. Kids also do well with social reinforcers.

This can be with high fives, hugs, praises, etc. Those social reinforcers feel good to them and they will continue to do well looking for those good feelings again.

You can also use simple experience reinforcements as well. For example, taking them out for ice cream, or buying their favorite candy bar and sharing it.

Reward Their Efforts

Sometimes we think that rewarding only the outcomes is best but kids do well when their efforts are noticed. When you reward their efforts you are sending out the message to them that you are respectful of their hard work.

When a child is still pushing through a difficult class, assignment, project, etc praise them for not giving up. Remind them of how strong they are for still following through on their duties even when things get difficult for them.

You can reward them gifts related to learning like a trip to a cultural museum if they’re into history or a microscope if they’re into science. These things would not only make them happy, but also improve their learning experience. Make sure before investing in such gifts you research the best way find them such as a search in Google for how to buy a microscope or “the best museums in my area”.

Mistakes Happen

No one is able to get perfect A’s or 100 on every exam and assignment. Let your kids make mistakes and instead of frowning upon them when they do not get that perfect A, remind them that mistakes happen. It’s healthy for them to learn from those mistakes and give them tips on how to not make that mistake next time. You can help them study from free test papers so that they’ll be ready next time for the real test when it comes around.

Stay in the Know

Make sure that you know what is going on at your child’s school. You want to make sure that you check their website to know all of the events, days off, testing dates, and even their school lunches.

When your child knows that you are aware of what is happening in their school they are more than likely going to be motivated to do well. Knowing things such as when the next fair or school dance is will mean more than you know. They will know that you care enough to be in the know even if you have a million other things going on.

Designated Study Spot

Having a place where your child goes every day to sit down and is made for them might help motivate them. Include them in the design of their study area. He/she might need a place that they call their own in order to concentrate and a place where you can come sit with them to help them with their assignments.

Offer your child help. Sometimes all they need is to know that you are there in case they need help or get stuck. This will help motivate them to complete an assignment even if they think it’s difficult.

Get Involved

Volunteer at your child’s school to show your child that you are interested in their education. Typically kids like to see their parents involved in school events or even like seeing them at their school.

Make sure that as your child gets older you pay attention to their cues. They might not want you around their school activities as much as before. If they seem uncomfortable with your presence then maybe it’s time to be more behind the scenes.

You want to reassure them that you are not there to spy on them but instead, you are there to help out the school community. Maybe something like a summer math camp is perfect to give them a sense of independence as they get older.

Now You Know How to Motivate Kids When It Pertains to School

Hopefully, you now feel confident about how to motivate kids to do well in school. You as their parent want them to feel confident in their ability to perform well and bring home good grades. The tips above are a great starting point to help you with keeping them motivated.

Do not forget that only you know what is best for your child. Use what you know will work best and make sure that you build that strong relationship so that you will have their respect and attention for years to come.

Did you find this article helpful? Come back soon for more great tips!

How to Encourage Your Child to Develop Their Talents

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As a responsible parent, you take pride in helping your child achieve his or her dreams. If your kid has a passion for a skill or hobby, you like to support it. In fact, you’re interested in how to encourage these talents throughout the child’s development.

Well, the good news is that you’ve come to the right place by reading this article. Detailed below is everything you need to know about encouraging the growth of a child’s talents and abilities.

Don’t underestimate the importance of these years in which your child is growing and learning. After all, even experts recognize the impact of early childhood development later in life. For that reason, you’ll take the following guidance seriously.

Don’t let your child’s potential go to waste. Make sure he or she has all of the resources necessary to truly thrive. Keep reading to help them grow and develop well.

Learn About New Subjects Along with Your Child

The first thing to consider is how involved you want to get when it comes to your child’s passion. If he or she has discovered a unique talent or a beloved hobby, it’s up to you to encourage those activities.

One way to support their passion is to learn everything you can about it. Learn about how to develop that hobby together, in fact. That can make their passion both an avenue to follow their dreams and a way to bond with you.

How to Encourage Hobbies or Passions on a Budget

Of course, you’re also going to need to consider the costs of this new passion. It’s likely that you’ll need to purchase some tools or equipment.

For example, if your child is into performing magic and making a full show out of it, they’ll need some props and costumes. If he or she is falling in love with a musical instrument, you’ll need to pay for regular lessons. Either way, you’re going to be spending some money.

It’s important to note that doing so will be worth the investment in the long run. Your child deserves to develop whatever skill or talent that will make him or her happy.

Take the time to look at your available budget. Do you have the funds to finance this pursuit of passion? It’s okay to do some shuffling around to start budgeting for this new hobby on a regular basis.

Sometimes, secondhand musical instruments or other equipment for hobbies are available. It’s your responsibility to do the research and learn how to support your child’s dreams at a reasonable price. You might want to ask friends and family members to pitch in and help, too.

Remember, Their Self-Confidence Is Essential

The main goal for any hobby or passion your child pursues should be that of boosting their self-confidence. As they start to perfect their skills in their desired craft, you might notice a change start to develop.

Confident kids are happy ones. They know how to speak for themselves while respecting others’ boundaries. Plus, they’ll be more likely to continue following their passion.

Make sure you only say positive things as they dive into their new passion. Even when they make mistakes, it’s important to help them keep setting goals and moving forward instead of looking back. They’re going to rely on your encouragement to maintain and grow their overall self-esteem.

It’s Okay to Seek Professional Guidance on the Matter

Don’t underestimate the value of proper childhood development. A well-rounded education and upbringing will help him or her succeed throughout life as an adult. In some cases, though, it’s in everyone’s best interest to seek professional counsel.

This is of particular importance when it comes to families with children who have disabilities. Special needs parents need to stay well-connected with professionals in that field. There are going to be certain standards crucial to your child’s upbringing that you’ll need to know about.

In addition, some children have natural struggles relating to other kids around them. This might be the case when he or she has gone through a traumatic experience already at a young age. Even then, talking with a family therapist might help both you and the child cope better.

Be willing to ask for help from your friends and family members, too. Remember, it takes a village to raise even just one child well.

Connect with Families Who Have the Same Interests

One of the most crucial things you can do for your child is to surround them with kids who have similar passions. That way, they can start to develop a community that supports each other over time. Plus, you can get to know the parents and bond with them.

Do some online research regarding local meetups or networking events in your area. You’ll find someone who enjoys the same hobby or activity as your child. Be willing to connect with these other families to encourage those pursuits throughout the future.

 

Continue to Make the Most of Your Life as a Parent

At this point in the article, you have a thorough understanding of how to encourage your child to develop his or her talents. There’s no need to cut corners when it comes to investing in our little ones. That’s why you’ll take the above guidelines seriously.

Of course, there are still a lot of ins and outs to navigate modern parenting expectations. Supporting and encouraging the development of your child is only one component. It can be in your best interest to continue to stay well-informed.

In fact, that’s where this website can come into play. We prioritize bringing readers like you the most reliable parenting advice on the market. We want moms everywhere to feel healthy, look fabulous, and take on the world.

For that reason, we encourage you to browse through the rest of our website today. In our articles, you’ll find the latest and greatest trends in the world of intentional motherhood. To start, comment below this article about how it inspired you and your family to keep investing in yourselves and your abilities.

How to Find the Best Child Custody Lawyer

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Are you looking for a good custody attorney?

Don’t worry — with this guide, you can learn how to find the best child custody lawyer.

Most decisions are based on experience or reputation, thus finding an attorney you like is easy and simple.

Let’s look at a few tips to find the best custody attorney.

Questions to Ask an Attorney 

An excellent lawyer will always answer any question you may have.

Here are five commonly asked questions:

  • How long have you been practicing law?
  • What type of cases do you usually take, and why?
  • Will you be the only attorney handling the case, or will there be others working on it?
  • How often will you update me, and how will we communicate?
  • What is your pay rate, and how do I pay?

By asking these questions, you can gain an understanding of how an attorney thinks about family law.

Based on the answers given, you can decide on your next course of action.

Tips to Find the Best Child Custody Attorney

Finding a child custody lawyer can be difficult due to a lack of funds.

However, if you keep these tips in mind, you’ll find a good attorney in no time.

Look for Experience 

A good family lawyer will have in-depth experience handling and winning cases similar to yours.

Ask for examples — and while a quality lawyer won’t disclose too much information, he or she will discuss knowledge that pertains to the case.

You can also inquire about how to proceed with your case. If you choose an experienced attorney, you’re more likely to have a successful outcome.

Look for an Attorney Who Has a Go-Getter Personality  

An attorney’s personality can give you insight into what type of lawyer they are.

You should choose a lawyer who is compassionate, responsible, but more importantly, has a go-getter personality.

You want someone who will fight for you and your child, someone who isn’t afraid to back down.

It’s also important that he or she has the communication skills needed to advocate your story correctly. Keep in mind when you hire a lawyer, they’re your voice. They’re the ones who speak to the judges and meet with other party attorneys, so they should have good interpersonal skills.

Check Their Reputation

Before you choose an attorney, check his or her reputation.

You can log in to your state’s attorney directory and see if a lawyer is highly regarded by the state bar. Also, you can see if their license has been previously suspended, and if so, the reasons for the suspension.

You can also check Google reviews to get an idea of how a lawyer treats his or her clients. In a new study, over 60% of participants labeled Google reviews as the most influential third-party reviewer. Facebook came in second at 18%, and Yelp ranked third at 16%.

These platforms are one of many great tools to help you find a custody lawyer that has a good reputation.

Now You Know How to Find the Best Child Custody Lawyer

Knowing how to find the best child custody lawyer relies on the questions you ask.

It would be best if you asked questions about a lawyer’s education, pay rate, and communication tactics. The answers that are given can help you find a lawyer that fits your chosen characteristics.

By selecting a lawyer with experience and a go-getter personality, you’re more likely to win your case.

For more information like this, visit our blog.

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