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

January 13, 2020 by Mandy

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.

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.

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

January 8, 2020 by Mandy

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

December 26, 2019 by Mandy

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.

Single Mothers: 6 Tips to Raise Happy, Healthy and Loving Children

November 19, 2019 by Mandy

Let’s start with this: being a single mom is tough. But as the old saying goes, tough times don’t last: tough people do! With this in mind, here are six tips to help you raise happy, healthy and loving children — and stay sane and strong in the process:

Don’t try and be Wonder Woman. Yes, there’s plenty that you’ll need to do on your own. But you also need to build a support system around you. If you need to build or expand your network, connect with other single mothers in your area. Many community centers and faith groups have clubs. If possible, reach out to your neighbors as well.
Get professional help. Find an experienced counselor or therapist who will help you unpack any emotional baggage you’re carrying and empower you to move on. Holding on to resentment (or more aptly, allowing resentment to hold onto you) will damage your life, and also negatively impact your children’s development and future.
Create a structured routine. Admittedly, the words “structured routing” sound kind of, well, boring. However, given the emotional roller coaster you’ve been on for a while (and might still be on now), boring is your friend. Of course, it’s fine to deviate from the plan every now and then.
Praise and encourage your children — but don’t spoil them. Many single mothers are reluctant, or outright terrified of disciplining their children, because they want to make life as easy and enjoyable for them as possible; and also, frankly, because they feel guilty (which they shouldn’t, but feelings don’t typically ask permission if they can pay an extended visit or not). It’s vital to keep in mind that children need reasonable rules and guidelines, which includes appropriate punishments for transgressions. At the same time, it’s also just as important to praise and encourage children, and remind them that they are loved for who they are.
Augment your income. There are many ways that you can boost your income, without forcing you to pick-up a second (or maybe a third) job. For example, you can participate in online market research studies, help search engines index the web, let advertisers put car wraps and graphics on your car, or take advantage of many other legitimate opportunities that you can do in your spare time. And while you’re paying attention to your finances, take a glance at your credit report and, if necessary, clean up any discrepancies (for guidance on how to do this on your own, check out this article).
Don’t neglect self-care. Last but certainly not least: single moms often devote so much of their time and attention in raising their children, that they neglect their own health and well-being. Eating well, exercising, and getting quality sleep are all essential. Think of it like a car. Driving it non-stop without regular maintenance is invariably going to lead to a costly and inconvenient breakdown.

The Bottom Line

As mentioned, being a single mom is tough. But since you’re tough — and probably much tougher than you give yourself credit for — you’ll make it through this. Just take it one day at a time, and remember that all of your friends here at SerendipityMommy.com believe in you!

How to Stop Allergies Immediately for Your Children

November 18, 2019 by Mandy

Parenthood is often a double-edged sword. The love we have for our children is like nothing else, but that love comes with other side effects: fear and worry about their well-being. Seeing your child suffer through allergies is fun for no mother or father.

That’s why so many parents are curious about how to stop allergies immediately. No one wants to have to see their child fight through irritating symptoms for a moment longer than they need to. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to help cut allergies out of your child’s life.

Not all will work for every child, but all the tips below are worth trying out. Read on and we’ll walk you through what you need to know.

Block out the Allergens

It may sound too simple to be true, but it’s really the best way: keep the allergens away. The more you keep your kids around access to whatever their allergy may be to, the more chance they’ll have to suffer through the consequences.

That means shutting your windows during pollen season, not going to that friend’s house with the dog, or keeping that certain kind of vegetable out of the home.

There’s a lot you can do around the house to help stop the spread of allergens and keep them out of your home. Turn your air conditioner to recycle mode so that it filters just the air that is already indoors around. This will keep pollen and outside allergens out.

You should also clear your air filters as much as possible. Dust and all sorts of potential allergy issues get caught in here, and leaving them uncleaned can create dirty, problematic air. You can even invest in a humidifier for allergies if you want to ensure the air in your home remains clean.

Investing in air purifiers and keeping away from strongly scented detergents and cleaners also can help to make your child more comfortable during an allergy flare-up. Creating a strong and pure environment at home is really one of the best things you can do.

Do Laundry More Frequently

Allergens can stick to our clothes. This is an important fact to understand if you really want to prevent allergies in your child. That means when you go for a walk or spend some time doing activities outside, you are interacting with allergens.

When you come back to the home, you are bringing these allergens in with you. If you want to avoid allergies, it can be best then to toss your clothing off immediately into the laundry hamper. Put new clothes on.

This will be true for both you and your child’s clothing. Everyone has the possibility of bringing allergens into the home, so it will need to be a team effort to keep these allergens out. You might not be able to maintain this system year-round, but it’s something you should keep in mind at least during the highs of allergy season.

When you do wash your clothes, consider doing it at a high temperature. Research has shown that high temperatures can destroy nearly all allergens.

By the same token, if you have pets that live both indoors and outdoors, you’ll need to better monitor their behavior during allergy season. They can easily bring allergens into the home, so you should keep them out of your bedroom and off the furniture.

See a Doctor

Modern medicine has come a long way, and if your child is suffering from allergies, there may be a medical solution. If you haven’t ID’d your child’s triggers, that’s the first step. If you don’t know what’s causing allergic reactions, you won’t know how to best prevent them.

That being said, you probably have already taken that first step forward and you may have already had medication prescribed. This medication isn’t intended to remove allergies as much as it is there to help dull symptoms.

However, it might be worth checking in with your doctor and seeing if the medication you’re using is still the best option. You may be using an over-the-counter medication when something prescribed would be better, or vice versa.

The most important thing is that your child takes the allergy medication as suggested by a doctor, and not just when they begin to experience symptoms. Doing so can really limit its effectiveness.

If pills aren’t doing the trick, there may be a nasal spray that could be better. Veramyst and Nasonex are two examples of nasal steroid spray that have been very popular in those who suffer from seasonal allergies.

Last but not least, if your child suffers from allergies year-round, it might be worth seeing if there are more extreme measures that can be taken. You can look into immunotherapy, where an allergy specialist administers shots over the course of several months.

This can be quite expensive and often painful for small children. Your child would likely not be too excited at the prospect of constant shots. But if their allergy symptoms are very severe and show no signs of fading, this might be the only option available to you.

How to Stop Allergies Immediately

If you see your child suffering, you want to do anything you can to stop it. Knowing how to stop allergies immediately is as simple as reading and implementing the above information into your everyday life.

Need more parental advice, tips, and tricks? Check out the rest of our blog for more information.