When you started having children, didn’t you just feel overwhelmed by the gargantuan task of raising them, with dreams of seeing them grow up to be well-rounded and well-adjusted adults? But how do you do it? Will you be helicopter mom or dictatorial dad? Or will you let them find their own way through the world, trial-and-error style? Take comfort in the knowledge that you’re not alone. In fact, almost every parent has gone through the same dilemma. [Read more…] about Essays on Parenting Styles and Child Development
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4 Jobs for New Parents
For many Americans, it’s just not possible to go without an income when there are children involved. Whether you really need two partner’s incomes to provide the best life for your family or you’re a single parent who needs the equivalent of a full-time income in order to give your children the life they deserve, there are options. You don’t necessarily have to have a nine to five setup in order to make ends more than meet. However, you do need some creativity.
There are many jobs and careers that are flexible enough to allow you to enjoy time with your children while still earning a respectable income. Here are a few ideas to get started. Depending on your skills, where you live and the amount of income necessary to thrive, some of these options may be better than others. It’s all about designing an income that works for you, too (and not just the other way around). [Read more…] about 4 Jobs for New Parents
4 Ways to Teach Your Children about Social Awareness and Responsibility
As a parent, you are raising the next generation of policymakers, volunteer workers, charity organizers, and emergency aid helpers. You can guide your child as they learn about community responsibility and social issues, so that they can feel empowered to make a positive impact on the world. Here are a few family activities that can help your family tackle social issues in educational and inspiring ways.
Food Drives
Examine your local charity listings to learn about upcoming food drives. Organizations that often need aid include shelters for the homeless and emergency aid efforts during national disasters. Some grocery stores partner up with food banks so that you can quickly provide the needy with resources during your next shopping trip. Most of these efforts require non-perishable goods, such as canned soups, meats, and vegetables. Work with your children to pick up food and drop it off together at donation locations.
Community Clean Up
Litter at your local parks and beaches can become an eyesore for communities. Explore local cleanup options and get the entire family involved! Practice safe cleanup habits by using the right protective gear during your clean up efforts, such as reacher tools, gloves, and trash bags. Reward your children after these events with fun family activities, such as a barbeque.
Donating Belongings
What should you do when your children outgrow toys and supplies? Instead of leaving them for the garbage pickup, think about donating old belongings to local charities. Cribs, clothing, and toys can be extremely useful for parents with low-income backgrounds. Teach your children how to save belongings that are still in good condition. If they are old enough, bring your children along to donation sites so that they can give away their possessions.
Discussing the News
Once your children reach a certain age, they will start gaining a broader perspective of the world through online media and televised news. Turn this into a group activity and strengthen your family ties by discussing current political and social events. These discussions can help your children develop critical thinking and awareness skills.
Adults play a pivotal role in shaping the social awareness of younger generations. Parents, volunteer teachers abroad, and community leaders all contribute to climates of community responsibility and awareness. Get involved at the local, state, and international levels by exploring charity and volunteer efforts as a family.
Teaching Kids to Save Energy the Fun Way
Setting Mobile Limits for Your Children
Younger generations are completely immersed in technology. While many adults can recall childhoods without computers in the home, today’s children are surrounded by smartphones, PCs, and tablets. This digital culture is inescapable. While your children’s interest in gadgets can help them hone their tech skills, it can also take a toll on their physical and emotional wellbeing. Youngsters need to get a certain amount of physical exercise and sleep each day, and their mobile use could be negatively impacting these behaviors. Take a look at these ways to limit your children’s mobile tech use. [Read more…] about Setting Mobile Limits for Your Children
Teaching History in Modern Day Elementary Schools
If you have seen Jay Leno’s television segment titled Jaywalking, you know the purpose is to ask random people on the street basic questions. You have probably noticed that this segment tends to poke fun at people’s ignorance. On a recent episode, individuals were asked simple history questions such as, “What ship carried the Pilgrims to America?”. Sadly, there were far too many individuals who didn’t know the answers. Members of the audience find this lack of knowledge hysterical, leaving many to wonder if it’s comical because they also don’t know the correct answer. [Read more…] about Teaching History in Modern Day Elementary Schools
Family Vacations: Make the Most of Your Time and Money
I’ve learned to value two things when it comes to planning family vacations: time and money. Kids are only kids once. The time when they’re young is precious and the best way to use it is to make the most of our experiences.
We want to provide the greatest vacations possible, but we too often associate the word “vacation” with “expensive.” To get the best experiences for your money, you have to know where to go. Time and research have taught me that sometimes the best place is the one that breaks the obvious vacation mold of Disneyland or a cruise.
By choosing less-known destinations, you can get more for your money. You’ll also deal with fewer crowds and have a more unique experience. The national parks and forests are among the best places to have this kind of experience.
These budget-friendly destinations combine enjoyable experiences with affordability. Here are some top picks for this year’s family trip.
The Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are home to beautiful valleys, streams, waterfalls, and of course the mountains. Picturesque views can be savored by hiking, horseback riding, biking, or riding the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Two nearby cities, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, are home to unique attractions, such as Ripley’s Aquarium—the top aquarium in the U.S., WonderWorks—an upside-down building filled with sights and activities, and The Tomb Adventure—a pyramid-themed building that challenges you to solve problems in order to escape from Pharaoh’s tomb. [Read more…] about Family Vacations: Make the Most of Your Time and Money
3 Things Parents Should Teach Their Children About Handling Pets
If you are a long-time pet owner who is expecting a child or are considering having a pet around the kids, there are some changes that must be made. While there are some families that find success with the simple act of introducing one to the other, most other families must teach the young ones how to best deal with their furry friends. Here are some of the most important things you must impart to your children when it comes to handling pets. [Read more…] about 3 Things Parents Should Teach Their Children About Handling Pets
Why Is My Baby Crying So Much?
If there’s one thing that babies do — aside from sleeping and pooping, of course — it’s cry. Babies have to cry in order to communicate, and it’s their go-to activity when they need to tell you they’re hungry, tired, in need of a diaper change, or just want to be held.
But sometimes, a baby cries more than normal. There are many reasons why babies cry, and understanding them will help you to know if there’s something wrong with your little one … or he or she just wants Mommy time. [Read more…] about Why Is My Baby Crying So Much?
The Benefits of Guitar Lessons for Kids
A lot of children are getting into music at a young age because of video games such as Guitar Hero. After they’ve pretended to play, it’s hard to ignore the idea of teaching your children how to play an instrument for real.
The first point in teaching a child to play is that the instrument can be fun and to get the child interested in playing. If the kid already plays the video game and recognizes the sound of a guitar, then getting him or her to enjoy playing a real guitar may not be a hard task. [Read more…] about The Benefits of Guitar Lessons for Kids