Keeping Siblings on the Same Page

July 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

One of the most important things parents do is to show their children how much they love them. You may spend a lot of your time helping your children, teaching them and giving them information they need. Sometimes, though, it becomes easier to deal with one child more so than another. How can this be?

Finding Balance

When it comes down to it, each of the children you have is a very different person from the other. It is up to you, then, to create a scenario where your children are healthy and happy and able to be themselves. There are a few ways you can ensure that there is no favoritism happening.

  • Set rules. Create a set of family rules. These are rules that you will be able to go back to whenever there is a question about what was wrong.
  • Spend time with each child individually. Sometimes, kids just need time with mom and dad on their own. That can help to boost self confidence and help to show you care about the child’s specific needs.
  • Encourage siblings to do things together even if they do not like to. It helps to build their relationship. You may have to ensure no fighting happens, but over time it will matter.

Creating healthy bonds in the family unit can be a struggle when people do not mesh well with others. However, it is something you can and should do. Finding ways to get everyone onto the same page is important as it affects everyone in the home.

 

Filed Under: Best Green Practices for Kids, Eco Family Benefits Tagged With: , ,

Getting Through the Teen Years

June 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For the parents of teens you have either two types; the introverted lone wolf or the popular, cocky rebel and either one of these two will result in a headache for the parents. If you’re fortunate enough to have a well-rounded teen, congratulations, you’ve done your job as a parent. However, if you’re having troubles with your teen, here’s some advice to help you on your quest.

Talk to your teen as if they’re an adult. Granted, they’re not, but they think they are. Your job is to make sure they get to adulthood and can function as adults. If you treat them like kids they will often continue to act like one and do the opposite of what you tell them to do. They are growing into adults and you can still teach them amid the eye rolls and long suffering sighs by treating like what they are trying to become.

Teenagers in town

Image by Nik_Doof via Flickr

Your teenager will do things that you did when you were a teen, and maybe go a little further. Of course you’re worried about them every parent will be. They are acting like normal teens and this is how your teen learns. You did things your parents didn’t know about or you thought they didn’t know your kids will too. Don’t overreact by hacking phones, computers and ransacking rooms. Give your teen the illusion of privacy and if things get out of hand they will be more likely to come to you.

Give your teen responsibilities they need them. If they can’t wash their clothes, fix themselves food, or manage money then you will be, well into adulthood.

 

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: , ,

How Stay-at-Home Moms Survive Summer Vacation

June 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Any Mother who has school aged children dread summer vacation. Sure you love your kids but after months of day time solitude, you now have screaming aliens trampling your house all day and well into the evening. If you are fortunate enough to work outside the home those Mothers have a different set of problems. This is specifically for stay-at-home Moms.

Once the initial shock of having the kids back in the house all day has worn out, get off the floor from your fetal position and start planning. To be honest, planning in advance works well here, but some Moms like to be spontaneous and wait to the last minute. Moms, you can get through and survive summer vacation by involving the kids in activities that will occupy them until school starts again.

Image via Wikipedia

If your kids are a little older teach them to cook. If the kids are younger let them plan meals and then help you cook them. The sillier the meal is the better and more memorable it will be for your children. This can be done once a week or once a month. However, it’s something the kids will remember.

Money is tight in every household. Although you may not be able to afford lavish vacations to exotic places you can have stay-cations and day trips. These trips can incorporate education into them or can be purely for fun. Trips to museums or libraries can keep their brain focused over the summer without feeling like learning. The kids feel like they have been somewhere over their summer vacation.

 

Filed Under: Eco Family Benefits Tagged With: , ,

Guide for New Parents – Part 4 Dads, the Forgotten Parent

May 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When a couple has a new baby, the person who is often forgotten is the new dad. You are going to find that they are just as nervous as you are, but here are some of the things that moms can do to help their husbands learn to become a father on his own.

  • Give him a chance – The first thing that you have to do is to give him a chance to try things. A lot of dads are afraid to become involved because they’re afraid of what their wife is going to say. The baby is his child too, so give him some daddy bonding time with the baby and take advantage of the peace you’re getting.
  • Ask him to get time off – The second thing that you want to do is to ask him to get some time off once all the family has gone. This is going to give the three of you time to be a family and to get to know one another.
  • Divide the Duties – The third thing that you should do is to divide the duties. If you’re breastfeeding, your husband won’t have any feeding duties so see what he can do to help with the laundry and shopping. He might also take the baby so that you can grab a nap, a bath, or just time alone.
  • Balance Work and Play – Remember dads love to do fun things too, just not change diapers. Let him do special things with the baby that are just for him and the baby. He is learning just like you are and he’s getting his ‘baby’ legs.
  • Making Him Feel Special – Do something nice for him to let him know you are thinking of him, that is not baby-related.  Shop online for designer t-shirts for men, or book a reservation to his favorite restaurant. Don’t forget he is still a man, and wants to feel like more than just a dad every once in a while.

The needs of dads are often forgotten when it comes to a new baby, but when you remember the tips above he won’t feel forgotten. Next: dealing with everyday things.

Filed Under: Green Parenting Tagged With: , ,

Teaching Your Children the Value of Money

May 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Teaching your child the value of money is one of the most important lessons you, as parents, can impart to them. Budgeting is a skill that many children, and their parents, lack. In today’s world of ‘must have,’ it is more important that learning the value of the dollar is part of every parenting plan. Taking the time to educate your child on how much it costs to live and how hard it is to make that money is the most effective way to help them learn about money.

Whether you have a young girl who wants to save their money for doll clothes or a teenager who is interested in a new iPad, you have the perfect opportunity to teach him or her the value of money.

You may want to start with something simple. Keep the lessons on the child’s level. Start by not giving in and buying your children every toy they ask for. Instead, pick one with a relatively high price tag and help your child earn the money to purchase it for themselves. Develop a list of chores, outside of their normal responsibilities, and attach a dollar amount to each task. Ensure the child performs the task adequately and help them understand the concept of a payday. You may consider ‘matching’ the funds for more expensive purchases.

Learning the value of money is hard, but with help and patience from parents, most children can grasp the concept readily. Keep the lines of communication open and discuss each stage to make the biggest impact.

 

 

Filed Under: Best Green Practices for Kids Tagged With: , ,
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