Posts filed under 'Parenting Tips'
“What did you do at school today?’’ is the usual question on my lips at the dinner table. “Nothing or I don’t know” is usually the standard reply from my preteens all the way down to my five-year-old. Picking my children’s brains about the happenings of their day is important to me. Where did they go? What did they learn? Also, who are they associating with and what values are they learning from them? These are all parental concerns that I have learned to address with good family mealtime conversations.
Sometimes as a parent, it is best to not be so direct. Some children tend to hold their fears, concerns and joys inside. A back door carefully opened in the spring will usually lead to a lot of fresh air. The same is true with family meal time conversation. Having a back door of traditional conversation during mealtime can bring forth some fresh news of about your child’s daily experiences. Here are some tips to help you create your own rewarding family mealtime conversations.
1. Talking competitively all at once just creates a loud noise. Have a standard rule that each child will be given a chance to share something about their day. Remind your children that it is good manners to not speak with their mouth full or to interrupt someone else.
2. During dinner, have a specific question which will invite each child to share more about the experiences of their day. For example; invite each child to share something that they did not enjoy about their day. This will often encourage them to share information about any worries or problems that may be on their mind.
Adults sometimes have a tendency to minimize a child’s problems. Instead, make a mental note about anything that your child is struggling with or seems to be sad about. Be sure to have a private talk with them later, away from other family members about actions they can take to resolve the problem. This type of parental guidance will help your child to learn step by step problem solving skills.
Also, sharing information about your own problem and the actions you took to resolve it will help them reflect on your standards and ideals. It will also help them realize that gown-ups have problems too!
3. Once you’ve shed some light on their worries and problems, let the fresh air in by sharing some fun experiences and laughter. For example; invite each child to share something wonderful that happened to them during the day and any funny jokes or experiences. You might share your own joke or funny childhood experience that will clue them in on the mysterious fact that you were once a child too. Laughter around the dinner table at the end of a long day is the ideal recipe for a fun family mealtime experience.
Find more Parenting Tips at childnparent.com
By: Debby Hoffer
May 19th, 2008
We know that spending quality time with our kids is really important and is the perfect way to bond with our children. However, what some of us Mothers often forget is the importance of spending quality time alone, away from the kids, Mom Time, so that we do not forget who we are and what we love to do.
While playing with Barbie’s is very exciting, it is nice to take time away from wishing you had Barbie’s life, to actually having it for a night. Going out with some girlfriends and shopping, getting your hair and nails done, or going to a movie can be just the break necessary to help clear your mind and have some adult conversation.
While taking your child out to dinner may work most of the time, imagine you and your husband, out for the night without having to feed someone else, worry about all of the spilt food on the floor, or rush outside when your baby is crying and coming back to cold food.
I have seen first hand that sanity goes hand in hand with Mom Time. I feel the difference when it has been a while since I have been “alone” or done something just for me. Once I get out for a few hours I come back refreshed and realize that I actually do like my kids. After all, how can you miss them when they are always with you? You can’t!
In the rare case that it has been so long since you had a moment to yourself, you may be wondering what you would do if you were kid free for a few hours. Here are a few ideas. I already mentioned shopping, getting your hair or nails done, and a movie with friends. There is always date night with your significant other, including dinner, where you will actually be able to carry on a conversation. Have you thought about taking a walk or a drive? What about a trip to the grocery store or to your favorite craft store?
Whatever you do, remember to spend the time doing grown up things, and as tempting as it may be to talk about or think about your kids the whole time, don’t! This is your time to get away.
And, of course, use the advice at Child N Parent on Parenting Tips to help keep your sanity.
By: Vanessa Lee
May 12th, 2008
After seeing Mom run as a way to stay fit and keep her piece of mind with three small children, my daughter, age 9, decided that she would like to begin running and eventually start to race.
As we sat down and discussed what she knew about running, I realized that she did not know much. However, she noticed that when I would run, I would have fun. She said that she wanted to be healthy, and she wanted to learn to run faster so that she would do better at sports. I told her that this was a great idea and that I would love to help her get started.
The first thing that any runner needs is some good running shoes. I explained to her the value of having shoes that would properly support your feet and help keep your body in proper alignment. Second, she would need to spend a little time stretching before and after her run. Stretching helps to prevent injury. Third, she would need to start out slowly, and gradually build up her mileage and speed.
After the quick lesson, she was ready to run. She got ready, put on her iPod, and was out the door. She came home about 10 minutes later and said that she felt great and was ready to race. It was the fastest run ever, but the important part was that she had planted a seed. She found something healthy and active that could benefit her for years to come and she wanted to pursue running for fun.
As parents, we need to encourage our children to engage in healthy activities that keep them moving, and build strong lungs and a healthy heart. Running is a great way to give your child an amazing workout in a short amount of time. Running will help them gain strength and build endurance and will help them to excel in future sports.
To find races and events in your area suitable for children, visit www.active.com.
Click here to find Parenting Tips and help with Youth Sports.
By Vanessa Lee
April 21st, 2008
Springtime is here and its time for fun in the sun with inexpensive outdoor activities for kids. In the last twenty years, the number of overweight children in the United States has doubled making child obesity a serious parental concern. Outdoor games can help parents and kids stay in shape and create lasting memories in your own backyard!
Red Rover Red Rover
This old fashioned game involves running and stretching. Divide children into two teams with one team situated on either side of the backyard. Have the children stand in a line, face forward while stretching out their arms and clasping hands. One team starts the game by calling “Red Rover, Red Rover send (child’s name) right over.” The child named runs to the other team and tries to break through the clasped hands. If the child cannot break through, they return to their original team. If the child does break through, have them join hands with the opposing team. The next team then takes a turn. Play the game until each child has had a running turn.
Duck, Duck Goose
This is a fun game for small preschool children which involves running and memory skills. Have the children sit in a circle. Pick one child to be it. Have the child walk around the circle tapping each child on the head saying duck. When the child is ready to run, have them tap a child and say goose. The child tapped as the goose then gets up and runs around the circle chasing the other child until he or she finds a spot in the circle to sit down. If the goose child taps the duck child before sitting down, the duck child is out. Play the game until each child has had a turn.
The Two-Legged Relay Race
This game teaches teamwork, running and coordination skills. Divide children into two teams and have them buddy up with a partner. Have them stand with their legs side by side. Take an old rag and tie it securely around the left leg of one partner to the right leg of the other partner. Putting their arms across their shoulders, have them practice running across the yard. Set a starting point and have the first two teams race across the yard and back to the next set of buddies. Each set of buddies takes a turn tying the rag around the legs and racing across the yard. The first team to finish wins!
Find Parenting Tips for swimming and team sports at Childn’Parent and more fun games at: Rainbow/Org and Disney Family
By: Debby Hoffer
April 15th, 2008
My three-year-old son wants to name our baby “Mater” as in “Tow-Mater”. Though our whole family likes the movie “Cars”, we breathed a sigh of relief when we found out we were having a girl.
A baby carries its name throughout life and — love it or hate it — a name is part of what makes a person who they are. Shakespeare says “That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” But, when it comes to naming our babies, the names we give in some ways reflect our hopes for our children. Do we call her Sunni or Susan? Do we name him after his grandfather, a favorite athlete, or a U.S. president
Some couples choose baby names before they are even pregnant. Others wait until after birth to see what name seems to fit the baby. Naming your child is an important, but fun part of being a parent. For help in choosing you have “The Meaning of Thousands of Baby Names” and “Baby Names World.” Here are some tips to help you find the perfect baby name.
Common or Unique? There are advantages to having a unique name or a common one. If the name is unique, your child is less likely to have other kids with the same name in his class and it can avoid confusion.
Having a unique name can make your child stand out. This can be good or bad. Your child may feel special and proud. However, if the name is too strange, your child may wish she could just blend in with the crowd. As children get older, some refuse to go by a name they don’t like.
Spelling should also be considered. While you may think a unique spelling is cute, your child may resent always having to correct people’s spelling and pronunciation. Baby names follow trends and what may be unusual today, may be very popular in five years. What sounds cute today, may sound silly in twenty.
Play the association game. Most of us have very powerful associations with names. We like the name of our favorite aunt, we hate the name of the kid that used to bully us at recess.
While your child will come to define the name, it’s important to choose a name with a positive meaning for you. Many people name their children after relatives. This can give your child a sense of family and belonging. Choosing names with a specific ethnic origin can help your child identify with that culture.
Some people choose names for meanings that reflect the qualities and traits they value and hope their children will embrace. Some babies are named for times (Summer, May) or places (London, Dakota) that have special meaning to their parents.
Does it roll off the tongue? Consider how the name sounds with your last name. Some people like to repeat beginning sounds or sounds in the middle of the name. How does the name fit in when you say it with the other names in your family? Think about potential nicknames and whether you like them or not.
Before your baby is born, family, friends and even strangers will be anxious to discuss potential names. Don’t try to please others. Any name you choose is sure to get mixed reviews. Some people wait to tell others about their chosen name to avoid this.
Find a name you love, and don’t worry about what others think. They will grow to love the name as they grow to love your child. We have more tips for announcing the new baby and for Great New Baby Toys.
By Megan C. Wallgren
December 2nd, 2007
“Look kids,” my husband exclaimed excitedly, “we are having castle bread for dinner.” I had to smile at my husband’s remarkable attempt to smooth over another one of my attempts at homemade wheat bread. Instead of turning out smooth and rounded, the way bread is supposed to look; it was sunk in the middle with pointy castle peaks on each side. With its wheat texture, it looked just like a dilapidated sand castle whose tide had come in.
In spite of all the “poke fun” dinner table comments, I did learn the secret magic about bread making. As I was gathering all of the necessary ingredients, I suddenly had two little helpers that, more than anything, wanted to sit on the counter and help mom make bread. As my little ones helped me mix and knead the strange stuff, we laughed and joked. It put a magical spark into my otherwise hum drum day. It also gave me opportunity to reflect how thankful I am for my little ones and their willingness to help mom in a pinch.
This bread making episode was just the sort of magical moment I want to have more often with my kids. I also learned that creating a magical moment of family bonding makes me a fairy princess in my own right; flour covered nose and all. This fairy princess is still smiling inwardly at her husband’s princely comment, and I just have to add that nothing should stand between the magic of a woman and her castle bread.
Look for more Parenting Tips at Childn Parent
By: Debby Hoffer
November 25th, 2007
Our house has always turned into the crazy house come bedtime. Taking two hours to get the kids in bed, or at least getting the kids to stay in bed was a nightly battle for us. By the time they were actually asleep, my husband and I were exhausted ourselves, not to mention frustrated and ready to sleep. One day we decided that we were done fighting with our kids every night. Enough was enough.
Now, at 7 o’clock, the kids know that it is time to start our nightly routine. We do the same routine every night so that there is not any confusion and by 7:30, all of the kids are asleep. We have heard of families like this, but never thought it could happen to us. Yes, it was a hard adjustment, but we remained firm and now bedtime is Mom’s favorite time of day.
Choose the children’s bedtime routine that is right for your family. You will not only provide your children with structure that they need, but will give mom and dad the time that they need.
Start by compiling a list of everything that needs to be done before the kids get in bed, things like brushing teeth, getting in pajamas, preparing for the next day, and story time. Once you know how long these things take, you will know when to start preparing for bedtime. Most important, let your kids know that you mean business. Reward your children for going to bed on time, and be firm and fair with bad behavior. After just a few nights they will be on schedule and you will have happier kids, and very happy parents.
Go to Childn’ Parent.com for more great parenting tips.
By Vanessa Lee
November 20th, 2007
“Mommy, I did a lot of chores today and I earned my money.” I beamed at my 9-year-old son and looked at my sparkling clean kitchen. He had worked hard, doing the dishes and wiping off the sticky stuff on the counters. But even more gratifying than the clean kitchen was the fact that he had recognized and associated his hard work with the money I was about to deposit in his bank account. It was one of those parental moments where my feet did a little skip and I was shouting “all right” behind a big full faced smile. It also gave me an insight that I was taking steps in the right direction, helping my child understand that payment for services rendered is a simple fact of money matters.
Your Child’s Chores and Payment: How Much?
This issue seems to be of much concern to parents as no one wants to over spoil a child. Demanding, expectant children who are used to “having it all” will grow up with unrealistic attitudes. A reasonable payment that fits the family budget and lets your child practice making a personal budget is essential to family unity. Small children do not need a lot of money and are better off starting small with dollars and cents. Remember, it is not critical to pay your child a lot of money, it’s just critical that they learn how to earn and manage the money. As a child grows, payment is increased to fit the amount and difficulty of chores they are able to perform.
Throwing out the word allowance and teaching your child to associate good work with positive results, including money, can help them develop a positive work ethic. As a child grows older and develops skills learned from working in the home, they will be more comfortable with money and be able to tackle the real world on their own.
Read this helpful full article at Childn’Parent
By: Debby Hoffer
October 29th, 2007
Since school has started and my children have stepped up a grade, they seem determined to let me know just how big they really are. Whether its my three year old insisting on brushing his own teeth (picture toothpaste everywhere), my first grader wanting to do her own hair (picture many, many barrettes at once), or my 3rd grader fixing her own after school snack (picture chocolate syrup on any food imaginable), it’s clear my kids are growing up.
Independence is good, but sometimes can lead to conflict as kids try to push the boundaries.
We’ve had our share of tiffs in my home as we try to re-establish a school routine and decide what my kids can and cannot do. Those pesky “other people’s parents” seem to be able to throw a wrench in things, but it’s important for our family to establish our own patterns and rules.
Today a couple of things reminded me despite all the “good parenting” I try to do, the most important thing I can give my children is love.
In order to sign my kids up for basketball at the local community center, I had to sit through a 20-minute video presentation reminding me to be a good sport (i.e. don’t yell at the refs, coaches, or kids) because after all, it’s just for fun.
It was sad to see some of the kids on the video talk about how they feel when their parents yell at them from the sideline. It was a good reminder for me to let my kids have fun. After all, they’re never going to go pro out of high school — no matter how good of a sideline coach I am.
Last night, before bed, I read my kids two great stories, “I Love You Stinky Face” by Lisa McCourt and “The Garden”, a “Frog and Toad” story by Arnold Lobel. The first taught me my kids need to know I’ll always love them – no matter what. The second showed me all growing things respond to love better than criticism.
Visit childnparent’s articles on parenting tips and youth sports for more advice and feel free to share a few insights of your own.
Good luck and have fun,
Megamom
Megan C. Wallgren
October 13th, 2007
Teaching your child from home or home schooling has many advantages. Classrooms in public schools average 30 to 40 students making it difficult for children to get the personal time and attention they really need. By home schooling your child, you can give them that personal time and actually nurture them as they learn.
Parents who are considering home schooling often wonder “Where do I begin? Fortunately, there are many options to choose from and through the internet, you can investigate curriculum and online academies at your leisure. Some school districts actually contract with online academies to offer FREE home schooling. The connections academy is a free online program that is offered to the residents of the state of Minnesota. The K-12 academy is another such online organization that is offered through districts in Utah and Idaho. The K-12 academy provides textbooks, note pads, testing assessment, and lots of fun learning materials. And it’s all free of charge!
Get the help you need with this article on Home Schooling and other great parenting tips at childnparent.com
August 23rd, 2007
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