Sometimes, naturally creative and intellectually curious children struggle in traditional classrooms. They might come to you with questions that their teacher can’t answer, have difficulty with typical homework assignments, or express a desire to learn about subjects not covered in their curriculum. How can you help your child understand complex topics and develop a love of learning outside of the classroom? Here are a few tips to increase your child’s knowledge of the world and show them that education doesn’t just happen in the classroom.
1. Turn to Educational Programming
Want to try an unorthodox learning method? Believe it or not, your television can be a great educational tool. Yes, there are great programs through PBS Kids and National Geographic, but there is a whole other world of educational programming your children can access. Streaming media devices have the advantage over cable and satellite of being able to offer a wealth of free channels you can use to enhance your child’s education.
For example, your child can learn about math, history, geography, chemistry, and even physics through the iEducation channel. Or, if your kiddo needs to work on their writing skills, Grammar Revolution TV helps them learn to diagram sentences through the use of puzzles. However, set a screen time limit of up to one hour a day and be sure to supervise it to make sure that it is age-appropriate and meets your standards.
2. Visit Your Local Library
Your local public library contains a wealth of knowledge. You can choose books to read to your child or help them find books that are suitable for their reading level. Plus, your library probably offers other free resources and fun classes that you and your child can take together. No matter which subjects your child is interested in learning about, you can find stacks of books, documentaries, and even educational magazines to help you answer all of their questions. Make visiting your library a regular weekend excursion to not only extend the learning outside of the classroom, but also enjoy some extra bonding time with your child.
3. Visit Museums
Is your child having difficulty understanding a topic related to science, art, or history? Perhaps a visit to a relevant museum will help them see the concept in a whole new light. There are plenty of engaging museums specifically geared toward children. While you’re there, your child can check out interactive exhibits, and on your drive home, you can discuss everything they learned.
4. Do Arts and Crafts
According to Think Fun, doing arts and crafts can be an enjoyable and relaxing way for kids to relieve stress. Plus, giving your child the chance to get crafty at home, where they know they won’t be judged or graded, is a great way to encourage them to express their creativity.
This can also provide the perfect activity for a rainy weekend afternoon. So, get out the construction paper, glue, scissors, paint, and any other fun supplies you can find at your local crafts store, and then let your child’s imagination run wild!
5. Model Learning
Returning to school online to earn a teacher certificate can be an excellent way to model the value of learning to your children. By pursuing further education and professional development, you demonstrate the importance of lifelong learning and the benefits of investing in oneself. Earning a teacher certificate can also provide valuable career opportunities, allowing you to make a positive impact on the lives of students and contribute to your community. Additionally, by sharing your experiences with your children, you can inspire them to pursue their own educational goals and instill in them a love of learning that will serve them well throughout their lives.
6. Go Hiking
Explore the great outdoors! If your child likes hands-on learning, take them hiking, or visit your closest state and national parks. Look up native flora and fauna so you can teach your child about the local ecosystems. They can learn about animals, plants, and nature, all without cracking a book. According to Best for the Kids, spending more time outside can actually help improve your child’s concentration skills; when they’re outdoors, they’re focused on their surroundings, rather than being distracted by screens.
Learning doesn’t have to stop outside the walls of the classroom. We all have our own unique learning styles, and not every child is suited to a standard classroom. As a parent, you can support your child in their individual learning journey by introducing them to new places, reading interesting books, and trying educational activities that you can enjoy together.
– Article and Resources Contribution by Jason Kenner
For parents, it is easy to follow hygiene habits since they already know about the importance of good hygiene (whether that is through the easy way or the hard way). However, it’s a different ball game when teaching personal hygiene for kids. It would help if you kept your kids healthy. And for that, we’ve created a simple guide. Let’s check the details.
Why is Good Hygiene Important?
Teaching kids personal hygiene habits is important for several reasons:
Promotes health: Good hygiene practices help prevent the spread of germs and illnesses, keeping children healthy at every stage of growing children.
Encourages cleanliness: Developing good hygiene habits at a young age can help children learn the importance of being clean and tidy, which can carry over into adulthood.
Builds self-esteem: Children who practice good hygiene feel good about themselves and have more confidence.
Tips for Teaching Good Hygiene to Kids
The purpose of a guide on teaching kids how to use hygiene products and maintain good hygiene habits is to provide parents and caregivers with information and tips on how to effectively teach children about proper hygiene practices, including hand-washing, brushing their teeth, and covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. The guide can also help children establish and maintain good hygiene habits that can contribute to their overall health and well-being.
1. Washing Hands
Regular hand-washing is crucial in preventing the spread of germs and illnesses. Encourage your children to make it a habit to wash their hands frequently, especially after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces or activities. Remind them to use soap and water, and to scrub for at least 20 seconds. Drying hands thoroughly with a clean towel or air dryer is also important since moisture is the best place for germs and bacteria to thrive.
For promoting proper hand hygiene in your house, you can put some posters inside the washroom on how to use hygiene products. Your kids need to not only wash their hands properly but also know when to use hand sanitizers and wet wipes. They need to wash their hands:
Before eating.
After touching frequently-touched areas.
Before and after treating wounds.
After touching pets.
After using the toilet.
Also, your kids will need to use hand sanitizers and wet wipes when the washroom is not at hand reach.
2. Brushing Teeth Twice a Day
Brushing teeth regularly is essential for maintaining good oral health and preventing tooth decay and gum disease. It is recommended to brush your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime, for two minutes each time. Using toothpaste can also help strengthen teeth and prevent cavities.
Make sure to supervise your children while brushing and flossing to ensure they are using the proper technique and to help them establish good oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime.
3. Covering the Mouth When Sneezing or Coughing
Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing helps to prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of illness. Encourage your children to use a tissue to cover their mouth and nose, or to cough or sneeze into their elbow if a tissue is not available.
Remind them to throw used tissues in the trash immediately and wash their hands after coughing or sneezing to further reduce the spread of germs.
4. Bathing Regularly
Regular bathing is an important aspect of good hygiene. It helps to keep the skin clean and free of dirt, oil, and bacteria that can cause skin irritation or infections. Encourage your children to take a bath or shower at least once a day, and to use soap to wash their bodies, including under their arms, behind their ears, and between their legs.
Teach them to wash their hair regularly and to rinse thoroughly to remove soap and shampoo. Regular bathing can help your children feel fresh, clean, and confident, and promote overall health and well-being.
5. Avoiding Touching the Face
Touching the face, especially the mouth, nose, and eyes, can introduce germs and bacteria into the body, which can lead to illness. Encourage your children to minimize face-touching, especially after being in contact with potentially contaminated surfaces or objects. Remind them to wash their hands frequently, especially before touching their face, to reduce the risk of infection. This simple habit can help keep your children healthy and prevent the spread of germs.
6. Cleaning and Disinfecting Surfaces
Regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently-touched surfaces can help prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of illness. Encourage your children to clean and disinfect their personal spaces, such as desks, keyboards, phones, and toys, regularly using an appropriate disinfectant.
Teach them the importance of cleaning these items to keep them germ-free and healthy. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces can be a simple but effective way to maintain good hygiene and promote overall health.
These were all the tips that you as a parent need to consider to teach your kids to take care of their bodies properly. If they follow the simple hygiene habits at your home, most probably they may follow them outside of the house as well.
– Article and Resources Contribution byArnold Williams
Are you looking for inspiration for helping your tween and teen grow? Are you tired of feeling run down and want guidance on how to feel better and be healthier?
Being in your 40s and 50s gets a bad wrap. Many people this age have spent years caring for their children and are typically at a stage now when the kids are more independent. This allows parents the opportunity to reclaim more of their time and identity. No matter where you are during this time, instead of dreading the idea of a midlife crisis, embrace the opportunity to rediscover your passions while keeping the bonds you have worked hard to develop with your children.
Here are five ideas that can help rejuvenate your zest for life:
1. Go on a Retreat
Taking time off from your busy schedule to go on a retreat and spending time in nature will help you meet new friends, as well as reconnect with yourself. Try something new like rock climbing, yoga, or meditation as you spend time away from home, and come back rejuvenated and ready to take on the world.
Getting out of your comfort zone, facing your fears, and taking part in new experiences will also boost your self-confidence, and you’ll feel better in your own skin – and mind – after a retreat.
2. Take a Break from Social Media
Too much time spent scrolling through your social media feeds can be detrimental to yourmental health and your self-esteem. Mind Help explains that FOMO, or the fear of missing out, doesn’t just plague the younger generations.
Mature people can also feel rejected and isolated or compare themselves negatively as they look at their friends’ “highlight reels” on social media posts. So log off and stay away from your electronics for a while. Instead, indulge in a book you’ve been meaning to read or relax in front of a movie or tv series your friends recommended.
3. Change Careers or Start Your Own Business
If you are always feeling concerned about your finances, consider adding to your revenue stream by starting a new side hustle from home. Using your personal computer, you can tutor students, become a personal assistant, help companies with their marketing campaigns, or perform a number of other lucrative activities that will make you feel more optimistic about your future.
When you know what you want to do, then revise your resume or CV to reflect that goal. Find a template for a CV online and simply add in your information. There are plenty of templates to choose from, and you can modify the font, colors, and text easily to make it into your unique document.
You could also start a new business if you are unhappy with your current employment. Think about what you enjoy doing and what skills you have. Then look online to see what people are hiring others to do for them. If you’re good with people and have an eye for colors and details, consider starting an interior design company. If you’re passionate about design, enjoy getting out to new locations, and think on your feet, then click here for more information about what it takes to get into the interior design business.
4. Spend Time With Old Friends
When you don’t have kids at home anymore, it’s easy to start feeling lonely and unneeded. But The Science of People encourages you to take advantage of the free time you now have to reconnect with old friends and gather together for coffee, dinner, a visit to an art gallery, or a fun night out. Chances are some of them are experiencing the same thing you’re going through with their own family, and they’re also craving opportunities for get-togethers with people their own age.
If you’ve lost touch with classmates you’d like to catch up with, turn to the Internet for help. You may be able to find them on social media or by entering the name of your school and the year you graduated or via mutual friends. Once you’ve located them, send them a message and revive your friendship!
5. Learn a New Skill
Take a class on a subject you have a deep interest in, such as art or photography, or spend time on a hobby that makes you feel accomplished, like puzzles, journaling, or cooking. Pursuing your passion can help you fight off anxiety and depression as it raises your happiness levels, whether you’re doing it solo or with a group of like-minded people. Your confidence will also rise as you start mastering your new craft, and you’ll be motivated to continue making self-care a priority.
BONUS: Make Time for Yourself
You have spent many years caring for other people. Now it’s time to really think about what you want out of life. As you go through a midlife crisis, keep busy and carve out time to experience new things. Keep depression and anxiety at bay as you work on self-care and increase your self- confidence. And make plenty of room for happiness as you embark on your new journey.
– Article and Resources Contribution by Jason Kenner
There are many challenges that parents have these days. Caring for a child can take a heavy emotional, physical, and mental toll on parents. Thankfully, there is a lot you can do to combat fatigue and maintain the energy you need to keep up with your child. I’ve provided some ways to help you quickly diagnose your level of parental fatigue and create a self-care treatment plan to get your well-being on track.
1. Assess Your Level of Fatigue
Start by evaluating your current fatigue levels. Rate your daily fatigue on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most severe fatigue you can imagine. For more help determining how fatigue impacts your life, ask yourself the following four questions:
● How is your sleep quality? ● How much time do you spend providing care to your child each day? ● How is your marital satisfaction? ● Do you have symptoms of depression and/or anxiety?
Thinking about questions like these can highlight specific challenges causing your fatigue or resulting from your fatigue. Understanding how fatigue affects your life can help you make a realistic self-help plan. Untreated parental fatigue can quickly lead to parental burnout.
2. Make Time for Personal Goals
Balancing your parenting roles and responsibilities alongside your personal goals can be challenging. When juggling the demands of parenting, it’s easy to set aside personal aspirations. However, making time for personal hobbies, pursuits, and passions can help you maintain your sense of self and gain greater fulfillment in your life.
Pursuing your passions or working towards personal milestones not only enriches your life but also sets a positive example for your children. Whether it’s picking up a new hobby, advancing your career, or dedicating time to fitness, prioritizing your goals can rejuvenate your spirit and enhance your overall well-being. Remember, a fulfilled and content parent is better equipped to nurture and support their family.
For example, if your current job feels too stressful or mundane, consider seeking a new position. Create a professional-looking resume to increase your shot at landing the job you want. To save you time, take advantage of online resume templates and tools. The best resume editor provides a library of professionally designed templates that you can customize with your information.
3. Set Boundaries and Prioritize Time for Yourself
During stressful times—or a stressful life—it’s important to maintain a self-care mindset. Turn your attention and energy toward daily actions that make a positive difference in your life. Focus on all the things you can control and forget about everything else. For example, make time regularly for movement, snack on fruits and vegetables, and go to bed early.
Importantly, practice setting boundaries without feeling guilty. It’s essential to carve out time that’s just for you. Whether it’s a quiet cup of coffee in the morning, a workout session, or simply reading a book, make sure you have moments each day or week that are dedicated to your own well-being. Communicate your needs to your family so they understand the importance of this time.
4. Prepare for Unwanted Outcomes
Directing your focus toward self-care can lead to a few unwanted outcomes. Be prepared for these, so you’re not caught off-guard. For example, prioritizing self-care might mean spending less time on household chores and parenting tasks, causing your partner to overcompensate. Talk to your partner about your needs so you can come up with a self-care strategy that works for everyone in your household.
Moreover, another risk involves relying on self-help techniques for treating mental health concerns. While mild depression and anxiety can be managed through self-care, it may be better to seek professional help if you’re dealing with severe and chronic symptoms. Under-treating mental health concerns can lead to persistent problems with fatigue that only worsen as the symptoms weigh on you.
Parental fatigue can be debilitating. If you’re feeling the effects of chronic fatigue, make a personal treatment plan so you can start feeling like yourself again. Embrace a self-care mindset and make time for personal goals, like changing careers or building a business. As you take daily, consistent steps to make self-care a priority, your energy will rebound and your zest for life will be back on the rise.
5. Connect with Other Parents
Sharing experiences with other parents can provide emotional support and practical advice. Whether through a local parenting group, online community, or just a casual meet-up with friends, connecting with others who understand your challenges can be incredibly validating and reassuring.
This connection not only alleviates stress but also allows for the exchange of tips and strategies that can make everyday parenting tasks more manageable. In essence, these interactions create a supportive environment where parents can recharge, find encouragement, and gain perspective, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being and resilience.
6. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Incorporating mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing, or even just a few minutes of quiet reflection can help reduce stress and improve your overall mood. These techniques can help you stay grounded and manage the everyday pressures of parenting.
By cultivating mindfulness, you can improve your ability to respond to challenges with patience and composure rather than reacting impulsively. Regular relaxation practices not only reduce stress levels but also enhance emotional resilience, allowing you the mental clarity to approach your roles with a more level-headed perspective. This self-care approach fosters a healthier mindset, enabling you to better support your children while maintaining your well-being.
7. Seek Professional Support When Needed
Sometimes, talking to a therapist or counselor can provide valuable insights and coping strategies. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you’re feeling overwhelmed or if you need guidance in managing stress and maintaining a healthy balance. By acknowledging when professional help is needed, you not only take proactive steps toward your mental health but also set a positive example for your children about the importance of seeking support and prioritizing self-care. This approach fosters a more balanced and resilient mindset, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for both parents and their families.
Nature-deficit disorder (NDD) is the concept that people (particularly children) are not getting enough quality time in nature due to the rapid development of electronic entertainment. It’s not difficult to see how the term could be viewed as legitimate, as we have seen evidence of NDD unfolding more and more each day since Richard Louv coined the term in 2005.
Nonetheless, it’s reversible. By prioritizing outdoor activities in your family’s normal routine, you can turn the table on NDD and guide your child (and yourself) to the many benefits that come from spending time amid the natural world. Here are some tips and resources to get you started.
From enrolling your child in a sport to taking your kids mountain biking or building a basketball court in your backyard, there are many ways you can help invest in your children’s future physical health. ● Permit kids to get dirty, and then provide some suggestions for how they can explore the outdoor space. Simple tools like a hand trowel and sidewalk chalk can get them started. ● Ensure your backyard space is safe for exploring little ones by cleaning up any chemicals, removing sharp objects, and taking care of dying or problematic trees. Then, search online for ‘best fence companies near you’ to protect your yard from uninvited guests. ● Teach your child some of the games you played when you were young (and screen-free), like Freeze Tag, HORSE, and Three Flies Up. Then, sit back and watch them enjoy summer. ● Encourage your child to try out a variety of sports, especially if they’re not naturally drawn to one. Practice as a family, too, and see what most catches their attention. Then, encourage your child towards that activity. ● Create ways to have family fun outdoors, like building a fire pit you can enjoy together in the evenings. There’s nothing better than bonding together over fire-roasted hot dogs and s’mores.
Plan Family Trips
Maybe a family trip is just what you need to get everyone on the right track! Perhaps you want to try a wilderness vacation for your wild bunch. For museum fans, put yourself in the middle of history by visiting a living history museum, or explore garden- and life-based open-air museums around the country. Last but not least, maybe your kids would love a trip to the zoo. If so, prepping them for the adventure will be even easier, thanks to these tips from Rocks for Kids.
You don’t have to let your child live without the benefits of spending quality time in nature. Learn what you can about NDD, be sure to invest in healthy activities your child can do, and think of fun family trips that will allow you to enjoy and explore the great outdoors. In no time, your child might even prefer being outside over staring at a screen!
– Article and Resources Contribution by Jason Kenner
Fitness tracking devices, Peloton bikes, and monthly gym memberships can all help families lead healthier and more active lives, but there are other, more affordable ways to adopt a healthy lifestyle. With wellness tips from shopping seasonally to purchasing top-rated products, households can achieve their wellness goals on just about any budget — and save money on things like healthcare costs, meals, and life insurance premiums.
To name a few of the ways in which healthy living can help families save money over time, households could spend less on trips to the doctor, food delivery or takeout, and expensive life insurance rates. In fact, one study showed that the annual medical costs for US adults with obesity were about $2,505 higher than for non-obese adults. Being overweight or obese could also mean paying higher life insurance premiums.
Below, Douglas Haddad explains how families can lead healthier lifestyles without spending a fortune on gym memberships, organic food, and home exercise equipment. Healthy living can certainly save families money over time, but they don’t have to invest much upfront to reap the benefits of eating well and staying physically fit.
1. Enjoy Physical Outdoor Activities
If your family is looking for ways to incorporate more physical activity and fresh air into each day, there are lots of different outdoor activities to enjoy on a budget. As a few examples, you could take daily walks in nature, locate splash pads in your area, go bike riding or roller skating, or challenge your kids to basketball games like HORSE or Around the World. Gardening also counts as exercise, and you could save money and eat healthier meals by growing your own food at home.
2. Shop Seasonally and Eat Less Meat
In addition to enjoying physical outdoor activities, shopping seasonally and eating more meatless meals can save you money while helping you to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Encourage your family to eat more asparagus, lettuce, and peas in the spring; grapes, peaches, and tomatoes in late summer; and warming vegetables like collard greens, rutabagas, and parsley in the winter.
Along with eating seasonally, you’ll save money and reduce your risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease by consuming less meat each week. You don’t necessarily have to become a full-time vegan or vegetarian, but going meatless just once or twice weekly could dramatically improve your family’s health.
3. Purchase Top-Rated Products for Your Home and Lifestyle
Quality products sometimes cost more upfront, but they can save your family money over time if you’re selective about the products you purchase. So before purchasing new products to support your family’s wellness goals — whether it’s a gadget for the kitchen or a piece of workout equipment — visit product review websites to research the items in question.
For example, maybe you and your partner want to buy a recumbent bike. By doing your homework before making a purchase, you’ll ensure you’re buying the highest quality products to help your family lead healthier lives. High-quality products tend to last longer than poorer quality items, saving your household money, time, and energy.
4. Consider Pursuing a Career in Wellness
As you learn about health and take steps to lead a more well-balanced life, you may develop a passion for wellness — and this passion could be used to earn some money on the side or start your own business. Look for some ways to turn your new passion for wellness into profit, whether it’s launching an affiliate marketing blog, opening a yoga studio in your community, becoming a health coach, or selling workout clothing and sports gear online.
5. Easily Collect Payments from Clients
When monetizing your passion for wellness, it’s important to stay on top of your client invoices to ensure you’ll get paid quickly and accurately each time. Try using this free online invoice maker template so you can easily create customized invoices that clearly display your brand name, logo, and contact details.
Customized invoices can be printed out and mailed to your clients or downloaded and shared via email, making it easy to bill your clients, get paid in less time, and earn the money you need to support your household’s healthy lifestyle.
Healthy Living is Possible on Any Budget
Leading a healthy lifestyle may seem impossible when you’re on a tight budget, but it’s actually easier than you’d think to eat well and stay physically active. From monetizing your passion for health and fitness to purchasing top-rated wellness products that’ll last for years, these simple strategies can help to promote good health while saving your family time and money in the long run. Nearly any household can adopt healthy habits, and doing so doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
– Article and Resources Contribution by Jason Kenner
Work with Douglas personally! Are you looking to gain more clarity, balance, peace, joy, and happiness in your life, all while effectively and efficiently handling your current day-to-day state of affairs? Click for more information on his coaching sessions. Please click here if you’d like to reach out to me for general inquiries, media appearances, and/or speaking engagements.
Have your child’s emotions or behaviors changed recently? Has this change persisted for more than a week or so? Provided is a link to resources to help you detect the warning signs of mental health challenges. Included is a free, evidence-based assessment and report for children 2-12 that contains actionable tools to support your family’s wellness. With the amount of stressors that many families have experienced in the past few years, it’s more important now than ever to check in with your child’s mental health for the sake of your child and your family. The tips in the following link from Slumberkins can help:
Safety is every parent’s top priority. However, ensuring that your child is safe can mean something different at each age. From infancy through toddlerhood and beyond, here’s what you need to know to avoid danger.
There aren’t any shortcuts for raising confident, well-adjusted, healthy kids. Yet there are nuggets of valuable advice everywhere you look. Starting with these top tips can help you navigate the challenges of each stage of development — and enjoy the adventure, too.
– Resources Contribution by Jason Kennerand Slumberkins.com
Work with me personally! Are you looking to gain more clarity, balance, peace, joy, and happiness in your life, all while effectively and efficiently handling your current day-to-day state of affairs? I am currently open to new clients for one-on-one coaching sessions. Click here for more information on my personal coaching sessions. You can e-mail me at: [email protected]
To your social, emotional, mental and physical well-being!
There are many things children need to learn to succeed in school, work, and life. Taking care of themselves, running a household, and managing time and money are just a few of the life skills to teach kids before they leave the nest. Children also need social and emotional skills.
Social and emotional learning equips children with the self-awareness and interpersonal skills to set goals, handle challenges, and make good decisions.
I will share six ways that parents can teach social and emotional life skills to children of all ages:
1. Talk about feelings
Children with a rich emotional vocabulary are better at recognizing emotions in themselves and others. Parents can use the RULER method to build children’s emotional vocabulary starting in pre-K.
The RULER method teaches children to:
Recognize emotions based on physical cues.
Understand what caused the feelings.
Label how they’re feeling.
Express their emotions appropriately.
Regulate their emotions.
In addition to teaching children to recognize their own emotions, instill empathy by sharing personal stories about feelings and exploring the emotions of characters in stories and books.
2. Promote prosocial behavior
Prosocial behavior is when people do things that don’t directly benefit themselves like being polite, sharing with a friend, and helping others. Prosocial behavior is associated with better interpersonal relationships and a positive self-image.
Promote prosocial behavior by noticing and praising good behavior, reading books about friendships and relationships, and modeling prosocial behaviors by treating others and yourself with respect and kindness. Help children understand the why behind social rules by drawing the connection between good or bad behavior and social consequences.
3. Set future goals
Long-term goals show what can be accomplished through hard work and determination and teaches kids to consider their future in decision-making. Start talking about the future when children are young to inspire them to dream big. Big goals like going to college may seem overwhelming or too far away, but parents can teach kids how to break their long-term goals down into a step-by-step plan.
Modeling is one of the best ways to do this. Have you been thinking about a career change? Maybe you want to get a degree that lets you work from home or earn your master’s to boost your earning potential. Talk to kids about your goals and strategies that let you achieve them, like earning your degree online or applying for financial aid. Persevering despite obstacles sets an example that children are sure to remember.
4. Teach habit formation
Every parent knows the importance of building healthy habits like good hygiene, a balanced diet, and an active lifestyle early in life. Consistency and clear expectations provide the framework for a healthy lifestyle while modeling gives kids an example to follow. However, this doesn’t necessarily teach children how to form habits.
Teaching habit formation gives children the skills to form good habits and break bad ones into adulthood. Ask children to reflect on how habits influence their lives, connect habits to triggers, and develop strategies for replacing old habits with new ones. Some children may respond better to a rewards-based system while others need to eliminate triggers to avoid temptation.
5. Use natural and logical consequences
Natural and logical consequences build self-discipline by directly connecting children’s actions to their consequences. An example of a natural consequence is not having a clean shirt to wear because they didn’t put their clothes in the laundry. A logical consequence, on the other hand, is carried out by a caregiver — for example, cleaning up a mess they made or losing driving privileges after taking the car without permission. Take time to explain when implementing consequences so children take ownership of their decisions and learn how to make better choices in the future.
6. Encourage resilience
Resilience is one of the most important traits parents can instill in their children. Resilience is what lets kids accept consequences and bounce back from failure instead of giving up when things get difficult. Children develop resilience in environments where they feel safe to make mistakes and take risks instead of shying away from challenges. Parents raise resilient children when they praise effort over achievement, teach children to problem-solve, and foster a flexible mindset.
Resilience isn’t just about letting kids fail but rather teaching children to cope with their emotions, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward. Parents also need to be mindful of how they talk about their own failures and frustrations. Do you dwell on the negative, or are you modeling a positive mindset for your kids?
Raising children who make good decisions involves more than setting rules and teaching healthy habits. For kids to take the lessons they learn in childhood into adulthood and beyond, they need the awareness and self-management skills to connect actions to outcomes.
– Article Contribution by Joyce Wilson (www.teacherspark.org)
Work with me personally! Are you looking to gain more clarity, balance, peace, joy, and happiness in your life, all while effectively and efficiently handling your current day-to-day state of affairs? I am currently open to new clients for one-on-one coaching sessions. Click here for more information on my personal coaching sessions. You can e-mail me at: [email protected]
To your social, emotional, mental and physical well-being!
Amusement parks and popular tourist spots might have been your pre-pandemic destinations of choice, but with the pandemic still in effect (going on two years now) and many places experiencing infection rates again on the rise, planning a socially distanced vacation may in fact be the safer way to travel with your family. Many destinations let you socially distance yourself from other travelers while still enjoying new adventures. Consider how much risk you’re willing to take and plan your family vacation accordingly. The following tips presented can help you plan an exciting and healthy getaway.
Book a Remote Vacation Rental
Instead of staying at a busy resort, book a vacation rental where you have the entire house to yourself. Choose a remote location, such as a cabin in the mountains or a farmhouse. In this case, you won’t have to worry about passing anyone in the halls or sharing an elevator with others.
Go Camping
Camping lets you explore nature and spend most of your time outdoors, where you’re less likely to be exposed to any of the strains of the corona virus, according to the CDC. Whether you prefer tenting or an RV, choose a less busy campground with large spaces to keep your distance from fellow campers. Plan outdoor activities such as hiking, scavenger hunts, and skipping rocks.
Take Private Tours
Some attractions have limited capacity or timed entry, but you’re still sharing indoor space with others. Consider booking private tours for various activities instead. You might book a private dolphin cruise or fishing excursion for your family, which gives you the experience without the exposure. If private experiences don’t fit your vacation budget, look for outdoor activities or less busy attractions. You and your family might enjoy taking a city walking tour or visiting a botanical garden.
Plan a Staycation
If you’re not ready to travel, plan a fun staycation. Put your phones away and engage in family activities such as:
Backyard camping. Set up a tent in your backyard. Roast marshmallows and hot dogs over the fire pit to complete the experience. If you’re not the outdoor type, camp in the living room.
Home spa. If you prefer pampering, set up a spa at home to enjoy facials, manicures, and other relaxing treatments.
Themed activities. Choose one of your favorite vacation destinations and plan food and activities around it. Recreate a seaside vacation at home with coconut drinks and beach ball games. Or, choose a favorite movie and plan games and dishes related to it.
Making some modifications to your house can make staycation outdoor activities safer and more fun, such as fencing in your backyard. The cost varies significantly based on the material, fence length, and location. Look up “fence installation near me,” and then contact several local fencing contractors to get quotes based on your specific needs. Check the credentials of each company including insurance coverage, licensing, and online reviews.
Tech to Take Along
No matter where your travels take you, packing tech makes your trip easier and safer. A smartwatch for kids with parental controls helps you keep track of your little one with built-in GPS. You can also upload medical ID information to have in case of an emergency. Be sure to pack extra batteries and chargers to keep all your devices powered on the trip.
Get Away as a Family
School breaks can still be fun with pandemic-friendly vacation ideas such as a staycation, booking a vacation rental, or going RVing or camping. Plan some private tours and take your tech along for added convenience and safety.
– Article Contribution by Joyce Wilson (www.teacherspark.org)
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To your social, emotional, mental and physical well-being!
Kids these days are developing a whole new set of skills unlike any other generation in history. They are going to school (whether in person or online) in the midst of a pandemic and facing a new set of challenges that is forcing them to learn differently and develop skills to adapt to a new style of education and way of living.
Moreover, children here in the United States are growing up witnessing division among people of different political denominations and strife as it relates to injustice among people of different race, ethnicity, and gender/sexual orientation. Kids who spend time on social media see and hear a variety of blasphemous acts taking place against all kinds of people from all different backgrounds and institutions. The messages about fairness, kindness, and equality that we want to resonate with our children are being contradicted and contorted, which makes things very confusing for a young developing mind.
Children are easily influenced by their peers and what goes on in the media. As parents, we want to inculcate a sense of moral responsibility and sound character into our children. This is why it is important, as adults in our society, that we model the pillars of character that we so desire in our children, which include care, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, honesty, and respect for all people.
The reality, however, is that everyone is different and each person carries with them their past, present, and future and is entitled to their own opinion. Now, it is one thing to have a difference of opinion with others. However, it is another thing to be sucked into an alluring quagmire of gossip and controversy and develop a negative thought pattern against a person, group, and/or institution where we find ourselves becoming stuck, angry, resentful, and pessimistic. It is easy enough to become entangled in this way of living and become unaware of the insidious, negative implications this behavior poses on our lives and those we most care about.
In order to raise awareness about the importance of social and emotional intelligence, we need to start at the homes and in the schools in order to best equip our children with the necessary tools to think critically and accurately recognize fact from fiction so they can appropriately and effectively handle a variety of issues, conflicts, and adversity as they arise throughout their lives.
Building a child’s emotional well-being is about showing them strategies on how to remain calm, understanding, and peaceful, all while maintaining a positive attitude and preserving a strong sense of character and integrity. So how and where do we begin?
GROWING UP IS NOT EASY
First off, we must remember that growing up is not a smooth and predictable ride for most kids. There are many factors that shape the development of a young person’s mind from childhood through adolescence. It can be hard, sometimes really hard for children, especially if they encounter adversity that requires them to make a decision to stand up for themselves and/or others, knowing it may not be the popular thing to do. They may find themselves part of a peer group that they really don’t want to be a part of and struggle to find a way out.
Growing up, I experienced and witnessed all kinds of bullying take place. I had choices to make as to whether I would join in on the action, or become a bystander and just sit on the sidelines, or rather step in and do something about it.
Being on the receiving end of verbal and physical abuse from my peers, while growing up, made it easy for me to decide which side of the fence I would take as I never wanted to see “the little guy” become a victim. But that is not always the case for all children who are bullied. Some resort to self-harming behaviors, while others become bullies themselves.
I will say that it would have been nice to have had someone in my corner when times got rough. Someone who I could count on when the bullies approached me and that I could trust to stand up for me. But that wasn’t my story.
The reality was that I needed to learn new skills that would help me develop resilience and become impervious to the verbal and physical attacks. I knew that when I stepped foot on the school bus each day, that I was on my own against “those kids” who were “looking to pick a fight.” I knew what it was like to battle in a war waged against me – time and time again – knowing that no one would come to my rescue when the confrontation began.
With that said, I also realize that there is a lot at stake for kids who stand up against bullying behavior. The child who makes the decision to support someone who is being picked on, bullied, or feeling outcast, is well aware that he/she may likely get backlash for it. These days, it’s not just physical or face-to-face verbal abuse that takes place. It’s also happening through text messaging, emails, and/or social media (a.k.a. cyberbullying).
I am so passionate about this topic, because I’ve seen how these defining moments in a young person’s life can shape their character and ultimately their course of life. In my opinion, the choices young people make in these moments largely defines their level of self-esteem and fulfillment they acquire throughout their life. I’ve written in more detail on this topic in a previous post “Teaching Children to Confront Bullying” where I offer helpful strategies on how children can stand up for themselves and others.
Research has shown that people who possess high self-esteem have no problem in empowering others and encouraging them to be their best. A leader with low self-esteem can often be controlling or even demonstrate micro-managing, oppressive behavior.
The message here for children is simple: When you see an injustice that is taking place in which you have the capability to do something about, the choice is yours and yours alone to act on. When something feels wrong and you know that it is negatively affecting someone or a group of people, it is important to act with courage and decide to DO SOMETHING.
At the school I teach, we reinforce five qualities of good character: kindness, trustworthiness, respect, fairness, and responsibility. The good news is that children can learn all of these qualities from a very young age and practice implementing them in a safe space at home and apply them at school, and within the community on a regular basis.
HOW TO EMPOWER YOUR CHILD
There are three primary things that children desire and that is to feel loved, understood, and accepted. These are at the core of developing one’s self-esteem and confidence to make decisions and understand that the outcomes are largely due to choices they’ve independently made.
Also, self-esteem consists of two main things:
1. Self-worth (a feeling that you matter and that you are heard) and
2. Self-efficacy (the ability to accomplish a task/solve a problem by yourself).
The more you get your child involved in decision-making, the more they feel that they matter. This is called “sharing the power” with your child to make them feel empowered. You can start when they are very young by giving them a choice as to what they would like to do. Putting them in charge of a task helps them develop leadership skills. I do this all of the time with my toddler as she helps set the table for dinner, empty the dishwasher, take the clothes out of the dryer, and pick up her toys and clean her room.
Another way to empower your child and facilitate a strong work ethic is if there are chores that need to be done, you can provide them with a list and ask them to select their top three choices. If they are little, you could have them choose between a couple of shirts and pants as to what they would like to wear. This is something my wife and I do with our toddler daughter and it makes her feel important and valued. Maybe once a week or every other week, you can offer your child a choice of a special meal or treat they would like and involve them in helping make it.
Another way to empower your child is to let them own their choices. With great power comes great responsibility (as Peter Parker once said) and the younger they are at learning this golden rule of life, the better it will serve them when the stakes are higher.
For instance, if they do not get a chore done by a time you have set for them, then the natural consequence is that they don’t get to engage in an activity that they would like to do. Let’s say they would like to play with a friend on Saturday and you’ve set a day and time for them to complete cleaning their room, yet by that time, it still hasn’t been done, then their natural consequence is that they they will not be able to go over their friend’s house until their room is clean.
Also, if homework assignment completion is an issue, or a grade isn’t to your standard, then privileges should be removed for a certain time frame. It is important to be upfront with your child in advance about this so they are well aware of your expectations (and consequences). This strategy works well with tweens and teens.
THE REAL SECRET TO BUILDING RESILIENT, EMPOWERED, AND HAPPY KIDS
The real secret to stacking the deck in your favor in ultimately raising resilient, empowered, and happy kids is to embody all of the qualities mentioned in this article in yourself on a day-to-day basis.
As so you desire in your child, becometh in you. How we personally react to adversity, setbacks, challenges on a daily basis will be witnessed, evaluated, scrutinized, and ultimately modeled back by our children. Our perceptions and viewpoints about this world will, in large part, be translated into our children’s formative beliefs and values that will carry with them throughout their lives.
If you find yourself looking for more strategies on how to build resilient, empowered, and happy kids, you can check out my best-selling book, The Ultimate Guide to Raising Teens and Tweens. In the book, I discuss a variety of in depth and practical time-proven strategies to help you strengthen your connection with your children and empower them in the face of adversity throughout their lives.
Work with me personally! Are you looking to gain more clarity, balance, peace, joy, and happiness in your life, all while effectively and efficiently handling your current day-to-day state of affairs? I am currently open to new clients for one-on-one coaching sessions. Click here for more information on my personal coaching sessions. You can e-mail me at: [email protected]
To the resilient, empowered, and happy childin all of us!
