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Category: Family

Tips for Volunteering with Kids

Tips for Volunteering with Kids

Taking the time to volunteer with your kids will help instill a sense of gratitude and empathy within your kids for years to come. There are many ways a family can volunteer together, but today I wanted to discuss some tips. These tips will help you enjoy volunteering with kids regularly so that you can teach them important life skills. The lessons and skills your kids will learn through volunteering can help them live a stronger, healthier, and more confident future.

Tips for Volunteering with Kids

Be a Good Role Model

You’re probably aware of how much your kids look up to you. When you become a good role model for how and when to volunteer in your community, you’re instilling this character trait within your kids. Make sure you volunteer regularly, even if you volunteer without your kids at times so that they can see the value in taking the time to give back to the community.

Make it Fun

Volunteering doesn’t have to be something boring that you do together. You can find an organization or community event that allows your kids to volunteer doing something they enjoy. You might try to volunteer at an animal shelter if your kids are in love with animals. Other kids may find that visiting a nursing home to volunteer their time is fun. Work with your kids’ unique personalities to match them with a volunteer idea that they’ll see as fun.

Focus on Abilities

While you may think your kid can handle serving people at a food shelter, they may not be equipped with the maturity or abilities to do so. Make sure you focus on the abilities of your kids so that you can select the right family volunteer activity that allows every member of your family to participate. Consider how well they follow instructions, utilize fine motor skills, and communicate before deciding on where you’ll start volunteering together.

Add it to Your Schedule

Making volunteering with kids part of your family schedule. Review what your weekly tasks and other necessary appointments look like. From there you can start to discuss a plan to volunteer with kids regularly. Having volunteering on your family calendar will ensure that it becomes a family priority to give back and help the community together.

Volunteering with kids is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling parts of parenthood. You’ll enjoy watching your kids develop a strong sense of gratitude, empathy, and community as they continue to volunteer throughout their life. When you opt to volunteer with kids using the tips to volunteering with kids I shared today, you’re opening the door to a whole new positive future for your kids and everyone in the community.

Here are a few resources below that can help if you are looking into more ways to volunteer with kids.

January 15, 2020
Reasons Why Pets Are Good For Kids

Reasons Why Pets are Good for Kids

Many parents are on the fence about whether or not to get a pet for their kids. Having a pet brings a lot of responsibility to the home. Regardless of what type of family pet you decide to bring into your home, they’ll need to be cared for. If you’re still on the fence about why you should get a pet for your kids, then continue reading to learn some of the reasons why getting a pet may be a great idea.

Reasons Why Pets are Good for Kids

Teaches Responsibility

Having a pet helps your kids learn some responsibilities. Your pet will need to be fed, watered, and some pets such as a dog will need to be taken outdoors to go pee and poop. Each family pet option provides your kids with a chance to learn how to be responsible for someone other than themselves.

Find everything you need to welcome your pet home!

Reduces Anxiety

It’s been proven time and time again that pets are good for stress and anxiety. You’ve probably noticed your family cat or dog’s behavior whenever a family member is sick, ill or stressed. They’ll often curl up near their human companion to help them. Petting a family pet helps reduce anxiety in kids and adults.

Builds Family Bonds

Having a family pet helps siblings have a familiar topic to discuss and something they can work together to take care of. Since everyone in the family will love the family pet, it also helps build the family bond through communication and discussions surrounding the family pet’s daily habits or whatnot.

Encourages Healthy Lifestyles

A family pet requires daily exercise. This will encourage your kids to live a healthier lifestyle as they walk the dog, play with the family pet rabbit in the garden, or run around with the pet cat in the home. This encourages your kids to get up and get moving more often.

Teaches the Circle of Life

While this is one of the hardest reasons why pets are good for kids, it is one of the reasons. A family pet will not live forward and in turn, having a long term family pet can help your kids learn the circle of life. While this is a difficult part of being a pet owner, it helps kids develop strong coping skills to handle future challenges in life.

In conclusion, pets are good for kids for many reasons. Having a family pet will encourage a strong family bond, healthy lifestyles, and a calmer demeanor among all family members. Being able to bring a family pet into your home is an excellent way to help your kids develop and strengthen many important life skills.

Read more pet tips here.

January 15, 2020
Why Is Sleep Important for a Mother?
Tired? Stressed? Overwhelmed? Are you getting enough sleep? Learn why is sleep important for a mother so that you’ll feel your very best for your kids!

As a mother, you are always on the go. You are juggling work, taking care of the kids, and trying to keep the house in order. It can be tough to get enough sleep when you have so much going on.

Many mothers find that they need more sleep than they did before they had kids. This is because parenting is a demanding job that can be taxing both physically and emotionally. When you are sleep deprived, it can be difficult to cope with the challenges of motherhood.

There are a few things you can do to try and get more sleep as a mother. Keep reading for great tips!

Sleep Tracker Printable

Why is Sleep Important for a Mother?

Sleep is Essential for Productivity

Staying up late one night might help you get that last project completed, but make skipping sleep a regular occurrence and it won’t be long until you find your productivity waning.

A lack of sleep leads to decreased focus, slower reaction times, decreased willpower and cloudy thinking. In other words, while you will have more time, you won’t be able to spend it wisely.

The tasks that should be quick and easy will suddenly take much longer than they would otherwise.

The next time you have an usually large amount you HAVE to get done–start the day by getting a good night’s sleep the night before.

Well Rested Mamas Are Happy Mamas

A lack of sleep doesn’t just affect your productivity; it affects your mood as well.

Miss out on sleep too many nights in a row and your family will know simply based on your negative moods.

If you want to be a fun, energetic, happy and engaged mama, getting enough sleep the night before needs to be a priority.

A Lack of Sleep Can Lead to Health Problems

Want to experience better health? Start with a good night’s sleep.

Studies show that people who regularly don’t get enough sleep are putting themselves at risk for health conditions including heart disease, stroke, illness, infertility, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.

A lack of sleep interferes with healthy growth and development and dramatically increases your chances of having an accident as well.

How Many Hours of Sleep do Moms Need?

Sleep is important for everyone, but it is especially crucial for mothers. Getting enough sleep can be difficult, but it is essential for both physical and mental health. So how many hours of sleep do mothers need?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as everybody’s sleep needs are different. However, most experts agree that adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

This may seem like a lot, but remember that new moms are dealing with a lot of stress and exhaustion.

Getting enough sleep will help you to feel more rested and better able to cope with the challenges of motherhood.

Tips for Getting Better Sleep

If you are finding it hard to get enough sleep, there are some things you can try.

First, make sure to create a calm and relaxing environment in your bedroom. This means removing any electronics from the room and making sure the temperature is comfortable.

Then, establish a bedtime routine that will help you to wind down before sleep. This could include reading a book or taking a warm bath.

Finally, try to go to bed at the same time each night so that your body gets used to a regular sleep schedule.

Here are more tips that can help:
- Turn off the electronics an hour before bed
- Avoid caffeine after 3 p.m.
- Maintain a daily routine, which involves going to bed at the same time every day.
- Wear comfortable clothes to bed
- Purchase a better mattress and sheets if needed
- Keep your room cool but not cold
- A fan or white noise machine can help you sleep better as well.
How to Sleep Better as a Mom

Five Energy Hacks for Busy Moms

Getting enough sleep may not be easy, but it is completely worth it once you develop the discipline and improved sleeping habits.

Whether you want to improve your productivity, your family relationships or your health, catching up on all of the missed sleep is the way to go.

How many hours of sleep do you get every night? Is it enough? What changes do you need to make today to help you begin sleeping more?

Printable Sleep Journal – Daily Monthly & Weekly Sleep Log
January 14, 2020
How to Create a Morning Routine

Routines are very important if you are a busy mom. Learn How to Create a Morning Routine to help you get your days organized!

I used to be a morning person–back before I had kids and I had nowhere to be in the mornings. Now, it seems as though every morning is a never-ending stream of “rush, rush, rush!” especially with the new school year starting and trying to figure out our new routine. Thankfully, I think we’ve finally settled into a good routine. We’re getting out the door quicker, and we’re having a more pleasant time doing it.

If you are still struggling with rushed and chaotic mornings like I was, then you’ll definitely want to try these five ways to streamline your morning routines. You may just find out that you like mornings after all!

How to Create a Morning Routine

Set Everything Out the Night Before

The last thing you want on a busy school morning is to be running around the house looking for shoes or keys. The less things you have to do or find in the morning, the better. Set complete outfits out on the dresser, set backpacks by the door and finish packing everyone’s lunches the night before. Make sure your keys are on the hook or in the dish, all permission slips are signed and your phone is fully charged. This will help eliminate last minute surprises and catastrophes.

Go to Bed and Wake Up Early

If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, your days are going to be off to a lousy start. Instead, go to bed early so you get the sleep you need, and wake up a little earlier so you won’t have to rush. Then, you can start your morning routine on a more rested and leisurely note.

Start the Day Doing Something You Love

Waking up a few minutes earlier also gives you time to start the day with something that you love. Maybe you like to exercise in the morning before the kids wake up. Maybe you like to go out on the back deck and enjoy a cup of coffee or some quiet time. If there is something you can do to get your day started out right, it is worth waking up an extra 15 minutes early to find time to do it.

Teach Your Children to Be Responsible for Themselves

The more tasks your children can do for themselves in the morning, the less you will have to do and the less stressed you will be. If your kids are school aged, they can be responsible for getting dressed themselves, making their beds, brushing their teeth and eating their breakfast. Using picture charts and timers is a great way to help them see what they need to do and to stay on task. Or make getting ready into a game. Once they’ve practiced their new routine a few times, hopefully it will become habit.

How to Teach Your Kids Responsibility

Get Rid of Distractions

If your morning routine is always busy and full of chaos, what distractions can you eliminate to help you streamline the process? Do you need to wait to check your email or do the dishes until later in the day? Do you need to put the baby to bed a little bit later so he will sleep in a little while you get the older kids ready? Think about which tasks distract you and find ways to work around them.

Are your mornings rushed and stressful? What steps do you need to take to streamline the process? Do you have any other tips to add?

January 14, 2020
Tips for Flying with a Toddler

Tips for Flying with a Toddler

Traveling by airplane can be the fastest way to get where people need to go. However, when traveling with a toddler it can also be the fastest way to create an uncomfortable situation for everyone.

I’ve had my fair share of flying with toddlers! Over the last 11 years, I’ve flown many times with my own children. We lived hundreds of miles away from home and airplane travel was the easiest way to travel home. The amount of items you have to pack and get through security is overwhelming enough. Add to that trying to keep toddlers happy and entertained while waiting to board, plus keeping them happy while flying can be a struggle!

Before parents book tickets for their family, learning how to care for a toddler on an airplane will help make sure that the flight is a little less stressful or overwhelming.

Before Boarding a Plane With a Toddler

The first steps to dealing with your toddler happen before you ever board the airplane. Make sure that the child is well fed and rested, is comfortably dressed, and has a few special items to content her with. Toddlers can easily become miserable when forced to sit in a small seat for any length of time, and this can become more so when they have needs that are not yet met. If a toddler needs a snack, a nap, and a special lovie, parents should get them before leaving for the airport. Make sure toddlers have used the restroom prior to boarding as well.

Depending on the age of the toddler, explaining what to expect on the flight can also help ease any fears and concerns that might come up. Parents can help their toddler understand how long the flight will be, what sounds and movements she might feel on the plane, and what to expect of the people all around. A shy toddler may become very nervous from the many people all around, parents can take steps to help her by reading books about airplane travel before hand.

Dealing With a Tantrum During a Flight

Toddlers throw tantrums very easily, and dealing with one in a crowded area is much harder to do than at home. Parents can take steps to deal with a screaming toddler by watching for the warning signs that a tantrum is coming and being prepared to stop it. Bring along a carry-on bag containing snacks, drinks, favorite toys, and simple games that toddlers can do in their seats. It also helps if parents learn the keys to gentle discipline so they can calmly, and effectively, keep their toddlers under control.

A screaming toddler on an airplane can cause a serious problem for other passengers, and for the parents. Keeping a toddler calm and under control is clearly a matter of importance for everyone. Parents can pack small books, or a portable DVD player to keep their toddlers quiet and in their seats.

Check out these Airplane Travel Kids for Kids.

Active Toddlers on Long Flights

Even with the speed of air travel, some flights can be especially long. This can be hard to handle with very active toddlers who need to get up and move. The easiest solution is for parents to book long flights over night. Parents can board their toddlers’ car seats on many commercial planes, and allow their toddlers to sleep through the flight in their seats.

Flying with toddlers can be a difficult experience for parents and other passengers alike. Even the most well behaved toddler can become cranky and upset during a flight. Preparing the toddler before the flight, making sure all her needs are met, and bringing along special necessities can make the flight go smoother for everyone.

Find more tips for toddlers here.

January 11, 2020
How Kids Can Help With Chores at Home

How Kids Can Help With Chores at Home

Kids are usually eager to spend time with parents, but household chores sometimes take up lots of mom and dad’s time. Why not have little ones help out? Ask yourself, “How can my kids help with chores at home?”

Children love to spend time with parents, and they are also eager to please mom and dad. Often, parents will have their children play in their rooms while they spend time on household tasks. Why not have kids participate in the activities they can? It’s time spent together while completing necessary chores. It also instills in children the need to do their share while empowering them.

Of course, it varies by age. Young children and toddlers won’t be able to do as much as older children, but only a parent will know his own child’s capabilities. Start out small and go from there. It’s cleaning and bonding time.

My kids are at the age where they are able to help out around the house with chores. They even earn a small allowance each week for completing chores. The main chores include loading and unloading the dishwasher, taking out the trash, folding laundry, and tidying up rooms. They are doing a great job with chores and as time goes on, they are getting better at each task.

Here are some ways that kids can help with chores at home.

How Kids Can Help with Laundry Chores

Laundry can be a daunting task for parents, especially when kids’ clothes enter the mix. While young children can’t take over the task, they can still help mom out. Here are a few things one’s child might be able to do:

Sorting Laundry:

A child can help with sorting laundry. Why not teach a child how to sort out separate piles of linens, lights, darks, etc.? Some children might not be ready for this task, but many will be.

Loading the Washing Machine:

Children can also help with loading the washing machine. While a parent might not want to have her child actually pour in the laundry soap, she can spend some time explaining that the detergent must be measured, and how to choose a cycle and temperature. Again, how much is explained will depend upon the maturity of the child.

Fold, Clean, and Dry Laundry:

Children can help fold clean, dry laundry. Obviously, a child will not be able to fold a sheet very well, but chances are he will be able to fold washcloths. He can also help put clothes away in their proper places. Even if a child only folds two washcloths while mom folds seven towels, it is time spent together.

Pre-Laundry Tasks:

Children can even help with pre-laundry tasks. When a child puts on his pajamas at bedtime, he can be taught that his dirty clothes always go into the laundry hamper.

How Kids Can Help with Kitchen Chores

Meals are usually a family gathering time, so why not have kids help with preparation and cleanup? Mom or dad will usually be the one putting the meal together, but there are often small tasks little ones can help with.

Sort Ingredients:

Kids can help sort ingredients. If dad reads off the recipe that they need two cans of refried beans, he can show the child where they’re located (provided they’re within the child’s reach) and let the child set them on the counter.

Open Cans:

Some children can open cans. It depends on the age of the child and the type of can opener.

Meal Preparation Tasks:

Some children can help with other meal preparation tasks, such as grating cheese or washing fresh vegetables.

Set the Table:

Children can always help set the table. Even if the child is too young to set out the plates and glasses, she can usually put out silverware.

Cleanup After Dinner:

Regarding cleanup, at the very least, a child can throw away her napkin and carry her cup to the sink. Older children can scrape their dishes or even help load the dishwasher.

Check out this variety of Chore Charts for Kids.

Other Ways Kids Can Help Around the House

There are a variety of ways children can help with household tasks. Sometimes all it takes is an imaginative eye. Kids can frequently pick up their own toys or pick up their own trash. Parents must decide if their child is mature enough to handle particular tasks, and then take the time to show them.

Children are usually eager to please and spend time with parents, so involving them in chores is a natural. As they grow older, most children need little supervision and will many times ask for more chores if they can earn an allowance.

Related: How to Teach Your Kids Responsibility

How to Teach Your Kids Responsibility

January 10, 2020
5 Signs Your Schedule is Too Full

As moms, we often want it all and we want it all right now. Yet, while there is nothing wrong with wanting to get the most out of life, sometimes this desire to live life to the fullest can come at a cost to both yourself and your family.

Are you one of the many moms out there who is struggling to stand up under a schedule that is packed to the brim? I used to be one of these moms. I remember that I had a calendar where just about every block on the calendar was FILLED with things to do! This eventually wore me out and I hit major burn out. This wasn’t good for anyone in my family and I made drastic changes. Now, I am happy to have a calendar that has more space for rest and my family vs. activities just to fill time. Here are five tell-tales signs that your schedule is too full and what to do about it.

5 Signs Your Schedule is Too Full

1. You’re Constantly Running To the Next Thing

You’d love to sit down and spend some quality down-time with your kids or take some time for yourself, but you can’t. You have to be at soccer practice in 10 minutes and then make cookies for the PTA bake sale after that. Even your “down time” is full of little tasks, and yet you never seem to get it all done.

2. You Feel Overwhelmed

You’d like to cut back and you know you desperately need to, but you don’t know how or where. You feel trapped by all of your prior commitments, and yet you can’t seem to say “no” anytime another opportunity arises. No matter how hard you work, you just can’t seem to get ahead. There’s always more to do.

Best Planners for Busy Moms

3. Your Health, Relationships or Work are Suffering

Your schedule is so full that your life literally can’t keep up with it all. You stop eating right and exercising. You can’t remember the last time you went out with friends. Whenever you sit down to do something productive, you simply can’t seem to focus long enough to get anything done. You become grouchy and irritated.

4. Others Don’t Know How You “Do It All”

When others routinely ask you “How do you do it all?” it doesn’t occur to you that you are doing more than you should. Instead, you take the question as a compliment and as validation that you are, in deed, a rock star, despite your diminished health, strained relationships and messy house.

5. You’re Chronically Tired

You frequently stay up late trying to get more done or to get ahead, even though you never do. When you finally get to bed, you either fall asleep immediately or you can’t sleep because your brain is still going a million miles an hour. Either way, you never wake up rested. You need a couple of cups of coffee just to make it through the day.

Of course, we all handle stress and busyness differently, but we all do have a breaking point. If you are at or past yours, then make today the day you do something about it. For the health of yourself and of your family.

Here are some things you can do if your schedule is too full:

Acknowledge that you want and need to make changes.

Learn how to say no to commitments that you aren’t passionate about.

Find tasks in your to do list that you can cut out to make room in your schedule.

Get support from family and friends to help you stay accountable to the new changes that you’d like to make to clear out and keep your schedule more manageable.

Pay attention to your health. If you are still feeling stressed, tired, run down, etc. even after making changes, consider seeking advice from a counselor for more help.

Making changes to your schedule may take some time depending on your current commitments, but over time, I think you may start seeing the positive effects from cutting back.

4 Ways Your Busy Schedule is Hurting Your Family

Is Your Busy Schedule Affecting Your Children’s Behavior?

Is your schedule overbooked? What affect has your overflowing schedule had on your life?

January 10, 2020