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Family Activities How To Learning Life Parenting

How to Teach Your Kids Responsibility By Using a Chore Store at Home

We all want to raise responsible kids that help out, take care of things, and understand the value of money. Sometimes it’s hard to teach these concepts, though. In our house, we use a chore store to get the kids doing chores and learning about earning/spending.

The chore store is something that I set up once each week, usually on Saturdays. Throughout the previous week, the kids work to each chore store money. For each chore they do, they earn one chore store dollar. When Saturday rolls around, they can choose to save their chore money for something bigger, or they can cash it in on the items in the chore store.

Since the kids can earn one chore store dollar for each chore, they can choose how much they want to earn that week. It helps them understand that the harder they work, the more they get rewarded. If you don’t want to use chore store dollars, you can also use chore charts from Dollar Tree and implement a way to earn rewards from the chore store with the chart.

You can put anything in your chore store, as long as you know your kids will like it. I pick up small things to add to it when I see something I know they’d love, but I typically get most items from Amazon. I also go to Dollar Tree for multi-packs of items to include.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Chore Store

What to Put in a Chore Store

The options for what to put in the chore store are limitless. I love browsing around for new items to add. Some ideas include:

1. Invisible Ink Pens

Kids love invisible ink pens, as they can pretend to be a spy or share secret messages with their friends. These pens were a hit in our chore store!

2. Play-Doh in the Chore Store

Play-doh is always a good option. No matter how careful you and your kids are, play-doh gets mixed together or dries out. When you keep play-doh stocked in the chore store, you won’t have to feel bad about throwing some away. I buy it in a 10-pack case for variety and excitement each time.

3. Pop Its

Fidget toys are super popular right now, with pop it’s being at the top of the list. These fidgets come in all different shapes and sizes, and your child will be excited to see them as a choice.

4. LED Lights

If my kids can save up the chore dollars, they can use them to buy bigger items. Sometimes I let them pick whatever they want on Amazon, but other times I keep items I know they’ll love in our store store. When they can see these bigger items, it encourages them to save up and work hard to get what they want. LED lights were a hit in my house.

5. Super Hero Capes and Matching Bracelets

These superhero capes and slap bracelets are perfect for your store. I love items like this because we can just throw them in the dress-up bin instead of having random little stuff laying around the house.

6. Kinetic Sand

Sensory play is always one of my favorites, and my kids love it, too. It’s easy to clean up and your child can do so much with it. These small, individual containers are perfect because you won’t have so much kinetic sand out at once. Plus, your child can choose it each time they earn chore store dollars.

7. Sand Art Kits

I was so excited to see these sand art kits on Amazon. As a kid, I loved sand art. I didn’t even realize they still made things like this!

8. Mini Animals Building Blocks Sets

If your child likes Legos, these are the perfect option for your chore store. The blocks are smaller than Legos, but they are still super cute. You can use them as a learning opportunity, too, if you teach your child about the animals they build.

9. Candy for the Chore Store

I don’t love including candy in your store, but occasionally I’ll add some. Ring pops are always a hit, so they are one of my go-to’s. I also add smarties and sour patch kids.

10. Make Your Own Bouncy Ball Kit

I love any toy that involves science and learning. These bouncy ball kits are so much fun, and they are easy to make. Then, your child can have fun with the ball they created, giving them positive feelings about learning.

11. Coupons

I love adding coupons to the chore store because it offers an experience rather than toys. You can print some pre-made coupons for your child, or you can create your own with paper and markers. Think about things your child loves to do, and create eye-catching coupons for them to purchase from your store. For some ideas of things to put on your coupons, check out this post – 15 Ways to Give Your Child the Perfect Day

12. Stickers in the Chore Store

My kids love stickers, and they are easy to find. I typically get the stickers from Dollar Tree, but you can pick them up pretty much anywhere. Target also sometimes has a good selection of stickers.

13. Crayons, Colored Pencils, or Markers

Crayons, colored pencils, and markers are always good options for the chore store. My kids love to have a fresh pack, so every couple of weeks they’ll choose these items. You can have fun with these items by including specialty packs or the mega box of crayons.

14. Books

We all want our children to read, but some books are expensive! I would never charge my child the same price for the book that I paid, but I still like to make them an option in the chore store. When your child gets to choose the book for themselves, they’ll be much more excited about it. Plus, the chore store is a fun treat so your child will associate books and reading with rewards.

15. Craft Supplies

Crafts are exciting, and they get your child’s mind going. When you see fun craft supplies while you’re out shopping, pick them up for the store. Your child will be so excited to see something new in there to choose from.

Chore Store

Using a Chore Store to Teach Responsibility and get Your Kids Doing Chores

Whatever items you decide to fill your chore store with, have fun with it! Be creative and choose items that you think your kids will be excited about. Anytime I see something that I think my little ones will like, I pick it up and add it to the chore store next time. My kids love seeing random little additions. What would you fill your store with? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Big Kid Health Healthy Living How To Kindergarten Age Learning Life Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

How to Help Your Kids Get Basic Health and Hygiene Down

As a parent, you likely want to improve your health and improve your child’s basic health and hygiene. It can be a battle to keep your kids clean, especially during the summer when they love to spend all their time outside. Teaching them how to look after themselves early on will set them up for a healthy and hygienic future. Consider these ideas to ensure they can take care of themselves as much as possible. 

Teaching Basic Health and Hygiene to Kids

Positive Reinforcement 

Kids love hearing that they did a good job, whether it’s at school, after playing sports, or any other time. When teaching kids the importance of basic health and hygiene, you can use this to your advantage. Giving them praise or rewards after sitting still during an appointment at places like ÈLAN Dentistry will stop them from worrying about unusual places and encourage them to take care of their teeth to get another reward next time. 

Modeling Behavior 

It is always essential for parents to be role models at home. Your home is where your kids will learn everything they can about life, especially if they haven’t started school yet. If you emphasize healthy living, whether through eating well, exercise, or getting enough sleep, they will copy this behavior. By doing this, they develop healthy habits early on, giving them a fantastic foundation to build on. On the other hand, if you don’t encourage healthy living and spend all of your time sitting on the sofa and eating fast food, it will be no surprise when they follow suit. 

Make Health Fun 

There is something about a healthy lifestyle that many kids want to avoid. They act like it’s not cool to enjoy fruit and vegetables or to exercise. To change this attitude, you need to make health fun. You can find health and wellness activities that your kids will love, and they can teach them about being healthy without them feeling like they are learning. Other options include singing songs about health with them, especially when bathing or brushing their teeth. The songs will help your child associate this routine with something enjoyable, making them more likely to pursue it. 

Basic Health and Hygiene Gives Them Opportunities 

Your kids will never embrace the magic of exercise and activities if you don’t give them the opportunities to do so. Signing them up for sports clubs, such as soccer or basketball, will keep them fit and active. Additionally, consider teaching them how to ride a bike or take them to swim classes. As these are two common skills, it will allow your child to do other things with their friends when they get older.

Healthy and Happy 

It’s no secret that a healthy child is a happy child. By encouraging excellent health and hygiene practices, your kids will grow up feeling good. It minimizes the number of infections or other problems that can impact children who aren’t educated on hygiene.

Basic Health and Hygiene For Kids

Parents know that keeping their child clean all of the time can be quite a challenge. You might feel like you constantly have to chase after them to keep them clean. Fortunately, you can teach basic health and hygiene for kids. While you will have to help your child sometimes, they will be much more independent regarding taking care of themselves.

What are some things you have done to teach your child about basic health and hygiene? Leave a comment and let us know!

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Adulting How To Life

4 Important Things to Consider When Choosing A Lawyer For Your Family

Your family may require the services of a lawyer for many different reasons. You might need a lawyer for child support or custody, property management, medical negligence, or an accident. Whatever the reason, you’ll need to ensure that you choose the right attorney for your family. To help you make an informed choice when choosing a lawyer, keep the following areas in mind.

Things to Consider When Choosing A Lawyer

1 . Determine Your Needs 

When you’re choosing a lawyer, start by determining your needs. Determine the specific issue you need help with, and look for a lawyer that works in that niche. There are many different types of law, and choosing a specialist maximizes your chances of success.

You might require a divorce lawyer, a car accident lawyer, a corporate lawyer, or a criminal defense lawyer. Check this website to know how a lawyer can help settle your case. Veterans affected by mesothelioma can work with a specialist mesothelioma lawyer to represent their case. Whatever your problem is, it’s best to seek specialized support.

2. Focus on Experience 

When you’re choosing your lawyer, focus on how much experience they have. Ask how long the attorney has been practicing law and how many years the company has been around. When you’re assessing experience, focus on how many cases have been successful.

You can ask the attorney, read the website, and look at online reviews. There are several law review sites where you’ll find testimonials and reviews. With the help of this info, you’ll be able to make a great decision.

Make a list of questions to ask each potential attorney. Focus these questions around their successes, strengths, and likelihood of winning your case. It’s important to trust your gut feeling and never commit to working with a lawyer if something doesn’t feel right.

3. Think About the Location

Don’t forget to consider the location when you’re choosing a lawyer. If you’re happy to meet via video call, you can choose a lawyer farther away. If you prefer to meet in real life, you’ll need to restrict your search. Remember, the most important thing is choosing a lawyer that you feel at ease with. You’ll need to trust this person and be confident in their abilities.

4. What’s Your Budget 

You’ll need to consider the budget when you’re choosing an attorney for your family. Ask about the prices and the billing structure. Find out how much you’ll be required to pay and when.

Generally speaking, more complex cases involve higher fees. If you choose the best law firm with the best reputation, this may be more expensive. Equally, beware of firms that offer ‘too good to be true’ low fees.

Those who can’t pay for a lawyer might find a pro bono lawyer or get legal aid. There’s no guarantee that you’ll qualify, as it depends on your situation. When it comes to managing your family, you’ll need to budget all your expenses.

Choosing A Lawyer

When you’re choosing an attorney for your family, this should be a decision that you make together. Ensure that everyone is happy with your legal representation before moving forward.

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Parenting

3 Things That Might Cause Movement Issues In a Young Child

As soon as children are born, they are learning to navigate the world through touch and movement. In the beginning, children can’t move around on their own and lack control. As they grow, they start crawling around and eventually walking. Some children will experience movement issues that make their development difficult, though, and parents must watch out for potential problems.

It’s common for parents to worry that their children are not crawling or walking soon enough. All children develop at a different rate and, even though there are some general milestones they should meet, you don’t need to panic if they develop a little slower. You should be concerned if you notice a big difference in their ability to move around and explore the world, though.

Things That Cause Movement Issues in Kids

Ataxia 

Ataxia is a brain disorder that causes movement issues in kids. It affects the cerebellum, which is the area of the brain that governs movement, and it causes children to be uncoordinated and clumsy. Ataxia may also lead to problems with balance and affect their ability to speak.

There are several different causes of ataxia, including autoimmune diseases, head traumas, infections, strokes, or even brain tumors. It can also be an inherited condition, so if one of the parents suffers from it, the child should be evaluated, too. Many potential causes of ataxia are serious, so if you notice a difference in the way your child moves, you should seek medical advice right away.

Cerebral Palsy 

Cerebral Palsy is a condition caused by brain injuries, and it is usually due to complications during birth. There are many different types of cerebral palsy and the type is determined by the area of the brain that has been injured.

Ataxic cerebral palsy is a rare condition where the symptoms of ataxia occur in people with cerebral palsy. Usually, the condition will be recognized when the baby is born because it results from a difficult birth but can be missed. It is typically characterized by tightness in the muscles, leading to jerking movements and loss of control. 

Chorea

Chorea is an involuntary movement disorder that can affect children as well as adults. It is the result of overactivity in areas of the brain that govern movement. The movements are subtly different from the movements you may observe in a child with other movement conditions. They appear to flow from one muscle to another, and they are not usually repetitive or rhythmic. In some cases, medication can treat and manage the condition, but it may not always help. 

Movement Issues

Movement Issues in Kids

The way that your child’s movement develops is so important. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, you must seek medical advice right away. Finding the cause of movement issues can help you get your child the help they need.

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Adulting Finances How To Learning Life

7 Things to Do When You Suddenly Realize Your Career Is Going Nowhere

Getting locked into a career that’s going nowhere is never a positive experience. You feel like you’ve traveled a long way, but there’s no room left to run. You have a choice of sticking it out or starting all over again, making things look bleak. It’s never a good feeling when you realize your career is going nowhere, but there are some things you can do.

Fortunately, you’re not the only person to have ever encountered this situation. Every year, millions of people find themselves in careers that prevent them from getting the lives that they want. 

It’s not just the money that’s the problem either. Some people see themselves in dead-end careers if the work is uninspiring and turning their entire lives into a chore. 

Being stuck in a job you hate can cause mental distress and even panic. One day, you suddenly wake up and realize “this is it; this is my life.” And that can be a depressing experience. 

So how should you respond in situations like this? Let’s take a look. 

1. Go Deep and Look Outside Your Job

Before you start making life-changing decisions, try going back to what made you start your career in the first place. Try to work out whether the idea came from inside you or from external forces. 

Usually, people fall into work that they think they should take, not what they want to take. They get an idea from an authority figure and then pursue it as though it were their authentic choice. More often than not, this ends in disaster. You wind up in a career that doesn’t inspire you. 

If your job was your choice, think about what changed. How did it differ from what you were expecting? Have your priorities changed over the years

The more of these questions you can answer, the better position you put yourself in to choose a better path in the future. You may find that the problem is not with the work but your approach. Perhaps no job will ever be what you are looking for. 

If your job makes you feel depressed about your future, start exploring things outside work. Your life doesn’t have to revolve entirely around your primary occupation. For example, exploring new interests, like taking up violin lessons for adults, could be a transformative and fulfilling way to broaden your horizons beyond the confines of your current career.

Engaging in things you love outside your job gives your life a new focus. Suddenly, your work is just a tool you’re using to enjoy the rest of your life more. It’s a necessary evil.

However, when you look outside your job, you also increase your options. Suddenly, you have opportunities to pursue things that you never imagined that you could before. You might be able to turn a hobby into paid work if you get good enough at it.

2. Switch Up Your Role

Sometimes you don’t have to stick with the exact same role for years on end. Managers often look to promote people – or just give them something different to do. If your problem is boring work, then ask whether you can try something else. Prove that you can do a great job and you may find that new roles open up to you in the future. 

Switching up your role also makes you more attractive to other employers. Broadening your skills base can be a great way to find companies that offer better career prospects. Remember, the problem may not be your industry but rather the organization you work for. 

3. Invest In Yourself

Investing in yourself is a great idea, regardless of whether you’re happy with your career. As you improve your skills, you become more valuable, which is always a bonus.

How you invest in yourself is entirely up to you. Generally, there are two paths that you can take. Either you can: 

  • Train in something that will improve how you perform in your current role
  • Build a new skill

What you choose depends on your circumstances. If you are in a low-skill job, then training likely won’t help much. However, if you are in a high-skill field, then training can be a great way to enhance your overall career prospects.

In many cases, you’ll want to build an entirely new skill. That’s because some careers offer substantially more opportunities than others. 

Take https://www.abcksmo.org/training/plumbing-program/, for instance. This program allows you to train to become a plumber, which is a great occupation for anyone who likes to work with their hands. It’s also higher paid than low-skill service sector jobs, making it a great option for anyone who wants to progress financially. 

You can also invest in yourself by taking online courses that prepare you for high-value roles. Things like nutrition or sports therapy are great options because they are in high demand. 

You can also try investing in personal growth. You might think you are in a dead-end job, but there are almost certainly better, higher-paying positions in your organization that you could potentially occupy. Often, the problem isn’t the firm itself, it’s your self-limiting beliefs. If you can overcome these, you are much more likely to get the roles you want.

4. Network With People Who Do Work You Love

Try networking with people who do work that you love – things that really excite you. This way you can get your foot in the door and register your interest. Many people will see that you have a passion for the work, even if you don’t have a history with it. And that can be sufficient to make them want to explore working with you further. 

You never know the career opportunities available to you before you start exploring. Roles come up all the time that allow entry-level people currently working in other careers to get their foot in the door. 

When you speak to people already in the industry, you also find out whether the work is a good option for you. Building out your network allows you to get important insider information about what it’s like to work for particular firms and how they might be able to provide you with a more fulfilling professional life. 

5. Look At Why You Feel Stuck

Before you start making life-changing decisions about which career path to pursue, take some time to think about why your career is going nowhere. Is it because of the way you are approaching it, or is it rigged against you in some way? 

When you feel angry, frustrated, or bored, it is tempting to give up and let it all go. You can’t see any positives from your work and you imagine that things will be better somewhere else. 

But when you dig deeper, you often discover the real reasons for your feelings. Having a boss that you don’t like, for instance, can make you feel like the whole job is grinding you down, even if it isn’t. You may also feel like your work is no longer challenging, and that’s becoming a problem. Or, you might be angry because somebody else got a promotion and you didn’t. 

Take some time to think about what you need to do to get unstuck in your career. Be honest about whether other aspects of your life are affecting how you feel. Are you doing everything you can to be the best human being that you can be? Are you eating the right foods, spending time with the right people, and getting enough sleep? 

If you’re not, it could have profoundly negative consequences for your psychology. You may actually be in a role that suits you well, but your behaviors elsewhere are harming your enjoyment of it. For example, staying up late drinking on nights before work makes your job far less enjoyable. 

6. Don’t Panic If Your Career Is Going Nowhere

Many people panic when they realize that their careers are going nowhere. They feel like it is robbing them of their dreams and they don’t know what to do. 

If you can, try to stay calm. As you have seen in this post, there are plenty of options for people in your position. Just because your career sucks right now doesn’t mean that you’re stuck with it forever. Transitioning to a new career may take several years, but making it happen is easier than you think and something that people do all the time. Sort out the rest of your life and just focus on making the changes that you need to make. 

According to https://www.themuse.com/advice/what-to-do-when-you-realize-youre-in-the-wrong-career, many people immediately jump to the worst-case scenario when they realize they are in the wrong career. They imagine that they will still be working in it up until retirement and beyond. But, of course, that’s rarely the case. Shifting to a different occupation takes five years at the very most, and usually much less than that. 

7. Consider A New Career

If you end up feeling as though your current career isn’t right for you, then it might be the time to consider a new one. That could be relatively minor, such as choosing to work for reputation management companies rather than a more traditional marketing firm. 

It could also be a major change, like turning from teaching to becoming a virtual assistant or blogger. Regardless of how large of a change this is, there’ll be more than a few things to keep in mind. Changing careers could be relatively tricky, after all.

The most notable aspect is to have a look at what your current skills and passions are. You can use these to determine what the most appropriate new career is. If you can’t think of one right away, don’t worry.

Instead, it’s worth spending time considering what the most rewarding path forward will be for you. Once you’ve decided on that, it’ll be time to get moving. You should keep a few steps and tips in mind when you’re doing so.

The largest of these are:

  • Have an action plan.
  • Use your professional network.
  • Consider educational resources and opportunities.
  • Stay motivated.
  • Rebrand yourself.

While changing careers can still be relatively complicated, you can simplify it significantly with each of the above. It should be seen as a last resort if you realize that your career is going nowhere. If there’s no other way to rectify the issue appropriately, then it may be worth considering.

Recap: When You Feel Like Your Career Is Going Nowhere

Don’t sit around hating your life when you feel like your career is going nowhere. Remember that you are in control of your life, and you can make any changes that you desire. Use these tips to help figure out why you feel like your career is going nowhere, and then make the necessary changes.

Have you ever changed careers because you felt like yours wasn’t going anywhere? Leave a comment and tell us about it!

Do you want to make money blogging like I do? Check out this post —-> How to Start a Blog in 3 Easy Steps (and what to do next!!)

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Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Health Healthy Living How To Parenting

3 Ways to Support Your Child’s Sports Hobbies and Encourage Physical Activity

It’s normal for children to fall in love with sports at a young age. While many children find themselves stuck indoors playing video games, there are plenty out playing sports and joining teams. If you want to encourage healthy habits like sports, you’ll need to support them throughout the entire journey. So, here are a couple of tips to help support your child’s sports hobbies.

How to Support Your Child’s Sports Hobbies

Accept The Type of Sport That Your Child Wants to Try

Your child is going to want to try a variety of sports. Whenever they see something cool on the internet or TV they’re going to want to try it. Or, when they see their friends playing something, they’ll want to check it out. Even if it’s something like boxing, swimming, or even car racing, there are going to be sports that you might be concerned about because it could put them at risk of an injury.

Whatever your child wants to do, support them and ensure they get the help they need to safely try it. Don’t force your child into a particular sport, either. If they suddenly don’t enjoy something, don’t question them too much because they can always return to it later.

Understand That it’s a Commitment on Your Side Too

When the sports season starts for our children, it’s important that you’re there to support them at all times. You must commit as much as your child is, and this often means attending all of their games.

You may have to choose between attending a work-related event and showing up at your child’s next match. In a situation like this, you should almost always choose your child over your work.

Prepare For Your Child to Get Hurt, Because Eventually They Will

Sports are physical activities, and that means your child will eventually get hurt. Many parents will do everything they can to prevent this from happening, but sooner or later, it’ll happen. Your child might get tackled, sprain an ankle, or they might even damage a muscle.

Whatever the situation is, prepare to support your children as they recover. Plus, we need to educate our children about safety in sports. You might want to look for specialists such as a podiatrist that understands sports injuries, and you might want to learn a few first aid skills yourself so that you can quickly deal with any potential injuries during practice.

Support Your Child’s Sports Hobbies

Supporting your child’s sports hobbies can be time-consuming, but these tips can give you do it confidently.

Leave a comment and share some other ways to support your child’s sports hobbies! 🙂

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Big Kid Learning Parenting Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

8 of the Best Back to School Finds for 2021-22 School Year

As crazy as it seems, back to school is upon us already. With four kids to school shop for this year, I’ve already been buying things and making plans. Amazon is one of my go-to’s for the best back to school finds. I can find deals that aren’t in stores, and they have a wide variety of products to choose from. Plus, I don’t have to leave the house which is super helpful.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

back to school, back to school finds

Best Back to School Finds

1. Crayola Washable Project Paint, 6 Count

We always need project paint, so I stocked up on these. I try to avoid rushing out the night before a project is due when I realize we are missing key components.

2. Academic Planner

Preteens and teenagers can get organized with a planner, helping them keep track of events and assignments. If they can get organized right from the start of the school year, they’ll have a greater chance of success.

3. Backpack

A backpack is a back-to-school essential, and Amazon has them with built-in USB chargers. What could be better for a middle schooler or high schooler? Plus, this backpack is designed to safely hold a laptop, allowing for easier back-and-forth between home and school.

4. Kindle Kid’s Edition

The kindle has a black and white glare-free screen, intended for reading and not playing games. The Kid’s Edition comes with one year of Amazon Kids+, allowing them to choose books from a wide variety of books. It even includes the complete Harry Potter series! Your child can bring their reading material with them anywhere, and the battery life can last for weeks.

We love this kindle because it allows us to save time on busy weeknights. The kids can get their reading time in while we drive to and from sports practices and other events.

5. Ear Buds

We always need earbuds at home, and they’re on all of the kids’ back to school lists from school, too. These ones work well for the price and you won’t feel bad replacing them (which will happen).

6. Pens and Pencils

Pens and pencils are a back to school must-have. Our middle schooler loves the G2 pens, and the elementary school is requesting Ticonderoga pencils for the littles.

7. Elmer’s All Purpose School Glue Sticks, 60 Count

This mega pack of Elmer’s glue sticks will last the entire school year. You will have plenty to send to school with your child and still keep enough at home. We use glue sticks all the time, so I love when I find a good deal.

8. Involve & Evolve Insulated Water Bottle With Three Lids

Keeping your child hydrated during the school day is easy when you know they have a water bottle. These ones are cute, and each water bottle comes with three lids. You can choose from a stainless steel cap, a push-pull sports cap, or a straw lid. It also comes with two straws.

Back to School Finds

Don’t wait until the last minute and then scramble to find everything at your local stores. Get started now with these back to school finds from Amazon. Have you started school shopping yet? Leave a comment and let me know!

I created a few back to school printables to help you get everything you need. There are different ones for each age range, so check out my post: 8 Ways to Get Ready For Back to School (Free Printables)

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Adulting How To Learning Life Parenting

4 Ways To Talk To Your Children About Death Without Scaring Them

There are many hard topics that come up in the course of parenting, but when it is time to talk to your children about death, it is probably one of the hardest to discuss. Children are innocent and impressionable, and this is a conversation that requires careful explanation. It’s not always easy to do but when it comes to talking about death, children need you to be honest. The details of the death aren’t something you want your children to find out about by accident because you then cannot control the conversation. 

This conversation happened to me a couple of weeks ago with my 5-year-old daughter. She randomly asked, “mom when do we die?”, and I replied honestly that no one knows when they will die. My husband thought I was too straightforward and would scare her, but it actually opened up a new line of questioning. She wasn’t scared or worried, and she had all of her questions answered.

Children are incredibly intelligent and easily able to adapt to an idea. When you discuss death, you might find that they are going to ask a ton of questions. The questions won’t always be easy to answer because you want to keep them innocent while still being honest, but you can do it.

It’s a balancing act, and whether you are discussing the details of actual death or you’re talking about the cremation information that’s out there from planning your own funeral, you need to plan this conversation out. It might help to have the support of another adult while you’re talking about death to your children, as they can answer questions with you. The beliefs that your family holds (spiritual or religious) are going to make a difference to the way that this conversation goes, too.

How To Talk To Your Children About Death

1. Start With What They Understand Already

Ask them what they know about death and what happens when you die. Talk about it in terms of flowers and the trees first, and then move on to talking about pets that may have passed away. Once you think it’s appropriate, move onto family members and their deaths.

2. Remember to Use the Right Word

When you’re explaining death to your children, you have to use the word “dead”. Don’t sugar coat it with “up in the sky” because children are very literal. Explain the way burial and cremation works, but using the word “dead” will avoid any issues with understanding. You can convey the finality that comes with death this way.

3. Be Descriptive

You don’t have to talk about what happens to the organs and the body after death during the process of deterioration, but you should think about what you will say about the body not working anymore. Talk about the heart stopping and the fact that they won’t be able to move or talk anymore. 

4. Practice

It’s not an easy conversation to have, so practice what you might say with another adult first. This will help you feel confident with your language and the words that you use. Focus on getting the message across about death being the last thing to happen. Practicing with another adult will also give you a second opinion on what you should say, so make sure it’s an adult with a valuable opinion.

Talk To Your Children About Death

Talking to children about death is a part of them growing up. Things and people around them will die, and being coy about that will only lead to confusion as they get older. Have this conversation while they’re young so that they can fully understand what is happening.

What tips would you add to this list? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities How To Infant/Toddler Learning Kindergarten Age Learning Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Fun Toddler and Preschool Age Learning Uncategorized

Have Fun Learning: 4 Mom and Child At-Home Activities

The world has dramatically changed and with it, a lot of negatives and some positives have risen. We don’t need to go into the negatives, that much is obvious. The positives however are more surprising. Technology has rapidly shifted and improved so that remote working has become the norm. With this trend, a few other new possibilities have been born. For one thing, ways to have fun learning have become far more accessible. It’s not just about education like virtual schooling, but other things such as hobbies, activities, and crafts have made it into the virtual world, too. Let’s look at some fun mom-and-child activities you can do at home now.

How to Have Fun Learning Through Mom and Child Activities

1. Online Art Classes

Children love to draw and paint. These creative activities allow their imagination to thrive and develop. Sketching, painting, drawing, learning to shade and draw depth, and bringing a picture to life is a life skill that is so rewarding.

Getting started depends on what type of art you want to create. Here is a list of options.

For sketching – New Masters Academy Arts: They have instructors who have drawn for Disney, Sony, and other Hollywood studios.

For a bit of everything – Art Production Fund’s Digital Art-Making Workshops. They have some famous artists like Ryan Flores, Angelica Hicks, Lucy Sparrow, etc.

For watercolor paintingNitty Gritty Studio. It’s a YouTube channel run by Merideth. She’s a classic painter and she’ll show you beginner techniques.

2. Language Lessons

Living in a diverse country, learning a new language is always a beneficial idea. If your child wants to learn a popular language, then Spanish lessons are a great option. The language tutor should be experienced, and choosing one that is native in that language is helpful, too. If they are a native speaker, then they can tell you the ins and outs of slang, regional dialects, and anything else you should know.

The tutor should also be comfortable teaching virtually. Being familiar with Zoom is a must, and that usually means you’ll want a younger tutor. A younger tutor is also good for the child because they can relate to them, whether it’s with the areas of the language they want to learn like music, reading, artwork, poems, etc., or with another aspect of relatability.

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3. Gardening

The sun is shining and the warm weather brings the perfect temperatures to learn about gardening. Doing gardening projects with your children helps them learn about nature, taking care of something living, and just getting a little messy and exploring different textures. Online gardening lessons are pretty easy to join. You just select the age group, the type of project you want to do, and the tutor you’d like to work with. If you download the Zoom app on your phone, you can show your tutor what you are working on and receive tips for improvement.

4. Monthly Subscription Boxes

You can sign your children up for monthly subscription boxes based on anything that they want to learn. Using these boxes will help them recognize their passions and develop their skills early on. There are options for book lovers, aspiring artists, science topics, dress-up, pottery, and so much more.

Check out my post 4 Fun Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids: Non-Toy Gifts for Kids to learn more about this.

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Have Fun Learning With Mom and Child Activities

At-home learning with mom and child is a great way to bond and learn something new yourself. Whether it’s language, art, science, or gardening, you can have fun learning at home. Leave a comment and let me know which option you want to try with your kids!

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3 Important Things You Need To Know About Your Baby’s Skin

Typically, babies are known for having very smooth and soft skin. Many adult skincare products will advertise themselves as providing results to make your skin as soft as a baby’s, but that doesn’t mean it should be used on your baby’s skin.

There are some fundamental differences between your skin and your baby’s skin. It is essential that you know the differences to ensure that you’re looking after your newborn and taking care of their skin properly. 

Things You Need To Know About Your Baby’s Skin

1. Baby Skin is Thinner

A newborn baby’s skin is significantly thinner than that of an adult. This is because the skin starts developing while they’re in the womb, but it doesn’t stop until around a year after birth. So, for that first year, your child has very thin skin, meaning their skin barrier is greatly reduced.

It is believed that their skin barrier is 30% thinner than that of an adult. This means that their skin is extremely sensitive and you have to be very delicate when treating it with anything. A lot of the best organic baby lotions are specifically designed for a baby’s thin skin. The natural and organic ingredients aren’t too abrasive, meaning they’re perfect for applying to such a thin skin barrier. 

2. Baby Skin is Drier

As you are probably aware, there’s an abundance of products on the market to treat dry skin for babies. You’ll see all sorts of lotions and moisturizers for sale, and there’s a reason for this. Baby skin is significantly drier than adult skin.

Their drier skin is due to switching from the womb to the real world. In the womb, the baby is surrounded by fluids and moisture at all times. When they are born, they suddenly have to adapt to a much drier climate.

Their skin absorbs water much faster than adults and loses it even quicker. You also will notice a lack of natural moisturizers in a baby’s skin, further contributing to excessive dryness. So, be sure you always have some lotions or creams on hand to tackle the dry skin problem and avoid issues like eczema

3. Baby Skin Loses Heat Quicker

This is actually a consequence of the first point. Due to the thinness of a baby’s skin, it contains fewer lipids, which means the skin doesn’t retain heat as well as an adult’s. As a result, this is one of the reasons that babies struggle to stay warm and can become cold very quickly.

You’ll see so many parents bundling their baby up in clothes and blankets, and for a good reason! Babies have a tougher time regulating their body temperature, and part of this is down to their skin. So, do what you can to keep your baby warm at all times, preventing serious problems like hypothermia.

Protecting Your Baby’s Skin

It’s so important that you know these facts about your baby’s skin. From here, you can make decisions that will target the problems and keep your baby healthy and comfortable. As they get older, their skin develops and becomes more ‘normal’, so you won’t have to worry about this forever.

What are some of your tips for protecting your baby’s skin? Leave a comment and let me know!