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Ways To Become A Better Parent

April 14, 2018 by admin

Being a parent is tough. As every single kid is different, it is impossible to say that there is a strict way of raising kids. However, after thorough research it has been proven that by following certain methods people can facilitate their life as parents and become better examples for their kids. Looking back at their childhood people realize how difficult and complicated their parent’s life has been, almost like a career. Back in the day people did not get access to books or online courses that taught them how to raise their kids. Yet our grandparents knew exactly how to deal with every single situation.

Even though they were not the most effective methods or raising a child and often they left many people scared, they still worked out. Fortunately, things have changed over time and raising a child is a lot easier these days. Parents need to be thoughtful and be very careful about how they act when they are around their kids. Good parenting is the most effective way of hosting empathy, self-control, kindness, and cooperation. At the same time, it protects kids from developing anxiety, depression and even drug abuse. The following principles are great for anyone who deals with kids.

Commit to Taking Care of Yourself

By taking care of yourself, you become a happy, encouraging parent for your child. In order to do so you need to integrate self-nurturing into your day to day life. This is not as complicated as it sounds. All you need to do is go to bed early so that you are well-rested, transform negative voices into positive ones, eat healthier foods and keep active for a more energized and well-balanced well-being and slow down the pace of your life. Most of the time kids can become a handful and you need to calm yourself down before interacting with them. Once you are at peace with yourself, you can easily manage certain situations and see things from a different perspective.

Avoid Comparisons and Labels

It is important to remember that good parenting happens in real time. A good parent is able to recognize key moments and transform them into the best life lessons. Comparisons among siblings will often lead to labels. It seems that even labels that are meant to praise children’s capabilities (e.g. little scholar, for a book-obsessed child) can be problematic. Siblings might develop fears related to certain aspects. For example, if one of the siblings already owns the musician title, the other sibling may be afraid to learn how to play an instrument for fear of falling short. Thus, you need to be very careful when labeling kids. Labeling is only effective when you rethink your words: “careful” instead of “shy” or “spirited” instead of “hyper.”

Walk the Talk

It is a well-known fact that babies and little children watch every move that their parents make. For that matter, parental behavior is critical when raising kids. Parents are teaching their kids a lesson every single minute of the day, even when they are not doing that on purpose. Your baby is observing the way you greet people on the street or how you talk to them and even the way you talk to your partner. In other words, the way you react in certain situations has a direct impact on their behavior. You don’t have to go out of your way when teaching them important life lessons, but you need to become aware of the way your react in every situation. This provides great life lesson about life each time your kids are with you.

Remember what is Important in Life

Kids make mistakes, but so does everyone else. No matter how big or small those mistakes are you need to start remembering the most important aspects of life. Stay positive and learn how to focus on what matters the most. In the larger scheme of things, the fact that their toys are spread all over the floor might drive you insane, but it not worth punishing them just for that. Kids will be kids, and they love adventure and experiencing new things. Make great memories with them before they grow up. Go on vacation together, visit relatives, go on spontaneous trips to the zoo and have the time of your lives. After all, people need to remember how to seize the moment. Take pictures on the go, and you’ll be able to keep those memories forever. Turn those photos into paintings and decorate your home with a unique piece of decor. You can do that in a simple manner. Want to know how? View here!

Trust Your Gut

Your intentions are good. Parents try to make the best choices for their kids, calibrate the best nutritional balance of protein, but all of those efforts are exhausting. You are the one who knows your children the best, so you should be the one who knows exactly what advice you need to follow. There are a lot of experts out there and probably too much advice that is somehow impossible to follow. Your gut may be telling you that your kids would be better off by doing something else. Fortunately, your gut is always “right”. Even specialists claim that parents who are not afraid to listen to their instincts in the decision-making process feel liberated and a lot more relieved.

Embrace Change

One of the most important lessons that you need to learn as a parent is the fact that kids get bored of certain activities, just like adults do. When they do that, parents are quick to assume that there is something wrong with their kids. Nonetheless, this is normal. Instead of being worried that your kids don’t like playing with a certain toy anymore or that they don’t like some kind of activity that they used to, it would be a good idea to evolve right along with them. Remember that kids don’t only grow on the outside they also grow and develop on the inside.

In conclusion, it is important to emphasize that parents need to become better individuals and watch every move they make when they are around their kids. As patience does not seem to work all the time, you need to manage your emotions first and only after that expect them to manage their own emotions.

Traditional Birthday Gifts That Kids Still Love

April 13, 2018 by admin

Technology has changed the world completely in the last two decades, and the pace of innovation shows no signs of slowing down. It’s also true that today’s children are very different to those of previous generations, because they are much more tech savvy. These two facts don’t mean that modern children don’t appreciate traditional gifts, however, as here are three birthday gifts that will be as welcome today as they were to their parents and grandparents.

Wooden Puzzles

Children have always loved solving puzzles, and it’s an activity that should certainly be encouraged as they can play a vital role in a child’s cognitive and educational development. Of course, there are many excellent puzzle games that can now be played online or via a mobile phone app, but children still enjoy traditional puzzles with a much longer history. Jigsaws, for example, will still prove popular with children, especially if the target picture relates to a subject they’re interested in. One great advantage of completing a physical jigsaw puzzle, as opposed to a computerized version, is that parents and children can play at it together, picking up pieces and comparing them side by side until the correct match is found.

Building Blocks

When you were young, did you love playing with building blocks? The magic of them is that they allow your imagination to run riot, and a humble set of colored blocks can soon become so much more. In recent years, building blocks have seen a huge resurgence and leading the way is the market leader Lego. So popular has Lego become that it has spawned a hit series of movies that children and adults alike love, and has been named recently as the world’s favorite brand. The sets may have become more sophisticated, and many of them now have tie ins to movie franchises, but the premise is still the same: slot bricks together until you have created something wonderful. A simple idea, but one that is proving timeless and will surely do so for generations to come as well.

Birthday Cakes

One children’s birthday essential that will never go out of fashion is the birthday cake. It’s important to ensure that our kids have a healthy, balanced diet of course, but on this one day a year we can allow them to enjoy a treat that’s a little more sugar laden than they may be used to. Chocolate cakes come in all shapes, sizes and flavors, so it’s easy to find one that’s ideally suited to your child’s tastes, whether that means a traditional chocolate sponge, or a strawberry gateau. A great cake can be more affordable than you think as well, with specialist websites such as Allcakeprices.com allowing you to find the best cake at the best price.

When we watch our children playing on their mobile phones or games consoles, we can imagine that their lives are very different to how ours once were. Put a wooden puzzle game or a set of building blocks in front of them, or present them with a candle topped birthday cake, however, and you’ll see that they aren’t so different after all.

Handy hints for if your little one is sick

March 8, 2018 by admin

If you are a new parent, or perhaps you are mom or dad to an ever-growing family, then you will know that there is nothing worse than if your little one gets sick. If your child is still under the age of three, then you can expect a lot of tears and screams, as they may struggle to tell you what is wrong. It can be incredibly distressing for any parent, and you may even begin to feel upset and useless. Help is at hand, so you need not struggle along on your own. It is vital that if your little one is unwell, you seek medical advice and visit your local health practitioner or doctor to get them fully checked over.

Vomiting and Diarrhea

If your little ones attend daycare or spend time with a sitter, around other infants, then sadly there will be a time when they suffer from either vomiting or diarrhea bug. Changes in food, water, and the environment can affect sensitive tums, causing a change in digestion or even irritation if they are beginning to eat solid foods. It could also be worth getting your little one tested for food intolerances, in particular, if you notice that they are in pain or suffer a lot of wind after eating particular foods, such as dairy products. If your baby is a fussy eater and you find them spitting up a lot after eating, then baby acid reflux medicines can help to aid digestion. Remember that diarrhea and vomiting are common in extremely young babies and infants, but if you notice any blood in their stool or green discharge, then it is advisable to seek medical advice.

Flu

During the colder winter months, your little one is even more susceptible to coming down with the flu. If your little cherubs have the flu, then you can expect a grumpy, cranky and irritable infant that is restless and hard to settle down for a nap. If you think your child is at risk, then consult your local health practitioner about getting them vaccinated against the flu as this is highly contagious, especially amongst younger children. If they are already ill, you can expect the virus to last between three and seven days. However, if it is any longer than this, then you should book an appointment with your doctor.

Ear Infection

If you notice that your child is finding it hard to hear, and either rubbing or scratching their ear even more than usual, then they may be suffering from an ear infection. Although most infections will clear on their own during the course of a few days, it is worth seeing your medical practitioner if you notice any unpleasant smells, or colored discharge oozing from the ear. Ear infections are easy to treat with antibiotics but can be unpleasant for both infant and parents to deal with.

Remember to seek medical help if your little one is sick or unwell. It is important that you don’t feel isolated, and consult expert advice if you are unsure.

6 Ways To Stop Being A Stressed Out Parent

March 2, 2018 by admin

If you’re a parent, you are going to feel some form of stress. It may be a little, it may be a lot, but it will definitely be there. Even the most chilled out moms and dads will feel the pinch of a harsh word or a raised temper from time to time. It’s not pleasant, and the guilt that follows these exchanges is huge. Everyone feels bad. So it’s a good idea to reduce your stress levels as much as possible, thereby allowing everyone to have a lovely, happy life for as much as possible. You may not be able to rid your life entirely of stress (we actually need to be stressed at times; it’s a survival mechanism), but getting a handle on it is a great way to manage.

Know The Signs

In order to combat stress, it’s essential that you know the signs. When you have identified what stresses you the most, and how you react to that stress, you can take it in hand a lot more easily. So what are the signs to look out for? Raised blood pressure is one of the biggest ones. This can cause a spiked heart rate, and can even make you feel dizzy. You’ll also find that you’re talking much more loudly – you might even be yelling. You’ll feel impatient and irritable, and there will be lapses in judgment that means you jump to conclusions, blaming the kids for something when it wasn’t their doing at all, for example. When this happens, your children will be negatively affected. Therefore you need to be more in tune with your body and watch out for these warning signs.

Step Away

Stress can happen for a variety of reasons. You may have got a new job, and it’s harder work than before, or perhaps you have money worries. Maybe you’ve just moved home, and it’s hard to settle in (at least if you pick a good small moves company the move itself will be less stressful, though). Perhaps you’re just tired and need a break. Whatever the reasons behind the stress, it’s important to take some time out when you’re not feeling your best. Just a few minutes away from everyone and everything can give you the time you need to calm down and de-stress enough to go back with a fresh perspective on things. Go to your room and lie down to listen to some calming music while you decompress. Let your family know that you just need a little time to process things and that you will continue the conversation (in a better frame of mind) when you return. Perhaps everyone could do with taking a break so that the entire situation, whatever it may be, is much clearer too.

Find Solutions

There will be certain times of the day that are more stressful than others. In the morning when everyone is rushing around to get ready for work and school, it can be overwhelming, for example, and that sets the entire day off on the wrong foot. Work out what these ‘hot times’ are and find solutions so that they aren’t so stressful. If the morning time is the issue because the children can’t decide what to wear and breakfast takes forever, you could get them to choose their clothes the night before (or choose them for them) and prepare breakfast in advance. That way, everything will be much more organized, and the stress levels will be a lot lower. If your most stressful time comes at your kids’ bedtime, then find a routine or rewards system that works better than your current one; ask the children what they need to make their bedtimes easier.

Learn Meditation

Meditation techniques can work wonders at de-stressing you when you feel like you are overwhelmed and liable to explode at any moment. Meditation helps the mind and the body to relax, and what’s more, your entire family can meditate together if they want to, giving everyone more peace and relaxation. It can have a truly positive effect on everyone’s lives, so it is certainly something to consider. One quick and easy way to attempt meditation is called ‘elevator breathing.’ Close your eyes and imagine you’re in an elevator at the top of a very tall building. Breathe in and out three times, very slowly, then press the button for the first floor in your mind. As you descend, keep doing your breathing exercises. By the time you reach the bottom, your stress should have melted away. There are many different techniques, some taking longer than others, so work out which one is best for you and implement it in your life for some easy de-stressing.

Do Some Exercise

Exercise is a wonderful thing to do because it keeps us fit and healthy, of course. However, it does a lot more than that. When exercising, your body releases serotonin, which is the anti-stress hormone. It replaces cortisol (the stress hormone) and makes us feel happy and balanced. It’s why, once you get into the swing of your exercise class or workout, you’ll start to really enjoy it and feel good about what you’re doing. You’ll feel a lot less stressed. What works even better is finding an exercise you can do with the whole family. Not only will you be feeling good, but you’ll be feeling good together, creating lovely memories and enjoying one another’s company. You might go for a long walk, take a bike ride, go swimming, or even join a dance class.

Laugh

When was the last time you really laughed? Not just vaguely smiled, not just felt amused, but really laughed out loud? You need to be doing more of that. Stressed people have a lot of tension in their faces, making their jaws ache and creating headaches or even migraines. Having a proper old belly laugh can relieve that tension and wipe away the stress. So find some fun ways to bring laughter into your life for you and the children. It’s all about having fun in any way you can – that’s what life should be like.

3 ways to motivate your kids by using the internet

February 13, 2018 by admin

There is no end to the horror stories about letting your children use the internet. Keeping kids safe online has become a constant source of worry for parents, with many deciding that the risks are too great and as a result, many are unnecessarily restricting access. This can be a bad move for all concerned. While the internet should not be taken lightly, it is also a vast resource that can benefit your children in a number of ways, and by being overly protective, we can unintentionally make their present and future less successful, less adaptive and even less fun. Here are some great ways to use the very best of the internet to give your kids a positive experience and a solid foundation upon which to build their confidence online.

Homework can be cool

No matter how old your child is, they are very likely to be unhappy about the volume of homework that they have to complete. This is a constant source of irritation for kids, but there are ways to get them interested to the point where they might actually look forward to that next assignment. Obviously, a key element here is to be involved with their workload, so that you remain a part of their education. However, for those that fail to use the best tools that the internet provides, homework can be a tedious chore that ends up badly due to lack of interest. If your daughter is studying Greek myths, show her online articles about the kick-ass women of that time, and you might see a difference in enthusiasm. If your son is creating a presentation about space, then sit together and explore the NASA website, which might just ignite some eagerness for the subject.

Make a Channel

We’ve all seen those YouTube videos of kids unwrapping the latest toy trend, and have no doubt looked on in astonishment at the money they are able to earn doing something so simple. If your children have the confidence, there’s nothing to stop them creating their own YouTube channel, and with that comes some impressive advantages. Not only do they get to explore their interests (whether that’s a video about bugs in the garden or a discussion of the latest superhero film), they can also learn some basic branding tips that will come in handy in the future. Having a personal brand is becoming more and more important in the digital age, so it’s never too young to start. Teach them the importance of shareability and the best way to use a YouTube thumbnail editor, and you give them some key skills that they learn by using.

Learn a skill

There are a never-ending number of websites and videos that can teach your children everything from how to play an instrument to when to plant tomatoes, so whatever interest your child has expressed, there are tools available to help them explore their intentions. They could be learning a new language, planning their first gig or writing their first comic before you know it, using professional advice and experienced teachers. The sharing of knowledge is easier than ever, and your children will only ever benefit from the best the internet has to offer.

Stay safe and always be aware of what your children are doing online, but don’t forget the huge advantages that the online world has to offer. You might even find that your kids can teach you a few things.