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Creating A Morning Routine That Works For Your Family

Posted on February 23, 2009 | Filed Under Parenting

Routines are important for children as they grow up. They allow children to learn what to expect during their day when they may be unable to handle change well. Routines can also make your entire family’s life run better. Learning how to create a smooth morning routine isn’t difficult, but it may take trial and error to get it working just the way you want it.

If you have a newborn, it’s so easy to get them into a routine. Do the same things each day and night at the same times and you’ll have them in a routine before you know it. If haven’t gotten older children into a routine yet, don’t fret - there’s still time.

The easiest way to create a smooth morning routine is to actually start the night before. Establish a routine the night before so your children know what to expect the next morning. This will definitely make your day run smoother.

* Decide on their clothing for the next day. Take out any clothing they want to wear the next day including shoes, socks, and accessories. By deciding on what to wear and laying the clothes out you’ll reduce the morning struggle of finding what is either appropriate or acceptable at the last minute. You will also know where each item is so you don’t have to worry about not being able to find a shoe or another item.

* Make right before bed activities into a routine. Bathing, brushing their teeth, and having a bedtime story read to them are common pre-bed activities. These can be changed to suit your family’s needs.

* Create a chart to help them do what they need to have done the night before. This may be as simple as pictures and numbers for very young children. 1 – Bath, 2 – Brush teeth, 3 – Bedtime story, 4 – Sweet dreams. Adjust it to your own family.

* Establish a set bedtime and stick to it. This is particularly important while your children are in school. You want them to get plenty of rest so decide what bedtime is appropriate depending upon their age.

When everyone has had a good night’s sleep, they will be less cranky in the morning which can make your day start out better. Prepare a good breakfast for your children and take the time to sit down and eat with them.

While your children are eating, tell them what is going on during the day. Suppose they have a doctor’s appointment - then they need to be aware that you’ll pick them up at 10:30 a.m. at school. Preparing them ahead of time by telling them what to expect will make their day go better.

Have all papers signed that need to be returned to the school. Put everything in their bags and have them sitting by the door so they can be grabbed on the way out the door. Don’t forget to give your children a hug or kiss before they leave the house - this way you don’t have to worry about embarrassing them in front of their friends.

As you can see, it doesn’t have to be difficult to create a morning routine, especially when most of the work is done the night before. Routines establish consistency for children, and children thrive when they know what to expect.

Socializing at the School Dance

Posted on February 22, 2009 | Filed Under Parenting

One of the catch phrases when people think about children is whether or not they are “socialized.” For public schools, school dances are one way to teach our children to socialize. Being confident in a group is a skill most parents want their children to learn and school dances are a great way to hone these skills.

Parents hope that their children, and especially teenagers, get along with students in their class. Some skills are better suited for other venues. Let’s face it, during the day students are given few chances to actually interact with one another because order has to be maintained. To allow the students more freedom to socialize, schools often have dances for this purpose.

What can a student learn at a dance that they can’t during the regular day? Here are a few social skills that are important to know and that can be learned at a school dance:

* Talking with the opposite sex. This is a skill that will be used the rest of their lives, so it’s important to learn it at a young age. Keep in mind, however, that dances can create an uneasy atmosphere that may not encourage talking.

* Asking someone for a dance. It gives the person asking a chance to reach out to someone who might be shy or a little bit intimidated by the whole dance scene.

* Saying no without being rude. Sometimes you have to say no. That doesn’t mean you have to be rude when doing so. A dance atmosphere may help your children or teens learn to use tact when telling someone they would rather not dance with them. This can be an important skill that will serve them well in the future.

* Learning to deal with rejection. No one wants to be rejected, but school dances may be able to teach your teen how to deal with rejection if someone doesn’t want to dance with them. They need to learn to brush off rejection and keep going.

* Improving manners. School dances give students a chance to practise their manners. They can learn to respond kindly to other students and with respect to adult chaperones.

* Becoming aware of themselves. Dancing allows your child to learn to control their bodies, to discipline their bodies and mind, and to increase their self-confidence.

School dances can teach our children to socialize, but they can also teach them so much more. If you’re uncomfortable with allowing your child to attend a dance without you, why not offer to be a chaperone? Remember, however, that if you are a chaperone, your child probably doesn’t want you to hover over them at the dance.

How to Motivate Your Teen to Do Well in School

Posted on February 21, 2009 | Filed Under Parenting

Let’s face it, parents; you want your teens to do well throughout their lives. If you can motivate your teens to do well in school, the chances are greater that they’ll also do well after high school is over. Sometimes knowing how to motivate them is the difficult part.

The desire to motivate your teens to do well in school should be applauded. It shows that you are concerned about their future. The goal is to transfer that concern for their future to them while they are still young.

Having teachers that are interested in the subject they teach, even passionate about the subject, can make all the difference in how well a teen is motivated in school. It’s said that enthusiasm is often caught; this would be a good example of that fact.

As a parent, be sure to give positive feedback when your teen has a good report card. Be sincerely interested in what their dreams are for the future. Talk to them about how their good grades can be used as a springboard for getting into a school that has their chosen field as a major.

Threats and nagging really don’t work to motivate children of any age, so it is usually best not to use them in regard to school work. However, rewards can be used if grades are brought up from rock bottom to passing in a semester. Yes, it may seem like you’re resorting to bribery, but if it might be worth it if it works.

How you talk to and treat your teens can also have a motivating effect on them. They want to know that you don’t think of them as children any longer. You may want to tell them that if they want to be treated like an adult, they need to act responsibly like an adult would. This means they have to be serious about school and how they do while there.

Explain to them how what they do in high school can have a great effect on their future. If they are doing their dead-level best and all their grades are Bs or Cs, don’t be too upset at them. Know that they are working hard and let them know that you’re proud of the effort they are putting forth. Let them know that you love them no matter what grades they get.

Don’t be afraid to let your teen learn from failure. It can often be an excellent motivator. In fact, allowing them fail and then asking them about why it happened and how they feel about it can help them learn a lesson that they may not learn in any other way. Don’t forget to ask them what they could have done differently to get the outcome they wanted.

You’ll probably never be able to make your teen do what you want to. However, if you can find a way of motivating teens to do well in school, you can rest assured that their future will be brighter than if you had left them to their own devices. You may also find that your relationship with them improves along with their grades.

My Child Doesn’t Know How To Dance

Posted on February 20, 2009 | Filed Under Parenting

Warmer weather often means that teens begin thinking about the prom. With thoughts of dancing may come moments of panic as your teen realizes, “Mom, I don’t know how to dance!” However, you can help them overcome this problem.

People have been dancing for a long time. A look through history would see dancing as a common activity. In fact, dancing has told stories similar to the way hula dancing is used, and it has often been used during wedding ceremonies. Today it is no different; people are still dancing for a variety of reasons.

When your teen is faced with going to a school dance and they don’t know how to dance, they might even be too embarrassed to go. They may be afraid their peers will laugh at or make fun of them. They don’t have to know ballroom dancing to enjoy themselves, but you can help them learn the basics.

Dancing really isn’t as difficult as you might think, and even if it’s been a while, you can help teach your teen how to do it. Dances may have changed since you were going to dances, but they’re really not that different.

Help them remember that they’re not the only ones who are worried about dancing. It’s more important that they have and look like they’re having fun than actually knowing particular dance moves. As long as they’re not flailing around like an injured monkey, they should be fine.

If you were one to cut a rug in your day, you know the best way to learn to dance is to watch what others are doing. Help them learn to feel the beat by listening to the music. There are basically two dances – fast and slow.

Teach them to do a basic step:

* Standing with feet together, step to the right with your right foot and then bring it back together.
* Step out with your left foot and then bring it back to center.
* Your feet can follow this pattern in any direction – front, back, or diagonally.
* Relax your upper body but don’t flail around.
* The most important thing is to have fun without hurting yourself or anyone else.

Let them take a class if there are some offered nearby. They can also find instructional dance videos online if they look for them.

Tips For Making Homecoming Special

Posted on February 19, 2009 | Filed Under Parenting

Homecoming is important to students for several reasons. For the athletes, homecoming means they’ll be pitted against their rivals for bragging rights for the coming year. For students of the school, it gives them a chance to show their school spirit by creating homecoming floats. For girls, homecoming is a chance to get dressed up and attend a dance, perhaps their first dance. No matter why you’re interested in it, it is possible to make this homecoming extra special for everyone involved.

Ah, homecoming! The thought of it brings excitement to students across the country, especially those that are part of planning it. To help make this homecoming extra special, you want to start with a great theme. Remember, you’re going to use the same theme throughout the week leading up to homecoming, so you want to think about this seriously.

If you haven’t decided ahead of time, often as early as the summer, you may still be able to come up with a theme that will work. Consider using television shows as inspiration, particularly if there’s one that the majority of students are fans of.

Ask each class to come up with a float that reflects the theme. Clubs and organizations may also choose to create a float or decorate a vehicle. When it comes to the homecoming parade, the more floats or decorated vehicles, the better!

The homecoming game is something that students get excited about. School spirit permeates the building as banners are hung encouraging the team to “Beat the Bulldogs” or “Cream the Cougars.” They look forward to the activities planned for Spirit Week. Pajama day, school colors day, pep rallies, and the homecoming parade are a sure bet to get the athletes and students pumped up for the big game.

The homecoming dance committee, however, may be the most important for making this homecoming extra special. Their task is to decorate the gymnasium or cafeteria, transforming it into a place of wonder for the evening. You don’t have to have a formal dance for homecoming, and depending upon the theme, a casual one might be better. Having a casual dance will encourage more students to attend.

Of course, if you’re a girl or you have a daughter, they will likely be more interested in the chance to get dressed up for the dance. Try to take everyone’s feelings and expectations for a homecoming dance into consideration, but realize you won’t be able to please everyone. The purpose of homecoming week is to have fun and make it memorable for everyone involved.

Each student can do something to make this homecoming extra special. Sometimes the anticipation of an event can be better than the actual event. While they’re showing school pride and looking forward to the game and homecoming dance, participating in as much as possible during the week will give them great memories to carry into adulthood.

How To Be A High School Dance Chaperone

Posted on February 18, 2009 | Filed Under Parenting

School dances are common for high schools and even some middle schools. While the students are often responsible for deciding upon a theme and completely decorating the dance location, teachers and parents are often asked to chaperone. If you’ve never done so, here’s some tips on how to be a chaperone without keeping your child or teen from having fun.

You want to try to stay out of your child’s way and to keep a low profile. You’ll want to have your own way to and from the dance because your teen probably won’t want to be seen with you. You’ll also want to wear something fashionable but understated so you don’t compete with the students. Dads can wear a suit but don’t have to wear a tie.

Remember why you’re at the prom. You’re not there to spy on your teen or to keep them from having fun. Your priority is to ensure that all of the students at the dance are safe. Follow the instructions you were given about enforcing the school’s policies. Don’t accept or tolerate inappropriate behavior from anyone, including your own child.

You’re not there to dance, so do everything you can to keep from doing so, no matter how much the music makes you want to move. Resist the urge as if your life depends upon it; it just might if your teen catches you dancing and gets embarrassed in front of their friends.

Treat your teen like you wanted to be treated at their age. They’re not children any longer; they’re young adults and would like to be treated as such. This isn’t the time to take pictures either - take them before your child leaves the house instead.

Keep in mind that your teen may ignore you or avoid you while you’re there. That’s to be expected, really, since they’re trying to spread their wings and learn to be more independent. They need to be able to have fun without worrying about you checking up on them.

One place you may be asked to keep on eye on is the snack table. There may be punch or some other drinks available for participants. In the past, there was a possibility of someone spiking the punch. You can expect someone to try it today, too. Of course, with the school’s no alcohol policy, you may have to come down on the guilty party.

You may also be asked to check the restrooms, as well as verify that students remain in the room where the dance is being held. Be sure to follow the instructions you were given about where students are allowed and what to do if someone breaks the rules. It can be rewarding to volunteer as a chaperone for your child or teen’s school. Remember to keep your distance from your child so you won’t embarrass them. Do what you are asked to do, and you might actually enjoy yourself.

Is Your School Bus Safe?

Posted on February 17, 2009 | Filed Under Parenting

Every year families are torn apart by accidents involving school buses. Research is currently ongoing to determine how to make buses that transport our children safer than they currently are. If you’ve ever wondered how safe your child’s school bus is, take a look at this.

Some school buses have specially designed seats that act as a form of protection even if seat belts aren’t available. Other buses have seat belts that are reported to offer additional protection. The problem, in many cases, isn’t whether these protection devices are available but whether they are used and used properly. Another thing to consider is if the bus is properly maintained and whether the driver behind the wheel is properly trained and certified to be driving the bus in the first place.

Depending upon which state you live in, school buses may be required to have seat belts. Some states that require seat belts don’t require that they are used; they leave that up to each individual school district to decide. In fact, the jury is still out as to whether having seat belts on school buses makes them any safer.

School buses, unlike many things in a child’s world, are actually designed with children in mind. They have been designed with nearly forty federal safety features. The frame helps the bus remain intact if it rolls over during an accident, there is a protective cage around the fuel tank to prevent leaks, and there are burn resistant materials used throughout the bus. The height of the bus off the ground means the possibility of children being injured due to a side impact accident is reduced. Even the color of the bus and the reflective paint on it are there to help keep your children safe.

Every school district across the country is required to maintain their buses properly to ensure the safety of its passengers. They must do a pre-trip inspection each morning before allowing students onto the buses and immediately report any safety defects that may make the bus unsafe.

Anyone wanting to be a bus driver is required go through training to receive a commercial driver’s license (class 1 or 2, with a B or C endorsement) before they are even allowed to get behind the wheel of a school bus. The school system will also require any additional training to keep their drivers up-to-date. Drivers are also required to pass a yearly physical to ensure they are healthy, have good eyesight, and are able to perform their duties as a driver.

Your children are important to you, that’s a given. What may surprise you is how important their safety is to the school district that transports them to and from school each day. They do everything within their power to maintain the bus and train the driver so your children are protected.

While it would be great if school buses, as well as any other vehicle your children ride in, were 100% safe, there are too many outside influences to guarantee that safety. However, the school bus manufacturers, school districts, and drivers are all concerned about your child’s safety and will do everything within their power to get them back to you safe and secure.

Online Homework Help

Posted on February 16, 2009 | Filed Under Parenting

When you have children that attend school they’re going to have homework. And while the subjects they study may not have changed, the method to arrive at an answer may have. There may even come a time when you don’t know how to help your child with their homework. That’s when homework helpers online can come in handy.

Some parents may choose to use a tutor to help their children learn a skill or subject that is needed. If you’re lucky enough to find a local tutor, they can be a great help. However a local tutor may not always be available. Thankfully there are online alternatives.

You may think of Sylvan when your child needs tutoring, and there are many tutoring centers all around the country. When there’s not one nearby, you can find live, online Sylvan tutors for your student. Of course, you can expect to get the same individualized tutoring as you would expect in their centers.

All you need to get started with online tutoring is a personal computer, Windows software, and a high-speed internet connection. Sylvan tutors are state-certified and trained to motivate your child to do their best. Prices will vary depending upon what courses your student needs help with and the amount of time their help is needed.

There are other online homework helpers as well. You may want to check into Homework Helper Online. They offer a 30-day trial of their system. The system can be paid for on a month-by-month basis, for one semester, or for the entire year.

Your state may offer free online homework help for students who live there. You can go to your favorite search engine and type in “homework help [your state]” and see what is available. Reduce the number of hit you receive by putting “free homework help [your state].”

You may also be able to find online homework help by visiting gateway websites such as www.refdesk.com and www.freeality.com. Both of these sites have links to hundreds of websites that can provide your student with the help they need. While there may not always be live help available, the websites are set up to help your student find the information they need.

Scholastic is a recognizable name if you have children. You’ve probably been asked to purchase books for your student through Scholastic. They also have homework help available at their website.

If you work outside of the home, you may not be available to help your child with their homework. When they need help, there are options they can find online. While not all of them are free, there are some free homework helpers online that can aid your children with getting their work done and helping them understand their lessons better.

Quick and Easy Tips To Keep Your Family Organized

Posted on February 15, 2009 | Filed Under Parenting

Let’s face it; it isn’t always easy to juggle work and family activities. Whether you have a large family or a small one, it’s still possible to feel like you’re running around constantly from one end of town to the other. If your family’s activities are running you ragged, it’s time to put some time management skills to use.

Get a large calendar that allows you to write in the individual dates. There are a number of “family calendars” that are perfect for this activity. Assign each person a particular color – use their favorite color unless more than one person has the same favorite – and then create a centralized calendar for the whole family.

Here’s an example: Your family has five members – Dad, Mom, Mary, John, and Susan – and their favorite colors are green, pink, purple, blue, and yellow. Purchase some highlighters of those colors to make this organizational tip work. When you have your calendar and your markers, you’re ready.

Have all family members write down every regular activity that they are involved in each month – business meetings, doctor’s visits, sports practices, sports games, volunteer activities, religious activities, play dates, spouse date nights, known school vacation dates, birthdays, etc. Write each activity on the calendar and highlight it the color of the person who is involved.

When new activities are added, use the same color coding system so that everyone in the family can see at a glance if when they have activities they need to be prepared for. This will also allow you to know if your family’s schedule is too busy.

If your children each have activities on the same day, get someone to help you. Teach your children that there may be times that both parents won’t be able to attend an activity or important event. If Mary has a dance recital on the same day and time that John is graduating from Cub Scouts, there’s just no way both parents can be at both events. Get the kids’ grandparents or other special people in their lives to be there for them when you can’t.

You may want to consider limiting the amount of activities each family member is allowed to be involved in. If John plays all sports available at his school and wants to add guitar lessons, he may just be too busy. The same would go for Susan being in Brownies, playing soccer, and wanting to learn to horseback riding. Look at your already packed calendar and learn to say ‘no’ so your family has some time to spend together rather than running hither and yon.

Frugal and Fun Family Days Out This Spring

Posted on February 14, 2009 | Filed Under Parenting

While you’re in the midst of the winter doldrums, you can expect your children to begin to wear on your nerves. They’ve been cooped up all winter and they’re ready to get outside when spring arrives. You may be starting to think about inexpensive and fun family days out this spring, as well.

Because of the uncertainty of the country’s economic situation, you want to find things that your whole family will enjoy but that won’t break your family’s budget. Here are some ideas you may want to consider:

You don’t have to sit at home when the warmer weather hits, but it may not be possible to go to a park for a picnic due to rain. Instead, why not find some activities that will take you away from home and yet allow you to be inside to keep dry?

Many art museums offer a free day during the month. This would be a great way to get away from the house and introduce your children to a cultural activity at the same time. They might become fascinated by the artwork in the museum and find a new hobby they can enjoy.

Your city or town may have smaller museums or living history areas nearby. Often these are less expensive than larger museums or theme parks, but they can be just as much fun. These will allow your children to be out in the warmer weather and sunshine as well as expand their mind or understanding of local history.

Is there a botanical garden where you live or within close proximity? If there is, botanical gardens can be a great place to visit. Perhaps, while you’re there, you can find out about local hiking trails that you and your children can enjoy. Go out and enjoy the beauty of the area along with the new flowers that are budding or just starting to bloom.

If the weather permits, you may want to have a picnic in a local park. Be prepared, however, in case the weather changes which is normal during the springtime. Take along your family’s favorite foods - you don’t have to make it too elaborate. Fresh fruit, vegetable sticks, cheese, and bread are good, non-messy choices.

Plan a camping trip if you have a long weekend. Pack up items from home and put them in the camper or car. Find a camping spot at a local state park and get away from home. Camping in state parks is so much cheaper, and much more fun, than staying in a hotel.

The weather is warming up, so it’s time to think about things you can do as a family. There are so many inexpensive and fun activities that you and your family can enjoy this spring. Think local first. These will keep you from spending too much in gasoline and are often easier on your budget.

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