Teach children the value of money

It’s never too early, so make sure it’s not too late

Who among us would like to see their children grow up to be financially responsible? Every parent does. We all desire to see our children become financially independent someday in adulthood, able to provide for their own families and secure their future.

“Learning to be financially responsible does not happen overnight. It’s best to start while your children are still young, with something as simple as taking them to a bank to open their own savings account. While math lessons are taught in school, handling money and valuing it well should be taught at home first.

Get started teaching your children the value of money with these tips

* Talk about what money is for. Small kids may think that money grows on trees or come out of the ATM or wallet and is for buying the family’s need, and if there is some more left, for the family’s wants. Tell them that money is earned; parents work so they can earn money. No work,no money. No money,no food and toys.

* Pay for needs first. Since money is hard to earn, families should prioritize paying for their needs first. These include food,clothing,tuition fees, transportation, rent or mortgage, electricity, and the needs may be prioritized and met. As for wants-those that can them,and only buy them if you can afford to.

* Encourage saving.”Children can be taught to save even if they are still young. First, tell them why it is important to save- to have a coin bank where they can put some funds in the future when you need them. Second, give them a coin bank account for them so their savings can grow. For bigger kids,transfer some of their money to higher-yielding investments as savings accounts give only minimal interest.

* Give an allowance. Since people learn more by application than by studying the theory, allow your children to learn money matters the practical way- by giving them an allowance. Kids in the upper preschool years can be given P10 or P20 once a week or so with which they can buy something in school during recess. You can increase the amount in grade school.

The purpose of the allowance is to teach kids that they can use their money in two ways: save or spend. And they will find out that if they save, they will have more money tomorrow. By spending, they will also learn choose items carefully. The more expensive item will use up more of their money, leaving them with less. And if they choose the cheaper item, they will have more money left.

* Model good behavior.” Children look up to you and watch what you do. Practice good money habits yourself by saving, not over spanding, by paying your bills on time, and buying wisely so they can imbibe these habits too. As they grow, they will bring these good money habits with them.

Learning fun for Kids

Learning can be both frustrating and fulfilling. Understand that a number of different factors create your child’s unique learning style. Helping your child discover how he learns best will set him up for a lifetime success of learning and reduce the frustrations that come through trying to learn .

Recreate your spot

A chair and a desk in a quiet corner can be boring for young child. Try spreading out on the floor, sitting cross-legged on the bed or even in front of the TV, to find the environment where your child’s best learning can take place. Play some music and prepare some healthy snacks and drinks to make your child feel more comfortable.

Develop different learning styles

The way a child perceives and orders information plays a crucial role in his learning. While structuring the information in a logical step-by-step process,progressing in a linear form from beginning to end, may work for most children, your child may process information in a different way. He may need to see pictures, write or read the text himself, hear the information spoken to him to make him remember, or a combination of these ways. Observe your child in normal situation and pick up clues on how he understands the word.

Have fun

Being your child’s own teacher, you also have to enjoy learning. Share anecdotes, trivia and jokes, or give hi surprises to make every activity something he looks forward to. Let him ask questions and express his though. rediscover and explore different wonders together to make your learning sessions a time to bond too.

Feeling Guilty About Spanking

As a kid, I think I was never spanked. Otherwise, I would remember.
Spanking leaves an indelible mark in the mind of child. To many, that mark can fester into adulthood. One of my daughter said, in one of those family get- togethers' free-flowing edectic conversation, i was the only one spanked among my brothers. Although he said it nonchalanty, with a small smile on his face, I could feel the hidden carried in her chest all those years!
"You were spanked?!" i cried, looking at this nice young child who was my pried and joy. I could not remember. "Yes, by you, and also by papa."

I looked at my husband. he shrugged his shoulder, which was a cross between I don't remember or what does it matter, and left it at that.
But I panicked, to put it mildly. Not so much by the spanking, but by the way my daughter grew up with that thought for why would she even mention it many years later? I ached to pusue the issue but afraid of making it worse. Quite comfortably, that spanking done in love will make a child remember important lessons in life.Look at how well you turned out to be. You are loved, you are blessed. As a workoing mom in all of my children's growing up years, guilt weighed me down. i was wary of not playing mt role well. And so when i hear words that point to those years, my guilt is magnified many times over.

Researching on spankiong as a tool for discipline, I have learned that indeed the Good Book espouses it: Proverbs 23:13-14, "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, you will save his soul from Sheol."

Had I know what I know today, i would have been a better spanker, or non-spanker. here are five tips I culled from my reading:
1. Give advance warning. Explain to your child where he/she did wrong. let him know that the next time he does it, he/she will be spanked. It's like issuing a memo to in the workplace first, second, and third warning before the punishment comes.
2. Don't do it anger. When you see red, escape to a corner and try to calm down before you spank. Otherwise, you will regret it for the rest of your life.
3. Stick to your word. Of you say you will spank the next time your child repeats his misbehavior, do so.
4. Keep to the buttocks. They are fleshy and don't maintain permanent damage.
5. reassure. a few hours after, or when the time seems right, explain to your child why he/she spanked and reassure him/her that it was his misdeed you hate, not him/her.

Easier said than dine? Whoever said motherhood is easy. But trying really hard, always leads to a happy ending; and takes away unwanted guilt.

Think about your drink

Did you know that nearly a quarter of the total calories consumed by children and teens come from beverages? With childhood obesity at an all-time high, you may be thinking a lot about what your kids eat. but are you thinking enough about what they drink?

Every Sip Counts

In the two decades, the percentage of overweight American children and teens has tripled. What America Drinks.

According to the study:

* The largest calories contributors for children aged 8-13 are nutrient-poor sweetened beverages including soft drinks, fruit drinks and presweetened teas.

* on average, teen boys consumed 32 ounces of sweetened beverages a day contributing 13% of total daily calories. Teen girls drank 22 ounces-an average of 12% of total daily calories.

* The average teen girl consumed only 7 ounces of milk a day-while teen boys consumed 12 ounces each day.

Re-Think Your Drink

The message is clear: What’s in your glass can make a big difference.

* The unique mix of essential nutrients found in milk-including calcium and protein-play a key role in maintaining a healthy weight.

* Teen who drank higher amounts of milk and lower amounts of sweetened beverages tended to weigh less than those who consumed more sweetened beverages and less milk.

* Their diets were notably higher in essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin A, magnesium and potassium.

Encourage kids and grown-ups alike to drink 24 ounces of low fat or fat free milk every 24 hours. This simple step can get your family on track for a healthier weight.

Just for Kids

Shoes for babies’ first steps, dresses for your little fashionista, and stuff to keep your kids happily busy

1.Dress up. Let your kids express their style with periwinkle. The girl’s collection has details like handsmocking, beadwork and embroideries. Designs for the junior collection include vintage race cars, sports, and jungle animals.Periwinkle is available at Rustan’s, select SM and Robinsons malls, and Trinoma.

2.Hampton style. Ralph Lauren is the epitome of preppy fashion, and its childrenswear collection ranging from nautical inspired to dressier ensembles is not different. Hampton Stables gives preppy sportswear an equestrian twist while Hampton Athletic is defined by strong tennis reference.Ralp Lauren Childrenswear is located at Rustan’s makati and Rustan’s Tower

3.Baby steps.Tod’s has crated a collection where each style is unique and ideal for children’s first steps and games. Loafers and sneakers recall the design of the adult collection, but are perfect for toddlers. Two-toned sandals for girls are whimsical. Tod’s boutique is located in Greenbelt 4,Ayala Center.

4.Good for rainy day.Now kids can wear Crocs year round, even during the rainy season. Kids Aspen have the same easy on and off concept, but without holes. And they can splash through puddles and play in the mud wearing Kids Georgie boots. Crocs are slip-resistant, anti-micobial and odor-resistant

5.Lunchbox essential.Keep drinks hot or coldfor hour with the Sunnex Vacuum Flask. When you screw the lid on, thering bottom automatically closes so there’s no spilling. The flask can be bought with leather coversleeves. The Sunnex Colored Mug with spout

is good for drinking on the go. it has a convenientslide on cover and easygrip handle.

6.Groovy kind of girl.

GroovyGirl have their own sense of funky style. Each doll has a one of a kind look expressed in her hair

style, skin tone, and hip outfit-just like girls in real life. The dolls, made for girls age 4,12 are distributed in Rustan’s Fully Booked, Powerbooks and Bookwagon.

7.Pretty in pink. Barbie has come up with a personal care and cosmetics line specially designed for young girl. The products are fun, trendy, and safe for kids. The line includes hair care, moisturizing soap, lotion, colongne, powder, and cosmetics. Barbie is available in SM Department Store.