Kid’s birthday parties can be exhausting to organize, especially when you can’t afford a fancy party planner. And even when it’s do it your self, costs can go through the roof. How to hold a party without any hitches or financial meltdown?
I believe party planning is more enjoyable when your kids are involved. Now that daughters know what they want, i let them plan their birthday party the day after their last birthday. i do temper their expectations and tell them right away if a house party with five friends is the only for that year. And as long as they get to choose the guest and theme, I know that party of five be a happy one.
Make a guest list you can live with. In my experience, a guest list has touching any sensitive nerves. All means having a party having party at a big venue with all the relatives and friends, and nothing means having a party in our tiny home with an ultimate maximum capacity of 30 guests, less if we want to play games. What I have learned is kids don’t really distinguish between a big or small party. They are just as happy, so long as there is a celebration. Planning-wise, a small party is much more fun.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
You can’t stop the nightmares, but you can help your kids cope
We’ve all had them-nightmares that cause us to wake up sweating and trembling. Almost all kids have nightmares from time to time. These usually occur during the last third of the night (between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m.) in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is when we actually dream.
As a parent, you cannot always stop these bad dreams from happening. But you can deal with them effectively when they happen again. Here are some important things to remember:
*Don’t give them the ammunition One of the most common causes of bad dreams is a frightening experience, which happened earlier in the day. So don’t let them watch television programs or read books with aliens, ghost, or monsters before bedtime.
*Leave a light on This will not always put a stop nightmares,but it can often help. Sometimes a child will start having terrifying thoughts before he falls asleep. This happens much less if he can see what’s around him. Also, when a child wakens abruptly from a bad dream, he will probably be in a very bad state. Having a light on will help him calm down much faster.
*Reassure him It’s important to make him feel safe and secure. Help him understand that nothing bad is going to happen, and that all boys and girls have bad dreams. Give him a big hug; tell him that you will always be there.
Another kind of bad dream is called a night terror. This taken place earlier in the night (between 1 a.m and 3 a.m) during the deep stage of non-REM sleep. This is when child wakes up screaming with his eyes wipe open, when in reality, he is still asleep. The child will unexpectedly sit up. usually sweating profusely; shout out loud for a few seconds, before lying back down and returning to a normal sleep. When this happens, do not try to wake him. This can make then situation worse. Instead wait for the terror to pass and then try to settle him back into bed. This is something that he’ll outgrow, and happens less often than nightmares. Don’t worry. Ti would be helpful to set aside time at the breakfast table every morning to talk about your child’s dreams. Doing this lets your child know that this is a safe and even fun part of life to be shared. Drawing dreams. making a game of dress up, and fixing the scary ending in a make-believe drama are also good ways to help your child express his dreams. This will ultimately make him feel that he has power over both the subconscious and conscious events in his daily life. Share some of your dream, too!
A dad suggest 10 bonding ideas you can incorporate into your existing family schedule
1Take your child to school at least twice a week. The Traffic can be an opportunity to talk, without distractions like TV or homework.
2Visit your old school campus together. i look my son to UP one Saturday. My wife prepared a simple picnic lunch, and she "volunteered" to watch the food(in other words, nap under the trees).
3Share the comic books of your childhood. If you don't have any comic books, go to web. many fans have scanned their and posted it for viewing. With all the old comic book heroes of the past being made over into big-budget Hollywood films, you'll actually gey "cool dad" points.
4Wash the car together. Kids love this. Wear bathing suits and hose each other down. Water guns are welcome- the bigger, the better. (Another fun activity, give the dog a bath).
5Put together a toy model. Great for older kids. There are plenty to choosse from: robots,planes,all with amazing detail. he more expensive ones include a motor and batteries, so hey actually work. Admit it. you've always wanted one of these- and since "it's for the kids" the wife won't complain.
6Take funny pictures os each other. My son loves my gadgets, and when we're waiting at restaurants or killing time till dinner, I let him play photograph with my camera phone. Once, at the mall, we went to the photo booth while taped on my PC- they're hilarious.
7Go to the video arcade. My wife hates this place because it's loud, flashy, and involves cars and zombies. My kids and I love it because it's loud,flashy, and involves car and zombies.
8Do "group reading." I found this great series, "You Read To Me/I read To You". They're bedtime stories with different speaking parts, which my wife and I would read aloud to our son (he'd be sandwiched between us, clapping at the all right parts). You can get them at Amazon or order it though Powerbooks. worth it.
9Make a midnight snack together. I fully support my wife's effort to prepare balanced, healthy meals. But late Friday or Saturday nights, sometime my son and I raid the fridge for leftovers which we eat while watching movies. It's naughty, but it's fun. and I always make him drink milk with the cookies, swear.
10Make a separate grocery list. My wife and I take separate carts at the supermarket. She get the boring basic laundry soap and cooking oil, while my son and I have a separate list. She can take her time debating which shampoo to get, while my son and I tackle more important questions, like ice cream flavor.
MOMS SPEAK UP Many non-traditional school offer inclusion program, which are gaining popularity among parents because of the emotional benefits they provide to their children. "At first, I was very protective I was afraid my daughter would get teased,". But the risk of teasing is there for every kid,with or without special needs."heart-wrenching moment" when her daughter forgot that soon enough."After two months,she had a friend who would even go to our house on weekends. After six months she don't want to go home from school because she'd get so caught.More importantly, I had learned to be"less defensive about my daughter's need." Some moms ask me what's wrong with her,".She used to get very up set about it until a friend advised her to look at the intention, not-the woods! " I realized most are genuinely concerned, but need to be educated. So I explain, and more often than not, they're supportive." Some parents actively look for pre-school with inclusion needs."In programs, even if their kids don't have special needs." I want my kids to grow up to be compassionate and sensitive to others. What to Consider
*The teacher. they must be able to help your child not just academically,but emotionally are they patient? Are they trained to handle both kids with and without special needs? Observe a class or ask the school for the teacher's profile. *The vision.Do you agree with their approach?Do you share the same expectations for your child. *Your own involvement.Whether you enroll your child in a special or inclusion program,research on your child's learning disability. Become informed and involved talk to your child's teachers to find out his progress in terms of behavior,academic and social performance. Observe her at home and relay your concern,so they can make a more accurate assessment of. *There needs.More than any curriculum,a parent's love and support are the biggest factors in how well he overcomes.
Children without Disabilities
-Become more accepting and appreciative of individual differences -Become more comfortable with students with disabilities -Become more helpful in general -Gain leadership skills -Have improved self-esteem -Develop better communication and social skills -Show greater development in moral and ethical principles -Create warm and caring friendships -Exhibit greater independence -Benefits the child's social emotional education
Nourishing the brain excellence of kids of more than 3 years of age starts with mom. How do you raise a child with an excellent mind?Before you hit the books and list down all the things that experts say your child will need,don't forget what she already has.You.Yes,you,mom.You are the person she looks for the minutes she wake up, and you(and dad) are the only one she will trust,perhaps forever.Boosting your child's mental excellence starts with you,and it's your job- a tough one we know- to give the right encouragement and create the right environment. You've been doing it all along.As she grows up,you surround her with the love and care you never imagined you were capable of.And all that hugging, intelligence. Affection is your number one tool in raising her brain power. Joining the age of exploration Many non-traditional school offer inclusion program,which are gaining popularity among parents because of the emotional benefits they provide to their children. "At first,I was very protective. I was afraid my daughter would get teased,". But the risk of teasing is there for every kid,with or without special needs ' hearth-wrenching moments" when her daughter was i ignored on the playground, but my daughter forgot that soon enough." After two months, she had a friend who would even go to our house on weekends. After six months she don't want to go home from the school because she'd get so caught up the games." More important, I had learned to be"less defensive" about my daughter's needs."Some moms ask me what's wrong with her,". She used to get very upset about it until a friend advised her to look at the intention,not the woods! "I realized most are genuinely concerned,but need to be educated. So I explain, and more often than not, they're supportive." Some parents actively look for pre-school with inclusion programs,even if their kids don't have special needs. " I want my kids to grow up to be compassionate and sensitive to others.
I sometimes grapple with my inability to enjoy my baby It's not just the time-I noticed I tend to focus on his physical needs: Has she had her vitamins? Is she eating enough? Strange that I am more able to "let go" and be silly with nephews and nieces.Why? *Parent role model. Sometime we adapt the parenting styles of your parents.My mom showed her concern through "service" and taking care of our needs.She had a serious personality and rarely joked around.This was my "template" for the responsible mom." my sister-in-low noticed sometimes I looked angry when I was trying to feed my daughter.This was not my intention,but maybe my intense expression could I've made my baby(normally a hearty eater) a little fussier that usual.The lesson-stop taking things so seriously! *Embrace the mess.Babies can be messy.Accept it.Live with it That's what yanny and wet wipes are for.The most important thing is enjoying the company,and remembering that years from now, we will miss the chocolate kisses the sticky hugs,and the "surprise" of finding clay and dolls and our pillows. *Different personality. You and your baby my have different personality and definitions of fun.But we need to follow our child's lead.Though I am the type who liked to stay put,since baby likes to crawl,then crawl I must.That is what she loves,and though I don't always enjoy going under the table,I will always cherish the sound of her loather. *Physical tired.Since we work all day and sometimes have to do housework,it is understandable that we are exhausted and may not have the energy to play and have fun.Take those 20 minutes of relaxation- along shower,or sometimes alone in the room.By giving yourself permission to rest heart and renewed energy levels.
