4 Tips to Help Your Children

Helping Kids

Morguefile, by Karpati Gabor


Listening

How are your listening skills? Good listening skills are ways to help your children. Have you ever really just sat and listen to your children talk? Try just listening to them talk, rather than giving them advice. Encourage conversation. If they know you are truly listening, they will have no problem talking. You will probably find out many of the inner things that are going on with them. Instead of asking how their day was, ask them, “What was the best part of the day today for you?” “What made that special?”



Possibly you are a parent that works first shift and you are not able to attend your children’s school programs or field trips. You may not have a choice, because you have to work to put food on the table. There are alternatives.

Vacation Days

Do you have vacation days? This would be a good time to use that vacation day to support your children by going to their school program. You cannot imagine how much that means to them to see your face in the audience. Remember once your children are adults you can never go back to this particular day.

I recall talking to a teacher that shared only 2 parents showed up for an event given for the children. Now that is totally unacceptable. If you are not able to make it, possibly ask a relative, such as a sister, cousin, uncle, or brother to attend. Try making your children a priority.



Solutions

Are you allowing your children to solve problems or are you trying to solve all their problems. As you sit down for dinner and they start talking about problems are you asking them, “If you had it to do over ask yourself, "What could I have done differently?”

Children receiving gifts

Has your child ever brought something home such as a gift or money and said a friend gave it to them? You should be concerned. I recall a child giving another child a pair of sunglasses. He stated he no longer wanted them and wanted to do something nice by giving the sunglasses away. He also told his mother a different story. He told his mother he lost the sunglasses. That was a nice gesture to give the sunglasses away, but the lying about the glasses was unacceptable.

Now this is a time for discussion, because he lied to his mother, in order to do what he wanted to do. In addition, sometimes, children feel they need to buy the affection of others, because they want to fit in.

What about money? I recall a young child giving another $5.00. The child states he can always get more money and that his mother will just give it to him. Was he stealing this money? Was he giving his lunch money away? This is another good time for discussion with your child and contacting the parent of the other child. Express to your children, it is not wise to take money from others unless both parents are aware of what is happening. There are so many ways that children can get caught up in wrong situations at the wrong time. The money could have been stolen, the boy could have lied and said he did not take it, but the other child took it. What tips do you have to help children?





More from this author:

Blessing Your Children (Omg)

How Do You Teach Love to Your Kids?

How To Help Your Child Cope With ADHD

Words of Encouragement

Have there been times in your life that you felt discouraged? Do you remember the great feeling when someone encourages you? Children need words of encouragement too. There are so many ways that we can encourage our children. I like the words of encouragement listed below.

Encouraging words are free. They can uplift your child. You can speak words of encouragement throughout the day. There was a time that bullying occurred on the school ground. Now bullying has gone to a new level, cyber bullying is right in your own home. Children’s homes should be their safe haven, not a place where they are fearful.

Proverbs 3:5,6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your path."

When your child is discouraged and feels there is no hope, talk to your child about Jesus. Speak Proverbs 3:5, 6 aloud so that your subconscious hears it. Remind your child that God is there,when it seems or feels like others are not there. It is important to remind children that they can call or pray to God at any time. Do you tell your children to have a good day before they leave for school? Why not try this?

Psalm 139.14

"I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well."

This is another scripture to say aloud. Tell your children they are beautiful and handsome. Let your children know that God made them unique and there is no other like them. I recall twins talking to each other. The one twin stated, “we both like this, let’s play this.” The other twin determines to show individuality, rejected it and responded, “I do not want to play that.” “I prefer this.”




Great Idea

I attended an elementary program and the principal emphasized to the students and parents that employers are looking for problem solvers. Are you encouraging your children to be problem solvers or are you attempting to solve all of their problems? There is a difference. When children suggest a good idea, let them know it. I recall when on a school field trip, most of the children were prepared with mosquito repellant, but none of us expected that the bees were so bad. This one bee kept buzzing around the table as we all tried to eat. This young student just took a paper cup,contained the bee, and that took care of the problem. This student solved the problem. That was a great idea and I told him too.



Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."

This is my favorite scripture. You sometimes can be your worst enemy. A young lady shared one day that whenever she said something negative, her mother would stand her in front of the mirror and have her repeat that scripture Philippians 4:13. I thought what a great idea.

Negative Words

It is good to acknowledge your child’s feelings. Just as we would not allow someone else to say negative things to us, do not allow children to say negative things about themselves. This is so easy to do when one feels discouraged or sad. We will not feel good all of the time, because we are emotional beings. Still, we do not have to act on our emotions, but rather speak what God says about us. There are many promises in the Bible. We just need to believe them and receive them. What words of encouragement do you give your children? I would love to hear from you.


Source:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A5-6&version=NIV

More from this author:

5 Popular Inspirational Bible Verses for Kindergartners

Blessing Your Children (Omg)

Could You Be Teaching Your Child To Lie?

Children and Fast Food

Child Eating a Veggie Burger, Wikimedia.org,r_kellyhogaboom.jpg

Do you live a fast pace life? Do you take time to cook a nutritional meal? Have you given much thought about children and fast food? Do you find yourself feeding yourself and your family fast food the majority of the time? Fast food may not be healthy for your children.





You may not be able to cook all of the time for your children, but are you finding yourself buying more fast food than you would like too? There may be occasions when you do eat fast food, but when you do make smart nutritional choices. Have you considered your children and fast food? Are you able to make fast food healthier choices? Some fast food restaurants do offer healthy choices. Why not start looking at the nutritional value of what you eat? You may want to look at getting salads instead of French fries. Possibly you will choose grilled meat as opposed to fried foods. I love YaYa’s grilled chicken salads. In addition, are you aware that Wendy’s medium fries have 420 calories with 21 grams of fat, but a garden salad is 210 calories and 13 grams of fat? Therefore, you want to always weigh the nutritional values for healthier choices. I love Wendy’s salads too. They are just awesome.


If you start your children eating healthy, it will become a lifestyle for them.
A study done of 41 Top Chain Restaurants showed that 9 out of the top chain, including McDonald’s did not have a single kid’s meal that meet the Restaurant Industry healthy food standards. However, Subway and Outback are making kids menu healthier. Can restaurants make healthier menus? I would say, yes, they could offer more choices.

Fast food can be bad for kids. But how bad?



Asthma

Does your child have Asthma? Did you know there is a link to fast food and severe asthma in children? Multinational study shows that 6-7 year-olds who ate fast food 3 times per week had a 27 percent increased risk of severe asthma. Although a link is established, it does not confirm it causes asthma.

Happy Meals

If you are going to eat at McDonald’s a possible healthier kid’s choice would be the happy meal with hamburger, apple slices, and Apple juice Box, even though it was mentioned earlier McDonald’s was listed as one of the top chains Restaurants that did not meet the Restaurant Industry healthy food standards. There needs to be healthier choices for kids than just one happy meal. This happy meal gives you 360 calories and 510-mg. sodium. What fast food choices are you making with your children?

Source:

Think fast when kids want fast food

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/think-fast-when-kids-want-fast-food-201301315846


Fast Food Linked to Severe Asthma in Children

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/01/14/fast-food-linked-to-severe-asthma-in-children

The Best and Worst Kids’ Fast Food Meals

http://news.menshealth.com/best-and-worst-fast-food-meals/2012/10/27/

Field Trip Essentials

Morguefile,by pietervleu

Essentials for your Kindergartener's Field Trip

When your kindergarteners go on their first field trip you want to be sure that they are prepared for the trip. If you are going to attend with your kindergartner you may want to look at this field trip list.

Change of Clothing

In the event your kindergartner might have an accident, it is good to bring an extra change of clothing if you are traveling with your child on this field trip. If they are going to be putting their hands in water, you might want to bring extra clothing also.





Bottled Water

Take plenty of bottled water so you kindergartner does not become dehydrated.

Mosquito Repellant

Some years the mosquitos are quite bad. Be sure to rub your kindergartener down with mosquito repellant and take repellant with you. I like the skin so soft bath oil. When they bathe in that it automatically acts as a mosquito repellant.

Boots

If there has been a lot of rain you may want your kindergartner to wear boots. It might be muddy out there. If they are going to farm, there is a possibility of being muddy.

Disposable Lunch Bag

Although plastic lunch bags are cute and nice, on a trip a paper disposable bag might be more convenient. In addition, the packages of Capri juices are handy so afterwards they can just dispose of both.


Jackets

The weather may be nice and fine, but when you arrive at your destination, it could be possibly cooler than anticipated. It will not hurt to bring a light jacket.




Camera

Bring a camera or you can use your cellphone camera to capture this memorable event. Take lots of pictures of your kindergartner.

Bus Number

If you are traveling on the bus with your kindergartner, be sure to note the bus number before getting off the bus. There is the possibility that there will be many other buses there on that same field trip. You want to be sure to get back on the same bus. What tips do you have for Kindergartner field trip essentials?


More from this Author:

Best Summer Reading for Kids

Crim Kids Classic Race 2012 (Omg)

Have You Been to Northfolk Farm?

Healthy Teeth for Kids

http://pinterest.com/pin/6614730672463459/

It is not just enough to take your kids for regular checkups to the dentist. It is important to be aware of the snacks and foods that your children eat. Sometimes you may have healthy food available for kids, but it just make not look very appealing or pleasant to the eyes.

Healthy Lunches

I am so glad that First Lady Michelle Obama introduced Let’s Move in the schools. Children receive fresh vegetables and fruits daily. This is a great idea. There are still some parents that prefer to pack their children’s lunches. Just be sure that the lunches are healthy. Be sure that you send fresh fruit and vegetables that are cut to bite-size for your child. I always like to send cantaloupe or watermelon cut in bite sizes. Children love that. For children that are not really milk drinkers, you might try cheese, which can also be cut to bite-size or you can buy already cut.



You may want to include a note in their lunch to brighten their day such as “Have a good day “You are so handsome” or “you are so beautiful. “

Appealing Snacks

Try and make the snacks appealing. This may entice your child to eat those fresh fruits and vegetables. What about cucumbers, celery and carrots. You can arrange them to look like a flower as shown in the picture below:

Popsicles

Popsicles are another healthy snack. Kids love popsicles. Also I have observed in some hospitals after emergency visits, they will give children a Popsicle. Popsicles are great snacks in the summer time when it is really hot.





Healthy Eating Habits

By being a healthy example, this will encourage your child to do the same. Keep a variety of healthy choices of foods around your house. Healthy choices can include apples, cucumbers, carrots, melons, watermelon, and popcorn.

Source:

At what age do children start losing their baby teeth?
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/baby-teeth/AN00355
http://pinterest.com/volunteerspot/healthy-snack-ideas-for-kids/
Healthy Eating Habits for Your Child
http://children.webmd.com/guide/kids-healthy-eating-habits
Healthy Snack for Kids: Popcorn
http://www.parentdish.com/2009/12/19/healthy-snack-for-kids-popcorn/

More from this Author:

Does The Teacher Give Lots of Candy To the Students?

Does Your Child Have Plaque Buildup?

The Perfect Child

Morguefile.com by phaewilk

Just as we are not perfect, children are not perfect, so do not try to make them be. Let them be children. They will have plenty of time to grow up.

Yes there are consequences for our actions. Children need to know that. No we do not reward them for wrongful actions. We let them know at the time what is not acceptable.

Keep in mind children are learning and they are curious. Think back when you were a child. Maybe that is part of the problem. You remember many of the hateful and mischievous things that you did and you do not want your children to do that. That is quite understandable. When children become adults they are going to make their own decisions, which by the way, you may totally disagree with. So while they are children try and teach them what is correct and allow them some room for mistakes. We all make mistakes. As long as we live there will be times that we will make mistakes. Hopefully we will learn from the mistakes. This is some of the best parenting advice that I could give you.




Let your children know that you are not so perfect. Let them know that you made mistakes as a child. Children sometimes see us as having made no mistakes and having everything together. I shared with my children as a child my grandmother told me not to eat the green apples from the tree down the street because they would give me a stomach ache. I was 5 or 6 years old. What did I do? As soon as our neighbor was not home her son told me and my best friend we could come down and get green apples from the tree. I would climb the tree and throw the apples down to my friends. Anyway we were not aware another neighbor was watching us and told our parents. Well we were definitely disciplined that evening. My best friend was crying, then everyone could hear me crying. I told them this to let them know that we were not perfect, but there was a consequence for our behavior. My children laughed about it.



Just face it. Your children are going to do some things right and some things wrong. Even though you tell them what is right, they will want to find out for themselves. I recall one of my children calling a phone sex line. When I got my phone bill, I called the phone company and said this must be a mistake. They assured me it is no mistake. I asked my children about the calls. No one knew anything about it. So I decided everyone‘s allowance would just pay for the bill. They did not like that. Each one kept making remarks such as, “Whoever did it better speak up, I do not want to lose my allowance.” So eventually the one child came forward and talked to me in private. She said her and her girlfriend thought it was a toll-free number that they called. So I was glad she came forward and I explained there is still a consequence for what happened. So her allowance was to pay for it. Luckily the calls came to $20.00. I was thankful because it could have been higher. I still loved my child. I did not think any less of her because of this.
Often toddlers or a baby might cry in church. Or a toddler walks around doing service. My pastor would say leave the child alone. He knows children will be children.

No one wants to be blamed and criticized when they make a mistake. Usually when a mistake is made a child or anyone feels bad enough already. Just keep in mind no one is perfect, so stop trying to make our children be perfect. There is no perfect child.

Source:

Personal Experience

Ten Ways We Misunderstand Children

http://www.naturalchild.org/jan_hunt/misunderstand.html

More from this author:

4 of my Favorite parenting Rules

Can Words Hurt Your Toddler?

Do You Want to Educate Your Children About The Dangers of Chat Rooms?

Writing Prompt Apps for Kids

Morguefile, by by cohdra

A+ Writing Prompts

This app is for iPad or iPhones users. There is no in-app purchase and is at a discounted price of $4.99. With in-app purchases, even though you may purchase a free app, there may be other items within the app that you will need to purchase in order to play them. When you child is playing with your iPad, in your settings you block all in-app purchases or set in airplane mode while they are playing. Usually if an app is downloaded it will required your id to be entered. This is good in the event your child attempts to download an app on their own without your permission.



Little Writer - The Tracing App for Kids

This app is good for children to help them develop the right size of the letters. They can trace over the letters which can help direct them to the directions of the letters. The app includes letters, shapes, and words. It is customized to adapt to your individual child’s needs. I think it is great because if you have seen some of the first letter wiring of children, you know some or many of the letters may be illegible. It definitely does improve their motor skills which is another good thing.



Daily Sentencing Editing

This app can be purchased at ITunes and it is available for Grades 1-6. This app developed by teachers will help with grammar usage and spelling. With just a click they will see errors and corrects answers.

Scribble Press

This app is ideal for those young writers that want to write stories. There are over 50 templates, and 500 drawing tools, they can instantly publish to an e-gallery or send to anyone anywhere in the world. This app can be purchased at iTunes. Your kids become the author, editors, and illustrators of their own books that they create.

Source:

A+ Writing Prompts

http://appcrawlr.com/ios/a-writing-prompts


Little Writer - The Tracing App for Kids

http://appcrawlr.com/ios/little-writer-the-tracing-app-f

Daily Sentence Editing

http://www.teachercreated.com/help/apps/

Scribble Press

http://teacherswithapps.com/scribble-press/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scribble-press/id487300076?mt=8

More from this author:

How To Encourage your Kindergartner to Read

Ways to Encourage kindergarten Boys to Read

Writing tips For Second Graders