Karissa Tunis

5 Helpful Tips for Giving Your Kids an Allowance

Helpful Tips for Giving Your Kids an Allowance

An allowance is a great tool for teaching kids about money. By giving your kids a source of income and allowing them to manage it, they can grow up with financial sense. If you plan on giving your kids an allowance, here are five tips to keep in mind.

For more on this topic, check out the full Saving Money collection

Encourage your kids to save rather than giving them advances

There will be times when your kids want an expensive new toy but don’t have enough allowance to do so. They may beg you to give them an advance on the next week or even months worth of allowance. Rather than giving advances, teaching children to save will make them more money smart and encourage them to experience delayed gratification. Teaching them about savings or investing for kids by explaining how you are saving for their future is a good start. You can also offer to pay for part of a new toy or piece of tech they want if they are able to save up their half.

Tie it to big household chores – not everyday ones

It’s tempting to tie your kids’ allowance to their chores to give them an incentive to help out. While we all want our kids to do their chores, it’s also important to teach them that household chores should be done freely as a family rather than as a paid activity. That said, an allowance is a great incentive for bigger jobs, such as helping with cleaning the car or mowing the lawn. Tie their allowance to big jobs rather than the everyday chores. Especially as kids may skip out on their chores if they decide they can live without the allowance.

[Read: Chore Chart by Age & the Benefits of Teaching Responsibility]

Don’t withhold allowance as a punishment

An allowance should be a teaching tool for kids rather than a disciplinary tool. This is why we advise against tying an allowance to chores, grades, or behavior. As parents, we should encourage our kids to contribute to household chores, work hard at school, and behave well without financial incentives. Plus, if your kid doesn’t have a steady allowance, it makes it more difficult for them to budget and save, taking away the chance to teach them about financial management.

Start early

While you may not want to hand over too much money to young kids, it’s important to start giving allowance to your kids as soon as they grasp the concept. This guide to allowance by age suggests that 5 or 6 is the best age to start giving an allowance. Even if it’s only a few dollars a week for them to spend on sweets or save for a small toy, it will make them money smart from a young and impressionable age.

Give older kids a debit card

Once kids reach 12 or 13, you should consider getting them a debit card. There are plenty of kid-friendly debit cards and bank accounts out there. You can opt for a prepaid debit card and kids can use this to withdraw money at an ATM, make online purchases, and check their balance easily on their phones.

For more on this topic, check out the full Saving Money collection

Helping Our Children Learn Healthy Life Habits Starts From Youth

When it comes to teaching our children habits and practical decision-making, almost everything we show them throughout their developmental years contributes to what they are learning now. Helping our children learn healthy life habits starts from youth. So for that reason, it is important that we begin setting a healthy example, and explaining how to make positive choices.

For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Healthy collection

Helping Our Children Learn Basic Healthy Life Habits

For instance, socializing our children when they’re young will help them better develop. It will also help them become able to share and practice patience. These traits will ultimately help their social growth over time compared to a child who is never taught to restrain their selfish feelings. Children without these basic skills often end up distancing themselves from the group due to feelings of overwhelm.

Another important set of lessons for children to learn is that of healthy life habits. For instance, potty training them hygienically is a slow but essential process, as is teaching them little day to day efforts. Just like learning how to blow their nose into tissue paper, and cover their mouth with their hands when they cough.

But what essential habits leave the strongest and most lasting impression on them? Let’s consider that, and more, below:

Proper Dental Care

Proper dental care is essential for children to learn. Teaching them how to brush their teeth properly is key. Like using a small toothbrush and brushing each tooth using concentric circles. Kids should also be brushing for around two minutes for each side, and brushing their tongue gently can help them learn how to do this. Make sure this is slow, and only teach them to brush their tongue as they become more mature and this isn’t a problem that could lead to a choking hazard. Make sure to keep watch over them as they learn this, and check the results. Also, schedule regular visits to the family dentist early, so that they can learn there’s nothing to fear from the dentist as they carry this practice into adulthood.

Washing Hands & Table Side Manner

It’s important to get our children into the proper practice of washing their hands regularly, especially before and after meals. Teaching them to wash both sides of their hands, between their fingers, and around their nails is key. Also, making sure that they learn not to play with their food, to avoid eating with their hands where they can, and how to properly use tissues to avoid coughing or sneezing amongst others is also important.

Learning To Respect Their Space

It’s good to get children into the habit of caring for and tidying their space. Not to the point of obsession, but just so they learn a healthy sense of personal responsibility for what may be ‘theirs.’ This might include teaching them how to make their bed each morning, how to tidy their toys, and how to keep their bedside table properly organized. As they grow, you can teach them how to sort their books, or how to clean bit by bit once they start reaching double digits. Over time, this helps them remain clean individuals who have a healthy respect for the areas they inhabit.

With this advice, you’ll be able to prioritize those worthwhile lessons we all need to teach our children.

For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Healthy collection

How A Major Car Crash Can Affect You And Your Family

A car accident is a major life event that can affect you and your family in various ways. The circumstances of the car accident, including who was at fault. How severe the injuries are. Which insurance company will cover the claim. And all the details that caused the accident in the first place. These all will have an impact on your future after a car crash. This article will attempt to explain some different scenarios so that you may better prepare yourself for any outcome.

For more on this topic, check out the full Tough Times collection

Medical

After a car accident, you are likely to be overwhelmed by physical symptoms. These may include pain, nausea, headaches, irritableness, lack of appetite for food, etc. The most common injuries in car crashes are cervical spine injuries (neck), closed head injuries (headaches), soft tissue damage (bruising and pain in the skin), traumatic brain injuries (TBI or concussions), and spinal cord injuries.

If you suffer any loss of bodily function, you will need to go to the hospital. Other symptoms to be cautious of are partial paralysis, difficulty speaking, and loss of consciousness. And if your symptoms continue to persist beyond the first few months afterward, then it is recommended that you seek medical attention immediately. The reason is that when these symptoms appear, it is possible that the brain has been injured and you should be checked out immediately by a neurologist to know for sure.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. So if you are feeling pain, or feel like something is off, you should seek medical attention right away.

Mental

Expect to feel a lot of stress and anxiety when it comes to car crashes. You are likely to have nightmares about the crash that will seem very real. And is common to have trouble sleeping. You may even find yourself getting startled easily by small noises that resemble an engine revving or tires screeching.

Also, if you are unable to work due to injury, then this can lead to feelings of frustration at being unemployed which could lead to depression over time.

If this accident seems to be affecting your mental state, you will want to talk to someone right away. Professionals will be able to share coping skills that can though this stressful time in a more positive manner. And the quicker you can get that help, hopefully the faster you can get back to a more normal routine.

Financial

A car accident can lead to financial difficulties. If you are unable to work after an accident, then your employer may terminate you which could mean that you lose your job along with any benefits like health insurance coverage. If the injury is severe enough, you might not be able to work for months or even years if it means having a lot of time off from work. This all adds up to lost income and perhaps debt if you have accumulated credit card bills.

Other long-term effects of a car crash include high medical costs and expensive therapy sessions (some charge well over $100 per hour).

Another financial aspect that may become an issue is car damage. If you are at fault, then you will have to pay for repairs out of pocket unless damage is covered by the other party’s insurance or yours (if it applies). Also, if your car is totaled and you need a new one, it is likely that this will add to your financial burden.

While this is obviously a terrible scenario, it is helpful to prepare ahead of time and look into your options. And remember, this difficult phase won’t last forever. It might be tough now, but you and your family can get through it!

Legal

I know that this is a point that most people would rather avoid. However, it is important to know your rights and to act accordingly so that you don’t get hit with an unnecessary bill at a later date.

When you are in a car crash, there are many legal issues that can result. First of all, it is important to know what type of coverage your insurance has. If the accident was somebody else’s fault, their insurance will cover the damage they caused (subject to certain conditions). If you were at fault, or if nobody knows who was at fault, then your own insurance may cover the damages (up to certain limitations).

Who is Responsible

The details of who pays for which claim are often laid out in very fine print in various contracts and agreements. For example, you might be liable for paying your deductible before the other party’s insurance covers any costs related to repairs or medical expenses. Or if two people each have $1 million in coverage on their policies, and they both get into a car accident that results in $1 million in damages, then they each could pay out of their own policy.

Also, a personal injury claim can be filed against the driver who caused the car accident. If you’re the one filing, be mindful of the statute of limitations of your state which this helpful guide explains. In every state, you must file a lawsuit in court before a certain time limit expires. If you miss the deadline, the court will most likely dismiss your case. There are rare situations in which judges may be willing to extend the deadline. Such as when the injury does not manifest until weeks or months after the crash.

But if you feel that your situation warrants further legal actions, then speak with a professional while the details are fresh and recent.

Conclusion

A car crash can have a huge impact on your life. From the physical effects to the financial ones. Hopefully this article can serve as a reminder of the need for car safety. And remember the consequences of not abiding by traffic rules like speeding.

For more on this topic, check out the full Tough Times collection

The Various Issues That Your Generation Z Teen May Be Coping With Today

When you transition from being a child into your adolescent years it can be an immensely difficult, stressful, and confusing time. As a parent you know from your own experience what it felt like to grow up being a teenager. So the same process is applicable to your child now, just in a different way. Understanding and showing compassion to your teen is important so that you can demonstrate that you are supportive when they need you the most. These are some examples of what your teen may be experiencing today.

For more on this topic, check out the full All About Teen collection

Social Media Pressure To Look Perfect

When you were a teenager yourself you most likely did not have the internet. And certainly not a smartphone in which you could access the web and take selfies. Young people today are increasingly susceptible to the damaging effects of continuous social media usage and a decline in their mental welfare. With around 97% of 13-17 year olds on at least one social media platform a day, it is easy to see how they can be drawn into unrealistic expectations. Here the images and persona on social media is that everything looks ‘perfect’. But as a consequence, this can have an extremely negative impact on your teen’s self esteem and expectations to ‘look a certain way’. It can also lead to a particular lifestyle because they see celebrities doing this.

Keeping Up With Drinking Trends

It is no surprise that your teen will be delving into the world of alcohol when they start meeting up with their friends outside of school. Particularly in the evenings or when they head out to parties. There is no way to totally avoid this. But it is useful to read up about the short-term effects of alcohol on the brain if you do begin to notice that they might be drinking and hiding it from you. Ideally you would want to catch this before it develops into habitual drinking. It can be easy for teens to feel as though they must keep up with their friends, particularly when they are filmed doing a dare, and it is posted onto social media for the rest of their friends to see.

Sharing Inappropriate Photos To Impress Someone They Like

Again, social media features prominently again. This time in the form of peer pressure to send inappropriate photos of themselves either partly clothed or even completely nude. The ramifications of this once it is sent to another user, even if your teen knows the person, means it will never really be private. Once it is shared with another use,r it is likely to end up on the internet. Which is impossible to remove as a digital footprint.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, you need to be aware that the social pressures that teens face nowadays is going to differ from when you were young. Figuring out how you can be supportive and available to chat when they feel ready to speak up about an issue is key. It is also important that your teen understands what types of outcomes their decisions can cause. So be open and discuss these topics together before they get out of hand.

For more on this topic, check out the full All About Teen collection

Tell-Tale Signs Your Little One is Ready for a Toddler Bed

It seems like only yesterday you were told you were pregnant. And then before you knew it, you had a baby in your arms! And now, some time between bringing them home from the hospital and today, you suddenly have a rambunctious toddler who’s keeping you on your toes!

Now that they’re a little older and have hit their second year, you might be wondering if it’s time to upgrade their bed and swap that tired old cot for a kids bed. This is a big change for both your child and you, so you’re right to feel anxious. However, recognizing the signs that your child is ready for this transition can make bedtimes and sleeping much better for the both of you! – And you’ll find a range of wonderful toddler beds at roomtogrow.co.uk.

All little ones reach milestones at different times, and no one knows your little one more than you. So you’ll know whether or not your child is ready to make the transition to a toddler bed, and the safety concerns you’ll need to factor into your decision. There’s no right or wrong time. It’s whenever it feels right. In the meantime, let’s explore some of the tell tale signs that your little one is ready for a toddler bed. Read on to find out more.

For more on this topic, check out the full Sleep collection

They’re Climbing Out of Their Crib

Do you have a little Houdini on your hands? If you spend more time putting your child back inside their crib than they do sleeping in it, then it might be time to look at a new sleeping arrangement. It’s also worth remembering that when children are tall enough to climb out of the crib – even when the mattress is on the lowest setting – you’ll have to consider the safety aspect of them potentially falling and injuring themselves.

You’re Potty Training

If your child is doing well with their potty training and you’re already encouraging them to use the bathroom, then keeping them in a crib could be hindering their progress. If they wake up in the night and need to go, then they won’t be able to take themselves and will either have an accident or wake up the whole house asking to go!

Their Crib Is Just Too Small

Is your little one outgrowing their crib? If they can reach both ends quite easily with their head and feet then they need an upgrade! The more room they have to spread out, and get comfortable, the happier and more content they’ll be whilst sleeping – which means less night time wake up calls for you!

[Read: Promoting Healthy Sleep: From Birth to Beyond]

Final Thoughts…

Making this transition can feel overwhelming. However, it’s important to show enthusiasm and keep their routines consistent, even with a new bed change. Encouraging your child to take day time naps in their new bed will also help them get used to this new sleeping arrangement and hopefully prevent bed time stand offs. Letting them choose their bed linen and the toys they want to sleep with can make this transition fun too!

For more on this topic, check out the full Sleep collection

Need Some Parenting Advice? Here Are A Few Ways To Find It

Searching for parenting advice can be a difficult task. There are many parenting blogs and parenting books out there, but how do you know which one is right for you? This article will cover some of the ways that people find parenting advice and explore what to look for when reading parenting content.

For more on this topic, check out the full Child Behavior collection

Visit Websites Led By Experienced Parents

The Internet can help you out with parenting advice if you know where to look. There are websites led by experienced parents who can provide their knowledge and answer your questions about parenting or being a parent. For example, the parenting website will give you great parenting tips on how to discipline children when they misbehave in order to stop bad behavior from happening again.

It’s not just for new mothers either-you don’t have to be pregnant or have kids of any age in order to get help with parenting issues that come up day after day! You can visit Mommyhood101.com to learn what to do at any time and at any age. Surf and find tips and advice on parenting, baby gear, tips, and tricks for any given situation.

Join An Online Parenting Forum

Forums are pretty useful places to go if you are looking for parenting advice. You can ask parenting questions and get good, honest suggestions from people who have experience with the same issues as you do. Many forums consist of parents that offer each other support through tough times like pregnancy or even parenting teenagers.

When deciding which forum is right for you it’s important to find one that is age-appropriate. If your kids are still young there may not be many conversations about parenting toddlers at a teen parenting site and vice versa! So make sure to join an online parenting community/forum where everyone has similar experiences in raising children. It will help simplify the process of finding great advice while feeling less alone in this wonderful yet challenging job we call parenthood!

You may also want to join parenting chat rooms if you are looking for parenting tips more quickly. These can be found on parenting forums or they may have their own website completely dedicated to the subject!

Read Parenting Books

One classic place to seek advice is parenting books. It is a good idea to read them, especially for new parents who are starting out on the journey of parenting. You can find parenting book recommendations online or in your local bookstore. Some people even like purchasing children’s picture books about parenting! There are many different parenting advice topics you can address depending on what kind of principles and advice you want to promote as a parent yourself.

Here is a list of popular parenting book categories:

Parenting by connection
Gentle discipline
Positive discipline
The growth mindset parenting
The spirited child parenting
The parenting teen

Seek Out Parenting Groups In Your Area

Most communities have parenting groups where young parents can go for parenting advice. You may be able to find one that meets once a week or bi-weekly in your neighborhood, and if there isn’t one already, you might even start your own!

Other parents may know better parenting practices because they have been through it themselves, but sometimes parents need a little help from outside sources as well. Perhaps something has happened with your child which is causing them distress, or perhaps you are not sure how to handle certain parenting situations at home or with childcare providers? Whatever the case, it is important to seek out parenting groups so that you can receive support and good parenting advice when needed.

Ask Your Own Parents On What To Do

Who better to give you parenting advice than the people who raised you? Ask your own parents in order to get parenting advice. You may disagree with some of the parenting principles that they taught you, but there is a good chance that their parenting advice will hold true throughout all these years. While it might be awkward asking them questions at first, especially when you don’t agree with what they’re saying, ask them anyway. You might be surprised at how much you’ll learn.

Talk To Friends Who Are Parents About The Challenges They Faced

If you aren’t the first in your group of friends to have kids, you can ask parents you know for parenting advice. You might not be the only one asking around either, as parenting is a big topic of conversation among adults nowadays! If you aren’t sure who to talk to first, consider those with kids close in age to your own children. Other modern-day parents might be able to give you the advice you haven’t heard of earlier, that is still effective!

Parenting is a 24/7 job and having help along the way is always good. Visit blogs and forums on the Internet to get some tips and tricks and don’t miss out on parenting books. Join parenting groups in your local community and make sure to ask your own parents and friends to see what they would do in certain situations. Good luck raising your kids!

For more on this topic, check out the full Child Behavior collection

15 Quotes to Inspire Body Positivity + Free Printables

15 Quotes to Inspire Body Positivity + Free Printables

Body positivity is one of those buzzy new terms that pop up in Instagram hashtags and Pinterest posts. But at its heart, body positivity is the notion that everyone should have a positive body image. This is regardless of how society and popular culture have defined the “ideal” body shape or size.

Most of us struggle with feeling comfortable in our own skin. Whether it comes in waves or it’s something you experience every day, there are steps you can take to treat your body with more kindness and develop a healthy love for yourself.

One way to do that is by carving out time for yourself. Self-care is a great way to do this and can be done in such a wide variety of ways, making it perfect for someone that’s short on time or is unsure of where to begin. This could include something as simple as 15 minutes of journaling each morning.

For more on this topic, check out the full Self Care collection

Body Positivity Affirmations

You can also start or end your day with affirmations. This can help you develop a positive mindset and ward off negative thoughts. Start by repeating an affirmation out loud about ten times each day — you could do this all at once or throughout the day.

This free printable can help you get started with daily affirmations. Print these out, frame them, hang them around your house, or simply save them as your phone’s wallpaper! These daily reminders will help put you in a more positive mindset.

Quotes to Inspire Body Positivity

Another way to develop body positivity is to remind yourself that others experience this, too! We rounded up 15 quotes to help remind you of how other famous figures and experts have grown their own body positivity.

“Since I don’t look like every other girl, it takes a while to be okay with that—to be different. But different is good.” — Serena Williams, Professional tennis player

“There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness.” — Maria Mitchell, Astronomer

“Each individual woman’s body demands to be accepted on its own terms” — Gloria Steinem, Journalist & Activist

“I’ve learned that if you’re too skinny, they’ll say something about it. If you’re not skinny enough, they’ll say something about it. I just try to feel good in my own skin as much as I can.” — Jennifer Love Hewitt, Actress

“Life is way too short to be focused on scales, weight and cellulite. If you can look in the mirror and know that you’re a beautiful, loving, friendly person who’s good to people, that’ll ultimately make you shine on the outside.” Teresa Palmer, Actress

“I am allowed to look sexy, feel sexy, and be in love. I am worthy of all those things. And so are you.” — Mary Lambert, Singer

“I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.” — Emma Stone, Actress

“As a child, I never heard one woman say to me, ‘I love my body’. Not my mother, my elder sister, my best friend. No one woman has ever said, ‘I am so proud of my body.’ So I make sure to say it to my daughter because a positive physical outlook has to start at an early age.” — Kate Winslett, Actress

“Even though it will never be flat again, my stomach’s still my favorite because it reminds me of my greatest achievement: my babies.” — Isla Fisher, Actress

“This body is fierce, strong, and unapologetic” — Mirna Valerio, Author & runner

“Being a healthy woman isn’t about getting on a scale or measuring your waistline. We need to start focusing on what matters — on how we feel, and how we feel about ourselves.” — Michelle Obama, Activist & former First Lady

“If you aren’t good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone, since you’ll resent the time and energy you give another person that you aren’t even giving to yourself. — Barbara De Angelis, Author & consultant

“Finding balance as a mother means accepting your imperfections.” — Mary Organizes, Influencer

“Don’t waste so much time thinking about how much you weigh. There is no more mind-numbing, boring, idiotic, self-destructive diversion from the fun of living.” — Meryl Streep, Actress

“People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder.” — Salma Hayek, Actress

For even more body positivity quotes, check out Tommy John’s roundup of quotes for men and women of all ages. And remember that feeling comfortable in our own skin is a lifelong journey, but one that we’re all on together.

For more on this topic, check out the full Self Care collection

8 Sweet Treat Ideas To Indulge Your Child’s Sweet Tooth

The majority of children have a sweet tooth, and they constantly crave something sweet. Evidently, you should be careful not to feed them too much, as these can have extremely negative effects on their oral and overall health. However, there are certain times where these rules are overlooked and children can eat more candy than they should – their birthday, Christmas, and of course Halloween, which is quickly approaching us. Considering this holiday involves young people and toddlers going out ‘trick or treating’ to get as many sweets as possible, it is only natural that they are given some leeway.

There are many sweet treats you can give your children. Once you go shopping, you may be overwhelmed with the number of options that you have. Your child may not like them all, which makes your purchases easier. But if they do, you will need to consider carefully what to buy or what to make. This article will provide you with eight sweet treat ideas to indulge your child’s sweet tooth.

For more on this topic, check out the full Fall Fun collection

Shop Bought Candy

One of the easiest ways to get your children some candy is to simply go to the store and buy this for them. When you buy candy already made, you have many options that your children can choose from, and they may be able to get something from a store that you may not be able to replicate at home. Below are some examples of the candy you can purchase in a store.

Pick and Mix

You may be familiar with the candy stations in a store with a variety of shelves where you can fill up cups of different sizes full of their favorite candy. This is a good way to indulge your child’s sweet tooth as they will be able to get a variety of candy. This is particularly a good idea for parents who are unsure of what treats to pick for their child, as they can essentially pick anything they want.

Sweet Cables

Most of us are familiar with the sweet cables. These are certainly children’s (and adults!) most favorite treats. You have a wide variety of flavors to choose from that will suit any child’s palate. There is also a range of sizes – you can either go for the small or giant cable sweets. The latter is probably best if you have multiple children so that they can share. If you decide to go for this option, you can buy this treat in-store or online in bundles to save money too.

Healthy Options

Everyone loves sweet treats, but too much processed food and refined sugar are no good for your health. Children may disagree, but there are ways to indulge their sweet tooth with a healthier option. You can introduce the few healthier treats below:

Smoothie

A smoothie is fun and easy to consume. It is all blended, therefore perfect for picky children who often complain about the texture of different fruits and vegetables. Smoothies are great because you can mix anything you like in them. This will make it easier for you to feed your child their five a day without them even noticing.

Fruit Salad

For those less picky, as mentioned above, you can give them a fruit salad. They can help you prepare the fruit and put it in a fun bowl so that they can eat it. Mix all their favorite fruits together and pour natural orange juice for extra flavor. This is something delicious that the kids will certainly love.

Yogurt and Frozen Fruit

Almost every child enjoys yogurt – this is essentially a healthier option than ice cream. There are plenty of different yogurt flavors you can choose from, and adding frozen fruit makes it even more fun to eat. A popular favorite is frozen grapes and raspberries – children love these because they look like little candy, but they are healthy.

Make’em Together

Eating candy and sweet treats is great, but making them with loved ones surpasses this. If you want to indulge your child’s sweet tooth whilst also spending quality time with them, making the treats together is a great way to achieve this. You can choose whatever dessert they love, and something easier the younger the child is. Work together through the process, and eating together will be tastier.

Candied Apple

Yes, you can buy these at any store, particularly during the Halloween season. However, you can also make them at home. These are simple to make and fun to eat! Most children and parents enjoy them, and they are somewhat healthy (once you get past all the sugary coating!). You can also decorate them however you want.

Chocolate Cake

A chocolate cake is something common that you may find anywhere, but every little person enjoys stuffing their face in this type of dessert. Baking a cake is one of the easiest things, depending on the recipe you choose. Evidently, make sure to choose something that you can easily make with your child. They can learn a range of different skills when baking with you, and you will both enjoy the process. Make a big cake for the whole family or small individual cakes, one for each member.

Waffles

Who does not like waffles? Once again, this is another sweet treat that you can find in any store, but if you make it with your children you will know exactly what ingredients it contains, and it will be a healthier option. If your child prefers pancakes, this is something that you can make too instead of waffles, considering they are both very similar. Once you make them, you can add all kinds of different toppings – from the chocolate spread, fruit, nuts, syrup and even add a scoop or two of ice cream on the side. This is a treat that will get rid of any cravings your child may have.

Sweet Treat Ideas To Indulge Your Child’s Sweet Tooth

You have a diverse range of options to choose from whenever deciding on what sweet treat to give to your child, whether you want them to fully indulge in sugary treats or a healthier option. The list provided above only covers some of the options you have available to you, and you can either use one of them or be inspired by it to indulge your child’s sweet tooth.

For more on this topic, check out the full Fall Fun collection

Four Reasons A Family Portrait Is Good For Your Kids Development

Today, just about everyone owns a camera. But it cannot replace a professionally taken family portrait you’ll be proud to display. Your childhood home probably comes to mind when you envision the family portraits. Surly you remember details, like right down to the clothing and expressions you wore. They hold memories that will last the test of time, and are an important reference point when learning about your connections to family. Make time for your children’s family portraits as well. This will help insure they carry the legacy through to their own families. Blue hour photography understands the importance of getting your family portrait just right. So below we will examine why a family portrait is good for your kid’s development.

For more on this topic, check out the full Photography Tips collection

It Can Boost A Childs Self-Esteem

Portraits allow children to learn about themselves and their family. Portraits promote feelings of love and belonging beyond their physical presence. This enables children to develop an intuitive sense of self. If you want to boost your child’s self-esteem in a practical way, you should consider hanging photographs in the child’s bedroom. Or some place where they’ll see the portraits before sleeping and when they wake up. No matter how difficult life gets, these visual reminders will show them they can always count on their family for support.

It Can Help Them To Understand Their Position In The Family

In enforcing the family unit, parents shouldn’t underestimate the importance of visual cues, especially in young children. Your photo albums or desktop will certainly contain plenty of happy snaps. But these photos will only be accessible when prompted. The act of taking a photo with your family will give your children an appreciation for family history and prompt their curiosity about where they come from and where they belong. The portrait serves as a daily reminder that ‘this is where I come from, and that is where I belong.’ In particular, if you have additional family photos on display in the living room, kids can locate their generation in this family hierarchy and tell stories about their own families.

It Documents Their Growth

School photos are embraced annually. So why not family photos? Growing up is a fast-paced process. The ability to capture a child’s progress as it happens, as a group (instead of putting together individual photos) is a valuable memory to cherish. Family photos are always a regret for most families down the road – never the other way around! Families have unique traditions for capturing milestones. Some parents even take a picture of their kids every day in the same pose until their pre-teen years to document growth. Taking a family portrait every year or every two years is a terrific way to capture the likeness and personality of your family as everyone grows and changes.

It Teaches Them Family Values

Children benefit from sentimentality, togetherness, and family pride through taking photos for posterity. With the ‘selfie’ culture of our day, especially among older kids, photography has a tendency to be less associated with family. Because portraits preserve connections between family members and photos, they’re an ideal way to preserve those connections. If your kids are young, they might resist taking photos at first. But as they grow older, they will surely treasure them. As well, establishing a family portrait tradition will most likely be carried forward to your children’s families.

Family Portrait Tips

Here are some tips for taking an amazing family portrait

Be sure everyone is well-rested and well-fed before you arrive at the studio. Fatigue and hunger will lead to restlessness and impatience, which will negatively impact the photo shoot.
If you choose an outfit, use complementary colors and prints rather than completely matching pieces of clothing. There is no harm in sticking with colors that suit you and your children, and by incorporating a bit of contrast here and there with a bright pop of color.
Consider another approach to the ‘say cheese’ tradition, because you don’t have to look directly at the camera to get a successful photo. You don’t even have to smile at the camera at all times to get a good picture.
You don’t have to be a determined or ruthless soldier when taking a portrait of your loved ones – it’s just supposed to be fun! As long as you have fun, your photos will also appear to be less staged and forced and your personality will be able to shine through the more fun you are having.
Providing all people with access to family portrait
The cost of a professional family portrait session is usually a barrier to ordering them regularly. In addition, you would generally need to pay for extra shots that you are really delighted with.

Conclusion

This guide should help you to understand the importance of having a family portrait with kids, and how it can help their development.

For more on this topic, check out the full Photography Tips collection

Montessori Activities to Do at Home (on a Budget)

Find out how you can create your own Montessori activities to do at home on a budget! Montessori education for toddlers is a wonderful choice. In case you are not familiar with Montessori, here is a brief overview:

Over 100 years ago Maria Montessori discovered that when children were given the tools they needed, learning happened on its own. These educational methods still inspire students today throughout the world, as they can benefit from self-directed learning through hands-on experiences. This leads to the development of fine and gross motor skills, along with many other wonderful achievements. While some schools may offer their own customization, the overall approach is always the same. All Montessori classrooms host five learning areas: practical life, sensorial, language, math, and cultures/science.

Check out our Montessori shopping list and photo inspiration at the end of this article

This article is written by Katie Strohecker
For more on this topic, check out the full All About Toddlers collection

This post contains affiliate links

Montessori Learning

lthough sending your child to a Montessori school is the best option, it is not the only option! With the rise of stay-at-home or work-from-home moms, it is not always in the budget, or feasible to send your toddler out of the home for preschool. But what is so great about Montessori, is that you can easily replicate these valuable lessons right in your very own home!

Included in this article is a collection of activities that you can put together for your child to enjoy! You can find most of the necessary items at thrift stores, the Dollar Tree, at craft stores like Michaels, Amazon, or look for free printables (like the one in this article) online. Some activities you will need to create or set-up yourself, but I promise…it is simple!

Toddler Readiness

One other thing to keep in mind is toddler readiness. In other words, some toddlers are ready to learn certain tasks/skills, while others are developmentally unready. Avoid introducing a task or activity that will frustrate your child. Each child learns and grows at his/her own pace. It is our job as parents to foster and provide experiences that will encourage their growth both mentally and physically.

Note: Many of these activities listed below satisfy multiple areas of the Montessori classroom (example – playdough is sensorial, but can also be language or math depending what activity is being completed)

Montessori Activities To Do At Home for Practical Life Learning

Zipping/buttoning/snapping

Find old shirts at thrift store (or in your closet) with buttons or snaps and cut them to fit in an embroidery hoop ($1.89 at Michaels).
You can also practice zipping coats, jackets, or bags/purses.

Food Prep

You can purchase toddler-safe peeler & knife like this. Great examples are:

Husking corn
Peeling bananas
Slicing bananas
Peeling cucumbers
Peeling hard-boiled eggs
Grinding peppercorns
Clipping ends off green beans with scissors
Peeling a tangerine
Popping pea pods
Juicing an orange

Sweeping/dusting/washing/scrubbing

Scrubbing potatoes
Sweeping the floor-make a square on the floor with tape for child to sweep dirt
Washing rocks, animals, baby doll, toy cars
Dusting furniture
Window washing with spray bottle and squeegee

Cutting

Place a ball of yarn in one glass jar and poke a hole in the lid-child will pull yarn and clip pieces with scissors.
Practice cutting paper. Then allow them to put the pieces in a bag or envelope – cutting is hard work!

Lacing

Make your own lacing cards with shoelaces and card-stock.

Pouring/Scooping

Pouring water into a bowl is great practice! And scooping items from one bowl to another (buttons, beans, beads, etc) by using measuring spoons of various sizes will help enhance their hand-eye coordination.

Pinching/squeezing/twisting/screwing

Moving pom poms or cotton balls with tweezers from one dish to another, or into an ice cube tray
Moving water from bowl to bowl by soaking and squeezing a sponge out
Twisting lids on/off various containers from your kitchen
Screwing a screw into a wood block (make or purchase here)
Twisting a nut/bolt onto a screw (purchase here)
Use eyedropper with colored water on coffee filters
Squeeze syringe with colored water onto cotton balls
Clipping clothespins on a rope or side of a bowl

Folding

Such as folding towels or washcloths.

Gluing

Cut pieces of paper, wrapping paper, or tissue paper and allow child to glue onto construction paper.

Self-care

Getting dressed and putting on shoes
Toileting
Putting on coat, hat, mittens, etc. “Montessori coat flip”
Songs (“This is the way”, “Put on your shoes”, etc)

Other Great Activities

Wrapping a wooden spool with yarn (purchase at Michaels)
Stamping
Setting the table: Create a mat with outlines for each item
Use an old coffee can or pretzel tub and cut a slit/hole in the lid large enough for child to drop in pom poms or plastic rings
Hammer golf tees into clay

Montessori Activities to Do at Home for Sensorial Learning

Pairing

Color strips (use from a paint store and cut apart)
Socks
Patterns (use scrapbook paper and velcro)
Colors (use construction paper and household objects)

Sorting

Parts of a flower (label cups with “leaves, stems, petals”)
Animals (land, water, air)
Shapes
Color sticks (color or paint popsicles sticks and match with plastic cups labeled with color)

Discriminating

Trace everyday toys on notecards to match
Matching letter magnets on cookie tray
Same/Different: Use note cards cut in half and put same and different stickers on each card (2 stickers per card) and offer 2 sorting bowls

Window bag

Tape a clear ziplock bag onto a window and fill with hair gel, shaving cream, water/oil/food coloring, or water beads.

Felt activities

Parts of my face (cut from felt).

Playdough

Create homemade playdough and add in spices, essential oils or glitter to engage more senses

Touch/feel books (Purchase here)

Painting

Add different items into paint such as glitter, salt, sand, shaving cream, etc. for texture
Bubble wrap painting
Paint with flowers, potatoes, apples, toilet brush, cookie cutters, feet, fingers, dryer balls, toilet paper tubes squeezed into shapes

Rubbing

Place paper over a leaf and rub with crayon
Hot glue shape outlines on card-stock and then put paper over and rub with crayon (also can be done with letters or numbers)

Scarves

Movement to music
Sort by color

Sensory bin

Fill with oatmeal, flour, snow, rice, corn, dry cereal, sand, colored water, confetti, shredded crinkle paper, feathers, etc. and provide scoops, blocks, animals, etc. to interact with in the materials.

Magnet tiles

Hold up to eyes and see different colors through them
Build

Montessori Activities to Do At Home for Learning Language

Pre-reading activities

Size classifying: use objects from around the house such as a small, medium, and large bowl
Story sequencing cards (first-next-last)
Nomenclature cards (labeling)

Sandpaper/Felt letters

Write letters on sand paper and have child trace with finger and make sound
Cut letters out of felt and glue on notecards

Letter/Sound work (advanced)

Provide letter cards and objects/toys from around the house that match beginning sounds

Books with labels/vocabulary

Writing letters on chalkboards with chalk

Montessori Activities To Do At Home for Learning Math

Stacking

Blocks
Construction paper bars of varying lengths
Stacking puzzles (purchase here)
Peg board

Counting

Match Q-tips with numbered jars
Match wooden sticks or popsicle sticks with number cards
Sectioned container with numbers and beans

Tactile numbers

Write numbers on sandpaper and child traces with finger

Writing numbers on chalkboard with chalk

Shapes 2D/3D

Puzzles
Solids
Shape match cards (trace shapes on notecards and provide needed shapes in bowl)

One-to-One correspondence

Stamp finger prints to match numbers
Dab paint with clothespin/cotton ball to match numbers

Montessori Activities to Do At Home for Learning Cultures/Science

Geography

Continent Song (Learn it here)
Globe (Purchase here)
Maps
World Puzzle (Best price here)

Zoology

Labeling animals (ocean, farm, wild, insects, etc.)
Classifying animals (advanced)
- Movement (fly, swim, walk, hop, slither, etc)
- Body covering (shell, fur, scales, feathers, etc)

Botany

Flower arranging (allow child to use fresh or fake flowers and a vase)
Planting/growing seeds (purchase kit here)
Watering plants with spray bottle or watering can
Parts of a plant (felt activity)

Calendar

Days of the Week song (Learn it here)
Months of the Year song (Learn it here)

Science

Nature tray with magnifying glass (Include leaves, twigs, flowers, pinecones, nests, feathers, dead bugs, shells etc.)
Life cycles of butterfly, frog, pumpkin, chicken, plant (printables and puzzles)
Sink/float (use bin filled with water and various objects to see density)
Color mixing (using eyedropper/food coloring/cotton balls)
Weather (clouds, rainbows, rain, sunshine, snow)
- Song
- Paint clouds using shaving cream and Elmer’s glue
Nature collage (find items outside and glue on a paper)
Magnets & metal household objects (Purchase here)
Seasons song (Learn it here)
Feelings song (Learn it here)
Parts of the Body song (Learn it here)
Grow butterflies (Purchase here)
Books

*Art & Music are other components incorporated daily*

Below is a free printable that you can take advantage of when shopping for your own Montessori supplies. Most of these items can be found at the Dollar Store, or at other local discount shops.

Click on the image to view the full-size PDF

Enjoy these photo examples of Montessori Activities that you can do at home with your toddler!

A great resource for free printable Montessori activities is themontessorifamily.com. They have compiled a list of the ten best websites for FREE Montessori materials. This is a great time-saver as we all know the internet is endless and time-consuming to browse!

For more on this topic, check out the full All About Toddlers collection

Featured Contributor: Katie Strohecker

Katie Strohecker lives in Lancaster, PA with her husband and two children. She is a former teacher, turned work-from-home mom with a background in event planning. She is also the co-owner of Milestone Family Expos, which strives to showcase the newest and best parenting, baby, and child-related products/services through two of the largest annual expo shows in the Central PA area.

- - Website: milestonefamilyexpos.com
  - Facebook: @pafamilyexpo @lancasterbabyshower
  - Instagram: @milestone_family_expos/