Karissa Tunis

6 Ways to Stop Sibling Fights

Sometimes, raising children is more challenging than it should be. One of the most frustrating issues is sibling fights. Unfortunately, there can be various reasons why your kids are on the warpath with each other. As experts from Survive Divorce suggest, a huge life event such as divorce can set kids by the ears. Nevertheless, the reason for all the fighting might also be something minor, like using another sibling’s toy.

When your children keep fighting with each other, it might be difficult to stop them. After all, they live and sleep under the same roof. Luckily, there are a few options you can use to put an end to sibling fights once and for all. They include setting clear boundaries, setting up routines, teaching your children tolerance, and filling in the role of the mediator. So, if you wish to stop your kids from fighting, you came to the right place. Here is how you can bring more peace into your household.

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

Set Clear Boundaries

All children need rules and boundaries. They’re not always easy to follow, but they are essential. Let your kids know that fighting is not allowed and set consequences if they cross the line. This way, they will see that you’re serious about their behavior.

If they break the rules you set, don’t be afraid to punish them. However, be sure to give them a consequence that fits the crime. It could be as simple as taking away their video game playing privileges for a few hours. Or something big like losing their cell phones for a day. Whatever you decide, make sure it fits the crime.

It’s also essential to remain consistent. If one child is punished for something and another isn’t, it can cause issues. Make sure you treat each child the same way when it comes to consequences.

[Read: Establish Boundaries and Give Siblings Their Own Space]

Set Up Routines

Routines are an excellent way to put an end to sibling problems. Both of your children can rely on routine to get them through the day. When you have a routine, your children will feel more prepared for the events in their day. It will also prevent some of the frustration they might experience while waiting for something to happen.

You should also make sure that your kids understand what kind of behavior is not tolerated during mealtime. For example, they should know that you want them to talk quietly and finish their food before leaving the table. If they follow your rules, be sure to tell them how proud you are of them.

Teach Your Children Tolerance

If you want to stop sibling fights in your household, you should teach your children tolerance. This way, they will learn how to deal with other people’s differences and take things in stride.

For instance, if one of your children wants to play with something that doesn’t belong to them, explain that they don’t have control over another person’s property. Teach them that they shouldn’t take what isn’t theirs or try to force someone into doing something they don’t want to do. This way, they will always know how to deal with different situations without causing a problem.

Become The Mediator

In many families, parents step in and mediate sibling fights. Thanks to this method, they can help children figure out a solution together. However, it is crucial that you remain the mediator and not step in yourself.

Instead of telling your children what they should do, ask them what they think is best. After all, you want them to learn how to resolve their conflicts on their own. If you help them resolve their issues by fixing them for them, you won’t help them grow as much as you would if they worked it out themselves with your support.

[Read: How to Set Expectations for Your Kids and Improve Child Behavior]

Listen to Each Side

When your children fight, it is crucial to listen to each of their sides. Similarly to the situation when you disagree with someone, it is vital to listen to both sides and allow each person to voice their opinion.

The reason for this is simple: no person likes to be interrupted. If you don’t listen to both sides, your children will feel frustrated, which will lead to more fights in the future.

One of the best things you can do is to let one child talk for a while before you allow the other child to share their views as well. When you do this, you show them that both opinions are valid and that they need to work together to reach a solution.

Find Out Why They Fight

After listening to your children’s stories, try to find out what caused the fight in the first place. Sometimes, sibling fights are caused by miscommunication or some misunderstanding. Try to get to the bottom of the case and ensure your kids learned to communicate with each other.

Stop Sibling Fights

Sibling fights can be a severe problem. If you let them go on, you might end up with two children who will fight with each other for years to come.

The best thing you can do is listen to both sides, find out why they fight and set clear boundaries. You should also play the role of the mediator and not be the judge. Let your children take the initiative, guiding them towards a satisfying solution. If you do this, your kids will stop fighting sooner than you might think.

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

Ideas for Investing in Your Kids’ Futures

If you have a little nest egg languishing in your savings account, you might be wondering if there is a way to make this cash work more aggressively for you so that you can start investing in your kids’ futures. You feel safe in the knowledge that your savings are safe and secure, but with a woeful interest rate, you are aren’t going to accrue a small fortune. Instead, you need to consider sticking your investment thumbs in a few more pies. By spreading your money, you are also spreading the risk. Take a look at these three potential investments that could see a lovely little cash fund build-up for your kids’ futures.

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

Property Investments

The world of bricks and mortar has always been seen as a relatively safe bet for investments. The amateur landlord has emerged from the most recent swell of property investments. By taking a long term approach, you should be able to build up equity within the property that you own while renting it out to private tenants.

Ensure that you work out your finances and budget before you buy. You must be able to cover your home loan repayment should the property lie empty for a while. Check out the latest mortgage rates with a company like Altrua Financial, and opt for a fixed rate if you fancy that added level of security. Hold onto your asset for a decade if not longer, and then sell up. Pocket the profit and feel smug knowing that you’ve made more than if you left the cash to sit in your bank account.

[ Read: 5 Tips to Buy a New Family Home ]

Invest in Wine

While you may enjoy the odd tipple of red, investing in wine goes beyond the drinking. Aging like a fine wine is a phrase for a reason. The older and more scarce a wine becomes, the more valuable it gets. Look for those vintages that are renowned for tasting good. Anything pre-2000 that came from good grapes is worth a punt. You could buy a couple of cases of fine wine and pay for storage in a cellar. Keep hold of it and take a look at wine values. It’s a little like stocks and shares. Once it’s hit a value you are happy with, you can bow out and pocket the return on your investment.

[ Free Printable: Saving Money Worksheet for Kids ]

Amateur-Friendly Investing

Have you ever fancied yourself as a bit of a Wall Street mogul? Take a look at Forex trading, the most amateur-friendly exchange that you can come across. Forex accounts run as dummies before you are ready to invest for real. Hone your skills of buying yen against the pound and selling dollars against the krona. By trading in currencies, you can make money by buying and selling at the right time. This requires effort to make any real cash, but if you are committed to learning the tricks of Forex trading, you could make wads of cash.

Investing in your kids’ futures is what every parent dreams of. Follow these tips, look into other unique investment opportunities that might be a good fit for you, and you could make your money work more aggressively for you, helping to secure the future happiness of your little ones.

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

How QR Codes Are Improving Parenting

Almost everything in life has a QR code, and these little codes help us more than we realize. QR codes are now on the back of products we eat, the medicines we use, and most importantly – your child’s toys. Without most people even noticing, the quiet rise of QR codes has made parenting a bit easier. Continue reading below to learn how QR codes are improving parenting.

For more on this topic, check out the full Get Organized collection

QR Codes On Products

If you go to any cupboard in your house and have a look, you will find QR codes on the back of many items. The amazing thing about these QR codes on food items is that some link to recipe ideas. This can help any parent as it’s an extremely easy to find. Which also means that we no longer have to troll the internet for kid-friendly food ideas. We can just click the camera on our phones and have a list of ideas for what to make for dinner.

Usually, these codes will lead to the product site where you can identify different ingredients in the product. This of course is excellent for any allergy information or advice. If the worst-case scenario were to happen and there was an emergency, you would be able to find out all the ingredients through the QR code. So instead of rifling through bins or trawling the internet trying to find the packets, you can simply just scan the code and everything you need will be in front of you.

QR Codes On Medicines

Similar to products we have, more and more often QR codes are appearing on medicines and/or prescriptions. These are extremely helpful as when your child is sick, things can appear in a bit of a blur. Therefore lots of information can be forgotten or become confusing. QR codes on medicines can link to apps that remind us when our child’s next dose is due, and what dosage to give them.

QR Codes On Toys

The QR codes on toys are probably the best invention for parents ever! Many toy companies have developed apps that allow your child to include their toys from collections to play in another world. For example, Kinder eggs have QR codes within the eggs now. This is to link all of the children’s toys together in one app so your child will always remember what toys they have collected.

Companies do this by using QR code APIs which link the website content to child-friendly apps allowing continuity of play for the children. More and more children are moving into the world of apps and online gaming. For children linking their real-life toys to their online toys enables the world of play to expand. This not only means more imaginative play, but can also mean more peace for the adults.

Another plus is your child will no longer lose small parts of toys because their toys will be in an online world. What a fabulous invention for parents!

For more on this topic, check out the full Get Organized collection

Free Printable Road Trip Games

Free Printable Road Trip Games

Summer is quickly approaching and going on a road trip is a great way to take some time off to explore a new destination with your family. Road trips don’t have to be long, boring, cross-country experiences — finding things to do if you’re taking little ones along for the ride is a must.

Although there might be a lot of sightseeing, finding new ways to keep the kids entertained during a long road trip can be tricky. However, with these travel-themed printable game ideas and tips, you can even join your kids in the fun!

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

Free Printable Road Trip Games

Enter your email below to access all of these fun free printable road trip games!

Doodle Contest

Print out this bumpy car doodle contest for some road trip fun! To start, each person draws the specified object on the page in a given time period (you can choose the time). Nominate a judge to choose the winner with the best drawing for a prize — maybe a stop at an ice cream shop or control of the car music!

Placemat Games

These placemat games provide many different activities and are easy to bring along on your trip. Your little one can use this along the ride or for when you stop at a restaurant for a quick bite to eat. This placemat features multiple food-themed activities, like a maze and a word search.

Highway Sign Bingo

During your roadtrip, chances are you’ll be seeing many highway signs along the way. Take advantage of this and be sure to print out this highway bingo sheet. This activity is perfect to keep their eyes looking out the window at the world around them and away from the electronics.

Alphabet I-Spy

Nothing is better than an old-fashioned game of i-spy. Get your kids hooked on this classic game and print out this alphabet i-spy sheet. The goal of the game is to write down something along the ride that you see that begins with each letter. The first person to find the entire alphabet is the winner!

Bumper Sticker Scrapbook

Print out the bumper sticker scrapbook. That way you can keep track of interesting bumper stickers on other cars that you spot along the trip. This is a great way to pass the time on a road trip especially if you’re crossing multiple state lines.

Road trips don’t have to be boring! Take advantage of the time away from the electronics and print out these activities. This will help ensure an entertaining and smooth ride with the family.

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

Ways Kids Can Empower Women (and Feel Empowered Doing It)

Ways Kids Can Empower Women (and Feel Empowered Doing It)

You’re never too young to empower others. In particular, teaching your kids how to empower women is a powerful skill. It not only can help the women around them feel confident, but it can also boost their own self-esteem.

To guide your kids on empowering themselves and the women in their lives, we put together 10 ways they can help women feel their best. Keep reading to learn how to incorporate female empowerment into your parenting.

For more on this topic, check out the full All About Moms and Helping Others collections

Applaud Leadership

Especially for young girls, seeing someone like themselves in a position of power can mean the world. To teach your kids how to become leaders, sign them up for sports or volunteer work. In addition, use this printable leadership worksheet to help them identify the leadership qualities they admire about female friends, relatives, and public figures.

Free Printable Leadership Worksheet

Give Good Compliments

Another way your kids can empower women is by giving thoughtful compliments. Encourage them to go beyond appearance-based praise and instead compliment women’s personalities, skills, and accomplishments.

Fight Negativity

Unfortunately, toxic societal expectations and social media standards for women can begin at an early age. To combat these negative messages, try helping your kids see things in a healthier way. In addition, make sure they’re pushing other women to stay positive and be their true selves.

Advocate for Women

No matter your age, it’s always important to support girls and women. You can send your kids this message by including and speaking up for the women in your life and urging them to do the same at school, on the playground, and everywhere else.

Have Productive Conversations

If your kid tends to immediately dismiss other people’s ideas, it might be time to discuss how to engage in productive conversations. Rather than going on attack mode, tell your kids to hear the other person out and treat them with respect.

Seek Out Mentors

To help your kids feel empowered by incredible women, you can sign them up for a mentorship program. There are a wide variety of organizations catered to different interests and backgrounds, including ones for girls in STEM, women of color, and more.

Support All Ages

It’s important to empower our littles ones, but we can’t forget that young women, mothers, and senior women need support too. Encourage your kids to help and appreciate women of all ages.

Stand Together

There’s a lot of strength in numbers. Make sure you’re teaching your kids to join forces with the girls and women in their lives, whether through a school project, book club, or protest. Tell them that female empowerment means standing with all women.

Practice Active Listening

Between homework and cell phones, kids have a lot of distractions. However, be sure they’re giving others their full attention in conversation. Remind them how important it is for others to feel heard.

Celebrate Vulnerability

Sometimes, bravery is associated with being physically strong or holding in emotions. That’s why it’s all the more important to teach your kids that being vulnerable also makes you strong. Encourage them to share their feelings, and teach them to give others that same space.

With these 10 tips, you can teach your kids how to empower women while feeling empowered themselves.

Want to take it a step further? Fill your kids’ bedrooms with inspiring artwork for a visual reminder to empower themselves and others.

For more on this topic, check out the full All About Moms and Helping Others collections

Be The Best You To Be The Best Parent

We all want what’s best for our children. And, of course, there are many ways to go about this. We can — and should — devote time to making sure that they have everything they need to be their healthiest, happiest best. However, it’s also important to ensure that you’re the best version of yourself as well. If you are, then you’ll find that it’s much easier to handle all the many responsibilities of adulthood. Plus, you’ll teach your children valuable lessons. After all, kids pick up more from their parents than just what they’re told. By living well, you’ll also show your kids how to live well. And that’s something that’ll serve them well throughout life.

OK, with all that said, how can you be the best version of yourself? We’ll take a look at some of the most effective methods below. Some of them are easier than others, but they’re all valuable. Indeed, take all of our tips, and it won’t be long before you notice that you’ve radically improved your life!

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

How To Be The Best You, To Be The Best Parent

Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep is so important! Yet oddly, it’s something that is often under-discussed. We all know how much better you feel when you’ve had a full night of rest, and how much more difficult life is when you haven’t. Of course, there’ll be times when getting rest is impossible — especially when your children are extremely young. But if you find that you’re having difficulty falling asleep when everything is fine, then it’ll be important to make changes. Limiting the amount of tech you consume before you go to bed, creating a sleep-friendly environment in your bedroom, and limiting the disturbances will all help.

[Read: What to Keep on Your Nightstand & Relaxation Techniques]

Bright Beginnings

How you start the day will have a big impact on how well your day goes. If you had a chaotic beginning to the day, then it’ll be unlikely that you hit too many peaks throughout the day. Start the day right, and you’ll be set up for success. By far, the biggest enemy of a peaceful morning is time. It can feel like we’re continually rushing around to get everything ready, and that’s obviously stressful. So look at rising a little bit earlier. If you have time to have a good breakfast, meditate, and do some reading, then you’ll be on to a winning day. Bonus points if you can go for a run and then take a cold shower. That combination is more or less the best way to start your day with energy and positivity.

[Read: When Life Gets Busy… Tips & Strategies for Stress Management]

Eating Well

You are what you eat. I know that can sound like a cliche. But as with most cliches, it’s also true. There’s a big difference in how you feel after you’ve eaten a healthy and nutritious meal, and when you’ve eaten some fast food. Of course, one unhealthy meal isn’t going to have a huge impact on your life. However, if that’s more or less all you’re eating, then you’ll be putting yourself at a disadvantage. Look up some quick and easy healthy recipes, and eat well. It can have a game-changing impact on your life.

Daily Exercise

It would be nice if we could get what we need from sitting on the couch and watching Netflix all day. But sadly that’s not the case. If you want to feel at your best, then you need to move your body! The building blocks of being a human are becoming increasingly known for us. We were made to use our bodies, not sit around all day. By working out, you’ll give yourself more energy, boost your immune system, and give yourself mood-boosting chemicals such as endorphins as well. That’s a lot of benefits in exchange for twenty minutes of exercise! It doesn’t matter what you do, so long as you’re getting your heart rate up and doing so consistently. That could mean playing a sport, going to the gym, hiking, or walking around your neighborhood.

Handling Issues

Of course, while there are many things you can do that’ll push your health forward in the right direction, it’s worthwhile remembering that sometimes you’ll need to respond to new issues. Everyone picks up an issue or two just through the course of living. But thankfully, most issues can be managed these days. If you have a health concern, then simply visit your doctor, and see what they suggest. Of course, trips to the doctor are for serious issues. But you should also manage the issues that aren’t life-threatening but which can impact your quality of life. For example, your senses. If your eyesight isn’t what it used to be, then look at getting glasses or contact lenses. If you have problems with your ears, then learn what audiologists treat, and make an appointment. You’ll find that your enjoyment of life is greatly improved if you can experience it in high definition!

Mental Space

Life is stressful when you’re a parent. As such, it’s important that you’re taking steps to protect your mental space. Meditation, yoga, and making time for yourself can all help in significant and profound ways. You’ll essentially be putting a barrier between your wellbeing and the mania of the outside world. Other things, such as spending time in nature and carving out time to do things that you enjoy will also help. You should enjoy the journey that is life!

Goodbye to the Toxins

It can feel fun and relaxing to have a few beers or glasses of wine. But it’s important to remember that alcohol consumption can have a detrimental impact on your lifestyle. It can make you feel sluggish and low in mood. It’s a radical idea to avoid alcohol, but it’s something that’s worth trying. It’s possible that within a few weeks, you’ll have more energy and be happier — and it’ll more or less be down to the alcohol detox. Plus, you’ll receive the added bonus of saving plenty of cash!

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

Talking To Your Kids About Their Health

Healthcare can be a hard thing to understand, even as an adult. You need specialized doctors to explain most things to you. And even when you try to look up conditions online, you can’t quite be sure what to believe. Or if the information you are finding even applies to you. So if it is confusing for you, imagine how your kids must feel? This is why it’s important to learn how to talk to your children about their health. You need to put things in child friendly terms to get the message across, and to encourage a positive attitude towards healthcare as they grow older. Continue reading below for tips on how to talk to your kids about their health.

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

Find Out What They Know First

A good first step is to ask your child questions to find out what they know about their health. Be sure to talk to them in a way that they can understand. By opening the conversation with a very normal, accessible part of the topic will help your little one feel less scared and not worry as much.

Maybe ask them if they even know the name of a condition they’ve been diagnosed with? Or maybe you can ask them about how their eyes and ears ‘feel’, and see what they know about things like hearing protection? Allowing them to take the floor at the beginning is very empowering for someone under the age of 12, and it can stop your child from becoming bored or irritated with the topic as well.

Be Honest About Appointments

Kids hate not knowing what’s going on! And when it comes to their healthcare, there’s a good chance you don’t tell your kids everything. After all, they probably won’t understand much, and you’re the one who schedules their appointments in the first place. However, it’s good to adopt a policy of honesty here in order to encourage health awareness with your child.

So tell them when a check up is happening, and what’s likely to go on there. Also, be sure to let them know what to expect ahead of time. Just like adults, kids tend to cope with strange situations better when they’re aware of what’s going on. They’re less likely to cry or cause a fuss, and all because you took a couple of minutes to be honest with them.

Expect and Encourage Questions

Leave some time after the conversation is over to allow your child to ask questions of their own. If none come, be sure to probe a little. Some children may be nervous to ask, and often need a little encouragement.

This is also a good time to think about the answers you’ll give your child in case of a question that takes you by surprise. Kids can have wide imaginations! For example, some children can wonder about how an illness may affect them in the future.

Your child’s healthcare doesn’t have to be a difficult topic. Start the conversation on their level.

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

How To Take Full Control Of Your Life Choices: Tips For Men

Living life to the fullest means not just being able to buy anything you want and achieving your dreams; it’s also about being in full control of yourself. For any man, having more control over every aspect of your body is a big achievement that’s actually harder to accomplish than you think. Your life choices define you and it’s a must that each aspect of your life is fulfilled well. What does it mean to take full control of your life choices? There’s no one answer to it as doing so means being able to enjoy life without any worries. Here are a few tips on how you can achieve just that and take full control of your life choices: tips for men.

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

Begin Sleeping On A Schedule

Both men and women can benefit from a good sleep schedule. Sleeping whenever you want to isn’t exactly a good habit as it can really ruin your sleep pattern and overall health. If you want to live life to its fullest, you need to begin sleeping on a schedule and this can be a bit tough at first.

An adult male needs at least 6-8 hours of sleep daily. Begin by picking a sleeping time that suits you best. Adjust to it accordingly, tiring yourself throughout the day so that when the schedule comes, you’ll be able to sleep immediately. Do this regularly and eventually, your body will be able to acclimate to the schedule you give it.

Family Planning

If you’re happily married already, the next major step you need to take is planning for a family. Some people just breeze through life and let themselves have as many kids as they want to. Later on, they’ll come to realize that the responsibilities are actually too much to bear.

Family planning is one of the most important aspects of life. It allows you to maintain a good life for your family. Moreover, it prevents you from having more kids then you can handle. The very first step towards family planning is understanding exactly how many kids you want in the first place.

For many, two is the magic number. If you are content with that, it might be time to consider taking precautionary steps like getting a vasectomy and taking contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It takes a good man to understand when enough is enough.

Settling Your Debts

Debts are one thing that can prevent you from fully realizing your dreams. The goal is to have no debts before you reach retirement. But for many, this can be such a big challenge. If you want more control over your life, then you need to break the chains of debt as soon as possible.

The key is to never be too trigger happy when it comes to expenses. Only buy what you can afford. Installment options might seem very attractive at first but if you look at the total expenses, you are definitely getting the short end of the stick. Unless it’s completely necessary, don’t take out more loans and settle the ones you have currently.

Stop Revolving Your Life Around Social Media

For the most part, social media has been helpful when it comes to connecting us with loved ones from afar. Nowadays though, it has become a toxic place where beauty standards are constantly changing and people are becoming to disturbing information.

Maybe it’s time that you stop revolving your life around social media. Begin limiting the time you spend on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Only use these platforms to get the updates you need and to contact your friends and family. You don’t need the negativity that social media brings.

A lot of people take a social media detox and most of them are happy when they actually do it. There’s an entire world around you that’s waiting to be explored. Drop your phone, look up, and enjoy life the way it is meant to be enjoyed – without having to worry about the opinion of others online.

Take Care Of Yourself And Your Hygiene

The common vision we have of a regular man is that he’s one that doesn’t do a lot when it comes to personal hygiene. Most women think that men do the bare minimum when it comes to caring for themselves. On the other hand, men think it makes them less masculine to actually care about their body.

It’s time you do away with this primitive thinking. Start taking up a skincare routine and begin taking care of your body more. Aside from giving you the best version of yourself you’ve had in years, you’ll also be a hit with the ladies if they see that you’re a man that cares for his body well.

Start Growing Your Wealth

Money is a big hindrance when it comes to taking full control of your life. People slave away at their 9 to 5 jobs without even making enough to start a savings account in the bank. It might be time that you begin growing your wealth. Slaving yourself at work isn’t really an ideal way to do so.

There are many ways you can begin growing your wealth. Some people start freelancing, some people start a side business, some invest in stocks, crypto, and other financial instruments. Be smart with your money. Eventually, you’ll be able to have enough to begin achieving your dreams one by one.

If you are having a tough time doing any of these, you might want to get the help of a financial advisor. They can help you find ways to begin saving money and to begin growing your wealth. It’s one of the steps that you can take to ensure that you’ll have more control over your life in the future.

Taking full control of your life might seem tough at first. However, with these tips, you’ll be able to start taking those baby steps one-by-one. It will be a long and arduous journey but what’s important is that you keep track of the progress you make as these will make a lot of difference.

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

How To Inspire Your Children To Be Great

When was the last time you dreamed that you could be anything in life? And when was the last time you chased any of those dreams? When you were a child and people asked you what you wanted to be, there’s a chance that you listed off many different careers that you thought you wanted to pursue. You could have wanted to be a doctor, a lawyer, a garbage collector and more; because nothing seemed impossible when you were young. Your children are now in that time of their life that everything feels possible to them. Perhaps you even see it in their free spirits. Continue reading below to learn how to inspire your children to be great.

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

Find Your Own Inspiration and Path

Imagine what the world would be like if adults were dreaming like they did when they were kids? Imagine what it would be like if you still did? Inspiring your children to achieve their dreams is your job as a parent. You want to help your children fly, and you don’t want to clip their wings based on your opinions of what their life should be. Raising children who value the importance of their own dreams is important. The Teach for America program can help you to retrain into a career that’s more than worth it. There are a range of careers out there that could change your life while inspiring your children, too. So, how can you inspire the children who are looking to you to know whether their dreams are achievable?

How to Inspire Your Children to Be Great

Be the role model they need.

If you model the bigger dreams in your life, you are going to show your children that their dreams are possible. Let them grow up and see that you are just as ambitious at chasing your dreams as they want to be. Living a life full of adventure is exciting for children, but if you decide you want to be someone, show your children how to do it.

Help them to write a bucket list.

Children change their minds as often as they eat hot meals, so expect there to be more than one bucket list over the years. Either way, help them to write it and help them to achieve every single point on the list. If your child says they want to be a firefighter, get them involved in the local station on open days. If your teenager wants to be a doctor, help them to study to pass their MCAT. No matter what it is, they will be inspired by your tenacity to get them where they want to be.

Don’t push them.

The most inspirational parents are the ones that allow their children their shot at freedom and self-discovery. You are the person that protects them but a part of that is about letting go of the leash and letting them have their time to explore themselves and their worlds.

Keep an open mind.

Your six year old may not have any goals at all and some parents would panic at this one – but you don’t have to. Children are excited and happy in life. You can encourage this if you keep an open mind about their lives and how they choose to lead them.

Protect their dreams.

We live in a world obsessed with pushing people to grow up too fast and yet you don’t have to allow your children to grow up that way. Help them to champion their own dreams because you are being their biggest cheerleader. They will always thank you for it.

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

3 Fun Ways To Spend Family Time Together

June 28, 2021

3 Fun Ways To Spend Family Time Together

The importance of family has really been highlighted over the past few months. We’ve all been at home for a while and we have had to learn how to give each other space, while also helping each other in times of need. There was once upon a time when family night games were a regular thing. With no television or computers, families used to gather around to play games, share stories, drink and eat snacks together. What happened to that time? Where did it all go? Maybe it’s high time that this tradition of the family night came back. You can make this happen with the following games. After all, entertainment brings people together.

For more on this topic, check out the full Summer Safety & Activities collection

Balloon Drop

You will need about 2-3 balloons which you will hit into the air and the game is to not drop any of them onto the floor. Who can do this for the longest time, wins. It can start off with an elimination round or just a timer. For example, everyone takes a turn to keep all the balloons up in the air. The onlookers have to time them. The person who can get the longest amount of time wins. Or, you can play it in an elimination way by setting targets in minutes. You have to keep 3 or 4 balloons up in the air for 1 minute. Those who make it past this limit, will do 1-minute 30-seconds. Then the next is 2 minutes until you have one winner.

Family Pictionary

Nothing gets the whole family going like a good game of pictionary. You have to draw fast, it must be accurate of the word you’re portraying and your team must win. However, getting good words that are easily drawable, or at least, give you a good idea of what to draw can be difficult when you’re about round 10 into it. But, you can always use a pictionary word generator which also doubles as a timer. The word will be randomly generated and the clock immediately begins to count down. This stops any unnecessary extra time given to your own team and then calls of cheating coming from the other side.

Imaginary traveler

Everyone has to take turns saying where they are going and what they are taking with them. The game is to go down the alphabet and you have to name both things, using your letter. For example, ‘I’m going to America and I’m taking my antiperspirant’, ‘I’m going to Bolivia and I’m taking my blue balloon’, ‘I’m going to Crete and I’m taking my cat’. This will force everyone to be creative, think of peculiar words. Not to mention, everyone only gets 10-15 seconds to think of their answer when it’s their turn.

These fun family games can be played with little to no equipment, everyone gets a chance to win and they are all just super fun. Let us know which games you played this weekend.

For more on this topic, check out the full Summer Safety & Activities collection