Family Archives - Page 4 of 26

Making Your Home Creative And Fun

It’s extremely easy to stick your kid in front of the TV all day while you tend to chores and other things that need to get done. Sometimes, you might even throw them outside! Anything to get them out of your hair for a little bit, am I right? But, there are plenty of things for kids to do around the house (without screentime!) that enrich their minds and nurture their creativity– all while letting them have fun. Check out this slideshow by Parents.com on things to place around your home for your kids to interact with:

-Stick sheets of poster board (add a tape boarder to minimize spillover) around the house. Let everyone draw and paint on them to create a communal art project.

-Randomly stick self-adhesive googly eyes of various sizes on objects around the house: fruits, veggies, toothbrushes, phones, mugs. It’s hilarious and kids will love to help!

-Cut out strips of craft paper, and write a poetic line on one. Stick it on the wall. Allow family members to add their own lines to create a beautiful (or silly) poem.

-Use soap or dry erase markers to leave messages on mirrors

Photo Credit: Mads Bodker

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Family Service Ideas

by Kathy T.

At my part-time job, we are always trying to sell things for charity. If you’ve ever shopped anywhere, I’m sure you know what I mean. People are always asking to donate a dollar for some charity or another. And I think it’s great! I always try to do it when I can afford it (come on, it’s a dollar). However, there seems to be this attitude that you should only do charitable things during holiday seasons. It’s like, adults think that Santa is keeping tabs of THEIR deeds, and only want to do good for others when they think he’s watching. To me, that is preposterous. There are ALWAYS people in need, YEAR ROUND. Giving back is something I try to instill with my family. If you’d like to try, but are unsure of where to start, check out this post by Kristen at We Are That Family. It’s a list of 100 awesome service projects to do as a family! Here are a few of my favorites:

-Babysit for a single mom or new parents.

-Pick up trash at a local park or around your neighborhood

-Sponsor a child monthly

-Participate in disaster relief causes

-Volunteer at any non-profit. Time and help is often more valuable than money.

-Donate whatever you can, wherever you can: toys to childrens’ hospitals, food to food banks, school supplies to classrooms.

-Write thank you notes to people that serve YOU: postal workers, doctors, teachers, restaurant servers, etc.

Photo Credit: vastateparksstaff

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(FREE!) Winter Date Ideas for Mom and Dad

by Kathy T.

Getting away from the kids for a while is super difficult, but it does wonders for your relationship. Yes, you love your kids, and being away from them is hard, but the quality time with your partner will make your relationship even stronger. And, in the future, your kids will be able to look to you for what a healthy relationship looks like. But, it’s February (yucky weather) and dates aren’t in the budget. What do you do? Fear not! This post by Katie Hale at A Mitten Full Of Savings has a great list of free winter date ideas:

BUILD A BONFIRE: If you live in a rural area, winter is the perfect time of year to gather up some branches and build a bonfire out back. Snuggle together in sleeping bags next to the fire and enjoy the flickering light.

GO CAMPING INDOORS: If you live in an area where the bonfire outside is a bit too cold due to snow and lower temperatures take it indoors and set up camp in your living room in front of the fireplace.

MAKE CANDY: If it is close to the holidays, get in the kitchen together and create your favorite childhood homemade candies.

Photo Credit: Bradley Gordon

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Parenting Classes are ALWAYS a Good Idea

by Kathy T.

There is this sort of stigma attached to parenting classes. Everyone assumes that the only people in these classes are either clueless, or they are being made to by CPS or something. Maybe they’re all “teen moms” that people love to shame. Either way, it is simply not the case. Parenting classes benefit everyone- from first time parents to seasoned veterans, and I think everyone should embrace them. You will always learn something new! Plus, if someone is offering you the chance to become a better parent, why wouldn’t you take it? Remove the stigma. Check out this post by the Baby Calm Blog:

By attending these classes are we somehow saying “I’m not a good parent – I need help?” I’d argue quite the opposite, it is a parent that deeply cares for their child who seeks ways to better their interaction with them.

Parenting classes aim to:

Help parents to form realistic expectations of a toddler’s behaviour.

Help parents to form empathy with a toddler’s feelings.

Helping parents to find gentle tools to prevent & shorten toddler tantrums, aid sleep & eating

Photo Credit: USAG- Humphreys

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A True Warrior’s Task: Getting Your Kids to Clean Their Rooms

by Kathy T.

“Clean Your Room” is the most terrible thing any kid can hear, and the most dreaded thing any parent can say. It often leads to insane fights, tears, shouting, and can be one the biggest struggles when parenting. I know when I was little, getting me to clean my room was like pulling teeth while herding cats. At the same time. I’m still a little messy, but I like to think that I’ve improved. The point is, kids will often not see the logic in cleaning (when they’re just going to mess it back up again) until they are much older. Fortunately, Ruth at Living Well, Spending Less has some tips to make the whole process a little easier (hopefully):

Set an Example I couldn’t very well expect my kids to keep a tidy room if I wasn’t willing, able, and downright determined to keep a tidy house myself.

Be Consistent We start our day by cleaning.For better or for worse, it has become part of our daily routine.

Be Firm I simply don’t take no for an answer. I don’t plead or waver or back down.

Get Rid of Excess Stuff Clothes & shoes that are out of season or no longer fit get put in storage or brought to Goodwill. Toys are still kept to a minimum. Papers & junky party favors or prizes are usually tossed immediately (when the kids aren’t looking!)

Make it Easy to Put Stuff Away My girls both know where things go because everything in their room has a home.

Make it Fun I will readily admit that I don’t always make it fun, but the days that I do are definitely far less painful then the days I don’t.

Photo Credit: Joe Goldberg

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Thanksgiving Traditions to Start with Your Family

by Kathy T.

The only Thanksgiving traditions I have with my family are: 1. Get everyone together. 2. Eat ridiculous amounts of food. Occasionally, we will go around the table and each state what we are thankful for. It just depends on how hungry we are! But, there are so many other things you can do with your family that truly honors the spirit of Thanksgiving. The folks at Hallmark.com have a few ideas:

-Draw names: say one thing you like/are thankful for about the person who’s name you drew.

-Keep a “thankful” jar year round and write something every few days. Read them all on Thanksgiving.

–Absence makes the thanks grow stronger
Encourage your family to spend a day without something you all treasure, but often take for granted. Pick a weekend day and put everyone’s cell phones away in a drawer. The next day, you’ll be thankful it back, but better yet, you’ll probably be thankful for a day with more time with your family.

Photo Credit: Mark Mrwizard

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How to Build Character in Your Child

by Kathy T.

Everyone wants to raise a child with good character– no one likes whiny, bratty kids who think the world revolves around themselves. Having character means having integrity, courage, confidence, and good values. You can tell kids to “be” all of these things until your face is blue, but they will only actually learn by doing. This post by Tulip at True Aime Education has several character building activities for you to do with your kids:

Bake with Your Children

Cooking builds your children’s confidence and gives them a skill that will last a lifetime!

Host a Food Drive

Caring for others and being generous is one of the most important habits to develop.

What Makes Me Special Craft

Even adults struggle with low self-esteem. Don’t let your children forget that it’s not what they have or what they look like that makes them special.

Read with your kids- Books can teach great values like courage and honesty!

Photo Credit: USDA gov

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Fun Traditions to Start with Your Kids

by Kathy T.

Some of the best memories I have from my childhood involve traditions that my family always did. Any time we all did stuff together (traveling, swimming, reading, playing, doing crafts, putting up holiday decorations, helping to cook) I always had a blast. Anything that includes your kids with the whole family is going to be a ton of fun for them. This list by Linz at Cuegly has 75 ideas for activities to do with your kids, many of which could become new traditions. Here are some that I used to do and always loved! :

Build blanket forts

Dinosaur Dig in the yard

Finger Painting

Make a book- then write in it!

Make hand shadows on the wall

Create your own silly holiday (like “donut day!”)

Go on nature walks

Photo Credit: andrechinn

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Celebrate National Adoption Month in November!

by Kathy T.

Adding a new member to your family is always an exciting journey. It should be celebrated no matter what the circumstances! If you want to have a child but are having fertility or other problems conceiving (or you don’t want to go through childbirth), I’m sure you’ve been told a thousand times to consider adoption. While that’s not necessarily a helpful thing to say to people struggling to conceive, it is still a wonderful option for those of you with open hearts and homes. According to this post at Jae Ha Kim,

2% of all kids in the United States are adopted and that 60% of all Americans have a personal connection to adoption

I know that my life wouldn’t be complete without my adopted cousins! There are millions of children looking for homes that would love to be a part of your life. If you have adopted a child or are considering it, celebrate that decision this month (and every other month!)

Photo Credit: Sam Howzit

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Thrifty Things to Do with Your Family in the Fall

by Kathy T.

Fall is my favorite season, and it’s a great time to spend outdoors with your family! There are tons of things to do, most of which come at little to no cost. Unlike summer, with its costly trips to water parks, roller coasters, and pools, fall is filled with more local and frugal opportunities. Heather at Family Friendly Frugality has several ways that you can get outdoors and enjoy the fall weather with your loved ones:

Pumpkin Patches: Starting October 1st, you can’t go 2 miles without hitting a pumpkin patch. They are held by churches, local farms, floral shops, I’ve even seen some attached to grocery stores!

Fairs, Festivals and Picnics…oh my! Fall is the time for Halloween carnivals, fall festivals, company picnics and so much more! Take advantage of these free outdoor events and bring your own drinks and treats and soak in the sights.

Take a road trip. Fall is the perfect time of the year to just take a short road trip. Pick a town a bit out of normal driving distance and head on over to check out the sights.

Photo Credit: Just Jennifer

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