Category: Parenting

When it comes to tech and kids, the headlines are not great. There appears to be no real protection from hackers and cyberthieves. They are not just a danger to your kids in some generic way. They are targeting your kids because they are easy marks. It is also not only a matter of sexual predation. Your kids are a fount of information about your family. And kids notoriously lack any form of discernment when it comes to what one should or shouldn’t reveal. Your kids are an uncapped firehose of information. And there is only a limited number of things you can do about it once they have a computing device and an internet connection.

As scary as that is, technology can also be the key that unlocks your child’s potential. The worst case scenario is not the only scenario. Your kids are so much more than the worst possibility. And they should have access to the tools that make them the best versions of themselves they can be. The tech that can bring them to their knees is the same tech that can raise them to the stars. It is just a matter of applying that technology in the most beneficial way. Here are some tips for how to do just that:

Teach Them to Program

It is hard to imagine any meaningful job of the future that doesn’t involve the use of technology. The screens from which you want to protect your children are the same screens that will one day pay their rent. It is counterproductive to make your children afraid or suspicious of technology. If you don’t want the technology to control them, teach them how to control the technology.

Don’t just teach them; teach yourself. The same coding games that teach your children how to program also work as coding games for adults. Many of your fears will go away once you understand how it works. When you have a healthier relationship with technology, you will be able to more capably guide your children into a healthier tech relationship.

The thing to remember is that as bad as the threats are, the tech is not the problem. Bad people doing bad things are the problem, as it has always been. Help your kids learn how it all works so that they can one day be a part of the solution.

Night Time Tech

The best parenting advice calls for children’s bedtime routine to be tech-free. But taken too far, this approach can throw the baby out with the bathwater. What you want to limit is screen time, not technology. That screen time also includes television and ereaders. If your child is staying up late reading books, that is probably a win rather than a loss.

Instead of making tech the night time enemy that robs your child of sleep, use the tech as an ally to help your child sleep better. Adjust the settings so that the screen takes on a warmer cast as it gets later in the day. On Apple devices, that feature is called Night Shift. Some people swear by it. Android has similar options. Set the smart speaker to play soothing sounds like crickets or waves. That is a known sleep aid for many. Use a sleep tracker to gage the quality of their sleep. Finally, you can set the devices to start the wakeup process in a gentle and natural way. Rather than you having to make several trips to their room to get them out of bed, technology can help them wake up more naturally and more refreshed.

Use Tech to Keep Them Safe

Rather than taking away the ability for children to text in school, administrators are implementing new ways to help kids stay safe via text messaging. By giving kids smartwatches with tracking capabilities, parents can know where their kids are at all times. A watch that can double as a phone is better than a phone because it is worn all day and not subject to getting lost. It also doesn’t have the capability to play games and post other distractions.

There are definitely a lot of ways for technology to go wrong. But there are also a lot of ways for it to go right. Give your kids the best opportunity by teaching them to code, letting tech help them sleep better, and using tech to keep them safe.

You have probably been wondering when your kids can start helping you out in the kitchen. Before you start letting them help you out in the kitchen, it’s appropriate to know what’s okay for them to do as well as what isn’t. The following tips will help you learn how to teach your kids different tasks appropriately. You can also check this beginner’s cooking guide by StoneFryingPans.

 

• Correct timing

 

You should remember that you shouldn’t teach your kids different kitchen skills during the late hours of the night. Wait for a convenient time like the weekend, when you don’t have to rush. You’ll be more relaxed and patient with them, which is very important. They also need to be more focused to learn tasks like how to make coffee and run the dishwasher.

 

• Eye on the prize

 

When introducing your kids to cooking, you shouldn’t expect the type of food you get in restaurants. What you’re doing is boosting their self-esteem and encouraging their transition into independence. Don’t be hard on them; let them learn slowly. You have done a great job if you are excited to have spent time in the kitchen and helped you out at the end of the day.

 

• Food safety

 

This is the most important thing you can teach them when they learn how to cook. The fundamental aspects of food safety include: their hands should be kept clean while preparing food, they shouldn’t lick their fingers, raw and cooked food should be kept separate, and when cooking, the right temperature should be used. Caution them on cross-contamination. Cooked food shouldn’t be put on platters that had raw food. The other rule is they should clean utensils after using them.

 

• Using the dishwasher

 

The first step should be explaining to them how it works when it’s empty. Afterward, add dirty utensils and show them where everything goes depending on how you arrange yours. Teach them to always put plates and cups in the dishwasher instead of having the sink full of dirty dishes. Have their items on a low shelf to make it easier for them to unload the dishwasher.

 

• Using a microwave

 

This is the easiest appliance you can teach them to use and most useful. You should teach them four basic things when they’re learning how to use most microwave models: melting, defrosting, cooking, and cleaning.

 

• Watch your terminology

 

Kids aren’t as advanced as you’re in terms of words. If you use tough words like sauté, sear, or fold, they’ll be confused until you explain well. Therefore when you use such terminology, make sure you define them and understand what you mean. You can also use more straightforward language if you find that works better for them.

 

• Use of hot pads

 

It’s easy to burn yourself in the kitchen, even as an adult. So have your children always wear hot pads when dealing with hot mixtures. They should be worn when food is removed from the oven or microwave and when holding all-metal pans on the stovetop. They shouldn’t lick hot food or even handle it, and if they get hurt, they should tell you or any other adult around. Ensure you always keep a first aid kit in your kitchen.

 

• Shoes and Safe Clothing

 

It’s advisable to wear shoes in the kitchen, both for you and your child. You’ll be protecting your feet from accidents, and they offer traction. Safe clothing is also essential. Teach them not to wear clothes with long and flowy sleeves. Also, avoid wearing anything flammable such as synthetic fabric or loose clothing.

Are you a pushy parent, forcing your children to do the activities that you wanted to do? Making them do all the things that you’ve missed out on?

 

There’s a handful of reasons why parents do this – they know keeping busy with activities reduces the risk of your kids getting mixed up in the wrong things, you see an extension of yourself in your child, or you have unfulfilled ambitions that you want your child to live out for you.

 

There is absolutely no better joy than being a parent. It’s by far, one of the best things that we will ever do in our lives. But unfortunately, as parents, we tend to put our dreams on the back burner, and as a result of this, we have regrets or force our dreams onto our children. 

 

It feels as though it’s something that is expected of us when we give birth. Our lives have to completely change and this little bundle of joy has to be the center of our universe.

 

But there’s a problem with this belief. Our children will eventually grow up, they become independent and begin relying on us less.  Then they go to college, get married and start a family of their own. 

 

And now you’re left with a ton of free time and regret. Although it’s never too late to go back to school or start a business you might not have the same energy to get it going at this point.

 

This will prove to be your biggest regret, in fact, 76% of parents say that they regret not going after their dream. You regret not finishing school, not starting that business, not hiking the Appalachian Mountains, not writing that book, and this list can go on and on,

 

Listen, your life doesn’t stop because you had children. You can still be a good parent and go after your dreams of being a teacher, writing a book, or starting that business.

 

The only thing being a parent will do for your dreams is possibly making obtaining that dream a bit more challenging. And it’s likely that the route you planned on taking to obtain your goal will look differently, but it’s definitely not impossible.

 

And something that you should begin working on. 

 

Your personal dreams shouldn’t come before your family and part of being a mother is about sacrifice, right. Of course, if your personal dream is to hike the Appalachian mountains for a year then yes you’ll have to sacrifice that dream for a while. But there’s another option – you can do a week long trip every year hiking part of the mountain and picking up where you left off the following year.

 

There are literally hundreds of “valid reasons” why you should put your dreams on hold.  But these are excuses. Fear is by far one of the biggest factors. You’re afraid to fail at your dream and fail at being a parent. But what if you succeed. Imagine telling your children when they grow up how you didn’t let anything stop you from going after what you wanted. 

 

There are endless possibilities whether you’re looking to make money, start a business or continue your education to become a school teacher. So there’s no reason that you cannot finish going after your teaching career when you can get your California teaching credential while sitting at your kitchen table and become a virtual teacher.

 

There’s no reason you cannot continue doing the job that you love doing. You’re not a bad parent for loving your job. And sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too, there are hundreds of remote jobs that allow you to stay home while still earning an income

 

The last thing that you want is for your unfilled dreams to affect your children’s lives. We’ve watched tv shows and movies about this. Parents live their dreams through their children, by forcing them into activities that they don’t enjoy. Fathers pushing their kids into sports they don’t want to play, mothers signing them up for activities they wished their mothers signed them up for.

 

But these children are forced to do things that they have no interest in. 

So grab a cup of coffee or tea and start coming up with a plan to obtain your goal.

The worst thing about being a first-time mom is the doubt. You doubt yourself about everything. You try to put a good face on it. But in your alone time, you break down in the shakes because you are afraid you are going to break your baby in 17 different ways before you even get her out of your belly. The list of things that can go wrong is longer than the list of things that can go right. You are scared senseless. And that fear is not entirely unfounded.

The second worst thing about being a first-time mom is the advice – the endless, unsolicited, insipid advice. Oh lord, just make it stop! Now that I think about it, that might be the worst thing. The never-ending stream of advice is truly awful. And thanks to the internet and social media, there is nowhere to hide. You always suspected that some of your friends were idiots. This period in your life will remove all doubts.

That said, they are well-meaning idiots. And they love you very much. Moreover, some of that advice is actually spot on. It can be hard to know which advice is good and which is, well, not so much. Here is some you have surely heard before. It’s the good stuff:

Boost Your Energy and Milk Supply

Breastfeeding is hard work and it literally takes a lot out of you, especially if you have twins. If you don’t do something to boost your supply of both energy and milk, you will find yourself, well… drained. The friend that told you about the breastfeeding protein powder deserves a gold star.

You can drink protein shakes and enjoy tasty energy bars that help boost that which a breastfeeding mom needs the most. More to the point, it helps you take care of yourself. Your newborns completely depend on you for everything. You do them no favors by not taking care of yourself. Like the instructions on every flight, in case of emergency, take the oxygen to supply yourself, then help the person you are with. That goes double for babies. You have to take care of yourself if you want to take the best care of them.

Get the Right Nursing Bra

When you’re breastfeeding, a bra is no longer just underwear. It is a vital tool for you and your baby. Avoid the most common mistakes when buying a nursing bra. An example is a size. Many make the mistake of buying a bra that is too big because they think bigger is better. This is not true. What you need is a bra that fits properly.

Another common error is thinking the pregnancy bra will suffice for nursing. That is not true. While you want support from both, the nursing bra will have cups that are easier to lower and more padded cups to prevent leakage. There are plenty of areas where you can save money as a new mom. But a nursing bra is not one of them. Take your time and find a good one.

Don’t Assume Your Baby Is the Exception

Try not to take this the wrong way: While your baby is special to you, your baby is not special generally speaking. In your lifetime, babies will be born by the billions. Yours is one of them. If you fall into the belief that your baby is special, you might miss warning signs of common infant and newborn problems. You can also fall into the trap of thinking that something is wrong with your baby when they are perfectly normal. Your baby is special in the same way that every mom’s baby is special. Try to keep some perspective.

Buy the Best Camera You Can Afford

There will only be one first step, first word, and first giggle. You don’t want to entrust those firsts to some garbage smartphone camera. The reason you want the best camera for all the special moments is because 20 years later, the quality of pictures will be so far beyond what we have today, the pictures you take right now might not age well. So get the best you can because you can’t go back and retake those pictures. You get one shot for the really important ones. Make it a good one.

Sometimes, your annoying friends are right. Give a special thanks to the ones who advised you to get milk and energy boosters, to get the right nursing bra, to keep a level head about your baby’s specialness, and to get the best camera you can afford.

No one ever said that being a role model was easy. In fact, it is so daunting of a task, many people actively disavow any responsibility for being a role model. It would be nice if that were possible. But it isn’t. None of us have the privilege of living in a selfish bubble where we can do anything we like without having an impact on anyone else. That is simply not how it works. And if any part of you fantasizes about being in such a bubble, you should not become a parent.

As a parent, you are not in a bubble. You are under a microscope. Everything you do is magnified, studied, and mimicked by your child. It doesn’t begin when you bring your baby home from the hospital. Learning begins in the womb. Your influence as a role model to another human being starts before you see your child’s face. There is never a time when your actions are not shaping your child. If that seems like a lot of pressure, it is.

The good news is you can do this. It helps to start the process by already having some strong life values in place. You need to think about what kind of person you want your child to be when they grow up. Then be that person. Here are a few values you are going to want to pass on:

Clear-Minded

Your greatest asset is your brain. And that will be true for your child as well. Their ability to think clearly and without the influence of intoxicants might be the life or death difference for them. It is the difference between doing well academically and doing poorly. It is the difference between being an employee and being the boss.

Unfortunately, it is all too easy to fall into the wrong crowd and bad habits that become debilitating addictions. If your child sees you taking intoxicants, the likelihood of them doing the same is much greater. You would be heartbroken to learn that in her late teens, your precious little angel is experimenting with methadone. Even if she does not become instantly addicted, it can destroy her opportunities.

Consider the jobs that require urine testing. So how long does methadone stay in your urine? It can be as many as two weeks. One night of partying can be the difference between success and a lifetime of struggle. Don’t play games with your mental health. In that game, your child is likely to be the biggest loser.

Sustainability

If you teach your child to love the planet while doing things to hurt it, they will learn from what you do rather than what you say. Sustainability has to be more than a slogan. It has to be a mission. You don’t get a badge for going halfway green. It is a commitment that has to permeate all your choices. You can’t have this one area in your life where sustainability doesn’t matter. Nobody is perfect. And your child does not have to see you being perfect. They have to see that it really matters to you. Show them that, and it will matter to them as well.

Make It Right

The first thing you learn as a role model is that nobody is perfect. You won’t be, either. So if you are a person struggling with substance abuse disorder, or anything else, the best thing you can do for your child is to let her see you making it right and staying on the path to recovery.

Some of the mistakes you make with your child as a witness will be pretty bad. You will not ruin them for life just because you are human. The damage comes when you don’t take measures to correct the mistake. If you treat lapses in values as if they were not a big deal, then the value you are hoping to teach will be no big deal to them. It is okay to make mistakes. But when you do, take the extra step of making it right. To make things right is one of the most important values you can pass on.

If no one told you that being a parent meant being a role model, surprise! It does. Start with the values of being clear-minded, being eco-friendly, and most of all, making things right when mistakes happen. Get those right, and you will be the greatest role models your child will ever have.

Getting your child a dog is a potential lifelong commitment. Before you jump into getting one, make sure that your child is ready for the responsibility that it takes. Adding a dog to the family gives your child the opportunity to learn how to care for and meet the needs of someone else. Doing this can have lasting positive effects on your child throughout their life. 

Commitment to Training 

Dogs are wonderful and fun but they also need some training to be good houseguests. The last thing a mama wants is to have to scrub poop stains off the carpet every single day. Not only that, but you’re going to want to be able to have guests over without your dog jumping and knocking them down. 

Careful consideration must happen to ensure your pet is properly trained. If you’ve never trained a dog before, visit an online vet chat room where they can teach you a bit more about your animal. Once you learn how to train them, you have to be diligent about it and stay consistent. Everyone in the household needs to be on the same page in order for it to work.

Keeping Structure 

It is very important to teach your child to maintain structure with your dog. Pups need to eat at certain times throughout the day and they also need to go outside at specific times as well. To prevent your child’s pet from pooping in the house, try to let the dog outside in-between and after meals. 

It is also important to set up a consistent time to walk and exercise the dog so that it can stay healthy. Your child may have responsibilities of their own that they need to learn to prioritize as well. Yes, it is very important for your pup to get care of, but it isn’t helpful if your child sacrifices their own responsibilities to do that. Thus, your kiddo needs to learn time management. For example, they need to be able to take their pet for a walk and finish their homework in time for bed. 

So before you get a dog, it is a good idea to sit down with your kid and talk about how they will manage their time.

Cleaning up Messes 

No one wants to clean up the mess that a dog makes. When children think about having a pet, they seem to only think about the fun parts. But it is important for kids to be the main ones cleaning up their dog’s mess. 

If the dog goes to the bathroom inside of the house, have the child clean up the mess and reinforce the pup’s training. If their pet knocks something over, have your child pick it up and help teach the dog to be more gentle. 

Every mess is an opportunity for both the child and the dog to learn something.

Having Lots of Fun 

It seems obvious that it’s important for your child to have lots of fun with your dog. Unfortunately, once the excitement of having a new puppy wears off it’s easy for a kid to play with them less. Young kids often get distracted by and more excited about new things. If you notice this, try to remind your child that dogs need lots of love, affection, and playtime daily.

Extend a Hand 

It is definitely important for your child to learn to care for their pet. But, it’s equally important for mom to extend a hand from time to time when it gets hard. Sometimes they just can’t do it all on their own. This will teach your child that it’s okay to need help. Also, it will allow them the chance to mess up without sacrificing the safety or wellbeing of their pet. 

All in all, the lessons and love your youngster will learn from gaining a new best friend will be worth it.

The point of studying history is to discover ways to avoid the mistakes of the past. At least, that is the hope that most parents have for their children’s future. Here is a bonus- learning about history can be fun! Finding new ways to learn about the past can open a whole new world to kids and parents alike.

Historical research and discovery are so much more than just opening up a dusty textbook. Parents can help to immerse their child in history using all kinds of media. Music is an excellent resource because it’s interactive. Merely placing a Bluetooth turntable in the living room can change the way that your child understands history. Listening to music on vinyl or cassette helps facilitate appreciation in sounds from the past. Dance to the music together and then talk about which genres of music you each like best.

Genealogy just got a whole lot easier thanks to websites such as Ancestry.com and others. Some even offer free trials and subscriptions. These sites make history relevant by helping families discover how their ancestors affected the past (and their future). Finding out that someone you are related to did something amazing or historically significant can inspire children to think about their own life and future in different ways.

Another option for discovering information about the past is using video conferencing platforms to interview older relatives. Facetime, Zoom, or Google Meets can offer opportunities for virtual interviews when distance or health concerns may otherwise prevent these extraordinary conversations. Planning interview questions with your child can focus the direction of your discussion. You may find out important and fun new tidbits about grandparents, including war experiences, experience with technology, past careers, and historical event recollections.

Since families are spending more time than ever at home, it’s a perfect time the break out the old VCR or DVD player and to watch some classic movies together. Many films accurately portray the historical events that make our world what it is today. Whether it is a western, a documentary, or an old Hollywood drama, there are treasures to be found if you know where to look. If these old-school mediums are hard to come by, digitally remastered options are often available on-demand through popular streaming services like Netflix.

If admission is available in your area, museums are a history buff’s go-to for a reason. Touring displays recreated to teach about the past are a hands-on experience that most kids enjoy. Some museums go above and beyond to make these experiences interactive. If in-person tours are not available, take advantage of the virtual tours that have been created as an alternative. This is a safe and easy way to learn about history from the comfort of your own home. Some museums provide a premade scavenger hunt to help guide your learning, or you can create your own! Ask your child what they want to learn about, and let that guide your virtual visit.

History can be a great way to connect with your child and to show them that the past can help determine the future in many ways. Making it relevant and fun is a secret that many excellent teachers have mastered using great resources and stepping away from the usual books and lectures. Facilitating learning makes it meaningful, so use these tips to guide your child into a love of learning and a passion for history.

When it comes to drug rehabilitation services, you need to remember that every treatment center is different. What makes a center suitable for meth addiction are the features and amenities on offer. Keep in mind that every clinic has its own set of programs and specialties. On top of that, you have to keep in mind that every human being is different as well, which means a top-rated clinic will ensure a treatment and therapy plan according to your needs.

If you are looking for drug detox in Iowa to get your adolescent child off meth, you need to remember the top features that make a rehab clinic ideal for the issue-at-hand.

Look for the specialties

Every treatment center specializes in the treatment of a particular type of addiction. Of course, rehab centers offer multiple specialties, but it is still vital to make your choice depending on the type of drug use. Always make sure to choose a rehab center that offers therapy programs in accordance with your addiction.

Check the success rate

A high success rate is the best indicator for a top-rated meth rehab clinic. The higher the success rate, the higher is the rating of the rehab center. Keep in mind rehab centers might define their success differently. So, always make sure to ask your questions regarding success stories and rates before making your choice. Remember that rehabilitation success is always defined by long-time and permanent sobriety.

A clear focus on the actual issue

According to medical experts and rehab specialists, addiction is always the result of some sort of underlying issue. A proper treatment protocol will address the underlying problems and causes for long-term sobriety. When the underlying issues are addressed, recovering addicts do not relapse. This is why it is essential to ensure dual-diagnosis at your clinic of choice before signing on the dotted line.

About comprehensive 1-on-1 therapies

As stated in the previous section, there are several therapy options for drug rehabilitation and treatment. Drug issues are always resolved better when treated from several different angles – physical, mental, and psychological. Rehab groups and centers are supposed to offer one-on-one therapy sessions to deal with the underlying issues better. Here are some of the therapies you should be aware of – ask your questions before signing the contract.

• Biofeedback
• Cognitive-behavioral
• Dialectical behavioral therapy
• Experiential
• Faith-based
• Holistic
• Motivational enhancement

A focus on family

Addiction and rehab both affect the individual as well as the family. Keep in mind that family is the best support system any recovering individual can have. This is why it is highly crucial to ask whether the family is a critical part of recovery at the rehab of your choice. Every top-rated rehab center always includes the family in the therapy and treats them as part of the program. Programs are supposed to offer extensive education, support, and other resources for the addicted individual and the family.

Private clinics and Maryland dual diagnosis treatment centers are the best options for treating the meth addiction of your adolescent kid. Here are some of the other features on offer.

Experienced staff

One main reason to go for rehab clinics for drug addiction is the 24-7 care offer. Keep in mind that rehabilitation is challenging, and the recovering individual will go through withdrawals and physical symptoms. This is the main reason why experienced, trained and certified staff is hugely crucial for a rehab center’s proper functioning. Every thriving treatment center employs registered nurses and accredited staff members. Even though it doesn’t guarantee the quality, it is still an excellent indicator.

Post-treatment care

You also need to remember that the care doesn’t end after the rehab stint. Following in-patient rehab therapy, every recovering individual will need to go through outpatient treatment. Extensive post-treatment care is essential when it comes to complete recovery. Every top-rated treatment center recognizes the importance of post-treatment care and provides it. Ensure that your rehab center offers 12-step programs, counseling, group, and family therapy sessions as part of the post-treatment care.

About vocational support

Many rehab centers offer career ideas, counseling, and guidance to manage long-term sobriety. Jobs allow every individual to maintain sobriety by providing them with a sense of purpose. It also reduces downtime and keeps the individual engaged in activities and social situations. Jobs are for personal satisfaction and a sense of achievement. Always look for a rehab center that provides you with vocational support and career guidance programs.

Exercise and nutrition

Lastly, you need to look into the rehab center’s food and nutrition before making your decision. Addicts severely neglect their health, and this means during the recovery, nutrition is highly crucial. Food allows a recovering individual to feel better naturally, and every top-rated rehab center provides proper nutrition and exercise facilities to heal the body from the inside.

Always look for a reputable private rehab center when it comes to drug recovery treatment. All the best!