Category: Parenting

Learning to read is one of the most important things your child will ever do. Story time is the backbone of any successful day in a child’s early development, and as parents, it is our duty to engage our kids with reading as much as we can.

However, in today’s fast-paced, technologically-advanced society, enticing a child to sit down and read a book is probably a more difficult task than it’s ever been before. Amidst all the phones and tablets and laptops and video games, how can we make reading exciting for them?

For me, personalized books have been a Godsend. These are story or learning books personalized with your child’s name, and often a photo, making them immediately stand out from all the other books on the shelf. Many personalized books, like the ones available here, feature the child’s name not just in the text, but also in the pictures and illustrations. In this post, I look at three reasons why personalized books are a great way to make your child fall in love with reading!

 

1. Making Your Child Centre of Attention

 

We all know that most young children love nothing more than being the centre of attention all the time. Personalized books do a great job of accomplishing that, by putting them front and centre.

We’ve all been in the situation when our children ask to hear a story, and we know what they want is to hear some version of the classic “Once upon a time, there was a very special girl named Sarah” (or whatever their name may be of course!) Kids love imagining themselves as princesses, or brave knights – often a real test of our imagination! But with a personalized storybook, all the hard work is done for you, as they tell classic fairytale stories with your child as the star of the show.

Personalized books can also be extremely effective for the less confident child. Placing them in the story as the hero can instill them with pride and self-assurance as they read or listen to a story in which they accomplish incredible feats and save the day! In their personalized stories, they can do anything, and this knowledge can transfer over to their own lives.

Finally, a personalized book can be a really simple way to remind a struggling child just how loved they are. Maybe they’re having a hard time at school, or perhaps a younger sibling has just been born, stealing the limelight that was previously exclusive to them! In any case, their unique personalized book, focused completely on them, will surely let them know that whatever changes may happen, they’re still very special, and always will be.

 

2. Engaging Reluctant Readers

 

 

Numerous studies have shown how a child’s early reading ability can have a direct correlation to their overall academic performance through high school, as well as their lifelong earning potential. With this in mind, many experts recommend beginning reading to your baby as soon as he or she is born!

Despite the obvious benefits of reading, some children, try as we might, are simply not interested in it. Of course, we can’t just give up – rather, it’s our job to make reading exciting for them in some way.

Personalized books are better positioned to entice reluctant readers, particularly those who are most stimulated visually. Many personalized books feature the child’s name not just in the text, but also in the pictures and illustrations. Sometimes they are even hidden, creating a fun game for the child to try and find them!

Personalization creates a different element to reading books, making them seem more fresh and interesting than the books at school or the library.

 

3. A Fresh Take on Old Favorites

 

 

All kids love Disney, right? Personalized Disney books have taken off massively over the past few years. Some simply can’t get enough of Moana, Olaf, Dory and Buzz Lightyear, and digest as much of these characters and stories as their brains allow, in a variety of forms. Other children, especially in this era of the internet and streaming services, prefer to stick to just watching on TV. To them, a storybook can’t compete with a motion picture. Unless…

Personalized books offer a fresh take on your child’s favorite stories – instead of just retelling the tale on paper, they place your child right into the heart of the story, offering them the unique opportunity to visit Wonderland, the Hundred Acre Wood, Monstropolis or Pride Rock in a way they never have before.

Personalized books are not just limited to Disney though! With many companies offering a diverse range, you can be sure that whatever their preference, their favorite characters are waiting for them to join in and come along for the ride.

As a new mother, chances are you’re trying to juggle between taking care of your baby, doing chores or completing business obligations, or even trying to squeeze in some time for yourself. While these are all natural aspects of motherhood, becoming a parent can be an incredibly challenging and stressful time we could all use some help with, and technology might be the ideal answer. If you are looking for ways to organize and make motherhood a bit easier to handle, here are some beneficial apps that might help:

 

Daily baby activity apps

If you’re in search of an application that will allow you to monitor your child’s everyday activities, there are a number of tracker apps like Baby Bundle and Total Baby that do the job well. These apps will give you the opportunity to log pooping and sleeping schedules, monitor feeding times, and keep track of bath routines. Offering some extra features you could record, such as doctor’s appointments, vaccination charts, and even helpful parenting guides, these tracking apps can be incredibly useful when monitoring the day-to-day activity of both newborns and older children.

 

Nursing and feeding trackers

While keeping up with your baby’s feeding schedule might be a difficult task for many new moms, there are plenty of apps that could help make this an easier and more pleasant experience. In case you are breastfeeding, an app like Baby Tracker Nursing will allow you to monitor your child’s breastfeeding schedule, record nursing times, or even share these details with a doctor, while an app like Milk Maid could be particularly helpful if you are pumping, allowing you to track your stored milk as well. If you haven’t decided to breastfeed, on the other hand, an application like IBaby Feed Timer will allow you to track the number of bottle feeds, the duration of feeding sessions, and even anticipate the time of the next feed.

 

Child development apps

If you’re looking for an all-around organizer that will allow you to keep track of all your motherhood needs in one place, a baby development app such as Mumli would be the ideal solution. This application will give you the opportunity to create your own profile where you could post updates and ask questions, and even follow and connect with other moms to share information, advice, and personal experience about all things baby-related. However, possibly the most useful aspect of Mumli is the fact that it allows you to create and share collections, providing you with a space where you could organize the mess of screenshots, articles, and messages you’ve collected in one easily accessible place.

 

Baby-friendly maps

In case you plan on traveling with your child, you might need some additional help when it comes to finding baby-friendly locations in new and unfamiliar destinations. Applications such as Mom Maps can be of great help, providing you with maps pinned with parks, shops, restaurants, cafes, museums, and other places you could safely visit with your baby, all approved by other mothers. But if you need more detailed apps for your own area, an app like Instant Playdates might be a better option. This application gives you the opportunity to connect with moms who have children of the same age as yours, allowing you to schedule playdates, arrange meetups, or even call them over to your home for bonding time.

 

Health-based applications

What first-time moms need is often a way they could keep track of their baby’s health, and fortunately, there are a number of apps that could help with this as well. For instance, an application like Growth will let you monitor your kid’s growth according to CDC and WHO guidelines, while apps such as Child Medical History can help you keep up with everything from doctor’s appointments to your baby’s blood type, allergies, test results, and other medical information. If you’re looking for medical apps that could provide useful, doctor-approved health information, WebMD Baby can be a good choice for finding helpful articles regarding health news, caring tips, symptoms to keep in mind, and much more.

 

Baby monitor apps

Sometimes your organizational needs might simply be monitoring your baby and ensuring they are safe and sound while you take care of necessary chores and other obligations. Thankfully, there are some apps that could help with this aspect as well. In case you don’t have a larger budget, or you simply haven’t had enough time to invest in a baby monitor, applications like Cloud Baby Monitor will allow you to turn any two smart devices you already own, such as a phone and a tablet, into a streaming device that gives you the opportunity to monitor your baby with ease.

 

Staying organized as a new mother is never an easy task, but the beneficial apps mentioned above might allow you to turn this beautiful yet stressful period into an easier and more enjoyable time.

Old traditions are being replaced with new ones, as society evolves alongside technology and in many relationships, it is the woman who goes out and earns the money, while hubby takes the backstage role. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about; if she makes more money than you do, then this is the smart way to move forward; besides, many family men make some money with an online business.

If you are taking the home role in the relationship, here are a few tips to make the transition work.

✓ Be Systematic – Most men are visibly shocked when they start managing a family home, wondering how their partner manages to do everything without effort! Plan the daily clean like you would a military campaign and stick to timetables. The house doesn’t clean itself and whether or not parenting is on the menu, you need to allocate enough time to keep things clean. Hardwood floors need to be swept and mopped daily, while the vacuum deals with carpets and rugs (every other day is recommended) and putting the trash out on the right day is another chore not to overlook.

✓ Make Good Use of the Internet – Time is very important when you have a large house to manage and your weekly groceries can be bought online and delivered to your door, as can anything else that you need. For liquid refreshment, check out one of the local breweries in Sydney Australia, where you can buy fine craft beers online, then you’ll always have a few beers in the cooler when friends pop round. Any domestic services you need can be sourced with a Google search, should you experience a blocked drain or burst water pipe.

✓ Create a Weekly Chart – This will be your guide to the many daily tasks and when you list everything within a timeline, you become very efficient. Monday might be the upstairs cleaning day, with Wednesday afternoon set aside for your online work (has to be done at some time); all tasks should be listed, along with any supplies you might need.

✓ Pamper your Partner – Of course, you know how it feels to come home after a long day at the office, so do go out of your way to pour her a glass of wine and prepare an armchair where she can relax while waiting for that delicious dinner that’s in the oven. She will appreciate you running a hot bath and bringing her a drink when she arrives and this keeps the relationship on an even keel. Click here for tips to develop sustainability in your life.

✓ Parenting – If you are looking after young children, this is a whole new ball game that will stretch your parenting skills to the max! It is paramount that you don’t run out of essentials like tissue and wipes, so keep your eye on supplies and when the kids are asleep is the time for the housework!

A few years as a stay at home dad will certainly broaden your horizons and give you another perspective of your relationship; here is some Australian government information on working from home, which might prove to be invaluable.

Children are different these days. Their lives are informed by technology. They spend most of their time on a tablet, phone, or computer. It can be difficult to know what to buy your children for their birthday, Christmas, or another special occasion. Still there are many options you should think about. Whether your child loves video games, adventure, or sports, there are plenty of gift ideas for their day or moment. Read below to find some great gifts for your kids when they deserve something special.

 

Outdoor & Sports Equipment

Over the last year all of us have spent a lot of time inside. If your kids are like most of us, they want to get out and enjoy being outside around other children. One great idea for a gift is to buy them outdoor or sports equipment. Whatever your child is into, there is a great gift for them to use outside.

A new baseball bat, a basketball hoop, a tent for camping, a bike, skateboard, snowboard, and more are all great ideas to buy a child for their birthday or another occasion. Ask them a few questions. Pay attention to what sparks their interest and you just might find the perfect outdoor and sports gear to buy them. You won’t just be making them happy, you will be encouraging them to get out and exercise.

 

Gaming Products

If your kid loves video games, you might not want to continue buying them more games that they will play inside. You don’t want to discourage their passion but want them to spend time doing other things as well. One way to cultivate their interest while avoiding buying yet another game or console is to buy a gaming subscription box. These individually curated boxes offer products that are about a particular game or subject but aren’t games themselves. The products include t-shirts, socks, figurines, books, statues, blankets, bags, and more. Whether your child is into Zelda, Kingdom of Hearts, or another game, there is a box with all kinds of merchandise they will surely love.

 

A Weekend Trip

Some children want to go out and do something for their gift. This can be in a variety of different contexts. Do they like camping? Do they want to go skiing or hiking? What about theme parks? With Disneyland and others opening back up, a lot of kids want to go on rides and lose themselves in the fun. Depending on what your child is interested in, you can purchase tickets or set aside some time for the trip that they’ve been craving. Not only will it be fun for them, it’s a great way to satisfy the whole family. With technology becoming an omnipresent part of our society, getting out and doing something interactive and physical can be a great gift.

 

A Specific Activity

Theme parks and the outdoors aren’t the only activities you can give to your child as a gift, there are plenty of other options. What about taking them to the zoo or an aquarium? A science museum ever disappoints. What about a natural history museum? You can surprise them with a specific craft idea. Think about what your child likes and find an outing or activity that best suits their personality. You can even book a snorkeling outing or rent off-road vehicles. It doesn’t have to be very time-consuming to satisfy your child.

 

Educational Gifts

In addition to the outdoors, activities, and video games, there are plenty of ways to sneak in education into a gift. A monthly book subscription is a great gift for the voracious reader and curious mind. Table top games can boost their critical thinking and provide knowledge about a range of different subjects. A pair of binoculars may bolster their interest in nature. There are all kinds of fun gifts that are also useful, educational, and interactive. Your child may love any number of outside-the-box gift ideas.

Every child is different and wants different things, but there are all kinds of gifts that they will like while being good for them. Do some thinking. Ask them about their current interests. Observe their habits. If you take into account who they are becoming and what will make them happy, you will find an array of amazing gift options to choose from.

Summer is approaching quickly and students are graduating from high school and college. If your child is graduating, their life will be changing quickly. Even if your child isn’t leaving university or high school, when they need to leave the home they require help at first. Whatever the situation, facilitating the process of your child leaving the nest will help them stay independent. With so many people going back home after they’ve left, it’s important to support them so they get on their feet. Here are a few situations that you can help them with so that you can become an empty nester.

 

Leaving For College

It’s always scary to graduate high school and begin your college career. If your child is graduating this year, you already know where they are going to college. There are still preparations to be done. Have you decided whether they will stay on the campus or off-campus? They will likely need financial assistance to get started at their new home. Will your student start working? If so, you should encourage your child to start looking for a job where they are going to school right away. You should also go shopping for supplies and clothing. College is a big time and they will need to get a lot of things in order. Don’t wait to help them get started.

 

Graduating College

Perhaps it is even scarier to graduate college. You are going out into the unknown. When your child is graduating from college, there are some things you should help them with. First, you should talk to them about their next steps. Will they do an internship before they get a job? Either way, they will have to get their resume together. Help them build a resume for the job they want. For additional support with the resume writing process, it might even be a good idea to contact a California resume service like ARC Resumes or a similar professional resume writing service in your local area for some tips and advice. Will your child be coming from after college or will they be living somewhere else? You will likely have to help them move. The most important thing is to quell their fears. Leaving college is a scary time and they will not know what to do next.

 

Getting a Job

It isn’t easy for any new college graduate to get a job. There are a variety of things you should do to help them get hired. The first occupation your child may not be exactly what they want it to be. Even if they can’t find a position in the field they want to go to college for, it’s important for them to start working after they graduate. It’s vital for them to go out into the real world and start working. If they don’t get a job, they will be delaying the process of adjusting to the real world and life. They’ll need to get the right experience to get employed at the job of your dreams.

 

Renting an Apartment

Whether they are getting a job right out of college and need to find a home, renting an apartment for the first time can be very difficult. If they don’t have any credit, you might need to cosign for them. They also might need a down payment. A great option to help them transition smoothly is to have them live at home for a while to save money when they begin working. They will likely be moving in with roommates. It’s important to meet them and vet the situation. You have much more real world experience than your child, they might not want you to be a part of it but you should help them secure their first apartment when they are moving out.

Whether your child is graduating high school, going to college, graduating college, getting a job, or renting their first place, your child will need assistance. It won’t be easy for them to get started in real life. The next few years will be difficult, but if you encourage them not to give up they will be able to create a happy, prosperous life. If you do all that you can to set your child up with their own situation, the chances that they will come back will decrease and they will stay independent. You won’t regret supporting their journey into their new life.

The best way to teach kids about sustainability is to instill them with a deep reverence for nature. If your kids are already nature babies and love the great outdoors, that is fabulous! There are ways you can incorporate earth-saving lessons when they are playing in the woods or picking wildflowers.  Helping your kids stay mindful of the environment throughout every step of their lives will ensure they maintain a healthy respect for the earth. Here are a few fun and eco-friendly activities to do with kids this summer that ingrains valuable teachings about caring for the environment.

Nature Walks: Pack a picnic lunch and take the kiddies for a walk in nature. While you and the littles are packing delicious treats for the trail, share information with your kids about sustainable ways to pack a picnic. Show them how to reduce waste by substituting plastics for reusable glass containers, and replacing one-use water bottles with reusable ones. Pack a nature guide book in the picnic basket too.  Then play a game of “eye spy” while on your nature walk and use the nature guide to look up the different kinds of birds, trees, and flowers your kids are spying on. The idea here is to fully involve children with every step of being aware, being kind, and honoring nature.

Road Trips: Now more than ever there are a growing number of eco-friendly destinations that are practicing mindful sustainability and also great summer spots for the whole family. Wherever you decide to go, you can teach your kids how to travel sustainably every step of the trip. For example, educate them about shopping and eating at local farmers’ markets and farm-to-table restaurants and how this reduces the energy required to ship and refrigerate foods which leads to a lower carbon footprint. Consider renting or buying an electric car with an EV charger for your family road trip and explain how these vehicles reduce emissions that damage the environment. There are endless ways to demonstrate how your kids (and you) can stay mindful about sustainability in every aspect of summer fun.

Gardening: Hands down, perhaps one of the most beautiful ways to illustrate the cycle of life in nature to kids is growing a garden with them. This activity has loads of benefits and rewards for you and your family.  Most obviously, you can practice sustainability by growing your own produce instead of buying it from the grocery store. You can take this activity with the kids a step forward and teach them how to honor nature by practicing green gardening techniques. For example, explain how pesticides are harmful to the earth and show them how to use alternatives for reducing pesky bugs and invasive weeds. Explain how planting native plants are more sustainable than exotic (non-local) options. You can also involve them in water-saving practices like irrigation or using rain barrels to promote sustainability. You can even encourage the kids to help plant a butterfly garden and explain the powerful role butterflies play in the ecology of our planet.

Repurposing for Nature: Another great activity to involve the kids in is building habitats for nature’s creatures from reclaimed materials. Make an event out of this by taking the kiddies along to rummage yards and pick through viable materials that can be repurposed for this activity. Once your home with your junkyard treasures, brainstorm what kind of homes you can build. The options are endless, from birdhouses to bat boxes.  You can even introduce your kids to the globe-saving art of beekeeping by building a beehive from reclaimed materials. This activity can open your kid’s eyes about how the important function bees play in pollinating plants so they can produce fruits, flowers, and veggies. Additionally, the act of upcycling and repurposing materials is an effective lesson on sustainability.

Whatever you plan to do with the kids this summer, there is always an occasion to share valuable observations with your kids about sustainability and caring for mother nature. The more our children learn that our earth’s resources are finite and should be nurtured, the better our odds are for preserving the planet. Involving kids with eco-friendly summer activities is a fun way to instill valuable lessons of conservation. Doing so will make this world a better place for their kids, your grandkids, and generations to come.

 

Despite their best efforts, most parents can’t do it all by themselves. They need some help now and then.

 

If this describes your situation, the help you seek may be as close as inside your pocket. By using the following five apps, parents can alleviate some of the headaches and hassles of raising a family without compromising on the quality or merit of their parenting:

 

Google Calendar App

 

Streamline and simplify your complex schedule with the Google Calendar app. Day, week, and monthly views allow you to get a handle on upcoming events quickly. Add events to your calendar easily with Google Calendar’s many synchronization features. You can even track tasks to be sure essential action items don’t fall off the radar. Synchronize your schedule with various mobile-friendly calendar apps or add events to your calendar directly from Gmail, Chat, or Meetup. Of particular help to families is the ability to share calendars. With this app, there’s no need to wonder when everyone is free for the family camping trip or if a parent will be available to give Timmy a ride to soccer practice.

 

Whisk: Recipe Saver, Meal Planner & Grocery List

 

Winner of Google Play’s Best of 2020 ‘Everyday Essentials’ Award, this app boasts a 4.8-star review and over 500,000 downloads for a good reason. This app simplifies your weekly meal planning and grocery shopping, taking the stress out of these essential tasks. Browse the app’s recipe library or import recipes directly from any website to add to your Whisk cookbook – complete with your own recipe sections like ‘vegetarian,’ ‘keto,’ or ‘quick meals.’ Once they’re there, edit those recipes to add that extra touch of seasoning or ingredient swap that you always use. The app automatically adds nutrition information and a ‘Whisk Health Score’ to imported recipes as well so families can feel confident in making healthy meal choices. All done with planning the week’s dishes? With the click of a button, this app adds the ingredients to a shopping list shared with others. Even better, take advantage of Whisk’s partnerships with popular grocery delivery services like Instacart and Amazon Fresh to have the ingredients delivered directly to your door.

 

Nextdoor

 

In today’s era of hectic schedules, it can be challenging to take the time for the little things, like getting to know your neighbors. The Nextdoor app helps busy families stay connected to their community with various useful and fun features. Discover local businesses, learn about upcoming neighborhood events, buy, sell, and swap items locally, or discover which neighbors share your interests with the Groups feature. Be sure to read the Nextdoor racism-prevention community guidelines to recognize and report any racial profiling posts you see. Doing so helps keep the app a safe and supportive place for families everywhere.

 

Life360

 

Keeping busy families in touch throughout their day, this app uses GPS to show family members’ current location on the group map, complete with an address. Give addresses context with customizable location labels that are as serious of fun as you make them. This app is beneficial for parents of busy adolescents and teens. Parents always know precisely where to go to help if a child becomes unexpectedly stranded or lost. The app also lets you know when a family member’s phone battery is low, so they can be reminded to recharge. Automatic crash detection and the ability to send a silent SOS to alert family to danger or let the app’s 24/7 dispatch team call for help are also included. This app helps families quickly respond and coordinate when something unexpected arises and gives them peace of mind when it doesn’t.

 

Weldon – Parenting Support

 

Are you struggling with ways to keep your kids entertained and engaged or wondering about how to support them through learning a new skill? This app helps you learn about developmental stages, receive expert advice on common family challenges, set goals and track progress, and even chat with other parents who have struggled with the same issues. Weldon’s chat feature doesn’t stop there, though. They also have staff members and child development experts participating in the chats to offer their professional perspectives. Plus, the app has over 500 activities you can engage in with your children in categories ranging from active outdoor activities to quiet mindfulness and everything in between.

 

Parents need all the help they can get these days. Don’t make parenting harder on yourself than necessary. Take advantage of useful apps for parents, starting today.