Category: Parenting

Finding a level of understanding with your teenager builds trust in the relationship, gives understanding, allows you to appreciate and love each other. Here are a few ways you can bond with your teen – some specific, some general. All of them can help you build a relationship with a young person based on mutual trust and respect.

Ways to Build a Bond with Your Teenage Son

1.      Be a good listener

Be interested in what your child says. Also, learn to read between the lines, paying attention to their tone and body language. Teenagers often have more to say than they express in words.

2.      Create common rituals with your child

If your child already has a driver’s license, you can give them a hug every time you hand them the car keys and let them go out of town with their friends. You can also agree that every Sunday evening you go alone, just the two of you, to have pizza or to the court to play tennis. Find an activity that works, where regularity is important. Your teenager will be eagerly awaiting the events he or she knows to build your closeness.

3.      Let him get the word out

If you are a good listener, your child will be happy to share their problems with you. However, the teenager does not expect you to step in and give him ready-made solutions on a tray – he will then feel incompetent and will reject your help. Rather, he prefers you to listen to him and ask the right questions to help him find a way out of a difficult situation on his own.

4.      Compassion and help

The life of a busy teenager becomes easier when they notice that it is not only them who have to pay attention at school all day, but also you who spend their evenings on their homework. Offer to review his math homework. And if you bring something to eat or drink, your teenage child will be delighted.

5.      Ask how your day was

When you ask how it was at school, you will hear a casual answer. Because the teen thinks you mean academic performance, he will ignore this standard question. Wait for him to start talking about school events himself. If they were important to him, he would certainly do so, but on his terms, that is, when he wanted and what he wanted. Listen, ask specific questions, and encourage honest answers, for example, “And what did others say about your idea?” or “Who are you spending your breakfast with now?”

6.      Hug everyday

People of all ages need tenderness and expressions of love from their loved ones. If you hug your teen and tell him, “I love you,” it is the easiest way to build your closeness. But be careful! Never do this in front of his colleagues.

7.      Participate in his life

Extracurricular activities are an important part of a teenager’s life. By showing interest in his passions, you will effectively nurture your relationships. So make time to go to a game or concert with your child. Remember, however, that you are not doing this to help him be better, but in recognition of his effort. Just tell him, “I love watching you play.”

8.      Find a balance between criticism and praise

You know your baby is not perfect. He commits and will continue to make many mistakes. However, if you talk about them too often, they will find them unacceptable, even when you declare otherwise. Better suggest to him what needs to be improved, but try to do it in a gentle way. In other words, find out what your child is doing right at the moment. What do you think will motivate your teenager to cooperate more: “Thank you so much for taking the dishes from your room and I didn’t have to ask you for it a second time. I appreciate it” or “Well, you’ve finally brought those dirty dishes from the room, I don’t know how you can live in such a pigsty!?” Try not to miss any step taken by the child in the right direction.

9.      Find a Mutual Hobby

You’re son may already have a hobby that needs your assistance from time to time.  But why not find a new hobby to do together.  Allow your son to lead the way according to his interests and it won’t hurt to suggest a few ideas of your own.  A hobby goes beyond an activity and embarks on a journey to work on something together.  Hobbies are especially ideal for dads and sons who struggle having casual conversations.

10.  Offer a car ride

In the car, let your child be a DJ. Teenagers’ tastes in terms of books, movies and music are growing and are an essential part of their identity as they form. Let your teen choose his favorite songs. Even if you are not a fan of this kind of music, you can treat his choices as reflecting thoughts and emotions, and this will become a topic for conversation.

11.  Find common interests

If your child enjoys sports, ask if you can join them. When your teenager throws a basketball in the yard – join in, even if you haven’t done it in ages. Go to the game together. It doesn’t matter if your team wins or loses, cheering will bring you closer together. And sitting together in the stands is a great opportunity to talk. You will also be great when you watch a movie together. You prepare the popcorn, it’s up to the teenager to choose the movie. But do not try to make it a Friday ritual, for example, because the child may find it an obstacle in meeting friends. Better choose another day.

12.  Create a family book club

Buy two copies of a novel that both of you may like. Find nice circumstances (maybe Saturday breakfast?) And talk about what you are reading right now. What do you think about the heroes’ choices? Would you make similar decisions? Did you anticipate the twists and turns?

13.  Offer your teen to organize a party for friends at home

… but be sure to involve him in menu planning and cooking. It’s a great way to make them learn to cook, which will come in handy when you move out, but it’s also an opportunity for your child to feel grown up and feel that you yourself would like to meet his friends as almost adults.

14.  Let him take his friend on a family outing or away

This may seem like a “family” time distraction, but it will make your teen feel like you want to have a good time and meet his friends. And conversations in such a group away from the usual online interactions are really interesting.

15.  Involve the child in household chores

Teenagers usually do not realize how much time and work it takes to take care of the house. If you say something like, “Gee, we have so much work … If we do the cleaning together, we can go faster and we can finally rest,” you will show that order is your common business. On the other hand, the more you ask for help and raise your voice at the same time, the more resistance you will meet.

16.  Have fun together

Be sure to find ways to enjoy their company. Your child will not necessarily share his vision of entertainment, so this means you need to find out what they think is an interesting way to spend their time. It may be playing a board game or going on a bike ride together.  Doing something pleasant together will increase the likelihood that your teen will want to talk to you on occasion.

17.  Learn something from a child

Teenagers want to be more mature and feel like adults. For them, it may be such an “adult” thing to teach their parents something. You will be surprised how much your child knows about things that you don’t know. Most of them are probably matters related to social media and electronic gadgets. But in class, kids can also learn something interesting. So let your son or daughter tell you about what they learned about photosynthesis or the rulers of the Roman Empire.

18.  Go camping, hiking or fishing

Without screens and coverage, you’ll be able to really chat. Whether it’s an overnight camping trip or just an afternoon excursion, outdoor activities away from technology have many other benefits as well.

19.  Get involved in volunteering

Teenagers want the world to become better, they also want to see that they can change it. If you share this concern with them, it will mean a lot to them.

20.  Don’t compare your child to anyone

It’s a simple way to frustrate your teen. The young man wants to feel like a unique individual with exceptional qualities. You notice and appreciate them, of course, no matter how brilliantly your son’s cousin plays basketball and how many sixes your daughter’s cousin has at school.

21.  Give your child a sense of freedom

Unless you have a specific reason to do so, you really don’t need to over-oversee your teenager’s actions. Even by keeping it under a shade, you will not prevent mistakes, which are an essential part of growing up. It’s obvious that you are worried about your baby, but don’t panic. Before your teen leaves home to the party, tell him you need more information from him. Ask if there will be an adult on the spot, will there be alcohol, and what to do if they feel they have overdid it. Also, be sure that he can always call you for help.

22.  Talk about dating

You probably know that today’s teenagers are getting younger and they start intercourse. Instead of locking your child in the house to protect them from irresponsible experiments, talk to your teen about dating and safe sex (yes, about that too). Try to find out what your child likes if you have the impression that the relationship is more serious. If you pretend nothing is happening, your child may become involved in a relationship that will have a negative impact on his or her future love life.

23.  Stop forbidding

The system of penalties, prohibitions and all kinds of “barriers” are in the case of a teenager ineffective educational methods. Better use your teenager’s inappropriate behavior or bad choices as an opportunity to talk honestly. Usually, a teenager behaves inappropriately because, like everyone else, he is at times emotionally agitated. Getting to the root cause and helping to solve the problem will allow him to deal with this condition much better than closing the door and throwing the keys out the window.

24.  Love unconditionally, no matter what

There is a lot you can do to build a healthy, trust-based relationship with your baby. However, you are not able to plan for him a carefree life. However, remember to love your child unconditionally and always support him, no matter what mistakes he makes – this is your primary goal.

Keeping your kids entertained is not an easy task, especially with the limited movement we have had recently. There are however many ways to keep your children entertained while supporting their development, and these can take place at home.

If you’re fresh out of ideas, here are 5 ways in which you can keep your kids entertained at home while creating fun activities for the whole family!

1. Arts & Crafts

Arts and crafts are a fantastic way to keep your kids entertained while also developing essential skills. When children paint, it improves their dexterity as they are being mobile and using their muscles. Particularly in infants, development occurs both mentally and physically as the actions stimulate their brain.

Using painting by numbers techniques is fantastic for older children. The smaller sections require additional focus and dexterity, honing their fine motor skills. It is also a fantastic way to get them to unwind and remove themselves from technology, connecting with reality.

There is a large scope for painting with kids as the limitations of their work are that of their imagination. It’s important to encourage the use of different materials, textures, and tools to let creativity take over. Encouraging this level of creative freedom is essential when it comes to neurological development.

2. Sound & Music

Music is a sensory experience, much like taste, touch, and sight. If you have the willpower to endure the noise, music is a fantastic tool to support children’s development. It’s important to expose children to music for several beneficial reasons, all of which develop cognitive function and support learning.

For younger children, listening to music is significant in helping them distinguish sounds and noises. As they then listen to lyrics, they hear familiar sounds which they can distinguish into letters and words. The repetition of hearing sounds through speech, through music and books, will solidify their learning and understanding as they grow.

Music should be created, not just listened to. When your kids are older, it’s important to introduce them to instruments. These include a piano, drums, guitar, or even their own voice. Playing with instruments is a way to unleash creativity and you can support the children with making their music. You never know, this hobby may turn into a passion and you could have the next musical star on your hands!

3. Puzzles

There are many levels of puzzles, from basic to advanced. Toddlers and young children are often exposed to simplistic puzzles in the form of putting a few pieces back together. These toys are fantastic for several reasons, they teach children to recognize shapes, hone their concentration and cognitive skills, and give them a sense of satisfaction when they are complete.

Puzzles are a fantastic way to keep children entertained as they get older as well. With the range of puzzles available, you are sure to find one on a subject that interests and intrigues your kids. From Star Wars to Bratz, Harry Potter to Fortnite, it’s a fantastic way to entertain them in a simple way.

The best part is, you can incorporate incentives into the process of puzzle making, in the form of a reward for finishing. When your children become advanced, you can purchase increasingly intricate puzzles, to keep them continually entertained.

4. Create a TV Show

If your kids love watching TV, a great idea is to get them to create their TV show. If you have an old cardboard box lying around or a spare sheet to create a curtain, you’ve just made them a stage to showcase their creativity.

Acting and drama are classic ways to support children with communication skills, boost their confidence, and get them to think outside the box. If your children have been watching TV shows, the chances are that they are familiar with the concept of acting and will have an idea of what to say and how to say it. This is particularly fun if you have multiple children, as they can all get involved!

So where do you start? You may want to give them some prompts if this their first time coming up with an idea. Here are some questions:

• What is your TV show called?
• Where is it set?
• Who is the main character?
• Who are the other characters?
• What would the characters wear?
• What would the characters say?

There are of course so many more questions you could ask to get their mind going but these are a great start. Also, don’t be afraid to get involved! Having your children explain and give direction is a great way to support their communicative skills as they have to explain what they mean. Most children love the shift in power with them being able to tell you how it’s done!

Instead of TV, if your child likes to write or is interested in how websites work, check out our 21 blog post ideas for kids who want to create their first blog.

5. Time Capsule

A great way to entertain your children is to introduce the idea of a time capsule. If your children aren’t sure what a time capsule is, this is a good starting point to get them to do some research. On the other hand, if they’ve learned about it at school, it’s a good way to support their understanding through mirroring the activities at home.

The premise of a time capsule is to give your future self a snapshot of life in the past. The idea is to include significant events and personal experiences from the present so that you can reflect on these in the future. The concept is a great way to get your kids thinking about the world around them and reflecting on what they think is important.

When you create the capsule with your children, some tips are:

• Get the whole family involved
• Include a newspaper from the day
• Have each person write an explanation for what they have chosen
• Choose a date in the future to open it and stick to it

Time capsules are a great way to not only entertain your kids but the whole family. It’s a fantastic way to see what everyone thinks about the present and there is time to reflect on what you think the future will look like.

Planning a Birthday Party Soon?  Check out these tips for throwing a stay at home birthday party for your kid.

Keeping kids physically active for better growth and development is a continual challenge for parents. Luckily, there are a variety of options to occupy kids with activities that are also beneficial.  Among those options, trampolines are unique. And with fun trampoline games kids can be entertained for hours.

The benefits of trampoline games are great in number. But parents have to assure safety before allowing their kids to jump on a trampoline. In the following section, we will explore the necessities of trampolines along with the top game formats and safety procedures. Let’s get into it.

Benefits of fun trampoline games for kids

Trampoline games are great to entertain kids while ensuring numerous health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits before we list our 9 fun trampoline games.

Benefits Cardiovascular System

Just 10 minutes of jumping on the trampoline increases a child’s heart rate, resulting in muscle strength and cardiovascular improvement. That means your kids are not merely jumping, they are giving their heart a great workout with even thinking about it.

Improves Energy Levels

When kids are bouncing high in the air, they are carrying more oxygen with the bloodstream throughout the body. This extra oxygen powers up their overall energy levels and keeps them healthy.

Cheers the Minds

Generally, kids love bouncing. They get great fun from it. And while they are bouncing on the trampoline, oxygen flow increases. This increased oxygen assures the release of mood-enhancing endorphins.

Boosts Confidence

While jumping on a trampoline, kids try to reach higher and higher with each jump. They practice various tricks and moves on the jumping mat. All these activities enhance their confidence significantly.

Enhances Motor Skill & Co-ordination

With each jump, kids need to land perfectly to acquire the perfect bouncing effect. To assure this, the jumper needs to concentrate on the landing position and other things. And while doing this, some kids can dunk a basketball successfully. All these movements and mind exercises, contributes to improving their motor skills and co-ordinations.

Top Trampoline Games for Kids

Bubble Blow

Bubble blow is an interactive game. In this game, parents can accompany their kids or two players can go for it. Players will get into the trampoline. One of them will start blowing the bubbles while the other will try to touch or pop the bubbles as many as possible before the bubbles fall on the mat. The players can interchange their roles whenever they like.

Since kids will play with those bubbles you should allow only non-toxic elements for them. Once they are done playing, you can hose down the trampoline quickly.

Piggy in the Middle

This game is perfect for three players. One of them will remain in the middle of the trampoline mat while the other two will stay outside. The middle player is called Piggy. The outside players will throw balls to each other over the trampoline and the Piggy will keep bouncing and trying to catch the ball. The throwers will try their best to trick Piggy. Once Piggy catches the ball, the thrower of the losing ball will become the new Piggy.

Color and Shape

Nowadays various indoor trampolines come with a jumping mat that has various shapes. The shape can include many symbols like the fish, the stars, or simply the alphabet. You can instruct your kid to land on a specific symbol while he is jumping inside the trampoline. This activity is great for kids to improve their memory with synchronization skills.

Additionally, some indoor trampolines come with an interactive sound system. Each time your kids bounce on the trampoline the built-in sound system will inform the count of total bounce. This feature always inspires your kids to jump more and more.

Poison Ball

This game requires several players. Each player will remain outside except one and he will remain inside the trampoline. The outside players will throw balls on the trampoline to reach the insider player. And the inside player will try to avoid the balls while jumping on the trampoline. If the rolling balls touch the player, he will be eliminated and the next player will come inside.

The process continues until the winner is found. The player with the longest bounce time wins. Since the rolling ball eliminates the player, it is called a poison ball.

Crack the Egg, aka Popcorn

Crack the egg or Popcorn is one the most famous games. At least two players are to be there for this game. One will become the egg or popcorn and curl on the trampoline mat while holding the knees to the chest. The remaining player will jump on his knees or feet. He will try his best to make the egg let go of the knees and thus he will win. The players then can interchange their positions.

You can allow at most three players for this game at a time with supervision. And always try to get a trampoline with an enclosure for kids.

Bull and Matador

The best part of this game is all the players remain inside the trampoline. One player goes down on hands and knees and becomes the bull to try to tag the rest. The remaining players try to avoid the bull and can do anything except for jumping over the bull. Thus, they are called the matadors. Each time they successfully avoid the bull, they shout Olay! Once the bull tags someone, he or she becomes the next bull.

This format is one of the most competitive games. And it is always better to supervise kids while they are playing on the trampoline. Parents or adults can accompany kids in this game if it is played on a sturdy larger trampoline.

Basket Ball

Kids love to basket a ball while jumping on the trampoline. Nowadays, you can easily find a trampoline that comes with a basketball hoop and basketballs. Once you attach the hoop with the trampolines, kids can go for it. You can improvise the game by using an empty box or plastic bin on the ground to basket a ball instead of the hoop.

To make the whole game more challenging, you can allow multiple players one by one to score baskets. The highest scorer is the winner and you can gift the little winner as you wish.

Snake aka Jump Rope

This game is quite fun and interactive. Two players will hold a jump rope while sitting on the opposite sides of the trampoline. And the other players will jump back and forth over the snake or rope without touching it. With time, the rope holder will wave it harder and faster to challenge the jumpers. Even they can wave the rope up and down to make the game more competitive. The one with the highest score wins the game.

1-2-3 Sit

In this game, one instructor remains outside and others keep bouncing on the trampoline. After some time, the instructor will shout 1-2-3 and each jumper will try their best to land on the mat with a sitting position. If this happens perfectly, one or more players will fly high into the air. This bouncing up fact is very popular among kids and they love this game a lot.

Since multiple players will jump simultaneously, it is better to play this game on rectangular trampolines. For safety, you should never allow kids to play this game on a trampoline without an enclosure net.

Things to consider for kids’ safety

Trampoline injuries are quite common.Therefore, be sure to take safety measures before allowing kids to jump on the trampoline.

• Get trampolines for kids according to their age. Preschool trampolines will differ from kids’ trampolines.
• You should notice the overall structural quality of the trampoline. The frame and spring must be of good quality.
• If are getting tramps for preschoolers, it is better to avoid the springs.
• You always essential to buy trampolines that come with an enclosure system.
• Explore the pros and cons of indoor and outdoor trampolines to ensure the best fit for your family.
• Check the galvanization quality of the frame and spring, if you are getting it for outdoor use.
• Always try to supervise your kids or be close by when they are playing on the trampoline.

Once you assure those steps, your kids will remain safe. And then you can allow them to play the fun trampoline games they love most. You can improvise any game to any extent you like.

Raising children can be expensive, and the costs add up even more as they grow older. Whether it be the rising cost of college, funding extracurricular activities, or paying for sentimental moments like prom, class trips, and more, it can be intimidating to think about paying for their future endeavors.

However, no matter what your financial situation is, it’s possible to strategically save up and plan ahead for your children. Here are five creative ways to start.

1. Use a 529 College Savings Plan

If your biggest concern about your children’s future is paying for college, you should consider opening up a 529 College Savings Plan. This is a smart decision to save for the cost of college as this account is designed specifically for higher education.

This plan is beneficial as it usually has low fees, and any gains and withdrawals are exempt from federal income tax as long as they’re spent on qualified educational expenses. Friends and family can also contribute to these accounts, which can help relieve pressure to save for your children’s college by yourself. Instead of having people buy your children toys or other items they might grow out of, it might be a better use of their money to contribute to this account for birthdays or holidays.

Another great feature of a 529 plan is that you can easily change the account’s beneficiaries, which is especially helpful if you have multiple children. This way, in case one child gets a full ride to college or decides not to attend college at all, you can dedicate the money toward someone else. If you’re unsure your children want to go to college, some of these accounts also allow you to use this money for private K-12 schools as well. Keep in mind that 529 plans function on a state level rather than a federal level, so some benefits may vary based on what state’s plan you choose.

2. Tap Into Your Home Equity

If you’re a homeowner, you can take advantage of your home equity to save for your children’s future. This is a resource some homeowners might not realize they can financially benefit from, and it can be a budget-friendly way to fund different goals or projects.

With this type of loan, you’re able to borrow against how much equity you have in your home, so it’s important to make sure you’ve paid off a decent amount on your house before you pursue this option. This loan is ideal for saving and paying for your children’s future as there are no restrictions on what you can use the money for—you can save for your children’s college tuition, save for a pricey class trip, or even support a new hobby they want to take up.

Additionally, you’ll receive the payment in one lump sum with fixed interest rates, so you don’t have to wait to start saving and planning ahead. Just make sure to adjust your budget to account for monthly payments as your home acts as collateral for this loan.

3. Start a Side Hustle

If your current budget doesn’t give you much room to save money for your children, starting a side hustle can help you earn some passive income.

Think about any hobbies you already enjoy doing and try to monetize them so your side hustle doesn’t feel like a burden. You could sell homemade art, crafts, or offer a service like home cleaning or dog walking. The options are endless, so choose something you’re passionate about.

Another popular side hustle idea is purchasing a rental property for passive income. This can give you a significant amount of money to save for your children’s future, and after your kids grow up, you can use the profit for other expenses or goals. If you really want to plan ahead, you can buy a home where your child is attending college and use this property as their college housing. The rent from their friends and roommates can cover your mortgage payment, and you can save money from campus housing.

Depending on your side hustle, you can also get your children involved to give them the opportunity to contribute to their future expenses. This can serve as a fun, bonding experience and can be a useful opportunity to teach them more about money and running a business.

4. Open a Children’s Savings Account

Just because you’re the parent doesn’t mean you have to do all of the heavy lifting when it comes to saving. Encourage your children to also contribute money toward their futures by starting a children’s savings account.

Parents co-own the account, so this is a safe and effective way to promote financial wellness among your children early on and can help teach them to save their money rather than spend it. For instance, if your children earn money from a lemonade stand or other activities, motivate them to allot some of that money for their savings. You can also put a portion of their allowance or any monetary gifts in this account to help them save up quickly.

5. Sell Unused Items

Children grow up faster than you realize, which also means they grow out of a lot of things you buy them. As their hobbies, interests, and needs change, try to capitalize on unused items rather than letting them go to waste.

Instead of donating or throwing these items away, try to sell them to make some extra money you can reinvest into your children’s future. For instance, if your kids have played baseball for years and now want to try lacrosse, sell their old equipment and use that money to buy the new materials they’ll need.

Reselling items has become popular and there are several online apps and websites created specifically for this. You might even find some gently used items you can buy for your kids at a discounted price. If online platforms aren’t for you, you can also try selling directly to consignment stores or even holding a garage sale.  Sell used college books that may be in the house from older family members that have finished college.

Saving for your children’s future can seem daunting, but there are effective ways to plan ahead and afford their dreams. Seek creative ways to invest and save your money, and you’ll be financially prepared to face future expenses.