Category: Parenting

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.

Raising teenagers can be both rewarding and challenging, especially as they enter the complexities of  adolescence. During this time, teens face significant emotional and psychological shifts, which can sometimes make it difficult for parents to recognize when their child is struggling.

A teen can develop similar mental health conditions as an adult, yet their symptoms may be different. Mental illness in adolescents can be difficult for parents to notice. Therefore, many teens who can benefit from teen mental health treatment often don’t receive the help they need.

Parenting is a challenging job and parenting teens is quite tricky. Teenagers face many changes as they approach adulthood and the struggles that come with it. Peer pressure, bullying, body shaming, and negative self-perception all fall under the list of troubled teen issues. As a parent, you want to ensure your teen is mentally, emotionally, and physically active.

What are the signs of mental illness in teens? What can parents do to help?   We’ll seek to answer these questions.

What is Mental Illness?

Mental health is defined as the overall mental wellness of a individual and how they think, regulate their feelings and behavior. Mental illness or a mental health condition can be defined as patterns or changes in thinking, feeling, or behaving that result in distress in a person’s ability to function.

In teens, mental health disorders are delays or disruptions in developing age-related thinking, behavior, social skills, or managing emotions. These issues are distressing to teens and can disturb their ability to function at school, home, or other social conditions.

Common Mental Health Disorders in Teens:

Mental health issues in teens or developmental disorders that mental health professionals address can include the following;

• Anxiety issues

Anxiety disorder in a teen involves feelings of endless fears and worries that disturb their ability to participate in school activities. Parents will notice anxiety when they see social stress, generalized anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

• Attention- deficit or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

When comparing most teens of the same age, teens with ADHD have difficulty paying attention, impulsive behavior and hyperactivity.  They experience these issues at the same time in varying degrees.

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Autism spectrum disorder is a sensory condition that appears in early childhood, generally before age three. The severity of ASD’s situation can vary.  A child with this disorder has difficulty interacting and communicating with others.

• Depression and other mood disorders

Depression is a continued feeling of sadness and loss of interest that upsets an adolescent’s ability to perform and interact with others. Bipolar disorder additionally brings about outrageous emotional episodes, as well as rapid mood swings that can range from from melancholy to overly enthusiastic. The latter might be risky or even dangerous.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is extended emotional stress, nervousness, anxiety, upsetting memories, bad dreams, and problematic behaviors in response to traumatic events. These events may include past or present abuse, violence, and injury.

Read how art therapy has been helping kids transition from negative experiences to positive emotions related to various psychological, developmental and social issues.

Reason Teen Can Develop Mental Health Problems:

Though there can be various reasons and circumstances contributing to a teen’s mental health condition, some of the primary causes can be the following;

• Hormones

Changes in hormones and brain development can put your teen at risk of mental health problems. Research has shown that when all the parts of the neural system don’t develop at the correct ratio, a teen may experience changes in thinking, mood, and behavior.

• Environmental issues

Environmental issues can also be a factor that can contribute to a teen’s state of mental health. Any traumatic incidents like the history of any abuse can also increase a teen’s risk.

• Stress

Stress can be a common factor in bringing on mental illness in teenagers. If your teen is being threatened at school or is a victim of cyberbullying or he or she is undergoing a lot of pressure, they may be more prone to mental health issues.

Warning Signs to Look for Teenage Mental Illness:

Mental illness symptoms can be different in teens, but some common warning signs include these behaviors;

• Changes in sleeping habits

Your teenager may say they are having trouble sleeping, or they begin taking multiple or daily short naps at school. In the event that your child feels the need to remain in bed the entire day or wants to stay up throughout the night, this can be a warning sign of mental illness advancing in the teens life.

• Lost interest in regular activities

In the event that your teens wants to withdraw from their favorite activity or indicates they no longer want to hang out with family or friends, then they might be going through a mental issue.

• A changes in school performance

Mental health conditions frequently lead to dramatic changes in motivation to start or finish school work.  A loss of interest in school overall or a sudden decrease in school grades could very well be an indication of mental issues.

• Changes in appetite or weight

Skipping out on meals, hoarding food, and quick weight changes could be a sign of an eating disorder.

• Extreme agitation

Unusual resentment, unexpected emotional responses such as crying, and high degrees of irritability can be a sign of mental illness.

• Increased isolation

A strong desire to stay distant from others or being very secretive might be an indication of a problem.

How to Help Teen to Deal with Mental Illness?

 Parents can play a crucial part in supporting their teen’s mental treatment. Here are few vital points that can help a parent to support their teen’s mental health treatment;

• Take time to research and learn about your teen’s mental illness.
• Seek family counseling that includes all individuals as partners in the treatment plan.
• If you do not have a family pet, consider the benefits of animal therapy and which pet may be the most beneficial.
• Ask your teenager’s mental health professional for counsel on responding to your teen and dealing with their conduct.
• Take part in parent training programs, particularly those created for parents of teenagers with mental issues.
• Engage in activities to unwind and have fun with your teen.
• Study stress management techniques to assist you in responding to situations calmly.
• Express appreciation for your teens strengths and abilities.

Explore professional support options for dealing with mental health challenges. A modern teen mental health treatment center such as Visions Treatment Centers can provide tailored programmes that cater specifically to adolescents. These centres focus on developing coping strategies and therapeutic techniques that empower teens to navigate their mental health journey effectively.

Mental illness is like any other illness.  It takes professional attention to help the person who is mentally ill to improve and manage their health moving forward. Beware of the signs and be ready to learn and provide appropriate solutions.  Get to know your kids and learn how to make them mentally strong for the challenges they will face as they grow.

Got the Winter Blues? Maybe It’s SAD

Have you been feeling down lately? Moody? You can’t seem to concentrate? Want to lay around all the time? You could be SAD. We’re not talking about having the blues; SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder.  And it’s ok.  You are not abnormal and you are certainly not alone.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a medically-recognized condition.  The symptoms are similar to being depressed. People with SAD can’t concentrate, have less energy, are moody and can have problems sleeping.

Researchers think that SAD is caused by three main factors:

• Biological clocks. Your body is used to seeing the sun for a certain time and being in the dark for a certain time. Winter means shorter day, which confuses your internal clock.

• Serotonin levels. Serotonin is a mood booster that your body makes naturally. Sunlight helps your body make serotonin, so when cold weather keeps you inside and out of the sun, you could have very low serotonin levels. This could make you feel sad or tired and even more hungry.

• Melatonin levels. Your body makes melatonin naturally, but when days get short, your body makes less. This makes it harder to sleep.

SAD is also believed to effect younger people more than older people. That’s why you need to be aware of SAD. When you see a friend is posting dark or depressing messages, maybe he or she is suffering from SAD.

If you are feeling low and find that your mood is effecting your schoolwork or relationships, you should mention this to your parents. You could be suffering from SAD and need to see a medical doctor for help.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Most of the time, SAD is just a natural response to a long stretch of cold and dark days. If it’s an issue with mental illness, seek out resources and help from a professional about your specific issues.  In either case, there are steps you can take to help relieve symptoms.

The first and easiest thing you can do is get more sunlight. Bundle up and walk to school if you can. Or grab some friends for an outdoor game.

Being active is another way to treat SAD. Exercise increases serotonin levels, helping make up for the serotonin you lose during winter. This could be playing basketball in school or following an exercise video online. By getting your exercise outside when the sun is shining, you get twice the benefit.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “Talk is cheap”.  But in the case of the winter blues, talk is with more than gold!  The phrase “talk is cheap” is about when people talk about doing something good, but never do it.  What they say doesn’t have real value because it produces no action.  But when you’re feel down, it’s so important to express your feelings.  Talk to your friends and family about it.  Just the act of talking will most certainly make you feel a bit better.  And talking can also bring solutions of fun things to do to help you snap out of the doldrums.

Think about SAD when you check your social media. When you see a friend making posts that sound depressed or moody, pick up your phone and invite him or her out to do something fun.

You aren’t a doctor, but you can still help fight Seasonal Affective Disorder.