brandy ellen Archives • Parent Influence

3 Bulk Purchases Necessary For Any Family Holiday

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When you travel as a family, there’s always a lot of luggage involved. There are so many supplies for you and the kids, it can feel like you have to start your packing at least a month before your departure date. As a result, the idea of bulk numbers of items probably isn’t welcome.

Nevertheless, there are a few items it’s worth having a plentiful supply of. Make room for multiples of these three key holiday items in your suitcase, and your next family holiday will be the better for it.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a must for any holiday; in fact, it’s pretty much a must all year round. While you can buy sunscreen abroad, it might not be of the quality that you would usually expect.

It therefore makes sense, if you find a brand that you’re happy with, to stock up on it before you go. One bottle per person per week of the holiday should be sufficient, but it makes sense to add a couple of spares in just in case. It’s also best to buy sunscreen that has to be applied by hand rather than sprayed; studies are showing that spray sunscreen might not provide a thick enough layer to actually provide any protection.

Swimming Caps

When you’re on holiday, regular dips in and out of the pool are essential — for the whole family. The pool is a source of fun for kids, as well as being the perfect way to cool down for everyone.

However, constantly being exposed to endless amounts of chlorine can be cause difficulties, especially for the sensitive skin on children’s scalps. A swimming cap is therefore a necessity, but there’s a problem: kids can lose things. Most parents will be familiar with their children using an item once, putting it down, and then forgetting where they put it.

A good stock of swimming caps brought prior to your flight is therefore essential. Though you can buy while you’re away, the quality might be questionable. This is definitely not something you want to risk, so to guarantee you’re buying good products, buy before you leave. If you struggle to find suppliers with enough stock for the whole family, there’s plenty of tip s on that right here, so you can be sure there’s always enough to go around. It pays to be prepared!

Band-Aids

A lot of the activities that kids tend to want to do on holiday require a high amount of physical activity. Whether it’s bouncing on the trampolines in your resort or going banana-boating out at sea, the potential for nicks and scrapes is obvious. So you can patch them up in double-quick time, take along a wide selection of Band-Aids and sticking plasters. With any wounds immediately taken care of, they can get back to doing what they should be doing — having fun!

Bulk buying for a holiday may sound like an odd concept, but as the above show, sometimes there really is strength in numbers.

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Should You Let Your Kids Choose Their Own Clothes?

Every parent has had an argument with their kids about their clothes. There are always going to be clashes because young children don’t always have practicality in mind. They’ll also want you to buy them expensive designer clothes but when they come home covered in mud after a week, it’s not sustainable. While you shouldn’t be letting them do whatever they like, giving them a bit more freedom can stop a lot of the tension and help you to maintain a better relationship with them. Having said that, you need to go about it the right way.

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Teach Them The Value Of Money

When you buy your kids an expensive item of clothing, they don’t always understand the reality of that. They aren’t going to be thinking about how much of the weekly budget you’ve spent on it, so when they go outside and get it dirty, they don’t realize the impact. If you teach them the value of money and help them to understand that those designer clothes cost a lot of money. That means when you buy them nice clothes from places like miki miette, they’ll understand the consequences if they mess them up. Buying them a few expensive pieces for them is fine, but they need alternatives as well.

Give Them Options

Young children love to feel like they’re in control and choosing their own clothes is one of the most common ways that they express this. If you force an outfit on them, they’ll feel like they don’t have any say over it and you could end up with a tantrum on your hands. A clever way of getting around this is to pick out a few different outfits that you think are ok and then let them choose which one they want to wear. They’ll think that they are making all of the decisions but really, you’ll still be picking out their clothes.

Let Them Develop Taste

Another way to give your child more control over the situation without letting them run wild is to ask them what they do and don’t like. Take notice of which clothes they are picking more often and which ones they don’t like to wear. Catering to their likes and dislikes shows them that you value their opinion and makes them feel more grown up, which will make them happier.

Buy Cheap Stuff

Kids grow quickly and they get messy a lot so their clothes aren’t going to last that long. If you’re buying expensive stuff every time, your spending will soon get out of control. You should buy your kids a few pricier items but all of their day to day clothes that they wear when they’re out playing should be cheaper stuff. That way it doesn’t matter too much when it gets ruined. Make sure you aren’t buying too much either.

These simple tricks should help you to take all of the stress out of the morning routine and keep your kids happy. It’ll also help you to save some serious money when you’re out shopping.

The 3 Pillars Of Healthy Development

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All parents are likely to agree that ensuring your children are raised as well as possible is vital for their adulthood. You want your children to develop in a way which is healthy and happy, and you need to know how you can ensure that that is all the more likely. As it happens, it’s pretty straightforward to do, as long as you follow some essential rules for doing so. In this post, we are going to take a look at three of the main pillars of ensuring healthy development in your children, and how to bring them into being in your child’s life.

Mindfulness

Although it is a practice aged at around three thousand years or so, mindfulness still receives mixed coverage in the media and in everyday conversations. This is ultimately down to a lack of understanding on most people’s part; before you have practised it a great deal, it is difficult to fully grasp the practice itself, and its many benefits. But it has not existed for so long for no reason at all; as it happens, it is one of the most psychologically beneficial practices out there, and the earlier you introduce it into your child’s life, the better. Encourage in your children the ability to be mindful, and they will grow up with a stronger resolve, a better grasp on their emotions, and with a more loving and kind outlook. What could be better than that?

Diet

Mindfulness is just one part of it, though – and it too is affected by many other factors, diet being a primary one. A good diet in your children’s lives will mean that you can expect to see them be healthier, happier and have much more energy. The best way to encourage this is to make it so from a very young age, as young as possible. You can use happy tot super foods to introduce great healthy foods into their diet very early on, and then continue this trend as they become older. They will then be more likely to continue this into adult life. With a great diet, it is often true that all else will more quickly fall into place.

Exercise

Most of us don’t really exercise as much as we should. There is probably not just one reason for that, but a significant influence is likely to be the way we approach it when we are young. If you want your child to grow up to exercise well and look after their body, then you should seriously consider encouraging them to exercise and to enjoy exercise. This might be easier than you think. Mostly, it is just a matter of getting them into the habit nice and young. If you make it just another ordinary part of their everyday life, then they will be much more likely to continue it on as they age. This, coupled with the previous two, is sure to guarantee a much healthier later life for your children – and that is exactly what you should be hoping for.

Making your Child’s First Dentist Visit Fun and Enjoyable

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There is plenty that you can do to ensure that your child enjoys their trip to the dentist. Taking care of their dental health is one of the life skills that your little one will have to learn.

Some kids are naturally relaxed about all medical appointments and take the whole visit in their stride. Others find the surroundings and equipment at the dental surgery terrifying.

Establishing a good dental hygiene routine is essential to prevent decay and cavities and ultimately avoids your child from having to endure a toothache and distress. There are a few useful ways in which you can make a trip to the dentist both fun and interesting for you and your child.

Start visiting the dentist as soon as you can

Choose a dentist that is experienced in working with children. When you visit Drs. Coakley, Trainor & Mancuso you get 30 years of experience and affordable financing so you will feel relaxed about the visit. This will put your child at ease too and make the trip less stressful for all of you.

The biggest mistake you can make is waiting until your child is in pain or discomfort. They will already be upset and will associate the dentist with a bad experience rather than a positive one.

Many parents start routine check-ups from around three to six months of age. The number of teeth that your child has is not important at this stage. It is all about getting them familiar with the experience. It is fine for the visit to be short. It could be little more than having a seat in the chair and having the light shone in their mouth.

Turn it into an educational experience

Children are naturally curious and like to learn about new things. The trick is to turn this into an interesting visit. Let them explore the equipment in the dental surgery as far as is safe. Your dentist may allow them to touch some of the equipment.

As your child gets older, your dentist can talk to them about the treatment room and what goes on in there. The chair is always good for entertainment because they can ride up and down in it! They may also like to listen to the drill.

Watch your language

Your child will take their lead from you so it is essential that you keep your tone light and casual. Prepare as if you are going to the park or to the library. This sends the message that the dentist is a fun place to go where your child will get encouragement and praise and will be the center of attention. What kid does not like that?

Use positive words and watch your body language, especially if you are feeling anxious yourself. You need to be a great actor.

Re-enforce what the dentist has said to your child when you get home but never threaten your child with the dentist if they are refusing to brush their teeth. The carrot is far better than the stick in this situation.

Life Skills Every Child Needs to Learn

Life skills are something we as parents need to take the time to teach our children! I have created a list of life skill that we need to teach them as they grow up and hit the appropriate ages to learn. Life skills are tools your child needs to know to be successful in life, they don’t teach all of these skills at school! Some of the skills is knowing how to do laundry, cooking, knowing who to call when there is an emergency, etc.

It is up to us as the parents to take the time and teach them the valuable life skills that will make their adult life a lot easier, when they decide to leave the nest. You want your child to be able to thrive on their own, and have success, and by teaching these life skills it will help prepare them!

Sometimes you might find it is easier to complete the task yourself, then to designate your child doing it. But by doing that, we are taking away valuable teaching moments. Don’t rob your child because it is quicker if you do it yourself. Make sure that as a parent we take the time to help teach our kids valuable life skills!

List of Life Skills to Teach Your Child

These life skills listed below range from around two years and up, so obviously your fifteen year old should be able to brush their own teeth. I wanted to create a nice list, so that it can benefit kids of all ages. This is a great way to look over the list and keep it in mind if a situation arises in the future! These truly skim the surface, but it will give you a good idea of where to start, if you are unsure.

Groom themselves – brush teeth, comb hair, bath, etc.
Play safely alone.
Clean up room and do chores around the home.
Minor yard work.
Minor home improvements.
Check oil on car, put gas in, air in tires, etc.
Know how to manage money, and keep a budget.
Go grocery shopping and clothes shopping on their own.
Know who to call in case of an emergency.
Be able to help or fully do laundry.
Know how to take public transportation.
Pay bills like insurance on car, rent, etc.
Sit quietly when in class or other situations where it is required.
Have manners to others.
How to Vote.
How to pick out ripe produce at grocery store.
Know their full name, address, phone number, and other important details.
How to communicate properly with others.
Feed and water pets.
Know how to ride a bike, roller skate, etc.
Understands stranger danger.
Simple mending and sewing if needed.
Understands healthy and balanced meals and can plan one.
Can follow rules and not break them.
Can create a resume and apply for job on own.
Can be dependable when it comes to work and showing up on time.
Knows how to take care of themselves if they get sick.
Will ask for help if they need it.
Controls their temper if they are angry.
Understands you have to work for your money to pay bills.

These are just skimming the surface of life skills you need to teach. We might overlook these simple tasks we do each day, but we have to teach them to our children. All too often we overlook teaching our children to cook, and then they are left eating out at fast food places, or tossing stuff in the microwave because they don’t know. Or they overdraft their bank account, and don’t get why they get charged. Take the time and teach your child from when they are young and even after they leave the nest, all these valuable life skills!

Safety First: How To Protect Kids At Play Time

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Everyone is unique, but if there is one thing kids have in common it’s their desire to play. Whether it is on the internet or outside, they love to get stuck into a long, hard session. For parents, this is a godsend because keeping your kids active is one of the major parts of being a mom or dad. However, there is a problem: their safety. Unfortunately, play time isn’t always a secure pastime and accidents do happen. If you want to protect your children, you have to take action. Here is a couple of things that should help.

Reconsider Their Toys

Regular toys look harmless on the surface, but there may be issues going on underneath the hood. Simply put, there is no way for you to know what is in a toy, which is frightening. For example, the manufacturer may use paint that is dangerous in large quantities. Or, it may use chemicals that can seep into a baby’s skin and cause rashes. Thankfully, natural toymakers are on hand to help. With things like an organic playmat and a rattle, there is no reason to worry about their health. All you have to do is start buying organic alternatives. Sure, it is expensive, but it is worth it for the sake of your children.

Don’t Walk Before They Can Crawl

Every kid loves to do things like ride a bike, and parents love watching them do it for the first time. But, unless your child is the next Mat Hoffman, they will be a few scrapes. For the most part, they are small incidents which go away after a short cry. However, there is a real possibility of danger with a bike, which is why the safety equipment is imperative. Simply put, if you have the best, the odds of an accident reduce dramatically. Take training wheels as an example. By fitting a bike with stabilizers, no one should lose their balance and fall off. When they have it mastered, they can move onto the next level.

Parental Controls

As the intro eluded, playing outside isn’t the only way modern kids spend their time. Nowadays, children love to surf the internet and play video games online. On the face of it, there isn’t too much wrong with this as long as they play outside as well. But, when you delve deeper, there is a safety threat. Although it is a taboo subject, there are people online that prey on young kids. To keep them out, parental controls are essential. That way, your children won’t be able to access sites that are potentially dangerous when you are not watching.

Finally, the best thing you can do is try and watch them as much as possible. Okay, it isn’t easy or realistic, especially if you have more than one. However, it is the only way to ensure that they aren’t doing something hazardous. All it takes is a question or a quick glance in their direction to know if everything is okay.

6 Commitments of A Great Parent

When you take on having a child, your life gets put on the back burner. It is our duty as parents to raise our child the best way possible, to prepare them for the world! Parents sometimes sacrifice their own time, so you can spend it helping and teaching, and loving your little one! Below are commitments of great parents. These commitments are a choice, and you can choose to agree and follow them if you want.

Most parents agree, we want to be the best parents we can be, all the time. But sometimes a simple meltdown or 50th time being asked why in a day can be enough for us to begin to lose our minds. These commitments can help you to be the best parent possible!

Best Parenting Commitments To Start Following

Be There

Just be there! It’s simple but too often we get distracted and are to busy. Stop what you are doing and spend time with them, make sure if they want to talk, you listen! Even if they are three and don’t make a lot of sense! Showing your interested makes them feel special and loved.

Role Model

Be a role model in every area of your life! Be a good spouse, be kind to others, do good deeds, friendly to strangers, and so on. Be the person you are trying to teach your child to be.

Don’t Be Quick To Get Angry

Try and refrain from getting so mad. Just like the saying, “Don’t cry over spilled milk.” Make sure to stay calm if your child makes a mess. Create every area as a learning possibility. If they see you getting mad five times a day, they might mimic that same trait. Step into a different room and breath if you find your getting upset. Count to 10, do what you have to, so you can cool down.

Discipline

Make sure your child knows and understands rules. We live in a world with rules even as adults. Making sure they know if they don’t follow the rules of your household, they will have consequences! Stand firm and don’t give in, if you decide to ground them or take away electronics. Whatever discipline action you take, follow through!

Be Open

Make sure you try to be understanding and open to your child at all times. Let them know that at any time they can come to you for support! If they get in trouble or start to struggle, they need to feel you are open to talking so they will come to you! Starting this out when they are young really helps instill that in them, so as they grow they know, no topics are off limits. Staying calm to any information they share is key! If you end up blowing up, they will begin to get fearful to tell you things, because of how you will react.

Love Them

Most importantly just love them! Give them hugs and kisses, speak words of affirmation to them, and just be there for them! We live in a world where all we want is love, so make sure to love on your child, tween and teen! No matter how old they will get, they will still want their mom and dad at times for love and support!

About the Author

Kelsey is a freelance writer for bloggers! A country girl from Kansas, who enjoys spending time with family! You can see what Kelsey has available for content in her Facebook Group.

Why Choose to Work at Home?

When I first became a mother, working from home really wasn’t anything I had heard of before. It was the year 2002 when I first became a mother and after a breakup, I had to figure out how to support a daughter without a job. You see, the plan was I would be a stay at home mom but that didn’t pan out. I found myself single, living in a subsidized housing unit and on state assistance. The only option I could think of in early 2003, was to get a job!

Ultimately I got a job and my daughter had some wonderful babysitters. Life was decent, I could eventually move out of that unit into a real apartment within one year and I felt great. Life was pretty easy with one child. Then it happened, pregnant with a second child and sick quite often I had to figure out what to do. I wanted a way to work because I truly enjoy making money, but I also needed to think about how sick I was with pregnancy nausea. Finding that I was unable to be a reliable worker, I gave notice to leave my awesome office job and stay home. At this point I had heard of working at home, it was the year 2006.

Many parents will tell me in passing that they wish they could work from home too. I always tell them that they can and sometimes I guide people in that direction through consultations. Overall I simply write blog posts to help parents make the best decision for their household. If you are thinking about working at home, there are some reasons why you may make that decision.

Why Choose to Work at Home?

Set your Own Hours – as a new parent it’s difficult to maintain a schedule outside of the home, as I stated I was sick with my second pregnancy which made me call out of work often or be late. I didn’t feel reliable and in turn I needed to find a different option to make money. Working at home means you can work from the laptop in bed sick, at your office desk in your pajamas with a baby in your arms. You can work when your baby or child is sleeping and once you have established clients, you can easily make cash around taking care of your child.
Never Miss a Milestone – as a work at home parent you won’t miss that first word, that first step or even that first run. You are able to manage being a parent and helping to financially support the household. I firmly believe working at home is what helped me keep a deeper bond with my children, for I was always there when they needed to talk. I wasn’t exhausted from a long work day, rushing home to get that end of night routine done. It felt right for my household to work from home.
You have an Entrepreneurial Spirit – you have always wanted to have a business, perhaps you have always dreamed of running a family owned business. When you work at home you can easily become a success story. It’s easy to work at home when you have that entrepreneurial spirit because you will be passionate about this and naturally find a way to make money to support the household. While you may not need to have an entrepreneurial spirit, it helps to keep you motivated and passionate about working at home.
You Parent Your Child(ren) – when you make the decision to work at home there is less of a chance that you will have children influenced by outsiders. Often times parents get frustrated with the examples and morals taught to them simply by having the children in a daycare scenario. When you work at home, you get the be the main example to your children for a longer period of time than if you worked outside of the home and sent your children to a babysitter.

Working at home is a big decision and you shouldn’t go into it lightly. In all honesty it will take a lot of hard work to establish your online brand, presence and reputation. Some will go into working at home and immediately gain tons of clients while others have to work a bit harder at it. There’s no telling how successful you will be or not be, but if you truly want to work at home then you will find a way and be successful doing it!