Facing Your Family’s Emergency Expenditures

2011
Leave a Comment

Children start out small and cute. They gradually get bigger and as they do, it all gets a lot more complicated. Education starts, boys meet girls and visa versa, and before you know it, they are off to college. However, during that process, there can be a many emergencies that come up.

Accidents

Parenting is more than just raising a child, it’s also about paying the bills. Kids have unexpected accidents all the time. Your son thinks it would be fun to climb the tallest tree, then he falls and breaks his arm. In an instant, you find yourself in the hospital facing medical bills.

Trouble with the Law

Your teen is now driving, and like every teen, is a bit rebellious. It is becoming more difficult to discipline him. Sometimes a teen gets into drugs and alcohol, and eventually it leads to trouble with the law. You know you have a good kid, and you don’t want to hang him out to dry, so you post bail and you hope the police scare teaches a lesson.

Early Parenting

The idea of your 16-year-old telling you that you’re going to be a grandparent isn’t something most parents dream about. It happens though, quite often. The teen may quit school and get a job, but that isn’t going to cover the expenses needed to raise a child. Parents often take the child in and help with the expenses.

Expense Money

Some people have savings they dip into for emergency expenses, while others live paycheck to paycheck. If you are of the latter, and come up short, try no fax payday loans. They can help you make it to the next paycheck.

Filed Under: Families Tagged With: , ,

Surviving as a Family During These Modern Times

2011
Leave a Comment

Family provides some of the most important connections you will have in your life because a family is bound together by the most sacred and strongest emotional ties that exist between humans. The world today seems geared toward the breaking up of the family, as well as other relationships.

Individuals are spending less time with each other and more time with electronics, ironically those that are usually meant to connect them with other people. Television shows and other media seem to showcase the rejection of parents by their children, the lack of need for commitment in relationships, and other anti-family messages.

With the family being bombarded by so many difficulties, it is no wonder that more and more marriages are ending in divorce. Each divorce attorney Connecticut and other states have is seeing this trend. To survive in modern times, families need to keep in mind what is really important to them. Couples should always put their partner first. Building a strong marriage will play a tremendous role in protecting the family. Children will see the example of their parents.

Children will bear the brunt of the attack on the family, and having meaningful relationships with each other and their parents will give them the strength needed to combat the world. Knowing they can turn to their loving and trusting parents will be a priceless asset to them.

Parents need to be frank with children about the dangers in the world. They should consider themselves “military advisors” or generals speaking with and working with troops going into battle. Clear communication, love, and a reminder of the responsibilities in life that each member of the family carries will win the day.

Filed Under: Families, Relationships Tagged With: ,

Activities Even Your Teen Will Want to do with You

2011
Leave a Comment
World famous whitewater rafting in the Valley. 

Image via Wikipedia

Perhaps you’re planning a family vacation, a fun family weekend or you just want to spend some time with your teenager to make sure they remember that they have a family that loves them. What kinds of activities can you plan that won’t have your teen wishing they were home playing video games, getting zoned out in direct.tv shows or out with friends?

Get active. Walking on a trail with your parents may not be a teenager’s favorite activity, but it’s hard to think about how much you’d rather be somewhere else with some more extreme activities. White water rafting, cliff diving or other extreme sports that are available in your location can be an excellent distraction from daily life and help you bond with your teenager.

Go out to eat. Sure, you may not be the ideal dinner guest to your teenager but everyone needs to eat and teenagers are starting to develop a more sophisticated food palette. With the recent explosion of food and cooking television shows, books and gourmet restaurants, there’s no doubt that your children have had a passing interest in food. Take the opportunity to show your kids different types of cultural cuisine than they had when they were growing up, or just enjoy the fine dining experience with the whole family.

Try a family game night. Ditch the old-school games that you played when you were a kid and try one of the more recent board or card games that have risen in popularity in recent years. Consider the trendy word association, settlement development and role-playing simulation games that have become a staple across college campuses and game stores.

Filed Under: Relationships, Teen Tagged With: , ,

Keeping the Lines of Communication Open With Your Teen

2011
Leave a Comment

It’s the time that worries every parent- the teenage years of their child. It’s as if a switch turns on right after the child’s thirteenth birthday. These are the years of rolling eyes, random bouts of attitude, and the ever popular door slamming. Any questions are met with a classic “yes” or “no” answer. How do you communicate with your teenager without driving them away more?

  1. The first step is to notice body language and respond in kind. Use constant eye contact when talking to your teen. If you are driving, glance over every now and then to make visual connection and show your child you are listening. By crossing your arms or putting your hands on your hips, this gives the signal of anger and puts the other person on the defensive. Not what you want to do when dealing with a teenager. Also, don’t be afraid to be affectionate with your child, even if it’s just touching them gently on the shoulder in conversation.
  2. Praise your child for their good deeds and tell them why. Positive reinforcement is vital in any relationship but especially for teenagers. The teen years are a time of indecision, self doubt, and a host of other confusing emotions that comes with growing up. To know they are valued at home is a necessary part of their upbringing. Buy them that cricket blackberry they have been wanting for a while. Rewarding them with something they want will encourage them to appreciate you as their parent, and communicate with you more. Encourage them in their endeavors and praise their success.
  3. Set time apart in your day to spend time talking to your teen about what’s going on in their lives. Make sure to ask questions that don’t get you the dreaded “yes” or “no” responses. Perhaps instead of saying, Did you have a good day? ask What did you learn in school today? If the child is being particularly contrary, they may respond with “stuff”. At this point, you may have to find a way to reword your question.

 

 

Filed Under: Families, Relationships, Teen Tagged With: , ,

Teenagers and Discipline

2011
Leave a Comment

When a child is younger and a quick spanking is needed to get his attention, or to even make the point that he is being punished for improper behavior, these sorts of quick power-affirming measures can be quite effective. Once the child becomes a teenager, however, they no longer are the appropriate method to employ in an effort to effectively discipline your child.

To begin with it is important to understand the difference between discipline and punishment. Punishment is the power to force your power on your child when he acts inappropriately. Discipline, on the other hand, has as its central goal to educate and train your child regarding the consequences that naturally follow their behavior.

 

Two adolescent couples at the 2009 Western Ida...

Image via Wikipedia

Discipline is actually a measure undertaken to reinforce that your child accept the consequences of his behavior that he grows up to be responsible in the world in which he is placed.

Because so many teenagers reach this age attempting to shut out their parents more and more, the parents find themselves resorting to punishment over discipline as it tends to refocus their attention.

At this age teenagers desire more freedom and time to explore their growing social lives. When access to these freedoms is put in jeopardy due to their behavior the teenager is more apt to pay close attention to what you have to say. Therefore when a teenager doesn’t behave according to expectations – for example not completing their homework – then taking away or limiting these freedoms is an excellent way of both gaining their attention and teaching them through discipline how the consequences of their actions are a natural part of life.

Filed Under: Teen Tagged With: , ,

Tips To Help Your Teen Take The Right Decisions In Life

2011
Leave a Comment
Two adolescent couples at the 2009 Western Ida...

Image via Wikipedia

Try to think about your past and try to identify certain decisions taken by your parents that helped you a lot in your future life. You will realize that most of the life changing decisions took place in your teenage years. Many parents are caring in the beginning but presume the child will take all the right decisions after becoming a teenager.

Some parents continue with their committed and interested approach but back away after the child behaves in a rebellious manner. Well, it is foolish to expect that your teenager will understand the implications of his or her decision on his or her own. You will have to fight the teenager to help him or her take the right decision. You may be speaking perfect sense but the teenager may simply not be interested in listening to you. This can be a very frustrating affair.

You have the option of letting the teenager take certain decisions so that he or she can find how foolish it has been. This approach may result in wastage of a lot of time but will help the teenager understand the mistakes. However, you cannot afford to adopt this trial and error method when important decisions are at stake.

One option is to continuously and consistently explain your position for a long period of time. If you want your teenager to choose a specific subject as his or her career, you should start working towards this goal at least one or two years in advance. To walk up to teen and expect him or her to obey all your instructions simply does not make sense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Families, Relationships, Teen Tagged With: ,

Creating Healthy Family Traditions

2011
Leave a Comment

When you are raising a family, you want your kids to be a generation that praises God and lives for him. As you prepare to expand your family — and possibly even your living space to accommodate your growing number — you will need to concentrate on creating healthy family traditions. How can you honor God with your lifestyle during a time of transition? Focus on these things.

Read the Bible as a family. Don’t slack off on family devotions, even when you feel overwhelmed or when the house is a wreck due to home renovations. This time will keep your family connected and focused, and will put your focus where it needs to be.

Stay connected with a church. This doesn’t mean you can’t skip Sunday School for some much-needed sleep every once and a while, but it does mean making sure that you have other people in your life who can speak truth and encouragement to you, and who you can support as well. If you need to find a church, use a search engine like Canada 411. When you are expanding your family, you need support around you, and you also need to have people to encourage so that you can get your eyes off of yourself and see life’s bigger picture.

Live what you preach. This means faithful giving and godly attitudes and actions. Not only will you honor God with your faithfulness, but your children will notice too, and it could be what convinces them to remain faithful to God as well. Your actions will speak louder to them than any church service ever could.

Filed Under: Child Development, Families Tagged With: , ,

Planning a Memorable Family Game Night

2011
Leave a Comment

If your family is like most, it’s probably rare that the entire family gets together for an afternoon or evening. Yet research shows families need time to reconnect in order for the relationships to thrive. Think about planning a fun and memorable family game night.

  • Choose the right game. Consider your kids’ ages and attention spans. Don’t choose a game that will bore your older kids or teens because the activity is aimed at younger ages. Likewise, don’t choose a game that’s too advanced for your little ones. They’ll lose interest quickly. Reviewing the greatest board games of all time is a good place to start in making your selection because they have broad appeal.
  • Pick a convenient time. Your game night won’t be successful if the kids have just gotten home from a ball game or have a ton of homework. Many families find that Saturday night and Sundays early in the evening are ideal times for game night.
  • Keep it lighthearted and fun. Having a friendly competition is one thing; creating a fierce battle that prompts an argument is another. Offer a small prize to the winner such as a $5 gift card to an ice cream shop or let the winner skip chores for one night. This is a great way to get your kids enthusiastic about game night.
  • Provide special snacks. Serve a special dish or snack your kids normally aren’t allowed to eat. Or, bake those delicious cookies you only make at the holidays.

By putting thought and planning into game night, you’ll create a meaningful opportunity for your family to spend quality time together.

Filed Under: Families, Relationships Tagged With: , ,

How to Make Moving Fun

2011
Leave a Comment

The sound is shocking — both in its volume and its pleading. Your children are wailing, trying to defeat the act of moving through sheer vocal power.

They almost succeed.

Relocating is never easy. Parents too often suffer from the stress of both the move and the demands of their children. It’s vital to make the process less daunting, offering hints of fun to appease:

Make Packing A Game

It’s a collection of boxes and plastic totes: your family will soon be defined by containers (which will be driven toward a home secured by property management companies). This process can be dull, with children quickly overwhelmed. It’s imperative therefore to make packing seem like a game. Allow youths to earn rewards for helping; begin a race to see which child ho  can fill the boxes first. This will provide relief from the tedium.

Encourage Decorating Ideas

The concept of moving is one few children understand, summoning fears of bedrooms transforming somehow into dungeons. You must counter these concerns with encouragement: allow your sons and daughters to detail their new decorating styles. Let them chart colors, patterns, themes and more. This will offer considerable comfort.

Compile Personal Information

Friendships are meant to be sustained: this is the truth that children cling to. And it’s one that can shatter when the notion of moving is offered. Soothe the concerns of broken alliances by compiling a list of emails and telephone numbers. This will offer a sense of security, allowing youths to remain in contact with those they must leave behind (and providing the excitement of planned reunions).

Moving can be fun … if you follow these suggestions.

Filed Under: Child Development, General, Teen Tagged With: , ,

6 Summer Family Activities on the Water

2011
Leave a Comment

Whether it’s a lake or an ocean, a cool body of water provides the perfect summer respite for families from the oppressive heat and doldrums of cabin fever. Best of all, it’s free! On the water, these six summer activities will provide family fun all day long.

1. Boating

Boating is the national pastime of summer activities. The entire family can hop aboard a boat and cruise the open water or drop anchor to eat lunch and swim off the stern. With a boat families can also try activities like water skiing and tubing. There are a variety of watercraft options, from wind-driven sail boats to high-powered speed boats. For a family, however, the pontoon boat is always a good choice because of the ample seating and room for things like a grill and cooler. Even if a family doesn’t own a boat, many marinas charter or rent them.

2. Jet Skiing

Jet skiing is one the most exciting water activities for families with the sharp turns and jumps over a passing boat’s wake. Usually jet skis fit one or two people, but there are longer models that fit up to three or four. They are easy to drive so parents shouldn’t mind handing over the keys to their teenagers. However, lakes get crowded during the summer season leading to accidents, so it’s important to take the appropriate safety precautions, like wearing a life vest and getting watercraft insurance.

3. Canoeing

If a family doesn’t mind doing a little work, canoeing is a great summer activity to pass the time and be out in nature. With a picnic basket in tow, families will enjoy the peaceful experience of casually traversing a lake or riding the current down a river. Many state parks offer canoe rentals for a minimal fee.

4. Fishing

For the family that loves sports, fishing presents a fun challenge especially on the water. For one, fishing from a boat is more exciting than off the dock because of the mobility, and there’s potential for a bigger catch. Kids will enjoy seeing the fish, and the live bait. With fishing families can cast the day away, and even catch dinner.

5. Rafting

Because of the intensity and exhilarating thrills, rafting is one summer water activity that will surely be memorable for any family. With life vests strapped on, families can tackle raging rapids and treacherous rocks. There is of course one stipulation – no family member should be scared of getting a little wet.

6. Surfing

A family shouldn’t sit at the beach and watch the waves roll in when they can be out there riding them. Surfboards can be rented at many beaches on the coasts, so a family can finally decide who is the best at hanging ten.

Summer only lasts a few months, so families need to get out on the water and try these activities while they still can. What water activities does your family enjoy each summer?

Filed Under: Families Tagged With: , , , ,
« Older Posts