| PARENTING TIPS! | | | | Before bedtime, be sure all homework is returned to |
| Being a parent is one tough job. Full of many rewards, | | | | your child's backpack as well as any lunch money, |
| beautiful moments, great sharing, laughs and love. But | | | | notes for the teacher, permission slips, etc. Place these |
| the reality of raising children today is that parents | | | | in a convenient place near the door. Keep boots, |
| become overwhelmed, exhausted and stressed. In the | | | | mittens, hats, scarves, and other accessories near the |
| absence of the owner's manual, there are many | | | | coats so they are ready to go as well. Make lunches |
| wonderful sources of parenting hints. Family, friends, | | | | the night before and keep them in the refrigerator; |
| books, videos, and websites are just a few of the | | | | ready to grab in the morning. Help your child lay out |
| valuable resources available to today's parents. Here | | | | clothing for the next day so there is no last minute |
| are some helpful hints geared to specific age groups. | | | | scramble in the morning to find those perfect zip-off |
| Infants | | | | wind pants. Some families even put together outfits for |
| - Newborns feel more secure if they are swaddled | | | | the entire week. Leaving the house in a calm and |
| firmly in a blanket, as this sensation closely mimics the | | | | peaceful manner puts a great spin on the day! |
| feeling inside the womb. If you have a fussy newborn, | | | | - Children have their own internal clocks. It is entirely |
| wrapping them firmly with their arms inside the blanket | | | | possible for two early bird parents to give birth to a |
| may help to soothe them when you aren't holding | | | | night owl. Some children can be put to bed at what |
| them. | | | | parents believe is a reasonable hour for their child's |
| - Dress your infant in layers so you are better able to | | | | age, but the child still cannot fall asleep for hours. The |
| regulate his temperature. Infants need the same | | | | child isn't misbehaving, his body truly isn't ready to fall |
| amount of clothing as you do in most environments; or | | | | asleep yet. If you have a young night owl, experiment |
| at most, one layer more. So, if you are wearing a | | | | with pushing bedtime back an hour or so or even |
| sleeveless shirt and shorts, there is no need to dress | | | | allowing the child to read quietly with a small book light |
| your infant in a onesie, sweatshirt, and jacket. | | | | before falling asleep. It may help make bedtime a little |
| Toddlers/Preschoolers | | | | easier! |
| - Don't be too strict about your child's clothing matching | | | | Teenagers |
| perfectly. At this age, children are beginning to express | | | | - At this age, peer pressure is at its peak. The guy |
| their individuality and they love to put all sorts of wacky | | | | who never cared what he wore before suddenly |
| combinations together. To you, it looks like their closet | | | | insists on $120 basketball shoes. The girl who would |
| exploded all over them, but to them, they are a work | | | | shop anywhere now insists on designer labels. Some |
| of art! As long as it isn't family picture day, try to be | | | | parents have had wonderful success teaching the |
| flexible in allowing them to choose their own clothing | | | | value of a dollar, budgeting, and other valuable lessons |
| combinations. | | | | by using a clothing budget. Each child is given a certain |
| - Bedtime can be quite an ordeal at this age. Children | | | | amount of money for his clothing budget. Say you |
| may be afraid of the dark or of monsters or of being | | | | decide on $300 for the entire school year. This means |
| alone. A consistent routine can help keep the fears | | | | your daughter can go out the first day of school and |
| from getting out of hand. A warm bath, teeth brushing, | | | | spend all $300 or she can buy something here or there |
| and pajamas followed by a story, prayers, hugs, | | | | throughout the year; either way she only has $300 |
| kisses, and snuggles can help. If darkness is the fear, | | | | from September through June. It can be a very difficult |
| try letting the child choose his own nightlight. If | | | | lesson for her to spend that entire $300 on one |
| monsters are the culprit, make it a point to check the | | | | sweater, a pair of shoes, and two purses in the Fall |
| closets and under the bed. Parents have also | | | | and then have nothing left when Spring arrives to buy |
| successfully used a special air freshener as a | | | | sandals and a new dress. But, the clothing budget is a |
| "monster repellent." The key is to be sensitive. These | | | | great way to teach young adults that money doesn't |
| fears are very real to a child. | | | | grow on trees! |
| Elementary/Middle Schoolers | | | | If you would like information on how to start working |
| - To help calm the harried morning rush out the door, a | | | | from home and spend more time with your kids, click |
| little organization the night before can go a long way. | | | | here. |