Author: Sarah Lyons
Playdates are an important part of childhood. They offer time for kids to interact socially without the structure of school or extracurricular activities. They also help kids learn to share, socialize, and play freely while still having support from their parents as needed. Children with special needs are no exception and benefit from playdates as much as their peers. While they may take a little more planning and patience, it is well worth the effort for everyone involved. Here are some tips for hosting a playdate with kids with disabilities: Be Open Our natural reaction may be to avoid talking…
Children learn to read at their own pace but if your child is struggling to make significant progress as compared to their peers, it may be possible they have a reading disability called dyslexia. According to Mayo Clinic, “Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how to relate to letters and words. Dyslexia affects areas of the brain that process language.” Symptoms of dyslexia may include: Speech delay, trouble learning words, problems forming words correctly or reversing sounds or words that sound alike. Reading well below the expected level for…
Last year my husband and I set a goal to set up our will and estate plan. This forced us to look at who would become guardians of our children, what would we do in the event of one spouse’s death, when and how would our money be allocated, and more. These conversations were tough, simply because of the subject matter. Although this process wasn’t enjoyable, I’m so glad we checked it off our list because we can both rest assured that our kids will be taken care of, and our affairs are in order if needed. As we begin…
As Thanksgiving approaches, it is nice to reflect on and appreciate our blessings. In our family, each member writes down something they are thankful for on Thanksgiving Day, and we read them aloud at dinner. This is a fun exercise that teaches our children to show gratitude for things otherwise taken for granted. We enjoy that daily pause to remember what we are grateful for; but, what about every other day of the year? How do we teach our kids to be grateful all year long? Model Gratefulness The easiest and most effective way to start teaching your children gratitude…
When it comes to homework, it can seem impossible to get kids motivated to start or stay on task. It can be especially frustrating when you know your child is smart and capable, but they aren’t willing to put in the time and effort it takes to get the grades you know they can. As parents, we want our kids to put their best effort into their schoolwork without having to pester them and have the situation affect our relationship in a negative way. Here are some tips to help motivate your kids to stay on task: Establish Clear Expectations…
School mornings can be stressful for both parents and kids. They can be very hectic, with limited time to eat breakfast, get dressed, gather belongings, and get to school on time.Here are some ideas for families to lower the stress and create a smoother school morning:Backpack SolutionAfter the kids have completed their homework, have them pack their backpacks. Parents can sign permission slips, go through school papers, and gather any supplies needed for school the next day and pack them up. Does your child have their gym uniform and band instrument? When everything is ready the night before, there is…
Transitioning your child to becoming an older sibling is both exciting and challenging. While adding another child to the family provides your older child with a lifelong friend and playmate, the soon-to-be big sibling may feel reluctant to share their turf. Many parents worry about how their child will react to a new baby in the house and do their best to reassure their big kid that they are still very much loved and an important part of the family. There are some things you can do to make the transition easier for everyone. Here are some simple do’s and…
Have you ever seen the kids sleeping in strollers at the mall or even an amusement park, clearly not bothered by the noise or what is going on around them? Before I became a mother, I assumed getting a child to nap was as simple as giving the child a space to rest. A dozen years and six kids later, I have learned the hard way that it is rarely that simple. Nap time can be a battle between parent and child that leaves you feeling exhausted rather than rested. This leaves parents searching for suggestions to make things go…
Family vacations are a great way to enjoy time away from the daily routine and create lasting memories. But if you are anything like me, packing for a family trip can be overwhelming, especially if you have multiple kids to pack for. As a mom of six I’ve learned the hard way how to make our vacation packing more efficient. Start by making a master list. If you don’t have a list, you are bound to forget things. I have a list on my computer that I can copy, paste, edit, and print each time we are going out of…
In today’s digital age, families are spending more time inside and less time exploring nature. Studies show that kids who spend time outside have better overall health and fitness levels, report better vision, less stress and depression, and are more likely to have good social skills. The National Wildlife Federation also reports that “spending time outside raises levels of Vitamin D, helping protect children from future bone problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues.” As kids spend more and more time watching TV and playing video games on a daily basis, only about 10% of kids say they are…