Teen Development

How a New Relationship Can Benefit Both You and Your Children

March 3, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Life as a single parent can be difficult, as the dating process itself is time-consuming and often challenging. As a single mother or father, the process of finding a partner can almost seem impossible. Your children are your priority, and you may have concerns over how your children will deal with you seeing other people.

This is especially more challenging if your children are older. Putting yourself back out there is intimidating enough without worrying about your children. However, there’s good news: your relationship with a new partner can be beneficial for your children.

Most single parents are single because they left a bad relationship. Others are widowed, making the dating process even more emotional. It is wrong to assume that you shouldn’t date because of your children. Face it; your children will grow up quickly and start to date, too.

While you are seeing other people, you can potentially set a good example as far as how the relationship process should work. It is a good thing to be in a healthy relationship, and your children can pick up on this and make sound decisions in the future.

It is vital that you maintain discretion, particularly when the relationship is new. A young child will have difficulty understanding that Mom or Dad is holding hands with someone new and hugging other people. The situation becomes more confusing if a particular date does not progress into a relationship.

The cuddling stage is more appropriate as your relationship progresses; but keep your child’s feelings in mind. With that being said, this doesn’t mean you should make-out in front of your children or let them know about the intimate details of your relationships.

To ensure that you enjoy the social life while sparing your children’s feelings, you should remain open about who you are seeing and why. As your relationship blossoms, involve your children by having group activities so they can get to know your new partner.

Filed Under: Parenting, Teen Development Tagged With: Child, Mother, Single-parent

Help Your Child With Money

January 17, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

There are a lot of expenses that you need to take care of, as a parent, when your child gets older. You may not think of these expenses before your child is born, but it’s better to think about it then than when reality finally hits you and you don’t have money for certain things.

One of the most expensive things your child will need when they get older is a college education. You can help with that before they are even born. If you put aside money in a bank account, the money will accumulate over the years because of interest and soon they will have plenty of savings for college.

Research the banks that have the best long-term deals. You can do this by researching online and going to the banks to ask questions. You may want to set up meetings so you can decide on the bank to go with.

It will be better to set aside a greater amount of money, because with a percent interest, your child will have more money for college. For example, if you go with an account that has a 6% annual interest and only put in $100 when your child is born, by the time they attend college they will have $285 compared to if you put $1000 in the account, they will have $2854.

You can ask other family members such as your parents to help put money in the account. You don’t necessarily need it right away, but it is better to create an account when or before your child is born. The more money you can put in the account to begin with, the more money your child will have when they pull the money out of the account.

Granted, this account won’t pay for their entire college tuition, but it will help. Don’t ever take money out of the account if you want to help your child out with college. It’s perfectly fine to add money to the account to increase the amount of money your child will have for college.

Filed Under: Parenting, Teen Development Tagged With: College tuition

Clothes Shopping: Dealing with Growth Spurts

January 17, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

One of the most frustrating things for parents on tight budgets to deal with is their children’s growth spurts. Sometimes it can feel like your children are growing faster than a bamboo tree. It’s not that parents don’t want to see their children grow up— they just don’t want to see them grow out of their clothes. In fact, if a person could invent clothing that would automatically adjust to fit a child as he or she grows and at every stage of life (infant, toddler, puberty, etc.) then that person would be an overnight millionaire! While it’s a fun thought, it just won’t happen. Parents feel so overwhelmed every time they buy their kids new clothes because in just a few months they’ll be buying more clothes because the kids have outgrown the others. However, with the tips below you will be able to deal with your kids’ growth spurts without having to take out a loan.

The best thing you can do when you have kids is prepare for untimely growth spurts. You know it will happen, so just prepare for it. You need to set aside a small amount of money from each check and place in a “clothing” fund. If you do this every payday, then when your child outgrows his clothing, you will have the money to buy more.

Next, you need to help your children find stylish clothing that doesn’t cost a fortune. A great example is Rocawear clothing. Kids of all ages love this brand and the best part is it’s affordable! However, if your children insist on expensive clothing, then you need to make them help pay for it. Encourage your kids to get a part-time job or take on more chores to earn the extra money they need for the clothes they want. When you follow these three tips, you won’t dread your kids’ growth spurts any longer!

Filed Under: Parenting, Teen Development Tagged With: Children, Clothing, Rocawear

Educating Your Kids on Things That Count

January 12, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

As a parent, you are responsible for giving your kids the information they need. While it’s assumed that you are teaching them the difference between right and wrong, it should also be assumed that you are teaching them the tenants of good money management.

These days, it’s important to teach them that cash is king and credit is death. A child that develops terrible spending habits early on will regret it later in life as they are swimming in an endless sea of debt and no way out. Teaching them why it matters to take care of their money, and doing things to drill it in their head will pay off big for them as they make their own money.

A good way to start their education on money matters is to teach them of how quickly things can go wrong. Telling them stories of financial struggles and what it cost people will be an eye opener for a child that hasn’t grasped the full scope of money management. It’s equally important to let them know that they can use a debt consolidation service which can help if they were to get into trouble, but that trouble is to be avoided in the first place.

While it’s important to teach your kids from their pre-teens about spending and saving money, it’s important to kick those lessons into high gear when they begin their first job. This is when there will be temptation to spend real money and also the potential to save real money. So, when they get the first paycheck, it’s important to show them how to set up a budget. Taking them through the steps of creating a budget, with emphasis on putting it away or saving it for a bigger and more important purchase will help to set them on the right track. As they get older, the problems with credit and loans will mount, you just want them to handle it right.

Filed Under: Teen Development

Teething Tips

December 29, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

One of the most helpless times a new parent goes through is the teething phase. When those little ivories start poking through, the suffering of your little one becomes clear, and the whole house knows it. If your baby is hurting, and you’re losing sleep in the process, there are some things you can do to relieve the pain.

One of the quickest ways is to freeze a wet washcloth. Have a few of them in the freezer at one time and you’re good to go when the baby starts crying. Letting them suck on the cold cloth helps numb the gums. If you’re breastfeeding, it’s good to do this before feeding time. Another great option is soaking the washcloth in a weak brew of cool chamomile tea. The chamomile will make the mouth feel cool and will produce a calming effect.

Massaging the baby’s gums with your finger can also offer relief. You can buy teething toys that provide this same effect, but the old-fashioned way is just as effective.

One natural alternative is clove oil. Dilute with a carrier oil, such as olive oil, and massage into the gums with your finger. This produces the same effect as many pharmacy numbing gels.

Keep the drool in check. Drooling is an expected side effect of teething, and drool rash can become a serious problem if the baby’s skin is not kept dry. Make sure the baby wears a bib or some other barrier to protect the neck, especially when sleeping.

If the pain becomes unbearable, consult a doctor regarding pain reliever dosages for your infant. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce pain, offering you and your baby a chance to sleep at night.

Perhaps most importantly of all, keep the baby’s environment stress free. Soothing music, gentle talking, and massage can help calm grated nerves for both of you.

Filed Under: Teen Development Tagged With: Gingiva, Pain, Teething

Teaching Money Management with a Prepaid Card

December 27, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Having a family can become very expensive, especially as children reach an age where they would like to have some financial freedom, and start to earn and spend their money as they desire. Many teenagers are now choosing to work part time in order to have extra spending money, or save for future expenses. Since most teenagers are not able to qualify for a credit card, obtaining a prepaid credit card is a great way to begin building the credit score while practicing financial preparation in learning how to use and stick to a budget.

When teaching children how to budget, save money, and plan for the future, a prepaid card is a great tool to help with this important lesson. Parents can either pre-load the cards for their children, or they can help the children to load the card with their own money. Learning to use a credit or debit card is a valuable lesson, since many people choose to use only cards for security as well as ease of purchasing. Allowing teenagers to track how much is left on the card, and being careful not to go over the allotted balance, will help to teach financial responsibility and also allow teens to spend their money anywhere cards are accepted.

When using the card, teenagers can also learn how to balance a checkbook, since using a prepaid card is very similar to using a debit card. After each transaction, the child is able to learn how to track finances, especially how much is remaining, to avoid overdrawing on the account. Parents are sure to value the lessons they can teach their children when using a prepaid card, and the children can learn how to be on top of their own finances, offering freedom and independence in this important life lesson.

Filed Under: Teen Development

Empathetic Parenting: Five and Six-Years Old

December 17, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

By age five or six, children have developed enough independence to begin school. For some, this may come earlier than others, but don’t be too alarmed if your child has trouble at first coping with being away from home for such a long period of time.

Since mommy and daddy have been the center of their world up until now, don’t be surprised if your five or six-year old suddenly becomes teary eyed, bossy, or clingy before or after school. This is a confusing time for their young minds, and emotions will run high. They have to deal with a new situation and a new system of rules.

The independent play that was so important during their third and fourth year has been crucial to their independence at school. Now, at five and six, they’ll prefer playing with others as opposed to playing alone. Provide them ample opportunities for socialization. Set up play dates, have a small sleepover, or invite one of their friends over on a Saturday.

Most kids of this age begin asking questions, so take them seriously. Don’t laugh off a question that seems silly to you because, in your child’s mind, it’s a very sincere inquiry. This is a perfect chance to help your child develop conversation skills. They would have most likely learned to ask permission before doing something, so positively reinforce that behavior with a simple, “thank you for asking.”

Encourage them to tell jokes or stories, and listen as they recount events from school. This is crucial to their speech and language development. Take the time to talk to them. They’ve missed you all day and need that extra communication.

This is the age when most children start to realize they’re not the best at everything, and some kids at school will be better at some things than they are. Use this opportunity to talk about how everyone is different and point out your child’s individual strengths.

Filed Under: Parenting, Teen Development Tagged With: Family, Language development, School

Empathetic Parenting: Middle Adolescence

December 9, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

By ages fifteen to seventeen, most girls have gone through all the changes puberty brings and have completed their physical changes. Boys tend to run two years behind girls, so they are still maturing.

Friends become more important than ever during middle adolescence, so they’re more aware of the social behaviors of friends. They’re less likely to want to spend time with family. This isn’t a reflection on you as a parent, but a natural stage most everyone went through. It’s a good idea to remind yourself yet again that this is just a phase.

Their capacity for caring has increased, as well as their interest in the opposite sex. At this age their physical changes are not as confusing, so any conflict or outburst they may have had toward you at age thirteen or fourteen would have decreased.

They may experience doubt, depression, or feelings of isolation that can lead to risky behavior and poor grades. This is why it’s so crucial to have already developed an honest line of communication with them when they were much younger, which was hopefully reinforced every step of the way. This makes it easier for you both when a discussion needs to happen.

If your teenager expresses concerns, don’t downplay them. Never say things like, “get over it!” or laugh at the insignificance of their worries.

If your teen is involved in an after-school activity such as sports, drama, or an art club, go to their game, play production, or exhibit. Show an interest in their interests.

To develop responsible spending habits, work with your teen to develop a savings plan. This is especially useful if your teen has a part-time job and wants to save for a car. Even if you plan to give your teen your old car, come up with an expectation as to how much they need to contribute. This teaches responsibility that will be useful in adulthood.

Filed Under: Parenting, Teen Development Tagged With: Adolescence, Health, Mental health

Empathetic Parenting: Understanding Your Young Adult

December 7, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

You’ve instilled your values in your child for decades, been his disciplinarian, his hugs, and his biggest fan. Now he’s entered late adolescence, the age when society deems children legal adults. But your parenting still plays an influential part, even for eighteen to twenty-year olds.

By this age, your teen has become more emotionally stable. She will have a clear vision, or at least a long-term goal, for her life. Her sexual identity is clear, she can understand both emotional and physical aspects in a relationship, and she’s more comfortable around her parents.

It’s during this stage that your role as a parent has shifted. Your function now is one of support. You’ve raised a healthy individual, now it’s their turn to experience life’s successes and mistakes. A common mistake that parents tend to make is trying to be overprotective. Children will make mistakesâ€”that’s the only way to learn life lessons and develop wisdom. You may disagree with a choice your teen makes, but you can express your concerns without pushing him or her into a rebellious state. This will only strain your relationship. Your job now is to be supportive regardless of the mistakes.

It’s important to offer your teenager a lot of praise for their achievements and positive choices. This will increase their self-esteem and confidence. But don’t be afraid to prepare for the results of a negative choice. Your young adult may face a situation one day where he’s at a party and has too much to drink. Do you want to make sure he knows that he can call you for a ride home, even if you would have rather him not been there at all? In that case, make sure he knows he can resolve a negative choice (drinking) with a positive one (calling you for a ride).

Filed Under: Teen Development, Teen Rebellion Tagged With: Adolescence, Child, Family, Parent

Establishing a Bedtime Routine

December 5, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

For some parents, bedtime can be a stressful time. Since lack of sleep can cause health and behavior problems, it’s best to establish some sort of nighttime routine.

If your children are having trouble falling asleep at night, consider their activities during the day. Are they getting enough exercise and expending enough energy? Or are they spending most of their day watching television or playing video games? Electronic media can also stimulate parts of the brain that encourage kids to stay awake, so make sure the TV is turned off well before bedtime.

Have some quiet time at least half and hour before bed. Try reading to your younger children in a soft, soothing voice or have your older kids curl up with a favorite book. Listen to the radio or an audio book together while you scratch their backs. Turn on some classical music or a nature CD. Anything you can do to calm their minds from the stimulants of the day will help bring on sleep.

Always be consistent with both the hour of bedtime and the routine leading up to it. If your child bathes before bed, brushes her teeth, and then curls up in bed to be read to, do this every night so they become habits. Bath time at night is also a good way to soothe the body for sleep.

If your child needs a nightlight, a fan, or some soft music on while trying to fall asleep, allow it. And reassure her that you’ll be back to check on her soon.

Make sure that bedtime is early enough. If a child becomes overtired, stress hormones are released, making is more difficult to fall asleep. If you notice your child is getting overtired and cranky, try to put her to bed earlier the following night.

Filed Under: Teen Development Tagged With: Bedtime, Child, Sleep, Television