 Image (C) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Is your tween constantly trying to boss around younger siblings, even at times questioning your own methods? Kids between the ages of 8 and 12 are going through huge transitions and this is a very possible scenario in households with more than one child. When my tween has moments like this, I stop and think what could be the root of the problem. One important point to remember is that most kids will test parents in this way at least once. It doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong. Like any other issue that arises, it gives you a chance to reevaluate things and change them as necessary.
Your tween wants to be like you. It's possible that your tween is bossing the younger kids around because you've been a great example. She may look up to you and simply be mimicking your own behavior. This can be a sign that you have been a good example that she wants to follow. At this age, the parent should still be supervising, but the tween can be given some extra responsibilities. Allow your tween to facilitate activities and look out for the welfare of her brothers and sisters. But do not allow her to discipline them. Your tween has too much responsibility. Having extra responsibility can sometimes be a good thing, as it prepares tweens for babysitting in the future and just life in general. But it also can be a bad thing if your tween is overstepping your boundaries. It's perfectly fine to allow your tween some growing room. But don't let him take it so far that he believes his siblings have to listen to his every word. If you catch your tween trying to boss around brothers and sisters in matters where he shouldn't be, you need to act immediately to rectify it early. Your tween knows she is older. Trying to take charge can just be a natural instinct as a child grows older. It is particularly present in tweens with younger siblings. This is just the natural order of things. If the manner in which your tween outranks siblings is not significant, there is probably no need for concern. It can actually be good for kids to have an extra reminder for simple things. But if you see your tween take advantage, explain to her when it is and is not appropriate to correct siblings. She's practicing for the future. Your tween may have natural parental instincts and is acting them out on siblings. There is nothing wrong with this, so long as it isn't hurting anyone or overstepping boundaries. This is how kids learn to be good parents when they grow up. Use this as an opportunity to teach your tween about proper parenting techniques, within reason. Helping with dinner, reading to the younger kids, helping feed the baby, preventing fellow siblings from arguing, and similar activities are great ways for your tween to participate. Just be sure she knows that certain decisions are still up to you. Take a look at your own habits. Many times, it will just be a natural part of growing up. But sometimes tweens will act this way because of the behavior of the parents. If you let your tween take over one too many times, she will start acting like she's the parent. Instinct takes over and it can be hard to break this habit once it starts. Ideally, you can catch it before it gets out of hand. Otherwise, it will take some work to let your tween know what her true responsibilities are and are not. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network
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 Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved As a mother and former nanny, I've heard of too many instances in which permanently restricting toys from children was suggested. Either the parents felt the kids were making a mess of them, they were too old for toys, or that toys were unnecessary. While I agree that kids do not need every gadget and gizmo out there, they do need to own some toys. In fact, there are many reasons children need to play with toys and significant research to back up that fact.
History of Toys It's probably safe to say that no one knows for sure exactly when and where the first toy was invented. They've been around for ages, possibly since the beginning of the human race. No matter the culture or country, most kids can be found playing with some sort of toy. While we can't trace the history of toys altogether, it can be interesting to peek back in time and trace the history of specific toys. IdeaFinder.com has some fun listings to explore from various toys and time periods. Benefits of Toys According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), playing with toys is beneficial to a child's social, cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being. The same report makes the point that playing with toys is recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as being one of the rights every child has. The Museum of Play considers play a critical part of learning and human development. Playing with toys increases academic success, as well as promotes success once children grow into adults. The Elements of Play can help define play for parents, educators, and scholars. Which Toys are Best? Which toys are best will actually depend on each individual child. When choosing the best toys for kids, think of the value of the toy itself. Consider your child's interest in it, how long it will last, what purpose it will serve, and also general safety. Blocks and puzzles can help with problem-solving and other cognitive development. Dolls and other role playing toys can help children with expression and imagination. Paints and other artistic toys help develop creativity. Sports toys, such as bicycles and balls can teach teamwork and coordination. There are a whole host of great toys with many benefits. If the toy passes all of your tests for value, then it's probably one of the best toys for your child. Remember to have a variety of different toys for the most interest and benefit. Why Toys Should not Be Taken Away Permanently Taking away toys permanently for the purpose of avoiding messes can hinder the process of teaching a child to clean. How can she learn to do this without anything to clean up? On the contrary, if a child is instead taught organizational skills and given an exact spot for each toy, and a system that must be followed, he or she will learn to put away the toys. Taking away toys because someone feels they are unnecessary is also not a good idea. As long as a child remains interested in playing with toys, he should be allowed to keep them. Even adults can benefit from playing with toys. Limiting or restricting a child from toys can also limit and restrict a child from key life lessons that can only be gained through play. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  Your teen student is headed to high school. This is the last portion of his schooling, where he prepares for independence. The choices made here will help influence his life path. Should teen students choose their own schedules? As their parents, should we instead be making this choice? While I would certainly like to decide what is likely to give my teens the best head start in life, I still think the final decision is up to them. Here's why.
What if my teen doesn't know what's best? This is a concern many parents have when realizing that their high school student is going to be choosing their own schedule. Talk to your teen about what his life goals and dreams are. Make sure he knows that his schedule should reflect those plans. Also, there should be guidance counselors assigned to each high school student in most schools. If you are homeschooling, you are likely to have some extra influence over the courses your teen student chooses. Either way, your teen needs to know his options and also that you trust him with the choice. Can a high school student get an easy schedule approved? Some teens may be sneaky and try to take all elective courses. But thankfully, this is not likely to fly with administration. There are certain courses required each semester. So, if your teen ticks off too many classes that are for fun, without selecting any core classes, she's going to have to fix that schedule to get it approved. It may work during senior year if the student has taken all the required courses. But hopefully, the advice given by parents and counselors will instead encourage choices related to the teen's career aspirations. What if a parent wants the teen to have certain classes? Being too demanding with the choices your teen faces could cause unnecessary pressure. Remember that this is a part of the preparation toward becoming an adult. As parents, our job is not to control everything our kids do. Instead, it is our job to give them the knowledge and confidence to succeed independently. They won't live with us forever. Just like we made difficult choices and learned from our mistakes, our kids need to do the same. Instead of demanding that your teen take specific classes, talk with him about his goals. Go over the class options together and talk about which ones are best suited to his needs. Let him make the ultimate decision himself. Will a student-created schedule be balanced? Parents often worry that if a high school student is choosing his own schedule, it might not be quite rounded. Fortunately, because most schools require a specific number of core classes and a set amount of electives, it will pretty much even out. The model ay not always be perfect. But most high school students will get to learn what's required, as well as something else directly related to their interests and career options. Will my teen effectively schedule toward career options? Talking to your teen can help her decide what's best. You may not think she's listening and she may be rolling her eyes, but she does hear you. Because you don't want to be controlling or demanding, there is not an absolute certainty that your teen will make the right choices. But by giving her the knowledge, you put her one step closer to the right choice. By combining your advice, as well as that of the advisor or counselor, your teen should at least be doing something in relation to life goals. It's scary raising a teenager, knowing that they have the freedom to make choices both good and bad. Providing your children with knowledge and resources is your job as a parent. But if you want them to be best prepared for life, they need to learn on their own how best to apply what you've given them. It's difficult to place such an important decision in the hands of a teenager. But they need to be given that power in order to have the ability to make even tougher decisions later in life. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  When your toddler experiences bed-wetting, the best thing you can do is positively reinforce the dry nights. Your child is likely frustrated and embarrassed by bed-wetting. Therefore, some focus on the positive aspects will help keep his or her self-esteem up. This advice is meant for toddlers no longer in diapers during the day.
Buy new bedding. This may seem an odd method or even counter-intuitive, but as your toddler starts to have more dry nights, you can reward him or her with all new bedding, from the sheets to the comforter. Let your toddler choose what he or she likes. Be sure that your child knows he or she is getting the new bedding for staying dry all night. This form of positive reinforcement is most effective during the last stages, when bed-wetting has slowed considerably. Give special rewards for waking up dry. While bed-wetting is not the child's fault, it is still beneficial to offer rewards for dry nights. These should be something simple, like a sticker or a new coloring book. When dry nights start to occur more frequently, the reward-giving can slow down some. That way, your toddler does not come to expect a gift every morning. But a nice surprise every now and then is still a great positive reinforcement. Show affection and encouragement. When your toddler has dry nights, give your child a hug and let him or her know how proud you are. A parent's approval is everything to a small child. Just this simple action alone can do wonders for your toddler's self-esteem. It may not completely solve the problem, but knowing that someone notices the positive aspects helps a child overcome bed-wetting and any negative emotions it might cause.. Don't focus on the negative. Offer a temporary solution for bed-wetting. Diapers are one option. But again, that could be embarrassing for your toddler. Protective underpants, such as Pampers UnderJams, can help solve that issue. Once you have found your temporary solution, bed-wetting won't seem like such a big deal to your toddler, and you will not focus as much on the fact that the child is experiencing bed-wetting. Instead, offer praise for dry nights. Focusing on the negative aspects, such as soiled clothing and sheets, can only compound the situation. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  With all the varying theories, methods, and studies out there, parents are often confused as to what's right. What makes a good parent? How can you tell if you're doing things right? Is there even a right way? Before I became a parent, I had all these theories about what other parents were doing wrong. I may have been right some of the time. But the truth is, you never truly know what works and what doesn't until you're a parent yourself. So how do you tell if you're a good parent?
Act with love. Whether you are hugging your child for his latest accomplishment or reprimanding him for misbehavior, do it with love. You are more likely to see a better outcome from simply giving your child the love she needs. A good parent leaves any anger aside when doling out punishments. Allowing that anger to come into discipline leaves the door wide open for negative results you will regret later. Apologize for mistakes. We're all human and we all mess up sometimes. I can guarantee you there is not one parent out there who does every single thing perfect from the start. Being perfect is not a requirement for being a good mom or dad the last time I checked. Bending the rules slightly to fit each situation has been a lifesaver for me. Let your kids know you're sorry when you disappoint them. Fill them in on why you made that choice initially, how it was wrong, and what you intend to do the next time around. That earns more respect than trying to put on a "perfect" facade. Multiple methods can solve the same issue. Remember that just because "A" worked for Sally, doesn't mean "B" won't for you and "C" won't work for Sam. There are many different methods and techniques out there when it comes to parenting. Take a look at the methods used in your child's school or daycare as compared to yours. Also look at divorced parents who both have responsibilities toward the child. What happens in each location may not always be the same. But more than one parenting style may work on the same child. A specific method does not define whether or not you are a good parent. Do your best. When you truly give your all, that shows your kids you care. This will be more important than the car you drive, the schooling methods you choose, how many new outfits you buy, and so on. No matter which parenting style you operate under, put forth your best effort. You may not think your kids pay attention to that kind of thing, but they can sense what type of work you are putting into the family. Trust your instincts. When in doubt, always go with your gut. What does that inner voice say to you about your actions? If you feel something is wrong, avoid it at all costs. When you believe strongly in something, speak your mind and take action. Parental instinct is often more accurate than you think. Don't doubt yourself. Just sit back and listen to those gut feelings. What you feel in some of the moments can be a good indicator of your parental rating. Ignore naysayers. Since raising kids is near and dear to the hearts of many people, you are likely to be talked about no matter what you do. Being a good parent is not always about going with the popular choice. Unless the offending party has a valid point about your skills, ignore rants from other people about you not being a good parent. Every person knows the answer to this deep down in their hearts. What is your heart (and just plain common sense) telling you? Are you a good parent? *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  No one is a perfect parent, not even me, as a parenting expert. There is no such thing as perfection when it comes to raising kids. However, there are certain parenting mishaps we just shouldn't do or let our toddlers see. As a veteran parent and former nanny, I've had plenty of experience with toddlers who hit. It's not always something the parent is doing. But there are at least 5 parenting no-nos that could teach toddlers to use violence to get their way. Are you unintentionally participating in these parenting no-nos that may encourage hitting in toddlers?
Fighting in front of toddlers is a big parenting no-no. Arguing in front of your toddler can cause him stress, frustration, anger, and other issues. When this fighting is physical, it is even worse. Domestic violence is never appropriate. But it's especially inappropriate in front of a toddler. By hitting each other in front of watchful little eyes, you are encouraging hitting in your toddler. Counseling, separation, or even jail time for the offending party may be the best option for a couple that takes this route. Seek authorities and a professional's guidance right away if there is any physical violence in your home. Being physical in anger can encourage hitting, even if you are not directly hitting anyone. Slamming items down, throwing things, or hitting things when frustrated teaches your toddler to be physical when upset. While you may not be hitting a person, you are still acting out your anger in a negative physical manner. Parenting behaviors like this encourage hitting in toddlers. If you feel like you need to do something physical to express the anger, try jogging, yoga, playing basketball, or another form of exercise. Treating animals poorly can encourage hitting in toddlers. As the parent, you are supposed to be a positive example. Animals are living beings, just like you and I. Mistreating animals not only teaches your toddler to do the same. But it also teaches him to use violence when annoyed with something. Children, especially toddlers, follow the lead of their parents. They learn by observance. Even when you think they are not watching, they are. If you can't have a pet in your home without hitting and other negative treatment, please find a new, more loving, home for the animal. This will be good for your toddler, as well as the pet Laughing at violence is never good. Certain television programs and movies may make a mockery of violent acts. While older children may possibly understand the difference between movies and real life, a toddler may not. The same is true for video games that encourage hitting and other violence as a way to get ahead in the game. Then, of course there is reality. Never, ever laugh about violent acts in your toddler's presence. While it may not be intentional, by doing this, you are encouraging hitting and other forms of violence. In a toddler's eyes, laughing may mean that the violence is OK. Spanking can also encourage hitting. Yes, I know I am going to upset some people by saying this. I respect that not everyone has the same disciplinary methods. But in my experience, toddlers whose parents used spanking for discipline hit far more than those whose parents used other methods. If you think about it for a moment, it makes sense. Spanking is the act of hitting someone for an undesired behavior. In a toddler's eyes, this may send the message that when they don't like a behavior in another person, they should hit that person. There are more positive forms of discipline than spanking that still teach your toddler effectively. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Career preparation begins early and it should start in the home. One of the most common jobs for tweens is babysitting. Chances are your tween either has siblings or knows someone in or outside the family with smaller children. Tweens are, of course, too young to babysit without supervision. But they are at the perfect age to learn some of the basics. Preparing tweens for babysitting is a simple and necessary part of growing up. Doing so teaches them both career and life skills.
by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved My kids absolutely love the outdoors. If you'd like yours to do the same, perhaps some of our family habits will inspire you to get your kids out there. Raising kids who love the outdoors is not as hard as you may be thinking right now. It's best to start early. But it's never too late to get in on the outdoor fun and adventures. Make the outdoors a part of your normal family routine. When the kids and I go to any nearby stores, we always walk. We found a walking trail in our area that leads to pretty much every destination we have nearby. Whenever possible, we walk on this trail. We are a green family and try not to use vehicles if we don't have to. If we can walk or use a city bus, we will. This involves a great deal of walking. But we turn it into an adventure by using the trails or whatever else is around us. If we aren't outdoors in that way, you'll catch us outside reading, playing in the garden, and more. I work at home and the kids are homeschooled. So you'll even catch us working and studying outdoors. What each family does will vary. But the point is to be outdoors as much as possible.
 Most children cringe when they hear the words, "Eat it. It's good for you." I've got some recipes that will change your children's thoughts of what healthy means.
Trail Mix Here's what I throw into this hearty trail mix I make for my kids. You'll need a gallon-sized storage bag for this. Freezer bags work best because they hold heavier ingredients. 1. 1 large bag of Pecans 2. 1 small bag of peanuts (Add more if peanuts are favored in your house. We prefer other nuts more.) 3. 1 medium bag of cashews 4. one-half bag of pretzels 5. one-half bag of dried cranberries 6. one bag of sunflower nuts (without the shells) 7. one bag of pumpkin nuts/seeds (without the shells) 8. one bag of spicy sesame sticks 9. one half bag of carob chips (like chocolate chips, but way less sugar) 10. one half bag of butterscotch carob chips 11. one half bag of yogurt covered raisins 12. one small bag dried banana chips You can also add any dried fruit or nut that your kids like to personalize it. Just throw all the ingredients into the storage bag and shake. This makes for an easy and healthy snack to send to school with your child for snack time, works as an after school snack, and is also great for nature walks and camping. This is a versatile snack that is packed with protein, carbs, and fruits for superb energy and also for making sure your child gets those fruits in. Be careful. This can be an addicting snack. Once you make it, they'll ask for it again and again. Self-Serve Tray This is something that should be kept around every day. For this one, you should purchase a chips and salsa tray that has two salsa compartments, although we won't use it for chips and salsa. It works well for this snack. Here's what you need: 1. raw celery 2. raw carrots 3. grapes 4. cheddar and/or mozzarella cheese brick 5. plain yogurt 6. fat free ranch dressing 7. raw broccoli florets 8. raw cauliflower florets 9. raw sugar snap peas or snow peas 10. raw string beans 11. smashed or blended strawberries (just a few for flavoring) 12. sliced honeydew melon 13. sliced watermelon 14. sliced apples Cut up all the vegetables and slice the cheese. Arrange it all around the sides of the tray. In a separate dish, pour in some yogurt (slightly under enough to fill one of the dipping sections of your tray) and mix in the smashed strawberries. Now pour the mixture into one of the dipping sections of the tray. Next, pour some fat free ranch into the other dipping section of your tray. The yogurt mixture is for dipping the fruits. The ranch section is for dipping the vegetables. When the kids home from school, set out this tray. It's also a good thing to have out during dinner preparation. Many people get hungry while dinner is being made and tend to snack because the aromas of the food make them hungry. At least this way, the snack will be healthy. For a funny family activity, you could challenge family members to see who is brave enough to dip the veggies in the fruit dip and the fruit into the ranch. This can be hilarious and gets the family interacting with each other. Easy Smoothies All you need is a blender, some orange or lime sherbet, and 3 of your child's favorite fruits. Toss it all into the blender. Blend for about 2 minutes and there you go. The sherbet provides the thick, frozen consistency needed and the fruit provides the nutrition. Pita Pocket O' Fun My kids love this. You'll need an open pita pocket for each kid. Just supply an array of fruits and trail mix or an array of vegetables and meat. Let your child select what they want and pack it in. Just remember that when using the meat, the child must have vegetables. They can't choose just meat. Kids enjoy this one because they get to choose what they want. Make Up Your Own Now that you have an idea of the types of snacks kids enjoy, you may be thinking up your own ideas. Go ahead and experiment. Kids love variety, so it's important to try new things often. If you don't give your kids new and different options often enough, they will become picky eaters. Now, put all those creative ideas to use and start snacking. Your kids are sure to be hungry after school, so that's the best time to try new ideas. If you come up with a really good one, be sure to write your own article and share the link in the comments section. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  As a mother of 4 who also often has other people's kids in tow, I have had plenty of experience with kids in stores. Now it's time for me to share those tips with other parents. Children can be cranky, demanding, and downright stubborn in the grocery store. Some will throw a fit because they cannot get what they wanted. Others will simply wine and complain throughout the store. There are children who actually behave in the store, but it usually takes a little creativity and quick thinking on the parents' end. A stroller for anyone under 4 is great as well. I have compiled a list of things that ease the stress on the parent by keeping the children busy, entertained, and happy in the grocery store.
Create a Family List at Home and Stick To It Before ever stepping foot in a store, this should be done whenever possible. Create a grocery list together as a family, being sure to include something everyone requests. Make it known that the family is not going to be purchasing anything that is not on the list. Stick to that plan. Even if you see something you needed, wait until the next trip. That will show the children that everyone has to follow those rules. By including everyone in the process, you are also ensuring that you have at least one thing that everyone will be happy to purchase. Let each person put all the ingredients in their cart that go with their favorite meal and snacks. Never Give In No matter how much whining, screaming, complaining, arm flailing, or whatever other antics a child performs, do not give in, ever. Giving in just once gives the child the idea that you may do it again and it will ultimately make the fit worse next time. The more times you give in, the worse the fit will be each time you say no. But, if you stick to meaning what you say, the child will eventually realize that no matter what they do, you will not give in. Grocery Store ABC Kids love a great game. Not only will this be fun, but it will take their minds off of asking for things or running and playing in the store. The youngest starts first and the oldest (one of the adults) goes last. The first person looks around for something that starts with the letter "A". Once they have found it, they will say. "A is for apple (the underlined word is the name of the item the person found). Now the next person needs to find something that starts with "B". They will say "A is for apple. B is for bananas." Each person must name the items that came before their item and then name their item, as shown in the last example. The game continues until the players reach the letter Z or the grocery trip is over. Set Consequences Be sure the children know what consequences they will have for acting up in the store. This should be discussed prior to leaving the house. Be sure they know that if they are good, "x" will happen. If they misbehave, they will do "x" or that "x" will be taken away. Always follow through. Remind them of the consequences right before you step into the store. I Spy Grocery Game This game is played just like the traditional "I Spy" game, except the items will all be found inside the grocery store. The first player (youngest able to play) will find something and say something about it that will help the others identify it. For, instance, if it was a banana, he or she could say "I spy something that is yellow with a blue sticker". The remaining players will then call out guesses. The first player to guess correctly will spy something next. This game can last throughout the entire grocery trip. Let the Kids Help Most children love to help with miniature tasks, such as putting items into the cart. By letting the kids help with this task, you will not only speed up your shopping trip, but they will be so intent on that task, they just may forget to ask about things or play around. The key to this method is to keep them so busy, they do not have time to count how many items their siblings have placed into the cart in comparison to theirs or to even think about doing anything else. Discuss Last Night's Dreams Discussing dreams is a fun and easy way to pass time. If the child did not dream the night before, they can always discuss a dream from another night. Not only will this activity keep the children busy, but it will be a great bonding tool. The time will seem to go by much faster as well. What Would You Do With $1 Million This is an old favorite. Many people like to discuss this topic. Grocery shopping is the opportune time. This one can sometimes take so long, it may even continue on the car ride home. Each person should tell everyone what they would do with a million dollars. As with the other games, the youngest should go first and the oldest should go last. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  Your toddler is having a meltdown that takes the effort of four nurses just to get a look at her ears. Ten minutes later, they are still trying to get her to say "ah" to do a quick strep test. If this sounds like your child, you could use some help soothing those doctor's visit tantrums. The methods I used on my own children have been put to the test and proven successful time and again. Bring distractions to the doctor's office. Healthy snacks, like trail mix, work wonders for keeping kids in a good mood. It also keeps them busy during less comfortable moments. Books and toys can come in handy for the waiting time, as well as during stressful times. Crayons and a coloring book can soothe the nerves and keep a toddler's mind off other things. When tantrums occur, distractions are often more effective than words for toddlers. They may tune out your voice. But their eyes may light up at the sight of something fun.
Have a soothing item handy. Even if you use other items for distraction, always have a special item for dire situations. This should be whatever soothes your toddler. In case a tantrum occurs at the doctor visit, this will be your secret weapon, so to speak. It might be a favorite blanket or toy. As long as it is something your child is very attached to, it will do the trick for the moment. Use the other distraction items for minor issues and keeping your little one busy. Only save the special item for the critical moments, such as getting shots or any other moments your child may have a tantrum.
Hold your child during the examination. Most pediatricians understand that kids can get a little frightened. When my kids were toddlers, the doctor would let me hold them during the examination. Most every child sees their parent as a comfort zone. It's also easier to keep your child's arms from grabbing at the doctor or his instruments when he needs to get close. Plus, you get to hug your child right after the examination is complete, which will be a great soother for you both. Make it fun. Try turning the doctor's visit into something to look forward to. If you make it into an adventure, your child is likely to follow suit. During the moments when the doctor is not in the room, you can show your child around and explain things. Emphasize on what a cool place it is. You can make comments such as "Isn't it neat how the doctor can see all the way inside your ears with this?" "It's so cool that he can tell if you're sick or not just by doing this." "Good thing we have doctors to help us out." When kids hear these things, it is definitely more soothing than "Sit down and relax" or "Don't touch that. It's dangerous." You can keep them safe without making the doctor's office seem so scary and dangerous. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Does your child see the world as a canvas, appreciating the beauty in the smallest of things? If not, don't worry. You can still find and encourage this in your kids at any age. I was raised by a creative mom and I also teach my own kids my creative habits on a daily basis. So I know firsthand from those experiences, that these methods can work extremely well. Raising kids who embrace creativity is an ongoing, but enjoyable effort. Keep art supplies around. This is an absolute must if you expect the children to naturally develop and embrace their creativity. Be sure to have plenty of different mediums and supplies for them to experiment with. Paint supplies, drawing supplies, clay, coloring books with crayons, colored pencils, and markers are just a few suggestions. Remember that craft supply stores generally have nice art supplies as well.
Point out the beauty of nature. In addition to encouraging kids to make and illustrate things, point out the beauty that nature itself holds. If you look close enough, nature is its own art canvas. The birds singing in the trees and the rabbits and prairie dogs peeking out of the earth offer an amazing scene. Kids can embrace the creativity of nature by snapping photos. Start with offering them a simple low-cost digital camera and as the kids progress, you can go more high-tech.
Find art in commonplace things. Take a look around you at the way all things look, not just in nature. Take the kids on artistic adventures around the house and places like the grocery store. Look at the way your table is set. Find art in the way yourself, the kids, and others dress and point it out. Observe together the way items are arranged in your favorite stores. This can be especially fun at craft and hobby stores, who often arrange their displays very artistically. Museums are also a great place to observe art, of course. Let them see you expressing creativity. This is perhaps one of the most important ways you can teach kids to embrace their creativity. Kids usually do what they see being done. If you have an obviously creative eye, they will naturally model after you. As often as you can, point out when you are being creative and artistic. For instance, when you are decorating the house, explain the creative aspects, as well as the mathematical and scientific ones. Let them see you draw, sing, write, paint, craft, or whatever you like to do that is creative. For me, it is all of the above and more. Raising kids who embrace creativity is about more than a few lessons. It is an ongoing learning experience that should be treasured by the parents and kids equally. It's not about just one or two things. It's about embracing the beauty in all things, both natural and crafted by humans. It's also about letting your mind and the minds of your kids run free to see, imagine, and create all the time. When you let the imaginations of the kids control what they see and do, you (and they) will be amazed at what they can create. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  Do your kids know what it feels like to volunteer? Do they have a helping spirit? If not, it's never too late to get them started. It starts right at home. I've always been a firm believer in helping people. I have to give my mom credit for setting a good example. Now that I have kids of my own, I try my best to teach them how to volunteer and help other people.
Volunteer Often and Bring Them Along If kids see you volunteering, it will be a good example for paving their way to do the same. When possible you can even bring them along to see what you do. Even if they cannot come along on your particular mission, let them know what you are doing. You can even take pictures when allowed and create a scrapbook for them to illustrate some of your volunteering duties. Read Books about Volunteering The local library is a good place to find books on volunteerism. There will be an ample selection to choose from often. Remember that if the particular book you want is not available, most libraries will allow you to request it. If kids see the theme of being a volunteer not only in their own home, but in books as well, it can further solidify the lesson. Watch Movies and Television Shows that Include Volunteerism When kids can physically see others getting active and helping out, it can make all the difference. This is true for observing it firsthand. But when it trickles into other things, such as movies and television, it really sends the message. Of course, they shouldn't only watch it on TV, but in combination with other efforts, movies can be an excellent resource. Donate to Charities This may seem obvious, but donating to charities can really drive home the spirit of volunteerism in children. As with most things, teaching is about doing. It's true that donating and volunteering are not the same thing. But they are closely related. A giving spirit in general is a huge stepping stone along the road to a love for volunteerism. Being Kind to Others In addition to doing things directly related to volunteerism, indirect actions can also be useful. Teach kids to be respectful and helpful toward others. This will lead to a natural love and compassion toward helpfulness. If someone is carrying groceries into the house and needs help, you and the kids can offer to help. Someone may be crossing the street with difficult. Lend a hand. Take every opportunity to help people and teach the kids to do the same. This will inevitably lead to them wanting to volunteer and make a difference in a more official capacity. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network |
FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS
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Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans network. She is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! Running a network of websites, tackling deadlines single-handedly, and coaching fellow writers, brands, & entrepreneurs to be thought leaders is her top priority.
While rescuing civilians from boring content and brands, this awesomely crazy family conquers the world, managing Intent-sive Nature while going on Upstream Parenting adventures & lessons, sometimes in an RV. They strive to cuddle with lions and giraffes. Until then, they settle for rescue dogs and cats. By supporting us, you support a single parent, healer, and minority small business that donates to and/or stands for several causes, including homeless pets, homeless people, trans youth, equality, helping starving artists, and more! A portion of all proceeds from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature goes toward worthy causes. For guidance in the world of freelance writing or for advice on her specialty topics, Ask Lyn. Archives
July 2016
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