Photo by jakesmome via Flickr Creative Commons.

I write this as I sit on my daughter’s bed…”monitoring” her homework progress.  In other words, it takes me sitting by her side, constantly watching, to assure the work gets done.  This has only recently become a problem.  Up until this semester my baby was a workaholic, focused on nothing but getting the job done.  I couldn’t get her in the door fast enough.  But the hormones have shifted, and I believe I’m now faced with the dreaded task of keeping HER on task! 

I find myself thinking back, trying to remember all of the “expert advise” I’ve read regarding the subject.  Hmmm…looks like we’ve got some work to do! 

• Set up a separate study area (this probably means we shouldn’t be sitting here on the bed with the tv muted!)
• TV, music, and phones out of reach!!!
• Good lighting
• Plenty of supplies on hand (this could help with the never ending desire to hop up and hunt down a new pencil, eraser, piece of paper, folder, etc.)

Establishing and sticking to the ground rules laid out above is key in providing a positive work environment.  Doing this early in your child’s school experience will provide early steady work habits.  Remember to evaluate your child’s work habits and work space on a regular basis, remembering that needs change frequently.  Then, take the time to enjoy learning experiences with your child.  It’s amazing what you can learn from them!

Photo by apdk via Flickr Creative Commons.

As promised, I have some ideas for kids parties.  Just keep in mind that your most important factors are cost, guests, and space.  From there, the possibilities are endless!

I can’t post this without mentioning the basics…the swimming party, day at the museum, bowling, bounce place, gymnastics party, etc.  But as I thought about what to write, I remembered a friend of mine who is struggling financially.  For the last two years, she’s really had to stick to a budget…and I think she’s given her nine-year-old a couple of great parties. 

The first year, she had a “formal”.  All the guests dressed up in anything from Sunday clothes to prom dresses.  They had a tea party, and decorated their own cupcakes.  They had fancy punch, played a few games, and hung out.  They had a blast!

This year, they went on a neighborhood scavenger hunt.  My friend spoke with neighbors on her street ahead of time, and made a list similar to the following:

• something fuzzy like a cat
• something mushy like the inside of a pumpkin
• something hairy like a spider web

Since the birthday party was at the beginning of October, she took advantage of the Halloween theme, but it could be adapted in many ways.  The girls set out, with adults and teen volunteers, to find things on the list…to be provided by the neighbors.  After finding all ten items, the groups returned to the house for cake and punch.  What a clever idea.  Not to mention low cost and unique! 

Another friend did a sundae party one year.  It was one of the best parties she had ever had, and one of the best we had ever attended! 

Remember, parties don’t have to cost a fortune.  Don’t stress.  Enjoy it.  If you have fun, so will your guests!

Photo by Theresa Thompson via Flickr Creative Commons.  

I cannot believe it…my “baby” turns nine on Sunday.  With that harsh reality also comes the dreaded question.  What kind of party will she have?  In early January, I was looking at either one MASSIVE party or two medium sized parties, one for her friends and one for our large extended family.  The family all lives fairly close, and quite frankly, expects a party.  And honestly, my daughter is very attached to most of these people, so it seems unfair to deny her a party with them.  Then, there’s the school friends issue.  No one gets an invitation unless they ALL get an invitation.  That’s the school rule.  One I definitely understand, but hate at the same time.  Regardless, it’s another factor we must consider when planning a party. 

So I began my yearly research of possible birthday venues and their party packages…Swim parties, museum parties, bowling parties, gymnastics parties…and so much more.  Prices varied greatly, from just at $100 to over $300.  Then again, I also had to consider the guests.  I found great rates for a two hour swim session at an indoor pool…but I just couldn’t see Grandmothers and uncles swimming with  Emma’s school friends (I don’t know, it just seemed wierd). 

By the end of January, I was cut a huge break.  “Girl Drama” as I loathingly call it struck my daughter and her “best friend”.   So, much like her mother, my baby decided she “didn’t want to deal with any of them”.  Neither of us deal all that well with conflict!  So the decision was made…a fun, family party.  I still had to find the place, as parking is a huge issue at our house, but it had gotten a whole lot easier. 

My mother-in-law was able to rent out part of the clubhouse at her apartment complex for a very reasonable price.  Emma decided on a “dinner party”, requesting salad, lasagne, bread, and, of course, cake (also provided by my mother-in-law who makes wonderful cakes!).  We’ll throw in some sodas and call it a party.  I feel like I got off really easy…and Emma is ELATED!  Sometimes it’s the simple things that makes them the happiest!

Okay…I did get off really easy.  I won’t leave you hangin’.  Stay tuned for some fun birthday ideas for kids!

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography via Flickr Creative Commons.

My nine-year-old just stepped in to tell me about her dream last night.  “I had TWO THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS,” she gleamed.  By the look on her face, you’d have thought she had won the lottery. 

It was at this point that I got that nagging feeling again.  Like most parents, my husband and I are always trying to use any given opportunity to serve as a lesson in “money management”.  However, our daughter has her own ideas about how “her” money should be spent.  One of my first thoughts after hearing her dream was, “Baby, you’ll have it spent in two days!”  So, once again, I am left pondering some of the ideas that have (and have not) worked for others.

1. Allowance - This is the big one.  I have not seen, heard, or read any expert advice telling parents that children should have to earn what they make.  The information I’m finding on giving an allowance states the importance of giving a child an alloted amount of money so that he/she will learn to budget.  My husband and I have struggled with this, as we both believe that it is important that children understand that money is earned. 
2. Spend/Save - Many people, regardless of the allowance rule, have set rules on how money will be allocated once the child receives it.  For instance, some parents have a rule that 50% can be used as the child chooses, and the other 50% will be put into savings of some sort.  Of course, the rules and percentages vary.
3. Behavior counts - Some folks combine the responsibility of smart spending with behavioral expectations.  An example would be…A child receives $10 per week.  But for each unacceptable behavior, a portion of that money is taken away. 
4. When it’s gone…It’s gone - Well, this is self-explanatory.  The child is allowed to spend what he or she wants, but when the money is gone, no exceptions are made. 

Our daughter has just started to really understand the value of the dollar, mostly, I believe from seeing and hearing the ups and downs of our own financial decisions.  I don’t believe there is one way alone to encourage a child to make good financial decisions.  Knowing your child, knowing their habits, and knowing what works for your own family is crucial in deciding which “financial plan” is best for you.

Some of us will choose to stay at home on Valentine’s Day, and spend the day with our children.  Don’t make it just another Sunday.  Find something fun and exciting to do as a family.  This is the perfect opportunity to take in some of that much-needed family time you’ve been craving! 

Try some of these ideas:

• Bake cupcakes or cookies.  Allow all of the children to take part.
• Ask the children to plan the dinner menu, and, if age appropriate, have them help cook the meal.
• Game Day!  Spend a few hours playing family-friendly games.  Snack on munchies the kids helped make.
• Watch a movie…or two…or three!  Make popcorn - air poppers are a fun addition!
• Scrapbook - Provide supplies for the kids to put together their own scrapbooks or scrapbook pages.  Maybe you could even find photos of past Valentine’s Days.

Whatever you decide to do, remind the kids of what the day is really about…spending time with the people you love.  It’s amazing what a little “together time” can do for today’s busy family!

Photo by VMiramontes via Flickr Creative Commons.

I have to admit, I’ve never cared much for Valentine’s Day.  To me, it has just been an excuse for florists to jack up their prices!  I’ve alway felt like people should let the people they love know this on an everyday basis.  But, as I get older, and time with my husband becomes more and more valued, so does the the “idea” of that special day to celebrate our love. 

Now, the question arises…What are we doing on Valentine’s Day?  We’ve done the usual dinner and a movie.  But by the time we wait in line for two hours at the restaurant, eat, then sit through the two hour movie, the night is over.  Sometimes that route is more stressful than enjoyable.  So, I’ve done a little research, and have found some fun, different, and sometimes even FREE Valentine’s date ideas.

I, personally, love the idea of a date that allows for communication.  If you have children, you know exactly what I mean.  A few hours talking to your spouse is almost unheard of in the everyday life of today’s busy families.  A few of my favorites are :

• A picnic…outdoors or indoors…takeout or homemade.  Be creative about the place. 
• Take a hike…together, of course.  Bundle up and go for a walk.
• Plan a game night for just the two of you.  Think about it…how long has it been since you’ve done this without the kids?
• Cook a meal TOGETHER.  This can be really fun without the added stress of the kids fighting in the background.

There really are some great ideas out there.  If these ideas don’t appeal to you, try doing a little research of your own.  One of my favorite resources is Coolest Dates.  This site offers lots of ideas for many occasions, even for different age groups.   Whatever you decide to do with that special someone, ENJOY IT!  After all, Valentine’s only comes once a year!

Photo by Illusive Photograpy via Flicker Creative Commons.

Photo by SherriW via Flickr Creative Commons.

I sent my daughter back to school yesterday after almost two weeks of the virus from hell.  We were fortunate that her illness arrived along with the big snow Tennesseans received a couple of weeks ago so she actually only ended up missing four official school days.  She’s still not completely herself, but after one antibiotic, one steroid pack, one inhaler, one bottle of codeine cough syrup, and AT LEAST one bottle of children’s ibuprofen, she’s well enough to return to school.

I have been so fortunate to be at home with my children during their early years, and it has not been much of a struggle to keep her at home during illnesses. For the last three years, I have been searching out full-time employment, and my chief concern has been that of childcare (for both my two-year-old son, and my school aged daughter when she is sick or out for breaks).  Still, I remain very dedicated to obeying the rules laid out for keeping my children home if they are sick. I believe for everyone’s sake that ALL parents should do the same.

Although attendance policies vary slightly from one school system to another or one daycare to another, there are a few basic rules that usually remain the same.  A child should be kept at home if he/she is experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:

- Vomiting

- Diarrhea

- Contagious rash

- Fever – Most all systems require a child to be FEVER FREE for 24 hours before returning to school/daycare.

This is our first year at the school my daughter attends. I admit that I have not seen first-hand sick children at school. However at the school she previously attended, I listened to a father describe his son’s night spent on the bathroom floor by the toilet (the school had called him to pick up his son due to vomiting and high fever).   I witnessed the mom in the car in front of me in the drop off line administer fever reducer to her child as the child got out of the car.  And I came in contact with several parents who “masked” their children’s fevers and sent them to school, realizing that the timing of the fever meds would allow for a full day of instruction without the visible fever. That is NOT fever free!!!

So, here’s what’s happening…I’m keeping my child home for the average two to three day period. I send her back, where she’s exposed to the children who should have been kept home, but were not. Two weeks later, my child is home sick again.  Now my theory…

If we suck it up, and keep our children home when they need to be home (until they have been fever free for 24 hours), then send them back, eventually, shouldn’t we see children healthier as a whole??? And doesn’t that benefit all of us?

Article by Mandi A.