How to Help Your Child Adjust to Wearing Glasses

girl-glassesThere are lots of reasons why kids can be reluctant to wear the glasses they need in order to see clearly. Glasses are easily lost, can get in the way during active play and are easy to forget when they’re still new. It’s also not easy to adjust to new glasses when other kids poke fun at them. Even good-natured ribbing can make a child resent her glasses, and it’s not uncommon for kids’ self-esteem to take a hit when they feel like their glasses make them look different. Helping your child adjust to life with glasses doesn’t have to be an insurmountable task, though. There are ways that you can support her as she gets accustomed to her new fashion accessory, even if she initially sees them as a burden.

Let Her Pick Out the Frames

Your child is more likely to embrace her glasses when she has a hand in picking out the frames. Rather than feeling like her glasses are an encumbrance foisted upon her, she may even be excited about frames she’s chosen herself. Frames can get pricey, so you may need to narrow the options down to only those that are within your budget, but it’s still a smart move to get your child involved in the process. Remember that kids are anxious to assert their independence, and that being forced to wear frames she absolutely hates will only make the experience more upsetting.

Make Sure New Glasses Fit

New glasses can be uncomfortable if they’re not fitted properly. When they’re too tight, they can squeeze at her temples and cause headaches. When they’re too loose, they’ll slide down her nose and she’ll be forced to shove them back into place every time she moves. Before you leave the optometrist’s office, make sure that the frames fit her head and aren’t uncomfortable for her to wear. Just like an itchy sweater, a binding dress or ill-fitting shoes, glasses that don’t fit will be loathed. It’s hard enough to get a child to wear glasses that don’t hurt or get in the way; when they’re uncomfortable, you’ll be fighting a never-ending battle.

Be Positive, and Keep Nagging to a Minimum

Your child will take cues from your behavior to determine her own reactions, so make sure that you don’t greet the news that she needs glasses with negativity. Keep your attitude upbeat and positive, point out cool entertainment figures that wear glasses and offer plenty of reassurances that she looks great in her new glasses. When she inevitably protests or “forgets” to wear her frames, it’s also a good idea to keep your nagging to a minimum. Creating a power struggle over the glasses will only make her more determined not to wear them, so offer friendly reminders instead of demands or exasperated comments.

Integrate Glasses into Your Child’s Daily Routine

Though it may seem deliberate, your child could actually be forgetting to put her new glasses on at first. Remember that she’s spent her entire life without glasses, and that it’s not always easy to adjust to something new. Make putting her glasses on a part of her morning routine, just like brushing her teeth or getting dressed for school. After a while, it’ll become second nature to reach for the specs before she leaves the house.

Let Her Adjust at Her Own Pace

Most big changes in a child’s life will require you to be patient, as kids don’t always latch on to new developments right away. She didn’t learn to walk overnight, she wasn’t potty trained in a day and she may need a bit more time than you realize to get used to the idea of wearing glasses all the time. Being too forceful or losing your patience with the pace with which she adjusts won’t help matters at all, so be sure that you keep your cool while she’s getting used to them. Just because you feel like she should be making the adjustment more quickly doesn’t mean that she’s able to, so let her set the pace.

Your child may be more receptive to the idea of wearing glasses if she knows that they’re temporary, so let her know that contact lenses are an option when she gets older. If she feels chained to her glasses forever, she may be more resentful than if she understands that there are other corrective options available to older kids and teens. New glasses can be a lesson in patience and acceptance for a kid, especially if you approach the situation with that in mind.

10 Legitimate Work From Home Opportunities for New Moms

wfhUntil you get used to the changes, being a new mom can wear you out. It can also make working outside of the home a bit more difficult than you expected. Many mothers are very creative and entrepreneurial with their new found time at home, and revel in their ability to earn money while staying home with their new bundle of joy. You may be surprised at the variety of opportunities there are for you to work from home.

  1. Bilingual Technical Advisor – If you have skills in technical support and are fluent in a second language, you may want to consider becoming a technical support advisor. There are positions available for day, evening and overnight shifts, depending on the company you work for. Businesses need tech advisors to help keep thing running smoothly around the clock, and often find that hiring telecommuters is more efficient than maintaining on-site call centers.
  2. CEO/Executive Director – Usually when you think of a CEO or ED, you imagine someone in a corner office with a spectacular view. Now, thanks to the Internet and advances in technology, you can run an organization or company from the comfort of your home. If you enjoy a challenge, have the qualifications and experience necessary for the position and you know how to keep the lines of communication open, it’s definitely worth looking into.
  3. Grant Writer and Manager – You can work with one particular organization, or freelance and work for several in this position. It’s not difficult to work at home to prepare grant proposals and fill out the applications. Strong communication skills are needed to write the grants clearly and concisely. You may also need to communicate with the organization in a variety of ways daily, so make sure you have the required resources.
  4. Teaching – If you have your teaching degree, you may be able to get a job teaching virtual classes. Even elementary classes are now being taught online. Charter schools, some academies and educational organizations recruit excellent teachers in a variety of areas. There are national organizations that employ licensed and certified teachers for virtual classes all over the country. Virtual teachers have many of the same responsibilities of in-school instructors, including evaluation of student success, monitoring the students’ progress and working with other instructors.
  5. Online Fitness Coach – For new moms who have a background in being a fitness coach, you can transfer your skills to an online business using email and phone calls to coach your clients. Online tracking programs, logging in food choices and calorie intake are all a part of this burgeoning enterprise. You also provide workout guidance. For the busy person who desires to get or stay in shape this is a blessing. As a new mom, this career could be a double blessing, since it may encourage you to get back into pre-pregnancy shape as you offer help to others.
  6. Project Manager – You don’t need an office anymore to keep people on track with what they need to do to get the project finished. This area has also opened up as a telecommuter position, like so many other formerly office-based careers. You will need excellent communication skills and the ability to use a variety of contact methods to stay in touch with all the players. Your organizational skills will be key in successfully completing the project. These positions can be done independently or you can hire on with a company or consulting firm.
  7. Travel Advisor – Moms who enjoy working with people and sales may enjoy consulting clients on planning perfect getaways. This work is done completely over the phone and through email. It’s also an industry that is growing as a telecommuting job, and for those who are self-motivated, highly organized and goal oriented, this position may prove to be quite satisfying.
  8. Customer Service Agent – A working phone will get you a job as a customer service agent. Many big companies like American Express, AAA, U-Haul and others of their ilk are hiring more people to work from home as customer service agent. The down side is that you may need to work a specific schedule. On the other hand, if that works for you, there’s the chance that you would be hired as a permanent employee with steady paychecks and much-coveted benefits. Before taking on this position, check the strength of your resolve and self-esteem. Customer service positions require a tough skin, because unhappy customers can be somewhat abusive.
  9. Freelance Writer – Excellent writing skills can land you writing projects that you can complete just about any time as long as you meet the deadlines. Guru.com and Elance.com are just two of the many companies that match clients to contractors. The nice thing about working through such companies is that they have safeguards in place to ensure that you will get paid for the work you do. You won’t have to worry about bounced checks or no payment. They do charge a small percentage for collecting your fees, however.
  10. Crafter – For the crafty mama who enjoys making things, you can consider opening up an online store. You have the choice of working though a site like Etsy or one of the other online craft clearing houses like Artfire or Craftsu, and you can also build a local customer base. Many people do both. Be aware that competition is stiff, so you will need to be marketing savvy as well as creatively gifted.

Working from home doesn’t have to mean stuffing envelopes or doing some mundane, time consuming work for pennies. Think creatively, discover what your gifts and talents are and look for ways to use them to your financial advantage. Be wary of scammers. Legitimate jobs will not ask you to pay them and unless you are very, very fortunate understand that no online job will make you a millionaire in a year’s time. Any job that offers to do that is most likely a scam.

10 Reasons Christian Parents Should Enroll Their Kids in Christian School

christianschoolRaising children is difficult enough, especially when you’re committed to instilling Christian values in a world that seems increasingly less respectful of such views. Public schools are federally mandated to be free of religious instruction, and your children spend the majority of their days on school property. This can make teaching Christianity’s central tenets even more difficult, and is a leading reason why many Christian parents opt for a private, faith-based education over a public, secular one.

  1. They’ve Lost Faith in the Public Education System – Stories about overworked, under-appreciated teachers who have lost their fire for educating young people, and state mandated curricula that leave much to be desired are, sadly enough, not altogether uncommon. Private schools are known for focusing on their students with an emphasis on encouraging graduation and advancement to college. If you’re concerned that your child isn’t getting the one-on-one attention she needs in an over-crowded classroom, smaller classes focusing on Christ’s teachings as well as academic learning may be a better choice.
  2. They’re Impressed With the Results of Christian Schools – Some of the brightest minds in the world have had a private school education. Names you might recognize include Bill Gates, Barbara Bush, Princess Diana of Whales, John McCain, John Kerry and Tommy Lee Jones. While Christian schools are centered on the word of God, they also tend to be academically competitive in a way that many public schools are not.
  3. The Desire for Children to Receive a Faith-Centric Education – Sunday school is not always enough to deeply teach the Christian faith and all of its tenets. At a Christian school, religion classes are almost always a requirement and are taught every week, if not every day. Getting that extra dose of religion in their lives can help children learn more about their own faith while they’re learning academic subjects.
  4. To Encourage Kids to Become Stronger Christians – When religion is a part of your child’s daily life, their faith becomes stronger with every passing day. Questions they may have about Christianity or religion in general can be answered in a Christian school setting, and students are able to examine their faith in a tolerant environment. The constant reassurance of faith will help make them stronger Christians in every aspect of their lives. Having other children surrounding them who believe the same things will reaffirm faith, as well.
  5. To Help Kids Learn the Importance of Morality Public schools aren’t really known for teaching morals, which is where Christian schools excel. Your moral values can be reinforced while your children are at school, rather than being challenged by a secular curriculum. They will better be able to make moral decisions after learning the standards of upstanding, moral behavior.
  6. Instilling Faith-Based Academic Teachings – If you want your child to know how their Christianity can affect all areas of their lives, Christian school is the way to go. With certain private schools, all of the school subjects are taught with a Christian context. This is something you would never be able to find in a public school, which generally teach Creationism as a theory and evolution as a fact.
  7. Teaching Children to Be Respectful – The teachers in most Christian schools do more than teach just subject matter; they also teach respect. Simply learning more about Christianity will build a level of respect in your child they may never have reached were they left to their own devices in public school.
  8. Maintaining Discipline in the Classroom – Disciplinary systems within a public Christian school are typically much more strict than their public counterparts, with higher standards of conduct and classroom behavior. Parents looking for a less permissive environment may find that Christian school suits their needs perfectly.
  9. Finding Diversity Without Secularity – Though Christian schools do teach the Christian faith, there are still parents who will send their children to private Christian schools when they don’t share the faith. This is a great way to expose your children to the fact that the world is made up of all kinds of people, some of which believe different things, while still encouraging a foundation of Christian learning.
  10. Teaching a Biblical Approach to Human Existence and Purpose – It’s natural for people to question their existence, their purpose on Earth and the philosophical implications of being able to think on a higher cognitive level than any other animal. Christian schools will focus on answering these questions based on what’s taught in the Bible, again strengthening the faith of your child while teaching them more about their religion.

Having a child is a lifetime commitment, and the values you teach them are the ones that they’ll carry throughout their own lives. Christian parents also know that their responsibility to their children extends beyond their physical bodies, also encompassing their immortal souls. In some situations, the best possible method of raising Christian children who cling to their faith is to enroll them in a school that reinforces those beliefs.

How to Encourage Cooperation in Preschoolers

cooperateParents often dread the Terrible Twos and feel a sense of relief once their kids get past that stage. Unfortunately, many parents find the same challenges happening with their preschoolers too. Children at this age are still struggling with independence, so it’s no wonder that getting them to happily cooperate can be a struggle. Here are some ways to encourage cooperation and create a more peaceful environment.

Offer lots of choices. Rather than telling your child what you’ve decided, offer her a few choices and let her make the final decision. Giving her options and letting her choose will give her some power over different situations throughout the day and will lessen her need to stubbornly oppose whatever you suggest. Often, a child doesn’t disagree with what you’re proposing. She simply disagrees with the idea of being told what to do. When you allow her to have control over simple things, it encourages her to cooperate rather than dig her heels in. Avoid open-ended questions like, “Would you like to help clean up the playroom now?” because the answer will almost always be no. Also, make sure you only offer options that you’ll be comfortable with. Avoid questions like, “Would you like to brush your teeth?” Instead ask, “Would you like to brush your teeth before or after we read our bedtime books?”

Get kids involved in problem solving. Kids can come up with lots of creative solutions to problems if given the chance. When you’re struggling with a particular issue, whether it’s getting out the door on time in the morning or picking up the playroom, ask your child for his ideas on how he’d solve the problem. Of course, many of his solutions are going to be impractical or silly, but with some gentle guidance he will probably come up with some workable solutions too. When you use one of his ideas, he’s much more likely to actually follow through because he was part of the problem solving process. This is also an important life skill that will help him with friends and at school.

Reinforce positive efforts. When you “catch” your preschooler helping out, make sure to let him know how much you appreciate his efforts. When children feel that their efforts are an important part of making good things happen they’re much more likely to continue to help out. Remember the effort doesn’t have to be a big one. Focus on the small things and soon you’ll be seeing bigger and more frequent efforts. So when your child helps you set the table for dinner, puts his clothes in the hamper after a bath, or gets ready for school without reminders, make sure you give him a big thank you and a hug.

Make your expectations clear. When you ask for your child’s help, does she know exactly what you want her to do? Often, instructions that seem very clear to an adult are confusing to a child. Encourage your child’s cooperation by being very clear about what you’re asking and giving examples of what the behavior looks like. Instead of saying, “Please help me clean up your room,” you can say something like, “Let’s work together to get all your books neatly stacked on the bookshelf and to put all your toys into your toy box.” By being specific, you’re helping your child be successful in the tasks she’s doing.

Break the task down in smaller, more manageable pieces. Many children get overwhelmed by big tasks. They don’t know where to start or how to get from the beginning to the end. By taking a bigger task and breaking it down into smaller, more manageable pieces you can guide your child through it step by step. By tackling each step individually, he will successfully make his way through the whole list and accomplish the bigger task without struggling. Feeling successful will make him want to take on more and more challenges.

Add some fun! Even everyday tasks like cleaning up after playing or getting dressed in the morning can be made fun by adding silly songs and games. Find ways to make things fun for your child and you’ll see cooperation automatically go up. That might mean singing a funny song while he cleans up his toys, playing a counting game while he brushes his teeth or pretending to be a dragon while he puts his clothes away in his “cave.” Letting your child’s imagination run wild during boring tasks will make it more fun for you and him.

Why It’s Okay for Kids to Not Get What They Want

noFrom the moment you become a parent, all you want is to love, protect and provide for your children. You want them to have more than you had, regardless of how your childhood might have been. It’s both normal and natural to want to provide a better life for your children, but it’s important to realize that it’s not only okay for them to not get what they want all the time, but also necessary.

Preventing a False Sense of Entitlement

When kids are handed big-ticket items and gifts without having to lift a finger for them and never hear the word “no,” it creates a false sense of entitlement that can follow them into adulthood. A child that’s accustomed to receiving everything he wants the moment he expresses the slightest interest comes to believe that he’s entitled to those things, and that everyone in his life should bend over backwards to see that he gets them. He never learns to earn the things that he wants, and is likely to be in for quite a shock when he reaches adulthood and doesn’t get his dream job straight out of college.

Instilling a Sense of Appreciation

Things that you earn simply hold more value than things you’re given, regardless of the price tag. That same fact holds true for your children, as well. When your child works to earn something she wants or puts in a real effort to obtain it on her own, she’s learning a valuable lesson in independence and the ability to truly appreciate the things that she has. No parent really wants to raise a spoiled, ungrateful child; still, handing things over to them without a moment’s pause or expecting them to work towards them at all helps you do just that.

Teaching Kids the Value of a Dollar

Your primary responsibility as a parent is to prepare your children for adulthood. One of the most important lessons you can impart to your kids as they grow up is that money doesn’t just appear out of thin air, and that the things they want have to be paid for. When your child saves up her own money to make a big purchase, or at least contributes to it, she’s able to understand just how much money it takes to buy nice things and that it doesn’t always come easily. In adulthood, that lesson is one that will serve your child well as she learns to budget effectively, rather than maxing out credit cards and amassing staggering debt to maintain the standard of living she became accustomed to throughout her childhood and teenage years.

Teaching Patience in an Instant-Gratification World

Today’s kids don’t have to wait for very much. Their entertainment is streamed directly to their computer or smartphone on demand, food can be microwaved in a few minutes and many of the things they want can be downloaded in mere seconds. As a result, many kids never learn how to wait patiently to obtain the things they want, or how to deal with the realization that everything their heart desires may not be available the moment they ask for it. When kids don’t get what they want, you’re not depriving them of basic needs. You’re actually teaching them how to be patient, as well as imparting the lesson that good things can come to those who are willing to work for them.

Because Lavish Gifts Don’t Make or Break You as a Parent

Expensive gifts might break the bank, but they aren’t a “make or break” indicator of your value as a parent. It’s tempting to give kids all the luxury items they ask for, especially if you feel guilty about how little time you’re able to spend together or because they’re being subjected to a nasty divorce. Still, you’re only soothing your own conscience when you ply kids with gifts as compensation. Saying “no” doesn’t make you a bad parent, just as showering your child with material possessions doesn’t automatically mean that you’re a particularly good one.

Falling into the trap of catering to your child’s every whim affects more than just her development and attitude towards material goods. It’s also very easy to end up deeply in debt if you’re stretching yourself beyond your means to provide luxury items at the drop of a hat. Remember that a financially solvent, comfortable home is more valuable to your child than stressed, overworked parents that are constantly anxious about their level of debt.

10 Ways to Score Awesome Spring Break Vacation Deals

staycationIt’s time for spring break and you want to celebrate the season as a family, but funds are limited. You don’t need to be sidelined from enjoying time away from the usual grind. There are ways to have an exciting vacation without breaking the bank. With a little creativity and thinking outside of the proverbial box, your family can enjoy a memorable vacation that doesn’t exceed your budget.

  1.  Consider a Staycation – So many families use this opportunity to travel to places like Disney World, fancy resorts and high-end amusement parks. You really don’t need to go very far to have an enjoyable break. Find out the tourist offerings in your area, and get to know your own backyard. So often, people neglect to enjoy the rich heritage and sights of their own cities or towns in favor of big spending in exotic locales. The money you save on gas and airline tickets will afford you the chance to explore all the local excitement that you’ve been missing.
  2. Check Discount Travel Sites – These websites are in abundance. Searching for just the right vacation at just the right price only takes a little of your time, even if you have to search several discount travel websites to find a great deal. If you know the area you would like to visit or the type of adventures you are seeking, you can narrow your search considerably.
  3. Work With a Travel Agent – A good travel agent will find you the perfect springtime getaway. Create a list of all the things you would like to do while you are away, and where your budget stands. The more detailed information you can give your agent, the better she will be able to meet your needs. It helps to know a little about the cost of some activities in the area; for example horseback riding along the beach can be a little pricey. Take those things into consideration when setting the budget within which you wish to work.
  4. Take Advantage of Perks – When you get a travel package, there will likely be coupons or tickets that come with it. You may have to ask for these extras, but they’re almost always available. Sometimes asking will get you even more than what’s normally offered. Take advantage of these perks. They usually consist of free or discounted food and activities, all of which can add up over the course of your trip.
  5. Think Ahead – If you are planning a cruise and are going to take advantage of the off-ship tours, consider booking those in advance. You may save some money by setting up side excursions prior to your trip. If you are working with a travel agent, be sure to ask about how you can get the best deals on side trips.
  6.  Travel Off-Season – When you are lucky enough to have kids that aren’t in school, or if you are home-schooling your kids, you can take advantage of off-peak destinations during the spring without hitting hot destinations while everyone else is on a designated spring break.  Booking a trip when your destination is experiencing a down time can mean huge savings for you. Prices generally drop for hotels, and for many activities as well. If you can score a coupon book through the local chamber of commerce, you can also get meals at discount rates.
  7. Grab an All-Inclusive Package – There are some spots that are completely self-contained, especially if you’re looking at resort destinations. You get to stay at the hotel and all the amenities are right there, including entertainment, restaurants and activities. Generally these bundles can be expensive, but if you can manage to go during an off peak time you may get a great deal when you consider how much those perks would cost if they were purchased separately.
  8. Consider Mom and Pop Resorts – For those who are just interested in some quality family time, looking into visiting one of the smaller resorts can be a big money-saver. Many privately-owned resorts have very reasonable rates, as well as friendly service. They may not offer all the glitz and glamor of the commercial destinations, but the low key environment is perfect for spending unplugged time with the kids.
  9. Travel In a Pack – Get some of your friends together and book as a group. Many places offer group discounts, so you and your friends can save money by traveling together. Organizing a group trip will take some planning, so you may want to get started well in advance or have a travel agent help you. Take advantage of special rates offered for groups for shows and activities in the area while you’re there.
  10. Book a Room With a Kitchen – This can save you a lot of money, particularly when you have kids. Even if you only make one meal a day, you will be saving money. Many rooms come with refrigerators and microwave ovens. If your room doesn’t have one, ask if they have any available.

Spring break deals sometimes need to be made by piecing together the best and least expensive of what’s offered. Keep in mind that what will really make your vacation awesome are the memories you create and not the money you spend. You can have a tremendous retreat wherever you decide to make it happen.

21 Blogs Spotlight Breakfast Recipes You Can Make the Night Before

morningMornings can be chaotic when you are trying to get lunches made, kids fed and backpacks ready to go out the door.  Unfortunately, many kids head to school without eating a proper breakfast.  While there are plenty of time-management tips for finding more time in the mornings, one great one is making breakfast ahead so there’s one less thing for you to do.  In these 21 blog entries you will find recipes that you can make on the weekend and throw in the freezer, as well as others that you can make the night before and let them cook overnight in the slow cooker.  There are even recipes that can be prepped the night before and baked in the morning while you are packing up lunches.

For the Freezer

Make breakfast burritos ahead, wrap them up and toss them in the freezer.  Depending on the age of the kids, they can probably warm them up in the microwave on their own and eat it or take it with them as they walk out the door.  Same thing could work for other breakfast sandwiches.  Take a look at these seven blog posts for some freezer-friendly breakfast ideas.

In the Slow Cooker

How nice would it be to wake up to the smell of breakfast already cooked in the slow cooker?  The family could help themselves as they got ready and you could continue on with packing lunches and backpacks.  The nice thing is that these recipes are healthier than those sugary cereals kids typically eat.  See if any of these seven blog articles can whet your appetite.

In Your Refrigerator

For a change of pace you can make up breakfast the night before and put it in the refrigerator and bake it in the morning.  Imagine the look on your family’s face when they smell a hot breakfast baking on a school day.  You will be a breakfast hero!  Whether it’s a breakfast casserole or coffee cake, you can find the recipe on these seven blog entries.