ParentFurther RSS Feeds

This Mother’s Day, take time to write and reflect, separately or together, on the past year or the year to come. Share your letters now or put them away to read next year.

Be clear about your family expectations. Examples could include working hard even at tasks you don’t like, returning a lost object to its rightful owner, being friendly to others, and doing family chores.

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! Make an effort to learn things about your children’s teachers or caregivers. Ask about their interests, hobbies, or families.

Get involved in youth activities that you’re passionate about (such as soccer or playing an instrument). Young people need passionate adults who can get to know them and talk about subjects that matter to them.

Attend open houses, conferences, and other school events whenever possible. In addition to talking about your child’s progress, make it a point to also have casual, friendly conversations with teachers.

This Mother’s Day, tell family stories. What stories do you remember about your mother? Your mother’s mother? Celebrate mothers going as far back as you can find.

Did you know it’s Teacher Appreciation Week? Tell teachers specific things you appreciate about them—the way they greet children in the morning, certain activities they’ve planned, or the way they engage their students.

Notice how often you’re rushing to deal with your child’s last-minute demands. If it’s happening all the time, it’s important to teach your child skills on how to manage her time and priorities.

Eighty percent of 15-year-olds say that adults who “get them” are adults who listen to them. Take the time to listen. Learn more about connecting with kids in our next webinar >>

Make test time a stress-free time. Avoid scheduling appointments during your child’s tests. Keep evenings relaxing and make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast in the morning.

Find ways to connect with your own kids and the kids around them. Get to know the names of your kids’ friends. Learn more about connecting with kids in our next webinar >>

Find out when standardized tests will be given at your child’s school. Some kids need preparation for these tests, and it’s easier to help them prepare when you know when the tests are scheduled.

Listen for times when you can acknowledge your child being kind toward another person, doing a great job, or making the best of a situation.

Monitor how your child handles money. Talk honestly about your child’s financial strengths and weaknesses with him or her.

The next time your child seems inspired by a teacher or a subject in school, write that teacher a note or e-mail to say thanks for helping your child learn and develop.

Talk about advertising with your kids and how they are being targeted to spend money. Help them make sense of the messages bombarding them and encourage them to save money instead of spending it quickly.

By: Susan Ragsdale

Can families volunteer? Can I? What age do you have to be to volunteer here? These are the same questions that pour forth every year from 13 eager girls, ages 9-12, involved in my local YMCA's one-week summer volunteer camp. Read more >>

Blog Image:  FiveStar Rating:  0

Talk about saving money in a positive way to your kids. Explain what you’re saving for and how you’re excited about that.

When your kids seem to get particularly antsy, give them some undivided love and attention and see what happens.

Go to the store with a budget and calculator and have your kids help add things up as they are placed in the cart. This teaches kids that families have budgets and also helps with math skills. If the total starts to go over your budget, reassess and put some things back.