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For the majority of kids, getting them to write something like a thank-you note resembles pure torture. It’s time-consuming, feels like a chore, and it often gets them to write to people and relatives they’re not truly fond of – haven’t we all had that annoying uncle Jim who insisted on telling endlessly boring stories? However, it all depends on how you approach the process and how you present it to your youngsters. It’s an opportunity to nurture an attitude of gratitude that will teach your kids true values later in life, and a chance to help your kids develop their creativity through writing and expressing their feelings. Let’s see how you can make the most of this little family tradition and turn it into an enjoyable activity for kids! Make it more fun and engaging No child will look forward to writing a simple thank-you note if you’ll only use a simple pen or a pencil and a blank piece of paper. Where on Earth is the fun in that? Kids are drawn to colors, variety, and freedom of expression, so by introducing colors, various types of paper (think glitter, textured and embellished paper), and by using different wording you’ll stimulate their creativity. They will forget that it’s somewhat of a responsibility, as they’ll be so immersed in the process of choosing the best color for the person for whom the note is intended for. Introduce fun stickers, stamps, if you intend to mail them, and other fun materials your youngsters can use to develop their imagination while they think of the best way to say thank you to a family member. Talk it over Before you jump into the writing process, you can chat for a while to see what your child truly feels. After all, this is a learning moment, both for you and your kids, as it will help you distinguish among their true feelings , find the right words to express them, and perhaps even face some of their dislikes in the family, and find a way to put a positive spin on it. If they don’t like that famous uncle Jim, why not ask if there’s anything they do like about him, or if they have a fun memory together such as a trip to the zoo? Make sure to inspire your kids to be honest and to recognize and verbalize their emotions. Then, you can proceed to find the best words and form the best sentences in order to complete the thank-you notes and the holiday cards. Make it meaningful The emotions alone are more than enough to transform this chore into a fun activity that will also be a bonding experience. Use every opportunity to include your child into every part of the process, from choosing unique Father’s Day gifts for the dad, all the way to writing and decorating the note that goes with the present. When they learn to write these cards and notes and connect the idea to something positive and rewarding, they’ll be much more inclined to build a positive attitude towards the activity itself. When they see how their dad reacts when he receives the gift and the card, they’ll surely be eager to repeat the same process next year and for the very first holiday that comes along. These fun activities are also useful for building their independence later in school, and helping them develop healthy motor skills. Let them take the lead If your youngsters aren’t old enough to write out the note on their own, on one hand, you should offer to help, but on the other, don’t insist on it. See if your child would prefer to express their feelings by drawing instead of writing, or if they’d accept copying your note, so that they can begin to learn letters through such activities. After all, this can be a joint effort, where you can help them have a few practice runs with mock cards, and then let them choose the one they like the best. Maybe the first drawing of your family cat won’t go as planned, but have plenty of material at hand to give them time and space to practice and perfect their skills. Turn it into a true ritual It’s not just the glitter or the stickers that will keep your kids interested in this activity. In fact, just like watching movies or going shopping, you can use this opportunity to turn it into a family tradition worth repeating every time a holiday comes around. You can start by setting aside an afternoon for writing your cards and notes, and make a plan to prepare some healthy snacks , home-made cookies, and juices that your little ones love. In fact, they can take part in that part of the preparation, too, if they’re old enough. That way, they’ll be able to take a break, munch on their favorite treats and build a positive attitude towards this wonderful activity. Since not all kids are eager to pick up the pen and express their hidden Hemingway, these occasion-specific tasks can serve as the perfect inspiration to expand their vocabulary, develop their motor and cognitive skills, and most importantly, develop that attitude of gratitude.

Being pregnant is a special experience – everything changes, especially your body, and it takes time to accept this. Maternity wardrobe used to be boring and dull, but fortunately today we have so many different styles and pieces to choose from that finding the perfect ones is no longer a challenge. Before you head out and buy a bunch of pieces you’ll only wear once, it’s wise to do a bit of research. We’ve prepared a list of 5 incredibly stylish pieces you should include in your maternity wardrobe. Flat shoes Even though there’s nothing wrong with pregnant women choosing to wear high heels in the beginning, after a while ladies will start wearing flats more because their feet start swelling. A pair of charming sneakers, stylish espadrilles, and glittery flats will look good on pretty much any outfit and you’ll feel confident and comfy while wearing them. If you have trouble with swelling, don’t hesitate to size up for the time being, your feet will be grateful! Maternity jeans Jeans will never go out of style – they can be professional, casual, sexy, and elegant, depending on the rest of your outfit and accessories. Still, you won’t be able to fit into your favorite ones as your stomach keeps growing, but don’t despair. Once you find a pair of comfy maternity jeans , you’ll be able to rock any look you want and not have to worry about waistband of your jeans pressing on your stomach. Skinny legs, straight, or bell-bottoms, try out different styles and pick the ones you like best. Leggings Maternity jeans may be comfortable, but nothing will ever be as comfortable as a pair of great leggings. You can choose to wear plain ones or find the ones with eye-catching prints, it’s completely up to you, but you should make sure that the fabric extends above your growing baby bump. Leggings with high waist let you play with tops: tucking a tank in or covering it with a flowing tunic. If you have a favorite pair already, you might want to put them aside and wear them after the delivery or your baby bump can stretch the waist a bit too much. Shirts Tanks and tees are the best, but you should pick the ones with a bit of extra material. When you wear them extra long, they will make your belly look smaller, especially if you combine them with shorts or leggings. Buy the ones made of soft, natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, or silk, and choose the ones that are cut in a way that will best fit your (constantly transforming) shape. Boho tunics are also great for hot summer months because they let your skin breathe and make it easy for you to move around. Skirts There are women who don’t like wearing jeans and pants and instead choose skirts. Skirts are convenient and can look charming on you, but you have to make sure to buy the ones with elastic waistbands. Maxi skirts look great with sandals and flowy blouses, but a high-waist pencil skirt is perfect for dressing up and transforming a casual into an elegant look. Basic black pairs well with pretty much any top, but a trendy print one is also on-point when paired with a button up blouse or a laid-back tee. Being a mom is the most difficult job in the world, but it’s also the most rewarding one. After you give birth to your child, you’ll discover that you don’t have as much time for yourself as you used to have. Therefore, it’s perfectly natural that you want to stay stylish and elegant for as long as possible. Find clothes you feel most comfortable in and embrace the bump like celebrities do.

You have many jobs as a parent, but one of the most crucial ones is being a teacher 24/7. While you have a daunting task on your hands – to teach your children many things in countless aspects of life, one of the most invaluable tools you can provide them with is teaching responsibility. If you have a hard time discovering how to approach this, here are 10 strategies to help your kids become more responsible. They need to start young If you want to teach your children about responsibility, you definitely need to start young. Specifying the age when you should begin introducing them into a world of responsibility isn’t easy, but they should be aware of the fact that they need to tackle what society requires of them – i.e. homework, gym class, etc. – before they start elementary school. Teach them to be active The direct approach is not always the best way. You cannot simply tell your kids to be responsible and explain to them what that means – responsibility is a part of a bigger spectrum of thought processes and behavior and it all begins with activity. You have to teach your children to be active participants in a variety of activities. Physical exercise plays a crucial role Being responsible for your life also means being responsible for your own body. One of the most natural strategies to teach your children about responsibility is to enroll them in a sports club. By attaining physical discipline through regular exercise, they will also learn how to become responsible. Do not help if they can handle issues themselves If your children are asking for your help too much, you might want to reconsider your approach. They need to learn to be self-sufficient and the best way to do that is to force them to own up to their responsibilities and situations. It is a through matter to balance, but as long as you are absolutely sure they can handle it themselves, outright refuse to help. You should especially avoid resolving the issues that your children have with their peers. Teach them orderliness Orderliness is one of many traits that define responsible people. While they are still in kindergarten, they need to practice making their own bed and cleaning their room. They also need to learn how to be organized, especially when the school begins. They should have categorized pen jars on their work desk – one for pencils, other for pens, additional for coloring brushes and one for permanent markers and other felt pens. The mindset strategy No child in their right mind enjoys chores and responsibilities. To put them in the right mindset, you need to teach them that this is completely normal and that they don’t have to like it – the result is what they are after. Responsibility is about results that lead them to a better life, and you should really do your best to explain this to them in the simplest way possible. The reward system Of course, in order to encourage good behavior, you need to establish some sort of reward system , but it needs to be reasonable. For example, a reward for each chore might not be a good idea, but a reward for a set of chores is the way to go. Reward your kids with things that are actually productive and good for them. For example, promise them an afternoon at the local public pool instead of a pack of candy if they clean their entire room thoroughly. Structure makes all the difference All people respond well to structured life. It reduces stretch and anxiety and gives purpose. Familiar routine one can settle in is the best way to lead them to a content life and children are no different – if you provide them with structured daily routine, they will accept responsibilities that come their way much easier. Avoid counterproductive labels If your child fails at behaving responsibly, you should definitely avoid counterproductive labels . For example, calling them “irresponsible” constantly is something that will most likely turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Words matter and encouraging your children with the right vocabulary can actually save them. Teach them to create a schedule Finally, while you should assist your child in structuring their life – after all, there is only so much responsibility they can bear while they are really young – you should communicate clearly that you expect them to write down their own schedule and take responsibility when it comes to memorizing obligations and appointments. If they start creating their own schedule as soon as they elementary school, and do that of their own volition, you are golden. Tabula rasa is an expression often used to describe the mind of children – in other words, they are blank slates, but only for a short while, and you need to use the opportunity to build some invaluable cornerstones into their mind before it develops. If you start teaching them responsibility at an early age, they will grow into capable and fine individuals that are ready to tackle all the life’s challenges.