10 Strategies to Help Your Kids Become More Responsible

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.

Expecting a baby is a big thing and a number of new parents get scared because they think there won’t be enough time to prepare for the baby’s arrival. Instead of spending a fortune on items you definitely won’t use in the baby’s first months, you should buy the things that will come in handy and make your life with the baby much easier. To help you prepare for the baby’s arrival, we bring you a list of things you simply must have in your nursery. Onesies Onesies or bodysuits are among the most important and the most useful baby clothes because you are able to snap them at the crotch. This means that sensitive baby tummies won’t be exposed no matter how much you baby fusses and turns over in the crib or in your hands. They are a great replacement for regular shirts and you can find onesies with long as well as with short sleeves. You can buy several different sizes because you’ll notice that babies grow faster than you could imagine. When picking onesies though, try to find those that are stretchy enough around neck and shoulders so you can take them off and put them on with ease. Bottles and formula There isn’t a universal time that’s perfect for introducing the bottle to the baby, but you might have to start sooner than you think. Some women can’t nurse their babies for different reasons, so having a bottle close by is a relief. You can use glass or plastic ones, but make sure the plastic ones are BPA-free. There are also nipples that mimic real breasts as well as some classic-style ones, and parents will be thrilled to know that there are bottles that use gas-reducing valve technology as well as disposable liners. Parents who are planning to use formula and supplementing should know that there are formulas that reduce reflux, and different organic and soy ones on the market. Baby accessories You might think that accessories aren’t necessary for babies, but you’d be wrong. The nursery should have useful but also pretty things, and several elegant baby accessories can transform the place and make it more comfortable and appealing to both the baby and the parents. Pretty posters on the walls, delicate nursery canopies, as well as colorful swaddle blankets are great ideas, and they will certainly make the room more inviting. Car seat If you own a car, you have to have a car seat. Even if you don’t own a car, you will want to take your baby with you when you travel somewhere, so a car seat is certainly a must. What is more, they are mandatory by the federal law and the hospital isn’t allowed to let you take your baby home unless you have one. They are very convenient because they have a carry handle and they simply snap into a base you place on your car seat. Diaper bag Diaper bags are lifesavers even if you’re only planning a short trip to the supermarket. Your baby will need a clean diaper regardless of where you are at the moment, and you can’t walk around with diapers in your purse. The best diaper bags on the market are stylish but they are also made of waterproof/microfiber materials, which means you can carry them around without fear that the inside will be wet. There should also be plenty of pockets for additional storage and you should also be able to carry it cross-body, but today there are also diaper bags with backpack straps. They come in designs that both parents and caregivers will not have a problem using, and they allow you to stack it with diapers, baby powder, baby wipes, spare clothes, bottle, formula, and your baby’s favorite toy. Diapers and wipes Choosing the best diapers for your baby can be daunting and exhausting. The first thing you should decide is whether or not you’ll be using cloth diapers, and after that, you should pick a brand. Some parents love cloth diapers while others can’t imagine using them, but you could always give it a go and stop using them if it’s not working out for you. Even disposable diapers today contain biodegradable or recycled materials so these might be the best option if you’re concerned about the environment. When you’re expecting, people want to be helpful and offer advice, tell you how things worked out for them and what helped them out when the baby arrived. You can listen to these tips but you shouldn’t take everything you hear at face value because no two babies are alike, and you won’t know how things will work out for you until the time comes. Try to stay calm because your baby won’t appreciate being tended by a stressed out parent.