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Rock Your Family In 2010

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:10:55 +0000

By Sherri Kruger, editor at Zen Family Habits

As the clock strikes midnight on the first of January each year there are countless resolutions that also get made. There are the usual suspects: lose a bit of weight, eat better and exercise. Then there are the more personal resolutions, like volunteer, control my spending, and stop biting my nails.

The one thing most resolutions have in common is their quick demise. Resolutions usually don’t work and don’t last for many people. From what I see the changes are too drastic and are usually done all at once. Resolutions are typically made on your own and carried out on your own. Without the right motivation and realistic outlook and expectations on your plans/goals/resolutions for the year, you are almost certainly going to fall short. In this particular case slow and steady wins the race.

Most resolutions are self-centered. It’s not often you hear about people making resolutions with their whole family. Well let this year be different for you and yours.

Sit down as a family and discuss some areas of your family life that could use a little tweaking, strengthening or establishing. There are always things to work on and it won’t happen unless someone makes it happen. So why not let it be you? Take initiative and get going.

Here are a few ideas that may inspire you to find ways to rock your family in 2010.

1. One on one time. If you have kids establish a sort of date night with them individually. You may feel guilty for leaving the other children out but they will have their turn. Choose one night a week or one weekend a month and do something just you and your child. They love spending time with you and when they don’t have to compete for your attention they can become different people all together.

2. Family time. Just as important as giving your children individual attention it’s important to spend quality time together as a group. Start a family night tradition. Agree on one night a week where the TV is off, phones are off and you all play a game, exercise, go for a walk or a swing in the park. It’s up to you what you do but make it happen and be consistent. After a few weeks of this I know you will all be looking forward to it!

3. Be spontaneous and create fun rituals. Do something crazy and totally uncharacteristic. Jason left a comment on the post 5 Activities For You and Your Family sharing an idea for an activity that I can’t wait to do when my kids are a bit older. Jason writes:

Two words: Pajama Run.

About 15-20 minutes after the kids get put down to bet, Mom and/or Dad burst into the bedroom banging on pots and pans, shouting “Pajama Run!”

Everybody gets up out of bed and, still in their pajamas, hops into the car and heads to the local ice cream place for a late night treat! I recommend this for school nights, as it’s most surprising for the kids. Grandparents can even get in on the fun by calling up the parents ahead of time and doing some secretive advance planning.

4. Eat together as a family. Eating dinner together is a great way to catch up and reconnect with your family. It gives you all a chance to talk about your day, what was good about it and what wasn’t so good about it. Try your best to eliminate distractions such as phones, TVs or computers and just enjoy each others company.

5. Get excited about something. There are just some activities that are more fun when you do them as a part of a group. Learn something new – golf, tennis, pottery, yoga or self defense. Learning something new as a family will not only bring you closer but you’ll have a ton of fun and this built in support team will help keep you motivated to keep showing up.

Resist the temptation to focus on the wrong priority and create a family life that is chaotic, disconnected and stressful. Stand up and make this year different. Have fun with it. Start small and make gradual, deliberate changes. If you need a little help along the way check out Leo’s site 6changes.com which is “the antidote to the failure of New Year’s Resolutions.”

Rock Your Family In 2010 [Zen Family Habits]

[Editor's note: Thanks to Sherri Kruger for her post on New Year's Resolutions that include the whole family. It's so encouraging to read fresh ideas for how to bring one's family closet together, and now is the perfect time to make these sorts of commitments.]

Believing in Santa

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:11:28 +0000

I remember believing in Santa Claus for a long time. Sure, all of my friends had known for years that it was really their parents who wrapped the presents and ate the cookies, but wouldn’t listen to them. There was something magical and wonderful about looking up in the sky on Christmas Eve hoping to see a sleigh, and that wasn’t something I was in any hurry to give up.

Now that I have my own children, it’s like being a kid all over again at Christmas. I want them to have the same wonder and awe that I remember having as a child, and I hope they believe in him as long as possible. Since my girls are only two and four, I think that we have a few more years of this, but I have often wondered just how long we can stretch it out. I’ve actually worried about this, feeling a bit sad to think that there will come a day when they’ll stop believing.

This post from Mom Logic encouraged me that kids won’t necessarily stop believing in Santa anytime soon. That would be great if we had years and years of baking cookies for him the night before Christmas, telling stories about how we heard his footsteps on the rooftop, and discussing how the elves make toys. There is something magical about the story of Saint Nick, which is why I hope to continue it with my kids as long as we can.

My Kids Still Believe in Santa Claus [Mom Logic]

Is My Family Ready For a Dog?

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:21:32 +0000

Now that our daughters are getting older, we’re starting to consider getting a dog. My two and four year old daughters have puppy fever (as do I) and are always stopping to point out dogs, ask to pet the dog down the street, and hoping to swing by the pet shop to see the puppies. My husband and I are wondering if it’s about time to add to our family – by getting a dog.

Making the decision to get a dog isn’t easy. There are many, many factors! Not only do we have to think about the monetary expenses, the space in our home and yard, and housebreaking a puppy, but there are things we keep coming across that add even more to the plate. We’re finding out that the question, “Is our family ready for a dog” is much more than a simple yes or no.

Puppy or older dog? Many families gravitate towards a puppy. Not only are they adorable, but it’s very appealing to raise a dog from the get-go. There is no baggage with a puppy, and you don’t have to worry about breaking bad habits or having to train a dog that is set in his or her ways. However, there are benefits of getting an older dog as well. Dogs that are out of the puppy stage won’t chew up your couch (or your kid’s toys!), are already housebroken, and you know what you are getting in terms of temperament.
Should we get a small, medium, or large breed? Consider your lifestyle. Do you have a large backyard and are planning to go on camping trips with your dog, or do you have a townhouse or an apartment? Little dogs can also be easier to take places, which is something to consider if you travel a lot. Personally, I like the idea of taking a small dog along for the weekend to visit a relative – and bringing along an 8 lb Dachshund is probably easier than taking an 80 lb Labrador.
Which breed is best? There are many breeds that are great for families. It’s important to research what you are looking for in a dog, and what breeds are the best fit for your family. The dogs that seem to make the top of the list for families include Golden Retrievers and Labradors. If you want a smaller dog, I hear that King Charles Spaniels are wonderful with kids. Do your research, ask friends or family, and talk to anyone else who you find helpful. Try to gather all of the information you can before making your decision, so that you know you’re going with the best dog for your family.
Where to get the dog? There are shelters, rescues, pet stores, private breeders, and private individuals that are all good options – depending on your family and what you are looking for. It’s great to rescue a dog, but it’s also important to remember that many rescue dogs have unknown backgrounds and may not be suitable for families with young children. A dog’s history is important when you have babies or toddlers, so make sure that the dog you end up getting is a dog is good with children. If you are going with a breeder, make sure and ask around to get recommendations from friends or family. Feel free to ask the breeder any questions you can think of, and trust your instincts.
A dog is a lifetime (in dog years) commitment. One reason that there are so many dogs in shelters and rescues is that many people decide to get a cute little puppy, only to change their minds once it becomes a full grown dog. I know that the dog we get for our family will (hopefully) be with us until our kids are in high school or college. Think ahead to the years down the road, and whether or not you see yourself with this dog in ten or fifteen years. If you see yourself giving up a yard and moving to the city in a couple of years, you may want to reconsider getting a dog that needs to run in a backyard all day long. If you have older children now but are hoping to have another baby, make sure that the dog you choose is good with little kids as well as big ones. Sure, none of us knows exactly what lies ahead, but it’s good to take your best guesses and see if a dog is in your long term future as well as your life today.

I don’t see us getting a puppy in the next few months, but hopefully we will this summer. With Christmas around the corner, life is too busy right now for housebreaking a puppy. And besides – I’d rather not stand outside waiting for a little puppy to go to the bathroom when it’s 30 degrees. So when it gets warm and we’re running around outside again, we’ll probably be researching breeds and breeders. Let me know if you have any suggestions!

-Grace

Helicopter Parenting – What Has Childhood Become?

admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:17:22 +0000

We’ve all heard of “helicopter parents.” Sometimes our definitions vary, but in general they are the parents who go overboard when it comes to everything related to parenting. Of course it starts out innocently enough, because we all want what is best for our kids. However, sometimes it can be taken to an extreme, which ends up doing more harm than good.

I don’t consider myself to be a helicopter parent at all, but sometimes I find myself getting sucked into the mentality that I need to be doing more. More sports, more classes, more pushing my two year old and my four year old to become little geniuses by the time they reaches kindergarten. I see other parents worry over things I don’t think about much, and it occurs to me that perhaps I should be more concerned over the issue of the moment. Because each of us wants to be the best mom to our kids, it’s certainly easy to get drawn in by the concept of doing even more for our kids, all the time, to the extreme.

This article from Time is extremely interesting and insightful. It’s good encouragement for those of us who watch other parents hover over their kids, and even if we are confident in our own approach, sometimes it’s hard not to question whether or not they’re the ones who’ve got it right. After this article, I am more inspired than ever to encourage free play, creativity, and space for my kids. I hope you find this as helpful as I did – it’s a great take on parenting, and what childhood should really be about.

Can These Parents Be Saved? [Time]

Vacations with Kids – How Much Can You Handle?

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:57:26 +0000

Travelling with children can be quite an adventure. Whether you are going to visit family for a day trip, or flying on a plane to land in a vacation spot, it’s no small feat. Packing for kids, baby proofing hotels, and handling disrupted schedules may be more of a challenge than some parents realize.

We’ve taken our kids all sorts of places – some have been successful, while others have been a disaster. Some of our best outings have been day trips with family, or simple trips to the beach with friends and their children. I think the most challenging vacation we’ve ever taken would have to be Disney World this summer – with a four year old and a two year old. Between the heat, the long days at the parks, and the crowds… it wasn’t the easiest week we’ve ever had! While it was still fun, I can completely understand why people make a case against taking your young children to Disney World.

If you’re on the fence about taking your small children to someplace major (like Disneyland) you may find the post below interesting. In the end, it may be the perfect vacation and go off without a hitch, because sometimes you can’t quite tell. However, it’s good to weigh both sides.

Disneyland Plus Babies Equals FAIL [mom logic]

Operation Christmas Child – A Great Holiday Lesson

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:00:03 +0000

National Collection Week begins this week for Operation Christmas Child, and we are excited! For those of you who are not familiar with this program, it is ministry from Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Through this program, you can send a shoebox of small gifts to a child in need – someone who may not have anything at all this Christmas. This is a wonderful opportunity to not only bless another person, but it is also a great experience for kids. Our kids love this project, and it helps them to focus on others who are in need. This a chance for a child to focus on giving gifts to another (as opposed to only thinking about what they want for Christmas), as well as a good lesson on helping those in need – and being thankful for everything we have.

For more information on Operation Christmas Child, you can visit their website at http://www.samaritanspurse.org.

Your Ideal Family: How To Make It A Reality

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:20:54 +0000

[Editor's note: Thanks to Sherri Kruger for her post having the family you've always envisioned. Personally, I've always dreamed about what my life and children would be like, and these simple points give some great insight!]

By Sherri Kruger, for Zen Family Habits

For many the ideal family is the one most commonly portrayed in movies or on TV. You know the ones where the siblings all get along and never fight, there is always something fun to do or some mischief to get into. I remember seeing a family a while ago and thinking “wow they’re so lucky”. Fast forward a few years and now I feel I am the lucky one.

Thing is, luck actually has very little to do with it. A great family life doesn’t just happen, you’re not just born with it. A great family, like any great relationship, requires effort. A great family is more likely to succeed if everyone is on-board playing the same game by the same rules.

Here are some ideas to get you started down the path towards your ideal family.

1. Begin with the end in mind. Close your eyes for a minute and be still. Think about your ideal family. Visualize it. Once you have a clear picture in your mind answer the following questions:

What makes this the ideal family?
In what way is it different to what you have now?
How does this ideal situation make you feel?

Visualization helps remove the abstraction that comes with saying something vague like: I want a happy and close family. What does a “happy and close family” mean to you? Be as specific as you can be.

2. Be inclusive of everyone. If creating your ideal family is what you’re after then include everyone. Granted very young children may not be able to contribute much but it’s still important to have them around. Once everyone has had a chance to answer the three questions from point 1, compare notes.

Be open to what comes out, try not to be judgmental, dismissive or close minded. Make this a positive time with family and encourage everyone to share. You’ll gain insight into what makes others in your family tick. What similarities do you notice? What are the major differences? Discuss them and see what comes out. Sometimes the best ideas aren’t even your own. Shocking I know!

3. Make a plan. Pool your ideas and see if you are able to create a single unified path towards your ideal family. While I think compromise is okay, I prefer to find a solution that makes everyone happy, this can sometimes take a while. But if it’s not win/win then it’s unlikely anyone will be happy. Make a list of activities you can do each day to get closer to your family’s ideal.

Will you create a morning ritual?
Will you make family dinners a priority?
Will you devote one day on the weekend to doing a family activity?

Whatever it is start small, be consistent and make it something you all look forward to. Get excited!

4. Meet regularly. Once you have your action plan and know where you’re headed as a family, have regular meetings. In the beginning I found that once a week was ideal. Once we had the details sorted and had talked through what we wanted to we scaled it back to once a month and now we chat when we feel we are straying from the path in some way.

A lot of times what sounds good in theory either isn’t practical, fun or sustainable in practice. Having a set time dedicated to discuss any thoughts or concerns keeps issues from being dragged out and can get you back on track.

5. Be open to change. Don’t be afraid to spice things up every now and then. Some activities you initially choose may be seasonal or you may just lose interest in them. Change is usually a good thing. If you decide as a family to change things up a bit consider doing it at a family meeting where everyone is present and can have a say. Life changes. Circumstances change. Expecting one path and a handful of activities to create and maintain your ideal family forever is unrealistic.

This is your family, have fun with it. Keep things fresh and interesting. Great families often don’t just happen, they are created.

This post and others can be found at Zen Family Habits. Provided by The Mom’s Cheat Sheet with the permission of the author.

Your Ideal Family: How To Make It A Reality

Maclaren Stroller Recall – Update

admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:02:52 +0000

Approximately one million Maclaren strollers are being recalled as of Monday. Twelve children have reportedly had their fingertips amputated by the hinge on the stroller, creating a very dangerous safety concern for parents who are still using these strollers.

The most updated information on the specific models can be found through link below -

Maclaren USA Recalls ALL Umbrella Strollers [parenting via average parent]

Make sure and check out the company website at www.maclaren.us/recall or get more information by calling (877) 688-2326.

Report: Maclaren to Recall 1M Strollers [CBS News]

Maclaren Stroller Recall [abc news]

Music That Both Kids and Parents Love – Nice!

admin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:10 +0000

As much as my kids love Veggie Tales and Disney soundtrack, any parent can only handle so much! Don’t get me wrong–both are certainly better than some of the more annoying kid music out there, but it’s a far cry from what I would listen to if my girls weren’t with me.

I’ve stumbled across a hit here and there, heard of a great band, and had a friend or two recommend a new kid CD that parents actually enjoy. However, I am busy enough these days that I don’t stop to write down these tips, and actually take the time to compile a list.

Thanks to Mom Logic, they’ve done the work for me. Check out the link below for some great ideas to mix it up a little (and avoid losing your mind).

Kids’ Music that Doesn’t Suck [Mom Logic]

Print Out Halloween Projects

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:37:07 +0000

Thanks to Parents for these great Halloween craft ideas! From Jack o’Lantern Templates to Halloween Coloring Pages, check out the link below for fun projects. Print them out for your kids, and enjoy!

Halloween Printables [Parents]