Mommy Blog

Having children is a big responsibility. Not to mention that it can significantly impact your finances. Any parent can tell you that their lives and wallets have changed significantly since they brought a child into the world.

However, along with many of the sacrifices we make as parents also come a substantial amount of perks. So, if you’re on the fence about whether you want to have children or not, then here are some of the advantages of being a parent that you should know.

You’ll Never Have an Empty House

In your older age, it’s nice to know that someone will come visit you. Whether you’re living in an assisted living facility, or still in your own home, it’s always nice to know that you have company from your children. People who don’t have children may often look back and have regrets about the fact they didn’t procreate.

Periods of the year like Christmas are especially advantageous with kids since you know that your house will be full of family to open up gifts under the Christmas tree.

Tax Perks

When you have children you are entitled to a significant amount of tax savings. The IRS can save you thousands of dollars a year thanks to child tax credits. Although taxes are hardly a reason to have children, it’s certainly an added perk to know that you’ll pay less when tax time rolls around.

When you consider that the cost of having a child can add up significantly over the 18 years of them living with you, it’s nice to know that you have a financial break wherever you can get it.

They Give You Meaning

There’s something about being a parent that gives you significant meaning. When you have nobody else to look after other than yourself, you’re less inclined to push forward through difficult times.

Yet, when you know your children depend on you, it gives you an extra purpose in life to get out there and continue fighting as hard as you can to get everything done that you need to.

Kids Are a Great Excuse To Stay In

In our younger years we may feel pressured to go out and socialize regularly. Unfortunately, not everyone always wants to attend every social event. We can often find ourselves struggling to find a good excuse to miss the social event we’d rather not go to.

Kids are a great excuse for staying in and missing an event that you don’t necessarily feel like going to. So, if you’re looking for one of the best excuses to stay in and have a quiet night in front of a movie, then look no further than parenthood!

 

When it comes to being a parent, one of the most difficult periods is the teenage years. Despite how much we might like to believe that our relationship with our child will be the exception, the truth is that many parents find themselves struggling to maintain a happy and healthy relationship with their teenagers once they turn a certain age.

And while it may be challenging to stay on the same page as them from everything to the fluctuating hormones, to generational differences, it’s not impossible to find common ground. By knowing the right tips, and staying committed, you can have a great relationship with your teen. Here are some of the best tips to build and maintain a strong bond.

Let Them Be Themselves

Even though you might not always agree with their choices, and certainly not always their aesthetics, it’s important that you let them express who they are. Rather than trying to control the way they dress, or the way that your child’s room is decorated, why not let them choose for themselves? A little self-expression never hurt anyone, especially during this time in someone’s life.

The teenage years are made for developing their personality, and learning to stand out. So, hindering their self-expression could have a negative lasting impact well into their adult years. Even though you might not always agree, you should try to support their individuality, and allow them to be a little different if that’s what’s important to them.

Share Your Own Experiences

One of the biggest reasons why teenage years can be so isolating is that we believe that no one has ever experienced what we’re going through. Sharing similar stories from your teenage years can be a powerful antidote for helping your child navigate this often frustrating period of their lives. Be understanding, and above all, remember that you were once a teenager too.

The more that we forget how much we actually have in common with our teenagers, the more distance we create. Even though your teenage years may have been a long time ago, it’s not impossible to transport yourself back to a time when you were feeling the way they are too.

Enjoy An Activity Together

Even though it may feel like your interests are far from similar, sometimes it’s simply a matter of making an effort. Trying to find something that you and your teenager can enjoy doing together. Perhaps it’s playing a video game, or even playing a sport. Try to find something that brings you together, so that even though you may be feeling a generational gap at times, you can still come together out of your enjoyment of the same activity. A little quality time can go a long way as far as boosting your relationship with your child!

 

Children need routines and schedules to help them feel comfortable in their home environment and help parents understand what’s expected of them. However, the development of a routine takes time and patience, which is why it’s important for parents to start early on in their children’s lives.

Beginning With A Good Bedtime Routine

A good bedtime routine is important for the health and well-being of your children. It helps them wind down, sleep well, and feel supported. As a parent, you want to be sure that your children are developing a healthy sleep schedule that will last into their adult lives.

In addition, a good bedtime routine ensures you have an opportunity to show them some love before they go off to sleep. It also gives you one last chance to set expectations for tomorrow’s activities so that everyone knows what is expected from them when they wake up in the morning.

Start With An Easy To Read Chart

For a child to successfully integrate their daily routine into their life, you will need to begin with an easy-to-read chart. The chart should be in a place where it can be seen by the child, the parent, and possibly even the teacher. If possible, make sure that the chart is posted in multiple places throughout your home and school to keep it fresh in everyone’s minds.

Use stickers or other markers if necessary so that each activity has a color code. This will allow everyone involved (including yourself) to know exactly what needs to be done at any given time of day or night without asking questions whenever someone comes home from work.

Scheduling Non-Routine Appointments And Activities

Setting up a routine for your child is an important step in helping them develop good habits, but it is also important to schedule non-routine appointments and activities. You must make sure you stick to your schedule for yourself and your children. For example, if you find that you need to go to a dental appointment somewhere like the-oakwoodclinic.co.uk, you will have to make sure that you account for this.

You may find that there are days when things do not go according to plan, which can be frustrating. However, this does not mean that you can’t stick with the daily routine; instead, it means that changes will need to be made, so they fit within the overall scheme of things.

When making these changes, they mustn’t disrupt their daily schedule too much, either by adding too many appointments or changing times without adequate notice. On the other hand, if this happens often enough, your child may become familiar with what happens when plans change last minute, making them anxious about what might happen next time.

Creating A Daily Routine

The importance of a daily routine is often overlooked, but it’s an essential part of your child’s development. A good daily routine will help your child feel more secure and confident because they know what to expect daily. It also gives them structure, preparing them for school and other social situations later in life.

A good strategy when creating a daily routine is to choose one or two tasks you want your child to do every day, such as brushing their teeth before bed, then gradually add more until the full routine is established. You can even use charts or stickers as rewards for completing each step!

 

The many young kids, being around older people can be a little intimidating and scary. Especially if the elderly people that they are around are sick or have the need for being in an assisted living facility, you may find that your kids are even more uncomfortable interacting with them. But if you want your kids to be comfortable and respectful around the elderly, there are things you can do to help achieve this.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three ways to help your kids become more comfortable around the elderly.

Allow Them To Start Off Slow

As with doing anything new or going into any situation when your kids are uncomfortable at first, it’s best to allow them to start off slow.

Ideally, you should allow your kids to move further into a conversation or interaction with an elderly person at their own pace. You could have them sit away from the group or stand behind you while you interact with them. Then, as they get more used to the environment and the person or people that you’re interacting with, there’s a good chance that they’ll see how easy it is for you and want to give it a try themselves.

Encourage Them To Ask Questions

Kids almost always have a lot of questions about things, and when they see or interact with an elderly person it will be no different. However, your child might be too nervous to ask their questions, or they may have been told not to ask certain types of questions in the past to avoid being rude or disrespectful.

In order for your child to feel comfortable, they will likely need some more information about who the elderly person is that they are interacting with. So if you’re in a situation where you can speak together, it may be wise to encourage them to ask any questions they have to the elderly person they are with. While you might need to help facilitate the communication, especially if your child is soft-spoken, this can be a great way to break the ice.

Give Them Something To Do Together

Just wanting your kids to speak to an elderly person might not be the best course to take. Rather, you should try to give them something that they can do together. By doing this, there will be something to serve as a distraction so that all the attention isn’t on your child or on the elderly person. And if the task they are working on necessitates them working together, this can help them to quickly become comfortable around each other as they work toward a common goal.

If you’re wanting to help your children become more comfortable around older adults, consider using the tips mentioned above the next time your child interacts with the elderly.