Tips&Tricks

It’s that time of the year again! – Summer break vs. work from home with kids.

Just imagine; kids are playing, bubbles floating, fairy dust everywhere. Work is getting done, everybody is chilled. Guess what – it’s never going to happen and that’s fine.

Work from home with kids it’s hard. It’s a challenge to juggle both work and child care while you’re at home. Take deep breaths and try not to get frustrated if things don’t go the way you planned.  Well, how do you get work done when your kids are around? Giddy up and help yourself with our tips.

Schedule your work hours around the kids

Kids will have major effect on your work schedule, causing you to change it from traditional working hours to flexible. It’s in a child’s nature to be curious and to engage in activities with their loved ones. So, how do you take care of your business without making them feel pushed out? Without a schedule, it might be really hard to do your chunk of work and you might end up feeling tense. This means scheduling out breakfast, lunch, naps, play time, outdoor time activities and screen time.

What about nice, family breakfast to start the day right? After that, you can carry out planned activities which your kids can do on their own. Staying nearby helps you supervise your little ones and get some work done.

Twinkle, twinkle little star

Try working while your kids are sleeping. That means waking up earlier in the morning or staying up later to work at night. Younger kids like to take naps so it’s jackpot time for you! Use that time wisely and only focus on your work (believe us, cleaning can wait).

Keep them entertained

A kid who is bored will constantly interrupt and bash into room while you’re working. Pinterest is full of magical ideas, according to the age of the children. To help you out, we suggest to hide some of your kid’s toys, and bring them out after a while. This will keep them from getting bored of them. Seeing those toys after a while will make them seem brand-new, interesting and fresh.

Give heads up to your colleagues

Having children at home when you work is not an easy task. Especially if you have business colleagues with whom you work closely and who depend on you. Agree on working hours with each other to avoid difficulties in dead lines and communication.

Ask for help

Hej lady, you might need a lifeboat! Get as much as help as you can. If you want to get a lot more things done in a shorter amount of time, consider asking family members or other trustworthy parents to take care of your child. Having in mind your self-care, take as many breaks as you need! If it gets rough, it might be a good idea to hire a babysitter.

Working from home with kids is tough. Don’t feel guilty when you need to pull out the TV or your phone and turn on something for them to watch. Give your best shot at sticking to the WHO recommendation for screen time, according to the age of a child. This gives you one hour of working without disruption. Choose content wisely and always monitor the situation.

You can get your work done and at the same time be home with your children. And remember: “It’s all about finding the calm in the chaos”.

Do you have to work from home with kids? Let us know in the comments how you’re hanging!

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These days it’s expected that our children continue their further education as much as possible. We all want our children to secure a degree or completing an apprenticeship because we know that it can substantially improve their child’s job opportunities. So, they start to get their children used to the idea that they will attend university, from an early age.

This is great because if your child knows that is likely to be the case they will be more motivated to do well at school and get good grades. But, there is far more you can do to prepare your children for further education.

Get them used to using the tools they will need to produce good work

Becoming a good academic writer is quite challenging. You have to learn quite a few additional skills, including how to use specialist tools and software. It makes sense to get your child used to them at an early stage. You could, for example, give them access to a free to use APA citation tool like this one to get them used to citing their sources whenever they write.

Very soon using this essential tool will become second nature to them. They will also get used to the fact that they need to carry out careful research and be prepared to demonstrate that they have done so. Getting into the habit of quoting their sources will also make them think more carefully about which ones they trust and how they structure what they write.
Also, get them some educational books so they can get familiar with the writing style.

Encourage them to set and follow a study schedule

Studies show that students who are highly organized do better than those that are not. They get more done and do so in a shorter period. At an early age get your children to set up a study schedule. You can easily find printable ones online, which they can then edit.

Make sure that they have enough time to relax

When setting up their study schedule with them, be sure to factor in enough time for them to take a break and relax. We all need time to decompress. It is all too easy to inadvertently push your children and yourself too hard.

Help them to prepare financially

Going onto further education is not cheap. The sooner you start saving for your child´s university or scholarship the better. If you can do so, open a college account for each of your children and put money into it regularly.

When they are old enough to understand, encourage your child to make a small contribution too. Doing so will engage them and help them to learn to prepare financially for their future.

Encourage them to share what they learn

Studies show that sharing what you are learning with others helps to crystalize things in your mind. This is the case regardless of what age you are.

Encouraging your children to help out by teaching others what they know is also a great way to build character. Plus, the fact that they have been doing so will look good on their university or apprenticeship application. Something that will make it more likely that your child will be able to fulfill their dream of continuing with their education.

Twirling, spinning, balancing and feeling like you’re floating on air. Ballet is almost a right of passage for any little girl. Especially if she’s in love with all things pink, delicate and dance-themed. Ballet can help build confidence, improve posture and give them a sense of purpose, especially if they’re working towards a grade or a competition.

If your little ballet dancer has a birthday coming up, then finding them the right gift doesn’t have to be difficult, you’ll find a great range of toys for 6-year-old girls here, just click the link. But if you really want to make their birthday extra special, why not consider something that will complement their passion for ballet? Here we’ll take a look at toys and presents that your little dancer will cherish.

Some ballet slippers

Every little ballerina needs their own pair of slippers. You can get them handmade from a proper supplier to make them even more special. You’ll want a pair that will last long, look great and are super comfortable!

A trip to the ballet show

If your ballet dancer is a little older, than a trip to see a world-famous ballet production is a birthday present that they’ll never forget. If they’re a little on the young side to sit through 3 hours of dance, then consider taking them to see a local kids production. They’ll take lots of inspiration from seeing others dance.

Room décor

How about a little room makeover for their birthday? You’ll be amazed at the difference a few simple ballet-themed wall decals can make. You could paint their walls, add a rug, treat them to some ballet-themed bedding and create somewhere to hang all their precious ballet attire.

A ballerina musical jewellery box

Every ballerina needs somewhere to keep their most precious trinkets and jewellery, so what could be better than a ballerina musical jewellery box? Is there anything sweeter than a wind up musical box with a gorgeously detailed ballerina slowly turning? Your little one will love it.

School stuff

A new ballerina school bag, and stationery and notebooks. If your ballerina is of school age, then they’ll love these new dance-themed additions to their school day.

A new tutu

Every ballerina needs a tutu. Beautiful layers of silk, nylon or tulle, you’ll find a wide range of beautiful, handmade tutus online. Your little dancer will love showing it off at their next dance class.

Many children are unable to gain essential communication skills because they spend more time on their smart devices and less time with their peers. As a parent, you can use several fun games to help your kid develop these skills and become more eloquent. 

Various issues may mean that your child has trouble picking up on essential communication skills. The common reasons are low self-esteem and the lack of interaction with other children. Fortunately, both of these can be tackled with a few communication skills games. 

As a parent who is stuck wondering how to teach communication skills to your little ones, the following games will be helpful:

1. Conversation Ball

This game consists of discussing with your family, with the rule that the person holding the ball is the only one allowed to speak. It will teach your kids to listen to others without interrupting. 

2. 20 Questions Game

The 20 questions game will train kids to think critically and ask questions directly, as they’re expected to guess what’s on one of the participant’s minds by asking questions. 

3. Impromptu Speech

Get your kid to talk about something they love for about two minutes. As they grow older, introduce more challenging topics and have them give longer speeches to improve their ability to express their thoughts accurately. 

4. Identify the Object

In a group, blindfold one child, then have the others describe an object to him or her. The blindfolded kid is supposed to guess what the object is from the descriptions. 

5. Presentation

Have your kid write a poem about a particular topic. They should then recite it to the family to build their confidence in public speaking. You can keep the lyrics in your baby memory books to remind you of those fun moments. 

6. Picture Storytelling

Picture story selling is another game of teaching communication skills for kids. Bring a set of pictures then ask your child to arrange them to create a storyline. 

7. Scrabble

Scrabble is a board game that enriches your child’s vocabulary. It widens their knowledge of a language and makes them more confident when speaking. 

8. Dance Freeze

For communication skills activities for kids that work on listening skills, try the dance freeze game. Children should dance when the music is on and freeze when it stops.

9. Taboo

Taboo is a picture game, where there are cards with an image and three words below it. The kids are supposed to describe the object in the picture without using the three words. This game develops vocabulary and verbal expression. 

10. ‘Get to Know You’ Balloons

Have kids write questions on paper, put them in a balloon, and then blow it. The questions can be about topics such as their favorite pet. Let them play with the balloons, pick one, then burst it. Each child should answer the question that they get. This allows them to talk about themselves and learn how to communicate their feelings. 

Build Your Kids’ Communication Skills in Style 

Teaching children communication skills is fun when you use games. Make your child feel free to express their thoughts about things that affect them. When you show them that you’re ready to listen, they will open up more easily.

Let us know in the comments which communication games your kids enjoy the most. 

Author’s Bio

Amalia Liberman is a wife and a mother of two as well as a novelist and writer, the author has been featured in Women’s Health magazine and also written different articles in lifestyle magazines. Her passions lead her to search out knowledge with all her searching and she doesn’t mind sharing her findings.

A baby’s safety is a concern of every parent, and one such concern is your baby’s safety during sleep. Of course, how well you sleep also depends on your baby’s sleep. If your baby gets sound sleep, you too will have ample time rest. Unlike buying support bras for women, the kind of shopping in which you can try things on, shopping for baby needs understanding and awareness. Nonetheless, it is advisable to know what your baby needs, not just for comfort but also their safety. And safety is one factor to consider when creating a sleep environment for baby.

How Much Sleep Does Your Baby Need?

Babies do not sleep for the same amount of hours as we do. Generally, they sleep for 16 hours a day, but with breaks after every 3 to 4 hours. Before their bodies get into a sleep pattern, they will stay awake for only an hour or two. Babies sleep for a few hours because they need to feed frequently for a period before their bodies adjust to normal body functioning. If you feel concerned in any way about your baby’s sleep, go ahead and consult a pediatrician.

Safety Measures For Baby’s Sleeping

It is recommended that baby sleep by themselves in either a bassinet or crib. Even if you have twins, lay them separately.

Below are some of the Dos and Don’ts for taking care of your little one.

• Ensure that the baby always sleeps on his back and a firm surface. To do this, ensure that the mattress has a tightly fitted sheet.
• Do not share the bed with the baby. Ensure that the baby has a separate crib or bassinet. Bed-sharing is one of the most common causes of death in infants under 3 months.
• Ensure bassinet or crib meets safety standards. Always ensure that the product meets the product safety standards of your country of residence. 
• Remove anything dangling near where your baby sleeps. Babies can easily get tangled in such and choke.
• Ensure to keep the room at a comfortable temperature for a newborn baby.

Things To Avoid

• Avoid using sleep positioners, which some people call these anti-roll pillows. Such items are dangerous can cause babies to die from suffocation.
• It is not wise to put your baby to sleep on a sofa, waterbed, soft mattress, or cushion.
• Avoid using bassinets or cribs that have drop-side rails. Babies can get stuck and choke.
• Ensure that you avoid using loose beddings, toys, crib bumpers, or any soft object in the baby’s crib. These can easily trap, strangle, or suffocate your baby.
• Do not allow your baby to sleep in the car seat, sling, or stroller for too long. And in case they do fall asleep, take them out and put them to sleep as soon as possible.

Bottom Line

A baby’s safety during sleep is every parent’s interest and, of course, responsibility. Understandably, you would be excited about having a newborn. You may want to buy so many things for the baby, but hold your horses for now. Infants require several safety measures, and you must exercise such measures.

Holiday Travels

The upcoming season is a time of holiday travels for many as they travel close and far to visit their loved ones. Many of those travelers consist of families with young children who present their own logistical challenges. Parents have to worry about getting to their destination without getting hit by a car, lost in an airport, or finding a hotel room that’s kid-friendly.

There’s also the need to keep the kids content during the journey in order to reduce fuss and stress as well as being considerate to other travelers. It’s a lot of work for a parent, but there are ways to make it a little easier. Here are some tips to help you have safe and peaceful holiday travels.

Apps for Kids

There are a lot of apps out there that are aimed at entertaining kids of all ages, and they’re found on both iOS and Android. Many apps focus on delivering an experience that’s akin to reading a picture book, use famous characters from classic books as the app theme, or provide challenges to help a child learn something new. You as a parent have to decide what apps are good for your kids, but there are so many options that finding appropriate apps is an easy task. 

Parents are right to be concerned with their children spending too much time looking at a screen and not engaging with their environment. However, some situations mean using any means necessary to keep kids occupied so parents can get everyone to their destination in one piece. Using apps on phones and tablets to keep everyone occupied is for the short-term trip, and kids can be taught that they only get unlimited use of devices during travel time.

Age-Appropriate Videos

Many vehicles come equipped with in-car entertainment systems, and there is seemingly no end to the number of videos aimed at kids on the internet. However, videos are noisy and can be distracting. Instead of dealing with endless repeats of songs and movies, get a pair of kid-friendly headphones. Headphones designed for young ears come with features such as volume limits and fit over the ear instead of fitting into tender ear canals. And they come with wireless options so you don’t have to worry about someone getting tangled up in a cord.

Find Time to Let Kids Blow Off Energy When Traveling by Car

Let’s face it: kids and inactivity don’t go well together. Keeping kids in a car for hours at a time is a sure-fire way to wind up with a cranky child who won’t cooperate. When you’re planning your trip, look for kid-friendly destinations such as a public playground or restaurant with a kid’s activity area. Set aside a reasonable amount of time for a stop so the kids can get rid of their excess energy. They’ll feel better afterward and you and your spouse can relax and focus on the road. 

Define Responsibilities Before Leaving Home

Kids will want to bring their own gear with them to keep them occupied or to keep them feeling secure. You may also want them to tote something in their own bag to spread the load. What winds up happening is there’s a lot of stuff to track and keep tabs on. You might not have the spare brainpower to know who has what at all times.

That means making sure each kid knows what they’re carrying of theirs, their siblings, and of yours before you leave home. It prevents prized possessions from getting lost in transit, and allows you to pay attention to important things like routes or boarding passes instead of digging through your own bag to find something for a child. 

Bring the Snacks Along

Snacks help grumbly tummies make it from Point A to Point B. Kids are more likely to stay content if they can munch on things while in transit and keep their stomachs from hurting. And if you have a child who’s going through a picky phase, giving them snacks to chew on is an alternative to making them wait to eat a full meal. You might not find a restaurant that serves fare your picky one will eat. 

This is another area where you’ll have to drop the rules for a while. You might not like the idea of letting your kids fill up on junk food, but you also can’t make a child wait hours to eat, either. Trail mixes and low-carb snacks help kids feel full for longer and have less sugar content. And there’s enough of the fun yummy stuff to delight a young palate and keep them munching. 

Don’t Drive When You Can Fly

Flying has its hassles that make the idea of driving more appealing. However, kids don’t do well with trips that are more than 5 hours long even with breaks. If the destination is within 2-3 hours of home and it makes sense to drive, then you should go by car. But when the distance would mean a journey of more than 5 hours, it’s better to go by air. You think you will still need a car – think about hiring a shuttle bus.

Taking a flight does absorb a few hours of the day to travel the same as a car, but there’s less time spent in transit overall. If you have younger children, bring along items to help with the ear-popping at altitude, snacks to keep their jaws working and alleviate air pressure, and a tablet with child-friendly apps. Older children may need the same gear, but you can have them pack their own items and use them as they need. 

Holiday travels with kids is challenging, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Take your time planning and preparing, make sure that you’ve covered all possible contingencies, and take a deep breath when you go out the door. You’ll do better than you think you will.