Creating a Safe and Functional Living Room: 3 Tips for Peace of Mind Sara Zipf — Guest Authoron March 15, 2024 Accidental injury is the leading cause of death in kids up to 14 years old, and more than a third of these injuries happen right at home, according to KidsHealth. From cleaning products to sharp corners and stairs, there are an abundance of hazards that must be addressed, especially when one parent moves into a new home during a divorce. When aiming to successfully child-proof a home, the living room is a great place to start. From preventing furniture tip-over injuries to the dangers associated with common decor items, creating a safe living room can be achieved in several different ways. The importance of securing the furniture In 2020, an estimated 18,000 Americans (nearly half of whom were children), went to emergency rooms...
Here’s How to Find the Best Private Tutor For Your Child Sara Zipf — Guest Authoron March 4, 2024 Is your child having difficulty managing their schoolwork? Do they struggle to retain concepts in school or have special educational needs? It may be time to hire a private tutor for your child. In recent years, private tutoring has become the norm as a new survey reveals that there was a 35 percent increase in parents seeking dedicated tutors for their children. Since many students are currently struggling with learning setbacks caused by the pandemic, it's expected that the demand for private tutors will continue to grow, and more individuals will be looking into private tutoring as a career or a secondary occupation. But with so many private tutors in the country, parents should take active steps to ensure that they're hiring the...
Road Safety Essentials: Teaching Children Safe Motoring Habits Sara Zipf — Guest Authoron February 13, 2024 Introducing your children to the principles of safe motoring from a young age isn't just about rules — it's about setting them up for a lifetime of road confidence and caution. As parents, you're the driving force behind your children’s safety education, shaping their understanding of road safety, pedestrian safety, the importance of seat belts, and the ins and outs of traffic navigation. And, fortunately, there’s uplifting news about children and road safety: since 2000, there’s been significant improvements in keeping young people safe on the roads. The number of young lives lost in accidents has now nearly halved, making it much safer for them to travel. Start young, lead strong Begin discussing safe motoring concepts...
Easy Ways to Create a Productive Study Space at Home Sara Zipf — Guest Authoron January 25, 2024 Is your child having a hard time studying or doing homework? Every student experiences difficulties with their schoolwork at one point or another– in fact, recent research indicates that almost two-thirds of high school students say that they find it difficult to focus on homework. Meanwhile, 74 percent of students blame distractions as they struggle to focus within 30 minutes of doing homework. Lack of motivation and low productivity can result in poor grades and poor retention of learning. To ensure that kids can make the most of their study time, they need to have a dedicated area to prepare for exams and complete their schoolwork. To boost your child's academic performance, here are some easy ways to create a productive study...
Help Children Honor All of Their Emotions Rebecca Fischer — Guest Authoron January 18, 2024 It’s no secret that children deal with big emotions. Pouty faces, eye rolls, temper tantrums, and door slams, albeit frustrating to parents and caregivers, are all examples of a child’s attempts to release emotions and express themselves. As children grow into adults, they learn how to navigate the world, one day at a time. This never-ending learning experience entails understanding how to accept disappointment, handle disagreements, express themselves clearly, and live life on life’s terms. As guardians, it’s our job to teach children how to manage daily life in a way that’s constructive, safe, and makes sense to them. Here’s why it’s important to teach children how to honor their emotions, and five ways to do...
Protecting Your Children From Online Scammers Sara Zipf — Guest Authoron January 4, 2024 Image via Pexels Today, we spend as much of our lives in cyberspace as we do in the real world. That becomes increasingly so with each new generation, and teaching our children to be savvy online is just as important as teaching them about “stranger danger” or how to cross the street safely. That’s sometimes easier said than done when in many cases, children seem to know more about computers and the internet than their parents. But therein lies the risk. Behind the technology, lie human actions and motivations. Just like in the real world, not all of them are good. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a tech genius to teach your children how to protect themselves against online scammers. Learn together about the latest scams Following...
Life-Saving Accessory: How Medical Alert Tags Shield Children with Health Conditions Sara Zipf — Guest Authoron December 18, 2023 Image via Pexels So, you know how in movies, everything seems to happen in a flash--especially in emergencies? Well, in real life, especially for kids with health conditions, this isn't far from the truth. Medical alert tags come in super handy here. Picture a child with a serious allergy or asthma having an emergency. With a medical alert tag, it's like having a quick-access cheat sheet that tells first responders exactly what's up. This isn't just convenient; it’s life-changing in a way. It’s crucial because--in emergencies--every second counts. If a child can't speak for themselves, their medical alert tag does the talking, telling medics about allergies, diabetes, epilepsy--you name it. It’s not just a piece of jewelry; it's a...
Harnessing the Power of Nature for Your Kids Sara Zipf — Guest Authoron October 19, 2023 Image via Pexels In nature, a child finds freedom, fantasy, and privacy: a place distant from the adult world, a separate peace. Nature is often overlooked as a healing balm for the emotional hardships in a child's life.– Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods Nature is a healer, a soother, a calmer of the mind. Study after study has shown that nature reduces stress hormone levels in children and adults alike. Some of the most important findings of these studies have centered around the opportunities that nature provides for creativity, problem-solving, STEM education, and the development of inquisitive minds. Sadly, the rise of ubiquitous technology means that kids aren’t getting quite as much time outdoors as they need. In the US, for instance,...
How Can You Help Your Child Express Their Emotions? Sara Zipf — Guest Authoron October 10, 2023 “My feelings are too loud for words and too shy for the world.” —Dejan Stojanovic Many parents of young children and teens express one burning desire: that their kids be more emotionally expressive. However, it is vital to understand that there are physiological reasons why children may find it harder to express and regulate their emotions. One is the fact that their brain is still under development and the reasoning part of their brain (the prefrontal cortex) is still very much in development. As such, they rely more on the amygdala, which controls are wide range of emotions. As a result, they may respond more emotionally to a situation, yet find it harder to find words to express their emotions. Having said that, there is...
Spending Time With The Grandparents: How Kids Can Benefit From Healthy Intergenerational Relationships Sara Zipf — Guest Authoron September 6, 2023 Image via Pexels It's often said it takes a whole village to raise one child, and this certainly includes grandparents. Picture this: children baking cookies with grandma or grandpa, learning family history, and soaking up endless love. Now, consider this is not just an "idyllic image", it's backed up by research. A 19-year study involving 730 grandkids and grandparents discovered that those kids lucky enough to have a tight bond with their grandparents had a decreased risk of depression. And, this relationship is a two-way street; grandparents who felt valued and successful also experienced lesser depressive episodes. Though geography or family issues may create hurdles, if feasible, nurturing these special relationships could provide significant...