7 Cheap and Fun Ideas For The Family

Kids need entertainment. Unfortunately, some family entertainment can be expensive. In this time when the economy is suffering and parents are struggling to keep financially afloat, expensive entertainment is out of the question. Thank goodness there are still some cheap but fun ideas for your kids to enjoy. It doesn't matter if your kids are young or already in their teens, here are some ideas to keep your kids busy:

6 Cheap and Fun Ideas For The Family

1. FAMILY GAMES

Games are some of the best sources of fun for the whole family. Board games are an excellent example. If you’ve got any board games lying around, get them out and give them a whirl. Games like these encourage interaction between family members and help with bonding, which we often find ourselves doing too little of these days.

Apart from board games, other alternatives include card games (cards are readily available and cheap to get hold of. If you don’t know any good card games, it’s also easy to find the rules for some on the internet) and activities like charades. Family games are great for children of all ages – even teenagers will often take part (with a bit of resistance to begin with!)


The Settlers of Catan


Ideal Mexican Train Game

2. BUILD CAMPS

For younger kids, something fun to do is building indoor camps. Get some clothes pegs, some strings, and some bed sheets and you can help your kids build their own bedroom camp. Once built, kids will often play in these for hours. Many kids also love to sleep over in their own home-built camp.

3. ARTS AND CRAFTS

This is a classic, but it’s a great option because arts and crafts can be really cheap. Why not go on a walk with your kids and get them to collect interesting sticks, stones, shells, feathers etc. Once home, you can get them to string them together to form hanging ornaments, or use them to decorate home-made picture frames and so on.

4. PLAYING BALL

Another classic, ball games are great when the weather is good. Balls are cheap, and generally provide a lot of entertainment, as well as giving kids (including teenagers) a chance to blow off steam, use up energy and get some exercise all at once.

5. INVITE FRIENDS ROUND

Let your kids invite a few friends over for the day. It’s true that sometimes a group of kids can end up causing a riot, but generally things don’t get out of hand and your kids will always have a lot of fun with a few friends around. The more friends there are, the more easily they come up with their own (usually free) entertainment. It’s a winning solution. And, if you really want to make the most of the opportunity, why not let your kids plan a feast and have their friends each bring something along to eat?

6. GET COOKING

Some kids will be more resilient to this idea than others, but many kids enjoy cooking once they get started. So why not try and teach your kids a bit about cooking? Make it fun for them in the process and they’ll love it. Pizzas are a great option as kids can decorate them any way they wish with the ingredients you’re using.


The Disney Princess Cookbook


Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cook Book

7. EXERCISE TOGETHER AS A FAMILY

Get that heart pumping and blood moving. It's no fun to exercise alone. Have your kids go for a jog or power walk around the neighborhood or at the nearest park. Don't want to go outdoors? You can simply search for a workout routine on Youtube and everyone just follow along.

How To Get Children To Help With The Chores

How to Get Children to Help With the Chores by Terrys Fabrics.

What Do You Do If Your Child Wants To Quit The Piano?

It's been a musical week in our house. The rainy evenings are condusive to practice. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 years ago when I bought a piano, my daughter would throw her bags down when she got back from school and head over to the piano. I wondered if her enthusiasm would eventually wane. Glad to say that it hasn't. The piano is still the first place she goes to when she gets back from school.

Just this morning I came across some comments made by some children about how they hated the piano and wanted to quit. I wondered what could be the difference between my daughter and these kids? And this has led me to pen down a few suggestions on what parents can do when their child says "I want to quit the piano".

• Ask yourself, "Am I nagging too much"?

  I know, most of the time we can't help ourselves but the constant reminder to practice, practice, practice may be the reason why they are starting to despise the piano. Kids will hate the piano when it becomes a chore. Tone down on the nagging and stop trying to push them too hard. I always ask myself, would I rather push a donkey from behind or dangle a carrot in front? Dangling the carrot is really the better way. Instead of nagging our children to practice, it would be more effective if we found a way to fuel their motivation to practice. Rewards and praises work better.

• Find out the REAL reason why they want to quit.

  Are they burnt out from too many activities? Is it because they don't find it fun? Are they interested in something else? Or maybe, the piano lessons are boring and it is time to change to a better piano teacher. When it comes to kids, FUN is the key. No doubt learning the piano requires tons of repetition and that can really suck the fun out of learning. However, a good piano teacher will have ways to keep the fun alive. Not only that, a good teacher will never ever humiliate or put down a child.

• Let them play music that they love.

  And this could mean opting to skip the piano exams. When I was learning the piano, I hated the exams. My grade 5 exam stressed me out so much that I decided I didn't want to go through that again. (BTW, I passed that exam). I didn't hate the piano though. I still love to play (although not so good). I wished I could just learn to play without having to go for exams. And this is what I've chosen for my daughter. I can see she loves to play. I don't have to nag her to practice as she is eager herself to get on the piano to play the songs she loves. I bet if she was nagged to practice her exam pieces over and over again whether she liked it or not, her enthusiasm for the instrument will slowly diminish.

• Change your approach.

  Don't be too strict. Don't create rules that will cultivate hate instead of love for the piano. An example would be this: "You can't go out to play with your friends until you've practiced for 2 hours" or "If you are going to quit piano, then you must quit your basketball too". Playing dictator will not get you the results you want. If you want to get them to practice, you have to figure out a way to get them to do it willingly. It is the same with school homework. Maybe just sitting next to your child while he practices will do the trick. My son enjoys the piano more when I play simple duets with him. You might even want to consider where you put the piano in your home. Is it somewhere isolated? It might help to put the piano in an area where mom usually hangs out like near the kitchen. Sometimes they do better just being near mom. Be encouraging, not pushy.

• Understand their frustration.

  Many times our children just want us to empathize with them. Do that and then explain that you understand that learning the piano is difficult. Nobody becomes an expert overnight. If they quit half way, they will forfeit the rewards later. Tell them a story of how you struggled to learn something (like riding a bicycle) but when you finally got it, how it felt to succeed.  Maybe make a deal with them. Ask them to complete the course or a set of lessons first and consider that a learning experience. If they still want to quit after that, they can. Or rather than quit, just give them a breather for a few weeks or months. See if they can come back with renewed enthusiasm.

Badminton Training for Little Kids

I got this idea from another mother. Just tie the shuttlecock so it hangs. This way, I don't have to keep throwing the shuttle to my daughter. She can practice on her own.

It is a perfect way for little kids to improve their hand and eye coordination. It will improve their 'ball sense'. No point paying a coach RM60 an hour just so your kid can learn how to connect the racket and the shuttlecock.

Keep Track Of Your Children's Computer Time

The school holidays are here. Only for 2 weeks but I know what's going to happen... COMPUTER MADNESS. I can bet every day my kids are going to come to me with this question "Mom, can I play the computer?" 

Well, I had computer rules a while back. Some are still being followed while others have kinda been forgotten. So, it was time to revise the computer rules.

COMPUTER RULES

• STUDY BEFORE PLAY.
  I've already told my kids they need to plan what they want to learn these 2 weeks. An idea would be to learn stuff they don't learn in school like music, languages, art and creative writing. It is a time to explore topics that aren't covered in school. It can also be a time to identify weaknesses and work on those (since exam results are out). Another idea is to choose what workbooks they want to work on and then create a study schedule.
• 6 HOURS A WEEK.
  That's basically an hour every day (except Sunday). It is very timely that I came across these Technology Punch Cards Printables. It's a great way to keep track of how many hours the kids are on the computer. I told my kids that this 1 hour they have is purely for their entertainment. They can play games and watch their shows. Other online educational work I give them will not be counted in this 6 hours.
• MINUS 30 MINUTES FOR EACH CHORE NOT DONE.
  I've already identified chores that they need to do like taking out the trash, folding clothes, keeping their room tidy, vacuuming and mopping the rooms, keeping the tables clutter free. If one chore is not done, 30 minutes will be taken away from ALL of them. This way there will be no finger pointing. They have to work as a team. It doesn't matter to me who takes out or doesn't take out the trash. All I care is that it is done!

 So, that's the plan for this school break. Do you have problems with your children using the computer excessively?

Mom Tips for Memory Making Family Vacations

Guest post by Kendra Thornton

Photo Credit: kennymatic via Compfight cc

Family vacations are the time of year that everyone is able to relax and laugh while embarking on a great adventure together. The key? Preparation. If you take steps in advance, you can have a family vacation that creates the memories of a lifetime.


1. There are a host of fabulous options for kid-friendly vacations. You might long to visit an island paradise, or maybe a theme park adventure is what your troop desires. There are mountain cabin resorts with horseback riding and hiking trails, and some family designed cruises offer kids clubs and certified childcare services. Whatever vacation you choose, explore your options. When my family was looking for a special vacation destination, we chose the breath taking Hawaiian Islands. Since Hawaii can cater to the honeymoon crowd, we were sure to do our research to find a child-friendly resort that was still ranked amongst the best hotels in Honolulu. You will want to be certain there are plenty of opportunities for every member of the family to enjoy.

Photo Credit: peasap via Compfight cc

2. If your trip includes hours in a car, you should think about making the backseat into a kid-only zone. If you make the back seat not only comfortable but fun, the kids are more likely to enjoy the transportation aspect of their travel. Bring along favorite pillows, blankets, snuggle toys, and consider night driving. When you arrive at your destination, the driver will need a good nap, so plan for that. If one parent sleeps during the drive, they can take kids swimming or off to play in a nearby park. If you travel during daylight hours, you may want to invest in shades to block out the sun's rays and encourage napping.


3. Children are easily entertained by electronic equipment. Consider downloading audio books to a tablet or iPad, and be sure to provide earphones. Music CDs and movie DVDs are additional ideas to pair with portable devices. Hand held electronic games are another choice to consider. You may also want to think about bringing coloring books, crayons, drawing pads, and pencils. I am also so fascinated by how long my children are entertained simply with a new box of crayons! Whatever you take to lessen the “Are We There Yet’s” will be well worth the time spent planning.


4. Perhaps the most crucial tip regards motion sickness. When traveling with a child that you know is susceptible to queasiness, be prepared. Airplane ground travel to runways, flight departures, or landings usually present the greatest opportunities for upset tummies. Whether traveling by car, plane, boat, or train, let your child face forward and see out a window. Feed them something light 30 minutes prior to takeoff, and water or milk are definitely better drink choices than orange juice. You may want to look into a child approved motion sickness remedy as well. As with all new medications, talk to your child’s pediatrician beforehand.

Tips to Curb Summertime Teen Laziness

Most of us enjoy a lazy day when we can sleep in, putz around and just relax a little - and our kids are no different. However, when the dog days of summer come, some teens take that one "couch out" day and stretch it over an entire summer break. Here are some tips to combat summertime teen laziness and keep your teen active and engaged.

Communicate Expectations 

Tell your teen in a nonthreatening but firm manner that you will not accept their staying in bed all morning and afternoon. It is perfectly reasonable to ask that they get up at a decent hour. Explain that you want them to do more than merely watch TV, play video games, or visit social networking sites all day.

If your teen wants you to help pay for their summer activities, they should be willing to abide by a few summer guidelines. Set an age appropriate, specific time that you expect them to be home, based upon the level of trust they have earned. Ask them to take on a couple of extra chores during the summer to earn some pocket money. These chores could be for you or someone else, but make sure they go above and beyond the normal, everyday chores that every member of the family should be expected to do.

Get Them Engaged 

Whether you ask them to help you more around the house, participate in volunteer activities in the community, or help them get a job, you want them to be engaged in something worthwhile. Give them encouragement to help at a YMCA, children’s program, or nursing home. They may find they truly enjoy these volunteer activities and you will help them appreciate the joys of serving others that will last a lifetime.

Help them find volunteer positions by calling around to local places of worship, daycares, charities, or nursing homes. Local businesses may be hiring summer help; offer to help them find a job to earn some extra money. This will help them learn to manage money, but will also help them realize the value of their time. If they get paid by the hour, they might be less likely to fritter their time away.

Spend Family Time

Avoid giving lectures about what they should do during the summer. (Lectures, period, are ineffective with teens.) Instead, find activities that you can do with them. You don’t have to spend every waking moment with your teen, but take some time to take them shopping, go to a movie, or out for a coffee. Keep it relaxed and let your teen open up to you in their own time and way. Summertime is a great time to reconnect with your teen. Don’t let these weeks go by without taking this time to slow down and just be together.

Encourage Physical Activity

Take time to learn or play a new sport with your teen. Not only will this help your teen be more active during the summer, it’ll help you get some much needed exercise, too. Boys in particular are more likely to enjoy "side by side" activities. These are often great times to open dialogue with your son about important issues. Give tennis, swimming, cycling, or rollerblading a try. You both will benefit your health and well being.

Parents all over the country complain that their teens get lazy during the summer break. But teens, just like toddlers, need guidance, clear communication, and reminders of your expectations in order to be successful. These tips should get you well on your way. Ask your teen if there are things they’d like to accomplish before school starts, and then help them to meet those goals.

Need More Help?

Here are three guides to help you reconnect with your teen, so you can help them with the rocky road of being a teenager.

1. If you're gearing up for another summer with your teen and want to dread trying to keep them occupied, happy and out of trouble, check out School's Out for plenty of expert resources to make it a great summer.

2. Real Life Guidance to Understanding Your Teen shows you how to accept what you can and cannot control in your teen's life, how to cope with mood swings, keeping the lines of communication open.

3. Real Life Guidance to Helping Your Teen in High School includes practical suggestions to help your child find his/her identity, avoid bullies, handle peer pressure and more.

Grab them all to be armed with the easy-to-follow advice at your fingertips. They're available for instant download, which means you can get the help you need any day of the week, even if it's the middle of the night.

Do You Encourage Your Children To Daydream?

I came across an article that says Nicole Kidman encourages her kids to daydream. I thought that was pretty interesting. I don't think many parents do that. On the contrary, I believe most of us try to stop our children from daydreaming.  If you had a child daydreaming while doing homework, I'm sure you'd say "STOP DAYDREAMING". Apparently, Nicole Kidman  regards it as a time for her children to relax and have "creative" time. And you know what, she may be doing the right thing.

Let's turn to what the scientists have to say about this.

According to researchers from the University of Wisconsin and the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Science, daydreaming may help to increase the brain's memory capacity. I guess you could say that it is one way to exercise the brain.

I've always tried to keep my children's imagination alive. I think school dulls their creative ability and so I always look for ways and activities to nurture their creativity. I guess I shall put 'daydreaming' down on my list. However, there is a time and season for everything. So work time is still work time. Daydreaming will be like 'dessert'.

What do you think? Do your kids daydream?

Related articles

• The power of daydreams: 4 studies on the surprising science of mind-wandering

Helping your Kid Survive Their First Sleepover

Sleepover (Photo credit: secondtree)

Some parents are terrified of sending their kids to their first sleepover. Others may just be thankful for a night of peace and quiet. Either way, this will be many kids’ first time sleeping in a room where their parents are not just across the hall or in a house they may not be familiar with, and this can be intimidating. By following a few suggestions you can help your kids have a fun and safe time at their first sleepover.

1. Learning about their home for the night

When you drop your kids off at the home they will be staying at, walk through the house and show them where the bathrooms they will use are, where they can go to get drinks or a late night snack, and anything else they may need during the night. This way the child will not need to worry about asking for permission or finding whatever they need at night. This also can help to prevent your child from walking into a room where they could get hurt or accidentally wake someone up.

Another important thing to do is let the hosting parents and friend know if your kid has any medication they will need to take, or a disorder, like diabetes, asthma, autism or severe allergies. They should know what symptoms are typical and which ones might be more serious and warrant a call home or hospital visit. You should also make sure that your child can communicate the kind of problems they might experience from their disorder, and let their friends know in what situations they should wake up their parents for help.

2. Social Skills

A first sleepover can be scary for kids. A whole night of playing and talking with their friends may be far more socializing than what your child has experienced in other situations. While the sleepover will probably be full of games, movies and other fun activities, there may also be a lot of downtime. During popular sleepover events, like scary stories or funny jokes, you don’t want your child to feel left out. To prepare them, teach them some scary stories and funny jokes that they can spread to their friends during the sleepover. This way they can be involved in the conversation all night.

3. Homesickness

Sleeping in an unfamiliar room far away from your family may be a totally new experience for your child. To help them become more comfortable with this, have them try sleeping in a different room at your own house. Because there may not be enough beds for each kid at the sleepover, get your child used to sleeping on other surfaces. For example, they can try sleeping on a cushy rug or a couch in the living room. By getting used to sleeping in these locations, they may be able to fall asleep faster at their friend’s house.

So your kid can feel at least a little bit at home during their sleepover, let them bring along their own pillow, if not their blanket as well. Having some of their own bedding can be a huge source of comfort while they are trying to fall asleep. If they can’t bring their own blanket, your child may only be given a sheet or thin quilt. Consider packing a pair of footed pajamas for kids, so they can stay warm like they would if they had their comforter from home. If they have a stuffed animal they like to sleep with, this could be helpful too. Just be mindful of how old they are, as at some ages bringing along a stuffed animal may become a source of teasing.

Sleepovers are an important part of kids’ social lives. However, the first one can be nerve racking for even the bravest child. By using a few techniques to help your kid survive their first sleepover, you may be able to help them have a great time spending the night with their friends.

3 Things You Can Do To Help Baby Fall Asleep

Sleeping baby (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you have a baby who keeps waking up a night, you probably think whoever came up with the phrase "sleeping like a baby" must be crazy.

Well, the fact is some babies are better sleepers than others. However, you should be aware that it is normal for newborn babies to be waking up every two to three hours at night as they usually are hungry or wake due to a wet diaper. This phase should last only up to three months, but it can be longer for other babies.

Having a baby sleep throughout the night is one problem. Having them fall asleep in the first place is another problem. Some babies can just fall asleep on their own easily.  Others need a bit of coaxing.  

If you find that your baby is waking during the night or having a hard time falling asleep, here are a few tips that may help smooth the transition from wakefulness to sleep time.

Shorten Naps During the Day

If you find that your four month or older baby is having a difficult time falling asleep or is waking every two to three hours during the night, but sleeps for four to five hours during a day nap, it's time to shorten the napping period. Switch the sleep and wake clock on your baby.

Put your baby down for his or her nap at the same time each day, if possible. Slowly and gently wake your baby after two or three hours of sleep. This may cause crying in the beginning, but keep your baby occupied so he or she does not fall back asleep. This process will help your baby get down to sleep in the evening.

Soothing Bath Before Bedtime

Begin to settle down in the evening with a soothing warm bath for your baby. Sometimes a lavender baby bath will do the trick to calm the baby. Don’t get into playing during bath time. Talk softly and gently wash your baby enticing his or her senses with the lavender. Some parents like to use Babo Botanicals Lavender Meadowsweet 3 in 1 Bubble Bath Shampoo Wash because it has a plant based formula. In other words, it doesn't have all that harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens and artificial fragrances. The smell is not too strong. Instead it is very soothing and calming.


After the bath, rub your baby down with some baby lavender lotion, gently massaging his or her feet, legs, arms, and hands, all the time keeping the noise level low. I like to put baby powder on my babies. You should consider using Johnson's Baby Powder, Pure Cornstarch, Lavender and Chamomile. It feels great on the body and it uses cornstarch instead of talc, which is safer. Gently clean your baby’s gums or teeth, still keeping your voice soft. Over time, this will begin to signal to your baby that this is quiet time and time to sleep.

Reading a Bedtime Story

In your baby’s room, have a dim light on while you complete the dressing after bath time. Swaddle your baby and sit in a rocking chair or other comfortable chair and begin to read a short bedtime story.

As you are reading, hold your baby snug to your body, gently rocking him or her, and reading in a soft, gentle tone. After the story, place your baby in his or her crib, set the mobile music, a few rubs on the back, say goodnight, and walk out of the room.

Have you heard about Cloud b Sleep Sheep On The Go Travel Sound Machine with Four Soothing Sounds? It is a soft toy in the shape of a sheep that plays soothing sounds like a gentle stream, spring showers, ocean waves and harmonious whale sounds. It has won some awards from the National Parenting Council's Seal of Approval and the iParenting Media Award. Many parents love it because it is soft, cuddly and helps lull their kids to sleep.

ROUTINE IS IMPORTANT

It is important to understand that this is a process. These tips are to set a routine that occurs each night at the same time so your child will automatically start to wind down and want to sleep at a certain time. Your baby may fuss for about a week, but this should soon dissipate. Don’t respond to the little fussy cries and before you know it your baby will be sleeping through the night. Video baby monitors is a great tool to have at this time. That way, you can check on your baby through the video monitor to see if they are just fussing or really need your attention. You don't have to go in and out of the room. That might disturb your baby even more.

Oh yes, one more thing to note is that waking during the night more frequently than normal can be a sign that your baby is uncomfortable. If your baby is teething, have colic, wind or skin rashes, you can expect restless nights. Other than that, just keep up your bedtime routine.

Cloud b Twilight Constellation Night Light Turtle

Place this nightlight on the floor in the center of the room, and it will project a starry night sky onto the ceiling and walls. Lying there watching the night lights will slowly lull your children to sleep. Awesome!

Are You An Overprotective Parent?

I was reading an article with this title: Why Parents Need to Let Their Children Fail

It was written by a teacher and she was sharing some examples of how parents overprotect their children. She starts off with a story of how she encountered a student who had submitted a plagiarized paper. She was going to give that student a zero for the paper plus disciplinary action. Then the student's mother calls and admits that she was the one that wrote her daughter's paper. She did her daughter's homework because her daughter was stressed out.

I know some of you are shaking your head going 'tsk, tsk, how can the mother do that?" Let's not be quick to judge others. I'll be first to admit that I sometimes do things to "pick up my children's slack". Just the other day my daughter called me from school to say she left a book behind. I wanted to be a good mom and so took the book to her. Anyway, this article was a good reminder that helping our children isn't always helpful.

Here are some excerpts from that article: 

This is what we teachers see most often: what the authors term "high responsiveness and low demandingness" parents." These parents are highly responsive to the perceived needs and issues of their children, and don't give their children the chance to solve their own problems. These parents "rush to school at the whim of a phone call from their child to deliver items such as forgotten lunches, forgotten assignments, forgotten uniforms" and "demand better grades on the final semester reports or threaten withdrawal from school." One study participant described the problem this way:

I have worked with quite a number of parents who are so overprotective of their children that the children do not learn to take responsibility (and the natural consequences) of their actions. The children may develop a sense of entitlement and the parents then find it difficult to work with the school in a trusting, cooperative and solution focused manner, which would benefit both child and school....

But children make mistakes, and when they do, it's vital that parents remember that the educational benefits of consequences are a gift, not a dereliction of duty. Year after year, my "best" students -- the ones who are happiest and successful in their lives -- are the students who were allowed to fail, held responsible for missteps, and challenged to be the best people they could be in the face of their mistakes.

 I think many times we have the misconception that we are a bad parent if we do not help our children. Let us take a moment to reflect upon the consequences of our actions. Are we crippling our children or helping them stand on their own 2 feet?

We must remember that failure and mistakes are stepping stones to success. We must teach this to our children too. When talking about failures, Thomas Edison comes to my mind. How many times did he fail before he invented the light bulb? Some say 1000, some say 10 000. Don't know which one but it is still a lot of failures. However, he didn't see them as failures. He learned something from each experiment.

MAMAS PARENTING TIP

• We all want our children to succeed. However, failure is part of the formula to success. 
• Encourage your children to solve their own problems. Let them know you have confidence in them. 
• Do not underestimate your child's ability.
• Helping doesn't always make you a good parent. Not helping doesn't always mean you are a bad parent.
• Don't sweat the small stuff.
• It's not about you, it's about them.
• Love doesn't mean doing everything for them, solving all their problems or shielding them from bad choices. 
• I'm not saying don't help your children at all. I'm saying be wise in how we help our children.

So, are you an overprotective parent? Do you agree that we should let our children fail sometimes?

When A Child Has A Big Cut On The Lips...

When a child gets hurt, the mom hurts as well, if not more.

My son fell yesterday and ended up with a big gash on his lip. Took him to the hospital and he ended up having 12 stitches.

As the surgeon arrived and the nurses were getting all the medical equipment ready,  I could see he was very scared. His body was rigid and his fists clenched. The anticipation is always the worst, don't you agree?

The surgeon had to jab him in the lips to numb the area. Blood just started oozing out. Yup, my hubby and me got to watch the whole thing. I'm sure I was more disturbed by this whole ordeal than him. My DH probably found it interesting to see how it was done.

Anyway, the surgeon covered my son's face. Only his nose and mouth were visible. The surgeon said it was a little difficult to stitch because it wasn't a straight cut. It was more like his lips were sliced at an angle and one corner was curved. The stitching took about 30 minutes I think. It felt like a long time. But I think the surgeon did a good job. My son's lips look normal again. I didn't think about taking a picture before the stitching but if you can imagine, that part was kinda detached and sticking out.

Mamas Parenting Tips

• Do check out your child properly when they hurt themselves. I didn't realize he had that big a laceration until 2 hours later. When he just fell, he came into the house bleeding. I took him to the bathroom to wash his lips a bit then gave him some tissue to hold it against the wound. I saw one small cut on his lips and noticed some bleeding from one tooth. So he was holding tissue against his lips the whole time. Later I went out to buy dinner. When I got back, he was on the bed sleeping. He wasn't covering his mouth anymore and the bleeding had stopped. That is when I saw the big open wound. It was at the bottom of his lower lip so you couldn't really see it unless you were looking from the bottom angle.
• To stitch a lip laceration, you need the skills of a dental surgeon. I went to a local clinic and the general doctor couldn't help. 
• Take your child to the doctor within the hour. Because of my delay, the surgeon said very likely there's infection already. He gave my son antibiotics.
• Make sure your child has insurance. This cost us a bomb. We paid about RM1000.

Putting Literacy Into Playing

I read a book many years ago about how we can put literacy into our children's playing. Yup, we should encourage our children to read, write or count when they play. Do it in such a way that literacy becomes a part of their playing. That way, they won't see it as "studying" or "learning" and become all stressed about it.

Here is an example of how that can be done. My children were playing "masak-masak" (pretend cooking). My daughter decided to makeshift a mini food shop with blocks. They took turns becoming the cook, waiter and customers. Where does literacy come in? Well, a menu was written. Orders were also written down. In the end, receipts were issued. They could have made a signage for their shop's name but they didn't feel like it.

 My receipt. Just realized I've been wrongly billed. Wrong total. Hehehe.

 My little waitress.

 Eager customers.

The shop. Chef is hard at work.

So, the next time your kids play, play along with them and show them how their playing can be further enriched with literacy.

Building isn't just for boys: Getting girls engaged in constructive playtime

 (BPT) - How many times have you walked into your child's classroom only to see the boys and girls separated into two different groups, playing with completely different toys? The boys are likely huddled around the building blocks, creating skyscrapers and forts, while the girls are busy painting and coloring.

Sure, you can chalk it up to society's gender expectations to explain this play divide but does it mean girls have no interest in construction play at all? Unsurprisingly, the answer is no. In fact, girls have just as much to gain from building as boys and equally enjoy playing with construction toys. Toy companies that specialize in designing building toys, like Mega Bloks, have long researched the patterns of construction play among girls, specifically, and understand its long-term benefits. Parents of girls, furthermore, should ensure their daughters are getting this valuable playtime with building toys.

From developing language skills to boosting a sense of achievement, construction play serves as a stepping-stone for a young child's intellectual future. "Playing with building toys provides children an ideal way to engage in discovery-based learning," says Dr. Maureen O'Brien, developmental psychologist and child play expert. "It is through this type of learning that children are able to build their confidence through trial and error and develop a sense of achievement, enabling them to physically link their world to the play world, building their brains in the process."

The learning benefits of block play are further enhanced when layered with open-ended, imaginative play, such as make-believe with dolls. Children begin to understand their world and give it perspective by playing with toys that enhance exploration through customization and storytelling. This combination of block play and role play is a boost to your child's development. -

Understanding that girls love and benefit from creative construction as much as boys do, O'Brien has some tips on incorporating building play as a regular activity for your daughter:

*Make construction playtime a group activity - Given the opportunity to build, girls equally excel at the building process and generate the same levels of satisfaction as boys. By making construction playtime a group activity, girls are also able to spend more time collaborating with one another over a building project. By assisting, affirming and supporting each other, girls are strengthening their interpersonal relationships. They are also developing their imaginations and resilience through conversations and collaborations during the process of their building project.

*Emphasize storytelling - Girls love the storytelling aspect of playtime. It allows them to create and express themselves in a fun environment where the possibilities are endless. By connecting a story to their creation, children learn and understand problem solving skills, language development and the elements of decision making - all important next steps in the learning process. Construction toys designed specifically for girls can help them tell their story, like the new Mega Bloks Barbie line. For example, the Mega Bloks Barbie Build n' Style Luxury Mansion is the perfect balance of building and playing. It allows girls to build, design and re-design, decorate, accessorize, dress-up and style Barbie doll's home in any way they want.

*Incorporate familiar characters girls love - A way to familiarize girls with construction play is with characters they already know and love. For example, the Mega Bloks Barbie construction line features mini figures and iconic Barbie details that appeal to girls. When girls recognize characters, they will likely be more inclined to try something new.-

*Join and guide the fun - Playing with your daughter during building time increases her chances of learning from the activity. Even when parents and children sit and walk through building instructions together, the children are exposed to the problem solving skills needed to assemble the construction set. In addition, by building together, parents are exposing kids to innovative new ways of thinking, sparking creativity and showing a new way to understand the activity.

O'Brien encourages parents to break through the traditional playtime expectations to instill life-long benefits of construction play - especially for girls. The cognitive, spatial and interpersonal skills they will acquire through a simple shift in their play routine can expose them to numerous future opportunities.

Computer Rules for My Kids, Plus Educational Links

So I've been quite stressed with the way my kids are using the computer. I hate it when they play games where they are just senselessly banging on the keyboard to get a character to shoot, kick, punch and do whatever fantastic kung-fu like moves. Or they go on YouTube to watch cartoons. I just get so irritated because to me its like wasting time. Plus, with my younger boy (now 5 years old), it has become an addiction. The first thing he says to me in the morning is... "mommy, can I?" That's his famous line when he wants permission to get on the computer. And when I reply that he has to read a book or do some writing first, his whole face changes like someone just died and then the tantrum starts: crying and kicking.

I also get very ticked off when I see one kid watching his/her sibling playing games on the computer. It's like the eyes are permanently glued to the screen whether or not it is their turn to play. And the worst is when they start whining about how someone else got more computer time or is on the computer too long and they start to fight and bicker over it.

AAAARRRRGH! STRESS!

However, I understand that in this day and age, computers are in their very fibers. So, I decided to revamp my computer rules in the hope that the time they spend on the computer, is a more fruitful one.

So, these are my rules, clearly written on a whiteboard hanging in my living room.

 

If you can't really see it, this is what it says:

• You can ONLY use the computer if/when you are given an assignment to do or if you've earned a special privilege. 
• COMPUTER FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. NOT ENTERTAINMENT 
• Work/Study before using the computer (They have assigned house chores, plus some homeschooling).
• Unauthorized websites = banned for 1 week.
• No watching others play computer.
• Sign-up sheet (So there is no more quarreling on who gets to play. They now have to book their time).
• 1 1/2 hours only (Yes, still have time as to how long they can use the computer).
• Whining, complaining, fighting = No access to computer for 1 day.

So, each week now, I will browse around for appropriate games and activities. I email each of them this "authorized" list of webpages. Even though it takes a bit of my time to do this, things have been better. My kids have been very good now to stray from the list too.

Here is the list for this week. I'll try to share my list here every week. Maybe, you'll find this useful.
* This list is for my kids aged 5 -11 years old. 

• http://www.storiestogrowby.com/stories/magic_ball_argentina.html
• http://www.thekidzpage.com/freekidsgames/games/nggames/squares-game2.html
• http://www.thekidzpage.com/freekidsgames/games/11-11-online-games/Patcha-Online-Kids-Game.html
• http://www.thekidzpage.com/freekidsgames/games/11-11-online-games/brain-racer-math-game.html
  
• http://www.surfnetkids.com/games/tangram.htm
• http://www.melnyks.com/site-map/
• http://www.storylineonline.net/
• http://www.mouseteasers.com/online-games/halloween-word-dig.html
• http://www.thekidzpage.com/freekidsgames/games/ngames/candy/candygame.html
• http://www.thekidzpage.com/freekidsgames/games/hangman/hangman-online-wordgame.html
• http://www.thekidzpage.com/freekidsgames/games/nggames/christmas-tree-game2.html

 You'll have to check yourself to see if the games match your child's skill level.

Do you have problems with your kid's computer habits?

Paper Tulips For Your Wall

Recently, my church held a district conference for the Relief Society sisters. My branch was put in charge of decorating the hall and we were asked to put up tulips. Well, we ended up making paper tulips and this (the picture above) is how the walls ended up looking.

Some sisters commented that it felt like they had walked into a garden of tulips. It really turned out very nice indeed.

Anyway, at the end of the event, many of us took the tulips home (including me). So now they nicely decorate the walls of my children's room. They really do brighten the room.

The tulips are very easy to fold. You'll find the instructions here.

I know in the U.S. right now, the days are starting to get cold and winter will be setting in soon. When the days start to get dreary, maybe you could do this lovely craft with your kids to brighten up those winter days. If you live in a country where the sun shines the whole year, these paper tulips will look great in your kid's room anytime.

So, what do you think? Will your kids love this craft?

How Old To Pierce Your Daughter's Ears

Finally got my little girl's ears pierced. My mom has been asking me when we were going to do it. So, when her 3rd birthday rolled along, we took her to the goldsmith shop and got it done.

I'm not sure if she really knew what was going to happen. The salesgirl brought out the earrings for her to choose. At first she pointed to the sparkling pink stone. Then the girl brought out some pearl ones and she quickly changed her mind and wanted that instead.

I told her briefly that it was going to hurt a little. The salesgirl was quite good too. Kept reassuring her that it was going to be okay. As the gun pierced her ears, there was a look of shock on her face BUT no tears, no crying... not a sound. She bravely let the girl do the other ear. When it was done, I quickly carried her to the mirror and kept telling her how beautiful she looked. That was my distraction plan.

It has been a few days now. So far no problem with the ears. I just keep dabbing the ears with baby oil.

With my eldest girl, my mom took her to pierce her ears very early too. Can't quite remember when... maybe when she was 2+. I know in the Indian culture, they pierce their daughter's ears very early, when they are still a baby.

I didn't want to do it when they were still babies because if it hurt or was uncomfortable, they wouldn't be able to tell and might even pull it with their hands, thus making it worse. The downside is if you wait until they are older, they might not want to do it and won't let you do it too.

So, did you get your daughter's ears pierced and how old was she?

Why Is It So Difficult To Say Potato?

Caught this cute video of my daughter trying to say the word "potato". It can be such a difficult word :) Oh, she did master it after one day. So I'm glad I didn't wait too long to video her trying to say it.

Mamas Parenting Tip

• Don't be too lazy to grab that camera. Precious moments don't last very long. Catch it while you can.

Quick Remedy For Pimple

My eldest girl is going to be a teenager soon. Just recently, she has started to get pimples on her face. Hormones doing their crazy stuff no doubt.

I went to the pharmacy to look for some tea tree oil. It was really expensive, so hubby decided to buy her a tube of acne cream with tea tree oil as one of its ingredients. The brand is called Tracia TEEN. Cost us RM7.90. My girl says it helped to get rid of some tiny pimples on her forehead.

However, a few days ago she got this one BIG pimple on her nose. She said the cream wasn't helping. She asked what else she could do. I remember reading about honey and how it has anti-bacterial properties. Some people have tried it before, so I told her to give it a go. She did. She said it helped and that day itself the pimple had become smaller.

So, if you have pimple problems or know someone struggling with it, try dabbing some honey on it.

(I would show you pictures of the pimple but my girl says "NO" and then grunted at me).

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Click here to learn how you can clear your acne in 6 steps

Sleep smarts: Sleep is an important part of back-to-school preparation

(ARA) - Does your list of school supplies include sleep? Studies say it should, especially for teens.


Only 8 percent of American teenagers are getting the required nine or more hours of sleep needed, according to the National Sleep Foundation. In fact, a recent study published in the "Journal of Adolescent Health" found that more than 60 percent of high school students get less than seven hours of sleep per night. The situation does not improve in college, either.  A 2010 study conducted at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota revealed, not surprisingly, that 70 percent of college students get less than the 8 recommended hours of sleep.


While most people have, at times, battled sleep issues, poor sleep habits plague college campuses. Let's face it - most college kids do not place a premium on a good night's rest. In addition to sleep falling low on the priority list, most students are sleeping on cheap dorm mattresses and worn out pillows - which can affect sleep quality.


Perhaps reminding your student that there is a proven relationship between healthy sleep habits and academic success might help encourage healthier habits. In 2010, a University of Minnesota study found a significant positive correlation between the amount of sleep per night and GPA. Additionally, as the average number of days per week a student got less than five hours of sleep increased, GPA decreased.


Once a pattern of bad sleep has developed, is it possible for teens and college students to "reset" their internal clocks? Researchers at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine say it is. Suggest that your students try following these tips, a little bit at a time, over several weeks:


* Try your best to avoid caffeine, smoking, alcohol, heavy exercise and heavy snacking (pizza included) at least three hours before bedtime.


* Don't pull all-nighters or cram for exams late at night. Specifically schedule studying for when you're most alert so your performance won't be affected.


* Be as consistent as possible with your sleep habits, ideally aiming to go to bed at the same time each evening and get at least eight hours of sleep per night.


* Wake up at the same time every morning and head outside. Sunlight helps reset circadian rhythms, the body's internal biological process that rotates around a 24-hour schedule.


* Turn off your cell phone and laptop at night. Besides being a distraction, exposure to light can suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that aids sleep.


* Make sure your bedroom is set up for sleep. If you are a light sleeper or your dorm is noisy, try wearing earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. Keep the room cool and dark. Make your bed as comfortable as possible. Consider investing in a foam mattress pad and a quality pillow. For example, for around $100, you can purchase a mattress topper and a waterbase pillow, both of which greatly improve head, neck and back support while you sleep.


"While you most likely cannot control the amount of sleep your teens or college-aged kids receive, at least you can make sure that once they are in bed, the sleep they do get is of the best quality," explains Maurice Bard, founder and CEO of Mediflow Inc., a company that makes waterbase bed pillows. "One simple way to accomplish this is to make sure your teens are sleeping on the right pillow - one that adjusts to properly support their head and neck throughout the night."


Countless studies have shown that people who get the right amount of sleep are physically and emotionally healthier - which is of course is something we all want for our children. Getting better grades is just the icing on the cake.