Investing for kids doesn’t need to be complicated. This approach will equip your children with the basics so they can make wise investing decisions. “Why would I ever want to put my money in this retirement plan?” I boldly, and possibly a bit too pointedly, asked a senior-level manager. Looking over what he had just…
Wondering which chores for kids are age-appropriate? This list of age-appropriate chores for kids can help. Research suggests giving kids chores helps them in multiple areas of life: academically, socially, emotionally, and eventually in their future career. Chores also encourage a team mindset in kids as they help their family, they build a strong work…
Inside: How parents can talk to and educate their kids about money without creating a sense of entitlement or fear about the family’s finances. Money isn’t the first thing that comes to most parents’ minds as a high-priority topic to discuss with kids. But similar to sex or drugs, our kids are going to learn…
You’ve taught your kids to ride a bike, to tie their shoes, and even a few cooking skills. But have you introduced them to one of the most important life skills of all: how to manage money? Unlike any other skill we teach our kids, knowing how to manage money could literally make or break their adulthood.
Without realizing it, many well-intentioned parents develop mindsets that hinder their children’s growth towards a successful, self-sufficient adulthood. Our children will leave the nest one day. Whether we want them to or not. And when that time comes, most parents hope their children will be prepared to enter the world with the confidence, knowledge, and ability to…
The 21st century life skills our children will need include more soft skills. Parents can play a role in helping their children acquire these essential skills. Making sure our kids can read. Teaching kids their math facts. Encouraging an interest in STEM. Most parents in the 21st century feel compelled to make sure their kids…
Kids routines provide children with cues throughout the day that encourage self-reliance and independence. Below are six ways kids and parents benefit from routines. But I don’t want to be tied down to a schedule! I thought to myself as I read about the benefits kids and parents receive from following a routine every day. The…
Educational subscription boxes for toddlers and preschoolers provide learning activities, craft projects, and children’s books delivered to your house every month. Toddlers and preschoolers like to stay busy! (The biggest understatement of the year.) But if you’re craft-challenged like me, or are simply looking for more books and activities for your child, the subscription boxes…
A look at ten of the best documentaries for kids that teach kids about science, history, world cultures, economics, and inequality. There comes a time in every parent’s journey when plopping kids in front of a screen is unavoidable. Maybe there’s an urgent work project due or we simply have a dire need for a…
Positive parenting methods emphasize trust and respect. And are the most effective way to support children’s self-esteem and self-sufficiency. “No! I won’t!” my toddler cried as she stood by the door, arms folded and tears streaming down her face. We were in a battle to get her jacket on. And as her parent, I needed…
One of the most challenging aspects of parenting is trying to motivate kids to do things they don’t want to do. These eight tips (and a whole lot of patience!) can help. It’s 4 PM on a Sunday afternoon and you’re about to lose your nerve. Your son had all weekend to clean his room…
Parenting toddlers through their “I can do it myself!” stage can be tricky. Here are a few ways you can support their independence without losing your mind. “I want my socks off!” my almost-three-year-old cried in desperation as tears began welling up in her eyes. “Socks off!” We’d just come home from preschool and in…
Teach your kids or teens laundry 101 with these basic steps. “Is this one dark?” my daughter said enthusiastically as she held up a pale blue shirt. “No, that one’s more of a light.” I replied, a little weary after answering similar questions of light vs. dark clothing nine times in three minutes. Two weeks…
Start these child-rearing practices when your kids are young to make life with adolescents and teens easier. Hindsight is 20/20, isn’t it? As a new mother, I had no idea what kind of parenting would pay off in the long run. Like most parents, I read and received a lot of advice. But, I wondered,…
Time management skills usually don’t come easily to kids. Here are a few ways to help kids manage their own time and get things done. “How many times do I have to ask you to vacuum your room?” “When are you going to begin your reading assignment?” “Don’t forget you need to put away your…
These kits bring science to life for kids of all ages through hands-on projects that touch on chemistry, electricity, engineering, physics, geology, nature, and biology. What kind of world will our children grow up in? It’s a question generations of parents have asked themselves. And while your guess is a good as mine, one thing…
These twenty-four science toys for kids introduce a range of STEM topics in fun and engaging ways. Kids won’t realize they’re learning science. Being interested in science, it turns out, doesn’t mean kids enjoy science classes. A 2016 study found that while 81% of students said they are interested in science-related subjects, only 37% liked…
Inside: You don’t have to be a dietitian to raise kids who make healthy food choices. Here are a few of the things I did that I believe made a difference. “Can I have more salad?” my eleven-year-old daughter asked as we were nearing the end of dinner. She had just taken the last bite…
These sixty-five indoor rainy day activities for kids provide hours of independent play ideas. (This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you.) Just yesterday the sun was shining and the kids were fully occupied –running around the…
Have bored kids in the house? Here’s how to stop the complaining and promote independent play. Every summer it happens. In April or May, the excitement builds in my mind: “soon the girls will be off from school,” “soon we’ll do whatever we want every day,” “soon we won’t need to follow a schedule or…
These outside activities for kids provide hours of independent play in the summer. (This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you.) The summertime is a chance for kids to relax, explore, play, and best of all –…
Have fun with these free and cheap things to do in the summer that take advantage of all that the season has to offer. School is out and the weather is warm, which means every parent is asking: how am I going to keep the kids occupied this summer? While I’m an advocate of lazy…
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” – Nelson Mandela
“No matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.” – Carol Dweck
Chores are a great way to teach kids responsibility, independence, and self-sufficiency. Getting started with kids assigned chores can be challenging, but organization can help. Use one of these chore charts for kids to begin. (This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission…