Raising a spoiled child is one of the biggest fears for any parent. No one wants to raise a child who expects everything to be handed to them on a silver platter and who has no respect for authority. It can be tough to know what the right thing to do is when it comes to parenting, but luckily, we’re here to help! In this blog post, we will discuss the dos and don’ts of parenting so that you can avoid spoiling your child. Today, I’m sharing practical ways on how you can raise happy kids without spoiling them or having guilt about your kid not getting everything they want.
How Not To Raise A Spoiled Child: The Dos and Don’ts of Parenting
1. What is spoiling a child and why you should avoid it
As any parent knows, raising a child is no easy feat. There are plenty of decisions to be made and plenty of challenges to face. One of the most common challenges is knowing how to say no to a child. It can be difficult to deny a child something they want, but it’s important to remember that giving in too easily can lead to a spoiled child. A spoiled child is typically one who is used to getting their way and who has difficulty dealing with frustration or disappointment. While it’s important to give your child plenty of love and attention, it’s also important that you set limits and teach them to be patient and resilient. With a little effort, you can avoid raising a spoiled child and instead instill in them the values of hard work and self-control.
So, what are some of the dos and don’ts of parenting? Here are a few tips:
Don’t give in to every demand – It’s important to set limits for your child and to teach them that not everything they want will be given to them. This can be difficult for young children who are used to getting their way, but it’s important to be consistent and firm.
Do give your child love and attention – It’s also important to remember that you should never withhold love or attention as a form of discipline. Children need love and attention to feel secure and loved.
Don’t use bribery as a way to get your child to behave – This can backfire in the long run and can lead to a child who is constantly demanding things to get what they want.
Do provide a structure for your child – Children need boundaries and structure to feel secure. Giving your child rules and limits will help them understand what is expected of them.
Don’t be afraid to say no – As we mentioned before, it’s important to teach your child that not everything they want will be given to them. It’s also important for them to learn how to handle disappointment.
Do provide consequences for bad behavior – If your child does something wrong, it’s important to provide a consequence that is appropriate for their age. This will help them learn that there are consequences for their actions.
2. The dangers of spoiling a child
As parents, we want our children to be happy and to feel loved. We often show our love by giving them material things or by letting them have their way. However, this can do more harm than good in the long run. If we praise them for every little thing they do, they may start to expect praise for everything they do and become entitled and spoiled. Similarly, if we allow them to have whatever they want, they may never learn how to deal with disappointment or understand the value of money. Instead, it is important to set guidelines for your child and to enforce rules consistently. This will help them to develop a sense of self-control and to appreciate the things that they have. In other words, by not spoiling your child, you are setting them up for a successful future.
So, what are some of the dangers of spoiling a child? Here are a few:
They may become entitled and spoiled – If a child is constantly given what they want, they may start to expect it from everyone. This can lead to problems in their relationships and at work.
They may have difficulty dealing with disappointment – If a child is never allowed to experience disappointment, they may not be able to handle it when it inevitably comes their way. This can lead to problems such as depression or anxiety.
They may have difficulty with money – A spoiled child may have difficulty understanding the value of money and may be more likely to spend frivolously.
They may not be able to handle stress – Spoiled children often have difficulty dealing with stress and may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope.
So, as you can see, there are several dangers associated with spoiling a child.
3. How to recognize if you’re spoiling your child
Do you have a spoiled brat on your hands? One of the hardest things for parents to do is avoid spoiling their children. It can be difficult to tell whether you are truly spoiling your child or if you are just being a good parent. One way to tell if you are spoiling your child is by observing their behavior. Spoiled children tend to be demanding and ungrateful. They may throw tantrums or act out when they don’t get what they want. And they may be used to getting their way through manipulation or promises of good behavior. Spoiled children may also be ungrateful, expecting lavish gifts or attention without any appreciation. Spoiled children are usually poor losers and have difficulty sharing.
Another sign of a spoiled child is an entitlement – spoiled children often feel like they are owed something. Whether it’s special treatment or the best of everything. If you notice any of these behaviors in your child, it may be time to reevaluate your parenting style. Another way to tell if you are spoiling your child is by looking at your behavior. If you find yourself constantly giving in to your child’s demands, then you may be spoiling them. Alternatively, if you feel guilty when you say no to your child, then you may be spoiling them.
4. The dos and don’ts of parenting to avoid spoiling your child
Many parents often wonder how they can prevent their children from turning into spoiled brats. While there’s no single answer to this question, there are some general dos and don’ts of parenting that can help. One of the most important things is to be consistent with enforcing rules. If kids know that they can sometimes get away with bad behavior, they’re more likely to keep testing the limits. It’s also important to teach kids the value of patience. This can be done in small ways, such as making them wait a few minutes before getting a snack.
Finally, parents must be good role models themselves. If kids see their parents acting entitled or behaving badly, they’re more likely to follow suit. Rewarding your child for the right reasons, teaching them to say thank you. And giving them chores are all great ways to avoid raising a spoiled child.
Rewarding your child every time they do something right can lead to a sense of entitlement. Instead, try to focus on rewarding them for exceptional behavior or achievements. This will teach them that they have to work hard to get what they want in life.
Teach your child manners.
One of the best ways to prevent your child from becoming a spoiled brat is by teaching them good manners. Teaching your child to say please and thank you, and to be polite, can go a long way in preventing them from becoming entitled.
Chores are another great way to help children understand the value of money and hard work. Leila is one of the only kids in her class when polled, who does chores daily, out of 20. While she doesn’t get money, she doesn’t have a budget for when we might go somewhere or if she wants to get something and she’s been good with her chores. And if she wants something and hasn’t been good with the chores, she knows when she’s told once the reason she can’t get what she wants and doesn’t ask again. Good behavior, as well as responsibility, go a long way. And starting them with chores, even small ones, will help create appreciation and humility.
5. Additional tips for avoiding spoiled children
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to raising kids is to stay consistent. This means setting clear boundaries and expectations and sticking to them. It can be tempting to give in to your child’s every whim. But this will only result in a spoiled brat who expects everything to go their way. Instead, try offering choices and teaching empathy. This helps kids learn how to make decisions and understand that they don’t always get what they want.
Helping your child understand how others feel and why it’s important to consider their feelings will go a long way in preventing them from becoming spoiled. If they learn to see things from another perspective, they’ll be less likely to be spoiled. Finally, remember that this is a long-term process. It takes years to raise a well-adjusted, responsible adult. So don’t get discouraged if your efforts don’t seem to be paying off right away.
Children are still learning and growing, and they will make mistakes. American Academy of Pediatrics has additional tips for avoiding spoiled children.
Raising a spoiled child can be challenging, but it’s not impossible.
If you’re consistent with your rules and teach your child the value of patience and good manners, you’ll be well on your way to avoiding this fate. Additionally, try to focus on rewarding them for exceptional behavior rather than for simply doing what they’re supposed to do. And lastly, remember that it takes time to raise a well-adjusted adult. Don’t get discouraged if your efforts don’t seem to be paying off right away. Children are still learning and growing. And they will make mistakes.
If you’re looking for more tips on how not to raise a spoiled child, check out the American Academy of Pediatrics website. They have a number of great resources that can help you create a plan to avoid this parenting pitfall. Raising children is hard work, but it’s worth it in the end. Good luck!
For those of us who have made it out alive, survived the hardships and financial crunches of life, understand the value of working hard.
“Work hard” “Hard work is the key to success”, are not just quotes we find on the internet, but we’ve lived by them, and experienced them. But our children have not. Until now, they are living a comfortable life. It’s only a while before things change for them. They will reach a phase in life where only hard work can make life survivable for them. And when they do, they must know hard work is the value to uphold, and at the same time recognize the hard work of people around them.
For that to happen, it’s pivotal to raise them in such a way. If you don’t know how to do that, this article can help you.
How to raise kids who understand the value of working hard
1. Let them do their chores
The first rule to make them understand the value of working hard is to invite them to wear your shoes (no, I don’t mean that literally). In other words, the only way they’ll understand the value is when they do it themselves. Encouraging them to do their chores is a small step towards this endeavor.
So, if managing the house for a day, or working a part-time job is not an option, then letting them be responsible for their chores definitely is. Whether it is making their own meal, washing their dishes, or simply picking up their toy – let them do things they are responsible for.
In our home, the chores change with the times of the year and their ages. During the summer, there are more chores than winter due to not having school. Our oldest also has more chores than the younger one but the younger one still helps the older one most of the time.
2. Involve them in activities
Going back to what I said before if managing a house for a day, or working a part-time job seems doable for a child of the age then why not encourage them to do it? They’ll learn the value of working hard only if they work hard.
They must know how hard home management, earning, and making a living is. One won’t be able to get by if they are not hardworking – they must know it.
Having said that, these are not the only activities. You can involve them in activities such as budgeting, or managing a party, etc.
3. Tell them about comfort zone
All children live in their comfort zones until they have to work. The point is, the more they remain in their comfort zone, the harder it will be for them to get out. Activities mentioned above can certainly help them understand that, but having honest conversations about the harmful effects of staying inside it can do wonders.
Ergo, talk to them about comfort zones. Talk about how it can limit oneself from growing. Have a friendly conversation, don’t make it a lecture. Make it as interactive as you can.
In our home, we encourage and put the girls in situations where the comfort zone is going to be shattered the second they do it, and it’s not really a choice for them to say no. Obviously, the situations are safe and only ones they are ready to do which I believe as their mom. We offer encouragement and support as they are going but don’t do it for them. It’s up to them to complete the situation and realize they are capable. These could be as simple things as taking off the training wheels on their bike to helping them understand they are strong enough to move the recycle bin to the street even when it’s full to meeting with a new swim coach or trying a new event. Whatever’s applicable to your child, give it a shot more often.
4. Encourage them to read books
You can learn a lot about the world by not actually living in one.
Conflicted, right? What I meant is, books might not be set in the real world, but they can actually teach a lot about it. That’s the power of reading, you don’t just gain knowledge, but you gain perspectives and values. All the more, as is our concept, gaining values of hard work is one such thing reading can help your child with.
Both of our girls are at different levels in their age as well as reading. Finlee still loves reading about fictitious characters while Leila is more into series of books and books that have been made into movies. I have found it most important to encourage their reading of any kind instead of worrying what they are reading. Obviously, it’s all age appropriate books, but sometimes it might be a comic book for kids over a novel.
5. Acknowledge their hard work more than accomplishments
Sometimes, even after working hard, one may fail. But it’s okay, failures are a part of life, and you cannot let your children be afraid of them.
The ideal way to do that is to recognize their efforts and hard work. You must understand that your reaction matters. As parents, you might think that praising your kids for accomplishments only (not for failures), is all you should do. But you’re wrong.
Doing so can make them undermine the value of working hard. They might think that working hard is pointless if it brings failure or only disappoints their parents. They must never despise hard work because it was never recognized.
Ergo, whether your child achieves a milestone or not, praise them for working hard, not for achieving what they achieved.
In our house, this always relates back to swimming because it is such a hard sport on the individual. Some days are good and other days are a bit off and end up in a disqualification. When those DQs happen, we think about what we learned and the lesson, and then write it down to practice and then move on. Kids are super resilient and the more you can celebrate their failures, the better off they will be when the have a career and life of their own. So, for a DQ, we go to Dairy Queen for a blizzard and celebrate the lesson and encourage the failure as much as the success.
6. Encourage them to live the life they want
When children want something bad, they’ll automatically work hard for it. Hence, encourage them to choose their own path – even when you might not be all up for it. You might want them to become a lawyer, or run your business, but if they don’t want to, you can’t blame them for making their choices. They’ll work hard for the things they want, not the ones you want.
You can still teach them about being a lawyer or running your business, hopefully the lessons and experience you share they can take with them in some way to use in their own life. One day, they may even say you were right and the things you shared and taught them stuck even if they didn’t run your business or become a lawyer. Remember, they are always watching your every move, so even nonverbal encouragement can make a big difference.
7. Share stories
A pinch of inspiration can do wonders. And as one knows, stories can be a god-sent for that. Besides, stories might prevent conversations from becoming lectures. Ergo, if you have any stories to tell your kid, be an open book. Share your experiences or of those you know. Give them examples, give them instances that help them acknowledge the importance of working hard.
We tell lots of stories in our house mostly because we want to share what we did growing up, which is vastly different than the life our girls are having, but also to keep history alive. We talk about people who have passed, our parents, before the girls were born stories, and even stories of when they may not have been home or vacations they didn’t go on. This is such a great way to encourage their creativity as well as help them understand things aren’t always the way they are currently.
If you are thinking this is too hard, or it’s not working, look back on your own childhood and reflect on how long it took you to understand the same things. I bet it didn’t happen overnight. And I bet your parents, if you asked them, would tell you how hard and unsure they were when trying to teach you as well. The more you allow them to do chores, tell stories, encourage reading, and get them out of their comfort zone, the better it will be. And remember, it might take years for the lessons to actually sink in and stick, I know it did for me and I’m willing to bet it did for you too.
We read fairy tales to kids, put them to sleep narrating stories that emphasize the world is a good place and life is easy while knowing in the back of our head that it’s not.
Life is extremely difficult, and children should not come to terms with this fact only when they’re older. One of the most important things that’ll help them survive in the world is finances. As parents, you might provide them everything, be there as financial and emotional support, but things won’t stay the same ever.
One day your kids would grow and have to survive financially by managing their own money. It won’t be easy if they’re not money-smart.
Ergo, your lesson here is that you have to raise them to be money smart, and not depend on time to do it for you. Here are some of the tips that can help you do that.
7 ways to raise money-smart kids
1. Talk about money
If you think talking about money with children is pointless because they’re too young, or “They won’t get it,” “It’s not their age”, you need to think everything through.
Talking about money is essential; don’t wait for them to turn 16 to do that. The sooner they learn about money, the smarter they’ll become as time goes by.
Additionally, by talking about money, I don’t mean lengthy lectures, but practical knowledge about it. Let them know when it’s the best time to buy something, how to save during the holiday season, how banks and ATMs work, things like that.
2. Do money-learning activities
Theoretical knowledge works, but when it comes to activities, nothing can beat them. Why? Because when you put theories to use, you remember your lessons well and for a long time.
Thus, indulge them in activities. Take them to banks, let them buy groceries on a budget, If your kid is too young for that, accompany them to shops, give them the money, and ask them to do the payments and collect change.
3. Be a role model
You can teach them all the good values, but what they will pick up is the things YOU do. Why? Because children imitate. So, you cannot expect your children to be money-smart if you are not money-smart in front of them.
Additionally, while you are at it, focus on positive parenting. Don’t taunt them all the time about money, or the heavy expenses you have to incur on them – Be positive, your goal is to make them money smart not making them resent you.
4. Let them manage their own money
You cannot wait for them to turn 18 and learn to manage their money on their own at ease. In fact, it’s better if they start early – even when they are 10 years old.
Having said that, giving them allowances, pocket money would work if you have teen kids. Let them manage everything in the same amount. You might think it’s cruel, but it’s not if they learn a lot from it.
As for younger kids, you can give them piggy banks to save and manage their own money.
5. Make sure there’s a line between being a money saver and a penny-pincher
It’s ideal if your kids learn to save. However, it’s not if they become a penny-pincher in the name of frugality. There’s a fine line between the two concepts. Being frugal means you do your best to save money by acknowledging your responsibility towards others, while penny-pincher or parsimonious means you don’t spend money at all and depend on people for it.
So, your goal is to not let them become the latter. You wouldn’t want your kids to be financially dependent on someone, would you?
6. Make it fun
Lessons are remembered when they are fun. So if you are teaching your kids money-saving, make it fun. Make them watch movies that might help them understand the value of money, or play Monopoly.
Yes, you heard that right. Surprisingly a game of Monopoly can make them learn a lot about finances. For starters:
It can make them learn about loans.
It enlightens them about property and ownership.
It teaches them money-related concepts such as interest and mortgage, income and property tax, etc.
7. Lastly, inculcate good money habits in them
At the end of the day, it’s all about adopting good money habits. Encourage your kids to do the same. By money habits, I mean the following.
Monitoring expenses in a spreadsheet – every single penny.
Preparing budgets.
Calculating compound interests.
Money-saving.
Making investments, creating a portfolio.
Maintaining a good credit score.
Avoiding the use of credit cards.
You can help them develop these habits by involving them while you do the same, having healthy conversations about these topics, and lastly letting them have their takeaways by watching you follow these habits.
Well, this will do the job. Now that you have these tips, I hope you’d know what to do. All the best! Additionally, if you have a few more tips that can help other readers to raise money-smart children, feel free to share them in the comment section.
As a parent, we always want the best for our children. We want them to study well, go to college and be successful. But more than that we want them to be better and more responsible human beings. For we know it very well that life will be tough, and good things won’t be served to them on a silver platter. They have to be mature, responsible, and accountable and at the same time a kind human being who remains uncorrupted by the evils of the world.
We can of course give them a pep talk. But it won’t be much of a help if they don’t know what to do. Family rituals can be an ideal way to not only teach them values and responsibility but bond as a family. So, if you want nothing else but for your child to be responsible, kind, and compassionate, here are all the rituals you can follow.
40 Family Rituals that Teach Responsibility, Kindness and Compassion to Kids
Here are 40 family rituals that teach responsibility, kindness, and compassion to kids:
To teach responsibility
Dividing chores between family members to promote accountability and responsibility in kids. You can reserve the easiest for children. For instance, something as simple as hanging out clothes to dry, clearing tables, placing napkins. For adults, chores like setting up the table, making a dish, doing laundry, etc.
Being responsible for their own chores. Encourage every member to do their own chores – whether it is washing their dishes, doing their laundry, etc.
Doing chores together. Not only would it improve coordination and develop team spirit, but it will also promote accountability and responsibility. These activities can include baking a cake together or cooking a yummy delicacy for dinner. One can also take responsibility such as chopping veggies; another person can take charge of frying the vegetables.
Money-saving together – One person responsible for grocery shopping another for monitoring the bills and so on. Also encourage them to save money in every category of expense.
Preparing for Christmas together. One person can be in charge of the décor, another can be in charge of baking, and so on.
Arrange camping trips together. This will encourage problem-solving skills that would help build responsibility.
If your children are old enough, you can include them in your trips to banks, to also make them learn about banking and money management.
Arrange picnics, and divide the responsibilities in between. One can work on music, another can work on food and games, and so on.
To teach Kindness
Volunteering at charity centers or orphanages together.
Take some food items such as cookies and bread to give out to the homeless on your drive out. Every member of the family can be responsible for carrying these food items every time you all go out.
Do not throw away things after a session of decluttering. Donate the things to charity and orphanages.
Packing lunches in extra quantities for your kids to encourage sharing.
Sending out sweet messages to loved ones.
Always sharing food with family members.
Donating a small part of pocket money/salary to those in need.
Have a session of story-telling. You can also pick the ones that spread the message of kindness. Let each family member do that.
Encourage everyone to share one good deed they did this month.
Doing something nice for each other. For instance, saving them an extra slice of pizza.
Picking movies that uphold kindness as a value.
Watching a random movie or series. And also picking out instances of kindness together.
Practicing affirmations together such as “My goal for the day is to be kind to the people around me.”
Share childhood stories. Recall instances when someone had been extremely kind to you.
Writing out thoughtful wishes for Christmas cards together.
To teach compassion
To encourage forgiveness every time a family member makes mistakes. (However, it might not always be a clean slate.) Encourage forgiving unintentional mistakes.
Arranging surprise birthday parties for closed ones.
Make handmade birthday gifts together for loved ones.
Feeding animals together as a family every time you go out.
Encourage hugging when you find someone crying.
Being a good listener to each other’s problems as a family.
Practice gratitude together every night.
Pray together.
Pray for somebody whom you might not know but still are empathetic towards.
Donate to local festivals and events.
Volunteer in local events like carnivals and concerts.
Do exercises that promote positivity.
Have a talking session every day to bond as a family.
Spare five minutes every day to talk about your day or how you feel. Focus on letting out the negative feelings.
Encourage your family to send out thank you notes for gifts you received and dinners you went to.
You can review your year on New Year’s Eve – talk about how your year went, and what you loved and hated about it.
Send out Christmas cards together. Encourage everybody to write some kind words.
We’ve all heard it said that it takes a village to raise a child. And, as parents, we know that raising our kids is one of the most important jobs we will ever have. But what does it mean to raise responsible, kind and compassionate children? It means doing things together as a family – rituals that help teach these values in an everyday way. So here are 40 family rituals that can help you achieve this goal. Do any of these resonate with you and your family? If so, start implementing them today!
6 Ways to Help your Child Overcome the Fear of Failure
We might not know what the future holds for us, but what we do know is that it holds failures. Failures are inevitable, so we might as well not be surprised if they knock on our doors. As parents, we have been down the road, we have failed, we have succeeded. In short, we have survived it all. But our children have not – they are young, and they have plenty to see in their lives – that includes both failures and successes.
But as much as how progressing failures can be (if we look at the bigger picture), failures can be extremely frightening – so much so that one may not be able to grow, or do what they should do because of the fear of failures. In other words, the fear of failures can be like a cage, and you wouldn’t want your kids to be inside it.
As parents, that’s the last thing we want for our kids.
So, if you agree, and want your child to overcome this fear, here are a few ways you can try.
6 ways to help your child overcome the fear of failure
1. Change your responses
Trust me, when it comes to failures, your responses matter a lot. Your response towards failures will shape their response towards it. Meaning, if you consider failure like the end of the world, they’ll consider the same. So, be mindful of how you react to your own failures, as well as your child’s.
For instance, if your child fails the test, don’t reprimand or punish them. If you do, it will only send one message that failure is a sin. You don’t want it to happen, do you? The right reaction in this scenario would be, “It’s okay, it’s not the end of the world. You will have another test coming. You will always have chances to score better and become better.”
2. Focus on efforts more than accomplishments
What do you do when your child wins the contest or scores well? You go out to celebrate. But what do you do when they don’t win or score excellent? You neither celebrate it nor congratulate them.
Think through. Doesn’t it in a way reinforce that failures are nothing but a disgrace? It does, and it’s high time you change it if you want your kid to overcome the fear of failure.
You can do that by focusing on your child’s efforts more than accomplishments. Every time your child achieves something, don’t congratulate them for that but congratulate them for making efforts. Even if they don’t achieve something, do the same – recognize and praise their efforts.
I have learned this first hand with Leila and her swimming because it’s such a tough sport where you literally compete for hundredths of a second time improvement or even placing. At first, it was disappointing for me when she would get disqualified for something simple seeming in my mind. I then realized she needed those moments to help her grow and learn, which became an accomplishment the next meet when she improved her time and didn’t get disqualified. We celebrate when she finishes and doesn’t get a DQ and also when she does great.
3. Be supportive of your child at all times
Sometimes, children only fear failure because they think it will disappoint their parents. But supporting them at all times can change their perspective. In other words, you don’t have to be supportive only when your child is participating in a contest, or during their exams. Instead, support them at all times.
Doing so will make your kids reassured that even if they fail, it won’t be the end of the world because their parents will be there for them, no matter what.
Again, another swim lesson I learned. The very first time Leila got a DQ at a meet, I was so concerned with what happened, I didn’t realize how she felt and how she thought I was disappointed in her. I was sad for her more than anything because she just swam an amazing race and she didn’t have anything to show for it more than disappointed in her! But my tone and questions made it seem I was disappointed not sad. Sometimes we have to look at our tone more than our other actions.
4. Encourage them to focus on finding solutions
There are two types of people in the world – Type one, those who consider failures as the end of the world, and type two are those who don’t let their emotions take over the control, and focus on finding solutions.
So, you guessed it right, you have to train your child to be in the second category. Let them know that failures don’t matter as much as our reactions. Don’t let them associate failures with incapability, instead consider failure as an opportunity to make things right.
Now, when Leila gets a DQ (thank goodness less often), she knows what she can work on in practice and come back the next meet stronger and better. She doesn’t let it stop her and even makes her a better swimmer and person because of it.
5. Let them know there’s no success without failure
The world talks of the final success, but no one talks of the journey in between. In other words, there’s no success without failures, and you have to let your child know that. If they didn’t win a race, it doesn’t mean they won’t ever.
As said before, perceive failures as a sign to become better and correct your mistakes, when you do that, it’s a given that you will do things right.
Success story for Leila — she got a Disqualification in her 100 meter butterfly in January and in February she cut enough time to place in the top 10 but also qualified her for the Junior Olympics meet, which she needed to cut about 20 seconds to qualify for. If she didn’t get the disqualification in January, she probably wouldn’t have improved her technique enough to cut all that time to qualify the next month in the same event! Not only did the disqualification help her in the 100 butterfly, it also helped her improve her time in the 50 meter butterfly!
6. Share your own stories
Sometimes, it feels good to know that you’re not the only one. Likewise, it might make your child feel better if they realize that they are not the only ones who didn’t do well or failed. There are millions like them – and that includes you. If you have a story to share, feel free to do that. Inspire them with your stories, or of others, you know.
Turn back the dial; go into the past, and think of the moments in life you felt that everything is going downhill. But you didn’t give up, and you just turned out fine.
I believe failure is a lifelong process for which we as parents have a lifetime to help our children get over that fear. Heck, there are probably some things to this day you are afraid to fail of, I know I have things I am afraid to fail! No one is perfect, but the quicker we help our children understand that failure is part of the process and how much we can learn from it, the better they will be in the long run. So don’t forget to share your own stories of failure and be supportive when they do fail. Be patient in the process and even celebrate the failures as much as the successes!
Christmas break may or may not be extended beyond the original date in the first part of January like planned, so some WFH Parenting Hacks with MathGames.com is high on my priority list, and maybe yours too!
As we navigate the New Year, and a hope of returning to something somewhat normal, we may see a few things from 2020 still lingering, especially if you have kiddos and school aged children. Daycare and school may be still forced to close, and I know for one, the board games and screen time probably aren’t going to help anyone. And those toys from Christmas will most likely wear out faster than years past.
Listen, we can only expect the kids to entertain themselves for so long, and hope it’s long enough to get our work done ourselves. Especially if we are working from home and trying to take conference calls in a makeshift home office.
Here are a few tips to help mix things up, and help with ensuring your kids don’t drive you straight crazy even with all the magical energy that is the holiday season!
WFH Parenting Hacks
Make Screen Time Educational: As children attempt distance learning, one subject they might be struggling with is math. MathGames.com has a collection of games and apps that connects math and fun and makes it easy for kids to learn! Created for ages pre-k to 9th grade, Math Games has over 1,200 tutorials created by 20+ teachers, to help kids with their at-home learning.
Find a new online game: Instead of watching TV, introduce your kids to online games that will challenge them mentally and keep them entertained. Puzzle games like Candy Connect or Hex Puzzle from Addicting Games will keep your children busy for hours, for FREE.
Limit Screen Time with Worksheets: Give your kids a break from screens and print out FREE, educational worksheets from Math Games. This is the perfect way to give your kids the extra opportunity to practice skills taught in the classroom.
Play Games together!: As we continue to social-distance, multiplayer games are a great way to stay connected with friends virtually. Little Big Snake is the ultimate slither style game. In this game, you start off as a small, wormy looking serpent that has to eat, smash, and slither its way up the food chain. The jungle is an arena and you’ll be pitted against other players who are hungry for the same evolution as you. If you want to win you’ll have to be sneaky!
Plan Breaks with your Kids: It’s always important to get some fresh air and at least twenty minutes of sunshine! Take your lunch outside and have a fun picnic or go on a brisk walk around the neighborhood. This will provide a reset mentally and the physical activity will give you and your kids energy to power through the rest of the day!
Even with all the changes and having one home parent of both working parents, it’s really important to have quiet time especially when we are overstimulated. When everyone has a bit of quiet time, we are able to come back refreshed and recharged able to take on the rest of the day. Sometimes it’s due to not having enough sleep while others it’s due to being cooped up and restless. Don’t forget, we are all experiencing things differently, all navigating these times at different ages with different understandings. Take it easy and remember we all process things differently and some of us might need one parent more than the working parent at different times of the day/week. Take everything in stride and one day at a time to help get through these times.
I know for us, these few tips have been super helpful, even with school in session and especially now that school is out, and they are home while my hubby and I both are trying to do work. And trying to keep the mom guilt at bay while still getting things done, is always an up hill battle. May your new year be one filled with ease and joy no matter what is thrown your way!
One of the most common challenges is knowing how to say no to a child. It can be difficult to deny a child something they want, but it’s important to remember that giving in too easily can lead to a spoiled child. A spoiled child is typically one who is used to getting their way and who has difficulty dealing with frustration or disappointment. While it’s important to give your child plenty of love and attention, it’s also important that you set limits and teach them to be patient and resilient. With a little effort, you can avoid raising a spoiled child and instead instill in them the values of hard work and self-control.
have whatever they want, they may never learn how to deal with disappointment or understand the value of money. Instead, it is important to set guidelines for your child and to enforce rules consistently. This will help them to develop a sense of self-control and to appreciate the things that they have. In other words, by not spoiling your child, you are setting them up for a successful future.
testing the limits. It’s also important to teach kids the value of patience. This can be done in small ways, such as making them wait a few minutes before getting a snack.
literally). In other words, the only way they’ll understand the value is when they do it themselves. Encouraging them to 
conversations about the harmful effects of staying inside it can do wonders.
while Leila is more into series of books and books that have been made into movies. I have found it most important to encourage their reading of any kind instead of worrying what they are reading. Obviously, it’s all age appropriate books, but sometimes it might be a comic book for kids over a novel.
“It’s not their age”, you need to think everything through.
children imitate. So, you cannot expect your children to be money-smart if you are not money-smart in front of them.
There’s a fine line between the two concepts. Being frugal means you do your best to save money by acknowledging your responsibility towards others, while penny-pincher or parsimonious means you don’t spend money at all and depend on people for it.
money habits, I mean the following.
is washing their dishes, doing their laundry, etc.
their response towards it. Meaning, if you consider failure like the end of the world, they’ll consider the same. So, be mindful of how you react to your own failures, as well as your child’s.
at all times can change their perspective. In other words, you don’t have to be supportive only when your child is participating in a contest, or during their exams. Instead, support them at all times.
success without failures, and you have to let your child know that. If they didn’t win a race, it doesn’t mean they won’t ever.
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