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Great Moms Select Great Education

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As a mother, Mother’s Day is likely one of your favorite days of the year. It is a time to relax and enjoy the one day a year that mothers everywhere are celebrated. As a mom, it can also be a day that you dedicate to developing your children and their ability to succeed in life by thinking carefully about their education. Whether your child is a newborn or getting ready to head off to college, Mother’s Day is the perfect day to begin planning for their education.

Education Matters

You know how important a degree is. Those that hold a bachelor degree or better have employment and financial opportunities that are far greater than those that do not. Every child, no matter what their age, should be encouraged to excel in their education goals. On Mother’s Day, consider dedicating an hour each day to help your children explore their educational opportunities. Whether you spend the time reading to your toddler or helping your high school junior fill out applications, education matters.

Money Matters

Unfortunately, a good education is costly. Obtaining a bachelor degree can cost $100,000. On Mother’s Day, consider making a promise to your children to begin actively working on saving for their education. Look into opening a saving account or making a small monthly investment for your child’s education.

You may receive cards, flowers, and hand-made gifts for Mother’s Day. Give your child a gift in return. Give them the gift of a great education and a bachelor degree.

Filed Under: Famous Mothers, Parenting Tagged With: Child, Education, Mother's Day

Should I Spank My Child?

Most parents want to help their children develop healthy psyches that will benefit them throughout their lives. This leads to a sensitive question, though: is it okay for parents to spank their children. It’s not that you want to spank your child, but you might think that it is the best way to control his or her behavior.

Does Spanking Work?

Set aside all ethical concerns for a moment and focus on scientific data. Spanking doesn’t work. It’s that simple.

A study conducted by researchers at Duke, Harvard, and several other universities found that spanking has an adverse effect on behavior. Children who were spanked were actually more likely to misbehave and use violence than children who were reprimanded in other ways. That’s not surprising since the child has been taught that violence is an acceptable method for people to get what they want. Spanked children even showed slower cognitive development than kids that were not spanked.

Alternatives to Spanking

OK, so spanking does work. Parents need some way to control behavior and teach their kids the difference between right and wrong. What are some good alternatives that actually work? One of the most effective techniques involves showing the child that actions have consequences. If, for instance, your son doesn’t want to pick up his toys, then you take the toys away from him, explaining that he can’t have things he isn’t willing to treat well. It might take a few times, but he’ll eventually learn his lesson.

What are some other ways that you have seen parents correct and shape the behaviors of their children? What methods have worked particularly well for you?

Filed Under: Careers, Parenting Tagged With: Child, Parent, Spank

Helping Your Kid Face a Bully

At some point, every mother has to deal with a little bully. With any luck, that bully isn’t your own child. If your kid has drawn the attention of a bully, then you will want to know a few types that will help him or her learn from the experience in a positive way instead of becoming fearful and self-conscious.

The Power of Bravery

Most bullies want to feel that they have power over someone else. Perhaps they have their own emotional problems that make them feel inadequate, so they need to find someone to control. Advise your child to stand strong against bullies. If, for instance, a bully calls your daughter a name, advise her to ignore the quip or develop her own witty comebacks. If the bully pushes your son to the ground, then advise him to stand back up and brush himself off as if he isn’t threatened at all. Make sure your kids know that violence isn’t the answer. It’s all about nonviolent resistance and self-confidence.

Travel in Packs

Some bullies are completely immune to self-confidence. They might smell the secret fear in your child or simply become even angrier that someone has dared to compromise their authority. If the bully simply will not leave your kid alone, then have him or her find a good friend and travel in packs. The combination of self-confidence and good friends will repel almost any bully. There is strength in numbers, so make friends and enjoy the power that comes from the group.

If you were bullied as a child, how did you handle the situation? Do you have any advice for today’s young parents?

Filed Under: General, Parenting Tagged With: Bullying, Child, Violence and Abuse

Finance Tips for New Parents

Having a baby changes every aspect of your life. One area where this is evident is management of finances. Some couples use a pregnancy calendar to track their needs as they prepare for the new arrival. They use it to prompt major purchases like cribs.

Once they plan for a baby, many couples start developing a calendar pregnancy chart. It helps them track important events and future plans.

Some things that any parent, but especially new ones need to start doing include:

Plan for eventualities. Once children enter a family, unexpected expenses will crop up. Apart from planned immunizations and doctor’s visits, children sometimes need medical attention. The more adventurous will get bumps, bruises and even broken bones as they explore their world.
Set a budget: This will help you track savings and weekly or monthly spending.
Save for college: While this may be years off, it makes sense to start early. It is also important to save for your retirement. Including these two items is a necessary part of any parenting financial plan.
Get an insurance policy if you did not have one before. Dependents need to be taken care of even if you are no longer around. This will provide some peace of mind to you as well.
Create or change your will. Many new parents never stop to think about this, but it makes sense to make plans for the wellbeing of children as soon as they are born.

The changes that a child brings into your financial world can be significant. Just as you use a pregnancy calendar, consider developing a financial calendar to help you manage your money.

Filed Under: Parenting, Tips Tagged With: Child, Finance, Parent