Family & Parenting 2015

2015

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

Building a Budget

How to create your household budget

Protecting Curious Kids Simple ways to childproof your home

Making the Grade

How to help your kids in the classroom

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DID YOU KNOW? Expecting parents are often advised to make a will before or shortly after their child is born. While all adults should have a will, it’s especially important that parents have a will that clearly defines who will inherit their assets after they die. Expecting parents may not want to think about a will when their child has yet to be born, but a will is an important document that can be used to designate who will act as a child’s guardian should his or her parents die before the child is legally recognized as an adult. In addition, a will can also be used to designate a trustee of your estate who will manage any assets left behind to your children until they reach adulthood. Laws regarding assets left behind by a person who died without a will vary depending on where a person lived, but many such laws are inflexible and the government may even charge the estate to manage assets until children reach adulthood and are therefore legally recognized as able to manage the assets on their own. Parents who leave no will behind may also have no say in who raises their children, which can be difficult on the kids and troublesome for family members left to fight for custody of the children. Wills do not necessarily need to be written by a lawyer, but lawyers can help parents avoid certain pitfalls that could prove problematic and costly should someone challenge the will after your death. Such pitfalls include not having enough witnesses to the will or not stating in the will that the document is, in fact, your will.

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How to select a babysitter 4 Healthy meals made fast

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Creating your household budget 6 How to stretch family clothing budgets 7 Where families can cut costs 8 Talking with your kids and teens about alcohol

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Simple ways to childproof your home

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How to prevent playground injuries 5 tips for relocating the family Decreasing family screen time Recognizing cyberbullying Is a pet right for your family?

Make your own family-friendly vacation

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How to help your kids in the classroom 16 How to foster a love of reading in children

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How to select a babysitter Hiring a babysitter can be a difficult decision for many families. For the first several years of their children’s lives, many parents only trust themselves or direct family members to take care of their kids. But most parents must eventually rely on babysitters to look after their children.

Selecting a babysitter is not something to take lightly. Putting your child into the care of another person requires trust and careful vetting of that person.

The best place to begin looking for a babysitter is within your own community.

Churches, preschools and a network of friends can usually yield suggestions for potential babysitters. An older child of a close friend is often a person to consider.

Otherwise, ask around at your child’s day care center or preschool. Some teachers watch children as a side job, while others may offer recommendations. A school that conducts background checks on their employees as well as screens them for drug use and illnesses can take much of the work out of the vetting process for you. As a parent, you may simply need to call up some of the sitter’s references to validate his

or her claims of responsibility.

The next step is to interview a sitter and see how he or she interacts with your child or children. Ask questions at this point, finding out if the sitter is trained in CPR and first aid and if the sitter completed any courses in handling medical emergencies or other potentially sticky medical situations.

Be sure to ask about experience watching particular age groups as well.

Discuss your rules with the sitter, including bed times, food restrictions, policy on visitors, use of certain appliances and use of social media or digital devices while babysitting. The babysitter should understand all of your requirements and agree to them readily before being offered the job.

Once a babysitter has been selected, have the sitter come to the house roughly 30 minutes before you decide to leave. This time gives your children time to grow acclimated to the sitter’s presence, and it gives you the chance to answer any questions the sitter may have. Leave emergency phone numbers as well as details on how you can be reached and where you

are going. You may want to inform a close neighbor that you are having a sitter watch the kids and find out if he or she can be available in case of an emergency.

You will probably be anxious the first time you leave your children with a sitter. Call home Hiring a babysitter involves finding an individual who you trust and one who your kids enjoy spending time with. several times to check on things and reassure yourself that all is well.

When you return something is awry. In such instances, it is home, ask the sitter how things went. Talk about situations you know may have been a better to look for a new sitter instead. Your problem, such as a reluctance for the kids to children can tell you if they liked the sitter and if they felt comfortable with him or her. go to sleep. Reassuring the sitter that these Kids who appear reluctant to be around the behaviors are not a reflection on his or her skills as a sitter will make the babysitter feel sitter or who exhibit a strong desire for their parents to stay home should raise some red more comfortable and secure. flags. However, if you’ve done your research Some parents feel better by using a nanny and have found someone you believe to be cam to keep a close watch on the situation a reliable and safe sitter, there should be no at home. This is a personal preference and problems. may not be necessary unless you suspect

Healthy meals made fast Busy families are increasingly looking to free up time in their busy schedules. While certain shortcuts can make daily life more manageable, families sometimes pay too steep a price in their efforts to save time.

Such is the case at the dinner table, where nutrition is often sacrificed at the expense of convenience. But quick and easy meals need not be void of nutrition and flavor.

North Americans have increasingly turned to fast food, convenience items and dining out as an alternative to homecooked meals.

However, such processed foods are often unhealthy. According to the book, “Eat It to Beat It!” by David Zinczenko, the average restaurant meal contains 58 grams of fat, or about 90 percent of the recommended daily fat intake for an average person. What’s more, 70 percent of the average American’s caloric intake is derived solely from processed foods.

Moderation plays a crucial role when crafting a healthy diet. Families can enjoy the occasional meal out provided they are careful about what they eat during other times of the week or month. Time-pressed

families can employ a few strategies to help them eat better by enjoying more homecooked meals.

Make a list of favorite family meals. Start by thinking about what foods the entire household enjoys. Create a meal-planning schedule so that you can purchase all of the ingredients at once for the week so you aren’t making any time-consuming lastminute trips to the store.

Shop off-peak hours. Visit the supermarket during off-peak hours, such as early morning or late at night. Avoid Sunday afternoons when stores are often crowded.

Shopping during off-peak hours can save you time.

Separate bulk purchases into smaller portions. Take the time to divide larger packages of meat or produce into smaller portions more appropriate for the family.

Frozen meats will defrost more quickly, and it’s easy to grab just what you need to pull together a meal.

Prep like a pro. When you have free time, wash and cut vegetables, then store them

away. Cook larger quantities of foods you eat often, such as pasta or chicken. These ingredients can be used in many different meals. Having them precooked or partially cooked cuts down on the cooking time during the week. Think ahead to which leftovers can be turned into new meals.

Perhaps those grilled chicken breasts can be turned into fajitas or used as the base of a soup or stew later in the week.

Enlist some help. More hands in the kitchen can make for faster work. When schedules overlap, have someone peel potatoes in the morning and set them into a bowl of water in the refrigerator to used that evening.

Another person can arrive home from school or work and start seasoning meat or poultry while someone else can be in charge of the actual cooking when he or she arrives home. Working together cuts down on the amount of time any one person has to spend making meals.

Embrace the slow cooker. Slow cookers are a boon to busy families. Various ingredients can be placed inside of the

crockpot and then set to cook slowly for several hours. The slow cooker uses a very low temperature to cook the foods for anywhere from 5 to 8 hours. The results are often flavorful, tender meals. After morning prep time, a family can return home in the evening and have a meal ready to go.

Use convenience foods correctly. Make meals a combination of foods you cook from scratch and convenience items.

However, be sure to check labels and ingredients when choosing convenience items. Opt for whole grain bread, and select foods that haven’t been overly processed.

Choose low-sodium alternatives for a healthier meal.

Allow your family to splurge once in awhile. On particularly busy days, plan to dine out or to order some takeout. Many restaurants have revamped their offerings to provide healthier fare, and families worried about overeating can split portions among two or three people to cut down on the number of calories and fat everyone is consuming.

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Creating your household budget Stretching every dollar is a reality for many families. A higher cost-of-living coupled with financial uncertainty has inspired many families to scale back their spending, a process that’s much easier when families create a household budget.

Creating a household budget is often more complicated for families than it is for individuals. That’s because families not only tend to have more monthly expenses, but also because families tend to pay more mind to their financial futures than men and women living on their own. The following are a few tips for men and women hoping to create a household budget for their families.

Get a grip on your finances. Before setting a family budget, heads of the household should first get a firm grasp of their finances.

Determine household income, fixed monthly expenses (i.e., mortgage, car payments, etc.), luxury expenses (i.e., cable television service, dining out, etc. ), and outstanding consumer debt. Once you get a clear picture of what’s coming in and what’s going out, you can determine where you’re making sound decisions and where you’re not.

Set a goal. Once finances have been examined, you can then set a goal. Goals will change as your financial situation changes, but let your existing financial situation influence the goal you initially set. For example, if an examination of your financial situation revealed a considerable amount of consumer debt, then a goal of eradicating that debt is a great place to start, and part of setting the goal is developing a course of action to make it a reality. When trying to free up money to pay down consumer debt, examine the expenses

you listed as luxuries and determine which ones you can cut so you can pay down your family’s debts. Dining out less and cutting back on entertainment expenses are great ways to free up money to pay down debt. If an examination of your finances indicates little or no consumer debt but lots of money being spent frivolously, allocate funds for daily expenditures like a morning cup of coffee or lunch into your budget and do your best to avoid exceeding that amount.

Establish a weekly budget. Many families find it easier to manage their money and stay within their budgets if they live on weekly, as opposed to monthly, budgets. This can be tricky, as many of your more significant expenses, including mortgage and car payments, are likely collected on a monthly basis. But establishing a weekly budget for your family allows you to monitor your monthly expenses more closely, reducing the likelihood that you’ll get to the end of the month and realize you exceeded your budget.

Budget for those weekly expenses that are not fixed, like grocery bills and gas. Staying within budget for such expenses every week can lead to substantial savings by the end of each month, and it’s far easier to save that money when you’re monitoring those expenses every seven days instead of every 30 days.

Consider long-term goals. Long-term goals should be considered when establishing a family budget. Even if money is tight, you likely can still find room in your budget to save for your future. The goal of establishing a family budget is to ensure money is being well spent, and contributing to your family’s financial future is money well spent. Allocate funds for retirement

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account contributions and future educational expenses as well. Even small contributions can add up to a significant amount of money over time.monthly, budgets.

This can be tricky, as many of your more significant expenses, including mortgage and car payments, are likely collected on Examining monthly expenses, including grocery a monthly basis. But establishing bills, is an important step for families when a weekly budget for your family establishing household budgets. allows you to monitor your monthly expenses more closely, should be considered when establishing a reducing the likelihood that you’ll get to the family budget. Even if money is tight, you end of the month and realize you exceeded your likely can still find room in your budget to budget. Budget for those weekly expenses that save for your future. The goal of establishing are not fixed, like grocery bills and gas. Staying a family budget is to ensure money is being within budget for such expenses every week can well spent, and contributing to your family’s lead to substantial savings by the end of each financial future is money well spent. Allocate month, and it’s far easier to save that money funds for retirement account contributions when you’re monitoring those expenses every and future educational expenses as well. Even seven days instead of every 30 days. small contributions can add up to a significant amount of money over time.

Consider long-term goals. Long-term goals

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How to stretch family clothing budgets Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience unlike any other.

As new parents soon find out, children are expensive, and moms and dads are often eager to find ways to save money without sacrificing the quality of care their kids receive.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the cost of nurturing a child to age 18, when adjusted for cost of living, has increased by $40,000 since 1960. While the cost of raising a child depends on a wide range of factors, including geography, being a parent in the 21st century requires a more significant financial commitment than it did in decades past.

Clothing is a considerable expense for growing families.

Children grow out of clothes rather quickly, and parents often find themselves on the hunt for new clothing to accommodate their growing children. Parents can expect to spend in the range of $1,500 to $2,000 per year on children’s clothing, and a 2010 study from researchers at North Dakota State University found that the average American household spends about 3.8 percent of their income on clothing. Cutting clothing costs can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. The following are a few ways to curb spending.

Shop end of season. Take advantage of end-of-season clothing close-outs to replenish wardrobes. Think ahead to what sizes children will be wearing next year and purchase accordingly.

Some stores offer discounts that can be as high as 80 percent off the original price in an effort to clear out last year’s inventory and make room for new arrivals. Use an empty closet or set up storage containers marked with clothing sizes to keep clothing organized. When the kids grow into a new size, you will already have a closet full of new clothes ready to go.

Consider consignment stores. Shopping at consignment and thrift stores can be a great way to supplement a child’s wardrobe without breaking the bank. Consignment shops and donation centers often have extensive inventories, and many items found in such stores are in excellent condition. It’s not uncommon to find popular brand name merchandise and some designer or couture finds at consignment shops. When shopping at donation stores, shoppers are not only finding affordable clothing, but also are helping to give back to the community through their purchases.

Organize a clothing swap. Organizing a clothing swap can be a great way to save money and make friends by getting to know other parents. Chances are there are many other parents looking for ways to cut expenses. Children who grow out of clothing can pass down these items to other people. A clothing exchange is a way to socialize, recycle and save money in the process.

Sign up for customer loyalty programs. In a typical loyalty

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Clothing expenses for children continue to rise. But costconscious parents can corral their clothing expenses in various ways.

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Where families can cut costs Whether they’re still recovering from the recent economic troubles or simply looking for ways to build their savings, many families are hunting for ways to cut costs. Increases in the cost of living have forced the hands of many families, some of whom may not know where to begin with regard to scaling back their expenses, while others are worried that cutting costs will negatively affect their quality of life. But there are numerous ways in which families can trim some fat from their everyday expenses without sacrificing the things they enjoy.

Food According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 1984 the average American household spent slightly less than 17 percent of its annual post-tax income on food, a figure that had dipped to 11.2 percent by 2011. But over the last century, Americans also have spent more and more on food they eat away from home. In fact, the United States, at 7 percent, and Canada, at 10 percent, spent substantially less of their family budgets on food they eat at home than many similarly developed countries, including Germany (11 percent), France (13 percent) and Italy (15 percent). So while families may be trimming their grocery bills, those efforts might be offset if they are routinely dining out for dinner. Instead of weekly meals at a favorite restaurant, families looking to cut costs can reserve such nights on the town for truly special and unique occasions.

Another way to trim food costs is to write up a grocery list before visiting the supermarket. Going into the store without a list is a great way to overspend and buy things you already have at home or simply don’t need.

Mobile services Data analysts at the global financial firm UBS AG found that in 2007 wireless carriers brought in $22 billion in revenue in the United States alone by selling mobile services like email and Web browsing. By 2011, that revenue had nearly tripled to $59 billion. So what happened in those four years? The popularity of smartphones

skyrocketed and so, too, did family’s monthly mobile costs. A typical family of four now budgets several hundred dollars per month just for their smartphones, a sobering reality that is cutting into family funds and stretching their budgets awfully thin. Families looking to cut costs can shop around for a new provider offering less expensive plans or cut back on their mobile usage. Instead of four smartphones, which are often accompanied by expensive data plans, for the family, cut back to two smartphones and give youngsters more traditional cellular phones that don’t allow them to surf the Internet or enage in other costly activities that are a luxury but not a necessity.

Entertainment According to a 2013 report from Leichtman Research Group, a communications research and consulting firm, the average consumer spent $83.25 per month on multi-channel video service in 2013. In 2010, those same consumers spent an average of $71.24 per month, meaning the cost of multi-channel video services increased by nearly 17 percent in just three years. Industry analysts expect those increases to continue, as cable television providers continue to point to the escalating cost of programming as the driving force behind the rate hikes. But families who feel their monthly cable or satellite television service is a luxury they can no longer afford or rationalize have options. Broadband Internet connections allow families to access streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video, and access to such services is typically available at a fraction of the cost of traditional cable or satellite television services. Certain streaming services have even begun to produce their own original content, putting them in a better position to compete with more traditional content providers by offering more than just a lower price.

Cost-of-living is on the rise, but families can find ways to trim their monthly expenses without negatively affecting their quality of life.

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Talking with your kids and teens about alcohol

by Darren Reed, Project Coordinator Steele County Safe and Drug Free Coalition Some parents say that because alcohol is a legal drug, it’s hard for them to think of it as being dangerous. Other parents say they find it difficult to talk about alcohol because they drink. Yet, alcohol is the drug most often used by young people and the consequences of its use can be harmful to your child in many ways.

It’s never too early to start talking with your child about drinking. Some children start asking questions when they’re four or five years old. Many parents make the mistake of waiting until their child has begun drinking but if you listen and respond to your child sensitively, you may be able to help prevent problems from developing later. According to a Steele County Focus group at three Steele County schools nearly 50% of those surveyed felt their parents view is alcohol is okay when Legal/In Moderation. Only 20% felt their parent viewed alcohol use as unacceptable No matter what the age of your children, they are more likely to talk with you about problems - about alcohol or other drug use as well as other important issues - if they feel you really listen. Sometimes, just listening to your child shows more concern than trying to give too much advice, being critical or treating your child’s problems too lightly. Try to remember that your own drinking behavior heavily influences how well your child will observe the household rules you establish. It’s OK to drink in front of your child, but be aware that your child will observe how and when you drink. Do you use alcohol to reduce tension or to celebrate? Do you drive, boat or swim after drinking? Monitoring the quantity and frequency of your drinking as well as being sure that you don’t drink and then engage in potentially dangerous activities all set good examples for your child.

Get to know your child’s friends. Your child may be opposed to drinking and drug use but are their friends? Some of them may think that drinking isn’t a problem and their parents may not have the information you do. They may allow their children to drink and may allow parties in their homes where children have access to alcohol. Our recent focus group revealed that over half the youth surveyed reported that their source for alcohol originated from

their home or that of a friend’s home. If your child has been invited to a party at the home of a friend you don’t know, call the friend’s parents ahead of time to be sure that adults will be present. Ask their attitudes about alcohol before you make a decision about allowing your child to attend the party.

In spite of your best efforts, your child will see and hear many “mixed messages” about drinking through advertising, television programs and movies. Estimates are that children will see over 75,000 drinking scenes before they turn 18 but they probably still won’t know much about alcoholic beverages or the serious health problems that they can cause. In our Steele County Focus group 65% of those surveyed feel their peers view alcohol use as positive. Only 6% view it as unacceptable.

Safe and Drug Free suggestions: •

Talk to your children regularly. Commercials for beer and alcohol look very appealing. They may leave the impression that young, attractive adults enjoy themselves ONLY when drinking. Super Bowl Sunday is very near, and often times the most talked about commercials are alcohol related. Talk with your children about the realities of those commercials.

•

Explaining alcoholism without trying to “scare them straight”– Addiction affects one in every ten Americans. That is a reality. It does not mean that anyone that has a drink will become an alcoholic but the earlier the onset of drug and or alcohol use the greater the risk of future problems. Addiction is a disease and that an alcoholic or addict is a person who cannot stop using drugs or alcohol once they start, no matter how much it hurts them or the people around them.

•

Teens realize that their actions have consequences. Talk about possible consequences with them, recognizing that certain consequences will differ for sons and daughters. Discuss how drinking can interfere with getting good grades in school; Can negatively affect athletic performance; Can make teens more vulnerable to unplanned sexual activity, unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases; Can cause accidents when driving, bicycling, swimming and can increase violent behavior.

•

According to focus group results, students indicate the most realistic prevention efforts involve parent engagement (not having alcohol in home – or locking alcohol up and not allowing alcohol parties – supervising the youth at parties).

As parents we can make a difference. For more information or to get involved in keeping our youth safe and drug free contact the Steele County Safe and Drug Free office today. (507) 676-0984.

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9

Simple ways to childproof your home Bringing a new baby home from the hospital is a great moment for parents. But as a child settles into his or her new home, parents look around that home and see less “home” and more “hazard.” Kids are going to get some bumps and bruises along the way, but it’s still important that parents childproof their homes to keep such instances to a minimum and ensure that trips and falls don’t lead to something far worse than just some scrapes and tears.

Turn down the water heater. Young children are susceptible to burns from hot water, even if that water temperature is perfectly fine for the rest of the family. Mayo Clinic recommends setting the temperature on the hot water heater to below 120 F and installing antiscald devices on bathtubs and showerheads. In addition, always test the water before your child gets into the tub.

Store potentially dangerous household items high up. Childproof locks on cupboards and drawers can be an effective deterrent to curious babies, but parents should never underestimate just how inquisitive some youngsters can be.

To safeguard especially curious kids from their own behaviors, always store potentially harmful household items in high cabinets that little boys and girls won’t be able to reach.

Knives, household cleaners and scissors are just a few items that should be stored well beyond kids’ reach until they have clearly demonstrated they can handle such objects without cause for concern.

Childproofing a home is typically more difficult for firsttime parents who don’t have the trained eye for hazard spots that parents of one or more children feel is second nature.

But a practical approach to childproofing a home can keep kids safe and let parents rest easy knowing their youngsters are safe. The following are just a handful of the many ways parents can make their homes safer for newborns and young children.

Remove magnets from the refrigerator. Small magnets on a refrigerator often fall off when doors are open or closed. Babies or toddlers can easily find such magnets, which then become a choking hazard. Kids should not be in the kitchen anyway, but curious kids have a way of finding their way into rooms parents try to make off-limits, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Secure flat-screen televisions. The televisions of yesteryear were so heavy that many adults couldn’t even move them without help. Not so for today’s flat-screen televisions, which are not only lightweight but also easily tipped over

thanks to their often top-heavy structure. Such televisions should be mounted to the wall or kept high off the ground where kids can’t reach them. Televisions that aren’t wall-mounted or those that are close to the ground are far more likely to tip over when curious kids go exploring.

Keep cribs away from the window. Cribs should never be kept near a window, where cords hanging from blinds present a choking hazard. In addition, cribs located too close to a window can expose babies to the elements, potentially upsetting their rest and making them susceptible to sunburn.

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How to prevent playground injuries Playground equipment is a magnet for children, and rightfully so. Kids love playing on swings, slides and climbing components of playsets on school properties and at area parks. While playgrounds are ideal settings for fun-filled days, they also carry a certain degree of risk.

Approximately 20 children in the United States die from playground-related injures every year. More than half of these deaths result from strangulation and about onethird result from falls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But parents can reduce their youngsters’ risk of injury and the severity of injuries in various ways.

Purchase recommended, safe equipment.

Parents should do their research when buying playground equipment. Consumers can check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission for any litigation involving certain manufacturers or any product recalls. It may cost a little more to install a top-of-the-line playground set, but the peace of mind and reduced risk of injury is worth the extra cost.

Invest in adequate surfacing. The CPSC says roughly 60 percent of all playground injuries result from falls the structures. Although no fall is pleasant, the severity of injury resulting from a fall can be greatly reduced depending on how safe the surface material

surrounding the equipment is. Blacktop, concrete or even grass can be painful to land on. However, loose-fill materials like pea gravel, sand, shredded rubber, or mulch can soften falls. Plus, these materials are relatively low-cost and can be made from recycled items. But parents should know that loose-fill materials must be maintained to ensure a safe level of thickness. A depth of 12 inches is often recommended.

Choose an age-appropriate structure.

Injuries frequently occur when children use equipment designed for older kids.

Playgrounds are not one-size-fits-all. There are specific differences in the size and stature of younger children from older ones, as well as limitations in younger children’s development. Segregated playground areas, or those with groupings of equipment recommended for certain age groups, can help limit injuries. Pre-school children need smaller steps and crawl spaces, while older children can utilize overhead bars that maximize upper-arm strength.

Safely situate equipment. Consider placing a piece of playground equipment under a shady area to keep children comfortable and safe from sunburns. Hot equipment can result in burns and being out in direct sunlight can also cause UV damage to the children’s skin.

Structures should be situated so there are no obstructions or obstacles to any moving parts.

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Select a shorter structure.

Studiescommunity show ed_family gaps first_3x5_1-23 where childrenLBcan get caught. Wood 4089794 that the greater the height of a playground should be inspected structure the greater the risk for injury. for splintering or decay and replaced where Choose playground equipment that is nearer necessary. to the ground to prevent serious injuries Supervise kids at all times. Children should from falls and other incidents. always be supervised when playing on Inspect and maintain the equipment. playground equipment, whether they are Safety measures must still be taken after the playing at school, at home or in a public playground has been erected. Equipment park. Adults should discourage poor or riskshould be routinely inspected for damage taking behavior that increases risk of injury. and movable parts and joints should be Adults also are urged to keep abreast of examined for any signs of wear and tear. changing structure codes and guidelines so Bolts should remain tight, and any hardware that equipment can be adjusted accordingly. that is protruding should be fixed. S-rings and other links and chains should not have

11

5 tips for relocating the family Did you know the average person moves 11.4 times in his or her lifetime? So says the most recent information from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Various factors prompt people to move, from job opportunities to the desire to be closer to family members to wanting to live in a nicer climate.

Moving is seldom an easy task, and is often ranked among the most stressful events in a person’s life.

The Employee Relocation Council cites it as the third most stressful event in life, following only death and divorce. That stress is only heightened when an entire family is making the move and an adult is starting a new job simultaneously.

Despite the potential headaches involved with moving, an estimated 43 million Americans move each year. Those moving are often married couples between the ages of 25 and 44 with one or two children between the ages of 2 and 11. To make the

process go more smoothly, consider the following tips.

Gradually introduce the concept of moving. Moving is a decision to be discussed with the whole family, even with young children who may not fully understand the process. Kids who are involved in looking at new homes or voicing opinions about which amenities they desire in a new neighborhood will feel empowered and in control.

Research potential new neighborhoods carefully.

Finding a new residence is not entirely about buying a home that fits the family and its needs. It also is about finding a desirable neighborhood and community. A good school district is an important factor, as is proximity to recreation, local culture and transportation. Drive around a neighborhood during different times of the day to gauge how active it is. Investigating businesses in the area can also

help gauge the personality of a given neighborhood.

Work with an experienced agent. A real estate agent who is familiar with a variety of communities is a great asset. A buyer’s agent will find homes and negotiate on the part of the buyer, having your best interests in mind. Because the agent will be paid a commission on a portion of the sale price, which doesn’t come out of your pocket, it is in the real estate agent’s best interest to help you find a home you can call your own. In addition, the agent will handle many of the tasks that may be overwhelming if you were doing them on your own, such as scouring available listings, waiting for inspections or filling out pertinent paperwork. With a real estate agent handling these tasks, families can remove some of the stress from the moving process.

Pack children’s rooms last. Young children who see favorite items disappearing into bubble

wrapping and boxes may start to feel anxious.

It’s not uncommon for preschoolers to act out or experience nightmares during the moving process.

Maintain a sense of normalcy in the home as long as possible. Begin by packing nonessential items, only packing kids’ items when your moving date is right around the corner. Let children say good-bye to familiar haunts and even to their old home.

Plan a school orientation. Take advantage of any programs schools offer to acclimate kids to their new environment. Kids often leave friends behind when moving to a new home. The faster they get back to a normal routine, the better it will be for them. Schools are where children will make new friends and participate in social occasions, so tour their new schools before the school year begins, and meet with a few residents and current students to learn about special programs that may make a move less stressful for youngsters.

Relocating a family can be stressful. But involving kids in the process and anticipating an adjustment period can help families adjust more easily.

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Decreasing family screen time Smartphones and tablets appear to have staying power.

The Pew Research Center confirms that smartphone penetration has surpassed the 50 percent mark among mobile subscribers. Many others are routinely using tablets to access books, television shows, movies, and magazines. In multi-screen homes, televisions are still king. According to a 2012 Nielsen report, the average American over the age of two spends more than 34 hours a week, or more than 4 hours per day, watching live television. Those findings should raise an eyebrow, as health experts warn that excessive screen time can be hazardous to one’s health.

A sedentary lifestyle spent in front of computers and video game consoles contributes to poor health. Of the leading industrialized countries, the United States has the highest obesity statistics, and Canada is not far behind. Obesity can impact cholesterol, cardiovascular health, risk for type 2 diabetes, and risk for stroke. Excessive screen time can lead to sleep and eating disorders, interfere with a person’s ability to focus and negatively affect a person’s performance at school or work. Getting a family active and reducing time spent in front of a screen can have profound effects, and reducing screen

time doesn’t have to be difficult.

Gradually implement changes. Families immersed in electronic devices can cut down on screen time slowly and over the course of several weeks rather than tuning out cold turkey.

Start by reducing time spent watching television or playing video games by one hour per week, and gradually reduce time spent devoted to such activities in the ensuing weeks.

Hide devices. The mantra, “out of sight, out of mind” can work with respect to digital devices. If tablets or smartphones are tucked away, family members may feel less inclined to reach for them at any given time. Just as you wouldn’t stock your pantry full of fattening foods while trying to lose weight, don’t make digital devices readily available throughout the day.

Keep televisions out of the bedroom. Children who have televisions in their bedrooms tend to watch an additional 90 minutes of programming per day than those who do not have televisions in their room. Keep the television in a shared area of the house so that time spent watching the TV can be monitored and adjusted.

Establish guidelines. Set firm limits on how much screen time will be allowed per day and stick with it. Adults can lead by example.

Plan more family activities. Boredom can easily give way to time spent fooling around on the Internet or channel surfing. Parents should have a cache of ideas at the ready that promote active family time. Neighborhood walks or tossing around a baseball in the yard are enjoyable activities that cut back on time spent being sedentary. Encourage indoor activities, such as puzzles or board games, if the weather is not cooperating.

Be steadfast. Do not throw in the towel too soon. Families should stand their ground when attempting to decrease their screen time in favor of healthier activities.

Recognizing cyberbullying

Adults should remain diligent in monitoring what kids are doing online. Bullying can take place through digital devices, such as mobile phones.

Before social media became so prevalent, instances of bullying were somewhat easy to recognize. However, with a good majority of children now engaged in digital networking and social media, bullying may not end with the ringing of the school bell, and evidence of bullying may not be so readily apparent.

According to Cyberbullying statistics from the i-SAFE foundation, more than half of adolescents and teens have been bullied online, and about the same number have engaged in cyberbullying. More than 80 percent of teens

use a mobile phone regularly, making it the most popular form of technology and a common medium for repeated cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying takes place through electronic technology and differs from traditional forms of bullying.

Cyberbullying can occur via text messaging, blogging, updates to social media sites and/or phone conversations.

What makes cyberbullying more difficult to detect and remedy than traditional bullying is that sometimes this type of bullying is veiled in secrecy.

Those who engage in cyberbullying can create aliases and accounts under false names, allowing them to covertly engage in bullying behavior. As a result, tracking down bullies can be challenging.

Although cyberbullying is on the rise, there are some things that parents and children can do to help put a stop to such unfortunate instances.

Parents who feel their child is not emotionally ready for the responsibility of a digital device can hold back on purchasing a smartphone or choose one with very limited features.

Some schools set strict limits on phone usage at school, and children who go only from school to home and vice versa may not have the need for an “emergency phone” that can open up a window for trouble.

Adolescents and teens should feel comfortable talking with their parents without the fear of reprimand. Otherwise, they may hide instances of cyberbullying or not know how to broach sensitive topics like bullying. Parents can engage in conversation with their children often and stress that the

doors of communication are always open.

Teens should be made aware that cyberbullying is a very real occurrence and is not just other kids “having fun” or “joking.” If behavior is repetitive and hurtful, it should be made public and addressed.

Parents can monitor and limit their children’s personal accounts. Some smartphone and tablet applications can be mirrored on the main account, enabling parents to see incoming text or video messages.

A laptop or desktop computer should be placed in a shared space so that usage can be monitored. Parents can restrict tablet or smartphone usage to public areas.

When online, children should be advised not to share personal information. Social media sites may be used by bullies to gather sensitive information about a person that can be used against them at a later time. Children should be urged to keep passwords secret and to never give information such as birthdays, phone numbers and addresses to people who aren’t close friends. Friend lists should be restricted to only those people students interact with frequently to minimize the chance for bullying or other inappropriate behavior.

Teens who have been bullied can keep evidence of the bullying and may benefit from talking with a counselor.

Cyberbullying is a growing concern for educators and parents and has far-reaching implications. Getting smart about this phenomenon can help staunch new cases of online bullying.

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Pets often make wonderful additions to a household. Parents not only love pets because animals bring smiles to their children’s faces, but also because pets teach kids about responsibility.

But the decision of whether or not to bring a pet into a home is a complicated one that parents would be wise to give ample consideration before making their final decision. The following are a few factors parents can consider when deciding if now is the right time to bring a pet into their household.

Finances Money is often overlooked when deciding whether or not to bring a pet into a home. But pets can be expensive, and the potential cost of pet ownership must be fully explored. Pet adoption fees are often negligible, but families who prefer a purebred dog can expect to spend considerably more money than they would if they were to adopt a mixed breed dog from the local shelter. In addition, a pedigreed cat is likely to cost more than a cat adopted from the shelter. But those initial fees are only a small part of the expenses associated with pet ownership.

Medical costs, including routine veterinary visits and medication, pet insurance, food, and grooming costs can add up over time, so families already working on thin budgets might find it’s not financially prudent to bring a pet into their home until their finances stabilize.

Families who tend to travel a lot also must consider the cost of sheltering the animal when they are out of town, while renters should determine if bringing a pet into a home will incur a higher rental deposit or if the animal is likely to cause damage, as puppies and kittens tend to do, that will ultimately cost them money when they move out of their rental.

Time Some pets require more attention than others, so heads of a family should consider just how much time they have to devote to pet ownership. Dogs tend to need the most attention among the more popular household pets, so families whose schedules are already full may find that pets who don’t need so much attention fit their lifestyle better. For example, cats don’t need to go for daily walks and tend to

be more independent than canines, making them ideal pets for on-the-go families.

When deciding if a pet is right for your family, give heavy consideration to how much time your family spends at home, and if you decide to adopt a pet, choose one that won’t be negatively affected by your schedules.

Demeanor When considering bringing a pet into a home, parents should consider both their own demeanor, their kids’ demeanors and the demeanor of the pet they are thinking of adopting. Dogs have their idiosyncrasies, but breeds tend to exhibit similar behaviors. Labrador retrievers, for example, tend to be active and energetic, while a typical English bulldog might be more laid-back and less prone to running around. Active families who enjoy spending time outdoors might prefer a more active dog, while families who enjoy relaxing at home might want a dog that’s equally comfortable lounging around the house.

When considering cats, families should speak with a professional, be it a veterinarian or a representative at the local animal shelter, about the demeanors of different breeds to ensure they make the best decision. Parents of young children likely want a cat that’s playful as opposed to one who is likely to be standoffish with curious kids.

Future The future is another thing parents must consider before bringing a pet into their home. Parents whose careers are stable might make better pet owners than those angling for a reassignment or looking to change careers. An unfortunate side effect of the recession that began in 2008 was that many families were forced to relocate when one or both parents lost their jobs but found opportunities elsewhere. Upon moving, these families realized the family pet could not make the trip, which led to shelters being flooded with homeless pets. If your family’s future is in question, delay adopting or buying a pet until your situation is more stable. If all is well in your career and your family is firmly entrenched in your community, then now might be a great time to bring a pet into your home.

14

Make your own family-friendly vacation

So many resorts are billed as the best for families, and do live up to the hype for the throngs of visitors who plan vacations each and every year. But if your’s is a family that would be interested in avoiding the long lines and the franchised fun, you may be happy to know you are in good company. It’s possible to manufacture your own family vacation without partaking in one of the pre-assembled family plans.

According to the travel planning site Expedia®, a few countries are more “vacation deprived” than others. These include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. North Americans earn fewer vacation days than most countries. Even still, they’re also more likely to leave two or more days of earned vacation time unused. Affordability and saving days for future obligations is why people are apt to squander away vacation time. When vacations are taken, however, families could want to maximize time spent together and look for some key features.

When planning your next family quest, consider these vacation pointers.

Just because a hotel or resort is not billed as a family place doesn’t mean it isn’t family-friendly. Read reviews from people who have stayed at the hotel. See how they rate the hotel in terms of amenities and figure out what strengths the property has. If people remark about the romantic atmosphere, it probably caters to couples. If an array of food options and activities are touted, the hotel could be good for families.

Choose a resort that offers babysitting services or a few child-central activities. While the goal of the family vacation is to spend time together, there are likely to be moments when each person may want to do his own thing.

Parents looking for some time away will benefit from a resort that has a childcare center on the property. Plus, kids may appreciate being independent from their parents for a few hours and having fun with others their own ages.

Find a destination with a mix of ethnic and familiar cuisine. Of all the people in the family, children tend to be the most finicky when it comes to dining options. Some parents are lucky enough to have kids open to any and all food suggestions, but most have children who have a few favorites and don’t stray far from those options. Therefore, opt for a port of call that not only enables you to sample the local cuisine, but also has a chain restaurant or familiar foods that children will be sure to eat.

Think outside the hotel box. When vacation deals pop up on your Internet search engines, it can be easy to think these plans are the only ones out there. However, with a little more research and work, families can often custom tailor a vacation that is memorable. For example, many local property owners sublet their condominiums or vacation houses to others throughout the year. Instead of booking a hotel in a resort, you may be able to rent a house or condo for a week so you will have more room to stretch

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out — something that is advantageous with an entire family in tow — and a kitchen to make a few meals “at home.” This saves on expenses and arguments over when and where to dine out.

Plan activities around your youngest traveler. While you may want to scale mountains or dive the depths of the ocean, having a young child in tow may hamper some of these intense plans. That isn’t to say you cannot try things outside of the comfort zone. While you may not be able to scuba dive, you may be able to snorkel with a toddler coasting along on an inflatable raft. Or, you may need to bring a child carrier along for a challenging hike.

Cater to your “weakest link” so you are not left with high expectations and cranky kids.

Schedule in some down time to just enjoy your surroundings. The vacation cannot be all about a strict itinerary. With children along for the experience, they’ll appreciate some moments to just venture and explore or engage in some imaginative play. Don’t feel the need to over-schedule every minute of the vacation. Otherwise you may leave feeling more spent than relaxed.

Don’t cut too many corners. A couple traveling may be able to make due with the bare minimum, but the entire family traveling together will benefit from some creature comforts.

It could be wise to fly to your destination rather than enduring 12 hours of the dreaded “Are we there yet?” chant.

Find a hotel that will offer some of the kids’ favorite cable channels, so they can catch up on cartoons while parents are sleeping in. Opt for the two-room suite rather than the efficiency if you can afford it, so that everyone will have more elbow room. Splurge on that goofy $20 photo that shows the entire clan mouths agape while riding down the log flume. Create memories that you will want to recall for all of the good reasons instead of the poor ones.

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15

How to help your kids in the classroom Parents often play a crucial role in helping their kids do well in school. Numerous studies have shown the positive impact that parental involvement can have on a student’s academic career, and those studies have inspired many educators to encourage their students’ parents to take a more active role in their children’s education, including helping them with their homework.

Parents can help kids with their homework in various ways, but that very involvement alone can help to establish a groundwork in which kids understand there are specific rules regarding their homework and that these rules will be enforced. Even parents who might not be able to help kids with their calculus homework are already helping by simply creating an environment in which kids know they are expected to do their homework every day and that mom and dad will be there to make sure they do.

But enforcing rules about homework is not the only way parents can help their kids in the classroom. The following are a few simple ways parents can support their children’s academic efforts as well.

Contact teachers. Contacting teachers is now easier than ever before. Many teachers recognize the benefits of involving parents in their youngsters’ education, and as a result these teachers go to great lengths to make information about their classes available, whether it’s by posting a class syllabus online or emailing parents about upcoming assignments or examinations. Whereas the parents of yesteryear used to wait until parent-teacher conference sessions to learn how their child was performing in the classroom, today’s parents can email their children’s teachers for updates or questions if they notice their child is struggling with a particular subject.

Help your child choose his or her coursework. The competition to get into a good college is stiff, and many of today’s high school students recognize that reality.

Unfortunately, some students bite off more than they can chew. High school students don’t have the flexibility with regard to their coursework that they will have in college, but that does not mean their schedules are entirely up to someone else. When the time comes for kids to pick their courses, parents should sit down and help kids choose a schedule that’s challenging but not overwhelming.

Emphasize education over extracurricular activities. Parents often marvel at the ease with which their children juggle busy schedules. While students might be deft at balancing academics with a host of extracurricular activities, many adults feel that today’s kids are overburdened, and parents

who feel that way should not hesitate to take some tasks off their youngsters’ plates. Parents should stress to their children that education takes precedence over their extracurricular activities, paying careful attention to kids’ academic performances during those times of the school year when their children’s schedule seems especially busy.

During such times, parents also can contact children’s teachers and ask that teachers let them know if their youngsters’ academic performance begins to suffer.

Limit distractions. Time to unwind is important, but parents should keep a watchful eye on just how much time their kids are unwinding. Too much time spent online or in front of the television can compromise academic performance. Establish limits as to how much time kids can spend online, watching television and playing video games, and enforce those limits so kids have time to focus on their academics.

16

How to foster a love of reading in children

Today’s parents know that it’s not always easy to instill a love of reading in children. Whether they are watching television, dabbling with their smartphones, toying with their tablets or engaging in social media, youngsters now have more distractions at their disposal than ever before. So it’s no surprise that many youngsters may not be too enthusiastic about abandoning their gadgets in exchange for curling up with a good book.

But instilling a love of reading in kids early on can pay a lifetime of dividends. Children learn at a much faster pace during their first six years

than at any other time in their lives, and the right kind of stimulation during these years can provide the foundation for future learning.

In addition, reading at an early age can inspire a child’s creativity and imagination. Though many parents can recognize these benefits, that recognition does not make it easier to get kids to embrace reading. No two kids are alike, so parents might need to employ different strategies to get each of their kids to embrace reading. But the following are a handful of ways parents can foster a love of reading in their youngsters.

Embrace their hobbies. When encouraging kids to read, parents may find it easier to get them to pick up a book if that book’s subject matter pertains to a favorite hobby or something a youngster has expressed interest in. A seven-year-old boy with a passion for baseball will likely be more inclined to read an age-appropriate novel about America’s pastime than he will a book about fishing. Use youngsters’ enthusiasm about a given hobby or interest to lay the foundation for a love of reading.

Don’t limit reading to books. Books are not the only reading materials that can foster a

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love of reading in kids. Local newspapers and magazines have sparked many kids’ initial foray into reading, and such source materials can be just as inspiring as novels or short stories.

Magazines made for youngsters give kids something they can start and finish reading in the same day. Young boys might want to read the sports page in the daily newspaper or visit a favorite team’s website to learn all about last night’s game, while young girls might be more inclined to read the arts and entertainment sections. Parents should encourage such exploration, even if it means leaving novels on the bookshelf for the time being.

Read to youngsters. Another way to foster a love of reading in youngsters is to read to them every day. Many young kids just learning to read may be discouraged if their reading skills aren’t progressing rapidly. Reading to kids every day can inspire them to work harder at reading so they can be just as good at reading as Mom and Dad. Discuss reading materials with your children.

Many people enjoy talking about books they have read as much as they enjoy reading the books, and kids are no different. Parents who want their youngsters to embrace reading can

initiate discussions about what their kids are reading, discussing the plot of novels or the details of newspaper or magazine articles kids read. Ask them what they like and dislike about a book or ask for a recap of a story they read in the newspaper or an article they read in a magazine.

Extend the reading experience. After they have finished a novel, adults often find it enjoyable to watch films based on that novel.

Doing so extends the reading experience and gives men and women a chance to see if their interpretations of a given story were similar or different from someone else’s. Kids enjoy such extensions as well, so reward kids by taking them to the movies to see the film version of a favorite book or to a museum that’s displaying an exhibit that’s relevant to a book a youngster just read.

Though their youngsters may have many distractions at their disposal, there are still many ways for parents to foster a love of reading in their children.

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