Image via Wikipedia Pictures of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitts daughter Shiloh have been the talk of many magazines. It seems that the celebrity couple allows the girl to dress as a boy and swim only in trunks rather than a bathing suit. The question becomes is this helpful or harmful, should parents assist a child in forming gender identity or allow the child to choose what feels right? This can be a difficult subject and the famous parents are probably not the only ones struggling with it. What is the duty of parents? To stand by until children ask for assistance or to … [Read more...]
Communicating with Toddlers
Image via Wikipedia Toddlers seem to have a language all their own but parents who listen well can learn to communicate effectively with their children and stop many tantrums from happening. Tantrums often occur out of frustration. A child who does not feel heard or understood may resort to crying and screaming. What can a parent do? Parrot Children repeat words and phrases they hear in order to understand. Adults who do the same thing can increase communication. A toddler may confuse sounds or words but by parroting a parent can make sure they are hearing and understanding … [Read more...]
Saving for College
In the past, it was almost a given for many parents that they would pay for their children to go to college. It was a given because in the past it was possible for parents to save enough money to totally pay for their children’s college tuition. It may not be as possible in the coming years. College costs are skyrocketing. Some experts estimate they have increased ten-fold since the 1970s. Add this to the rising costs of everything from corn on the cob to a gallon of gas, and it may be very hard to save enough money to pay for the entire cost of your child to attend college. That … [Read more...]
When and How to Start Giving Our Child an Allowance
Allowances are much more complex than they may seem. When parents first have a baby and begin to think about his future, they assume that it will include some way for him to earn money to spend so he will learn the basics of spending, saving and budgeting while their supervision. However, once their child gets a little older, many parents are surprised to realize there are many questions surrounding allowances and no right or wrong way to administer them to their children. It is entirely up to the parents as to when and how their kids will earn their allowances, but there are a few things … [Read more...]
How to Help Your Child Develop Languaage Skills
Most parents eagerly anticipate the first words that spout from their child’s mouth. While every child develops at his own pace and it can be counterproductive to pressure your child to talk, there are several things you can do to help him develop his language skills. First, talk to him. Start talking to your child the minute he’s born. Even though he can’t respond and may sometimes not even give you any indication he hears you, he starts learning from you immediately. He’ll learn to recognize speech patterns and detect emotions just from hearing his parents’ voices. Read to … [Read more...]
Importance of Getting Renter’s Insurance
It is no surprise that every renter should have renter’s insurance. As an inexpensive option that provides a great deal of protection, it is a no-brainer. Follow along to learn what renter’s insurance is and why you need it. Obtaining renter’s insurance allows the renter to be covered from basic scenarios. Imagine if something is stolen from your apartment, the complex burns down or someone is injured while inside the location. Ultimately, whether you are speaking of Cincinnati apartments or a vacation home in Hawaii, if you rent a property then the protection that is offered with … [Read more...]
The Decision to Have Another Child
The decision to have a child or to add another child to a family can be a daunting one for many couples. It is, after all, an important decision that will affect everyone in the family. It’s easier when the couple is in agreement as to how many kids to have or when to have them, but some couples have an easier time reaching that agreement than others. If you and your spouse are having a hard time agreeing on when to add to your family, the best thing to do is to simply communicate with each other. Both spouses need to understand how the other feels. While communicating will help you … [Read more...]