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Parenting

Summer Camp During COVID-19, what to Look for.

Posted on June 5, 2021

Summer camp can be a chance for children and teens to make friends, learn new skills, and spend time outdoors. Kids have missed out on a lot of these opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summer Camp could be where your child can relax and reconnect, but worried since COVID-19 continues to spread. More than a year into the pandemic, studies show that camps with proper safety steps in place can greatly limit the spread of COVID-19 infections. Key steps include mask-wearing, physical distancing, having smaller groups, and cleaning and disinfecting as part of the daily routine.

If you’re considering camp for your child this summer, whether it’s a just during the day or an overnight program, here are some questions to ask.

Will masks be required indoors at camp?

All campers over age 2 and all camp staff should wear face masks indoors, unless advised against it medical or developmental reasons–especially if not everyone is vaccinated. In general, masks do not need to be worn for outdoor activities except in crowded settings where there is a lot of close contact.

Will everyone be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before camp starts?

All camp staff who are eligible should be fully vaccinated prior to the start of camp. All eligible campers ages 12 years and above should also be encouraged to be fully vaccinated. If a camp operates with all staff and campers that are fully vaccinated, then additional COVID-19 safety measures, such as physical distancing are not needed while at camp.

Summer Camp tent
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20 Creative Things to Do for Father’s Day That’ll Make Dad Feel Extra-Special

Posted on June 4, 2021

There are so many different ways to celebrate your dad on Father’s Day. Picking out the perfect Father’s Day gift and writing a sweet message in his card may be a given, but it’s also important to make sure that your dad’s special day is full of activities that’ll bring him even closer to the people he loves most: his kids. Really, if you were to ask him, quality time is the best gift you can give your dad, which is exactly why we’ve rounded up tons of fun things to do for Father’s Day this year.

Before you dive into planning mode, figure out what kind of celebration your dad has in mind: Does he prefer a day jam-packed with activities or something more low-key? Then work your way down this list to find family-friendly ways to make his Father’s Day as special as possible. From free activities that you can do from the comfort of your home (a backyard movie, game night and home-cooked brunch) to all-day plans that’ll take you miles from home, you’re guaranteed to find something that whole family will enjoy — dad, especially.

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26 DIY Father’s Day Gifts That Are Easy Enough for Toddlers and Kids to Make

Posted on June 4, 2021

All dads — even the one who claims to be Mr. Tough Guy — love a Father’s Day gift that tugs at his heartstrings. Since it can be tough to find a store-bought option that has just the right amount of practicality, personalization and heart, try your hand at making one of these DIY Father’s Day gifts this year. These homemade gift ideas vary in skill level, but most of them are easy enough for toddlers and kids to make (with mom’s supervision, of course).

Many of these DIYs highlight everything your #1 guy loves most: manning the grill, cracking open a cold one with his buddies and going on adventures with his family. While we made sure to find ideas that he can actually use in his day-to-day life (say, a new spatula and apron for grilling), there’s also so much room for you and your kids to get personal. Add heart to any of these handmade gifts by writing a heartfelt message, incorporating your family’s best photos or attaching a homemade Father’s Day card. Even if the final product doesn’t look exactly like the photo shown here (ah, expectations vs. reality), there’s no doubt that he’ll cherish this present for years to come.

Here are some DIY Father’s Day Gifts you can try out

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10 Fourth of July Picture Books

Posted on June 2, 2021

The 4th of July is one of my favorite days of the year. For our family, the 4th is all about fireworks, root beer floats, a BBQ, and lots of time spent together. This year, as you wait for the sky to darken, snuggle up with a 4th of July picture book. Make reading as integral to your celebration as sparklers and s’mores!

Here are 10 fantastic 4th of July picture books to get you started. As you prepare to celebrate America’s birthday, select a few of these books and add storytime to your holiday plans.

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Children’s Books for the Fourth of July

Posted on June 2, 2021
photo of a book

Celebrate this Fourth of July with fireworks, flags and the Founding Fathers! From the well-known George Washington and John Adams, to Sybil Ludington’s midnight ride, this collection of books brings history and festivity to kids ages 0-12.

Check out this books here

These are our faves:

Those Rebels, John and Tom

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson didn’t always agree, but this book explores their teamwork in a colorful and creative look at their differences and similarities. Award winners Barbara Kerley and Edwin Fotheringham researched the lives of these two great men to deliver an accurate but witty biography to young children.

F is for Flag

This endearing picture book looks at the American flag’s many homes, from school yards, to boats, to neighborhood houses. Easy to follow and easier to love.

Sybil Ludington’s Midnight Ride

Paul Revere wasn’t the only one who made a famous midnight run. Sybil Ludington was only 16 when she answered her nation’s call for heroes, and she and her horse rode for miles to alert her countrymen about the approaching British soldiers. This inspiring look at Sybil’s life reminds us that anyone can change history with a little courage.

Little black boy with United States flag in his hand smiling as part of an article about children's books for the 4th of july

This Land is Your Land

This classic ballad is brought to life in a richly illustrated edition for the the whole family to share. Woody Guthrie’s powerful lyrics and Kathy Jakobsen’s detailed paintings invite readers on a journey across the country, creating an unforgettable portrait of our diverse land and the people who live it.

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10 Things to Remember About Memorial Day

Posted on May 28, 2021

Memorial Day is much more than just a three-day weekend and a chance to get the year’s first sunburn. It’s a time to remember the people who sacrificed their lives for their country. Here are some facts to give the holiday some perspective.

1. MEMORIAL DAY BEGAN AS A RESPONSE TO THE CIVIL WAR.

Memorial Day was a response to the unprecedented carnage of the Civil War, in which a total of some 620,000 soldiers died. The loss of life and its effect on communities led to several spontaneous commemorations of the dead.

In 1864, women from Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, put flowers on the graves of their fallen soldiers from the just-fought Battle of Gettysburg. The next year, a group of women decorated the graves of soldiers buried in a Vicksburg, Mississippi, cemetery.

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HOW ENCOURAGING YOUR CHILD TO BE A STORYTELLER COULD CULTIVATE HIS EMPATHY

Posted on May 24, 2021

We live in a world where some may say there is an overemphasis in academia and education public policy on STEM (Science Tech Engineering and Math) and where technology addiction is a thing, and children are growing up lacking basic social skills. The tech part of children’s brains and lives do not necessarily cultivate or stimulate interpersonal development when it comes to human in-face interaction.

In fact, I know I am not alone among the many parents scrambling these days to figure out how to teach their children empathy.

I know there is not a day that goes by that I am not lecturing my children about the importance of exercising basic social decorum and practices. I want them to always say “excuse me” when they pass in front of someone, and to do  so audibly so the person hears. I want them to run to help when they see an elderly person struggling to open a door or carry a package. I want them to look people in the eyes when they have a conversation with them.  I want them to show interest in other people’s lives and days and their well being, and to do the minimum and ask others how is their day is going.

I know young people are ruled by the ego and that they are generally, self-centered and self-interested. But I know that it is possible for them to also  show interest in others at the same time.

Personally, I am at the point that I am not considering enrolling my three children into social etiquette classes because I figure, they may better respond to an instructor and instructional class setting where they can practice these habits with others in a controlled classroom environment.

I don’t know.

As I am considering this drastic approach, I was skimming through my copy of  The Formula: Unlocking the Secrets to Raising Highly Successful Children and noted one passage in the chapter called “Raising Storytellers: Cultivating The Power of Empathy“, where authors Ronald F. Ferguson and Tatsha Robertson, might have come up with one solution: storytelling.

They write that ” the act of storytelling – of imagining the lives of real people – stretches the brain.”

The two researchers posit that “storytellers have to come up with words their character will use, the ways they’ll move, and even their vocal inflections and emotions. They must imagine how characters will interact with one another and how one doe will affect what the others will do.”

In short, the authors state, “storytelling builds empathy: it teaches the storyteller how to put themselves in other people’s shoes, which in turn increases their ability to ‘read” (and respond to) others’ thoughts and feelings.”

Storytellers, they explain, have a highly developed “theory of the mind” – what scientists call the ability to anticipate how other people think.

So today, after your child comes home from school or wakes from a nap and you read them a story, ask them to tell YOU a story or tell you a story about what happened the other day or imagine what another friend is grappling through.

I will try though I highly doubt my older two will engage me, but I’ll try.

Good luck!

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BECOMING A PARENT VIA ADOPTION: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Posted on May 24, 2021

Becoming a parent is an exciting, transformative time in one’s life, and that is true whether you’re carrying your own baby, working with a surrogate, or adopting a child into your home. For would-be parents looking at the wide range of options out there for expanding their families, adopting a baby or a child can be a controversial decision because of widespread social attitudes about biological heredity.

The fact is, adoption represents a way to put children with loving families and to make lives better for the biological parents, the adoptive family, and the kids themselves. If you are ready to move forward with the process, there are a few things you should know before you get started.

Understanding the difference between adoption systems, as well as the fact that they vary from state to state in their requirements, is vital to making sure you know how to navigate this process before you plunge in.

Voluntary vs. State-Sponsored Processes

In most states, there are separate resources for would-be parents who are looking to adopt an infant through a voluntary process and those who are looking to adopt through the foster care system after parental rights are terminated, because generally speaking the state’s child welfare resources do not concern themselves with voluntary adoptions. Instead, the transfer of legal parenthood happens through a court petition.

While adopting a baby from a voluntary biological parent is generally a smooth process because both parties are seeking the arrangement, there are details to negotiate that can represent some sticking points. By contrast, when seeking an adoption through state placement, the process involves weighing the best placement choice for the child. In the U.S., 59% of all placements are through the child welfare system.

Here’s what you should know about the two systems:

  • State welfare agencies seek to act as quickly as possible after parental rights are terminated, provided placement can be found and proven to be in the best interests of the child
  • Some states include placement subsidies to help cover the costs of children adopted through the system, especially older children
  • Most state placements will not be infants, although many are very young children
  • Placement takes longer when you have more specific requirements, whether those are related to age, genetic background, or other factors, and regardless of the type
  • Voluntary adoptions can be open or closed, with several degrees of compromise, if parties want the biological parent to be involved

If you do choose to use the voluntary system, then you need to know how to navigate it, because there is not a centralized system for administering placements when you are adopting a child who is voluntarily placed with a family. Luckily, there are information networks to avail yourself of if you’re looking.

You might need to put more time and effort into the search, taking on a few processes for yourself that state placements handle for you. On the other hand, you have additional options, including international adoptions, which can increase your chances of finding the perfect fit for your new family much more quickly.

Networks for Parents Adopting Privately

Private placement agencies are operating around the country to identify and facilitate these processes, and some lawyers even specialize in this niche as part of a family law practice. They tend to have resources for finding available parents looking to place children soon after birth, so they can help. Lawyers do have costs, though, as do agencies that do the legwork to bring people together.

Private religious institutions are also known for both placing children through voluntary processes and also for maintaining larger networks with other organizations looking to place kids.

Catholic organizations are especially good at this, in part due to the church’s international efforts toward child welfare and in part because of its traditional investment in institutions like hospitals. If you are seeking a private process and you’re intent on adopting an infant, these networks can be a huge help. Luckily, for those who are considering adoption as a biological parent, the demand is high enough that working with a good agency that has an established reputation should be all you need to find a range of possible placements for your child.

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My Husband Wants Another Baby

Posted on May 22, 2021

When are we getting the next one?



When is your son getting a brother or sister?

These are the questions I have been getting for the last 6 years and my son is 7 years old ! Firs let me

just say these inappropriate questions really need to stop!

My Husband and I have an 8-year age difference and when we got our son, I was 23! I just had

graduated, and I had a plan. But clearly, we plan God laughs. 3 Months into my first Job I realized I

was pregnant- and this was not in the plan. Soon, all that had a scent made me feel like throwing up.

After my 6-month Probation, I quit, moved in with the father of my child and joined him in his travel

agency business til I gave birth.



Baby on the way and broke , I was incredibly stressed and to put Icing on the Cake, my dad

committed suicide when my baby was 3 months old. I was already battling postpartum depression as

it was and now, I had to grieve. I could not produce milk anymore and had to turn to formular milk. My mother-in-law was not much of help because she did not approve of me. Soon after the funeral, I had to make a tough choice to

go back to work.

My husband at this point has his life back on track, like nothing has happened. The late night out, the

drinking and all things you could think of So clearly, I was flying solo. Tradition was not much oof

help as people from my tribe believe if we are not married and I live in my Parents in law’s

compound, my family could not visit.



So now, I fall into real depression! God came through for me and got a job. I had to forget my fancy

First Class Honours Degree and became a receptionist at a Brothel! It was quite a learning curve for

me. Barely 6 months after it closed and I was jobless again, but God yet again came through for me

and I got a Marketing Executive job at a trave agency.



At the end of the month, my pay cheque was half of what we agreed upon and I had to commute for

about 4 hours to-and-fro daily. I would leave my house on a daily. I would leave so early that I left

my baby asleep and came back so late he was asleep. This got me into so much depression one day I

just quit. It was not worth it. I remember walking home because I did not have any money. My

husband scolded me in his drunkenness you would have though I was a naughty toddler that took

the car for a joy ride. His argument, I remember so clearly was that he would now have to take care

of all the bills.



Again, God, came through for me barely a month after quitting and I got an amazing job. I got to be a

Content Manager and Editor for of the biggest Entertainment Magazines in the country. I rubbed

shoulders with the who is who and finally, started getting out of depression. I got to interact with

people my age and learnt how to survive this harsh world. I got to provide for my son and what was

so great about this job is, I got time to spend with my son.



6 years later, the first case on COVID -19 was announced and my husband calls me and tells me how

his business just got a major hit. Tourists Cancelling left right and centre. That Friday evening, I went

home not knowing it was my last day at the office. We went into quarantine and lockdowns were

imposed by the government. I became the bread winner in the house with working from home.

My husband’s drinking habits did not change; in fact, they became worse. Like the good wife I am

expected to be I would sit and wait for him to get home after curfew hours. Upset as I was, I would pray for his protection. Why because part of me still loves him and part of me would not want to end

up a single mum.

In March, of the same year, he comes home drunk, and his phone was buzzing! So, in the morning I

really had to see why I could not sleep. I found out he was cheating on me not one but multiple. I

was distraught and when I confronted him. Let us just say I would not be writing this article. I run,

literally, and involve his parents and sisters. He confessed he was tired of me and I could not stand

me anymore and he wanted a divorce.

To everyone’s surprise, I stood and said fine . He can leave if that is what he wants. All I want is

everyone to know that I am not moving, and I am keeping the child. I did not fight because I wanted

to see how far this would go. On that night I got countless phone calls from his friends asking me to

take him back and my standard answer was, it is impossible to take someone back yet he chose to

leave!

He tried calling me and I blocked him, just like he used t do me when he was out ! Talk about having

a dose of your own medicine. So, I was called in by my mom and both his parents and he came back

home. Hoping things will be different. Shock on my black behind! Things did not change soon he was

out again, this time later than usual.

The truth is I did not care anymore! I paid the bills, rent and all….. So now here comes my 30th

Birthday. Ever seen this Meme, the birthday parties I throw verses the ones I get?

On the eve of my 30th Birthday, he comes home with a bleeding face. My son sees him, and he

became really upset. I was able to calm him down and that night, I moved out of the bedroom and

started sleeping on the couch.

Yeey! I am now 30! I took my son out for breakfast and had a great day out there. When I came

home, It felt like going into a battlefield. Not knowing what was going to happen next…… As always, I

heard the scripted apology and because of my child I moved back to the bedroom.

He promised he was done drinking and all and I honesty did not believe anything he had said at this

point. I mean what a memory for a milestone age! Things did not get any better financially for him

and I had to step up even more….

At this point my goals became, to keep the lights on food on the table, pay rent on time and that’s it!

In the second part, I will share about what happened to my dreams, goals, expectations and what

happens when my husband wants a second baby.

Did I mention he is yet to ask me to be his wife officially?

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10 TIPS FOR TEACHING YOUR KID TO RIDE A BIKE

Posted on May 20, 2021

Teaching your child to ride a bike can be either a fun or a frustrating experience, depending on how you approach tackling the task. If you know that you have a problem with patience, you may want to leave the job to someone else. On the other hand, the time spent bonding with your child during bike riding lessons can be a lot of fun, and will definitely create memories that will last a lifetime. Check out these tips to make the lessons less stressful.

  1. Confirm that your child is ready to ride – Remember that kids develop differently. Your 3 year old may be ready to ride, while your 5 year old would rather keep both feet planted firmly on the ground. Don’t push your child into riding. Kids will let you know when they are ready.
  2. Check out different methods of learning to ride – Check with your local bike shop for lessons or tips they might have available. Finding a method that works for you and your child will make the experience better for both of you.
  3. Get the right size bike for your child – Whether you are getting a tricycle, bicycle or unicycle, make sure you get the proper size. Your best bet is to go to a bike shop and let the experts size things up for you.
  4. Get the correct size helmet – Helmets protect your kids from head injuries in the event that they fall. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to get the correct size helmet for your child. If you are using a previously owned helmet, make sure that it is in good shape and has no damage. Wearing the helmet correctly is just as important as getting the right size.
  5. Training wheels or not – Some kids do very well with training wheels, while others do not. If your child wants to try to learn without them, give it a try and see how it goes before you automatically rule it out.
  6. Find a good practice spot – You will want to find a large, flat space that is smooth and free of traffic. Either a concrete or asphalt area is good. A large driveway, an empty parking lot or an empty basketball or tennis court will work nicely.
  7. Tires need to be inflated properly – When the tires are inflated correctly your child will have a smooth, even ride and will be better able to coast effortlessly.
  8. Learning without pedals – Taking off the pedals and letting your youngster get the feel of the bike is a good way to start the learning process. Put the seat down to a level where your child can still sit, but has her feet flat on the ground. Take off the pedals and let your child scoot around using her feet to push off and keep balance. Once she is comfortable with scooting around, she can practice turning and coasting.
  9. Learning with pedals – When your child is comfortable with scooting around on the bike, put the pedals back on and teach her about starting and stopping. It may take a few tries at first, but soon she will get the hang of it.
  10. Go over rules of the road – Impress upon your child the importance of following the rules of the road. Review the rules from time to time so that your child will know you are serious about safety matters.

Teaching your child to ride a bike is one of the most rewarding things you will do. Once a child learns to ride, it is a skill they will never forget. You’ve given them a gift that will last a lifetime. Family bike rides will provide bonding time, exercise and precious memories.

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