We're down to the final week of winter break, and I could really use some quiet time. Know what I mean? We're having a ton of fun doing activities together, but I have to admit the ipad is starting to make more frequent appearances.
Building snowmen in -30c windchill weather isn't everybody's cup of tea. With winter break around the corner, you might be looking for family activities that don't involve freezing your tushy off. Staying indoors doesn't have to mean hours of mindless screen time. I've put together 5 indoor activities that will keep everyone engaged, and you don't even have to leave your house! Perfect for those extra cold days, for home bodies, for the slightly lazy, and for family bonding.
It takes guts for an adult writer to convey real emotions and issues from a kid's perspective. The dark side of bullying, love, betrayal, and fitting in isn't always what people want to hear. Every Day, Wonder, and The Reluctant Diary of Henry K. Larsen are three gutsy, powerful books that will resonate with young adults. These books speak the "truth" (in a fictional sense) about tween and teenage life.
I'm a procrastinor and totally disorganized, but my holiday shopping is nearly done. While hordes of shoppers battle at the mall, I'll be lounging in my cozy slippers at home. I'll be all smug in my jammies and dishevelled hair, scoring some smart and amusing gifts for my kids. Ha ha, I'm so clever. No, lazy. No, clever!
Every teen will relate to Carson Phillips, the protagonist of "Struck By Lightning." Carson is an aspiring writer, stuck in a high school with people he hates. Desperate to escape his small town and depressed mother, Carson will do anything to get into Northwestern University.
Performance evaluations. Rude colleagues. Projects. Presentations. Demanding boss. Deadlines. Lunch on the fly. Take-home work. TGIF!! Sounds like a typical week in the life of a career woman, but it could very well be an average week in the life of a school child.
According to Canadian Mental Health Association,"Stress costs Canadian business an estimated $12 billion every year in health claims, lost productivity and absenteeism." Although it may not be quantifiable, stress takes its toll on children too.
When the freezing cold of winter arrives, I love to cuddle with my family and warm up with a good movie. Deciding on whether to munch popcorn or sip hot chocolate is the easy part. If only deciding on a film were that straightforward. It can be tough to please EVERYONE in the family. Not too mature for the kids, and not too many high-pitched chipmunk voices that make adults cringe. Preferably, the movie is both entertaining and interesting. Now, that's a tall order!
Superstorm Sandy may be gone, but her trail of physical and emotional wreckage remains. Many residents are still without power, and damage estimates are in the tens of billions.
I confess. I had never read a James Patterson novel, nor am I a fan of mysteries. My 12-year-old daughter, on the other hand, has read a ton of murder-mystery books. So, in order to provide a more balanced review, we both read Confessions of a Murder Suspect.
First-term report cards are coming up, and that means stressful times ahead for parents and kids. With all those marks staring you in the face, it's hard not to feel the pressure rise.
Remember feeling that special bond as your mother bounced you on her knees while singing a nursery rhyme? My mother always had a large repertoire of children's songs and finger plays ready to go. It's different for parents today. Maybe it's due to greater distance between families or to television; Our generation can't whip out many of the lyrics and actions to traditional nursery rhymes like our parents could.
Amanda Todd's tragic death and final YouTube video has touched parents and kids all over the world. Her heartbreaking story is sadly all too familiar—a child repeatedly tormented by bullies, while bystanders cheered on or looked away. We struggle to understand how kids can be so cruel, and what we can do to protect our children.
Dr Frankenstein's Prescription for a creepy, crawly Halloween:
1- Read scary stories to your kids from this Top 5 list. 2-Repeat as necessary. 3- Warning: Not to be taken at bed-time. Side effects may include: Nightmares, screeching, squeamishness, and sprints to parents' bed.
Mwahahahahaha!
***Note to teens: Reading to yourself won’t save you.
Have you been itching to enhance your education, but can't see past piles of laundry and work to attend a course on campus? Then you'll be excited about "Coursera." All you need is an internet connection. You can study at universities around the world, and it's free. Choose from courses taught by top professors in the humanities, sciences, finance, computer sciences, and much more.
Kids aren't the only ones who don't "get' their math work. As children climb the grades, parents may find it harder to help with math. Most of us haven't done this stuff in years. (Plus, we're down a few brain cells.) It's kind of embarrassing to admit to your kids, and frustrating since you can't help them. So, what's a parent to do when a desperate teary-eye child really needs help in math? NOW! Not to worry, help is on the way. Check out these resources that I have used to great success both with my own kids and professionally.
Just in time for the new school year, the LeapsterGS arrived at our door. My kids "ooohed" and "aaaahed" when we opened the package, because the LeapsterGS looks and feels sleek. It has a large screen, 2 GB of internal memory, built-in motion sensor, microphone, camera, and video recorder. No more having to borrow Mom's iPhone to take pictures. Yay! Another cool and practical design feature is the built-in stylus that stows into the device.
You've probably heard that creative activities are good for your child's brain development and self-esteem. You may be interested to know that creativity will also play an important role in your child's future career, whether in business, the sciences, or the arts. Employers of the 21st century are looking for creative thinkers: People who see multiple solutions to challenges, and who can present material in an engaging manner. With all these present and future benefits in mind, how can you encourage creativity in your children?
