Summer is a time that most kids look forward to. Free from the burden of school, kids love the free time and fun activities of summer. When it’s all over and it’s time to return to school, however, you can ease the transition by taking an active role in helping your children cope with the life change that’s about to take place.

These tips help your children transition from relaxed summer days to the challenges of the upcoming school year:

Talk about it

Keep an open dialogue with your children. If they have certain anxieties or reservations about attending school, help them ease their fears by giving them the opportunity to talk about it.

Help your children adopt a different perspective by pointing out the positives about school. School allows them to discover and develop new strengths. And they’ll be able to see their friends every day!

Establish a school routine early

If you’ve lost your routine over the summer, try to get back on track as early as possible. If you go into the school year with a routine, you can avoid many difficult days and stressful situations.

Throw a party

The end of summer can be a happy time. Celebrate the beginning of the school year by throwing a party or barbeque. This way, your children won’t dread school. Instead, they might look forward to the party and the school year.

Continue hobbies

It’s important to remind your children that they’ll still have free time after school and on weekends. If they played most of the day during the summer, they’ll still have plenty of playtimes after school lets out. The hobbies that they enjoyed during the summer can continue throughout the school year.

Continue learning over the summer

One way to make the new beginning easier on your children is to limit their completely free time over the summer months. You can continue their education by providing educational activities and outings.

Pick out first day outfits

Your children will be nervous and excited on the first day of school. They may even want to spend more time on their appearance. You can help them look forward to the first day of school by picking out special outfits to wear. Help them dress for success by helping them choose the perfect outfit.

Shop for school supplies

Another activity that may get your kids excited about school is shopping for school supplies. Children sometimes have a specific list of items they’ll need. Let your child choose their own pens, paper and folders in their favorite colors.

Take a trip to school

Often, fear of the new experiences to come can swallow a child’s enthusiasm for the new school year. If your child is attending a new school, bring him to school a day before the first official day of class. That way, he’ll know what to expect and feel more relaxed on the big day.

The new school year can be an exciting time for all. Stress always goes along with new situations. But if you put these tips into practice, your kids will be better prepared and may even look forward to the first day of school.

The Most Effective Ways to Disciplining a Child with ADHD (that doesn’t involve spanking)

Positive parenting has helped many families to achieve greater harmony, and this approach may be especially important for parents raising a child with ADHD.

A recent study confirms that cutting back on yelling and spanking can lead to biological changes that make it easier for a child to regulate their emotions and behavior.

Researchers at Ohio State University studied family relations among preschool children with ADHD and their parents. They found that parents who received as little as 10 to 20 weeks of coaching showed significant improvement in positive parenting skills.

As harsh interactions decreased, their children demonstrated less abnormal heart activity and greater impulse control.

ADHD is challenging, but you can learn to discipline more effectively. Consider these ideas that will help you to create a calmer and happier home life for you and your child.

Encouraging Positive Behavior:

Prevention is more effective than discipline. Create conditions that make it easier for your child to use their strengths and follow house rules.

Understand ADHD

Your child may be highly creative and energetic. On the other hand, they probably struggle with some things like listening attentively and planning ahead.

Enjoy one-on-one time

Your child is less likely to act out if they feel secure and loved. Try to arrange at least one-half hour a day when you do something pleasant together. It could be your bedtime rituals or chatting and playing ball after school.

Offer rewards

Give your child an extra incentive to comply with your expectations. Offer praise or small gifts when they complete their homework and cooperate with their siblings. If they have trouble waiting a week or more to get their prize, let them earn points throughout the day.

Be specific

Make it easier for your child to do what you want by spelling out each step involved. Instead of asking them to clean their room, ask them to pick their toys up off the floor and put their clothes in a laundry hamper.

Use visuals and sounds

Many children with ADHD understand images and sounds better than words. Clarify your instructions with other cues. Set a timer that will buzz when homework time is up. Hang a poster in the bathroom with pictures of a child brushing their teeth and putting on pajamas.

Maintaining Effective Discipline:

Of course, there will sometimes be lapses. Be prepared to discipline in a way that works better than nagging or criticizing.

Focus on learning

Discipline means training rather than punishment. When your child slips up, show them what they need to do in order to succeed the next time.

Limit time outs

Sitting completely still may be overwhelming for some children with ADHD. If you use time outs, keep them brief, and consider giving them credit if they manage to keep their mouths shut.

Establish priorities

Trying to resolve too many issues at once can backfire. Deal with one subject at a time. Give your child a chance to fix one situation before you tackle the next.

Stay calm

Children with ADHD may be even more sensitive than the average child when it comes to being influenced by a parent’s mood. If you can remain composed even when your child hits a classmate or keeps losing their glasses, you’ll be in a better position to work together towards lasting solutions.

Parenting a child with ADHD is similar to parenting any child, but it usually requires more effort and patience. You and your child can have a loving relationship if you believe in their abilities and understand their needs. Stay positive and reach out for the support you need.

How Children Can Strain Your Marriage and What You Can Do About It

Married couples frequently complain that their children affect their relationships. From not having enough personal time to not being able to spend money on your spouse, it sometimes seems like kids can turn a relationship into a challenge.

Now, research supports that having kids can affect your marriage in negative ways. Here are some ways to overcome these effects and still have a happy marriage and family.

Children are often considered a joy in marriage and a blessing for couples. However, researchers have found that the reality is different. After studying marriages for decades, researchers have found that kids have a profound impact on them.

In most cases, kids tend to hurt relationships because the partners can’t focus on each other as much. In addition, kids tend to bring extra stress and expenses, so the relationship suffers.

Many couples end up divorced because the appearance of kids adds strain to an already weak relationship.

Researchers compared couples with kids to couples without kids and noticed that satisfaction with the marriage went down as children were born.
It’s important to note that not all marriages suffer once children are in the picture. Some actually do get stronger and better.

Marriage myths

One of the myths that researchers mention is that couples think children will bring them closer together.

Researchers believe this myth became popular because children are necessary for society’s survival. So, couples were encouraged to have more kids to ensure civilization continued.

Children affect their parent’s identities, finances, and lifestyles. All of these factors can be hurt in a marriage. They can also change your body and your perceptions of each other in your relationship.

Children can be a joy. You can appreciate and love your children while being proactive about keeping your couples’ relationship healthy.

Spend time with your partner alone

Set aside a date night each week or two. Many married couples struggle with this idea and find it hard to find a babysitter. In this situation, an early bedtime works, too. Let the kids have a “campout” in their room so they’ll look forward to going to their room early.

It’s also important to spend time by yourself

A healthy marriage depends on personal time, so your identity is not lost in the shuffle. Carve out some alone time to pursue your hobbies and interests and take time to recharge.

Remember your lives before you had kids

Remind yourself why you fell in love. Many couples identify themselves as simply a mother or father, but you’re more than this. You’re talented and unique, and so is your partner.

If one partner stays home with the kids while the other one works, resentment and frustration can build up. The partner at home can feel unappreciated and ignored while the one who works can feel stressed out by all the financial burdens being on their shoulders. Take steps to show love and appreciation for each other and what they do.

Children take a great deal of time, effort, and money. That’s just the way life is. Consciously create routines that positively affect each member of the family and strengthen your bond with your partner each day.

Children don’t stay little forever

They grow up fast. Someday sooner than you think, you and your partner could be looking back on these days as the best days ever – a time when you strengthened your love and commitment to each other for the rest of your lives.

It would be nice to spend indiscriminately, especially on a holiday like Valentine’s Day. But not everyone has the necessary financial situation to go on a spending spree. The good news is: you can have a great Valentine’s Day without spending a lot of money! Retailers want you to spend your money, but there’s no reason to buy into their hype. Love can’t be bought.

Here are some affordable Valentines Day ideas (that are practically FREE):

Eat dinner at home, but go out for drinks and dessert

Forget the reservations and the high cost of a meal in town. Cook a delicious, romantic meal at home. Head over to a nice bar for dessert.

Find a flower option besides roses

Roses cost a small fortune on Valentine’s Day. Find another flower your significant other loves. Many women don’t like roses. Ask about her favorite flower.

Rent a few romantic movies and stay on the couch

Forget the movies, it’s all about the Netflix and chill vibes. It’s easy to find a list of romantic movies. You don’t even have to get dressed up. The popcorn is less expensive at home, too. You can even talk during the movie.
Go to a hotel in lieu of a trip. Save on travel expenses and visit a local hotel for the night. Consider finding one with a tub for two.

Have an indoor picnic

Unless you’re in the south, it’s a little cold for an outdoor picnic in February. Clear out space on the living room floor and have your picnic inside. Anything is possible.

Look for free or inexpensive entertainment

You can find quality entertainment on the cheap. Museums, local theater companies, art galleries, and food and wine tastings can all be both entertaining and inexpensive.

Use coupons!

A coupon might not go over well on a first or second date. However, if you’ve been together for a while, that awkwardness no longer exists. Both partners realize the saved money could be spent on something else.

Deliver your own flowers

The florist is more expensive than the grocery store or the farmer’s market. Deliver them yourself and enjoy the smile you receive.

Choose a different date

Valentine’s Day might officially fall on February 14th, but why not consider celebrating the following day. Restaurants, flowers, and cards are all significantly less expensive. You can avoid the crowds, too.

Write a love letter

Everyone has a sheet of paper and a pen. Take a few minutes and put your romantic thoughts down on paper. It’s free, and you’ll score big points.

Give each other a massage

Pick the music and the massage oils. Light a few candles and turn on some music. Let your fingers do the talking.

Make your own card

Who says you have to support Hallmark by purchasing a card that costs $4.99? Psshhhh. They usually end up in the trash anyway. Make a card this year instead. It will be remembered forever.

Go out for breakfast

It’s the most important meal of the day, and the least expensive. Why not go out for breakfast instead of dinner this year? Lunch is another option.

Make a gift

Make a scrapbook. Create a CD of her favorite songs. It’s the thought that counts.

Set a budget and brainstorm

Sit down together and determine how much you’re willing to spend. See how many ideas you can list that stay within the budget constraint.

Love doesn’t require money. A fun and memorable Valentine’s Day can be enjoyed on a budget. Make a list of inexpensive ideas that will thrill your significant other. Avoid letting financial challenges ruin your holiday.