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5 Tips for Stay-at-Home Parents Going Back to School

August 25, 2022 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Perhaps you’ve stayed home with your children for several years, but soon, you’d like to get back into the workforce. You’re interested in going back to school or even starting your own business in the future, yet you’re wondering if you’re really ready to take on this commitment. With guidance from Dad of Divas, you can make smart choices for yourself and your family. Plus, these tips will help you with everything from revising your resume to finding the right course for your professional development!

Update Your Resume

If you’re enrolling in a degree program with the intent of finding a new job after graduation, you don’t have to wait until your final semester to update your resume – you can start polishing it now. Throughout your studies, you can edit your resume with new skills, projects, and accomplishments. Using a template from a free online resume builder is the easiest way to create a professional resume. You’ll be able to browse a library of templates, pick out the one you like best, and then add your own content and images.

Consider Professional Development Programs

What if you have a few years of experience under your belt in your current field, and you’d like to continue working in the same industry? You may not need to complete an entire degree program to earn a higher salary or open up new doors. Instead, consider enrolling in a shorter professional development program to enhance your credentials. For example, if you have some project management experience, you can apply Scrum to help teams successfully coordinate for important projects. To learn all about Scrum techniques and strategies, you can look up how to choose a Scrum master online course. You’ll be able to take a final assessment to demonstrate your skills at the end of the course.

Decide on a Major

Not all degrees provide the same return on investment. As an adult student with a family to support, which major is right for you? It’s important to consider your interests, but it’s also good to think about your future earning potential. Aging Greatly states that degrees in technology, healthcare, finance, and marketing can all lead to lucrative opportunities.

Find the Right School

Once you’ve settled on a subject that you want to study, you’ll need to decide where to enroll. If you’re a stay-at-home parent with a partner who works outside of the home, you’ll probably need to apply for online programs so that you can study from home. Furthermore, make sure to look for reputable, accredited colleges. Seek out affordable programs that offer scholarships to keep costs low.

Time Management

As a stay-at-home parent, you already have your hands full – how are you going to handle childcare, studying, and other endeavors like entrepreneurship? Asking for help is the first step. See if any of your close friends or relatives can lend you a hand, or check your budget to see if you could create some wiggle room to hire a babysitter or house cleaner. Furthermore, Life as Mama recommends making to-do lists by prioritizing key activities, turning down extracurricular commitments, for the time being, tackling your toughest assignments early in the day, and blocking off time to work when your children are sleeping.

If you’re a stay-at-home parent, going back to school can help you expand your skill set and ease back into the workforce. However, investing in a degree program represents a major investment of your time and money, so you’ll want to think about this decision carefully. With these tips, you’ll be able to assess degree programs and professional development courses, update your resume, and manage your schedule wisely!

Looking for realistic advice on fatherhood? Turn to Dad of Divas! Browse our blog today for tips and guidance on all things parenting.

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How You Can Help Your Kids Stay On The Right Path

May 24, 2021 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Being a parent is a tough job, one of the toughest jobs that there is. It takes a whole lot of love, patience, determination, and understanding, and even then, we often feel like we are getting things wrong.

This post may have been titled ‘How You Can Help Your Kids Stay On The Right Path’, the truth is that there is no right path in life – everyone has different ones and what is right for one person may not be so for the next. There is also no guarantee that your child will follow the path that you hope that they will take. However, here, we are going to look at some of the things that you can do to ensure that they are happy, respectful, and law-abiding citizens of the future – and that is all we hope they can be, isn’t it?

Image by succo from Pixabay

Make time for your kids

Children – well, humans in general, thrive on attention and positive time with the people that they love, so by giving this to your kids in abundance, you are already well on your way to being a good role model and showing them the path that you hope that they will take. It does not have to be doing anything big or expensive. A cuddle and a story before bedtime, ice cream after school, and a trip to the park can be just as fun and special to a child as a big, fancy day out. A secure attachment makes children feel safe and loved and is more likely to help them make the right decisions.

Model the behavior you want to see from them

Children learn from examples, so show them the behavior you want to see from them. If you want them to be kind and respectful to others, you need to be kind and respectful to others. If you want to show them the value of working hard, you need to work hard. Be the best example that you can be – your children will often follow in your footsteps.

Communication is key

Children who are unable to express their feelings can become upset and act out in other ways. Children who can adapt their feelings to words and communicate them clearly to adults and other children are more likely to solve problems through conversation. They are more likely to approach you and talk to you about things rather than making a poor decision.

Make sure they are aware of the consequences of poor decision making

One of the biggest deterrents for criminal behavior and poor decision making is to make sure your children are aware of the consequences. At the more serious end of the spectrum is potential trouble with the law and needing a talented group of criminal defense attorneys to get them out of it. On the lesser end are friendship problems, but there is a whole lot of things in between.

Even the best will in the world cannot guarantee your child will always make the right decision and stay on the right path, but these tips will go a long way.

The Father Effect: 5 Benefits of Being Involved in Your Child’s Life

May 10, 2020 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

For some reason, the role of dads in parenting has been placed second to that of mothers. However, data-driven science has proven that fathers are as important as mothers when it comes to raising kids. According to several studies, including the publication, Life Without Father, by David Popenoe, dads or father figures are very important in healthy child development. Kids who have involved, loving fathers tend to reap tons of benefits from the relationship, including social, economic, and academic success. However, as a father, you need to understand that showing up is only half the battle. Apart from showing up, attending recitals, and taking them out, you also need to be actively involved in your little one’s life. As a result, your relationship with your child will help them enjoy the following benefits.

Higher Cognitive and Intellectual Abilities

Children with involved fathers do better in school and score higher on IQ tests. This can be observed right from infancy. According to a 1991 study, infants whose dads were involved when they were as young as a month old had higher cognitive scores at age one. The same was reported for preterm babies at 36 months. Another study from the University of Pennsylvania indicated kids who had good relationships with their fathers were twice as likely to enter college.

This higher IQ capability has been attributed to the way fathers interact with their children, especially roughhousing, which teaches kids to think on their own. Additionally, since fathers don’t spend much time with their kids, they are usually not aware of their child’s verbal development. They will, therefore, unlike mothers, who will stick to the words their child knows, speak unfamiliar words. This, in turn, teaches the young one new vocabulary and concepts, which plays a crucial role in enhancing their intellect.

Financial Stability

The habits that fathers can provide include simple things such as clipping coupons, saving money, responsible spending, and when age-appropriate, investing using available investment tools such as Finviz or other money management apps and websites.

Fathers play a key role in shaping their children’s financial life, according to CNBC. They do this in two ways. One, they provide financial support at home. Kids from households with fathers or father figures are less likely to be poor, according to a report by the US Department of Health. Two, dads teach their kids good financial habits that are instrumental in achieving financial success.

Better Social Relations

A paternal presence encourages children to have healthy social development. Kids with estranged fathers have a harder time making friends and are less popular in school as per the book, Do Father’s Matter. This is because children lean on their dads when it comes to developing social skills. They learn to respect sexes by seeing how you interact with their mother. Additionally, kids with involved dads are more empathic, compassionate, and have higher emotional IQ.

All Round Development

A paternal presence introduces a much needed and different style of parenting. Moms and dads have very different parenting skills. Kids need parenting differences to develop properly. Mothers tend to focus on a child’s safety and well-being. Dads, on the other hand, encourage risk-taking. They provide a much-needed versatility in social experiences. They play rougher and slower to respond to a child experiencing frustration, which consequently teaches them independence, not to mention problem-solving skills.

They can be better at teaching some things like swimming, thanks to the fact that they are less overprotective than mothers. While mothers emphasize equity, dads encourage healthy competition, which helps the kids grow. Dads foster independence and prepare kids for the challenges of life. They teach justice, duty, discipline, and objectivity. All these things help kids deal with the frustrations of everyday life as they grow.

Positive Moral Behavior

A study carried out by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania revealed that a good father-child relationship reduces teenage pregnancies by 75%. If you are involved with your child, you are much more likely to know who they are interacting with, maybe what they are up to as well. They might also be more open to speak about their relationships with you and come to you for advice. Dads can help their daughters take fewer sexual risks by being present.

A survey by the Department of Justice also indicated that kids with dads are less likely to wind up in jail. The same survey showed that more than half of the 14,000 participants were from single mom households. These studies prove that dads have an enormous influence on shaping their kids’ moral behavior. They are supposed to play a key role in teaching the consequences of doing good and bad. They should also provide protection and teach their kids a sense of self-worth and importance by treating them like they are invaluable.

Important Things to Note as You Interact With Your Child

Other benefits of a warm and loving paternal presence include the ability to use humor, better adjustment to life, and a greater capability to enjoy life and be present. It is, however, crucial to note that while spending time with your child is essential, the quality of the time you spend together is more important than the amount of time you do. Also, if you cannot be physically present, make a point of writing letters or calling your kids so that they can still feel your involvement in their lives.

Correctly Helping Mold The Passionate Interests Of Your Child

November 20, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

There are almost as many parenting styles as there are parents to have children. Of course, not all are good, or even valid. Many parents that care for raising their child in the most supportive context may grimace when they see beauty pageant parents making their child ‘look beautiful’ and chastising them when they fail to win a competition. We see an overly enthusiastic father trying to live through his son’s or daughter’s sports career, and think that this in itself is terrible parenting. Of course, we cannot know the full story, but having reservations about that can seem right.

But while it’s very easy to see just what we do not like in others, especially when it comes to the treatment of children or teenagers, how can we provide a necessary counterpoint, to overcompensate for this by guiding your child in the healthiest possible manner? Perhaps this is best illustrated by how a parent helps their child of about 12-17 consider their future as a late teenager or young adult. At this age, children begin to express an interest in something, and while this can change, interest and passion are two things alway worthy of encouraging.

Here’s what healthy handling of this may look like:

Do Not Force Them Down That Path

Even if your child finds something incredibly interesting and alluring, there’s no guarantee they will find it that way forever. By all means, be sure to help them explore it, but when you start defining your child by this select interest, you can have a real problem. This is why allowing them to explore that path and giving them a manner in which to appreciate it can be important, but forcing them in that direction is never okay. After all, a child can naturally develop their interests when you also give them time to, not when it becomes something they must do.

We can use an example for this, although of course, like most examples, it is not a universal rule. When scheduled to take instrumental lessons at school, it can be that lugging around heavy instruments at school, or having to attend in their lunch break, or being forced to attend band practice can lead them to feel like this interest is being artificially constricted, even if they make progress. But taking them to see an instructor after school in a private setting? They may flourish in that environment where force is not needed.

Guide Them Carefully, But Thoroughly

Even when your child or teen finds something interesting, it’s very easy for them to feel disheartened. For example, if they try sports and fail to ever score or adapt in certain ways, or if they struggle to meet a worthwhile challenge, or if they’re just not aware of the best approach going forward, it can be easy for them to feel somewhat as if this is not for them.

However, it can also be that looking at the practice in a new light may help them understand the best approach. For example, if they wish to learn martial arts, perhaps judo is not something they enjoy. However, Karate might be something they love, or maybe even boxing gives them that tactical interest they’re looking for. It’s okay if they bounce off their interest or struggle with it, as long as they take a thorough approach to it, and you can guide them in this direction.

Show Them Their Options

Taking the time to explore their options and potential routes forward may motivate them to take this up as a hobby they love, rather than something they feel is a ‘side interest’. For example, it might amaze your teen to understand that US pilot studies and aviation degrees can be applied for, and that the best services help educate you as to your options. This is a very real, lucrative career path, and though the entrance requirements are picky and it will take plenty of work, showing your child that this is possible can be all the news they need to make this a real ambition of theirs.

After all, isn’t guiding your child, no matter how old, towards something they love and enjoy always the best responsibility of a parent outside of love and protection? Additionally, if they begin to find a lofty goal such as this something to aim at, allow them to feel this is a possibility. It may nurture an ambition they might not have known they had.

Invest In Their Interests

Of course, as a parent, it’s important to help your teen invest in the things they love or wish to develop. If a child is showing a very keen interest and dedication learning guitar, for example, driving them to lessons, purchasing them a guitar for their birthday, perhaps helping them bid for that electric guitar and amp on eBay, or allowing them to practice and fail until success night after night is the loving support you give that can nurture their interest.

Think of just how many parents have chastised their children for trying to learn an instrument like a violin but playing poorly (as with the case with all beginners). The child will feel disheartened, and unlikely to continue. Who knows if they’ll try and follow a similar passion with as much interest and zeal as before? That would be a tragedy, but unfortunately, it will have happened somewhere the world. Learn from this bad example and understand that there are more important things than not listening to bad violin or its equivalent for an hour each night. Of course, if your child is practising martial arts moves on their younger siblings, that’s another story entirely. There’s nuance here.

Encourage & Support Them

Sometimes, a little word of encouragement can be enough to help a child keep at something. Perhaps despite their best efforts their team have failed to win the interschool trophy this year. That’s fine. There are more important things than being successful, such as having good sportsmanship, persevering, training to get better, trying to play as a team, and showing up to practice each day.

Encouragement can be a very worthwhile approach should you apply it in the right way. Of course, be sure that this is rational. If you praise your child for everything they do, they will not feel like they tried, or that they need to try. If you praise them for when they do try, or when they go all out, or when they go for something new, that shows you are watching them correctly, and are genuinely happy for them. There’s nothing quite like a child feeling as though they’re making their parents proud, and so giving them that compliment when necessary can help them take that extra step on the journey and see something through, provided it is well placed.

Allow Them To Change Or Try Something New

It might be that your child has played the violin for the last five years, and have played at many local concerts. Perhaps they have achieved a certain competence and skill in their grading. Perhaps now they are happy with their progress, and wish to try something new. Allow them to do that, and to start as a beginner all over again. Do not force them on one path. After all, they will be a beginner in so many areas of life and have to learn that it’s important for them to internalize those lessons now.

With this advice, you’re certain to help correctly mold the passionate interests of your child.

Keep These Things in Mind when Having a Child

July 15, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Having a kid can be a very scary prospect for some people. You are bringing in an entirely new person into the world, and are expected to care for it for around two decades. Despite being a scary commitment, it’s still a wonderful process. There is nothing quite like a parent’s love for their child, as it is truly a magical thing. In addition, being well prepared for having a child can make the entire process much easier and stress free. However, there are many things that potential parents may not prepare for or even know about parenting. Here are some lesser known things that you might want to prepare for before you have a child.

Time and Commitment

Having a child requires a lot of time and commitment and could take away from other areas in your life. When they are young they will need to be watched at all times. In addition, they need to be fed, clothed, comforted, cleaned, and put to bed. This is something that will take a lot of time and commitment and will likely require help from your partner or other family members. As the child gets older and goes off to school the time and commitment that is required becomes less, but it is still significant. You will still have to provide them with food and care, but they will gain some semblance of independence. However, as they grow up they will become more involved in school and other extracurricular activities. This means that you’ll have to spend a lot of time doing things like helping them with their homework or driving them to their sporting events. If you’re at a stage in your life where you can’t afford to give up a lot of time quite yet, then perhaps the decision to have a child should wait.

Money

One of the biggest things that people don’t realize about having a child is exactly how expensive it is. Raising a child from birth to adulthood could end up costing you hundreds of thousands of dollars. These costs include but aren’t limited to: food, clothing, healthcare, entertainment, and education. In addition, having a child may cause you to take an extended leave from work or even put you entire career on hold. This is something that could be very costly and could have a great effect on your finances. Finally, having a child may cause you to want to move to a bigger home or safer area. You want your child to be set up for success, so you may want to move to an area with less crime or an area closer to a nicer school district. This means you may have to make a change from something like a rural area to a Boston suburb or one of the Cincinnati townhouses. This move could be quite costly and is only a fraction of the total cost of having a child. If you’re not financially stable, then perhaps you aren’t ready for a child.

Social Consequences

One thing that you might not consider when having a kid is the social consequences that could come with it. As mentioned before, a child takes a lot of time, effort, and commitment in order to be cared for. This means that the majority of your time will be spent with your family and raising your kids, which in turn will cause your social life to suffer. For some, this won’t be that big of a deal. However, if you’re still relatively young when you have your first child or are an extremely outgoing and social person, then you will likely be in for a drastic change. After having a child, you won’t be able to go out nearly as often, which could lead to some estranged relationships with friends. Friends without kids might become confused or won’t understand the time commitment that proper child care demands.

Growing Pains

One of the lesser known things about having a child is the growing pains that accompany it. No, we’re not talking about physical growing pains, but rather the mental pains that come with adapting to your new situation. There is now a completely new person in your life that demands all of your love and attention. You may have to skip sleep or meals just to ensure that your child is healthy or comforted. For a little while you may compare what your life was like before childbirth to what it’s like after childbirth. This is completely normal and does not make you a bad parent! As you adjust and adapt to your new situation you’ll be happier than ever! However, the first few months of adapting can be a little rough, so just be wary about that.

Physical Changes

For women, the physical changes that accompany childbirth may be one of the biggest side effects of having a child. Pregnancy can be very rough on your body, and it can trigger a lot of changes. You may find yourself struggling to lose weight that you may have gained after childbirth, simply because the physical changes that have occurred in your body makes it more difficult. In addition, having a child is very stressful which could cause you to turn to things such as overeating to cope. Finally, as discussed before having a child will take a lot of time and commitment from other areas of your life. This means that you likely will not have as much time to exercise and take care of your body as you did previously. All these factors could cause a lot of physical changes in your body, making for a drastic physical change after childbirth.

Guiding your Kid on the Right Path

June 18, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

As parents, we all want the best for our kids. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, children can make the wrong decisions. While some wrong decisions can be made right again, others can steer a person into a downward spiral that can be hard to get out of. When children reach the teenage years, it can also be more difficult to communicate with them. For a parent who is seeing their child going down the wrong path, it can be a difficult time. They might even blame themselves. However, it is never too late to help a child and get them back on the right path, and this guide gives you some advice on how to do it.

Keep your Cool

It might feel frustrating to watch your child hanging out with the wrong crowd, start taking drugs or show bad behavior at school, but if you lose your temper, you are only likely to widen the gap between you. That is not to say that you shouldn’t show your disapproval, but getting angry is not something that solves problems.

Instead of trying to control your child, control your own actions toward them and set clear boundaries. For example, if you know your child is taking drugs, you can control your input by refusing to give them money and explaining the reason as to why. You could also research a local outpatient rehab and insist they seek the treatment they need. That way, you are showing your child that you care for them while maintaining that their behavior is not acceptable.

Create Consequences

If your child makes a bad decision, such as not coming home until late, make sure you enforce some consequences. For instance, you might refuse to take them on a shopping trip you had planned, or not let them use their games console for the weekend. Again, explain your reasons why, and this should encourage them to think things through and make the right choices. Make sure the consequences you set are fair, or it could cause more tension between you and your child.

Build on the Positives

While you and your child may have some difficulties between you, there will be times when you can make each other laugh, or find some joy in a shared moment. Make the most of these times to strengthen the shared bond you have. Positivity is a powerful tool, both for coping with stress as a parent as well as helping keep a good relationship with your child. A positive mindset will have a good impression on your child, helping them to face and overcome their problems.

As parents, we cannot control the choices our children make. However, we can do our best to guide them, so they make the right choices for themselves. Keep communicating and listening to your child while keeping your boundaries firm. It is tough, but you will get through the trying times together.

How to Cope with Being a Parent and Helping an Elderly Parent

April 5, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Being a caregiver is one of the hardest jobs in the world, especially if you’re a caregiver to multiple people. It is not at all uncommon for many young to middle-age adults to be balancing their family life with kids and helping an elderly parent or relative. Because of this, it can make life difficult, exhausting, and depressing. However, it is important to remember that even though you may feel tired taking care of everyone around you, you are an integral part of their health, happiness, and mobility. Even something as simple as having a sleep chair from www.perfectsleepchair.com can help you each day.

Strategies to Help You Cope

It can be difficult trying to balance life with kids and an elderly loved one who needs constant care and attention. One of the best ways to cope is to ask for help when and where needed. If you have a spouse or siblings, tell them that you need help and that you are struggling to balance everything yourself. Let them step in when you need a break. Also, try to make your engagements with both your kids and your elderly loved ones as fun and interactive as possible. Take your kids and your elderly loved one out for a day, as this can help with mobility as well as getting them to feel happier and more connected with the world around them.

Why It’s Important to Take Some Time for Yourself

One of the biggest problems that caregivers have is that they do not make enough time for themselves. You absolutely need to take time for yourself, especially when you are juggling a family and a needy senior. Taking me-time can be as simple as going to the gym a few nights a week, sitting down to watch a movie on a day off or taking regular baths. Many people also find that yoga and routine meditation can help a lot when they are dealing with a busy, hectic life that involves a lot of caregiving. It is important that you always make time to take care of yourself and to spend time with friends and family who make you happy and get you away from the monotony of everyday life.

Creating Happiness for Everyone

You can and should also create happiness for your loved ones on a routine basis. You can help your loved ones with their mobility problems by offering solutions that will get them around the house more freely. You can also increase their happiness by offering different tools and technologies that they can use on their own when you’re not there. There are lots of different things that you can do together when working with seniors. It might also be a good idea to get your children involved so that they can spend time with their elderly relative and offer their own assistance when it is needed. Now is a great time to teach kids the importance of caregiving and how necessary it is when a loved one needs help.

Being a caregiver can be downright difficult, but there are lots of different ways for you to utilize your skills and knowledge to make a happier and brighter life for everyone involved. The key is to add stimulation to everyone’s lives each day and to provide new and inventive ways to stay connected. Offering mobility options for your loved ones as well as technology that they can utilize every day is great for when they want and need this help. You will also find that it is easy to get kids involved when there are fun activities involved. Finally, it is important to always make time for yourself so that you are able to get the rest and relaxation that you need. You can’t take care of anyone if you are completely run down yourself. Because of this, you need to find ways to rejuvenate yourself without it being a problem. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help when it is needed so that you can get the breaks that you need and the rest that you require. Caregiving is an around-the-clock job, but you will find it is a lot more rewarding when you look at it from a different angle.

How to Prepare Your Child for a Bright Future

March 15, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

As a father, you’ll have nothing but ambition and hope for your child’s future. You’ll want them to succeed in whatever they set their mind to; to achieve whatever goals they set, and to be happy, fulfilled individuals as they head into the adult world. As such, your responsibility is to help them prepare for this bright future, giving them instruction, encouragement and occasional discipline in order to shape their lives for the better. This article looks at the educational, emotional, social and psychological preparation that dads can issue their children with as they begin to find their unique and exciting paths in life.

Maximize Their Education

Nothing can be as crucial to your child’s levels of achievement than their education levels. Whether your child is in pre-school, going through tier school years or preparing for college, there’s so much you’ll be able to nourish their education with. Be present in their school lives, helping with homework and asking questions about their lessons regularly. Inspire them to achieve better, and, when summer rolls around, consider sending them to English Country Schools where they’ll learn a whole host of additional skills that’ll help them maximize the educational opportunities in front of them.

Nourish Emotional Intelligence

Something that’s far less likely to be developed in schools, emotional intelligence is that unquantifiable factor that can help your child achieve their dreams. It’s what makes great business people and entrepreneurs, and it’s what inspires artists and creatives in their work. It’ll even help your child form lasting and fulfilling friendships, and enter into mature and sophisticated relationships. To help build your child’s emotional intelligence, ensure that they’re able to discuss their feelings freely with you in a trusting environment at all times. This will help them validate and understand the complexities of the human condition.

Help Them Socialize

Whether your child’s future lies in the boardroom, the studio or the stadium, they’ll be able to go further with the right set of social skills. Essential skills in the social repertoire include honest conversation, empathetic conduct, and professional respectability. All of these can be slowly taught to your child over time, given the right social environment. Be aware that gently pushing your child’s comfort zones will mean that they’re always developing the skills to respond to a wide variety of social situations with ease and confidence.

Foster a World-Beating Mentality

Perhaps the most crucial aspect to a child’s future success is the attitude and mentality that they’re brought up with through their childhood. A victim mindset is unlikely to inspire a child to greatness; a confident, hands-on mentality will take them far. Encourage your child with the notion that the sky is the limit for them, and that hard work, intelligence, and patience will eventually deliver them their dreams. Expose them to stories of those successful individuals who built themselves up from nothing, and always ensure that they know they have your full support in whichever direction they choose to take in life.

A bright future awaits your child if you follow the above parenting advice to help them succeed emotionally, psychologically, educationally and socially.

Ensuring Kids Use Social Media in a Healthy Way

February 5, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

If it were up to parents, most would probably leave their children’s social media use for later in life, yet recent Pew Research shows that 95% of teens have access to a smartphone, and around 45% claim to be online almost constantly. The Internet is useful for learning and social connection in a myriad of ways, but some parents can worry that social media use in particular is taking up most of their kids’ free time. Because social media use is so rampant, we can, perhaps, begin by asking kids how they feel about it. Also in Pew’s survey, around 31% of children felt that social media had a positive effect, while 45% said these sites didn’t affect them positively or negatively. A smaller percent (24%) said they were negatively affected. How can parents boost the positive and reduce the negative?

Know What Platforms Your Children are Using

The most often used online platforms for kids are Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram. Snapchat, available for kids aged 13 and above, is thankfully used in a generally lighthearted way – to share funny edited photos as well as play games. To ensure healthy use, let your kids know that they myth that snaps ‘disappear after 24 hours’ is unfounded. Go through what type of photos are safe to share. Enter the Settings section to control features such as location and who can view content your child uploads. YouTube and Instagram are a bit easier to control, because you can see whom your child subscribes to or follows, respectively, so you can view content by the people they follow and ensure language and content is appropriate.

Streaming and Live Content

Your children may be keen to watch streamed or live content from their favorite gamers or influencers on sites like Twitch. This is a super fun way to interact with other gamers, follow their favorite broadcasters, and broadcast content themselves. Sites like Twitch are ideal for super communicative kids who are perhaps interested in a career in the media. However, because live comments are unpredictable, this type of site is best for young adults who are quickly able to spot and avoid incendiary or negative content.

Thinking of Limiting Social Media Use?

In the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, researchers found that for parents, three out of the five top health concerns for their kids involve Internet use. These concerns included cyberbullying, not getting enough exercise, and Internet safety. Parents often wonder whether or not to limit social media use or screen time, since they fear doing so may make kids even more eager to reach for their phones. If you have doubts about whether or not to limit social media use (say to weekends or for a specific time during the day), perhaps recent scientific findings may be useful. An Iowa State University study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that children who have limited screen time get more sleep, perform better academically, have better behavior, and have a lower risk of obesity. Lowering exposure to violent media in particular increases positive social interaction and decreases aggression.

Making Other Plans

It’s far easier to entice kids off social media on weekends if you have something more exciting up your sleeve. Car Jung espoused that getaways to nature were crucial for human health (including children’s health), while nature author Richard Louv notes that in his own case, “Nature was my Ritalin” – i.e. it enhanced focus and instilled a sense of wonder many kids are missing these days. Any plan your kids enjoy is fabulous, but if it can involve movement, free play, and exercise in the Great Outdoors, all the better. Once you are in the wild, you can always pause for a little meditation session, encouraging kids to open their senses to the sights, sounds, and textures of ‘the here and now’.

Social media is a fun way for kids to stay connected with their peers and to fill in idle time. However, your kids’ lives will hopefully be so busy that they don’t need to wile away the hours. Getting kids interested in sport, nature, and hobbies like reading or crafts can give them a natural outlet through which to express themselves and their talents. Make sure you enjoy your kids to the fall by bonding with them in as many outdoor adventures as you can; time flies, especially, it seems, when you have kids.

A Helpful Guide to Coping with Family Stress

January 15, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

While your family can add much enjoyment into your life, they can also be a big source of worry and stress. For example, you might be struggling with a hectic home life, going through a divorce, or are busy caring for a dependent parent, which can take its toll on your mental and physical health.

If you want to wash away your tension and enjoy a healthier home life, here are some top tips on how to cope with family stress.

Take Time for Yourself

Whenever your home life becomes a little too much, or you are struggling with workplace stress, take a step back from all the chaos to enjoy a little time to yourself. For example, you could go for a walk to breathe in some fresh air and enjoy a change of scenery, read a book, or go out with your friends for a coffee or lunch.

Get Enough Sleep

According to research by the Sleep Foundation, enjoying a minimum of eight hours of sleep every night can lead to lower stress levels and a happier mood. It can also help you to effectively manage your anger, so you will be less likely to collide with your loved ones.

To enjoy a better night’s sleep:

Go to bed and wake at the same time every night
Avoid sleeping in and napping
Enjoy light exercise after meals
Find ways to relax before bedtime (turn off your phone, read a book, enjoy a warm drink)

Seek Support

Stress might be building up inside your body as you are struggling to do everything yourself. If this sounds like you, it is important to seek support as and when you need it.

For example, if you are struggling to care for an aging relative, visit inhomecare.com to find out more about affordable in-home care services. It could potentially take some of the worry and pressure off your shoulders without compromising on your loved one’s quality of life.

Use Your Support System

There are bound to people around you who are willing to help you when needed. Rather than struggling in silence, turn to your support system when life becomes a little overwhelming.

For example, if you are forced to choose between your job or caring for your child, ask a trusted relative to babysit your children. If you are struggling with your emotions, call up a friend to discuss your feelings, as they could help you through a difficult period, such as a marriage breakdown.

Focus on Your Health

Dealing with family stress could lead to you adopting unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as eating junk food or drinking alcohol each day. Unfortunately, they can damage both your mental and physical health, which can boost your stress levels.

If you want to eradicate stress and become a good role model to your children, you should embrace a healthier lifestyle, which means enjoying a balanced diet, exercising at least 30 minutes each day, and drinking alcohol in moderation.

Get Professional Help

If a stressful family life is causing you to feel depressed, stressed or anxious, it might be beneficial to seek help from a mental health professional. The act of talking could be enough to lower your stress levels and lift your mood. A therapist could also recommend various techniques to help you effectively cope with your emotions.