Easter baskets are sort of a tradition for many families. Sadly, through the years, the cost of buying Easter baskets have gone up tremendously. If you are looking for creative and ingenious ideas on making your own Easter basket this year, here are some tips below:

The traditional Easter basket is made of wicker, filled with fake cellophane grass and Easter treats, wrapped in clear or fancy cellophane and a fun bow. However, You can make a basket out of things in your home. For example, a milk carton can be used. You can wrap it with brightly colored cellophane or tissue paper; attach a strip of thick ribbon for the handle, and Voila! An Easter basket is born.

You can also make an adorable handy basket using a paper plate and ribbon. Using a bright colored ribbon for a handle, punch holes on each side of the paper plate; insert the ribbon through the holes and make a handle for your basket, almost like the ones you would use to carry flowers! With the many designes of plates available in your local supermarket, you can easily dress it up however you desire. Any little girl will surely love this.

You could also buy a plain basket; take some pink or blue ribbon and weave it through the basket. You can go ‘ribbon-crazy” and cover the handle of the basket with ribbon as well. Instead of buying the cellophane grass; line the bottom of the basket with colorful tissue paper cut into strips – make a nest, so to speak. Fill the basket with whatever you choose.

These ideas are just some ideas to spark your own creativity. If you have the chance, you can even do an online search on “creative Easter baskets” and I am pretty sure you will find tons of ideas you can adapt or you can modify. The possibilities are endless in making Easter fun and exciting for your kids to remember.

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The New Year is almost upon us. To most people, New Year means a fresh new start. Did you know that resolutions are frequently made and broken a week or two before the start of the New Year? A common question is - “How do you actually make and keep your new year resolutions?” Well, an answer could be … make it into a family project. Have a family meeting and talk to every family member about the changes they would like to make as individuals and as a family.

Have everyone in the family make their own list of goals and resolutions and during another family meeting, let everyone talk about their list. You can then, talk about ways on how each person can help one another with their resolutions and each one can keep track and encourage one another. It is important to consider though that the key is prioritizing the list to see which goals are most important and focus on them first. Do not attempt to change too much at once because it can be very overwhelming. Although accountability is a powerful tool in making life changes, not that there is a thin line between encouraging others and nagging them. Remind your family members to make sure to encourage others in a positive way.

After your list is prioritized, you can then convert the resolutions to goals. Look at your calendar and figure out a date by which you want to accomplish each goal. Everyone has projects that has been put on hold. Choose a project and then pick a date to have it done by. Write all the steps you need to take to reach that goal. Make it visual. If you do this, it will be easier to stay on track. A trick you can do is to post your checklist where you can see it and update it daily.

Now let’s talk about family goals. Family goals need to be agreed upon by everyone in the family. It is not possible to work together if you do not work towards the same thing. If the goal is spending more time together as a family, make sure to consider everyone’s schedule into consideration. Sure there will be some conflicts but try your best as a family to be flexible to achieve your family goals.

Of course every member of the family will have specific personal goals like weight loss and exercising. To help them reach their goal, avoid fattening foods at home and have everyone join in the work out sessions even if it’s not everyone’s resolution - it’ll be for everyones good. It not only helps keep them motivated, but helps everyone get in better shape too.

Set up short term and long term goals and you can monitor your progress towards keeping your New Year’s resolution. Your short term goals will be our stepping stones to help you achieve your bigger goals. Use calendars, charts and even checklists to help you keep track of you and your family’s progress.

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Growing up can be really tough. Kids go through difficult periods and their self esteem really gets challenged. There is so much pressure from cliques, to fashion, to having a certain look. It’s just crazy sometimes.

If you ever notice that your child is showing some signs of low self-esteem, make sure to do something to fix it up real quick. Below are some tips to help you out:

Just doing some or all of these simple things will help your child boost their self esteem.

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We spend out whole life learning new things everyday. Irregardless of what age we are, young or old, we all need to be motivated to learn as much as we can - this,we can do for our children as well. Below are a few fun ways we can help our kids to learn through the summer months.

WORD GAMES
Have fun with word games like scrabble. Scrabble comes in different sizes - regular board games, as a software or even travel sized. Both kids and adults love these. Not only does it stimulate their vocabulary but also introduces them to friendly competition. The kids also get to practice their math skills when adding points after each round. Boggle is another fun word game that everyone can enjoy. They can manipulate the letters, make words, and add up points. This is an awesome game to take on a long drive or to the beach.

BOARD GAMES
Certain board games involve critical thinking - like checkers or chess. There are also board games that allow the kids to work on words and sentences. These kind of board games, the family can enjoy because they get to challenge each other - it promotes social stimulation. Games like these can be competitive, and reinforce group work, and cooperative learning, as well. Using these types of games keeps the stimulation of the kid’s minds at work. It’s critical to keep the thought processes flowing, so they are prepared for the following school year. In playing these games, they can also be taught to accept defeat gracefully.

COMPUTER GAMES
There are computer games, which involve critical and strategic thinking. The advantage of utilizing and playing these games is learning, even though the kids do not realize it. They are not only having fun but also preparing for the coming school year. Learning not only stimulates the mind, but also reinforces the skills they will need throughout the school year. In addition, there are some great sites for computer savvy kids you might want to look at. They are funbrain.com, math.com, and abcteach.com.

It is possible for summer fun and learning to co-exist by utilizing games and word play. Before you know it, the kids will be ready for the next phase in their school career, because time was taken to teach and have fun at the same time.

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This summer, my 9 year old son is having so much fun staying cool. How? Well, he has been making popsicles. I took out a popsicle mold I have in my cupboard and introduced him to it and he has been so busy - making popsicles.

He makes it using fruit juices, flavored teas and even chocolate milk - yum! I actually have a couple popsicle molds so it keeps him busy. It saves us some cash - cause grocery bought popsicles can be costly. You can find the popsicle molds in your local Walmart, Target, Savon or Rite-Aid Stores and you can order them online too!

Have fun with the kids during this summer - invent your own flavor popsicle!

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It’s summer vacation. The kids are excited. They have been looking forward to it for a while now. The first 2 weeks seems like fun but after a while, you can hear them say that they are bored. How do you keep them from being bore? Here are a few ways:

Go camping. This is a great time for the entire family to get away from it all, and bond. Plan to go swimming, fishing or hiking. You will have fun relaxing with a book while kids enjoy the outdoors. The family can sit around the campfire at night toasting marshmallows, and telling ghost stories.

Build something for your backyard. Try out something small - like a birdhouse. The kids can design and paint it. They can even personalize it with their initials. It’s a wonderful way to get them involved in nature, and the environment.

Go to a museum. What kid is not fascinated by dinosaurs? You can spend a wonderful afternoon browsing all of the ancient exhibits. You can make it more fun by proposing a treasure hunt by going to the gift shop. Pick out several postcards of the exhibit. Then have the kids try to find each one.

Go to the zoo. No matter how often you go - it is always a lot of fun, not to mention educational too. You do not have to limit yourself to a regular zoo. How about visiting a petting zoo in your local area? Kids have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals, as well as, feed and pet them.

Go to the mall. Kids love the mall. Plan for an old day trip to your local mall, followed by lunch. Allow kids to browse to their heart’s deisre. You may want to bring some extra money because they will want to buy some stuff if not everything in the mall.

Go to the library or local book store. Encourage the kids to read books and write too. Have the kids choose a book to read.  They can also start a journal entitled, “What I Did on My Summer Vacation.” 

Start a scrapbook album or journal. They can include pictures, or just simply write all about the fun things they did, or experiences they had over the summer.

These are just some ideas to avoid boredom while school is out. There are lots of other things they can do to enjoy the summer vacation and make it memorable. The key is try to do as many family activities so that way, you all enjoy the summer together.

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Some people think that little children should not have chores becuase they are too little. However, it’s never too early to ask your kids to help you out around the house. Even kids as little as two years old can start on chores. Note however that children mature at different rates but, you can still figure out what what age appropriate chores are best suited for toddlers, kids, pre-teens and teens.

If your children are toddlers, they can already help you by: making the bed; picking up their toys; feeding the family pet; helping you put laundry into the basket; or cleaning up split milk on the kitchen floor. These chores are great for two and three year olds.  You can teach your toddlers to do their chores by making a game out of it; or improvising different ways in which they can help. It will give them a sense of pride and accomplishment. Definitely, even at that young age.

For preschoolers, you can ask them to help you set the table; dust around the house; help make cookies; help you carry grocery bags (as long as you make it light for them).  Six and eight year old can really get into the chores by taking care of the pet they’ve always wanted; help you vacuum the floor; take out the trash or fold the laundry. You can even ask them to help you prepare meals. Think of the experience they are getting at this early age.    

Your pre-teens will have their work cut out for them. Some of the more physical chores can be assigned to outside work: rake the leaves; wash the car; help clean out the garage. If you need assistance inside the house, they can certainly help you prepare meals, dusting and vacuuming the house; wash dishes or clean the bathroom. Certainly they would be old enough to make their beds; clear their room of debris; organize their toys, etc.

Teens pose a different problem altogether.  Sometimes they are willing to help, and some times not.  It depends on how you’ve raised them.  If they have been helping out since they were two, you won’t have a problem.  In fact, they can do almost anything you ask of them. Be sure they can manage whatever chore you delegate to them. If you’ve trained them well, they have the ability to prepare meals; clean the kitchen; wash windows; do the laundry; just about any indoor and outdoor chore you need, short of providing close supervision, of course.

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Can you remember the very first book you have ever read? Words are powerful, aren’t they? Words describe images of far away lands, castles, kings and queens and so much more. Books are windows through which a child can see and experience different things - fantasies and realities of life. So, is reading to your kids benefitial? Of course it is.

Reading is fundamental to our basic understanding of life; it is the foundation for which allows children to advance and contribute to life.  It can take them to places they’ve never been; explore the cosmos; become involved with a character and the adventures taken.  Reading is the method by which children learn just about everything. More importantly, it all starts with you.  One story can open up a world of possibilities. One book can be the beginning of a lifelong desire to explore all books of different genres. Just think! You have the ability to set your child on a path in which the road is paved with endless wonder and imagination.

It’s never too early to read to your children. If you haven’t already done so, start a tradition.  Go to the library or book store and buy several books; and start reading to your child every night.  Just think how much farther ahead your child will be when he or she begins school. 

There is nothing more important than reading to your children.  Even as babies; the sounds and connotations in your voice can calm and soothe them.  Did you know that even before your child is born, research has suggested that your children tend to have a higher degree of understanding and learning? What a wonderful gift to give to your children.

The level at which our children read today is below par. You can change that; we all can. It’s not too late. It never is when it comes to introducing your child to the words of the world.

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Have you ever been in a situation where your child play you and your partner against each other? They ask for your permission on one thing and once you say “No”, they run to dad and ask again and before you know it, dad says “Yes”. A root cause is that kids need to be loved and disciplined by both mom and dad, not by one over the other. This is necessary to avoid a “tug-of-war” between parents.

Children are smart - they know when their parents are upset about something. If the child senses mom is becoming upset by dad, the child will immediately take sides and use it later as a way of getting what they want. What ever happens, do not involve the children in your fights between you and your partner. Mom and Dad need to show love to their children - do not show any signs of favoritism.

Raising kids to realize rules are set by both mom and dad is the key.  Sadly, sometimes, without realizing it, parents use kids as emotional support, or to further their own needs as a means to garner more attention.

Children need to be reminded that they are loved; and discipline goes a long way to ensure that love.  They should never be used as pawns in adult games.  Parents must be unified when making decisions that affect the child.  If your kids want to do something in particular, and you are against it; but your spouse is for it – this can be the beginning of the tug-of-war syndrome.  Conversely, if you both sit down with your kids and have a family meeting about this matter; your kids will understand they will not be able to play one parent against the other to get what they want.

Often times, kids will try to manipulate you into getting what they want.  Never let that happen. The power should be in the parents hands, not the childrens.  They must follow the rules you set forth, without compromising the harmony within the family. Raising kids is hard enough without having to worry about sides.  There are no sides in a family.  As parents, you must present a loving and cohesive environment for your children. Without this foundation, the house cannot stand.

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