10 Mother’s Day Traditions to Try This Year

Ah, it’s time for my favorite holiday: Mother’s Day! I always feel relaxed and pampered on this one day of the year, and I definitely milk it and enjoy it. Some moms prefer to get a break from caring for their children on this one day, choosing to hit a day spa or go to a movie or restaurant alone. Some moms, like me, definitely would rather be around their kids the whole day, no matter what kind of chaos that brings!

In my house, Mother’s Day usually means my husband makes breakfast (but he does that every Sunday anyway; isn’t that great?), then we go to Mass as a family. This year is going to be extra great because we have moved to the country (our longtime dream!), and we also switched churches, so all our homeschooling friends are there to visit with after the service.

Do you need some ideas for Mother’s Day? Here are some ideas for traditions you might like to start in your house this year — or any year!

Shower mom with flowers. Flowers are a favorite – and very easy – way to make a mom feel special. My very favorite flower is Lily of the Valley because it reminds me of my own mother. One year, at our previous home, my husband planted some in front of our house, and they bloom every year as a reminder of what he did for me on Mother’s Day. Consider hitting the local florist for a bigger bouquet in a colorful vase.

Plant something in her honor. Maybe a tree for the yard or just a plant in a pot that she’ll walk by every day. If Mom does not have a green thumb, consider purchasing a pretty hanging basket for the deck or front porch. They are super easy to water and the flowers are amazing. A potted flowering plant or hanging basket of petunias would be low-maintenance and long-lasting.

Letter know how you feel. Moms love the handmade notes and cards from their kids on Mother’s Day. Leave some construction paper and colored pencils, crayons and glitter glue on a table and see what happens.

Eat your heart out. What’s Mother’s Day without breakfast in bed? It doesn’t have to be fancy; it can be as easy as store-bought donuts and orange juice or as extensive as biscuits and gravy with fresh fruit and coffee. The point is Mom will know she is being thought of and cared for like she cares for everyone else every other day of the year. I can tell you from personal experience that moms love a break from cooking! So why not treat her to dinner out or order in?

Pack it up. Consider packing up a meal and going on a picnic in a park. The kids get some play time and Mom can either get in on the action or relax on a blanket with a book, hopefully soaking up some sunshine!

Picture perfect. Find a fabulous photo of mother and child and buy or make a cool frame. On Mother’s Day, make sure more pictures are being taken of that special duo to be treasured always. Then, consider putting together a small scrapbook to enjoy for years to come.

Basket case! Put together a basket of her favorite things. Ideas include a favorite candy bar, a candle, a gift card, homemade coupons for special hugs and favors, the sky is the limit! Just make sure to pick things out that Mom would like.

Spend time together. I want to throttle those coaches who schedule baseball games or Team Picture Day on Mother’s Day … don’t they know who they are dealing with?! Try to boycott any activities that are not mother-child related. Even watching a favorite or new movie in the evening while snuggled up together eating popcorn is bonding time!

Think of other moms, grandmothers, aunts, friends, neighbors. Spend some time the week before with your kids making cards for other moms you know … and moms who are like mother figures but who might not have kids of their own. Doing nice things for others is what being a mom is all about … and what a great lesson for your kids!

Take the kids to the park or out to eat for a few hours (or maybe over to Grandma’s house so she can get a sweet Mother’s Day surprise as well!) so Mom can get in a lovely bath and nap or maybe read a book alone for a while.

Mother’s Day is just one day each year, and moms deserve to be showered with love and to be treated special all day long. Of all days, they should be able to take TODAY off, which means no housework! Let Mom close her eyes as she walks by the sink full of dishes, hold her nose as she strolls by the laundry hamper. In anticipation of this holiday, Mom should make sure she has paper plates and cups on hand for when her family serves her like the queen she is. The rule is they have to sit back and let themselves be celebrated!

How To Get Your Kids Interested In History

As a parent, you know that your two most important tasks are to ensure that your children have days filled with fun, love, and laughter and that they get a good education. Getting a good knowledge of math, science and English will certainly give them a great start in life, but subjects such as history can be just as important. Learning about the past gives us a greater understanding of our present and can prevent tomorrow's generation from making yesterday's mistakes. If your kids find history boring, here are three ways to raise their interest in what can be the most fascinating of subjects.

Turn History Time Into Play Time

Children today love things that are visual and dynamic, which is why they love to look at the screens on their cellphone or tablets so much. Studies show that mobile screen usage in children under eight has quadrupled since 2013, so they can quickly lose patience when confronted with history on a printed page, even if it is accompanied by lots of illustrations. It's easy to make history more exciting; all it takes is a little imagination. Encourage your children to act out famous scenes from history; they'll especially love it if they can dress up as George Washington, Julius Caesar, or Queen Cleopatra, and they will be learning at the same time as they're playing.

Discover Archive Film Footage

Increasing numbers of museums are digitizing their archive films, which means that there's now a vast array of films from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries available to view online. This is especially attractive for children, as they are, after all, the generation that turns to YouTube and similar sites as a primary source of entertainment. Children and adults can learn a great deal from these archives, from seeing early forms of motorized transport to how we used to farm, and the best thing of all is that they can be viewed for free.

Explore America's Ancient Civilizations

The continents of North and South America were home to some of the greatest civilizations in history, and with such rich and varied cultures behind them, they can be endlessly fascinating for children. The Mayan people are a particularly interesting topic, and their mysterious predictions of the end of the world often appear in the news today. The Mayans disappeared rapidly and the reason has always been a mystery, but as WallStreetOTC.com reports, the latest theory revolves around the lagoon known as 'The Blue Hole of Belize'. Other theories involve aliens, so whatever the truth, it's a story that's sure to capture the imagination of your little ones.

The key to getting your kids interested in history is to make it as exciting as possible; take a look at some of the more unusual stories from history, encourage dressing up, painting and make-believe, and encourage them to see historical figures as real people not just names in a book. A love of history gained in childhood stays with you throughout life, and that could be one of the best gifts you ever give your loved ones.

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The Lazy Parent's Guide to Life is all about how to keep your sanity and have fun while raising great kids. You don't need to be perfect! Tips range from doing laundry the easy way to cleaning your microwave in seconds all the way to letting your kids play at the restaurant play area BEFORE they eat their meal. Stop stressing and trying to do things like everyone else and have more fun while being the kind of parent God wants you to be! There is a book in progress to accompany this site.

The Do’s & Don’ts for Good Day Care

After a long break from work to have your first child, you have successfully made it through the first 2 years, and with preschool on the horizon, your thoughts can turn to your career. Once you have managed to source a good day care centre, your child will take another step towards eventual independence, and as a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child is in a positive environment for the few hours a day that they are not in your care. The decision concerning which day care centre to send your child is not one that should be taken lightly, and once you have found the right venue, here are  some do’s and don’ts to ensure a smooth transition.

►   Do Your Homework – Bearing in mind, this could be a positive or negative experience for your child, it makes perfect sense to do some research on the care centre prior to making your decision. You should visit the day care centre and while there, take note of the general environment, which should be clean and orderly. Notice the children and whether or not they seem content, and observe how the carers interact with the kids, as this will give you a good idea of the general ambience.

►   Don’t Leave Too Late – One needs adequate time to visit potential care facilities, and if there are a few near your home, it makes sense to carry out the necessary research to ensure the right choice. One month prior to your return to work, you should already be looking, and with no pressure on you time wise, you can take your time when choosing. You might, for example, be looking for day care in Brisbane, and with a simple Google search, all day care centres will be accessible, and after some browsing, you can make a list of questions to ask when visiting.

►   Do Talk to Other Parents – The best way to evaluate a day care centre is to talk to the parents whose children attend, and this will give you a parent’s perspective. Ask questions about regular contact and whether or not the children seem happy in this environment, and after chatting with a cross section, you will be better informed and able to make the right decision. If you think you need some assistance with helping your child to prepare for preschool, here is a useful guide that will ensure a smooth transition from home to school.

►   Don’t Overstay Your Welcome – It might be the first time you have left your child in the care of someone else, but you must resist the temptation of hanging around when you arrive in the morning. It isn’t good for you or the child if you try to blend into the background, as the child will be focusing on you, rather than on the new environment. There might even be a temper tantrum at the very outset, but you need to be firm and reassuring at the same time, and once you are out of sight, things quickly become calm.

When you arrive in the afternoon, take the time to discuss your child with the care provider, as this will help you both to focus on the child’s development, and by working together, you can resolve any behavioral issues.

Making Sure Your Family Home Is Safe And Secure For The Kids

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The last thing any parent wants is for their child to become injured or scared at home. However, that is something that happens all the time as adults forget to ensure their houses are safe for the little ones. Also, there are thousands of break-ins every single year in the US, and children who witness such events can often become anxious about being in their beds when the lights go out. With all that in mind, you just need to make some improvements to your home to ensure you never have to worry about your kids going through a traumatic experience unnecessarily. The information below should help to point you in the right direction and ensure you don’t overlook anything essential.

Install a home alarm system

The first few tips on this page will focus on making your home as secure as possible. In most instances, homeowners just need to invest in a decent alarm system for their properties. Make sure you get something that uses pressure sensors so the siren will sound if anyone attempts to break in through your windows. You should also aim to get something with motion sensors inside the property. That way, the alarm will wake everyone up if there is movement in the hallways while your family is sleeping. Those who want to go a step further and achieve peace of mind might also look into linking their alarm to the local police station. You can often do that for a small monthly fee.

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Purchase some CCTV cameras

Next up, it’s wise to search online for an affordable CCTV system for your home. Ideally, you need to get something that is going to stand the test of time and remain in working order for at least a couple of years. For that reason, it’s vital that you read some reviews from people who’ve published the package in the past before parting with your hard earned wages. In most instances, you can install the CCTV system without paying for professional assistance. Just make sure it covers are much of the exterior of your house as possible. That way, if any criminals break in while you’re out enjoying life with the kids; you should have some evidence to show the police that could help them to gain a conviction.

Buy locks and screens for your windows and doors

You might also think about making it more difficult for someone to gain access to your property via the front door. It’s possible to do that by adding an extra lock at the top or bottom that required a different key to the one you usually use. You could also get some security screens that make it more challenging for a criminal to see inside your home. In many instances, burglars will come and check out a property before they decide to break in. If those people walk up your driveway and struggle to see anything inside the house, they will probably move onto the next home. That is because those criminals will have no idea about whether or not they will get any valuables from your home.

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Cover any sharp corners

Now we need to start thinking about some of the things all parents can do to prevent their kids from getting injured at home. If you have toddlers in the house, there is a decent chance they seek out dangerous situations every single day. Indeed, you probably save them from immediate peril all the time. So, now is the time to think ahead and use some common sense. If you have sharp corners on tables and other units in your house, it’s essential that you try to cover them up. The last thing you need is for one of the little ones to run into them and hit their head. Thankfully, there are specialist rubber products on the market that make light work of that job. Just search online and solve the problem!

Clean your kitchen sides properly!

Next, you need to get in the habit of cleaning your kitchen thoroughly every time you prepare food. Most adults know not to place bread and other items on the sideboard after dealing with raw meat. However, your children probably don’t have that safety mechanism built-in yet, and so there is a decent chance they will give themselves food poisoning and other bacterial infections. While you could spend weeks making sure your little ones understand the dangers, sometimes it makes sense to take the bull by the horns. If you ensure your kitchen is always clean and free from dangerous germs; your kids won’t have the opportunity to make themselves ill.

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Install stair gates

Lastly, those with small kids will soon discover that stair gates are some of the best inventions in the world. While you can use them to get some peace and quiet, the products are perfect for stopping the little ones from entering dangerous areas or falling down the stairs. As a parent, you won’t want to take your loved ones to the hospital with broken legs or anything similar, and you can prevent that without breaking the bank with decent stair gate products. When the kids mature, you could even recycle the items and use them to keep your family dogs away from the dinner table when everyone sits down to eat. Just be aware that some canines and children see stair gates as a challenge. So, you still need to keep your eyes on them because your little ones will attempt to climb.

If you take all the advice from this article and put it into action right now; your family home should become a safe and secure sanctuary for your entire family. Thinking ahead is vital if you want to avoid disasters and ensure everyone lives a long and happy life. Best of all? You can implement all the suggestions from this page for less than $500 in most instances, So, there is no need to break the bank or spend a fortune when it comes to ensuring your kids have the happiest time possible while they’re young.