Parents, it’s hard to see your kids pack their bags to leave the nest. The place that kept them sheltered for all of these years is no longer their fulltime home. For some parents, (the luckier ones I suppose), their kids move a few miles or a few hours away. Others aren’t so lucky. These parents have to walk their children to the airport terminal to say goodbye because their kids are going far away. 

My parents were part of the unlucky ones. It’s not like I haven’t been away from the house for long periods of time before. I did go away to college. However I recently took a much bigger leap and decided to move halfway around the world.

I know that my move hurt my parents, especially my mom. Her “baby” was now going to live in a totally different country. But thanks to the ever-growing world of technology and programs such as Skype, we’re able to stay close even though we’re so far away. 

Parents, don’t fret when your kids come home one day to drop a bomb like, “Hey, mom and dad, I’m moving far away.” Please don’t fight them on their decision; they need your support and care. And they also need to hear your concerns. It tells us, I mean them, that you still love them.

Parents, I can tell you from my own personal first-hand experience that travel and experiencing other places and cultures can be a HUGE learning and growing experience for your children. I know it’s hard to let them go. I know the thought of not seeing them for months or perhaps even years at a time seems unbearable. And I feel for you. I do. But at some point, you need to allow them to pursue their own hopes and dreams so that they can become the awesome adults you know they’ll be.

Hopefully, your kids will return from their experiences with a greater love of life and a better understanding of the world we live in. Bless the adventurous souls and safe travels to all.

 

 

Photo Credit: David P. Ball

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The Christmas holiday is drawing closer and closer and your kids are becoming more and more excited for that special day. One of your kiddies asks you the dreadful question “Is Santa Claus real?” You pause for a second to think, “How should I answer this question?” 

The answer to this fateful question could either ruin a child’s imagination or further enhance it. It’s sort of like having an imaginary friend that brings your gifts every year. It seems that there’s no right way to answer this question. The one thing to pay attention to is robbing your child of his or her Christmas cheer. 

Despite how commercialized Christmas has become, I believe that the spirit of Christmas hasn’t left us yet. Do you still play Christmas music while decorating the tree with your kids? Do you still watch those semi-creepy ancient, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer, Drummer Boy, and Santa clay animation cartoons? How could you forget the countless letters to Santa? Don’t be ashamed if you actually dropped your letters in the mailbox hoping the deliveryman would deliver your letter to the North Pole. That was all part of the Christmas experience.

For the sake of the kids, let them find out on their own about Santa. Which means, for you, the parent, you’ll have to think of clever stories to tell when they ask about the ever-present mall Santa. How is he present at every shopping mall around the world? 

As a parent, you can have fun with the Santa stories. Flex your imagination as you create stories to keep your children perplexed and hopeful that Santa will pay a visit to their house. 

I hope your family, especially the kids, enjoy everything this holiday has to offer. One thing’s for sure, no matter how hot or cold the weather is outside; hot chocolate with marshmallows always makes for a tasty treat. 

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So who is this new person that my used-to-be-child, is bringing home to dinner? You ask yourself this and many other questions as your over-protective husband loads up his 12-gauge shotgun ready to hunt the boy that he won’t let prey on his baby girl. 

Maybe it’s your son’s first date and he wants to use the car to take his sweetie pie around town. But remember, he’s seventeen with a lead foot and he already has two tickets to his name thus raising his insurance. 

Parents, what do you do when your children start dating?

You dread to think about it, I know. Your kids are getting older; the innocent years of their childhood are only to become memories in digital photo albums on the family computer. Parents, please realize this is all a part of growing up. Heck do you honestly think that your parents were happy with all of dating choices, probably not. 

Embrace your children as they grow into mature adults. Give them hope; tell them stories about your dating joys and woes when you were their age. Truth be told, I still like to hear those same ol’ stories about when my parents were dating. It gives me a slice of hope and also great to hear.

So parents, single or married, be there for your kids when they need your advice, though you may not agree with who they’re with at the time. Remember; opposition creates more walls. 

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Halloween can be a little stressful for parents. Are the kids eating too much candy? Is that costume appropriate? For kids though, it's an all out glorified funfest where you get to shove candy in your face and run around as your favorite person.

Parents, I can't take away your stress but I can add a little ease. Halloween does not have to be an all out sugar extravaganza. It can also be a learning experience. You and your kids can get together and make some Halloween crafts. The best part about these crafts is that they are made from recycled goods. This a great way for your kids to not only get creative but to learn about how important is it to recycle. You could even have them invite their friends over and that way you're really spreading the knowledge.

I found these crafts on a teaching website so teachers, you could also bring these to the classrooms. Maybe even put a little twist on the crafts and make them again in April to celebrate Earth Day!

Ghost Luminaries 

I thought this craft was the most beautiful. The kids can put them on display on the porch and sidewalk and be proud as people walk by and admire their creations. Also if you're worried about a fire hazard you can buy electric tea lights here and the full instructions here.

 

 

Scarecrow Hat

The best part about this craft is that it doubles as a costume piece. You could also use them as a decor piece. Add them to the pumpkin or the lawn gnome to really jazz up the yard. Full Instructions.

Sock Ghost

No longer do you have to curse the dryer for eating the socks. Turn all those lost souls into decorations. You could add a string on top and hang them from the trees in your front yard. Full Intstructions.

Egg Carton Bat

Another great way to turn trash in holiday flash! Hang these little guys from the ceiling to turn your home into a ghost house. Full Instructions.

Tin Can Frankenstein 

This craft also does double duty. It can be a decoration for your table or you could add a handle and it could become a candy carrier (though it won't hold much). Full Instsructions.

Try these recycled crafts and let us know how they turn out in the comments below.

Happy Halloween!

 

 

Photo Credits

FreeKidsCrafts 

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