Do You Speak Your Child's Love Language?
I've been thinking recently about how we parent our children differently as they grow older. We still love them like crazy, but as time passes, we step back a bit and let them try out their independence. No matter how old they are, though, some things don't change: they still need to be loved, and to know they are loved.
That can be a little tricky, though, because sometimes you may think you're communicating love--particularly in all the things you do for your kids, day in and day out--but they're looking for love to come in a different form. Gary Chapman, in his book The Five Love Languages, points out that we all feel love in different ways. You may have one child who feels most loved when you spend chunks of one-on-one time with her, and another who feels most loved when you affirm him with words.
Chapman also points out that some kids feel most loved through physical touch, such as hugs and wresting; through service, such as making their breakfast every day; or through gifts.
The trick is to find out what each child's love language is, and look for ways to weave that into your interactions, so that what you're intending to communicate really does get through.
For more on The Five Love Languages, read Communicating in Your Child's Love Language or Parenting With the Five Love Languages.
Highlights for Single Parents: 17th Edition
This week's highlights include a discussion of whether dating single parents should let their significant others have a say in child discipline, a popular myth about single parents dispelled, and more.
On the Blogs:
When Do I Let My Boyfriend Discipline My Kid? - Rachel wonders whether her daughter is learning to play her and her boyfriend just a bit.
Is Divorcing a Military Member More Complicated - Cathy explains some of the differences between civilian and military divorce.
In the News:
Most Teen Parents Not Raised in Poverty, by Single Parents - The myth about a connection between teen pregnancies and single parent households gets dispelled.
State Hopes to Update Child Support Guidelines - Maryland is considering the first major update to their child support guidelines since 1988.
Photo © njgphoto of www.istockphoto.com.
Thrifty Thursday: Save With Toy Store Price Matching
Want to spend less on kids' toys this holiday season? Grab a cup of coffee, and spend some time reading your newspaper's most recent toy ads. Several stores, including Wal-Mart and Target, are offering price matching this season, which means they'll match any price printed in a competitor's ad circular. This kind of bargain hunting may require more of a time investment up front, while you're comparing ads and planning your shopping strategy. However, spending less time running from store to store, and knowing that you're getting the best price, is well worth it. Just don't let your kids find your stash of marked-up toy ads!
Online Price Matching Policies: Wal-Mart | Target
Read More Thrifty Thursday Blog Posts on the About.com Parenting Channel:
Plan a Fun Fall Outing With Your Kids This Weekend
I think October was just about the most action-packed month we've ever had. Between soccer, football, my daughter's broken arm, both kids having a flu-like-virus, and various other activities and obligations, it seemed like there wasn't a single date on the calendar that wasn't filled with something to do (or devoted to recuperating). So when I turned the calendar over this week to November, I was thrilled to see nothing written down for this weekend! It's so exciting to be free to choose something fun, or even to deliberately choose to do nothing at all.
What about you? If you have a couple of hours to spare this weekend, see if you can plan a fun, seasonal activity with your kids, like going hiking or baking your favorite pumpkin treat. For ideas, read 30 Fun Things to Do With Your Kids This Fall.
Related: Ten Weeks of Fun Fall Activities.
10 Backup Providers for Single Parents
In recent days, if I didn't look outside, and relied only on the list of school closings scrolling across my TV screen, I might think it was a snow day! That's how many schools in our area have been closing due to outbreaks of H1N1 and flu-like-illnesses. Fortunately, my children's school has not closed, but my daughter told me that eight kids were absent from her class today.
Whether flu symptoms are keeping kids in your area home or not, make sure that you're well-prepared with backup child care options. If you co-parent, try to create a schedule that would allow the responsibility for sick days and school closing to fall equally on both of you. For more options, read 10 Backup Providers for Single Parents.
H1N1 Resources:
- The Single Parents' Guide to H1N1 Care and Prevention
- What Gear Should I Have on Hand to Care for Sick Kids?
- How Can I Avoid Getting the Swine Flu While Taking Care of My Kids?
- How Can I Find Emergency Child Care at the Last Minute?
- How Can I Pick Up Over-the Counter Medicines When My Kids Are Sick?
Highlights for Single Parents: 16th Edition
This week's highlights include concerns about adult sleepovers, a refund from Disney that you might be eligible for, and more.
On the Blogs:
A Single Dad Wonders About Grown-Up Sleepovers - What's your opinion? Should he discuss the issue with his daughters first?
How to Cope With a Stepfamily - Sue Atkins of Positive Parents = Confident Kids shares seven tips for creating a healthy stepfamily.
Disney Offering Refund on Baby Einstein DVDs and Videos - Get a refund for any Baby Einstein product purchased within the last five years.
In the News:
Dentists Propose "Cash for Candy" - Sell back some of your family's excess Halloween candy to a local dentist, and use the money to do something fun together.
Single Father Turned Away From Homeless Shelters - Dads with sole custody who've fallen on hard times may have a more difficult time getting help.
FCCS Focuses Efforts On Partners Of Single Parents - Franklin County Children Services, located in Ohio, has started a new program aimed at single parents, called "Choose Your Partner Carefully."
Photo © njgphoto of www.istockphoto.com.
Manage Your Kids' Halloween Candy With These Printable Candy Exchange Coupons
This year, my children's school put an end to the practice of collecting $5 from each student to cover the cost of holiday parties. Instead, my son's teacher asked all of us to send in a bag of Halloween candy for today's festivities. Um... Twenty-eight bags of candy? That's quite a lot! In fact, I might have a more difficult time than ever sorting through the "loot" and trying to manage my kids' sugar intake.
Fortunately, they've gotten used to a trick that I've been using for years. I print out these "Halloween Candy Exchange Coupons" and have my kids trade some of their candy for things like a trip to the bookstore, the dollar store, and their favorite smoothies. It's a win-win way to manage their Halloween candy and limit how much junk food is left hanging around the house.
Related: Top Halloween Candy Tips for Healthy Teeth | Leftover Halloween Candy
Thrifty Thursday: Save Money By Combining Holiday Gifts
Are you looking for creative ways to save money this holiday season? Consider buying combination gifts for the families on your list. For example, choose a DVD, buy a gift certificate to a local movie theater, or select a game or activity they can all enjoy collectively. (The gift of time together is more valuable than a sweater, anyway, right?) For a list of ideal parent-child gifts, read 7 Affordable Parent-Child Gifts.
Read More Thrifty Thursday Blog Posts on the About.com Parenting Channel:
- Single Parents' Thrifty Thursday Blog Archive
- Make a Free Candy Bag for Halloween
- Always Ask for a Discount
- Free Breastfeeding Resources
- Visit Your Library Online
- Recession Payback Game from ConAgra Foods
- Special Offers and Coupons from Fisher-Price and Playskool
- Fix-It-Yourself Manual
- Decorate with Neighbors!
- Use a Binder and Free Printable Worksheets to Organize Foster Care Documentation
Reach Out to the People Around You
Have you ever noticed that when you're feeling down, it helps to help someone else? I really believe that's true--not just in the sense of recognizing that others are having just as hard a time, if not more, raising teenagers, or coping with a sleepless infant--but because when you share what you've learned along the way, you're affirming that what you've gone through has been worth something. It's shaped you into the person you are today: wiser, more at peace, and more willing to be true to yourself.
So whether you're ready to "give back" to another mom or dad in need, or you're in need of support yourself, stop by the Single Parents' Forum and introduce yourself. Or, chime in on one of the following "Readers Respond" features. Your wisdom might just be exactly what someone else needed to hear today.
Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas
Are your kids still undecided when it comes to choosing a Halloween costume? Don't fret. There are plenty of great Halloween costumes you can pull together at the last minute, and with minimal effort.
Sherri, over at Family Crafts at About.com, has put together a terrific resource called Fast and Simple Costumes. Right on the first page, she lists all of the supplies you'll need for each costume, so you can easily scroll down until you find something you can make without running back to the store.
More Halloween Costume Resources: