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Completing chores teaches children responsibility and makes them feel like theyre important contributors to the family. Parents sometimes dont ask their kids to help out because they think theyre too young, but children deserve more credit. Kids are often capable of much more than adults think they are.When and How to Teach Kids to Do ChoresStart having your children complete chores when theyre toddlers. The earlier they learn that theyre expected to help out at home, the easier itll be to get them on board. A child whos expected to pitch in at a very young age will think its completely normal and be less likely to resist doing chores later.Explain and demonstrate what you want your child to do. Make instructions as specific as possible. Then let the child try the task while you supervise and offer guidance. Dont expect it to be done perfectly the first few times. The goal should be to teach your child to contribute and to clearly communicate your expectations. Praise the child for each step thats done correctly. With time and practice, your child will become more skilled and confident.If a child is assigned a chore, make it clear when you expect it to be done. Dont provide too many reminders, because thatll feel like micromanaging to your child. On the other hand, you shouldnt allow a child to put off doing a chore and then throw up your hands in frustration and do it yourself. Set clear expectations, and give your child the chance to get it done.What Types of Chores Can Your Kids Do?A preschooler can handle chores that have one or two steps, such as placing dirty clothes in a hamper, putting away toys or feeding a pet. Kids who are a little older can learn to make a bed, wash plastic dishes, help clear the table after meals and water plants. A first or second grader can help set the table, sweep the floor, sort laundry, and clean up his or her bedroom. A child a bit older can help by vacuuming, loading the dishwasher, putting away laundry, mopping the floor and helping with meal preparation. A child 10 or older can be responsible for washing and folding laundry, cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, and changing sheets.Teach Your Kids to Pitch inChores can help kids learn responsibility and make them feel like theyre valued members of the family. The earlier you start assigning your children chores, the better. Dont assume that your kids are incapable of doing things. They may be able to do a lot more than you think if you provide clear instructions, demonstrations and praise. Choose age-appropriate chores for your kids, and let them gradually take on more responsibility as they get older.Published with permission from RISMedia.
Here are four things to keep in mind when looking at waterfront property.Do Your ResearchElevation is important to take into account to ensure the house isnt prone to flooding. Property lines can also be an issue, as some shorelines are considered public land.Consider How Youll Use ItWaterfront property can vary dramatically and so too can the lifestyle that it delivers.Extra CostsLiving on the water is expensive. From flood insurance to pricey hurricane-proof windows, there are plenty of extra costs that come with the territory.Work With a Waterfront SpecialistThe best resource you can have is a real estate agent who specializes in local waterfront property.Published with permission from RISMedia.
Reading books to your children is fun, and one of the great joys of parenthood is watching them learn to read by themselves.Lessons about personal finance and how money works can be included in books you read to children, or in books they read with you or on their own.Here are some good books about money that are aimed at kids, listed by title, grade level and price. Many can also be checked out for free at the library.One Cent, Two Cents, Old Cent, New Cent: All About Money: K-2, $6. This book is by Bonnie Worth and illustrated by Aristides Ruiz, and has the look and feel of a Dr. Seuss book. However, its not by the original Dr. Seuss himself. It gives a big picture context to money lessons at this age, all in the fun style of Dr. Seuss.Money Madness: K-3, $8. By author David Adler and illustrated by Edward Miller, this book asks what life would be like without money. It traces the history of the monetary system, starting with hunting and gathering to paper currency. Sections of the book on inflation and fluctuations in exchange rates can be skipped by some children and perhaps tackled at a later age.Follow the Money: K-3, $8. By Loreen Leedy, this is one of many follow the coin/dollar childrens books that shows what happens to money. This book is from the point of view of a quarter. It goes from the Federal Reserve to a bank, grocery store, childs piggy bank and elsewhere in a busy day of transactions. Along with teaching how money is used and reused, it has a few money-related problems, such as adding coins.The Coin Counting Book: Grades 1-4, $7. By Rozanne Lanczak Williams, this basic book helps with one of the main math lessons young children learn in school. Large photos of coins, illustrations and rhymes teach children how to add up coins in a fun way.Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday: K-4, $6. Written by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Ray Cruz, this book shows how having some money burning a hole in your pocket, even if its only $1, can leave you broke if you dont learn discipline to save.These are just a start. For recommendations for your childs reading level, ask his or her teacher or a librarian for help.Hope you found this helpful! Contact me for more insights and info.Published with permission from RISMedia.
More than one in four adults aged 65 and older falls each year, according to federal statistics. Such accidents can cause serious injuries, such as broken bones and head trauma, and sometimes even lead to death.Fall-related injuries can make it difficult for people to get around, do everyday activities or live on their own. However, by making some changes, older adults can help lower their chances of falling, relieve loved ones concerns and maintain their independence. If youre at risk, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control recommends four things you can do to prevent falls:1. Talk openly with your healthcare provider.Tell a healthcare provider right away if you fall, worry about falling or feel unsteady. Have your doctor or pharmacist review all the medicines you take, even over-the-counter ones. As you get older, the way medicines work in your body can change. Some medicines, or combinations of medicines, can make you sleepy or dizzy and can cause you to fall. Also ask your healthcare provider about taking vitamin D supplements to improve bone, muscle and nerve health.2. Exercise to improve your balance and strength.Exercises that improve balance and make your legs stronger, such as Tai Chi, reduce your chances of falling. Exercise also helps you feel better and more confident. Conversely, inactivity leads to weakness and increases your risk of falling. Ask your healthcare provider about the best type of exercise program for you.3. Have your eyes and feet checked.Poor vision can increase your chances of falling. Visit your eye doctor annually, and update your eyeglasses, if needed. You may have a condition like glaucoma or cataracts that limits your vision. Also, have your healthcare provider check your feet once a year. Discuss proper footwear, and ask whether seeing a foot specialist is advised.4. Make your home safer.Many falls happen at home. To reduce the risk in your house, do the following:Remove things you can trip over, such as papers, books, clothes and shoes, from stairs and places where you walk.Remove small throw rugs, or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping.Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool.Have grab bars installed next to and inside the tub, as well as next to the toilet.Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.Improve the lighting in your home. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Hang lightweight curtains or shades to reduce glare.Have handrails and lights installed on all staircases.Wear well-fitting shoes with good support inside and outside the house.Published with permission from RISMedia.
Appeal to the health-conscious homebuyer with these five features…Air PurifierAir purifiers can protect from bacteria and viruses, as well as increase air quality.Water FilterFiltration systems remove contaminants and soften water – this means drinkable water from every tap, as well as healthier skin and smoother hair when bathing.Fitness & Wellness AreaA fitness area makes it easy to incorporate a workout into the day, and a wellness area is always an added bonus.Clean Products & MaterialsClean building materials and non-toxic products help maintain the well-being of homeowners.Proximity to NatureNeighborhoods with biking and walking trails will draw homebuyers who like to be active.Published with permission from RISMedia.
Canceling a credit card that you rarely use or have paid off can feel good. It can give you a sense of accomplishment while lightening your wallet and giving you one less bill to worry about. It can, however, also cause your credit score to drop. But if you want to maintain your current credit score or improve it, then you may want to hold onto that card a little longer.Closing the account doesnt remove it from your credit report. Your payment history and credit history length will stay on there for 10 years. It will, however, affect your credit utilization, which is the percentage of the available credit used. The lower your credit utilization, the more it will increase your credit score. About 30 percent of a credit score comes from the credit utilization ratio.By canceling a card, youll have less available credit to spend. Instead, you can improve your credit utilization ratio by paying off most of your credit card balance and then using your credit card less. There are also other options.In addition to using your card less or not at all, you can call your credit card company and ask them to waive the annual fee. The companys retention department is likely interested in keeping you as a customer instead of canceling your card because its cheaper than trying to acquire new customers. They may also offer you other incentives, such as bonus points.Another option is to switch to a no-annual-fee card. Youll have the same credit limit and account number, and the accounts age wont change on your credit report. Along with no longer paying an annual fee, youll likely lose the rewards points program that annual fee cards usually offer, which is fine if youre not going to use the card anyway.If you decide to leave your card open, but leave it at home unused, youll want to keep it active so that the credit card company doesnt cancel it automatically. Put a recurring charge such as a subscription on it, along with an auto payment, so that it stays active.Published with permission from RISMedia.
Published with permission from RISMedia.
Conflicts are an inevitable part of life. We have all encountered situations in which someone said or did something that offended us, hurt our feelings, or made us feel misunderstood or unappreciated. Learning how to handle difficult situations at a young age can help children cope with conflicts later in life.Encourage Your Kids to Talk and ListenChildren have the right to feel and express their emotions, but they need to do so in healthy ways. Help your kids learn to express their feelings through words, not by yelling or behaving aggressively. When they are old enough to talk, teach them words that they can use to express their emotions, both positive and negative.Teach your kids to listen. Express your own emotions so they will understand that everyone is entitled to express his or her feelings. They will also learn that different individuals can experience and react to the same situation in different ways. This can help kids learn to look at situations from other peoples perspectives and to empathize.Positive reinforcement is an effective way to teach children healthy behaviors. If you observe your child expressing emotions in a positive way, listening and seeking to understand others, and looking for common ground, offer praise and encouragement.Help Kids Learn by PlayingChildren learn a tremendous amount about the world around them by playing with other kids. Encourage your children to get to know their peers. Invite neighbors and classmates to your home for playdates. If they hit it off, work with other parents to arrange a schedule of visits to each childs home so they can form friendships.Encourage the children to use their imaginations to dream up scenarios and figure out how they would handle them. They can also recreate situations they have witnessed at school, at home, on TV or elsewhere. If they think someone didnt handle a situation well, ask them to act out how they think it could have been handled better. Figuring out ways to respond to difficult circumstances in the context of play can prepare kids to deal with conflict in real life.Teach Kids to Resolve ProblemsIf your child has a conflict with a sibling or a peer, encourage them to work together to find a solution that works for everyone. Little kids will need help understanding the concept of compromise. Seeing parents and other adult family members model positive behaviors can teach kids to look for solutions.Sometimes its not possible to resolve a conflict, at least not in the moment. Let your kids know that its ok to walk away, take a break to calm down and think, and then work to address a problem later.Teach Kids Important Lessons Early in LifeAs much as we may want to avoid them, conflicts will occur. Teach your kids to express their emotions in healthy ways and to allow others to express theirs. Model positive behaviors in your interactions with other people to teach children valuable lessons.Published with permission from RISMedia.
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