HOW TO MAKE SPORTS FUN FOR KIDS

If you’re a parent, you’re going to want to do the best for your kids, and you’re going to want them to be as healthy as possible. So that means trying to get them to do more sports, which isn’t always easy. Yes, some little ones love sports, but others would much prefer to sit inside playing games, enjoying screen time, reading a book, or anything else. What can you do? 

One option is to make sports more appealing by making it as fun as possible, and the good news is there are loads of ways you can do exactly that. With that in mind, keep reading to find out what some of those ways are so you can help your kids get more active. 

What Do They Like? 

The reason your kids might not like sports very much is that they’ve not found something they like. They might have tried football, baseball, hockey, soccer, basketball, and all the other ‘usual’ sports, but nothing really clicked, and it just didn’t interest them. If that’s the case, of course, they’re not going to want to play sports when they’re given the option. 

The great thing is there are hundreds of different sports they can try, and if you keep giving different things a go, you might come across something that really piques their interest, like disc golf, for example. It might be unusual, but that doesn’t matter because they’ll want to play, and that means they’ll choose to be active more often - and that’s the point of the whole exercise (pun intended). 

Give Them Goals 

When we talk about giving kids goals, we don’t mean telling them they have to score a certain number of goals or points in a game - although that could be part of it. What we mean is that if you can set realistic and achievable goals every time they go and do whatever sports it is they’ve chosen to do, they’ll be a lot more interested. In other words, they’ll have something to prove and potentially something to lose (if they’re being rewarded for reaching their goals), and they’ll push themselves further as a result. 

By doing this, you’ll also be proving to your kids that they can do things if they try. Sometimes it’s less about not enjoying a sport and more about not thinking you’re very good at it that stops you from playing, but every time they reach a goal, they’ll see that’s not right at all. 

Do It With Them 

Kids love it when they get to spend time with their parents (especially when they’re younger, and even more so if your work-life balance isn’t ideal, so you sometimes don’t get to see them as much as you’d like. 

So, why not join in with their sports with them? You could play, and that would certainly be something fun you could do together, but if that’s not possible, then you can at least be there in a moral support capacity, watching every game and helping to make them feel good about what they’re doing. That really is what could make all the difference.

AUTISM ASSESSMENTS: WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Finding the best autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessment is the crucial first step in the intervention process for both children and adults. WPS is proud to provide a variety of tools to help you better diagnose and create effective interventions for ASD. Our assessments come in a variety of age ranges, formats, and languages, and many can be scored online. Our knowledgeable assessment consultants can help you choose the best assessments for your needs. Reach them at consult@wpspublish.com.

Graphic provided by wpspublish.com

PREPARING TO BECOME A FIRST TIME DAD? 4 TIPS TO CONSIDER

Becoming a dad for the first time can be a daunting experience. There are many things to think about – from what you need to how your life will change. While there is no one right way to prepare for fatherhood, some tips can help make the process a little bit easier. This blog post will discuss four important tips that every first-time dad should consider!

TALK TO OTHER DADS

If you know anyone who is already a dad, talking to them can be a great way to get some insight and advice. They can tell you what worked for them and what didn’t and give you an idea of what to expect. If you don’t have any friends or family who are dads, there are plenty of online forums and groups that you can join. Talking to other first-time dads can help you feel less alone and more prepared for what’s to come. Additionally, many hospitals and birthing centers offer classes for expectant fathers, which can also be a great resource.

LEARN ABOUT BABY CARE BASICS

There are a lot of things that you need to know how to do when you have a baby, from changing diapers to feeding. Reading up on some of the basics can be helpful before your little one arrives. That way, you will at least have an idea of what you are supposed to be doing! Plenty of books and online resources can help you learn about caring for a baby. Your partner will likely be the one doing most of the caretaking, but it is still important for you to be knowledgeable and involved.

PACKING A HOSPITAL BABY BAG

Becoming a father is an amazing time with many new responsibilities. One of the first things you will need to do is pack a hospital bag for when your partner goes into labor. It is important to have everything ready in advance so that you can focus on supporting your partner and welcoming your new baby into the world. Some essential items to pack in your hospital bag for dad: 

• Toiletries and fresh clothes for you and your partner; 
• Comfortable shoes;
•  A camera to capture the first moments; 
• A going-home outfit for your baby; 
• Any medications that you or your partner are taking.

MAKING TIME FOR YOUR PARTNER

Once the baby arrives, your partner is going to need all the support they can get. Therefore, it is important to make time for them, even if it is just sitting and talking or walking together. This is a big transition for them, and they will likely feel just as overwhelmed as you. Additionally, it is important to keep the lines of communication open so you can discuss any concerns or problems.

Fatherhood is a fantastic journey with many new challenges and responsibilities. Following these tips can help make the transition a little bit easier for you and your partner. Congratulations on becoming a dad!

FOUR TIPS FOR BUILDING A STRONGER RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD

The parent-child relationship is one of the most rewarding in life. It’s a great opportunity to learn and grow individually as well as together with someone else and have some fun while you’re at it. You may be a busy dad or mom currently and have the goal to want to give your child more time and attention. If this is the case, then here are four tips for building a stronger relationship with your child so you can get the most out of your connection and strengthen your bond. 

1. Eat Meals with Them 

One tip for building a stronger relationship with your child and making the most of parenthood is to plan to eat meals together. Sit down and enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a snack with them as much as possible. You can teach them responsibility by having them set the table or cook together as a way to spend more quality time. Eating meals together will bring you two closer and is a chance to share about your days and dive deeper into certain topics if you choose. You may also want to use family mealtime to talk about making healthy food choices and living a healthy lifestyle. 

2. Find Activities You Can do Together 

Build a stronger relationship with your child by making more time for them overall. Not only set aside the time but be present and put away any possible distractions so you can give them your full attention. Find activities that you can do together such as building tamiya models, playing sports, or baking. Relax, enjoy, and have some fun being with your child and watching them explore new activities and learn and engage in what you’re doing at the time. Playing together is not only enjoyable but helps with your child’s development. 

3. Show Your Love & Support 

Get in the habit of expressing and showing how much you love your child to them. Say “I love you” and give them hugs to show your affection. Greet them in the morning or after school with a smile and ask them how their day was. Make eye contact, smile, and offer them your undivided attention throughout the day. Support them by attending their activities or events at school and encouraging them to try new things. Another idea is to create parent-child rituals or stuff you two do together that’s special to you and your son or daughter. 

4. Have Conversations & Listen Attentively 

It’s also important that as a parent you listen and empathize with your child. A solid connection starts with having attentive listening skills and being able to express and share thoughts, feelings, and emotions back and forth. Be available and distraction-free and use the moments when they do make mistakes as learning and teaching opportunities. Try to see the situation from their standpoint and avoid making assumptions or judgments as you engage in conversation with your child. It’s important to have rules, boundaries, and consequences but you also don’t want to jump to conclusions or not hear them out.

FUN ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME

Raising children can be a lot of work, and it can be hard to find time to do fun activities with them. But it's essential to make time for fun activities, especially when they're young. So here are some ideas for fun activities that you can do with your children at home! 

Playing Outside 

Playing outside is a great way to get your children active and enjoy the fresh air. There are so many fun activities you can do outdoors, like playing tag, going for a walk or bike ride, having a picnic, building a sandcastle at the beach, or flying a kite. Spending time outside also provides plenty of opportunities for your children to explore and learn about their surroundings. 

Playing Games 

There are plenty of classic games that the whole family can enjoy, like tag, hide and seek, red rover, or Simon. But if you're looking for something new to try, there are plenty of other games that can be just as much fun. For example, cornhole is a great game to play outdoors when the weather is nice. So if you are looking for a fun and colorful cornhole board, visit https://www.cornholeworldwide.com/themed-regulation-cornhole-boards/. 

Arts And Crafts 

One way to keep your children occupied and entertained is doing arts and crafts. This can be an excellent way to express themselves, and you can get creative together. There are endless possibilities for arts and crafts, so it's sure to please everyone. A few examples include painting, coloring, sculpting with play-doh, making jewelry, and sewing. 

Fishing, Hiking, and Biking 

One of the many benefits of fishing, hiking, and biking with your children is that it gets them active. Of course, these activities keep them moving, but they are also great for teaching kids about nature and teamwork. 

Cooking And Baking 

Cooking and baking are two fun activities that the whole family can enjoy. It is a great way to spend time together, but you can also teach your children about eating habits. There are many simple recipes that kids can help prepare, such as fruit smoothies or homemade pizzas. 

Reading Together 

One of the most straightforward and enjoyable activities with your children is reading together. Of course, it promotes a love of reading, but it also provides an opportunity for bonding and conversation. Whether you read picture books, chapter books, or even magazines, reading together is a great way to spend time together. 

Having A Movie Night 

One of the easiest and most popular ways to have fun with your children is by having a movie night. You can either watch a movie that you've seen before or choose something new that you think will interest them. Then, pop some popcorn, get snacks, and gather some blankets and pillows to make it cozy. You can even set up a little theater in your living room by using some cardboard boxes and wrapping them in brown paper. 

There are so many fun activities to do with your children at home, and it can be a great way to spend time together. Whether you're playing games, reading books, or going on adventures outside, there's something for everyone. And best of all, it doesn't have to cost a lot of money.

ROBOTS DON'T TELL JOKES

The first single and music video from Kelli Welli's upcoming album Robots Don't Tell Jokes was just released. I love the title of the album and "Rainbow Love Song" is a catchy kindie rock tune that will surely delight kids toddler aged through elementary school but also have parents enjoying the song's harmony as well. The upbeat “Rainbow Love Song” is an empowering anthem about all the colors of love and joy that come with living a life filled with abundant variety, acceptance, and gratitude.

Robots Don't Tell Jokes is being released on April 15, 2022 on amazon.com, bandcamp and kelliwelli.com

FOUR TIPS ON BECOMING A BETTER PARENTAL FIGURE FOR YOUR CHILDREN

Parenting is one of the most challenging jobs in the world. Raising children can be a daunting task and keeping them happy and healthy. There are many different parenting styles, but no right or wrong way to do it. The key is finding out what works best for you and your child together! In this post, we will discuss four tips on how you can become a better parental figure for your children so that they grow up happy and prosperous!

Eliminate Any Bad Habits You Might Have 

It is easy to slip into bad habits when you are a parent. This can be anything from smoking or staying up late browsing social media sites or even as far as drug rehab. If you want to become the best parent possible, you have to eliminate any bad habits that might come between you and your children! Try not to buy cigarettes for yourself so that they are out of sight and out of mind. You could even try quitting altogether if this worked better for your lifestyle! When it comes time to go to sleep, make sure there isn't any technology around while you read stories with them until they fall asleep.

Establish Boundaries and Limits 

One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to set boundaries and limits. This will help your child feel safe and secure, knowing that there are some things they cannot do no matter how much they might want to. It is also important to enforce these rules consistently so that your child knows that you are serious! For example, if you tell them not to hit their brother, make sure you don't let them get away with it when you're not around. Boundaries and limits can be anything from bedtimes and curfews to what type of activities they are allowed to participate in.

Teach Them Values and Ethics 

Teaching your children how to be good people will make them better citizens and help them grow into well-rounded, happy adults. Teaching values such as honesty, respect for others and responsibility are all great ways to do this! You could also teach your child about different religions or cultures at a young age to understand the diversity of our world when they get older! Your child might not thank you right away for teaching these things, but it is one of the essential parts of their upbringing.

Spend Quality Time with Them! 

Spending time with your children is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. You might think that this means taking them to soccer practice and school every day, but it also includes just spending quality time together at home! Setting aside specific "quality time" days, where you play games or watch movies together, will ensure that they don't feel like life is all about school and work. If you want to be an excellent parental figure for your child, then make sure they know how much they mean to you regularly! 

Becoming a better parental figure for your children doesn't have to be complicated. By following these simple tips, you can make considerable strides in the right direction! Remember to eliminate any bad habits, set boundaries and limits, teach them values and ethics, and spend quality time with them! These are all essential aspects of being a good parent.

WHY TRAVELING WITH KIDS IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM

You have to admit it ... traveling with kids can be kind of a pain in the ass! Because children have so many demands and traveling with them can be tedious, it is easy for parents to have the mindset that rather than being adventurous or providing a relaxing break, family vacations will instead be stressful and lacking in fun. However, that doesn't need to be the case. 

Travelling with your entire family is more than a trip to enjoy. Experiencing adventure with your family is one of the best things you should consider doing as a parent. Family vacations are not just trips to take for fun; they serve many other purposes. For example, it saves you the energy of explaining some things that you would rather be easier for them to understand when they experience it in person. 

It would be best to consider taking your kids with you on vacations. Family trips give your kids a chance to open up, tell you the challenges they have been going through in school. They also serve as stress relievers to the entire family. Then, at the end of the trip, you get back home, everyone feeling refreshed, happier and having learnt new things.

Building Parent-Child Relationship 

In most cases, parents are very busy in their jobs day in and day out and kids are also engaged in their school work. As a result, they barely spend quality time together to share their experiences. In such instances, children grow up, but there is no strong bond between them and their parents because everyone is busy. 

Parenthood is about building bonds between you and your child. Going on trips with your child helps to refresh your relationship, and you will also be able to create new memories that they will live to value and remember later in life. This will also make you feel accomplished as a parent. No parent would want to feel that they did not offer the best as a parent. 

It is essential to take snaps and post multiple pictures on Instagram to keep your memories during such trips. Looking back to when they were kids, having fun with their parents, they get to value the family bonds. This will help them grow knowing that they also have to emulate what their parents did, and it will be passed from generation to generation as a culture. 

Entertainment 

There are lots of fun activities you can do during your trip. You can have family game time to participate in games with your children. You can engage in games such as treasure hunts. During the drive, you can let them play a game of identifying various wildlife species you come across. 

Moreover, when they engage with other kids, you can have them in groups to play together or play against each other. This makes them have fun; they learn something from each other, enhancing their mental growth and boosting their communication skills. It further equips them with team-building skills. 

Cultural Integration 

Exposing your kids to various cultures early enough is critical. You could achieve this through cultural tourism to other countries. The world has a diversity of cultures, races and languages. Letting children learn this as they grow them respect diverse cultures. It also helps them value their own culture and normalize being around different people. 

It will help them learn about other cultures and help them adapt to a situation where they get to be in a different locality when they grow up because they will have already familiarized themselves with it. They can coexist with others from different parts of the world without making them feel discriminated against. It is because they understood equality despite the differences in human nature. This is a vital way of shaping children into human beings who are empathetic to each other and value the ethics of humanity. 

Brain Development 

A young brain is easy to mold, and a mind grasps things quickly that are practical rather than theoretical. Going out with kids and experiencing a whole new world with them leaves imprinted memories. Trips are a form of physical and sensory learning. 

Outings aid in growing a kid's cognitive ability, enhance focus and makes them suitable for wellness. For example, according to studies, kids who visit places tend to do better in school than those who do not. 

The views of snow-capped mountains, the flora, and the fauna are all things taught in school. Unfortunately, most children do not get a chance to see the geographical features. In contrast, the few who get the opportunity will be eager to learn more about them, granting them an added advantage.

Social Interaction 

Everyone needs a social life to be healthy. Humans are social beings in nature, and they need to interact with each other for their growth and development. Therefore, the social nurturing of kids is very crucial for their growth. During family vacations, children can socialize with other kids from different places. It further enhances the exchange of ideas as they play together and interact. 

Furthermore, this helps to mold the personality of the kids. Most families raise their children by locking them up in the house all day long. As a result, they grow up being introverts who are not used to socializing. Statistics further show that a more significant percentage of people battling depression are introverts. Would you want your child to grow up as an introvert and later get depressed? No one would wish that for their child. 

As a parent, it would be best if you broke the monotony of buying your children gifts and toys every other holiday. Instead, try some adventure with them. Take them out to allow them to change the environment and interact with people from all walks of life. 

Make your Christmas holidays more fascinating by taking your entire family out. With the pandemic, you don't have to travel outside the country. Any local sites to visit would also be one of the best options to consider as you prepare for the holidays. 

So go ahead and create good experiences and memories for them apart from the usual toys and gifts. Hopefully, you will all like the adventures and make memorable memories that you will reminisce over in future.

FIVE THINGS PARENTS CAN DO TO STAY SANE DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

The Christmas holiday season is here! While this time of year can be a lot of fun, the holidays can also be quite stressful for parents. In fact, it’s not unusual for the festive period to turn to a “shouting fest”.

This is why as parents, you need to start making arrangements or seek ways to unwind, relax, and stay sane, while enjoying the festivities. Here are some interesting coping tips that will help you keep it together and avoid losing it. Make sure your time with family is full of cheer instead of jeer.

Get the Kids Out of the House 

If the weather isn’t too bad, you should consider taking the children out to look at downtown holiday decorations, get some exercise at an outdoor skating rink, go see Santa Claus, or visit a local attraction that may be spruced up for the holidays. Community Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies are always nice events to get you out of the house.

Family Game Time

No thanks to the new Omicron variant, many parents are likely to want to stay indoors during this season. If you’re wary about taking the kids out, arrange for family game time with both tabletop gaming and video games that all ages can enjoy playing together. When kids are engaged with things that they find interesting, they’re likely to stay calm and cause less trouble. 

Take Some “Me” Time Every Day 

Your “ME” time can be spent on anything you enjoy. Watch your favorite TV shows, enjoy some anti jokes or comedies, play your favorite music, or just sit in your favorite chair sipping some hot chocolate. You could even have the occasional alcoholic drink or enjoy some Delta 9o products for full relaxation in the evening once the kids have gone to bed.

This will help you de-stress, increase your tolerance, and keep you centered. Some people prefer meditating for 15 minutes every day, while others spend some time working out. Whatever works for you, do it. 

Pick Some Fun Activities 

Fun activities can often transform pretty stressful Christmas holidays into something truly enjoyable. Some great activities include dance challenges or party games - for instance, you could play “don’t let the balloon touch the ground.”  Create an indoor race track with slot cars or have LEGO building challenges. There are a ton of awesome fun ideas that you can use to ensure the kids, and you, have a lot of fun even if you are couped up inside.

Get the Kids to Participate in Outdoor Activities

I know that most people are likely to be holed up inside their home due to winter weather. But that doesn't mean families shouldn't venture outside for some exercise and fun. Take a dog for a walk, throw a football around or take a bike ride if the weather is nice. If snow is on the ground enjoy the winter wonderland building snowmen and snow forts, sledding or having a snowball fight. By the time they come back inside, they’ll be tired and looking to catch some rest.

DON'T IGNORE THESE COMMON HEALTH WARNINGS IN YOUR CHILDREN

As a parent, it is really important to make sure that you are doing all you can to look after your children’s health as best as you can. As well as ensuring that they are eating well, getting plenty of exercise and sleeping properly, you also need to think about some common health issues that might crop up, and know what to do about them.

Let's take a look at some of the common warning signs that your children might display from time to time. Each of these indicate that there is some kind of health issue going on for them, so they need to be paid attention to as soon as possible. Don't wait around to find the appropriate treatment for your child when it comes to these symptoms. 

Persistent Headache 

Everyone gets headaches from time to time, of course, but a persistent headache can be a huge warning sign that you need to pay close attention to and do something about as soon as possible. That’s because it can often be linked to some pretty serious health conditions, in particular problems with the brain or with vision. Of course, these are pretty rare, and you should not assume that this is the problem with your child.

But the point is that a persistent headache is a common health warning sign that you should definitely not ignore, and should do something about. Just in case it is related to something important, make sure that you are dealing with their headache as soon as possible. In particular, if painkillers don’t seem to be helping, you might want to take your child to see the doctor, just to rule out any of the potentially more serious health issues it might be related to. That way, you will both feel better. 

Stomach Pains 

The trouble with stomach pains is that they can be related to a huge number of health conditions. As such, it might be something serious, not so serious, or hardly anything at all. Because of that, you don’t want to take a risk, so you should make sure that you get it checked out professionally as soon as possible just in case. More likely than not, it will not be anything in particular. But there are occasions when it might be related to something more serious. 

For instance, a surprisingly common condition in kids is developing a hernia. This leads to quite a lot of pain and it is important to have it dealt with as soon as possible too, before it gets too big. You might be prescribed a hernia mesh for your child. These can be effective, but they can also sometimes cause more trouble than good - just see the likes of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for examples of how. 

Hopefully, your child’s stomach pains are nothing much, but it’s best to find out what they are due to, just in case it’s something serious that you need to do something about. 

Constant Sneezing 

If your child is sneezing pretty much all the time, that is something that you are going to want to pay attention to, for the simple fact that they might have allergies that need treatment. Although you might not think of an allergy as a hugely dangerous thing for a child to have, if you are not careful it could be that your child is one of the unlucky ones who does actually respond very negatively to their allergies. As such, it is always best to make sure that it is dealt with as soon as possible. 

 Normally the solution is to give them antihistamines, and over a few days this should do it. Or, in some cases, you might be able to physically remove the source of the allergy, in which case that is definitely the way to go. However you do it, make sure that you are dealing with the constant sneezing and not doing anything to make it worse. Not only can it be troublesome and annoying for your child, it could lead to serious illness if it turns out that they have a serious allergy that needs proper treatment. 

Those are just a few of the things that you most need to be aware of in your children. Don’t ignore any of these signs, as they are all going to be important to pay attention to in some way or another. The last thing you want is for your child to have a serious health issue that you’re not fixing.

NBA MATH HOOPS APP

It is amazing how kids can be so in tune to the analytics of sports yet think math is boring and uninteresting. With math skills and scores on the decline and showing historic lows in schools across the country, Learn Fresh, a national education nonprofit dedicated to enhancing students interest in STEM  and developing social-emotional achievement with children, has created a learning tool that utilizes the excitement of basketball to make practicing math problems fun. Partnering with NBA Cares, Hasbro, and NBA/WNBA teams to create basketball themed apps that are both educational and entertaining. NBA Math Hoops apps have kids enjoying engaging in math through competitive basketball themed games.

Available for FREE to be used by students in Grades 3 - 8, there are two apps to choose from both of which are available for Apple and Android devices. These learning apps star NBA and WNBA players and and utilize real statistics. Both apps reinforce fundamental math skills in a fun, data-rich environment as well as assist kids with building fluency through engaging gameplay. Suddenly fractions, decimals, percentages, and exponents are just a part of the game, and students are freed from the anxiety that often comes with traditional math learning. 

Students start off with NBA MATH HOOPS and can continue expand upon that experience with Learn Fresh's follow-up app NBA MATH HOOPS SKILLS & DRILLS. The NBA Math Hoops App features a digital board game with real-time NBA and WNBA player stats. Kids can spend as little as a few minutes at a time or a whole weekend with this fun and educational app, and they can play independently or as part of a class assignment. NBA Math Hoops Skills + Drills App is a complementary app that similarly hones elementary and middle school math skills through basketball mini-games. Boths apps are available to download for FREE on the App Store and Google Play.

NBA Math Hoops App • Free • Grades 3 to 8

Download the NBA Math Hoops Mobile App for free in the App Store and Google Play. The playful program helps build fluency with fundamental math skills through a fun, basketball-themed game with authentic NBA and WNBA player statistics that update in real-time! Compete in Quick Play or League Play modes and enter a classroom code to play in a league format with your peers. Great for use in the classroom, after school, or in-home learning environments.

NBA Math Hoops Skills & Drills App • Free • Grades 3 to 8

Ready for some drills? NBA Math Hoops Skills + Drills App helps young learners build fluency with fundamental math skills through a fun, fast-paced game that simulates the NBA All-Star Skills competition. The app complements the core NBA Math Hoops App and is designed for students looking to take their mental math and NBA Math Hoops play to the next level. Available for free in the App Store and Google Play.

While the game may use stats to make math less intimidating to students, NBA Math Hoops has some scored some impressive stats of its own: Students completing the full program demonstrate 35% improvement in math fluency and 18% improvement in data analysis skills, and a whopping 92% of educators report that students find math more accessible, relevant, and engaging through the program. As a parent, I've always been a fan of making learning both entertaining and educational so that kids consider schooling an enjoyable challenge rather than an uninteresting chore. So I'm geeked about the efforts of Learn Fresh in developing learning tools that embrace people's sports fandom to get them excited about math. 

If you know a child in third through eighth grade, encourage him or her to check out NBA MATH HOOPS! It is FREE, FUN and helps develop a fundamental skill needed to get ahead in today's society. Time to play some hoops!

TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU BALANCE WORK WITH A NEW BABY

Juggling the responsibilities that come with your job as well as handling a new baby can sometimes feel like an impossible task. That being said, there are things that you can do to try and make it easier on yourself. Here are a few dad life tips for balancing work with a new baby. 

Set up a Calendar 

Having a place where everyone’s schedules meet up with one another properly will really help you to manage everything. You need to try and keep an eye on everyone’s comings and goings. You also need to try and make sure that you manage the chaos that comes with family life. 

At a glance, you need to be able to see what you are doing that week. Ideally, you will document things for the whole family, including your new baby. Create a shared calendar, which can be either on Google or even on a family organizer app. Doing this will allow you to access your calendar on your phone when on the go or you can easily keep track of things when around the house. 

Your calendar should ideally make it clear, who is going to be picking up your child from daycare on any given day. It should also note any additional changes, whether there is going to be a doctor’s appointment or whether there are going to be any other commitments. Daycare closings and work obligations are important and therefore should be listed and highlighted. 

Find Good Childcare 

One way for you to try and alleviate a lot of the stress and the guilt about going to work is finding great childcare. It doesn’t matter whether you choose a nanny or whether you choose to go to a large daycare center because you have to try and do your research. You need to get recommendations and you also need to interview any day centers if you can. By doing this, you can then make sure that everyone is going to be happy with the decision and you can also communicate any concerns that you might have. Remember that a child being in daycare doesn't mean you still won't be a huge part of his or her life. 

Divide and Conquer 

Sharing your responsibilities can help to make a lot of difference. Try and get your partner involved as much as possible and also make sure that you are both on the same page. Coordinate any of your schedules and also make sure that you discuss any childcare arrangements. 

Don’t forget to make a sick day plan too. If your child gets sick and they need to go to the doctor then you need to find out who is going to handle that, and who is going to leave work early. If you can anticipate needs like this, then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to try and stay on top of things. 

Have a Babysitter 

Even the best-laid plans can fall through from time to time. That is why it is a good idea for you to have a babysitter in place. You need someone who can step in if your current babysitter cancels or if you find that your daycare is closed. If you can anticipate needs like this, then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to get the best result out of your hard work. Look out for the signs of baby growth spurts to prepare for any extra food or clothing they may need to avoid potential difficulties for your caregiver while you are at work. 

Make your Mornings Easy 

Create a routine that is consistent if you can. Ideally, your routine needs to be consistent for your child and any other family members. If you can do this, then you will be able to get out of the door faster or if you work from home, you will be able to get a much faster start. 

Babies and children tend to be unpredictable, so try and be realistic and also be flexible with your schedule. If you can do this, then you will soon find that you can deal with any situation. Try and do all your preparation the night before so you aren't rushed in the morning. This can include packing up lunches and snacks, but it can also include preparing bottles and even laying out everyone’s clothes. It may also include showering, getting a diaper bag ready and just being organized in general. If you can do this, then you will soon find life is a whole lot easier.

Work Support 

Make sure that you have an honest and open relationship with your employer if you can. Talk to them about illness and ask them, when you do get back to work, what their policies are for sick children. You might want to ask them if you can work from home if your child does fall ill, or if it is possible for you to work a flexible schedule. The same should apply to any doctor’s appointments. If you need two hours at an appointment, is it possible for you to make up that time in the future? 

Ask About Leave 

Ask about leave as well. Leave policies don’t tend to be standardized at all, so talk with your employer about baby bonding, paternity leave, personal leave, unpaid leave, sick leave and more. If you are able to do all of this then everyone will know where they stand and you may even find that it is more than possible for you to get the support you need, when you need it. 

MONEY AND TIME MANAGEMENT IS KEY FOR FAMILIES

The first step in balancing a budget for the family is cutting costs. What expenses are easy to forego? Can you cancel your membership in the fitness club and instead go jogging in the forest for free? Helping each other out with childcare instead of hiring a childminder helps significantly to save costs. There is also potential for savings when it comes to shopping: used toys, furniture, household appliances and clothing can also be found inexpensively in second-hand shops and Internet exchanges. In addition, an insurance check makes sense too. You may want to look at Nova Science Publishers for further information and reading.

Your family is the most important thing in your life, so you want to be able to manage your finances and your time with them. You can do it! 

Time management: More structure means more fun 

Time management is the magic word: Bring structure to your everyday family life, organize, prioritize, plan and schedule all your duties and tasks. You will see that this is also a good way to incorporate a little “fun” into your day. And don't worry. Even if that sounds a bit exhausting now, it is actually quite simple and a matter of getting used to. If you stick to your plan, planning and prioritizing will quickly become routine. 

Good planning is half the battle 

Make weekly and daily to-do lists. Have a quick sit down on Sunday and make a note of what's coming up for the next week. What needs to be done as soon as possible? What is tied to fixed dates and what can you plan flexibly? Plan your week roughly and set fixed dates for cleaning, shopping and also for drinking coffee or going for a walk. Also take a close look at your “scaffolding”. How often do you go shopping in a typical week? Wouldn't a bulk purchase be enough? Are there any tasks in which the children can be involved or even take responsibility for them? 

You can carry out such planning with a weekly calendar, in a notebook or diary, as a list or calendar on the mobile phone, or you can design your own bullet journal. You can add thoughts, diary entries and more to this, so that after a few weeks you will have a nice reminder to hand at the same time. 

Attention time killer: Use free time wisely 

Don't just plan your week ahead on Sundays. Every evening, sit down briefly and go over the next day's to-dos. Now plan the day in detail. Is cleaning on Wednesday? Set fixed and realistic time blocks. From 8 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. cleaning takes place. At 11.30 you have to start cooking for lunch. That means: You have almost an hour of free time in between. Take advantage of this. These breaks are important for you and your family.

SEVEN SUREFIRE WAYS TO RAISE CONFIDENT AND SUCCESSFUL KIDS

As parents, it is our responsibility to guide our children to live the best life possible. Unfortunately, this natural inclination for guidance can sometimes produce disappointing results. Therefore, whether you have a newly born infant or are parenting your tween/teen, these seven sure-fire ways will provide you with tools to raise confident and successful kids that don't just know their parents love them but love themselves.

 Teach your kids the difference between right and wrong 

We all know this is a great idea, and hopefully, we do it all the time. Parents who instill the notion that no bad choices are acceptable and will always be punished for their wrongdoings seem to do a much better job raising confident kids. Well, guess what, the opposite is also true. Parents that do not punish bad behavior directly cause kids to feel like their actions don't have consequences. This makes your children more likely to act out in class and become aggressive with peers. One of the most important things you can teach your infant is cause and effect relationships. 

This applies to all acts of bad behavior, from willfully breaking a toy to hitting a sibling. When you let children know that their actions have consequences, the chances of ensuring they grow confident soars through the roof. 

Show appreciation and respect for yourself and your children 

All people want to be appreciated and respected for who they are and what they do in life. This is especially true for children. Children who are told they are clever by their parents will usually do well in school and become confident adults. However, children whose parents treat them poorly, don't support them, or aren't respectful of their efforts will usually have low self-esteem and worse behavior when they become adults. Therefore teach your kids always to appreciate themselves and others. 

Teach your children not to be afraid of trying new things 

We all know this is a great idea, but unfortunately, most adults are very bad at it. However, adults who do this the best can raise confident and successful children. Take a look around your friends, family members, and co-workers. When you see kids that try new foods, dress up or express themselves in unconventional ways, chances are their parents or caretakers encourage them to do so. This is a concept that many adults struggle with, and it's a problem. 

Children need to know that the world is full of different people, environments, and experiences. When you encourage your kids to explore all these environments, they become confident and successful adults because they are prepared for the real world. We all know this is supposed to happen, but many adults don't let their children express themselves in any way they please or fail to teach them how to make wise decisions when doing so. 

Give your children structure and limits 

We all want to raise confident kids who will become adults and live life on their terms with minimal parental oversight. Unfortunately, many families do not give their children enough structure in life. When they do not get structure, they grow up with no rhyme or reason for why they should be doing any particular task or how to complete them. 

Children thrive when you provide them with rules, boundaries, and consequences for breaking them. However, children do not do well when you are so strict that they are unwilling to take any risks to explore. We all know this is supposed to happen, but many parents are so terrified of being overly restrictive that they never discipline their children. When you give your kids the structure they need to feel safe and develop healthy behavior patterns, the chances of growing confident kids soar through the roof.

Encourage realistic expectations in life 

We all know this is a great idea. Many of us believe that we are doing this until it's time to be realistic about losing weight, having the best pre-K math skills, getting better grades, or making more money. Unfortunately, when we get to this point, we tell our children what they want to hear to make them feel better. Well, guess what, if you do this, you will fail at raising confident and successful kids. 

There are two reasons why it is hard for most parents to be realistic with their children. The first is that parents are often too concerned about the feelings of their children. When you let your kids know that they will not be able to do everything they want, get what they want, or always be happy, you are upsetting them. Perhaps this is because of your fears of failure or unrealistic expectations for yourself and your children. It is so hard to be realistic with our children because we love them so much and don't want to see them upset or disappointed in life. 

However, when you give in to these feelings for too long, chances are you will end up with children that are more frustrated and unhappy than they need to be. When you encourage your children to grow up with realistic expectations in life, the chances of growing confident and successful kids soar through the roof. 

Teach your children to be very honest about their feelings 

Children will learn how to express themselves better when they know that their parents and teachers will take their feelings seriously. When you teach your children to be very honest about their feelings, they will tend to develop healthy emotional responses in life. When this doesn't happen, chances are your children will never become confident adults. 

There are many ways to teach your children how to be honest about their feelings. One method is to tell them that honesty is the best policy when dealing with conflict or anything that harms their lives. Another method is to tell them that when they feel like sharing how they think about something, you will always listen and encourage them to be honest. However, when your children want to share their feelings but don't want you to listen or acknowledge what they are saying, you will let them know that it's okay if you hear and not speak at all. When we do these things, we ensure that our children know we are adults that can be trusted and always have their best interests in mind. 

Encourage your children to be flexible and work on new ideas

It is tough to try something new in our lives because we are afraid of failing or making a mistake. As parents and teachers, we need to encourage our children to be flexible and try new things despite their fears of failure or making mistakes. If you don't, the chances are good that your children will grow up with poor self-esteem and an inability to take risks in life. 

When your children are faced with new situations in life, they need to know that their parents and teachers will always help them find the solution. However, when you make it difficult for your children to do this, they will never become confident adults. 

Raising confident and successful kids takes a lot of hard work. However, when you set the right intentions from the beginning, you give your children the best chance of becoming confident and successful adults. To do this, you must be willing to focus on what matters most. For example, if your child has a dyslexia problem, you need to always be present in their life and help them learn to adapt through games with benefits for their confidence to grow. 

Always remember that your children need to know that you love them, respect them, and want what is best for them in life. Don't fall prey to the excuses or distractions out there that will keep you from focusing on the right things when raising your children. You give your children the best chance of growing up to be confident, successful adults when you do so.

SIX THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS BEFORE THEY HIT PUBERTY

You may never learn your child's natural potential and interests if you do not introduce various activities and hobbies early in life. Because once puberty hits, children that once thought their dad being a geek was awesome will instead look upon him with embarrassment. As my own kids quickly approach their teenage years, I've noticed them not wanting to be as adventurous and try new things as they settle into new routines with the move from elementary school to junior high.

 As they become more involved with activities, studies and friends at school geeking out with their parents going on family excursions or trying out new extracurricular activities begin to lose their appeal as puberty arrives. Especially, when an interest in having a boyfriend or girlfriend begins to captivate your son or daughter's mindset and makes hanging out with mom and dad so "uncool." Don't miss out on the time when your kids actually really want to spend time with you!

 A kid might have a love for gymnastics, but if they never come across the sport during their childhood, they most likely have missed out participating and developing that passion for it. Therefore, I highly recommend trying all sorts of activities with your children, particularly if you want them to experience the geeky side of life before they transform into TEENAGERS. After all, early education will shape their adulthood so get them started with an attitude that sets them moving forward with an appreciation for exploring and learning. As you expose them to as many activities as possible, embrace their areas of interest. 

As much as you wish to have shared interests with your kids, this is not assured. But if you don't try to do things together you will never know what similarities your children have in interests with you. Here are six examples of things a dad or mom may want to do with his kids before they hit puberty and don't want to geek out with parents anymore.

Play Games

There are games your child will enjoy that you won't but also many that the whole family will have fun playing together. For instance, get a cribbage board and a deck of cards then enjoy the game with them. It will look complicated initially, but they will get the hang of it. Set aside time maybe once a week or month to turn off  the electronics and have a family game night. We've been having a lot of fun playing the cooperative tabletop game Marvel United from Spin Master Games. Find games that get the whole family excited about spending quality time together.

Take Combat Lessons 

My kids have become Star Wars fans through spending time watching the tv shows and movies with their dad.  Any Star Wars fan will be geeked about having an experience that lets them replicate lightsaber combat. Even if you are not a fanatic of the Star Wars franchise, anything related to a lightsaber is sure to appeal to your kids so look for a fencing class. Some of these classes actually use replica lightsabers to increase interest in the sport.

If the lightsaber angle doesn't work, try karate lessons or another martial art. Many of the tenets of the Jedi are based on elements of real martial arts. So, bottom-line find the combat skill that interests your child. Sometimes, all it takes is to ask them directly which could save you the time, money and effort otherwise guessing what they would like to do.

Do a Science Project Together 

Your children will appreciate guidance during a science project. They might need a few materials to make their project for instance; take this chance to go shopping with them. Furthermore, you can give a few suggestions to improve their experiment. However, refrain from discouraging their project idea. Sometimes all your kid needs is support on their aspirations. 

Read Comic Books  

Despite a societal move away from print to electronics, you will still find shops with traditionally published comic books that you can physically hold in your hands. Naturally, your kid will love to visit such a shop. My kids have been participating in FREE COMIC BOOK DAY for years which has been a great way for our whole family to appreciate collecting comics together. Comic books are a wonderful way to encourage reading, stimulate creative thinking and promote an interest in art.

Attend Comic-Cons 

Naturally, if your kid loves comic books, they would be delighted to attend a Comicon. At this fun event, your kids can feel comfortable and make friends. These fan festivals have a variety of things you can do as a family. If you haven't been to one, you might enjoy it more than you think. Furthermore, these cons will get your child outside the house for a breath of fresh air instead of staying stuck in the house all time playing video games or watching tv.

Use Their Fandom As Teachable Moments 

Some Star Wars movies have a lot of wisdom that you can borrow and use to educate your child. Fortunately, most sci-fi and superhero stories actually promote kindness, compassion, and innovation. Therefore, from the get-go, they encourage essential virtues in life. 

Also, if you correct your child's behavior using what Yoda said in a Star Wars movie, they will heed it. Of course, there is no excuse for bad behavior, but ultimately your child needs compassion and understanding. 

Therefore, understand their world so that you can parent them efficiently. After all, you do not want to become that parent who takes all their interests away from them or can't relate to their interests. 

Final Thoughts 

Last but not least, you can analyze something with them under a microscope, disassemble an electronic device and put it back together, or buy them in a Halloween costume of their favorite hero. 

Whatever you do, ensure you consider the interests of your child. If you are a geek of a parent yourself, control your impulse to impose your interests on the kids. Your child might be a geek too, but it comes in different tastes, shapes, and degrees. All in all, watch your kids at all times to get a glimpse into their preferences.

THREE LESSONS MODERN DADS CAN LEARN FROM DIGITAL NOMADS

Have you heard of digital nomads? These are people who utilize technology to work remotely so as to be location independent. So instead of being tied to a desk in an office building a digital nomad may be working from a beach-side cabana, while traveling around the United States in an RV or maybe even from hotels in foreign countries while exploring the world. They utilize the connectivity of the Internet and today's communications and computing technology to lead a nomadic lifestyle.

Digital nomading may be great before you have kids or even with preschoolers. Once your kids hit school age, however, there’s a lot of reasons why it’s useful to have a home base. Even so, there’s still a lot modern dads can learn from digital nomads. Here are a few of the key lessons. 

Keep on top of time with technology 

You may think that your kids are too young to have smartphones and apps. There is, however, nothing to stop you from creating and managing accounts for them. For example, if you use an Android smartphone yourself, then you could create Gmail accounts for your kids. Then you can put anything related to them in their own calendar, which you can see. 

The advantage of this approach is that changes to a kid’s calendar will be seen immediately by everyone who has access to it. This avoids the problem of you updating your own calendar but forgetting to tell anyone else who needs to know. 

Digital nomads always have knowledge of how to get WiFi connection. They always know the best internet for rural areas and urban areas. This helps them to stay connected in whichever parts of the world they choose to be. Try to get the highest quality internet you can as it will prevent frustration, and help productivity.

Separate your contact details from your location 

You’re probably already doing this to some extent with cell phones and email. Now, however, could be a great time to up your game. For example, ditching your regular landline for a VoIP number can do a lot more than just lower your phone bills. It can give you access to the kinds of call-management features which used to be exclusive to business. 

What’s more, you can have extra numbers without extra lines. This could be very handy if you wanted to work/side-hustle/run a business from home. In fact, if you are or thinking about side-hustling/running a business from home, then you probably want to up your game even further. Using low cost virtual address services allows you to give people a mailing address without potentially compromising your home address. 

Make sure that you have a portable workspace 

Full-time travel with kids is, realistically, not a practical option for the average family. Part-time travel with kids, however, can lead to some of the best experiences a family can have. Your ability to work “away from base” can make a significant difference to your ability to get out and about with your kids. After all, even if you’re just heading out on a short road trip, you might find it very helpful to keep on top of work. 

The better your portable workspace, the more options you can have. That means it really can be worth thinking about what you, personally, need to be productive on the move for different lengths of time. When considering this, remember to think about accessories such as cases, cables, cards and, of course, power. 

For example, a tablet on its own might keep you going when you’re waiting to pick up your kids from some activity. If, however, you’re going “off base” for a day, then you need to start thinking about extra power. If you want to do any serious work, then you might find it very helpful to have an external keyboard and mouse. In fact, you may even find that you really need to upgrade to a laptop.

IRISH DANCING

After seven years of ballet, my daughter wanted to try something new that she said would be more fun to do. So for the last three months she has been learning Irish Dance via Zoom. No easy task with the pandemic preventing her class from practicing together in a dance studio but she has made the best of the situation.

Her beginner class had a performance today at a local park as part of the dance troupe's Spring recital. Have to give my daughter a lot of credit because she is starting off in an all-ages class full of little kids. I bet a lot of people her age would have been embarrassed to perform in this situation but she stuck with the class and led them all through their recital routine. The girl wanted to get involved in Irish Dance and if this is what it took she was all onboard to participate. I love the lack of ego she demonstrated!

After 7 years of ballet my daughter wanted to be involved with a dance that was more fun to do. So for last 3 months she has been learning #irishdance via Zoom. Today was her first public performance with the beginner class during dance troupe's Spring recital #motorcity #girldad pic.twitter.com/2alAPOCcLt

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) May 8, 2021

Proud of her for giving it her all during their first non-Zoom performance together as a group and for being a great team player at the Motor City Irish Dance Spring Recital. Hopefully by the end of the year she will be graduating to a level in the troupe where she is engaged with kids who are more her age and overall level of dance experience. You have to start somewhere though and she is very excited about her Irish Dance experience.