Half Pint Peeps

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Parenting

Team Up With Your Kids To Achieve Those New Year’s Resolutions

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This year, instead of doing New Year’s resolutions on your own, why not team up with your kids? It’s a great way to teach them how to make and set goals from a young age. And that’s a valuable skill to learn! Here are some ideas to help you accomplish it.

We always think of New Year's Resolutions and we all know that most of them fail. I believe it is because we aren't prepared to make them. If you are a parent, you can help your child pick realistic resolutions when they are young and get involved by teaming up with them to be successful. I know you are thinking.. Geez, wish my parents would have done that. Now, you can do this for your kids. Keep reading to learn more. #newyearseveresolutionsforkids #parentingtips

New Year’s Resolutions for Kids & Families

Here are some ideas for New Year’s resolutions that work great for kids and families to work on together. Some are pretty easy, they just require you to think about it and talk with the kids about actually doing it. Others may take more effort, but all of them are worth doing.

  • Start a new weekly tradition. For example, every Monday night could be family game night. Or every Thursday night could be  movie night. The point is to make family time important.
  • Make a resolution to do more service as a family. Serve at a refugee center or help out an elderly neighbor. The kids can give plenty of input on this, and then they’ll enjoy it even more.Most people set individual New Year's resolutions, but have you ever set New Year's resolutions as a family? Here are some resolutions you can work on together.
  • Get more physical activity as a family. This can mean a weekly hike, bike ride or walk to the park to play. Whatever it is, it’s healthy for everyone!
  • Talk as a family about putting down the devices more often. Set out a basket to hold phones during dinner, at bedtime, and during those family weekly activities. Decide together how to accomplish this goal so everyone is on board.Most people set individual New Year's resolutions, but have you ever set New Year's resolutions as a family? These resolutions will bring your family closer together.
  • Could you do better at recycling? Get the kids to help out with a new family goal to recycle more. Start a kitchen compost bin or save and donate plastic grocery bags to a local homeless shelter to make sleeping mats. There are a lot ways to be more earth-friendly as a family.
  • Instead of setting a goal to eat healthier, set a smaller, more definitive goal that will accomplish the same thing. For example, as a family decide to eat more vegetables. Let each person take turns choosing a new vegetable to try at dinner.

Most people set individual New Year's resolutions, but have you ever set New Year's resolutions as a family? Here are some resolutions to set and work on as a family.

Team up with your kids to achieve New Year’s resolutions, and everyone benefits. Here are some more ideas for making the most of family time.

Thanksgiving Gifts For Teachers That Aren’t Food

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Teachers put so much into teaching our kids, why not show extra thanks during the month of Thanksgiving? Today I have a list of Thanksgiving gifts for teachers your kids will love to help put together for their own teacher. Kids also benefit by learning early how to express gratitude to the people who do a lot for them!

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for all the wonderful things in our lives. Teachers do so much for us and often don't get the thanks they deserve. But, we have some great ideas for you to show your teacher just how much you appreciate what they do for you. Say thanks with these mason jar ideas, ideas made from kids, and more. Where would we all be without great teachers? Remember to think of them this Thanksgiving. #teachergiftideas #thanksgivinggiftsforteachers

Parenting Tips To Help Prepare Your Toddler For A New Baby

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As ready as you may be to have that new baby, your toddler is in for an awakening! A toddler has no idea how that little bundle is about to change her world. If you’re nervous about how to prepare your toddler for a new baby, we have the parenting tips to help you make the transition as smooth as it can possibly be.

Having another baby is exciting, but also adds some challenges when you have a toddler or other children. They don't always understand why so much fuss is being made. These parenting tips help you teach your child about a new baby and how they can still feel special and even help out. Before the baby arrives, make sure you read about these tips to help prepare your toddler for a new baby. They will make the addition so much nicer.

Toddler Games Designed To Improve Coordination

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As parents, we want our kids to grow and develop as normally as possible. And there are fun ways to help them do just that! Take coordination, for example. Helping improve your toddler’s coordination is easy and fun when you know the right kinds of toddler games to play with them. Check out this list of fun toddler games to help improve your toddler’s coordination.

Kids love games. Parents love games that keep the kids busy and active. That's exactly what we are talking about: toddler games designed for coordination. These games can be played both indoors and out. Help your child improve their coordination and have fun at the same time. Win Win, right?

Create Unity With A Family Chore Chart

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Don’t struggle to do everything your house needs doing by yourself. Instead, make your life easier and create unity with a family chore chart. When everyone works together, children learn valuable lessons, the family is happier and the home is cleaner.

Create Unity With A Family Chore Chart

Should parents involve the kids in doing all the various chores there are to do around the house? Isn’t it the parents’ job to take care of all that stuff? The truth is, it’s also the parents’ responsibility to teach their kids how to work. Home is the best place to teach that, and a family chore chart is a great way to start.

Kids who learn how to do chores learn a greater sense of responsibility, they learn how to work, and they learn to feel that they’re a valued member of your home.

Having a family chore chart will help bring your family closer together and keep your house clean

How To Include Your Kids In A Family Chore Chart

Kids as young as preschool age should be included in your family chore chart. Make one chart for everyone, divided by specific jobs, or make separate charts for each member of the family. There are a lot of ways to organize your family chore chart. Here are suggested chores for different age groups.

  • Preschool age children are capable of doing things like picking up after themselves, putting away their toys, and putting their dishes in the sink after a meal.
  • School-age children, in addition to the chores they began doing as preschoolers, can load and unload the dishwasher, run the vacuum or sweep the floor.
  • Preteens can help prepare meals, learn to run the dishwasher, and assist with yard work.
  • Teenagers are ready for even more family responsibility. Give them chores that include cleaning a bathroom, changing the sheets on their bed, mowing the lawn, and preparing family meals.

For more ideas, see age-appropriate chore charts for kids.

Family Chore Charts are an important thing to have. It will bring everyone closer together and keep your house squeaky clean.

Easy Ways To Create A Family Chore Chart

Don’t let the chore chart become a chore! Some families love a fancy and involved chore chart, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some easy ideas.

  • Get a large chalkboard and hang it in a central location {the kitchen works well}. Give everyone a different color of chalk to use. List all the chores that need to be done that week, and as a family member completes that specific chore they get to check it off with their own chalk.
  • Use a smaller chalkboard for each family member and list their assigned chores for the week. Before a chore can be checked off, it must be approved by mom or dad.
  • Print up chores on cardstock, like a stack of cards. Laminate them for durability. Give cards to each family member for the chores they need to do that day or that week. When a chore is done, the card needs to be returned to mom and dad and approved by them.
  • Not feeling creative? Purchase a family chore chart you like at Amazon!