• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Half Pint Peeps

Half Pint Peeps

Parenting, Kids, and mom life. All about life with littles. Free ideas to help your child develop in life. Get tips and tricks for raising kids.

  • Kid Stuff
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Education
    • Vacation
  • Parenting
  • DIY
    • Crafts
    • Recipes
  • Cleaning and Organization
  • Newsletter

Parenting

You Should Let Your Kids See You Do These 8 Things

April 21, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Parenting can be so difficult sometimes. It’s hard to know what you should and should not let your kids do. Here is a list of things you should let your kid do to help them live their best life.

Halfpintpeeps.com is the ultimate resource for awesome parents! Stop worrying about what you're doing right with simple tips and tricks at your fingertips. Check out these things you should be encouraging your own kids to do.

Things You Should Let Your Kid Do

1. Care For Physical Health

Not just exercise, but let your kids see you taking care of your health in general.  This includes healthy food choices, making regular doctor appointments, and taking care of your emotional and spiritual wellbeing as well.  Children need to know that it’s good to be active and proactive when it comes to good health and disease prevention.

Things You Should Let Your Kid Do, You Should Let Your Kids See You Do These 8 Things| Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting Tips and Tricks, Parenting Kids, Parenting Boys, Parenting Girls, Popular Pin

2. Serve Others

Giving of our time and talents to other people is, in my opinion, one of the greatest purposes in life.  I have found that I am happiest in life when I am serving others in some form or another.  It’s one reason I believe I enjoy teaching so much.  But make it a point to also step out of your normal routine to volunteer and serve (without grumbling) so that your children can learn from your example.

Things You Should Let Your Kid Do, You Should Let Your Kids See You Do These 8 Things| Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting Tips and Tricks, Parenting Kids, Parenting Boys, Parenting Girls, Popular Pin

3. Pursue Your Passions

Let your children see you actively pursue your interests and passions.  Let them know that life is best when you are actively seeking to express your creativity and challenging the right side of your brain.  Your example will also show them that there’s no need to be afraid of new and challenging pursuits.

Things You Should Let Your Kid Do, You Should Let Your Kids See You Do These 8 Things| Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting Tips and Tricks, Parenting Kids, Parenting Boys, Parenting Girls, Popular Pin

4. Budget & Save

While I don’t at all think parents should put their financial stresses and worries on their children, it IS recommended that you show them the importance of creating a budget and living within your means.  Help them understand the cost of day-to-day living as well as the cost of education, entertainment, recreation, and travel.

Things You Should Let Your Kid Do, You Should Let Your Kids See You Do These 8 Things| Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting Tips and Tricks, Parenting Kids, Parenting Boys, Parenting Girls, Popular Pin

5. Learn

Of course the teacher recommends that you let your children see you learning something new.  But I couldn’t believe with any more of my heart than I already do.  Your children need to see that learning and personal growth don’t stop with graduation from high school or college.  You are a person who continually seeks to improve yourself and your understanding of the world around you.  Better yet, let your children see you learn from a source that isn’t computer-based.  Knowledge and wisdom are most meaningful when we learn from other people.  Finally, let your children see you enjoy what you are learning as well as the struggles that come with mastering new information.

Things You Should Let Your Kid Do, You Should Let Your Kids See You Do These 8 Things| Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting Tips and Tricks, Parenting Kids, Parenting Boys, Parenting Girls, Popular Pin

6. Be Spiritual

However you practice spirituality, you should let your children observe you in times of quiet, inward reflection.  It’s important for kids to see that life is at its best when we find a balance of both intrinsic and extrinsic stretching.

You Should Let Your Kids See You Do These 8 Things| Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting TIps and Tricks, Parenting Kids, Parenting Boys, Parenting Girls, Popular Pin

7. Respect Opposite Sex

Whether married or single, it’s important to let your children see and hear you have healthy relationships with people of the opposite sex.  Be affectionate with your spouse, showing your children how to love and be loved.  If you are single or divorced, be careful not to project hurt, lonely, or angry feelings from past relationships out onto your kids.  Help children see that although some relationships go badly, doesn’t mean they all will.

You Should Let Your Kids See You Do These 8 Things| Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting TIps and Tricks, Parenting Kids, Parenting Boys, Parenting Girls, Popular Pin

8. Love Yourself

In today’s hyper-photoshopped world, loving yourself is perhaps the hardest thing women struggle with.  All the more reason that it’s more important than ever (!!!) to show your children, girls and boys alike, how to love themselves.  This often requires a total mind shift in how we think and speak to ourselves.  It likely won’t be easy.  It’ll require persistence.  But it’s worth it and it’s even more worth while when we consider the effect our efforts will have on our children.

You Should Let Your Kids See You Do These 8 Things| Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting TIps and Tricks, Parenting Kids, Parenting Boys, Parenting Girls, Popular Pin

I hope these tips on things you should let your kid do helps you out. Looking for more parenting advice? Check out my post on 10 discipline mistakes all parents should avoid making.

Filed Under: Parenting, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Kids, Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting Tips and Tricks, Raising Kids

10 Discipline Mistakes All Parents Should Avoid Making

March 9, 2021 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Parenting is hard, there is no doubt about it! Parenting is even harder when you have to figure out how you want to discipline your kids. Here is a list of discipline mistakes most parents make, and how you can avoid making them!

Halfpintpeeps.com makes parenting easier with tips and tricks to help guide you. Kids are bound to make mistakes sometimes, no matter what. Learn what NOT to do when disciplining your child.

Discipline Mistakes Most Parents Make

1. Telling Lies

It can be so tempting at times to tell our kids little white lies.  Your intentions are usually in the right place and you often get away with it.  But that doesn’t make it right.  The worst part of all about telling our kids a lie is when you get caught.  The disappointment and injustice of it all is more than I can bear to think of putting my boys through.   I’ve found that as cliché as it is to say, honesty always really is the best policy.  Have an open and honest conversation with your child when time allows… I’m always amazed at how much children really do understand.  For more information and great suggestions for a variety of situations, check out Goop.

Discipline Mistakes Most Parents Make

2. Caving In

Before I was married and had kids I had my first real interactions with children as a teacher.  One of the first lessons I learned with my students was to never back down from following through with consequences.  The minute you do that is the minute children know, even if subconsciously, that they can manipulate the situation.  Empty threats will not correct inappropriate behaviors.  Don’t be afraid of being the bad guy.  You are not your child’s friend… You are the parent.  Read more here.

Discipline Mistakes Most Parents Make

3. Inconsistent 

This is one of the biggest discipline mistakes most parents make. Inconsistencies between parents will undoubtedly lead to problems down the road.  Your kids will learn which parent to go to when they want something and the other will become the “bad guy”.  Sit down as a couple and determine ways in which you can both agree to discipline your children.  Learn more about how parents can back each other up from Raising Children.

Discipline Mistakes Most Parents Make

4. Excessive Bribes

Making promises or offering bribes to kids is so easy and tempting!  If we need them to cooperate and keep calm, we offer a bribe.  If we want them to eat their dinner rather than waste the food, we offer a bribe. There are times and situations when I DO actually think this is appropriate.  But there really is a fine line between offering a positive incentive and bribing to get through a difficult situation or bind.  Perhaps the worst consequence of offering excessive bribes is that children start to expect the bribe.  Once the offer is off the table, good luck getting them to behave.  I have found that the best way to change bad behavior and encourage good is to focus on the good.  Every time your child demonstrates good behavior, give them praise.  Children love getting positive feedback more than they want a bit of extra chocolate after eating all their broccoli.  Head to Empowering Parents for more information.

Discipline Mistakes Most Parents Make

5. Losing Your Cool

We’ve all been there.  Our child becomes stubborn and resistant, perhaps he/she throws a temper tantrum… whatever it is, it can cause your blood to boil and you might even lose your own temper.  You get angry, yell, maybe even say things you shouldn’t.  If this sounds familiar, then it really shouldn’t surprise you when your child loses their temper as well.  Children will model the behavior they observe from caregivers.  If kids observe mom and dad losing their tempers, their own behaviors will reflect mom and dad’s negative reactions.  Likewise, if children observe parents keeping their cool in heated situations, children will, with the proper guidance, learn to do the same.  For advice on how to keep your cool, read more on What to Expect.

Discipline Mistakes Most Parents Make

6. Consequences Not Immediate Enough

Children most likely won’t admit it, but they like having, or at least knowing, that there are consequences to inappropriate behaviors.  Consequences provide a sense of security for children as they mean that they live in an environment that sets and follows rules and expects only positive behaviors.  The problem with this for adults, however, is that it means we have to actually follow through.  It’s easier to go with a soft reprimand and avoid conflict than to give a full punishment.  As nice as it is to stay conflict free, all that this avoiding does is allow a problem to grow until it becomes so big that the punishment has to become more severe as well.  Deal with issues along the way when they are small and can be handled in a much less severe way.  Read more from The Next Family.

Discipline Mistakes Most Parents Make

7. Talking Too Long

I’ve seen it in my classroom a thousand times.  Eyes glaze over, hands stop going up in the air, and heads begin to droop.  I do my best not to let lessons get to this point, but when it happens, I know it’s immediately time to stop and move on.  The simple fact is that children will only stay focused on a topic or conversation for a short while.  If you want them to not just listen to but hear what you are saying to them, you must keep statements short and to the point.  They’ll also be more likely to remain engaged in a conversation if you let them actively participate and come up with answers or solutions on their own.  Psychology Today explains more about how to discipline children without losing their attention through drawn out discussions.

Discipline Mistakes Most Parents Make

8. Break Your Own Rules

Children will mimic what they see you doing.  Don’t confuse them or make them think rules apply to everyone but them by breaking your own rules.  I see this all the time when I’m out in stores or at a restaurant.  I’ll see parents getting after their children for fighting and then when the cashier or waiter makes a simple mistake, the parent becomes confrontational.  Seems a bit of a double standard, don’t you think?  It takes real effort, but adults must always be aware that they have little eyes watching them.  What you do is what your children will do.  The Atlantic shares more here about how parents can improve on ignoring or breaking their own rules.

Discipline Mistakes Most Parents Make

9. Being Negative

It’s really quite simple when you think about it:  whatever behaviors a parent focuses on pointing out are the behaviors a child will manifest.  What children know is that they want your attention and whichever behaviors elicit that attention from you, even if it’s negative attention, those are the behaviors children will practice.  If you want your children to follow rules, cooperate, and get along with others, praise those behaviors as much and as often as appropriate.  Flintobox explains how parents can avoid negativity and focus on being positive instead. This is one of the discipline mistakes most parents make that can really damage your relationship with your child.

Discipline Mistakes Most Parents Make

10. Consequences Don’t Match Actions

Sadly, this is one of the discipline mistakes most parents make that I see a lot. Another lesson I learned early on as a young teacher before having children of my own was the importance of consequences matching the behavior.  It’s easy in the world of education to hold a child in from recess when they cheat on a test or continually blurt out and disrupt the class.  But what how does taking recess away relate to cheating?  The consequence doesn’t help the child learn directly from their mistakes.  In order for consequences to have a lasting effect, they must match the behaviors that are inappropriate.  Read more here.

Discipline Mistakes Most Parents Make

I hope this list of discipline mistakes most parents make helps you out and teaches you ways to avoid those mistakes. For more parenting tips, check out my post on practice what you preach: why you should parent by example.

Filed Under: DIY, Kid Stuff, Parenting, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Discipline, Discipline Children, Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting Tips and Tricks

The Absolute Best Pets For Kids

December 19, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

So your kids are begging for a pet? There are great reasons to get a pet, including helping your kids to learn more responsibility. But it can be hard to know what kind of pet is right for your kids. Today’s information on the absolute best pets for kids will help you make what can be a tricky decision a little easier.

The Best Pets For Kids

Dogs are the number one choice in pets for many families the world over. There’s plenty of reasons for that. Kids tend to bond with dogs like no other, and dogs are wonderful companions for kids and adults. Just know that there are important considerations to make first:

So your kids are begging for a pet but you don't know what the best pets for kids are. You're in luck. We have a list of the best pets for kids. Dogs top the list at number 1. See what else you can get.
  • A dog {particularly a new puppy} requires a lot of care and training.
  • Research what breeds are best for families, because some are not well-suited for young kids.
So your kids are begging for a pet but you don't know what the best pets for kids are. You're in luck. We have a list of the best pets for kids. Guinea pigs are a great choice.

Some families adore having guinea pigs as pets. Do you know that guinea pigs are actually quite intelligent, and will respond to a child? They also handle well because they generally don’t bite. Guinea pigs are very social creatures! One of the considerations to be aware of is that guinea pigs need an abundant supply of vitamin C to be healthy.

So your kids are begging for a pet but you don't know what the best pets for kids are. You're in luck. We have a list of the best pets for kids. Birds are a great choice but they do require a bit of work.

One of the best pets for kids is a bird. Many kids enjoy birds, because they’re colorful to look at and fun to play with. Some types of birds learn melodies and will copy certain behaviors from your child. But be aware that some birds are noisy. It’s also necessary to clean the bird cage at least weekly–and it can get pretty dirty.

So your kids are begging for a pet but you don't know what the best pets for kids are. You're in luck. We have a list of the best pets for kids. Cats are always a good choice.

Cats are up there on the list of best pets for kids, probably right after the dogs! The main difference between having a dog for a pet, or having a cat, is the playful level. Dogs are definitely more playful than cats, but cats still like to cuddle sometimes {on their terms}. Cats are mainly independent, which is a bonus since they tend to take care of themselves. The downside of a cat is the chance of begin scratched, as well as changing the litter box.

Whichever pet you decide is best for your kids, don’t be afraid of the additional maintenance and care. Just add things like cleaning the litter box to your family chore chart!

Filed Under: Kid Stuff, Parenting, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Best Pets For Kids, Kid Stuff, Kids, Parenting, pet owner, Pets, pets for kids, responsibility

5 Memorable Things To Do With Your Kids During Christmas Break

December 17, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

This Christmas break, be prepared for the possibility of bored kids with ideas of things to do with them. Christmas break is a great time to capitalize on family time and make memories with your kids to last a lifetime. Here are 5 memorable things to do with your kids during Christmas break.

Things To Do With Your Kids During Christmas Break

If you're looking for things to do with your kids during Christmas break, you're in the right spot! Here are the top 5 things to do with your kids during their break!

Not everything you do with the kids during Christmas break has to fun and games. In fact, some of the things you can do involve organizing after the influx of new toys. Here are some ideas!

If you're looking for things to do with your kids during Christmas break, you're in the right spot! Sledding is one of the funnest things you can do during their break from school.
  1. If you live in a snowy climate, be sure to take time for winter sports during Christmas break. It’s the perfect time for skiing, snowboarding or sledding. If an ice skating rink is near your home, that’s a fun activity too.
    If you're looking for things to do with your kids during Christmas break, you're in the right spot! Building a snowman together is always a good idea.
  2. One family takes the opportunity to build a giant snowman every New Years Eve day–provided the weather cooperates. After your snowman building activity, head back inside for hot cocoa and a favorite family movie.
  3. After Christmas and before New Years is a great time to remember those who aren’t as fortunate. One of our favorite things to do with the kids during Christmas break is to head to a soup kitchen and help serve meals to the homeless. Another idea is to visit a local retirement home and entertain the residents.
    If you're looking for things to do with your kids during Christmas break, you're in the right spot! You don't have to go outside to have fun. Pick your favorite puzzle and put it together as a family.
  4. A favorite family tradition is to open a new puzzle and spend the lazy, cold afternoons putting it together. It’s especially fun to find a puzzle with special meaning to your family, such as a picture of a favorite travel spot or activity.
  5. Before Christmas, spend time collecting an assortment of new recipes the family wants to try. During Christmas break, take the kids shopping for the ingredients. Then spend time cooking and baking together and enjoying new foods!

Can you think of additional things to do with your kids during Christmas break?

Filed Under: Kid Stuff, Parenting Tagged With: activities, Christmas, Christmas activities, Christmas Break, Holidays, Kid Stuff, Parenting, Things To Do With Your Kids, things to do with your kids during Christmas break, Winter activities

How To Tell Your Kids About Santa Without Looking Like A Liar

December 12, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

As kids get older, it gets harder to keep the Santa secret. But how to tell your kids about Santa without looking like a liar? That’s a tough one, and a lot of parents are afraid of approaching the subject for fear of their kid’s reaction. Today we have some good advice for talking to your kids about Santa, so you can be prepared instead of scared.

How To Tell Your Kids About SantaIf you have kids, you know how tricky it can be figuring out how to tell your kids about Santa. Here are the best tips on how to tell them without looking like a liar.

Look for the signs that your kids are ready to talk about it

Have you been getting questions from your kids about who Santa really is? Or have they just out-and-out asked you if you are Santa? These are telltale signs that it is time to talk to them about Santa. It’s definitely easier said than done, though! We all like to keep belief in Santa alive and strong, because it’s fun. But it’s also a good idea to let them in on it before they hear it at school, or get teased for still believing.

It’s helpful to know that the average age when a child starts to question whether or not Santa is real is somewhere in the years between 7 and 10, depending on the child. When your child does ask you if Santa is real, ask him what he thinks before you answer. Your child’s thoughts can help guide your discussion.

Santa is a big deal to kids, so it can be hard trying to figure out how to tell your kids about Santa. It will make the whole process so much easier.

Be ready for a range of possible emotions

When your child hears that Santa isn’t real, her reaction may vary from anger or sadness to excitement. She may feel anger that you lied, or she may feel sadness that Santa isn’t real. Some kids feel like being let in on the secret is a sign that they are growing up–you can help them feel some responsibility to help keep the secret from younger siblings!

Are you stressing over trying to tell your kid that Santa isn't real? Here are the best tips on how to tell your kids about Santa. They'll help so much!

Help your child transition from believing in Santa to becoming Santa

How to tell your kids about Santa is a question some parents love to take on, and actually look forward to it. Plan ahead for this important talk. Take your child somewhere special, just the two of you–such as out for lunch or a shopping trip. Explain that she is getting old enough to “help” with Santa, and this is a big responsibility! Little kids get to experience the magic of believing in Santa, but older kids and adults get to be Santa–and that’s the most fun of all!

Not only do your kids now get to help be Santa at home, but in the community. Challenge them to think about the spirit of Santa Claus and how they can help spread it around to those who really need it. Teach them to notice the people around them, and watch for opportunities to “be Santa” to people who need it.

Great news–if your older kids help with Santa, they can also help with your Elf on the Shelf!

Filed Under: Kid Stuff, Parenting, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: children, how to, how to tell your kids about Santa, Kid Stuff, Parenting, Parenting Hacks, Parenting Tips and Tricks, Santa

A Lesson in Gratitude: Thank You Letters for Santa

December 11, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment


How many kids write letters to Santa asking for the stuff they want for Christmas? We all know it’s a lot! But how many of those kids write thank you letters to Santa after Christmas? Probably not nearly enough.

A Lesson in Gratitude | Thank You Letters | Thank You Letters for Santa | Thank You Letters for Kids | Santa Claus | Letters to Santa | Gratitude

You might be saying, “But what does it matter?” It matters because it is an opportunity to teach children a lesson in gratitude. Teach children how to write thank you letters for the gifts they receive and the kind acts done for them because it is a worthwhile task. Raising grateful children reaps dividends as they grow older. Gratitude positively affects attitude and behaviors for everyone!

A Lesson in Gratitude | Thank You Letters | Thank You Letters for Santa | Thank You Letters for Kids | Santa Claus | Letters to Santa | Gratitude

Here are some tips to help you teach your children how to write thank you letters. It really doesn’t even matter if your children are pre-school age or teenagers. There are tips to help with every age:

  • No matter how old your children are, explain that receiving thank you letters makes other people feel happy.
  • Write the thank you letters as soon as possible, but skip out just because you think it might be too late. Later is better than not writing one at all!
  • Spend a little time with your child talking about the gifts he received and why he feels thankful for them. Help your child translate those thoughts into his thank you letters.
  • Keep fun, colorful craft supplies on hand for creating and writing thank you letters. This helps make it more fun so that your child will want to participate.
  • If your child isn’t writing yet, allow them space to draw or scribble on the thank you letter before adding the words. Try to write down your child’s own words about the gift. This makes those thank you letters more special to the recipients.
  • Let your child do as much as his age allows, including applying the stamps and dropping thank you letters into the mailbox.
  • Allow older children to come to the store and pick out their own cards if it helps create interest in the project.
  • Play music and drink hot cocoa while writing thank you letters to Santa to keep it fun!
A Lesson in Gratitude | Thank You Letters | Thank You Letters for Santa | Thank You Letters for Kids | Santa Claus | Letters to Santa | Gratitude

Make writing thank you letters a regular part of your child’s upbringing. It’s worth the lessons in gratitude he will learn and apply for the rest of his life!

For more tips on thank you letters, see Emily Post.

Filed Under: Crafts, Parenting, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: A Lesson in Gratitude, gratitude, Gratitude Lesson, Letters to Santa, Parenting, Santa Claus, thank you letters, Thank You Letters For Santa

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 8
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar




Search

Newsletter

RSS The Latest

  • Back-to-School Traditions for You to Start
  • 10 Musical Instrument Crafts for Kids
  • 12 Fun Things to Do With Toddlers During the Summer
  • Science Fair Project Ideas for Kids
  • Super Simple Tips for School Picture Day

**Posts may contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

Learn More About the MightyFix One Simple Change Each Month

Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Sample on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About