Mom, I Want To Go Home!

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keeping-child-busyMy son’s a cutie but he doesn’t really enjoy going anywhere. He loves to stay home and just play with his toys. He’s just not the type that I can take along all the time. If I do take him with me, he will repeatedly end up saying, “I want to go home!” That can get pretty irritating most especially if I’m doing some shopping.

As much as I want to take him with me, I really have to think twice about it. There’s just no way we can both enjoy going anywhere if one of us wants to go home. It’s really a challenge to keep to take him along with me. Over the years, I’ve learned how to deal with it. Here are my simple ways to deal with my son that loves to say, “I want to go home!”

Hire A Babysitter From Sittercity

If I really want to go out shopping and my son is just not too crazy about it, I hire a babysitter from Sittercity. This is the wisest thing for me to do. I can take some time out for myself without worrying about my son.

There are times when I just want to go out and do some window shopping. It’s a good way for me to relax and rejuvenate. When such time comes and my son doesn’t want to accompany me, I turn to Sittercity for childcare services. Sittercity is the only childcare service provider that I feel comfortable with. I don’t feel bad if I have to leave my son with a babysitter from Sittercity.

Leaving my son with a babysitter from Sittercity is much better than dragging him along with me and listening to him say, “I want to home!” That will surely drive me nuts.

Keep Him Busy

The times when I do take my son along with me, I keep him busy. I make sure he has his gadgets so that he won’t get bored. This works well most especially when we’re in a mall. He can play with his gadgets while I look around.

But of course, that’s not 100% effective. There are times when my son gets bored with his gadgets. In a situation like this, he’s bound to end up saying, “I want to go home!”

To appease him, I sometimes buy him a small toy. While it may seem like a bribe, I take some time to explain to him why he gets a toy. It could be that he gets a toy to keep him busy or he gets a toy because he’s pretty behaved. Either way, it works because he doesn’t incessantly end up saying, “I want to go home!”

Be Honest And Follow Through

When my son really needs to come along with me, I make sure to tell him the reason why. I don’t just drag him along without explaining to him where we’re going. I tell him the reason why he needs to come along. Maybe I need to get him a new pair of shoes or some clothes; one thing for sure, he has to know the reason and he has to know the plan for the day. I just cannot drag him along without telling him the reason why. He just has to know the plan. On my part, it’s important that I stick to the plan. If I don’t follow through with the plan, he will end up saying, “Mom, I want to go home!”

Savings From Grocery Coupons And Bulk Buying

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family-financeIn these trying economic times, homemakers are pushed to the limits when it comes to stretching the dollar. Some have to sacrifice home repair and maintenance for food.

It is best to keep in mind that there are ways to save more money. In spite of the times, it is still possible to save and spend it for other important household needs such as repair and maintenance.

Using coupons at the grocery store is quite popular for household shoppers. Waiting for the double-coupon days at supermarkets can also add up to more savings. The product coupons found and clipped from magazines, newspapers, and brochures are viewed as sure savings. More and more homemakers use these dollar-saving coupons. Planning the grocery shopping list around the available coupons is a good way to save some bucks. Sometime, some homemakers even have coupon-wallets with all the coupons arranged accordingly for easy use.

Buying in bulk can also help save some bucks. Items packed in bigger sizes or heavier in content cost less than those same items packed in smaller packages. For example, it is wise to buy laundry and bath products in bulk as they are consumed daily. Since these are everyday products, purchasing them in bulk means great savings as well. Just make sure they are consumed the right way. One pf the disadvantages of buying in bulk is that he consumption doubles as well.

Another way to maximize the advantages of bulk-buying is by planning the family menu for a week or two. In this manner, the homemaker can determine which meats, pasta, grains, or sauces to buy and the amount needed. Some vegetables also stay fresh for a long time and buying them in bulk will not affect its taste.

For wise homemakers on a budget, using grocery coupons and buying in bulk are two effective ways to add more value to the hard-earned dollars. It really makes a lot of sense to start cutting and collecting the coupons.

With the savings from the coupons, it is not necessary to skimp on any other important household needs. There will be no need to sacrifice the maintenance and repair of the house.

Teaching Kids How To Appreciate Their Gifts

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Kids will be kids. They’re adorable but they can be brutally frank. Call it innocence, but sometimes they say the darnest things. One of those many occasions is when they’re likely to say something off is during gift giving. Excited to open their presents, they expect every gift is a toy. And if it’s a toy, they expect it’s something they’ve asked for. But there are times when they get really disappointed. They can say something so frank and sometimes, offensive. As parents, we need to address that right away. But how can we actually teach our kids to appreciate their gifts?

Understand The Concept Of Giving

Kids have to understand the concept of giving. As parents, it’s our responsibility to tell them about it. For some kids, it’s a thin line between giving and sharing. They still can’t tell the difference between sharing and giving. For them, giving and sharing are almost the same. Whether they give or they share, they’re parting with something that means a lot to them. So their concept of giving (or sharing) is associated with letting go of something valuable to them.

And personally, I think that’s the reason why they expect a lot during gift giving. Since their concept of giving is associated with letting go of something valuable, they expect something they really like. We can’t blame them. After all, they’re kids.

That’s where we come in as parents. We need to let them know this. As recipients, they have to appreciate the act of giving. We forget that our kids are focused on the act of giving. And given their personal knowledge and experience on giving, their expectations are high. And when expectations are high, appreciation is low.

We need to remind them that they should appreciate whatever gift they receive. We need to emphasize on the thought of giving. This is one sure way to reconcile their concept of giving with the thought of appreciation.

Start Early

The concept of giving should be emphasized at an early age. This is something we should discuss with our little ones at an early age. We should also talk about it regularly.

Focusing on the thought of appreciation, we should teach our kids to always say thank you. This way, it becomes second nature to them to always say it. Each time they receive a gift, the habit of saying thank you overrides the expectations.

Be A Role Model

We can only do so much with talking. Too much of it might even end up futile. The best way for our kids to understand the concept of giving and appreciation is to demonstrate it. They need to see it in us. For them to understand it fully, they need to see us share, give, and appreciate. We cannot teach without demonstrating it.

Don’t Get Mad

Kids will always be kids. And no matter how much we guide them; they can make mistakes. If they do end up saying something really absurd upon receiving a gift, talk to them. But we should never get mad at them. The worse thing we can do is to embarrass them in front of others.

We are accountable for everything they say and do. After all, they’re our kids. So the best way is to apologize to the gift giver (if the remark was made within hearing) and talk to the child. We will only scare our child if we get mad. If a child is scared, there are less chances of learning from the mistake.

Kids will always say the silliest thing. This is especially true when they receive gifts. Our job as parents to help them appreciate the gifts they receive. This way, there are less chances of saying something absurd.

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Comparing Kids: A No No In Parenting

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We can’t help it. But we do it all the time. We try not to. That is, for some of us that’s aware that we shouldn’t compare our kids to other kids. However, it’s just not that easy. As parents, we compare our kids to make a point. But that shouldn’t be the case. Actually, it should never be the case. We should never compare our kids to other kids.

Each Child Is Special

No two children are the same. Each one is different. Each one is special. That is something we should keep in mind at all times.

We need to recognize our child’s individual talent and intelligence. The same goes for our child’s individual challenges and moods. No two children have the same intelligence level and talent. Their moods and challenges will certainly vary as well. If we keep on comparing our children, we will never get to know them well. We’ll never realize who they really are.  Worse, we might even miss their special talent because we’re always comparing them. Our expectations are based on the capacity of another child. That makes it unfair for each child.

No child wants to be compared to another child. It’s the same way we don’t want to be compared to other parents. Whether we’re being compared to look good or to look bad, comparison is just not good.

As parents, we need to recognize that each of our children is special. That way we focus on their individual capacity. That way, we can avoid any kind of comparison.

It’s Never A Healthy Competition

For some parents, comparison sparks some sort of healthy competition at home. The reality is that it doesn’t. And it will never spark some kind of healthy competition. What it does spark, however, is resentment.

The child that’s always compared to the “better one” will feel inadequate. That child will feel insecure. Insecurity is something we never want our child to feel. That feeling won’t help at all. It might not help the child achieve anything.  The mere comparison is enough to pressure the child. What’s worse is that the child is being compared to a sibling.  And that’s not good at all. That will never spark a healthy competition. It’ll only create an atmosphere of insecurity. The “better child” will have a false sense of greatness. While the “not so better child” will always feel less. And that’s not how we want to raise our children.

We have to consider each child’s individual capacity. From there, we set out expectations. Although we have to be careful with that kind of style as well. If we’re not, we can be accused of playing “favorites.” But if we spend time with each child, explaining the reasons why, then they’ll understand. It’s the only way to really acknowledge the individuality of each child. Once we do that, we can lay out our expectations based on the qualities of each child. But comparing them with each other is not healthy at all.

Even The Only Child Is Not Spared

It’s the same thing with an only child. The only child suffers from comparison as well. Unfortunately, parents might not notice it. Given that it’s an only child, parents might find it hard to notice that there’s some kind of comparison.

Honestly, I think parents that only have one child should also be careful. They might know it, but they might be comparing their only child to other children. Expressions such as “What grade did your classmate get?” or “If he can do it, you can do too!” will only hurt the child. The bottom line is to just focus on one child.  Only from there can a true road map to development be laid out.

As parents, we really have to try hard not to compare our kids. Just think how awful it is for the child. No one wants to be compared to anyone. Any kind of comparison won’t get the child to do better. What the child needs is complete attention. But to hear that the other child is better is no good. It’s just going to crush the child’s self esteem.

So if we can avoid it, the better. But it’s not easy. In my case, I have to catch and stop myself. There are times when I’m guilty. But I need to work harder on that. There are just no excuses. After all, comparing kids is really a no no in parenting.

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