How Parenting Has Changed-Contest!

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Have you ever listened to someone from another generation go on and on about the way times have changed when it comes to raising children? Let's face it, things are much different these days! Both parents are much more involved in their children's lives than they were forty or fifty years ago. With that said, I personally think parents nowadays have more stress than they did back when our parents raised us or our grandparents raised their children. Parents these days are expected to "balance it all." By that I mean balance the career, balance family and keep things flowing smoothly.

What the older generation doesn't understand is that times have changed drastically and here's why!

1. Car Safety

Ever wonder how our parents survived? They never had seat belts! Not only that, they didn't have car seats. Mother's were encouraged to travel in back seat holding their newborn babies when coming home from the hospital. Luckily, safety has come a long way since then! In fact keeping our children safe in the car and in the home is much more important than it use to be.

2. Outside Play

These days you can't keep your eyes off your child for two seconds. It seems every time you turn around, another child is missing. Gone are the days when parents would let their kids out in the morning to play with the neighborhood kids. Kids were expected to be home for dinner. Times have certainly changed!

3. Technology

There are certainly many more outside influences like the media and internet. Kids nowadays know a lot more than they should. While there is a lot of good that comes out of kids studying and learning from the internet, there can also be a lot of negativity that comes with the internet and media as well. Our ultimate goal as a parent is to keep children safe and healthy. I think limiting the use of t.v, internet and video games is extremely important. Encouraging better eating habits and exercise should be a top priority.

4. More Outside Influences

I personally think there are many more options for kids to get into trouble these days. There's certainly more drugs and alcohol than there was 50,60 or 70 years ago. There's more pressure to be a certain way or fit into a certain group etc. Bullying is a term used more and more these days than ever before too. This generation of kids have many more outside influences than ever before.

5. Parents are Expected to do it All

By this I mean both parents are expected to do it all. Back when it was custom for the husband to work and the wife to stay home, it's certainly very different now. Both parents are encouraged to work therefore, the child is forced to be put in daycare and basically raised by someone other than their parents. Many parents seem to just scrape by after the cost of daycare and mother's often work just to keep the health insurance for the family. Since the cost of raising a child is a lot higher these days, both parents may have to contribute.

How has parenting changed in your opinion? Do you think it's easier or harder to raise a child these days?

Jessica

Make a comment below and like us on Facebook to be entered to win a Britax B-Agile stroller! Contest ends 9/24/12.

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by Jessica GPosted in Mothers

Traveling With Kids

Does the thought of traveling with your kids make you cringe? Maybe you're one of those rare parents that actually enjoys it! Either that or one of those rare parents that have extremely easy and well-behaved children that will go anywhere or sleep anywhere! I know that when my kids don't sleep in their own beds, we are usually in for a tough next day. My husband and I keep tossing the idea back and forth on when we should take the kids to Disney. I'm hoping that it's as stress free as possible with very few meltdowns! What I really want is my kids to enjoy it and hopefully remember it.

We have done the weekend getaways with the kids. While the idea sounds great, we might as well have stayed the month with the amount of clothes, toys and necessities we needed to bring! Better yet, we should have rented a U-haul! I have to wonder if going away for a weekend with kids is even worth it.

Have you ever taken your child on a flight? Chances you have thought about it and dreaded it. I have taken my two oldest children on a plane when they were young. My son was two and my daughter was 6 months old at the time. There were three adults and two children which made things a heck of a lot easier! With that said, it was still work! Did I mention we had a four-hour layover on the way home? Not the best situation but we made it! Which brings me to my next subject.

Just  recently on a flight, parents of 14 week-old twins handed out goody bags to everyone on the flight. Here's what the note read:

'We're twin baby boys on our first flight and we're only 14 weeks old!' the note read.'We'll try to be on our best behavior, but we'd like to apologize in advance just in case we lose our cool, get scared or our ears hurt. Our mom and dad (AKA our portable milk machine and our diaper changer) have ear plugs available if you need them,' the note added.

Mostly everyone on board thought it was such a nice gesture and appreciated the fact that the parents had gone to the trouble to do this. Some people thought it was a little much. I personally think it was a really nice gesture. Having been on a plane with my own kids, I get it. I remember rolling my eyes when I would get on a plane and see a baby. That was before I had my own children. Now when I get on and see a baby, I immediately think, "Oh gosh, those poor parents." Funny how you thoughts change after you have kids! My guess is that the majority of passengers on the flight had kids or grandchildren of their own and the ones who weren't as enthusiastic, didn't!

What do you think? Do you think the goody bags were a nice gesture or did you think it was over the top?

Wouldn't this stroller make life so much easier when you travel with your little one? We are giving it away! Just make a comment to the previous blog and like us on Facebook to win. Winner will be announced September 24, 2012.

Jessica

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by Jessica GPosted in Mothers, Welcome

Fun Back to School Ideas!

Can you believe it's about that time already? I feel like my kids just had their last day of school. It's hard to believe they will be going back once again. We have really had a great summer. We've been to the zoo, the beach and some cute festivals and farmers markets. We've had a few birthday parties and have enjoyed our share of cookouts. My kids have probably eaten more than their share of hotdogs and hamburgers this summer!

I love spending time with them so it's really bitter-sweet to see them go off again. So even though I know they would rather keep an open schedule, I think they do a lot better when they have a routine. I also do better too! I think by this time every summer my kids get a little bored. Maybe it has something to do with the dog days of summer or so they call it! I've been trying to come up with some fun ideas to get kids ready for back to school.

Here's some of the ideas I thought I would share!

1. Take Your Kids School Shopping

I know, I know this sounds obvious right? How about plan a day out with each child to make it special?  Make it a date and have lunch or even dinner. When picking out clothes, have your child pick out an item of clothing and you pick out another item to make an outfit. Add a cute/cool accessory and wallah! You have an outfit!

2. Backpack Time!

I remember getting ready for back to school. It seems like eons ago! I loved picking out my favorite book bag or trapper keeper. Let your child have fun by picking out their favorite backpack with your help of course!

3. Inventory List

Did you get the inventory list for your child's classroom yet? It can be pretty long sometimes can't it? Have your child help by getting their supplies together. You can bring the check list and add items to your shopping cart while your child checks off the list or vice versa! This will keep your child aware what they need for school. Bring supplies home and you can both put his/her supplies together into their backpacks.

4. Designate a Study Area

Make it really fun for your child by designating an area to school work. Have them help you get it ready by adding a pencil box, crayons, paper, folders etc. Make it a project you can both enjoy.

5. Fashion Show Time!

After you have your children's school clothes ready, set up a run way in your living room for your kids. Get them dressed in a few different outfits complete with accessories and their backpacks of course. Turn up the music and let them strut their stuff! This will certainly help boost confidence and help them with first day of school jitters! Invite some close friends and family too!

I hope this helps getting your kids ready for back to school! Good luck!

How do you get your kids ready for their first day of school?

Jessica

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by Jessica GPosted in Mothers