Back To School, Preparing Like A Pro

 

Now that millions of children are getting ready for the new school year all across America, it’s now time to prepare to adjust back to our normal routine. The kids must be dropped off, picked up and dinner served all on time. This year 2019-2020 school year is here, so why not plan ahead to make it a success.

Just as your child’s summer schedule needed careful consideration to accommodate the families schedule over summer break, getting your child ready to return back into the regular school routine is necessary.

So your child’s back to school shopping list is complete, clothes…. check, shoes…. check, fresh hair cuts and hairdos…. check. Now you can tackle the tedious task of shopping for your child’s school supplies. Hopefully, you were able to take advantage of the No Tax Weekend sale that took place this past weekend. For you guys that may not know about the No Tax Weekend, it’s the chance to purchase back to school items tax-free, which happens to always be a smart investment.
Normally, before the school year begins, your child’s school will require you the parent to have completed an itinerary of things to have complete before your child can register for the 2019-2020 school year. This is the perfect time to check to see if you have all of your child’s immunizations up to date, if you have address changes, and any other updates.

Depending on your child’s age, I believe that it’s a good idea to make time to attend any type of parent-teacher conferences and accept any open house invitations that the school will offer. Taking time to meet with your children ‘s teachers and administrators allows you to get an understanding of the person/people who have the potential to be a positive influence on your child throughout the school year.

This is also an appropriate time to inquire about which type of after school programs are available. Many city schools, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club and the like, offer programs where children can go after school hours, and actually continue to learn and interact with other children their age. Whether the program is designed to keep them busy until they can be safely picked up, or actually continues your child’s education afterwards. These programs are necessary for so many busy parents.

Another thing that you can do to prepare your kids for school, is to get your children in the routine of returning back to begin to make adjustments to your child’s bedtime schedule, probably a few weeks before school starts. Let your kids get used to going to bed an hour or two earlier until they are used to going to sleep and waking up on time. Other tips that you can use are shortening your child’s playtime, while your kids are now use to playing outside late into the evening, and watching tv. As their parent, since they have been out of the daily routine of studying, begin to incorporate more time into reading and getting back into doing little workbooks that will stimulate their minds for the upcoming school year.

For your child, this school year has the awesome potential of being one where your child can be secure that they are equipped with everything that they need to succeed in the upcoming year.

 

 

 

Building Blocks To Raising Self Aware Children

 

Here at Babies and Baubles we like to honor the very fabric of our society by celebrating the family structure. I believe that that in order to have a well-functioning society, we as family units should begin to learn and implement the basics of healthy family foundations. Christian programs such as Parenting God’s Way provide tips, and articles that provide families the correct tools and scriptures on raising healthy children, as well as supports the promotion of healthy parents.

A few days ago I found myself listening to a broadcast on raising Christian children in a day and age where the world has its own way of teaching both parents and children what’s acceptable, and if you are like many other Christian parents, grandparents, caregivers and teachers you are aware that the world’s standards are vastly different from God’s way.

 

 

The Word Of The God says to “Train up a child in the way that should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it”. This scripture could apply to the importance of educating our children on on recognizing and establishing healthy boundaries, both physically, spiritually and emotionally. It is statistically accurate that the days of waiting until your children learn about sex education from the education system are long gone. Kids are being exposed to conversations and physical encounters every day. If unfamiliar with how to handle these situations things could  take a turn for the worse.

Experts say that you should begin to teach your kids about theses values way before you or society “deems” them  at the age of “maturity”. With that being said, what do you think is the appropriate age to begin teaching your kids about body awareness and how “the rules.” Don’t wait until the age that you think that they will be ready to learn about the importance of gender roles, the purpose of sex, and waiting until marriage to become intimate. Go ahead and prepare now.

Kids in today’s society are being exposed to alternative teachings, such as gender fluidity, homosexuality, masturbation, pre-marital sex, technically it’s never too early to get ahead of the learning curve, by introducing your children to Christian values, and how to meet God’s expectations of living righteously.

Outlets in the media; television, music, books, and even games and apps have exposed our kids to the too much, too soon syndrome. All of this covert programming is being received and filtered subconsciously through their senses and being processed in their minds, and if not taken care, absorbed and acted out. Think about how intently young kids can watch television or a movie intended for kids. They sit for thirty minutes shows back to back. We as Christian parents understand that the world’s way of influencing the masses is by programming certain agendas to be incorporated into mainstream media in order to slowly gain our acceptance. Our goal as parents of young, easily influenced children is to prevent that from happening.

One of the ways that you as a parent can actively become involved is by teaching them from the ages of one to three years old, is about being body conscious. This is something that young kids are taught at day care, but as a parent you can implement similar games with your children that will encourage them to take ownership over their bodies as well as educate them on the function of their bodies and it’s unique parts. To begin the, introduce a game where they physically identify their head, arms, legs and fingers and toes. Create a song or dance to go with it, or perhaps purchase a book that readily explains the functions. Also, visiting websites that are both kid and parent friendly alike such as Growing Hands On Kids and read their articles, one in particular 10 Body Awareness Activities For Kids provides activities that help your kids cultivate balance through movement and dancing to action songs. The kids will enjoy your participation, so do not hesitate to join them in play. Some parents will be hesitant about explaining anything beyond the basics of body awareness, but you don’t have to be. As a parent of a toddler it’s recommended that you begin to teach them about both their public parts (the parts you see everyday) and the private parts (the parts that you don’t see everyday). Our too much information…. This is something that children can grasp easily and if explained through honest communication that girls have specific parts and boys have specific parts, what they do and that these private parts are only relevant as their roles as parents….one day. It all makes sense when put into context. Explain to them that that after you become a mature woman you meet and marry a mature man. Women can then conceive and have babies. After young boys mature into men, they too meet and marry a woman and they produce babies that the woman, wife will carry. Your kids will be very interested in learning how they too will one day grow up, get married and have their own kids, because of course they have seen examples of healthy families roles in everyday life. They probably will have a few questions for you, and you should prepare to have mature answers for them as well.

In continuation, teaching your young children about body awareness, the next article will help you explain in depth how to maintain his or her purity as your child grows older, we all understand that we need to begin somewhere and then continue to have open communication as our children become older. So grab a few books and begin to reinforce the things that you have learned, as you begin to practice, your kids will be a little more prepared for the life they experience outside of your Christian home.

 

Stephaniemary Fagbeyiro-Post/Blogger and Business Owner

Selecting The Best Summer Programs For Your Kids

With the last few days of school quickly coming to an end, for many school children. Planning for your child (children’s) summer vacation doesn’t have to leave you stressed out. There are plenty of both free and paid programs that will keep your children safe, entertained as well as mentally stimulated, so the fun part comes from being educated on which programs will work for you and your children.

Selecting which summer program out of many, that your children will actually benefit from can be made simple by either browsing online or going to your cities local library. Organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA and various programs can each provide students young as Pre K alternatives to spending those lazy summer days at home in front of the television. If keeping your children mentally stimulated, as well as physically active is your m.o., feel free to ask your local librarian about the available itinerary of summer programs being offered in your area. A whole listing of activities such as art classes, sports as well as academics should be provided. You are now on your way to making sure that this summer both you and your kids are completely aware of whats expected as you head off to work, and they head off to their daily, weekly routine.

What type of program best fits your child? Each child is uniquely different, it’s not a bad thing for one child to want to take up martial arts, and another enrolled in art, or science program. The main thing is firstly finding out exactly which program will best motivate your child. Enrolling your child in a basketball or soccer course for six weeks may seem like a good idea, until you find out that they weren’t enjoying the time spent. A wasted effort. Discussing what will keep your child happy beforehand, provides the child the opportunity to engage in a discussion that helps you find out what interests your children have, their likes and dislikes. Learning about their preferences also leaves the door of communication open, you’ll begin to teach your kids that they can, and should feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns and dreams with you. Also, you wouldn’t purposefully want to enroll your child in anything that they would not excel in, which would cause them to feel as if they either let you down as a parent or that they could not rise to meet your expectations. Which leads to the very opposite of what we’re not trying to accomplish here, hurt feelings and wasted money.

As a young child, I attended programs summer ‘camps’ or programs through organizations such as our local Boys and Girls Club, where the dog days of summer were busily spent, reading, doing arts and crafts and playing either outside or in the gym. Every week there was a new parental release form to bring home for the next field trip, and I’m positive that there have been even more improvements made to the summer program’s curriculum.

With that being said, after discussing which summer programs work best for your child/children choosing the right activity for your kids. For the athletic kids, the ones with natural abilities, and the ones who are interested in developing these skill sets, signing your kids up for sports programs such as archery, volleyball or basketball could ideally be something that they would enjoy. I’m not promising that all of these programs will be available in your specific city or town, but it is worth finding out what is available in your area and as well as how long the courses run.

One of the programs that I like and also find very beneficial is the Self Defense program. You may not have this program available or it may not be open to the age that this particular class caters to, but if you happen to enroll your children in self-defense program the twelve-week course will teach your children how to defend themselves as well as teach them how to alert others if they happen to find themselves in a dangerous situation.

Another beneficial program caters to the artist within your child. Be it, cooking classes, were food preparation is considered to be an art form, or arts and crafts. Some facilities even have sensory classes, which allow your child to paint, construct art using edible snacks, parent participation is allowed, so you can actually join your child and help them explore their imagination while creating. Also see if your local orginization offers mommy and me classes, where parents interact with their children in an environment that supports parental inclusion.

Many of the programs that I am listing are for younger kids, although their are many different age ranges from up to teenagers. For example, Introduction To Keyboarding, ages six and up, teaches the fundamentals of using an electric keyboard, notes values and learning simple songs. While another fine art class caters to learning how to play the guitar.

For the gymnast in your child, enroll your children in a course that will allow them to start as a beginner, learning how to train their bodies coordination in cartwheels, handstands, and other forms of gymnastics.

Perhaps you have children that appreciate the great outdoors. Take the initiative and enroll your children ages 5-12 in one of these six week programs and watch as your kids go horseback riding, visit a pirates cove and visit adventure parks, anyone up for a little excavating?
By taking a little time to research the programs offered in your town, you have the ability to make this summer one to remember. Even if you have more than one child, and money might be a little tight, making time to sign your kids up at the library and let them enroll in the Summer Reading Program offers them a way to spend their time in activities that are both healthy and constructive. Summer break is right around the corner, don’t delay!
Stephaniemary Fagbeyiro-Post

 

The Balancing Act – Raising Well Rounded Kids

Not too many people can deny the joy and peace that comes with raising children. However within the past 20 to 15 years, making sure that you as parents, keep your children nurtured protected and out of trouble has become increasingly harder to accomplish. Apart from adopting the ‘helicopter technique’ parenting style, in which you basically smother your child or children. In order to make sure that your children are their very best selves when out of your presence, you will need to implore some tactics.

Every parent desires to raise children that are physically and mentally healthy. It our goal to try our best in every situation to promote independence that will encourage even the shy ones to be more expressive an take on the world. The the thing is not all parents know just how to accomplish this without any further knowledge. The first step is to teach your children about healthy, normal awareness of self and others.

 

Teaching your kids, starting from a young age, just who they are as human beings, begins from inside the womb. I was encouraged with my first pregnancy to begin to communicate with my then baby, and it was difficult at first, but I begin to be encouraged, my son became more aware of who was around me and he would become more active in the womb when I spoke to him. The developmental stage of infancy is so rapid, www.wonderweeks.com, this state of awareness, develops both independence and reliability to them. Creating and establishing healthy boundaries is a follow up to self awareness, your child is establishing who they are in this world, or at least in their environment.

The five areas of human development, which are physical development, intellectual development, social development, emotional development and moral development, are used as a way to describe the stages that we learn while still children.

 

Normally, by the age of one and throughout the toddler stage, you can start implementing in-depth conversation with your kids, encouraging to problem solve, reading and having them ask questions are all ways to interact with your kids. Guiding a young adult at this stage gives them healthy boundaries as well as establishes rules, that serve to keep them on the right path. It’s very important to make them aware of who sets the rules of conduct.

 

The beautiful thing about parenting with positivity is that you are actively teaching your kids to value themselves and others, by creating structure as well as leading by example. By being a walking, talking reflection of what you would like to see in your child, you give them continual reference of what it is like to be a good person. How relatable are you with your children? As a parent, I enjoy spending time with my kids, as with most parents, I don’t think I do. Even if it’s spending time reading to them and allowing them to ask questions or watching the tv shows that they like, playing outside or doing active arts and craft projects with them, take an hour daily to entertain them.

I believe that one of the most important stages of development that we should want to place a high level of importance on is moral development. Teaching your your children how to have a Godly character is by far one the best ways to make sure that they will live a healthy, full productive life. Every other method of raising competent, considerate children that actually works, focuses on ‘self’. Christianity and Judaism especially teach that man has never been the focal point, especially of attaining self perfection. Just like infants, we are taught how to be righteous, honest, caring trustworthy, loving, as Christ is. When we apply that knowledge to preparing our young children for the world that begins in the home, they begin to recall on the lessons of Christianity and its teachings. Now when they are away from home and interacting with various people and or situations the morals and values that are continually being taught to them, actually provide the structure for establishing and maintaining a well rounded child into adulthood.

 

 

Stephaniemary Fagbeyiro/Blogger and Business Owner

Cdp+ Designs Publishing

 

Cdp+ Designs is now writing short stories! 💕

 

 

Why? Because life as glorious as it is can be as real as fiction.
Join Priscilla, Rashida, and Johnathan on a quest that leads them on an adventure of responsibility….. The recently graduated trio found an old television set and decided to see if it worked just for fun. Unbeknownst to them, they had been chosen for three very important assignments that would lead them into a world of adventure, mystery as well as possible danger.

As you follow the characters along their mission, you’re not just reading along, you actively interacting with the storyline. You are in control, the decisions of how to handle the mission are made by you, the reader. Travel back in time, to ancient, Egypt, Greece and Japan to fulfill your assignment with the firm Wellington.

 

 

Along with the various projects that Cdp+ Designs introduced in late 2018, our Christian based line of stationery, Babies & Baubles custom invitations, announcements and more. I am currently working on writing a short fiction story based on topics that bring people together and encourage children to read.

Explore the world through books. In a time where television and media have now replaced the way, we process and receive information. Fall in love with the art of storytelling all over again.

Our books will be sold online coming mid-2019.

 

 

 

Stephaniemary Fagbeyiro-Post