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  • Choosing a Pet: A Family Commitment

    The Essential 8

    The holidays are a time when many families choose to welcome a new pet. We are all familiar with the pictures of children opening a gift 🎁 on Christmas morning to discover a new puppy 🐶 or kitty 🐱. Here’s an Essential 8 list to navigate this family choice.

    1. Do your research parents — discover what breeds are typically good with children. Particularly young children that create noise and chaos in their wake.

    2. Ask❔❔friends who have a family pet the challenges they’ve encountered with puppies, kitties, hamsters, reptiles, etc. Their experience will help you to know both the joys and pitfalls with such a commitment.

    3. Although it’s tempting to make the gift 🎁 of a pet a surprise for your children, you might want to go the route of a family discussion which includes the different responsibilities that comes with different pets and who within the family wants to take responsibility of these different aspects.

    4. Back to research, make sure you look into what pets and/or breeds do better with a companion. If your family is busy like most families are, making sure your pet has a buddy can make their life more calm and less anxious.

    5. Once a decision is made about what type of pet your family wants to welcome, contact a local veterinarian (friends with pets can also help here with recommendations) to find out the type of care your pet will need. This is particularly useful so you aren’t surprised with the financial cost of welcoming a pet into your family.

    6. Create a chart with the arrival of your pet that addresses your pet’s needs such as feeding, watering, buying supplies, veterinary visits, walking if a dog is your choice, letting pets outside (this particular task will be needed more often with a young dog), cage or litter box cleaning, treats appropriate for your pet (be aware some “people” food is not good for various pets), and play time. Assign family members for the different needs. This is a great way to encourage responsibility whether your children are younger or older.

    7. Look at animal shelters, particularly if you are considering a dog or cat. There are many animals in need of adopting. Sometimes shelters do not have the breed you desire, going to a breeder is a good choice if that’s the case. If you do choose the breeder route, once again research and recommendations are important in order to work with a reputable and caring breeder.

    8. Enjoy your new family member. And remember new pets are learning and so are you , “naughty” behavior should be taken in stride.

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  • Volunteering as a Family

    The ESSENTIAL 8

    In the hustle and bustle of busy days sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in our own little life bubble. However, one of the best values that we can teach our children is how to be charitable. Many times people think charity only involves the giving of financial resources. The great thing is we can teach our children that being charitable can also mean giving of our time and our talents. Here’s my ESSENTIAL 8 to help your family build their volunteer time.

    1. Brainstorm🧠 with your family. Make a list 🗒of charities each family member has heard about … resources you can use include opportunities learned about at school, church, on the news or social media. If a family member isn’t familiar with any charities, brainstorm things that family member likes and discuss charitable opportunities that match up with that interest. For example, maybe one of your children likes animals. An internet search can reveal animal organizations in your area that need volunteers. Don’t limit your list at this point, brainstorming is about accepting all ideas.

    2. After brainstorming, use the internet to learn more information about the charities your family has listed. Discover where these charities are located, what role they play in the community, and what volunteer opportunities they offer — perhaps the organization needs collection of supplies versus manpower on site. Make sure you find out how to get in contact with these organizations.

    3. At this point, your family is going to want to start narrowing your list. Of the organizations you have researched, which ones offer volunteer opportunities that are feasible for your family. Take into consideration your children’s ages and abilities. Also consider the dates and times that the organizations need volunteers or supplies, as well as, the organizations, requirements for volunteers. When creating your final list, make sure that every family member has a volunteer opportunity represented.

    4. By choosing several volunteer opportunities that speak to different family members’ interests, you have the opportunity to broaden everyone’s knowledge and perspective. Perhaps one family member really enjoys working with his/her hands🖐🏼. Even though that’s not something that others would have chosen, by volunteering with an organization like Habitat for Humanity 🔨 everyone in the family can learn a new skill, as well as, what this organization does for the community and why it’s necessary. Also consider charitable work for neighbors or family and friends when making your final decisions. Your time and work need not be with a formal organization.

    5. Contact the charitable organizations that your family would like to work with directly (phone calls ☎️ typically work the best) and ask what opportunities are available. Not every volunteer opportunity needs to be done in quick succession. Take a look at the charities your family would like to work with and discover when volunteer times could be scheduled. Factors like weather, the time of year, and your families availability will affect when volunteering can take place.

    6. Mark it on your calendar! If your family has older children and teenagers make sure that every family member knows the time and date of your volunteer opportunity. Emphasize to older children and teenagers that a commitment has been made to volunteer and other activities should not be scheduled at that time.

    7. Prepare for your volunteer opportunity. If there is anything that you need to do ahead of time such as purchasing special clothing or tools for your volunteer opportunity, make sure those tasks are completed. You can split these tasks between family members or assign one person in the family to complete the prep work. An example of prep work might be purchasing disposable gloves if your family has volunteered to do trash cleanup.

    8. Make volunteering a year round activity. Each year, look at the steps above and review them. Some volunteer opportunities your family may want to do year after year. Other opportunities may change as your family grows and develops.

    Remember helping may require time working for a charity or time collecting or making items a charity could use.

    Volunteering can open up a new world to everyone in your family. It can be an incredible learning opportunity, as well as, an conduit to share your time and talents with those in need.

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  • Hiking with Kids

    The ESSENTIAL 8

    Enjoying the outdoors ☀️can lift your physical and mental mood. Hiking is an excellent way to connect with nature and with your kids and disconnect from your daily to do list. Hiking can be done anytime in any location. This ESSENTIAL 8 will give you some tips for making your hiking experience fun for everyone.

    1. Discover what your area has to offer. From bike trails to state and county parks most areas have a good selection of hiking locations. A quick internet search or a visit to your local library will help you find what’s available in your area.

    2. Bring snacks. Make sure you pack water 💧and some snacks in a backpack 🎒 before heading out. You and your children will work up an appetite while hiking. Easy snacks include apples, pretzels, trail mix and dried fruit. Each child can have their own backpack or the parent can carry one family pack. I prefer one family pack when your children are younger because it gives kids the ability to move easily.

    3. Don’t be afraid to get dirty. Hiking isn’t meant to be a clean activity. Expect to get mud and grass stains on your clothes. In addition, don’t have your children wear shoes you don’t want taking a beating. If you plan on hiking a fair amount, investing in a good pair of hiking boots for everyone may be an option you might want to consider.

    4. Treasure hunt along the way. You can choose to make treasure hunting more or less organized. It can be as simple as telling your children let’s find neat stuff as we hike, or more structured with a list you give the kids ahead of time of things to find. Using a more structured treasure hunt can be a way to engage children that are reluctant hikers or that are young and get distracted easily. Don’t physically take anything from the park or trail. We want to teach our children to respect nature and leave it undisturbed for others to enjoy as well.

    5. Guidebooks. If you are hiking at a state or county park, check in with park personnel. Many places will have guidebooks and/or maps you can utilize that will tell you about the parks history as well as plant and animal life at the park.

    6. Bring notebooks 📓 and/or drawing paper and pencils. ✏️ When you go hiking don’t rush through the activity. Besides your water and snacks, pack paper and pencils in your backpack 🎒. Choose a spot along the way to stop and rest. While you’re resting, have everyone take some time to write or draw about what they see, hear, feel on the hike. If your child doesn’t write yet, have him/her draw a picture and tell you about it. Older children and teenagers may want to use this time to journal in general. Sitting outdoors can bring new inspiration to journaling.

    7. Bring your dog 🐶. Our four legged family members can benefit from hiking as well. Hiking is excellent exercise for your dog. Bringing your dog along can help teach your child responsibility by putting them in charge of your pet’s leash and picking up any poo 💩 that happens (another item for you backpack if bringing your pet is dog waste bags). Be aware of the terrain when hiking with your dog ensuring it is not dangerous for your pet. Also be aware of fleas and ticks and protect your pet accordingly with pills or collars.

    8. Don’t let the weather stop you. It’s easy to look 👀 outside and think the weather isn’t ideal so we better not go hiking. Don’t let clouds or cold weather deter you. If it’s cloudy but the chance of rain is slim, head out anyway. Just in case, throw rain ☔️ponchos in your backpack. And remember if it does start raining that hiking isn’t meant to be a clean activity … plus the kids will love the mud. Consider cold weather the same way. As long as it’s not too frigid or icy, bundle up with the appropriate outerwear and hit the trails. Use your judgment of where to hike when the weather is less than ideal, choosing flatter, less physically demanding hikes.

    Getting out and exploring nature can be fun, educational, and a stress reliever. Hiking is a nice change of pace from structured activities. Take time to breath in nature … take a hike with yourkids.

  • Let’s Read

    THE ESSENTIAL 8

    Reading can be pleasurable as well as educational. Reading can transport us to places beyond our imaginations and teach us about the past. But, inspiring our kids to love reading in our fast paced app filled world can be difficult. In addition, the demands of “must do” reading associated with academics can turn kids off from reading for any other reason.

    It’s never too late to teach your kids the treasures of reading. The following ESSENTIAL 8 will give you ideas of how to get your kids’ noses into a book.

    1. Frequent your local library. Take time to make visits to your area library. Don’t just rush in and out. Relax and enjoy books and magazines at the library itself before you and your kids make your checkout selections. Browse and look for programs the library might offer to different age groups. Quite often public libraries offer reading groups for various ages. For younger kids, weekly story times are available, and may even include a craft related to the book that is being read.

    2. Several bookstores and public libraries offer summer reading programs for school aged children. Most programs begin the first couple of weeks school is out for the summer. Frequently prizes are offered to keep kids interested. Check in your local area and see what these places have to offer.

    3. If your children are still young and transitioning out of nap time, it’s the perfect time to introduce quiet reading time. Using a basket or plastic bin choose books for your child to enjoy for an hour of reading time. Choose a variety of books to occupy your child. Puzzles books, texture books, pop up books, and vibrantly illustrated books are entertaining at this age. Other ideas include coloring books and audio books. Your child doesn’t have to be an independent reader to enjoy these options. Exploring the pictures, textures, and creativity in books can hook the younger child.

    4. Quiet reading time can be used in the summer time and during school breaks once your child enters school age. You can structure the time however it works for your family and schedule. You may decide to do it every day at the same time or vary the time each day. Perhaps only three days a week works well for your family instead of daily.

    [Reading with and to your kids is a great way to enjoy time together but make sure quiet reading time is about them exploring books on their own.]

    5. Get grandparents and other relatives on the same page (pun intended). Encourage them to purchase books for birthday and Christmas presents for your children.

    6. Let kids read anything and everything as long as it’s age appropriate. Storybooks and novels can be fun and engaging, but there are so many types of books to be read. Some kids don’t find fiction interesting. Other options include graphic novels either fiction or nonfiction, biographies, social studies and science based books, travel guides, almanacs, atlases, comics, magazines. Learn what sparks your child’s interest and start there, especially if your child is a reluctant reader.

    7. Lead by example. Let your kids see you reading. Once again, vary what you read to show your kids that there is a vast array of reading material to be explored. If your children see you reading, they will learn that you value the activity.

    8. Hand in hand with leading by example is shared reading, choosing books to read together. This activity can range from reading aloud together to reading the same material separately and discussing what you’ve read. Trade off who chooses the book and genre. If you have more than one child have both parents participate in shared reading if possible. Even with more than one child, you can take turns with each one.

    Reading is a wonderful way to explore, learn and be inspired. It can help us connect and learn empathy, compassion, acceptance. My hope is the ESSENTIAL 8 Let’s Read will help to expand your child’s world.

    “Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.”

    –Maya Angelou

  • The Journey Begins

    Thanks for joining me!

    Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

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