Spending Quality Time With Our Children

Spending a quality time with our children is not only a must but it's every mother's dream. We all wish every minute during the day could be a quality minute spent with our loved ones. Sitting with them on the ground to play with their toys, running around, taking them out, baking together, reading stories, crafting, painting, or talking to them; how we spend it is not the subject but to be able to spend it is what's important. This is not an issue if we are mostly at home but when we work outside our place we find ourselves trapped in all the work and chores we have that we don't get to find any quality time for our kids since we leave home early and come back close to our children's bedtime. This is a problem we all wish we could solve and learn some tips to find a way to spend time with our children, go to work, cook, do the laundry, take care of ourselves and be able to spend more time with our significant other.

All mothers are complaining from lack of time, they all wish a day is 36 hours not 24, staying at home mothers complain from staying all day locked in with the children, working moms are annoyed from all the time spent outside away from their kids so in general no mother is completely satisfied. And my job is to help mothers feel better and accept their situation no matter what it was.

"How could I spend more time with my children when I work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.?" Jenny Garrett.

My answer to Jenny and to all the mothers who are wondering how they could squeeze quality time during the day is the following: If you come back from work close to your kids bedtime try pushing their bed curfew one hour further. Postpone your house chores till after they go to bed and try to make every minute you spend with them a special one. Have dinner all together, open a discussion with your children and try to go past few of their gaffes so this time won't be wasted on yelling and punishing or what so ever. Sacrifice at least 15 minutes for a small game, probably coloring and I have mentioned previously the importance of this activity to both of you, it is easy and doesn't recommend a lot of effort and your child will have blast having you coloring with him. And least but not last, always read a bed time story together.

So in general, it is not that hard to be able to squeeze a quality time during the day all we need to do is set our priorities right and make a daily schedule of all the chores we have to do and the activities we have planned with our kids.

Maria El-Aaraj creator of How To Be Super Mom: http://www.mariasupermom.blogspot.com/ Writer of parenting articles, recipes and kids crafts. You might be interested in checking one of her most popular articles: The importance of coloring

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A Mother's Love for Her Children

A mother is someone who worries about minor things relating to her child's well being. Little things that rob her of her a peaceful sleep can include; "Is my child cold now? Is my child happy? Is she/he hungry?"

Ever since I became a mother I found out what true love really means. The bond between a mother and a child is unique and exceptional. My boys are the light of my life and I have enjoyed every minute of their childhood. To be honest, some moments were painful and others a little frustrating. However, when I go to their beds at night to say good night and watch their sleeping and beautiful innocent faces, I sometimes have to hold my own tears back. The joy my children bring to my life is very difficult to express because it is beyond description. How can I express that they have changed my life in a drastic way? How can I tell them that they are the most important beings in my life? That the thought of something awful happening to them makes me short of breath and my heart ache? Not only have they changed the meaning of life, but they have also taught me more than I can ever teach them. My sons have taught me strength and courage, but most importantly, the meaning of TRUE LOVE.

They might not be aware at such an early age that life has not been perfect for them. Although they know we faced challenges that other families have not faced, such as the younger sibling's three open-heart surgeries and abandonment from their biological father, they still have so much joy in their faces that can illuminate a whole city. Their smiles and confidence radiates to others and their compassion and intelligence makes me the proudest mother in the world.

Our circumstances do not shame us. On the contrary, my biggest effort as a single mother is teaching them with love and example that adversity and obstacles are only opportunities in disguise. We will continue to use every opportunity to share our love for humanity and life. With gratitude and love, life is magical. Embrace motherhood and know you are never alone.

If life problems are thrown at you, it only means God knew you could handle it. You see, you don't know how strong you really are, until being strong is the only option you have.

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A Baby Less: The Decline of Children Being Born in the United States

On a cozy tree lined street in New Jersey, the wind blows, horns honk and life passes gingerly. There is one thing, however that is missing. That one thing is the sound of children playing. I grew up on this block and still live here to this day and never has the silence been so deafening.

Growing up here, there were at least 30 to 40 kids and we all played together outside. Now there is nothing, just that empty, painful, silence. I tried to understand what was going on, especially after hearing from two television reports and an online article that the birthing rate was on steady decline in the United States.

Everyone's reasons varied while some stayed the same:

• "Just not interested in children right now, I am more focused on my career."
• "I don't like kids."
• "I am not ready for that type of responsibility; I can barely take care of me."
• "Kids take the fun out of life. You can't do anything you want anymore."
• "I'm scared of having children in this economy. I don't want to get stuck being unable to provide for them."

This goes on and on - These are just the top answers I received from people I asked. It makes me wonder are we going to become a society that no longer has an interest in children. Then to see the decline isn't in just area's that are considered "expensive" to live in - but it's all around the country. Again. Simply. Mind-Blowing. There are so many questions that I have on this topic, yet the information has only drizzled and drabbed out. I have even searched via Google to get how this type of behavior might affect the rest of the country besides population decline. I already know how it is affecting my small little tree lined street. The joy of children laughing and playing is now replaced by a silence that I am not exactly comfortable with. The community involvement such as block associations and block parties has all but dissipated. This disconnection has driven a wedge in the community - The lack of children has given the adults reason to avoid each other. The children and these activities for them created a forced interaction if you will.

This taught them [Parents and Children] how to become friends and better neighbors. Now, that is all a dream of the past. I can only hope it comes back, because the block does not seem quite as cozy and the country doesn't seem quite as child friendly.

Will this attitude persist and if so how will it affect your community?

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Going Back To School: How Mothers Should Deal With Children Anxiety

Endless are the questions and anxieties a child could have at the beginning of the school year and who is better than us, mothers, to calm them and push their worries away. But first let us review the reason behind that anxiety.
Remember, that after a long summer spent in the heart of their parents, children will feel worried about how it will be away from their family, how it will feel to spend the whole day with a new teacher and new students that they might not get along with. It is not easy to be obligated to accept new people and a whole new society, so it is more than normal to feel uncomfortable during the first few days of school.
When a kid is obsessed with his worries then a normal anxiety could become a separation anxiety disorder and in that case, parents will need help to solve the problem. But in a normal anxiety, how should parents react?
Meeting with the teacher: Get to know your child's teacher if he sees that you're familiar with his teacher he will feel more comfortable around her.
Create an initiative: Ask the teacher if it's possible for your son or daughter to prepare cookies for his friends and bring them to school with him or help him prepare a thank you card for his teacher. Gestures like that could help him feel closer to his school society and he will feel more excited to go to school the next day.
The magic kiss: Before leaving, kiss your child on the palm of his hand and tell him that this is a magical kiss that won't fade away. Whenever he misses you ask him to put his hand on his cheek and he will feel as If you are near him. This technique works like a charm with emotional children.
Organize a play date: Meet with some parents and plan for playing dates to help your child get more familiar with his classmates.
Special treats and snacks: Take your child to the supermarket and allow him to pick special treats for school that he will be happy to have and share with his friends.
Cool school supplies: Buy your kids or take them to choose their own school supplies. Things they would love to use while studying.
Small things like that could make a huge difference in your child's emotion behavior. And most importantly be there for him, support him for as long as his anxiety will take.

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Spending Quality Time With Our Children

Spending a quality time with our children is not only a must but it's every mother's dream. We all wish every minute during the day could be a quality minute spent with our loved ones. Sitting with them on the ground to play with their toys, running around, taking them out, baking together, reading stories, crafting, painting, or talking to them; how we spend it is not the subject but to be able to spend it is what's important. This is not an issue if we are mostly at home but when we work outside our place we find ourselves trapped in all the work and chores we have that we don't get to find any quality time for our kids since we leave home early and come back close to our children's bedtime. This is a problem we all wish we could solve and learn some tips to find a way to spend time with our children, go to work, cook, do the laundry, take care of ourselves and be able to spend more time with our significant other.
All mothers are complaining from lack of time, they all wish a day is 36 hours not 24, staying at home mothers complain from staying all day locked in with the children, working moms are annoyed from all the time spent outside away from their kids so in general no mother is completely satisfied. And my job is to help mothers feel better and accept their situation no matter what it was.
"How could I spend more time with my children when I work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.?" Jenny Garrett.
My answer to Jenny and to all the mothers who are wondering how they could squeeze quality time during the day is the following: If you come back from work close to your kids bedtime try pushing their bed curfew one hour further. Postpone your house chores till after they go to bed and try to make every minute you spend with them a special one. Have dinner all together, open a discussion with your children and try to go past few of their gaffes so this time won't be wasted on yelling and punishing or what so ever. Sacrifice at least 15 minutes for a small game, probably coloring and I have mentioned previously the importance of this activity to both of you, it is easy and doesn't recommend a lot of effort and your child will have blast having you coloring with him. And least but not last, always read a bed time story together.
So in general, it is not that hard to be able to squeeze a quality time during the day all we need to do is set our priorities right and make a daily schedule of all the chores we have to do and the activities we have planned with our kids.

View the original article here

[Read More...]

A Mother's Love for Her Children

A mother is someone who worries about minor things relating to her child's well being. Little things that rob her of her a peaceful sleep can include; "Is my child cold now? Is my child happy? Is she/he hungry?"

Ever since I became a mother I found out what true love really means. The bond between a mother and a child is unique and exceptional. My boys are the light of my life and I have enjoyed every minute of their childhood. To be honest, some moments were painful and others a little frustrating. However, when I go to their beds at night to say good night and watch their sleeping and beautiful innocent faces, I sometimes have to hold my own tears back. The joy my children bring to my life is very difficult to express because it is beyond description. How can I express that they have changed my life in a drastic way? How can I tell them that they are the most important beings in my life? That the thought of something awful happening to them makes me short of breath and my heart ache? Not only have they changed the meaning of life, but they have also taught me more than I can ever teach them. My sons have taught me strength and courage, but most importantly, the meaning of TRUE LOVE.

They might not be aware at such an early age that life has not been perfect for them. Although they know we faced challenges that other families have not faced, such as the younger sibling's three open-heart surgeries and abandonment from their biological father, they still have so much joy in their faces that can illuminate a whole city. Their smiles and confidence radiates to others and their compassion and intelligence makes me the proudest mother in the world.

Our circumstances do not shame us. On the contrary, my biggest effort as a single mother is teaching them with love and example that adversity and obstacles are only opportunities in disguise. We will continue to use every opportunity to share our love for humanity and life. With gratitude and love, life is magical. Embrace motherhood and know you are never alone.

If life problems are thrown at you, it only means God knew you could handle it. You see, you don't know how strong you really are, until being strong is the only option you have.

View the original article here

[Read More...]