They have to live with you too, the children. Why not put them to work? Chores need to be done. Things need to be organized.
Find small tasks, treat them like you expect to be treated when you do nice things for those at your workplace, and when everyone does what is asked of them, treat them to a dessert or a park visit. One problem solved, now how many more to go?
Never too young to do chores. 3 and 4 years old - YouTube
Unexpected Children Expenses
This past year I did something different when it came to saving money for the children's immediate expenses. I chose to put coins and dollars aside from shopping trips; rather than give them money every time a holiday or a request was made. Instead, I added the money to separate accounts I had made for them in the past. Once an unexpected need came up, I took from that money rather than from bill money.
Those unexpected expenses were not the large kind, just those little annoyances. Like the event in school, the needed school supply, or some thing that suddenly came out of nowhere like some needed tutoring materials. Talk about save for a rainy day. By cutting down on the gifts during the holiday season, rewarding less (that too was breaking the budget) and turning the children down on many unnecessary requests, money was being saved for those unexpected expenses. I can tell you that for far too many years I had been worried over not being able to get certain things for household, children and me, because I spent every dollar up on something that I or they only wanted, but didn't really need.
Consider saving some money for yourself too, but for wise future decisions. Those unexpected expenses can come out of nowhere for you too! Turn yourself down sometimes when you find yourself just wanting another bottle of perfume, lipstick, household gadget, or fast food meal. Save that money for the pressing need that will come later, and trust me, it will come most likely sooner than later!
So if you haven't done something like this already for the children, here's a simple to-do list:
1. Visit a site like Ing Direct and make separate savings accounts for the children.
2. Name the accounts.
3. Have an automatic deduction each month go into each account from your main checking account or some other account.
4. Take change from store visits and put away in a place that doesn't advertise that you have money (ie. change jar, envelope).
5. Add cash once a month to your change jar. This way you have cash on hand as well as monies in the bank for those unexpected expenses.
6. Consider putting a set amount of money on a pre-paid card for older children.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO CONSIDER:
7. Teach children to give at least a dollar away to a non-profit group or someone in need.
8. Allow children to handle their own money when they show they are responsible. However, limit responding to their requests for more money.
9. Set up a chore list.
10. Find other ways to reward them for helping out and doing well in school that doesn't break your budget.
Nicholl McGuire Author of When Mothers Cry
Those unexpected expenses were not the large kind, just those little annoyances. Like the event in school, the needed school supply, or some thing that suddenly came out of nowhere like some needed tutoring materials. Talk about save for a rainy day. By cutting down on the gifts during the holiday season, rewarding less (that too was breaking the budget) and turning the children down on many unnecessary requests, money was being saved for those unexpected expenses. I can tell you that for far too many years I had been worried over not being able to get certain things for household, children and me, because I spent every dollar up on something that I or they only wanted, but didn't really need.
Consider saving some money for yourself too, but for wise future decisions. Those unexpected expenses can come out of nowhere for you too! Turn yourself down sometimes when you find yourself just wanting another bottle of perfume, lipstick, household gadget, or fast food meal. Save that money for the pressing need that will come later, and trust me, it will come most likely sooner than later!
So if you haven't done something like this already for the children, here's a simple to-do list:
1. Visit a site like Ing Direct and make separate savings accounts for the children.
2. Name the accounts.
3. Have an automatic deduction each month go into each account from your main checking account or some other account.
4. Take change from store visits and put away in a place that doesn't advertise that you have money (ie. change jar, envelope).
5. Add cash once a month to your change jar. This way you have cash on hand as well as monies in the bank for those unexpected expenses.
6. Consider putting a set amount of money on a pre-paid card for older children.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO CONSIDER:
7. Teach children to give at least a dollar away to a non-profit group or someone in need.
8. Allow children to handle their own money when they show they are responsible. However, limit responding to their requests for more money.
9. Set up a chore list.
10. Find other ways to reward them for helping out and doing well in school that doesn't break your budget.
Nicholl McGuire Author of When Mothers Cry
If You Have a Mental Disorder...
If you come from a long family line of mental illness, then chances are your son or daughter will have the same or something related to a similar mental illness. But how do you know for sure? Try paying close attention to your child's habits. Share your concerns with your child's pediatrician and if that doesn't work, always get a second and third opinion. Do your homework. Find out what are the alternatives to prescription drugs if in fact your child does have a mental issue. I noticed that many males in my own family as well as on my child's father's side have behaviors very similar to bipolar disorder. Only one man in our families actually got tested and we found out that he as well as three of his sons also have bipolar disorder.
Some parents refuse to admit that they have mental problems. Others know they have them, but refuse to see issues with their children. Why allow a son or daughter go through life wondering, "What is wrong with me?" and why let others assume they know what is wrong with your child?
Here are a few websites worth visiting when researching mental illness and other disorders in children.
Auditory Processing Disorders
Bipolar Disorder in Children & Teens
Mental Illness in Children
Some parents refuse to admit that they have mental problems. Others know they have them, but refuse to see issues with their children. Why allow a son or daughter go through life wondering, "What is wrong with me?" and why let others assume they know what is wrong with your child?
Here are a few websites worth visiting when researching mental illness and other disorders in children.
Auditory Processing Disorders
Bipolar Disorder in Children & Teens
Mental Illness in Children
Connection Between Attention Problems and Video Games, TV
If you have ever noticed some children are walking talking TV shows and/or video game characters, it's because they have been exposed to more television and video games than most. Therefore, some parents have more problems trying to raise their children. Misbehaving children are often bored, easily excitable, angry, and play out many of their emotions especially after watching characters in video games and television do destructive things. Visit two websites that show that attention problems with children are directly related to video game playing and television watching.
It happens...40 something with children and mid-life issues.
You may be at a place in your life where your career isn't what you want anymore, the family is getting the best of you, and you really don't know where you fit in life anymore. This writer reminds you of what your purpose is in life even through the challenges of mid-life blues. This is written from a Christian perspective. Read here.
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