How to deal with your teenager when they’re spending too much money

female teenager shopping

Is your teenage child asking for extra pocket money recently?

And you’re worried that they might be spending more than they can afford without being financially responsible?

Well, it’s time to set some financial rules and learn how to say no without alienating them.

Monitor spending and look for red flags

Excessive spending in recent months can be a sign of trouble, signaling that your child might have gotten themselves with the wrong crowd or are hiding something.

Maybe they are going for more expensive stuff, spending impulsively, or wanting to fit in with a certain group on social media.

If so, this is a good time to discuss the value of money and ask them what they think responsible spending habits are.

Then, take the chance to explain why money shouldn’t be spent carelessly without giving much thought.

Have an honest conversation about their spending habits

Before pinpointing their spending habits, it’s always good to be vulnerable first.

And by that, I mean opening up about the financial mistakes you’ve made and how that made you pick up healthier spending habits.

Yes, it’s hard to admit our mistakes, but those lessons learned don’t have to be yours only to remember. It can be a learning resource for your kids!

You may also want to walk the talk by modeling good financial behavior, whether that be budgeting or maintaining a savings account.

Also, reinforce the difference between needs and wants in life, so it’s clear what should be in the essential “cart”.

Stop giving additional pocket money until you see change
Singapore money

Image Credits: blog.remitly.com

Yes, you love your child, and giving extra money can be your way of expressing yourself as a busy working parent.

But you don’t want to feed their recklessness in spending decisions.

So a wise way to handle this situation is to stop providing bonus pocket money until you see some improvements in how they are handling their existing allowance within their daily or weekly budget.

And if they have never budgeted before, this is a wonderful opportunity to introduce simple budgeting tips with broad categories such as saving and spending.

Encourage them to get a part-time job during the holidays

If your teen is of legal age to work, why not encourage them to find a part-time job during the school holidays?

Getting out there into the working world is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to teach your child about financial responsibility and independence.

When teens get a taste of what “work” is like, they will likely understand how tough it is to earn money. Unlike spending money given to them, they will probably think twice and thrice before spending that dollar they’ve earned.

When it comes to your teen’s money-spending habits, lay down some boundaries. Telling them “no” in a loving way isn’t easy, and it’s important to explain your reasoning behind not giving in to their requests—so they understand that it’s not just a flat-out refusal. Share that you’re not a fan of irresponsible spending and let them know that they are responsible for setting a budget and sticking to it. With open communication, you will be able to nip money issues in the bud and ensure that your teen has the financial savvy to make it in the real world when they graduate.

Read More...

Raising grateful kids: Tips for teaching your child to receive gifts with gratitude

kid delighted with a Christmas gift

It’s the holidays, and that means one thing: your child is going to be getting a lot of gifts.

From friends and family to teachers and coaches, your child is probably going to be feeling pretty spoiled by the time Christmas morning arrives.

Introducing your child to the idea of gratitude can be a challenge, but it’s worth the time. Below are a few tips for teaching your kid to receive gifts with gratitude.

Talk about and discuss gratitude

Talking about gratitude is a great way to start teaching how to be grateful.

Invite them to share things they’re grateful for, big or small. You can also ask them how they think showing gratitude can make someone’s day better. This will help get your child thinking about gratitude in a positive light.

Another way to help your little one express gratitude is to encourage them to say thank you. Teach them to say it not just when they receive a gift, but also when someone does something nice for them. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference in someone’s day.

Get creative with thank-you cards

Another way to get your child into the habit of thanking people for gifts is to get creative with thank-you cards.

Why not have your kid create a card or letter that is handwritten and uniquely designed for the person who gave them the gift? This will show them that it’s always nice to put thought and effort into expressing their gratitude.

Not only will this help your child learn how to be more appreciative, but it will also teach them to hone their writing skills and help them develop their literary style. Plus, it’s a fun way to get creative and express themselves through words!

Establishing gifting traditions to encourage appreciation of gifts
child decorating cookies

Image Credits: unsplash.com

One tradition you might want to try is the gift of giving.

Have your child pick out a toy or game they’re no longer interested in and give it to a younger child who will be excited to receive it. This teaches them two things: first, that it feels good to give to others, and second, that not everything they own needs to be kept.

Another tradition you can try is the gift of service.

Have your child do something nice for someone else in your family or community. Maybe they could bake cookies for their grandparents, write a thank-you card to their teacher, or strike up a conversation with the elderly neighbor next door. This teaches kids that there are ways to serve others that don’t involve lots of money or things.

Setting a good example: modeling gracious gift-receiving behavior

When you receive a gift, whether it’s from your friend, spouse, or family member, take a moment to express your appreciation.

You can say something like:

  • “Thank you so much for this lovely sweater. I can’t wait to wear it.”
  • “I’ve been wanting this book for a while. Thank you for thinking of me.”

Your child will be watching your reaction and taking cues from you on how to respond when they receive gifts. So make sure you set a good example!

When it comes to raising grateful kids, start early and be consistent. Explain the concept of gratitude, and model it yourself. You can also suggest writing thank you cards, letting your child experience giving gifts, or encouraging them to volunteer. When you look back, it’s going to be one of the best investments you’ve made in your parenting journey.

Read More...

Getting past “I don’t know”: Strategies for parents

mother talking to her daughter

As parents, we know that sometimes our kids give us the “I don’t know” answer when we ask them a question.

This can be annoying, especially when we need a reliable answer for something. But what can we do to get past this roadblock and get the information we need? There are a few different strategies we can try.

In this post, we will explore these strategies in detail and talk about how to use them effectively.

This is a pretty normal answer for kids

You might be surprised to hear this, but “I don’t know” is a pretty normal answer for kids. Most of the time, they honestly don’t have an answer for you. But that doesn’t mean you should just give up and move on. You need to find a way to help them overcome that feeling of not knowing and aid them to find an answer.

We know it can be frustrating for parents

It can be frustrating for parents when they’re trying to get information from their kids and the only answer they keep getting is “I don’t know.” It feels like you’re not being heard, and you start to feel like you’re not getting through to your child. But don’t worry, and stay calm. Yelling or raising your voice isn’t going to get you anywhere. In fact, it might just make your child clam up more.

A few strategies that parents can use when faced with “I don’t know”
dad in a conversation with two kids

Image Credits: scholastic.com

  • Offer MCQs

Offering MCQs give them a chance to think about the question a little more, and it also helps them to feel like they’re contributing to the conversation in little steps.

  • Ask open-ended questions

If your child keeps giving you that template response, try another strategy: asking open-ended questions. For example, you could ask “What do you think might happen?” or “What are some possible solutions?” This will help get your child thinking and generate some answers.

You can also try to phrase the questions in a way that doesn’t put your child on the spot. For instance, instead of asking “How was your day?” try asking “What were some of the things you did today?” or “What was your favorite part of today?”

If your child is still having trouble answering, try to rephrase the question differently. And if all else fails, you can always offer a simple prompt like “Start with the beginning” or “Tell me what you did during break time.”

Sometimes it takes a little longer for kids to process information and come up with a solution. Keep asking and guiding them until they come up with something.

As challenging as it may be, getting your child to give you a straight answer can be tricky. But that doesn’t mean that you should give up. There are a few different strategies that you can try: start with easier questions and work your way up. Another approach is to praise your child when they give you an elaborate answer. Finally, have hope. Just because they don’t answer your questions right away doesn’t mean that they won’t ever learn how to do it correctly. Be patient and keep trying various methods until you find one that works.

Read More...

From messy to marvelous: Tips for getting your kids to tidy their rooms

messy kids room

It’s no secret that kids can be messy.

It seems like they take a special kind of pleasure in making a huge spectacle and watching you clean it up. But as parents, we can’t just give up and let them live in chaos. We have to find a way to encourage them to tidy up their rooms, and it starts with setting some rules and expectations.

Allow us to share some tips on getting your kids to tidy up their rooms. Follow these tips, and soon (hopefully) your kids’ rooms will be clean and organized—from messy to marvelous!

Let them help with the design

You can let your kids help with the design of their room. This little makeover will give them a sense of ownership and make them more likely to want to keep it tidy.

For instance, if your daughter loves picking out the colors and patterns for her room, let her do it. She will probably be more likely to keep her room clean when she has a hand in the design. Plus, it’s a great way to spend some quality time with your kids.

Create a reward system

Let your kids know that if they tidy up their rooms, they will be rewarded with something. But make sure the rewards are immediate. If you wait a week to give your child their reward, it’s not going to have the desired effect. In fact, it may just encourage them to put off tidying their room even longer.

Be a role model
woman tidying her kitchen

Image Credits: unsplash.com

If you want your kids to tidy their rooms, you need to be a good role model. Show them that you take pride in your space and that keeping things clean and organized is important to you.

Create a routine for tidying up and make it a habit. This will help your kids develop good habits for life. And don’t forget to praise your kids for a job well done! Positive reinforcement is key when it comes to getting kids to do anything.

Put it in writing

Create a “contract” and have them sign it. This will show them that you’re serious about the whole tidying up thing, and it will also hold them accountable. Your agreement should outline the rules for tidying up, and it should also have a rewards system in place.

For example, your child can earn points for every day they successfully tidy their room, and then they can use those points to redeem rewards like extra screen time or a trip to the ice cream shop.

It can be tough to get kids to clean their rooms, but with a little bit of effort, it’s doable. Make sure you set a good example. If your kids see that you’re messy, they’re going to be less likely to want to clean up their messes. You may also want to introduce an incentive system where your kids can earn rewards for tidying their rooms. Finally, be patient. It might take a while for your kids to get into the habit of cleaning their rooms, but eventually, they will—and it will make your parenting journey a lot easier.

Read More...

Restless nights? Try these tips to help your baby sleep more soundly

a baby yawning

You’ve likely been told that newborns sleep a lot.

And you’ve probably heard that babies should get between 12 and 15 hours of sleep every day. But what if your little one is struggling to get the recommended amount of shut-eye? You’re not alone. Statistics have it that 50 to 70 percent of parents report problems with their baby’s sleep.

That’s why in this post, we will share some tips to help your baby sleep more soundly.

Why is sleep important for babies?

All babies need sleep, but it can be tough to get them to bed and keep them there. Here are a few suggestions to help your little one sleep more soundly:

  • Establish a bedtime routine and stick to it. Rituals like a bath, reading a story, and singing lullabies can help signal to your baby that it’s time for bed.
  • Create a dark and quiet environment for sleep. Keep the room dimmed, and avoid noisy appliances like the hairdryer, dishwasher, or washing machine.
  • Experiment with different swaddling techniques until you find one that your little one likes. Swaddling can help babies feel calm and secure, leading to longer and more restful sleep.
The role of naps in your baby’s sleep

One of the most important aspects of getting your baby to sleep through the night is ensuring they’re taking adequate naps during the day. Napping helps to regulate their energy levels and makes them less restless at night.

There are a few things you can do to help ensure your newborn takes sound naps:

  • Make sure they’re not over-tired
  • Place them in a dark and quiet room
  • Keep naptime routines consistent from day to day
  • Avoid letting them nap for too long, or they might not be tired enough at bedtime
When to call a doctor about your baby’s sleep
a pediatrician examining a baby

Image Credits: medical.rossu.edu

If your baby is having trouble sleeping, it’s crucial to know when to call a doctor for help. Here are a few signs that it might be time to seek professional advice:

  • You’re concerned about your baby’s sleep habits
  • Your baby has disrupted sleep patterns for more than two weeks
  • Your baby is five months or older and isn’t sleeping through the night
  • Your baby is less than four months old and isn’t sleeping more than three hours at a time during the night
What if my baby doesn’t sleep through the night?

If your baby is still waking up at night, don’t worry! It’s completely normal for newborns to wake up frequently (usually more than once a night). In fact, they may not even sleep through the night until they’re several months old. But should you sense something not quite right, consult your pediatrician for additional advice.

Creating a sleep-friendly environment for your baby

Creating a sleep-friendly environment for your baby is one of the most important things you can do to help them get the sleep they need. Here are a few recommendations:

  • Reduce noise and light exposure as much as possible, and keep electronic devices turned off.
  • Keep the temperature in your baby’s room comfortable, preferably between 20 to 22 degrees Celsius.
  • Resist the urge to rock or nurse your baby to sleep, as this can make it harder for them to fall asleep on their own later on.
  • Make sure your baby’s bed is comfortable and safe. Use a firm mattress that’s the right size for your baby, and avoid using items that could potentially cause them to suffocate.

There are a lot of things new parents have to worry about, and getting their baby to sleep is often one of them. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to help your baby sleep more soundly as we’ve mentioned in this article. If all else fails, don’t be afraid to seek out some professional help. Experts at the clinic or hospital should be able to help you create a personalized sleep plan for your baby that will have them sleeping through the night in no time.

Read More...