Guest article provided by: investadisor.com
A Family Guide to Volunteering and Community Service with the Kids & Teens
We all want to raise children who are engaged with their communities, who help others in need, and who work to make the world a better place. Volunteering with kids reinforces these values and helps our children develop empathy and compassion. But finding opportunities that are age-appropriate may seem daunting. It doesn’t have to be. Whether your kids are 2 or 12, there are plenty of ways they can give back.
How Can Our Family Volunteer with Young Children?
Toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners may seem too young to participate in volunteerism, but there are plenty of local opportunities that little ones and parents can do together. And there’s no reason not to start early—young children may not fully grasp the concept of volunteering, but taking part in these events from an early age will help establish service as a regular part of their lives. These 3 family-friendly projects are a great place to start:
1. Visit a Nursing Home or Retirement Community
Spending time with older members of your community benefits both your children and the elderly. Nursing homes often welcome children as young as 2 to visit with residents—some even schedule special toddler days. But even if your neighborhood nursing home doesn’t, organizing a visit can be as easy as calling to see if you’re welcome to drop by. Before you go, have your child create holiday or birthday cards to deliver to the residents.
2. Adopt a Family During the Holidays
By the time they enter preschool, many kids are rattling off a never-ending list of “wants,” particularly around the winter holidays. Teach children that the holidays are more about giving than they are about getting by seeking out a local social service agency that organizes an adopt-a-family program. Then, armed with the ages of the family members and their wish lists, take your child shopping for gifts, wrap them together, and make homemade cards.
3. Participate in a Community Clean-Up Day
Neighborhood organizations often host seasonal clean-up days for parks and other public areas. Even young children can pick up trash, rake leaves, and plant gardens. This is a great opportunity to get young children outside as they begin to learn about giving back locally and taking pride in their community.
What About Activities for Volunteering with Older Children?
As your child progresses through elementary school, they become more capable of taking an active role in service projects, which means the volunteer opportunities available to your family increase significantly. Kids this age are also able to join organizations that make service a part of their mission—like school clubs, youth groups, and scouting troops.
1. Organize a Food Drive
Older elementary and middle-school-aged kids can take the lead on volunteer projects that require planning and commitment. With a little help from mom and dad, a sitter, a teacher, a coach, or a group leader, organizing a canned food drive for a local food pantry is a manageable undertaking for kids. Help them choose a community organization they will donate to, collect and organize items, and deliver them to the organization.
2. Serve Meals at a Homeless Shelter
Volunteering to serve meals at a homeless shelter is a wonderful way to expose older kids to some of the more complex issues facing our world. They’ll be able to interact with people who are facing situations very different from their own. Be prepared to discuss some difficult topics and answer tough questions—these conversations are important to raising compassionate and empathetic kids.
3. Hold a Bake Sale for a Good Cause
Organizing a bake sale is an easy way to raise funds for a cause that interests your child. Depending on your child’s age and the resources available to you, this can be as simple as setting up a stand with cookies and lemonade at the end of your driveway or coordinating a group effort during a community event. Let your child take responsibility for choosing the charity, contributing baked goods, and setting up and staffing the sale (with adult supervision of course). After the sale, your child can deliver a check to the organization, which will get them excited for their next fundraiser.
Tips for Teen Volunteers
Teens have a better understanding of the problems facing society, and once in high school, volunteer experiences can be life-changing. Service can help broaden a young adult’s horizons, set them on a path that leads to a rewarding career, and expose them to a diverse world. Teens can often volunteer without a parent, so allow them to make choices about participating in projects and programs that interest them. Encourage them to join groups dedicated to service or help them seek out opportunities on their own. Support their work and engage them in conversation about their volunteer experiences.
Resources to Find Volunteer Organizations
As you begin your search for local volunteer opportunities appropriate for your child or your family, the best resources are often the ones in your local community. Schools, churches, YMCAs, park districts, nursing homes, libraries, social services agencies, and scouting troops are just a few of the organizations that regularly plan nearby volunteer projects. There are also national organizations that offer searchable databases of volunteer programs. Here are a few to start with:
- VolunteerMatch.org matches organizations and non-profits with local volunteers for projects in metropolitan areas around the country.
- generationOn.org provides resources that support the development of caring, compassionate and capable kids with campaigns, days of services, clubs and more.
- Idealist.org offers a searchable directory of volunteer opportunities around the globe, including projects for families.
Make Community Service Stick
Like with any habit, if you want your kids to make volunteering a lasting part of their lives—and not a one-off event—you need to do it regularly. Use these tips to make community service for kids stick:
- Encourage your child to join organizations that focus on volunteerism. Scouting programs, key clubs, and church youth groups all have service components.
- Make it a tradition. The holidays are the perfect time for families to start volunteering, but you can go beyond once a year by finding projects to participate in seasonally.
- Find organizations that you and your kids feel connected to. Your child’s school or a local non-profit is an easy place to start, but as they get older, figure out the type of service interests them most—whether it’s animals, the environment, social justice issues, or working with kids.
- Lead by example. Seeing mom and dad give back to the community makes it easier for kids to get involved and stay involved. Set the expectation early and practice what you preach.
This post originally found on sittercity.com
How to Get Involved With Your Child’s School
Fortunately, the relationship between parents and the school staff is usually quite good. In most instances teachers and principals welcome your input and your hands-on involvement in the school.
PTA & PTO Involvement
Active involvement in the parent-teacher association (PTA) or parent-teacher organization (PTO) is an excellent way to provide the school with your help and input in an organized way. In these days of budgetary restraints and two-career families, a parent who is able to volunteer even an hour or two a week is much appreciated.
Volunteering in the Classroom
Some parents enjoy volunteering in the classroom, working with students at a regular time each week, perhaps helping a small group with reading, arts and crafts, or computers. If you can volunteer in your child’s classroom on a weekly basis, let the teacher know early in the year, and work out a convenient time for both of you—a time when the children you will be working with are readily available and will not be out of class for a special education program or band practice.
Special Events
Schools often need help preparing and serving meals or refreshments for special events. Make sure your volunteer efforts coincide with the curriculum or the philosophy of the school or the teacher. If you have agreed to bring refreshments for a class party, the teacher might want them to be healthy snacks to reinforce the nutrition education going on at school. Rather than cupcakes, the teacher might prefer a fruit platter.
Field Trips
Field trips and educational trips have become important means of giving children diverse experiences in the community which they can then use as springboards for writing and discussions. However, without parent chaperons, these excursions may not be possible. If you are able to volunteer, you will probably be responsible for a particular group of children. If you need lead time to plan your participation in these trips, ask the teacher for as much notice as possible.
Tips for Working Parents
Even if you cannot help out at your child’s school very often, try to do so at least once in a while. Even participating in one activity a year—accompanying a class on a field trip or helping out backstage on the day of a talent show—can mean a lot to your child. It will make him feel that his activities at school matter to you.
Many parents try to attend school events of which their children are a part. However, if there is an important event in your child’s school life that you simply cannot attend because of work or other commitments, try to have someone else there—a grandparent, an uncle, or a friend—who can give your youngster moral support and maybe even take pictures for you to look at later.
Policy-Making Involvement
Some parents are getting involved in the schools in another way—namely, on the policy-making level. Many schools have “site councils,” “parent advisory councils,” or “Healthy School Teams,” which help determine the direction of each school. Also, school boards need candidates for their seats, as well as volunteers to serve on special committees that evaluate everything from curriculum to school safety.
Occasionally, the relationship among teachers, administrators, and enthusiastic mothers or fathers becomes strained and frustrating for all parties. Whether parents are lobbying for a new program for their child’s school or are trying to serve as an advocate for their own child, who might be having difficulty with a particular subject area or teacher, their input can sometimes be perceived as more disruptive than helpful, no matter how well-intentioned it may be.
To make your relationship with the school productive, show the staff respect, listen to their point of view, exhibit some flexibility, and find compromises whenever possible. Both you and the school have the same goal in mind—to educate your child—so try to work with the teacher and staff rather than assuming an adversarial stance.
This content originally found on healthychildren.org
Should I Homeschool? 8 Questions To Ask Yourself
- Why does homeschooling feel like a good idea?
Consider your motivations for considering homeschooling. What needs are not being met in your current school environment, and how might homeschooling help meet those needs?
There are many reasons that lead families to consider homeschooling. Often it comes up when a child’s school is not a good match for their needs. Sometimes it’s driven by a parent’s desire to guide their child’s learning in the context of their own values.
Sometimes children need a more flexible schedule in order to pursue athletic or artistic training, and sometimes parents simply can’t imagine missing out on the excitement of educational discovery. Keeping these motivations in mind will help you determine whether or not homeschooling is in fact the right path for your family.
- What can we expect? What struggles do I predict, and how can I anticipate and prevent them?
This is a big adjustment for you and your child. Give yourselves and the rest of the family plenty of time to adjust. Expect to fine-tune your plan throughout the year as you get to know your child’s learning style and your homeschooling style and how they fit together. Involve your child in decisions when possible, so that they feel invested in the outcome.
- What are my child’s passions and interests? How will they fit into our plan for homeschooling?
Children are not just empty vessels waiting to be filled—they are intelligent, sensitive, creative beings eager to express all that they are inside. Homeschooling offers the flexibility for your child’s passions and interests to guide their learning.
Interest-led learning means allowing your child’s interests to guide the direction of the studies. The beauty of interest-led learning is that you can introduce core academic skills (such as grammar or fractions) in relation to topics that your child is naturally drawn to. Of course, this means more work for the parent but it’s not as hard as it sounds.
As adults, we already understand how much something like math or good writing skills come in handy in daily life, so incorporating these elements into a project of your child’s making—say, a dinosaur stop-action film or a storyboard for a new video game—can be pretty seamless.
- What are my biggest worries about homeschooling? What are some strategies I could use to work through those things if they happen?
The decision to homeschool is a big one, and it is normal to have feelings of uncertainty before taking such a big leap. Trust yourself. Remember that you are the most qualified expert on your child.
You will not be able to figure everything out before you start, and that is fine. In fact, it’s normal.
Keep your expectations flexible. Be willing to shift gears if the first things you try are not quite right. You will make it through this transition.
You are in good company, and one day you may be able to reassure another family who is beginning the process of transitioning from school to homeschool!
- How will I meet my own need for self-care so that I am able to give all that my child needs?
You and your child will likely spend more time together than before. If you have gotten used to having time to yourself while your child is at school, you may find that homeschooling feels very different. Consider your own needs as well as your child’s, and plan for support that will enable you to get some time to yourself when you need it.
If you work from home or outside the home, your work situation may need to be adapted if school previously filled the role of daytime caregiver. Consider all the ways in which your child is capable of being independent along with the things for which they need support.
- What will I say to family, friends, neighbors, or strangers who are skeptical about our decision to homeschool?
Remember that people with concerns about homeschooling usually speak from a place of caring. Respond gently and compassionately. If they persist in challenging you about homeschooling, consider turning it around and asking them to tell you more about their children’s education or their own experiences in school. They may just want to make sure you hear their side of things.
With time, patience, and practice, you’ll become adept at responding to questions from people who comment critically about your homeschooling. Acknowledge their perspectives, thank them for sharing, and move the conversation along. In time, they may surprise you with their support and approval.
- Do I have friends, neighbors, or relatives who homeschool? If not, do I know where to find local and/ or distant homeschoolers to share experiences and ideas with?
You will need support and community. You may find that friends and family don’t understand your experience as a homeschooling parent – or your child’s experience as a homeschooler.
Connect with others who can relate to your experience. Homeschooling Facebook groups and our other social media channels are a good place to start. There may be a homeschooling group already going strong in your area, but if not, don’t be afraid to reach out and start one so that you can get to know some like-minded families.
- Where do I start?
Homeschooling is a big adventure, and most of us have no previous experience with anything like it. If you’re not sure where to start or how to proceed, there are many resources and curriculum packages available to take the guesswork out of it. Oak Meadow curriculum is designed to make it easy for parents and students to make sure they are not missing anything along the way.
This article originally found on thehomeschoolmom.com
Dating tips for single parents
From being open about your situation to freeing yourself of any guilt you’ve attached to dating, Amy Nickell shares some tips for dating as a single parent.
Dating is a minefield whatever your situation. When you’re a parent, things can feel even tougher. When I first started dating again after my son (who is now three) was born, my confidence and self-belief couldn’t have been lower. It took me a long time to get over the stigma of being a single parent – especially when it came to dating. I now realise that my family is something to celebrate, rather than hide, and that the right person will recognise this also. But it’s taken me a while and a lot of bad dates to get here. These are some tips I picked up along the way.
Be open about the fact you are a parent
When I first returned to dating, I didn’t mention my son on my online dating profiles, or when I met men in real life. Because of the stigma surrounding single parents and myths I was believing at the time, my subconscious told me I would have more luck keeping my profile baby-free. I soon realised what a mistake that was. On my first date after being pregnant, dumped and giving birth – when my self-esteem had hit rock bottom – I sat opposite a man who visibly quivered when I revealed I was a mum and compared my child to his ongoing battle with Crohn’s disease.
Just like anything on your profile – whether it be recent pictures, your height or your profession – honesty cuts out the potential for misunderstandings or, well, meeting narrow-minded fools. Remember, anyone with a problem isn’t worth your time; being a parent is actually a very effective asshole filter. The problem is theirs, don’t waste time feeling like it’s yours. Which leads on to…
Never excuse, apologise or defend yourself
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of believing you have to explain how you came to be a single parent. In the early stages of dating, that’s really none of anyone’s business. Be proud of your family and proud of your life. Know anyone you meet will be lucky to get such a fabulous two, three or however-many-it-might-be-for-one deal. You know your child is the best person ever so why assume another person will feel any different? I was brought up to believe people, particularly men, are terrified of having children on their hands. Maybe some are, but those people aren’t worth your time when you’re a parent.
Replace the word ‘baggage’ with ‘bonus’
In our household ‘baggage’ is considered a swear word. ‘Baggage’ implies a disadvantage; something bulky and extra, weighing you down. Your offspring is anything but baggage. However, growing up in a society that sees single motherhood as a one way ticket to loneliness, poverty and the benefits system, I see where the ‘b’ word has come from.
I’m happy to confirm that my son has positively transformed my life in so many ways, he’s the most wonderful and perfectly-timed gift I could have wished for. Plus, having a child helps you put things in perspective; I’m ten times more confident and capable now. So the word ‘baggage’ needs to be replaced with ‘bonus’, because that’s a more accurate description.
Feel positive about wanting to date
Never think that you are doing anything wrong by wanting some time for yourself. I’ll never forget the first time I came down the stairs all dressed up to see my baby with his bottle, ready to be put to bed by someone else. I did feel a pang of guilt. But now I know how important my personal time is to keep me sane. A good mum is a happy mum – never feel guilty about wanting time to be you. You’re a mum, yes, but you’re also a woman who wants to flirt and enjoy a nice glass of wine in some adult company.
Don’t rush introducing your new partner to your child
I think it’s important to make clear to the person you are dating that you aren’t looking for any help with parenting. That’s your territory, especially in the early days. I had a boyfriend once who wanted to get way too involved too quickly, and my child just doesn’t need the potential disruption that would cause.
For this reason, I wouldn’t introduce the person I am dating to my son as my ‘boyfriend’. That said, it’s easier said than done to keep them totally apart, and often just not practical. My personal solution here is to ask my boyfriends to work by the rules of a public swimming pool: if you wouldn’t get away with it there, don’t do it in front of my son. For me, this means no sleepovers. But it also means more special time as a couple when you do manage to escape for those precious nights away (once you’ve found a very trusted babysitter, of course).
Focus on the present
Perhaps it’s only natural for the person you are dating to think about the future with you, given your life situation as a parent. But regular singletons don’t instantly picture a future where they’ve settled down and had four kids, so neither should your date. Someone recently broke up with me because they just “couldn’t get their head around being a dad”. Er, no one asked him too. He just went all Mystic Meg and couldn’t handle it. If you find yourself in a similar situation, use it to your advantage, and remember: having a child helps you sort people into a ‘worth it’ and ‘not worth it’ pile early on.
Finally, a family isn’t incomplete just because it doesn’t fit in with traditional roles. Just because you fancy a date doesn’t mean you are looking for someone to fill a void. Also, for anyone dating a single parent, we aren’t necessarily looking for an immediate co-parent, we are looking for a date – those are two very different things. Believe it or not, it is possible to be content in a family of two. When it comes to family, it’s quality over quantity.
Happy dating!
You can follow Amy at: solo.mamma
Article originally posted on soulmates.theguardian.com
Finding friends: How to meet other new parents
You may be thinking: Friends? I already have plenty of friends! But a parent friend is different.
We’re talking about someone who’s living through the same sleep, feeding, and development issues you’re facing with your new baby. Someone who’s happy to talk about poop, breast milk, and spit-up. Someone who won’t mind – or notice – that you’re wearing the same sweats you wore yesterday and the day before.ADVERTISING
This kind of camaraderie will help you more than you can imagine. But forming new friendships isn’t always easy, and approaching new people can feel as awkward as a first date. Here are some tips to make it easier.
Step 1: Locate other new parents
“It’s always a challenge – not only making new friends, but finding them!” says Rollie Sampson, a military spouse who has moved a lot. “I usually start with playgrounds and play areas at restaurants.”
You can also find a moms’ group or dads’ group in your area or sign up for parent-and-baby classes, such as yoga, swimming, or music. Many neighborhoods and towns have their own parents’ clubs, and libraries, churches, and synagogues often do too.
“I joined a mothers’ group that resulted from a newborn class led by the county nurse. We still meet twice monthly, 22 years later!” says Linda Carlson.
Another good spot for finding friends is the gym, where you can exercise and meet potential pals in one fell swoop.
“I’ve met many moms walking from class to the childcare area,” says Caren Cohen. “It’s natural to gravitate from there to coffee or lunch.”
You might just meet a new friend while you’re doing errands, taking your baby on a walk, or even waiting in the pediatrician’s office. So aim to get out of the house at least once a day, and keep your eyes open for chances to make a connection.
When Jessica Barton took her 6-week-old to the mall, she didn’t expect to stumble upon a friendship. But she happened to see another new mom sitting on a bench.
“She was fumbling with a bottle while her baby screamed. My son was working himself into a major ‘I’m hungry’ tantrum as well, so I looked at her and said, ‘Is this seat taken?’ We fed our boys and started sharing the details of their births,” says Barton.advertisement | page continues below
By the end of the conversation, Barton’s new friend had invited her to a playgroup. The two moms are still buddies four years later.
Consider your online options, too. Apps like Smile Mom are a great way to meet local moms and schedule playdates. Online social networking helps you get in touch with old friends and make new ones. And if you haven’t already, create a profile on BabyCenter’s Community and put the call out to moms or dads in your area.
Step 2: Make your move
Okay, so you’re getting out of the house, you’ve joined a parents’ club, and you’ve registered for a class or activity. Now it’s time to focus on approach.
“The pick-up line that always works for me is ‘How old is your child?'” says Kathleen Kerber. “If someone wants to talk, you can go from there.”
Complimenting someone’s baby is another conversation starter. “The best mommy pick-up line is ‘You’re probably tired of hearing how beautiful your baby is!’ No mother ever gets sick of hearing her baby is beautiful, so you’re in,” says Jenna McCarthy, author of The Parent Trip: From High Heels and Parties to Highchairs and Potties.advertisement | page continues below
Gear-related icebreakers work well too. “I often will say something like, ‘That baby sling looks so easy to use. Would you recommend it?'” says Katja Presnal.
If you’re feeling shy that day and just can’t get out a greeting, you can always let your child help.
“My favorite way to pick up mom friends is to wait for one of our children to inevitably push or hug a little too hard,” says Jessica Smith.
“If my child is the perpetrator, I apologize profusely and then ask how old her child is, which gets the ball rolling. If her child is the perpetrator and she apologizes, I say that if it wasn’t hers, it would have been mine.”
Even with the smoothest introductions, making small talk can be nerve-racking. “I find myself stressing about everything I say. I don’t want to come off too strong and run off a good prospect!” says Stephanie Johnston.advertisement | page continues below
It helps to remember that many other new parents want to make friends just as much as you do. If you do encounter someone who isn’t interested, don’t take it personally
Step 3: Seal the deal
There’s no getting around it – exchanging phone numbers or email addresses with someone you barely know can feel awkward.
“I started talking to another mom on the playground today, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was like a first date. It felt even stranger when I gave her my number!” says Jenn Savedge.
Weird as it may feel, just bite that bullet and go forward. Think about it this way: If you put off making a move, you could lose your chance.
“I was having a great conversation with another mommy at one of those mall playground places. I was just about to ask for her email address and a playdate when her sister showed up and whisked the whole family out from under me. It was like losing that great guy at the coffee shop when the hot barista comes along,” says Stephanie Johnston.advertisement | page continues below
The simplest wording is probably best: “Would you like to get together for a playdate sometime?” (The term works even if your kids are too young to play together. For parents of babies, “playdate” really means “sleep-and-eat-date.”)
Others go the online route by asking whether a potential friend is on a particular social networking site, then following up from the comfort of their keyboard.
No matter your approach, keep in mind that other parents are probably feeling just as self-conscious – and just as hopeful – about making new friends as you are.
Originally published on babycenter.com
Tips for Parents Going Back to College
In addition to being a nontraditional student, you’re also trying to balance family life when you’re a parent heading back to school. Add these tips to the ones above to make the most of your college return:
- Explain to your kids what you’re doing. Even though you’re the one attending classes, your kids will be embarking on this journey with you. Share with them what you’re doing. Show them your class schedule, let them look at your textbooks, and explain what going back to college will help you accomplish. With your kids on board, it will help them and you make sure everything needed gets done.
- Enlist the help of family. It’s going to take the whole family to help you succeed in your new venture. You’re going to need their help with chores, making sure everyone gets where they need to be, and more. One way to ensure everyone is on the same page is to make lists: chores, dinner, and grocery, just to name a few. This will help coordinate efforts and make time as productive as possible.
- Make designated family time. As classes get going and the pressure of papers, tests, quizzes, and everything else heats up, the time can easily get away from you. To make sure this doesn’t happen, schedule family time on the calendar each day. Everyone can schedule the same time, and this will ensure the family doesn’t get neglected. It will also help with balancing your own personal well-being.
- Get organized. Before your classes start, make sure you get organized. Clear out a space that will be designated for you to study. Eliminate all distractions from that space, and try to get ahead when you can. Prepare lunches the night before so the morning isn’t chaotic, and work out a schedule with your spouse ahead of time to try and eliminate last-minute surprises.
- Ask for help. This one is somewhat related to previous tips, but when you embark on a back-to-school experience, you are going to need help. Don’t be shy in asking for help from family, friends, neighbors, or whomever else might be able to assist.
- Talk to your professors. One of the advantages of a school like Vista College is the smaller class sizes. This makes it easier to talk with your professors and classmates. Converse with your professors at the start of the term. Let them know you have children. That way, if you suddenly get called out of class or need to miss one due to some kind of event that couldn’t be rescheduled, it won’t be a surprise.
It can be tricky for either parent to find the needed time to attend classes and complete assignments, but in many cases, moms often have the most challenges with the elaborate balancing act they must complete every day. There are many online schools for moms, and Vista College is one that understands family time, and mom time, is precious. Here are some additional tips that either parent, but especially moms, may find helpful:
- Remember to take care of yourself. As a mom, you’re used to caring for everyone else, and it can already be difficult to find the time to take of yourself. Once you add in the element of school, finding that time becomes even more complicated, but it also becomes even more crucial. If you’re constantly running between everyone else’s needs and classes, you’ll hit the burnout point. Make sure you find time to recharge and to take care of your health. Eat well, exercise, and get as much rest as possible. Constantly burning the midnight oil will only make you burnout that much faster. Taking care of yourself will help you effectively tackle responsibilities and classes in the most efficient manner, and it can also help alleviate stress and illness.
- Look at the time you realistically have. There are only a certain number of hours in the day, and there’s only so much you can get done. Give yourself a break if something like cleaning or the dishes don’t get accomplished. If you can prioritize your time so your highly important responsibilities get completed, the other things that aren’t as high on the list can wait.
- It’s OK to say no. Many moms have a hard time saying no to requests to join things, volunteer on committees, or other day-to-day occurrences. When you’re trying to add college in to your list of responsibilities, attempting to do all the other things you’ve done before may cause you to crumble. Remember it’s all right to say no. You need to be in the best possible position to take care of your family and successfully complete your classes.
- Take it slow at the beginning. It can take time to figure out how to best work school into your schedule, so don’t be afraid to begin slow. Instead of loading yourself up from the get go, take two or three classes to start. This will help ease the transition and help you better gauge how to manage your time and complete everything you need to. It’s not a race. Even if it takes a little bit longer to complete the program, it’s worth it if it means keeping your sanity.
- Make sure you enjoy the experience. This is important for everyone, and especially moms. Remember that this is something you don’t necessarily have to do, so it should be something you enjoy. Celebrate the big things like doing well on a research paper or test, but also celebrate the little things – you finally understood a concept that was giving you trouble, or you completed a paper in record time. Include your kids in the celebration, too; it will help them and you feel like this is all worth it.
This content originally found on: vistacollege.edu