parenting tips

We’ve come up with some fun and innovative ways to make parenting your kids a tip-at-a-time easier. Check back often to see our new ideas! And if you have any parenting tips of your own to share, we would love to hear from you! Email your tips to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Mighty milestone
  Your kids deserve the best you have to offer, so work at laying down the stresses and strains of your work day before you arrive home. Here’s a tip to help: Choose a landmark on your way home – perhaps a specific intersection or billboard about halfway home. Decide not to think about work issues once you’ve passed your milestone. Instead, pray for peace of mind and spend the remainder of your trip focused on how you can serve your kids and spouse tonight.
• Take your teen to work
  Teens are old enough to understand the world around them. Take your teen to work with you for a day to show them what the real world is like. Talk about what they might want to do after high school and encourage them to get an after-school job. This will help them become more independent and responsible.
• Load up the gift card
  Got Christmas shopping to do with the kids in tow? Help them behave with a “gift card.” Before you go shopping, issue each child a homemade card with empty checkboxes. As you leave each store, reward good behaviour by drawing a star in a single checkbox. When the card is full, let your child cash in their card for a small treat.
• Enjoy hot drinks once again!
  Have you discovered that peculiar law of physics that kicks in when you become a parent? Simply stated, it goes like this: The temperature of your beverage is directly related to your child's need for your attention. If you're wondering if you will ever enjoy a fresh, hot cup of tea or coffee again, here's a tip: Pour freshly-brewed coffee into a thermal carafe, and steep tea in a thermal carafe, adding a generous quantity of water. You'll have a hot brew that's ready when you are – finally.
• Serve up the health
  It’s never too early to teach healthy eating habits to your children. Here are some tips to get you started: provide plenty of produce and whole-grain products; stock your fridge with low-fat milk and dairy products; buy lean meat, fish, poultry, lentils and beans for protein; serve reasonably-sized portions; drink lots of water; and cut back on sweetened beverages.
• Express your love
  Affirming attention – hugs, kisses and quality time – will positively build up your toddler’s sense of worth. Plus, these acts of positive reinforcement can also encourage your toddler to follow the rules.
• Hitting the pause button
  The table's all set and the food's ready, but your little one just can't tear themself away from their all-important game. Here's a tip to help avoid tears or a power struggle: give your youngster the TV remote. Have them aim it at their toys and push the "pause" button. Reassure them that, just like a movie put on hold, their toys will still be there waiting for them when dinner's over.
• Mobile messaging
  Car trips on hot days can make kids cranky. Here’s an idea to keep the kids happy while you’re running errands: Give them some letter-size sheets of paper and washable markers. As you are driving around town, have the kids think up short messages they can write and hold at the window to share with passersby. For example, their message might say, “Have a great summer!” or “My little brother’s driving . . . he’s driving me crazy!”
• I've lost my tooth!
  Quick action can save a permanent tooth knocked out in an accident. Do not touch the root. Hold the tooth by the crown and gently rinse it in water or saline if it is dirty. Do not scrub the tooth! If you can possibly do so, replace the tooth back in the socket. If this is not an option, store it in cool milk. In either situation, see a dentist immediately
• Retreat to a happy place
  You've been stuck in a lineup at the grocery store checkout for ten minutes, and your kids are just one more price check away frrom announcing their frustration to the entire store. You need a distraction - now! Try playing “Guess This Place.” To start this simple game, think of a place your family loves to visit, and share a clue that will help the kids guess the location. It may be a favourite vacation resort, or simply your local playground. Try to incorporate a special event in the clue, such as “Jason found a ring here, and we returned it to the lady who had lost it.” You'll be surprised how many wonderful memories come to mind!
• Fun and games to get the kids movin'
  Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day to stay fit. But what if your child prefers to stay glued to the TV or their game console? Here are some fun ideas to get a reluctant exerciser up on their feet: Fill some water balloons or water guns and chase each other around the yard; build an obstacle course in the backyard and see who can get around the course the fastest; join the growing number of Canadians who are hooked on rope skipping; play Piggy in the Middle. For this game, you don’t even have to use a ball. Change it up to “Catch the Kitty” or “Flying Elephant” by throwing an old stuffed toy instead.
• Looking ahead to Easter
  Easter means so much more than bunnies, baby chickens and chocolate eggs. But those are the images kids see everywhere at this time of year. Here’s a simple cross you can make as a family, then set on your table to help kids focus their thoughts on Christ’s loving sacrifice: Take two flat lengths of wood – or dowelling – and paint them with craft paint. (Stir sticks from a paint store work well, but one will need to be cut shorter than the other.) Glue the sticks together to form a cross, or bind them firmly with string. Wedge the base of the cross into a large “brick” of florist’s foam, to keep the cross standing upright. Hide the brick by loosely draping burlap or decorative fabric over the brick. Next, cut a length of gauze bandage and drape it over the cross. Finally, craft a pretend crown of thorns by cutting a length of blackberry bramble and bending it into a circle. Secure the ends together by binding them with florist’s wire. For younger children, you may prefer to craft the crown from pipe cleaners. Read age-appropriate accounts of Christ’s death and resurrection, and explain how Jesus’ resurrection transformed a symbol of death and fear into a symbol of life and hope.
  
• Randomize chore duties
  If your children spend a lot of time arguing about who has to do certain chores, make it random! Assign a number to each chore but don't tell your kids what chore corresponds to each number. Let them select their numbers, then reveal what their chore is. It keeps things fun and minimizes arguing.
  
• Activities for a wintry day
  Geraldine C., originally from St. John's, NL, recently shared with us some of the fun ways her family loves to spend a wintry day: “We do indoor hopscotch (it’s painter-taped to my kitchen flooring), bowling, pirate treasure hunts, board games, crafts, watch a G movie while having our afternoon snack as a pinic, do an organizing of our things as a team, read, dance, play instruments . . . all with 20-30 minutes of play time out in the snow (and there is lots of it!). . . . I think it does the kids good to see me having fun doing these things as a family with them. I know it does my heart good.”
• Media limits
  Do you set specific time limits on daily media intake? Try using a timer to let kids know when it’s time to turn off the TV, computer or video games. Warn your kids ahead of time that they have an hour (or however long you choose) to watch TV, etc., but after that, they need to move on to another activity. To fend off those “But, Mom/Dad, I'm bored!” moments, make other activities easily accessible – set out board games, books, crafts, cards and puzzles, and take the time to teach them some fun outdoor games as well.
• Skate safely
  This winter is the perfect season for ice skating, which can entertain kids and also help build skills like visual coordination. But skating also carries its dangers. Make sure your child always wears a helmet, dress them up in lots of warm clothing and teach them to only skate in the same direction as the rest of the people on the ice.
• Little laundry helpers
  Louise M. from Eden Mills, ON, shared with us the following helpful tip: “My daughters enjoyed sorting their laundry when they were toddlers – they could recognize their colours and throw the clothes into piles. If you have three predominant colours, just leave the largest load alone – it will remain in a pile when the others are sorted out. Now if only as teenagers they cared. One has grey undies from washing with denim. The other washed the white undies with a red load. She wanted to know if she could have new underwear, because she didn’t like the pink ones!” (If you have a parenting tip to contribute, please send your ideas to e This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)
• Opposites attract
  What do you do when your youngest pulls a favourite book from the shelf, but the older children cry “Not that one again”? To keep everyone happy, try changing every statement and action to opposites. Your story may not make a lot of sense, but it will get plenty of laughs.
• Tell your own stories
  Children love stories. Instead of reaching for a fiction book, have regular storytelling sessions about your childhood and your parents. Throughout mankind’s history, such familial stories have strengthened the bonds connecting people to the world around them. It gives your children a stronger sense of belonging, while also showing them sides of their parents and grandparents that they might have never known otherwise.
• Prep your kids for the holidays
  With Christmas right around the corner, now is a great time to concentrate on teaching your children about generosity. After all, the point of Christmas is not to get but to thank God for His gift of Jesus and to give generously to others. Try out the Generosity lesson on Kidsofintegrity.com. It’s free, easy to use and if you start now, your children will head into the holiday season with a spirit of generosity – not with the “gimme-gimmes”!
• Make cleaning up a game
  Do your kids resist cleaning up their toys? Try this: Place a large box in the centre of the room and set a timer. Explain that any toys not put away after 15 minutes will enter the “spaceship box” for a return trip to planet Lax, which takes a week.
• Bathtub bull's eye
  Need an activity to keep the kids busy? Here’s a simple, fun idea from mother-of-three Kelly S. for keeping your kids occupied while you finish up dinner, gather the laundry, make that phone call or, even better, enjoy a few relaxing moments to yourself! All you need are some blank sheets of paper, markers (washable markers are ideal), tape and a squirt gun for each child. On each sheet of paper (one per child), draw a big target with a bull’s eye in the middle. Then tape each sheet to the back of the bathtub wall, give each child a squirt gun full of water and tell them to aim for the bull’s eye. They’ll have a blast squirting their little hearts out! (Tip: To keep your kids extra busy, have more than one target sheet for each child.)
• Relatively interesting
  Having trouble drawing your teen into conversation at the dinner table? Many teens are fascinated by their family tree. Do a little sleuthing and try to share an interesting tidbit about a distant relative every now and again. Maybe your teen will catch the bug for researching their genealogy!
  
• Take reading to a new level
  If your children don’t enjoy reading, encourage them to explore reinvented forms of classic literature. Some of the most popular children’s classics come in other kinds of media, including live performances, audio books and radio broadcasts – think C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, performed as a Focus on the Family Radio Theatre^® production. Such alternative forms of classic literature can be just what your children need to jump-start their love for reading.
• Sunshine safety
  You never know when a sunny day will inspire your family to rush outdoors to enjoy some summertime fun. Stay prepared with a Summer Safety Kit stashed in your car or near the front door. Fill it with sun hats, sunscreen, protective lip balm, insect repellent,   sunglasses, Band-Aids, fresh drinking water and even some lightweight, long-sleeved shirts for extra sunny days spent at the beach or pool.
• Father’s Day fairy tale
  Help your children get involved in the Father’s Day fun by creating a special, homemade storybook featuring the star of the day – Dad! Your kids can fill the pages with hand-drawn pictures of their favourite memories of their father, funny stories about him and creative depictions of their number one superhero, Dad!
• Money-saving tip for the toy chest
  After a while, young children often get bored with their toys, and it can be pricey to regularly purchase new ones. Here’s a money-saving tip to help! If you have very young children who probably won’t notice the difference, try setting aside some of their toys for several months, putting them “out of sight and out of mind” in a closet or other storage area. When you sense they might be losing interest in their current toys, swap out the old ones for the “new.” Young children often find even older toys more interesting after they’ve been stored away for a period of time.
  
• Drive-through blessing
  The next time your family visits a drive-through restaurant, here’s a simple way to teach your kids the importance (and fun!) of blessing others. When you pay for your purchase, tell the cashier you’d also like to pay for the car behind you. Use that opportunity to talk to your kids about why it’s important to practice kindness and generosity towards others, and say a prayer of blessing for the people in the other car.
  
• Mud-pie “cook-off”
  After a long winter of indoor play, here’s an idea to get your kids out of the house and into a lot of creative fun: Challenge your kids to a mud-pie “cook-off”! Send them into the backyard with a bucket full of utensils – pans, bowls, spoons, a rolling pin, containers, cookie cutters, spades and other kid-safe gardening tools. Have a competition to see who can create the best-looking, most authentic-looking, or even the most disgusting-looking, mud-pie dish. Afterwards, indulge in an edible “mud pie” made from pudding, crumbled chocolate cookies and gummy worms.
• Teaching respectful problem solving
  Experiencing conflict with your tween or teen? Resist the urge to impose an ultimatum. Instead, ask questions that fuel productive discussion. Try asking “Please help me to understand why you . . .”, “How can we resolve this?” or “Is there a solution we can both live with?”
• Laundry lessons
  Tackling the laundry can be an overwhelming task for Mom and Dad, but enlisting your kids’ help can ease the burden – and teach them a practical habit they’ll use their entire life long. When children are young, teach them to drop their dirty clothes in the hamper each evening before bed. When laundry day comes, show them how to sort clothes into “whites” and “colours.” As children grow, their laundry responsibilities can grow as well. Tweens can help load the washer and dryer, and help with the folding and putting away. By the time your child is a teen, they’ll have the basics down and might even be able to take over their own laundry.
  
• Snowball race
  To keep your little ones entertained in the snow, invite them – and a few friends – to participate in a snowball race! If you don’t have packing snow, set out a bucket of water to drizzle over a large patch of snow that will serve as your race track. Draw a finish line at the end of the patch. Then, have each child start a small snowball. When you yell, “Go!”, each child will grab their snowball and roll it in the wetted snow in a race to get to the finish line first. Watch as their snowball gets bigger and bigger as they roll!
• I cut, you choose
  The simple principle, “I cut, you choose,” is a big help when it comes to teaching kids to share and to distribute portions fairly. The first child quickly becomes motivated to cut the cake or divide the candy evenly when the second child gets to pick their portion first!
• Restaurant rescue plan
  Eating out can be challenging when you have kids. To help minimize stress, prepare a Restaurant Kit. Include toys and books; snacks for impatient, hungry little ones; wet wipes, diapers and a change pad; and a list of games – like “I Spy” – to play while waiting for your food to arrive.
  
• Snowflake collectors
  Help your kids marvel at God’s creativity by helping them get a close-up view of snowflakes and their amazing shapes! On a snowy day, bundle up the kids and take them outside with some dark cloth or construction paper. Have one child hold the cloth or paper flat, so it catches the flakes. Meanwhile, another can hold the magnifying glass to view the uniqueness of each snowflake that falls from above. As each child has a turn using the magnifying glass, dare them to try and find two flakes that are the same. Then, follow up by discussing the creation story in Genesis to highlight what an amazing Creator God is, that He never makes two snowflakes the same!
  
• Eye-catching coats
  The dark days of winter are upon us! Keep your kids safe with adhesive reflective tape. Use a decorative hole punch or cut the tape into fun shapes with scissors, then apply to your child’s coat. Kids will love how their unique design “dances” in the dark as they move.
• Sit-down comic Want to spice up the conversation over mealtime? Make it a habit to tell a new joke at every evening meal. Soon, everyone will get in on the act, and you’ll have some doozies to laugh over together. Search online for your daily nugget.
• Nature stamps
  Take advantage of fall and introduce your kids to autumn shapes and colours by making nature stamps from apples, potatoes and a variety of leaves from the yard. All you need is to cut the apples or potatoes in half and dip the cut side in paint. For leaves, use a brush to apply the paint before stamping. It’s perfect for decorating t-shirts, making wrapping paper or a fun poster. For more stamp shapes, cut the excess from the potato half to form the desired image. Try these simple shapes: a star, heart, diamond or flower. No matter the weather outside, your kids will be amazed how God’s bounty can be loads of fun!
  
• Do-it-yourself runway party
  Got teen girls in the family? Here’s a fun idea for a memorable evening for your girls and their friends: Purchase a selection of clothing from a second-hand store, then hold a Project Runway party! Over the course of the evening, let your young designers snip and stitch, mix and match, to create unique fashions from the nearly-new collection. Elect Dad and the boys to act as the hosts and the judging panel. After serving refreshments and providing supplies, their task is to come up with fun award categories such as “Most likely to turn heads” and “Most likely to fall apart if you sneeze – dry clean only.”
• Dashing dresser
  Does your child’s tendency to roam far and wide make it difficult to track his whereabouts in playgrounds and other busy areas? Dress your child in a brightly coloured T-shirt that stands out in a crowd. You’ll find your trip more relaxing if you can locate him quickly.
• Tuck truck alternative
  Do you dread the tinkling tune that alerts your kids that the ice cream truck is nearby? Spare yourself the exorbitant prices, and placate the kids by keeping a box of special ice cream treats in the freezer. When “the ice cream tune” plays, you’ll be ready with a budget-friendly alternative.
  
• Not back to school!
  Does the term “back to school” make your kids groan? To help your child get excited about going back to school, try this activity: Give your kids crayons, markers and old magazines, and ask them to create images of what they like most about school. Afterward, discuss their pictures, asking them to explain their preferences. If your child has trouble thinking of positive things, remind them of their best friends, favourite teachers and activities from last year. End with a word of encouragement, letting them know how much you value their learning: “I just love to see you learn and become such a smart girl/boy!”
  
• Poolside pedicure fun
  Looking for ways to liven up your daughter’s pool party? Give each guest a small pedicure set that includes a file, clippers and nail polish. When it’s time to dip a toe in the pool, it’ll be the prettiest toe ever! Expand the pedicure theme with crafts that include decorating flip-flops with beads or paint, or making ankle bracelets. Feature toe rings as a fun gift exchange idea, or include them in take-home gift bags.
• Remember what?
  Summertime can significantly diminish a forgetful child’s wardrobe; clothing is often left behind at the lake or on the beach. To help your child remember their belongings, invent a fun “checklist” to rehearse each time you pack up your picnic. Try “shoes, swimsuit, shirt, sweater, sunglasses, sun hat, smile!”
  
• Car wash capers
  Time to wash the car? Lather up some fun with shave cream! Give the kids a can each, and let them add their own “detailing” to the car. Be sure to take a photo before washing it off together.
  
• And the bride wore flip-flops . . .
  Snuggled up on the couch with the kids, your anticipation ends with a barely stifled groan. The kids want to watch your wedding video – again! Their curiosity is natural; they missed one of the most important milestones in your family’s history. But sliding in that VHS tape always makes you feel so “last century.” This summer, why not renew your wedding vows in a special ceremony organized by some pint-sized “re-wedding” planners – your kids! The preparations lend themselves to a host of indoor activities to keep the kids busy over the summer when they need some “down time” out of the sun. Let the kids prepare invitations, organize the ceremony, choose the music, plan the menu and cake, create decorations and table settings, and write the cutest re-wedding vows ever. But, of course, you get to choose the new ring!
  
• Too much of a good thing
  Protect your kids from over-exposure to cancer-causing UV rays this summer by teaching them to “slip, slop, slap.” Coined in Australia, this fun slogan reminds kids to slip on a shirt, slop on the sunscreen, and slap on a hat to guard against sunburn. 
  
• Here comes the sun!
  To welcome the coming of summer, try this light-reflecting craft idea with your kids. Using paint, glitter, stickers or permanent markers, turn old CDs (or the free ones that come in the mail) into sparkling suncatchers. Then, tie clear fishing line or ribbon through the centre hole, and hang them up to enjoy. Just make sure the younger kids understand they can’t use your prized CD collection for future projects!
  
• All in this together
  When one child in the family is studying for exams, make younger siblings responsible for keeping the study area equipped with sharpened pencils and other supplies, and encourage outdoor play. Provide earphones so youngsters can watch TV or listen to music without disturbing your student.
  
• Driving love home
  Play it safe when driving by allowing your children to answer your cellphone if it's your spouse on the other end. As you relay messages to your spouse through your children, use it as an opportunity to bless the whole family by routinely signing off with a message like: “Tell Daddy I love him!”
• Grocery-store savvy
  Though it may seem like common sense, navigating a grocery store is like running an obstacle course. Like many parents, we may begin confidently with a written list, but are easily distracted by the store’s maze, directing us to desirable, yet budget-busting items we don’t need. If you don’t know this already, most grocery stores have all the nutritious basics like fresh produce, meat and dairy along the perimeter of the store. Meanwhile, items which are pre-packaged, processed and pricier typically live in the middle aisles. And as a last-ditch effort to add to our final total, all the tempting goodies and forget-me-not extras like magazines, candy, razor refills and batteries are displayed at the checkout. So, the next time you bring your kids to a grocery store, show them how to navigate the outer rim of the store first, before going into the aisles for the extras (or falling for the checkout-goodies trap) – and most importantly, to stick to their list!
  
• Toddler clean-up and learn
  Instead of cleaning up after your toddler, teach him to help with kid-sized tasks by turning chores into fun educational games. While folding laundry, teach your little one about shapes and colours by showing him how to match socks and towel sets. Or, help your child with numbers by having him count how many toys he can put into the toy box. Watch your little one learn and become your little helper at the same time!
• Bittersweet experience
  Pack a few candies in your first aid kit to help console kids who’ve suffered mild scrapes and bumps. Lollipops have a long shelf-life, and may even outlast the pain of the owie itself. Best of all, it’s hard to cry loudly and eat candy at the same time!
  
• Playing it safe
  When your child’s new friend visits for the first time, be aware of equipment or furniture in your home that may be novel to the friend. A child who has not learned appropriate behaviour around bunk beds, trampolines or swimming pools, for example, may be at risk for injuries.
  
• Lots o’ luscious layers
  Need a distraction to keep the kids busy while you prepare dinner? Invest in some plastic parfait glasses and let them stack up the layers themselves for dessert. Easy combos for kids to prepare include canned fruit, JELL-O, yogurt, granola, sliced banana or instant pudding mix.
  
• Science fair show time
  Did your child complete a science fair project this spring? Invite some of your child's friends to bring their science projects along to your in-house "science fair party." To help ease the kids’ stage-fright, create a fun and inviting atmosphere by serving treats and decorating the house with streamers. It's a great way for kids to practice their presentations, and grandparents and other relatives will love hearing about your child's research.
  
• A night terror for the child . . . or the parent?
  Dealing with a young child who is experiencing a night terror can be profoundly unnerving for parents who are not prepared for this phenomenon. Take some time to read up about this common sleep disturbance.
• Winter wonderland
  Got piles of snow in your front yard? Bundle up your kids and invite the neighbours over (and their kids, if they have any) for an afternoon of building snow sculptures to create a “scene with a theme.” For example, a scene from a favourite Bible story could become a neighbourhood talking point and a natural way to witness to your neighbours. But no matter what your team creates, you’ll create the chance to get to know the people and kids in your neighbourhood, and model for your children the importance of connecting with their community. Who knows? If the idea catches on, your whole street may become a drive-thru attraction and quite possibly a yearly neighbourhood tradition.
• Kiddo clean-up
  When you’re invited to dinner at a friend’s home, take along a plastic mat to spread under your child’s highchair. When dinner’s over, roll up the mat and rinse it off later at home. There’ll be no embarrassment over the state of the floor, and your hostess will appreciate your thoughtfulness!
• Work and earn
  Give each child a sheet on the fridge with a list of chores they are expected to do each day. Allow them to put a sticker by the chore they’ve completed if they do it without grumbling. If, at the end of the week, they do all the chores without grumbling, they receive their allowance. If not, no allowance. Simple!
  
• Social butterfly
  As your child reaches the tween years, they’ll want some control of their agenda. If you’ve been in the habit of accepting social appointments on your child’s behalf, it’s time to learn to say, “I’ll check with the rest of the family and get back to you on that.” 
  
• Beat the winter blahs!
  After the Christmas decorations have been packed away, banish the post-Christmas blues by bringing out a few baskets filled with indoor games especially reserved for this time of year. A simple bag of balloons can provide loads of fun, and a bag of straws and a few ping-pong balls are all you need for a game of blow-with-all-your-might table soccer. If you have sufficient space, a sheet of particle board can transform your dining-room table into a ping-pong table for two to four players. If you have at least four players, try “Family Rounders.” After just two hits at the ball, pass the bat to the next player and run to the opposite side, keeping all the family laughing as they run around the table trying to keep up with the play. If anyone has leftover energy, try using the ping-pong paddles for “Balloon Badminton”– just don’t let that balloon touch the floor!
  
• Light in the darkness
  Is your child afraid of the dark? Tuck a glow stick or flashlight in your child’s closet. If there’s a power outage overnight and your child’s night light fails, you’ll have a comforting light source handy. (Store glow sticks out of reach of small children – the contents can be harmful.)
  
• Get the scoop!
  If you’re thinking about buying CDs, video games or DVDs as Christmas gifts for your children, find help for making safe, kid-friendly choices at Pluggedinonline.com. There you’ll  find trustworthy, faith-based reviews on the latest media products.
  
• Thoughtful gift-giving
  Teach your kids about the importance of giving over receiving by helping them handcraft gifts for others. Not only are homemade gifts economical, they also teach children how to give thoughtfully and with anticipation. Help them plan in advance by asking them to carefully consider what would bless each recipient. After spending time and careful labour on a gift, your child will thrill to give the fruit of their efforts to a loved one. What better way to teach your child the importance of the thought behind the gift?
  
• Phoning home
  Cellphones can actually hinder your child’s ability to contact you if they learn to rely exclusively on the speed-dial function. Make sure your child memorizes your work number and other essential phone numbers in case their cellphone is lost or the battery goes dead.
  
• Holiday baking season
  For many families, the holiday season means extra bake sales, fundraisers, parties and events, leaving mom and dad busier than ever preparing goodies in the kitchen. Sit down with your spouse and kids early in the season to plan ahead. Identify when baked goods will be needed, and encourage the family to inform you as soon as possible when additional baking needs arise. Pick an afternoon to do as much baking as you can . . . and enlist the entire family to help! You might also plan a baking day with other moms or dads to make large batches of cookies, cupcakes and treats. Whatever you don’t need right away, freeze for later and thaw out before the next big event.
  
• Excuse me, please
  Knowing how to interrupt a conversation appropriately is an important social skill, but it’s a difficult skill for children to master. Teach your children an unspoken signal to use when they need your attention, then role-play different scenarios to help your child understand how to interrupt politely.
  
• The babysitter kit
  Set your mind at ease and make life a little easier for your babysitter by preparing a babysitting kit ahead of time. Include a list of emergency contact numbers, instructions on bedtime, meal restrictions, ideas for ways to keep the kids entertained and any other information a babysitter might find handy (such as: doors that automatically lock; neighbours’ names; where you keep Band-Aids and children’s medication). To help kids anticipate their time with the babysitter, involve them in planning a special treat for the evening, such as a movie, games and popcorn. You might also have them help prepare a special treat to bless the babysitter, such as freshly baked cookies or a piece of artwork created just for him/her. Another hospitable touch is to set aside some DVDs, books, magazines and snacks for the babysitter to enjoy once the kids are in bed.
  
• Today’s modern “family newsletter”
  For a modern twist on a family newsletter, start a family blog and share the URL with close family members and friends. Mom and Dad can post pictures and family news, while older kids can blog about their latest activities, accomplishments or hobbies. Younger kids can draw artwork to be scanned and uploaded, or contribute funny stories (typed by Mom or Dad). This is a creative, fun way to stay in touch with grandparents, long-distance family members and friends.
  
• Breaking the ice
  Planning a visit with “long-lost” friends or relatives this summer? You may be eagerly anticipating this reunion, but what about your kids? Many children are uncomfortable when surrounded by unfamiliar adults and “new” kids. To relieve the awkwardness of initial interactions, purchase a jigsaw puzzle or another project that the whole group can work on together. Your kids will find getting to know others more relaxing when they feel the group is focused on the project, rather than on them.
  
• Prepared for fun
  Early in the summer, stow a tennis ball, inflatable beach ball, fold-up kite or other small toys or sporting gear in your car so you’re always ready for a quick game with the kids while out on a picnic, at the beach or at the park. These items can become invaluable for helping to pass the time if you find yourself in a lengthy ferry lineup or waiting for a tow truck after an unexpected roadside breakdown.
  
• Practicing hospitality
  When guests come over to your home, your kids may feel out of place or uncertain about their role. To help them feel included, involve them in the process of welcoming guests by assigning them special jobs. For example, one child could be responsible for showing guests where to put their jackets or purses, another could give tours of the house (if you dare!), while all could share the task of drawing placemats or name tags for each guest. If it’s a celebration or birthday party, encourage your children to draw cards or make a special birthday hat for that person.
• Spring cleaning for a good cause
  Kids grow up fast. And soon enough, you’ll find that all those outgrown clothes, toys and books are piling up just as quick. To de-clutter your home, try holding a garage sale and give the proceeds to a local charity or church ministry. Your kids can make signs to put up around the neighbourhood and help set up tables. You might even want to hold a joint garage sale with your neighbours. This is a great way to spend a Saturday together as a family, connect with your neighbourhood and teach your kids about material possessions and charitable giving. Garage sales also provide kids the opportunity to put their math skills to use: Give them some change and assist them with transactions. You’ll not only clear the house of clutter; you’ll teach your kids important values and skills.
• Carving out family quality time
  Nanette S. from Winnipeg, MB, recently shared with us how her busy family finds ways to spend quality time together. She wrote, “We really wanted to work on spending quality time with our children. We started off with a games night, like you hear and see around so often. We found this really difficult with our prior commitments to church, family, etc. What we have found is fabulous for us. Since we eat meals together anyway, we take an extra 10 minutes each day and enjoy a cup of tea or hot chocolate after our meal, around the table. Our girls get a chance to talk about what’s up with them for as long as they want. We have also started holding hands when we pray. Not only is it nice to connect as a family, but I have found how quickly you can learn whether anyone is angry with another family member.”
• Family CD or DVD exchange
  Do your kids get tired of watching your well-used family DVDs or listening to the same CDs over and over? Try swapping with another family you know well. Ask them what their favourite types of movies and music are, and share with them your own preferences. Have each family make a list of the DVDs and CDs they’re willing to loan or trade, including ones they may be willing to give away. Keep in mind the ages of the children and any guidelines the parents might use when choosing movies or music for their family. Keep a list for yourself and provide a list to the other family . . . then make the big swap!
• Valentine's Day "Chez Nous"
  Valentine's Day can be a wonderful opportunity for kids to pamper Mom and Dad. Why not ask your kids to host a special Valentine's Day dinner for you at home? Married couples can enjoy a romantic night in, while single parents can look foward to spending a memorable evening with their kids. This can be a fun opportunity for children to learn about serving others as they perform simple tasks such as preparing an elegant table setting, escorting you to your table and pouring your drink. Younger children can help prepare unique table decorations while older children can design the menu and choose a name for your special "restaurant." [Read more]
• Organize your family chores
  Chores may not always be fun, but they're a great way to teach kids housekeeping skills, discipline and responsibility. At the beginning of each week, write up a to-do list specifying each family member's assigned chores. Make sure you provide a time-frame to complete each task, such as by Wednesday, each morning or by the end of the week. Involve your kids as you assign the chores; one child may prefer a certain task or may want to switch every now and then. It's a good idea to provide a place to check off each chore as it's accomplished, or even to reward family members for chores accomplished early. Once all the chores have been checked off, enjoy your clean home and celebrate with a fun family outing or treat.
• Indoor activities for winter-weather days
  During the chill of winter, it can be hard to keep kids active and entertained. Here are a few ideas to keep your kids moving - and warm. Send them on a scavenger hunt in your home. Have them take turns hiding objects, writing out directions, drawing maps and searching for clues. You can also help them build a fort made of blankets or boxes in the living room. If your kids are musical, or if they love to write or tell great stories, have them prepare and perform in a family talent show or play. Another way to get everyone involved is to hold a family Olympics. Come up with silly games and competitions (that are easy enough for younger children) and have everybody participate.
• Make Christmas thank you notes easy and fun
  Teach your children that thanking relatives and friends for Christmas gifts is not only polite but also a fun opportunity to get creative. Pick an afternoon when the kids are still home on Christmas break to throw a family note-writing party. Prepare snacks, crank up some fun music and set up the kitchen table with art supplies, glue, child-safe scissors, markers and crayons (leftover wrapping paper and bows work great as well). Provide your kids with a box of blank notecards, a list of people to thank - and have fun! Your friends and relatives are sure to appreciate your kids' personal touch.
• Good homework habits
  To help kids organize their time and stay on track with school assignments, try establishing a consistent time for homework, such as immediately after school, after dinner or after a snack or break time. Have each of your children find a place where they feel most comfortable and able to concentrate. Avoid distractions such as television, loud music or easy access to cell phones. Most importantly, be available to help. You can even join in by doing your own "homework" - paying bills, reading your Bible, catching up on emails or other tasks on your to-do list.
• Get organized!
  Is getting out the door in the morning a hassle for your family? Is someone constantly searching for their keys, homework, backpack, gloves or purse? Try purchasing some inexpensive baskets, plastic tubs or decorative (yet sturdy) boxes - one for each family member. Place these near the front door, in an easily accessible closet or in a common gathering area, like the kitchen or living room. Encourage your kids to deposit their belongings in their container as soon as they come home; that way, items will be easy to find later. This idea can work great for Mom and Dad, too!
• How cleaning-time can mean fun-time
  Daniel S. from White Rock, B.C., recently shared with us how he and his wife, Amy, make cleaning the house a fun, easy-to-do family activity. Using a timer set at 15 minutes, they pick a room or area and see how much each family member can clean, straighten, dust, vacuum or pick up in 15 minutes. After the timer goes off, they pick another room or area and set the timer again. Daniel says that this helps keep things fun and varied, while also making the time go by quicker. Try involving your kids and make a game out of who can clean their room the fastest.
• Home-cooked fun
  Are you searching for new ways to spend quality time with your kids? Baking together can be a fantastic way to bond and teach kids a love for cooking. Allow your child to choose a favourite recipe: a cake, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, a pie or a dessert square. For particularly messy recipes, pre-portioning ingredients (i.e. pre-cracking the eggs into a bowl or measuring flour ahead of time) can help cut down on messes and make it easier for young children to participate. After the baking has cooled, eat up and enjoy each other’s company over a glass of milk!
• Are video games consuming your child’s time?
  Wendy A. from Coquitlam, B.C., recently shared with us the creative way she helps her son stay accountable and balanced in the time he spends playing video games. She wrote, “My 12-year-old son must earn his video game time by spending equal time involved in a physical activity. I keep track of the time with Popsicle sticks – with each stick representing 30 minutes. I stack them in a container made of three empty film canisters duct-taped together. On the side, they read: 'Bank, earned' and 'Bank, spent.' The sticks move from container to container accordingly. I think this type of regulation works. My hope is to help my son 'track' how much time he spends in a sedentary activity like gaming . . . and hopefully make him a more careful young adult.”
• Career Day for home-schoolers
  Inspire your children’s dreams for the future by inviting relatives, neighbours or friends to visit your home to talk about their professions. Try to include a variety of career fields, especially keeping in mind your children’s talents and interests. Before your special guests arrive, help your children prepare a list of questions to ask. If your children express an interest in a particular career path, try to arrange a field trip to the office of a friend or relative who works in that industry.
• Do you find it hard to teach your children the importance of faith?
  Read our ideas for keeping kids involved and enthusiastic about time with God. [Read more]
• Soothing new sibling apprehension
  If you have a child who’s feeling uncertain about the arrival of a new sibling, try to establish a weekly or monthly “Mom Date,” “Dad Date” or even a “Mom and Dad Date,” spending quality time just the two or three of you. Also, involve your child in the preparations for your baby’s arrival. Invite them to help decorate the nursery, pick out clothes or toys or prepare a “Welcome Home” sign. Find ways to involve your child in caring for your newborn – whether it’s fetching diapers, holding the baby or helping push the stroller. Most of all, remind your child that he or she is just as special to you as ever. And help them to know they have a very important role as big brother or big sister.
• An affordable mini-vacation that’s easy and fun
  Camping can be a fun-filled family adventure, but when you don’t have the resources, energy or time to spend a long weekend in the woods, try spending a night under the stars in your own backyard! Set up a tent and stock it full of blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and cushions. If you don’t have a backyard or a good place to set up your “camp,” have your kids help you make a tent out of sheets and blankets in your living room. Make smores over your cooking range or in your microwave, play games, do some star-gazing and tell each other stories. In the morning, have breakfast together and take a “nature walk” through your neighbourhood or local park.
• Road trip tips for keeping kids content
  During long road trips, most children experience restlessness and impatience. Parents often hear: “Are we there yet?” “I’m bored” and “How much longer?” Muriel from Burnaby, B.C., shares a creative idea she uses to keep her kids happy (and preoccupied) on long road trips. [Read more]
• Helping kids avoid summer vacation boredom
  Several weeks into their vacation, kids often become bored with long days of “nothing to do.” Try sitting down with your child to map out their weekly or daily schedule. Include fun, creative activities like baking cookies, picking flowers, writing a story, reading a book, working on a puzzle, setting up a lemonade stand, slumber parties or writing a letter to Grandma and Grandpa. Don’t forget to include constructive activities like daily chores, helping make dinner, yard work or washing the car (your child may groan, but it’ll help fill their day – and help you out at home!).
• Turn up the creativity without turning up the mess
  Fostering creativity in your child is a healthy part of development; oftentimes, however, wallpaper ends up splattered, family heirlooms get ruined or Mom’s tablecloth gets stained. Foster your child’s creativity without sacrificing your sanity! Find a corner of the house – whether in a playroom, the kitchen, a bedroom or even a cleared out space in the garage – and set up an art “studio.” Protect the floor and walls with plastic mats, newspapers, an old sheet or anything you don’t mind getting splattered, glued or marked. Fill your craft area with paints, coloured paper, markers, crayons, glitter, child-safe scissors, old magazines and anything that might spark the imagination. Your child can have fun filling up their studio with their masterpieces while limiting their artistic messes around your home.
• Sunday dinner
  An old English tradition with a modern twist! Starting when your kids are young, keep Sunday nights free for a hearty, stay-at-home meal. Whether it’s a traditional roast with Yorkshire pudding or homemade pizza, everyone can look forward to starting the week off right – together. As your children grow, encourage them to invite their friends (and eventually, significant others!) to your weekly sit-down dinners. Once they are out on their own, rotate homes each week (if they live in the area). Have that week’s host cook the main dish, while everyone else brings the trimmings.

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