The pressure to be a “perfect parent” is everywhere. Social media bombards us with highlight reels of parents who seem to have it all together. Experts share conflicting advice. And the never-ending mental load? Exhausting.

But here’s the truth: every parent struggles. The key is to recognize these struggles, address them with practical solutions, and most importantly, give yourself grace.

Let’s break down some of the biggest parenting struggles today and what you can do to navigate them without losing your mind.

1. The Pressure to “Get It Right”

Parenting comes with an unspoken expectation to always do what’s “best” for your child. The problem? No one actually agrees on what “best” means.

You’ve got parenting books telling you one thing, pediatricians advising another, and social media influencers making you feel like you’re doing it all wrong. Even well-meaning family members can add to the pressure with unsolicited advice. No wonder parenting struggles is a real issue today!

So, how do you deal with this overwhelming need to get everything right?

• Accept that perfection doesn’t exist. Even the most experienced parents make mistakes. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s doing your best with the resources and knowledge you have.
• Trust your instincts. No one knows your child better than you do. What works for one family may not work for yours.
• Filter out the noise. Not all advice is good advice. Find a few trusted sources and tune out the rest.

Parenting isn’t about checking all the right boxes. It’s about adapting, learning, and loving your child through it all.

2. Balancing Work and Family Life

For many parents, work doesn’t end when they leave the office (or close their laptop if they work from home). The challenge of balancing professional responsibilities with family life is a daily struggle.

Here’s what often happens:

• You feel guilty when you’re at work because you’re not spending enough time with your kids.
• You feel guilty when you’re with your kids because you’re falling behind at work.
• You’re mentally exhausted trying to do it all.

Finding balance is tough, but it’s not impossible. Here’s how:

• Set clear boundaries. If you work from home, create a designated workspace and set “work hours” so you can unplug when the day is done.
• Prioritize quality over quantity. It’s not about how much time you spend with your kids—it’s about making that time meaningful.
• Share the load. If possible, divide parenting responsibilities with your partner or ask for help from family members.

A healthy work-life balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about making intentional choices that support both your career and your family.

3. Technology Battles

Screens are everywhere: TVs, tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles. While technology has its benefits, many parents worry about its impact on their kids.

The common concerns?

• Too much screen time affecting physical and mental health
• Exposure to inappropriate content
• Kids becoming overly dependent on technology for entertainment

Instead of banning screens altogether (which isn’t realistic in today’s world), try this approach:

• Set clear screen time limits. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one hour per day of high-quality screen time for young children. Older kids should have screen use balanced with other activities.
• Encourage active screen time. Instead of passive consumption (watching endless YouTube videos), opt for interactive and educational content.
• Model healthy habits. Kids learn by watching, so if you want them to have a balanced relationship with technology, set the example.

Technology isn’t the enemy but setting healthy boundaries is essential for raising responsible digital citizens.

4. Parental Burnout Is Real

Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained? You’re not alone. Parenting comes with an invisible workload—meal planning, managing schedules, organizing playdates, remembering doctor’s appointments—it’s a lot.

Signs of parental burnout include:

• Constant fatigue, even after sleeping
• Irritability and short temper
• Loss of enjoyment in parenting

How to avoid burnout:

• Delegate where possible. If your partner, family, or even an older child can take on some tasks, let them.
• Lower your standards. The house doesn’t need to be spotless. Dinner doesn’t have to be a three-course meal. Simplify where you can.
• Make time for yourself. Even 15 minutes of alone time can make a big difference.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself is taking care of your family.

5. The Comparison Trap

Ever scrolled through Instagram and wondered how other parents seem to have it all figured out? The truth is, they don’t. They face parenting struggles just like every other parent.

What we see online is a curated version of reality. Behind every picture-perfect family moment, there’s likely a meltdown, an argument, or a sleepless night.

To stop the cycle of comparison:

• Unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate. Follow real, relatable content instead.
• Celebrate your own wins. Instead of measuring yourself against others, recognize what’s working in your own family.
• Remember that every child is different. What works for one kid may not work for another. Focus on your child’s needs.

The only parenting journey that matters is yours.

Conclusion

Parenting is a rollercoaster and parenting struggles is part of it. Some days feel like a win, others feel like a mess. But the most important thing to remember? You’re doing better than you think.

Perfection isn’t the goal. Loving, supporting, and being present for your child is.

Need some inspiration for a fun sleepover? Read our 20+ Fun Things To Do At A Sleepover article for a fun-filled night with the kids!

The post The Biggest Parenting Struggles Today (And How to Overcome Them) appeared first on .

What is Gentle Parenting?

Gentle parenting is a parenting style that emphasizes respect, empathy, and connection. It’s a way of parenting that avoids using punishment and instead uses positive reinforcement and natural consequences to guide children’s behavior. This parenting style prioritizes building a healthy relationship between the parent and the child, where the parent acts as a guide and not as an authoritarian figure.

Why should you consider gentle parenting? Well, studies have shown that children who grow up with gentle parenting tend to have better emotional regulation, self-esteem, and overall mental health. They also tend to have better relationships with their parents and siblings.

Now that we’ve covered the definition and importance of being a gentle parent, let’s dive into the different types of parenting styles and how they compare to gentle parenting. Understanding how being a gentle parent compares to other styles can help you decide if it’s the right fit for your family.

Parenting Styles

Parenting styles can be categorized into four types: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved. Authoritarian parents use strict rules and punishments to discipline their children. Authoritative parents have high expectations but use positive reinforcement and open communication to guide their children. Permissive parents are indulgent and have very few rules, while uninvolved parents are disengaged and provide little to no guidance.

Benefits of Gentle Parenting

In comparison to these styles, gentle parenting focuses on building a strong parent-child relationship and prioritizes the child’s emotional and psychological well-being. It emphasizes mutual respect, open communication, and problem-solving skills. This parenting style views the child as an individual with valid emotions and strives to understand and validate their feelings.

Challenges in Gentle Parenting

In the next section, we’ll discuss the principles and core values of gentle parenting in more detail. But before that, let’s take a moment to appreciate the beauty of gentle parenting. Imagine a world where children feel heard, respected, and loved unconditionally. Where parents act as guides, not dictators, and children grow up to be confident and empathetic adults. This is the world that gentle parenting aims to create.

As a parent, you want to do what’s best for your child, but sometimes it can be difficult to navigate the many different parenting styles and techniques out there. One approach that has gained popularity in recent years is gentle parenting. This parenting style emphasizes empathy, respect, and positive communication with your child, rather than punishment or authoritarianism as mentioned above.

Implementing gentle parenting may seem daunting at first, but there are practical tips and techniques that you can use to incorporate this approach into your style. One key aspect of this stye is using positive reinforcement and natural consequences instead of punishment. This means praising and rewarding your child for good behavior, rather than punishing them for bad behavior.

For example, if your child cleans up their toys without being asked, you can give them a compliment or small reward to reinforce that behavior. On the other hand, if your child refuses to clean up their toys, a natural consequence might be that they can’t play with those toys until they clean them up.

Of course, implementing gentle parenting is not always easy, and there may be challenges along the way. Some common challenges that parents face when practicing this type of parenting include dealing with tantrums or difficult behavior, setting boundaries and expectations, and handling conflicts with your child.

However, there are ways to overcome these challenges without resorting to traditional disciplinary measures. For example, when your child is having a tantrum, you can offer comfort and empathy, rather than punishment. Setting clear boundaries and expectations can also help prevent difficult behavior in the first place, and you can work with your child to find solutions to conflicts that work for both of you.

By implementing practical tips and techniques for gentle parenting and overcoming common challenges, you can create a positive and nurturing environment for your child to grow and thrive.

Myths about Gentle Parenting

We’ll debunk some of the common myths about gentle parenting and explain why they are untrue.

Myth #1: Gentle Parenting Is Permissive. One of the biggest misconceptions about gentle parenting is that it’s permissive parenting, which means that parents allow their children to do whatever they want without any boundaries or consequences. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Being a gentle parent also involves setting clear boundaries and expectations for children while also respecting their needs and emotions. It’s about finding a balance between being firm and being kind.

Myth #2: Being a Gentle Parent Doesn’t Work on “Difficult” Children. Another myth about being a gentle parent is that, it only works on well-behaved children and is ineffective for “difficult” children who have behavioral issues. However, gentle parenting can work for all children, regardless of their behavior. In fact, it’s often more effective for children with behavioral issues because it addresses the underlying causes of their behavior, such as unmet needs or emotions, rather than just punishing them for their actions.

Myth #3: This type of parenting Is Time-Consuming and Inconvenient, Some parents may believe that this is time-consuming and inconvenient because it requires more patience and understanding than traditional parenting methods. However, the truth is that this type can actually save time in the long run because it fosters a positive relationship between parents and children, which leads to fewer power struggles and conflicts.

Self-Care in Gentle Parenting

Now that we’ve debunked some of the common myths about adopting a gentle style, let’s talk about the importance of self-care for parents who practice this parenting style. Self-care is an essential part of being a gentle parent because it helps parents to stay calm and patient in the face of challenging situations. Here are some tips and strategies for incorporating self-care into your busy parenting schedule:

• Set aside some time each day for yourself, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes to meditate, take a bath, or read a book.
• Ask for help from family members or friends when you need it, whether it’s for a few hours of childcare or someone to talk to.
• Practice mindfulness and self-compassion by acknowledging your own needs and emotions.
• Take care of your physical health by eating well, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.
• Remember that self-care is not selfish; it’s necessary for your own well-being and for being the best parent you can be.

Gentle parenting is a parenting style that is based on respect, communication, and understanding. It’s not permissive parenting, and it can work for all children, regardless of their behavior. Self-care is an important part of practicing gentle parenting, and it’s essential for parents to take care of themselves in order to be the best parents they can be.

The Future of Gentle Parenting

One of the main reasons that gentle parenting is becoming more popular is that it focuses on building a positive relationship between parents and children. Rather than using fear and punishment to control children’s behavior, being gentle encourages parents to communicate openly and honestly with their children, respect their feelings and perspectives, and work together to solve problems.

By creating a nurturing and supportive environment, gentle parenting can help children develop a strong sense of self-worth and confidence. This, in turn, can lead to better mental health outcomes, such as reduced anxiety and depression, and a more positive outlook on life.

Another benefit of gentle parenting is that it can improve communication and relationships within the family. By using open and honest communication, parents and children can better understand each other’s needs and perspectives. This can lead to fewer power struggles and more cooperation and collaboration within the family.

Moreover, when parents model gentle and respectful behavior towards their children, it sets a positive example for how children should treat others. This can lead to children developing better social skills and healthier relationships with others.

But the impact of being a gentle parent extends beyond the family. When children are raised with empathy and respect, they are more likely to exhibit these traits towards others in their community. This can lead to a more compassionate and kind society overall.

As the world becomes more interconnected and globalized, the need for compassion and empathy is becoming increasingly important. By raising our children with gentle parenting techniques, we are not only providing them with the tools they need to thrive but also contributing to a more peaceful and harmonious world.

In the next section, we will explore practical tips for implementing gentle parenting in your own family, including techniques for discipline and boundary-setting.

Practical Tips for Implementing Gentle Parenting

Now that we have explored the benefits of gentle parenting, let’s dive into some practical tips for implementing this parenting style in your own family.

1. Practice Active Listening: One of the core principles of gentle parenting is empathy, and active listening is an essential part of developing empathy. When your child is upset or needs to talk, take the time to actively listen to them without interrupting or judging. By showing your child that you value their feelings and perspective, you are building trust and strengthening your relationship.
2. Set Clear Boundaries: While gentle parenting emphasizes respect and understanding, it is still important to set clear boundaries for your children. This can include setting limits on screen time, enforcing rules around safety, and establishing consequences for inappropriate behavior. However, instead of using punishment and shame, focus on natural consequences and logical consequences that are related to the behavior.
3. Use Positive Reinforcement: Gentle parenting encourages positive reinforcement as a way to encourage positive behavior. This can include praising your child when they exhibit kindness or cooperation, offering rewards for good behavior, and creating a positive reinforcement system that focuses on positive behaviors.
4. Practice Mindful Discipline: When discipline is necessary, practice mindful discipline techniques such as redirecting, problem-solving, and offering choices. Avoid using physical punishment or shaming, which can lead to negative long-term effects.
5. Model Gentle Behavior: Children learn by example, so it is important to model gentle behavior and communication in your own interactions with your children and others. This can include using “I” statements, avoiding blame and criticism, and apologizing when you make a mistake.

By implementing these practical tips, you can begin to incorporate gentle parenting techniques into your family’s daily life. While it may take time to adjust to this new parenting style, the long-term benefits are well worth the effort.

FAQs

If you’re new to gentle parenting, you may have some questions about how it differs from other parenting styles and how to implement it in your own family.

One frequently asked question is, what is the difference between gentle parenting and authoritative parenting? Authoritative parenting is often seen as a middle ground between permissive and authoritarian parenting. While authoritative parents set clear boundaries and rules, they also value their child’s autonomy and involve them in decision-making. In contrast, this prioritizes a collaborative and empathetic approach to discipline and communication, aiming to build a strong parent-child relationship based on trust and mutual respect.

Another question that often arises is whether being a gentle parent is permissive. This is a common misconception, as gentle parenting actually involves setting limits and boundaries for your child. However, these limits are communicated in a non-punitive way, and parents aim to use positive reinforcement and natural consequences instead of punishment.

If you were raised with a more authoritarian parenting style, you may wonder how to implement gentle parenting in your own family. While it can be challenging to break old habits and adopt a new parenting style, it’s important to remember that being gentle is a process and a journey. It’s never too late to start making changes and implementing new strategies that prioritize your child’s emotional and psychological well-being.

Another common question is how gentle parenting addresses discipline and boundaries. Gentle parenting relies on a proactive approach to discipline, where parents aim to prevent misbehavior before it occurs by understanding their child’s needs and emotions. When discipline is necessary, this type of parenting also involves using positive reinforcement and natural consequences, rather than punishment. Boundaries are set in a collaborative manner, with both parent and child involved in the decision-making process.

Finally, parents of children with behavioral issues may wonder if gentle parenting can work for them. The answer is yes! This type of parenting is a highly adaptable and flexible approach that can work for all types of children. However, it may require more patience, empathy, and creativity when dealing with challenging behaviors. Remember that every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another.

Here are more tips on improving a child’s self-esteem: How to Improve Your Child’s Self-Esteem

Conclusion

Overall, gentle parenting can have a positive impact on both parents and children, promoting emotional connection, mutual respect, and healthy communication. By incorporating the principles of being a gentle parent into your daily interactions with your child, you can create a more nurturing and supportive family environment that benefits everyone involved.

The post The Power of Gentle Parenting: Raising Happy and Confident Kids appeared first on .

As parents, we are the most influential people in our children’s life. How we speak, say, and do has a large impact on a child’s self esteem. How we behave overall as parents has a deep connection to how the child’s thinking process develops. Let’s take a look at what we think are three critical ways to improve your child’s self esteem.

1. Improving Your Child’s Self Esteem – It’s Starts With The Parents

Given the most critical role a parent plays in a child’s life, it’s starts with you. You as a parent are the source of their self esteem development. This is a huge task at hand that most parents are not aware of given the chaos of everything parenting. You have to step back and realize that your behaviour has the largest impact on their self esteem development. It’s not your kids, it’s you. We see thousands of articles on how to improve your child’s self esteem but most forget this crucial link.

To be able to improve your child’s self esteem, you’ll need to improve your behaviour towards your child.

Whether you believe that you’re doing well, there’s always room for improvement. We all get short sometime with our kids because they’re not eating, listening or we’re running late. Think about your reaction and how that affects your kids’ self esteem.

2. Love and Compassion Builds Self Esteem

Children who feel loved and accepted have a higher self esteem. The reason is simple: they love themselves and are comfortable being themselves. When you regularly hug, kiss and encourage your kids they will feel loved and good about who they are as a person. Equally important, do not compare your child. Comparison is the mother of insecurities. Every child wants to be loved and accepted. Comparing your child gives them the feeling of not being good enough. So take note and substitute comparison with love and compassion.

3. Strength Builds Character Not Flaws

Focus on the child’s strengths and not their flaws. As easy as it may seem, we’re all guilty of sometime embarrassing our kids. Encourage them to use their talents without feeling embarrassed. Let them try things out, fail and get up again. If your child has any weaknesses, figure them out and work on it. Let them know that something we fail and that’s OK as long as we try again and do our best.

We as adults are not good at everything, so why should our kids be perfect at everything.

Bonus Points on How To Improve Your Child’s Self Esteem

Teaching New Skills And How That Builds Your Child’s Self Esteem

Teaching your kids new skills will have an impact on developing their self esteem better. This empowers them with a new way of doing something new. There are a lot of opportunities here. Think of various activities that you even like to do yourself as an adult.

For example, teach your kids about gardening. We’ve done that with both of our boys and now they know all the plants and vegetables that we’re growing. Not only that, but we also made sure that they know the planting process from buying the plants, to planting and to nurturing them. Picking fresh tomatoes from the garden along with raspberries and strawberries has been a rewarding experience for them and overall for us as a family,

If you don’t have a garden, teach your kids about doing the dishes, doing crafts, building with Lego, etc. Every time we do a home DIY projects, they’re curious. Given them the ability to learn about tools, what each tool is used for and how to thing work. The opportunities here are endless and it can only boosts their self esteem once you teach them new skills.

Help Them Solve a Problem by Themselves

There’s never a bigger sense of accomplishment when kids solve a problem by themselves. Being a new puzzle or a maze, let them try it for themselves a few times. If they can’t do it, help in incremental steps so that they make the major decisions in the process.

Listening, Show Respect and Extra Curricular Activities

Listen to you child. Ask them about their day at school, what they enjoyed doing and how they are feeling. If they know that they can share their emotions with you, they will feel supported and loved.

Showing respected has a huge impact on a child’s self esteem. Understanding that the child is his or her own autonomous being makes a difference. Encourage your kids to be independent. From letting them make clothing or food decisions, your child will learn to develop their own likes and dislikes.

These are some tips that we believe will help you as a parent on how to improve your child’s self esteem. Although there are many more ideas and suggestions, these serve as building blocks for a solid foundation for self development. Focusing on self love, compassion, empowerment, strength, listening, respect and more, will give you a chance to help your child’s self esteem.

Ultimately, when your child believes in their ability to overcome mistakes and accomplish tasks on their own, they will feel empowered to take on challenges at school and in life overall.

What are some of your suggestions on how to improve your child’s self esteem? What works and what doesn’t? We’ll love to hear your thoughts.

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There are a number of free and fun educational websites for kids available. We picked the best so you can have a great time teaching your kids new things. These educational websites offer online teaching, kids games, videos, printables and more fun. Let’s take a further look below.

20 of The Best, Fun and Free Educational Websites for Kids

1. Disney Junior Games – Disney LOL

Who doesn’t love Mikey and friends? Disney Junior Games – Disney LOL offers Games, Videos, Coloring-Pages, Star Wars Kids and Apps for endless fun with your kids.

The Disney Junior Sticker Books such as Mikey Mouse Clubhouse Sticker Book, Jake and the Never Land Sticker Book and Sofia the First Dress Up will keep your kids entertained and engaged for certain. There are a variety of games available such as Little Einstein, Handy Manny and much more. And who doesn’t like Disney’s Frozen Games?

All in all, we find that Disney LOL provides an incredible variety of free educational games for kids that encourages colour matching, hand-eye coordination and memory focus for helping developing kids’s mind.

2. Sesame Street Fun Games for Kids

Our youngest son loves Sesame Street. In fact, he sings a few lines happily! And best of all, he’s not even two years old yet. From hundreds of songs and games, your kids will love learning the alphabet, colours, animals sounds catchy songs and more.

We like the fact that there are a lot of known actors and singers that participate in the educational songs. If your child listens and likes music, he or she may recognize the singer which helps them make a connection easily. If you’re wondering how music plays a large role in a child’s development, you should read Music and Child Development: Why Music Is Important.

3. Scholastic Educational Games

Given its education publishing experience, Scholastic offers great activities for the kids. With their Read, Play and Connect areas, you’ll be able to find tones of games for kids. For example, there’s a Virtual Book Fest available. Book topics include Fantasy, Funny, Adventure and much more. Also, try Home Base Connect, a fun game to connect and play.

4. TIME for Kids

Keeping on the publisher side, the TIME Magazine’s TIME for Kids offers a multitude of learning opportunities for kids. From K-1, 2, 3-4 and 5-6, you’ll be able to access a lot of educational content that will keep your kids learning new and interesting things. There’s also a Free Digital Library for the time being, so take action today!

5. How Stuff Works Free Online Learning

For those inquisitive kids that always ask millions of questions, there’s How Stuff Works . From Health, Science, Tech, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Adventure, Animals and a Quiz section, there’s something for everyone here. This is a one of the great and free educational websites that you can use to teach your child a variety of topics related to the topics mentioned above. You may be able to learn a thing or two, so it’s a win-win, fun time for the entire family.

6. National Geographic Kids

Since we’re on the learning subject, National Geographic Kids is a great source for free learning online for kids. The Games section includes Quizzes, Personality Tests, Action and Funny Fill-In. For those kids that love learning more about animals, there’s an Amazing Animals section under Video. The Animals sections is filled with lots of learning opportunities too. These include Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Fish and more. If your kids enjoying camping and being outside, this is a must see site as the Explorer Section gives the kids the ability to become explorers themselves and learn about Books, Science, Space, etc.

7. PBS Kids

PBS Kids is one of our favourite websites for learning new things online for kids. With a large selection of videos and games, you’ll be able to find hours of new learning opportunities here. For example, we love Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Sesame Street and Wild Krattz kids videos. On the games side, there are new online games for kids such as Mission Control, Guess that Feeling and Hero Maker.

8. Cool Math, Learning Math Online Free

If you’re looking for free educational websites that teaches math, Cool Math is the online place to go. With a large math content for kids to learn such as algebra, pre-calculus, practice and tools and references, this website has most of the tools that can teach your kids math in no time. For example, the pre-algebra lessons are fun. Kids will learn introductions to fractions, decimals, percentages, exponents, order of operations and so much more. If you’re looking for toddlers’s websites for learning math, you can visit their sister site at CoolMath4Kids. Who knew that learning math online for kids can be so much fun!

9. The Fun Brain

Sticking with the math theme, the Fun Brain website provides an easy to navigate site with plenty of reading and math lessons. We like this website for kids to learn math because it breaks it down by grades. You’ll be able to find fun lessons from pre-K, grade 1 all the way up to grade 8. Their popular games are Vine Time, Desert Dive and Penguin Drop which are suitable for all grades. There’s also a Reading section, Videos and Playground.

10. Nick Jr. – TreeHouse Educational Videos

There can’t be a full list of free educational websites for kids without including Treehouse . With popular kids tv shows such as Ryan’s Mystery Playdate, Rusty Rivets, Sesame Street, Top Wing and more, Treehouse provides hours of entertainment and learning opportunities for your kids. There’s also a Games section available. Popular kids online games include Team Umizoomi, Nick Jr. Lemonade Stand, Ricky Zoom, our son’s favourite and more.

11. NASA STEM Projects for Kids

What’s more fun than learning how to launch rockets, build robots and explore the world around us? With NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory you can learn all of that online for free. This website if full of interesting and educational projects for kids. For example, you can learn about making a water filter, a volcano, and a paper helicopter! The site is easy to navigate and includes: Games, Projects, Slideshows and Video. Students from grade K all the way up to 12 can learn so much here. A true valuable website for learning new things online for kids.

12. Prodigy Math Games

Prodigy Games offers online math lessons for kids. With over 50 million students worldwide, this website is one of the main go-to source for learning math. Appropriate for grade 1 through 8. There’s also a kids section with games, gear and accessories. Some of the games provide rewards for the kids when doing well, encouraging them to learn more and do better.

13. Learning How to Draw Online

Here’s a fun, easy to use website that teaches kids how to draw online. Draw with Rob provides an activity book series with short videos that teaches how to draw fun thins such as Sausage Dog, Penguin Blue and Eugene the Owl. If you’re looking for a website for kids to learn new things such as drawing, this is it!

14. Monterey Bay Aquarium Virtual Tour and Learning

Who doesn’t like learning more about our oceans? Monterey Bay Aquarium offers a section for educators to learn at home. There a lot of fun project such as Tidepool Scientist suitable for grades pre-K to 2 and Explore Like a Scientist for grades 3-6. Kids will learn how to take care of oceans and what roles scientists play in exploring oceans habitats.

15. The KIDZ Page Free Educational Games

One of the older free educational websites for kids, The KIDZ Page provides online games, jigsaw puzzles, colouring pages, kids’s clip art, learning games and kids online toys. There’s a lot of content here so take a look around the website. There’s a seasonal section such as Easter, Earth Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas that offers season specific kids games. We like the printable games and the online colouring pages here.

16. GoNoodle

GoNoodle is a fun, movement base that engages over 14 million kids every month. With their movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts, this websites provides an incredible variety of songs and dances for kids. There’s also GoNoodle Games and Good Energy at Home section so you can pick the activities or dances that you’ll like to do with your kids at home. We can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon or evening at home than a dance marathon with the kids.

17. PBS Kids

PBS website has been providing kids with the opportunity to learn online for a while now. Full of useful content such as animated and animal theme content, kids learn important connections between letters, sounds, words and meanings which are necessary when learning at a young age.

18. Ted-Ed Free Online Learning

With a vast subject offering from the arts to, business, health, literature, language and math, Ted-Ed is a huge library of educational videos for every kid at every age. Kids can investigate nature wonders, and watch videos on How Lungs Work for example.

19. Cocomelon Nursery Rhymes

Our sons love the fun and engaging nursery rhymes from Cocomelon YouTube Channel . Their sing-along videos educate kids on a variety of topics. We like the Thank You Song, ABS Song, Wait Your Turn and Baby Shark songs and much more. There are hundreds of fun songs here so have a look.

20. Blippi Educational Videos

Our list couldn’t have been completed without Blippi . Blippi takes the kids on a learning journey. From learning colours to numbers, and busses, helicopters, Go Karts and Bulldozers, Blippi educates toddlers about a variety of subjects in a fun and engaging way. Our favourite videos include visits at Children’s Museums, Bakery Visits, Chocolate Factory, and Detective Blippi.

There are other free educational websites available for kids however, we feel that, as parents, these are the best out there. The websites mentioned above will keep you and your kids busy for hours, learning new and exciting things. Best of all, these websites are free. Learning at home doesn’t get more fun than this so be sure to take a look at each one and pick a day and time for your kids to learn more each and every day.

Please let us know what other websites for kids you enjoy in the comments below.

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As there are many aspects of how music and child development are related, we’ll be looking at a few areas as outlined below. We believe that all these are important and are not ranked in any particular order. The effect of music and child development research dates back to 1930s although most studies have been focusing on this from the 1950s onwards.

For example, research dated back to 1953 looks at how music affects personality. For example, Cattel and Anderson developed a musical preference test (MPT) and explored the relationships between music and personality development.

So let’s look at the importance of music in early childhood development:

How Music Helps Child Development

Music Develops Learning

Music encourages cognitive development in children. It does this by boosting memory in children. This is evident when your child starts repeating the lyrics of a known song. Music also enhances motor skills. Have you watched your little one bust a move? That’s direct result of better motor skills.

Music Can Improve Learning

We mentioned how music can develop a child’s memory and enhance motor skills. Additionally, music can improve learning. Classical music is known for developing and helping with math. Classical music is known to be mathematical in nature. According to ParentMap, many notes and rhythms create “strong neuro pathways” that can add up to stronger math skills later in life. Want to have your kids ace that math exam? Perhaps a little classical music once in a while is not such a bad idea.

Music Increases IQ

Research also demonstrated that learning a new musical instrument helps increase IQ. Whether it’s picking up drums, guitar or piano lessons, it’s worth considering. If you start your children young, this can have a very positive effect. Studies have shown that learning an instrument for a year combined with regular practice can contribute to a three point bump on the IQ scale.

Music Inspires Creativity

Whether it’s gibberish or actual lyrics, dancing like no one is watching, children enjoy digging into their own creative spirit. The more music is played and enjoyed, the more the right and left side of the brain is connected. This connectivity of the brain encourages more creativity.

Music Builds Self-Esteem – Confidence

Related to a few points above, music and child development plays a key role in self-esteem and confidence levels. Music provides the means for a child to express themselves through singing and dancing. By singing or dancing in front of others, whether it’s a familiar face or not, children can develop their confidence further. As adults, we all hear of stage fright. If children continue to listen to their favourite tunes and enjoy their own creativity, their confidence level also increases.

We’ll love to hear your comments on how music plays a part in your child’s development. Does your child or children have a favourite artist or type of music? Have you seen a positive change in your child by exposing them to music in their daily lives?

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Chinese authorities confirmed that this new strain of coronavirus can spread from person to person. This new virus causes a new type of pneumonia. Although we don’t have all the data on hand, it is assumed that it’s similar to the Sars virus outbreak in the early 200s. Also, it is believed that the number of infected people are far greater than the reported number provided by Chinese authorities. It can be in the thousands given its rapid spread from human to human. This time period also represents one of the busiest of the year given the Chinese New Year as millions of people travel across China.

What do we about this new virus so far?

• From a medical perspective this new respiratory virus has been labelled 2019-nCoV. This particular virus has not been identified in humans before.
• There are broad number of respiratory viruses (coronaviruses) but only 6, now 7 are known to infect people
• Coronavirus symptoms consists of fever, shortness of breath, cough and overall difficulty of breathing
• People are encourage to cook meat and eggs thoroughly as it is believe that the virus stems from animals

Travel restrictions?

So far, the World Health Organization mentioned that there are no immediate travel restrictions on travel due to the new coronavirus outbreak in China. However, guidance was provide for countries that are most likely to be affected in the region, preparing for a potential larger outbreak. Other countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan have implemented check points at airports and have been screening passengers coming from China. US has also implemented such measures at major airports in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

What are the Chinese authorities doing?

For the first time, Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly addressed the new virus outbreak, saying that it must be contained and dealt with immediately. Other government authorities said that they’ll work with all parties involved to deal with the virus. As more cases become apparent, we’ll know more in the coming weeks.

What impact can we see during and after Chinese Lunar New Year?

As mentioned, the Chinese Lunar New Year is the busiest traveling period in China. Millions travel across the country. The fear of containment is high as people travel via various methods that can’t all be contained. Wuhan is know for being a traveling hub also. As people travel via buses, trains, plains, it’ll be very difficult to monitor everyone. Some people are wearing masks and those showing signs of fever, cough and have breathing difficulties have been registered and are checked into nearby hospitals.

Authorities in North America believe that at the moment there’s little risk in having a major impact. We’ll be able to get more information as the Chinese Lunar New Year passes and more information becomes available on the new coronavirus in China. As far as we know, there’s no travel ban but as always it’s always best to avoid any unnecessary traveling to the affected region.

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Let’s explore below and see how our children could make a better world.

There’ll Be More Laughter

We often are so focused on being productive, or “busy being productive” that we forget to have a good laugh. When was the last time that you had a good laugh? Right, can’t remember. It’s not your fault. We’re programmed to focus on being busy and chasing the dollar. If children were to rule the world, it’ll be a lot more laughter. And that’s a great thing.

There’ll Be Less Judgement

Judgement leads to distorted views, most times far from reality. Children don’t judge. How many of us have judged and been judged? Billions. It’s instilled in us and it’s hard to bypass. Judgement is nothing but a negative factor. There are endless quotes on judging. These have been conceived for good reasons. Imagine a world where judgement goes away. If children were to rule the world, perhaps we’ll realize this. But for now, there’s no hope until we as adults make a serious effort to be less judgemental.

There’ll Be Less Grudges

Kids don’t hold grudges. Adults do. Are we worst than kids? Yes. Children cry in one minute and laugh the next. They don’t hold grudges. They want to be happy and play. There’s no room for “cold shoulder” attitude. Time is more valuable when playing, not holding grudges. Would it be great if we could brush off grudges and collaborate and treat each other well? This could happen if children ruled the world.

There’ll Be More Learning

Kids, especially toddlers have an amazing thirst for learning. We look at our son and he’s entrenched in some of the books that we get for him. We’re all missing the thirst for more education. Why? Because we’re “busy”. When was the last time that you learned something meaningful that you can apply to your life. Notice I didn’t say job because your life is more important than your job and should always come first. If children were to rule the world we would be more educated and that’s a powerful thing.

There’ll Be More Active Lifestyles

Those chips taste irresistible. “Bet you can’t have just one”. Good marketing slogan but at whose expense? Ours, of course. If children were to rule the world there will be more walking, jumping, running and overall more active lifestyle. How often do we jump in the car and so we can drive 5 minutes to get groceries? Very often. In fact, we’ll argue that it’s 99.99% of the time. What if we walked more? Biked more? Ran more? This will not only save your money, it’ll make your healthier. And good health is pure gold.

There’ll Be More Friendlier People

Children have the ability to just go to another child and start playing. Of course kids could be shy at times. However, if you go to a park with your own kids, you’ll realize this. Even if you don’t have kids, you’ll often see kids stopping and trying to “talk” to other kids. What if we were to be more friendlier? Wouldn’t that be more advantageous for us as a society? The interesting fact is that children are friendlier without expecting anything back. We as adults do. It’s the plain truth no matter how you coat it. If children were to rule the world, we would live in friendlier times. And everyone will benefit.

There’ll Always be a New Start

Everyday is a new start. Kids don’t know the day, time, month, year. All they know is that tomorrow will be a new day. A new day to play, laugh and enjoy. We take for granted that every day is a new day. We’re too busy looking into the past or worried about tomorrow. If we were to play and focus on today, there’ll be more happiness in our world. If children were to rule the world, this is one key lesson to learn.

There’s a tremendous amount of learning that we can get from our own children. Even if you don’t have kids, just look around and observe. We certainly believe that there’s a lot to learn. We’re still learning every day. This makes our lives much more interesting and fulfilling. Of course, we’re dead tired by the end of the day. But at least, we know that we’ve done our best and look for new lessons so we can become better parents. If children were to rule the world, it wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all.

What are your thoughts? How do you see the world if children ruled it?

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The most updated clinically research solution that proves to be the best baby eczema treatment, without costing anything? Sunlight! The latest findings from The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology concluded that sunlight (UV light) exposure seems to be more beneficial than vitamin D supplementation in babies that are six months and under. The main benefit of sunlight is that it prevents eczema and other skin related allergies in the fist year.

Without getting too scientific, the study’s main goal was to determine the effect of early postnatal vitamin D supplementation on infant eczema and immune development. For more details on the actual sample used and methodology, including the actual results, see The Latest Eczema Findings report.

So what can we do as parents to prevent our children from eczema?

Benefits of being in the sun with your baby.

1. Know the right time

We’re not talking about prolonged sun exposure but getting about 15 to 20 minutes of sunlight in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is not as hot works best. 8:30am – 9:30am or 4:30pm-5:30pm. So, get out and enjoy the rays with your baby. 

2. Right clothing

You’ll want to have most of the skin exposed, so pick the right clothing. Ideally, you’ll want to have the chest and back exposed entirely if possible. For those extra sunny days, use a light cloth to cover the eyes to avoid any damage to the eyes.

3. Right place

If you don’t have access to a rooftop patio, a deck, garden or able to get out, you can easily place the baby in from of a window. If it’s too windy outside, you can leave the window closed as natural light can still penetrate through the glass.

4. Check with your doctor

You may want to check with your doctor before exposing your baby to the sun. Although most doctors will be OK with the idea, if your child is sensitive to anything that is sun related, it’s best to check first.

5. Enjoying the sun 

There’s no better way to connect with your baby than being in the sun. The light and energy that you both get is one of the greatest morning rituals you can practise. Speak to your baby and even do a light massage now and then. Perfect time for bonding.

Here you have it. There’s no need for expensive baby eczema treatment or various eczema creams that claim miracles. The miracle is in nature. So get out and enjoy this precious time with your baby knowing that sunlight is a great natural way to get vitamin D which in turns helps your baby develop a better immune system and be less prone to eczema or other skin related allergies.

Do you agree with the findings of this recent study? What are some of your solutions for baby eczema treatment? Is your baby getting enough sunlight?

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First, it’s worth looking at some of the research done. Below you’ll find some of the findings that make sense. This is based on Christine’s Carter’s book, Raising Happiness – 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents. I’m only outlining a few points from my perspective:

How To Raise Successful Kids

1. Happiness
2. Social skills / how to build relationships
3. Teaching optimism
4. Emotional intelligence
5. Adequate play time
6. Self-discipline

So what are the most important areas when considering how to raise successful kids? Based on science of “common sense”, I do believe that there are five key factors to consider.

Happiness

Without a doubt this is critical. And it starts with you as a parent. If you’re miserable, you’ll reflect that on how you treat your kids. Work on yourself first. Get it as right as you can. You’ll then be able to project that happiness onto your kids. As you know, every single toddler sees and copies your behaviour. Be happier by focusing on what you’re grateful for. I’m not getting into how to be happy as a parent here. The message is clear, get happier.

Playtime

One of the fundamental building blocks to happier and successful kids. Playtime is an amazing way for the kids to discover the world around them. To touch, feel and wonder. This doesn’t have to be scheduled in or follow a rigid plan. Let the kids play and run around. Ideally, you’ll want to have them outdoors. Get to the  playgrounds where other kids are present to encourage social interaction. Playtime is how kids learn. Give them that unstructured playtime so they can learn and develop.

Encouragement / Taking Risks

Positive parenting is key here. There’s a video on this if you’re not sure what it entails on our site. Please watch it. Encouraging your kids is key in developing their self-esteem. That combined with the safe assurance that you are there is a huge factor in developing successful kids. For example, how many times have you said “good job” when your kid went down the slide at the park or is eating well? Keep this with any other positive behaviour that he or she is showing. Encouragement and positivity are crucial factors.

Emotional Intelligence / Building Relationships

Building relationships and having emotional intelligence are also critical elements to a child’s development. By being able to identify emotions and building relationships with others, kids develop a good psychological well-being. One of the areas to begin with is to let your child know that feelings are OK but that certain negative behaviour is not. Explaining the reasons in clear details will help the child understand what is right and what is wrong. This will guide your child to knowing how to focus their emotions which will help them in the long-term as more relationships are developed.

Reasonable Boundaries / Discipline 

Discipline is hard. No one teaches us how to do it. We do what we think is right based on what we know in the past. I believe that we should discipline with explanation each time discipline is needed. There is a fine line between being too controlling and setting up reasonable boundaries. Understanding the principle of why something is not allowed gives the kids the ability to sort out between what is acceptable and what is not.

Healthy Environment

I strongly believe that providing a good diet and overall healthy lifestyle for your kids goes a long way. I’m not referring to second hand smoke here and the other obvious unhealthy factors. I’m speaking about lifestyle choices as a family. For example, your daily habits as a family are important. Eating your dinner together as a family for example. Getting enough sleep, going for walks, showing love toward each family member and letting your kids make their own choices within reasonable limits can help form on overall healthy environment.

How to raise successful kids is very subjective. Although there is science based evidence, who really raises their kids on a set rule of 10 principles?

I’m fully aware that the above factors are very limited. However, I do believe that these are the core building blocks.

What about you? What do you consider as the top key factors on how to raise successful kids? Are these on your list? If not, do let us know which ones you see as critical so we can all learn and benefit from each other.

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What You Need to Know When Hiring a Babysitter

1. References & Proof of Identity  

Check for references and proof of identity. When it comes to reference checks, it is recommended that two contact points be provided. For example, a last employer and a co-worker. If the babysitter does not have a lot of experience and is fresh out of school, ask one of the professors or teachers along with neighbourhood references.

Questions to ask the referees include: strengths and weakness of the babysitter, why did she leave, how does she rate with children and age brackets and whether they will recommend or hire her again. Identity includes proof of birth certificate, passport, driving license to name a few. Originals are always best as this prevents forgery.

2. Overseas Babysitters

If you are employing an overseas nanny, you need to check the following when finding a babysitter:

• Qualifications certificates
• Health status or reports
• Criminal record
• Skills and experience
• Overall interest in working with children

Questions to ask are based around the factors outlined above factors. For example, what kind of qualifications, experience and whether the sitter is registered with any child care organizations are valid questions. Other fun related activities along with meals plans, taking the children out to play, evening babysitting and potty training related questions should also be made.

3. Babysitter Contract / Agreement 

When it comes to the actual babysitting contract, have everything agreed to in writing to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding. This can include hours, job description, employment length, sick days, vacation. If you are hiring a living in babysitter, you need to agree on the living terms, typically a room and food on top of a salary.  If you need or want to include any limitations such as time allowed to watch TV, method of payment or others, discuss that with your potential babysitter.

Conclusion 

The above factors at the key pillars when looking at finding a babysitter. Consider these as part of your sitter search. Finding a babysitter and making a hiring decision for your family is one of the most important aspects as a parent.

What are some of your suggestions when looking for a babysitter?

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