1. Brahms lullaby: This song has also been called Cradle Song. Originally from Germany this song is by Johannes Brahms, a famous composer. The song was created for the child of a friend.  A second verse was added much later.  This song was written in 1868. 
2. Twinkle, Twinkle: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star is probably the best known lullaby, but strangely has the most unknown additional verses.  Check out the lyrics on the link and find that there are actually 5 verses to this song.  This song started out as a poem written by Jane Taylor in 1805.  Music was added later. 
3. Kumbaya: This lullaby may seem to be in a foreign language, but it originated in South Carolina and is an African-American song from the 1930’s.  Translated it means, “Come by Here”.  It is a popular campfire song because it’s easy to sing and learn.  There are many verses to the song though that many people may not know.  The first one is, “Come by here my lord, come by here,” the second is “Someone’s cryin’ my lord, come by here,” and so on.  Click on the link for the full lyrics and melody.
4. Baa Baa Black Sheep: Also stemming from a rhyme or poem this song has its roots in the wool industry.  It is believed that the poem was written in 1744 and music was added to it sometime during the next century.  Albeit hard to find, there are 4 verses to this song.  The sheep verse that we all know, the second verse is about a hen having eggs, the third is about a cow having milk and the last is about a bee having honey.  For more information on this delightful lullaby check out the link.
5. London Bridge: I’m sure we’ve all heard this song a time or two.  Often it’s sung as part of a game.  The first verse is very well known, but there are actually 12 verses in all.  Apparently this song stemmed from a real bridge in London that kept falling down.  Many versions of the bridge were created over time and they kept falling down.  The song talks about making the bridge out of stone and rock, bricks and mortar, iron and steel, silver and gold and all of the reasons why those things won’t work. 
6. Irish Lullaby: Also known as Toora Loora Loora this Irish song was written by J. R. Shannon is 1913.  This song was probably best known when it was sung by Bing Crosby in his movie Going My Way. This movie probably predates many of us as it was out in 1944, but many subsequent renditions bring back that version of the song.
7. All the Pretty Little Horses: A beautiful yet sad song in its original form.  Black slaves used to sing this to the children of their masters that they were forced to care for instead of caring for their own children.  There are only a couple of verses to the song, but it has been changed over the years as times have changed.  The line about “bees and butterflies pickin’ at its eyes” was changed to fluttering round his eyes.  The reference to “the poor things crying for her mammy” was changed to mama.
8. Rock-a-bye Baby: We’ve all heard this song and probably all know the words since there are so few of them.  Rock-a-bye baby in the tree top, when the wind blows the cradle will rock, when the bough breaks the cradle will fall and down will come baby cradle and all.  A funny change in the lyrics was printed in The Real Mother Goose published in 1916 and talks about the cradle being green and the father’s a nobleman and mother’s a queen.
9. The Itsy Bitsy Spider: The origin of this cute little song is a bit sketchy.  From what I’ve been able to discern it was written in the early 1900’s or late 1800’s.  An adult version was included in a book called Camp and Camino in Lower California in 1910.  The modern day version is usually accompanied by finger motions to depict the spider climbing up and getting washed out.
10. Jesus Loves Me: This Christian song is sung by children around the world.  I’m not sure that many know that it has 6 verses.  If you are a Christian parent this is definitely one lullaby that you need to know.

1. Their own feet: It’s amazing the number of times I’ve seen my kids trip over their own feet.  Especially when kids are little and they aren’t as sure on their feet as they will become.  Making sure that all sharp corners are padded is essential when you have a toddler tripping around your house.
2. Toys: Adults and kids alike will trip over toys left around.  This is even truer in the dark.  I speak from experience when I say that it’s important to put away balls and things with wheels before the house gets too dark.  It is not fun to lose your footing in the dark and go sliding into the wall.
3. Threshold: Kids find it increasingly difficult to pick up their feet the more tired that they get.  When the flooring goes from carpet to tile to hardwood it’s a hazard for kids.  For some reason the difference in flooring height or texture causes a problem for them.  There are thresholds that make a big bump in the floor when you transition from carpet to tile.  They have alternatives now that make the transition almost seamless.
4. Sleeping fathers: Some fathers fall asleep on the floor and when the kids come running through the house they trip right over them.  Sometimes they just run into them.  It depends on the size of the child and the size of the dad.
5. Pets: Kids don’t look down and they don’t watch where they are walking.  Most of the time you’d think pets would be quick enough to get out of the kid’s way, but sometimes that doesn’t exactly work out.  Especially when the pet moves right where the kid is going and they continue to trip over the pet until they finally stop and wait for the pet to run off in fear of being trampled to death.
6. Shoes: Why is it that when kids come into the house the first thing they do is take off their shoes wherever they are.  What’s wrong with lining them up by the door?  What’s the matter with taking them to their room so when they are looking for them tomorrow morning that they will know where they both are?  No, that would be too easy.  It is way better to take them off wherever they think about it and then ask for help finding them when they are almost late for school.
7. Cords: In this electronic day in age it seems like we have cords everywhere.  Cords for the Wii controllers, cords for the DS charger, and cords to charge the cell phones.  Sometimes those cords are up, but most of the time they are laying all around the house just waiting to jump out and trip some unsuspecting child and then laugh about it.  Because you know, cords are just nasty like that.
8. Newspapers: In theory these would be safe and sound in the recycling bin, but sometimes mom and dad haven’t had a chance to read them yet so they let them sit around in a pile until they get a chance to go through them and clip the coupons.  You don’t want them taking up valuable table or counter space so stacking them on the floor is as good a place as any until the kids come through and trip over the whole stack and the papers go flying.  It’s amazing how far they can slide.
9. Exercise equipment: I know that everyone out there is really good about putting away their exercise equipment, but this is for those that have the occasional lapse.  The dumb bells, the yoga mat, the jump rope all seem to find themselves in a pile in our bedrooms or living rooms.  We figure why put it away when we will just have to get it out the next day when we think about exercising again.
10. Dirty clothes: For some reason it is impossible for my children to take off their dirty clothes and put them into the hamper that I have so generously provided for them.  Why is that?  Walking into their room is an obstacle course of dirty clothes.  When they get tired of tripping over them, what do they do?  Throw them in the closet or push them under the bed.  Kids, what can I say?

1. Girl and Boy Scouts – In addition to instilling a sense of civic responsibility and achievement through awards and merit badges, many scout troupes have regularly scheduled meetings and activities that can fill up idle time when kids would otherwise find trouble.
2. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America – As one of America’s oldest and biggest mentoring programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America welcomes kids between the ages of 6 and 18. Children who participate in the program are significantly less likely than their peers to use drugs or alcohol, to be violent or to skip school.
3. Camp Fire USA – Co-ed since 1975, Camp Fire USA is open to youths from pre-school ages to 21. With an emphasis on outdoor activities, Camp Fire also offers after-school programs and workshops.
4. Boys & Girls Clubs of America – Providing kids with safe places to explore their interests, build character and leadership skills and learn healthy habits since 1860, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America have chapters across the United States.
5. YMCA – One of the most popular and beloved organizations for skill-building in the youth of America is the YMCA. With both summer residential and day camp programs across the country, there’s something to pique the interest of any young person while providing their parents with peace of mind.
6. SpiralScouts – Created in response to the Boy Scouts of America’s decision not to recognize Wicca as a religion, SpiralScouts is dedicated to serving children of any or no faith, without religious influence.
7. First Priority – Local chapters of First Priority in the United States are student-led clubs that support the formation and maintenance of Christian groups and clubs on middle and high school campuses. Christian youths that participate in First Priority programs work together to keep faith-based clubs in their schools running.
8. The First Tee – With support from the LPGA, PGA of America, Masters Tournament and USGA, The First Tee has more than 200 chapters in America that promote values and healthy choices through the game of golf.
9. Community Groups – In addition to the national organizations tailored to kids, most communities have their own locally-based groups that are tailored to the youth of a specific area. Most PTA groups or community centers will be able to direct interested parents toward the right organization for their family.
10. Religious Organizations – Parents who are looking for a group with ties to their religious beliefs often opt for clubs and organizations within their local church or denomination. Places of worship almost always have at least one program for the young people in their congregation; checking with a clergy member or even perusing the bulletin can provide contact information.

1. Hand - Obviously the most common form of spanking, the hand has been used for ages in terms of inflicting punishment. Most people can conjure up the image of the child being laid out over the bed, waiting for a smack on the rear end. Not to mention, there’s no props necessary in this one, you already have everything you need.
2. Belt - The mere thought of Dad getting home from work, yelling at you to get downstairs, and then taking his belt off and pulling it through each belt loop is a scary one. Especially when it’s done slowly and deliberately, every second bringing on waves of panic. In fact, sometimes that thought alone is enough to invoke fear and good behavior all at once.
3. Paddle - Usually wooden paddles are the paddles that come to mind when you think of being “paddled” as a form of punishment. They’re usually about 3-4 inches long with a thin handle for gripping and quite scary when they’re brought out. The paddle was more commonly used as a form of punishment in schools than at home, and left angry red lines to remind the offender of what they did.
4. Brush - The back of a hair brush can be quite a weapon when a mom flies into a rage over a transgression from a child. Though brushes seem to be more of a ‘fit of passion’ type punishment instrument then something that people regularly used, it’s still quite an intimidating sight to see someone coming at you with a brush, especially if they happen to hit you with the bristle side…
5. Paint Stirrer - Those plastic, paddle-like paint stirrers with holes in the paddle part make a pretty brutal spanking device, especially as the holes suction into the skin as the inflictor pulls the paint stir away. You’ll be second-guessing any bad decisions if your parents decide on the paint stir as their method of spanking!
6. Fly swatter - The fly swatter is a tamer method of spanking because the actual head of the fly swatter is more flexible than, say, a paddle or paint stir. Even so, that doesn’t stop the sting when it lands across your hands or on your rear end.
7. Ruler - Another classic school-type punishment device, the ruler no doubt makes people cringe as they remember being swatted across their hands for doing something wrong. This method is sure to leave a nice line of red welts for hours after being put to use, thanks to the thick wood that makes up the stick.
8. Cane - Typically referred to as “caning”, this is another method that used to be common in schools as a type of punishment for offending children. Like using a ruler, it leaves a nice line of red welts across the skin and was more commonly used on boys than on girls. Some British territories still use the technique to administer punishment.
9. Birch Rod - This method utilizes leafless twigs bound together to form a rod and depending on how strong the twigs are determines the amount of pain the receiver can expect to encounter. Birch rods used to be soaked in either water or brine to make them heavier and consequently more painful. Using birch rods was also the common method of punishment in schools until caning replaced them in later years.
10. Switch - Similar to a birch rod, a switch is a type of wooden rod that is both sturdy and yet supple which maximizes its punishment effects. It’s also banned in over 25 different U.S. states because of how brutal of a punishment it is.

While spanking is looked down on these days, it once was arguably the most common and favored form of punishment for kids who broke the rules. Now this type of punishment is viewed as a type of abuse and can land someone in quite a bit of trouble if used. Whatever your views are though, it’s easy to see how the threat of being spanked effectively instilled good behavior in kids for many years.

1. Luggage – Another person means additional luggage to accommodate for the trip. It will be important to communicate with the nanny regarding the amount of space and the number of bags that you are able to accommodate in your vehicle and on flights.
2. Travel – Seating and/or transportation tickets will be another issue to be considered, when bringing nanny along on vacation. Airplane tickets, in particular, need to be purchased with an individuals name attached; a big issue when purchasing tickets ahead of time for a ‘vacation only’ nanny.
3. Dining – You will need to budget for another adult participating in meals during the vacation. Your nanny should not be expected to pay for her own meals while traveling with you.
4. Accommodations – Will you be providing private accommodations for your nanny during the trip or will she need to share a room with children? This is an important point to clarify ahead of time. It would be well within the nanny’s rights to request a private room from the rest of the family.
5. Excursions – Visits to tourist attractions or other excursions, which the nanny is expected to accompany the children to, may require entrance fees and other cost considerations needing to be budgeted for.
6. Identification – Just as with anyone who is traveling, it will be important that your nanny carries proper identification with her for the time on vacation. If you are traveling out of country, she will need a passport, which, of course, requires quite some time to process.
7. Personal Spending – The family should not feel obligated to provide personal spending money for their nanny during vacation travel. It must be kept in mind that, although the family is on vacation, she is not. She is performing a service for which she is being paid.
8. Duties – It will be important to discuss what the expectations and duties will be for the nanny during the vacation time. Vacation travel is a very unique situation and a nanny will need to be flexible, but constant communication regarding the plans for each day will help keep her prepared.
9. Personal Time – A nanny should still expect to have time off from caring for the children during the vacation. It will be important to establish how this will be accomplished prior to leaving on vacation.
10. Benefits for Parents – Having a nanny traveling with the family while on vacation can be a great benefit for parents. This allows parents to have ‘adult time’ without having to leave the children behind. It also provides that extra set of eyes and hands that can be so helpful with energetic little children.

A little extra planning is required when bringing nanny on vacation with the family, but the convenience of having her there to help with the kids can definitely be worth it.

1. Trail mix – Make your own trail mix and alternate ingredients so that it doesn’t get boring. Have a variety of dried fruits and nuts that you can use in different combinations. Add some low sugar cereals to add extra texture and flavor or some popcorn for pizzazz.
2. Edamame – These green soybeans are popular in Japanese restaurants and can be really fun for kids. They can be found in the freezer section of the grocery or natural foods stores. Steam them in the pods, and sprinkle heavily with sea salt. Children love to pop out the bean seeds for a protein filled snack.
3. Hummus – This spread made from chickpeas and olive oil is a favorite in the mid-east, but is rapidly catching on in America and other western countries. Introduce it to your kids for a healthy alternative to high fat dips. Hummus is great with raw vegetables like carrots and celery.
4. Dragonfruit – Known as pitahaya in Nicaragua, the dragonfruit is a cactus fruit from Central America, but also grown in Southeast Asia. The fruit is bright red with little black seeds and has a sweet-tart taste something like kiwi. If you warn them about it first, your kids might get a kick out of the harmless side effect of their pee turning pink.
5. Salsa roll ups – For a strange, yet festive, Christmas snack, mix salsa with cream cheese and spread it thinly on green and red tortillas. Your kids will love the bright colors and won’t even realize they’re eating something healthy.
6. Ground cherries – You won’t find these delicious berry-like fruits in a store, but they are grown quite easily in gardens or pots. The bright yellow or orange cherries are enclosed in a tan colored husk shaped like a Chinese lantern. Kids will enjoy popping the cherries out of their papery husks and into their mouths for a sweet to tart unique flavor.
7. Radish sandwich – This healthy snack can be enjoyed by kids and their parents alike. Spread low fat mayonnaise on bread slices and add sliced radishes for a crunchy sandwich. Most people would think it’s strange to put radishes in a sandwich, but it makes a fun summertime snack.
8. Roasted pumpkin seeds – Don’t throw away those pumpkin seeds after you make jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween. Separate the seeds from the fibers and coat with vegetable oil and butter. Sprinkle with salt and bake them on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. You can also buy shelled pumpkin seeds in health food stores.
9. Peanut butter and pickle sandwich – Known as a strange craving for pregnant women, peanut butter and pickle sandwiches are a delicious, healthy snack for kids of all ages. Spread the peanut butter on both slices of bread and put sliced, crunchy pickles in between.
10. Pinyon pine nuts – These tasty little nuts are actually the seeds found in the cones from the Pinyon pines that grow in the Southwest United States. Originally harvested by Native Americans, they now can be found in stores if you don’t live in an area where they grow naturally.

Active children need plenty of calories to maintain energy and grow, so snacking is an important part of their daily nutritional needs. With all the unhealthy options available, it isn’t easy to get them to eat healthy snacks unless you start early. By introducing fun and healthy alternatives when they’re young, kids won’t be as likely to balk at the idea. Although you want your children to eat healthy, don’t go overboard. Kids who get enough exercise will burn off the extra fat and calories from the occasional chips or Twinkies.

And then there were the spinning games. You know the ones I’m talking about. The ones that made you so dizzy that you squealed in delight as you tried to slow down and gain some sort of equilibrium again. The ones that had you twisting around and around, giggling uncontrollably the whole time, your hands thrown out and slicing through the air. The ones that made you lose your focus and have to sit down just to be able to see somewhat straight again.

The big problem these days is that kids aren’t encouraged to play outside anymore. Now they can do everything they could ever want to do by pushing buttons and connecting to the internet. This is why we need to give them a gentle push (or a forceful shove – in a nice way though, no need to get child services over here!) outdoors and introduce them to some of the childhood staples. Forgot what they were? Here’s a little refresher on some spinning games that will make your kids dizzy with glee:

1. Rolling down a hill : You can’t possibly tell me that it was not one of the most fun things in the world to lay down at the top of a hill and then roll yourself down it – gaining speed while occasionally getting a mouthful of grass – and then sprawling out when you reached the bottom of the hill – out of breath and full of delight. It was fun then and your kids will think it’s fun now!
2. Trampolines: Jumping in circles on trampolines provides an endless amount of fun. I can only guess that it’s because you’re sailing through the air at the same time that you’re jumping and spinning (and maybe because you sneak in the occasional flip… maybe…). It makes you feel like you’re almost flying as you go higher and higher into the air.
3. Helicopter: One of my favorite memories from my childhood is when my dad would take my hands and then spin me around in circles as quickly as he possibly could in the front yard. I remember watching the world spin faster and faster around me until it was all just one big blur and my legs lifting off the ground, cutting through the air, and feeling breathless because everything was moving so fast but also safe because the only thing I could clearly see were my dad’s hands tightly gripping mine, reassuring he wouldn’t let go, until he would spin slower and slower and then set me on the ground with the world still spinning quickly around me. It makes me want to do it all over again just thinking about how much fun that was!
4. Simon says: “Simon says… SPIN IN CIRCLES AS FAST AS YOU CAN”… Who doesn’t love a game where you can tell people what to do and everyone listens and has a great time? In fact, the whole point of the game is for you to be in charge, which is awesome. And who doesn’t want to force their friends to turn in circles as quickly as possible and make them incredibly dizzy?
5. Duck… Duck… GOOSE: Being made to run around a circle of your friends while being chased by whoever was the Goose last time is one of those heart-pumping games that once you get going fast enough has the ability to really make you dizzy with laughter. You may not actually get too dizzy running around the circle, but it sure is fun.
6. Piñatas: Having piñatas at birthday parties was always a real treat. Being blindfolded and then spun around until you’re disoriented and then having to wildly flail a stick through the air to hopefully hit the piñata full of candy? Count me in. How does that not STILL sound like loads of fun?
7. Baseball Bat Spinner: This is one of those games that is great for parties. You set up a baseball bat at a halfway line and then have kids run to the bat, stand it up and put their forehead on top of it, and spin around the bat 10 times while keeping the bat upright. Then run (sway?) back to the finish line.
8. Pin the Tail on the Donkey: Surely everyone remembers this game? This game is a classic childhood birthday party game where a picture of a donkey is tacked onto a wall and then the kids take turns being blindfolded and spun around several times so that they’re disoriented. Then they have to go and pin the tail on the donkey where they think the tail goes. The tail ends up in all sorts of wacky places and everyone will end up having a good time!
9. Blind Man’s Bluff: Blind Man’s Bluff is one of those games with several different variations. The most common being that you blind fold the person who is “it” and then spin them around several times while everyone else goes to “hide”(though they stay in plain sight). Then once you’re done spinning the person who is it you yell “FREEZE” and everyone has to freeze in their hiding spot and can’t move during the game. The person who is “it” will call out “blind man’s…” and the other players call out “BLUFF”. Then the blind-folded person has to try and locate the players. The players can lean away from the person who is it but they can’t move their feet. The first person found is then “it” and the game starts over.
10. Tire Swings: We used to have a tire swing hanging from the tree in our front yard and when we were little we would climb up on it and have someone twist the swing around and around until the rope was sufficiently spun. Then they’d let go and as the rope would unravel it would spin faster and faster until it finally would reach the end and then spin the other direction. We were always so dizzy afterwards and so HAPPY. Tire swings were (and still are, in my opinion!) way better than any video game!

So turn off the technology and unplug. Get your kids outside and spin them around. Teach them the games that you played growing up. Make them fall over because they’re so dizzy. In fact, spin with them. Just have some FUN!

1. Cardboard boxes – They are great and so easy to use. Washable markers can decorate the fort and a simple window and door can be cut into it in fun shapes. You can even leave a hinge for the windows and doors so they can be opened and shut. Refrigerator or other large appliance boxes are preferred, but even lots of small boxes can be used as building blocks. Best of all, cardboard is surprisingly sturdy and will last through many play-times. Indoors or out, this fort is a hit.
2. Blankets – If you’re stuck inside on a rainy day, make a fort. Chairs can serve as walls. Just toss a blanket or sheet over them and voila! Instant tent. Kids love to ‘camp out’ in the house, and you can even have a secret picnic lunch. The size of your fort is only limited by the number of sheets you can find!
3. Cushions – Also a great indoor fort, cushions are a soft, fluffy alternative to blankets. Removing the couch cushions and leaning them together creates mini-teepees. Line them up and you’ve got a child sized tunnel. And don’t worry if it collapses on them, they are soft, after all.
4. Snow – Ah, the ultimate winter building material. Snow forts are a classic. They can range anywhere from one-walled fortresses against snowballs to elaborate castles. Just remember not to allow the walls to get high enough to bury you. And never dig a cave in the snow, it could collapse and cause suffocation.
5. Sand – The summer alternative to snow, sand has the same great flexibility and the same dangers. But if you’re next to water, try building a moat around your fort. Kids will love running buckets of water over to pour into the moat, and sea shells can turn into ravenous sharks defending the castle.
6. Tarp – Tarp is a cheap outdoor alternative to sheets. Instead of frustrating yourself and digging out the hard-to-assemble tent, just grab a tarp and throw it over a low lying branch. Put a brick or stone on each corner and you’ve got a fort. No low branches? Not to worry, just tie a string between two trees and throw the tarp over that.
7. Sticks – Don’t laugh, many a sturdy fort has been created by the ingenious use of sticks. A lean-to is easy for a child to make. Just find sticks of semi-equal length and lean them against a wall. If you want to get really creative (and dirty) use mud to fill in the cracks and coat the mud with leaves. Instant camouflage for the fledgling hunter.
8. Tables – Tablecloths that hang nearly to the floor make an instant fort. Make sure there’s nothing on the table to be pulled off and let your child go at it. You can remove the chairs for extra space or leave them there as a sort of obstacle course. Of course, you might end up with a child wanting to eat under the table instead of at it…
9. Beds – Army-crawling under the bed is best left to young ones. A flashlight can make the scary darkness under the bed the realm of children instead of monsters. Just make sure the bed frame is solid before letting them under, and don’t let anybody jump on the bed.
10. Closets – An excellent hide-and-go-seek spot, dark closets also make a great fort. The small space left between the clothing and the floor is just the right size for tots. A flashlight and a book make for a cozy reading room or a battlefield for the toy soldiers. Best of all, there’s no room for pesky siblings.

There you have it; ten easy to build, fun forts for kids. Almost anything can be made into a fort. All it takes is a little effort and a lot of imagination. The next time your child is bored and doesn’t know what to do, suggest building a fort. They can pretend it is anything from their very own house, to a hunting lodge, to a castle, or even an enemy bunker. Whatever they choose to do, they’ll be using their imaginations and learning.

1. Weights – Teach your child how to weigh something in the vegetable section. Kids love to use the scales. Tell them you need two pounds of oranges and let the have fun making the bag weigh exactly two pounds.
2. Colors – This is easy. Your preschooler can help you find the oranges, the red apples, the yellow bananas, the red peppers. Name a color and see if they can find a vegetable to match.
3. Cooking – Learn cooking at the store? Yep. You need four pounds of fresh spinach for the casserole you’re making. Why so much? Explain how it cooks down, losing its water and strengthening its flavor. See what combos sound good to them, and let them try it out. A great way to sneak veggies into the menu.
4. Where does food come from? – Most children have no idea where the food comes from. While I’d wait to explain beef and pork, telling your child that grapes grow on a vine in clusters, that bananas have huge bunches on tress, that carrots grow underground, and pineapples grow on the ground is a great way to open their eyes to the natural world. You may even end up growing a potato above the sink.
5. Food groups – You want your kids to eat healthy. Teach them about the food groups. What is a grain? What is dairy? What is the different between a fruit and a vegetable? Why do we need to eat our veggies?
6. Serving size – Going along with healthy eating, teach kids where to look for serving size. How many can each box of cereal feed? How much cereal should you eat at one time? How much milk?
7. Percent – How about pricing? If the meat is 25% off and it normally costs $8.00, how much should we pay for it? If a box of pop-tarts is half off, how much will we have to pay?
8. Cost – How about comparing prices? If this little box of Cheerios costs $3.00 and the big box costs $4.00, which one is the better deal? How do you know?
9. Budget – Teach this early! Staying on budget is so important. Talk to kids before you come into the store. Tell them you have $25.00 to spend and you have to get milk, bread, eggs, one vegetable and one meat for dinner. Let them pick out the combination, while staying under budget. They will learn to sacrifice and plan ahead.
10. Change – Last of all, the check-out. Have them watch as the prices for each item comes up and the total grows. Point out the taxes at the end and any discounts. Then have them pay. Show them where to look for the change due, how to figure out how much is due if the register doesn’t show it, and how to count change.

Those are just ten simple ways to teach your child at the grocery store. You are already in there all the time; take the opportunity to teach your children something while you’re there. Take the time, the few minutes it takes, to explain things to children instead of just dragging them along for the ride. They’ll enjoy the trips more, and so will you.

Lay down the remote – The television is not going anywhere. Your children are growing up quickly, and there is no rewind on their lives. Take the time to put the show on pause and listen to your kids. How many times have you said “after the movie is over” and then never heard what they wanted to tell you?

Initiate conversations – It’s not your children’s responsibility to start conversations. Try to take any opportunity to communicate: while you’re cooking, doing dishes, driving to soccer practice. Anything can be a conversation starter, and most conversations end up having either you or your child learn something new. In the car a conversation about the song on the radio can open your eyes to your child’s self-image, leading into a discussion of what it means to be beautiful. Much more fulfilling than an argument about which station to listen to.

Stick around – Quit trying to check the next task off your to-do list. Take some time and hang out with your kids. Everything important will get done eventually. Watch what they watch, eat what they eat, and pretend that you’re their friend and not their parent for a moment. It’s a lot easier to understand what they’re talking about if you’ve done everything that they’re doing.

Take a deep breath – Before you freak out and start to correct or argue with something your child said, take a moment. Are they trying to aggravate you? Is that honestly the way they feel? Are they just having a bad day? There are some things that do need to be addressed immediately, but most children change their minds as often as they do their shirts, so don’t sweat the small stuff. Instead of correcting, try to reason. Show both sides and acknowledge their point of view. They’ll end up listening more to you if they feel that you listened to them.

Enjoy now – Like I said earlier, your kids grow up fast. Enjoy the now. Don’t talk to your kids about their future plans and put pressure on them in every conversation. Instead, talk about the past. Remind them of all the fun things you’ve done, the places you’ve been, and what you saw or experienced. Talk about what’s going on in their lives now, and share a little of what is going on in your life. It will help your child to know that you’re a person, too.

Notice opportunities – Be aware of what’s going on in your child’s life. Take opportunities, like failed efforts, sick friends, and difficult tests, to listen to your child. If you know what they’re going through, you can help them to learn coping skills that will help them later in life. Remember to listen to the problem and ask if they want your advice before you offer any solution. If they feel like they have a choice, they’ll be more likely to listen to you when you speak.

Whatever you do, remember to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Listening is an important life skill that you need to model for your children. Teach them what it means to really listen when they’re young and they’ll never forget.