Likes most parents over the past two years, Meteorologist Rebecca Schuld has been working from home. The new mom, who reports the weather forecast for CBS 58 News in Milwaukee, had just returned from maternity leave and was ready to do a segment when her 13-week-old daughter Fiona woke up from her nap. So Schuld did what we’ve been doing: she brought Fiona to work with her.
Schuld was holding her daughter while doing a mike check before going on air, when her producer asked if Fiona was going to make an appearance. Knowing the baby was fresh off a nap, she decided, why not? What followed was a glimpse into the life of working pandemic parenting in the best way.
Following the segment, viewers have shared how much they loved having Fiona join the show not only for the cute factor, but because it was validation of just how hard we’ve all been working since the pandemic started. The new normal is managing work calls in between feedings and homework, and that we shouldn’t be hiding any of it.
Colleagues and viewers were quick to share their support of Schuld on Twitter, and the experience has lead other Meteorologists to share their lives, too!
Being a child in today’s world is very different than just a decade ago. Kiddos have traded in toys for cell phones, playtime for screen time and hanging out with friends in person for texting and FaceTime. It has not only changed the way they interact and play but also shifted the type of gifts they’re now asking for—because if you don’t have the latest phone or tablet, who are you?
If Grandma and Grandpa give your youngsters the next gadget to add to their tech arsenal this holiday season, you want to ensure their new present doesn’t expose them to potential harm. By having so much technology at their fingertips, the world has truly become their oyster, along with the dangers of the internet that comes with it.
That’s what Bark, a parental control app, is hoping to change. Founded in 2015 by CEO Brian Bason, who’s a dad of two, Bark helps parents monitor everything their kiddos do on their phones. From text messages and emails to YouTube and over 30 social media platforms, parents and guardians can have insight into what their children are actually seeing online. In 2020 alone, Bark analyzed 2.1 billion messages and has been able to help protect 5.9 million kids.
The app, which has won awards from The National Parenting Center, Mom’s Choice Awards, and National Parenting Product Awards, was created with the assistance of renowned child psychologists, digital media experts, law enforcement professionals, and youth advisors. As a result, Bark has built an advanced algorithm technology that can detect signs of violence, online predators, adult content, cyberbullying and more.
Receive Alerts Directly to Your Phone
If a child engages with unsuitable content, such as a worrisome website or game, or receives a potentially harmful message, parents are notified with emails and text alerts, thanks to Bark’s 24-hour detection services. The algorithm is also trained to detect slang terms and emojis that kids use today to communicate.
To help parents address tough situations, Bark provides expert recommendations from child psychologists on what steps to take after a particular alert, how to talk about it and more.
Select Your Preferred Monitoring Levels
In each category (sexual content, profanity, etc.), Bark users have the option to select one of three monitoring sensitivity levels (relaxed, moderate, or strict) and can be selective of which alerts they want to see and how. According to Bark, the average parent will receive concerning alerts within 24 hours after signing up.
With 42% of children spending over 30 hours a week on their phones, it can become almost a part-time job for parents to keep track of all that their youngsters are doing on their devices. Bark helps by making sure parents receive alerts about anything concerning, so they don’t have to manually look through every single keystroke their child has made.
Say Goodbye to Tech Overload
As kids spend more time glued to their phones, parents may also want to cut back on screen time. Fortunately, Bark helps promote a healthy balance. It allows families to limit the amount of time spent on the internet by setting customized device use rules for school time, bedtime and free time.
The app also allows parents to pause access on both Wi-Fi and cellular networks when children need downtime for homework, dinner or just a moment without their phone.
Block Inappropriate Website and Games
Parents can also turn to the web filtering features to block specific websites or website categories, like streaming and gaming. So if Roblox or Fortnite is a no-go in your household, you can easily restrict access. If your child does attempt to visit a restricted site or app from the designated block list, you’ll receive an alert notifying you about the issue.
Limit Access to App Stores
App Stores can be made off-limits to youngsters who may have gotten their hands on it in the past—and accidentally purchased a good number of games without your approval. Not only does this save your wallet and you from headaches, but it helps you decide what they’re able to engage with.
Check Your Kiddo’s Whereabouts to Help Keep Them Safe
After the 2018 devastating school shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fl., Bark extended its services to all K–12 public and private schools in the nation at no cost. Parents can also turn to the app’s check-in feature to ensure their child’s safety by sending a notification to their phone that requests a response.
Bark has also recently released a new location sharing feature that alerts parents whenever their child arrives at, or leaves, a specific location.
While adults cannot control the entire internet, they can use Bark to create healthy guardrails for their children and make sure they know when their child may be in danger.
Sign up for Bark today and start your seven-day free trial, so you can have peace of mind while your child is online. Learn more about Bark and its mission to keep children safe in this video here.
No one will deny that growing up in Atlanta has its perks—and quirks. From a heat wave that won’t stop to being the birthplace of some of the world’s biggest brands, there are some things that Atlanta kids especially can giggle at. Keep reading for our favorite jokes that Atlien kids will really love.
Whether you’re a busy parent with lots of activities on your plate or a teen with your own school schedule to think about, back-to-school season has definitely kicked everyone’s organizational skills into high gear once more. School nights may begin to feel hectic again—between the homework, planning for the next day, and trying to fit some rest in there somewhere.
However, you can form a regimen that gets these priorities down pat. Here are a few tips you can use to simplify your school nights so they run as smoothly as possible.
1. Establish Your Own Bedtime Routine
Having a bedtime routine can be more helpful than you think—especially when that routine includes an actual bedtime. Having a bedtime, no matter how old you are, can help you fall asleep faster and easier so you can get enough sleep each night. That means even after you tuck the kiddos in for the night, you might need your own bedtime and wind-down routine.
2. No Caffeine After School
This one might be a little tough to get used to at first, but it goes hand in hand with getting a good night’s rest. Although caffeine can be a great study aid and pick-me-up, having caffeine after 2:00 p.m. can make it more difficult to get to sleep come nightfall. It’s best to leave the coffee for the morning and stick to non-caffeinated beverages after school.
3. Make Lunches Ahead of Time
Part of simplifying your school nights is prepping for the morning so you don’t need to wake up at a ridiculous hour to be ready for the day ahead. One of the best ways to do this is to pack a lunch ahead of time so you can refrigerate it and grab it to go when the morning comes. This can also make it much easier to create nutritious, balanced dishes with protein, fruits, and vegetables.
4. Tackle Homework First Thing
Doing homework after a long day of school can sometimes feel like the biggest task in the world, but the task can feel even more looming when you leave it for the end of the night. If possible, it can be a great idea to use the momentum from the school day to tackle homework first thing so you have the rest of the night to enjoy family time. If your kiddos are still at the age where you need to help them with homework, you can encourage this even more as a habit they can take with them as they grow.
5. Pick Out the Next Day’s Clothes
Much like packing lunch the night before, picking your outfits and the kids’ outfits before bed can simplify the morning. In fact, it’s actually said to help you make more informed decisions when you choose your clothing at this time of day. This removes a step from your morning routine and helps the a.m. go more smoothly.
6. Leave the Shower for the Morning
You might be asking yourself, what can you leave out from your nighttime routine and actually let go for the morning? Well, your daily shower is definitely one of those things! Plenty of people shower in the morning, and it can even help you feel a bit more refreshed and awake. Even if you leave showering or bathtime for the kiddos at night, you can leave your showers for the morning to cut down on tasks for school nights.
7. Mimic Your Schedule on Weekends If Possible
Although the weekends are for fun and relaxation, it can never hurt to stick to a routine that works for you. Especially when it comes to things like bedtimes and evening routines, letting your kids go wild on the weekends can lead to difficult adjustments back on Monday. Try going with a relaxed but still reasonable schedule for weekends so your kids don’t get too thrown off their sleeping routines.
8. Give Yourself Some Downtime
No matter how many activities you can manage to pack into your evening routine, one of the most important things to give yourself, your kiddos, and your family is some downtime. Everyone needs rest, and if you’re looking to bring simplicity to your school nights, look no further than giving yourself a bit of downtime you all could enjoy. Bonus points if you can put the screens away and relax tech-free!
School nights don’t have to be stressful. In fact, when you get into a routine that you like and take the time to relax that you and your family deserve, you can create a great experience that lasts the whole school year and beyond.
Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Momish Magazine. A mom of four and matriarch to her big blended family, Kara wants nothing more than to normalize differences in family structures. She enjoys peeing alone, pancakes, and pinot noir - but not at the same time.
The back-to-school season is an exciting time for families as they gear up for the huge transition ahead. A new academic year may mean new teachers and new friends for most children, even new schools for some. While starting on a clean slate can be refreshing, the high level of unknowns and changes in routine can cause anxiety in some kids.
That’s why it’s good to plan a mix of fun and purposeful back-to-school activities to better prepare our children for the school year ahead. Check out these creative activities inspired by the Oddbods show that you can do with your child and the whole family. Let’s do this!
Fun-Tastical Back-to-School Activities
1. Shop for New School Supplies
Get your child excited by stocking up with some new, inexpensive stationery. We’re particularly partial to this Oddbods Creativity Kit. No matter your budget, giving your child new-to-them school supplies can help them look forward to returning to class. As much as possible, let them make their own choices so they can feel a greater sense of self and autonomy.
Pro Tip:If you have multiple children, let them hold their own shopping baskets and have the items bagged separately during check out. This saves you the effort of sorting out the purchases for each child once you get back home.
2. Order Cute Name Stickers & Get Labelling
It’s not uncommon for children’s stationery to get lost or accidentally traded among students. Name labels can help. There are many online name sticker services offering a wide variety of designs to choose from. Once they’ve arrived, sit down with your child and let them enjoy pasting stickers on their belongings.
3. Assemble a Homework Caddy
Assemble a homework caddy with coveted stationery for your child to look forward to using after school. Becky from Clean Mama assembles adorable but super functional homework caddies for her children every back-to-school season. It’s a great idea to adopt because it helps to organise stationery in your home and injects colour into the dreaded routine of completing homework after school. When shopping for back-to-school supplies, pick out some fancier stationery for communal use among your kids.
4. Tidy Up Together
We’re being cheeky calling this “fun”, but tidying up the mudroom or coat and shoe racks ahead of the back to school season can help to reduce chaos in your home once school has started. Declutter footwear and jackets that your kids have outgrown and craft some fun, decorative touches with your child to display. Involving your child can help them feel proud of contributing to the family.
5. Plan Extra-Special after-School Snacks for the First Few Weeks of School
Make snack time family time. While you have the luxury of the summer break, why not plan some extra special after school snacks for the first few weeks of school to help your child look forward to them? Whether it’s baking cookies or freezing fruit popsicles in advance, it’s a great opportunity to bond with your child before school routines take over your days.
If your kid is running off for after-school activity, the best time for them to snack is 30 minutes before their activity. This leaves enough time for digestion and the fuels from the snack to start working.
7. Make New Morning Routine Charts
Morning routines are chaotic, so get your kids’ help by training them to be independent when getting ready for school with their school gear, like their backpack, in advance and perhaps, boost their mood with their choice of back-to-school essentials.
As your child grows older, they develop more executive functions which help them pay attention, remember instructions and multitask better. Based on the new skills they’ve acquired, design new morning routine charts where they increasingly become more independent in getting ready for school. As a bonus, customise the routine charts with your child’s favourite themes.
8. Read Books about the First Day of School
After spending their summer break at home, young children especially can feel separation anxiety in school. You can help to mentally prepare them for what to expect by reading books about going to a new school or returning to school. Let them know that fear and anxiety are normal feelings and that you trust your child is capable of acting in spite of them.
Check out these three popular titles among parents!
9. Rehearse Drop-Offs & Pick-Ups
Talk to your child about how your family will be doing drop-offs and pick-ups once school starts. Drop by the school compound, rehearse the journey to and from school and show them where you’ll be sending them off and picking them up. Letting them know what to expect and giving them plenty of calm assurances can help to reduce their jitters about the coming school year.
Make this year’s back-to-school season extra joyful by trying out the suggestions above. Whether your child is filled with excitement or dread, embrace their feelings and support them through their journey so that they can succeed. Every child is different and each deserves to grow well over the upcoming school term. Parents, you got this!
Oddbods is more than an animation. We empower parents to transmit the Oddbods values to their children, supporting healthy development and growth. We're a non-dialogue, cartoon comedy series featuring seven unique and relatable characters who bring individual personalities to life; it builds friendships and encourages young children to celebrate individuality.
Adulting isn’t easy, especially the school morning grind. Between packing lunches, hunting down homework and making sure shoes match every single day, it’s no wonder we’re barely keeping it together. When it’s time for a breather, Stonyfield has launched the Breakbox Collection, lunchboxes for parents that encourage a little self-care!
Three themed lunchboxes are available to buy online now, with some hilarious goodies:
Adult Time Out: Even adults need a time out once-in-a-while, but they’re more fun as an adult… Includes everything parents need to take a load off after (another) long day: an organic mixer, Unreal Candy, Simple Mills and Forager Chips
You Got This: Meant to reassure parents that they’re doing an amazing job and give permission to pat themselves on the back; includes a trophy, gold star stickers, a magnet family organizer for the fridge, a “You Got This” mug – and coffee + a hydration bottle to keep them going along the way
Hide in My Closet: For those days when you just want to hide out from everyone in your house and squeeze in some much-needed self-care; includes a candle, Bliss Bright Idea under-eye patches, a jade roller, an eye mask and a Swear notebook to let out all your frustrations
They’re cute, but also charitable! Stonyfield is donating 100% of the purchase price ($50 each) to No Kid Hungry. And inside each Breakbox, you’ll find a packed note with a note of wisdom from parents across the country.
Alarm clocks are back in style, but getting back to school isn’t always easy. A survey of 2,000 American parents of school-aged kids revealed some common pressure points around new routines. The most stressful part of the day? School day mornings!
More than half of parents (58%) said the morning was the most challenging time and 59% said they struggle to wake up their kids in time for school. A whopping 87% have two or more alarms set to make sure the entire household is up and ready to roll.
Another substantial chunk of respondents (57%) said they’ve been late to work while trying to get their kids out the door. Parents reported that kids frequently forget to brush their teeth (39%), comb their hair (39%) or remember their homework (31%). And 60% of parents said they struggle to balance their kids’ morning routines with their own.
Despite these struggles, 81% of parents surveyed said they’re ready to have kids go back to the classroom. The survey was commissioned by Amazon Devices and conducted by OnePoll. Fortunately if you have an Amazon device with Alexa, you can assign reminders to your family to make getting out the door (slightly) easier!
––Sarah Shebek
Featured image courtesy of Karolina Grabowska, Pexels
During lockdowns, because of COVID, both parents seem to be more accessible at home because a lot more people are working remotely. But what does this mean for the future of child custody battles? Turns out, according to Jacqueline Newman, author of The New Rules of Divorce, it could impact custody battles a lot more and here’s why:
“Truth be told,I think that there has been a shift, at least the beginning of one, already, before COVID struck. The every other weekend and Wednesday dinner custody schedules were already becoming a thing of the past. Many more non-primary custodial parents were asking for more and more time. Maybe it was not always 50-50 because of the work schedules, and because of the fact that they were not as involved in the day-to-day routines of their child, but it was pretty close.
But now, after COVID? I think the shift is going to be much more extreme. We are 100% at a point where the question is now asked, “Why isn’t it 50-50?” One of the big claims that the primary custodial parent would often make would be that the non-primary custodial parent did not know the day-to-day routines of the child. They did not know that Sally only drew with purple crayons, and Bobby would only eat sandwiches if they were cut in perfect circles. They did not know these little idiosyncrasies of their child because they just were not home all of the time to learn them.
However, now, for the last year and a half, many parents have both been home. Now we have many parents that might have previously traveled a lot or had to work late and attend work dinners that did not do that during COVID—everybody was home. So, now, both parents are so much more involved in the daily routines of their children. They both know that the math homework is due on Tuesdays, that Cindy does not like her social studies teacher, and that the Sami only likes her pasta without sauce—they know all the little ins and outs. People have been having family dinners together again. I will speak for myself—pre-COVID, my husband and I, would often not be be home for dinner with our children every night. We are both attorneys and often at least one of us would be working a late night. But now, for the last year and a half, we have basically eaten dinner together with our children every single night. And it is something that I did not give nearly enough credit to as being such valuable family time previously. However, I do now.
The fact is, now, when we are moving forward in custody battles, I think a lot of the historical arguments of, “He/She doesn’t know everything,” or “Hasn’t done it before” is just going be thrown out the window. Now you are going have parents that have both done everything. Everyone is changing diapers, everyone is doing sugar cube igloo projects and everyone is more attuned to the likes and dislikes of their children.
Now, I think when both parents want 50-50, I think that the question will be “Why not?” I also think it is going be a very hard pill to swallow for certain parents that may have sacrificed careers, and/or have dedicated their entire lives to their children as being the primary caretaker, to be told that the other parent is going have possible 50% of the parenting time is going be very upsetting. It is also important to note that in many states, the amount of days you have with a child can impact child support (not in New York). Therefore, the repercussions are not just the emotional but also have financial implications.
2022 is going to be a very interesting year when it comes to custody litigation and I expect there will a significant shift in terms 50/50 parenting time.”
Jacqueline Newman is a divorce lawyer and matrimonial law expert. As managing partner of a top-tier 5th Avenue Manhattan law firm focused exclusively on divorce, her practice runs the gamut from prenups for high net worth people contemplating marriage to high conflict matrimonial litigation in dissolutions.
School supply shopping doesn’t have to be all about those bland No. 2 pencils and socks! Whether you’ve got a unicorn lover or a kid who just loves to be colorful, add a little flair to their day with some rainbow swag. Here are our favorite rainbow school supplies you can buy right now on Amazon.
Perfect for school, this rainbow heart-patterned backpack is not only stylish, but functional too. Padded shoulder straps, a heavy-duty top loop, polyester exterior and a moisture-resistant interior lining mean this tote will hold up the entire school year. Even if the first day looks a little "different" this year, a new backpack can give kids the back-to-school feeling.
Find this bag that's perfect for your rainbow lover on Amazon for $29.99.
Pilor 7mm Rainbow Mechanical Pencil Set
Amazon
Taking notes and doing homework usually requires the standard No. 2 pencil, but for kids at home, writing their answers in purple feel like a perk of being home. For your little artists who love to draw with fine points, they array of colors will cover all the bases.
Use for calendaring, making notes and cool designs on notebooks, you can never go wrong with a set of rainbow washi tape! For under $14, this 20-pack of decorative tape comes in unique patterns, all in the colors of ROY G BIV. This sticky yet removable tape is great for kids (and parents) of all ages.
For a homework or homeschool, there's nothing like a bright spot on your desk or study station. This rainbow pencil holder will house all those little things you need, including scissors, pens, pencils and more.
Take notes in style with these magical unicorn memo pads! This three-pack of notepads comes with multi-colored unicorns and flowing rainbow manes. Looks like you CAN buy happiness.
Forget those boring black and white composition books––this rainbow version rocks! While they will definitely set you back a penny more than the traditional books, this high-quality set comes with an elastic band to hold your book closed.
Get the entire four-pack for around $25 on Amazon.
Taste the rainbow! This vacuum insulated and double-walled bottle is made from premium gauge, rust resistant 18/8 stainless steel. It's also leak proof and made with a narrow mouth for easy drinking.
The 9 oz. size (perfect for school lunches) starts at just $12.99 on Amazon.
Enjoy lunch from this rainbow lunch bag (even if you're eating it at home) and do your part for saving the environment by not using brown bags, too. Premium fabric means this bag will last the whole school year, and the insulated lining will keep your kiddos food nice and chilly. This product is PVC, BPA and Phthalate-free and Wildkin products come with a reliable replacement warranty.
Snag this rainbow pattern or choose from over 20 others on Amazon. $16.99
No cutting, taping or gluing book covers on this year! Keep those books clean whether the kids are hauling them to class and stacking them up around the house. These stretchy, fabric Book Sox come in tons of vibrant colors to show off your personality. They are reusable and washable and can fit most textbooks––even jumbo sizes!
Choose from several design sets starting at $17 for a pack of six on Amazon.
You can't have rainbows without the rain. This adorable bubble umbrella in rainbow colors is windproof, made with rounded tips and pinch-proof when opening.
Snag one before the rainy season hits for just under $20 at Amazon.
Sadly, the carefree days of summer have come and gone and it’s time for many families to head back to school. The transition from the less structured routine of summer to the school year is hard on everyone. To help get your little scholar started off on the right foot, here are some key strategies to help your kids focus and set them up for a successful new year!
Start off on the right foot.
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Mornings are often the most hectic and scattered parts of the day. It's hard for adults to stay focused, on task and get out the door in time, so it's no shock it's one of the hardest parts of the day for many kids. In the morning, try to allow for extra time. Sure, that extra 10 minutes of sleep sounds amazing, but so is a (relatively) calm start to the day. Establish a morning routine and help your child stick to it. Especially for younger children, it's often hard to stay focused on the ten things they have to do to get out the door, so make a clear plan. Many families find that actually hanging up a morning routine helps as a reminder and maybe you won't even have to yell "Put on your shoes!" ten times as you're rushing out the door.
Brain Food!
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Start with the basics. There's a reason they say "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Kickstarting the day with some healthy brain food allows for a better start. Greek Yogurt, Eggs and fruit like apples and blueberries are awesome places to start. But equipping your child with lunch and small bites that include brain foods such as healthy nuts and cheese can help keep your child's focus up during the day.
Have reasonable expectations.
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Set aside an age-appropriate amount of time for your child to practice focusing on a specific task, remembering that personal interest in a topic or project is usually the most important motivator for paying attention. Working alone, a preschooler may spend two to three minutes on a task chosen by an adult—like getting dressed or picking up toys. By five years old, most children can ignore minor distractions. Alone, they will focus on a single interesting activity for 10 or 15 minutes and on an assigned task for four to six minutes if it’s easy and interesting. Take a deep breath and remember that that little cerebral cortex is still forming!
While it's easy to feel that the first thing a child should do after they get home is their homework, many children actually benefit from a break before jumping into more structured activity. After concentrating all day at school and being in a structured environment, a little downtime can help your child's brain take a much-needed break before jumping into the next task, ensuring less frustration and meltdowns along the way.
It's a good idea to have a go-to homework spot and routine free of distractions and always start with more of that brain food! If your child works best around people, set up a homework nook in the dining room, kitchen, or living room. If siblings are distracting to each other, have them work in separate rooms. Wherever the workspace, make sure the desk and chair consider your child’s size: her feet shouldn’t dangle off the floor, and elbows should be able to rest on the table without hunching.
Your child’s workspace doesn’t need to worthy of a magazine spread, but you can certainly encourage her to put things away after finishing her assignments and keep the area in order. Develop a system with folders, binders, or plastic bins that works for your family—projects will be less likely to get lost in the shuffle, and the area will be a blank canvas the next time she sits down to work.
Having a clear-cut list of goals is useful for all children. Sometimes, it’s not that a child can't focus, it's that they're struggling with what to focus on. Before tackling an assignment or study session create a list of goals. Having clear directives helps settle a child's mind and stay focused.
Staring down a worksheet swimming with math problems or taking on an entire subject chapter can be overwhelming for any child. It always helps to break it down into questions or paragraphs so that the child feels a sense of accomplishment. Working in smaller tasks helps combat the feeling of being overwhelmed and allows for a repeated self of accomplishment that will fuel your child's motivation to go on. This works not only on homework but also on household chores and other expectations around the home.
Especially as it applies to younger children age nine and below, homework does not need to be a source of perfection. Just the homework itself can be overwhelming for young kids, so try to resist the urge to nitpick over having all the homework perfectly written. In many earlier grades, teachers are even less concerned with issues such as misspelled words in a writing assignment so that the child can focus mainly on getting the ideas on paper. Praise yields more success than criticism and helps your child establish confidence for future projects.
As all parents know, growing kids have plenty of energy! And they need to spend it. Many schools now even schedule in movement breaks to help kids combat this with doing some jumping jacks, stretches or even mini-dance parties. You can adapt this idea at home as well. Work in small increments with breaks that encourage physical activity: a walk up the street (fresh air is a bonus!), or running up and down the stairs. Just be sure to time it accordingly and don't drag the break on for too long, reminding your child that she can go back outside after her assignment is complete.
Belly-breathing is an important skill for kids to have when they’re confronted with challenging tasks, which can make them anxious and trigger their natural "fight or flight" risk. Being overwhelmed and anxious leads to avoidance—the enemy of concentration. So having this simple tool in their toolbox can help them combat those feelings and get them back on track.
Practice mindfulness.
Mindfulness may be a hot buzzword lately, but really it just involves focusing your awareness and acknowledging your thoughts and feelings. Practicing mindfulness can be helpful to people of all ages. When your child is becoming distracted, have them take a five-minute break to sit quietly and take a moment to think about what is distracting them and how they can refocus themselves on the task at hand.
A well-rested mind is key to your child's ability to focus. Create a nightly routine that ensures plenty of hours to catch those zzz's. Check guidelines for how many hours of sleep per night a child needs, based on age, and schedule accordingly. That time of rest in helping the brain recharge for the next day ahead!
Model good focus.
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Children are observing us every moment of the day. If possible, sit next to your child while you do your own “homework.” Whether it’s an assignment from the office, reading a book, or sorting through bills, your child sees you quietly focusing on a task and will be encouraged to follow your example. Make an effort to restrict your own use of computers and phones during this time, showing your child that it helps to minimize distractions.
Everyone needs a break, especially an ever-developing child. Plan out something fun to do together with your child after they've finished the task at hand. Even though they're growing up fast, they still need time to have fun and be silly. And they still need a little quality time with you!
