Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

The Goals of Kids’ Activities

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I miss the preschool years. With my younger two, just being a year apart, I was able to keep them in the same activities for years and years. Until they were 5 and 6 respectively, I had them to everything together.

It started with infant swim classes, my mom went with me so they could both participate. As they became toddlers, we went to Mommy & Me gymnastics classes. They did dance, music, soccer and even Tae Kwon Do.

boy in football helmet holding basketball

I enrolled them in the same Mother’s Morning Out program at our church. And it wasn’t until I began to teach Princess to read earnestly that they began to separate a bit. (I needed Gymnast gone while I worked with her on sounds and letters.)

The Goal of Activities

There are several reasons for these activities:

  • Get out of the house a bit. As a work from home mom, we did not socialize a great deal. Having a weekly activity was a great way for the kids and I to get out and around other kids their age and interact with other moms.
  • Improve their gross motor skills. Dance, gymnastics, soccer, they all work a different motor skill.
  • Develop character. Even if they never got good at a sport, they learned a ton of important life lessons. Taking turns, being supportive, handling disappointment to name a few. I could not find a better way to teach these lessons!
  • Become well-rounded. I always thought trying everything would help them find their path. Saying you didn’t like something never flew in my house unless you had tried it. I even made them try food they didn’t like at least a dozen times before accepting it. (I saw some statistic that made this seem like the right plan.) When they started an activity, they had to commit to the session or a year. Quitting was never an option.

Time for them to Choose

Now that they are older, little has changed except that now they drive their choices. Due to costs and logistics, they are typically limited to one activity at a time. But they choose what they want to do.

They must still stick with their commitment…a session, a season or a year whichever the activity demands.

Princess has played basketball, volleyball, software and even completed her Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. In the end, volleyball is what won her heart and at 13 earned a spot on the high school varsity team.

Gymnast found his first passion at 5 years old when he was recruited to join a competitive gymnastics team. Now in his 7th year of gymnastics competition, he is now reconsidering his choice and trying football on for size.

Following their lead can be hard. But having set the stage early with boundaries and encouraging them to try what they wanted, I trust them and am happy to facilitate their desires.

Not that it’s always easy, especially on the wallet or logistically…but it is fun to watch them blossom and see them excel and find their passion.

 

Four Things You Can Do to Help Your Child Succeed at School

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With school beginning across the country within the next month, the back to school ads and excitement are rampant. And I find that most kids and parents are ready for the return of a regular schedule after the fun and crazy of the summer. Although, many will lament the loss of sleep due to early wake times, missing their pool time and general tiredness for the first couple of days or weeks.

Whether your child is starting their first day of kindergarten or their last year as a senior, there are things that we as parents can do to help them succeed.

back to school

Four Ways to Help Your Child Succeed

Feed your children at home.

Studies are very clear, children who eat home cooked meals are less likely to be overweight, have better mental health and are generally happier. And if money is a concern, cooking homemade meals is significantly cheaper than eating out all the time – just ask your wallet!

Set boundaries. 

As easy as it is to check in with them when they get home, feed them dinner and then let them loose, it is important that you set boundaries for their down time. Limit their screen time. Encourage outside time. Give them responsibilities. On average, a child has 5 hours of free time between the time they arrive home and bed time. While some of that will be taken with activities, dinner and homework, help teach them to manage their time wisely by giving them responsibilities and set expectations.

Remember, bright screens can adversely affect sleep, no matter their age.  Scientific American has a great piece on this back in 2013.  Here is the relevant bit for you parents:

Mariana Figueiro of the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and her team showed that two hours of iPad use at maximum brightness was enough to suppress people’s normal nighttime release of melatonin, a key hormone in the body’s clock, or circadian system.

Source: Scientific American, 2013

So, this means not letting them spend too much time on their cell phone or and, if necessary getting a tracker to be sure they aren’t getting exposed to harmful content on their phone.  A free phone tracker can help.

Talk to your children.

Let’s face it, this can be one of the hardest things to do, especially when your child gets into those teenage years where they know everything and you know nothing. But there are lots of resources to guide us as parents in being effective communicators specifically with our children:

Spend time with your child.

Between work and school and activities and life. The school year is when you have the least quality time with your child. And no, sitting at the table with your phone out or watching a TV show together does not quality as quality time. Schedule a one-on-one date at least once a month with each of your children. Block it out, talk about the special time, make it a priority. Put your phone away, tell everyone else you will be back and take your child out alone. Just he/her and you. It doesn’t have to cost money. Just your time and attention. Make it count by:

  • Look at your child. Make eye contact, let them know that you are present and right there with them.
  • Listen. Whatever they want to talk about, just listen. Don’t advise, don’t offer your two cents, just listen.
  • Share. Tell them about what is going on your life. The parent child relationship is not a one way street. Be open with them (in an age appropriate manner.)
  • Tell them how much you value you them. Praise the good you see.

Our children are our first priority. Whether that means working several jobs to support them or staying home to raise them, the requirements are the same, they need YOU, not your money, not more stuff. They need your time and attention.

Have you come up with any unique ways to spend time with your children during the busy school year? What about traditions that they will remember for the rest of their lives?

 

The Power and Economics of the Phone Upgrade

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My younger two children have had cell phones since they were 6 or 7. (They are now 13 and 14.) It started because I could add lines for just $10 per month. And I needed my cell phone for work purposes.

Because their dad and I were divorced, this gave him and then uninhibited access to one another without me having to be in the middle. It worked for us.

Fast forward 7 years and the cost of phones and service has gone up astronomically! But the need is still there.

Equipment Upgrades make a Big Difference

Now that my kids are old enough to want a smartphone, it’s become a lot more challenging for this single mama to maintain. And with the “break-ability” factor, it’s even worse. Especially when your 13 year old son is known for breaking EVERYTHING!

This year, when my son broke his year old iPhone SE, I refused to replace it. And told him that he would have to pay for his next phone. While he was disheartened, he took to the challenge.

Thankfully, he has a summer birthday and grandparents who needed a lot of “paid jobs” done while he was visiting them in Texas for a month. He managed to save and earn all the money to purchase his “dream” phone…with one caveat. He used the “upgrade” price to make it happen, when gave him almost 50% off his phone.

cell phone

The Cost of an Upgrade

While this upgrade meant that I had to commit to another 2 year contract, I was okay with that. Being only 13, I knew I would provide service for him for several more years. (My oldest child is about to turn 20 and he will start paying for his service this fall while he is in college although he too is still on our family plan.)

We have not had a home phone for over 13 years. While our cell phone use has evolved from just phone calls to texting and then on to daily internet usage, the cost has also increased exponentially. Even if I subtract the cost of a theoretical “home phone” it is high.

Tell me your thoughts on your children have a cell phone? What are your plans for the equipment and phone service charges when it does come time?

 

9 Important Values to Teach Children

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important values to teach childrenParents have the greatest privilege in the universe. We have the opportunity to raise kids – to construct important values to teach children and witness the result. At the end of the day, they are individuals – separate from us – who have their own minds, hearts, hands, feet, wishes, and skills. Even so, seeing my kids become the people they were meant to be is a delight.

I love seeing my young daughter spin around in our living room as a ballerina. Then I see my son carefully line up his trains or the way he tends to his stuffed animals when one of them gets “hurt” and needs a bandage.

From a young age, our children show us so many beautiful values they explore. However, kids enter the world with a free will, which means that “Me First” mentality kicks in pretty early. It is our job as parents to start conversations about right living – about healthy values.

Here are a few topics for you to begin the conversation with your child:

9 Important Values to Teach Children

“Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ”
― Elizabeth Stone

Work Ethic

Understanding that money comes from labor is a fundamental lesson that will stay with your child through adulthood. You can employ him or her to do chores around the house, bring up topics to discuss, or simply lead by example in your own field of work.

Giving

Kids are such natural givers. Somewhere along the way, we figure out it’s really fun to just keep what we have and use it on ourselves. Tapping into their young minds and encouraging things like gratitude, contentment, and giving can also stay with your child for life. It may mean letting her see you tip extra for the server or give to a charity or hand

Kindness

This world is full of cruelty, especially on the internet. Our kids are among the first generation growing where this level of connection and advancement in technology is simply a way of life. Learning to offer a kind word or do something nice at a young age will help your children counteract the ever-rampant negativity out there today.

Prioritizing Family

It’s so easy to take one’s family for granted. As children grow, it’s vital for parents to help them understand the value of keeping family first. There will be a thousand things that will try to take its place – especially when your children reach adulthood.

Integrity

As kids age, they have more and more responsibility placed on their shoulders. Therefore, they have more opportunities to do things when others aren’t hovering over their shoulders. Whether they’re male or female, what they decide in those moments matters so much more than they realize.

For example, Ellen recently tested her audience members by placing hidden cameras at the free gift booth. Before the show, each member was told she could select one free item from the table. One woman was caught on camera taking multiple items and returning to the booth two more times for more! Ellen not only showed the tape to the millions of viewers of her show, but she then called out this audience member and made her sit on a stool in “Ellen Jail” right in front of everyone.

Sure it’s a light-hearted example, but the message runs deep. Check out Ellen’s reaction to the woman who robbed her booth here:

Capacity to Apologize

My kids’ favorite movie is “Moana.” They love the music and love racing around the house pretending to be the demigod Maui shouting “Chee-hoooo!”

One of my favorite parts of the film is actually toward the end when Maui comes face to face with someone he robbed. At first, he tries to laugh it off until he sees the hurt look in the other character’s eyes. I love what happens next. He looks her in the eye and says, “What I did was wrong. I have no excuse. I’m sorry.”

What a great example for kids to see the power of owning up to their actions. To be held responsible for those choices. It’s another life lesson that would likely stay with them for life.

Try Your Best

Could we please dissolve the old adage “Practice makes perfect”? Talk about setting unrealistic expectations for kids. Now hear me out – I’m not a big fan of participation ribbons or removing competition altogether. It’s important to learn how to win AND lose with dignity and respect; however, walking up to the plate with perfection as the goal isn’t going to fly.

Remind your kids to try their best, and then remind them again. And again. Just keep that flag flying!

Money Management

So many 18-year-olds graduate with almost no money management skills. Then, they fill out paperwork for colleges and make the largest financial decision they’ve ever made which typically lands them in debt up to their eyebrows. Being equipped with the head knowledge and habits of handling money while they’re under your roof will make their entire adult life completely different.

Caring for the Environment

Your kids may not grow up wanting to major in environmental studies, but educating them about how to be less wasteful should start in the home. Think about your own habits, like not littering and sorting out recyclables. Your kids will see how you treat the world around you. Taking time to talk through those things or initiate something unique like planting a garden or using compost will help them learn skills to better protect their environment.

Final Thoughts

There are so many more values we could cover. In fact, it may seem overwhelming some days. Just remember these happen one day and one conversation at a time.

What’s on your list of important values to teach children? Is it on this list? Let us know in the comments below.

Free Printable Kids Money for Download

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printable kids moneyGetting ready to teach your children or students how to interact with money? That’s fantastic! Not only will this building block help them learn mathematics like counting by fives and tens, but it will also prepare them for the workplace. Let’s take a look at a variety of free printable kids money available on the Web.

Free Printable Kids Money for Download

Monopoly Money

One of the most recognizable currencies for children (or at least this 90s kid) is the brightly colored money from the Hasbro game, Monopoly. These bills differ from U.S. currency in appearance but offer your children a chance to practice their counting, sorting, and hand-eye coordination skills.

Download your free printable Monopoly money here.

U.S. Coins

Are your children ready to learn coin values? Making change? Let’s take a look at some printable coin sheets for you:

Customized printable sheets of play money – At StemSheets.com, you can customize the number and denomination of play coins you need on each sheet. For example, you can print off 20 coins of each value (up to a quarter) on a single piece of paper. That’s 80 coins – in color – on one sheet.

Printable coins and coloring pages – Head over to EnchantedLearning.com to view printable images of quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. Also, view a myriad of coloring pages for your child to enjoy as they educate her about U.S. coins.

Printable coin math worksheets – Ready to test your child’s knowledge of counting and making change? These free worksheets are great tools for just that.

Bonus Read: “6 Fun Money Games for Kids”

U.S. Dollars

Got a bank teller in the making? Help your children or students identify the correct face on each piece of currency and count them in quantities of fives, tens, twenties, or even hundreds with these options:

Fake Play Bills – Looking for fake $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills for your kids? Here is a complete list of free and printable play bills. These can engage your young child in a myriad of money lessons like counting, sorting, and even practicing good habits like using the envelope system.

Realistic Bills – Add a Face – A great way to quiz your child on whose face belongs to which bill is to show him this realistic play money with no face in the middle. After printing out these bills by denomination, he can color in his own face for some added fun. No worries. It’s only a federal crime to deface U.S. currency when it’s not play money. 😉

Other Money Teaching Tools

Grocery Task Cards – Print, cut, and laminate these terrific flash cards to quiz your child on prices at the grocery store. For example, she can use her fake money to pay for a $2 bag of popcorn or $1 bottle of water or do the math to pay for them both.

Printable Play Checks – Is your child old enough to write? Then he’s old enough to learn how to write a check. Paper checks may seem archaic in today’s digital world, but it’s still a foundational skill from which your child will build his financial knowledge upon.

For example, give him a set list of chores to complete, then pay with a check. Teach him how to understand the information on the check, endorse it properly on the back, and cash it. This will help him understand the role banks and employers will play in his life later, even if his paychecks are directly deposited.

We’ve covered a number of tools and resources to help your child learn about money. From printable kids money to worksheets to blank checks, this list should provide a great place for you to start. Your next options are endless. Have fun along the way!

Bonus Read: “How to Teach a Child to Count Money”

Got any favorite ways to teach kids about money? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

Image Credit: frankieleon (Creative Commons)

Are you a stay-at-home mom? Check out these financial resources we added just for you:

How to Launch a 52-Week Money Challenge for Kids

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52-week money challenge for kidsAs you set your goals each year, it’s fun to include your children in the process. Involvement helps them learn to set goals of their own. In the interest of helping them develop strong savings habits, why not have them participate in a 52-week money challenge for kids?

Similar to the well-known 52-week money challenge for adults, the kids’ challenge helps kids to save more money by determining a set amount of cash to put into a savings account, and then increasing that amount each and every week.

How to Personalize Your Child’s 52-Week Money Challenge for Kids

Based on your child’s age and his or her ability to access money, you can pick the weekly money amount that works best for their particular situation.

Even with the smallest weekly contribution, the savings will add up. If your child is younger, you can start with a small amount – for example, a nickel – each week. Here’s how the challenge works:

  • $0.05 contribution – WEEK 1
  • $0.10 contribution – WEEK 2
  • $0.15 contribution – WEEK 3

And so on. If you choose to use a nickel for the challenge, your child simply increases each weekly savings contribution by one nickel. By the end of the 52 weeks, your child will have saved $68.90.

Here is a breakdown of other coin values and potential savings amounts:

  • Dime = Save $137.80 by the end of the 52 weeks.
  • Quarter = Save $344.50 by the end of the 52 weeks.
  • Dollar = Save $1,378 by the end of the 52 weeks.

Why Teaching Kids to Save is Important

We’re living in a time where it’s easy to not save money. Clever marketing and social pressures encourage kids to spend rather than save. Therefore, they start to believe they can have the latest and greatest of everything on the market – without the hard work of earning it.

Saving money is becoming less and less important to people as generations go by. America’s declining savings rate proves it. In May of 1975, the personal savings rate in the United States reached a high of 17%. At the end of 2016, it was 5.4%.

By teaching our children to develop a habit of saving money, we give them a head start on the road to financial responsibility.

Other Ways to Teach Kids to Save

Besides using a 52-week money challenge for kids, there are other ways you can teach your children to make saving money a consistent habit.

  • Require your kids to save a percentage of all money they earn or receive as a gift
  • Boost your child’s enthusiasm for saving by committing to match what they put into savings dollar for dollar
  • Create a savings contest between you and your child (or between your children) to see who can save the biggest percentage of their income for the year

The 52-week money challenge for kids is a great way to encourage children not just to save money, but to challenge themselves to save more than they initially thought was possible. So, give your kids the gift of making savings a habit starting today.

Bonus Reading: “6 Fun Money Games for Kids”

Would you ever do a 52-week money challenge with your child? Have ever done one on your own? Let us know in the comments below!

Image Credit: Nathaniel_U (Creative Commons)

Are you a stay-at-home mom? Make sure you bookmark or pin some of these resources for later!

7 Easy Recipes Kids Can Make Themselves

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easy recipes kids can make themselvesDue to the busyness of life, it’s not always feasible for moms and/or dads to be at home when the kids need to eat. Helping them learn to cook for themselves will help them understand responsibility, self-care, and a new way to have fun. Therefore, here are some fantastic and easy recipes kids can make themselves.

7 Recipes Kids Can Make Themselves

1. Salad Bar

Not only are salads healthy, they’re easy to make for kids of nearly any age. The ingredient possibilities are endless. If parents keep a variety of fresh ingredients on hand, kids can put together a salad that fits their differing taste preferences. Some ideas for ingredients to have on hand include:

  • Bagged, pre-washed salad
  • Cherry or grape tomatoes
  • Green pepper
  • Green onion
  • Cucumber
  • Deli meat
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Avocado
  • Chopped walnuts, sliced almonds or sunflower seeds
  • A variety of dressings

As long as your child has been taught how to safely use a serrated-edge knife, there’s no limit to the ingredients they can include in their salad bar.

2. Sandwiches

As with a salad bar, sandwiches have endless possibilities and don’t have to be limited to the traditional PB&J. A variety of deli meats, veggies, cheeses and spreads such as mayonnaise, mustard and guacamole will add an extra boost to the plain sandwiches of yesteryear.

For example, tuna and chicken salad are quick and easy sandwiches that can be spiced up with simple ingredients. Here’s an easy recipe kids can make themselves.

  • 1 5-ounce can of tuna or chicken breast, drained
  • 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise or salad dressing
  • 1 green onion, sliced thin
  • 1/2 stick of celery, sliced thin

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and spread on your choice of bread. Add a slice of cheese and/or pre-cooked bacon if desired.

3. Taco Bar

With only seven easy-to-prepare ingredients, your kids can whip up a taco bar that will please the masses.

  • Browned hamburger (seasoned with premade taco seasoning)
  • Bagged, shredded lettuce
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • A jar of salsa
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Sliced green onion
  • Hard and/or soft taco shells

Want to do your taco bar a bit differently? Substitute the taco shells with tortilla chips and have your child put their nacho creation in the microwave for one minute.

4. English Muffin Pizzas

This recipe can be made in the microwave or in a toaster oven. For each child, have:

  • 1 English muffin, sliced in half (toast in the toaster first if you’re using the microwave)
  • 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce from a jar
  • ¼ c. of shredded mozzarella
  • Additional toppings such as pepperoni, sliced olives or other sliced veggies as desired

Place the two halves face up on a plate or toaster-oven-safe baking sheet. Spread one tablespoon of pizza sauce (I like Chef Boyardee) on each muffin half. Add desired toppings. Cover each half with some of the mozzarella cheese. Cook the pizzas in the microwave or toaster oven until cheese is melted and bubbly.

5. Homemade Mac & Cheese

This is one of the most popular easy recipes kids can make themselves due to its tastiness and simplicity. Not to mention the health benefits for making it from scratch rather than from a box.

Ingredients:

  • 1 c. of dry macaroni
  • 1/3 c. shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 slices American cheese
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/3 c. milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare pasta as directed. When finished, drain and return pasta back into pot. Mix in all ingredients. When all of the cheese is melted and the ingredients are thoroughly mixed it’s ready to eat!

6. Creamy Fruit Dip with Fresh Fruit

This healthy and easy-to-make snack is great for after school or after dinner. It makes a terrific breakfast meal as well.

Fruit Dip:

  • 1 c. vanilla yogurt
  • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a medium-sized glass bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and beat until combined thoroughly. Serve immediately or chill until ready to eat. Serve with your choice of fresh fruit, such as strawberries, bananas or apple slices.

7. Banana Parfait Dessert

This simple dessert can be modified to satisfy a variety of different taste preferences.

Ingredients:

  • 1 -3.4 ounce package of Jello instant banana pudding
  • 1 8-oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed but still cold.
  • 1 medium banana, sliced
  • 4 vanilla wafer cookies

Prepare banana pudding as directed. Add sliced bananas. Place one cup of mixture in a medium-sized bowl or sundae dish. Garnish with vanilla wafers and a dollop of whipped topping.

Substitutions:

  • Vanilla pudding with strawberry slices
  • Chocolate pudding with bananas or chocolate chips

Even though these are easy recipes kids can make themselves, they’re also great for making with your child. Snag a few of these ideas as you plan your next grocery trip and get ready to make some memories (and a few messes) together with your children in the kitchen.

Finally, if you are a parent you know that children can be really expensive to feed.  If you are interested in possibly cutting down on your expenses, consider something like Amazon’s subscribe and save. Subscribe and save is good for things like Z-bars, coffee and laundry detergent. If you use a lot of dry staples like these, it might be worth your time to sign up for it.

If you want to read more about kids in kitchen check out our articles on:

What recipes did you learn to make as a child? Share one with us!

Image Credit: lunar (MorgueFile)

P.S. Are you a stay-at-home mom? Make sure you bookmark or pin some of these resources for later!

How Much Are Senior Pictures?

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How Much Are Senior PicturesAlong with the costs of college, graduation parties, and other high school senior expenses, parents everywhere are asking another question: How much are senior pictures?

That depends on several variables, such as where you live, what type of portrait package you choose and on the type of pricing system the photographer uses. Here are some helpful tips to get the best deal on senior pictures for your high school graduate.

How Much Are Senior Pictures?

The Photographer Element

Professional photographers generally work in one of two ways:

  1. They make their money off of the time spent at the photography session.
  2. They make their money off of the photographs a client purchases.

The first type will charge a higher fee (usually between $500-$1500 depending on where you live) for the portrait session itself; however, the session generally includes all rights to the photos. The client is given a photo book contain proofs of the photos along with a CD or MP3 format of the photos (or online access). They can have pictures printed anywhere they choose.

The second type of photographer will have a lower fee for the portrait session (often varying between $50-$200). One key difference is the photographer retains all rights to the photos until you’ve purchased a portrait package directly from them. In that case, the printing of the portraits is usually a lot more expensive. The quality of the printed photos will likely be better as well.

Determining Which Photographer is Right for You

There are several steps you can take to determine which photographer is best for your child’s senior portrait needs.

Shop Around

It’s smart to call several different photographers and get the details on their pricing before making a decision. When shopping around, be sure to ask to see samples of their work and ask if there are references you can call as well. Getting suggestions from the parents of your child’s fellow classmates can be helpful too.

Decide How Many Printed Pictures You’ll Need

Knowing how many printed pictures you’ll need can help you decide which type of photographer to use. If you’ll be printing quite a few copies you may want to go with someone who includes rights to pictures as a part of the portrait sitting session.

If you aren’t expecting to print many copies of pictures it may be more cost-effective to go with a photographer who prints the pictures themselves and charges a smaller sitting fee. Add up the cost based on the photographer’s printing charges before making any decisions.

Discuss Portrait Venues

It’s important to discuss with your child and with any potential photographers where you’d like the senior pictures to be taken. Is there a favorite park or other location your child wishes to be photographed at? Do they want to include a family pet in some of the pictures? Some photographers charge an additional fee for including pets or for taking pictures at off-location places such as parks.

Alternatives to Professional Photography

If there’s someone in your life who has a knack for photography but isn’t a professional, you may benefit from hiring them. They would most likely provide a more affordable rate for a portrait sitting session.

With a bit of research, the question, “How much are senior pictures” no longer has to be a mystery. Instead, it can be a fun and affordable experience for parents and students alike.

How do you save money on professional photography?

Are you a stay-at-home mom? Make sure you bookmark or pin some of these resources for later!

8 Quotes By Kid President That Make the World a Better Place [FREE Quote Graphics]

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Pinnable and shareable quotes by Kid PresidentDoes life get any better than an adorable 9-year-old in a suit imparting wisdom to the world? Anytime I read or hear quotes by Kid President, I give that kid a virtual thumbs up.

This world is pretty riddled with opinions, division, prejudice, and all-out hatred. The message Kid President brings is to look inward and be the change you want to see elsewhere in the world. It’s the same message I want to teach my children – plus, I’d be lying if I said I haven’t applied his words of wisdom to my own life.

That’s why I’ve put together these shareable graphics for you to pass around or pin for later from Kid President. They’re compatible with Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. So grab your favorite and brighten up someone’s day.

“A Pep Talk from Kid President” via YouTube

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o]

8 Quotes By Kid President That Make the World a Better Place

1. “This is your time. This is my time. This is our time.”

Quotes by Kid President

2. “If you can’t think something nice to say, you’re not thinking hard enough.”

Kid President quotes (2)

3. What will you create to make the world awesome? Nothing if you keep sitting there.”


 Kid President quotes (4)

4. “Before you say something about the barbecue sauce on someone else’s shirt, take a look at the barbecue sauce on your own shirt.”

Kid President Quotes II (1)

5. “It’s everybody’s duty to give the world a reason to dance.”

Kid President Quotes II (2)

6. “Life is tough, but so are you.”

Kid President Quotes II (3)

7. “You were made to be awesome.”

Kid President Quotes II

8. “Life is tough, but so are you.”

Kid President quotes

What’s your favorite of these quotes by Kid President? Share in the comments below!

5 Apps That Teach Children a Cool Skill

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Here are five apps that teach a cool skill like cursive, cartooning, and foreign language.Apps seem to be a dime a dozen these days, so finding the right ones can be daunting. When I search through the sea of choices, it’s much simpler to choose something with ABC’s and 123’s to ensure it educates my kids. But then I wondered, are there any apps that teach children a cool skill instead of just the basics?

Yes, “cool” is relative, but after some digging, I found some unique options for you to try.

A Quick Word About Screen-Time for Young Children

We all know that screen-time is best used in moderation. However, in recent studies, I’ve discovered one other significant reason to limit my children’s time parked in front of the screen. Even if it’s educational material, I believe this is still an important thought to consider.

According to this study released on NPR.org, when children decrease their time in front of screens, they are able to read human emotions more easily. The ability to learn from communication, social cues, and problem-solving with others is a need that humans have their entire lives. Using a screen removes the interactive portion of development and threatens to affect a child’s social behavior well into adulthood.

I definitely give my kids screen-time, but I also try to spend a lot of unplugged time with them. That door swings both ways. The kids have to put away their gadgets, and mom must put down her phone.

Bonus Reading: “7 Screen-Free Activities for Preschoolers”

5 Apps That Teach Children a Cool Skill

Cursive Writing Skills – Cursive Writing Wizard Letters

Available for iOS or Android

Cursive writing is no longer required in many schools, even though it’s one of the most beautiful art forms we each can learn. To help your young child develop her own skills with cursive, try this app.

After using the app for a time, work together on writing the real letters on paper so she can better apply what she has learned.

Foreign Language Skills – Duolingo

Available for iOS and Android

Never has it been more relevant than today to teach your child a second language. Expose him to the rich diversity of languages throughout the world with Duolingo – from Spanish to Italian to Chinese.

Sign Language Skills – ASL Kids

Available for iOS and Android

Another amazing skill your children might enjoy learning is American Sign Language. Both of my children started learning when they were infants and loved mimicking my motions. As they got older, we spent time each day at the breakfast table going through their letters, numbers, foods, colors, days of the week, etc.

For something that is so fun to practice and so beneficial to those who use sign language as their primary form of communication, this is definitely one of my top apps that teach children a cool skill.

Money Management Skills – Dinorama

Available for iOS

How better to understand money management, multi-tasking, and running a business than to run your own dinosaur theme park? Dinorama offers children (age 7 and up) the challenge of building their empire from the ground up. This can lead to some great conversations at the dinner table or in the car (after the game is put away) about money management in the real world.

Creative Drawing Skills – Toontastic

Available for iOS

Try Painting Drawing Dooble Kids as an alternative for Android.

Learning to draw can become a lifelong hobby or even a career. With today’s booming commerce on the internet, the creatives have more avenues in which to publish their work than ever. If your child enjoys doodling, cartooning, or any other type of illustration, try out Toontastic.

Do you have older children? Check out “Essential Apps Every Student Must Have.”

Which of these 5 apps would you have loved to use when you were a kid? Share in the comments below.