Tag: Family Life

Valetine’s Day = Family/Friends + Love/Celebration

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. The stores have already stocked the shelves with Valentine’s candy, cards, decorations, and flowers. This is a good time to think of ways to share love and care for family and friends. Consider ways your family can celebrate together. Some fun ways to show you care include:

  • Make note cards or use post-it-notes to leave messages on mirrors, in lunches, or other special places.
  • For those with a sweet tooth, make a candy bar wrapper with a special thought or message. Consider using the miniature bars to keep the empty calories to a minimum.
  • Plan a special time with each family member or special friend during the week of Valentine’s Day. It may be doing a special activity – baking, crafts, sports, going for ice cream or another treat, or whatever that person likes to do.
  • Make special treats such as Rice Krispie Bars in the shape of kisses, wrap them in foil, and add a special message.
  • Make special foods on Valentine’s Day or when you celebrate. Foods in the shape of hearts – pancakes, cookies, cakes, sandwiches, pizza, Jello jigglers, etc. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make the shapes easily.
  • Make Valentines to share with school mates, friends, and family. Handmade items are always special.

By: Jamie Rathbun

Happy and Safe Holidays

Ghosts and goblins aren’t the only thing that can be scary now that Halloween has kicked off the fall holiday season. From fire hazards to online scams, following these tips can help you stay safe during the eventful time of year between Halloween and New Year’s Day.

  • Rather than a traditional candle, consider lighting up your décor with a small, battery operated flameless one. If you do choose to use traditional candles, remember to blow it out before going to bed or leaving home.
  • Use only non-flammable indoor decorations.
  • Whether you’re making Thanksgiving turkey or holiday cookies, practice cooking safely to avoid fires at home. Stay alert in the kitchen and turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen.
  • Water your Christmas tree regularly. Dry branches are a fire hazard. Turn off the tree’s lights overnight or when you are not at home.
  • Place your menorah on a sturdy, non-flammable surface out of the reach of small children and pets. Never leave lit candles unattended.
  • When you shop online for holiday gifts, be cautious and avoid scams by shopping with trusted retailers. Be on the look out for emails that seem too good to be true. Don’t click on suspicious links!
  • Learn the weather and climate risks for the area to which you are traveling.
  • Be sure to consider how COVID-19 may affect your holiday plans.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

By: Jamie Rathbun

Open a Good Book to Beat the Winter Blues!

When you find yourself indoors during the bitter cold days of winter, pick up a book and enjoy active reading! Reading with a child or friend will keep both of your minds exploring new things and enhances relationships.

Reading can provide an opportunity to connect with those separated by distance. You can read together during a video chat or have a book club that meets by phone or video! Adults may also be finding themselves helping youth with their academics, and active reading can make the experience rewarding for all!

As you dig into reading, check out this K-State Research and Extension resource to help make sure your time is filled with quality learning experiences and lots of fun! Emergent Literacy: Helping Young Children’s Development through Readinghttps://www.bookstore.ksre.k-state.edu/pubs/MF3161.pdf

By: Nora Rhoades

Teen Babysitting Resources

Visit the K-State Research and Extension website, https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/families/suddenly-in-charge/, to find helpful resources to support tweens and teens with roles taking care of younger children. The Suddenly in Charge effort was developed during the pandemic when families have been forced to make quick adjustments to routines. The resources focus on safety, activities, food, and more. They are valuable for a pre-planned or last-minute-planned babysitting experience. In addition to the website, there is an e-mail subscription available for regular updates and tips.

 

By: Nora Rhoades

Experience the World from a Child’s Point-of-View

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed with the environment around you, experiencing the world from a child’s point-of-view may be the breath of fresh air you need to rejuvenate. Plus, engaging with a child from his or her perspective builds one’s self-concept, supports a strong relationship, and enhances learning. Enjoy!

1)   Bend down to their height

2)   Follow their lead

3)   Use all 5 senses

4)   Encourage curiosity and imagination

5)   Model patience by not rushing

 

By: Nora Rhoades

 

Tips to Help Break an Unhealthy Habit

A Positive, Optimistic Perspective: Greater overall optimism and positivity contribute to an individual’s health. Learning to be the positive voice inside of your head, instead of the negative one, can help you move beyond negative thinking.

Mindfulness: Rather than focusing on bad experiences from the past or stressors and concerns about the future, being mindful allows a person to put such thoughts aside and focus on the current moment. This increased mindfulness directly relates to an individual’s greater well-being.

Healthy Stress Management: Well-adjusted individuals use positive, rather than destructive, forms of stress management. Healthy ways to manage stress include physical exercise, relaxation, breathing techniques, and talking through issues with a friend or partner.

By: Nora Rhoades

Planning Your Summer Budget

Summer is almost here!  The weather is warm, and that’s good enough for us. Start preparing your summer budget (spending plan) by taking a few minutes to plan for upcoming extra expenses.

Here are some reminders of things to include in your summer budget so you don’t go overboard.     

  • Father’s Day
  • Vacations
  • Wedding Season
  • Staycations
  • Farmers Markets
  • Sunscreen
  • Lawn Care
  • Seasonal Clothing
  • Gardening
  • Swim Lessons (Water Activities)
  • Air Conditioning (Higher utility and water bills)
  • Outdoor Barbecues
  • Back to school clothes and supplies

By: Brenda Langdon