How to Survive Your First Trip Abroad With Your Family

One of the most exciting parts of traveling is taking family members along for the adventure. Whether a short trip across the country or an extended international experience, it has its unique appeal.

Traveling solo or with a partner can be fun, but family trips are different. It can sometimes be overwhelming, but you’ll get used to it. Here are some tips to consider when planning a family trip abroad.

WATCH THE WEATHER

Although the weather in the ASEAN region is generally favorable, you might experience significant changes when traveling to places such as South Korea or Japan. It’s essential to monitor the weather at least a week before your trip to get a good idea of what to expect.

FAMILY MEETINGS

When traveling with kids or older parents, families should be well-informed about what to expect and how to avoid potential problems. First-time fliers should know airport policies and the dos and don’ts to ensure their trip is as enjoyable as possible. Discuss the food options and physical requirements at the destination.

PACK SMART

One of the most critical factors you should consider when planning a family trip is don’t overpack. Over-stuffing can add up to carrying around things you won’t use. Thinking carefully about what to bring will allow you to make an informed decision.

DON’T FORGET PERSCRIPTIONS

A sufficient supply of maintenance medications is vital for traveling families with medical conditions. Bring several extra days’ worth of prescription medications. This is especially important for places that are not easily accessible to pharmacies.

NECESSITIES

Thinking carefully about family members with special needs, such as a child with a sensitive stomach, should be part of your planning process. Bring snacks for the flight to keep everyone happy.

CHECK YOUR CHARGERS

Before you leave, ensure you have all the necessary supplies to power up your devices, including a spare battery and a fully charged laptop and mobile phone. Make sure that the chargers are compatible with the country you’re visiting.

STAY CONNECTED

Store contact information for every family member on a small card and give a card to all travelers. Some places have WiFi routers for a nominal fee, but it’s best to ensure everyone stays together and doesn’t roam around aimlessly.

HAVE FUN

While watching over your relatives, remember that this is a family experience meant for fun. Even though there may be problems along the way, try to make the most of it and remember to take pictures and establish memories.

This blog was previously published on February 22, 2023 at JenniferPowers.me

How to Help Your Child Manage Their Anxiety

Individuals are born with the ability to feel anxious. According to the APA, anxiety is a type of emotion triggered by various factors, such as stress and changes in one’s physical and mental health.

Although anxiety is a normal part of life, it can affect one’s ability to complete various tasks. Having it can also help one identify and respond to threats. For instance, having anxiety while traveling during a snowstorm can help one avoid risky driving behaviors.

Anxiety before a test is helpful, as it can motivate one to study. However, experiencing overwhelming and excessive amounts of anxiety can lead to various problems in daily life.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Like adults, teenagers and children may have excessive anxiety about various factors, such as school performance, safety, and their future. Some of the most common signs of anxiety include fatigue, irritability, and lack of confidence.

When children and teenagers experience significant amounts of anxiety, they may experience various physical symptoms. These include stomach aches, headaches, dizziness, nausea, chest tightness, and restlessness.

WHAT TO DO

Recognizing the triggers that cause anxiety can help parents and children identify the condition and develop effective strategies to manage it.

Understanding children’s feelings and thoughts can also help parents and children develop effective strategies to manage their anxiety by listening to and understanding them. Try talking to your children about the unhelpful thoughts they’re experiencing. For instance, they might think about how they will fail their test. Identifying their unhelpful thoughts can help you develop more realistic strategies with them.

Children can come up with their conclusions if asked to analyze all the available evidence.

Being able to self-realize is more potent than telling children they will not fail their tests.

Encourage your child to develop a more helpful and realistic thought, such as, “Even though I’m afraid I might fail, I’m going to prepare myself, and I’m going to perform my best on the test.” This will help them realize that they can still pass.

One of the most effective ways to help children relieve their anxiety is by having them practice deep belly breathing. This type of exercise can help them relax and think more clearly.

Role-play scenarios that frighten children so they can prepare for the worst. These could include asking for help, going to a restaurant, or buying a ticket to a movie.

WHAT NOT TO DO

It’s important to avoid labeling their feelings, experiences, and thoughts as either good or bad. For instance, do not tell them it’s bad to think they will fail. Instead, help them think of something more positive and helpful.

Don’t minimize your children’s experiences, as their feelings are real. It’s also vital to face difficult situations with compassion and kindness. Meeting kids with empathy can be helpful when they are feeling scared.

You and your children are not alone. The primary care physician of your child will be able to help you and your kids through this.

This blog was previously published on February 15, 2023 at JenniferPowers.me

How to Raise Courageous Kids

One of the most important lessons children and teens should learn is that courage doesn’t always feel like bravery. It can be frightening or thrilling, depending on the situation.

Sometimes, courage can feel like overwhelming fear or anxiety. It can also be a trickster, as it often differs. This is because both fear and courage exist in a unified way.

What makes courage different from other emotions is that it’s about something magical happening inside us, enabling us to push through fear and anxiety and do what makes us afraid.

Kids need to learn about courage, as seeing its effects can take a while. For instance, it can mean being kind to a new student in class or speaking up for something they believe in. These things often come with a limited amount of fanfare.

Build Courage

Everyone wants to feel safe. It’s so unsplintered and smooth that it’s unlikely to cause bruises or scrape you. However, being safe and certain can sometimes be too perfect for our kids. They will eventually need to learn to take risks and grow from them.

Kids and teens often step up to their expectations. They should be supported and talked about their courage and reminded of the significance of their actions.

Rejection and failure are often a sign that you’ve done something brave. They can provide you with new knowledge and experience you might not have had access to otherwise. Give children room to grow and accept imperfection.

Try to encourage them to do something that pushes them to the edges of their emotional or physical selves, such as music, drama, or sports. Doing something that will help them develop their inner strength and confidence will do much for their development. You can tell them about when you were afraid, hesitated, or said “yes” or “no” to things that were not right for you. Talk about when you felt overwhelmed, changed your thinking, and felt like doing something big was right for you. You can inspire them to feel brave by sharing your own stories.

Sometimes, brave behavior gets overshadowed by actions that are a little scuffed. If this occurs, support the courageous intent or voice while redirecting the behavior.

Self-Talk

One of the most common ways people avoid going beyond their limitations is through negative self-talk, silent communication can be barely noticeable, but it can be powerful. Have your kids understand that even though they may be scared, they will still be braver than they think. You can show them that even if they are not feeling brave, they can still act as if they are. Being brave can be an action, a thought, or a feeling.

This blog was previously published on February 22, 2023 at https://medium.com/@jenniferpowersnyc

Tips for Assisting Your Children in College Applications

Getting into college can be very stressful. There are many steps involved in the process, and it can take effort to see the lines between helicopter and helpful parenting. Here are some guidelines that will help you navigate through the process.

Listen

One of the most critical factors parents should consider when choosing a college is their student’s desire for a particular experience. Actively listen to the student, ask questions, and repeat the student’s words.

Encourage

Encourage your child to make their own decisions during the college application stage. They can start by contacting various college admissions teams and creating a pro and con checklist for their preferred schools.

Guide

Things have changed since you graduated from high school. As a parent, you should not assume you know everything about college applications. Instead, try to provide your child with as much guidance as possible.

Incentive

Once the time has come for your child to visit a particular school, they must take advantage of this opportunity. Organizing a family vacation or a special event around the visit is a great idea. In-person visits can be intimidating, so holding a positive event for the student can help ease fears.

Finances

Parents can help their child get into college by offering financial support. Although you don’t need to hand over a blank check, having your finances in order can help you secure the necessary funding for their education.

Trust

Don’t force your child to choose a particular school or program just because you want them to. Doing so can damage your relationship and negatively affect their chances of getting into a good college.

Other Things to Consider

The college application process is usually due in the student’s senior year. However, you should start the process earlier than that. During this time, you can help your child narrow down the possible schools and find a good fit.

There’s no official rule when it comes to applying to various schools. However, Very Well Family suggests that you consider applying to a few of them while considering different criteria to ensure your child gets accepted.

One of the most important steps parents can take to help their child get into college is to perform a social media audit about their child. This can help prevent potential schools from finding negative information while searching for students online before they send out acceptance letters.

It could be intimidating to help a college-bound student if you didn’t attend. Fortunately, plenty of resources exist to help you navigate this new chapter in your family.

How to Volunteer as a Family

Giving back to the community is a great way to teach children about compassion and empathy. It can also be fun and help build a stronger relationship between them and their families.

Benefits to Young People Who Volunteer

Young children can learn that helping others can make a difference. Volunteering also shows older teens and kids how they can make a difference.

When kids and teens volunteer, they get to meet people from different backgrounds and abilities. Working on a project helps them develop strong relationships with others who share the same values and interests.

Kids and teens can practice life skills by volunteering. It can also help them become a part of a team and show up on time. In addition, teens can discuss their volunteer work in their college applications or job interviews.

Try volunteering at a healthcare facility, a political campaign office, or a nonprofit organization to see what it’s like to work in these jobs.

How can Families Volunteer?

There are different types of volunteer projects that families can choose from, such as helping someone you know, or going to an animal rescue or shelter every week. Some families also make a tradition of doing one project a year, such as filling holiday gift baskets.

Look for a project that fits the needs of your neighborhood and works for your child’s age. You can also offer to help with chores such as weeding and cooking.

You can also ask your family to help with a cleanup project, such as picking up trash at the local beach or park.

If you’re looking for a project to help people in need, consider donating food to a local soup kitchen or food bank. Volunteers can also help deliver meals to those who are homebound.

Write letters to veterans and children in need of a boost. Some organizations also need volunteers to help them send letters to legislators. Nonprofits need help with fundraising and promotional activities, such as writing postcards.

Where to Start?

You can find a variety of projects that your family can help with by searching online or calling a charity that your family supports. You can also check the state’s website for information about volunteer programs. Some families participate in projects after disasters in the US or abroad.

This blog was previously published on January 20, 2023 https://jenniferpowersnyc.medium.com/

New Parenting Books to Read in 2023

So many things go into being a good parent that it can be hard to keep track of all the details. But, with the help of these resources, you can easily find the answers to some of the most common questions about raising kids.

Due to the steady flow of information that’s available online, it’s hard to keep track of all the necessary resources for parenting.

Although it’s hard to choose just a few favorite parenting books, there are plenty of them you’ll love.

This list of parenting books can help you navigate the various issues you might be facing as a parent.

Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle While Other Kids Shine

By Dr. Michele BorbaThrivers Michele Borba

In her second book, Thrivers, Michele talks about the various factors that help some kids become successful.

Today’s kids are more likely to be successful than ever before. Unfortunately, they’re not as happy.

Although many factors can help kids become successful, some of the most important traits are also in common with those who succeed.

The book, now available in a paperback, explores these traits and helps educators and parents identify the things that will help their kids succeed.

Social Justice Parenting: How to Raise Compassionate, Anti-Racist, Justice-Minded Kids in an Unjust World

By Dr. Traci Baxley

It’s also essential to raise responsible kids, as Baxley so brilliantly states. This is about creating a better society for everyone.

The changes society is going through now are happening because of the efforts of educated and socially enlightened kids.

The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children

By Ross W. Greene, PhD

Are you worried that your child is out of control and that they might respond to problems by screaming, crying, or hitting you? The explosive child by Ross Greene is a must-have for anyone who has tried everything else.

The practical and compassionate book will help you identify the steps you need to take to stop your child from developing destructive behaviors.

In The Explosive Child, Ross Greene explains how traditional discipline methods don’t work with kids with explosive behavior.

Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient KidsBrain-Body

By Mona Delahooke, PhD

According to Dr. Delahooke, behavior is only a symptom, and we should stop parenting reactively and focus on the things that are important to our kids.

Managing our expectations helps us understand and empathize with our kids. It also allows us to develop effective ways to help them succeed.

This blog was previously published on January 20, 2023 at JenniferPowers.me

Common Challenges New Parents Face

People tend to experience readjustment after having a baby or pregnancy. It can take a lot of work to get used to the changes brought about by the new situation.

Some people may find it hard to cope with the changes. It’s essential to seek help when this happens. There are a variety of community and health services that can help. Asking for assistance can help decrease stress levels.

NEW PARENTS OFTEN FACE CHALLENGES WHEN ADJUSTING TO A NEW LIFE.

Some of these include:

The demands of breastfeeding can involve pain and inflammation of the nipples and other body parts.
New Parents suffer from fatigue.
Often new parents need more confidence.
Dealing with the expectations of family and friends can also take time and effort.

The changes brought about by pregnancy or childbirth can also affect one’s identity. For instance, it can cause a loss of one’s work role and sense of freedom.

During this period, one’s relationship with their partner can also change. For instance, they may have different ideas about how to care for the baby.

ASK FOR HELP

Most people find it hard to ask for help. They may feel embarrassed or resentful because they struggle to care for their new baby.

The arrival of a new baby can trigger various feelings and thoughts. Some of these include a sense of loss for one’s old self. We encourage new parents to acknowledge the joy and distress they can feel.

Expecting parents should refrain from being overly influenced by parenting advice. They should also maintain a realistic perspective and allow themselves to learn how to look after their child. They should also refrain from judging themselves against the expectations of others. They should allow themselves to learn through experience.

Having a couple of trusted sources can also help new parents navigate the various changes parenthood brings. These may include a child health nurse or GP.

It’s also vital for new parents to take care of themselves. Having a well-rounded and balanced life can help them cope with the changes brought about by parenthood.

Find a support network, a helpline, and information about various health services. Support groups, parenting skills courses, and counseling services are also available.

The point is, you don’t have to go it alone.

This blog was previously published on January 13, 2023 at JenniferPowers.me

Keeping Your Kids Entertained on a Rainy Day

It can be hard to keep the kids entertained when rain or cold weather keeps them indoors. However, staying indoors can be fun with the right activities for kids.

Here are some fun and exciting activities to keep the kids entertained indoors. If you’re looking for more ideas, check out Mommy Poppins Stay-At-Home Guide. They also have a Boredom Busters Guide that will inform you about new and fun indoor activities.

Baking

Baking cookies or making granola is a great way to keep busy. You can find recipes for easy and healthy treats that are perfect for anyone who is not a chef. Most can be made in just minutes and will be a big hit.

Sensory Games

If you have little ones, you know they love lights and sounds. Pull out those toys on a rainy day. These imaginative playthings are perfect for kids and babies.

Make an Escape Room

You can also use an Escape Room kit for added fun. You can buy a downloadable kit to get started. It will be fun for the entire family.

Make Slime

You can make a batch of slime and challenge the kids to define the state of matter of the substance. This is fantastic for science-minded kids and parents.

Make a Scavenger Hunt

An indoor scavenger hunt is also fun to get the kids together. They might find some missing socks. That’s a big win all the way around.

You can do this with simple things like finding something blue. Leave a clue to find the next item, which might be a book with a duck in it.

STEM-Learning

Children will love using STEM-inspired toys and turning learning into play. For instance, you can have a building challenge using Magna-Tiles.

Listen to a Story

Get everyone together for a story podcast. There are a variety to choose from that will be fun for everyone.

Have a Parade

Playing marching band is a great way to spend quality fun time with your kids. Before leading the parade through the living room, you can make the instruments from household items, pots, pans, and paper tubes.

Work Out

It’s great to burn off some energy with an excellent indoor workout. Check YouTube for kid-friendly yoga or dance that will be good fun.

Traditions to Start With Your Kids in 2023

A tradition is a ritual that helps build a sense of identity and memories for your family. You can do it weekly or around specific events, such as holidays or birthday parties. Doing the same thing multiple times helps build a stronger bond with your family.

Families have unique memories, such as the hot car ride to the mountain cabin or vacation home. As we grow older and become parents, we can decide which will continue into our daily lives and holiday celebrations. Forming new traditions can also be beneficial.

New traditions can be fun to develop, and here are a few ideas to help you start.

MEALTIME

Having the same meal each day of the week can be a great way to create continuity. Monday might be your son’s favorite dinner, and Wednesday is set aside for your daughter’s favorite. Maybe Sunday is pasta night, and grandma’s meatloaf on Thursday. Giving the meal a theme gives everyone something to look forward to and remember fondly in the future.

TALENT SHOW

Gather all of the family members together and host a talent show. Everyone can showcase their talents by singing a song, running a certain distance, or displaying a drawing.

SHOW AND TELL

A fun activity for the whole family is to play “show and tell.” Each family member can bring one item to the dinner table, and they can share why it means something to them.

TAKE A WALK

A regular family walk can be a great way to get outside and away from the screens. Do it early in the morning or at dinnertime, which can be a great way to exercise and spend time together. If your kids are young, a baby stroller is an excellent way for them to join in the fun.

TELL ME A STORY

Bedtime stories is a great way to build a strong bond with your children. It can also help boost their reading skills and promote social and emotional development.

DATE NIGHT

A monthly Mommy/Daddy/Child date can be a great way to build a strong bond with your children. Each child gets to choose what they want to spend time doing as a family.

GIVING BACK

One of the most effective ways to build a strong relationship with your children is by regularly doing community service projects. This can help them become familiar with the project and its cause.

CHRISTMAS TRADITION

Set up a camp in front of the Christmas tree, where the kids can enjoy reading holiday stories and snacking on treats. In the morning, you can make Christmas tree shaped pancakes.

SHOPPING FOR OTHERS

You can also go shopping for the needy and help local organizations. During this time, the kids can learn the importance of giving to those who need help the most. It can be a different experience for them to choose toys that are not for them.

BAKE FOR THE NEIGHBORS

Make homemade treats for your neighbors and friends and deliver them. You can also make special stops at local police stations and fire departments.

This blog was previously published on JenniferPowers.me on December 22, 2022

Making Meaningful Memories Over the Holidays

One of the most important things during the holiday season is spending time with your loved ones. This can be a great way to create lasting memories and make the holiday season memorable for everyone. Here are some ideas to create fond memories this year.

VOLUNTEER

Giving back to the community is a great way to make this season special for you and your loved ones. You can visit places you and your loved ones would like to help, such as a food bank or a hospital.

The Mayo Clinic Health System has stated that volunteering can help an individual’s mental and physical health. It can also help with depression. Moreover, it can provide a great way to enjoy the holidays and give back to the community.

BUILD A FIRE

During the holiday season, have a fire and enjoy time with your loved one. While you snuggle by the fire, you can also play games. According to WebMD’s website, music therapy can help seniors feel less isolated and bright mood.

One of the most meaningful ways to pass the evening is to share happy stories. Your loved ones will likely have several interesting anecdotes they would like to tell you. Everyone can share their blessings for the year.

FAMILY PHOTO

It’s the best time to take family photos because you already know where everyone will be during the holidays. If you can’t hire a photographer, you can use timers that you can set on your devices to capture photos without leaving anyone out. Recreating poses from childhood photos can also be a great way to reflect on the holidays.

DECORATING PARTY

You and your loved one can spend some time decorating for the holiday season. You can start by making a dining table centerpiece or decorating the Christmas tree. You can then hang holiday ornaments or create a nativity set. Have a craft day when you make stocking for each other.

PREPARE THE MEAL TOGETHER

The kitchen is the heart of the holiday season, as food is crucial to our memories. With all the preparation that goes into preparing a meal, it can be an excellent opportunity for you and your loved one to get together and share the experience.

The aroma of the food and the activity can create a memory, and your loved one will be able to enjoy helping you. Another way to create a lasting memory is to have everyone at the table together. This will allow them to feel included and provide a memory that will last forever.

This blog was previously published on JenniferPowers.me on December 22, 2022