Tips for Raising Your Family in a Big City

While cities can be expensive, growing up in a modest suburb can still provide some advantages. According to conventional wisdom, raising happy children requires a big house, a quiet neighborhood, and a safe car.

Have you noticed that many families raise their kids in cities instead of the suburbs? According to Leigh Gallagher, author of the 2013 book The End of the Suburbs, the growth of the urban population outpaced that of the suburban sector for the first time in over a hundred years in 2011.

Vishaan Chakrabarti, the author of A Country of Cities, believes that many people who moved to cities when they were young moved back to the suburbs in their 30s due to the quality of education and low crime. However, these factors are also changing in cities, and parks and schools have improved in many areas.

Here’s what you get in the City

Culture

People who live in large urban areas are more likely to have easy access to cultural attractions, such as ballet, opera, and symphony, as well as movie houses, historical landmarks, and museums. Take advantage of these wonderful learning centers.

Less Carpooling

Most suburban parents don’t like the hours spent driving their kids to school, camp, or classes. In cities, parents allow their kids to ride public transportation starting at 11 or 12. This eliminates the need for them to rely on their parents as much and will enable them to develop a sense of independence.

More Diverse

Cities allow children to meet people from different backgrounds and experiences, which increases tolerance and compassion. They’ll try new foods from their friends’ lunchboxes and gain new perspectives on the world.

Important Lessons

Explaining to a child why a homeless person is sleeping on the street is very distressing, but there are also many opportunities for growth and learning in these situations.

No Commute

Cities allow families to spend more time with their kids, as they don’t have to commute as much. City dwellers often only commute a couple of miles. Doctors and other necessities are often within walking distance, and a car might be unnecessary. It’s great to get out and spend time talking or just walking with your family.

Amenities

You can find artisanal ice cream or coffee at your local strip mall if you’re in the market. Although not every city center has the same food and drink options, the diversity of the offerings in any area is usually better than what you’ll find in the suburbs. Urban locations also have easy access to various stores and restaurants.

Managing Food Allergies Around Halloween

Many people dress up as their favorite characters from movies and costumes during the holiday season and head to the stores for candy and treats. However, for those with food allergies, the season can be frightening. Six of the most common food allergens are in high circulation on Halloween. These include wheat, milk, egg, and soy. Even small amounts of these can trigger an allergic reaction in kids.

Parents need to talk to their kids about food allergies to certain foods, such as candies and treats. They should also discuss strategies to prevent their kids from experiencing an allergic reaction while they’re at parties or trick-or-treating.

Check Labels

Avoiding eating sweets made in different facilities is also essential for kids with food allergies. This can be especially true for snack sizes and miniatures.

The FDA requires all food labels to list the sources of major allergens, such as milk, wheat, eggs, and soy. These labels should also include the common names of these allergens in bold. In April 2021, a law was passed that added sesame to the list of major food allergens in the US. This new law will require all food labels to include this ingredient starting in January 2023.

Some packaging also has a note that says “May contain,” followed by the name of the allergen. This is a better way to ensure that the products are labeled with the correct information. Although this method is voluntary, checking the ingredients list every time a product is purchased is essential. Since many bite-sized candies don’t have an ingredient list, it’s important to check other products’ ingredients online to ensure they’re safe for kids.

Connect with Neighbors

Some people may want to buy candies without worrying about harming kids having food allergies. However, they may not know what to look for when it comes to purchasing them. You can help by providing them with safe treats or telling them what to look for when it comes to buying sweets.

Learn About Teal Pumpkins

The Food Allergy Research & Education organization created the teal pumpkin campaign in 2014 to raise awareness about food allergies. It encourages people to place a teal pumpkin outside their homes to indicate that they have non-food treats that are safe for kids with food allergies.

Teach Kids to Ask First

For young kids with food allergies, it’s crucial to carry candy for them to avoid accidental contact. They should also learn to read the label before eating sweets or food. If unsure, teach them to throw or give the product away. A list of safe treats can help ease kids’ fears of food allergies. Educating your child on safety around their allergy is crucial.

Talk to Teachers

If your child’s class has a Halloween party, you can also play a vital role in preventing a dangerous allergic reaction. Before the event, talk to the teachers and ask them to help organize the party. You can also volunteer to bring a non-food treat.

Make a Plan for Unsafe Treats

Before the event, plan with your child about what to do after trick-or-treating if they get unsafe treats. For instance, instead of just taking away your child’s dangerous sweets, ask them to exchange them for toys or books.

Make Your Traditions

You can also host a costume party at your home instead of giving sweets. For instance, instead of sharing sweets, you can provide trick-or-treating kids with non-food treats such as glow sticks and fake mustaches.

Originally published at JenniferPowersNYC.Medium.com

Setting a Consistent Bedtime Routine for Kids

Getting enough sleep is very important for a healthy and balanced life. It can help children develop their physical, emotional, and mental health. However, setting a consistent bedtime routine for children can also be very challenging. This is why it’s essential to establish a strategy to help your child get enough sleep.

RESTRICT ACCESS TO ELECTRONICS

One of the first steps to establishing a consistent bedtime routine is to remove electronic devices from your child’s bedroom. This will help prevent screen time and improve their sleep quality.

This strategy aims to establish a quiet and consistent bedtime routine for your child. This will allow them to develop good sleep quality and avoid screen time.

HAVE A CLEAR SCHEDULE

One of the most critical steps to establishing a consistent bedtime routine is to create a schedule that includes all the necessary steps. This can be done by having a visual plan that shows each step.

One of the most important factors to remember is that each child has a unique bedtime routine. Bathtime can be a relaxing experience for some, while others are more excited about it. You can also change it up later in the evening if it helps keep the child’s energy levels up.

PREPARE A RELAXING ENVIRONMENT WITH MINIMAL DISTRACTIONS

Before setting a consistent bedtime routine, you must identify the areas where your child will be sleeping. If there are many toys and stuffed animals in the bedroom, it might be a problem. Limiting the number of these items can help prevent the child from playing when they should be sleeping.

If your child is afraid to go to sleep alone or doesn’t like the dark, you can use a spray bottle filled with water and a drop or two of calming lavender to help ease their anxiety. This will be part of their bedtime routine.

DON’T RUSH TO ANSWER EVERY CALL

You should wait a few seconds before answering your child’s call. Give them a chance to fall asleep independently, and make the wait longer each time.

Before setting a consistent bedtime routine, you must establish a relaxed and comfortable environment for your child’s bedroom. A good, personalized bedtime routine can help children develop good sleep quality and avoid screen time. One of the most important factors to keep in mind is to stick to it as much as possible. This will allow you to see the results of your efforts in the long run.

Originally published at JenniferPowers.me

Best Podcasts for New Parents

When you’re about to become a new parent, whether you were planning on having a child naturally or waited a long time to get pregnant, it can be stressful. In reality, parenting and pregnancy can be very challenging, but it’s also full of blessings and joy. Having the correct information can help you prepare for the challenges ahead. One of the best ways to prepare for parenthood is by learning from experts such as medical professionals and experienced parents. This can help you navigate the various challenges parenthood can throw you. We searched the internet for the best podcasts to help you understand and navigate the various challenges parenthood can throw at you.

PREGNANCY PODCAST

For years, the Pregnancy Podcast has been providing new and expecting parents with the latest information on pregnancy-related topics. In addition to being a great source of information, this show tackles some of the biggest questions new parents have about childbirth and prenatal care. The show hosts, Vanessa and her guests, walk you through the various steps involved in becoming a new parent. They also cover particular topics, which makes them an ideal source for new parents. The show hosts are very knowledgeable about all the subjects they cover, making them an ideal source for new parents. The library of the show is also full of helpful articles. Since the episodes are usually only 20 minutes long, starting and finishing them while cooking dinner is easy.

RESPECTFUL PARENTING: JANET LANSBURY UNRUFFLED

Janet is an expert in the parenting space, having published two books on childcare and parenting and being a parenting consultant and website builder. She has also dedicated over 200 episodes to helping other parents navigate through the various challenges of parenthood. In her show, Janet breaks down complicated concepts in a conversational style. The way she talks about topics makes it feel like she’s sitting next to you. The program’s library features several short talks on parenting topics. Over the years, Janet has helped many parents improve their interactions with their kids. She has also helped them deal with the tension in their marriage caused by their kids. Janet’s advice and information benefit new mothers with difficult kids prone to lying and stealing. After listening to Janet for a couple of years, you’ll better understand the dynamics of family life and child development.

SOLO PARENT SOCIETY

This is also a great place for single parents. In addition to receiving practical advice, this podcast features deep discussions about the various feelings that new parents are going through. The Solo Parent Society aims to help single parents raise healthy kids and grow their self-esteem through conversations with other parents. Many of the show’s examples are of parents who have already walked away from their marriage. The content is also relevant to other parents.

Originally published at JenniferPowers.me

Helping Kids Through Social Anxiety

According to the ADA, around one in eight children suffer from anxiety disorders. One of the most common disorders is social anxiety, which is characterized by a feeling of being uncomfortable in social settings. This anxiety can be triggered by negative evaluations and judgment from other people. As a result, anxious kids often avoid interacting with people in public.

One of the most important differences between social anxiety and shyness is that the former is a disorder while the latter is a personality trait. For instance, shy kids may not exhibit negative feelings and can warm up to people around them.

However, being around other people can be very distressing for kids with social anxiety. They avoid social settings entirely due to their fear of being judged.

Signs and Symptoms

Different kids have different symptoms. For instance, some kids with social anxiety may have difficulty speaking, sweating, and nausea. On the other hand, others may have negative thinking patterns, such as assuming that other people are thinking negatively about them.

For kids with social anxiety, socializing is often a goal, but they avoid social situations altogether due to their fears of being judged and their performance. In addition, they may exhibit aggressive behavior when they are around other people. This condition can also manifest in school events and extracurricular activities.

How to Help

Teaching your kids coping techniques can help them manage their social anxiety. Some of these include positive self-talk, deep breathing, and grounding.

While encouraging your child to face anxiety-provoking situations, try to validate their feelings. Explain to them that they are anxious and that you will help them cope with the stressor. This can be done without reinforcing avoidance. For instance, you can tell them that you are confident that they can handle the stressor by communicating their confidence in their ability to do so.

Consider Therapy

If your child is struggling with social anxiety, you might want to seek professional help. A child therapist can help them develop coping skills and manage their condition. They can also help them discard negative thinking patterns.

By gradually exposing them to more social situations, they can learn to face their fears without avoiding them. This will help them develop their confidence in being able to interact with others.

4 Tips For Traveling With Your Kids

Going on vacation with our kids can be a blast. It allows us to form happy and fun memories with the entire family and can be a great way for everyone to get away from the stress of the real world. Unfortunately, traveling with our kids can also be a pain. Kids can be temperamental, easily distracted, and hard to entertain at times. While we love our kids, we all understand that this part of being a parent can be difficult. In order to prepare for traveling with your kids, I’ve prepared a list of tips that will hopefully help you alleviate any of the possible stress that comes with it. Let’s take a look!

Plan For Things to Take Longer Than Usual

If you’re traveling without kids, you probably don’t need to worry too much about leaving buffer room in case something happens that derails your schedule. This is the opposite with kids. Kids are unpredictable, and accidents happen so you’ll want to leave wiggle room to accommodate these things. Pretty much everything will take a little longer when you’re traveling with kids due to things like temper tantrums, bathroom accidents, and much more. Be sure your schedule includes room for these unexpected turn of events.

Outline The Trip

One of the best things you can do for both yourself and your children is to let them know exactly what will be happening during your vacation. This will save everyone a lot of frustration in the long run. Kids like knowing what to expect, and it will allow them to have a happier and more comfortable time. You can give them a basic outline before you leave, and then each morning of your trip give them a more in-depth gameplan for the day. This way you won’t have to deal with them asking where you’re going, and they’ll have something to look forward to.

Pack Snacks

Kids tend to get hungry at the most inopportune times such as when you’re waiting in line or driving to your destination. When your child is hungry, they tend to become grumpy. This is a recipe for disaster, so it’s always a good idea to bring snacks along. Have something simple and healthy that you can easily store in a travel bag and give your child when they’re hungry but the next meal is a while away. You’ll thank yourself later.

Bring Their Favorite Toy

With any vacation, there will be a degree of downtime, and it’s important your child has something to entertain them during these moments. This is why you’ll want to pack their favorite toy, book, or whatever else might make them happy and keep them entertained. This can help when you’re waiting in line, waiting to be seated for dinner, and so much more.

This article was originally published on JenniferPowers.me

5 Great Autumn Activities To Enjoy With The Family

While it may still feel like summertime in some places, autumn is around the corner. That means colder temperatures, leaves falling off of the trees, and so much more. While some people will be sad that summer is coming to an end, autumn brings loads of great seasonal activities that the family can enjoy together. If you’re looking to plan a fun autumn with your family, look no further than this fun-loaded list.

Go Pumpkin Picking

Many people associate the fall with Halloween and when we think of Halloween, we think of pumpkins. If you’re looking for a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, pack the kids up and go pumpkin picking. Pumpkin picking is an all-time classic fall time activity that can be loads of fun for not only the kids, but for yourself!

Learn About Leaves

The leaves that fall from the trees in the fall are beautiful and mysterious, so why not collect a few and learn about them together? The best way to do this is to do leaf rubbings. This activity is a great way to introduce your kids to all of the different parts of the leaves, such as the leaves’ veins. This is a great way to keep your kids curious and wanting to learn more about the beautiful world outside of our houses.

Create Turkey Handprints

Another classic autumn activity that we usually associate with Thanksgiving is creating turkey handprints. It’s one of the easiest and most simple fall crafts that you can do, and it’s also a great way to introduce your kids to the world of nature. You can help your child trace his or her hands on a piece of paper, and then let them color it into a turkey. After that, you can frame the little guy and hang it on the fridge for the whole family to see on Thanksgiving day.

Learn How To Crochet Or Knit Together

Since the temperature slowly gets colder as we move through the fall and into winter, we usually associate the fall with being cozy. And what’s cozier than crocheting or knitting? If you don’t know how to do either, this can be a great activity that the family can learn together. It’s a fun skill to have, and it can help get the creative juices flowing. If you do know how to do them already, that makes it even easier to help teach your kids!

Go For A Hike

The best part about fall is the changing of the leaves, and the best place to see how beautiful those leaves can be are on a hike or nature walk. Find a kid-friendly walking trail to go on, and bring your kids out to admire just how beautiful our world can really be. This is a great way to get some exercise with the family while getting so excellent and unforgettable views.

This article was originally published on JenniferPowers.me

Great YouTube Channels For Kids In 2022

If you’re the parent of a young child today, you’ll notice that kids seem to consume content very differently than they did 25 to 30 years ago. While watching television proper is still popular, such as shows on Netflix, Nick Jr. and other similar networks, the rising star today seems to be YouTube. Kids love watching content on YouTube, and there are loads of great YouTube channels that actually feature kid-safe content for your child to consume. The Internet is a tricky place though, so you may want to make sure your kids are only watching content meant for them. With that in mind, here are a few of the best YouTube channels that children can watch in 2022.

Ryan’s World

Ryan’s World is a kid-focused entertainment and education channel that was created by Ryan Kaji and his family. It was initially created to coincide with the release of his toy reviews. According to its parent company Sunlight Entertainment, the channel has grown into a multi-channel media empire that features over 20 staff animators and videographers. Although the channel still has a lot of toy-related content, the core of Ryan’s World still features educational videos that are focused on science. For instance, you can learn about space travel with Ryan as he explores the Milky Way and the Mars Rover. He also tries his hand at surfing, skiing, and snorkeling.

Socratica Kids

The Socratica Kids channel is for kids from preschool through second grade, and it features a variety of educational programs. Its on-screen hosts are puppets that are known to introduce various concepts such as science, math, and counting. The channel has been relatively quiet recently, but it’s still a great source of educational material.

Rock ‘N Learn

The Rock ‘N Learn channel is focused on providing children with a variety of educational videos for their second language learning. It features various programs that are designed to help kids learn Spanish, French, and Korean. Outside of languages, they also feature mathematics topics such as multiplication or fractions, though these are usually aimed at the older end of the viewer spectrum.

PBS Kids

Kids can watch full episodes and clips from some of the most popular programs in public broadcasting’s educational children’s programming, such as Arthur, Molly of Sunlight, and Alma’s Way. It also features story read-alongs and other special features. Most of the web offerings are appropriate for kids aged 5–10.

NatGeo Kids

The Nat Geo Kids YouTube channel is the official channel for National Geographic’s children’s magazine. It features a variety of subchannels that are designed to provide kids with a wide range of educational content. One of these is the Explorer Academy, which features short videos that are designed to introduce kids to various subjects such as underwater animals or ancient cave drawings.

This article was originally published on JenniferPowersNYC.medium.com

3 Tips For Getting Your Child To Try New Food

Raising kids is hard enough as it is, but when your kids won’t eat what’s on their plate it will likely make you want to scream. Some kids are easygoing and will eat anything put in front of them, but many parents struggle with children who are super picky eaters, whether it’s because they don’t like the way a food looks, the way it smells, the way it feels, and sometimes for no real reason at all! We want our kids to have a healthy and balanced diet though, and sometimes that means having to find ways to get them to at least try something new. Here are a few tips to help you get your kids to try new food.

Let Them Help With The Cooking

There’s nothing better than having your kids help you combine and handle the ingredients to help them understand the food they eat. It will also inspire them to be curious about the things that are being used. Younger kids can help with various tasks such as measuring, weighing, and mixing. The more invested they are in the preparation of the meal, the more likely they will eat it. This is a fun way to get your kids interested in not only eating new foods but in making food as well.

Be A Role Model

Kids like to mimic those around them, especially those of who they’re rather fond. If you want your child to eat something new, it might be a good idea to eat new foods around them while letting them know what you think of it. You’ll want to do this even if you don’t like that specific food, because ultimately this is about getting your kid to try new things. If this doesn’t work for you as the parent, perhaps have someone else be the one that is a role model, such as an older sibling, a grandparent, or some other family member who they have a fondness for.

Avoid Bribes and Forcing

While it can be tempting to bribe your child to try new food, avoid it at all costs. By bribing your child to try something new, you’ll create the expectation that every time they try new food, they’ll get some type of reward. You also should avoid forcing them to eat something. By forcing them to eat a food they don’t want to try, you’ll be associating something bad with that food, making them more reluctant to try any other new foods in the future.

Great Extracurricular’s For Your Kids

One of the best things you can do for your kids is to get them involved in various activities after the school day is over. Extracurricular activities such as sports, music, and a handful of other things are a great way for kids to expand their knowledge and skills while also giving them reasons to socialize with other kids their age. While you don’t need to have extracurriculars for your kids every day, it’ll be good for them if they have something they attend at least a few times a week. Read on for some of the best extracurricular activities you can get your kids involved in.

Sports

Sports such as baseball, basketball, and football are a great choice for keeping your kids involved after school. These activities help children develop their teamwork skills, and they can help keep your kids physically healthy as well. If you have children who are overly competitive, sports are usually a great option! One of the best things about sports is that there are so many different kinds, so if your child doesn’t like one of them, they may be better suited to a different one.

Music

Music is also a wonderful activity to get your kids involved in. Some children may enjoy playing a musical instrument, while others may instead choose to sing. Whichever it is, setting them up with private or group lessons can be a great way to not only allow them to learn something new but to build other skills such as patience and determination. Similar to sports, there are loads of options with music as well. Your child can try the piano, guitar, trumpet, drums and so much more! Or they can get into singing, doing choral pieces in a group, or perhaps getting involved in musical theater.

Book Club

If you have a child who always has their nose in a book, book clubs might be the best choice. In these book clubs, kids get to not only read the books they love so much, but they’ll be able to find other kids who share that passion for reading so they can share it with one another. Not only will a book club allow children to make friends with other kids who love to read, but they’ll also likely even discover new books and book genres that they never thought they’d enjoy!

Dancing

Dancing is one of the best types of extracurriculars you can get your kids involved with. A mixture of music and sports, dancing not only allows your kids to exercise and introduce them to new forms of music, but it can help them build up skills such as precision or self-control. Dancing can also work as a team activity since more often than not your children will have to learn and perfect choreography with other dancers on the stage.

This article was originally published on JenniferPowers.me