Studies show that 50% of parents suffer from chest pains, headaches, insomnia and anxiety during their kids’ exams. OK, that’s not true but if those studies were carried out, I’d be one of those 50%. Each year I coax myself into not stressing; failure is part of success they say; it’s their lives right, they can deal with the consequences of not studying.
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The love and affection kids receive from their grandparents is priceless. It’s a different kind of caring, gentle, genuine and filled to the brim. I see how my mum in law has all the patience in the world with all her grandkids. They love her to bits because she always has time for them.
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Remember how much time you used to spend with your friends as you were growing up? They became more and more important to you as you got older and in fact, may have helped shape you into who you are today. And then life happened and you seem to have little time for yourself let alone time with friends, right?
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Remember those carefree days when you were a kid? When the biggest decision you needed to make was whether you wanted chocolate or strawberry milkshake as your treat? And then, before you knew it, you were a teenager and worries were about how good your hairstyle was or if your clothes were fashionable enough.
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Kids of today are far more confident and challenging; they want to know everything and can prove your old wives tales wrong with a Google search. They’ll teach you how to use your new washing machine and know about the latest ruling against spanking in South Africa. Don’t be surprised to hear about politics at the supper table either.
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There’s no escaping it… Kids and technology usage are a reality and the sooner parents realise this, the better. Instead of trying to keep your child in the dark ages (which seems to be the 90s for kids of today) perhaps parents ought to equip themselves with important information that will assist them in keeping tabs on their child’s internet usage without being over-intrusive, especially with teens.
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Sport extra murals are especially popular for the majority of kids. For years and years, kids have had the opportunity to engage in extra murals and now, the list of sport related extra-curricular activities is almost exhaustive. Kids will enjoy the numerous benefits of engaging in sport extra murals, both physically and mentally.
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Many people mistakenly believe that they do not need to apply sunscreen in winter or on cloudy days. Did you know that the sun is closer to the earth during the winter months? Yes it is and this means that the sun’s rays are harsher and stronger than in summer.
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Would you ever consider driving your kids around without buckling them up in a seat belt? How about riding their bikes without a helmet? No, you wouldn’t. Why then are we allowing our kids to use the internet without any safety or security measures in place?
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And so it has arrived… the year my son becomes a teenager. Looking back to the time he was born, I remember how so many parents were willing to give me all kinds of advice about having a baby. (Some not so welcomed but taken nonetheless) But as they get older and reach different phases of their lives (and mine), it seems the advice runs drier. Grandparents often tell stories about when we were their age but times are so different that it’s as though we’re dealing with a new species of human.
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We all want to do the best for our kids. When it comes to their well being and development, this couldn’t be more true. So how do we as parents navigate the issue of extra murals? Try everything under the sun or focus on something that your child loves? How would you know what your child loves if you don’t try everything under the sun?
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It’s the start of the new school year and for many children it’s an exciting time. For some though the return to school may be riddled with anxiety and stress, possibly caused by bullying. A parent’s first reaction may be one of rage and anger, no parent wants their child to be the subject of bullying. I’ve come across a lovely book and CD by Alicia Thomas-Woolf that will help parents teach their kids to deal with bullying positively.
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The festive season is notorious for break-ins, hold-ups and all sorts of attempts at ruining a perfectly good end to the year. Here are a few tips to bear in mind before you hit the road… or the malls.
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