7 Tricks for Teaching Kids How to Budget

Financial literacy is so important, but unfortunately, it isn’t taught in many schools. That means it is up to parents to teach kids how to budget.

Fortunately, this is much easier than it sounds. By giving your kids opportunities to practice budgeting, you are teaching them an essential lifelong skill.

1. Let Them Shop for a Meal

Give your kids a budget for grocery shopping for a special meal for the family. Make sure you give them a realistic amount of money but stress that they cannot spend more than you have given them. Instead, they will have to add up costs and find ingredients that fit their budget.

2. Allow Them to Plan a Family Activity

Kids don’t seem to grasp that activities cost money, so put them in charge of planning a family activity. This means giving them a budget and allowing them to find something fun to do with their limited budget. They’ll quickly learn to search for budget-friendly activities, like hiking or dollar movies.

3. Have Them Plan a Party

One of my favorite tricks for teaching kids to budget is to let them plan a party. I gave my daughters the chance to plan a sleepover and set a budget. They were responsible for using this budget to get all the party supplies and food.

4. Encourage Them to Set a Savings Goal

Kids need to understand that there is a real reason to budget. That’s why I encourage my daughters to have a goal in mind of something they want to buy, like American Doll accessories or LEGO sets. If they have a savings goal, they can better understand why they need to budget the money they have.

5. Find Ways to Entertain Them

The best way to teach kids to budget is to fool them into thinking they aren’t learning anything. It’s what the best teachers do! Find ways to make learning fun. For example, every time you play Monopoly or Life, they learn about making financial decisions. There are also several movies that provide valuable lessons about money, such as Blank Check, Confessions of a Shopaholic, and Harry Potter.

6. Set a Vacation Spending Budget

If your kids are anything like my girls, you know the pain of vacation shopping. Every time we walk into a gift shop, my daughters go crazy and want “just one more thing.” And each thing adds up! Instead of giving in to their begging on vacation, we now give them a vacation budget. At the start of each vacation, we tell our girls how much money they have in their vacation spending budget. This money goes towards souvenirs and extra snacks. Once they spend all the money, that’s it.

7. Give Them Opportunities to Earn Money

If you want to teach kids how to budget, you need to give them opportunities to earn money. They can’t practice budgeting if they don’t have any funds! Pay them to help with extra chores around the house and encourage them to look for other opportunities to make money.

What tips do you have for teaching kids how to budget? Share in the comments!

15+ Kid-Friendly April Fools' Day Pranks for Families

April Fools' Day is the end of this week (Friday, April 1st), so now is the time to prepare to prank your kids.

According to LiveScience, "Scientists say it's not only OK, but such humor plays an important role in American culture and society, and also helps humans bond with each other."

If done correctly, this can be a day full of silliness and fun. Your kids will laugh about the pranks you pulled on them for years to come.

How Did April Fools' Day Begin

Historians believe April Fools' Day may have started as early as 1582, but there are many theories about why it began.

According to The History Channel, April Fools' Day may have started for the following reasons:

• "When France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. […] People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1 and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 became the butt of jokes and hoaxes and were called 'April fools.'"

• "Historians have also linked April Fools' Day to festivals such as Hilaria (Latin for joyful), which was celebrated in ancient Rome at the end of March by followers of the cult of Cybele."

• "There's also speculation that April Fools' Day was tied to the vernal equinox, or first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing, unpredictable weather."

Today, April Fools' Day is celebrated worldwide with people doing silly pranks and then shouting, "April Fools!" to those being pranked.

Understand the Point

It's important to understand that the point of April Fools' Day is to laugh. It isn't to mock, make fun, or belittle.

April Fools' Day pranks should be harmless. If the prank will cause your child to cry, then it is a prank you should avoid.

Parents should also understand that kids will most certainly try to prank their parents back – so play along!

Kid-Friendly April Fools' Day Pranks

1. Change the Alexa Wake Up Word: Super easy but very annoying

2. Put Googly Eyes on Everything: Add eyes to their lunch, foods in the pantry, etc.

3. Use Food Coloring Liberally: Turn their milk blue, change the color of the toilet bowl water

4. Plastic Wrap Doors: When they are asleep on March 31st, plastic wrap their door for a morning surprise.

5. Shift the Morning Alarm: Wake kids up way before their normal time, and then once they start getting ready, yell "April Fools!"

6. Write a Hidden Message on Toilet Paper: Unfold the toilet paper, write a funny note, and reroll the TP

7. Balloon Door Trap: Blow up a bunch of balloons and use painter's tape to secure them in a cage on their bedroom door. When they open the door, all the balloons will fall out.

8. Amazing Growth Spurt: Lay out clothing that is a few sizes too big

9. Serve Brown E's: Tell the kids you made brownies and watch them discover paper cut into the letter E

10. Give Them a Frozen Breakfast: Freeze a bowl of cereal with milk and spoon

11. Bust Out the Fake Bugs: Hide fake bugs strategically around the house

12. Short Sheet the Bed: While kids are at school or in the bath, short sheet the bed that evening.

13. Fill Their Pillowcase: Take their pillow out of their pillowcase and refill their case with balloons

14. Sit Out Whoopie Cushions: Place whoopie cushions in their seats

15. Prepare a Moldy Sandwich: Use green food coloring to make their bread look moldy

16. Make Undrinkable Juice: Prepare grape jelly in juice cups and watch them try to drink it

17. Put a Honk Sign on Your Car: Place a "Honk for April Fools' Day" sign on your car

18. Have a Ridiculous Argument: Start a silly argument, such as "No! You can't wear shoes to school today."

10 Things to Catch Up On This Spring Break

Whenever spring break hits, I am in shock and awe that we are almost at the end of another school year. And I am even more alarmed by all the good intentions I had at the start of the school year that have not happened yet.

I am all about traveling over spring break, but there are years when it is wiser to stay home. So if that is you this year, use the days off to catch up on the many things you have wanted to do but just haven’t gotten around to.

Here are ten things on my spring break catch up list.

1. TV Shows

I suffer serious television FOMO. And I have a lot of it because there are so many good shows and so little time! I hope to find time this spring break to binge watch one of the popular series I have heard so much about.

2. Books

I read a lot before I had kids. Now that my girls are older, they give me a bit more space. Over spring break, I’d like to finally finish that book that I have started and put down a hundred times.

3. Taxes

Doing taxes isn’t my favorite thing, but they must be done. I look forward to knocking this boring task out during spring break.

4. Friendships

If you are anything like me, you have good intentions of getting together with your girlfriends, inviting that family over for dinner, and checking in with that long-lost friend… but life got in the way, and those things haven’t happened yet. Over spring break, I hope to find times for friendship.

5. Scheduling Appointments

One of my least favorite chores is calling and scheduling all the appointments moms need to schedule (various doctor’s appointments, dental appointments, etc.). I want to set aside a chunk of time to schedule all the appointments in the near future.

6. Outdoor Landscaping

Spring always makes me want to spend all my time outdoors. But after winter, my yard is in bad shape. And I don’t have the time to clean it up on the weekends. Over spring break, I want to clean it up and turn my backyard back into an oasis.

7. Indoor Cleaning

Spring break is a great time to do some spring cleaning. I plan to get the whole family involved so we can tackle our spring break list in no time.

8. Renovations and Makeovers

If you aren’t traveling, spring break is a wonderful time to finally do the home projects sitting on the back burner. Use your time off to renovate a bathroom or give your kid a bedroom makeover.

9. Summer Planning

Nothing makes you more ready to plan a summer vacation than a spring break spent at home! Use that motivation to your advantage! Go ahead and plan the perfect summer vacation. Book your tickets and start a countdown. And don’t forget to sign your kids up for summer camp.

10. Wardrobe Swap

Spring break is also the perfect time to swap your cold weather wardrobe for your warm weather wardrobe. Donate the clothes that no longer fit or have gone out of style. Look through your warm weather wardrobe and take note of what is missing. Then, go shopping!

Spring Allergy Season Must-Dos

March 20, 2022 is officially the first day of spring. As much as I am looking forward to warming temperatures, I am not looking forward to spring allergy season.

I am determined to make it through this springtime with less sneezing, watery eyes, and stuffiness. After talking to my doctor and considering my previous spring allergy seasons, here are the things I am doing differently.

Choose Your Outdoor Time Wisely

Springtime temperatures call to me: “Come outside, Rachel! Enjoy the sun on your shoulders!” But, I’ve learned the hard way that I shouldn’t always rush outdoors just because the sun is shining.

If the pollen counts are high or too many pretty things are blooming, it is wiser for me to stay indoors. So I head to the gym instead of hiking through a park. If it is windy, I also plan to stay indoors to avoid the wind blowing all the pollen into my nose.

When you need to be outdoors on a day when your allergies are at their worst, wear a face mask.

Take Your Meds

Daily allergy medicine, like Claritin, works most effectively when it has time in your system. So, it is best to start taking your allergy medication before you start experiencing all the usual allergy symptoms.

Once you start taking your allergy medicine, keep it up! Set an alarm and take it every day.

Watch What You Bring In

It is so tempting to open the windows and air out the house in the springtime, but this is dangerous for allergy sufferers. As much as you want to enjoy that fresh air, you will do better with the AC when things are in bloom.

Take off your shoes when you enter your home instead of tracking allergens throughout your home.

Vacuum and dust regularly.

Towel off your pets when they come back inside from outdoors.

Protect Your Eyes

During spring allergy season, I wear my glasses more often – especially if I am outdoors.

I also use eye drops.

When I am working from home, I am surrounded by flowers just in time for allergy season to come full blown! With my eyes getting itchy from allergies, I need something that works fast to provide relief!

That’s why Pataday® Once Daily Relief is the perfect solution this allergy season. It contains the #1 doctor prescribed eye allergy itch relief ingredient. In addition, these once-a-day eye drops work in minutes!

Now @pataday is over the counter and is a great way to fight itchy allergy eyes!

Check the Pollen Counts

Some days are worse than others for your allergies.

I’ve found checking the pollen count to be really helpful for deciding if I am going to exercise outdoors or at the gym.

The Weather Channel app predicts allergy symptoms with a “very low,” “moderate,” or “very high” level.

Pollen.com is another option.

And Zyrtec has an Allergy Tracker App.

What tips do you have for spring allergy season? Please share them below!

Toys and Books to Celebrate Women's History Month

As a mom of two little women, I am being intentional about celebrating Women's History Month this March.

My girls are growing up in a time when women are celebrated more than ever before – because of the many generations of women before them.

It's hard for them to imagine not being allowed to vote, work, or have their own credit card because of their gender.

Regine Muradian, Psy.D., a California-based clinical psychologist explains for Parents, "You can tell your children, 'We celebrate things so we don't forget them […] We celebrate so we honor how hard women fought to get to where they are today.'”

I want my girls to recognize and understand the importance of this history.

The following toys and books make it easy and fun for kids to celebrate Women’s History Month.

Little People, BIG DREAMS

We love the Little People, BIG DREAMS biography books! The series features many incredible women, from Amanda Gorman to Gloria Steinem and more. They all started as little people with big dreams and achieved incredible accomplishments!

This series includes many different types of changemakers, from artists to scientists and activists. These books are all told as a story, with facts and photo sections in the back, making them great resources for kids to read and learn.

The books are available in hardcover (ages 3-7) and board book formats (ages 0-3), and the website also has coloring sheets and fun activities that you can download for your kids.

American Girl Dolls

It’s no secret how much we love American Girl. It is one of our go-to toy brands. Not only are these dolls super high-quality and diverse, but they honor history.

The American Girl doll books are historical fiction that specifically tackles issues that girls in the past overcame, covering topics such as voting rights. However, even the more recent books feature young women overcoming challenges, such as earning a spot on the school sports team.

If your child has an American Girl doll, encourage her to read the related book or create a backstory that celebrates her value as a woman.

LEGO

Another go-to toy brand, LEGO, has a special set that works well for Women’s History Month. This set is the LEGO Women of NASA Building Kit. It includes astronomer Nancy Grace Roman, computer scientist Margaret Hamilton, astronaut and physicist Sally Ride, and astronaut, physician and engineer Mae Jemison.

Inspiring Women Barbie Collection

We also love Barbie here in our home. And the Inspiring Women Series is one more reason why! This unique series features female heroes that made their mark on the world. Instead of a made-up backstory, these are beautiful doll representations of amazing women, such as Helen Keller, Ida B. Wells, and Rosa Parks.

Bold Made

We love card games like Old Maid. Bold Made is a re-imagining, positive spin on the classic card game. You play the game the same way (or like Go Fish), but the cards are designed with beautiful illustrations of brave, change-making women from history, such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Malala Yousafzai.

Know of any other fun resources to celebrate Women’s History Month? Share them in the comments!

10 Ways to Spring Clean Your Digital Life

Spring cleaning is upon us. While I always strive to declutter and deep clean areas of my house, I realized another space in my life desperately needs a spring cleaning. I’m talking about my digital life.

Things pile up in our digital worlds just like they do in the real world, which is why I am going to focus on spring cleaning my digital life this year.

Here are the 10 ways I plan to spring clean my digital life.

Clean Out Your Inbox

Just like you declutter your junk drawer each spring, you need to declutter your inbox. If promotional emails have piled up, delete them. If you still have emails in your inbox from last year’s teacher, delete them. If you still have emails with previous vacation itineraries, delete them.

Hit Unsubscribe

After you do a big inbox purge, it’s time to think about how you can cut down on the number of emails you receive regularly. I’m a big fan of hitting unsubscribe at the bottom of emails as I receive them. However, I know of several people who really like unroll.me, which is an online program that unsubscribes you from an email list you don’t want to be on.

Delete Photos

If you’re like me, you take approximately 10 photos of your kids to get one good one. But, I tend to allow the other 9 photos to take up storage space on my devices or my cloud service. I plan to sit down one evening with a glass of wine, a good mindless TV show, and delete, delete, delete.

Curate Your Social Media Feed

Make sure you spring clean your social media. If you follow people that make you feel bad about yourself, unfollow them. Who you follow should bring you joy. Also, if you have people following you that you wish wouldn’t, remove them.

Say Goodbye to Contacts

I recently discovered that my Amazon Alexa connects to all my phone’s contacts – email and phone contacts. Since I have random contacts from years ago, it means my kids could accidentally call one of these strangers. Yikes! It made me realize that I really need to delete contacts of people I have no intention of ever speaking to again.

Cancel Spam Callers

Tired of getting spam calls or spam texts? Take just a few minutes to register with the National Do Not Call Registry.

Remove Unused Apps

It only takes a few minutes to remove the unused apps on your phone if your phone doesn’t do it automatically. But, I also think now is an excellent time to review the apps on your phone and see if they are time wasters. For example, this may be the time you decide to delete social media apps from your device and only check those sites from your computer.

Set Digital Reminders

Have you ever questioned when you need to go to an annual doctor’s appointment? If you don’t stay on top of it, these things slip through the cracks. This year, I set reminders for the month I need to see each of my doctors to call and schedule my annual appointments.

Use a Password Manager

Instead of forgetting passwords and having to reset them constantly, I am going to invest in a password manager this year. Password managers keep all your passwords and monitor them to make sure they are keeping your accounts safe and protected. Check out PC Mag’s The Best Password Managers for 2022.

What tips do you have for spring cleaning your digital life?

How to Say No the Right Way

One of the biggest struggles for many women is saying no. I struggled with saying no, but I have gotten much better about it over time. However, I had to recognize that it was hard for me to say no first, then I had to be intentional about saying no. I know I’m not the only one.

According to The Swaddle, “Human relations and interactions are quite reliant on reciprocity, which makes us feel that not obliging socially, will threaten our bonds with people. […] Amid our struggles to fit in and be liked by our peers, we worry that saying ‘no’ might make those same peers reject us. The fear of saying no also stems from the urge to avoid conflicts, or confrontation. Another reason why people tend to worry about saying no is because they don’t want to disappoint others, or hurt their feelings.”

If you relate, use the following tips to learn how to master the art of saying no.

Know How To Identify A Clear No

First things first – you need to know when saying no is the correct answer. Here are two ideas I use to help me decide if my answer is a yes or a no.

• If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no. I’ve found this one is especially helpful for social activities. For example, “Hell yes, I want to go to brunch!” versus “Yeah sure, I’ll go to dinner on Friday after a super busy work week.”

• Whenever you say “yes” to something, you say “no” to something else. Or vice versa. Saying no to staying later at work means yes to dinner at home with the kids. Saying yes to a relaxing day at the spa with my girlfriends means saying no to Saturday morning chores. What do you need more?

Remind Yourself It Is Okay to Say No

It is much easier to say no if you know and truly understand it is okay to do so. Ask any woman who has burned herself completely out from saying yes too many times. Remind yourself it is okay to say no and that if someone doesn’t accept your no, you don’t need that kind of toxic person in your life anyway.

Add a Compliment

People are more receptive to the word “no” if it is cushioned with a compliment.

For example, “You do such an amazing job with this charity event every year, but unfortunately, I am unable to participate this year.”

Be Gracious

Treat being asked as an honor instead of a burden.

For example, “Thank you so much for thinking of me! While I would love to support the school in this way, I don’t have the space in my calendar this spring.”

Provide a Reason

While I don’t think you owe it to anyone, providing a reason is a good way to ensure the person asking will drop it. With that being said, don’t give them the whole story if you don’t want (or need) to.

For example, “I have to say no. I am swamped with work, extracurriculars, and taking care of my aging parents.”

Get to the Point Without Being Rude

There are some moments when a short and sweet no is all that is required, such as when you are asked to do something by a stranger.

For example, “Sorry, but no” or “Sorry, but I can’t help with that.”

Consider the Future

If you genuinely would like to say yes but simply can’t for some reason, leave the door open for the future.

For example, “Sadly, I have to say no. My weekends are booked for March, but please ask me again in April.”

Say Yes With Boundaries

There may be times when you want to say yes, but you also know you can’t say yes to everything.

For example, “I can help, but I will need to leave no later than 11.”

Think On It

When you are put on the spot, don’t say yes or no. Instead, simply ask for more time.

“I’ll get back to you” or “I’ll let you know.”

The key here is to really think about it and not use it as a brush-off. Use the time to decide if it is a yes or no. Then, if the answer is no, figure out which strategy to use.

No Celebration is Complete Without Rémy Martin XO

Happy Lunar New Year! Here’s hoping you and your family have a healthy and prosperous Year of the Tiger.

The past few years have been tough, so I have taken this Lunar New Year quite seriously. I am ready to focus on the positive.

The tiger traditionally symbolizes bravery, wisdom, and strength, and I believe that is what this year will bring.

That’s why I have made a point to celebrate this Lunar New Year in a big way – and indulging in the limited edition Rémy Martin XO is one of the most fitting ways to do so.

Our Go-To Drink for a Luxurious Celebration

No celebration is complete without raising a glass of cognac to cheers.

But it can’t be just any old cognac. A celebration deserves the best, which is why Rémy Martin XO is a fixture for our celebrations.

Rémy Martin is the maker of one of the most well-known and luxurious cognacs globally – for very good reason.

Since 1742, Rémy Martin has been curating brandy made exclusively from grapes grown in the Cognac region of France. Hence the superior quality and flavor notes of Rémy Martin XO.

You can taste the difference, and there is no better taste than luxury for a celebration like Lunar New Year. 

Why I’m Thrilled with Rémy Martin Family Spirit Campaign 

As a longtime fan of Rémy Martin, I was thrilled to learn about the Rémy Martin XO Family Spirit campaign for the Lunar New Year.

The Family Spirit campaign highlights the bond between tradition and modernity across the generations of families and friends who gather at the table of Lunar New Year celebrations with the timelessness of Rémy Martin XO.

Each Lunar New Year, different generations of family and friends gather to celebrate the old traditions of our unique and powerful heritage while also embracing today. 

With two young daughters, Lunar New Year is very special. My girls have grown up in New York City, but I want them to know and respect the customs of our culture. During Lunar New Year, we have the incredible privilege of teaching the next generation about their heritage. 

I love that the Rémy Martin XO Family Spirit campaign honors my culture and traditions in such a meaningful way.

We can raise a glass while eating a traditional Lunar New Year meal and passing out red envelopes. 

The Rémy Martin XO is a Complete Sensory Experience

The lavish limited edition Rémy Martin XO is a complete sensory experience. 

From the second it arrived, I was in awe. 

The gift box alone is stunning, but then I opened it to reveal the most beautiful and intricate decanter.

The limited-edition glass decanter includes the ornate personal branding of Rémy Martin and several pictographs representative of Chinese culture.

What a unique and powerful way to honor my heritage. It is a treasure I will enjoy long after the last drop of cognac has been poured. 

Beyond the visual experience, the tasting experience is one-of-a-kind. One taste will help you see why Rémy Martin XO is beloved by connoisseurs. 

How to Elevate Lunar New Year with Rémy Martin XO

I always look forward to celebrating certain traditions during the Lunar New Year.

The limited-edition Rémy Martin XO makes it easy to celebrate these traditions – and elevate them.

The delicious flavor of Rémy Martin XO can be enjoyed on its own, but what makes this limited edition gift box even more special is that it includes a QR code that provides exclusive access to recipes for cocktails and food, specially designed for the Lunar New Year.

We enjoyed old fashions and crab rangoons using these exclusive recipes. 

While these were enjoyed during the Lunar New Year, I have no doubt we will pull out these recipes to elevate other celebrations throughout this Year of the Tiger. 

The Special Edition Rémy Martin Even Includes a Fun Activity

While drinking a glass of Rémy Martin XO is a special activity all its own, I love that this special gift set includes a Bầu cua cá cọp game board and dice. 

Bầu cua cá cọp is a traditional dice game that is popularly played during Lunar New Year. 

The special edition game set consists of a game board and three six-sided dice. Each side of the dice displays one of the six characters of the game (Deer, Gourd, Rooster, Fish, Crab, and Prawn). The game board also displays all six characters that correspond with the dice.

My husband and I loved throwing the dice and making our predictions as we sipped Rémy Martin XO.

Rémy Martin is Making It Easy to Look Stylish While You Indulge

In addition to releasing this lavish Rémy Martin XO for the Lunar New Year, they have also created a limited-edition Lunar New Year jacket with designer Sue Tsai.

The bold and edgy look is inspired by the Year of the Tiger, with detailed, vibrant tiger imagery. 

This exclusive piece is available at NTWRK for a limited time, with proceeds going to the Asia Society, whose purpose is to foster insight, encourage engagement, and elevate the voices of the Asian community.

Indulge with Rémy Martin XO and splurge on this luxury fashion collaboration. 

My Go-To Toy Brands

As long as toymakers keep inventing toys that encourage creativity, imagination, and fun, I’m going to keep buying them!

Honestly, the day my girls pack up their toys and say goodbye, I’m going to cry some big Toy Story tears.

Part of the reason is because today’s toys are fantastic.

If you know the right brands, you can purchase toys that are well-made, high-quality, and long-lasting. Plus, they will be toys that not only entertain your kids but teach them something.

That’s likely why Capitol Counselor reports, “In 2020, the US retail sales of toys reached $25.14 billion.”

Parents are willing to spend the money when they see that toys are worthwhile.

Now that my girls are a little bit older, I have noticed that certain toy brands we return to repeatedly. For a good reason! My girls love the toys by these brands, and I don’t feel like I have wasted my money.

So, the next time you are searching for a gift for a kid, look to these go-to toy brands.

American Girl

If you have followed me for any amount of time, you know my girls are huge fans of American Girl Dolls.

These dolls are pricey, but they are worth every penny. The craftsmanship is superb, and I love my daughters having dolls that look like them!

Here is some history about American Girl: “Since the first catalogue debuted in 1986, American Girl has provided inspiring products for each stage of a young girl's development—from her preschool days of baby dolls and fantasy play through her tween years of self-expression and individuality. Through an array of premium-quality books, dolls, clothes, toys, and accessories, American Girl has earned the loyalty of millions of girls and the praise and trust of parents and educators.”

KidKraft

Imaginative play is at the heart of KidKraft products. We have owned several, including kitchens and dollhouses, and I can tell you that they are built to last (and last).

KidKraft makes it easy for kids to pretend and explore.

They say it best: “KidKraft products are sold in more than 90 countries, resulting in infinite smiles from children around the world.”

Mattel

It’s no surprise that Mattel is a go-to toy brand, bringing in 4.58 billion US dollars last year.

Mattel has been around since 1945 and makes favorites, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, and UNO.

Speaking of Barbie – did you know over 1 billion Barbie dolls have been sold since she first was introduced?

According to Mattel’s About Us, “Mattel creates toys appropriate for children at various developmental stages, designing products to match their current abilities while challenging them so they can learn and grow.”

VTech

My girls have owned several VTech toys since they were babies.

These tech-based toys are great educational products that kids are instantly drawn to.

Thankfully, my girls haven’t outgrown VTech yet. But, sadly, the day is coming since the toys are more from elementary and under.

The good news is that they are so well-made that we can pass our well-loved VTech toys down to the next generation.

What are your go-to toy brands?

Lessons To Teach Your Kids This Valentine's Day

It's February, and the shelves are lined in red and pink for Valentine's Day.

Have you ever given much thought to the opportunity you have on Valentine's Day to teach kids about love?

I'll be honest, it used to be a fleeting thought, but for the last few years, I've been trying to be more intentional.

Here are some ideas I have picked up that I am passing along to you.

Show Kids They Are Loved With Words

Words matter. The more often kids hear they are loved, the more likely they will believe it.

Valentine's Day makes it easy to show your kids you love them with words.

Write them a note and put it in their lunchbox. Write a message on their bathroom mirror. Say it out loud. Better yet, shout it!

Show Kids They Are Loved With Time

We all know that actions speak louder than words.

In addition to using words on Valentine's Day to express yourself, use your time.

Put down your phone, turn off the TV, and spend some quality one-on-one time with your child.

Do a craft, bake, or enjoy a shared activity together.

Show Kids They Are Loved With Gifts

While kids shouldn't be taught that gifts equal love, a thoughtful gift is a nice gesture of love.

When these gifts come along with your words and attention, they are even more meaningful.

Show Kids How To Love Others

On Valentine's Day, kids give out little valentines to their classmates and friends.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to teach them the importance of showing love to everyone – even people who are different than them.

In addition, they are learning from you how to show love to others. Let them hear you tell your spouse you love him, see you exchange gifts, or spend time together.

Show Kids How To Accept Love

It's also vital that you show kids how to accept love.

Receiving love is essential to our overall well-being.

The easiest way to teach this, beyond showing kids unconditional love, is to accept the love they give you.

This means not wiping off the slimy kisses or resisting hugs. It means hearing their words of love and responding.

Show Kids You Love Yourself

Dee Ray, director of the Center for Play Therapy, explains, "It’s not enough for a parent to love and accept the child for the child to truly learn self-love. [Kids] must also see that the parents love and accept themselves. Watching a parent make mistakes and be imperfect, yet still be loving and accepting of self, is a powerful way to encourage children to love themselves.”

Show Kids It Is More Than One Day A Year

One final Valentine’s Day love lesson for kids – it is more than one day of the year.

Make sure you tell kids that the ways love is expressed on Valentine's Day can (and should) be done throughout the year.

What do you plan to do to make Valentine’s Day special for your kids?