How Parents Can Help Their Kids Academically

Every parent wants their child or teen to succeed in school. However, raising kids who excel in academics can often feel like an overwhelming and quite difficult task. If you want your child to do well academically, then follow these tips on how you can help your child to become an excellent student.

Create An Environment Conducive To Studying

It's hard enough for kids and teens to stay diligent about doing their homework. However, this task is made even more difficult when kids don't live in an environment that is conducive to studying. It's important for parents to make their home a place where kids can focus on their studies. This means that in the afternoons and early evenings, parents should make a point of keeping their homes relatively quiet and peaceful.

Stay In Communication With Teachers

One of the best academic support systems for any young student is a solid connection between their teachers and their parents. For example, those who work for Landon education strive to create a solid parent-teacher relationship in each Landon school. It's crucial that parents attend all conferences and reach out to teachers, especially if their child seems to be struggling or falling behind.

Talk To Your Child

Sometimes, if your student is falling behind, remedying the situation can be as simple as having a conversation with them. Without yelling or getting angry, talk to your child or teen about what is behind their lack of academic success. When parents demonstrate that they are invested in their son or daughter's academic careers, students are more likely to feel encouraged and motivated to succeed.

Reward Academic Success

You don't have to cut your child a check for every good grade. However, kids respond well to positive reinforcement. Creating incentives for good academic performances can be a great way to encourage your child to succeed academically. It can be as simple as a small gift or granting your child a later curfew. Working towards a reward is better for your child's psyche than working solely to avoid a punishment.

Don't Put Too Much Pressure On Your Child

It's good for parents to stay invested in their child's academics. This can be very useful in encouraging a young person to stay on track and it gives them the sense that they are supported both in and out of school. However, parents who put too intense of pressure on their children can sometimes cause their kids to perform badly academically. When kids feel like their parents are putting too much pressure on them, they can feel overwhelmed and simply give up. It's important that parents stay involved, but they need to remember to be sympathetic and sensitive to their kids' emotions. When kids try but fail in school, they need to know that their parents will be empathetic.

Parents must stay involved in the academic careers of their children. Kids who don't feel like they have their parents' support risk falling behind in school. However, it's important that parents know how to stay involved the right way. It's important to push kids towards academic success, but it's also important that parents don't make kids feel overwhelmed or overly fearful of failure. If you follow these tips, you can ensure that your kids do well in school.

The Box House by Brigid Marlin - REVIEW

The Box House by Brigid Marlin

The 411 by Maria:

The book cuts to the heart. You immediately want to take Cassie and her siblings far far away and give them everything they have been missing. Cassie at 8 years old is the eldest of 5 children. She and her siblings are often sent out of the house without proper clothing or food when Mom is entertaining. They eventually head into a church because it was a place to go and there they meet Brigid and her children. Eventually Brigid takes Cassie and her siblings under her wing and her compassion makes a huge difference in the life of a little girl. A small gesture by a stranger shows Cassie the person she wants to be.

I was angry throughout most of the book. Angry that Cassie and her siblings were hungry, cold and their only solace was a cardboard box that their father turned into a house for them.  Angry that he didn't stand up for his children and do more. Angry that their mother was such a piece of trash and chose a man over her kids. Angry that they were beat and worse by her boyfriend. Angry that these kids had no one protecting them. No one speaking for them. 

It is a good read. One that will anger you and make you cry. I was so thankful that Brigid introduced the kids to the bible and showed Cassie kindness. We never know how our "small gestures" can ultimately change someone's life. Always show kindness, you may be the only kind person someone sees all day. 

Wii U Amiibo Review By My Son #videoreview #nintendo #wiiu

My son loves his games. He has been a huge fan since the age of 3 and begged for Wii U Amiibos this year. This is the Squid Amiibo. Below see his brilliant video of 3 of his Splatoon Amiibos. He has come a long way from the little boy with all the Special Education services and I am so proud of him. He did such a good job and was so excited to show off his Amiibos.

Why Kids Should Put Their Phones Down Way Before Bed Time

2/3 of Teens leave their electronics on at night. This may not seem very important but kids who use electronic close to bedtime are  200% more likely to be excessively sleepy during the day--leading to poor grades, mood swings, and anxiety.

The RULE in my house is that they need to shut their electronics (phone, Kindle, Computer, DS), whatever they are on down an hour prior to bedtime. 

Goddess and Handsome go to bed at 9 which means that the electronics are off at 8. It isn't something they like but the rule is followed every school night.  

It takes a while to get the kids set in the routine but the earlier you do it the better. 

Set a curfew! Tell them they can read quietly, listen to music or even watch something together as a family.  Eventually they will learn this is the way it is going to be!

Sunday Stealing: The Icebreaker Questions

1. Are you loud, outgoing or shy? It depends on the day and the crowd.

2. What’s coming up where you’ll see an old friend? Next Sunday I have plans to meet up with my old friend, son's Godmother Susan. It has been years and I can't wait. 

3. Are you easy to get along with? I think so. I don't expect much and feel fairly rational. Not much bothers me.

4. Have you ever given up on someone, but then gone back to them? YES.

5. Who was the last person that you had a deep conversation with? Teresa. It is always Teresa.

6. Are you okay with being in a big crowd? Not really. I prefer small groups.

7. Do you believe in luck and/or miracles? Yes. But not in the sense that we just walk into things but that things were preconceived to allow it to happen.

8. What good thing happened during the summer? (It’s good to think about summer when you are freezing your butt off in January.) Well, it was the first Summer no one had a cast in three years. We were able to swim whenever we wanted.

9. Do you think there is life on other planets? I would like to think that there are planets we haven't even learned about and there could possibly be life.

10. Who was your first crush on? Darrin in the 2nd grade! We are friends on Facebook.

11. What are your bad habits? Biting my nails. I hate it but do it all the time. 

12. What’s your favorite part of your daily routine? The end of the day when the bra is off and the contacts are out. Ahhhh..it is when I know I am done for the day and sleep is coming.

13. Other than your significant other, who are you most comfortable with? I am comfortable with many many people. Too many to mention.

14. Has an ex ever told you that they regret breaking up? Yes. We got back together and it wasn't for the good and we both knew it in the end.

15. Why should your celebrity crush drop everything to be with you? They shouldn't! No one should ever drop everything to be with anyone.

16. What would be the hardest to give up and why? Books. TV. Music. Books. I love reading. I love getting lost in a story.

17. Do you believe in second chances? Absolutely!

18. What would like to do next in your life? Get organized and more active.

 

19. What’s the meanest thing that anyone has ever said to you? You think everything is about you and your friends think they know you. Your family left you.

20. What’s the nicest thing that anyone has ever said to you? You are a great mom!

Developing A Family Safe Plan

One thing every family should have in their arsenal is a safety plan that can be followed in the event of any emergency. Consider your family's unique living quarters and put together a unique and individualized plan to help all family members remain safe in the event of a crisis. An effective plan will take into consideration your home's unique structure, the age, and ability of your children or additional family members, as well as any natural disasters that may be unique to the area that you live in.

Your Home
Do you and your family reside in a single family home, apartment, or condo? Is the structure of your home a two-story or single level? These are all questions that must be answered in order to put together an effective safety plan for your family. A two-story home may require the use of an emergency escape ladder. These are all considerations and accommodations that will have to be made in order to design a safety plan based on the type of home you have.

Your Family
Do you have a baby in your home? Do you have an elderly family member living with you that has mobility issues? These are all factors that will effect the plan you develop for your family. You may have to create a buddy system for any family members that have difficulty walking. One parent may need to be responsible for getting the baby out while the other parent makes sure that the rest of the family evacuates the house safely. The unique needs of the family should dictate how you structure your safety plan.

Your Regional Area
Different parts of the country are often known for having particular natural disasters. California is known for earthquakes and Kansas is known for tornados. Do you live in an area that is known for having certain natural disasters? If so, this is another vital piece of the puzzle. In order to create an adequate safety plan, you must take into consideration what your family would need to do in the event of a natural disaster.

Developing a safety plan for your family is an absolute necessity. Think about the structure of your home and what would be needed in the event of a crisis. If you have family member's that are either too young to act on their own behalf or mobility impaired they will need help in the event of an emergency. Use a buddy system or assign responsibility. Additionally, if your area is known for having certain natural catastrophes, prepare for that. Find out what your family would need to do in the event of a natural disaster.

Figurines Make Great Gifts For Any Occasion

If you are looking for a special gift for your loved one, look no further than decorative figurines. There are many brands that offer figurines fitting of any event, and one example is the beautiful Willow Tree collection. Every piece in this collection is crafted from resin cast and painted by hand. You can find Willow Tree figurines to fit a variety of occasions.

Love of Family: You do not need to wait for a special occasion to celebrate the love of your family. Show off your love for your family with the Brother and Sister, With My Grandmother or Welcome Here figurine. The Close to Me Musical is a timeless gift your loved one will treasure forever. Celebrate a generation of family with the Generations figurine, or keep the memory of a loved one alive with the Miss You figurine.

Gift of Friendship: Friendship is a special gift full of trust, laughter and love. You can find several figurines that are perfect for celebrating the gift of friendship. The Heart and Soul features two friends sharing a special moment, and the Friendship figurine features a girl holding a bouquet of flowers for her friend. Your friend is sure to love the Exclusive Gift Set, which includes a figurine and sign that reads "One of the best places in the world is right here with you."

Weddings and Anniversaries: If your loved ones are preparing to tie the knot, surprise the happy couple with the Promise Cake Topper. It features a man and woman embracing to show their love for each other. When the day comes to celebrate a wedding anniversary, surprise the couple or your own spouse with the Anniversary Cake Topper. The cake topper features two figurines sitting together and embracing.

New Baby: You can help your loved ones celebrate the birth of their new baby with the Child Of My Heart, New Life and Our Gift figurines. Each figurine shows the unconditional love of a parent and their child. You can also help older siblings celebrate the birth with the My Sister My Friend, Brothers and Two Together figurines.

Surprising your loved one with a decorative figurine is a great way to celebrate that special moment in their life. Whether you are celebrating a new addition to the family or lifelong friendship, you are sure to find a figurine to fit the occasion.

Get Extra Energy Just By Chewing Gum

Getting through the holidays was easy with Energy Bombs Chewing Gum, a new, revolutionary, and great-tasting premium energy chewing gum that provides you with a much needed energy boost in an easy, convenient way, at the holidays and anytime!

Already popular in Europe, Energy Bombs has only five calories per serving and 40 milligrams of caffeine, a low calorie option compared to most energy drinks that run over 150 calories.

The 411:

Honestly, I didn't think it would work but I am happy to say it does. It worked quick too. You don't get jumpy or twitchy like with coffee or jittery like with Red Bull but you suddenly feel way less tired.

The taste isn't bad but I liked the cinnamon better. It is definitely something I recommend if you need a quick pick me up. 

To Purchase:
http://amzn.to/2iUB91Z

Disclaimer:
I received complimentary samples for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was offered. 

Do You and Your Kids Love Baking? Check Out This Subsciption Box + A DISCOUNT CODE

SoBakeable has simplified the baking experience for busy moms and families looking for activities inside the home that will be fun and even educational for the kids.

Each month, SoBakeable provides TWO new recipes in their monthly box with all ingredients pre-measured and labeled with full detailed baking guide. All the consumer has to provide is butter, milk and eggs - it's that simple! Rather than search for the perfect recipe and make multiple trips to grocery  stores for rarely used ingredients. 

For January, SoBakeable has created the ultimate hot chocolate-themed box with Hot Chocolate Cups and Mint Chocolate Cake! SoBakeable is the perfect solution for families and friends to spend more time in the kitchen with a fuss-free baking experience while also taking the hassle out of figuring out what sweet treat to bake.

 USE CODE MARIASSPACE15 FOR A DISCOUNT WHEN YOU ORDER FROM SOBAKEABLE

My Christmas Vacation Is Over

Welcome 2017 and everyone reading this. 2016 wasn't as bad for me as it was for others. Everyone I personally know were talking about 2016 being the year they wanted to kick in the butt for me it was the 2 years prior although it was sad to see so many celebrities leave us. The list is long.

I took 12 days off to spend with my kids. I hold two part-time jobs and with the kids, life, blogging, reviews it was nice to not have a schedule for a while.

New Years was spent at home like so many before. It was better than some and more boring than others but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. It didn't really feel like a holiday as we aren't planning a party or getting ready for a party but the kids are home and we are all safe. I know I don't have many more with them as they will eventually grow up and live their own lives. For now I am happy to have them here.

I don't know about you guys but the kids spent most of their time away from school in their rooms. I know it is the age, I was a kid too. Last night was no different. We called them out to watch the ball drop, hug and take a few photos before eventually making our way to our bedrooms.

Praying you all have a wonderful 2017 filled with laughter, love and light.