Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Mommy, Look at That Dog!
9:00 AM | Posted by
The Keast's - Bryan, Sara, Evelyn & Bella |
You and your children are enjoying a sunny afternoon at the park when they suddenly say, “Mommy, look at that dog! Let’s go see him!” This innocent request could turn emotionally and physically harmful for your children if your children don’t know the proper manners for meeting a new dog.
What do you need to know? Bonnie Buchanan, owner of Bon-Clyde Training Center in Sanford, NC and professional dog trainer offers some advice.
“Dogs need to be treated like human strangers,” says Bonnie. Parents should observe the owner and the dog’s body language. Does the dog look relaxed or nervous? Does the owner have control over the dog? Bonnie also notes that “it’s also important to remember that dogs react differently to adults and to children. Children often make faster and jerkier movements that can make a dog nervous. For a dog that hasn’t been ‘kidsocialized’, children can be threatening.”
Here are a few tips to keep your next encounter with a four-legged friend a positive one:
- The number one rule: Never stare a dog in the eyes. A dog interprets staring as an attempt to be dominant and this can cause a negative reaction from the dog.
- Always ask the owner’s permission before you approach the dog.
-Slowly lift the back of your hand for the dog to sniff.
- Scratch under the chin first. Never pet the top of the head because this is a sign of dominance.
- Keep your voice soft.
- If a dog runs up to you, then remain calm, don’t run or scream.
The dog’s owner may not be aware of the dog’s behavior, so watch for these signs and don’t approach a dog if he is doing any of the following:
- Staring at you intensely
- Tipped forward on the front feet
- Ears pressed against the head
These are all signs of aggression and it is best to stay away. If you have any doubt about the dog or owner, then avoid them. Dog bites are 100 percent preventable.
What can you do if your child loves dogs, but you don’t want to make one part of your family just yet? Here are a few suggestions:
- Training Centers like Bon-Clyde offer a variety of classes and seminars open to the public to observe.
- Attend fundraisers or dog festivals
- Attend local dog shows
What can you do if your child is scared of dogs?
- Find a Therapy Dog volunteer dog. Therapy Dogs are used in nursing homes and hospitals and have undergone special training to be gentle and calm.
- Encourage the dog owner’s to tell your child something special about the dog.
- Ask if your child and the dog can “shake hands”.
It is important to remember that dogs will be dogs and even the most well trained dog can have a bad day. Dogs have personalities as unpredictable and complex as humans. It is these personalities that make dogs irresistible to adults and children.
What do you need to know? Bonnie Buchanan, owner of Bon-Clyde Training Center in Sanford, NC and professional dog trainer offers some advice.
“Dogs need to be treated like human strangers,” says Bonnie. Parents should observe the owner and the dog’s body language. Does the dog look relaxed or nervous? Does the owner have control over the dog? Bonnie also notes that “it’s also important to remember that dogs react differently to adults and to children. Children often make faster and jerkier movements that can make a dog nervous. For a dog that hasn’t been ‘kidsocialized’, children can be threatening.”
Here are a few tips to keep your next encounter with a four-legged friend a positive one:
- The number one rule: Never stare a dog in the eyes. A dog interprets staring as an attempt to be dominant and this can cause a negative reaction from the dog.
- Always ask the owner’s permission before you approach the dog.
-Slowly lift the back of your hand for the dog to sniff.
- Scratch under the chin first. Never pet the top of the head because this is a sign of dominance.
- Keep your voice soft.
- If a dog runs up to you, then remain calm, don’t run or scream.
The dog’s owner may not be aware of the dog’s behavior, so watch for these signs and don’t approach a dog if he is doing any of the following:
- Staring at you intensely
- Tipped forward on the front feet
- Ears pressed against the head
These are all signs of aggression and it is best to stay away. If you have any doubt about the dog or owner, then avoid them. Dog bites are 100 percent preventable.
What can you do if your child loves dogs, but you don’t want to make one part of your family just yet? Here are a few suggestions:
- Training Centers like Bon-Clyde offer a variety of classes and seminars open to the public to observe.
- Attend fundraisers or dog festivals
- Attend local dog shows
What can you do if your child is scared of dogs?
- Find a Therapy Dog volunteer dog. Therapy Dogs are used in nursing homes and hospitals and have undergone special training to be gentle and calm.
- Encourage the dog owner’s to tell your child something special about the dog.
- Ask if your child and the dog can “shake hands”.
It is important to remember that dogs will be dogs and even the most well trained dog can have a bad day. Dogs have personalities as unpredictable and complex as humans. It is these personalities that make dogs irresistible to adults and children.
OPI: CharlotteMommies
Subject: Mommy, Look at That Dog!
Subject: Mommy, Look at That Dog!
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Monday, July 18, 2011
What to Tell Your Kids About Money - The 7 Essential Lessons
If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked by a parent what to tell your kids about money, I'd be a millionaire. There are many different aspects of money management you can & should tell your children about. Here I will share with you what I believe are seven of the most important principles
1. Money can be exchanged for goods or services.
This is one of the first few lessons you should teach your child once they are old enough to understand - usually around the age of 3 years. Next time you go down to the corner store to buy one or two items, let your child hand the money to the cashier. By doing so, they will gain a greater appreciation of the concept of being able to exchange money for things you want or need.
2. One should be careful with money.
Some people I know, seem to think that any coins with a value under 50 cents are just too small to be bothered using, and so when cleaning out their loose change from around the house will simply throw these smaller coins in the bin. What a waste! Encourage your child to be careful with all denominations of money, and show them how those small coins can add up, by starting a family small coins box. Maybe you could use the money to fund small family outings (a trip to the shop to get ice creams).
3. Money has to be earned.
There are many people in the world these days that don't seem to have ever learned this lesson. They sit around home and expect handouts so they can live, or turn to a life of crime to fund their existence. Be careful not to give your child money every time he or she asks, without expecting anything in return i.e. completion of household chores.
4. Encourage one-third savings, one-third donations, one-third spending.
The exact proportions in which your child divides their money are up to each individual family to decide, based on their beliefs and the needs of the child. This can quite easily be achieved by providing them with 3 piggy banks or moneyboxes - one for spending, one for saving & one for donating.
5. Avoid borrowing money wherever possible.
It is always much harder to repay money that has been borrowed, than to save your money. Some loans, such as home loans, tend to be unavoidable though. A good rule of thumb is if you don't have the cash to buy it, you can't afford it!
6. Money isn't your best friend so don't let it control your life.
Quite simply, try not to become so over committed with your finances, that you are forced to work 60 to 70 hours a week to continue the lifestyle. If you do, then you are letting the money control your life. You don't usually need the fancy car (and car loan) or overseas holiday (and personal loan). All these things are nice, but only if you can easily afford them!
7. Show them how to budget & live within their means
This is one of the most important skills that your child must know, that so many people don't seem to know how to do. Recent surveys have shown, that many people are spending 10% to 20% above what they earn. They are earning enough money to fund their lifestyle, but they simply aren't budgeting it, and so are wasting large amounts of money each week.
With these seven lessons under their belt, they will be off to a good start, but there are many more money skills that your child will benefit enormously from learning. Visit Kids Money Tips to find more simple tips & tools, along with fun worksheets, printable charts & exciting games, you can use to help your child manage their money more effectively.
1. Money can be exchanged for goods or services.
This is one of the first few lessons you should teach your child once they are old enough to understand - usually around the age of 3 years. Next time you go down to the corner store to buy one or two items, let your child hand the money to the cashier. By doing so, they will gain a greater appreciation of the concept of being able to exchange money for things you want or need.
2. One should be careful with money.
Some people I know, seem to think that any coins with a value under 50 cents are just too small to be bothered using, and so when cleaning out their loose change from around the house will simply throw these smaller coins in the bin. What a waste! Encourage your child to be careful with all denominations of money, and show them how those small coins can add up, by starting a family small coins box. Maybe you could use the money to fund small family outings (a trip to the shop to get ice creams).
3. Money has to be earned.
There are many people in the world these days that don't seem to have ever learned this lesson. They sit around home and expect handouts so they can live, or turn to a life of crime to fund their existence. Be careful not to give your child money every time he or she asks, without expecting anything in return i.e. completion of household chores.
4. Encourage one-third savings, one-third donations, one-third spending.
The exact proportions in which your child divides their money are up to each individual family to decide, based on their beliefs and the needs of the child. This can quite easily be achieved by providing them with 3 piggy banks or moneyboxes - one for spending, one for saving & one for donating.
5. Avoid borrowing money wherever possible.
It is always much harder to repay money that has been borrowed, than to save your money. Some loans, such as home loans, tend to be unavoidable though. A good rule of thumb is if you don't have the cash to buy it, you can't afford it!
6. Money isn't your best friend so don't let it control your life.
Quite simply, try not to become so over committed with your finances, that you are forced to work 60 to 70 hours a week to continue the lifestyle. If you do, then you are letting the money control your life. You don't usually need the fancy car (and car loan) or overseas holiday (and personal loan). All these things are nice, but only if you can easily afford them!
7. Show them how to budget & live within their means
This is one of the most important skills that your child must know, that so many people don't seem to know how to do. Recent surveys have shown, that many people are spending 10% to 20% above what they earn. They are earning enough money to fund their lifestyle, but they simply aren't budgeting it, and so are wasting large amounts of money each week.
With these seven lessons under their belt, they will be off to a good start, but there are many more money skills that your child will benefit enormously from learning. Visit Kids Money Tips to find more simple tips & tools, along with fun worksheets, printable charts & exciting games, you can use to help your child manage their money more effectively.
OPI: StatesvilleMommies
Subject: What To Tell Your Kids About Money - The 7 Essential Lessons
Subject: What To Tell Your Kids About Money - The 7 Essential Lessons
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