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Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

4 Easy and Affordable Ways to Boost Your Child’s Health

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From buying fresh fruits and veggies to budgeting for co-payments, keeping our kids healthy and happy can be pricier than we’d expect. Fortunately, you can help boost your child’s health and wellness without breaking the bank. Here are some tips you can use to improve your child’s health without shelling out a lot of money.

1. Avoid Buying Sports Drinks

Although sports drinks are very popular these days, they’re not good for children at all. Some sports drinks are worse for kids than others and do serious harm that can result in medical problems in the future. Rather than getting your kids the Monster or Red Bull they want, get them low-sugar fruit juice instead.

Energy drinks like Monster, Rockstar, and Red Bull cause twice as much enamel loss as other popular drinks like Propel, Powerade, and Gatorade (3.1% to 1.5%). Not only is it more affordable to cut out these unhealthy drinks, but it’s also better for kids to drink cold water after exercise or physical activity.

2. Focus on Filling Foods

Growing children can eat a lot, and a big part of your budget is likely going towards sufficiently feeding your kids. The thing is, if you’re not buying the right food, you’re going to spend more money because your children are going to be hungry more often and, as a result, eat a lot more than they would to get the sufficient calories their growing bodies need.

For this reason, it makes a lot of sense to buy snacks and food that are filling and satisfying instead of food that won’t keep them full. For example, packets of chips are far less filling than string cheese and nuts, making them a poor choice for a snack. Opt for snacks that are great sources of protein.

3. Bring Your Kids to Walk the Dog

Children need to be active to be healthy and regularly going for a walk is a good way to avoid being sedentary. Up to 67% of American households own a pet, and taking your dog for a walk could be a great way to get your child out of the house and move around. What’s more, your child will get out all their extra energy, which can help to improve their mood and their overall well-being.

4. Opt for Daily Vitamins

Even the most well-planned meal can sometimes fail to give kids all the vitamins and minerals they need to be healthy and happy. Vitamins are essential for a healthy body. For example, vitamin B12 helps form red blood cells and even supports brain function. Just this one vitamin can improve your child’s health, and making sure they also get enough of other vitamins like vitamin C and zinc can make a difference. If you’re looking to boost your child’s health, consider affordable daily vitamins your child can take to help boost their health.

Your kids are your most important priority, and with the advice shared here, you will be better equipped to ensure their health. Even if you’re on a tight budget, you can still ensure their (and your own) good health with some careful planning.

College Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune

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Person Holding Their Graduation Cap in the Air

I have three children—one is attending a community college, and the other two are finishing up 7th and 8th grade. I have immersed myself in learning about the college application process and how to pay for college and get merit scholarships. What I am finding makes me a bit sad. So many students are taking out loans for tens of thousands of dollars, but college doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

We Won’t Take Out Parent Loans

My husband and I agree that we won’t take out parent loans for our children’s college. Every parent has to decide if they’re willing to go into debt for their children’s educations, and we’re not. My husband and I both attended graduate school and started our careers in our late twenties and early thirties, so we must make up for lost time regarding retirement. We are choosing to prioritize our retirement over our children’s education.

We’ll Encourage Our Children Not to Take Out Loans

Likewise, we encourage our children not to take out loans. But, if they must, we don’t want them to take out loans for more than $15,000 to pay for their four years of school.

Based on our own experiences, students tend to think they’ll pay off their student loans quickly, but then life interferes. The jobs they get after college may not pay as well as they thought they would, or they may want to start a family and find one person needs to pause their career to take care of the child. If they both continue to work, daycare can be expensive.

It’s better not to get loans at all, if possible. If not, keeping the loans to a minimum is important for our family.

We Encourage Our Kids to Pursue Merit

We’re also encouraging our kids to pursue merit scholarships. Our son got a scholarship to a community college; the remainder of the balance for his tuition is low enough that my husband and I can pay it. Our son will not have any student loans during his first two years of college.

They’ll Stay Local If Necessary

Girl studying with a book on her lap

Our two younger children plan to apply to several colleges and see if they get merit aid. If they don’t, we’re lucky to have several colleges and universities within 30 minutes of our house. They will choose one of those schools rather than go into debt to pay for college.

Final Thoughts

Every family must decide what is best for their children when it comes to choosing a college and paying for it. However, college doesn’t have to cost a fortune. My husband and I have told our children how much money we have to help them through school. To make up for the difference, they’ll have to get merit aid or choose a local school. Using this plan, they should graduate with no or minimal debt, and my husband and I won’t have to take out any parent loans.

Read More

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4 Cheap Recreational Activities for the Whole Family

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Keeping your family happy and healthy involves more than simply ensuring that they’re well-fed and are current with their vaccinations. You should also try and make sure that they have access to fun recreational activities that can be done by everyone together. According to StudyFinds, seven out of 10 Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. It’s important to note that having fun doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of ways to have fun experiences that are affordable. Read on to see four of these activities outlined below. This way you can have some ideas at your fingertips the next time you want to have fun.

1. Volunteering Together

One of the best activities to do as a family is to volunteer together. Doing this is an amazing activity since you’ll spend time together doing something meaningful and passing a great message to your children. This will be the message that it’s good to give back to the community as it’s gratifying to do so. You could start by gathering some clothes and other items that your children have outgrown and donate these to a nearby home or other places. Helping out at your local soup kitchen is something else that you could do to help improve someone’s life. This shows that if you look around, there’s a lot that you can do that’s meaningful.

2. Having a Movie Night

Another fun and affordable recreational activity you could do as a family is to have a movie night. This is simply going to call for you to find a good movie and some snacks. You can make it a bit more fun by having a drive-in movie night, which is going to add an edge to the normal movie experience. Since this is going to take some preparation to do, you can start early and make sure that everyone has a role to play. In the end, you’ll enjoy yourselves a lot and you can be sure that it will be something that young kids will talk about for a long time to come, possibly asking for a repeat!

Over 87 million U.S. adults participate in recreational boating. If your family has a boat of their own, you can take this activity up a notch. Think about spending a night on the lake with a projector if you have the space.

3. Going for a Walk with the Family Dog

While this may sound like a regular activity, you can add a fun spin to it by doing it as a family. Find a nice route to take that will allow you to enjoy yourselves while strolling at a pace that’s comfortable for everyone. You can make this activity more fun by visiting your local park or another place where you can have a small picnic. Take turns playing games with the dog and all the children are sure to have a blast.

4. Making a Meal Together

Last but not least, you can set aside time and room to make a meal together as a family. From deciding which meal to make to gathering the ingredients and actually preparing the meal, you can be sure that there will be something for everyone to do. You may enjoy this so much that you make it a frequent activity or even the regular way to cook. It’s no secret that you can bond a lot better when you cook together and eat as a family regularly. You could add a spin to it and have a cookoff, making adjustments to make sure that even younger children can participate in the event safely. Hold an awards ceremony afterward and crown the winner. Make sure that everyone will be encouraged to put their best foot forward the next time.

According to Legal Jobs, 97% of bankruptcies are filed by individuals. In order to avoid bankruptcy, you must budget in every area of your life. These recreational activities are affordable enough for the whole family and they promise hours of fun and enjoyment. Just make good plans for them so that they can be enjoyed to the fullest. You can be sure that future activities will be even better.

Affordable Alternatives to a Full Roof Replacement

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It’s important to make sure that your home’s roof is in good shape at all times. If it’s worn out or severely damaged, you need to figure out how to repair it and keep your family safe. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank with your roofing replacement. There are affordable alternatives you can choose from. Read on to see some of the popular alternatives that you have for a full roof replacement so that you can choose the best option.

Repair Damaged Spots

Rather than replace the roof in its entirety, especially if it’s damaged as opposed to it being at the end of its lifespan, you can simply repair the damaged spots. The repair you do will depend on the specific material that your roof is made from, which a professional roofer can help you determine. If you have a metal roof, note that almost 72 million metric tons of steel were produced in 2020 in the United States. You can be sure that a good part of this went into roofing. A steel roof may be easier to repair, given the massive amount of material in production.

Even if your roof isn’t made out of metal, it may have components that can be replaced with steel. Given the longevity of this material, you may be better off if you use it on your roof. Do research to find out the materials that can go well together and ask your roofer for advice. Find one who has ample experience so that they can give you a solution that will work well for you.

Apply a Roof Sealant

Another affordable alternative to roof replacement is applying roof sealant. When you check in your local hardware store, you can be sure that you’ll find a variety of roofing sealants you can use. Check online to see if you find any specific brands that have good reviews to show that they work well. If you have experience with making repairs to your roof and cleaning it, you can think about applying the sealant yourself according to its instructions.

Otherwise, you should call a professional to do the job for you. They’ll also be aware of facts such as that metal roofs typically have a lifespan of 40 to 70 years. This could help shed some light on the best sealant to use, as well as how to apply it and whether to use it alongside another solution.

Partially Replace the Roof

Last but not least, you could replace just a part of the roof as opposed to the entire roof. Doing this is a sure way for you to cut your costs since it certainly won’t be as expensive as replacing the entire roof. This is another solution for a roof that’s been damaged as opposed to one that’s reached the end of its lifespan. This is because an old and worn-out roof may have widespread patterns of damage, creating too many issues to be repaired.

With almost 35,000 arrests made in Pennsylvania for theft in 2019, it’s important for you to have a trusted professional work on your roof. This will ensure there aren’t any lines of weakness that may make it easy for criminals to gain access to your home. A professional can also advise you on the right way to use different roofing materials to make them work well together. Their recommendations can help you keep a more secure and safe home.

These alternatives to full roof replacement should make it possible for you to update your roof affordably and keep your family safe. When you do so, you may even extend the lifespan of your roof and get more service out of it. Make sure to work with a professional and do thorough research so that you get the best outcome.

Understanding and Supporting Your Teenager’s Emotional Rollercoaster

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Dealing with teenage emotions can be challenging for parents and caregivers. Adolescents go through a period of intense emotional and physical changes, which can make them moody, impulsive, and difficult to understand. As a result, parents may find themselves struggling to communicate with their teens, cope with their unpredictable behavior, and manage their emotional outbursts.

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My Husband’s Stay-at-Home Dad Experience

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Man Lying on a Bed Cuddling with His Toddler Son

One of the best benefits of modern society is that families have many choices when it comes to childcare. The mother or father can stay home with the child, have a grandparent watch the child, or utilize a nanny or daycare. When my husband and I had our first child, my husband became a stay-at-home dad.

A Little Background

I taught full-time when we had our first child; my husband was in graduate school. Unfortunately, we lived in the suburbs of a large city, and quality daycare was $800 to $1200 a month, which we couldn’t afford. So, my husband dropped to part-time student status and cared for our son for the first two years of his life. While my husband enjoyed that time, he found the stay-at-home dad experience challenging sometimes.

My Husband’s Stay-at-Home Dad Experience

Even now, stay-at-home dads are not the norm, so they get more attention (both positive and negative) than stay-at-home moms do.

Prepare for Judgment (Positive and Negative)

My husband was shocked at the judgment he experienced.

Positive

Many moms praised my husband for being involved and a good dad. They told him how great it was that he had the flexibility to stay at home and spend time with our son.

Negative

On the flip side, he also experienced some negativity. On the mild side, some women praised him for “babysitting” his child, which he found frustrating. Because, of course, he wasn’t babysitting; he was raising his child.

However, he faced stronger negativity from people who saw him as less than other men because he cared for his child instead of working and earning an income. While stay-at-home moms can do their job mostly judgment-free, stay-at-home dads are unusual even in this day and age. Some people can’t shake their gender expectations.

Must Be Self-Confident

Because he doesn’t take criticism personally, other people’s judgment didn’t bother him that much. Mostly he was able to laugh it off. However, any man considering being a stay-at-home dad must be self-confident and have thick skin.

Enjoy the Time with Your Kids

Man in his livingroom with toddler daughter on his shoulders.

Not all parents get to stay home with their kids, so those that do are privileged. Enjoy the time you spend with your kids, whether it’s mom or dad staying home. The old saying, “The days are long, but the years are short,” definitely applies. The time you spend with your kids when they are little is fleeting.

Expect Some Challenges

Finally, expect some challenges. For example, my husband sometimes felt uncomfortable attending a kid’s library event or class and being the only dad in a room full of women. While the moms could talk easily to one another, he felt awkward.

My husband also said that it’s essential that the wife of a stay-at-home dad be comfortable with her husband being around other female parents when he joins social events for kids.

Final Thoughts

Overall, my husband’s stay-at-home dad experience was a positive one. After he finished his degree and we had two more kids, he went to work, and I became the stay-at-home mom. When caring for your children and providing for your family, only you can say which childcare experience is best.

Read More

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Where to Find Financial Support for Stay-at-Home Dads

Where to Get Free Cloth Diapers for Low-Income Families

Futuristic Upgrades to Make Your Home More Functional

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In this day and age, having a functional home is more important than ever before. Our homes have become a sanctuary from the outside world, and we want them to be comfortable, efficient, and clutter-free. Futuristic home upgrades can transform your living space and turn it into a functional, efficient paradise for you and your entire family.

One of the biggest problems that homeowners face is clutter, especially when young kids are involved. 54% of Americans feel overwhelmed with clutter filling up their homes. Fortunately, there are many ways to combat this, such as adding more storage space, investing in multi-functional furniture, and creating a system for organizing your belongings. Implementing these changes can make your home more functional and enjoyable.

Efficient Heating and Cooling

Another critical aspect of a functional home is efficient heating and cooling. In warmer climates like Florida, it’s essential to have an HVAC system that can keep up with the demands of the weather. A single mini-split air handler can heat or cool up to 1,000 square feet, depending on the climate and system size. This makes it an excellent option for those who want to save money on their energy bills while keeping their homes comfortable.

Recycled Materials and In-Duct Air Filtration

Recycled materials are an excellent option for futuristic home upgrades. Industrial recycling plants can now recycle a wide range of materials, including Christmas lights, wine corks, and even denim. These materials can then be used to create unique and eco-friendly home decor, such as recycled-paper countertops, recycled-plastic carpets, and denim insulation.

In-duct air filtration is an excellent upgrade for anyone wanting to improve their home’s air quality. You can eliminate allergens, toxins, pathogens, and pollen using a particle-and-carbon-removal system built into your central air conditioning unit. UV sanitizers can also sterilize harmful particles that make it into the air circulating through your home.

Smart Home Gadgets

If you want to incorporate futuristic gadgets into your home, there are many options to make your life easier and more efficient. Some of the most popular devices that can be controlled through your smartphone include smart lightbulbs, which can provide the perfect lighting experience and ambiance through features such as dimmer switches and motion sensors. Additionally, smart video doorbells allow you to answer visitors remotely and speak with them through the door, giving you added convenience and security. Consider controlling smart pet feeders from your phone. These gadgets help schedule meals and dispense food automatically, making life easier for pet owners.

Another device you can control from your phone is a smart thermostat. These devices offer energy-saving capabilities and automatically adjust the home’s temperature. Smart beds can be controlled by an app, giving you the ability to adjust the firmness of each side of the mattress and track your sleeping habits. These beds can ensure a better night’s rest.

Building Codes and Regulations for Your Dream Home

These upgrades might not always be simple, depending on where you live. For example, Florida has some of the toughest building codes in the nation, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to create your dream home. By working with licensed professionals who understand these codes and regulations, you can rest assured that your home will meet the highest quality and durability standards.

Incorporating futuristic upgrades into your home can make a huge difference for you and your family. Whether you’re looking to reduce clutter, lower your energy bill, or create a more relaxing atmosphere, these upgrades can help you transform your home into an oasis that exceeds your expectations.

How to Prepare for a New Roofing Installation if You Have Young Children

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As a homeowner, you may find yourself needing to replace your roof at some point, which can be overwhelming if you have young children. However, with the proper preparation, you can ensure that your roofing installation goes smoothly and your family remains safe and comfortable.

Getting a new roof can be disruptive for kids. The loud noises from constant hammering and footsteps on the roof can be unnerving and may disturb younger children or pets. Also, the potential hazards from falling debris and the risk of injury can cause concern. It is essential to take precautions and prepare ahead of time to minimize the impact of the roof replacement on your family, including your children.

The Benefits of a New Roof for the Whole Family

There are numerous benefits to getting a new roof, including the following.

  • A safer environment for your children to play and live in. An old or damaged roof may have weak spots that can pose a danger to your family.
  • Enhanced protection for your home, ensuring your property and personal belongings are shielded from the elements.
  • Boost your home’s curb appeal and overall value
  • Improve energy efficiency, potentially reducing heating and cooling costs and making your home more comfortable.
  • Peace of mind, allowing you to feel secure in your home and confident your family is protected.

Under normal circumstances, you should inspect your roof once or twice a year, but sometimes, life gets in the way. Maybe you’ve fallen behind on your inspections, or you’ve noticed some damage since your last inspection. Regardless of your personal case, it’s never a bad idea to get an inspection. Look for reputable roofing companies in your area. They should be able to help you out.

Preparing Your Home and Children for a Roof Replacement

Here are some steps to take to make the installation process as smooth as possible. First, prepare the rest of your home for the roof replacement because the installation will impact the whole house. The vibrations caused by the roofers’ work can cause damage to wall decorations and other fragile items such as mirrors, framed photos, and wall hangings. Next, protect your patio furniture and yard during the replacement. Anything in your backyard, such as patio furniture, toys, barbecues, potted plants, lawn ornaments, and inflatable pools, should be moved to the back of your yard or into the garage to avoid damage.

Make sure to also clear your roof of branches. Large trees overhanging your roof can be a hazard for roofers, so it’s best to have any branches trimmed. Cover or move any items stored in your attic to protect them from debris, dust, and vibrations during the roof replacement. If you have a satellite dish, contact your provider before the roof replacement starts. Consider power sources for the roofers. They will need access to power for tools such as saws and nail guns. If your home doesn’t have exterior outlets, they must run their extension cords into the house. Finally, keep your children and pets safe during the roof replacement. The constant noise of hammering and footsteps on the roof can be unsettling for small children and pets.

Remember, if you need a new roof, you are not alone. Each year in the US, more than five million new roofs are installed. This means many roofing professionals have vast experience in handling various types of roofing installations. Therefore, you should take your time to research and find a reputable roofing company that can meet your specific needs.

Why You Should Prioritize a New Roof

The construction industry generated a staggering $2 trillion in revenue in the US in 2019, meaning many homeowners are investing in roof replacements and other home improvement projects. They are a great way for you to add value to your home. Even if you are not selling, you can benefit from an increased home value. You will also save money in the long run for repairs. A new roof means you won’t have to worry about it breaking down any time soon.

While the process of getting a new roof installed can be disruptive, it provides numerous benefits. With proper planning, the process will be smoother, not just for your children but also for the entire family.

Fun Ways to Keep Your Family Active!

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Participating in physical activity is extremely important. Engaging in physical activity every week promotes a healthy lifestyle. Perhaps you’re a parent searching for ways to motivate your family to stay active. Here is a look at some great ways to help keep you and your family active! Be sure to set up key time slots during the week when your family can join you in physical activity. Establishing a set routine helps ensure that you will always get a workout in even during busy weeks.

Take a Walk

Walking every day is a great way to promote an active lifestyle. Consider walking through the neighborhood with your family or walking around a local park.

Go Dancing

Recent studies show that one of out every eleven adults is dealing with severe obesity. One way to avoid obesity is to keep your body moving regularly throughout the day. Consider the benefits of dancing. Dancing is a fun way to stay in shape. Turn on some music and start a dance party with your family. It’s also a great way to spend time with your loved ones.

Consider Planting

Consider creating a garden if you have enough backyard space. Planting a garden helps your family learn about the outdoors and natural food sources. Exposure to plant-based fruits and vegetables could stimulate healthier eating habits.

Embrace The Outdoors

Consider scheduling some fun outdoor activities with your family. Riding bikes through different trails is a fun way to stay in shape. There are over 3,000 potential allergens, so it’s important to stay safe while having fun outdoors. Be sure to wear bug spray and take allergy medication beforehand.

Complete Family Chores

While your children may not enjoy this idea, completing chores together is a great way to stay active and spend family time together. Shoveling snow, raking leaves, washing dishes, and doing other chores will help your family stay active and healthy.

Use a Tracking Device

Setting daily and weekly fitness goals will improve your short-term and long-term health. Taking a proactive approach regarding your health could help you live longer, so you can spend more time with your family. More than 50% of Americans believe that it is important to have a will or living trust. By embracing a healthy lifestyle, you can promote the benefits and encourage your family to carry on your legacy.

Eliminate Electronics

The current age of technology makes it difficult to live an active lifestyle. Consider doing your part by reducing the amount of electronic usage on a daily basis. Try to set guidelines that watching television, playing video games, and using the computer are only permitted for a couple of hours every day. A healthy alternative to electronics is playing an active game that keeps the whole family involved.

Start a New Activity

Learning new activities is a great way to enjoy mental and physical exercise. Practicing a new skill, sport, or hobby keeps things interesting and helps you burn calories.

Set Up a Scavenger Hunt

This is a fun activity to consider if you have small children. Keep them engaged by creating an inventory of some items and placing them in different areas. Your children will be immersed in a new World as they attempt to find all the items. Placing the items in different spots around the neighborhood is a great way to get some exercise in.

Try Indoor Activities

Perhaps the weather has damaged some of your plans for the future. You can avoid this situation by performing weather natural activities. Consider taking your family to the mall and walking around or visiting an indoor skating rink.

There are seemingly endless benefits to enjoying an active lifestyle with your family. Use these tips to enjoy some family fun while staying fit!

5 Strategies to Build a Healthy Relationship with Your Teenager

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You’re in the process of hiring a contractor through Key Interiors, when you get a call from your teenager who is sobbing on the other line. Parenting comes with many challenges, and one of the biggest ones is navigating the relationship once your children enter their teenage years.

Here are 5 strategies to build a healthy relationship with your teenager.

Give Them Their Space 

While we all want to know what’s going on in our teen’s life, it’s important that you allow them their space. You certainly don’t want to be a helicopter parent, and this becomes even more important as they enter into their teenage years. By allowing your teen to have space, you’re teaching them independence and letting them know that you trust them. This is incredibly important as they get older – you want them to adopt their own identity and feel that they can be trusted to be themselves.

Open Communication

Communicating with your teen can certainly come with its challenges. You can’t expect each conversation to run smoothly, as they’re experiencing a rush of different hormones and experiences as they advance into adulthood. Instead of trying to always agree with your teen, practice open communication. You want your teen to feel comfortable and safe with opening up to you, and you want to always offer your honest and compassionate feedback to them.

Take Interest in Their Lives

Your teen will notice if you’re not around, and this could make them feel as if you don’t have much care for what they’re interested in. Even if they participate in hobbies that aren’t something you’d enjoy, it’s important that you find the importance in it because it’s something that they care about. If you take interest in their lives, you’re giving them a clear message that they’re loved and they’re important to you.

Encourage Them to Express Their Feelings

The teenage years are one of the most challenging. Teens are experiencing a rush of feelings that they’ve never experienced until this point in their lives. It’s important that your teen doesn’t learn to suppress their feelings or try to run away from them. This could lead to some serious issues later in life – including depression and anxiety. You want to encourage your teenager to express their feelings and let them know feelings are a natural part of life. It’s also a good idea to remind them that negative feelings won’t last forever – instead of trying to wish them away, teach them how to sit and acknowledge them. By doing so, this will help them to be better equipped to handle feelings later in life.

Value Their Perspective

You want to encourage your teen to express their feelings, but you also want them to feel comfortable expressing their perspective with you. It’s important that your teen feels comfortable enough to share their perspective with you, as this will deepen the bound and connection between the two of you. You want your child to feel valued and understood, and this is why you should always seek to understand and appreciate them.