Growing Up Archives - Page 5 of 6

Your Teen and Their First Car

June 10, 2015 | Leave a Comment

Growing up, I didn’t really have to worry about the need for my own car once I turned 16. My mom had a vehicle which she used rarely and for the most part allowed me to have it when I wanted it. I however don’t know if I would do the same with my kids.

Though owning a car is a huge responsibility (something I learned at 22 when I finally bought my first car), I don’t know if I want my newly licensed teen driving around in my vehicle either. I’ve always been a responsible driver but managed to get myself in two accidents writing off my mom’s car once (not my fault!). I also don’t like the idea of a car simply being given to a teen because they’ve reached a certain age, but I do like lessons that are learned in the responsibility of co-owning a vehicle of their own.

The car doesn’t, and shouldn’t, be anything fancy or new. It should be something safe, reliable and affordable for the teen and parents. Something that won’t require a bunch of money to maintain but something that you won’t be too heartbroken over if it ends up being written off in a car accident (hopefully not!).

As adults we know you can’t own a car if you don’t have income coming in. Same would go for the teen. They will be responsible for their own gas (in their car or yours) as well as contributing to the maintenance of said vehicle. If they don’t have a way of financially supporting themselves I personally don’t see how it’s fair they have access to a vehicle of their ‘’own’’.

Some teens require a car to actually earn money depending on their job while others may just want a vehicle for leisure, to get to and from school and soccer practice. Whatever the reason behind the wanting of the vehicle, they should help pay for it, if not finance the whole thing.

If they can’t come up with the money to pay for the vehicle in cash themselves, and they need it (maybe they got a job doing pizza delivery starting in two weeks) consider implementing a family issued loan. Someone I know issued a loan to her daughter when she turned 18 so she would be able to drive to and from university which was an hour each way. Mom bought the car for $2,500 and gave her daughter 12 months to pay her back, knowing she had a great summer job lined up. The car was repaid before the end of the summer.

If and when a teen gets a car of their own, is definitely unique to each family but I think there are many advantages to giving them access to a vehicle early into their driving days. There would obviously be many rules in place but I think if obey have the ability to teach many important life lessons.

Did you have a car when you were a teen? Did your parents help you buy it?

Catherine

Catherine is a first time momma to a rambunctious toddler. When she isn’t soaking up all that motherhood has to offer, you can find her blogging over at Plunged in Debt where she chronicles her and her husbands journey out of debt. You can also follow her on Twitter.

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Where Are The Kids!? Missed Money Making Ventures

February 11, 2015 | Leave a Comment

Kids in my neighborhood, and seemingly every neighborhood of every friend and family member I know, are missing out on huge money making opportunities. What am I talking about? Shoveling snow.

Living in a winter climate, shoveling snow used to be a lucrative business for kids.

Growing up my sister and I actually asked for shovels for Christmas one year, not because we really wanted them but we really wanted the opportunity to make money using them. We used to go all around our block looking to see who needed help post snowfall. We would charge $10, $5 each, and save it all winter.

There wasn’t much competition in our neighborhood since we were the oldest kids by a number of years. Given that we had the monopoly on the shoveling duties we’d make out pretty well. Friends of ours a few blocks away would get frustrated since there were ‘more boys’ and could never make money. Each storm we’d make an easy $50. Sometimes our neighbors would have the driveway done but ask us to do the walkway around the house or help shoveling off the deck so they can let their dogs out a little easier.

Since my husband and I bought our house, almost five years ago, we have only ever had one kid offer to do our driveway. When he approached us as asked if he’d like help for $15 we gladly paid. It allowed us to rest and him to make some cash. He did a great job but we haven’t seen a single kid since. They exist since we see them on a daily basis playing outside, and we live within walking distance to three schools.

Kids are missing out on a huge opportunity to make some money (and help their neighbors out). There is nothing I’d like more some days than to be more productive with my time than pushing snow around.

There were three days of no school last week due to school/storm cancellations and not a single kid knocked on our door. Maybe I should put a sign in my window that I will pay upwards of $20 to have it done? Another lady I knew was due to have her baby any day and her husband was sailing at sea with the Navy, she posted an add via online classifieds begging someone to help with her driveway so she could get out ASAP when baby came, and it took her three days to get a response!

Simple tasks like shoveling snow, mowing lawns and selling treats at yard sales are a great opportunity for kids to start learning about money. How to earn it, how to manage it and all the work involved. Learning about money can never start too young and there is no better satisfaction that earning your own.

Do you encourage your kids to go out and earn their own money? Would you be encouraging them to shovel if they lived in a winter climate?

Catherine

plungedindebt.com

Why I’m Glad with My Decision to Put my Child in Daycare

January 14, 2015 | Leave a Comment

Last week my daycare provider contacted me about being a reference or another potential family. One of her kids is getting ready to leave in the spring and interviews for the open spot have started. I couldn’t be happier to provide the reference since I am so happy with my experience in her caring for our daughter while we’re at work, pursuing our careers.

I’m of the opinion that a mother should never have to choose between a career and a family. I have never wanted anymore more than to be a mother but I also feel like I have a lot to offer my community in my career. Life is about balance and for me that’s balancing motherhood and my job. With both my husband and I working, me four days per week, him five, daycare was essential.

I already wrote about my process for choosing our provider but never talked about the positive experiences we’ve experienced since she started, 19 months ago.

She Gets to Play with Other Kids

Our daughter is our only child. When she is home with us, she gets undivided attention which, as an only child, has its pros and cons. Other than her dad and I, she has no playmates at home. While we love playing with her, interaction with other children is crucial. I love watching her interact with her peers. I see natural qualities in her (like leadership and silliness) come out that I believe get masked at home playing with her much older parents. The fact that she gets to go to someone’s home and play with two other kids her age, four days a week, makes me happy. She has so much fun.

She Gets Used to Outside Authority

No two parents, parent the same way. I enjoy having diversity in her upbringing. I like having an added variation in authority for her to get used to. Life will throw millions of different personality traits at her in meeting and dealing with new people, starting young can only help this.

She is Safe and Loved

My husband and I don’t know everything. We’re first-time parents. The woman who is caring for her not only has two children of her own but has cared for many children over the years. She is far more experienced in parenting than I will likely ever be. I genuinely appreciate what her babysitter brings to the table in terms of her parenting abilities. She is a loving, sweet woman who cares for our daughter as one of her own, I could never thank her enough for this.

Our daughter is in a safe, loving , environment where she is free to explore and learn, allowing my husband and I time to pursue interests of our own in our careers. For us this is a great balance. There was a time I was extremely reserved about sending her somewhere while I was far away from our home but I couldn’t be happier with our decision to send her to daycare.

Are/were your kids in daycare? What was your experience like?

Catherine

plungedindebt.com

Sleeping, Outings and Other Tips to Remember During Potty Training

November 19, 2014 | Leave a Comment

In case you missed it:

Post one: Preparing to Potty Train a Toddler

Post two: Potty Training a Toddler in Less Than One Week

Like everything else, do what you feel is best for your child when it comes to outings and bedtime (or naps). I chose to keep our daughter in a diaper for naps and overnight the first few days but reminded her we only used the potty now. After she awoke from all naps and bedtime dry for four days straight and we got rid of diapers for sleep by day five when she woke us up in the morning by yelling ‘’I have to go pee’’.

Starting the second day we left the house in her new underwear driving to daycare. I always make sure she goes potty immediately before leaving the house (wherever we’re going) and we’re usually good to go for a while. In the beginning I made sure to ask her every few minutes if she had to pee and even if she said no, would attempt every 30-45 minutes (where the travel seat comes into play). Now, three weeks into it, I just trust she’ll tell me.

Since day two we have had almost no accidents and the two accidents we did have were my fault, she told me she needed to go and I didn’t get to her fast enough.

Things to remember about potty training:

There will be accidents, when they happen make sure the child knows it’s no big deal. We don’t need them feeling any sort of shame.
The first day I felt like I was making little to no progress initially with the amount of accidents but after nap and starting afternoon there was only one accident and going 30 minutes plus between potty time!
Every child is different and unique. I ‘’just knew’’ my daughter was ready so it was an easier transition. She has been ready for a few months now but I didn’t have the patience to do it until recently.
If you child has alternative childcare make sure they are aware of your potty training plan and will be able to stick to the plan. For us, I requested she stay in underwear all day and go to potty at least every 15 minutes to start. Every day I would let her sitter know how the day would go and we stayed in constant contact throughout the day.
Trust your instincts. If you don’t feel like your 18-24 month old child is ready despite the books suggesting they should be, don’t worry about it. They will get there, give it time.
Spend time getting to know your child’s bathroom signals. My daughter has always been shy about going #2 and fought doing it on the potty a bit, almost as if she would get in trouble, but since I recognized the physical cues she gave, I didn’t let her off the potty until she went. After she did this two to three times she realized it wasn’t a big deal and was fine to go.
Make use of public washrooms or allow them to see you go so they get used to them and so they know they’re ‘’not scary’’ as the loud flush can scare some kids.

Potty training can be very challenging but taking time to prepare yourself and your child will make your life much easier.

Did you use any special tricks when potty training?

Catherine

plungedindebt.com

Potty Train in Less than a Week: Your Step-by-Step Guide

November 5, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Now that you’re ready with all the supplies and have mentally prepared yourself for what could be an uphill battle, I will share with you the step-by-step process I used to potty train my two-year-old in less than a week.

Set aside a day

Some things I read suggested setting aside a weekend or upwards of a week alone at home with the child, for me I decided to set aside a single day where there was zero distractions, just her and I to get acquainted with the new potty. I picked a day I had off and knew we wouldn’t have visitors or anything to interrupt our day. Leading up to the day I started talking about the potty and how she was soon going to learn how to use it.

When the day arrived I informed her that after mommy showered and she ate her breakfast we would be hanging out and spending time learning how to use the potty (ideally you can do this before kiddo wakes up so you’re ready as soon as they wake).

When the time came, I removed her diaper and sat her on the potty to pee. Once she did we put on a new pair of underwear which we both got really excited about. I told her when the panties were on we couldn’t pee in them like she did with a diaper and we would now be using the potty only for all pee and poo. Though she agreed with me I expected there to still be accidents, and there was, initially.

For this first day I chose to keep her in a shirt and underwear only. We stayed very close to the bathroom all day and only did simple activities like read books, color and play with toys. No TV, movies or interactive games that have the potential to ‘’suck them in’’ as we need them to be aware of their bodily functions and don’t want a fit when we tear them away from the activity.

Set a time

I used my loud kitchen timer and set it for every 10 minutes. When the timer went off we both got really excited and yelled ‘’it’s potty time!!!’’. We ran to the bathroom as she sat on the toilet. The time will need to be adjusted. I started with 10 minutes but she was peeing a little every six or so minutes so I decreased the time from 10 to 5 for about an hour then started increasing it by 5 minutes once we had an hour with no accidents going every 10 minutes. Because I was making her drink a lot more than normal (to encourage the pee) she was able to pee even a tiny bit every time I put her on the toilet. For this we both got really excited and if I thought she needed it, I’d give her a treat, 90% of the time be clapping was enough reward for her.

By the end of the first day we were going 30 minutes between potty times and she was starting to tell me she had to go potty without the timer.

By the second day we had one accident only at daycare, dry nap. Treats stopped today for us but you may need to continue them.

Day three, still potty every 15-25 minutes per our reminder and zero accidents, dry nap. Accident free two-hour outing.

Day four she was telling us when she needed, if she hadn’t gone in 40 minutes, we remind her. She started waking in the morning telling us she needed to wake up and pee.

Day five, still no accidents on her vocalizing when she needs to go only. By this point she is also climbing onto the toilet and mastered taking her pants and underwear off 100% solo.

Day six onwards- zero accidents, all naps dry, dry overnight, no issue when travelling and running errands.

Keep everyone in the loop!

If you child has alternative childcare make sure they are aware of your potty training plan and will be able to stick to the plan. I let the daycare know everything I was doing so the next day she could pick up where I left off. For us, I requested she stay in underwear all day and go to potty at least every 15 minutes to start. Everyday I would let her sitter know how the day would go and we stayed in constant contact throughout the day.

Potty training is very individual, these are the steps I used to get started with potty training. Next week I will discuss the steps I used for outings and naptime as well extra tips to remember!

Catherine

plungedindebt.com

How I Prepared to Potty Train My Toddler

October 29, 2014 | Leave a Comment

I’ve been thinking about how to approach potty training with my two year old for months. It’s funny, motherhood relies a lot on intuition but potty training was leaving me stumped. I mean how do you teach a small child how to just stop using a diaper and start using a potty (or toilet)?

Today I am discussing how I prepared to potty train, next week I will break down my step-by-step about how I had my daughter from diapers to full-time underwear (including overnight) in less than a week.

Mentally Prepare Yourself

I knew one thing for sure, regardless of how I was going to approach it, I wasn’t going to initiate anything until I was ready. Most things I read focused on the readiness of the child but in my mind I was mentally preparing myself for what could be a struggle and mommy needed to be prepared more than child. If mom (and/or dad) isn’t on board do not attempt anything until you are. Once you start potty training do not stop, so if there will be foreseeable interruptions (vacations, large life changes), wait. Children are much more flexible than we give them credit for sometimes.

Get the Right Supplies

I chose to use a toilet seat insert over that traditional child potty since I felt like it was saving a step with the lack of transition needed between potty and regular, large toilet. My niece was taught on a child potty and is still terrified of toilets, especially in public, so I was going to do what I could to avoid this. I bought the seat months before I started so she could see it and become familiar with what it was though I don’t think this is a necessary step. Use whatever is easiest for you and your family.
I bought new underwear for her to see and get acquainted with, they were her ‘’big girl undies’’. Though I didn’t have her present when I bought them, I can see how some children would be excited to be involved with this step and may be beneficial, use your own judgement.
Buy a travel potty seat insert if you plan on going in public! Their bladders are small and when they need to go they need to go! Some public toilets are larger than residential and falling into the toilet even once will be enough for you and them I’m sure. The travel seats I’ve seen fold up to the size of a change pad and are pretty cheap (less than $15.00).
Rewards, if using, need to be on hand. Again this is child dependant. Before I started I knew if it came down to it my child would do just about anything for a Smartie or M&M so I had a few on hand, if I needed. I chose to not start with much reward in the beginning and see how it worked out. As I suspected my daughter was excited to just have me clap and be proud of her, she didn’t need a chocolate treat or sticker but again, have whatever you think you child will need for encouragement, on hand.
An audible timer. This could also likely be an app on a smartphone but something that makes a noise loud enough for you and child to hear.

Because I was prepared mentally for the worst, you can imagine my elation for how easy the process actually was for us. Though I mentioned mom (and dad) being mentally prepared it goes without saying to check for readiness with your child as well. There is no ‘’perfect’’ age to potty train. Every child is unique and for some being potty trained at 18 months is do-able where others are past their third birthday. You know your child better than anyone or any expert, unless there is a time sensitive issue (passing fourth birthday and needs to be out of diapers for pre-school), don’t rush the process!

Catherine

plungedindebt.com

Will Having Another Baby Be Cheaper the Second Time Around?

July 30, 2014 | Leave a Comment

In the last few months my husband and I are coming closer and closer to the conclusion that we will likely have another baby. Not for a few more years but if we have any control over the situation we would like to have another. More for the fact that we want our daughter to have a sibling. Both my husband and I are very close to our sisters and we want our daughter to have that relationship too. Though not the only reason, a big reason we’re choosing to wait to have more kids though is that kids aren’t cheap!

I really don’t think kids have to be as expensive as some would make them out to be but they’re still far from free. The two biggest expenses we need to consider is me being on maternity leave for upwards of a year (and losing some of my income) and daycare.

Preparing the Monthly Budget

Ideally we have another child at the same time our older daughter is preparing to start school. Once our daughter is in school she will no longer need full-time care and likely just a few hours in the afternoon until my husband and I are off work. This will save us hundreds of dollars a month for her current daycare cost. Having an older child in school while the younger is in daycare will definitely be the cheapest option in terms of saving on daycare costs initially.

As we come closer to preparing for me to be on maternity leave our monthly budget will look much better as we will have a significant amount of debt paid off as well. The peace of mind that comes with not having additional debt payments while on a reduced income will be great!

Saving on Baby Stuff

Most of the toys and baby items we bought and received as gifts for our daughter were very gender neutral which will save on upfront costs (and even if they’re not I have no issue with my potential son playing with his older sisters pink toys). There are very few baby ‘’items’’ we would need if we have another child. If we have a son we would need some clothes (most second-hand) as our daughter’s wardrobe is very girly and I draw the line at riding her pink motorcycle.

If possible, I will breastfeed again saving on formula and because we already own a pump and storage bags I wouldn’t need to re-purchase these.

Other than things like new savings account for post-secondary which will come with any future child, the other costs will be very limited. We will eventually need a second bed for him or her and some clothes, but because we have chosen to keep all of our current child’s things there is very little we actually need. Paying off our debt will also ensure I have a stress free maternity leave!

Did you spend less on your second baby than you did buying things for your first child?

Catherine

plungedindebt.com

3 Life Skills Every Child Needs To Learn

July 23, 2014 | 2 Comments

With a two year old at home I won’t have an empty house for a number of years but that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about the skills she will require to be a self-sufficient young lady when she does eventually leave.

A kid I know is getting ready to move out in a few weeks and I’m fairly certain he couldn’t boil water if his life depended on it. Though he is brilliant academically he is seriously missing main life skills. Something I hope to avoid with my child.

Cooking

Teach your children basic cooking and baking techniques.

They don’t necessarily need to know how to whip up an apple pie from scratch but they should know how to confidently prepare a few key heathy recipes. Getting children involved in the kitchen at an early age is a great way to instill their skills. Though having my two year old cooking with me sometimes can be extra time consuming and messy she is having fun and learning some basic skills.

Cleaning

There is a difference between tidy and clean. If kids clean it usually involves tidying and putting things away. Though this is a good start, by the age of moving out, kids need to learn how to appropriately clean. The nitty-gritty of getting and maintaining their space clean. They need to know how to effectively clean things like toilets and ovens. Too many of my peers don’t bother to do things like clean the bathroom taps, it just gets yucky!

Budget and Money

This is a skill everyone needs to know but before your child is sent out on their own, they need to know how to budget and control their money. I have seen (and experienced) too many cases of mismanaged money simply because they didn’t know what they were doing.

If they’re ready to move out and control their own finances they need to know how to do it! Money skills are something that are learned and built up over time but even if they’re not it’s never too late to teach them! Establishing open communication about money is necessary too. Let your child know they can come to you for help if they need to. It’s much easier to help them in the beginning and help get them back on track then find out they’ve racked up a ton of debt and are in over their head.

Life skills are something that are established over time. Sometimes we as parents get so worked up in things like making sure they succeed academically or make the team that we forget the importance of very basic skills, skills that will take them very far in life!

How are you preparing your children for moving out?

Catherine

plungedindebt.com

What to Get The Graduate in Your Life

July 2, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Semesters are coming to a close all across the world. Soon school hallways will be emptying out and summer activities will be ramping up.

If you enter any store this time of year, there is zero shortage of graduate related gifts but the sheer volume of options does’t make the gift hunt any easier, if anything it makes it more difficult! Here are a list of ideas what may be appropriate for the graduate in your life.

Young Child

While I personally don’t agree with rewarding young children for ”graduating” to the next grade some people feel it necessary. At this age, and really, lack of major milestone, it doesn’t have to be anything too fancy.

A card, maybe a dinner out. There really shouldn’t be too much emphasis on this age. (note: If the child overcame a major milestone such as doing really well in a subject they’ve really struggled with and worked extra hard, I may argue a bit differently).

High School

This is the first big academic milestone for most. Sometimes it’s the only academic milestone since post secondary isn’t for everyone. There are the usual graduation ceremonies and proms that you could offer to help with. As part of my graduation gift my mom paid for my prom-day stuff (half day at the spa) which I would not have spent on myself and really was a nice treat (even if I left with eye shadow that would make any hooker jealous).

Another obvious option may be to offer money to be used for post secondary if you know they will be attending. If you know they’re going to university or collage go to the local campus (if you can get there) and buy a book store gift certificate or campus shirt or sweater. They’ll be excited to wear their new schools name!

Post Secondary Grad

Finishing a post secondary diploma or degree is a huge accomplishment. Years of hard work have finally paid off and they walk across the stage for a final time. They will be handed a piece of paper symbolizing so much about them, offer to have their degree framed as a gift. They will, after all want to display it proudly.

A watch is always a timeless gift too (make sure give the gift receipt though in case they need to exchange it). Sometimes the student is about to embark into a professional world which may require a new ”grown up” wardrobe. Offering to help or provide a gift certificate to allow them to start this collection is both practical and thoughtful (and no, there is nothing wrong with a gift certificate).

And sometimes the best gift is your time. Especially if you’re travelling from afar to see them graduate, your presence is the gift. Don’t feel required to give more than that! Sharing memories and time are the best gifts of all.

What is the best gift you either received or gave to a new grad?

Catherine

plungedindebt.com

Helping Your College Student Adjust to Life Away from Home

March 11, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Just because your children don’t wear diapers anymore doesn’t mean you won’t stop thinking of them as “your babies.” This is why, for many parents, the experience of having their teenage kids move out of the house and into the dorms can be a source of anxiety. After all, you won’t be there to make sure they have access to nutritious foods, get plenty of rest and stay away from those “bad influences” every parent fears.

For easy transition, we’ve put together a shortlist of ways parents can use to assist the students adjust to college life away from the nest.

Send a Little Love & Care

Being a short drive away from your student’s campus is a luxury not all parents have. Luckily, sending a little slice of home is an easy way to remind your child that you’re thinking of them. Homemade baked-goods, clothes, knick-knacks or homely keepsakes are all great options to include in your student’s care package. If you’re not a master baker or maybe bogged down with work, have no fear! Companies that sell dorm stuff, like OCM, can send your student care package—and you can even include a handwritten note.

Set a Skype Date

Keeping an open line of communication is pivotal with college students. Text messages are good for short messages, but an even better option would be video chatting through Skype. This way, you not only get the chance to have in-depth conversations better than texts, emails, or regular phone calls.

Fund School Activities

Campus-based school activities is a great way for students to blow off steam, get their mind off of classes for a few hours, and meet new friends. Encouraging your student to find an activity and financially support their choice is an ideal way to make sure they are taking steps to settling into their new life. This will provide them with a sense of closeness and community right off the bat, something that is especially valuable when attending a school that has thousands upon thousands of students.

Plan Visits

Physically checking up on your children and spending time with them is an even better way to help them adapt to their life as a college student. While everyone likes surprises, surprise visits won’t always be met with the enthusiasm you may have been expecting. It’s in everyone’s best interest to make sure the visits are planned at least a week in advance. This way, your budding adults will have time to prioritize their school work and weekend activities (maybe even clean up their dorm room if you’re lucky).

Students may feel homesick, especially if it is the first time they have been away from home. Giving the students their freedom and letting them feel that they are trusted in making the right decisions is the best approach to take.

Photo Credit: Stuart Miles

How did you help your college aged kids adjust to life away from home?

Brian

Brian is the founder of Kids Ain’t Cheap and is now sharing his journey through parenthood.

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3 Big Costs of Teaching Your Child to Drive

February 7, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Whether you like it or not the time will eventually come for your child to drive. While your nerves might be on edge as your child makes her way on the road, your pocketbook can take a hurting, too.

It’s important to realize what kind of costs you are going to incur before it’s time to send your child off to learn how to drive. Here are some of the most common expenses you will come across as your child becomes driving age.

Drivers Education

First on the list is driver’s education.

It’s been awhile since I took a driver’s education class but I can still remember my parents talking about how expensive it was. A driver’s education class usually consists of classroom sessions teaching new driver’s basic laws and safety regulations and also time driving with a driver’s instructor.

In addition your child will be required to have a certain number of hours in driving experience with a licensed driver or trainer before taking a driver’s test.

Call and find out how much driver’s education will be at least a few months in advance so that you can prepare for this cost. You should be able to find at least a couple different courses in your area that you can compare.

Car Insurance

Getting insurance for a driver with a permit varies from region to region. Some insurance companies don’t require you to add an unlicensed permitted driver while others do. And, some companies will want you to get special insurance for an unlicensed driver.

Check with your insurance agent for the rules and regulations in your area. If you need to get learner’s drivers insurance check out insurelearnerdriver.co.uk where you can get learners drivers insurance for a specified period of time at a great price.

Car Costs

When your child is ready to drive you’ll also be faced with the question of whether or not to purchase your child a car. Since this is usually a huge cost you’ll want to save in advance or have your child pick up a part time job to help contribute to the cost of a car.

Even if you don’t purchase your child a new car you’re still going to have to factor in maintenance and fuel costs. A child with a learner’s permit will need to spend a certain amount of time driving to gain experience and since fuel is getting increasingly expensive this can be a big cost.

If your child will be sharing a vehicle with another family member the cost of maintenance will also go up. Oil changes, new tires, and other routine maintenance will need to be increased. Incidentially, I like Costco for tires. Costco has excellent service and they inflate their tires with nitrogen, which results in good long term tire pressure.

Be Prepared

Becoming driving age is an extremely exciting time for a child and a nerve wracking time for parents. Aside from worrying about your child being on the road you’ll also need to think about the associated costs.

If your child is approaching driver’s age it’s important for you to plan in advance and consider the costs you will incur.

What else do you think about when your child is learning to drive?

Brian

Brian is the founder of Kids Ain’t Cheap and is now sharing his journey through parenthood.

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Seven Things You Should Prepare For With Your Pre-Teen

January 29, 2014 | Leave a Comment

As a parent of a pre-teen, you should be congratulated for making it this far. Many achievements have already been attained on your child’s journey through life. Now your pre-teen is about to embark on a new leg of the trip to adulthood. Though the teenage years are often feared for the challenges this time brings, these coming years will supply many milestones and should be embraced. Help ease the transition by preparing with your pre-teen now for the changes that are to come tomorrow.

Hormones

An unavoidable side effect of becoming a teenager is the surge of hormone production. Your pre-teen’s body already is undergoing physical transformations associated with puberty. Learn more about what to expect and you will be better equipped to help your child understand what he or she will experience.

Attitude

Associated with physical changes are shifts in attitudes. Chances are your child will develop a defiant streak, will sulk and shout, and will exhibit unpleasant behaviors as part of the coming developmental phase. Try to understand the possible attitudes you will encounter and attempt patience to weather the storm.

Independence

Your child likely has already begun expressing a desire for increased independence. Prepare him or her for the responsibilities of independence, slowly granting more privileges as he or she demonstrates the ability to handle them appropriately. Show your pre-teen how trust must be gained in exchange for little freedoms.

Driving

In a few years, your child will begin driving, begging to borrow your car for a date. To prepare for when your son or daughter gets a driver’s license in the near future, set a good driving example now and be sure he or she completes driver’s education courses. Also, start saving for another car. Do your research and find an affordable auto insurance policy for your new young driver.

College

If college might be an option in your child’s future, then encourage him or her to enroll in appropriate preparatory courses and to partake in extracurricular groups and activities. You should increase your deposits into a college fund, and begin searching for scholarship opportunities.

Employment

As a teen, your child can enter the workforce. As a pre-teen, prepare your child for entry in the workforce. Assign chores in exchange for pay. Instill the importance of work ethic and the values of commitment and doing a good job.

Anxiety

Anticipate that anxieties will surface, both in your pre-teen as he or she becomes a teen and in you as you watch your child grow up. Your child faces an exciting time period that represents a time of growth but also symbolizes an end to the comforts of childhood. He or she likely worries about the unknown and fears possible failures and pitfalls. You might worry about the coming empty nest, in addition to sympathizing with your child’s anxieties. Awareness of both sides’ anxieties allow you to be better prepared to conquer them.

Enjoy each moment with your child, including the awkward and unpleasant times as well as the remarkable ones. Plan ahead, prepare now, increase your savings, and be aware of possible changes. Perhaps most importantly, embrace your pre-teen as often as you can, as together you welcome the teen years.

Brian

Brian is the founder of Kids Ain’t Cheap and is now sharing his journey through parenthood.

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