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Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

4 Tips for Taking Care of Your Child’s Overall Well-Being

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When you have kids, your entire life’s perspective and priorities may change. That’s because you’ll get focused on providing them with the best possible upbringing so as to improve their outlook for the future. If you have this intention but you’re unsure about how exactly you can go about doing this, have a look below. You’ll see four tips that can help you take good care of your child’s overall well-being and give them a chance to thrive in the future.

1. Take Them for Regular Health Wellness Checks

The first thing that you ought to do is to make sure that their health is in perfect shape. You can do this by taking them to a family doctor or pediatric health care provider regularly. If you can do this, a number of issues that might otherwise have a devastating outcome if left unchecked will be easier to handle. One of these is something like juvenile arthritis, which affects almost 300,000 children in the United States. Make sure to follow the doctor’s advice on things like lifestyle changes that they suggest you should make for the better health of your child as well. This can help you keep your child in amazing health.

2. Teach Them About Digital Safety

Another thing that you need to do is to teach your children about taking care of themselves online. The world is going digital at a very fast rate, and this is why you need to make sure that your child is safe from the risks that exist in this sphere of life. Find out the risks they may face and educate your kids about them. Make use of parental control so that you can help protect your child from interacting with people or things that they shouldn’t. This is something you can do for the various social media platforms that exist. Note that 78% of journalists reported that their most valuable social media platform is Twitter. The younger population may have different preferences, so make sure you’re informed about them and you’ll be better able to keep your kids safer online.

3. Put Them in a Great School

Education is an important part of a stable and rewarding life, and this is why you need to make sure that your kids get the best. This may involve looking at different schools and making sure to put your child in one that reflects your beliefs and that can work out well for their learning style and abilities. Enable them to learn effectively by getting them the supplies they need and also keeping them well-fed and in great health. This is important when you consider the fact that 4.6% of children aged between five and 11 years missed 11 or more days of school in the last year as a result of injury or illness.

4. Remember Their Mental Health

Last but definitely not least, it’s important for you to make sure that your child’s mental health is taken care of. That’s because this is one of the things that’s easy to forget about when taking care of your children’s health. All the same, it’s an extremely important thing to take into consideration as it can impact different parts of your child’s life and well-being. Provide open lines of communication for your children so that they can approach you in case they have any issues, and this will work out well.

With these four tips, you have the chance to ensure that your children are well taken care of. They’ll thrive and grow to become productive members of society who can enjoy their lives to the fullest. They’ll also take good care of their children as a result, so it’s a gift that will keep on giving.

Convert Your Basement into Your Children’s Bedroom With These Tips

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By now, it’s no secret that finishing unfinished spaces in your home can make them more valuable and functional. This is supported by the fact that a finished basement can increase the value of your property by 70%. It may not add to the overall square footage of a house, but this is beside the point as it can be used as a guest room, home classroom space, office, or informal family room/living room. One of these spaces is the basement, and if you have kids, what better to do with it than to turn it into an additional bedroom for them? Have a look at the tips below that can help you turn your basement into a creative, cozy, and safe bedroom for your kids.

Deal With Water Damage and Leaks

Water damage is a major issue for basements, especially because of their position in the house. The biggest issue with water damage is the fact that it can lead to issues like mildew and mold. According to Angi, the two main reasons why homeowners typically get mold in their basement are as a result of drainage issues or water intrusion, and that the basement has an overall humidity level of over 45%. Mold can cause respiratory issues and so it’s important to make sure that there’s no risk that it might form in the basement, where it will affect your kids. Find a professional to inspect and fix your basement so that water damage is an unlikely scenario and the space isn’t more humid than it needs to be.

Get Proper Lighting

Next, you want to make sure that the basement is well-lit. This involves adding egress windows that can let in light during the day and also be a means of escape in case of an emergency. Have a professional install these so that they do so according to the building codes in your area. You can also add lighting by installing LED light holders at strategic points throughout the house. These will keep the basement well-lit when it gets dark and also save you a considerable amount of money in terms of the energy that you use in your home. The best lighting should be that which isn’t too bright, so pick bulbs that have a considerable wattage.

Remember the Flooring

The floor of your basement needs to be comfortable enough for your kids to walk on in all seasons. This is why you may want to install a carpet, tiles, or even engineered wood. These are all easy to find at local hardware stores in your area, so look for the right one for your home, depending on your budget and the end result that you hope to achieve. Remember that 60% of homes in the United States have wet basements, with 38% of them running the risk of basement mold. You have to make sure that there’s no risk of water getting into the basement as it will leave you with an expensive mess.

Check Insulation and Ventilation

Finally, make sure that the basement is insulated well enough to keep it at a comfortable temperature as the seasons change. You should also be sure that the ventilation is perfect so that the basement stays fresh and any fumes that come from cooking, electrical systems, heaters, and more are all funneled away safely. Have a professional check and install the ventilation to make sure that it’s correct so that you’ll be sure your kids are safe throughout.

Use these tips to convert the basement into a safe and comfortable bedroom for your kids. Work with professionals so that you get the best possible outcome. This will help make your home feel larger than it currently is, so it’s worth the time and money you’ll spend on doing it.

Here’s How to Send Your Children to Private School

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Perhaps you are considering enrolling your kids in private school. Private schools offer unique benefits from a social, athletic, and academic perspective. One of the most important things to be aware of regarding public schools is that your kids will have to go through an application process. If you are concerned about the application process, don’t be! This guide will inform you so that your kids will be fully equipped to pass the application process.

Try Early Enrollment

Research shows that around 10% of students in the United States attend private schools. While that may seem like a small number, competition for these spots is exceptionally tight. Getting started on the enrollment process as soon as possible can give you an advantage. Consider researching schools for your kids at least eight months in advance. Also, keep in mind that different schools have different time frames and guidelines.

Check Financial Requirements

Often, the hardest obstacle for many parents when enrolling their kids in a private school is meeting the financial demands. Researching the cost of tuition should be one of your top priorities. Contact the schools that you’re interested in to see if they offer financial aid to families.

Assess Your Child’s Talents

Making sure that your kids are happy is a top priority. Look for private schools that appeal to your kid’s talents. Maybe your child likes sports, art, or theater. Perhaps you are trying to enroll young kids in private schools. Over 50% of young kids between the age of three and five were enrolled in school throughout 2020. If you have young kids that you’re trying to enroll, check to see if they offer any daycare options. Assessing all of these options will help you determine if the potential schools that you’re looking at are a good fit.

Focus on Academic Performance

Strong academic performance is something that boarding school admissions weigh heavily. If you’re trying to get your kids enrolled in high school, admissions will assess whether they are involved in any academic teams, tutoring, or any other programs that showcase how passionate they are about learning.

Improve Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are another huge part of the admissions process. Consider having your kids take the SSAT and ISEE. The SSAT will test your kids’ math, vocabulary, reading, and writing knowledge. The ISEE will test your kid’s reading, math, writing, verbal, and quantitative skills. Be advised that each test has different registration deadlines, so try to take a proactive approach when preparing your kids.

Get Reputable References

A few references can help your kids during the application process. Many private schools expect multiple references from instructors. A strong recommendation from your kids’ instructors puts them in a favorable position to get accepted. If your kids are involved in extracurricular activities, ask your kids’ coach or instructor if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation. Networking can also be an asset as well. Obviously, it’s harder to obtain recommendations if your kids have had behavioral issues in the past, such as distracted driving. Tennessee and Kentucky along with over 30 other states have rules in place to prohibit texting while driving. As long as your child doesn’t have any glaring legal issues following them, they should be in the clear!

Nail a Personal Interview

An overlooked step during the admissions process is the personal interview. It’s important that your kids are well-prepared for any questions that may be asked. Having mock interviews with your kids is a great way to help them prepare. You can also offer helpful tips on good body language and attire. It’s natural for your kids to feel nervous during the interview. However, the more practice they have, the more likely it is that they will test well during the interview.

These tips should help your kids get enrolled in the best private schools! Good luck!

How Can a Surgery Affect Your Family’s Budget?

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Surgery is usually the last resort to helping a patient with a medical condition. Whether minimally invasive or invasive surgery, the expenses can throw a family budget off its axis. How badly can surgery impact families with a loved one in the household undergoing the procedure? Today we’re talking about this topic that is sometimes overlooked in a world where we would usually consider all other monthly expenditures and not those related to surgery.

Surgery Impacts a Household in Many Ways

We can’t always avoid everything negative that happens. Sometimes families are faced with life-changing challenges that occur suddenly and sometimes at the very beginning, for instance, when a child is born with a medical challenge. Some medical conditions like limb lengthening and reconstruction surgery for deformed limbs and bones can take place over a series of years and many surgeries. Procedures like these can set a family back with finances in ways that sometimes make simple things harder to come by. Apart from the financial impact, the emotional impact is huge, too.

Emotional Impact

The emotional impact some surgeries can have on the individual is inevitable. Patients may experience depression, a lack of self-esteem, anxiety, and feel as though they have become a burden to their family members at home. Some family members at home may now feel as though life revolves solely around one person or that other family members must now put their own lives on hold to help the patient recover. Having a good support group is critical for someone who has had medical surgery, and an emotionally supportive family is one of the positive factors.

Low-Income Homes Feel the Impact the Most

Even when both parents work, the financial strain deeply affects lower-income families. In the case where one of the parents must stay home to take care of the child or where extra home care is required, it ultimately results in one less breadwinner. In the case of bringing in medical assistance, the cost of maintaining the help is inevitable despite two incomes if the income is low.

Emergency Medical Surgeries May Cut Into Savings

Unforeseen injuries requiring surgery can easily cut into family savings and even put a hole in that retirement nest egg. More than 8 million patients required emergency medical care for fall-related injuries in 2019 alone. It is not uncommon for households to be saddled with medical bills.

Manage Health Bills Effectively

It’s estimated that about 80% of medical bills carry errors. This worsens things for a family with a loved one undergoing surgery. From the medical bills to the therapy and recovery process, it all costs money just to learn you may have been overpaying. Check whether you too, have received errors in your medical bills and query these errors as you may be owing way less than is stated on the invoice.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 38,600 surgeons working in the United States, and this equates to thousands of households with one or other family member who has had surgery, albeit cosmetic or for medical reasons. While healthcare remains of primary importance in the world, it isn’t always something every family or household has easy access to without struggling. Sometimes you can try and accrue funds with a GoFundMe and charity to help finance a medical cause. People are often eager to help for a good course, and if you explain your situation to your church community or other means of fund donation source, they may be able to help with part of your medical expenses. Some people take out more loans to pay their medical bills, but this may not be the best option as it still leaves the individual in debt.

If you’re reading this and you are also having a loved one at home going through surgery, know that you are not alone. Consider the facts above as you budget for a family member’s surgery.

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

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Here’s How to Transfer a Generational Family Business

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Many people toil all their lives and establish businesses with hopes of giving their kids, generations after, a good life. However, deep business roots aren’t always a guarantee for success. The successor must pass down the entrepreneurship drive supported by progressive development and adaptation to sustain the business. How do you successfully pass down the family business baton? Read on to learn how.

1. Expose The Next Generation To Business Early

According to Cornwell University, SC Johnson College College of Business, a family-owned business lasts about 24 years. Additionally, only about 40% of such enterprises transition into second-generation businesses. To ensure your business grows for years on end, you should bring your children on board early enough to familiarize themselves with the ins and outs of daily management. They’ll experience firsthand the hard work you must put in to make the business successful. They don’t have to do the hard work; simply being present and observing is enough.

You’ll be amazed by how much they can learn through observation. They might grab critical lessons such as understanding what steps to take to minimize costs while being environmentally friendly, a must-know secret for business survival. About 90% of companies fail to track printing costs. As a result, they miss out on impactful savings affiliated with print costs and environmental management. Exposing your successors early to these critical lessons prevents them from making these mistakes.

2. Establish Solid Systems

Businesses that survive longer have systems that everyone must follow faithfully to ensure quality and standardized output throughout generations. For this to happen, the family must know how to balance codified processes and standard operating procedures. An excellent example is going the extra mile to provide after-sales services. Independent auto repair shops do about 75% of after-market repairs. The main benefits of offering aftersale services are retaining customers and growing your market share.

If you intend to pass over a successful business, you must be willing to source talent outside the family. Doing so ensures you maximize professionalism to sustain your family business for generations. Specialized skills alongside business-minded successors ensure business survival after your exit.

3. Create Progressive Development Processes

Moving your family members through the diverse organizational departments would be best for learning different business processes. The idea is to help them develop technical expertise in diversified business areas and allow them to manage diversified teams. As a result, the successors will learn the scope of the business while gaining the necessary experience in overall business management. Also, they’ll learn how to keep a competitive advantage against direct business competitors and protect the business against attacks that spell doom to a company, such as data breaches. Data breaches exposed over four billion records in the first half of 2019.

4. Insist On Integrity

It’s common for some family members to develop bad habits. If your child fudges the truth at home, they may do the same in a company. Also, if one of your kids always trounces the others in typical rivalry during play, chances are they may bring unhealthy competition into the company. Therefore, parents shouldn’t ignore these behaviors. Address them early to prevent these negative inclinations, which can potentially damage the family business in the future.

Not all family businesses make it through multiple generations. For this reason, if you intend to pass over the family business baton to the next generation successfully, you should expose the successors to the business early and create progressive development systems. Instill integrity and ensure it runs in the blood. Your lineage will enjoy the fruits of your hard work long after you are gone.

4 Things New Parents Should Stay On Top Of

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When you become a parent, there are so many things that you are now responsible for. You have to take care of a small person that is totally reliant on you. The stress of this situation can make it difficult to know what is important to remember and what isn’t. However, there are some things that might seem unimportant but can have a major impact in the future. Here are four things new parents should stay on top of.

1. Dental Appointments

As soon as your child begins to grow teeth, you should start bringing them to the dentist. Dental hygiene is extremely important and your influence in childhood will set your child’s habits for life. Make sure that your family goes to the dentist regularly. This will ensure that their teeth remain clean and that all problems are caught early. Going regularly will also allow you to get them orthodontic treatment as they get older. About 25% to 50% of children require orthodontics. This means there is a good chance your child will. If they are visiting the dentist regularly, their dentist will be able to refer them to an orthodontist as soon as they show signs of needing that treatment.

2. Vaccines

Your family needs to get their vaccinations on time. Generally, these vaccines are given at the pediatrician’s office during their annual wellness exam. This makes it easier to stay on top of the standard childhood vaccines. These injections help their bodies build up a defense against certain diseases. That way, if they’re exposed, your child has less of a chance of getting ill. Some vaccines are only required once while others have to be redone regularly. Make sure that you keep track of when your child needs vaccines and that you get them done. Their health depends on it.

3. Technology

As your child gets older, they are going to be more connected with the technology around them. If you are unaware of how that technology works, you won’t be able to supervise their use as well as you might want to. This can lead to a wide array of problems in the future. Do your best to stay current with technology. You don’t need to be an expert, but you do need to know what your child is using. This has impacted parents before. When Napster was invented in 1999, P2P file sharing became a big deal and there were legal consequences. Parents who didn’t know how music downloads worked weren’t able to help their children avoid these consequences. If you have a basic understanding, you can help your family make good choices.

4. Digital Safety

You need to be careful with your digital life in order to protect your family. If you accidentally download malware onto your computer, people are able to access things like bank accounts and other personal information. They can use this to steal your money and your identity. Unfortunately, one in three home computers are infected with malware. In order to keep your family secure, you need to keep your computer secure. So invest in the technology and services you need in order to do this. That way, you can focus more on your children and less on the computer.

As a new parent, you might not be considering the future right now. But as you keep your young baby safe and healthy, remember these tips as well. They will help you to build a safer, healthier future for your whole family. Incorporate them into your routine early and they will become much more common and comfortable to do in your everyday life.

Simple Ways to Create Memories with Your Kids

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Ways to Create Memories with Your Kids

Sometimes when your kids are little, every day might seem so LONG. The kids have endless needs you have to meet, and they might fuss, cry, or have tantrums. However, smiling older women look at you in the store and compliment your beautiful family and reminisce about their now-grown children. People tell you, “The days are long, but the years are short.” Yet, while you try to enjoy the days, sometimes you struggle. As your kids grow older (and it happens so quickly!), you realize that the time you have with them is fleeting, and you want to create memories with them. Here are some suggestions to do just that.

Simple Ways to Create Memories with Your Kids

Creating memories with your kids doesn’t have to be expensive. You simply need to spend your undivided time with them.

Actively Watch Their Sports

How often have you gone to kids’ sporting events and seen parents not watching the game but instead giving all of their attention to their smartphones? Put the phone aside and watch your kids. They notice, and they’ll appreciate that you spend time on them, not on the internet.

Have a Dedicated Movie Night

One fun family tradition is to have a dedicated movie time. In our family, we watch a movie on Sunday afternoon. This activity may not seem like much, but your kids will likely enjoy this tradition and remember it fondly when looking back on their childhoods.

Play Board Games

Likewise, you can have a family game night. Or, if you can’t play board games with the family that often, make a habit of playing a board game with your child at least once every two weeks. Your kids will enjoy playing the game and the time you gave them.

Read Aloud to Them

Ways to Create Memories with Your Kids

This family tradition is best started when your kids are young, though you can begin any time they’re in elementary school. When my kids were babies, I started reading aloud to them, and we never stopped. My younger kids are now 13 and 12, and I still read aloud to them every day. I’m sure this is one activity they’ll cherish and hopefully repeat with their children.

Have a Yes Day

Too often, we parents say no because it’s more convenient than saying yes. Challenge yourself to say yes one day and see how different the day will be. “Mom, can we go to the park?” Yes. “Can I bake a cake?” Yes. If the activity the children propose isn’t dangerous or out of your budget, try saying yes and see what happens.

Take Them on Vacation

Finally, if you have the means, take your children on vacation. Getting out of your element and exploring new places leads to family bonding, especially when you reminisce about your adventures years later.

Final Thoughts

Kids grow up too quickly. The older women in the stores are right—the days are long, but the years are short. Cherish the time you have by utilizing simple ways to create memories with your kids. You’ll be glad you did.

Read More

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Important Advice for New Parents

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Nothing ever prepares you for starting a new family and becoming a parent. There are thousands of books that can provide you with information, but this still would not be enough to know how to be a successful parent. Fortunately, these tips below are common sense and can help you by providing important, practical advice when starting a family.

Save for Medical Expenses

Did you know that over 3.5 million American kids and teenagers wear braces every year? If your child has braces, this means they will need to visit the dentist on an almost monthly basis, if not more. It’s best to save now for future medical expenses such as dental work, medical emergencies, and special treatments.

While you might not want to think about your child becoming sick, it’s best to save for medical expenses in case of an emergency. Add your child to your family health insurance plan, or consider starting a medical savings fund. You can use your savings for medical-related and out-of-pocket expenses.

Plan a Custody Agreement That Works

If you feel you will need to divorce your spouse, you should prepare beforehand by creating the best custody agreement for your family. Consider that, in divorce cases, the non-custodial parent will usually have around 88 days with the child in a year. Speak with your spouse and try to work on a co-parenting plan that helps you both have access to your child the same amount of days out of the year.

Consider An IB School

If your child is exceptionally gifted or you want to expose them to better educational opportunities, consider enrolling them in a school that offers an IB program. Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programs. These programs include the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), and the Career-related Programme (CP). While a school might have a candidate status, it gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted for an IB program.

Thus, when looking for an IB school, look for a fully accredited program in your area. Evidence suggests that children who enroll in an IB program perform better in school than children who are not enrolled in an IB program.

Save For School Events

It’s important to save for school events such as field trips, prom dances, and other school-related activities. These events are incredibly beneficial for your child to develop social skills and create life-long memories with their friends. Consider creating a savings account to save for school events.

In addition, many schools require parents to pay a fee if there are overnight school events such as camping trips, trips abroad, or other special festivals. Saving for these school events can also help teach your children a valuable lesson about the importance of creating a fund for themselves. You can ask your child to save a portion of their allowance to go towards school events as well.

Always Offer Mental Health Help

Both adults and children might struggle with the effects of mental health disorders. If your child is experiencing symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or trauma, it’s always best to offer mental health help. Remind your child that you can offer them therapy to help them heal and will not judge them on their decision to seek help.

Children’s brains develop quickly, and it’s essential they get the mental health treatment they need to prevent mental health issues from escalating further. Talk to your child about the importance of treatment, and offer them treatment options such as therapy, inpatient treatment, and medication.

Follow these tips above to help prepare you for parenthood. These tips can help you keep your family safe and cared for. Whether it’s creating a savings fund, preparing for medical emergencies, or finding a talented school, create the best life for your family using these tips above.

How Video Games Can Actually Help Your Child’s Social Skills

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Video games have a bad reputation in society. People tend to associate players with lazy nerds who haven’t showered in days. Video games get blamed for the violence. Adults are seen as losers for enjoying their hobbies. Everyone is always trashing video games just because. However, video games can actually benefit the players in the long run. Did you know that a family can become closer when they play together? Believe it or not, video games can actually help a young player with building their social skills.

Child Players Can Find Common Interests

Not every child is a social butterfly. Some children are shy and would rather keep to themselves. It is not a good idea to force them to be social against their will. That can be really hard, especially when they are going through puberty. In the eyes of Texas law, a minor is aged from 10 years old to 17. One way you can help your kids make friends is to let them play video games. The easiest way to connect with people is to have common interests. Hobbies are the quickest way to do that. If your child plays games like Zelda or Donkey Kong, they will more than likely come across another kid who plays those games as well. From there, the children will have something to talk about. Maybe then, a relationship of some sort can be formed.

Child Players Can Build a Community

Video games have countless fanbases. It is not hard to find more than two people who are die-hard fans of a game. Even the Minecraft population keeps smashing new records every year. A new report shows that 400 million of the 600 million active players come from China alone. As stated before, your child will connect with others on and offline with other players. Some games have to be played with others. In these types of games, players have to learn how to work with others and practice teamwork. Children can even form another family in the game and in real life. Especially in the pandemic, children and adults found solace in their video game communities. A child needs a tribe to grow and develop. Video games are a modern way to do that.

Child Players Can Develop Problem-Solving Skills

Video games actually do have value in the real world.

Recent studies on screen time and child development have shown that children engaged in screen time are actually more likely to have better levels of social and emotional well-being than non-users.

They can help a child develop problem-solving skills. Not every video game has to be about shooting and killing things. Puzzles in video games are a good way to help a child use their brain to help them think about how to solve the game. Now, puzzles can be frustrating depending on the difficulty level. Some kids might give up when they find it too hard, while others will learn to keep trying until they solve it. Their skills in solving puzzles in games will transfer well to solving problems in the real world.

Another example of video games helping with problem-solving is real-life simulations. Games like The Sims and Animal Crossing put the player in a world where they have to create a family, get jobs, build relationships, etc. You are put in the position of making choices for your characters. Speaking of which, there are some games where the child’s choices will affect the outcome of the story and gameplay. They are going to have to learn how to make the right choices in their games.

People are not meant to be alone. Up to 63% of the human race have moved to a new community at least once or twice in their lives. Meanwhile, the remaining 37% will never leave their hometowns. That alone is enough to drive anyone crazy. Video games can help a child try and be a little bit more social. They can become a family activity. Video games don’t have to be a bad thing. They can actually do good for the world.