Search Results for: money parenting and money

Idaho Lawmaker Introduced Free-Range Parenting Bill

Those of us who are part of Generation X remember walking to and from school, and riding a bike around the neighborhood, by ourselves. Today, some parents want to raise their kids the way they were raised – with plenty of freedom to explore and make their own decisions. Unfortunately, this can get parents into legal trouble when other parents report them for neglect. Representative Ron Nate, an Idaho State Republican, has written a bill that would protect parents who want to give their children less supervision. It is called the Reasonable Childhood Independence Act. “The intent of this is … Continue reading →

Birdnesting is a Parenting Style for Divorced Parents

Have you heard of “birdnesting”? It is a parenting style that fits the unique needs of parents who are divorcing or who have already divorced. The main focus of birdnesting is keeping the lives of the children as intact as possible. Some celebrities are using this parenting style. Birdnesting is an arrangement between two separating or divorced parents for the purpose of making their children’s lives more comfortable and secure. Typically, children of divorced parents have to move from one parent’s home to the other. Birdnesting turns this concept around and requires the parents to do the traveling. It starts … Continue reading →

Parenting Techniques Outside of the United States

The things that you consider to be typical parenting techniques might seem strange to people who live outside of the United States. Likewise, some of what parents in other countries do may seem weird to parents here. It’s all a matter of perspective. What works well for parents in one place might not be acceptable to do in other places. NPR has an article titled Global Parenting Habits that Haven’t Caught On In the U.S.. It was written by Emily Lodish and posted on August 12, 2014. In it, she points out some parenting techniques that are commonly practiced in … Continue reading →

Two Strategies for Saving Money on Baby Items

As you make a list of all of the things that you will need for your new baby, you may become overwhelmed. It might seem as though there is no way that you will be able to afford all of the things that you think you will need to take care of your baby. Fortunately, there are ways that you can bring down the cost of caring for your baby. One way to trim expenses is to think carefully about what items you absolutely must have for your new baby. If you really sit down and think about it, baby … Continue reading →

Hurricane Sandy Relief

Well, it’s Election Day and thank goodness – I don’t think I can take any more ads, debates, or Facebook posts. While many people are focused on the election, much of the country’s focus is still on Hurricane Sandy’s destruction on the east coast and providing relief to those in need. While the physical storm is over, the real problems still exist and will for months, if not years to come. Some people are having trouble getting gas, some are still without electricity, many are homeless, and now that section of the country is facing a nor’easter, which could bring … Continue reading →

Transition from Parenting to Friend

One thing I am learning as a parent is that letting go is a process. Although a child may have physically moved out of the home, there is still an emotional separation that has to happen. In addition, you are navigating new waters when it comes to your relationship. You don’t stop being a parent but you definitely stop parenting. For eight-and-a-half weeks my son was in basic training. Although I no longer had control over him, his training instructors did. In the past few days I have come to realize that deep down I found a sort of comfort … Continue reading →

Who Needs a Handyman?

When I became a single parent I quickly learned just how many things I didn’t know how to fix around the house. I’ve had to call my dad far too many times to come and rescue me from my lack of handiness around the house. In less than two years we’ve gone through three DVD players simply because I didn’t know how to fix them. I’ve been stranded in the middle of the highway on more than one occasion and had to call my poor father to save me yet again because frankly beyond putting gas in it I know … Continue reading →

A Parent’s Dilemma: Time or Money?

Which would have a more positive impact on your family’s future, an extra $10,000 each year or an extra hour of quality time every day with your kids? The question was posed to more than 2,000 parents across the county via a survey conducted by Parents magazine and the Center for the Next Generation, and the results may surprise you. According to the poll, two-thirds of parents would rather have the extra cash than time with their kids. Chock it up to hard economic times and financial uncertainty. “Parents have some very, very serious concerns about providing for their families,” … Continue reading →

Money-Saving Mom Moves

School starts here in just a few weeks. Never mind that Target and Wal-Mart erected their school supply displays on the day after Fourth of July. “Mommy, is summer over?” my 7-year-old asked as we strolled by the cases of new pencils, pens and binders on JULY 5th. For weeks, I’ve resisted going near those aisles. I’m dreading having to dig deep to purchase all new supplies, plus uniforms, shoes, and the 17,000 other accessories that students need to tackle a new academic year. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to snap out of my denial phase pretty soon. Sure, my … Continue reading →

Does Money Make You a Better Parent?

When you become a single parent you quickly learn that there is never enough money. Your kids learn this lesson too, much earlier than you want them too. It’s hard for your kids not to have the things everyone else has, it’s also hard when you are the one who always has to tell them no. Many studies that are done on single parents focus on income as a reason children from single parent households struggle. This may be true, but not having everything handed to you and learning the value of hard work gives our children life skills they … Continue reading →