Child Easter Baskets and Gift Ideas

As kids, we loved Easter, right? It was especially fun not only coloring Easter eggs but hunting for them in the morning. Mom always found neat places to hide them. While coloring Easter eggs has taken on a similar but new art form, here are 7 inexpensive easter basket and gift ideas for your child to enjoy as well.

1. For your younger children, you can put together an Easter basket filled with homemade cookies; Easter coloring books and crayons; and, of course, a small and inexpensive chocolate Easter Bunny.

2. Another favorite treat for kids is the very popular marshmallow chicks. These have been around since we were kids, and these are sure to be a hit with yours, too! You can add these to a small basket; take different colored tissue paper and cut them into strips to make a nest; line the basket; add the chicks along with a small bag of jelly beans, and some chocolate Easter eggs.

3. If you want to cut down on the number of sweets your child eats, you can buy an Easter basket and some straw, and fill it with little toys from the dollar store. You may even want to include a few kids’ books as well.

4. How about an easter basket filled with cookies shaped like eggs and bunnies. You can use different color icing to decorate the eggs and bunnies. This is one gift your kids will love!

5. How about making a bunny cake! Have the entire family participate in molding, shaping and icing the bunny. Let your imagination run wild with this fun activity. Or you could make girl and boy bunny cakes for the kids and present it to them on Easter morning. What a surprise that would be!

6. String up jelly bean necklaces and bracelets for your kids to wear. Tell your kids there is an island where visitors are greeted with jellybean jewelry.

7. You can purchase inexpensive bunny ears for your kids to wear. They can hop around the house while hunting for those Easter eggs. Make a game of it.

Out of the 7 inexpensive Easter basket and gift ideas for children, there are probably 70 more you can choose from. Before you enjoy the day’s festivities, remind your kids what Easter is really all about.

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Is Homeschooling Right For Your Family?

Education is the number one priority in this country, yet we have seen more and more deterioration of schools in the last ten years, than any other time in history. This is due in part to the consistent and often times unnecessary reorganization of schools; change in curriculum; and, most importantly, oversized classrooms which thwart the educational process. In addition, discipline has become a major problem in most public schools today.

Add to this peer pressure, gang related incidents and violence; neither of which is conducive to the learning environment. Therefore, the question: “Is homeschooling right for your family?” happens to be a valid one. Let’s explore some of the issues you need to consider about homeschooling.

Is it cost effective for you to homeschool your child? Depending upon your city, you may be able to avail yourself of the many materials needed either through your local school, community or library. Studies have shown that homeschooled children show far better results that attending regular schools. If both parents currently work outside the home, it’s likely one of you will have to quit your job to home school.

Teaching your child at home, while in a comfortable and non-threatening setting, allows the child to work at his or her own pace. However, keeping up with the curriculum standards is important as well. A great deal has been mentioned lately regarding the amount of time a child spends from the moment they awake until they finish their homework at night. It is estimated they put in more than 10 hours a day. Homeschooling can alleviate the stress of traveling to and from school and lack of sleep, to a more relaxed learning environment wherein the child will be able to rest easier, and retain most of which he or she has learned.

While homeschool is a decision the entire family must make, since one parent will have to stay home every day to ensure their child’s educational progress is on track; there are other things to consider as well. If there are other children a parent has to care for, it may be difficult to conduct learning sessions, and may require bringing in someone to care for the siblings every day.

Testing is another consideration. This also depends upon state regulations and test requirements, especially if the child is going to college. Check with your state’s educational policies to determine what tests if any have to be conducted and under what conditions.

Finally, you and your family must sit down and thoroughly go over all of the necessary items you need; if homeschooling is affordable for you; if you have the time, patience and commitment to see it through; and be willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary for the sake of your child. Once you have answered all of these questions, you can then answer the next question with certainty: Is home schooling right for your family?

Coloring Easter Eggs - Easy Ideas

Coloring Easter eggs is something kids look forward to every year. However, it can be messy, right? Well here are some easy ideas for easter egg coloring.

Now in the old days, you would buy an egg coloring kit which required you to use vinegar and dyes. Using a tablespoon to drop the eggs into cups; take them out again became a bit messy. The kit everyone seemed to use was the PAAS egg coloring kit.
Since then, PAAS has come out with new and quite exciting ways in which to color eggs. In fact, they now have holders for the eggs to make coloring them more efficient and user friendly. Although you can still buy these kits, there are other ways in which you can decorate Easter eggs without having to use any dye at all.

After the eggs are hard boiled, let them cool down a bit so you can handle them. Apply a bit of water to the egg; take some colored tissue paper; cut it in different shapes and apply it to the egg. You can turn an egg into a work of art with geometric shapes and strips.
Or, you can buy Easter stickers, and have the kids cover the eggs with those. No mess, no fuss!

However, if your kids insist on egg coloring, you can still opt for the PAAS kit. They have come out with incredibly new ideas to color and decorate Easter eggs, including tips on crafts; how to properly boil eggs. In fact, there is a new method to color hollowed out eggs on their site.

While some of you may prefer the old way of coloring Easter eggs, PAAS has incorporated into their kits holders for the eggs which is less messy, affordable, and fun.
If you prefer to color eggs in a more natural way, you can certainly choose that method as well. Let’s face it; as adults, coloring Easter eggs is just as enjoyable for us as it is for the kids. Whatever you choose, easter egg coloringmade easy can be enjoyed by the entire family. Have fun!

Easy Kids Meals

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With dance practice, choir, cub scouts, and tae kwon do, who has time to prepare an appetizing meal for the kids after school? You do! You can have time if you serve an easy to cook kids' meal.

Of course it's a no-brainer to throw a hotdog in the microwave or set a tortilla in a pan on top of the stove, add some cheese and 90 seconds later have a simple quesadilla, but what's the excitement in that? Instead experiment with Casseroles or one-pot meals which in most cases go over well with the kids; and are simple to whip together.

Try this quick kids meal:

1 – lb. ground beef
1 - 16 oz jar spaghetti sauce
1 - cup water
1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 - cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Crumble beef in a three-qrt glass baking dish and microwave for 4-5 minutes, or until beef is no longer pink. Mix & rotate part way through cooking time. Drain Beef. Stir in sauce, water and macaroni. Microwave another 12 minutes, stirring part way through. Sprinkle cheese on top and allow to stand covered approximately 5 minutes before serving. Serves a couple hungry kids.

There are many meals you can cook with hamburger. Any recipe that asks for hamburger will work just fine replaced with ground turkey, chicken or venison instead. The simple recipe below uses ground meat. It takes nearly an hour to bake but merely a blink to prepare.

Combine together:

2 pounds ground meat
1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
Crinkle Cut French Fries

Brown ground beef and drain the grease. Add both soups to strained ground beef and spoon into a 9x13 greased baking dish. Top off with cut French fries and bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until French fries are light brown.

Taco salads are very quick and easy to prepare. Begin with lettuce. Add tomato, onion and cheese (if your kids will approve of it.) Fry up some meat and toss in an envelope of taco seasoning – or just incorporate some taco sauce to the meat. Next add crushed tortilla chips or Fritos. Finish off with salsa or Ranch salad dressing. Remember the sour cream and guacamole too! Kids love this meal!

For a fast, on the go, healthy, cold meal try:

A head of lettuce (not bagged lettuce)
Ham or Roast Beef slices
Cheese slices
Condiments

Step 1: Peel off a medium lettuce leaf.
Step 2: Assemble meat, cheese, and condiments.
Step 3: Roll up and stick a toothpick in the middle.
Step 4: Gobble Up.
Step 5: Wipe your face, there is a trace of mayo. on your cheek.

How about an interesting twist to the normal macaroni and cheese kids recipe?

1 (16 ounce) box macaroni (elbow, seashell, bowtie – doesn't matter, just not spaghetti)
1 c. cottage cheese
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon

1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
2. Stir in cottage cheese, sugar, and cinnamon with drained macaroni.
3. Taste and add sugar or cinnamon, if required.
4. Serve right away. Delicious!

Incorporate a bit of creativity to incorporate a twist on a tried and true recipe and even with the chaotic after school activities you will find time to cook a nourishing meal for your kids evening meal.

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Children and Internet Safety

The one thing most parents worry about most these days is internet safety. Not only because of identify theft; but the identity of your child being stolen by some pedophile whose specific purpose is to attract young children. Teaching your child about internet safety is paramount.

Fortunately, most internet service providers afford you the opportunity to control your kids’ usage. You can check to see what sites they been to and monitor them as closely as possible. But in those cases when they are using a computer outside the home, the risks are more dangerous.

Teach your child about internet safety by discussing what can happen to them if they enter chat rooms or engage in any type of online activity that can be harmful. If they are old enough to understand, gently discuss the ways in which they can be fooled by untrustworthy people. Instruct them never to give out their name, telephone number or address to anyone. This applies to their password as well. Spelling out the worst case scenario will give them pause to think the next time they go online. This is vital to their safety. You cannot mince words when it comes to internet safety. You have to be very clear, concise; using an urgent tone at the same time.

Teach them about emails. Warn them not to open any email if they do not know who it’s from. Alert them to instant messages from people they don’t know. Ensure you check their computer habits on a daily basis. Leave no room for anyone to invade your child’s life. It is important to understand the number of pedophiles who go after children has become a pandemic. All you have to do is watch any of the news programs to see for yourself how easily your child can become a victim.

While computers may be a necessity today; whether at school or at home, it should be used cautiously; carefully, and with the utmost care. Some of these shareware programs invite hackers to invade your computer information. If you are not aware of how hackers and other unwanted criminals can access your system, it is incumbent upon you to research the data. Use every conceivable virus protection program you can. Before the computer is turned off, clear out the cache to all websites visited. This will prevent further usage of these websites and may deter your child from seeking them out.

Computers may be needed; but they can also be the catalyst which can harm your child in ways you’ve never imagined.

Tips for Teaching Toodler ABC's

All parents want their children to learn their ABCs. Here are some tips to teach your toddler their ABCs.

Contrary to what people may think, learning ABCs is not solely relegated to preschool. It begins much earlier than that; in the womb, in fact. We all know that talking to or playing soothing music for the unborn child does, in effect, produce results.

* Sing to your baby when she or he is in the womb. At birth, show the baby books with the letters; babies are like sponges and take in everything.
* Every letter has a keyword. Show the baby picture books and say, “Oh look, this is an A. A is for apple. Include baby flashcards of the letter A along with an apple. Review and repeat this method for all letters, over and over. Using books as a visual aid is important as well.
* When reading stories to your child, point to a letter and say, “What letter is that? B, and B is for baby.”
* At age two or later, take a large tray and add salt to it. Have your baby trace the letters. This is a multi-sensory approach to phonics. (make sure they don’t eat the salt!)
* Sing the alphabet song.
* Use clay to form your child’s name. Have your child trace over the letter with his or her fingers. Use keywords for each letter in the name. For example, whatever your child’s name is, use the letter to indicate an object the child can relate to.
* Have your three year old trace over the dots of letters. There is a neurological connection between the tracing and writing; and the information that is being processed in the brain.
* When you are in the car with your child, tell him or her to look outside at license plates signs. Ask what letters they see; what is the keyword; and what sound does it make.

Learning can be fun, and in this context, you can come up with creative ways to teach your toddler their ABCs.

Kids and Chores

It’s never too early to ask your kids to help you with chores around the house. You can even start as early as two years old. While children mature at different rates, you can still determine what age appropriate chores are best suited for toddlers, kids, pre-teens and teens.

If you have toddlers at home, they can certainly help you by: making the bed; picking up their toys; feeding the family pet; helping you put laundry into the basket; or cleaning up split milk on the kitchen floor. These chores would be most suited to two and three year olds. You can teach your toddlers to do their chores by making a game out of it; or improvising different ways in which they can help. It will give them a sense of pride and accomplishment. Yes, even at that young age.

For four and five year olds, you can ask them to help you set the table; dust around the house; help make cookies; help you carry grocery bags (as long as you make it light for them). Six and eight year old can really get into the chores by taking care of the pet they’ve always wanted; help you vacuum the floor; take out the trash or fold the laundry.
You can even ask them to help you prepare meals. Think of the experience they are getting at this early age.

Your pre-teens will have their work cut out for them. Some of the more vigorous chores can be relegated to outside work: rake the leaves; wash the car; help clean out the garage.
If you need help inside the house, they can certainly help you prepare meals, dusting and vacuuming the house; wash dishes or clean the bathroom. Certainly they would be old enough to make their beds; clear their room of debris; organize their toys, etc.

Teens pose a different problem altogether. Sometimes they are willing to help, and other times not. It depends on how you’ve raised them. If they have been helping out since they were two, you won’t have a problem. In fact, they can do almost anything you ask of them. Be sure they can manage whatever task you assign, however. If you’ve taught them well, they have the ability to prepare meals; clean the kitchen; wash windows; do the laundry; just about any indoor and outdoor chore you need, short of providing close supervision, of course. You wouldn’t want them to feel like a baby, now would you?

Teaching Your Kids How To Handle Money

It is up to us as parents to provide financial prowess in teaching kids how to handle money. Here are some tips on how to accomplish this difficult process.

Kids learn by example. If you are in debt, odds are they will be too. You need to teach fiscal responsibility at an early stage. The earlier you discuss money with your kids, the better prepared they will become. Open up a savings account with your kids; allow them to deposit and make withdrawals. Give them the option to use the account in whichever way they decide. By allowing them this freedom to choose, you are also giving them the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them. Always be there in case they need your advice in this regard.

Give them an allowance. If they run out of money before the following week; do not replenish it. This will teach them about choices; the good and the bad. This is especially true if they are saving to buy something special. If they use their money unwisely, and cannot buy that which they were saving for, a valuable lesson will be learned.

Do not spoil your kids by giving them everything they want. Give them just enough money via a weekly allowance and no more. If they choose to buy something you think is not appropriate, discuss it with them. Teach them about the importance of saving money and what they can look forward to as they get older. Give them examples of your own experience as a child, particularly if you had a problem handling money.

Finally, teach them the pitfalls of borrowing. If they ask for money to buy a certain item; inform them they will have to pay it back with interest. Tell them exactly how much they will have to pay back and figure out together how long it would take. Undoubtedly, they may change their mind; but if not, stick to the terms you set. Teaching your kids how to handle money begins with you. Whether you were a saver or a spender, it is incumbent upon you to pass on to your child all the tools he or she needs to make worthwhile decisions; now and in the future.

Using The Rewards System For Good Behavior

Sometimes, all children need is a little encouragement and positive reinforcement to ensure they are on their best behavior. Using the rewards system for good behavior is a controversial subject. While some proponents believe it can be a good thing; others think it can be overused, thus having no affect at all. Here are a few positive reinforcement ideas for kids, when used properly, can help you tame the unruly child.

How do you reward your child for good behavior? Do you buy a toy which he or she has been asking for? Do you allow them an extra hour of TV? Or do you use another approach? There are several methods you can use to reward your child for good behavior which will not cost anything at all. One is praise. Children need to feel loved and accepted. Praising them for an accomplishment or behavior can reinforce that love.
According to experts, verbal reinforcement is very powerful. Yes, words are very powerful; and when used appropriately can make all the difference in the world to a child. It is positive reinforcement at its very best.

If your child had an especially good day in school; or shared with other children during playtime; or helped you with a specific chore at home; reward the child by allowing him to pick a movie, or choose what to have for supper, or allow additional time for his favorite TV program. Another choice would be to give the child a day off from walking the pet, or taking out the garbage for a week. While rewarding a child for good behavior may seem appropriate; it can be overused to such a degree that the child would do anything for that particular reward.

To infuse good behavior is to properly raise the child from the get-go. Certainly, children at some time become unruly; but the reward system may work one time, and one time only. Using positive reinforcement to ensure your child has not only been good, but is loved and accepted for who he or she is. Once that is established, the rest will follow.

Benefits Of Reading To Your Children

Most of us can remember the first book we ever read. Can you? Words are incredibly powerful. They invoke images of far away lands; scary castles; or princesses looking for their knights in shining armor. They can also become friends. Yes, books are the window through which your child sees and experiences different worlds; viewpoints; the fantasies and realities of life. So what are the benefits of reading to your children? Oh, so many, one could write a book on the subject.

There is nothing more worthwhile than reading to your children. Even as babies; the sounds and connotations in your voice can calm and soothe them. More importantly, even before your child is born, research has suggested that your children tend to have a higher degree of understanding and learning. What a wonderful gift to give to your children.

Reading is fundamental to our basic understanding of life; it is the foundation for which allows children to advance and contribute to life. It can take them to places they’ve never been; explore the cosmos; become involved with a character and the adventures taken. Reading is the method by which children learn just about everything. More importantly, it all begins with you. One story can open up a world of possibilities. One book can be the beginning of a lifelong desire to explore all books of different genres. Just think!
You have the power to set your child on a path in which the road is paved with endless wonder and imagination.

It’s never too early to read to your children. If you haven’t already done so, start a tradition. Go to the library or book store and buy several books; and begin reading to your child every night. Just think how much father ahead your child will be when he or she begins school.

The level at which our children read today is below par. You can change that; we all can.
It’s not too late. It never is when it comes to introducing your child to the words of the world.