Getting Ready for September

 Tips and pointers to prepare for the first year of post-secondary

The high school year is not quite done, and no doubt soon-to-be graduates are thinking more about their prom and graduation parties than they are their pending arrival in the post-secondary world.

But school choices are now in, and once summer vacation hits it will be time to start thinking about and preparing for their first year after high school.

“Post-secondary school is not like high school, and the workload, expectations and independence can catch some students off guard,” says Heather Cummings, Executive Director, Student Success, Fanshawe College. “Dedicating a little bit of time over the summer to get ready and familiarize yourself with your new school can make a huge difference once classes start after Labour Day.”

Fanshawe offers the following five tips to help recent graduates get ready for their first year:

  

1.    Be social. Today’s youth are already active on social media. It is their top source of information. Seek out where your school is on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and perhaps even Snapchat, and follow them. They will be providing key information about upcoming events and resources available for incoming students. If you come across any online groups, join in the conversation. You may make some new friends before the school year even begins.

2.    Get to know the school and surrounding neighbourhood. Many schools offer times in the summer when you can visit and tour the campus, check out the facilities and amenities, check out the area around the campus, pick up your student card, engage with various student organizations and clubs, complete any post-admission requirements and meet other students who will be starting with you — and facing many of the same apprehensions and challenges.

3.    Find a place to live. Maybe you have applied for residence and hope to live on campus. But space is limited and these spots are often not guaranteed. It won’t hurt to browse some of the off-campus housing available. It is also wise to review your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, especially if this will be your first time living away from your parents’ home.

4.    Start a list. There are a lot of items you’ll want to have at school with you — from academic requirements to personal items. Start a list of those things you want to take, and post it on your bulletin board or the refrigerator so that you can easily update it if something new comes to mind. Build this list throughout the summer so that when it’s time to pack you will already know everything you are going to need.

5.    Save. There are costs associated with post-secondary school that you didn’t have to worry about in high school. Besides tuition, you will have to buy your books and any supplies specific to your program. There is rent to pay and food to buy. And that says nothing for the incidentals — after all, you will also want to maintain some sort of social life to balance with your studies. Make a budget and start saving. You can also seek out some financial help. Many students don’t realize how many bursaries, grants and scholarships are there, waiting to be tapped. A quick Google search will uncover several opportunities for financial help. It is never too late to apply. There are also many financial management seminars available at colleges and universities over the summer that offer the support of campus experts.

“Starting post-secondary school is a big transition,” says Cummings. “But it will always be a benefit to be prepared.”

About Fanshawe College:

Fanshawe is one of Ontario’s largest colleges, with campuses in London, Simcoe, St. Thomas and Woodstock serving close to half a million people with a promise to educate, engage, empower and excite. For 50 years, Fanshawe has been helping people to unlock their potential and achieve success. The College attracts students from 70 countries every year and opens up a world of possibilities through more than 200 degree, diploma and certificate programs, along with apprenticeship training. Fanshawe celebrates its 50^thanniversary in 2017, an exciting opportunity to reflect on how much the College has grown since 1967 and how it will continue to have a meaningful impact on future students.

3 Benefits of Joining a Hobby Group

A positive, enriching hobby that you enjoy delivers amazing mental health benefits. Yet, Dr. Jaime L. Kurtz points out that hobbies are declining because Americans have no free time. The problem, according to Dr. Kurtz, is that we waste time and create the illusion of being too busy for hobbies. The truth is, most people do have enough time to engage in a hobby, and you should make more time for these activities to reap the benefits to your health and well-being. Not convinced? Keep reading to learn more about three benefits of joining a hobby group.

1. Hobbies Give Us a Sense of Control

Between work and home, we often feel that we don’t have much control over our lives or our time. Hobbies empower people to choose how to spend their time, which projects to work on, and the level of creativity they put into them. Pursuing hobbies alleviates the frustration and intimidation we feel at work and in life in general when we feel a loss of control over our time or our actions. On the other hand, being able to regain a sense of control over our lives by pursuing hobbies and interests we enjoy, we tend to feel more centered and calm.

2. Hobbies Relieve Stress

A recent study found that hobbies are just as important to good health and overall well-being as exercise because they help to reduce stress. Specifically, researchers found that people who engage in leisure activities are 34% less stressed and 18% less sad than when they were not pursuing hobbies. People who engaged in hobbies also felt happier and had lower heart rates that calmed them for hours. It’s worth noting that the study did not find any benefit of one hobby over another; when participants did something they deeply enjoyed, they significantly reduced their stress levels.

Dr. Matthew Zawadzki, lead author of the study, explains that the long-term effects of relieving stress by pursuing hobbies are positive because “stress causes a build-up of higher heart rate, blood pressure, and hormone levels, so the more we can prevent this overworked state, the less of a load it builds up.” In fact, chronic stress is linked to higher risk of heart disease, increased depression, poor performance at work and school, weight gain, memory loss, a weakened immune system, and earlier death.

3. Hobbies Provide a New Social Circle

Recent research shows that loneliness and social isolation threaten our health just like obesity does. Fortunately, we can combat these detrimental effects by pursuing a group hobby, becoming a member of a new social circle, and building friendships with those who share similar interests. When you establish friendships with like-minded peers, you increase your sense of connectedness, reduce your stress levels and improve your mental health.

There are several ways to find a hobby group in line with your interests and passions. Search for local Meetups and clubs that center on your particular interests. You may join a local Book Club, fly-tying club, or baking group. Or, you may find neighbors who share your passion for model trains or dollhouses. No matter the hobby, you will reap the mental health benefits of group inclusion. You also can create T-shirts for your group if you go on outings, participate in competitions, or want to promote your group at a local function, which helps to build camaraderie.

Pursuing a hobby and joining a hobby group are ideal ways to improve your mental health and well-being by reducing stress. When you pursue a hobby, you gain a sense of control, relieve stress in a healthy way, and gain new social connections to others who share your interests.

Image via Pixabay by Counselling

Family Transitions: Tips For Moving An Aging Parent Into Your Home

As our parent's age, we want to do what is best for their wellbeing. And while this care takes on many forms, many adult children are now living with their aging parents. This transition is much like other life milestones -- there are pros and cons.

"One out of every four caregivers lives with the elderly or disabled relative he or she cares for," Mard Naman writes for Caring. "This arrangement can have many positives. If your parent or other loved one is still relatively healthy, he may be able to babysit or otherwise help around the house, contribute financially, and get to know your children in a way that would never be possible with only occasional visits."

So, if you decide that this is a potential step for your family, what should you consider? The following are some of the most important steps that you should take before opening your home to your elderly parents or in-law.

• Build a Budget: To make the transition as stress-free for everyone involved, it is absolutely crucial to create a new household budget. Although it's never comfortable talking about money, you may need to consider whether your loved one has Social Security payments or savings to contribute to the family finances. Either way, you should know exactly how this transition will affect your finances before moving day.

• Have A Family Conversation: You don't have to make your loved one's care decisions on your own. Depending on your family's circumstances, it may be best to also include siblings and other family members in the conversation. This way, you can consider all possible paths before deciding that moving them into your home is the best choice.

• Manage Their Home Sale: Moving your aging family member into your home may mean that you will have to sell their home. They may need your help to do this, but don't hesitate to hire a professional. In a recent survey, 78% of home buyers found their real estate agent to be a useful information source. No matter their prior living situation, it is often worth it to sell through a company rather than on your own.

• Account For Their Health Needs: Before your loved one moves in, make an appointment with their doctor to go over how you can help manage their health. If they have any special equipment, you will need to learn how to use it safely. Of course, your personal involvement will vary depending on their own mental capacity.

• Adjust Your Home: Living with an elderly family member will likely require you to modify your home for their safety. Since 50% of falls happen in the home, it is important for you to install railings, remove floor hazards, and make your bathroom more accessible. Since 65% of people over the age of 60 experience dizziness or loss of balance, sometimes daily, you need to be ready.

• Know Your Care Capacity: Knowing your loved one's risk for falls and other injuries, you should also consider how capable you actually are of monitoring their health and providing care. Especially if you have young children, this may not be feasible. This is why at-home care can be an attractive option for many families. According to the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, there are over 2 million home care workers providing services in the United States today. Hiring one of these trained professionals may be worth it for your busy family.

As you are making this important decision, remember that moving your aging loved one into your home may not necessarily be the best option for your family. Dana Larson writes in A Place For Mom that assisted living communities can also be a viable long term care solution for your parent, especially when living at home deprives them of social contact.

"This is why many families opt to move their aging relatives into a residential community, or assisted living -- where there is 24-hour access to personal care, as well as nutrition and wellness services designed specifically for older adults," she writes. "In these communities, seniors can enjoy social contact, security and support while still maintaining their independence. You will need to decide what makes the most sense for your family’s unique situation."

No matter what you decide, remember to always keep your loved one's best interest and wishes at heart. Anything you do should be done out of compassion. That will guide you well.

How to Have Fun with Arts and Crafts on a Budget

Arts and crafts are a lot of fun, but it can sometimes be costly to buy all of the crafts and materials you need to get started. However, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to have with arts and crafts. You and your family can get started and have a lot of fun without breaking the bank. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you need to do everything that all those fancy blogger and vloggers are doing. It’s often more fun to go back to basics. Here are some tips to help you out.

Start with What You Have in the Home

It’s probably possible for you to do some art and craft work without even having to buy anything. Most of us have some equipment and materials that have been lying around the house for a long time. It definitely makes sense to make use of this stuff before you start thinking about spending money on other items that you might want to use. If you use what’s in the home, you can get started without spending a dime.

Image Source

Focus on Crafts That Make Use of Cheap Materials

There are some crafts that don't require lessons, expensive tools, high-end materials or modern gadgets. These are the crafts that you should be focusing on if you want to do this on a budget and save some money. So, which crafts are best if you want to make use of cheap materials? First of all, try out origami. It only uses paper and not much else. You can learn how to do origami online, and there is more to it than you might imagine. It’s fun, cheap and requires skill, so try it out.

Make Use of the Internet and Buy in Bulk

The internet is your friend when it comes to buying materials and items for your arts and crafts projects. You can find so many great websites out there that sell materials very cheaply. And there are some tricks that you can make use of in order to make sure that you find the best deals possible. Firstly, you should think about buying things in bulk. They can last you a long time, and you get a much better deal if you buy large rather than small quantities. It’s also a good idea to look for unwanted leftovers being sold online.

Use Your Imagination

This is the final and most important point of all. Anything is possible, and that’s the fun of arts and crafts. And that means that you can do what you want if you use your imagination and get creative. You simply don’t need expensive items in order to unleash your own creativity. It’s just not necessary. So, try to be as creative and as imaginative as you can when it comes to taking part in arts and crafts activities. You will be surprised at just what you can achieve on a limited budget when you really put your mind to it.

Image Source

July Swago INTL

Swagbucks is holding their monthly Swago promotion starting Monday, 24 July at 9am PDT! It's just like bingo, but in this case you're filling out squares as you earn points on their site for doing things you already do online. If you're thinking of trying Swagbucks, this is a great chance to learn all about how the site works and earn bonus points while doing it.    

The best part is that the points you get can be used to get free gift cards to places like Amazon, or PayPal cash! 

Fill up your board and then submit your pattern to get even more points - if you can fill in the whole board, you get a 300 SB bonus! 

Click here to sign up and get started! If you sign up through my link and earn 300 SB before the first of next month, you'll get a bonus 300 SB!

5 Tips to helping your children understand life under water

Helping kids understand wildlife and underwater creatures can be a joy as it opens their eyes to a world outside of their own. Children are full of wonder and their innocence can be endearing. Teaching kids about life and all that it entails is something that is time consuming and never ending but can also be a lot of fun. This article will help point out some ideas and ways in which you can help your kids understand life under water in a fun way.

1. Purchase an aquarium. Aquarium's allow children to see that fish and other creatures live in water. Be sure to choose an aquarium that is big enough that your kids can see the fish swimming around. You will also want a tank that can hold a filter and some type of feature that the fish can enjoy. Involve your child in the purchasing process and let them help you pick out some of the items for the tank. To learn more, check out https://hugokamishi.com/shop/hugo-small-fry-kids-fish-tank-blu/. While shopping, you can teach the children about the fish and the type of water the fish should live in as well as the food that is fed to the fish. After explaining to the child about the fish and how they live in water, you can follow up the experience with another activity.

2. Storytime. Engage your child in a story about fish in the water. There is no shortage on creative children’s entertainment about the underwater world. You can read a book about Dory and the underwater friends, or Spongebob Squarepants. While reading the story, you can help the child understand the photos and the story. You can then draw a parallel between the story and the fish tank that you purchased.

3. Drawing. After reading a story with your child, offer them the opportunity to color and draw how they portray life under the sea. If your child is too young to draw, perhaps purchase an under the sea coloring book. This will give your child an opportunity to color and continue to learn about sea life and fish.

4. Aquarium trip. Many cities have great aquarium’s that you can visit with your child. Many aquarium’s have a variety of fish and sea creatures in vast tanks. Most aquarium’s allow for people to check out sea life that are typically not seen on a daily basis such as sharks, jellyfish, sea urchins, starfish, seals, or even walruses. It is likely that the aquarium will also have children’s programs that take place throughout the day which will also teach your child about the ocean and its inhabitants.

5. Movies. If your child loves to watch movies, there are so many great flicks to show them that will teach them about the water and life under the sea. Some great movies to consider showing your child include but are not limited to the Little Mermaid, Free Willy, Little Nemo, or Dory.

Kitchen Tips For The Tidy Cook: More Food With Less Mess

Your kitchen is the heart to that almighty balance in your life. It’s what your everyday life boils down to - cooking and eating, making dirty and cleaning up, giving and taking. If you were to look for meaning in your life, you should steer far away from the kitchen as nothing will strike you as more trivial and meaningless than the process of cooking, eating, and cleaning - holistically speaking.

Image from: Pexels

To be able to enjoy it, you need to give in to the pointlessness of it all and accept it for what it is; life’s simple pleasures and the steady rhythm of routines. Make use of these kitchen hacks to enjoy it without all the mess, and look forward to cooking up a lot more meals in the future.

The food scraps bowl

Sure, you’ll find a ton of smart products, foldable chopping boards, and DIY composts to clean up your cooking a bit, but you don’t actually need all of this. A simple paper towel is able to make your life easier - and you don’t even have to log in to Amazon. Place the towel or bowl next to your chopping board and empty any peels or scraps into this as you go.

It’s strange how life-changing this garbage bowl has been to hobby chefs around the world; such a simple fix and so much time to be saved.

It’s the perfect partner in crime for the tidy and organized chef who’s already mastered the art of finishing all the prep before starting to cook. Now you don’t have to see transparent peels of onion land on your kitchen floor, and you don’t have to rush the chopping.

If you do spill on the floor, make sure to clean it up right away. Not only because it looks a lot neater and will keep you happy as you cook, but also because spillages tend to dry and become tougher with time. Invest in a decent vacuum cleaner for tile floors and make it your favourite kitchen assistant.

The hot and soapy water bowl

How many bowls do you have available in your kitchen? They’ll be your favourite friends when cooking, so make use of another one to rinse your utensils in. That way, you don’t have to walk away from the cooking or chopping to gather dishes by the sink - plus, you get to reuse your knives and other equipment right away.

A kitchen always looks a lot messier when spoons, knives, and spatulas are scattered over the entire counter. With this helpful bowl by your side, they’ll all be gathered in one soapy place instead.

Start with an empty dishwasher too, by the way, so you don’t have to look at the utensils you don’t plan on using anymore. There is a right way of loading it and a wrong way, so have a look at this article if you haven’t read your dishwasher manual either - like the rest of us.

Too many people avoid cooking because they hate cleaning up afterwards - so they turn to simple meals instead. Give them this handy article and turn their lives around; after all, who in their right mind would choose an easy sandwich when they could eat a golden and cheesy frittata?

Parents: Will Your Property Protect Your Kid's Financial Futures?

Image Source

Every parent wants to protect their kids for the future. That’s what being a parent is all about. While your legal obligation may end at eighteen, it’s still nice to know you can help them well into adulthood. After all, your love doesn’t get less as they get older. If anything, their place is your heart cements more and more as they grow. That’s why many parents take steps to ensure their children are well cared for in later life.

How they do this varies from family to family. Some parents are in the fortunate position of putting aside a trust fund to hand over when their child reaches 21. Others are even able to help them with a deposit for their own homes. But, some of us don’t have the money to afford such luxuries. The good news is, that doesn’t mean you won’t have anything to pass down. Instead, it’s important to think about the investments you’ve already made. Top of the list for most people is their house. A roof over your head if the most valuable commodity, and that’s not only because of the security it provides. Let’s be honest; there’s a lot of money in it, too! But, home ownership doesn’t create instant security for your kids. Taking these steps, however, could.

Image Source

PAY OFF YOUR MORTGAGE

In truth, the majority of us are paying off our mortgages well into our later lives. But, paying the debt as fast as possible has the benefit of allowing you to take control of your retirement, and provide for your children. If there’s still a hefty mortgage when the property goes to them, they’ll have to sell to pay that off. Don’t leave them in that position. Research tips and tricks about paying your mortgage as fast as possible, and get to work.

INCREASE VALUE

Another fantastic step you can take is to increase the value of your home. You want that house to earn as much for your kids as it possibly can. It may well be worth a fair amount as it stands, but every penny counts. So, it might be worth doing a little improvement work during your lifetime. In the short term, this benefits you, too. You get to enjoy any additions you include! Renovating an attic or basement could see a major return. Kitchen renovations are also a fantastic way to increase value. Bear in mind, though, that they don’t have quite the same long-term impact.

Image Source

LEAVE IT TO THEM

All the above points will be worthless if you don’t leave the property to your kids in your will. It may seem morbid, but it’s the only way to ensure your efforts pay off. As your children, they do have some legal standing anyway. But, to avoid family disputes or confusion, you should outline your desires. An even amount to each child is the best course of action. That way, they can sell the house, and hopefully use the money to buy their own.

A Duct Tape Kayak? What? - Amazingly cool ways to keep older kids creative, engaged, and learning all summer!

Finally it’s hot outside! Finally it’s summer! Finally school is over and the kids are home….for the next 2 ½ MONTHS!

You already know how this goes. It’s all great until after the family vacation, or after camp, or until it rains for ten days in a row.

Summer is fabulous, but summer can’t keep the kids entertained all by itself. Sometimes, it needs a little help.

That’s where we come in – with more amazing books to keep your family entertained and engaged.

Note that these are mostly titles for older kids. Fun, wicked cool, but occasionally a wee bit complicated.

Duct Tape Engineer: The Book of Big, Bigger, and Epic Duct Tape Projects by Lance Akiyama

Publisher: Rockport Publishers

Trade Paperback , 160 Page, 200 color photos

8.75” x 10”

$22.99 US /$29.99 CAN

ISBN 9781631591303

Age 14+

From a working cannon to a bridge, this powerful everyday adhesive is perfect for creating incredible things! In Duct Tape Engineer, master tinkerer Lance Akiyama shows readers how to design and build fourteen mega projects ranging from backpacks to queen-size beds from nothing but duct tape. Every project is specially designed by Akiyama to be a blast to build, and last a good long time. Packed with full-color illustrations and easy to follow instructions, Duct Tape Engineer is perfect for crafters of any age. (PS Duck Tape Brand works closely with the author on lots of project and loves this book! Check out this video if you have a few minutes -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaVHe4HWDkc )

Author Lance Akiyama combines tinkering and education into a single aspiration: to create a better world by inspiring the next generation of innovators with exciting hands-on projects. He has created project-based learning tutorials on Instructables.com, started an after-school engineering service, and is currently employed as a STEM-based curriculum developer for Galileo Learning. Lance spends his free time designing elaborate plans for advanced contraptions, keeping journals in cryptic backwards writing, and attempting to fly by strapping paper wings to his arms and leaping from rooftops. He lives in the San Francisco Bay area. Lance Akiyama is the author of Rubber Band Engineer (2016), Duct Tape Engineer (2017), and the forthcoming 2018 book DIY Ballistics Engineer--all from Rockport Publishers.

 

Star Wars: Build a Scene -  Build Papercraft Scenes from a Galaxy Far, Far Away by Benjamin Harper and Claudio Dias

Kit w/ 48 page booklet

Publisher: becker&mayer! Books

9.5” x 13” x 2.25”

$19.99 US / $24.99 CAN

ISBN: 9780760353158
AGE 14+

Star Wars: Build a Scene includes everything you need to make iconic papercraft scenes from the Star Wars universe. The kit provides ten sheets of punch-out pieces and step-by-step instructions for creating three detailed 5" x 8" x 4" paper dioramas, including one with LED lights.

Re-create the drama of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader’s duel on Mustafar from Revenge of the Sith; the nail-biting trench battle on the Death Star from A New Hope; and the Kylo Ren and Rey lightsaber fight in the snowy forest of the Starkiller Base from The Force Awakens. The accompanying book includes illustrated assembly instructions for the models, along with three essays on each classic scene and how they were designed and filmed.

Each model takes roughly 2–4 hours to build.

Stick Sketch School: An Animal Artventure - Mastering the Art of Stick Figure Critters by Billy Attinger and Rachel Kochackis

Paperback, 144 pages, 200+ color illustrations

Publisher: Race Point Publishing

8.5” x 10”

$19.99 US / $25.99 CAN

ISBN: 9781631063053

Age 10+

Stick figures are hotter than ever. The biggest web comics are produced in stick figure format, and they are hugely popular in social media. But the best part about stick figures is that anyone can draw them! Billy Attinger showed how to draw stylized stick figures in his popular Stick Sketch School, and now he's back showing the world his stick figure animals. Take an "artventure" around the world: learn to draw stick animals in the jungle, the Arctic, the rainforest, the Outback, underwater, and more! You'll even learn how to draw extinct animals and fantasy animals in stick form. Each spread features a grid to show the reader how to draw the lines, how to add movement, expression, and more. Ideal for the visual learner and accompanied by tips and tricks from stick artist Billy Attinger, the book shows how to make your stick animals personal, recognizable, and unique!

Author Billy Attinger is an artist, entrepreneur, and creator of successful brands, including Stick World(r), an iconic collection of stick figure art whose multi-million dollar program has been licensed and sold successfully throughout major retailers around the world. Billy resides in sunny Southern California where lives with his wife and three beautiful children, whom he credits as the major source of inspiration for his lively, playful, and humorous style. His company, Inconceivable Studios, as well as his portfolio, can be viewed at www.billyattinger.com and www.inconceivablestudios.com.

Author Rachel Kochackis was a pionieer in early digital warfare (video games) and was part of the original Stick War think tank (high school Spanish class) with Billy Attinger. A consistently misunderstood frequent flyer to the school psychologist, she helped cofound the faux-rock band The Roach Motels. She has enjoyed success writing books and screenplays and currently resides with her three trilingual dogs: Victoria, Chloe Osita Horachata, and Jasper.

7 Crucial Ways To Protect Your Kids For The Future

If you have kids, you probably know all about the overwhelming urge to protect them at all costs. It’s built into us and it’s totally natural. However, the way that some parents can go about this is totally different to others. Some may say that there’s no right or wrong way, but the things you do now will greatly protect your kids for the future. Here are 7 crucial ways to protect your kids for the future:

Understand The Stages Of Child Development

The first 3-5 years of your child’s life are so important. They need love, affection, attention, encouragement, and mental stimulation in order to develop properly and become a confident toddler, as well as good nutrition so that they are as healthy as possible.

The first 3 years of your child’s life are especially important. It’s at this stage that their brain is like a sponge, and the things you say and do will have a bigger impact on them than you think. This is the time they learn to handle their emotions, develop security and confidence, and more. It’s so important that you’re consistent with your car so that they can become secure adults. These things can stick with kids for a long time!

Save Up For College And Future Education

You want the best education for your kids, so it’s a good idea to save up as much as you can to help their future education. A college fund is something many parents save up, and it can really help your child in the future. They may want to be a doctor, a dancer, or something completely different. Whatever it is, make sure you’re ready to help them.

picture

Get Life Insurance

Dying isn’t something that anybody wants to think about, especially a parent who’s leaving a child behind. However, getting life insurance will protect your kids for the future. They won’t be lumbered with funeral costs and things like that, and they’ll have money so that they can live comfortably. You can take a look at whole life insurance pros and cons to get a better idea of whether this is something you need to get right now. If you have little ones depending on you, then it usually is!

Don’t Try To Micromanage Everything They Do

Micromanaging your kids is a bad idea. It can make them second guess themselves, and repress what they really want to do/say. Do them a favor and avoid micromanaging every little situation!

Set An Example

Make sure you’re setting an example with your words and behaviour. Want healthy kids? Be healthy. Want them to get off their computers? Stop staring at your screen so much.

Eat Dinner Together

Families who eat dinner together are generally healthier and smarter than those who don’t. It’s a fact! Make family dinners a must.

Get Some Exercise

Finally, get some exercise together as a family. This will show your little ones that exercise is not a chore, and that it can be an enjoyable bonding activity.