56 simple money questions for kids

Teaching financial literacy to children is something all parents struggle with. Part of the issue is the fact that many parents don’t know when the appropriate age is to start teaching their kids about money. The other part of the problem is that kids generally aren’t interested. They’d rather have fun doing something else — and that’s understandable! 

The good news is that there’s no perfect age to start teaching your children. As you know, children naturally start paying attention to your actions when you go shopping, withdraw money from the ATM or visit the bank. They realize early on that money is needed to buy things. 

When you notice your child picks up on these basic financial actions, you can take it as your cue to start teaching them about money and how it works. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it on your own! There are tons of games and methods out there to help you instill a sound financial foundation. For instance, Wikibuy has created financial conversation starters for every age group. 

When your kids start noticing how their mom or dad uses money to buy things, you should take advantage of the moment to teach them! One way is to use these basic money questions about money values to start quizzing them on dollars, cents, and how and why we need money. At the dinner table or during breakfast, let them pull a topic out of a jar and talk about it. It will encourage them to start thinking and talking about money! 

As they get older, you can introduce more advanced questions, like these questions about budgeting and saving. This will introduce them to financial principles they need later in life. Want them to start saving up for college? Why not discuss savings one day and explain how it helps you pay for bigger purchases down the road? 

You’ll be thankful in years to come that you started teaching your kids basic money concepts early in life. After all, financial literacy takes time, trial and error to master, so why not start now to give them the best head start possible? 

• Money values: https://cdn.ivaws.com/wikibuy-ads/00-all-money-conversation-+starters-for-kids.pdf
• Q's about making money: https://cdn.ivaws.com/wikibuy-ads/02-questions-about-making-money-for-kids.pdf
• Budgeting and saving: https://cdn.ivaws.com/wikibuy-ads/03questions-about-budgeting-savings-and-financial-goals-for-kids.pdf
• Q's about spending money: https://cdn.ivaws.com/wikibuy-ads/04questions-about-spending-money-for-kids.pdf
• Basic finance terms: https://cdn.ivaws.com/wikibuy-ads/05-questions-about-basic-finance-terms-for-kids.pdf
• Full list of money questions: https://cdn.ivaws.com/wikibuy-ads/00-all-money-conversation-+starters-for-kids.pdf

5 Tips to Prepare Your Child to Head Back to School

Summer is flying by and pretty soon school will be back in session. Is your child ready to get back into the daily scholastic routine? 

The folks at Brainly — the world's largest peer-to-peer learning community of students, parents, and teachers— asked 600 American parents whether they feel their children are ready to jump back into the daily grind of school. Nationwide 56% of parents say they think they're children are prepared to go back to school.

Missouri parents led the pack with 85% saying that they thought their kids were ready to head back to school. Virginia followed with 80% saying the same and the top three was rounded out by Arizona at 69%. 

Brainly has put together a list of 5 tips for parents to help their children prepare to head back to school. 

1. DEVELOP A SLEEP ROUTINE NOW

Getting up early for school can be jarring for middle and high school students who have been used to sleeping in all summer. 62% of parents said they are worried their kids will have a hard time adjusting their snooze schedules during their first week back to school.

Brainly’s tip? Start a routine a few weeks before term begins so that your kids can get used to their new schedule. 

2. ESTABLISH SCHOOL ROUTINES

In a similar vein, students should get used to the hours of work (and homework) they will be expected to do during the school year. 92% of parents said homework is the biggest school-related stressor for their families. 

Brainly recommends developing a routine to help them manage their time and setting up a dedicated homework space so they aren't caught flat footed in September. 

3. AVOID THE SUMMER SLUMP

School-aged kids can revert by nearly a month's worth of instruction over the summer. In fact, 82% of American parents believe their kiddos experienced at least a mild to moderate amount of summer learning loss.

The best way to circumvent this issue is to keep their skillsets fresh and mind's sharp over the summer. Consider doing this through platforms like Brainly where a community of students can help other students and users earn points for answering questions. 

4. GET YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES

This may seem obvious but students gonna need pens, pencils, and a handy dandy new Trapper Keeper (kids still use those right?) if they’re going to succeed this semester.

Pro tip: get those things early while they are on sale. 

5. GET YOUR KIDS (AND YOURSELF) ORGANIZED

Nothing adds heaps of unneeded stress to and an already stressful time than not being organized. Only 22% of U.S. parents said they currently feel organized for the start of the new school year, and a mere 10% of parents said they remain organized throughout the entire school year.

Brainly advises creating a plan for before and after school for your kids and yourself and sticking to it. Routines are important for everyone. 

The Best Summer Toys To Buy This Year

It’s summer and it’s getting to the point where the kids are driving you crazy and constantly saying “I’m bored” and “there’s nothing to do.” It’s time to fill their summer with some exciting games and toys that will have them laughing and making memories all summer long! 

Goliath is a huge leader in some awesome toys for every season but these are the top picks for summer fun! 

The kids absolutely loved learning how to use this one! It is perfect for encouraging hand eye coordination! 

Get ready to have H2-Oh so much fun with the Zoom Ball Hydro! Hold on to one set of handles, while your friend holds the other. Open your arms quickly to send the Zoom Ball over to your friend! Be ready to send the Zoom Ball back- you never know when the balloons will pop, and soak you in water!

The Goliath Games Zoom Ball Hydro Features:

• 1 Zoom Ball Hydro
• 10 Water Balloons

For 2 players, ages 8 and up

Zoom Ball Hydro - https://www.goliathgames.us/product/zoom-ball-hydro/

This is such a neat ball/frisbee. The kids enjoyed tossing it and anticipating the pop! 

Throw a disc, catch a ball! Phlat Ball™ V3 is a unique sports toy that transforms from a flying disc to a catchable ball! Squeeze down to set the time-delay mechanism and watch as it pops into a ball in midair. It packs flat so it’s easy to slip into a bag for on-the-go travel!

• Ultra-flexible design
• Easy to transport
• Assorted colors
• Variable-release suction feature adds a surprise element to the game
• Transitions from 9-inch disc to 6-inch ball
• For 1 or more players, ages 5 and up.

Phlat Ball V3 - https://www.goliathgames.us/product/phlat-ball-v3/

When you cast it, blast it with the Rocket Fishing Rod, the kids fishing rod that accurately casts its line up to 25 feet. Great for kids of all ages, because it replaces standard kids fishing poles and takes the hassle out of fishing. Just pump, launch and reel in real fish! A safety bobber keeps the hook enclosed until it hits the water, and it all but eliminates snarls and snags. Once the bobber is in the water, the lure/bait compartment opens to drop the lure/bait to the desired depth. Made with hi-tech precision engineering, the patented design and rugged ABS construction will stand up tough to outdoor use.  Recommended for ages 8 and up. More than 1 million sold.

System Content:

• Rocket Fishing Rod
• 1 Safety Bobber
• 2 Hooks
• 150 feet of 8-pound Test Fishing Line
• 2 Line Stops
• 1 Weight
• Complete Instructions.

Rocket Fishing Rod - https://www.goliathgames.us/product/rocket-fishing-rod/

For some more amazing summer toys check out my post on The Best Bubble Toys! Also follow me on Pinterest for more amazing, fun tips and ideas! 

Follow Goliath on all social platforms for great updates on new toys, giveaways and more!

Save Big Bucks On Back To School Shopping This Year

Summer is almost over and it is time to start thinking about back to school shopping and all the hype that surrounds it. Believe it or not your children will survive the entire school year without the most popular shoes and brand new wardrobe. I stress to my kids constantly that being cool has nothing to do with what you wear, when I was growing up it was a huge deal and I was bullied constantly. Times have changed and young people are much more accepting and understanding. I have saved hundreds of dollars each year on back to school shopping using these great tips!

Buy Used

Used clothing is equally as good as brand new and when you shop at places like Value Village you can get great brand name clothing for a much more reasonable price. There are a number of other second hand stores that carry some great finds as well. Let's not forget the Facebook marketplace for used clothing as well. As other peoples kids grow they sell their items on Facebook to make some cash for stuff that fits, it is a great money saving system to get involved in.

Sign Up To Cashback Sites

There are a great number of sites that help you save money if you choose to buy brand new items for your kids this year. Many stores are going to be having some massive sales for the back to school season and if you take advantage of the sales you might as well get money back as well. I like to use the popular site Rakutan which used to be known as Ebates! I also like to get cash back using Swagbucks which has a number of other outlets to earn cash as well. The great thing about Swagbucks is you can install a button to your computer and any site you visit to shop on will automatically detect that your setup for cashback and you just click it to activate your cashback rewards! You can install the button here! Another great way to earn cash back is to sign up for Checkout 51 an app that pays you for products you buy when you just take a photo of your receipt and send it to them!

Start A Hand Me Down System With Friends

Kids grow constantly and your not the only one who is struggling to keep up with the clothing demands. It can cost an arm and a leg to keep your kids wearing some decent clothing and  everyone knows it. Ask your friends if they would like some of your kids outgrown clothes in exchange for theirs, of course this only works if they have kids older or larger than yours and you both have boys or girls but either way there has to be some of your friends you can start this system with. This can save you a ton in the long run and you will be keeping your clothes being used by someone you know and care about.

Reuse Last Years Items

Your kids do not need new backpacks and shoes every year. I choose to not buy certain characters or fads when buying backpacks or shoes because next year they may not be popular and if they are in good condition you will not be able to use them as your kids have outgrown the characters. Stick to the basic colours and patterns that you know will never go out of style and they can be used for years to come.

No matter what your financial situation is or what your shopping habits are it is always a good idea to remind your kids that material items are not the most important thing in the world and that saving money for things that truly matter is a much better idea. Follow me on Pinterest for more great money saving tips and tricks!

If you’re a blogger or social media influencer check out Influenster to get boxes of free stuff for giving your opinion and sharing with others! 

Dads are 3X more likely than moms to give children a credit card on the 1st day of school

The personal-finance website WalletHub today released its 2019 Back-to-School Shopping Report, which includes the results of a new nationwide survey as well as picks for this year’s Best Credit Cards for Back-to-School Shopping. WalletHub’s back-to-school resources also include a Sales-Tax Holiday Calendar highlighting the best times to buy in each state.  

Back-to-school season can be very expensive, and we could all use some extra ways to save. But it won’t just be parents and teachers packing new plastic on the first day of school this year. Millions of children will have credit cards in their pocket or bookbag when the first bell rings. Parents aren’t quite on the same page about whether their kids will have credit cards in homeroom, however. Nearly 3X more dads than moms say their children will have a credit card at the start of the school year, according to WalletHub’s new survey. There are several other takeaways for parents and educators, too.

• 42% of moms think kids should get their first credit card at the age of 21. The same percentage of dads say it should be age 18.
   
• Dads are more likely than moms (65% vs 58%) to think their kids’ education is worth going into debt.
   
• 48% of parents say students should be paid for good grades.
   
• 2019’s best credit cards for back-to-school shopping are:
   
  • Capital One Savor (Best Initial Bonus)
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited(Best for Cash Back with No Annual Fee)
  • Amazon.com Credit Card(Best for Online Shopping)
  • BankAmericard Credit Card(Best for 0% APR)
     
• Nearly 3X more parents say Walmart is the best place to do back-to-school shopping than Amazon.com.
   
• Sales tax holidays will be held in 15 states at different times during July and August, offering savings of up to 7.00% on popular back-to-school items.

 
Q&A with WalletHub CEO Odysseas Papadimitriou
 
Why do 3X more dads than moms believe their child will have a credit card in their pocket on the first day of school?

“There’s obviously a lack of communication in play here,” said WalletHub CEO Odysseas Papadimitriou. “Whenever possible, parents should take the time to discuss the pros and cons of giving their children credit cards before doing so, and everyone should be on the same page. Parents should also fully explain the final decision to their kids, both to lay the ground rules and because it will help promote their financial literacy.”

Why do you think most moms say kids should get their first credit card at the age of 21, while dads say it should be 18?

“Moms tend to be more protective and may therefore want to shield their kids more from financial hardships for as long as they can,” said WalletHub CEO Odysseas Papadimitriou. “Of course, everyone’s situation is different.”
 
Is it a good sign for the economy that 1 in 3 people plan to spend more on back-to-school shopping this year than in 2018? 

“Increased spending may seem like it would be a sign of a strong economy, but it could actually be another crack in the foundation,” said WalletHub CEO Odysseas Papadimitriou. “It’s hard to view projections for record-setting consumer spending in a positive light when consumers already owe more than $1 trillion to credit card companies and have even more student debt. People need to be saving where they can now so they’ll have an easier time affording school-related expenses, and everything else, in the future.”

6 Ways to Promote Positivity in Today's Youth

Being a kid today is anything but easy. It’s filled with difficulties like bullying, school violence, social media gossip, enormous peer pressure and overwhelming stress. As kids get ready to head back to school, what are some ways to increase their self-esteem, boost their confidence and bring more positivity into their lives?

 

Serena Brown Travis is author of the books “In Case I Forget to Tell You” and “Perfect Penny,” and is an expert in promoting positive and healthy dialog between kids and parents. She says with our busy lives and in these tough times, it’s more important than ever to emotionally encourage our youth.   

 

Here are a few of her tips how to do this:

 

-        Change your language: Avoid words like should, can’t, must and never. This is destructive language that sets kids up to fail before they even begin. Instead, use words and phrases that leave children feeling empowered. Try saying things like: ‘We’re going to try our best to…’ ‘If we don’t succeed, that’s okay as long as we learn…’ ‘It might take a little practice, but I bet you can get really good at…’ 

 

-        Critique in a positive manner: It’s important to let kids know when they have done something incorrectly, but you must emphasize something positive. For example: “That was a good try. I really liked how you did…Next time, try and do….” Never belittle their attempts or shame them in front of others as this can leave emotional scars for years to come. 

 

-        Be more complimentary: There’s no such thing as giving too much praise. Kids are exposed to so much negativity these days that you can never overdo it on making them feel good about themselves. Simply saying ‘I love you’ is important but really lay on the compliments. ‘You look great in that outfit!’ ‘I’m so proud of you for getting an A on that test.’ ‘You played a great game of basketball tonight.’

 

-        Be a role model: Remember that kids learn by watching their parents. Even when you do something or say something in passing or unintentionally, your kids see it and it molds them into the person they become. Don’t just talk a good game. Set the example and really be the person you want your children to become. 

 

-        Create more one-on-one time:The days of sit-down family dinners with deep discussions have been replaced by microwave meals that take minutes to consume. Dedicate at least 20-minutes a day of quality one-on-one time or to talk as a family. Encourage your kids to talk about their day, the positives and negatives. Work together to provide solutions that foster positive outcomes. 

 

-        Lift your kids up: It’s a nice thought to think your children’s teachers, friends, coaches and others are going to uplift your kids with positive messages. It’s also probably a little unrealistic. The reality is kids face more negativity these days than ever before. As parents, we must lift our kids up and make sure they feel good about themselves, believe in themselves and that they are excited about their dreams and future. 

Serena Brown Travis

Why You Should Monitor What Your Kids Are Doing on Social Media

With social networking being so common nowadays, it can be easy to believe that it's okay for your kids to use social media throughout the day. After all, it helps them keep in touch with friends and family and it gives them something to do other than bother you, right? While scrolling through their feed and posting updates about their day can be positive in that it encourages them to practice reading and writing, it can also be a bad thing if they're encountering the wrong kind of content or engaging in unwise activities. With that being said, here a few reasons why you should be paying attention to what your kids are doing social media.

Their Personal Data Isn't Private, Even If You Think It Is

If you've been paying attention to the tech headlines, you might've noticed the stories about Facebook and other major social networking sites sharing the personal data of their users. Many people wrongly assume that they can simply change a few privacy settings in their kid's profile to ensure that only their friends can see their posts and interests or view their pictures. While that may work to keep other site users from openly accessing the data, the social network itself may still share that information with third-parties. In response to these concerns, we've seen the rise of a new kind of privacy-oriented social networking sites like emenator.com. There are no advertisements for a start, so you can be sure that the network isn’t looking at your cookies to tailor what to show you. They also guarantee that they won’t sell your data, so there’s no way anyone else can access it.

There's an Abundance of Age-Inappropriate Content Out There

Of course, another reason to actively monitor your kid's social networking activity is that they could easily be viewing content that is highly inappropriate for their age, even while browsing sites that you might think are safe such as YouTube or Instagram. Keep a tab on which pages they're liking, groups they're joining, and videos they're viewing or commenting on. You can do this by checking the account activity occasionally.

Real-World Criminals are Lurking

Staying safe on social media isn't just about preventing cyber-attacks, identity theft, and other problems that you might not immediately notice, as there's a possibility that a violent crime could be committed against you based on the details you're sharing. For example, there have

Ways To Save Time and Money Before Summer Ends

Whether you want to admit it or not, the summer sunshine is winding down faster than ever as the end of July approaches. Summer months tend to leave parents with little room left in both their calendars and their wallets. This is why with the final month of the season almost here, there is no better time than the present to start looking for ways you can save time and money. Listed below are a few practical tips you can utilize to make more room in your planner and increase the money in your bank account. 

Monitor Your AC
As tempting as it is to crank up the cool air on a hot day at home, monitoring how cold you keep your house along with how often you have the AC running is crucial to saving money in the summer months. If you’ve been a bit more lax with how often you have your AC on and at what intensity you keep the air running, try to make some small changes to save some extra cash. From simply turning up the temperature by 2 or 3 degrees higher than usual, to always making sure to have the AC off when you’re not at home, these alterations are sure to help with your utility bills.

Say No
Summer vacation offers a significant amount of free time for many parents to spend time with friends and family and enjoy outdoor activities, however, not every family can do it all. If you’re finding that your moments to relax have become few and far between, or that you simply can’t afford to eat out another night this week, be sure to embrace the beauty of saying no. Declining plans that you don’t have the money or the time for doesn’t mean you’re a bad family member or friend, it just means that sometimes you’re not capable of being everywhere at once. 

Thrift More
Shopping the sales on summer looks and back to school clothes is a very tempting pastime for families and parents alike. Though you can always take advantage of great sales to save money, an even better way to enact smart shopping is by utilizing local and online thrift stores. You’d be surprised by the amount of shorts, dresses, and sunglasses you can browse for less by simply choosing used. Online thrifting sites like thredUP even offer well-known brands with comfortable and affordable styles from names like Lularoe. Thrifting will save you money on items that range anywhere from sandals to salad bowls that will turn out to be the perfect price for you. 

Make A List
While list making might be something that is already part of your daily routine, it’s a crucial part of time management that should never be overlooked, especially during busy seasons. From taking your kids to baseball practice to grocery shopping and party planning, lists help to clear and focus the mind when you might feel overwhelmed. If you’ve found that you usually stick to your memory when you have tasks to complete, try to make listing out your errands a habit, as this will save you a lot of time in the long run.

Utilize The Library
Most local libraries offer free classes and events that are great for families and kids year round. Be sure to check the schedule of your local library to see if there is anything going on that your children might enjoy. Utilizing the library is the perfect way to get summer reading books for free, as well as fun movies for your whole family to enjoy. Sign up for their newsletter and make a day out of going with your kids to get their first library cards. This process will be a fun and free bonding experience with your little ones!

Set Reminders
Last but not least, a perfect tip to save on time is to always be sure to set reminders for yourself. Most families and parents have a significant amount of things happening for them in the summer, making it easy to forget an upcoming game or even a business meeting. Use the technology you have to its full advantage by setting calendar reminders for yourself to be sure you don’t miss a thing. You might even find that in between your alarms you have some extra free time to yourself! 
 
 

Americans With Debt Don't Want to Sacrifice on Travel: Should You Save So You Can See the World?

As a nation, we're struggling with more debt than ever. According to recent statistics, U.S. consumer debt increased by 5% from April to May of 2019, totaling $4.09 trillion. Between credit card debt, educational loans, and bankruptcies resulting from unpaid medical bills (the last of which affected an estimated 2 million Americans during 2013), it's no wonder that many of us are feeling bogged down by what we owe. But evidently, we aren't willing to give up certain privileges due to our debt. In fact, a substantial number of Americans say they wouldn't forgo traveling due to their debt -- and some are even willing to take on more debt to have these experiences.

In 2017, domestic travel increased by nearly 2%, representing 2.25 billion personal trips throughout the United States. But whether you want to stay state-side or travel to a distant country, being able to afford a vacation can be a challenge. That's particularly true if you're already struggling to pay for your lifestyle. And yet, according to an online survey conducted by CreditCards.com, 70% of U.S. adults who have existing credit card debt report that they would be unwilling to reduce their leisure travel expenses by 50%.

Despite the fact that many Americans are leaving unused vacation days on the table each year, those who do choose to travel tend to view these expenses as necessary ones. The average household with credit card debt spends roughly $2,211 per year on leisure travel, while households with no credit card debt spend around $3,188 per year on leisure travel. Since the federal government shows that the average household with this type of debt owes $5,700 and the average credit card charges a 17.76% interest rate, making no progress on paying off this debt can have huge consequences. According to one expert, making only the minimum payment on your credit card will keep you in debt for almost 20 years and force you to pay nearly $7,500 in added interest, which can make it nearly impossible for you to start saving for retirement or higher education for your children.

Still, many Americans remain undeterred. Millennials, in particular, are not willing to put off a vacation -- even if they can't actually afford to travel. This generation is actually the most likely to go into debt due to traveling, perhaps because these individuals are more concerned with experiences than material belongings. And since millennials already deal with low wages, side hustles, student loans, and unaffordable housing, it's no surprise that debt has become constant in their lives.

Although it's not impossible to travel with debt (particularly if you're dealing with student loan debt or car loans, rather than credit card debt), it'll behoove you to be smart when planning your trip and to take steps to tackle that debt prior to setting out. Planning a trip on the cheap -- choosing a vacation that's closer to home, for example, or offering to house sit for a friend can be a great way to see new places. You might also consider taking a shorter trip, cutting back on food expenses when possible, or keeping an eye out for free or affordable activities. Of course, you'll also want to make attempts to face your debt so that you can feasibly afford a vacation. Identifying the habits that have added to your debt, assessing what needs to be done to pay it off, and meeting with a financial planner can all allow you to gain a bit more monetary freedom.

It's clear that countless Americans are more than willing to travel in spite of their debts. But by paying off those debts and saving money specifically for travel purposes, you can alleviate some anxiety and take action to gain control of your financial situation -- without having to skip a much-deserved getaway.

A Guide to Clean Beauty and DIY Beauty Recipes to Try at Home!

As parents, we always want what is best for our children. It is our responsibility to keep them healthy and safe, and we do so by taking precautions with things like car seats, baby-proofing our homes and vetting every babysitter we hire. Unfortunately, there are many parents who do not realize that there are health risks with the everyday products we use on our kids. 

Many personal care products like shampoos and soaps contain ingredients that are potentially toxic. This is a scary thought considering our skin can absorb upwards of 60% of what we put on it. To make matters more concerning, the current laws do not require cosmetic and personal care companies to receive FDA approval, and they do not have to disclose every ingredient that they use. While it used to be difficult for parents and every day consumers to find products that contain safe ingredients and worked effectively, it’s become a much simpler task thanks to the clean beauty movement.

This movement has helped bring an increased awareness to the mainstream about the potentially harmful ingredients in our everyday products. Clean beauty products are thoughtfully created by companies and are produced without toxic ingredients, and are appearing more and more commonly on the shelves of major retailers. 

If you’re interested in learning more about what companies produce clean beauty and better-for-you products like organic and vegan, take a look at this guide to clean beauty from the team at Hola. There’s also some super simple DIY beauty recipes so you can make your own products at home and have full control over the ingredients you use on your skin! 

Choices Markets Kelowna Takes Steps Toward Sustainability

DATE: July 16, 2019

LOCATION: Choices Markets Kelowna - 1937 Harvey Ave

WHAT: Choices Markets has announced initial steps they are taking toward complying to the Government of Canada’s announcement to ban single-use plastics by 2021. As of July 1, 2019, Choices Markets Kelowna will be: 

1. Removing plastic water bottles from their shelves

Choices Markets Kelowna has taken all 500ml single-serve plastic water bottles off their shelves. For the month of July, customers who bring in water bottles 1L or smaller will receive free water refills. 

2. Offering cardboard boxes 

At the tills, customers will have the option of using a cardboard box instead of a plastic bag. We also offer reusable bags and 100% post-consumer recycled paper bags. As always, we encourage customers to bring their own grocery bags whenever possible. 

3. Selling reusable produce bags 

Across all Choices Markets locations in B.C., the produce departments will be selling reusable produce bags in two different styles. These bags will be sold at cost with no profit to Choices Markets.

Amicable Divorce? How to Come up With a Co-Parenting Schedule

If you're trying to navigate an amicable divorce with children, you're not the only one. In 2018, almost 6 million children in the United States, from infants to 17-year-olds, lived with a divorced parent. With shared custody agreements being common, more people are learning how to effectively co-parent their kids without conflict.

The key to a stress-free situation is a co-parenting schedule designed to fit you and your child's life. To develop your strategy, follow the seven tips below.

1. Listen to Your Children

As an adult, you've dealt with changes and challenging situations throughout life. Children, on the other hand, are used to norms and routines. Significant changes, like Mom and Dad splitting up, can take time to digest. Let your children express their feelings, especially confusion, and ask them for input during the process. No matter how old they are, listening to a child's opinions can give them a sense of control over the situation. A child who has input in the schedule is likely to be more agreeable when the time comes to follow it.

2. Use a Parenting Calculator

One easy way to divide up time among amicably divorced parents is with a parenting time calculator. An online tool like this can create a customized schedule to fit all your needs based on the information you enter. To start, you'll need to choose a schedule type. The 4-3-3-4 plan is a smart strategy for those with school-aged children, as it provides consistency and predictability. Every other week is best for older children who are more independent and like to spend time with friends.

3. Be Realistic About Schedules

When deciding when you should have custody of your child, it's best to be realistic about your schedule. If you work 50-hour work weeks, for example, it would be unfair to fight for full custody and leave your children with a sitter. And remember, holidays are special for everyone, so it's unrealistic to expect custody on each one. Divide time fairly and think about what's best for your children, try this amazing app by Custody X Change to help you!

4. Figure out Expenses

Kids are expensive. Don't wait until the last minute to discuss bills. In 2015, the cost to raise a child through the age of 17 was $233,510, a 3% increase from the previous year. Should you and your former spouse split child-rearing expenses 50/50? You might want a different arrangement. Should child support payments factor into costs? What about food, medical expenses, clothing and school supplies? By having an agreement ahead of time — preferably one typed and signed — you can avoid disagreements down the road.

5. Choose Your Battles

Parenting has its challenges, even when you're married. Co-parenting adds a new challenge, meaning it's crucial to avoid as many conflicts as possible. Communicate openly with your ex to prevent avoidable disagreements and choose which battles are worth fighting. Education, parenting times and health are worth taking a stand. But save your energy on smaller discrepancies like non-allergy-related food choices and vacation timing.

6. Find Ways to Communicate

Even happy couples can argue when it comes to raising a child. To survive disagreements, create a schedule based on open, clear and regular communication. Luckily, with today's technology, you can communicate with your ex without having to meet in person or talk on the phone. Reach each other quickly with texts and emails. Or use mobile apps like Cozi, Google Calendar and Our Family Wizard to stay up to date. Cloud-based storage is also ideal for sharing school report cards, sports schedules, medical records and other vital documents.

7. Revisit the Arrangement

It's smart to put a co-parenting schedule in place. But keep in mind life brings along changes, and it's necessary to revisit your agreement to ensure it's still meeting your needs. Perhaps you took on a new job and you need to spend more time in the office? Or maybe your child got into a prestigious school in a new town? It can be helpful to review your schedule every year as your children grow and circumstances change.

If you're going through an amicable divorce, don't forget to iron out the co-parenting schedule. Talk to your kids, no matter their age, and ask for input. You don't have to abide by what they say — it's just good to know how they feel. Consider your child's needs and use an online calculator to create a customized schedule.

And remember, an effective co-parenting schedule is a modern one you should revisit each year to take changes into account — both with you and your ex-spouse, as well as your children. 

Win a Brow Perfecting Set From Wink!

KMR Communications is offering one of my readers the chance to win one Brow Perfecting Quad from Wink. The total value of the products is: $42.00!  

Eyebrows are one of a person's most prominent facial features because of the many functions they perform. They help accentuate the eyes, shape the face, and play a powerful role in communication. According to science, eyebrows are the most important facial feature one has. When eyebrows are sparse, this immediately ages the face. The beauty industry and consumers have been in a flurry over brows for the past several years. The phrase, "eyebrows on fleek" has become common vernacular.  With a veritable smorgasbord of brow products out there, how does one choose? 

Enter Wink Brow Bar and the only product you need to keep brows lush and youthful.  Umbreen Sheikh, founder and CEO of Wink Brow Bar with locations in NYC and London has formulated this product to replicate the results she provides in her salons.  

Wink Brow Perfecting Quad

Retail Price: $42.00

Product Description

Wink's new Brow Quad is a multitasking compact developed for touch-ups on the go. The formulas, including smudge-proof filler powder, highlighter and grooming pomade for light, flexible hold, allow you to maintain the look of tidy, beautifully defined brows between studio visits.

Also included is a dual-sided brush — angled on one end to deposit and blend pigment with ease — and soft-bristled on the other to tame and shape for precise detailing. 

How to Use

Apply brow pomade with brush or fingertips onto brows and smooth into shape. Use a small amount of powder and gently layer brows with feather-like strokes to create the perfect brow. Finish by gently brushing brows upwards with the spoolie brush.

 

Tip: Do not use too much powder on the front of the brow and try to stay close to the brow shape. Dot sparse area gently with an angle brush. Finish with highlighter under the brow bone for an extra pop.

 

About Wink Brow Bar

 

About Wink Brow Bar

Wink was founded by Umbreen Sheikh, a licensed cosmetologist who grew up in the beauty industry in London.  Wink began as a luxury threading studio that combines state-of-the-art and traditional techniques as well as the very best formulations in the treatment room to create perfect eyebrows, eyelashes, skin, hair and nails.

Believing strongly in the transformative power of great brows, gorgeous lashes and fabulous skin, Wink evolved their services to include a prestige Vegan skincare line, bringing the luxury of a spa experience to the home.  This line includes three products for brows and lashes and six products for skin vitality and anti-aging. Comprised of essential products, the lineup focuses on the hydration, beauty and balance of the skin without irritation or disruption of its natural biorhythms.

 

Wink Brow Bar has three convenient locations in Manhattan, one in trendy Cobble Hill, Brooklyn and an international location in the U.K. 

Their list of services includes:

Organic Brow Threading

Brow Tinting

Brow Extensions

Lash Extensions

Keratin Lash Lift

Hair Waxing

Microblading

Custom Facials

Manicure/Pedicure

Hair color, cuts, and blow out

 Enter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway