Our Parenting Advice Articles will be back next Wednesday!!

As always, The Cackleberries team will be bringing you fresh new content and feature articles full of parenting advice.  Just like before, this year will be no different as Cackleberries.com will continue its successful Wednesday feature by providing more expert articles to help parents solve those tough child rearing dilemmas.  If you’re not familiar with the The Cackleberries Expert Articles feature, it provides great parenting tips, tricks, and techniques to help you deal with any sort of situation that may arise throughout the process of parenthood.  On top of that, we try to cover timely and relevant seasonal topics or trends in the world of everything moms and dads.  If you’d like to see past articles, you can view all of our expert articles on the right side of the page under the “Expert Articles/Parenting Advice” category.  We know there are subjects out there that you would like discussed so if you have a topic you’d like us to cover, feel free to let us know at  info@cackleberries.com

Thanks for stopping by and we’ll see you all next Wednesday for another great parenting advice article!

With our regular Wednesday feature, Cackleberries.com has another expert article to help parents solve those tough child rearing dilemmas.  The Cackleberries How-to feature provides great parenting tips, tricks, and techniques to help you deal with any sort of situation that may arise throughout the process of parenthood.  You can view all of our expert articles on the right side of the page under the “Expert Articles” category.  If you have a topic you’d like us to cover, feel free to let us know at info@cackleberries.com

Today’s topic covers a problem that is becoming more and more prevalent as new video gaming systems require an unprecedented amount of in-depth interaction and fully immerses a child into the gaming experience.  Today we discuss…..

Dealing with Your Child and Video Game Addiction

If you’re like most parents, you probably feel as though your child spends a little too much time playing video games. The trouble is, once your child is hooked, it is a difficult task to create alternative options to gaming that wont result in your child revolting over the limiting of their game time. This form of entertainment and relaxation is quite important to most children and it is important not to overlook this fact when deciding how to handle the situation. Having said that, some new rules or alternative options need to be put in place to reduce the time your child spends in front of a television or computer screen. You don’t have to be so severe as to ban video games all together but you do need to regulate the amount of time they can play in a given day or week. In order to try and change your child’s habits, you’ll need to come up with other forms of entertainment and activities for your child to participate in. Here are our top five entertainment alternatives to help you accomplish this goal.

1 – Have Them Participate in Extra-Curricular Events

It is well documented that activities such as music, sports, scouts, and girl-guides have a definite positive impact on children. The lessons and skills learnt in extra-curricular group activities such as these are a great way for your child to experience different elements of life while keeping them away from constant video game use. Have them select an activity they’re interested in and sign them up for it.

2 – Plan Family Outings

By getting the whole family involved in some specific planned activity, you get to determine where your child is, or more specifically, where your child isn’t. If your child is very reluctant to part ways with their video games, this may be a good option. When trying to entertain your child with something other than their gaming obsession, it may require you to ‘force’ them into planned family events. Things such as a day at the park with sports and games, a movie night, a trip to the local museum, or any other similar activity are all good ways to get the family up and about.

3 – Schedule a Designated Reading Time

It seems as though many children these days aren’t reading as much as previous generations. With new technologies such as computers, video game systems, and pocket size entertainment units, reading seams to be suffering. The value of literature should not be understated and it is important to maintain reading skills in your children. Books are a fabulous way to let your children expand their imagination while learning at the same time. If you’re looking for a positive way to wean your child off of video games, this is a great alternative that you can feel good about enforcing. Even though your child may be hesitant at first, you’ll likely see them come around to the joys of reading, especially if you can latch them on to the latest book craze like the Harry Potter series invoked.

4 – Make Them Choose

Make up a system where your child is given a specific amount of time to play video games per week. So long as their video game playing doesn’t interfere with other family or extra-curricular activities, you can let them determine how and when they will use their game time. Your children will discover the value of planning and learn how to schedule their allotted time to maximize their fun. Your child may also plan to save up their game time in order to have play dates where they invite their friends over for gaming days.

5 – Set Up a Reward Program

Video game time can also be made contingent on your child’s actions and behaviour around the house. Similar to the option listed above, your child can choose to stockpile their time as they earn it. However, with a rewards based system, you can also decide to take away game time depending on your child’s conduct. This video game time can be made dependent on things such as chores and homework being completed satisfactorily, general attitude and willingness to help around home, or any other criteria you deem relevant.

Try to be creative when it comes to scheduling events or activities that mitigate your child’s video game use. When it comes down to it, if your child enjoys the alternatives you’ve put in place, chances are they won’t even notice their reduced gaming time.

Along with the onset of school, fall, foul weather, and the pending winter, come a few perks too.  One such bonus of this time of year is the annual tradition of Halloween.  All this month, Cackleberries will be pulling out the stops to bring you plenty of Hallow’s Eve themed posts.

You can view all of our expert articles on the right side of the page under the “Expert Articles” category.  If you have a topic you’d like us to cover, feel free to let us know at info@cackleberries.com

Child Safety Tips for Halloween Night

While Halloween can be an absolute blast, it can also be downright bust.  Poor weather, avoidable injuries, fear of vandals, or any number of other concerns can easily turn a night of delight into a night of distress.   To help mitigate any of these potential pitfalls, we’ve compiled a list of tips to make sure your Halloween is as stress-free as can be!

Check and Re-Check your Child’s Candy!

Always go through your child’s candy haul when you get home. Never allow your child to eat opened goodies or treats. While it’s entirely possible that these sweets are fine, it’s simply not worth the risk. The vast majority of packages should be sealed and the few that have to be disposed of won’t affect your kid’s stash. Also, be sure to take some for yourself.

When Out at Night, Make Sure to be Bright!

This tip is especially important when the weather is rainy or foggy. In conditions when it has hard to see and with plenty of dark costumes being worn, make sure your child can be seen! There are plenty of ways to have your child visible without detracting from their costume.

• Attach light reflective strips to their arms and legs – As these appendages are constantly in motion, their reflective capabilities will be maximized.
• Outfit them with glowing light-sticks for their wrists or necks – These glowing accessories will last for hours and are available in a variety of different colours ensuring that even the most picky of children will be appeased.
• Use a Flashlight – Avoid unseen curbs or cracks in the sidewalk, keep better track of your kids, tie loose shoelaces easier, or do pretty much anything else you need light to do!

Avoid Houses with Their Lights Off

These lights are off for a reason – they want to be left alone. If someone does not want to participate in Halloween, that should be respected. Constant annoyance could result in unnecessary confrontation.

Cross the Street Safely

Make sure to cross the roadway from sidewalks or via intersections. It might seem like a minor piece of advice but simple road safety can go a long way, especially for tiny children.

Try to Avoid Firecrackers and Fireworks

While these can be dazzling on the eyes, they are best viewed from a distance or in controlled environments. The power contained in these tiny items is enough to send a child to the emergency room.

Avoid Large Groups and Stick Together

Large groups can lead to confusion and mini-members of your troupe can get lost in the melee.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

Winter is fast approaching. Mix in a little rain or snow, and Halloween can make for a downright chilly experience and we’re not just talking spine chilling scary, we’re talking cold! Make sure you and your kids are wearing warm clothing in layers. You can always take extra clothes off but it’s a lot harder to add clothes you don’t have.

So with that, have a safe and fun Halloween night!

With school back in session, Cackleberries will be offering some timely tips on how to handle the sudden switch from summer to school mode.

Setting Some Ground Rules for the Back to School Schedule

It is definitely not easy being a kid. However, sometimes it seams as though it’s even harder being a parent. Not only do you have to support, nurture, and care for your family, but you also have to make those tough decisions that wont go over well with your children. This is especially difficult after a long summer of lax rules and leisurely days. When it comes time to head back to school, certain ground rules need to be re-established.

In order to ease the transition, you should have a family get together to discuss your expectations and openly talk about why you’re implementing these new rules. Allow your children to have their say and be actively involved in the process. This way, your children will understand the new rules and will be  aware of any potential consequences should they fail to live up to the new conditions. For clarity’s sake, you may want to write these rules down and post them where the family can see. That way, there will be no confusion as to what is expected.

Once school is back in session, there are a few key areas you’ll want to address.  Here are a few ideas to implement that will help things run smoothly on the home front:

* Set a consistent bedtime

For your sake and theirs, you should set a standard bedtime for your kids. They need the rest, and so do you.

* Establish homework requirements and review their work

Ensuring your child is completing their schoolwork on time and to the best of their ability is an excellent habit to get into. Study habits learned while young will be a great benefit for years to come.

* Institute entertainment and gaming limitations

With school back in session, you will need to rein your children’s extra-curricular activities in and make sure that they are doing their fair share of studying and household chores.

* Create contact procedures

This can range from regularly checking in, planning for rides or after school activities, and emergency contact protocol.

* Determine your family’s activity schedule and plan out logistics

Whether it’s picking up your kids from school or dropping them off at soccer practice, your family’s activities need to be coordinated and travel plans or carpool arrangements need to be established.

* Create a chores task list

If your children are at an age where they can lend a hand, sign them up to help out. Household chores are almost never ending so if you have children that can share the burden, create a chore list. You’ll be glad you did.

* Create Internet usage rules and time restrictions

Most important here is restricting what they can and can’t see. Inappropriate content is almost inevitable but there are steps you can take to mitigate this. Try blocking certain sites, placing the computer in a common area, and restricting pleasure use until other tasks are done.

* Know what you’re capable of

Don’t overload yourself! Be aware of your limitations and make sure to ask for help if you need it! Remember, you can only do so much. For example, if your child has soccer practice with a friend, arrange a carpool. That way, you can cut down your driving by fifty percent. Another thing you can do is have a family night where you prepare a bunch of dinners for the week. That way, you can freeze them until ready and wont need to slave in the kitchen every evening.

So with school back in session, try implementing rules such as these to help ease the transition and ensure that your family stays on track throughout the year.

With school back in session, Cackleberries will be offering some timely tips on how to handle the sudden switch from summer to school mode.

Do you remember when you were young, the feelings you experienced when school ended and summer break began? Pretty great huh? Do you also remember how you felt when summer was ending and school was about to be back in session? Not so great hey? Well now it’s your kid’s turn to feel that way and it is highly likely that their suffering the same feelings you did when it was time to head back to class. Obviously no parent wants to see their child unhappy so we’ve compiled a list of tips to help your child transition through the shock of starting another year of school.

1. Get your family back on a “School Night Schedule”

Hopefully you’ve begun this preparation before school actually starts. If not, don’t worry because you can still get your children on schedule quite quickly. Begin by having your children in bed at a pre-determined time and up in the morning at a pre-determined time. Be sure to gauge how your child is feeling and whether you need to tweak their bedtime to ensure they are getting enough rest.

2. Ask your Child Questions and Listen to their Concerns

Your child will definitely have some questions about the upcoming school year. They will also likely have some fears about the uncertainties that accompany a new year at school. The best way to ensure a smooth return to class is to talk with your child and answer any questions your child may have. Alleviating your child’s worries will go a long way in making them feel more comfortable about heading back to school.

3. Visit the School before Class Starts

If you’re able, try to take your child on a visit to school before it begins. You can walk with them through the halls, visit their classroom, library, cafeteria, office, and gym, and even have them meet the teacher if possible. If your child knows where they’re going and what they’ll be doing, it will definitely ease some of their troubles.

4. Prepare your Child for their New Morning Routine

It is a good habit to have your child get used to what is expected of them during the school year. This is especially important when it comes to getting ready in the morning. If you know your child tends to drag their feet in the morning, have them get up a bit earlier then needed to make sure they are ready on time. You may also want to get them in the habit of having a shower and packing their school bag the night before. This will not only save time in the morning but will also be a good habit for your child over the course of the school year.

5. Provide a Fun Environment for your Child at Home

If your child is especially nervous or afraid of going back to school, plan a special night for them at home. If your child has already started school and doesn’t seem to be transitioning well, you can also do this for them at any point during the school year. In order to lift some of the worries off of your child’s shoulders, you can plan a fun night for them where they get to enjoy some of their favourite items, events, or activities. Whether it’s eating a favourite meal, watching a favourite movie, playing a favourite game, or anything else your child enjoys, let them enjoy a fun filled day so they can go into school next time with a positive attitude.

Much like you experienced when you were young, your child is likely dreading heading back to school. With your experience, a little preparation, and a helping a hand, you can ensure your child has a successful transition back to school and avoids the dreaded back to school blues.