Without packed schedules, school, sports, friends and clubs, filling our days with our kids at home can feel daunting. Read the list below so that you’ll be confident and prepared with these indoor activities for the next time you hear, “I’m bored!” These indoor activities are perfect for playtime, during a break from distance learning, or even on the weekends.

Finding ways to keep your children active during this time of social distancing can feel like a challenge, but it’s more important than ever to keep them moving. With no PE class, recess, dance lessons, soccer practice or friends to chase around it’s time to get creative. 
 

The 2021 holiday season will certainly look different this year, as do so many other aspects of our lives due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

For decades when parents and educators discussed learning and education, the focus was on academics and how well a child performs in school and tests. The concept of focusing on social skills is still reasonably new, yet it is equally important, and some may argue more.

More: 30 Mindfulness Activities for Kids

Swimming is an amazing skill that will not only keep your kids active, but it could also save their life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that “drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury death behind motor vehicle crashes for children ages 1–14.” They also report that an average of 11 children under the age of 14 die every single day from drowning.

Tips for New Moms: Stockpile Support and Self-Assurance

I'm not trying to scare you, telling you how much worse parenthood is than you originally thought. Heck, you may turn out to be a baby whisperer. You may have an airtight support network. Or, you may have been visited by one of Dickens's ghosts, seen the real truths of motherhood to come, and are prepared to shift your entire life pace and focus.

Books for Younger Teens

Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
The life of a ten-year-old boy in rural Virginia expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer who subsequently meets an untimely death trying to reach their hideaway, Terabithia, during a storm.

Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt
The Tuck family is confronted with an agonizing situation when they discover that a ten-year-old girl and a malicious stranger now share their secret about a spring whose water prevents one from ever growing older.

Note-Taking: Finding the Method that Works

Teenagers are often loud, stubborn, angsty, and insecure. Every parent remembers the painful worries that creep in as you make the leap from kid to young adult. Teenagers are always worried. There’s a fear of being judged by their friends, of trying to date or flunking your classes, and not getting into a top university. 

One of the biggest challenges busy families face is finding quality time to connect with one another. With work, school, extracurriculars, screen time, friends, and more all competing for time, parents can be left feeling unconnected as their kids quickly grow into themselves. Many parents worry their kids are growing too quickly and that they're not creating lifelong memories.

Though this time of quarantine is filled with challenges and difficult emotions, we can make the most of it as parents by using the time to teach kids life skills that they may not learn in school. Although it might take a little extra work upfront to teach your children a new skill, ultimately it will save you time as they learn to do more for themselves.

Editor’s Note:We know raising kids can be hard. That’s why we’re dedicated to making your life easier with the latest and greatest parenting advice and products. We wanted to let you know that if you chose to purchase one of the items featured in this post, we may receive a small commission for it.

Editor’s Note:We know raising kids can be hard. That’s why we’re dedicated to making your life easier with the latest and greatest parenting advice and products. We wanted to let you know that if you chose to purchase one of the items featured in this post, we may receive a small commission for it.

Talking with Children About War and Violence in the World

by Sheldon Berman, Sam Diener, Larry Dieringer, and Linda Lantieri

After more than a year of living through the COVID-19 pandemic, we are entering the time of year for school graduations, and they continue to be less than normal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is starting to relax its guidelines, however large group gatherings are still generally not recommended, particularly if they are indoors.

One of the best parts of the holidays is being able to spread a little Christmas joy everywhere you go. Help get your children into the spirit by trying these 10 ways to spread Christmas cheer, whether it be with family, friends, neighbors or strangers.

More: 12 Days of Fun (and Cheap!) Christmas Activities for Kids and Families

The Inside Scoop on History Textbooks

As much as we had hoped the COVID-19 pandemic would be a distant memory almost two years in, it is unfortunately still rearing its ugly head around the country and the world. With each new variant that surfaces, the CDC, school systems, communities, cities, and states grapple with how to handle new caseloads, symptoms, vaccine requirements, and booster shots.

When a married couple walks down the aisle, physically or metaphorically, on their wedding day, divorce and separation are the furthest thoughts from their minds. Your wedding day is one of happy beginnings and hopes for life-long togetherness. The unfortunate truth, however, is that many marriages do end in divorce. People change, grow, develop new interests, or take career paths that lead them in a direction they never imagined. And while none of these are excuses for divorce, they are often part of the cause.

Women are tough and hard working, and their bodies can perform amazing feats; however, some jobs and tasks may be too physically strenuous for some pregnant women to continue. Too much lifting and standing could lead to preterm labor, low birth weight, ligament pain, decreased blood flow, and muscle strains like hernias.

Each pregnancy is different, so you will need to work with your health care provider to determine your risks and appropriate level of physical activity.