ML Interest Tag: self-control

18 Basic Life Skills Kids Should Know by Different Ages

by Teresa Douglas

Today’s generation of kids might be living in a world with AI, self-driving cars, and other things we used to only see on The Jetsons, but whether it’s learning to cook or managing a budget, there are a few essential life skills kids need to learn as they grow. “For years, researchers believed life skills, like empathy and creative thinking, were innate. Today, we know these skills can be taught and practiced,” says Stephanie Malia Krauss, author of Whole Child, Whole Life: 10 Ways to Help Kids, Live, Learn, and Thrive. Most life skills for kids can happen when their stage and situation encourage and enable it. We asked K-12 educators and child development experts to weigh in on when your crew can master life’s major skills. 

Life Skills for Kids Ages 0-2

Nobody expects a baby to balance a checkbook. But there are skills that the two and under set should know before they leave this stage.

Clean Up (Everybody Everywhere)

When a child is 18 months old, they want to copy their caregivers. If you sweep the floor, they want to sweep the floor. Aghogho Boccardi, 7-12 grade educator and founder of Hope Like a Mother, started her kids on chores by having them pick up after themselves at mealtimes. “After a meal, they get down from the table and pick all the large chunks of food from the floor.” She makes it a fun game, and afterward, they help Mom with the handheld vacuum. Notably, she only started this activity when the children showed interest in wanting to sweep.

Swim

“Starting at three months old, babies can begin to learn the skills needed to have confidence in the water, such as breath control and the baby back float. From there, children that continue lessons will add to their skillsets as they master new strokes and set new challenges,” says Chris DeJong, five-time U.S. National Champion swimmer, and Founder and President of Big Blue Swim School.

According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged four and under. The sooner your mini can master this life-saving skill, the better.

Life Skills for Kids Ages 2-4

By 30 months, most minis can follow simple two-step directions. They can also hold something with one hand while using the other to twist and pull. These developmental milestones mean you can introduce your kiddo to a new set of life skills.

Dress Themselves 

This is the age when children want to put on and take off their own clothes. Getting up and out of the house takes three times as long, but let them do it. According to Krauss, this is when children start developing fine motor control. Learning to fasten buttons and put on their shoes gives them much-needed practice with skills they can take into learning to write.

Set the Table

We’re not saying you should give your assistant the fine china. But at this age, you can ask your child to put a fork and (plastic) cup next to each plate on the table. Bonus: you won’t have to guess if they wanted the blue or red cup. Meltdown avoided!

Memorize Your Name and Phone Number

If your preschooler can sing the lyrics to their favorite song, they can learn the seven digits of your phone number. Make it a game so they want to play along. Test your little ones at different times of the day so they’ll remember your number even if they are alone and upset. 

Related: All the Chores Kids Should Be Doing, Based on Their Age

Life Skills for Kids Ages 4-6

learning how to do laundry is a life skill for kids
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“Elementary school is a foundational time for children to learn essential social, relational, and learning skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. Through play and projects, kids use, adapt, and strengthen their communication, relationship, and conflict management skills,” says Krauss.

Make Lunch

5-year-olds can learn cooking skills through the ‘cooking kit’ method. “By kindergarten, many children will be able to do the tasks necessary to make their own lunch if they are laid out for them. For example, they could make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if you put peanut butter, jelly, bread, a butter knife, and a plate out for them. They may not have the executive functioning skills to be fully responsible for making their own lunch, though, and will need a little more development to be able to plan what to pack, pick out the ingredients, and assemble the lunch,” says Letty Rising, K-12 Montessori educator at Montessori Laboratory.

Get Their Own Snack

Everybody wins when your kindergartener can self-serve that after-school munch. Buy adult-approved options. Separate them into single-serve portions. Then leave them in an accessible, designated place, such as a lower cabinet or a drawer in the fridge. 

Gather the Laundry

Teach your crew how to use the laundry basket. Realistically, four-year-olds will need you to point at the things that go in the laundry. Kids this age will not remember to empty their pockets. And if your kindergartener is also in charge of cleaning up their room, you will find strange things stuffed in the basket along with their socks. Wash with caution.

It’s definitely easier to do the laundry yourself in the short term. But children who start learning now will be well-equipped to wash their laundry in the middle-elementary years. 

 

Life Skills for Kids Ages 6-8

Until six, most of your kids’ cleaning is heavily supervised and play-based. Rising says, “By the time children reach 6 years of age, they can be responsible for sweeping the floors as part of their chores, and likely also parts of cleaning the bathrooms like wiping down the counter.” This means caregivers can now pass on old chestnuts, such as “You were old enough to make the mess, so you’re old enough to clean it.” Huzzah! 

Run the Washing Machine

According to Dr. Ryan Sultan, board-certified child psychiatrist and Research Professor at Columbia University, children can now learn how to operate a washing machine and fold clean laundry. They will still need periodic reminders on how much detergent to use and how to avoid turning everyone’s whites a light pink.

Operate a Microwave Alone

Microwaving a meal is a big deal for the elementary school set. And they can do so much more than warm up yesterday’s dinner or cook a box of mac and cheese. YouTube is full of recipes for microwave-friendly meals. Spend time watching the videos together for added parent and child time. Budding chefs will need to learn basic microwave safety–no metal in the microwave!—before you turn them loose. 

Tie Their Shoes

Six-year-olds have the fine motor skills necessary to learn to tie their shoes. But thanks to the magic of Velcro, compressed morning schedules, and schools that insist on slip-on shoes, children are learning this skill later. According to a 2019 survey commissioned by OSGO to coincide with National Feet Week, “3 in 10 children are still unable to tie their shoelaces on leaving primary school.”

The only way kids can master this skill is with a lot of practice. If there’s no time in the morning for them to lace up their shoes, set aside time later in the day. Some children don’t care to practice this skill. If you have a reluctant lacer, dispense small rewards to get them on board. 

 

Life Skills for Kids Ages 8-10

learning about money is a life skill for kids
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Your not-so-mini is one of the big kids now. With greater ability comes the opportunity for greater responsibility.

Budget Money

In his book The Opposite of Spoiled, Rob Lieber says that the main point of an allowance is to help “kids learn to save and spend money, a skill they don’t get to practice in many other ways as they grow up.” Learning to delay gratification has a whole host of benefits. According to Lieber, adults who practice self-control as children are more likely to save money and own homes. Lieber’s three-jar method to budget money for saving, spending, and charitable giving is a great place to start.

Many parents discover another upside. Children are much less eager to spend their own money. While minis as young as six can begin to budget, the mid-elementary set has a clearer grasp of time. They will be far more impressed when you say, “If you want that iPhone, you’ll need to save your allowance for six years.”

Practice Online Safety

In a 2019 study from Common Sense Media, 8-12-year-olds spend 31% of their total screen time gaming. And whether they play on a smartphone, a console, or a computer, they can bump into players they don’t know. “One of the first things children need to understand about chatting online is that they could be talking to anyone from anywhere,” advises Philip Wride, Parenting & Education Coach.

“It’s important they know not to share personal information like their name, address, or photos of themselves. The same is true if they play games online–the people they are playing with could potentially be any age. If someone asks for their name, address, or a photo, the child must understand it is a red flag activity and that they should tell an appropriate adult.”

If possible, children should play games and use the internet in a shared space where they can keep an ear and an eye on the activity.

 

Life Skills for Kids Ages 10-12

“By the end of elementary school, most children can engage in increasingly complex and abstract reasoning and decision making. Academic assignments and learning activities engage them as problem solvers and critical thinkers,” says Stephanie Malia Krauss.

But it’s important to refrain from allowing academic work or sports to crowd out the critical life skills tweens will carry with them into adulthood. If your crew’s time is limited, consider giving them one or two chores and rotating the assignment every week. 

Take Out the Trash

Taking the garbage outside isn’t brain surgery. But there are several limiting factors to consider. Is your child strong enough to carry the bag? Are they tall enough to hoist it into the bin? Does your municipality require you to sort your trash into different containers? If the kitchen garbage is too heavy, start your tween off with the recycling. 

If your family lives in an apartment with a communal dumpster, your child may need situational awareness to avoid cars in the parking lot. Take your junior janitor with you when you toss the trash and progressively hand over the job. 

Make Simple Meals on the Stove

Kids can be taught how to cook on the stove in early elementary school. A tween trained in basic kitchen safety can independently scramble eggs, cook pancakes from a mix, or make a grilled cheese. They will learn best working with you, but more mature tweens can also follow (video or written) recipes. You’ll want to be on hand in case that grilled cheese turns into a flambé. 

 

Life Skills for Kids Ages 12 and Up

learning how to fix a bike is a good life skill for kids
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12-year-olds are nowhere near old enough to live independently, but this is a great time to help them hone the skills they will take into adulthood.

Cook Family Dinner

This is when cooking practice can really pay off. Teach your tween how to make a complete dinner, then add them to the weekly cooking rotation. If you don’t have the mental energy or cooking know-how to teach this skill, consider using a service like Hello Fresh or Chef’s Plate. Each meal comes with ingredients and step-by-step instructions. Watching your kid cook while you recover from a long day at work is almost like taking a spa day. Even better, your future college student won’t have to survive on ramen packs for four years.

Balance a Checkbook

“Balancing a checkbook is a complex task that requires an understanding of basic math and financial concepts. Generally, it’s best to wait until children are in middle school before introducing them to this skill. This will help ensure they have the necessary foundational skills required to complete the task effectively. Additionally, provide guidance on how to safely and accurately manage finances, such as avoiding overdrafts and using online banking tools if available,” recommends Kalley Hartman, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist of Ocean Recovery.

Start your middle schooler off with small steps. First, show them how to keep a running total of their credits and expenses. Then show them how to reconcile their tally against the bank balance. You can use a service like Greenlight or Mydoh or act as the bank by collecting receipts and adding them to a paper ledger two days later.

Perform Basic Home Maintenance 

According to Dr. Sultan, most tweens and teens are old enough to learn to change a lightbulb, unclog a drain, and reset the circuit breaker. Parents in the know will tell you that getting your teenager to unclog the toilet themselves is a game changer. And a great way to get them to use less bathroom tissue.

Teaching your kids essential life skills might feel overwhelming, but you’re not in it alone. “Kids can learn life skills anytime, anywhere, and with anyone. Children constantly observe, learn, and practice these skills at home, school, in the community, and in whatever activities they engage in. Like reading, some children will master skills more slowly and others more quickly. What’s most important is providing them with instruction, opportunities to practice, and assistance when they need it,” says Krauss.

Related: 12 Essential Life Skills Kids Can Learn from Travel

 

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Is Preschool Free? Here’s What You Need to Know

by Casey Clark

The answer to whether you have access to free preschool really depends on where you live and whether you qualify

When your kid approaches age 3 or 4, you may consider sending them to preschool. It probably seems like the natural way to have them enter the education system and transition to kindergarten, but it’s not that simple—and one looming question on parents’ minds is this: “Is preschool free?”

Short answer: No, preschool isn’t free.
Long answer: Preschool can be free, but not everywhere in the United States.

“The cost of preschool varies dramatically across the country, but the average tuition costs approximately $10,000 per academic year,” says Amanda Vierheller, co-founder and COO of Playgarden. “Cost is one of the most prohibitive factors in families committing to preschool.”

Although costly, parents might view this as an investment in their child’s future as research shows that preschool benefits kids socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. However, since not every family has the means to send their kid to preschool, it’s become a hot-button topic in many states.

With that said, we understand that navigating the world of preschool for your child can be difficult and we’re here to help. To make the process easier, we spoke with education experts and families about their experiences with preschool and whether free preschool might be a possibility now or in the future.

When do kids start preschool?

Preschoolers are between the ages of 3 and 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but children typically start preschool between 3 and 4. By chatting with local preschools, parents can determine what each school’s expectations are for readiness (e.g., potty training) and evaluate whether their kid fits the bill.

What are the benefits of preschool?

One of the reasons many parents consider sending their children to preschool is because of the advantages they’ll receive ahead of kindergarten.

“Preschool introduces children to routine, rules, independence, socialization, early learning, and foundational skills that they use both in school and at home,” says Vierheller. “Students who attend preschool have opportunities to promote social and emotional development with peers and teachers.”

Aside from gaining independence and developing their social skills, preschool also helps to prepare kids for kindergarten. “Not only do kids learn the foundational skills needed to master elementary school topics, but they also learn how to be in school,” says Cara Delzer, head of community at Outschool. “They get to practice self-control, asking for help, and learn how to navigate a structured setting.”

Most importantly, children develop essential skills like language and communication by playing, learning, and interacting with others. “Students also build fine motor and gross motor skills with the daily practice that comes with school activities,” Vierheller adds.

How much does preschool cost in the US?

As mentioned above, Delzer says a traditional preschool usually starts around $1200 a month or $10,000 per year, but this may vary depending on the location, number of children attending, and the type of preschool chosen.

Jaime Maser Berman, a publicist and mother of four, has three of her children currently enrolled in preschool in Westfield, NJ. For the 2022-2023 school year, her kids’ tuition cost the family roughly $6,000 per month.

“Preschool is definitely not free; in fact, we joke we’re constantly hemorrhaging money. Such is life as a parent,” says Maser Berman.

A program to help cover the cost of preschool

While tuition concerns are a real problem for many families, Delzer says there is a government program that’s in place to help.

Head Start

The most well-known free preschool option is Head Start, which is available in some form in every state for children aged 3 to 5. (Sister program Early Head Start is an option for families with kids under 3.)

“Every state has requirements to qualify for Head Start, such as income limits,” says Delzer. “Many school districts provide free preschool with some restrictions, such as limiting it to certain age groups, only being available for part of the day, or only being available 3 days a week.”

Does your state have free preschool?

Nearly all states have free preschool available through Head Start, as long as families meet the eligibility requirements.

Some states offer free pre-K for students who are 4 years old. “Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Washington D.C currently offer universal pre-K programs for all children, although some are based on lottery acceptance as spaces are limited,” says Vierheller.

She adds that other states have universal pre-K policies in place for at-risk children, and some are working towards the benchmark of offering state-wide pre-K in the future. For example, California is on track to have free high-quality pre-K for all 4-year-olds by 2025.

If you’re looking for local preschool options, the Child Care Aware hotline (1-800-424-2246) is an available resource. They provide contact information for local childcare resources and referral agencies, which can provide a list of licensed preschools in your area.

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5 Essential Books on Gentle Parenting to Get You Started

by Allison Sutcliffe

These gentle parenting books can help you foster trust, empathy, and respect with your kids

When it comes to parenting there’s no one right way to do it. But if raising kids with empathy, respect, and kindness is at the forefront of your parenting strategy, gentle parenting just might be your thing. It focuses on positive communication, and encourages parents to trade discipline and punishment for kindness and understanding to shape behavior and support kids through some of those tougher stages (we’re looking at you, terrible twos and threenage years). Trust, respect, and open communication are the pillars of this theory. The end goal is mutual respect and trust between kids and parents. Curious to learn how you can incorporate these strategies into your everyday? Break open one of these gentle parenting books and get reading.

whole brain child book cover is a gentle parenting book

1. The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson

If you’re parenting a toddler we bet you’ve figured out that using logic to temper their tantrums is about as effective as renaming broccoli “magical trees” to get your kid to eat a vegetable. In The Whole-Brain Child,  neuropsychiatrist, Daniel J. Siegel, and parenting expert, Tina Payne Bryson, team up to explain brain development in kids in an easily accessible way for parents. They also offer 12 key strategies to raising happier, calmer kids.

Buy it here, $13

parenting with love and logic book cover has been around for a long time as a gentle parenting books

2. Parenting with Love and Logic by Charles Fay & Foster Cline

The Love and Logic approach to raising responsible kids isn’t a new one. In fact, it’s been around for 45 years. But even if you’ve read this one before, a refresher never hurts, especially since the Love and Logic principles can be applied from toddler through teen years. Focused on empowering children to make their own decisions without ceding parental authority, what you’ll find in these pages helps you pair natural consequences with empathetic listening.

Buy it here, $17

Related: 10 Books That Will Help Your Kids with Their Social & Emotional Growth

the concious parent book cover gentle parenting books to know

3. The Conscious Parent by Dr. Shefali Tsabary

If you’re looking for a different take on parenting, try The Conscious Parent. Dr. Shelfali Tsabary explains that although many parents believe it’s our responsibility to mold our kids through discipline and consequences, it’s actually quite the opposite. In this book she show that “our children are born to us to create deep internal transformation within us.” One read will help you embrace a more mindful, conscious approach to parenting.

Buy it here, $10

gentle parenting book the peaceful parent cover with a mom and child smiling at each other

4. Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids by Dr. Laura Markham

The subtitle of this book says it all—how to stop yelling and start connecting. In it, mom and clinical psycholgist, Dr. Laura Markham, uses brain science and experience to give parents practical tools that help them develop strong, loving connections with their kids. If you’re looking for that Aha! parenting moment, the strategies outlined in this book can lead the way.

Buy it here, $12

book cover for no drama discipline with mom and kid in blue showing gentle parenting

5. No-Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson

Written by the same team that brought you the first book on our list, No-Drama Discipline gives parents the tools they need to help their kids learn from their mistakes and develop self-control. It provides an “effective, compassionate road map for dealing with tantrums, tensions, and tears—without causing a scene.” Sounds too good to be true, right? Give it a read to find out.

Buy it here, $12.50

Related: 5 Ways to Deal with Toddler Tantrums without Losing Your Cool

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

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Dad Shuts Down Adults Criticizing His Daughters’ Homecoming Dresses

by Karly Wood

The Florida news anchor took to TikTok to address other people commenting on his daughters

Matt Austin just wanted to share a photo of his two daughters dressed to the nines before heading off to Homecoming. The dad of two and a Florida news anchor posted a picture standing with his teens, captioning the image, “My daughters look a little too good on homecoming night. Believe it or not, they’re even more beautiful on the inside.” But apparently, viewers didn’t care about his kids inside beauty, they were too caught up in what the girls were wearing.

To date, there are 470 comments about the photo and while many are encouraging, plenty are landblasting.

Related: Dad Calls Out the Ridiculousness of Girl Clothes in Viral TikTok

@flnewsman

A dad responds to Karens taking aim at teen daughters’ Homecoming dresses. #fashiontiktok #parentsoftiktok –#fypシ #hoco

♬ original sound – mattja83

“These outfits these girls are wearing are exactly what call girls wear,” and “Sorry my daughters would never leave the house looking for sale” are just a few of the negative Nancy comments people felt entitled to leave on a post about someone else’s kids. But Austin wasn’t going to let it slide.

In a now-viral TikTok, the anchor lays into commenters. “Let’s get something clear: It’s not my daughter’s job to make sure your son is focused in school,” he says. “Also not her job to dress hideous enough to where your son doesn’t assault her. It’s your job to not raise a pervert with no self-control.”

Related: Teacher Bursts Into Tears When His Students Crash His Wedding

Austin admits the dresses his daughters chose weren’t what he would pick, but that’s not the point. He goes on to detail how he doesn’t dictate what his kids wear because he doesn’t want them to hate him for arbitrary rules, start lying to him to get around said rules and one very important other reason: because they would think “that it’s OK for a man to tell them what to wear because they look too good. And that ain’t happening, Karen.”

Any of those things happening would be disappointing for a parent, but Austin closes out his video with the ultimate would-be letdown. “You know what would really disappoint me? If my girls grow up to be the type of adult who goes on social media and demeans a teen’s appearance on her father’s Facebook page. Now that’s what I call trashy.”

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The Benefits of Risky Play

By Rebecca Wallace

 

Rates of depression and anxiety disorders among young Americans have seen a fivefold to eightfold increase over the past five decades, mainly due to a dramatic decline in free play among kids over the same period, says an article on Psychology Today.

Now, most parents don’t allow their kids to participate in any form of free or risky play for fear of injury and abduction. While parents should supervise their children’s safety in both public and private playground settings, they should also understand that a scraped knee or elbow is part of the rite of growing up and learning to be resilient.

Participating in risky play helps develop important life skills, such as self-control, resilience, problem solving, and team coordination. So, here are some useful tips on how to introduce your kids to risky play.

Types of Risky Play for Kids As the term suggests, risky play often involves risk taking, but it allows kids to test their limits and gives them a sense of achievement upon successful completion of the play. According to a study published in the European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, risky play can be categorized into six main types:

1. Play with great heights, for instance, climbing a tree or any other tall structure
2. Play near dangerous elements, such as fire and deep bodies of water
3. Play with potentially harmful tools, such as knives, hammers, saws and bows and arrows
4. Disappearing, for instance, playing hide and seek
5. Rough‐and‐tumble play, for instance, games like wrestling or chasing one another
6. Play with high speed, such as skiing, bike riding, and playing with swings and slides

Tips to Introduce Your Kids to Risky Play

• Encourage kids to play outside: Inspire your kids to leave the safe indoor zone and let them play outdoor games. Even a quick walk across the nearby part or a visit to the neighborhood playground would be a great first step. Eventually, you want to let your kids get outside alone. You can watch them from a distance, but let them feel independent outside.

• Avoid negative words: Instead of telling your kids, “Don’t climb that tree,” or “Don’t run so fast,” consider using positive words and phrases, such as, “You should know the right technique for tree-climbing before you can attempt it,” or “Make sure you’re in full control of your body when running fast.” Negative phrases evoke negative emotions, such as fear and can scare away your kids from risky play altogether.

• Consider safety: It may sound counterintuitive, but you must ensure the safety of your children. To that end, assess the risk involved in a risky play before letting your kids participate in it. If, for instance, your kids want to participate in a game where they could get minor injuries, you should still allow them to play. But when the risks are major or life-threatening, then that’s a red signal.

• Resist the urge to help: Even when you wanted to, resist the urge to help them for at least 17 seconds, suggests Professor Mariana Brussoni of the University of British Columbia as quoted in a CBC article. Instead of offering them immediate help, let them deal with a problem for some time. That way, you’ll allow them to figure things out on their own.

• Give them enough time: One common mistake parents make is telling their kids to hurry up and finish a risky play within a certain amount of time. It doesn’t work that way for kids. Let your kids play at their pace. Give them the freedom to play the way they want to. Constantly giving instructions could do more harm than good. Simply get out of their way and provide guidance only when they ask for it.

Finally, let your kids decide what type of risky play they want to participate in. Experts suggest that different kids have a natural inclination to different types of risky play, and parents should listen to their children.

Rebecca Wallace is a mother of a 3 year old girl. Rebecca likes to share her experience and write on topics that would help other parents.

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13 Fast, Effective Workouts for Busy Parents

by Kaitlyn Kirby

If you had to choose between working harder or working smarter, which would you pick? If you’re a busy, tired, hardly-sleeping parent, we’re betting smarter. There’s good news for you! “Research from my NeuroFit lab shows that short five-minute movement breaks help you stay focused and remember more,” says Dr. Jennifer Heisz, author of Move The Body, Heal The Mind. This means that even though mom-brain is very, very real, little bursts of exercise will help lift that fog. What’s more, Dr. Heisz adds, “During the first 10 minutes of movement there is an increase in oxygenated blood flow to the brain, especially to the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which governs our working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control.” 

Whether it’s five minutes or thirty, giving yourself easy ways to keep active will have lasting benefits way beyond simply burning calories. We’ve tested a variety of short, simplified workouts geared at busy parents, all of them at or around just 15 minutes long. Read on to get moving.

 

The NeuroFix Workout

Thomas Yohei via Unsplash

We love this one because although it is high-intensity, it requires no equipment or devices. Do it several times and you'll have a 15-minute (or so) routine you can take anywhere.

Jumping Jacks for 30 seconds 

Mountain Climbers for 30 seconds 

Skaters for 30 seconds

High Knees for 30 seconds 

Repeat 

Where to find it: Pre-order Move the Body, Heal the Mind here. 

Mom on the Go

Madison Lavern via Unsplash

Mom on the Go offers seven, short, thematic yoga practices designed to energize your body. Follow the 28-day program for postpartum recovery including pelvic and core exercises, or just pop in and do a reinvigoration yoga session.

Where to Find It: Mom on the Go

The 15-Minute HIIT Metabolism Booster

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This quick 15-minute workout uses your body weight to boost your muscles and your metabolism—no gym equipment required! 

Where to Find It: Fitness Blender

The Tabata Cardio Workout Plan

Bruce Mars via Unsplash

This fat-blasting workout plan is as effective as most longer workout sessions and combines two proven fat-loss techniques— metabolic strength and Tabata training. You'll work every muscle in your body (especially your abs!) in a fraction of the time!

Where to Find It: Shape

15-Minute Bounce-Back Dance Cardio Workout

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This high-energy step-by-step dance routine will make you forget you're actually working out! 

Where to Find It: YouTube

15-Minute Jump Rope Workout

Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels

This jump rope routine only has five moves, but is sure to get your heart racing!

Where to Find It: Real Simple

The No-Equipment Necessary Plan

Mark Adriane via Unsplash

Take it back to basics with this 15-minute beginner workout— with no equipment necessary!

Where to Find It: YouTube

Sculpting Kettle Bell Workout

Jess Tinsley via Unsplash

Just two kettlebells and 15 minutes are all you need to get in this body-sculpting workout. 

Where to Find It: Women's Health

The 15-Minute Runner Workout

Bruno Nascimento via Unsplash

This quick runner workout focuses on tightening and toning your body with moves like jump squats and mountain climbers. 

Where to Find It: Women's Health

Low Impact Cardio Workout

Matthew LeJune via Unsplash

This low-impact cardio workout is a great way to exercise your whole body without worrying about any injuries!

Where to Find It: YouTube

At-Home Barre Workout

madison lavern via Unsplash

Can't make it out to a barre class? This 15-minute routine you can do right from your own living room!

Where to Find It: Greatist

Bonus Fitness Hacks

Need a few more fitness hacks to work into your routine? Try these, from lifting your baby to sprinting the stairs!

Where to Find Them: Tinybeans

—Kaitlyn Kirby

 

RELATED STORIES:

Mom-Friendly Fitness Programs to Jump-Start Your New Year

5 Great Online Yoga Programs

11 Ways to Get Fit without Going to the Gym

15 Minute Workouts That Actually Work

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5 Ways the Expanding Role of Dad Is Helping Moms

By Stephen Gross

Fatherhood is an evolving role. The traditional role of the dad going off to work while mom stays home taking care of the kids has become less the standard today. Far more typical, is having both parents going off to work. So, it is not enough for dads to just bring home a paycheck, with mom doing that too. Dads need be more engaged and play an active role in their children’s development. This change has to do predominantly with a shift in our societal and cultural expectations of what a father’s role should be, as well as a desire from dads to have more involvement with the family.

When dad becomes an increasingly engaged and active partner, it benefits both moms and the children.

1. Sharing the Workload
Probably one of the most significant and welcome changes for moms is having someone else who can step in to lend a hand with some of the less pleasurable aspects of parenting. The day-to-day drudgery of picking up after the kids, changing diapers, doing laundry, cleaning the house, doing dishes, bathing the baby, getting up in the middle of the night for feedings, making dinner—I’m getting tired just listing them. Clearly, it’s just a little bit easier when there are two people sharing the chores. Maybe even mom can even get a chance to catch a few more Z’s or imagine this: do something nice for herself.

2. Understanding What It Takes
As dads help out more, or even take over the role of primary caregiver, there is a real understanding of how much work it really is. For the longest time, I believe most men have been blissfully ignorant, knowingly or not, of how much work and how exhausting it is taking care of the kids. Honestly, I had no idea how painfully tiring and mind numbing it could be until I had my own kids, and I became the primary caregiver. I had a corporate job most of my life and nothing compares to the work of caring for kids! It is not a nine to six workday—it never seems to end. I tell people that as a new parent I experienced a new level of exhaustion—one that is both physical and mental. So, all to say that it’s a good thing for dads to understand what moms have doing for decades—working their butts off.

3. Well Rounded Development
Studies have shown a correlation between dads’ involvement with their children and those children developing more resilience, higher self-worth, and increased sociability, confidence, and self-control. There is also a benefit of having two parents involved with the kids, as they see different opinions and personalities and how they can work together. Having parents with varied strengths, weaknesses, and points of view helps children grow up to be more well-rounded.

4. Expand Definition of Masculinity
Another positive to having a well-balanced role for dads is in its ability to show children a broader spectrum of male masculinity. A real man can do housework, comfort his kids, and even show affection to his children by hugging and kissing them. This also helps children to learn what a healthy relationship looks like, so when they grow up they will have the right expectation of what a well-balanced, strong, independent man looks and acts like.

5. Education
There is evidence of babies with higher IQs, improved language ability, and communication skills when dads are actively involved in caring for and playing with their babies. This academic boost continues for children as dad stays involved in their early school education, resulting in improved academic achievements.

Although there is still a lot of progress to be made, things are moving in a direction that is good for everyone.

—Stephen Gross is an award-winning designer who has received numerous honors for his work in advertising, branding, and retail. He is author of The Simplest Baby Book in the World. He lives with his husband, Vincent, in Los Angeles with their two adorable children, who are now ages two and three.

Stephen Gross is an award-winning designer who has received numerous honors for his work in advertising, branding, and retail. He is author of The Simplest Baby Book in the World. He lives with his husband, Vincent, in Los Angeles with their two adorable children, who are now ages two and three.

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15 Classic Screen-Free Games for Two

by Christal Y.

Games for kids don’t have to include a screen, batteries or a smartphone charger. Whether you’re on the hunt for outdoor games or indoor games for kids, we’ve got you covered. Check out the completely cool classic two-player games that will keep your kiddos busy all summer long—and throughout the rest of the year too. Get ready for some serious nostalgia with these all-time favorite finds!

Cat's Cradle

Markus Spiske via Pexels

You spend hours of sunny summer camp hours playing cat’s cradle with your BFF. Now it’s your child’s turn! Check out the super-fun string game instructions from Moms Minivan here!

 

H-O-R-S-E

Rondell Melling via Pixabay

Do you have a basketball net or access to one? The first player picks a spot and tries to make a basket. If they get the ball in the basket, the other player has to follow from the same space and in the same way. Miss the shot and get an “H.” The game continues, adding an O-R-S-E one by one as players miss shots. The first one to spell HORSE is out. Change the game and pick a different word to spell!

Hand Clap Fun

Skalekar1992 via Pixabay

From pat-a-cake to Miss Mary Mack, two-person hand clap games provide plenty of indoor or outdoor entertainment for your child—minus a screen.

Shadow Tag

Jonas Mohamadi via Pexels

Are you on the search for outdoor games for kids? Let the sun lead the way during this game of tag. Head into the yard and look for your shadows. Pick one player to be it and yell “go.” The “it” player tags the other player’s shadow to win. Not only is this a fun-filled summer game, but it’s also an easy way to social distance when you head outside to play.

Mother May I

Julia Raasch via Unsplash

Mother, may I take a step forward? Like red light/green light, this old school game helps kids to build self-control skills. If you haven’t played the game in years, one player asks, “Mother may I ..?” And the other either says, “Yes you may” or “No.” Even though you’re the mama, take turns playing the role of mother for this game.

Red Light, Green Light

Davis Sanchez via Pexels

Does your child sometimes struggle to stop when you say freeze? Help your kiddo to build self-control with this nostalgic playful pick. Create your own pretend play street, stand across from each other and call out “green light” to move and “red light” to stop. Switch callers every other game and keep the activity going.

Jacks

DaBinsi via Flickr

Introduce your child to a good old game of jacks. This indoor game is an easy activity to take the boredom out of a rainy afternoon. Grab a bouncy ball, pick up a pack of jacks, and get ready for a game of pick up. Not only is this a fun-filled family activity, but jacks also help your young child build fine motor and math skills. Don't remember how to play? Find the rules here. 

Hopscotch

Absteress via Pixabay

Put your stockpile of sidewalk chalk to work with this outdoor game for kids. Draw a hopscotch board together, find the perfect pebble to toss and play the number-filled game together. If your child tires of the traditional board, change things up and use letters, shapes or almost anything else your creative kid can draw.

Hide and Seek

Caleb Wood via Unsplash

Whether you’re looking for outdoor games or indoor games for kids, hide and seek is an old school pick that the littles always enjoy. Turn the tables on your kiddo and let them play the role of the seeker as you hide!

20 Questions

Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels

A childhood fave from way back, 20 questions gives your littles the chance to flex their critical thinking skills. Pick a person, place or thing, and let your kiddos ask away. Of course, they can only pick “yes” or “no” questions for you to answer. Bonus—this game also helps your child to build counting skills!

I Spy

Mael Balland via Pexels

This one’s another standby that’s great for long car rides, days at the park or just about anywhere else! Spy something that’s a color, that starts with a specific letter or is a certain size. Kick the game off yourself, and then let your kids take their turn spying with their own eyes.

I’m Going on a Picnic

Sunbae Legecy via Pexels

Sharpen memory skills and reinforce your kiddo’s alphabet prowess with this simple alphabet story game. The first player starts by saying, “I’m going on a picnic, and I’m going to bring …” Then, the player adds an item that begins with the letter “A” (i.e. “apples”). The next player repeats what the first player said, and adds their item beginning with the letter “B” (“I’m going on a picnic, and I’m going to bring apples… and bananas”). And so on. The object of the game is to get as far into the alphabet as you can while still remembering all the alphabetized items.

Thumb Wrestling

Sincerely Media via Unpslash

One, two, three, four, let’s have a thumb war! Stick out those dominant hands and get your thumbs ready to wrestle with this simple game that can be played anywhere thumbs are found. Don’t remember how to play? Here’s an easy how-to video by Howcast.

Simon Says

Ashton Bingham via Unsplash

Simon says to try this game with your kids instead of handing them your phone the next time you’re waiting for anything. Simon also says click here to find the rules of the game—as if you didn’t already know.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Hueng Soon via Pixabay

Get your game hands on and “shoot!” Want to know how to be a Rock Paper Scissors star? Watch this fun video from Buzzfeed on “How to Win at Rock Paper Scissors.”

—Melissa Heckscher & Erica Loop

 

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Featured image: iStock 

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An Usual Milestone That Means the World to Me

By Alex Andreae

Parents often discuss common milestones their children pass through: first foods, first steps, first words. All have their own major impact on a child’s development. Beyond those common ones are numerous family-specific milestones and events—their first stuffed animal, the strange (and usually funny or cute) way a child pronounces a specific word or phrase, and much more.

For me, one of the most memorable milestones that I learned from my first child and excitedly waited for in each of my two tag-alongs was the understanding of the word “then.” There’s countless words to be taught to a toddler, each with their own importance. Communication is critical. In my family, it was the word “then” that had a much more powerful impact than the more obvious choices of milk, toy, train or cow.

Each noun or adjective my children learned was important, but it was the power that came along with the understanding of “then” that meant so much to my wife and me. Understanding it indicates a milestone of learning that any simple words can’t possess on their own. “Then” is one of the first words that shows the next stage of brain development and quickly becomes a day-to-day (or minute-to-minute) word for any parent:

  • Eat your peas and then you can have some dessert
  • Watch your show and then let’s read a book
  • Put your toy away and then go pick out a new one

Before that simple word, my kids would have launched themselves into a cupcake at first sight. After learning it, toddlers have a sense of self-control and rewards.

As an adult, we take that simple connecting word for granted. Everyone knows its meaning and no one questions the order you want something done. As a parent, that simple word brings a new communications dynamic and raises conversations with your toddler to a whole new level. After a year or so of only looking 10 seconds into the future, your little one finally has goals! Yes, they may be small, but immediately, their horizons grow to think about the future.

It’s a powerful concept, all from the word “then.” It completely changes the parent/child dynamic and sets the stage for a toddler to begin their development into a kid.

I’ve spoken with many other parents about how much that word means to me, and I’ve received many strange looks in response. After discussing for a while, most seemed to agree it was important, but not nearly the hefty milestone I made it out to be. I completely understand. As I stated at the beginning of this post, each family has its own unique milestones and events that mean the most to them. For me, some of my most memorable moments were seeing the thought process of my children understanding that simple word.

Of course, even now, a sweetly said ‘daddy’ still gets them the cupcake immediately.

Father of 3 that run the gammut from wild and daring to quiet and introspective. I'm always surprised by how crafty, witty and ingenious each can be in their own unique way. I figured out long ago that they have more to teach me than I do them.

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