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How to Stay One Step Ahead of Your Children

Taking care of your growing family

By KevinPublished 5 years ago 4 min read
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As a mom you know how important it is to think about potential problems before they actually become a problem. We try to stay one step ahead of everything and anticipate potential situation before the event occurs so that we are prepared for anything. Preparing for the worst case scenario all the time forces us as moms to overthink anything and everything and we often come across as overbearing or too protective to our family and children. As we get ready to head into the summertime there are some small but key things we can do to help ensure that our children and family are safe and protected without being that crazy mother that gets on everyone’s nerves.

Children under Five

Children who are under the age of five will obviously need more care attention that a teenager will but you can still give your young children everything they need to be safe and still have time for fun things. Young children usually eat on a regular schedule and they are pretty consistent with the time that they get hungry every day. Knowing this you should always prepare a bag with baby snack or toddler snacks before you go anywhere. This will help eliminate a hungry baby or child screaming at the top of their lungs throwing a fit because they are starving. A diaper bag or carry all bag filled with snacks should also have things like diapers, drinks, toys, etc. These are all essential things that you baby or young child will need when you go on outings and leaving the house without them is just asking for trouble.

Middle Aged Children

This would fall into the category of children five to twelve years old. Their needs will have changed from when they were a baby so this means that you will have to prepare differently for them. By this age they will know all about technology and the products that it offers such as smartphones, gaming systems and more. Now, there are tons of portable gaming systems available and these are perfect for keeping him or her entertained for hours especially if you are planning a long road trip. These types of products will engage them and keep their attention for hours so they are a must have for this age group.

Teenagers

Okay, so here is when the fun begins. Your teenager will be full of energy and always ready for the next best thing. By now their personality has formed and they are starting to learn who they are, what they like, what they don’t like and what they want to do in life. Hormones are running wild and so will the attitude so knowing what to say to them and when to say it will help you avoid a lot of unnecessary arguments. A smart phone will not only be their favorite accessory but it will be your saving grace as well. There are so many different apps for smartphones that will help you keep up with your teenager and know where they are at all times. Tracking apps can easily be installed on their phone and then all you have to do is log into the app from a laptop or desktop and you can see their location instantly. This is crucial to you being able to keep them safe because the minute you see them somewhere that they aren’t supposed to be you can intervene and either pick them up immediately or make them come home right away. Ultimately, this could save their life and help you sleep much better at night.

Pets

For those who consider their furry friends as part of the family, you will want to consider what is best for your pet as well. If the whole family is going to be gone a lot during the summer, consider taking your pet to a traditional boarding place where they will be taken care of. Another way to take care of your pet is to watch their health. Sometimes, a pet’s health can go unnoticed in a large family. Often, there are just subtle things wrong with your pet, like bumps on a dog's head. In some cases, your pet can catch a disease without you even knowing. Be sure to take your pet to the vet regularly to ensure that they are staying healthy and happy.

Being a parent is a huge responsibility but being a good parent is an even bigger load to carry. So many times parents will get lazy and not pay attention to what their kids are doing or who they are with.

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