Home » Kids
Kids
"Let's Party And Learn Something Too"
By Maureen Froman
A themed birthday party is a great way to learn and have fun. The interests and hobbies of your child are an easy starting point. If you can afford it, you can hire people to run the party completely. Or if you are handy, you can do it all yourself. Here are three party ideas:
A Bug Party. Draw color and cut out bug pictures. Hang them on the walls and from the ceiling by taping to strings. Place gummy bugs in cups at each place setting and in goody bags. Each guest gets a bug hunting kit - complete with a net, magnifying glass, notepad, and pencil. Let them explore the back yard for bugs. The kids will list the bugs they have found. Hide edible bug-like treats around the house. The child that has listed the most bugs wins a prize. You can even order a cake in the shape of a bug or a piñata in the shape of an insect.
Pirate Party. Create invitations on stained paper (with tea and/or coffee). Draw a treasure map with directions the party. Invite the kids to dress up. Give each child a felt pirate hat, bandana, plastic sword or a black felt eye patch. Paint kid's faces with a black mustache. Decorate with a treasure chest (cardboard box painted gold), with lots of fake gold coins, Mardi Gras beads and plastic silver and jeweled rings. Hang black strips of crepe paper over each doorway and raised the Jolly Roger (Pirate Flag) over the Garage. Use black plates and cups, white plastic tablecloths, or buy pirate-themed partyware. You can buy a themed cake or decorate a 9 X 13-rectangle cake, to look like an ocean and island. For the ocean, use three drops of blue food coloring and one drop of green. Finally, crush graham crackers for the beach "sand and use play pirate people for decorations. Serve Goldfish crackers, fish 'n chips, and ale (apple juice). Have kids "walk the plank." Draw an 8 - 10 foot "plank" on the sidewalk with chalk and have blindfolded kids walk across. Or "find the booty." Fill a shallow plastic storage bin, or even a sandbox with lots of pennies and fake gold pieces. Kids get 30 seconds to scoop up the "booty" and they keep what they find. Try "musical islands." Play "island" or Caribbean music while children hop/walk around 5 - 6 hula-hoops on the grass. When the music stop, everyone needs to be on an "island" (inside a hula-hoop) and the person left out stands in the middle or gets marooned. Have a "treasure hunt." Plan and hide clues all over the house and yard. The last clue will lead kids to the "Loot Bags" or Treasure Chest. Each child takes a "Loot Bag" filled with beads, fake jewelry, a felt pirate hat or bandana, and gold chocolate coins home.
Cruise Party All the guests get boarding passes as invitations. Make up a ticket with title across stated Admit One. Write that leaving the port is the birthday child's name. The dock address is the address where party was is held with docking times (party start and end). Set folding chairs in a V shape with two chairs on each side with roping (crepe paper tied to stakes) outlining the boat. Mom or Dad wears the captain's hat. When the guests arrive they are escorted onto the boat by attendees (other adults at the party) and given a bon voyage bag. Use stickers for the bags. Put a pair of sunglasses, passport (use a picture of the outside of a passport and photocopy it on to cardstock material and fold it like a passport), and a bottle of confetti that pops open when you pull the string When all the guests are seated the captain boards the ship and announces you are ready to sail and instructs the ship guests to pull out there confetti bottles and spray the confetti at the friends wishing them bon voyage. Pick five countries to sail to. Have all the kids put on their sunglasses because it's sunny on the ocean. For example, a trip to England. Read kids a letter from Sherlock Holmes asking them to help with a robbery. Give each child a treasure map and lead them to different areas of the yard to discover the stolen treasure. Once they find the treasure (bags of candy and little bottles of bubbles or toys,) they board the boat where you stamp the passports. Take a glue stick to the back and pressed onto their passport. Travel to Italy and dine on pizza rolls. Next travel to France and drink fine wine (grape soda), Or go to Mexico for quesadillas and finally return to the US to serve ice cream. Give a few history tidbits as about each country. Occasionally squirt a water gun over their heads letting the kids know there is always mist from the ocean
Look at web sites for ideas on various party themes.
A good site with many suggestions for party favors at reasonable prices.: www.orientaltrading.com.
For an upscale party this site offers entertainers, and customized theme parties: www.birthdaypartycharacters.com.
The following site offers birthday kits and ideas for themed parties go to: www.bpc.makesparties.com.
Have a great party!
What To Do When Your Teen Gets Pregnant
By Girlie Nuqui
Teenage pregnancy is one of the most common problems faced by teenagers and their families today. Statistics shows that almost 1/6th of US births are to teenage mothers. Discovering that your teenage daughter is pregnant comes with mixed emotions such as anger, denial, disappointment, and pain. The thought of your young daughter having a baby may even make you doubt your role as a parent. Here are ways that can help you handle your child's early pregnancy.
Show your support and compassion: Your teenage daughter needs the support and compassion from her family as she takes her journey to motherhood. Extend your support to your child while letting her know the consequences of her actions. But be gentle on lecturing your child since pregnant women cannot be stressed out. Assure your child that the family will be there for her every step of the way. Give her postcards about motherhood in custom postcard sizes to let her know that you care.
Ask help from other families and support groups: Their experiences in dealing with teen pregnancy can help you understand and learn more about dealing with your child's early pregnancy. You can also turn to them whenever you encounter problems with your pregnant teen.
Prepare her for new responsibilities: Let your daughter know about the many responsibilities that come in having a child. Preparing your child for her new responsibilities as a future mom will help her have an idea about raising a child. Tell her that motherhood doesn't stop after giving birth, because as her baby grows, bigger responsibilities and changes occur.
Teach your teen lifestyle changes and nutrition: Your experience with pregnancy can help guide your child when it comes to her lifestyle changes and nutrition. Pregnancy is new to your child and it is best to provide her guidance, so she can take care of herself and her baby. It would help if you put pregnancy posters from digital printing companies on your teen's bedroom so she can learn more about her condition, changes she may experience and tips for a safe and healthy pregnancy.