Tag Archives: life

5 Ways To Be Firm But Fair When Your Teen Makes A Mistake

07/27/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

stressed out dad pulling his hair, teenagers, raising kids, growing up

Parents dealing with teen troubles is not new. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that these issues go all the way back to the first men and women who heard their teens slam the cave door after storming off. You expect teens to be moody and difficult, but some teenagers can be worse than others. As they find themselves, they may veer too close to dangerous behavior and make a mistake that could ruin their life before it’s begun. But it doesn’t have to as long as you know how to be firm but fair with your teen when they make a mistake.

Establish Boundaries

As kids grow older, they want more freedom, but you must be careful about how much freedom you allow them. They want to hang out with friends and may go out and come back at unsociable hours. This is nothing to worry about as long as they aren’t getting into trouble. However, it becomes a problem when it affects their school work and health. While you can’t keep them cooped up forever, you can make sure they get their work finished before going out with their friends.

Find The Root of the Issue

Sometimes, it’s not just teenage hormones. Instead, there could be a much deeper problem you need to address, so try to discover why they are acting out and whether you can do anything about it. After your teen has made a mistake, they will be at their most vulnerable, but that might make them more comfortable speaking to you about what has happened and why they did it so you can have some clarity and fix it.

Stick to Your Guns

While you want to be gentle with your teen after they’ve made a mistake, you should still stick to your guns. Don’t change your parenting approach entirely just because they messed up. They might feel bad enough as it is, and the last thing they want is a lecture, but don’t let them use their problems against you to take advantage of them. While they are getting older, they are still your responsibility.

Show Them Support

You will also need to show them support and remind them that you will be there for them no matter what. Depending on what they did, you can use your network or the internet to find legal representation. One example is finding a dedicated lawyer from McCoy & Hiestand to help with driving violations, especially since your teen is such an inexperienced driver and you may need dependable support from professionals.

Let Them Learn From Their Mistakes

If your child is mature enough, they will take this opportunity to learn from their mistake and become better. Many people embrace their missteps as a way of building resilience and showing them the reality of the world. It may take time for them to accept it, but they will become a better person because of it.

Tough Love

Many parents find it tricky to get the balance right between treating their kids well but also ensuring they do not roll over to every demand. How you act after they make a mistake is vital, as it will set the tone and hopefully mean they learn their lesson and start taking themselves and the world more seriously.

Life, Parenting

Raising a Deaf Child

07/25/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Dea fness used to be a huge barrier for families. Even going back fifty years, hearing parents who found out that their children are deaf had to make much bigger accommodations to keep their children going to school or ensuring that their children didn’t miss out on everyday experiences. Millions of parents today are raising deaf or hard of hearing children and it’s not so much something to be fearful of like it used to be.

Instead, some hearing parents start managing the impact of hearing loss by ensuring that they expose themselves to the deaf community as much as possible. Some parents who are scared to raise deaf children need to surround themselves with as much information and research as possible. The good news is that there are many different ways that you can raise a deaf child and get support with it, too. From help with speech therapy to the assistance available from audiologists and doctors, families with deaf children have plenty of support and if, as a family, you all learn signing, you will be a much happier family for it! So, what tips will help you when it comes to raising a deaf child? Let’s take a look:

Lady doing sign language, deaf, hearing loss, speech

Image source: Pexels

Find the right educational services. Deafness – no matter how mild – is a disability. If your child needs visual support, signing or technology like hearing aids to help them to hear or to mingle in society, then the right special educational services in your school district can help with their learning accommodations.
Join a signing class. Usually, doctors can tell if your newborn child is going to have a hearing deficit or be fully deaf. If that’s the case, you get the advantage of joining sign language classes. By the time they go to school, they’ll be able to sign with you and you’ll be fluent in your language in your family. It’ll help you in the wider deaf community, too, because then you’ll be able to communicate with teachers and other families!
Learn to communicate beyond signing. There are so many ways that those with hearing issues communicate beyond signing and as a hearing person, you have to educate yourself on this as much as possible. Not only will you be able to communicate more efficiently with your child, you will be able to spend time in the deaf community to adapt better.
Educate yourself on deaf culture. A good way to ensure that you are a parent going above and beyond is to adapt into the deaf culture. The best way to do that is to read books and learn about deaf history. Learn how deafness has been handled through the years and understand the reasons behind deafness. Speak to audiologists and other specialists in hearing matters to understand why your child is deaf in the first place. It can occur because of genetics, trauma and a range of other illnesses and issues, and understanding the trigger for your child can help.
Talk about it as a couple. You and your partner will be tackling your child’s deafness together. Even if you’re not in a relationship right now, you will need to think about discussing their future and the potential roadblocks that you may come across as a family. Once you have these discussions you can also lean on one another when times are tough. As much as you love your child and will pave the roads with gold for their future, it’s not the easiest news to hear when you are hearing parents and haven’t encountered deafness before.
Speak to a therapist. On the back of the point above, it can help to speak through any difficulties with a therapist who can assure you that your child’s future will still be as set as ever. If you speak to a therapist as a family, it’ll help you to accept and appreciate the difference your child has among their peers and they can give you tips and hints of how to adapt.
Teach their siblings to sign. As much as it will be helpful for you and your partner to learn sign language, you need to think about getting their siblings to learn how to sign, too. This will ensure that all of your children can and will communicate effectively.

Having a deaf child is not the end of the world, it just means that you need to make adjustments that suit the family as a whole and you move forward into a new world together.

Lifestyle, Parenting

Family-Friendly Activities to Experience in Tampa

07/18/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Planning a memorable family getaway to the sun-kissed state? Tampa, Florida should top your list! Renowned for its magnificent beaches, lively culture, and endless entertainment, this bustling city caters to every family member.

Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a nature lover, we have prepared a guide of the top family-friendly activities that will make your Tampa trip a fun-filled experience. Ranging from world-class theme parks to captivating marine life encounters, gear up to make memories that you will cherish forever.

So, gather your family, pack your bags, and let’s delve into these amazing experiences!

A Brief Overview of Tampa’s Family-Friendly Activities

Museums: Consider visiting the Museum of Science and Industry, The Henry B. Plant Museum, or The Florida Aquarium for an enlightening family day out.

Parks: Tampa houses numerous parks perfect for picnics or a day of fun activities. Highly frequented parks include Al Lopez Park, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, and Gasparilla Island State Park.

Beaches: Boasting over 30 miles of beachfront, Tampa is an ideal place to bask in the sun and play in the sand. Popular beaches include Clearwater Beach, Caladesi Island State Park, and Honeymoon Island State Park.

Sports: Home to several professional sports teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), and the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), Tampa also offers the experience of watching minor league baseball at George M. Steinbrenner Field or college football at Raymond James Stadium.

Other Attractions: Other must-see spots include Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Lowry Park Zoo, and The Florida Strawberry

#1 Busch Gardens

A family trip to Tampa is incomplete without a visit to Busch Gardens. This globally recognized theme park caters to everyone, with exhilarating rides, fascinating animal encounters, and live shows.

Occupying over 200 acres, Busch Gardens is among Florida’s largest theme parks. It houses more than 50 rides, some of which are the country’s most sought-after roller coasters. However, the allure of Busch Gardens extends beyond rides. The park hosts a variety of animal interactions, from immersive experiences with exotic birds to behind-the-scenes tours of the animal care facilities. Plus, there are live shows ranging from electrifying stunts to Broadway-like performances, ensuring a memorable experience at Busch Gardens.

#2 Adventure Island Water Park

A must-visit for families wishing to escape the Tampa heat, Adventure Island Water Park spans 30 acres, featuring water slides, lazy rivers, and splash pads, guaranteeing fun for everyone. The park also provides cabana rentals for those who wish to unwind in the shade while the kids play.

#3 ZooTampa at Lowry Park

ZooTampa at Lowry Park ranks among Tampa’s most beloved family-friendly attractions. Housing over 1,200 animals and 200+ species from around the globe, the zoo invites visitors to venture on the wild side with giraffes, lions, and tigers, or have a close encounter with sloths, kangaroos, and penguins. The zoo also boasts a splash pad and a carousel, perfect for young visitors.

#4 Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium offers a unique opportunity to learn about the aquatic world, featuring over 20,000 animals and plants. The aquarium presents a range of educational programs and exhibits, as well as a variety of animal encounters.

#5 Glazer Children’s Museum

The Glazer Children’s Museum promotes educational and interactive experiences for children. Spanning over 170,000 square feet, the museum hosts more than 60 hands-on exhibits that engage kids in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The museum also organizes various programs and events for families to enjoy collectively.

#6 Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Beyond being the residence of Winter the Dolphin, Clearwater Marine Aquarium functions as an operational marine animal rescue center. Visitors can witness the rehabilitation process of the animals, with the aquarium’s goal being to return as many creatures back to the wild as feasible. Other marine life inhabitants include sea turtles, stingrays, pelicans, and more.

#7 Big Cat Rescue Center

As implied by its name, the Big Cat Rescue Center serves as a sanctuary for big cats. The center houses over 100 lions, tigers, bobcats, cougars, and other big cats. Visitors can tour the facility and understand the efforts put into rescuing and taking care of these animals. The center also provides educational programs and close-up experiences with some of the resident cats.

#8 The Florida Holocaust Museum

The Florida Holocaust Museum is a significant educational site in Tampa, dedicated to preserving the Holocaust’s memory and enlightening future generations about this grim period. Visitors can explore exhibits on the Nazi regime, concentration camps, and the lives of Holocaust survivors. The museum also conducts educational programs for children and adults.

#9 MOSI: Museum of Science & Industry

The Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) is a leading science museum that offers hands-on STEM education experiences for all ages. Spanning over 450,000 square feet, MOSI has something for everyone!

Highlights at MOSI include:

Saunders Planetarium: Marvel at the wonders of the universe in Florida’s largest planetarium dome!

The Kids In Charge! Children’s Science Center: Let your kids explore, discover and play in this hands-on science center tailored just for them.

IMAX Dome Theater: Amplify your movie experience in MOSI’s gigantic IMAX theater.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Stadium Tour: Get an exclusive insight into one of the NFL’s most iconic stadiums on this behind-the-scenes tour.

Don’t miss out on seasonal events like pumpkin painting and holiday laser shows!

So, what would you like to do first?