One of the hardest things for anyone to deal with is the death of a loved one. This is especially true when
it comes to the innocent and optimistic nature of a child. Oftentimes, in their mind, (pets and) people are
supposed to live forever. It never even occurs to them that one day someone that they care about will be
gone.

And so, when it comes to helping your kids deal with the loss of a loved one, things have to be handled
very gently and strategically; it has to be done in a way that will introduce them to the reality that death is a
part of life without breaking their cheerful spirit.

Be “age appropriate” honest. Sometimes we forget that children are simply little people; little people
with a lot of emotional resilience and so in handling many things, sometimes they can do so better than we
do. However, based on their age level, their way of processing will be different; how a five-year-old will
understand death is vastly different from how a 12-year-old would. Therefore, in sharing the information,
while being honest (the loved one is not on vacation, they died), make sure to present the facts on a level
that is within a child’s comprehension. A younger child may need to hear, “Grandma died, this means she is
not coming back to visit us anymore” while an older child will be better equipped to hear the details (upon
request).

Answer all questions. As best as you can. Because death is such a permanent situation, it definitely takes
the heart awhile to catch up with the head. During this time, your child may have a lot of questions as they
try and grasp the concept of what is going on. Chances are, you are in your own stages of grieving when it
comes to the loss, but purpose to be as compassionate and informative as possible. [Read more…]

The stay at home mom is swiftly becoming a thing of the past. Sure, we always have some time to focus on
our family, but for many of us the work has to go on. There’s a lot to juggle when you work from a home
office. You’ve got to deliver results, or the arrangement won’t last. But it isn’t always easy for your kids
to understand that there are certain times you can’t give them the level of attention they want. So for their
satisfaction and your sanity, you’ve got to come up with ways to keep them entertained while you’re on the
job. Here’s a look at a few methods you can use to get your work in even while the little ones are around.

For the toddlers. Toddlers are tough, because you generally can’t leave them alone. But there are ways to
keep them entertained while you work. One interesting idea is to try a play exchange. I know, you might
think I’m crazy to suggest bringing a second toddler into the space when you have to work, but consider
it for a second. You may have to get them started, but more often than not they’ll spend the afternoon
entertaining each other. They can hang around nearby, but won’t need as much from you. And it’ll come
back to you twofold when the other parent takes both the kids off your hands for a while. That will
guarantee at least a day or two a week of complete quiet. If a play date doesn’t work for you, think about
giving your kid his own keyboard to play with. Toddlers are like little sponges, and if he sees you tapping
away on the keyboard, he’s going to want to do the same. Give them their own, and they’ll be more than
content. Or finally, pick up a big tub of nontoxic bubbles. Every once in a while, take a bubble break. You
can blow bubbles while still focusing on your work, and it will entertain your little toddler during those
moments when they just won’t leave your alone.

For preschoolers. Now they’re talking more, and they’re much more active. So your entertainment is going
to have to be a bit more interactive. Think about turning your lunch breaks into real events. You’ve got [Read more…]