Tag Archives: Family

Three Ways to Help Your Child Stay Academically Checked In Even While They Check Out Over Summer

Photo Credit: https://flic.kr/p/iACTVC
Photo Credit: https://flic.kr/p/iACTVC

Around the mid-point of summer some children benefit from a little adult input to keep activities exciting.  When offering fun activity ideas, try to provide some that allow your children to exercise their brains as well as their bodies!  Here are a couple activity suggestions you could make your own!

 

1.  Family Board Game

Although many electronic games offer math and reading practice, only person-to-person interactive games can truly exercise educational AND social skills.  For example, when playing a board game, children are asked to problem solve, follow directions, and act/react appropriately to the game and its players.  Sometimes sibling rivalry can get the best of the players, but the lessons learned are often far more valuable than sitting in front of a screen.

 

2.  Play Outside!

Who doesn’t want to be outside in sunny southern California?  Sometimes kiddos need a little encouragement, but once they get out there, they’re bound to have a good time!  Encourage your kids to make up a game.  Creating rules of a game provides problem solving among the kids, value to each child’s perspective, and creativity.  To make it fair, let each child make one rule before going around again to create more rules.  This way each child will have an equal amount of input.  Listening skills are also a big part of creating a game with other people.  Go a step further and encourage your kids to make math or reading a part of the game.

 

3.  Follow a Recipe in the Kitchen

A great way to practice reading and math is to cook!  Involve your family in choosing recipes, reviewing the ingredients, making a shopping list, purchasing food at the store, and executing the recipe in your kitchen.  Not only will this activity provide you quality time with your kids, but leave them with a meaningful and educational experience.  Not to mention, a yummy snack, dinner or dessert!

 

The summer months provide time to enjoy activities with your family.  Encourage your kids to make the most of their time to “check out” by choosing meaningful activities that will help them stay “checked in”.

6 Reasons To Get A Living Trust

Photo Credit - ID Theft PR
Photo Credit – ID Theft PR

Even though we know the mortality rate is 100%, we don’t want to deal with the topic of death while we’re alive. Because of this, many people disregard prudent financial moves that will make life much easier on their surviving beneficiaries.

 

Among the most neglected is Living Trusts. Here are 6 reasons you’ll want to consider a Living Trust for your family:

 

  1. Avoid Probate
  2. Protect Property for Beneficiaries
  3. Protect Privacy of Estate
  4. Avoid a Will Contest
  5. Reduce or Eliminate Estate Taxes
  6. Manage Property Upon Incapacitation

 

Take the time to protect your family. It’s more important than planning that summer vacation; and may not take any more time or money!

 

What are your thoughts on Living Trusts? Why or why haven’t you secured a Living Trust for your family? Let us know your thoughts!

School’s Out Now What?

Source: Jason Tucker (https://www.flickr.com/x/t/0090009/photos/abstrakone/26091723/)
Source: Jason Tucker (https://www.flickr.com/x/t/0090009/photos/abstrakone/26091723/)

It seems that every family waits in anticipation for summer.  Exciting outdoor activities, pool parties, and beach days make for wonderful family memories in beautiful Orange County.  I can’t help, but notice the number of families that find the need to get creative around this time of the summer to keep their busy kiddos occupied with meaningful, safe, and inexpensive activities.  Below are some of my favorite summer pastimes:

 

Concerts in the Park – I have always been impressed with Orange County cities and their emphasis on community building activities.  One of my favorites is “Concert in the Park”.  On Sunday afternoons, we can be found packing up the stroller with a picnic blanket, beach chairs, and enough snacks to feed a small army.  Next, we head to Aliso Viejo’s Grand Park for a relaxing concert and picnic dinner.  Activities for the kids include face painting and various games in the large grass area at the top of the amphitheater.  Nothing says summer time like good music, fun, and laughter!

 

Camping – Another favorite summer activity is camping.  Whether you are looking for the real camping experience or are better suited as a GLAMper, Orange County offers it all.  From beach to wilderness, all you need for camping is a warm sleeping bag, tent, and an organized family member who can plan out the meals.

 

Outdoor Mall Entertainment – With our beautiful Orange County weather, it is sometimes hard to stay inside.  Why not hit up the outdoor malls in the area.  The Spectrum, Fashion Island, and Kaleidoscope, all offer restaurants, air conditioned shopping, and of course, water features!  Specifically, “Kaleido Kids” offers free activities for children at the Kaleidoscope in Mission Viejo from July 24th– August 26th.  Don’t forget about the OC Fair!  There is something for every member of the family.

 

There are countless opportunities for families to get involved in fun summer events.  It is no wonder Orange County is valued as one of the best places to raise a family.  What are your favorite summer pastimes?