What happens when you let your kids play outside? Letting kids play outside is vital to a healthy childhood! Ginny Yurich, founder of 1000 Hours Outside, created an online movement that is changing families forever: challenging people to let their kids play 1000 hours outside every year. This simple act of going outside can dramatically improve your relationship with your kids, reduce your screen time, and enjoy motherhood.
The idea stemmed from Ginny figuring out how to overcome her own feelings of inadequacy as a mom. Connie and Ginny discuss the benefits of outside time, parenting books, and the scientific benefits of prioritizing outdoor time for your kids. Save your kids by letting them play outside.
Why Kids Need to Play Outside
It helps children learn to be problem solvers.
Allows children to develop social skills.
Reduces screen time because they run out of time.
Learning to Love Motherhood
Let go of your expectations of what your day should be.
Invite a friend and their kids to join you for a day of play.
Accept the child you have, not the perfect child you thought you’d have.
What Caused us to Drift Away from Playing Outside
Parents sign their children up for too many short programs.
Shift in culture and family structure.
Not understanding the value of being outside.
As parents, getting kids to play outside and leave their devices inside does not have to be a challenge. We simply fill their days playing outside. The benefits of shifting to more outdoor time can change your outlook and build problem-solving skills in your children.
About Ginny Yurich
Ginny Yurich is a homeschooling mother of five and founder of 1000 Hours Outside, a global movement designed to reclaim childhood. Yurich teaches parents the importance of outdoor play for their children. Overwhelmed parents can move beyond their exhaustion to experience relief, joy, connection, respite, and delight as they learn to embrace the creativity of old-fashioned play—all while raising children who are better prepared for their future.
In a techno-driven world, parents can use all the help they can get when it comes to protecting their children from the online world. Today, John DeGiralamo joins me on Equipped To Be. Together, we offer “Tips for Parents to Protect Your Child.”
Understanding the Dangerous
Building trust and fostering open communication with your child.
Creating a safe space for them to share their online experiences.
The significance of having ongoing conversations about responsible online behavior.
Privacy and Security Measures
The importance of strong, unique passwords.
Educating children on the risks of sharing personal information.
Implementing privacy settings on social media accounts.
Staying Informed
Keeping up with the latest online trends and threats.
Resources for parents to stay informed and engaged.
Being proactive in adapting to changes in the digital landscape.
As parents, navigating the digital world alongside your children is a challenging yet crucial responsibility. By staying informed, fostering open communication, and implementing practical strategies, you can create a safe and supportive online environment for your child. Join us in our mission to empower parents and protect the next generation in the vast landscape of the internet. notes content
About John DeGirolamo
John DiGirolamo is a critically acclaimed author, speaker, and anti-human trafficking advocate and is a member of the Christian Authors Network and Christian Indie Publishing Association. He is the Board President of Bringing our Valley Hope, a nonprofit located in Chaffe County, CO, whose objective is to end human trafficking in central Colorado through education.
As we stand on the cusp of a new year, it’s the perfect moment to reflect, reset, and reimagine the future. In today’s episode of Setting Family Goals, we’re delving into a topic that’s not just about resolutions but about building the very fabric of our lives – “How to Set Family Goals.”
Whether you’re a seasoned goal-setter or someone exploring this concept for the first time, join me on a journey where I share how you can set meaningful, achievable, and heartwarming goals for your family. From fostering stronger connections to creating a shared vision, you’ll learn insights and inspiration to help guide you through the process.
With the new year fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about setting family goals to strengthen your family.
Setting Family Goals can be overwhelming for many families, but it doesn’t have to be. How can we approach this process so that each member of the family is on the same page? While it can seem daunting with the right approach, it can actually be quite manageable and rewarding.
I like to begin by looking back on the past year and identifying three positive things that happened during the year, plus a few additional things to consider.
Reflect on the Past Year
Reflect on the lessons you learned from the previous year can help you better understand how you overcame struggles or what you learned from them.
Take stock of accomplishments and challenges.
Consider what worked well and what didn’t.
Identify areas for improvement or change.
Did you use your gifts and strengths properly?
After reflection, setting clear and specific goals is important. These goals should be realistic and aligned with your values and aspirations.
Set Clear and Specific Goals
How do we make goals specific and measurable?
Look at each role you play: wife, husband, partner, mother, daughter, career woman, and write down one thing you want to work on for each of these. Why do I say only one from each role? Well, we have to keep our goals manageable.
Make the goals relevant to your family. Stop following other people’s paths. Your family. Your values, Your path.
Avoid falling into the trap of thinking you can fit more into a day than is possible.
Evaluate where you are spending your time.
Break Goals Down into Actionable Steps
Divide goals into small, manageable tasks.
Establish a timeline and set deadlines for each step.
Determine the resources and support needed to accomplish each task.
Monitor Your Progress
As much as we want to set our goals and move forward, we must stay focused and monitor our progress because setbacks happen. Here are three ways to make sure your family is going in the right direction:
Regularly track your progress.
Celebrate milestones and achievements along the way.
Be flexible and willing to adjust if necessary.
I know these may seem basic, but if you pause to reflect, set clear goals, break them into small parts, and monitor your progress, your family will step into a new year with a goal everyone can aim for.
Note: Don’t forget self-care. You can’t pour from an empty pitcher. You have to carve out some time to do something you enjoy that’s just for you. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does have to be intentional. What gets scheduled gets done.
Eliminating holiday meltdowns in children can be a challenge, especially when they don’t get the gift they wanted or asked for. A moment that was supposed to be filled with gratitude suddenly turns into disappointment and even poor behavior. Is there anything we can do to stop our kids from having meltdowns when they don’t get what they want?
Children are bombarded with celebrity brands and peers who seem to have all the cool stuff, which can cause kids to want bigger, brighter, and more budget-busting gifts. But there are ways we can eliminate holiday meltdowns in children by modeling gratitude and appreciation.
I don’t think we can squarely blame our kids’ meltdowns on others, but children are influenced by what they see and hear. So it’s up to us to help them learn how to manage their emotions by modeling acceptable behavior.
Eliminating Meltdowns by Setting Family Expectations
Children do better when they understand our expectations of them. Think of it as the ground rules for creating a memorable day. Learning to be grateful is something they learn by watching us.
Something that helps is for us to be intentional about expressing appreciation for things others do for us and the gifts we receive. When you model gratitude and thankfulness, your children listen and learn how to do the same.
Kids often act out because they are disappointed and do not have the maturity to think clearly in that moment. We can help them by teaching them the purpose of gift-giving.
Focus on the Meaning of Gift-giving
Our children will benefit from the joy of gift-giving and receiving for years to come. But, it takes some children time to understand the meaning fully. Here are just a few reasons we give to others. (Note: expecting a gift because we deserve one is not on my list.)
Religious practices
Time to think of others
Something personal and from the heart
To show love
Make your own list and write them down for your kids to see. It will be a visual reminder when they forget and will help eliminate meltdowns should they feel ungrateful.
I’ve given a few ways to reduce meltdowns, but there is more we can do daily that will help our kids.
Addtional Ways Parents Can Eliminate Meltdowns
Set Realistic Expectations. Children learn through repetition. Talk about what isn’t permissible and what you expect.
Serve Others
Encourage Appreciation. Give your child words they can use to express appreciation for the thoughtfulness of others.
Teach Coping Skills. Provide ways a child can express their feelings with you privately.
Redirect Attention. Focus on what they did get.
Implement a Wish List Tradition. A wish list is for things hoped for, not expected.
Involve Them in Purchasing and Giving. Kids learn budgeting, spending their own money, and decision-making.
Discuss Feelings. Give kids an opportunity to say why they are sad without the fear of being lectured. We all have to learn how to express our feelings.
Reinforce the idea that the holiday season is about spending time with loved ones, creating memories, and enjoying shared moments, not getting everything on a wish list. We must emphasize the value of non-material aspects of the holidays.
Remember, each child is unique, and it’s essential to tailor your approach based on their age, temperament, and individual characteristics. Patience, empathy, and open communication are critical in addressing holiday meltdowns.
I hope you enjoy this episode. I know you want to raise kids who are thankful for the gifts they receive because someone wanted to give them something.
Welcome to this episode of Homeschool Growth is Surging. Today, I’ll explore the reasons behind the remarkable rise in homeschooling with a special guest – Jim Mason, who has witnessed this surge firsthand. As president of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association and father of seven, Jim and I will shed light on the factors driving more families to choose this educational path. So, get ready to delve into why parents choose to homeschool their children!
Why Parents Homeschool
People often ask me why there is a sudden surge in homeschooling. While there are many reasons homeschooling is surging, below are some of the more common reasons:
Concern about school environment: Many parents are choosing to homeschool their children due to concerns about the school environment, including issues such as bullying, safety, or a lack of personalized attention.
Desire to provide moral instruction: A significant number of parents opt for homeschooling to have more control over the values and morals imparted to their children. They believe homeschooling provides an opportunity to instill their own beliefs and principles.
Dissatisfaction with academics and family values: Some families choose homeschooling because they feel dissatisfied with traditional schools’ academic standards or curriculum. Additionally, homeschooling allows families to prioritize and incorporate their own values and beliefs into their children’s education.
About Jim Mason
Jim Mason is a highly experienced attorney and advocate for homeschooling families. He has been an integral part of HSLDA’s litigation team since 2001, setting precedents that expand homeschooling freedom. Jim succeeded Mike Smith as President of HSLDA in August 2022. As a U.S. Navy veteran and Regent University School of Law graduate, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.
