A Mom-Approved Guide for All Parents to Teach Their Kids Life Skills

Research shows that mothers, especially single moms, face unique challenges when it comes to supporting their children's growth and development. Balancing the roles of caregiver and professional can be difficult, and many moms struggle to find the time and resources to help their kids learn important life skills outside of the classroom. This is particularly true during the summer, when kids are out of school and may have more free time on their hands.?

Fortunately, there are strategies and resources available to help moms and all parents keep their children engaged and learning throughout the summer break. Heidi Fish and Meggie Martin , the founders of Real Life Learning Co (RLL Co), have some great tips for helping kids develop real-life skills that will serve them well into adulthood.?

Heidi and Meggie are both moms who are passionate about education. Heidi has a background in dance and business, while Meggie was a special education teacher and yoga instructor before starting a family. In March 2022, they decided to combine their talents and create Real Life Learning Co, a company that provides tools to help kids learn important life skills that aren't always taught in school.?

One of their main tips for parents is to have meaningful conversations with their kids at the dinner table. Instead of just talking about the day's events, Heidi and Meggie suggest asking questions like "What were your highs and lows for the day?" or "What was something fun that you learned?" These types of questions can help kids reflect on their experiences and learn from their successes and challenges.?

Tip: If conversations feel forced or awkward, consider using conversation card decks. A quick Google search for "family conversation cards" will yield plenty of resources to help spark engaging discussions.?

Another tip is to focus on mindset and gratitude. Heidi and Meggie believe that helping kids develop a positive mindset and a sense of gratitude can greatly impact their overall well-being. They suggest having kids write down affirmations and things they're grateful for each day, either in a journal or as part of a family conversation.?

Tip: Real Life Learning Co offers a range of journals on Amazon, designed for different age groups, that focus on gratitude, affirmations, and emotional well-being. However, any journal can serve this purpose.?

Finally, Heidi and Meggie encourage parents to follow their kids' interests and passions. If a child is really into a particular topic, like sports or art, parents can help them dive deeper into that subject and learn more about it. This can be a great way to help kids develop real-life skills like research, critical thinking, and problem-solving.?

Tip: Use everyday opportunities to explore these interests. For example, if your child loves baseball, discuss the math behind the game, such as calculating batting averages or understanding statistics.?

Real Life Learning Co offers a variety of resources to help parents support their kids' learning and growth. Their Real Life Learning Bundle is a nine-subject curriculum that covers topics like mindset, wellness, money, and entrepreneurship. They also offer a series of affirmation and gratitude journals called My Daily Journal, which are available in English and Spanish for kids of all ages.?

Tip: There are also numerous free resources available online. Websites like YouTube offer tutorials and educational videos on a wide range of topics. Take advantage of these to supplement your child's learning.?

As summer approaches, parents have a great opportunity to help their kids learn and grow in new ways. By having meaningful conversations, focusing on mindset and gratitude, and following their kids' interests, parents can help their children develop real-life skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. And with resources like those offered by Real Life Learning Co, parents have even more tools at their disposal to support their kids' learning and growth.?

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Together We Thrive! Until next time, Women Forward.