Maria Dismondy's Blog

We often hear the word “balance” all the time but finding it out can feel like a different story. Between raising kids, managing your work, keeping up with relationships and maybe allotting time for yourself, the idea of balance sometimes feels impossible.

Growing up, I used to think that balance means giving equal attention to everything in my life. But here’s what I’ve learned recently. Balance is knowing what matters most in the time you’re in and being okay with giving more to one area of your life than another. It’s also an ongoing process of adjusting, realigning and giving myself grace.

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Here are a few things that help me find balance in life:

Setting Boundaries

Sometimes, balance means saying NO, even when it’s hard.

Flexibility

Life happens. Plans can change. Kids get sick. Well, life happens and that doesn’t mean I’ve failed at balance, it just means I’m still human.

Knowing my Priorities over Mastering the Art of Perfection

I always remind myself what’s most important and not everything can get my full attention.

Celebrating Small Wins

If I get to cheer on my son’s milestones or take him out for ice cream, that feels like a win to me.

Now, your question is if balance is really possible? My answer will be YES. But maybe not in the way we usually picture it. Balance isn’t about perfection or having the pieces all together. It’s about making choices that align with your values, being flexible when life suddenly shifts and giving yourself permission to not do it all.

At the end of the day, balance will always look different for everyone. And for me, it’s about doing the right things at the right time. 

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Camille is a Philippines-based Publicist, a proud mom to his adorable 3-year-old boy and a fur mom to her cats and dog. She’s passionate about helping authors share their stories, not only to promote their books, but also to amplify the advocacy and meaningful lessons behind them. When she’s not connecting authors with readers, Camille enjoys traveling with her little family and spending time by the beach.

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In the age of technology, where messaging is instant, the letter seems to be overlooked as a method of communication. After all, texting someone takes a few seconds, and you don’t have to worry about mail truck times or purchasing stamps. While it may seem silly, writing a letter to someone would make it matter now more than ever. Here’s why:

Human Connection: Texts are one in a million and will inevitably be lost in a sea of other instant messages. A letter is something physical. A tangible thing you can hold. A letter to someone means you’ve chosen to take time out of your day to sit down and write out what you’d like to say. There’s thought behind each pencil stroke, and each word has a purpose. This makes letters far more personal than a one-off text to both yourself and the person you’re writing to. Sending a letter to a loved one shows you care about them and are thinking of them often. It’s like receiving a gift! 

It makes you smarter: Many studies have shown that writing physically is much better for you than typing. While typing is far faster and better from a productivity standpoint, physically writing out words has been shown to improve memorization and hand-eye coordination. Your brain can remember the feeling of gliding your hand to create each letter rather than a simple tap on a screen. Letter writing also encourages skills such as proofreading and word recognition in both adults and children alike! Writing something down physically also helps you better retain what you’ve written. This extends past letter writing and into areas such as note-taking and story writing as well. Letters don’t always have to be to people you know personally. Sometimes a letter is a call to action, a notification about an event, or a friendly reaching out to someone new. Knowing how to address and appeal to your audience is a crucial skill in many areas of work, and writing letters can help nourish those skills. 

It’s good for you: Life has become so busy for everyone as of late. It seems for some as though there’s a non-stop influx of things to do, emails to read, and people to text back. On top of this, social media constantly bombards us with content all the time. Screen time averages slowly creep up into the tens of hours, and suddenly, you’re more exhausted than ever! While it might sound silly, letter writing can be extremely relaxing, too! It helps you slow down and reflect on what’s been happening in your life. Having to physically write each word out allows you to really think about what you want to say and how you want to say it. Writing helps focus your brain on one thing, clearing out all the brain-buzz. Exercising the creative part of your brain is often very enjoyable and can be very fun! 

The next time you have a moment, take some time and write a letter, or help your children write a letter. It can be to a family member, friend, or even a TV or book character. Immerse yourself in it, relax, and enjoy the activity! You might just discover your new favorite hobby.

Ava Heiler is a Michigan-based comic artist, publicist, and amateur rollerblader pursuing a BFA in Sequential Art at the Savannah College of Art and Design. As an artist, she has a deep love and respect for picture books and the people who make them, as she believes they are an integral part of every childhood.

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For some, summer coming to an end signals the start of school, textbooks, backpacks, and the dreaded homework assignments. But the fun doesn’t stop when Fall starts. The season of Fall has so many exciting activities to provide fun for the entire family, and a good way to make sure you’re never bored on the weekends is to create a fun Fall-themed family bucket list. 

Family Bucket lists are a great way to plan exciting activities that everyone can participate in. All you have to do is put together a list of several easy and inexpensive fall-themed activities that can be reasonably completed within the season. Activities should be limited to a few hours or an afternoon, with a day trip or two if you’re feeling extra adventurous (and the weather permits it!). Fall is full of many seasonal activities that can be done inside and out. The colorful leaves and cool temperatures make outside activities easy to do, especially at the start of the season, while the gradual cooling temperatures make cozy activities perfect as well! Below, we have listed several ideas for activities to help you and your family get started!

Go to a Pumpkin Patch: With their cheery round shape and pretty orange color, pumpkins are the defining food of fall. These gourds can be as small as a basketball to as large as a bathtub, making them a fun and versatile fruit. It can be oh so satisfying searching for your perfect pumpkin, and what better place to do so than in a patch full of pumpkins! Each family member can select their perfect match, the pumpkin that best speaks to them, and carry the fruit home with them to be proudly displayed on a porch or in the yard. 

Carve Jack O’Lanterns: Going hand in hand with our previous recommendation, another fun fall-themed activity would be to have everyone make their very own jack o’lantern. This is a fun and artistic way to let everyone express themselves in their own unique way. Create a design that best represents you, your interests, or your favorite things. And for those looking for a cleaner solution, drawing on a pumpkin with a permanent marker works just fine! 

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Have Fun at a Corn Maze: A better suggestion for those with older children, corn mazes are an excellent outdoor activity for those who like a bit of a challenge. This activity will have you exercising your problem-solving skills and testing your memory all while having lots of fun. Remember to dress warmer as this activity may take some time! 

Ride a Hayride: A far more relaxing option, hayrides are the perfect opportunity to curl up with a warm beverage and enjoy the crisp autumn air. You can sometimes find hayrides that include a stop to a pumpkin patch, corn mazes, or apple orchard, making it an easy addition to your fall themed bucket list. 

Make Homemade Caramel Apples: A sticky and delicious treat, caramel apples are a fall food essential, and lucky for us, easy to make! There are countless easy-to-follow recipes online. Cover them with your favorite toppings for a night of family fun. 

Cozy Fireplace Storytime: As the weather starts to get colder and colder, what better way to warm up than with a good book and a blanket by a fireplace or space heater. Your selection of books can range from more fall-centric books to books that give you a cozy feeling inside. Books such as This Could Be You inspire us to be brave and put ourselves out there, while books like Kindness is a Kite String remind us of the power of kindness. 

While not a comprehensive bucket list, we hope these suggestions will be used as a jumping off point for you to create your very own fall-themed family bucket list! Get creative and have fun! 

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Ava Heiler is a Michigan-based comic artist, publicist, and amateur rollerblader pursuing a BFA in Sequential Art at the Savannah College of Art and Design. As an artist, she has a deep love and respect for picture books and the people who make them, as she believes they are an integral part of every childhood.

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In today’s busy world, it’s easy to get caught up in school, work, and screens. That’s why it’s more important than ever to make time to connect with your kid. One of the best ways to build that bond is by playing games together. 

Game nights give families a chance to slow down, laugh, and create memories that kids will carry with them for years. Cardinal Rule Press suggests 5 card games that are easy to play and perfect for a night full of giggles and good vibes.

This isn’t your average game of Go Fish. It adds silly challenges and movements to the mix, keeping everyone on their toes. It’s perfect for getting wiggles out, especially with younger kids who have a hard time sitting still. Plus, it gets everyone laughing, which is a great way to shake off the stress and reconnect.

This fast-paced card game is all about quick thinking and matching cards featuring colorful moose with silly accessories. It helps younger kids build quick reflexes and pattern recognition, but it’s goofy enough that everyone gets into it. Games like this is a great reminder that it’s ok to be silly and that laughter brings people closer.

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This game puts kids and  parents head to head  to see who knows each other better. Questions range from favorites and habits to funny memories. This game is all about emotional bonding. It helps parents understand what’s going on in their kids’ mind and lets kids feel like their thoughts and preferences matter. It’s a fun way to encourage conversations that might not otherwise happen.

A wildly popular game that mixes strategy, luck, and a whole lot of absurd humor. The goal is to not draw the exploding kitten. It’s a great game for kids who are into fast, fun gameplay. It teaches decision-making and planning ahead while keeping everyone entertained. 

This classic card game is easy to learn and fast to play. Players try to get rid of all their cards by matching the number or suit, or playing an 8 to change things up. It;s a perfect intro to card games for young kids. They’ll learn numbers, colors, turn taking, and how to be a good sport. Plus, it’s one of those games that even adults can enjoy playing.

Game nights don’t need to be complicated or perfectly planned. What matters most is that you are together! Whether you are racing to avoid an exploit kitten or discovering your child’s favorite snack, these moments help build trust, strengthen your connection, and create memories that stick.

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Yuliia Khmara is a senior at Northwood University, studying International Business and Digital Marketing. In her free time, you will find her on the tennis court, reading a book, or spending time with friends and family.

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When thinking about how to earn some extra cash for the summer, babysitting seems like the perfect answer for any tween or teen. Babysitting is often a young person’s introduction to the working world. It’s flexible, convenient, and doesn’t require a resume, but still provides an opportunity to learn responsibility and growth. And like most work experiences, babysitting gives teens and tweens a chance to connect with their peers and the world around them, helping them through this transition from child to adult. Here, we’ve gathered three books that mesh tween and teen lives with the joys and struggles of babysitting that any babysitter, current or past, will relate to. 

The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix #1: Kristy’s Great Idea By Ann M. Martin & Raina Telgemeier

The Baby-Sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin was an iconic must-read for every babysitter in the ‘90s, and now, thanks to the incredible artistic skills of beloved graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier, the series has received a fresh coat of paint as an updated graphic novel. An introduction to the series, Kristy’s Great Idea, follows Kristy, Mary-Anne, Claudia, and Stacey: Four best friends and the founding members of the Baby-Sitters Club. The babysitters juggle teenage stressors like strict parents and school drama while also learning how to tackle toddler tantrums and picky eaters. Luckily for the BSC, through friendship, anything is possible. Heartwarming, relatable, and feel-good, The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix #1: Kristy’s Great Idea is a great read for any tween/teen babysitter, past or present. 

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Best Babysitters Ever By Caroline Cala

A fun and snarky jab at books like The Baby-Sitters Club, Best Babysitters Ever follows twelve-year-old Malia Twiggs and her two friends, Dot and Bree, as they concoct a plan to get rich quick through babysitting gigs so they can fund an epic birthday bash. While the girls believe they’ve struck gold, reality soon hits them as babysitting turns out to be a lot harder than expected. Now they’re forced to confront their initial feelings of greed and learn how to accept responsibility and grow as people. And who knows,  maybe they’ll end up enjoying babysitting. Sarcastic, relatable, and incredibly funny, Best Babysitters Ever will have you rooting for Malia and belly-laughing along the way. 

The Babysitters Coven By Kate M. Williams

Fashionable, moody, and very teenage, Esme Pearl is a seventeen-year-old nonconformist with a genuine love for babysitting and a hatred of “real jobs”. She runs a babysitting club with her dorky best friend, Janis, mostly hanging out, thifting, and occasionally picking up babysitting gigs. Esme’s life is turned upside down after a series of unfortunate events leaves destruction everywhere she goes. And now the cool new girl, Cassandra Heaven, wants to join her two-person babysitting club. Things turn supernatural as the girls discover they’re linked to the Sitters, powerful witches who protect the world from evil. Now they must balance fighting demons and putting kids to bed before mom gets home. Magical, moody, and so much fun, The Babysitters Coven is perfect for any teen with a witchy side. 

While there are many fantastic books out there for babysitting teens and tweens, this list is a great starting point for those looking for something realistic about how teens and tweens actually act and think. Babysitting can be hard, and being a tween/teen can be even harder! Tweens and teens love to feel heard and understood, especially in the books they read, and this list contains books that do a great job of depicting their thoughts and feelings as complex and important, while also tackling relatable social scenarios and outcomes. 

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Ava Heiler is a Michigan-based comic artist, publicist, and amateur rollerblader pursuing a BFA in Sequential Art at the Savannah College of Art and Design. As an artist, she has a deep love and respect for picture books and the people who make them, as she believes they are an integral part of every childhood.

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I remember when our children were babies, toddlers and preschoolers, I didn’t have the energy to read anything other than our beloved bedtime stories. I knew that reading was a part of who I am and that I needed it to feel like I was learning and growing as a parent. The solution for me at the time was audiobooks. 

With the changes in technology today, it is amazing how accessible we are to parenting advice. You can hop onto the good old Instagram and heat sound bites from parenting experts. Be sure you make the distinction between an influencer and an expert. They aren’t always the same thing!

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My personal favorite is Dr. Becky. She has short videos to watch on ALL KINDS of behaviors you are hoping to change. She also has a book! 

Reply in the comments below with your favorite parenting expert to follow!

Maria Dismondy is a children’s book author living in Southeast Michigan with her husband, three children and two fluffy dogs.

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Game nights in families can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. They are a way to spend time together as a family and encourage more open communication, teach teamwork, patience, problem-solving, and help strengthen emotional bonds. Many families wish to incorporate game nights into their schedule, but are stopped by the daunting aspect of picking one of the thousands of games out there. So, we decided to put together a list of 10 of our favorite games for kids of all ages.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

This quick card game combines silly words with even sillier reflexes. Players take turns laying down cards while saying the words in order, and if the card aligns with the word, everyone races to slap the pile. With its quirky illustrations and unpredictable twists a chaotic, fun-filled experience that is easy to learn and hard to stop playing.

Ages: 7+
Players: 2-8
Time: 10 Minutes

Zingo

It’s bingo with some Zing! A super fun twist on a classic game to help teach young kids how to read and spell with simple sight words. Much like bingo, each player will receive a random Zingo! Card and attempt to match the tiles with the pictures on their card. This game includes two board sizes and two levels of play for your pre-readers and your early readers. Collect tiles and race to see who can get the first Zingo!

Ages: 4+
Players: 2-6
Time: 5-10 Minutes

Don’t Break the Ice

Get the whole family together to play Don’t Break the Ice, a game of patience and strategy to keep our friend Phillip the penguin from falling. Players take turns gently tapping away ice blocks as they wait on the edge of their seats to see who will cause the penguin to fall.

Ages: 3+
Players: 2-6
Time: 2-5 Minutes

Monkey Around: The Wiggle & Giggle Game

Get ready to move, wiggle, and shake all around with this fun game! There are 40 different cards included, and each has a different action, whether it be to hug or to balance on one foot.. This game helps develop a child’s social and emotional skills, gross motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.

Ages: 2+

Tapple:

Tapple is a fast-paced word game that tests your brain under pressure! Players take turns shouting out words in the category, racing against the timer. It’s great for families who love to take on a challenge, spark creativity, and create a bit of chaos.

Ages: 8+
Players: 2-8
Time: 10-20 Minutes

Pit :

Pit is a fast-paced, shout-it-out card game where players race to corner the market by trading things like wheat and corn. There are no turns, just pure chaos and quick thinking! It’s loud, energetic, and perfect for families who love games with a competitive edge and lots of excitement.

Ages: 8+
Players: 3-8
Time: 10-20 Minutes

Outfoxed:

Outfoxed! It is a clever mystery game where players become detective animals solving who stole the prized pie! Using clues and fun decoder tools, kids practice deduction, teamwork, and logic. Perfect for younger children learning to take turns and work together.

Ages: 5+
Players: 2-4
Time: 20 Minutes

Game of life:

This is a classic family favorite. The Game of Life takes players on a colorful journey through different careers, families, and big life decisions. From college to retirement, you’ll spin the wheel and see where your choices lead. It’s imaginative, relatable, and a fun way to spark conversations about goals and growing up.

Ages: 8+
Players: 2-6
Time: 30-60 Minutes

Sneaky, snacky squirrel game

This adorable color-matching game, players use a squirrel-shaped grabber to collect colorful acors and fill their tree stumps. This game helps develop fine motor skills, color recognition, and strategic thinking within young children. With its bright design and simple rules it’s perfect for preschoolers.

Ages: 3+
Players: 2-4
Time: 10-20 Minutes

Memory:

Memory challenges players to find matching cards by remember their location. Perfect for younger children, helping them build focus and concentrations, as well as their visual recall skills. Plus you can find this game in multiple versions like animals or your favorite tv show characters. Memory is fun, education, and the perfect choice for quick and quiet play.

Ages: 3+
Players: 2+
Time: 20-40 Minutes

Another great family activity would be to color or do reading guides with some of your favorite books; that way, you can tie in reading into your family time. Cardinal Rule Press offers many options and different stories to color or do reading guides on.

Overall, family game night isn’t just about winning or losing, it’s about sharing laughs, building memories, and spending meaningful time together. Whether it’s helping your little ones learn or spending time with your older kids, the right game can bring every generation to the table.

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Olivia Agnew is a senior at Northwood University, where she is studying Marketing with a minor in Marketing Communications. In her free time, she can be found reading, spending time with friends, or practicing for an upcoming marketing competition.

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Developing a reading routine that fits in your schedule can become really tiring; believe us, we understand the struggle. We also know how important it is to you to instill those good reading habits into your children to help them better their comprehension and learning skills. Therefore, we have come up with a list of 5 things you can do to create better reading habits as a busy family.

Life gets busy, but setting aside time for reading is one of the best things you can do to establish a routine. Whether it’s 15 minutes before bedtime, in the morning, or after school, having a designated reading period makes it a habit. Make a point to emphasize the fact that this time is for reading to help your children better understand when it is and is not time to read. Try turning it into a cozy ritual where you grab a favorite blanket or sit in a special spot to create a relaxing environment where kids can focus on a good book.

Spending a lot of time in the car rushing from soccer practice to dance lessons? Audiobooks are a fantastic way to engage your young readers, especially those who may struggle with traditional reading. Listening to stories with engaging narrators can make stories more exciting and even help with language development and comprehension. Audiobooks are convenient enough that they can be enjoyed pretty much anywhere, whether it’s during car rides or at bedtime. Many libraries even provide free access to audiobooks, making them an accessible option for families. 

Having books readily available makes it easier to squeeze in reading time throughout the day. Keep a small book or books in your backpack, purse, or even the car for the moments when kids might otherwise be on a screen, such as waiting in a restaurant, during a long drive, or while sitting in a waiting room. Having something like a digital book on a tablet or e-reader can also be a great option for reading on the go! Cardinal Rule offers a Kindle version of all its books to make them more accessible to readers. Many libraries also offer online books that can be borrowed and read on an electronic device, making them more accessible. 

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Reading is about more than just looking at words on a page –  it’s about creating an understanding and connecting with the books. Taking time to talk about the books your child reads enhances their comprehension of the story and makes reading more enjoyable. A fun way to discuss the story is following along with one of Cardinal Rule Press’s free readers guides! These guides help children recall the story and its structure, compare characters, and better understand the lessons that the stories are trying to teach. Reading guides like these can be a fun way to discuss and share thoughts and ideas about the book. Having these discussions with your kids enriches the times you spend together reading and makes it a more fun and memorable experience for the whole family. 

Like with everything else, not every child will love the same type of books, so finding stories that truly capture their interest is key. These could be humorous picture books, action-packed graphic novels, adventurous chapter books, or even a fact book about frogs, there is a story for every reader. Let kids have a say in what they get to read; when they are excited about a book, they will be more motivated to read it. It can be hard to find the kind of books your child enjoys and that’s ok! The key is to let them explore and discover what types of books they want to read, and if a book isn’t working, then letting them know that not finishing it is ok too. A great way to find books they enjoy is letting the kids browse at the library and pick books that match their interest, and explore different styles that will make reading feel like an adventure rather than a task. 

At the end of the day, reading should be a joyful experience, not a chore. By making time in your busy schedule and allowing kids to explore different genres, formats, and storytelling styles, we help them develop a love for books that will last them a lifetime. No matter what kind of book they’re reading, encouraging them fosters confidence and curiosity in their reading journey. When kids have fun reading, they’ll keep coming back for more, turning each page with excitement!

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Olivia Agnew is a senior at Northwood University, where she is studying Marketing with a minor in Marketing Communications. In her free time, she can be found reading, watching TV, spending time with friends, or practicing for an upcoming speech competition. 

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We all grow up reading incredible picture books. From stories about joy and friendship to personifications of planets to investigations of imaginative worlds these early stories tackle a spectrum of topics to ensure that kids develop social-emotional learning skills while enjoying engaging stories and illustrations. Of course, with every new generation, there are new ideas and topics to cover initiating new picture book creations, sometimes even based on, or around, those classic pieces that the authors grew up with. Here we’ve collected a few examples of some of the best new interpretations or reimaginings of classic stories that your kids are sure to enjoy just as much as you will. 

If You Give a Mouse an iPhone: A Cautionary Tail by Ann Droyd

Laura Numeroff’s classic story If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and its numerous spinoffs have already permeated pop culture, with a naming device that’s easily co-opted to apply to whatever topic is circulating the cultural zeitgeist. However, Ann Droyd decided to double down on this idea and create a story that’s not only topical but informative for both parents and children about the possible dangers that come with access to the wide world of the internet through cell phones. This book’s genius explanation of the insufficiency of technology as a solution to boredom is the perfect place to begin to help show children how much they’re liable to miss out on if they bury themselves in the technology around them.

The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach

This book, clearly drawing on Eric Carle’s famous work The Very Hungry Caterpillar, incorporates both personality and learning into its fiction, inspiring further exploration in readers of all ages. Burach’s 2019 publication follows a caterpillar attempting to go through metamorphosis, however, he lacks the patience to wait the required time to fully realize his transformation. Full of fun facts concerning caterpillars and their transformation, this book is a wonderful way of inspiring early scientific thinking and investigation into the realities of our natural world!

Drawn Together by Minh Lê and Dan Santat

While not directly comparable in content to Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon, this gorgeous story maintains the theme of crossing boundaries and communicating through art. Through this glimpse into the relationship between a young boy and his grandfather separated by a language barrier, Lê crafts an inspiring narrative that perfectly represents the necessity of art not just as expression but as language itself. Further supported by Santat’s gorgeous illustrations that serve as the boy’s impression of his world and those around him, this book is a must-read for everyone, especially those feeling separated or left out.

They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel

Drawing on the idea of perception from Bill Martin Jr.’s ever-popular Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, this new take from Brendan Wenzel focuses on how others may see you or, in this case, a cat! Through a depiction of the many different lives of one cat, Wenzel’s Caldecott award-winning book plays with the idea of perception, demonstrating how different features are represented depending on your point of view – a perfect way to begin explaining social and cultural differences to children who may not yet understand the difference in experiences and representation.

Saturday by Oge Mora

Oge Mora’s most recent publication, Saturday, follows the way we interact when our plans fall apart, and how our reaction to the ensuing chaos defines our mood and the mood of those around us – mirroring Judith Viorst’s iconic creation Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. This heartfelt story about the relationship between a mother and daughter inspires a love for family, given or chosen, pushing the importance of “togetherness” instead of the activities that can sometimes get in the way. Plus, it may help everyone build their empathy muscle, in helping to understand where a meltdown can come from, and why.

While by no means a comprehensive list, these few suggestions are a great place to start when trying to discover picture books that inspire that feeling of nostalgia while remaining relevant to children’s frame of reference as well. Incorporating familiar themes is not only a provocation of nostalgia but also a way of imparting some of our knowledge to the next generation through a knowledge of the pursuit and execution of these themes.

Logan May is a senior at Bowling Green State University, where he’s studying English while double minoring in marketing and writing. In his free time, he can be found reading or performing on stage, promoting his passions on and off the page.

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Parents tend to worry about not giving their children enough, mostly referring to materialistic items, often having these thoughts are due to not having enough as a child and wanting to provide a better future for their children. So, to obtain more materially, parents will work more while neglecting quality time with children. This becomes an endless cycle where parents will reduce quality time with their children to buy them a “better” lifestyle. Is it really better though? Therefore, we’ve come up with important points to discuss why you should spend quality time with your kids, instead of focusing on material things.

Time is limited

We have all heard the phrase “time flies” but it rings most true concerning your children. Children require constant attention and care during their first years of life, but from being born to becoming an adult, time goes by so fast that people fail to realize that spending time with children is crucial. Once they become adults they’ll build their own lives and only visit on holidays. This sparks a cycle where you lose your chance to be a part of your child’s life due to missing out on crucial events. Speaking of which, missing important milestones hurts them more than you realize. Children want to celebrate their achievements with you but if you’re constantly away children lose confidence in themselves as they view their work as unimportant as they start to feel that YOU, the parent, are uninterested in their achievements. By being an active parent, children will learn to trust you more, helping break the cycle and encourage visits as they grow older.

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Memories Vs. Gifts

As adults, we tend to reminisce about our childhood, but do you know why? Because we have fond memories of simpler times. Most of the time those memories are about being with family rather than the new toy you got when you were four. Memories maintain a stronger emotional hold on us than gifts do. As a parent creating memories should be a priority since your children will only be young for a short amount of time and, most importantly, those memories are what shape our behaviors as we grow up. Gifts will only hold a momentary joy for children. Memorable activities on the other hand hold more value as children will remember fondly about the activities you did together as a family.

Building Bonds

By spending time with your children you create bonds with them, something a gift is unable to do. We are social creatures who depend on interactions to live, and children during their fundamental learning phase need positive interactions. It’s crucial they participate in all kinds of interactions as being unable to do so can have serious negative effects like inability to pick up social cues, speech impediment, and much more. This can be prevented by providing positive interactions helping them develop emotionally as well as socially.

We know how hard it is to be a parent, especially concerning the stress of providing for your children; however, we urge you to think about spending time with your child as well. Will they appreciate the gift? Sure, however, they’ll remember the little moments that you spent time with them more, from special hangouts to fun little dates. So consider this a push to spend time with your children instead of giving them a gift.

Yatziry Linares-Lozano is a senior at Eastern Michigan University studying Graphic Design. She loves designing and traveling. You’ll see her watching movies/series or playing volleyball in her free time.

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