8 Must See Hidden Gems of Mississippi

 

Mississippi's Hidden Gems

Mississippi, often referred to as the "Magnolia State," is a captivating destination known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. It’s also my home. And, it is filled with a mix of historical landmarks, beautiful beaches, and charming towns. Mississippi offers a diverse range of attractions for every type of traveler. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or seeking some relaxation by the water, Mississippi has something to offer. Let’s go explore eight great vacation tourist sites in Mississippi that will leave you with unforgettable memories.

Vicksburg National Military Park

History enthusiasts will find Vicksburg National Military Park an absolute treasure. This park commemorates the pivotal Battle of Vicksburg during the American Civil War, and it features well-preserved fortifications, monuments, and memorials. Take a guided tour to learn about the historical significance of this site, and don't forget to soak in the stunning views of the Mississippi River from the park's vantage points.

Natchez Trace Parkway

For nature lovers, a drive along the Natchez Trace Parkway is a must. This scenic byway stretches over 444 miles through three states, with around 444 miles of it traversing Mississippi. The parkway takes you through lush forests, serene waterfalls, and historical markers, making it a perfect road trip destination. Along the way, stop by the Emerald Mound, an ancient Native American ceremonial site.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Escape to the pristine shores of the Gulf Islands National Seashore for a relaxing beach vacation. Located along the Gulf of Mexico, this national seashore offers beautiful white sandy beaches, clear waters, and abundant wildlife. Enjoy swimming, picnicking, birdwatching, and if you're lucky, catch glimpses of dolphins playing offshore.

Elvis Presley's Birthplace & Museum

No visit to Mississippi would be complete without paying homage to the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Head to Tupelo, where Elvis Presley was born, and explore his modest childhood home, now a museum filled with memorabilia from his early life. You can also visit the nearby Elvis Presley Park, where you'll find the famous Elvis statue and a serene reflection garden.

Mississippi River Cruises

Immerse yourself in the iconic Mississippi River by embarking on a scenic river cruise. Several tour operators offer cruises ranging from a few hours to multi-day journeys. Relax on the deck as you pass picturesque landscapes, historic towns, and experience the charming southern hospitality onboard.

Biloxi

For a bit of excitement, head to Biloxi on the Gulf Coast. This vibrant city is famous for its lively casinos, where you can try your luck at the slot machines or table games. If gambling isn't your thing, Biloxi also boasts beautiful beaches, excellent seafood restaurants, and a thriving arts scene.

Jackson, the State Capital

As the capital of Mississippi, Jackson offers a blend of history, culture, and modern amenities. Explore the Mississippi State Capitol building, visit the Mississippi Museum of Art, and take a walk through the historic Farish Street District. With its variety of attractions and dining options, Jackson is a great place to experience the heart of Mississippi.

Tishomingo State Park

Nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers will find Tishomingo State Park a paradise. Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, this park offers hiking trails that wind through picturesque rock formations, lush forests, and along the scenic Bear Creek. Enjoy activities like rock climbing, canoeing, and picnicking while surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of nature.

Mississippi might not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a vacation, but it is undoubtedly a state that surprises and delights those who explore it. And, I should know! From its historical landmarks to its natural wonders, Mississippi offers a unique and diverse range of tourist sites that cater to all interests. So, pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for an unforgettable vacation filled with history, nature, and southern charm in the Magnolia State.

Other videos to watch:

9 Soups for the Fall Transition

 

Fall Soup Favorites to Try 

The scorching summer temperatures won’t last forever. They will eventually give way to the cooler days of fall. Soup and sweater weather is on the way. Fall is the perfect time to indulge in the comfort of a heart-warming bowl of soup. If you are like me and you love soup, here are some delicious, cozy, southern soups to help to delight your taste buds and keep you warm during the autumn months.

Vegetable Soup

Vegetable Soup is a favorite soup for most southerners. This soup is definitely a classic. Vegetable soup dates back as far as ancient times. Its main ingredients are vegetables, and these can be found in any gardens. The most common ingredients for vegetable soup include carrots, celery, tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, corn, and onions. You can add additional vegetables and herbs. You might even want to add some chicken or beef to the mix. I prefer mine with chicken.

Here's how to create this fall favorite. You start with some scrumptious vegetables being added to a pot. After you have sweated onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil and tomato paste. You create more flavor with garlic, pepper, and salt. You pour in vegetable and/ or chicken stock, a can of diced tomatoes, potatoes, and bay leaves. Simmer until the veggies are tender. Then, comes the frozen peas. Add your favorite spices and let them cook until done. When you finish, you have created a simple, time-honored autumn soup.

Potato & Shrimp soup

Potatoes are one of the cheapest vegetables that you can buy. Potato soup was first introduced in France, and the main ingredients were leeks, onions, potatoes, cream, and chicken broth. Here’s the part I love. Add in seafoods like shrimp, crab, and lobster to give plain potato soup a new life.

It all begins with the potatoes. Simmer and cook the potatoes. Add the milk, chicken bouillon or chicken broth. Cook the shrimp. Add the half-and-half, salt, pepper, and then, add the shrimp. It should only take about 3 minutes for the shrimp to cook. Then, I get to eat one of my favorite soups.

Corn Soup

It’s a great time to enjoy some corn soup. What is corn soup? Corn soup is soup made using corn, butter, chicken broth, and the fresh herbs of your choosing. You can opt to add other vegetables like potatoes or carrot to the mix to help make it thicker. You can even add cream to your soup if you like.

Heat butter until it melts. Add onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeno (if you want some heat). Cook until soft. Stir in flour. Gradually add in broth. Add potatoes and bring to a simmer. Next, add chicken, corn, and salt. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and remove from heat. No matter what you add to your corn soup, it is a great soup to celebrate the beginning of the fall season.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

It’s an ole’ but goodie. Most of us have eaten chicken noodle soup at one time or another. Even though it’s best in colder weather or when we are sick, now is a great time to start enjoying some homemade chicken noodle soup. This time-honored soup dates as far back as 2^nd century China. The key ingredients are chicken, chicken broth, wide egg noodles, salt and pepper. You can add as many other ingredients as you like to create your own homemade chicken noodle soup.

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Butternut squash and apple soup is a quintessential fall favorite. It blends the earthiness of squash with the sweet-tartness of delicious apples. This creamy, fall favorite is rich in flavors and textures. It is an ideal comfort food.

To prepare this delightful “sweater weather” soup, roast butternut squash and sauté onions until golden brown. Add apples, vegetable broth, and warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of ginger. After simmering, blend the ingredients until smooth. Garnish with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of crème fraîche to enhance the flavors. This soup is a cozy dish you won’t want to miss this fall.

Roasted Tomato and Basil Soup

Tomatoes are some of the best things about summer, and you can continue to enjoy them even during the fall season. Use those last juicy summer tomatoes to create a hearty soup.

Start by roasting those tomatoes. Roasting the tomatoes will bring out their natural sweetness, and the addition of fresh basil provides a hearty taste. Begin by roasting tomatoes, garlic, and onions until they are caramelized. Then, blend them with vegetable broth until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.  Add a few sprinkles of olive oil and chopped basil. Then, bon appétit.

Wild Mushroom and Barley Soup

I confess. I love mushrooms. And, I especially love eating them in soups. So, it only make sense that I would celebrate the fall harvest with a mouth-watering, wild mushroom and barley soup. This earthy delight is a combination of mushrooms in a creamy mix with barley.

Begin by sautéing a mix of wild mushrooms in butter. These can include shiitake, oyster, and cremini. Add onions, carrots, and celery for extra depth of flavor. Pour in vegetable or mushroom broth and simmer until the barley is tender, and the sensual flavors have blended. Sprinkle some fresh thyme and parsley to elevate the dish. Now, it’s ready to eat.

Pumpkin and Lentil Soup

Pumpkins….pumpkins! Fall screams pumpkins. And, pumpkins can be used to make a delicious fall soup. Incorporating pumpkin into a hearty lentil soup can be just the thing for fall. Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and ginger until fragrant. Add diced pumpkin, red lentils, and vegetable broth. Simmer until the lentils and pumpkin are tender and well-cooked. For added creaminess, blend a portion of the soup and mix it back in. This wholesome and nourishing soup will become a fall favorite in no time.

Minestrone Soup

It has everything! Minestrone soup is packed with vegetables, beans, and greens. This soup has it all. And, it is a wonderful soup for fall and winter.

In a large pot, sauté the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened. Add the diced tomatoes, broth, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Mix in the cooked kidney beans and pasta. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the pasta is tender. Adjust seasoning if needed. Then, dive into this hearty autumn soup.

As the weather cools down and the leaves start to fall, there's no better way to embrace the season than with a steaming bowl of delicious soup. These five soups, each unique in its flavors and textures, are the perfect embodiment of autumn's bounty. From the velvety butternut squash and apple soup to the robust wild mushroom and barley soup, these comforting delights will surely

keep you warm and satisfied during the fall months. So, grab your ladle and prepare to savor the heartwarming flavors of the season

The weather may still be hot outside, but fall is rapidly coming. Make soup a part of your fall transition. You can begin with these “sweater weather” favorites.

YouTube videos to watch:

How to Make Potato Soup

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHq0RXIjAfk

How to Rebuild Trust in Work Relationships

 

 

Ways to Rebuild Trust After a Violation

How do you rebuild trust? How do you move forward in a friendship or even a company when there has been a breach of confidence? In this article, we will discuss the ways to rebuild trust within our school, within our school district, with our parents,  and with our students.

Acknowledge that there is a problem

Once trust has been broken within your school, the first thing you need to do is to acknowledge that there's a problem. Then, find out what caused the problem. Next, move forward with trying to fix that problem. Now is the time to go ahead and have those hard conversations. No, they are not pleasant, but you have to do it if you are going to rebuild trust within your organization.

Create an Atmosphere of Safety

Make sure that everyone involved feels comfortable to be open and honest. They have to know that they are safe to talk about their feelings. They have to feel safe to talk about what happened and what needs to be done in order to fix the situation.

Admit Mistakes

Be willing to admit any mistakes. Be willing to acknowledge the indiscretion. Discuss ways to move past it.

Don’t Play the Blame Game

Don’t assign blame to anyone unless it is you. Allow the man or woman who caused the violation to own up to their part in the incident.

Respect Guideline

Respect the opinions of those involved in those tough conversations.

We are not all going to get along. We are going to have to accept that. Other people have different opinions and/or different beliefs. We are not identical duplicates of each other. Everyone needs to respect each other’s opinions. You can do that by establishing guidelines of respect.

Consistency is Key

You also must make sure that you are consistent. You are going to have to do what you said you are going to do when you said you were going do it. And, you are going to have to do it over and over again. You can’t be consistent for a day or a week or even a month. You have to remain consistent every time.

Be Willing to Forgive

Hurt has been caused. Wounds have been inflicted. Chaos has ensued. Nevertheless, you have to be willing to forgive. You have to be willing to leave those hurt feelings in the past and move forward so that healing can begin.

However, I am not asking anyone to forget. The reason that you are not going to forget is, so you don't make the same mistake again. But, you have to forgive this person. You have to forgive the company…you have to forgive whatever it is.

Move Forward

You have to move forward. You can't be held hostage by the past. Once you have identified the problem and had those difficult conversations, you have to be willing to think beyond myself. You have to look at the whole picture.

Things Won’t be the Same

Accept that things are not going to be the same. You are going to have to rebuild. You are going to have to reestablish trust.

It can be difficult to rebuild trust. However, it can be done. It will take time. You start by identifying the problem and working with your team to discover ways to fix the problem.

A Southern Tradition: The Infamous Teacake

 

Teacakes a Southern Tradition

Who would have thought that ingredients as simple as butter, flour, sugar, and vanilla could create one of the South’s greatest delights…a teacake. Most of us have memories of eating these tasty treats. Whether they were made for a special occasion or as a part of the Sunday dinner, they evoke feelings of warmth and comfort. So, what the story behind the “Southern Teacake”?

Tea Cakes were originally from England. These delicacies were served along with tea. The English teacake is different from the ones that most southerners are familiar with. Our teacakes are made similar to a sugar cookie. However, the original teacakes from England were more of a like a bun with some type of fruit. These teacakes were cut and served with butter.

It seems several countries have their own version of “teacake”. The Scottish teacake is more like a biscuit. Its top is mainly a chocolate covered marshmallow with a biscuit base.

It does matter how teacakes are made in other places. Here in the south, our beloved teacake is generally understood to be a buttery, sweet cookie. It’s history here is long, and it’s roots run deep.

Have you enjoyed a “teacake” lately? Regardless, be sure to preserve the family recipe.

Check out the following:

How To Make Southern Tea Cakes / Old-fashioned Way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER60o101y0E

How to Keep Your Kids from Blowing Your Budget this Holiday Season

Teaching Your Kids Money Management this Holiday Season

Black Friday and Cyber Monday is almost upon us! If you’ve ever taken your kids shopping with you, then you know that trying to get them to understand the importance of careful spending is almost impossible. The holidays can be especially difficult with all those tempting items on full display. Even a disciplined adult can find those Black Friday deals hard to resist. So, what do you do to keep your kids from blowing the budget this holiday season?

Allowance

Start with an allowance. Your kids need to know what it means to receive and manage money. An allowance is a great place to begin teaching them about financial responsibility.

Setting and keeping financial goals

Your children are more likely to stick to the budget if they have something to work toward. You can help your kids set financial goals. Maybe, they are working toward that hot, new electronic game or some other piece of tech gear. Maybe, they simply want to buy toys. No matter what their goals are, you should sit down with them and help them to figure out how much money it will take for them to accomplish this goal.

Distinguishing Between Wants and Needs

Our kids can have a hard time discerning wants from needs especially during the holidays.  I use the following technique to get my son to identify the difference: When he asks me about making a purchase, I ask him these questions, “Is this an absolute necessity? Will this fit into your budget? Will this help or hurt your efforts to reach your financial goal?”  Then, I make him wait at least 24 hours before making the purchase. This gives him time to actually think about the purchase and decide if it is the right one for his budget.

Visual Reminders

 “Out of sight, out of mind.” It is easy to forget what your financial goals are when confronted with things that offer instant

gratification. It can be hard to resist those designer clothes or latest electronic gadget. I know it is for me. And, chances are pretty good that your kids find it even harder. So, what is the solution? Keep visual reminders.

You and your kids can keep a mini copy of your budget with you while you shop. There are a variety of apps available for you to choose from to help keep your goals visual.

Help them Create a Realistic Budget

Help your children create a budget. There are some great budgeting apps out there to help your kids get on track with learning how to manage their money. Some apps to consider are:

FamZoo

Rooster Money

Bankaroo

Piggy Bank

BusyKid

GoHenry

GreenLight

Be sure to check out this video by Brittany Flammer for more information on these apps and to see if they are a good fit for you and your kids:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSLmPosyAeg

My son is sixteen, and I want to teach him about money without putting my money with his. I also want to teach him some simple investing skills so, BusyKid is the app I’m most likely to get.

However, I still like to use pencil and paper first. You can decide for yourself which way you like the best.

You can begin by having your children write down all of the money that they have coming in. This should include their allowance, gift money, or many from any odd jobs. Next, have your children list any expense that you plan on having deducted from that money. This should definitely include the things that they want to buy during the holiday season. Then, do the math together. This will help give them a realistic idea of how much money they have, how much the desire item costs, and if they can afford it. By helping your children create budgets, you are helping them learn how to control impulse spending.

Coupons & Codes

Another way you can help your child to stick to the budget is to help them look for valuable coupon codes or discounts on the things they want to purchase. Some stores have rewards programs that reward its members with discounts. These discounts can prove invaluable especially during the holidays. Also, there are apps like Fetch and Ibotta that give points to its users that can be redeemed later.

I have both apps. However, my favorite is Fetch. It’s a little easier for me to understand than Ibotta. However, again, this goes to preference. You can usually upload the same receipts on both apps. The most important thing is that you download the apps and get started saving. If you want to use my coupon code to get bonus points, be sure to use the code listed below.

Lead by Example

You are your children’s first teacher. Be sure to teach them the correct way to manage their money. Lead by example. Let them join in while you prepare the family budget. As you or you and your spouse are creating the family budget, explain to your kids what you are doing. Explain why you have to put a certain amount of money back a week back for emergencies or saving. 

Let them see you downloading coupons and coupon codes. Allow them to watch you use your discount codes and cards. Allow them to pay for items using your codes.

Make Your Child Financially Responsible

Give your children some financial responsibility this holiday. Make them responsible for purchasing some of the Christmas gifts themselves. Make them purchase that coveted item with their own money. Show them what paying bills entitle.

Savings Accounts & Investing

Now, is also a good time to open a saving or checking account. Instead of letting them blow that Christmas money from Grandpa, have them open a Saving Account. If possible, have them use some of the money their money for investing in stock. This doesn’t have to be a large amount. They can get started investing with as little as $10 or $20. This will teach them financial accountability.

https://youtube.com/shorts/zdgZipBxxhE

As the holidays approach, it is so easy to get caught up in sales and other gimmicks. Budgeting is difficult for adults, and your kids are definitely no exception. Most children have little to no impulse control. However, you CAN prevent your child from blowing the budget. Teach them valuable money management skills this holiday season.

Other Articles to Read: 

https://2cuteclassroom.com/the-ultimate-homeschool-activities-using-gingerbread-this-holiday-season/

You can also check out my book on saving money:

https://www.amazon.com/Less-Everything-Even-Some-Things-ebook/dp/B00X6KV866/ref=sr_1_12?crid=1DZUH3FNXQ7UK&keywords=lawanda+shields&qid=1668288580&sprefix=lawanda+shields%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-12

 

How Moms can Save Money on Groceries in 2022

 

Ways for Parents to Save Money on Groceries

With the rising cost of food, most of us are all feeling the burn. The grocery store is no exception. In fact, it is one of the main places that our wallet is feeling the burn. Digital coupons can help, but with inflation pushing prices up, it’s going to take a money-saving strategy. Here are a few suggestions on ways to keep your grocery bill from getting too far out of hand.

Having a plan

Before you head off into the store, have a strategic plan.  Look through your sales circulars and make a list of the items to be purchase.  Check your pantry and see what items you need.  Making a menu for the coming week will also help you know what you will need to purchase. Have a detailed list ready and a budget set before you hit the store.  This will save you both time and money.

Sale circulars

First things first. Always check the sale circulars before heading off to the grocery store. The sales papers contain the list of items that are on sale. Be sure to get the circulars for more than one store and compare the prices. The same items may be at a lower price at a different store. Thanks to technology you don’t even have to get the actual paper. Most stores like Walmart and Walgreens have website where you can easily check the price of different items and compare them.

Consider Grocery Pickup

Whether you like grocery pickup or not, it is a way to help control your spending on food. My ordering online you can easily monitor what is in your cart and how much your groceries are going to cost before you check out. This will help to ensure that you stick within your budget. When you go into a regular store, you can easily get distracted. You may find yourself at the check out counter with items, you didn’t mean to purchase. As a result, you may go beyond your budget.

Pet Food

We all love our pets, and it can be easy to forget about averaging in the pet’s food with the grocery bill. Pet food can get to be extremely expensive, and it can help wreck your grocery budget. I’ll be one of the first to admit that it’s easy to overlook to forget about pet food. Figure out how much food your pet are consuming and add this to your grocery bill.

Price checking

Items like milk, eggs, and sugar are grocery staples. The price on these items should be check for at least two to three weeks in the stores in which you shop the most often. Stores will often list items in a sale circular that are actually regular price. By doing a price check for several weeks on these items, you can identify if they are really on sale.

Budget for inflation.

Since prices have gone up, you will have to increase your allowance for food, or you will have to cut back on the groceries that you buy. Inflation is over 8% at the present. So, that means you should allow yourself an additional $8 to $10 per month. That may not seem like a lot, but it can add up in the long run.

Buying in bulk

When a nonperishable items that your family uses regularly go on sale, buy them in bulk from your regular stores. Various stores will often has staple items on sale each week. When these sales hit, you should purchase at least 3 of the items in order to stock up. If possible, purchase enough to last for several months. Believe it or not you can actually freeze cheese, whipped cream, and other products. Cheese should be shredded before freezing because the texture can change.

If you really want to be smart, invest in a food vacuum. This will allow to vacuum seal bulk purchases. Fruit unfortunately is perishable. So, unless you plan on canning these items or create smoothies, only purchase them as you plan to use them. Some people argue the case for freezing fruit. I am not one of those people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfncbdITnec 

Check Various Stores

Shopping at more than one store has its advantages.  Different stores can have different staple items on sale. By shopping at more than one store, you can get several items at a low price. Also, this helps you to identify who has the best deal on a product.

Be Mindful of the Meat

For most of us, meat is the main part of our meals. Unfortunately, meat is the most expensive item on our grocery lists. You can help keep your grocery bill low by rethinking the way you look at meat. Instead of making meat your main item for meals, consider it a side dish. Decrease the portion size you put on your plates and bulk up on vegetables and other side dishes. Another option is to go meatless one meal per week.

Monitor Your Receipts

Be sure to check your store receipts.  Some receipts have coupons that print out on them or promotional offers. Store receipts may also have surveys on them, and they offer free items as rewards for answering the survey.  Checking receipts will also ensure that you are getting an item for the correct price.  Mistakes do happen at the checkout.

Stop Impulse Shopping

Don’t be drawn in by those mini-items at the check-out line. They have been strategically placed there to get your attention while you are waiting in line to check out. Stick to your shopping list.

Only buy what you need. Don’t buy an item just because it is on sell. If it isn’t on your shopping list for the week, leave it in the store.

https://funcheaporfree.com/7-reasons-why-i-dont-believe-in-couponing/

Grocery prices are at an all-time high. Inflation is forcing many of us to become more mindful of our shopping habits. So, before you head off to the grocery store be sure that you have a strategic plan in place and a set budget for your trip. Happy shopping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp2YD4mEEac

 

Stay Connected with Your Children Through Chores

 

Use Chores to Stay Connected with Your Kid

Staying connected to our children is important. One of the ways that we can do that is by doing chores with them. Trust me. I am aware that you gave you gave your kids chores to teach them responsibility, and you might want them to complete them on their own. However, doing chores with your kids is a time for you guys to bond and to connect. 

Let me explain. It really isn’t about the chores. It’s more about spending time with your children and building bonds. Encourage your child to talk to you while you're doing your chores. So, it doesn’t matter if you are doing the dishes or cleaning the bathroom together. What matters most is that you are communicating.

The Purpose of Chores

What’s the big deal about chores anyway? Well, chores have a lot of merit. Chores teach your children real world skills. These are skills that they will need and use for the rest of their lives. Those skills include responsibility, work ethics, self-reliance, and time management. 

By holding them accountable for their chores, you are teaching your kids to take ownership for their actions. This in turn will help to teach them responsibility and help them to develop a good work ethic for later in life.

Tasks such a doing the laundry, budgeting, and washing dishes are life skills. By learning how to complete these tasks, your children will learn how to be self-reliant.

Time management can be taught through chores. When you children have to learn how to complete homework and still get their chores done, they learn how to management their time more effectively.

When I was in high school, I played basketball and that often meant having to complete homework and still being able to compete in sports. I can remember one of my teammates working on homework while we drove to the upcoming game. Plus, she was still responsible for chores when she got home. She was a phenomenal athlete and a great student. Her parents had adequately taught her how to manage her time.

By doing chores with your children, you can help them to become better at time management. And, you are also teaching them other skills that they will need later.

Open the Lines of Communication

If this is something new and you want to reconnect with your kids, start slow. Begin by asking them a few simple questions.

Ø  Ask them how their day was.

Ø  Ask them if they have any concerns or other issues.

Ø  Ask them about school.

Ø  Ask them about their friends.

It really doesn’t matter what you ask them about. The goal is to get them to talk to you. As you continue this routine, your kids and you will become more comfortable sharing chores and talking.

Actively Listen

Be sure to listen actively. What it mean to listen actively? Active listening means to make a conscious effort to hear and to understand what another person is saying. Active listening is  less “me focused” and more “you focused”.

During active listening, you wait until the person speaking finishes before you speak. There are two benefits to this. One, it gives the person speaking a sense of relevance and completion. Two, it allows you to actually hear the whole conversation. As parents, we can easily get wrapped up in what we want to tell them instead of listening to what they have to say.

Focus on What They Are Saying

Chores are about being responsible. So, if we want our kids to become more responsible, we should become more responsible ourselves. And, a part of being responsible is being open to listening to our own children.

Life can be hectic. There are so many things that can take our focus away from the person talking to us. However, we need to make sure that we are listening to our kids. Many times, children only wants someone to listen to what they have to say. That someone should be you.

Be Understanding

While your children are talking, be understanding. You may not agree with everything they say but remember this isn’t the time to start an argument. Don’t be too judgmental. Respect your children’s feelings, beliefs, and opinions. Give them the same respect that you want them to give you.

Talk to your children in a positive tone. This does not mean that you can’t express disapproval. You can. However, check your tone before doing so. If you are upset and yelling, your kids may feel threatened, and either shut down completely or emulate your behavior and start yelling. This is not what you want to do. The whole point of doing the chores with your kids is to build relationships. When you are calm and attentive…without judgment…your children are more likely to listen to what you have to say.

Don’t Nag

While you and the children are working on the chores, be sure that you don’t nag. Don’t turn chore time into a time for lecture. None of this is giving in to your children.

One of my favorite books to reference is Steve Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. In this book, it explains how to truly listen to other people. You can use it to help you get a better understanding of how to talk to your children.

Teach Manners

This is also a great opportunity for you to demonstrate manners to your children. Show them what it means to be polite. When they finish their assigned chore, say “Thank You”. Be sure to encourage them by saying, “Wow, you did a great job today”. Give him or her a pat on the back or even a fist bump. If they're still little kids,  you might even want to give them a hug or a kiss. This is modeling respect.

Show Love and Compassion

The whole point of doing chores with your children is to build bonds and to connect. This is one of the best opportunities to let your kids know that you love them. You can do this by outright telling them that you love them. If you are dealing with teens or tweens, you may be faced with a lot of grunts and complaints. Ignore all grunts of the complaints. Nothing could be ickier to tweens or teenagers than to have your parent telling you that they love you.

Stay connected with your kids by doing chores with them. Encourage your kids to talk. Listen while they are talking. Don’t judge. Don’t nag. Instead, strengthen or build bonds.

Article to Read:

7 Reasons Why Kids Should Have Chores

https://www.momentumlife.co.nz/stories/why-kids-should-have-chores

Book to Read: 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/1451639619/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2KEV9SO1AWCPE&keywords=7+habits+of+highly+effective+people&qid=1658363642&sprefix=7+habits%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-4