You’ve got to take direction! You’ve got to have discipline!

by Ben, The CND Intern

Raising kids under ideal circumstances would be hard enough, take a parent out of the picture and it's not pretty, at least not without help and good advice.

I don't think anyone likes to be disciplined, but you cant be good at things without correction. 

Recently I came across an article from a website called "The Spruce" most of their articles might seem more suited to Better Homes and Gardens, however, this article is very helpful for parents who need help with disciplining their children. 

Information in this article expands on how to set rules, give praise, set boundaries and punish effectively. 

Maybe now you can find time to study for those finals!

Stressing Over Testing

By Ben the CND Intern

OK, so maybe not every professor is going to be as awesome as this guy from the University of Louisville who became famous last year for babysitting the kids of a single mother whose babysitter canceled at the last moment. 

Still you've got a big test to take (actually probably a few) and kids to take care of. How do you do it?

Here are some tips from CAL POLY:

1. Do a little every day - Cramming is NOT a good study technique. If you spread out your studies and work a little each day in every class you will retain more knowledge and do better on your tests.

Click below for more tips!

After finals, I'm going to need a vacation!

By: Ben, the CND Intern

     But I have a kid! and I'm a student between semesters, I don't have much money! 

     I bet a lot of single parents out there can relate. 

     I'm afraid I don't have any particularly brilliant new ideas but this webpage shares a good list of the best budget vacation ideas for lower income households, and all of them work in the Pocatello Area. 

Camping, road trips, amusement parks (like the Lagoon), visiting attractions in a nearby city (like Boise or Salt Lake), and State Parks (like Yellowstone). This site has tips on how to do it and what to look out for. I don't know about you, but I think it's time my family finally made it to see Old Faithful.

Keeping Up With the Course Load Without Neglecting Your Kids

By Ben, The CND Intern     

According to a 2014 study from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, 4.8 million college students were parents of dependent children in 2011, that’s about 26 percent of all college undergraduates.

The number of student parents has risen dramatically in the last 15 years

     Maybe it's just me, but it seems like by the time I get home from school, make dinner, do the least amount of chores that I can get away with, check the computer (because obviously I was paying attention all day and not looking at my personal Email or Facebook wink wink) the day is almost over. 

     Then I have 3 papers to do and my kid, that I haven't seen since I dropped him off for school wants attention....

It feels like I only have 2 options, bonding (hopefully relaxing) time with my kid or getting my work done. 

Again it might be just me, but I doubt it. Here are some answers I have found that help out...

What to do? What to do?

By Ben, The CND Intern

     Besides situational incidents (like waiting at the dentist) I can't remember the last time I was bored. My kid, however, seems to be bored all the time. When school gets out, it gets worse. Maybe your kid is nothing like mine, but when my son is home all day he becomes a nightmare, even if he says he is happy playing Minecraft all day long.

     To overcome the hassle of finding a last minute answer, I've put together this list of annual events and regularly open activities in the Pocatello area that wont break the bank.

     I was surprised by what I found in our backyard; did you know there is an annual Malad Welsh festival? (first weekend of July every year) or that there are multiple free places to camp around here?

See what you can find in our handy guide:

Free/Cheap things to do with your kids in the Pocatello area

Money Woes

By Ben, The CND Intern

     I think something we all have in common is the hope of someday having enough money to not worry about it.

     Bankrate.com has some good tips for maintaining your needs and looking for something better. 

The authors of their site offer this sound advice:

"Single parents are often reluctant to reach out for help out of fear that it shows vulnerability or weakness. Sometimes pride prevents them from taking advantage of support networks, friends and family, but all are effective tools to reduce stress.

Being able to say 'this is beyond me' and 'I need support' is an important first step for people to take."

    
     Other tips include setting better spending habits, understanding all the tax breaks you can get for kids and the importance of keeping on top of financial documents.

Check out more detail at their site: Bankrate.com

Start Your Own Babysitting Co-op

A babysitting co-op is a group of parents who agree to exchange babysitting time.  

Unlike most one-to-one babysitting arrangements, members do not have to pay cash or make an even exchange of hours with the other parents.  Parents may fill and request sits according to their own schedule with anyone in the group.  Most co-ops work on some kind of point system:  you earn points when you watch someone else’s kid, and you spend points when someone sits yours.

Each group determines their own rules such as: Who can join? Will administrative dues be charged? How will points be tracked? Who will lead the group? Many co-ops have rotating coordinators and/or secretaries, often paid with sitting points. Luckily, there is a lot of information available on the Web so a new group doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel! Three very helpful websites are:

http://www.frugal-mama.com

http://www.moneycrashers.com/start-babysitting-coop-exchange

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-form-community-babysitting-co-op.html

There is even a free webinar on “How to Start a Babysitting Co-op” available at:

https://www.newdream.org/resources/webinars/babysitting-coop

Also, if you would like to connect with other parents who are interested in starting a babysitting co-op, you may leave a comment on this site with instructions on how you would like to be contacted. And keep us posted on how things work out!

13 Life Hacks for Career-loving Parents

By Ben, The CND Intern

A friend posted this on Facebook recently, I don't usually look at things like this (I don't have the time) but for some reason I did and some of these ideas are fantastic!

For example 

Idea #2 

Keep your bathrobe on over your work clothes until you walk out the front door. This will help you avoid any morning messes—spit up, sippy cups, bottles, or unidentified sticky messes flung across the room—so you won’t have to waste time changing an entire outfit.

Another idea on the list that might make my life a lot less frustrating (and honestly is good for almost everyone I can think of) is

Idea # 7

Use location-based reminder apps . These apps, like Checkmark , chirp out an alert when you’re near a designated location, reminding you to do something. For example, you can set a reminder that alerts you the next time you’re at Ridley's to buy milk, or the next time you’re near a post office to buy stamps.





Obviously these tips won't fix all of your problems, but if you're anything like me these may just change your life. 

This information came from https://www.themuse.com/ check them out for more great info on careers and life planning. 

A Balanced Life? Really?

A Balanced Life? Really?
By Kraig Boyd, LPC

When I was a single parent, I was lucky just to balance my checkbook—forget about my life! (Did I even have one?) So I abandoned the idea of balance (for now) and adopted a new/old philosophy: “To every thing there is a season.” As a single parent attending school, this is not likely to be a season of balanced living. It will probably be more like the season of perpetual crisis. That’s okay, because this is your time to create a better future for yourself and your child or children.

No, you cannot give your child or children everything you would like to right now, yet you are giving them a living role model, teaching them that it is possible to do hard things. In addition to this, give them as much time as you possibly can, and let that be enough for this season.  

In this blog I share some insights intended to help you to thrive in this challenging season. Things like learning to how to say no, staying focused, setting firm boundaries, and letting go of toxic single parent shame. Click below to read the full article.

Upcoming Events!!

The Lazy Cook 

Tuesday January 31st 3:30 pm RFC building room 161

Based on the humorous truTV show of the same name, you'll learn fast, easy and simple recipes you can probably afford! You'll be taking home a few meals, along with a bunch of recipes for quick inexpensive dinners. 

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What's a Single Parent to do?

Tuesday February 28th 12:00 pm (Noon) RFC building room 161

An interactive group where parents share information about resources including the answer to the age old question "What can we do for fun in Pocatello on a budget?" 

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Nontraditional and Single Parent Student Recognition Luncheon

Tuesday April 25th 12:00 pm (Noon) Location TBA

This inspirational event recognizes and celebrates the efforts and successes of our Single parent and NT Students with a catered luncheon. Come to meet student speakers nearing graduation and their instructors. We will learn the secrets to their success. 

Please RSVP to our invitation in the spring if you would like to attend.