The Bledsoe Firm - May 2021

The Bledsoe Firm - May 2021

The Bledsoe Firm JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551 MAY | 2021

Organized Kids A FEW IDEAS TO HELP KIDS LEARN THE VALUE OF CLEANING UP AFTER THEMSELVES

Most kids aren’t known for being neat and organized. In fact, they seem to love living in chaos. Parents know that with kids, the wet towel will probably end up on the bed. Books, games, and toys go pretty much anywhere and everywhere. How many times have you told your kids to clean their rooms or put things away? Think back to when you were a kid. How many times did your parents tell you to go clean your room? Organization is a value you can teach kids from a very early age. You can encourage them to clean up after themselves and keep their space neat and tidy. Even in the context of separation and divorce — topics we frequently cover in the newsletter — teaching the value of organization, and how to organize, can be a useful tool in coping, bonding, and simply being there for your kids or grandkids during this time in their lives. It begins with respect. As kids learn about respect for others, it’s also important to teach kids about respecting the space around them, along with the objects they interact with on a daily basis, whether those objects belong to them or someone else. When they have respect for their own belongings, they often have greater respect for the belongings of others. To put this in perspective (and in the vein of the golden rule), your child wouldn’t want another child to come into their space only to lose or damage something of theirs and vice versa. To put that into motion, remember that kids are famous for following by example. If you tell your son to fold his clothes and put them in his dresser — when your own clothes are still in the hamper since doing laundry last Saturday — he has already picked up on

that. So, when you ask, he’ll probably respond with the universal question of, “Why?” Organizing, for the most part, is a “follow my lead” activity. When parents are consistent, kids are consistent (at least, they are over time and with a little positive reinforcement). Consistency, as they say, is key.

When a child observes you putting things back in the same place over and over again, they pick up on that habit. This applies to kids of all ages. Essentially, everything has a home, a logical place where it can be placed. For younger children, as they learn about cleaning their room, assign “homes” for everything in their room. Just as the child has a home, blankets, books, and toys also have a home — a place to go at the end of playtime so they can stay safe until they’re called upon once again. This kind of compartmentalization helps kids visualize the organizational process. Naturally, you don’t want your child to be strictly the observer — that, too, can become a habit. This is where positive reinforcement comes into play. When you ask kids to clean their rooms, and they don’t want to, that’s fine. However, if they do clean their rooms, they get something in return. It can be a personal or family activity, TV time, a certain food with dinner, or they can go over to a friend’s house. Mix it up and keep it light. Positivity, along with consistency, are your two most important tools for teaching organization to kids. If they lose that consistency or negative reinforcement enters the fold, that’s when the “dread” sets in and the pushback begins. Another way you can instill positive habits is by using the “one in, one out" rule. When your kids get something new, like a toy or clothes, give them the responsibility of trading out an older toy or piece of clothing. Once they’ve picked something to trade, have them donate it. You can even designate a box where they can put the toys or clothes they want to donate. When each box is full, head to a nearby Goodwill or a similar organization that accepts donations, and have your kids bring in the donation with you. Not only do they benefit by learning about donation and charity, but another child out in the world will also benefit by having a new toy or article of clothing to call their own. —John Bledsoe

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GET FIT WITH YOUR FAMILY 5 Easy Ways to Get Everyone Moving

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life.

parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time.

Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day.

1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll. 2. Have a dance party. Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy. 3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks. 5. Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.

But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral

health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.

One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone.

You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages

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