Parent Network

One thing that is certain is that, no matter who you are, as soon as you’re born, you are aging. And once we or our loved ones get to an age when additional assistance may be needed, it’s good to have at least thought through a few things.

Five ways families can start thinking about the future (without having an anxiety attack) by engaging in some self-reflection that can help your decision-making later in life.

Go through these considerations yourself and then pass them along to a loved one:

1. When you need help, do you prefer to solve problems yourself or do you like working in a team? Do you know know your limits and when to ask for help? Do you enjoy making new friends? Are you a social butterfly, or more of an introvert? Be sure to consider these things, as they may help your family to determine a living arrangement everyone can feel good about down the road.

2. First, think about what you value most in the people you work with: work ethic? A team player? Do you like to be left alone? Now, think about what you value most in the people you spend recreational time with: humor? A good cook? Someone who calls often, or not at all? Are they spiritual? One day when you or a loved one needs a caregiver, compatibility will be imperative, so it’s important to identify characteristics you like and others not so much.

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Think both physically and mentally. For example, are you a worrier? Try to establish a fitness routine to manage your stress that you can adapt as you age. Another example: if you’re 35 and your eyesight is already poor, consider your needs down the road if it progressively worsens. Or maybe you’ve got an existing medical condition that you manage – talk to your doctor about ways to manage it as you age.  Read more... (513 words, 1 image, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)

One thing that is certain is that, no matter who you are, as soon as you’re born, you are aging. And once we or our loved ones get to an age when additional assistance may be needed, it’s good to have at least thought through a few things.

Five ways families can start thinking about the future (without having an anxiety attack) by engaging in some self-reflection that can help your decision-making later in life.

Go through these considerations yourself and then pass them along to a loved one:

1. When you need help, do you prefer to solve problems yourself or do you like working in a team? Do you know know your limits and when to ask for help? Do you enjoy making new friends? Are you a social butterfly, or more of an introvert? Be sure to consider these things, as they may help your family to determine a living arrangement everyone can feel good about down the road.

2. First, think about what you value most in the people you work with: work ethic? A team player? Do you like to be left alone? Now, think about what you value most in the people you spend recreational time with: humor? A good cook? Someone who calls often, or not at all? Are they spiritual? One day when you or a loved one needs a caregiver, compatibility will be imperative, so it’s important to identify characteristics you like and others not so much.

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Think both physically and mentally. For example, are you a worrier? Try to establish a fitness routine to manage your stress that you can adapt as you age. Another example: if you’re 35 and your eyesight is already poor, consider your needs down the road if it progressively worsens. Or maybe you’ve got an existing medical condition that you manage – talk to your doctor about ways to manage it as you age.  Read more... (513 words, 1 image, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)

Of all the ways that teens or kids can make money lawn mowing and yard care is perhaps one of the oldest. Who has not seen the teen walking down the street pushing a lawn mower ahead of them, on their way to their next job?

Mowing lawns, weeding and trimming hedges can be hard and long work, and especially for the elderly or disabled, it is often work that is best left to someone else. Lawn care companies usually charge a lot of money for their services, and for someone on a fixed income this is probably not very affordable. This can mean big bucks for the industrious teen looking for work.

If you are considering a lawn and yard care business, your first step will be to be certain you have access to the proper tools. You can either ask your parents to allow you the use of their equipment till you can afford to buy your own, or you can find a way to purchase your own equipment.

If your parents are unwilling to loan you their equipment, perhaps if they see you are serious, they will consider making an investment in your new business, with the understanding that you will pay them back as soon as you have completed a few jobs.

Used equipment is often more affordable than new, and most used mowers and lawn tools have been reconditioned before they are sold, so they are usually in good working order. Look for used equipment that is clean, their cutting edges should be recently sharpened, and basic maintenance such as tune ups should have also already have been done.  Read more... (723 words, 1 image, estimated 2:54 mins reading time)

With so many ways for kids and teens to make money, most any teen can find one that suits them. If you have endless patience, love to play and enjoy being around kids, than babysitting might just be perfect for you.

Babysitting has been a way for teens to make money for many years, and continues to be a popular and much needed job for teens wishing to make extra income. In a world where both parents often work and live a busy fast paced life, the demand for responsible, reliable babysitting has grown rapidly. There are some things you need to be aware of though before you begin your first babysitting job.

The first criteria for parents looking for a babysitter, is finding someone who has taken classes in first aid and babysitting, to be certain that you will know what to do in the event of an emergency and that you can handle the responsibilities of caring for their child.

First aid classes will teach important life saving skills such as CPR for small children, and what to do if a child chokes or ingests poison, and any other skills you might need. A babysitting class will cover caring for small children, safety, ideas for planning playtimes, and how to discipline a young child appropriately.

Most community centers and some schools offer first aid and babysitting classes free of charge or for a small fee. Upon completion of these classes, you will be giving a certificate or card stating that you have graduated from the program; you should keep this to show prospective employers, having these certifications will greatly increase your chances of getting a job.  Read more... (749 words, 1 image, estimated 2:60 mins reading time)

The sluggish economy is affecting just about everyone, especially kids. These days kids want and need everything from fashionable clothes to iPods to evenings at the movies.

As any parent will tell you, none of this stuff is cheap. And with adult paychecks having to stretch further and further, any income kids and teens can bring in is much appreciated.

But the days of lemonade stands and mowing the occasional lawn may be in the past. Today kids of all ages are pulling in sizeable incomes working in the small businesses they own.

Thirteen year-old business owners? You bet. Kids, teens, and “tweens” are running everything from service businesses, to ingenious product retail operations, to online mail order extravaganzas.

Most of these businesses are cheap to start. Kids and/or their parents don’t have to shuck out a small bank account to get the new business started.

Keller was just a fourth grader, but he quickly found a way to earn or more per week.

His mother took him to a store where he could purchased candy wholesale. Then Keller resold the candy to other kids after school.

School administrators were fine with the little guy’s entrepreneurial spirit and the kids absolutely loved the opportunity to purchase their favorite sweets, often at a discount over local stores. After expenses, the 4th grader cleared to per day.

Nelda, a high school junior, knew she had a smart business idea when she overheard a restaurant owner complaining about all the customers who wanted home delivery. “The owner didn’t have the time to deliver orders to people, so I offered to do it for her. Now I deliver meals to people all over town.  Read more... (577 words, 1 image, estimated 2:18 mins reading time)