Toddler

When your child's in preschool — and still building an immune system — it might seem like he’s susceptible to an endless stream of colds. Germs are just a part of preschool and daycare that all moms have to deal with, says Circle of Moms member Sarah. But how sick should your child be before you decide to keep him home from school?

That’s the question moms Bethany G. and Esther D. are wrestling with. "I really struggle with when to keep my kids home from school activities when they ‘may be’ sick. How do you decide?" Bethany wonders. Esther's questions are more pointed. She wonders what other parents do when little ones have mild symptoms, like a runny nose, and whether it's okay to send them to school even though they can spread germs.

Many members say symptoms like fever, vomiting or diarrhea make the decision to keep your child home from preschool clear-cut, and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) backs them up, advising parents to keep kids with flu-like symptoms home for "at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines," and "even if they are using antiviral medicines."

But when symptoms are less prominent parents are left to their own guidance. So what should a mildly sick child to to school and when should he be kept at home? I've rounded up some of the most common viewpoints below.

1. "It's Wrong to Send a Mildly Sick Kid to School"

Many moms who believe that sick kids should not be at school at all resent the parents who have sent them. For instance, Jodi Z., who used to run an in-home daycare, she says she has seen many seemingly innocent runny noses quickly turn into something more serious like strep throat, croup, whooping cough, or the flu. "Sometimes, a clear runny nose is just the first sign of something big, even without other symptoms," she says. "Why put other children at risk and risk your child getting worse? ... .[It's] frustrating to take my daughter somewhere, in good health, and see children with snotty noses and coughing (not covering their mouths). If I want to purposefully expose my child to an illness, I'll do it in the controlled setting in my doctor's office," she adds.

A mom named Gemma agrees, saying that keeping her son home when he is sick is the right thing to do by other families. "But unfortunately, there are some parents who don’t do the same. It makes me angry," she adds. When parents send their children to school with colds, it seems like they don’t have any consideration for the other kids and their families who could catch the colds, Gemma explains. Her family recently has had bronchitis, gastrointestinal sickness and conjunctivitis, thanks to her son, who picked up the germs and brought them home from daycare.

"It's infuriating when parents send their children to school sick and they know full well. Poor little children just want to be home getting some TLC anyways," says a member named Charlie, who is a teacher. She recalls when a parent sent her non-immunized child, who had contracted rubella, to school while she was pregnant. "My unborn baby could have been blinded, severely brain damaged or dead!"

2. "If Symptoms are Minor it's Okay"

While moms like Jodi resent the frequency with which their children catch colds from their preschool classmates, other parents, including a member named Mylene, say they understand that not every parent can make the choice to stay home each time the kids have a runny nose. Moreover, she believes children should be exposed to some germs to build their immune systems.

"It’s quite impossible to shelter our children from all illnesses," she says. "If we had to keep children quarantine for every little illness they ever get, neither of us would have a job and we would be living on the street. Not everyone has family around to take care of the children."

In recognition of this reality, Mylene tries to be careful about the decision to send a mildly sick child to school: "Whenever I have any doubt that it's not just a cold, he stays home," she says.

Jessica B. actually welcomes children with minor colds at her son’s preschool. "I would like my son’s immune system to be very [developed to protect] against these illnesses when he is older," she explains.

Not Every Sniffle is Contagious

Other moms point out that not every sniffle or runny nose is a sign of a cold. For instance, Becky F. says her entire family gets stuffy noses all winter because of the dry weather. "A runny nose and a bit of a cough, fine. Some kids have those all winter, but really aren't sick. The poor parents would get fired if they had to stay home for that," she says. 

Mom Nicky has similar sentiments, explaining that her daughter has really bad allergies and asthma. "If she stayed home every time she had sniffles or a cough, she would never go to school."

Holly’s daughter has asthma and severe seasonal allergies, so she follows a regimen that causes her to have a productive cough during the day. "I get so many dirty looks from other parents, but I always send an email to the teacher, and I keep her home if she has a fever, if she has an [abnormally] runny nose, or if the coughing is disturbing her sleep (because that signals the cough is being caused by something more than allergies)," she explains.

As a result, Holly understands to a point when parents bring their kids to preschool with a cough or something mild, but thinks that when a child is obviously sick, they should be kept at home.

3. "Each School Needs to Find a Happy Medium"

Ultimately, moms on both sides of the debate agree that the severity of your preschooler’s sickness is the most important decision factor, and that all parents should keep kids with symptoms like fever, vomiting, and rough breathing at home.

"[A] runny or stuffy nose, or mild cough [are sometimes] the effects of a cold that can last for weeks; I don't think it's necessary to keep them home," says one member. "However, I do think that it's essential that if you're going to send them to school, that you teach them to wash their hands, cover their mouths, use Kleenex and not their clothing, avoid direct contact with another child if you just sneezed or coughed until you can go wash your hands, etc." she says.

In reality, most moms do want to stay home and take care of a child who is really ill. A mom named Anika, who is also a daycare worker, points out that moms generally recognize that preschools and daycares are busy, noisy places, and that if their children are sick, they’ll likely get better faster by staying at home.

When parents are having a tough time making the judgment call as to whether to keep a sick child home from school, then Krista E. suggests referring to the preschool provider’s sick policy. "My daycare provider and the other moms all have a tacit agreement that a common cold is fine. I don't get upset if some other kid is at the daycare with a runny nose — it happens. And I know that a lot of the other mothers there don't get any sick days, so I'm not going to demand that some poor woman put her job in jeopardy. Now if it's something more serious, we keep them home, also by tacit agreement," she says.

In other words, Krista believes that preschools should talk to parents and set a policy with regard to sick kids that is as agreeable to as many of the parents as possible. "If one or two parents don't like the policy, they will either have to deal with it, or look elsewhere."

Image Source: SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Some people think of pen-pals as an expired tradition, like black-and-white movies and 8-track tapes, but a lot of Circle of Moms members say writing and corresponding by hand via snail mail is still a necessary life skill. They're searching every day for old-fashioned pen-pals for their kids, and the surprising part is that the majority are searching for pen-pals for children as young as two.

You might be thinking that kids this small can't read and barely even understand the concepts of mail, distance, friendship, and culture. So why is the tradition of pen-pals so popular among moms of toddlers and preschoolers? Here, several moms explain the popularity and benefits of getting your little one a pen pal, and share tips to make it fun and safe.

Broadening a Child's World

Children can (and should) begin to learn about other cultures, ethnicities and traditions during the toddler and preschool years. Interaction with different people happens in everyday life, but it can also happen with an international pen-pal. Very recently, moms from Dubai, Australia, England, Africa, the Philippines, Germany, Canada, and states all across the U.S. have searched for pen-pals for their kids in this one Circle of Moms thread alone. Jessica W. has a two-year-old and a five-year-old and is already interested in getting them connected with a friend in another country based on her own pen-pal experience:

"I had one through school (from Spain) and we have actually stayed with each other a few times over the years when I lived in Scotland and [was] traveling about. [We're] still in touch after 30 years!"

Tonya C. is another member who loves the idea of pen-pals for her kids, ages three to 11, and who have a wide range of interests to share. She thinks pen-pals are a great way to learn about different parts of the world.

Building Enthusiasm for Drawing and Writing

Toddlers usually don't need much prodding to take crayon to paper, but what do you do with all of their masterpieces? If the fridge and walls are overflowing in your house, you could have your toddler send their drawings to a pen-pal. Colleen G. has a four-year-old son who loves to make artwork and send it to others.

Older toddlers and preschoolers will really enjoy having a recipient (other than Mom and Dad) to send their first attempts at writing. Marlena B.'s daughter has recently fallen in love with writing letters, "most of which say her name over and over." But this mom says her daughter also lets her write some of the letters for her: "She tells me, 'Mama, sit down and write the stuff I say.'"

Sheena is another member who takes dictation to facilitate her little one's pen pal exchanges: "Obviously she can't write on her own, but I can scribe," she says.

Creating Excitement About Receiving Mail

At what age do your kids realize and understand that something in the mailbox is specifically for them? Jennifer G.'s kids are four and one-and-a-half, and they already open and play with all of the junk mail. She looks forward to having something a little more special for them to open and read!

If your toddler has friends or relatives out of town, chances are the excitement of presents and cards in the mail begins around two years old, or even earlier. Having a pen-pal will help your toddler really look forward to the mail carrier's visit. Melanie E. has a two-year-old who enjoys opening mail and Christie W.'s almost-three-year-old "loves getting things in the mail."

Karlee C. sees the value and importance for her kids of getting involved in the dying art of snail-mail exchanges: "They not only just love receiving mail, they love sending out mail. Especially sharing their day with someone else in this world, to make another person's day extra special," she says.

Creating Treasured Keepsakes

Moms who remember and even keep in touch with their own childhood pen-pals are perhaps the most eager to get their toddlers started with a pen-pal friendship. Lisa G. in Australia has such fond memories that she is on the hunt for a pen-pal for her two-and-a-half-year-old and eight-month-old daughters: "I remember being young and having many pen-pals from different countries and absolutely loving receiving mail from the postman! I would love my girls to have the same opportunities!"

Sheila R. wants the same kind of connection for her preschool-aged sons: "I was just looking in my treasure box and found my old pen-pal letters and thought to myself, 'I really would like my boys to have friends around the world too.'"

Tips

1. Contact Other Moms

If you're ready to begin looking for pen-pals for your child, Circle of Moms is a great place to start! Several members recommend contacting another mom via e-mail to get the ball rolling, then you can exchange mailing addresses and other details, also via e-mail. Some moms also use the messaging system within Circle of Moms to contact each other about pen-pals.

2. To Be Cautious, Use a P.O. Box

Moms also recommend some safety precautions. Using a P.O. Box rather than your street address is a good idea, especially if you are putting your mailing address out there to strangers. After a bad pen-pal experience where she suspected that the friend was not a child, Circle of Moms member Leesa recommends previewing every letter before giving it to your child.

3. Give Your Child Their Own a Mailbox

When it comes to receiving and sorting the mail at home, Karlee C. distributes pen pal letters in homemade mailboxes for each of her kids: "The kids decorated their own mailbox!...We have a 'Dada's Mailbox,' and [each of] their own lined up."

Image Source: LizaWasHere via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Gabby M., whose son is in first grade, tells us via Facebook that she already has a lot of cute artwork that she can't bare to get rid of, while Sarah S. has started to throw a lot of it away because she doesn't have anywhere to put it. What can you do with those piles of children's art when you run out of storage space but can't quite bring yourself to throw it away?

Here, moms from our Circle of Moms Facebook community share four different ways to show your children that you appreciate and value their art – without cluttering up your home.

1. Gift It

"We sticky tape it together and use it as wrapping paper." –Melissa R.

"We use it as wrapping paper too! The kids love sharing their art like that, and generally the receiver loves that it is unique." –Ruth J.

"Fold it in half and use it as a card." –Lauren J.

"I have used my daughters paintings in photo frames with her picture for presents for family." –Rhiannon S.

"We keep the special ones that she chooses on the fridge, [then] she picks one [of them] for visitors to take home." –Rebecca F.

"I rotate [my son's] framed work [and] scan all of it. Making his personal 'Thank You' cards with them is one of my favorite things to do! We [also] make stickers, order mugs, aprons and hotplates for gifts." –Julie J.

"Frame and gift to loved ones!" –Julie J.

2. Make a Book

"I put together a three-ring binder for the year with page protectors inside. Put as much art as you can in each page protector. Sometimes, instead of a bedtime story we look through the binders. The binders store easily in a box or on a shelf" –Lisa H.

"My daughter is in preschool and brings home [a lot of] artwork. I scan her artwork and make a photo book for her. I'm also giving her teacher a book at the end of the school year thanking her for giving my daughter the best gift ever – education!" –Lee H.

"I saved all my son's artwork throughout the years, he's now 18, and I have so many memories. I keep it in a photo album." –Lorie D.

"Artkive app! Stores it all, and by child date and age. Then you can send each child's art for coffee table books." –Mandy M.

"I take close pictures of the artwork and make them into bound photo books by grade." –Linda K.

3. Hang It Up

"[I] framed my son's first finger painting and it's on the wall. I get a lot of compliments on it (well, he does). –Karen T.

"We keep the best ones (I let the kids choose their favorites) and hang them on the inside of the kitchen cabinets (so we have lots more space to display them). It brightens our day to open a cabinet and find a happy piece of artwork. We switch them out every six months or so and the old works go into a plastic storage bin reserved for each of their school papers and artwork." –Courtenay P.

"I saw this idea on on HGTV from one of the design shows (husband and wife team). They had all their children's artwork photocopied onto one huge poster, and then framed it. The finished product looked awesome, all the art was shrunk to fit!" –Wendy C.

"My eldest brings home pictures from school every week, which I keep in a box. Some of it goes to granny, some goes up on the wall and others me or hubby takes to work." –Joanita C.

"The really artsy ones, I matte and frame. I've been asked where I purchased the art [and] I say it's from my daughter's own art studio! They can make beautiful pieces." –Tasha T.

"We made a huge frame with cork board inside to pin his artwork." –Mary A.

"I tack up or staple them to my hallway, up the stairs and on their bedroom walls. Each time they bring new work home, they choose one piece to take down and hang up a new picture. They are always so proud to show everyone their walls." –Tasha M.

4. Create Useful Home Objects

"Bookmarks!" –Tiffany B.

"Laminate it and use as placemats  – preserves and displays!" –Marlean F.

"After they have been on display awhile (fridge time) I take digital pics of my son's masterpieces and load them into a folder on my computer. They slideshow as a screensaver and I get to see them with favorite photos from his past six years. I do keep the really special ones and his favorites in my 'forever' box." –Lisa E.

Image Source: Jen's Art & Soul

Lately it seems like a new baby carrier is born almost every day! The glut of options makes it difficult for an inexperienced baby wearer to know which style or brand is the best for her and her little one.

To help determine which carrier is right for you and your baby, Circle of Moms members suggest weighing the following four considerations.

1. Do You Need to Breastfeed Hands-Free?

For Daye P., being able to breastfeed while wearing a baby is a necessity. "I will have a young toddler to mother and chase after in addition to the new baby. I desperately need a reliable hands-free carrier that's good for nursing," she says. Circle of Moms members generally suggest wraps, ring slings and Mei Tais ($32 at Walmart.com) for moms in Daye's situation.

A member who goes by "KC W." explains why a sling is great for breastfeeding moms: "Baby is easily put in and secured in the sling. The sling adjusts to the exact size of the baby, by pulling on the end of the fabric. The sling grows with baby, and the learning curve is next to none, very simple!"

Additionally, slings have enough fabric to provide full coverage, which Shannon H. says allows her to breastfeed in public discreetly: "I use the ring slings while out in public. They're great for hiding what you're up to if you're in a place [where the] people around frown on nursing in public."

2. Is Your Baby Heavy?

For bigger babies, moms may want to seek out a baby carrier that can accommodate more weight.  Members suggest that moms with heavier babies look for a carrier that distributes baby’s weight evenly and that offers more support. For instance, Emily H. uses both an Infantino front carrier ($27 at Target.com) and a Moby Wrap ($41 at thegreennursery.com), switching from the Infantino to the Moby when she knows she’s going to be carrying her son for more than half an hour. He weighed nine pounds, 11 ounces at birth, and Emily reports that, "My Moby Wrap is much more comfortable for both of us. It distributes his weight much better and more evenly, and I am rarely sore after carrying him in it."

On the other hand, Emily F. says wraps are awesome for tiny babies, but stretchy ones (like the Moby) start sagging after a while and heavy babies start to feel too heavy. She also cautions against using slings with heavier babies because the baby’s weight is all on one shoulder. "Adjustable ring slings are awesome, but mostly for hip carries of older babies, or quick in and outs, not for long periods of time," she cautions.

Renae K. and Stella M. are among many moms who recommend soft-structured carriers. One of these, the Baby Bjorn active carrier ($95 at albeebaby.com) has lumbar support to reduce strain on your upper back, shares Renae.

A member named Stella says she can comfortably wear her 18-month-old son, who is just under 31 pounds, in the Ergo ($90 at depotgiants.com): "The strap padding and support are great, and really easy on your back."

3. Do You Have a Bad Back?

Moms with bad backs like Kateryn T. may be leery of baby wearing because of the extra weight. "I’m currently unable to work out a way to safely wear my child without aggravating my underlying joint and back issues. I was completely unable to with my son, and I’d really like to give it a go with my daughter, who is due to arrive in just under two weeks. However, I can’t seem to find any information on how to help minimize the stress placed on the body by wearing the baby instead of pushing them around in a stroller."

Circle of Moms members say that wraps and soft-structured carriers allow you to support your baby on different parts of the body so that there is minimal stress on your back.

In particular, Colleen M. recommends moms look for a baby carrier that lets you wear your baby close and high, keeping his center of gravity above yours and as close in as possible. "Your baby carrier should distribute your baby's weight widely to reduce strain. A well-adjusted sling or pouch should not cause back strain, but may aggravate an existing problem. Wrap around carriers can be a good choice, as they spread the baby's weight widely over both shoulders as well as to your waist/hips. Unstructured or Asian-style soft carriers are flexible enough to hold your baby very close to you."

Jennifer C. agrees that wearing a baby high helps to minimize lower back issues. "When I use my wrap or sling, I tend to have [my son] in a position where he's hugging my breast, and I'm able to walk a couple of miles with him like that without problems," she says. She also notes that if you’re using a sling or wrap, that you spread the fabric out appropriately. "If I don't spread out the sling, or if the wrap is not spread out properly, it starts to bother my upper back and shoulder(s)," she says. Em K. adds that wraps can make it seem like your baby is weightless if worn correctly.

Rhea S. relays that her soft-structured Beco Baby Carrier ($129 at nurturedfamily.com) works really well in these cases: "If worn correctly, you should feel no pain in your neck or back, because the weight is designed to rest on your hips."

4. Do You Plan to Baby Wear for a Long Time?

If you’re planning on baby wearing for a long time — either for long sessions or for a year or two as your baby grows — then you’ll want to choose a baby carrier that will help you over the long haul. The Mei Tai ($32 at Walmart.com), for example, can be used when your baby is newborn until she is a few years old. Ella B. says she used a Mei Tai when her son was a newborn, and still uses it now that he's 20 months old (even to nurse while shopping).

Additionally, because it distributes weight across your shoulders and waist, it’s good for long treks. "I've gone on six-mile hikes carrying my five-month-old in a Mei Tai," Em K. says. Emily C. also says she wore her BabyHawk Mei Tai ($79 at Babyhawk.com) on a three-hour hike with a two and a half-year-old recently and felt great.

Victoria sings praises to the lifespan of an Ergo, ($90 at depotgiants.com), which she feels is well worth the money: "I use mine with my eight-month-old and my three-year-old, so the lifespan is long."

Similarly, the soft-structured Baby Trekker ($150 at babytrekker.com) can be used while nursing a newborn until your child reaches 50 pounds. "As a bonus, it actually fits my 300-pound-plus hubby (he is not fat though, broad),” says Danica C.

Regardless of your situation, however, choosing the best baby carrier for you might be a matter of personal preference. Georgia suggests going to a shop that carries several styles and trying them all out to see which one you like.

"Take a doll or teddy bear with you to put into the carrier so you can see what it will be like with baby. It won't represent the weight, but it will give you an idea of positioning. If you want to know how the weight is distributed, take a five kilogram bag of flour/sugar to use instead of a doll. That's what I did. [I] got a few funny looks, but who cares if [it helps] you find a carrier you love?" she says. 

 *Prices are current on the original date of this article's publication, but are subject to change. 

Image Source: Wickenden via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Toddlers can be rough and tough on their toys, so it’s not surprising when moms have near panic attacks when their children try to take over their parents’ expensive smart phones and tablets. "How many five year olds lose their own jackets? We really want to trust them with a gadget worth hundreds of dollars?" says Heather L., expressing concern over giving kindergarteners iPads. 

Though, moms don't have to worry that typical toddler bumps and spills will damage their gadgets any more, because there's now a plethora of protective gear on the market that help make these items easier to use for kids, but also safer from injury. Here are four kid-tested options, depending on your needs.

An Interactive Gear Case

The people at Fisher-Price are clearly not strangers to how destructive kids can be. Their Laugh and Learn Apptivity Case ($13 at Target.com) is designed to provide a sturdy case for Apple products, meaning there’s no reason for moms like LaCi to keep everything of value out of her son’s reach, even though he broke her cell phone in half!

This case is designed to protect iPhones, iPods  and iPads from unwanted call-making, dribbles and drool. For more typical baby play, the case also includes beads and a mirror. And, the case is compatible with Laugh & Learn apps, available for free download on the Apple App Store.

Cases That are Easy to Hang Onto

Because toddlers’ motor skills are still developing, they sometimes can have clumsy hands. So, the Big Grips ($50 at Biggrips.com) for iPad is designed with foam cushioning to make your tablet easy to grab — and hold on to — while providing a buffer against accidental drops. With the matching stand, moms can prop up their portable devices, making it easy for children to view videos hands-free.

Similarly, Kay’s Case Kid Box ($35 at Amazon.com) is a free-standing case made out of lightweight non-toxic foam for protection as well as easy toddler handling. 

When your iPad is "dressed" up in your anthropomorphic iGuy ($29 at TigerDirect.com) case with squeezable hands, your preschooler may never want to put the tablet down. But just in case your child accidentally drops your device, the case’s foam construction provides cushioning. For hands-free viewing, just stand your iGuy on his own two legs.

The Headcase Etch A Sketch case ($31 at Amazon.com) is made from impact-resistant ABS plastic, and has rubber feet and a felt backing to cradle your electronic device. A retractable kick stand allows you to either lay your iPad flat, or angle it to make using the keyboard easy.

iBallz ($20 at MG Direct) offers 360-degree drop protection for your tablet, by using a shock-absorbing cushion on all four corners to ensure your device never touches the floor. The cushions are held in place by an adjustable elastic cord, which also can be used to hang your tablet. Satchels and sleeves are also available from the company.

Heavy Duty Protection

Sometimes, moms need protection that is especially durable. For instance, Vera T. recalls that even her nine year-old has thrown something. "[This] is why she's not getting a iPod Touch any time with in the next few years."

For moms that need extra protection against drops and impacts to their smart phones or tablets, Trident Case ($15-$50 at Tridentcase.com) offers several types of cases made from two materials — a hardened polycarbonate shell plus a shock-absorbing silicone cover. Designed to fit a variety of smart phone and tablet brands and models, most cases in the company's product line also come with a built-in screen protector, as well as silicon plugs to keep debris and dust out of your device’s ports and audio jacks.

Otterbox (from $14 at Amazon.com) also offers a multi-material case to protect tablets and smart phones. The three-layer case features a clear, polycarbonate membrane to prevent scratches to the screen, a solid polycarbonate inner shell to protect against drops and damage and a silicone exterior layer to withstand heavy use and random accidents. Additionally, silicone plug covers block dust and lint from collecting and damaging ports and jacks.

Waterproof Options

Sometimes it’s not sticky or clumsy hands that ruin a mobile device, but water.

Mom Lisa S. shares that her son slobbered on her mobile phone so bad that there was saliva running around and behind the screen.

Meanwhile, Jenny "the Commie Canadian" says her son went as far as to throw her daughter’s brand new iPod in the fish tank. 

For moms facing similar instances, it might be helpful to have a DryCase ($27 at Amazon.com) for their smart phones or tablets. Although the case looks akin to sticking your device in a Zip Loc bag, it offers complete waterproof protection using a vacuum technique. Because the case is clear on both sides, you can still use your touch screen to take photos, listen to music or make phone calls.

 *Prices are current on the original date of this article's publication, but are subject to change.

Image Source: Lentini via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Aliska A. is shocked by how ignorant some 15-year-olds in her daughter’s class are about elections, especially because they'll reach voting age in a few years. "I'm by no means a politics and current affairs 'junkie' myself, but believe that it's important that everyone have some basic knowledge about what's happening in their society," says this Circle of Moms member.

I consider it my job to teach my children about responsibility, and like Aliska, to me this includes learning about the importance of voting and what it means to be responsible citizens.

Circle of Moms member Jeri feels the same, and is looking for ideas on how to teach her children about civic duty and the importance of being involved in the community.

With the 2012 fall elections around the corner, it can be fun to get your children interested in voting. Here, Circle of Moms members offer three tips for piquing your child’s interest in the campaigns and in their civic duty, regardless of your political leanings.

1. Demonstrate Patriotism

One of the best ways to teach your child how to be a responsible citizen is to walk the talk, say Circle of Moms members Penelope W. and a member who calls herself "Mock and Daisy." If you want your children to be patriotic, then it’s important to demonstrate patriotism, explains the latter. She talks to her kids about the ways in which the United States is special, and also holds her children’s teachers accountable "[by] asking them questions about how they teach patriotism in class." Penelope is another mom who tried to lead by example, taking care to explain her activism to her children and talk about why it’s important.

Another Circle of Moms member ("Blue Milk") believes that being politically minded will become second-nature to children who can listen to their parents discuss politics over dinner, or go with their parents to vote and to attend election parties. "They learn by way of being around it, by being around us, by being under-foot," she says. “I hope civic duty is something my children are learning simply by enjoying being a part of their community."

2. Take Them With You When You Vote

Several Circle of Moms members say the easiest ways to show your child how to be civic-minded is to take them with you when you vote. "I always take my children into the voting booth with me. I want them to see what it’s like to be a part of the process of government,” explains Kira D. "I want them to share my excitement at the privilege of choosing our leaders and representatives. I also teach them accountability: holding others and themselves accountable for what they say, promise and do. I think that as they grow, that sense of accountability will translate to what they expect from their politicians and their government.”

Karen T. agrees, saying that she began bringing her son to the polling place with her from the time he was two months old, so he grew up watching the voting process in the voting booth. "I always took the opportunity to talk about civic duty to our community and citizen activism," she says. Karen also adds that now that her son is voting age himself, he loses the right to complain if he doesn’t vote.

Avital N.’s son has also always accompanied her on voting days. Now that he’s older, she talks about the various issues being voted upon, and makes sure he’s aware of the key players in each big election. Avital makes sure to explain referendum issues in a way he can understand, because she feels it's important that he has some idea of how the city he lives in operates. "My goal is to get him excited and motivated when it comes to politics, so that when he's old enough to vote he'll take the matter seriously and encourage others to get out there and have their voices heard," she adds.

3. Talk About Politics

Moms like JL R. agree that the key to helping your kids understand their civic responsibilities and become interested in them is to talk about the topic.

JL R. believes that her six-year-old is curious about politics because she hears mom talking about politics. "She knows I find voting to be a very important part of citizenship. I have told her that it's her duty to become an informed citizen, know what's going on, and to vote when she is old enough. She finds it exciting and she asks lots and lots of questions about who I voted for, what bills are on the ballots, what party I belong to, and why. I openly answer her, and I am proud that she's so interested in voting and politics. I want her to be knowledgeable so that she will be an informed and active participant when she's an adult.”

Another form of talk — speaking up in today's society, is the civic responsibility Tanya G. wants her kids to understand the importance of, which is why she promotes and engages in healthy political discussions for and against anything that she believes. She says that she's shown her sons that you won't always agree with someone, but you can stand up for what you believe in by handling confrontation and disagreements in a way that's respectful to everyone involved. "My 22-year-old has grown his own wings and is soaring, while the six-year-old is learning by doing. [By] teaching him the responsibilities of voting and being a part of all I do, he's developing into quite the little statesman,” Tanya adds.

The bottom line, says Tami N., is that children learn best about the responsibility that each of us as Americans holds — and what a treasure that is — when they participate in the political process alongside a parent. 

Image Source: brianbald via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

It may be the happiest place on earth, but a vacation to Disney World or Disney Land can also feel like one of the most expensive. Still, you want to give your children the most magical experience you can, and with careful planning, it is possible.

When we started planning our first trip to Disney it was disappointing to find that a lot of the tips we saw seemed to be for families who were within driving distance, which we definitely aren’t. However, three trips later, I can say I’ve culled some great budgeting tips both for those who fly and those who drive.

1. Consider an All-Inclusive Package

The Magic Your Way vacation packages roll lodging at one of the on-property Disney resorts, theme park tickets and a dining plan into one price. It can be customized to fit your family’s needs and includes perks like Extra Magic Hours and transportation to the parks and from the airport.

If you have to fly, the money you save on car rentals, tolls and theme park parking alone may make it worth it to spend a little more to stay at a Disney resort. Another nice bonus that comes with booking a Magic Your Way package is that you can book early and make payments (your vacation needs to be paid off in full 45 days prior to arrival). It’s like putting your vacation on layaway!

2. Plan an Off-Peak Vacation Time

Peak visiting times at Disney are around the weeks of Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter, as well as during other common school vacations and midsummer. That’s when the crowds (and the prices) are at their highest. If you can manage to visit outside of those times, you’ll not only save some money, but you may also be able to take advantage of one of Disney World’s special offer discounts.

3. Look for Official Special Offer Discounts

Disney World and Disney Land frequently have special offers, which range from "free dining" with the purchase of a vacation package to room-only discount rates. They appear and change often, so even if you have a vacation planned, don’t hesitate to keep checking in with Disney to see if there’s a new offer that you can apply to your vacation.

4. Find Online Deals, Discounts and Newsletters

There are numerous websites devoted to deals and coupons for lodging and food in and around the Disney parks. The most well-known, MouseSavers.com and AllEars.net, not only always have discount codes for hotels, but also have newsletters you can subscribe to to get the most up-to-date information and deals.

5. Save with Disney Dining and Refillable Mugs

It may seem expensive to buy a Disney Dining Plan, but it actually works out well if you plan on eating in the parks anyway. Like Circle of Moms member Ronda D., we found that a dining plan saved "a ton of money." The meals are so large that our family of five often only got three meals to share among us. 

You can also buy a refillable mug at your resort for under $15 (it’s included with some dining plans), that can be filled unlimited times at resort drinking stations. Since each meal comes with a drink, our family simply got water bottles with the meal to take into the parks for later.

6. Fill the Fridge

Whether you have leftover food from meals or not, filling the fridge in your hotel room with food you bring or buy off-site will save money. Many families find it easier to have a quick breakfast in the room before heading out for the day or a mid-afternoon snack before dinner. You can buy food at Disney stores on-property, but it’s very expensive. If you don’t have a car, think about using one of the many grocery delivery services that cater to Disney guests.

7. Bring Your Own Gear

You can buy anything you need at Disney, but it’s expensive! Plan well and bring everything you think you might need, from dollar store rain ponchos to extra sunscreen to character T-shirts purchased more reasonably at a store at home. Don’t forget your own stroller, too. You can rent them, but your child is bound to feel more comfortable in her own and it will be so much easier to find in the parks!

8. Give Gift Cards for Souvenir Purchases

We’ve always solved the problem of haggling with our kids over souvenirs by giving them a Disney gift card ahead of time. You can also purchase Disney Dollars at any resort desk or at Guest Relations in the parks. The "dollars" come in denominations of $1, $5 and $10 and have pictures of the characters on them.

9. Visit Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney is a wonderful place to spend a lot of time and not a lot of money. There’s no admission, and as Circle of Moms members Beverly H. and Jennifer point out, not only are there lots of interesting shops to browse in, but with the giant LEGO statues, the interactive fountains, and the decor outside the Rainforest Cafe, there are a lot of great picture-taking opportunities — which makes for memories you'll value long after you've paid for your trip!

Image Source: Courtesy of WDW (Diana Zalucky, photographer)

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

As we head into the holiday season and into visits with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, there's one awkward situation that will arise in many families and that most parents will be unprepared to deal with: relatives who expect hugs and kisses from little ones — even when those little ones don't want to show them affection.

To spare a relative's feelings, many of us will urge a small child to endure or even return this unwanted physical contact. But should we? What messages are we sending to our kids about their body boundaries when we do this?

How to Avoid Teaching the Wrong Lessons

A recent CNN article (I Don't Own My Child's Body) that explores exactly these questions is the subject of lively discussion on Circle of Moms. Katia Hetter, its author, asserts that, "Forcing children to touch people when they don't want to leaves them vulnerable to sexual abusers, most of whom are people known to the children they abuse."

Assuming that giving Grandma a kiss on the cheek could have anything at all do do with sexual abuse of a child might seem crazy at first blush, but member Nichole M. feels Hetter's connection makes perfect sense. "You're violating their comfort zone and the kids may learn to accept anyone into those uncomfortable spaces." Lisa E. also agrees, and shares how she's teaching her own son about respecting his body and his own physical space:

"The boundary we're teaching our child is to listen to his own 'gut feeling.' He tells us whenever he feels uncomfortable around someone (usually whispering so he doesn't hurt feelings). He never has to touch or be touched if he feels uncomfortable — family or otherwise. I will never force him to kiss anyone — even if a great aunt is visiting who may get her feelings hurt. Hugs and kisses are his to give and are not compulsory."

Hetter also reminds us that forcing our kids to be affectionate when they don't want to can impact their sexual relationships as teens, because it "teaches them to use their body to please you or someone else in authority or, really, anyone."

"Affection should never be forced."

In addition to preventing abuse, many moms feel it's important to try to understand how your child feels when a relative demands physical affection. Jenni D. references her own memories from childhood as a guideline in her parenting: "As a kid, I didn't like to be hugged or kissed much except by my mom, and hated when my grandma would force me to kiss her goodbye. As an adult, I love giving kisses and snuggles to my kids, but if they would ever seem like they didn't want me to hug or kiss them I would respect that."

As Jenni D.'s comment points out, forced affection between a parent and child is concerning as well. Stacey's kids became uncomfortable when her husband, who is their step-dad, became too demanding of hugs and kisses. In situations like this, members urge Stacey to have her husband back down. Lorena M. explains that "kisses and hugs should come out because one feels like giving them and not because they're pressured" A member who goes by "Dove" is even more emphatic: "Affection should never be forced." 

How to Head Off a Relative's Hurt Feelings

Toddlers often test our patience by refusing to do things that we actually do have to find a way to make them do, such as eating, bathing and behaving well. However, refusing affection should not be equated with bad manners or bad behavior. Hetter asserts that children can (and should) be polite and respectful while still maintaining their own personal boundaries: "Manners – treating people with respect and care – is different than demanding physical displays of affection."

A good first step may be to explain your policy to relatives. Adults, even close relatives, should be able to respect your decision. Hetter found that while it can be more work, it can also lead them to truly appreciate the affection they do get from your child. "I explain to relatives who want to know why we're letting her decide who she touches, and when she does hug them, the joy is palpable – Not from obligation or a direct order from Mom," she says.

Hetter also offers suggestions for greetings that are less intimate, and that are perfect for a child in the early stages of getting to know a new family member. Instead of kisses and hugs, encourage a handshake or a high-five: "When kids are really little and shy, parents can start to offer them choices for treating people with respect and care. Even shy kids can shake somebody's hand or wave or do something to communicate respect and care."

Far from disappointing, these alternatives can actually strengthen a relative's relationship with your young child, as member Angie S.'s story shows: "You could do what my boyfriend and our son do, they have a special hand shake. He will even stay awake, and when he hears his dad come home from work he'll come out just to do their shake."

How do you and your child handle social situations?

Image Source: thedianna via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.