Chores are Development of Responsibility & Life Skills

As we are born and become children, majority of our parents/grandparents/guardians have taught us about responsibility, doing chores around the house and to gain experience and knowledge on to keep clean, tidy, and organized. Also teaches kids to obey, and prioritize life to do what is important first, and then make time for fun and play after.

When children wake up in the morning, they teach them on the importance of getting up to make the bed, brush the teeth, groom themselves, wash up and shower for good hygiene, and then they teach them how to eat, and then venture off to school with the grandparents/parents/guardian or with a school bus.

During school, the teachers and other staff of the school teach kids on importance of learning about the world, how to read, write, to learn about many subjects such as sciences, music, gym, dance, language classes, mathematics, chemistry, and the most important thing to teach children to be kind to other classmates, develop group skills during group work, also leadership.

When school is over and the children are on their way home, that skill to teach them about sharing, kindness, respecting others should also be implemented at home, so as they can continue that outside of school. The children come home, and the importance to wash hands, and change out of their clothes, and to start homework if they have homework that day and teach them to do homework first before they play with toys, tablets, colour and all that.

When it is time to make dinner and set the table, it is always a good idea to get your child involved in cooking, helping set the table with plates, cutlery, and then children should start to develop skills on washing dishes, and after dinner to help clean the table with a cloth, taking the dishes to the sink, and make the parents/guardian/grandparents life easier and for the children to help them out. This also teaches them for the future when they have greater responsibility when they get older.

Nowadays, it is so difficult to teach children these life skills because of the screens, video gaming consoles and technology that has taken over. Nowadays children always want to feel that sense of entitlement to do whatever they want, whenever they want without having to listen to their parents/guardians/grandparents. They feel the need to always want to be on their screens and not develop skills that will benefit them in the future. some Kids these days are immune to technology and less hands on skills, not having manners, not respecting and being kind to others, talking back to adults and also rude gestures and mannerisms. Some children are so spoiled and tend to have an answer for everything. We should never allow it for it to get that far.

Children see everything, they are observant, they listen to everything that goes on in the house. start them early, influence them in such a way where it becomes easier to ask them to do chores. Tell them to do things in such a way where they won’t feel threatened. Give them conditions that if they do not help clean, or do simple things like washing hands or whatever, tell them that they will not have a birthday party, tell them that they will not be allowed TV Time or play time if they do not eat, or listen to do things around the house. Also, nowadays children do not have an idea of responsibility and helping out family. They need to learn that.

Nowadays, children are untouchable, and if heaven forbid, you really yell at them and give them discipline, they will use it against you and they may involve teachers and other authorities. These days, showing children how to do chores, and get them off of their bums to help around the house, and develop these important skills is a chore and a very difficult task in itself. These screens, smartphones and devices are like a magnet to them.

As adults teach their children that it is bedtime, that means washing up again, brushing teeth, undoing the bed, getting clothes and everything ready for the next school day or whatever else, making their lunches, and everything.

Then the days that children are at home, it is important to teach them how to vacuum, wipe and mop the floors, dust the furniture, clean doorknobs, clean the kitchen counters and the table, take out the garbage, help wash the car and everything. Of course it is important to give them time to play, and do fun stuff as well. I am not saying that they should always be doing chores and everything, but they need to learn balance, time management and everything. There is a limit and time for it all.

It is the time now, and to be strict with children. strict in such a way that will not intimidate them, but to put them on track. Set rules, guidelines, time limits to screen time, and monitor what they look at and supervise them to make sure they are making good decisions while on the computer and so much more. That is the important thing.

When you see they are trying and everything and doing great work at school, and at home, give them gifts, or surprise them to a movie, take them out to an amusement park, take them to play in the park, when they obey and do good, give them an allowance of whatever amount you wish, teach them the value of a dollar when they do get allowances and teach them about spending accordingly.

One day when I have children of my own, all these things will be taught to them and I will not allow them to do whatever they want all the time. Not going to happen. they need to be taught lessons of life and develop skills.

If you have children and/or take care of them such as being a guardian, babysitter, or grandparents. What skills and what things do you teach them?

Second Time Around for First Time Around Prices

In the last few years, I discovered second time around stores, so I decided to go into the store and see what the hype is all about. There is an array of second hand items donated to the store such as clothing, fashion accessories, shoes, home decor, kitchen stuff, books, cds, movies, bathroom stuff, furniture, organizational boxes, necklaces, handbags, baggage, hats, toys, kids clothes, pillows, blankets, towels, seasonal items, and so much more. These stores are great for anyone who is interested in buying used products or whatever that person is interested in.

Although I support and fully recognize the greatness of these stores, however there are some stores, that sell second time around items for first time around prices. I think that when people donate things to those stores, things customers buy should not exceed more than 5 dollars. Books, Movies should not be over 2 dollars, clothing should be under 5 dollars or less per item, and everything else should be priced more reasonably.

I’ve heard in the last little while, that second time around thrift store customers are complaining that things are so pricey than the regular box stores, and charge more for items. It is ridiculous. Some said that we are regular customers but as of today, we won’t be shopping here anymore very often. I know that things are getting expensive, and prices are increasing, however there is no excuse on charging people 25 dollars for a handbag, or 10 dollars for a pair of jeans, or 8 dollars for a pair of shoes. I know these thrift stores need to make money too for rent of the place and to pay its employees, however second time around stores are there for a reason to be more convenient and to recycle items which can be used by another person.

I fully support the recycling of clothing, and stuff, but things should be priced a bit more reasonable, so that people can actually buy things. I heard many people in the aisles saying, I am not pay 8 bucks for a top that has slightly faded. If they give it to me for 2-3 dollars, I will take it. Sometimes at the checkout cash they can be reasonable by lowering the price, but sometimes they do not which is not good.

I know a lot of people may be afraid to shop at these stores because another person who wears the clothing, and uses things can transmit bacteria and all that, however when you wash and disinfect stuff that you buy, you will be fine. I shop there once in a while and sometimes find good deals, so I buy them, wash them out thoroughly and then wear or use them.

Do you shop at Second time around stores? Have you noticed an increase in prices? What do you think about these thrift stores? Would you ever shop at them or are you curious about what you will see in those stores?

I love Shopping at Dollarama – Great Store, Great Products

A few years ago, I was driving and as I was overlooking the streets of Toronto, Canada, I discovered Dollarama, so my curiousness came to the better of me, and plus after hearing a lot about it, I decided to go into the parking lot to park my car, to stop in to see what the hype is all about. I went inside the store and I began going through the aisles to see all the items on the shelves. So I ended up spending some money on really great products. I cannot remember exactly what I had bought, but it was pretty useful afterwards.

Dollarama is an incredible store. I can spend a couple of hours in there, Maybe more. I buy some things to organize things, I buy toiletries, gum, chocolate, and other merchandise. Everything goes from $1 to $3 – Things that are not marked are a $1.

You can purchase Betty Crocker products, house-hold cleaning products, sponges, hangers for your closet, garment bags, storage boxes, Kitchen stuff, dishware, table clothes, towels, seasonal products, food, snacks, drinks, outdoor stuff, candles, beauty and care products, hair products, toys, travel size bottles, great brands, gift bags, greeting cards, hardware, pet stuff, wires, cell phone and tablet cases, cosmetic bags, socks, hats, slippers, crafts, arts, pens, pencils, kids toys, office products, invitation cards, disposable cups, plates, napkins, notebooks and so much more.

I have so much more fun browsing and looking around dollar shops more than those department stores and places that sell those products for a lot more. There are products at Dollarama from 1-3 dollars, that sells it from 10 to 15 dollars in other places and more. I am quite addicted to Dollarama. Sometimes I buy things when I do not even need it at that moment, but then it does come useful in the long run, which I am glad about.

Do you shop at a dollar store? Do you prefer dollar shops over any other retail stores? What do you find to be convenient at dollar shops? Would love to hear your opinion and what you have to say about it.

Canada’s 10 Provinces has several Dollarama Stores.
Visit http://www.dollarama.com to gain more information.

Kid’s Are So Spoiled These Days. I Just Never Knew How Much Until Yesterday

So Yesterday, I was out on my regular shopping and I came across this kid who looked like she was 6 or 7 years old and her mother in the same aisle. I was looking at stuff and all of a sudden the kid sees something she likes, and then all of a sudden she says Mommy can I have this? The mother said no you cannot have that, the kid started to make a huge fuss and ask why? I want it now, and treating the mother terribly, then the mother said no again and the child started to cry and scream out, I was just watching this whole thing from afar and I was about to intervene, but I said you know what? I am not going to do anything. The Mother said, that’s it were going home and she said your punished, and I am taking away your cell phone. So they took off without buying anything in the store. The mother got so furious. Never mind all that, but cell phone at age 6-7? You have got to be kidding me right? I was at a loss for words that such a young child who barely got out of playing with baby toys and plastic and in the colouring phase that has a cell phone. I cannot believe how spoiled children have become. They do anything to get what they want, but I really commend this mother who kept saying no to her child. I guess the mother came to a point and put her foot down and not let her have that, but the cell phone thing really turned me off.

I just cannot believe it, I never had my first cell phone until I was 18 years old. I was so happy with my crayons, I was so happy playing with my little dolls, I was so happy with the creativity, and imagination I had when I was a kid. I did crafts, I created so many things, I drew things, I did arts and crafts with glue, coloured paper, and so much more. Now kids rely on technology to do the thinking for them and now everything revolves around keyboards and they cannot do a day without them which is pretty sad. Before I would see a lot more kids outside playing, riding bikes, playing road hockey and doing outdoor things, but now the residential streets are more quiet and kids are inside playing video games or are on the computer or texting with cell phones to other friends. If the parents keep saying yes for the kid to have the latest gadgets and if they parents don’t say no, the child obviously becomes spoiled so much and just one day when you say no, they make a big stink about it in the store, they start to threaten the mother or father at the store, they start to make a big scene, but how will we teach our children about saving money? How will we teach our children about not getting everything their classmates or friends have? How kids should not copy other people and be their own person.

I remember there was so many things that came out, and my parents always taught me just because somebody else has something it doesn’t mean that you should have it too. My parents taught me a lot when I was growing up, and I was content and happy with what I had. They told me that kids in the world don’t have toys to play with, food to eat, and other things in life, and a lot of those children in impoverished countries and places where they don’t have running water, create their own games, create their own toys and play with their friends, relatives, siblings. Its very important to realize that when kids are too spoiled and the parents always say yes to their children and they don’t get what they want, the parents need to sit down and talk to their kids, they need to teach kids values, lessons and tell them to watch videos on how kids live in third world countries, get them to realize that these kids have it so good, they have a roof over their heads, food to eat, and necessities of life. Kids should not complain that they don’t have an Ipod or the latest gaming console, or the latest cell phone or something. They should be fortunate enough and always be thankful to their parents for giving them a good life, for giving them more important things in life rather than material things. Materialism is unbelievable and when kids grow up to be spoiled and always get what they want, then they will do that to their kids and their kids will do that to theirs.

Sit down with your kids, talk to them, do something that will benefit them in the future. Kids should work more on their personalities, morale, quality, and start gaining responsibility. When kids learn at a young age, the future will be bright for them, and when they exercise the good things in life and stop making a big fuss in a store because they didn’t get what they wanted, should be a good lesson. Yesterday when I was shopping like I said with the mother and child who had a cell phone, that did it for me, and I just had to write about it, in today’s blog. I am so concerned on how spoiled kids have gotten and it needs to stop. I cannot stress it enough. Parents give their children a lot of freedom, they give them way too much than they can really handle. It’s time to say no and teach kids that having everything others have is not a great thing. don’t copy other people, be your own person and so what if other kids laugh, it all begins with the big figures in their lives which are their parents. Try it out. spend time with them and teach them. It’s the best way to go.