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How To Be Strong for Your Kids After a Divorce

Kivo Daily Staff on February 19, 2024

Dealing with a divorce is hard enough, but when you have children, it can be even more difficult. You not only have to deal with your own pain and heartache, but you also have to be strong for your kids. They are probably going through a lot of emotions themselves, and they need you to be there for them. Here are some tips on how to be strong for your kids after a divorce:

Acknowledge their feelings

Your children might feel scared, confused, or even angry after a divorce. Acknowledge their feelings and let them know it is okay to feel that way. Let them express themselves and talk about their feelings. It might even be helpful to get them some counseling so they can talk to someone else about what they are going through.

Spend quality time with them

Make sure you spend some quality time with your kids every day. This can be tough if you are working full-time as well, but it is essential to carve out some time for just them. You can play games together, read together, or take them out for ice cream. Just let them know that you love them and are there for them.

Don’t badmouth the other parent

Do not badmouth the other parent in front of your kids. Even if you are angry with them, try to stay positive when you are around your kids. They need to have a good relationship with both parents, and if you say negative things about the other parent, it will only make things harder for them.

Be consistent with discipline

Divorce can be chaotic for kids, so you need to try and keep some sense of normalcy in their lives. One way to do this is by being consistent with discipline. If there are rules in the house, ensure everyone follows them. This will help your kids feel safe and secure during this time of change.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself

As aforementioned, dealing with divorce can be tough, and while you might be trying to be strong for your kids, remember to take care of yourself too. Make sure you are taking time for yourself and doing things that make you happy. Whether it’s reading, doing jigsaw puzzles or playing games at Sloto, find what relaxes you and takes your mind off the stress of divorce. You cannot be strong for your kids if you’re not taking care of yourself first.

Seek out support

We all need a shoulder to lean on from time to time, and this is especially true after a divorce. Seek support from friends and family members who can help you through this tough time. You can also join a support group for people who are going through a divorce. This can be a great way to meet other people who understand what you are going through and can offer advice too. Talking about your feelings can help you deal with them better.

Sometimes, you do not even have to speak; having a loved one close to you makes all the difference.

Don’t rush into a new relationship

It might be tempting to jump into a new relationship after a divorce, but it is best to take things slow. You need time to heal emotionally before you start a new relationship. Plus, it is not fair to the person you are dating if you are not ready for a serious relationship.

Therefore, to be the best version of yourself, focusing on taking care of yourself first is important. Only then can you be ready to bring someone else into your life and love them wholeheartedly.

Give yourself time to grieve

Divorce is often a loss, and it takes time to grieve the loss of your marriage. Allow yourself the time and space to grieve the end of your marriage. Do not try to bottle up your feelings; they will only come out later in a more destructive way.

Avoid negative talk

After a divorce, it is easy to get caught up in negative talk. You might find yourself complaining about your ex or talking about all the ways your life is better now that you are divorced. But this kind of talk only brings you down and makes you feel worse. Instead, try to focus on the positive aspects of your life.

Be easy on yourself and your kids

Lastly, remember to be easy on yourself and your kids during this time. Divorce is hard for everyone involved, so be kind to yourself and your children. Things will get better with time, so try to focus on the positive aspects of your life and the love you have for your children.

Wrapping up

It is normal to feel overwhelmed after a divorce, but remember, your children depend on you. They need you to be strong for them during this difficult time. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup, so ensure you take care of yourself first.

Seek out support from friends and family members, and do not hesitate to join a support group. Avoid negative talk, and give yourself time to grieve the loss of your marriage. Be easy on yourself and your kids, and things will eventually get better.

Kids in sports: how you can protect them and still let them have fun

Kivo Daily Staff on January 29, 2024

Kids: Participating in sports can be an excellent way for kids under 13 to stay physically active, develop new skills, and make friends.

It can also help them build confidence and self-esteem and teach them valuable lessons about teamwork and sportsmanship.

However, parents and caregivers need to ensure that young children are appropriately supervised and participating in age-appropriate and safe activities.

Importance of sports for kids

There are many benefits for kids to participate in sports.

Some of the physical benefits include improved cardiovascular health, increased muscle strength and flexibility, and better coordination and balance.

Participating in sports can also help young children maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of obesity.

In addition to the physical benefits, sports have numerous mental and emotional benefits.

It can also teach them essential life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and goal-setting.

Participating in sports can also be an excellent way for young children to make new friends and socialize with their peers.

Participating in sports can be a valuable and rewarding experience for kids under 13, both in terms of their physical and mental health.

Parents and caregivers must encourage and support young children in their sports activities while ensuring they participate in safe and appropriate activities for their age.

Kids getting injured playing sports

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission released recent data showing that overall injuries from youth participation in football have declined since 2013.

Although it plateaued in 2020, injuries spiked back up in 2021.

The commission reports that more than a million kids were injured in sports bad enough to require a trip to the ER.

The data covers sports and other significant injuries from playground equipment and skateboards.

In 2021, children aged 5 to 14 were likely to get football injuries; there were 110,171 reported injuries in 2021 compared to 92,802 in young adults aged 15 to 24.

Meanwhile, soccer had 59,000 injured kids, while basketball had 79,207 injuries.

Concussion rates

Boys’ football has the highest concussion rates, with 10.4 concussions per 10,000 athlete exposures.

Girls’ soccer follows with 8.19 per 10,000 athlete exposures, while boys’ ice hockey had 7.69.

Although high-contact sports have a higher risk of severe injuries, even safe sports like swimming and track have a risk for overuse injuries.

Screening

Dr. Stuart Berger, the division head of cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, warned that cardiac events could occur whether people play sports.

According to Berger, it’s crucial to screen cardiac events.

While kids are safe to play sports and exercise without worrying about cardiac events, it’s still important to do a physical, especially with family history, to find out who could be at risk.

“The concerns are that maybe there is somebody with an underlying abnormality,” explained Berger.

“The screening is designed to bring that out, and that we can identify, if possible, who those kids are.”

Families often cite head injuries as their major concern when their children enter sports.

Dr. Andrew Peterson, the clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Iowa, revealed that the bulk of kids’ concussions is sports-related.

However, he said there is no substantial evidence that a few concussions in childhood have any long-term impact on adulthood.

Peterson stressed that it is important to avoid reinjuring the head before the concussion fully heals.

“The thing we worry about most are these second impact events where people have a concussion on top of a concussion,” he explained.

Symptoms

Dr. Erin Grieb, the pediatric primary care sports medicine physician at Stanford Children’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center, agreed with Peterson’s sentiments.

She said that coaches, referees, and families should learn to identify concussions to ensure the kids are cared for.

Grieb said the signs and symptoms could include:

Headaches
Sensitivity to light
Mental problems like confusion or difficulty paying attention
Sadness
Anxiety

Concussions can be present in many ways, and some symptoms may manifest in one trauma but others in a different concussion.

Prevention

Injuries are inevitable in sports, but there are ways to minimize the damage.

Ensure they wear appropriate protective gear, such as helmets, pads, and mouthguards, as needed for the specific sport.
Ensure they are properly conditioned and trained for the sport and do not overexert themselves.
Please make sure they are playing on properly maintained equipment and playing surfaces.
Follow the rules and guidelines for the specific sport to help reduce the risk of injury.
Encourage kids to speak up if they feel sick, tired, or in pain and seek medical attention.
Have an emergency action plan in place in case of injury.
Encourage kids to respect their opponents and follow good sportsmanship.
Consider the level of competition and the child’s age and skill level when choosing a sport or league.
Make sure the child is supervised by a responsible adult who is trained in first aid and CPR.

In almost every sport available, kids should be given time to rest to avoid injuries from overuse.

According to Grieb, athletes with head injuries need to take considerable time off to recover.

“You break a bone, I can put you in a cast and not let you use that arm. When you have a head injury, I can’t put your head in a cast,” said Grieb.

“You get one brain, so it’s really important that we let your brain heal.”

Continuing play

Despite the risks that sports pose for kids, it’s still an essential physical activity and habit.

Peterson says that regular movement is part of growing up.

Grieb added that it gives children leadership skills, life lessons, and, most importantly, fun, saying:

“If you’re focused on using proper techniques, you’re focused on following the rules of the game, and you have coaches and referees who are also engaged in that, then I think particularly risky sports can be safer than they have in the past.”

Reference:

How to protect your kids when they play sports, according to doctors

Working From Home With Kids: How To Remain Productive

Kivo Daily Staff on October 24, 2022

A while back, working from home was a dream for many people. It meant no commuting, a more relaxed dress code, and generally more freedom and flexibility to get work done. Today, that dream has become a reality for many people around the world who are now working from home. But here’s the challenge, if you’re also trying to take care of kids at the same time, how do you remain productive? Let’s take a look at some tips.

Get dressed for work

Getting dressed for work can help you get into the right mood for work. So, get up and get dressed like you’re going to the office. This will help put you in the right frame of mind to start working. Additionally, your kids will also see that you are “going to work” and will be less likely to disturb you.

Set office hours and stick to them

It can be tempting to let work take over your life when working from home. However, you need to set some boundaries between work and home. One way to do this is to set office hours and stick to them as much as possible. Let your children know your office hours so they know they should not disturb you during those times. Turn off your phone or put it on Do Not Disturb mode so you’re not tempted to check it every five minutes. And, when your office hours are over, try to resist the urge to keep working.

Take breaks and move around

Take breaks, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Get up and walk around, play with the kids, make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, check out the Red Stag casino bonus, or step outside for some fresh air. Taking regular breaks will help you stay refreshed and productive.

Set up a dedicated workspace

Set up a dedicated workspace in your home where you can go to work every day. This might be a spare room that you can turn into an office, or it could be a corner of your living room or bedroom. A dedicated workspace will help you stay focused and avoid distractions. Ensure the room is well-lit and comfortable, and make sure you have all the supplies you need so you don’t have to keep getting up to fetch things.

Avoid distractions

There are many potential distractions when working from home, from the TV to social media. Not to mention children who tend to be clingy when parents are home.

If you know you will be tempted to watch TV, put it out of sight. If you are easily distracted by social media, log out of your account or delete the app from your phone. And, if you need complete silence to concentrate, invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

Set goals for the day

Before you start work, take a few minutes to plan out what you want to achieve that day. This will help you stay focused and on track. Make a list of tasks you need to do, and try to break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, instead of writing “write a blog post,” break it down into “research topic, write an outline, write the first draft, edit and proofread.” Having specific goals will help you stay productive and avoid getting overwhelmed.

Establish a routine

Children thrive on routine. If they know what to expect each day, they are more likely to behave and respect your working hours. If possible, try to establish a daily routine when working from home. This might include setting office hours, taking breaks at regular intervals, and working on specific tasks at certain times of the day.

Having a routine will help your mind know when it’s time to focus on work and when it’s time to relax. Additionally, having the routine in place will help your children know when they can disturb you and when they need to be quiet.

Make time for social interaction

One of the benefits of working in an office is social interaction. When working from home, make an effort to stay connected with other people. Schedule regular video calls or coffee dates with friends, join a co-working space or attend networking events. Social interaction will help you stay motivated and connected and can also be a great source of inspiration.

Give yourself some grace

Working from home can be tough, especially when you have kids. There will be days when you’re not as productive as you’d like. That’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up if you have an off day. Just getting out of bed and starting your work is a win. Remember, tomorrow is always a new day.

Have fun

Imagine working and at the same time being able to bond with your kids- now that would be a dream come true! You can have fun with your kids while getting your job done, such as turning on some music and dancing in between tasks or even setting up a little scavenger hunt for them to do while you’re on calls.

Wrapping Up

Working from home can be a great experience if you take the time to set yourself up for success. By following these tips, you can create a productive and enjoyable home office space that works for you and your kids.

Tag: Kids