Category Archives: Family Fun

Gifts Teachers Love to Get

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21460063_SThe old traditional teacher present of an apple has changed to bath salts, cute sayings on mugs and t-shirts and various handmade gifts suggested on Pinterest that may or may not be welcome. The following suggestions are as easy, or easier, than the gifts mentioned above, but these offerings will be truly appreciated.

School supplies: Teachers spend thousands of dollars a year on their own school supplies. From paper to books and prizes, budget-strapped schools lag behind what’s needed, and many good teachers make up the difference out of their own pockets. The easiest and nicest approach to this is to pick up a gift certificate to an office supply store or local teacher supply store.

If you want something more personalized, how about adding a set of education-geared stamps or stickers? Primary teachers in particular know the power of recognition, and a new selection of some of the inventive options that have replaced gold stars would be a fun gift for a teacher to receive.

An experience: Many teachers are on tight budgets, so how about providing gift certificates to a movie or a chance to dine out at a nice restaurant? Warehouse stores sell an inviting assortment of choices. You might ask your child if the teacher has mentioned an interest in movies or something else such as golf or the theater. Be sure whatever you buy is open-ended enough to fit with any schedule. If you make a choice at a warehouse store, some of them are generous with returns if you choose something the teacher is not interested in attending.

Your help: Field trips, in-class events, fund-raisers and other activities often benefit from parent volunteers. Offer to help with a project and be sure to tell the teacher your involvement is because of their hard work and commitment to the classroom.

Recognition: Everyone likes a pat on the back, and teachers are certainly no exception. Repeat any complimentary words your child has said about the teacher to the teacher and his or her principal. A nice letter to the teacher – copied to the principal – talking about the teacher’s exceptional performance will be appreciated much more than anything you can buy. And remember that you can nominate a teacher for the Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week Award.

Oh – you can also include an apple.

Helping the Teacher Teach your Child – Part 1

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6720897_SIf you want your children to do well in school, your job starts well before Kindergarten. Reading aloud gives your children a head start – engaging them in learning from a very young age. Some educators recommend starting to read aloud when your child is as young as two weeks old.

Another critical part of this is the reading aloud process itself. As your child gets older, read so that both of you are looking at the book, and follow the words with your finger. Many children will start learning to read unconsciously this way. Also spend some time engaging your child about each book. Look at the pictures and stretch the story by asking questions. Start with the basic: “Where is the dog,” type of question and gradually evolve the sophistication until you’re talking about how various characters feel and why they act the way they do.

Also, don’t stop reading aloud when your child is school-age and reading on his or her own. You can provide windows into more challenging books and open their eyes to a new way of thinking. Finally, make sure your children see you reading for pleasure. Talk about what you’re reading and what you’re discovering. There’s no better way to encourage them to become involved in learning.

Don’t limit the reading to books either. Read everything from road signs to magazines and newspapers aloud. When you find an interesting story or a funny remark, share it with your children. As they get older, ask them to read labels in the grocery store and talk about flavor and nutrition. Point out the marketing messages and ask them if the ads or promotional materials are really believable.

By doing this, you’re doing more than helping them to read better and do better in school, you’re giving them a blueprint for living an aware and focused life with many interests and independent thoughts.

Becoming an Empty Nester

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14023004_MSome parents really miss the lively action when their last child leaves home. If you’re dreading the day you and your spouse become empty nesters, here are a couple of ideas to help you with the transition.

Redecorate: This doesn’t mean that you have to completely do everything over, but take the time to make some changes to make your home something different for the two of you. You could take the leaves out of your dining table to create an intimate setting for you and your spouse or small dinner parties. If your child’s room will be kept the same for holidays, you can still move out-of-season clothes to the newly-emptied closet and tidy it up to your taste. Painting a wall or two anywhere in your home can also make everything feel fresh and new.

Travel: Now that it’s just the two of you, plan a trip. You could choose a cruise or an international tour, or if budgets are tight due to tuition costs, how about a weekend road trip to a fun destination? Stay at a bed & breakfast – great for adults but often not a good choice for children – and explore the surrounding area.

Do something new: With some extra time, how about joining a club or taking up something you’ve always wanted to do? Learn gourmet cooking or golf, join a gym, or take an art class, volunteer at your local school, library or hospital. Maybe you’ve always wanted to do something as simple as taking long walks early in the morning before it gets hot. Now is the time to pull out some of those old dreams and dust them off.

Your child is off making major changes, so why not join the fun? You’re starting a new phase in your life, so enjoy it.

Helping your Child Head Off to College

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19670917_MDo you have a child leaving home to go to college? Even if you went away to school yourself, many things have changed. Here are some issues to address with your child to ensure that he or she is well prepared.

Space: Your son/daughter will want to bring pretty much everything they own with them to college, but most dorm rooms are cramped, and shared with at least one roommate.

Check the college website for a list of things to bring, and an idea of the amount of space available. Less is definitely better. For example, instead of bringing clothes for every season, students could bring what’s needed until the next vacation, and switch clothes out as it gets colder or warmer. Encourage your child to connect with a future roommate so that they end up with only one microwave and small refrigerator.

Security: Theft is more common than you would think in college dorms, so plan on creating secure options for your child. Laptop computers can be locked to a desk when not in use, and a locked file cabinet provides a safe place for purses, money and credit cards. You may want to arrange for a prepaid credit card for your child, adding money as it’s needed, to minimize the risk of loss. Encourage your child to lock his or her dorm room, and remind them of other security issues such as personal safety.

Health: Make sure your child has a physical before heading off for college, and have any prescriptions transferred to the local pharmacy. Pack up a box of over-the-counter items your child is used to having available to send along. You might include some favorite granola or energy bars – kids often don’t pay as much attention to eating when at school.

Preparation: College students have to handle laundry and general dorm-room cleaning. Start them on their laundry now, so they are comfortable managing that. Include laundry detergent and basic cleaning supplies and go over cleaning and home hygiene basics. Also mention food safety issues such as how long a cheese sandwich is safe to eat when not refrigerated.

You will miss your child and your child will miss you, but this is only the first step in the path to adulthood. You can send them off with the tools and support they need, and be extra generous with your advice so they won’t miss you as much as they thought they would.

Help Your Child Get Ready for School

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15192775_MAfter an entire summer off, heading back to school can be a tough transition. Changes that you start making now can make the process easier for you and your children. Try some of these ideas:

Adjust their sleep schedules: Take the next few weeks to slowly get everyone used to going to bed and getting up earlier, until your family is on the school schedule.

Start a breakfast habit: Studies show that children who start school with a good breakfast, including a combination of protein and good carbohydrates such as fruit, stay focused and do better in school. Experiment with different breakfasts until you have a menu of choices that everyone enjoys.

Make space for homework: If you haven’t done this already, set aside a place for every child to organize their books and assignments. If you have one of the Fulton drop centers, it provides a perfect place to set up everything needed for the next day so nothing is forgotten in the morning. As children get older, desks and file cabinets in their rooms provide a central place to track schoolwork. A calendar – either paper or on a computer or tablet – can help them track when assignments are due.

Build a reference library: Although you can find many resources online, having a dictionary, thesaurus and grammar handbook handy encourages your children to look things up as needed. If you know what books they’ll be reading in school, you might want to pick up some of them so they are ready when needed.

Plan an end of summer event: A party or family gathering to wrap up the summer can help prepare everyone for the upcoming change. You could have some fun school supplies as favors and backpacks ready to fill. This will encourage everyone to look forward to the start of school, not just the parents.

Rescue dogs

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6025341_MMost people know that the humane society does it’s best to save as many animals as they can, but they’re not the only ones out there helping to turn once-abandoned animals into someone’s loved pet.

Rescue groups throughout the Valley and nationwide do their part to save animals in trouble and find them good homes with their “forever families,” as they describe it.

When you’re ready to introduce a pet into your life, consider a rescue animal. Often rescue groups specialize in a certain breed, so you can track down your preference. Rescue groups also have pets of all ages, and many are totally house and obedience-trained, so you don’t have to go through that process yourself.

When you bring a rescue animal into your life, you are giving a pet another chance at a good home. These animals are often dumped because people move, don’t care, or simply no longer have the money to support a pet. They are sweet and loving and waiting for a new home. Most rescue groups work hard to make sure the adoption is a good one for both pets and owners.

Start by checking out adoption events on the website of PACC911, the Phoenix Animal Care Coalition, Uniting the Pet Rescue Committee. They bring together over 100 animal welfare organizations throughout Arizona. Visit Phoenix Animal Care Coalition, Uniting the Pet Rescue Committee’s website to find information on rescue organizations and upcoming adoption events.

By choosing a rescue dog, you’re allowing a stray to essentially win the pet lottery, and letting an animal into your life will enrich it and make every day more fun and loving for all of you.

Bringing a puppy home

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13355005_MAre your children begging for a puppy? Or maybe now that you’re settled in your new Fulton home you are ready to introduce a pet into your life. Before you make your choice among the many cute and cuter options, you might want to consider these suggestions.

Determine if you are puppy-ready: Is there someone at home for a good part of the day? Are you prepared to house- and obedience-train your pet? Are you willing to introduce mess and chaos to your home? Do all adult members of your family agree on getting a puppy? Puppies are wonderful and can be an amazing addition to your life. Puppies are also a great deal of work. If you’re not sure, consider fostering a puppy for a rescue organization so you have a good understanding of the needs involved. But be prepared, a foster puppy may turn into a member of your family before you know it!

Choose your breed carefully: Size is important, but also temperament. If you want a lively dog that always wants to play, a Terrier is a great choice. On the other hand, this breed gets bored easily and can become destructive if left alone too much. Most Labradors are very gentle with small children. Every breed has different characteristics, and even mixed-breed dogs will often emulate the breed they’re most related to. Take the time to do your homework on the different breeds to get one that matches your family’s needs.

Prepare your home: Messes are a natural part of house-training your puppy. Plan on a specific area in your home for the puppy all or most of the day with tile or some kind of flooring that allows for easy clean-up, and take him or her out for frequent breaks. It’s best to have a grassy spot for an outdoor bathroom, particularly in the summer. (See the blog “Cause for Paws earlier this week for the reasons why.) It’s worth the time to pick up a book or review suggestions on the Internet and make a plan to housebreak your puppy. Remember, their main goal is to please you and once they understand what you want, they’ll gladly do it.

Any pet can make your life richer with friendship, company and unconditional love. That’s why you want to make sure you choose the right pet and create an environment to welcome your new family member.

Cause for paws

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13703899_MLHave you ever walked barefoot on a sidewalk during an Arizona summer? Chances are you’re too smart to try it, but many people take their dogs for walks on the sidewalk or in the street in the sun’s heat, not realizing that a dog’s paws are as sensitive and at risk as a human’s bare feet.

Fulton Homes has partnered with 93.3 KDKB to help build awareness of how hot sidewalks and streets can damage dog paws, sometimes permanently.

Studies have shown that the skin on the bottom of a dog’s paw will redden and burn after just five minutes on a 120-degree surface. After one minute on a 140-degree surface paws will burn, leaving permanent damage. At 150 degrees, rapid burns and blistering occur, resulting in permanent nerve damage. In the searing Arizona summers, sidewalks and roadways can become hot enough to fry an egg. Now, imagine what a scorching surface can do to the bottom of a dog’s paw.

“This campaign is important because it will help educate people to the dangers our beloved pets face while walking outside during these brutally hot Arizona summers,” said Fulton Homes CEO Doug Fulton. “Dogs are members of the family and make are lives fuller and more joyful. Fulton Homes is dedicated to keeping our pets safe and healthy.”

93.3 KDKB will help promote the program on KDKB’s website, by its on-air talent, social media, e-mail blasts, and with their live radio remote broadcasts.  At Fulton Homes, we want to do what we can to support safety for everyone in your family, including your pets.

Planning a Special Party for your Tween

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18898512_MIt can be difficult planning parties for children who are too old for children’s games – or think they are – but are still too young to attend or host a typical teen party. Try these suggestions:

Separate boys and girls: During the pre-teen years, maturity level and interests are noticeably different between the sexes. With some exceptions, most children will prefer to socialize with those of their own sex at this age. If you want a coed party, choose a structured activity such as bowling or Laser tag to allow them to interact with less awkwardness.

Involve your child in the planning: Children at this age are starting to be aware of what activities, music or other party elements their friends will think are “cool” or “lame.” By planning the party in the company with your child and possibly a friend or two, you can avoid embarrassing your child more than you’re starting to do just by existing.

3239601_SPlan a single strong activity to make the party special: For girls, you could hire a photographer and provide dress up clothes such as boas, hats and jewelry for “glamour” shots. Boys and girls would appreciate a chance to practice skills at favorite sports with a local coach who knows how to work well with tweens. Or you could schedule a contest using a WII or some similar game console with prizes for good performance at the various games.

Keep snacks simple: Food takes second place to doing things, but the guests will get hungry. Pizza, hot dogs, and a combination of easy snacks such as nuts or chips will work well. Be sure to include one or two more healthful options as a good example at least.

This is a great age for socializing. They’re starting to want to act like adults but they will still relax and have fun if you find things that engage them. Create the right party environment, and they will have a great time!

Planning a special children’s party

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5760630_SYou don’t have to spend a fortune to organize a special party for children. Planning and creativity can make any party something to remember. Here are a few suggestions:

Choose a theme: Current children’s movies often offer a full selection of paper products such as plates, cups and centerpieces, but don’t limit yourself to these options. For example, a “Toy Story” theme could feature actual character dolls – smaller ones to decorate a cake, and larger ones to serve as a centerpiece.

Plan activities: To keep the energy going, set up a series of games and activities. Here in the Southwest, a piñata provides a great way to get every child involved. Be sure to make it harder to hit the piñata at first, so that every child has a chance to take a hit. Other games could include relay races and, for older children, a treasure hunt. You may want to mix active games with quieter ones. Be prepared to explain the rules and process for each activity, and encourage your little host or hostess to give everyone the opportunity to play.

Stick with finger foods: Pizza fingers are easier to manage than full slices, and sandwiches are tidier than fried chicken. Offer a variety of kid-friendly options. For dessert, consider cupcakes or cookies.

Plan for parents: If you are inviting the parents to stay have an assortment of drinks and appetizers ready for them. You may want to encourage them to bring cameras to document the party, with photos that can be shared later. Clearly define a time for the party to end, for the benefit of parents who drop their child off at your home.

Prizes for everyone: Children who aren’t as good at games should leave with prizes and treats also. Goody bags filled with small packages of candy and an assortment of inexpensive toys are a nice way to wrap up the day.

Above all, remember that children may come prepared to have fun, but could still be shy and unsure in a social setting. Pay attention to the wallflowers and encourage them to get involved in the games and play. With this approach and your careful planning, everyone will have a terrific time!