1. No Supervision

You’re the type of parent who controls screen time, but maybe the neighbor’s parents aren’t. The truth is that when your kids are at a friend’s house, you really have no control over their devices or rules. Not only could your kids have access to technology they normally wouldn’t, the other parent may also have lax rules that put your kids in danger. Not only that, but they often come home expecting a change because “Samantha can, why can’t I?”

2. Siblings of the Opposite Sex

Most kids have siblings of the opposite sex, and you can’t control who sleeps where at someone else’s house. If Jimmy and his friends decide to sleep in the game room with his little sister and hers, there’s no telling what can happen without parental supervision.

3. No Socialization Parameters

When kids are young, they need socialization parameters so they understand what’s appropriate and what’s not. This is often when they learn about inappropriate touch, things they shouldn’t share with their friends, and how to act around others. If your son doesn’t understand that it’s not okay to go to the bathroom with a friend in the room, he may be uncomfortable if someone else has to teach him that.

4. Better Ways to Create Relationships

As a parent, it’s your job to facilitate healthy spaces and conversations for your child to create relationships. If they haven’t had a chance to create proper boundaries with friends, their relationships may become advanced too early. This can lead to codependency or toxic behavior as time goes on. When your child is in your home, you have more control over the conversation.

5. Risks of Sexual Abuse

As awful as it is to face, there is a high risk of sexual abuse in sleepover situations. You may know the parents, the siblings, and all the extended family, but you have no control over who enters someone else’s home. This could be a friend of a friend who seizes the opportunity to take advantage of your child.

6. Lack of Control Over Rules

Parenting rules are all over the spectrum, and you can only control your own home. If you have strict rules about what your kids can eat, you can’t expect a friend’s mom to enforce those rules. These rules can be anything from “no screen time after nine” to “no driving with friends in the car,” and not all parents care about your rules.

7. Cranky Kids

We have yet to meet a kid who doesn’t get cranky when their schedule is thrown off. This can be naptime, mealtimes, or even screen time. You know those times when you send the kids with grandma and grandpa, they get everything they want, and come home cranky? Sleepovers present the same problem.

8. Kids Need Personal Space

Even the neediest kids need time alone, and there’s no guarantee when they’re going to need that. Your kids might have stars in their eyes about the possibility of spending two full days with friends, but the truth is that they are likely to get tired of each other. What happens if your child needs space and they’re in the same room as friends? They may get upset, a fight breaks out, and they say things they don’t mean, all because they need a bit of alone time.

9. Appropriate Time With Friends

It’s not appropriate to spend all your time with friends. This is true with kids and adults. A common expression parents use is “pace yourself,” and this applies to how much time they spend with one friend. To help your kids develop appropriate bonds with friends, you may need to set boundaries on how often they are together. Sleepovers only exacerbate the issue and can lead to irritation and frustration the friends wouldn’t otherwise feel. There can be too much of a good thing.

10. Cleanliness

Every house has different cleanliness rules. This can include everything from how often your kids shower to if the sheets get washed regularly. When your child is at a friend’s house, they’re susceptible to whatever germs or toxins are in the house. It’s okay to expect your kids to have hygiene boundaries, but you can’t control what other people do with their kids in their own homes. Things like bed bugs and lice spread like crazy during sleepovers.

Some Statistics About Sleepovers

If you’re not convinced yet, we have some interesting statistics you might want to consider about sleepovers.

• Only 10% of abuse cases involve a stranger.
• About 40% of abuse cases involve a family member.
• Most abuse happens between 7-15, and girls are at a significantly higher risk.
• One in five girls and one in 20 boys will experience some type of sexual abuse.

Sleepover Alternatives

Try one of these alternatives to a sleepover if you want to give your kids the memories without the risks.

• Half-sleepovers: Let the kids stay out for a “late night,” until midnight or so.
• Family sleepovers: Plan a short trip (like camping) with another family so your kids can enjoy the experience with you managing it.
• Parties: Have themed parties during the day or that end at an acceptable hour.

How to Say No to a Sleepover

If your kids have friends who invite them to sleepovers and don’t understand why you decline, remember that you don’t have to explain any of your parenting decisions. If you are concerned that it’s creating a rift, discuss your stance with the other parents to help them understand it’s nothing personal; it’s just a family rule.

What Age Are Sleepovers Appropriate for Those Who Allow Them?

If you decide that sleepovers are okay for your family, there’s no right or wrong time to start. Consider your child’s maturity, keep communication open, and get to know the other family.

Your Kids Will Thank You Later

Much of parenting is making your kids mad for their own good. They may not understand now, but they’ll thank you later once they understand the dangers and concerns of sleepovers. As always, it’s most important to keep communication lines open with your children.

Kia Carnival

Starting price: $34,000

Kia Carnival

Kia Carnival owners love this option first and foremost for its price. It also has a stylish, modern design that mimics an SUV. The interior is spacious and comfortable, with the option for captain’s chairs and adjustable seating. Extra safety features give drivers peace of mind, while extra technology keeps kids entertained during long trips. Kia also offers a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, one of the top warranties in the industry. Consumers also love the Kia make for its reliability.

Nissan NV3500

Starting price: $33,000

Nissan NV3500

The Nissan NV3500 is not for the average minivan owner. The specific style, versatility, and rugged build appeal to a certain type of driver, while the spacious cargo makes it a family-friendly vehicle. This van can seat up to 12 passengers, making it the best option for those with bigger families. It also has a high roof design to make the ride more comfortable for taller passengers. You can remove or reconfigure the rear seats if you want more cargo room, and the affordable price makes it ideal for more families. This is also a great option for those who need a wheelchair-accessible van.

Dodge Grand Caravan

Starting price: $30,000

Dodge Grand Caravan

Families love the Dodge Grand Caravan because it’s affordable without sacrificing some of the features that make minivans convenient and comfortable. The Caravan seats up to seven passengers and is extremely roomy. The dual sliding doors and low step-in height make it easier for kids to get in and out and the entertainment system is easy to use. One of the major benefits of the Caravan is its towing capacity of up to 3,600 pounds, so families can tow a trailer, boat, or small camper. Dodge also has a reputation for reliability and durability. Unfortunately, this van was discontinued after 2020, but older models still hold up after the average wear and tear of a few years.

Toyota Sienna

Starting price: $36,000

Toyota Sienna

When it comes to quality, you can’t go wrong with Toyota. Not only are these vans known for their reliability, but they also have an all-wheel drive option, which is rare for vans. The spacious interior can hold up to eight passengers, and the Sienna is the only standard hybrid powertrain model in the United States. Toyota has its own safety system that offers peace of mind and enhances the driving experience. Drivers rave about the comfortability of the ride, the versatile cargo space, the power sliding doors, and the dual-zone climate control. Best of all, these vans hold their value.

Chrysler Pacifica

Starting price: $37,000

Chrysler Pacifica

The Chrysler Pacifica is known for its luxury features, efficiency, and family-friendly technology. Drivers love the Hybrid option that improves gas mileage. The Pacifica holds up to eight passengers comfortably and has a long list of enhanced safety features. It offers a quiet, comfortable ride no matter how many kids are in the car. Fold or stow one of the seats if you need extra cargo space, and keep the ability to tow up to 3,600 pounds. Customers also enjoy the 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Pacifica also holds its value over time.

Ford Transit Connect

Starting price: $26,000

Ford Transit Connect

These unique-looking vans aren’t for everyone. They’re ideal for families and small business owners or anyone who needs a compact van that can still carry cargo. They’re easy to drive and park and are known for their great fuel efficiency. The vans typically get around 24/mpg in the city and 27/mpg on the freeway. The Transit Connect has driver-assistance features that enhance safety and a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds. If you’re looking for a van that’s easy to maneuver, has a flexible interior, and has reliability, this might be a great option for you.

GMC Savana

Starting price: $35,000

GMC Savana

The GMC Savana can tow an impressive 10,000 pounds while still offering dependability, convenience, and versatility. This van is ideal for both businesses and families and seats up to 15 people. It’s easy to load or tow bulky or large items, which makes it a great option for anyone dealing with deliveries on a regular basis. The doors are large and easy to use, and drivers report an extremely comfortable ride for such a large van.

Chevrolet Express

Starting price: $35,000

Chevrolet Express

Another option that’s ideal for large families or those who need a van that doubles for a business, the Chevrolet Express has a towing capacity of up to 10,000 pounds and a strong engine that allows you to haul extra cargo when necessary. The van can fit up to 15 people with the right seating configuration, and consumers report long-term reliability and ideal safety features.

Question

The Axis Powers consisted of which three countries?

Answer: Italy, Germany, and Japan

While other countries were at times associated with the name the Axis Powers, Germany, Italy, and Japan were the most influential. Smaller countries included Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary. Adolf Hitler was the leader of Germany, Emperor Hirohito was the leader of Japan and Benito Mussolini was the leader of Italy.

The Axis Powers formed as a way to expand territory at the expense of bordering countries. They claimed to want to defend civilization from communism, but their agreement (formed mostly between Berlin and Rome in 1936) played a large part in sowing the seeds of war leading up to World War II.

In contrast, the Allied forces were essentially the “enemy” of the Axis Powers. The Allied forces consisted mostly of China, the United States, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain. Poland and France were also early members of the alliance, and the Soviet Union stepped in only after being invaded by the Germans.

Question

When the nuclear bomb was developed, what was the name of the project?

Answer: The Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project was a super secret government program formed to create the atomic bomb. The results of the project had a profound impact on the end of the war and warfare since then.

The developers of the nuclear bomb lived in secret military bases in unknown locations with their families to protect them. The fruits of their labors include the two bombs dropped on Japan near the end of World War II, one in Hiroshima and one in Nagasaki. The two bombs dropped killed more than 100,000 people, not to mention the long-term effects of nuclear warfare.

Many claim the United States developed the nuclear bomb before another country had a chance to, and there are now international laws surrounding the use of nuclear warfare.

Question

What was the Blitzkrieg?

Answer: A Nazi Germany Military Tactic

Nazis used the blitzkrieg to quickly defeat enemies. they used infantry, tanks, air support, and artillery to create disorganization and psychological shock against their enemies. The strategy was to place offensive weapons at the front of the attack to keep soldiers occupied, then break deep into enemy territory while outnumbering them.

The German word blitzkrieg translates to “Lightning War” and this tactic helped Germany early in the war. It helped with the 1940 invasion of France and the 1939 destruction of the Polish Army. Elements of it exist in modern conflicts, but the foundation of the tactic traces back to the 19th century.

Question

When did World War II officially end?

Answer: 1945

This can be a tricky question because the war ended as different troops surrendered and leaders agreed to peace. From 1939 to 1945, the deadliest war in history raged in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

On September 2, 1945, United States President Harry Truman announced that Japan had officially surrendered. This was the same day Japan signed formal surrender documents aboard a United States Navy ship. The German Third Reich surrendered early on May 7, 1945, in northeastern France.

While the Germans surrendered long before Japan did, the United States engaged in an ongoing battle with Japan as its leaders continued to commit atrocities. The US government decided to drop the atomic bomb as a show of force to Japan, and after two bombings, they surrendered.

Question

What organization was formed after World War II to promote peace?

Answer: The United Nations

Formed in part to avoid another World War as countries rebuilt after a deadly, lengthy one, the United Nations (UN) has several specific goals. They promote human rights, maintain international peace and security, and keep things friendly between different nations.

51 countries founded the UN. The main bodies include the UN Secretariat, the International Court of Justice, the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Security Council, and the General Assembly. Participating governments fund the UN.

Question

What is the name of the first battle where the German Nazis were defeated?

Answer: The Battle of Stalingrad

The German army and its allies moved from conquering European territory to the Soviet Union. They started with the city of Stalingrad in Southern Russia, and as they and their allies attacked, they were finally stopped by the Red Army, marking their first major defeat in World War II.

In November of 1942, Soviet forces encircled the Germans that were positioned in Stalingrad. The battle lasted until February 1943. The original German force consisted of 220,000 soldiers, while the soldiers who surrendered after the battle consisted of 91,000 forces, leaving Germany weak.

Question

How did the Allies trick the Germans before D-Day?

Answer: False Information and Campaigns

It’s hard to imagine a world where information isn’t ready at your fingertips at all times, but remember that it took weeks and even months to get reports from one continent to another. Many countries had no idea what was happening in concentration camps until soldiers uncovered the atrocities because there was no way to document and send it quickly. So using false information and campaigns was easier then.

Allied forces sent many dummy tanks and vehicles all over southeast England so Germany was closely watching the area expecting the forces to move there. Fake radio traffic also confused the Germans. This gave the Allied forces a bit of an advantage because while Germany knew there would eventually be a cross-channel invasion, they weren’t sure where it would happen.

Question

What’s the name of the trials where Nazies were tried after the end of the war?

Answer: The Nuremberg Trials

After World War II ended, Allied powers like the Soviet Union, France, Great Britain, and the United States joined forces to form an International Military Tribunal. Nazi German leaders stood trial from 1945-1946 for crimes against humanity, war crimes, crimes against peace, and conspiracy to commit these crimes.

While Germany had a huge army committing many of the war crimes associated with World War II, only 199 defendants stood trial in the Nuremberg Trials. 161 of those defendants were convicted and 37 received a death sentence. Leaders like Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler, and Heinrich Himmler were unable to stand trial because they had already died by suicide.

Question

Which countries lost the most civilians during World War II?

Answer: The Soviet Union

Formerly known as the Soviet Union, this area split into different countries. During World War II, they lost around 19 million civilians. On top of that, they also lost 8.7 military members. To put that into context, German forces only had 5.3 million military casualties.

The Republic of China came in second but disputed how many civilians and military members they lost. Between the two areas, they account for more than half of the total civilian deaths from the war.

Question

What do we now call the Allied invasion of Normandy?

Answer: Operation Overlord or D-Day

Commonly referred to as D-Day, the military operation was the beginning of the end of the war and took unbelievable amounts of communication between the Allied powers. On June 6, 1944, sea, air, and land forces of the Allied armies completed the largest amphibious invasion in military history. The operation had the codename OVERLORD and included 7,000 ships manned by 195,000 personnel from eight different countries.

The Russian forces pushed from the eastern front while the other Allied armies pushed from the west, leading to the defeat of the German army. It’s estimated that 29,000 Americans were killed during the storming of Normandy and another 106,000 were wounded or missing.

Question

What was the major battle fought between the United States and Japan in 1942?

Answer: The Battle of Midway

The Battle of Midway took place almost six months after the Japanese ambush on Pearl Harbor. Japan’s goal was to remove the United States from the Pacific area so they could gain more power in the southwest Pacific islands and East Asia.

After days of fighting, United States troops forced the Japanese to retreat from the battle. Americans were prepared for the battle because they had learned how to break Japanese communication codes in 1942.

Question

What was the plan to help European countries improve economically after World War II?

Answer: The Marshall Plan

After the continent was ravaged by war, the rebuilding process began, with help from countries from all over the world. The Marshall Plan was created in 1947 by Secretary of State George Marshall and provided over $15 billion in aid to European countries over four years.

The Marshall Plan was designed to rebuild cities, industries, and infrastructure. This also helped the United States by removing trade barriers, fostering commerce between European countries, and providing a market for American goods to be sold.

Question

What policy was used to contain Communism after World War II?

Answer: Containment

The United States developed a strategic geopolitical foreign policy after the war to stop the spread of communism. It’s also known as the Truman Doctrine and simply stated that the United States would provide economic, military, and political aid to democratic countries that were threatened by communist influences.

There are four parts to the policy of containment. First, block the Soviet Union’s expansion of power. Second, expose Soviet pretensions. Third, retract the control and influence of the Kremlin. 4. Foster destruction within the Soviet Union

Question

What was the German Air Force called?

Answer: Luftwaffe

Luftwaffe was Germany’s version of the Air Force and was tasked with defending Germany in all air matters. Created in 1935, the Luftwaffe was commonly believed to be the strongest air force in the world and it played a huge part in Germany’s blitzkrieg battle tactics.

Over three million men served in paratrooper, air defense, and air force units from 1939 to 1945. The Allied forces disbanded the Luftwaffe after claiming victory in 1946.

Question

Which famous American general led troops in the Pacific?

Answer: General Douglas MacArthur

General MacArthur notably served in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, and was one of the first servicemen to earn a five-star rank. He spent most of his life in the army and also served with the Phillippine Army as a field marshal.

He was given many military awards including the Army Medal of Honor, the Bronze Star Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the American Defense Service Medal.

Question

Which battle was fought in North Africa and was a turning point for the Allies?

Answer: Second Battle of El Alamein

The battle was fought between the Axis Powers and the British Eighth Army and prevented the spread of them into Egypt. This kept the Allied forces in charge of the Suez Canal and blocked forces from moving their invasion into the Middle East.

Question

What was the point of the Tokyo War Crimes Trials?

Answer: To Hold Japanese Leaders Accountable

In their effort to expand and take power over much of the Pacific, Japanese leaders committed atrocious war crimes and were held accountable during the Tokyo War Crimes Trials. They lasted twice as long as the Nuremberg trials and were created in part by General MacArthur.

The trial went on for 2.5 years and had over 4,300 exhibits of evidence submitted. Some defendants were found mentally unfit for trial while others were sentenced to death. Others were sentenced to life in prison.

Question

Which part of the French government collaborated with Nazi Germany?

Answer: The Vichy Regime

After France was conquered, the Vichy regime succeeded the Third Republic for a good portion of World War II. Also known as the French state, it was headed by Marshal Philippe Petain, the President of the Council.

The Vichy Regime collaborated with Nazy Germany in performing raids to capture Jews and other people considered undesirable.

Question

What did Nazi Germany call their plan to exterminate Jews?

Answer: The Final Solution

Nazi Germany’s leaders used the term “Final Solution of the Jewish Question” to speak of the mass murder of the Jewish people. Rather than encouraging Jewish people to leave Germany and move to other parts of Europe, it became a systematic annihilation.

Nazi leaders anticipated removing 11 million Jews from the heart as part of the “Final Solution” and succeeded in murdering six million. This was the final stage of the Holocaust.

Question

When did the Germans invade the Soviet Union?

Answer:

Germans invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 with Operation Barbarossa. This was history’s largest military ground invasion at the time, with thousands of aircraft and tanks, half a million horses, and almost four million troops involved. They advanced from the Gulf of Finland to the Black Sea across all of Eastern Europe.

Despite their efforts, German troops were unable to defeat Soviet forces, which was a crucial turning point. Eventually, many German troops froze to death in the harsh winter of Russia, while Russian troops were better prepared to fight in the rough conditions.

Chicken Salad Sandwich

One item we wish Chick-fil-A would invest in is a chicken salad sandwich. We know it’s a bit different than the traditional chicken breast and nuggets, but sometimes it hits the spot when you need comfort food. Chicken salad is a traditional Southern dish that matches the company’s roots, so it’s not much of a stretch to add it to the menu.

Chicken Salad Sandwich

A chicken salad sandwich typically includes cooked chicken that’s chopped or shredded. Chicken is the star (hence why we believe it’s a good addition to Chick-fil-A), but there are a few other ingredients that bring the whole thing together. Chicken is mixed with mayo, which serves as the base. Sometimes, Greek yogurt or mustard is added for a bit of tang.

Vegetables and herbs are up to you. Some common ones included in chicken salad include apples or grapes, shallots or onions, and celery. Some include fresh dill or parsley. You’re welcome to add pecans, almonds, or walnuts if you want some crunch in your salad. The salad can be served between slices of bread.

One way to double up the options on the menu is to offer a chicken salad sandwich and a chicken salad wrap. Wraps are often healthier and low-calorie, but occasionally, you just want a sturdy sandwich to get you through the day.

Sweet Potato Fries

Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries are famous, and if you’ve tried them, you know why. Pair them with a chicken sandwich or some nuggets, and you’ve got a delicious meal. While many love the waffle fries, we think Chick-fil-A could diversify the sides menu and include some variation on fries. In this case, we think sweet potato fries are a great idea.

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries are healthier than the fried alternative, but the consumption and preparation play a big role in how healthy they are. They’re high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals. They also cause a slower rise in blood sugar levels than regular fries.

These fries can be baked or fried and are naturally sweet. They have a creamy, soft texture when cooked. Before they’re roasted or fried, the potatoes are cut into strips and then seasoned with salt and pepper. Other options for spices include onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, nutmeg or cinnamon, and chili powder or cayenne pepper. If you like your fries crispy, throw in a tiny bit of cornstarch.

Sweet potato fries are even better with added toppings, and we think Chick-fil-A can improve on an already delicious side by adding fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, or Parmesan cheese. The store’s classic sauces (like their original Chick-fil-A sauce) are the perfect complement to sweet potato fries.

Vegetarian or Vegan Options

We get it. Chicken is in the name, and that’s what you can expect. But when you’re craving chicken and your best friend is a vegetarian, it’s nice to have options. While the restaurant offers salads that come with or without chicken, we think they can get more creative with their vegan or vegetarian options.

Vegetarian or Vegan Options

There are plant-based chicken options that are ideal for those who don’t eat meat. Chick-fil-A could do a crispy tofu sandwich or a tempeh chicken sandwich.

Another option is a heartier wrap or sandwich without meat. We envision roasted veggies, avocado, hummus, and leafy greens combined with a special sauce or a tasty dressing.

Breakfast Waffle Sliders

Chick-fil-A has a hearty breakfast menu that includes chicken biscuits, Chick-n-Minis, egg white grills, hash brown scramble burritos, and other assorted breakfast sandwiches and bowls. Top it off with a parfait or a fruit cup, and you’ve got a pretty well-rounded meal. One thing we would like to see added to the menu is a breakfast waffle slider. Because nothing says southern like chicken and waffles.

Breakfast Waffle Sliders

Breakfast waffle sliders start with mini waffles that act as buns or biscuits. Then protein is added in the form of eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, or, you guessed it – chicken. Then add Swiss, cheddar, or American cheese and melt on top of the protein.

If you want something sweet added, include some maple syrup, cream cheese, or honey butter. You can even add arugula, spinach, or avocado if you want some extra veggies. Finally, top it off with spicy mayo, mustard, hot sauce, or any other one of Chick-fil-A’s delicious sauces.

Additional Sides

Chick-fil-A’s current sides include a side salad, waffle potato fries, fruit cup, berry parfait, waffle potato chips, chicken tortilla soup, chicken noodle soup, and mac and cheese. While this is a pretty decent variety, we think it could be spiced up with some additional options.

Additional Sides

It wouldn’t require much to add additional sides to the menu, and we’ve already mentioned sweet potato fries. We think the best way for Chick-fil-A to add to their side menu is to spice up a few of the things they already offer.

Loaded waffle fries topped with sour cream, bacon, cheese, and chives would be a huge hit. Zucchini fries or pickle fries are Southern-inspired and a great alternative to fries. Although the mac and cheese is delicious, we think it could be improved upon in the form of mac and cheese bites. Currently, if you want something salty that isn’t waffle fries to go with your entree, your options at Chick-fil-A are limited.

Chicken and Rice Bowls

When it comes to chicken sandwiches, nuggets, or strips, it’s hard to beat Chick-fil-A’s recipe. It’s a unique taste that people across America crave. With the addition of salads and one wrap, the company expanded its menu a bit. One thing we’d like to see included in that expansion is chicken and rice bowls.

Chicken and Rice Bowls

Bowls are a heart meal option, as proven by restaurants like Chipotle and Son Son. Chick-fil-A could use grilled or crispy chicken and serve it on a bed of brown or white rice. Add some vegetables and dress or a light sauce, and you’ve got an entire meal that isn’t a chicken sandwich.

Vegetables that pair well with chicken and rice bowls include Brussels sprouts, zucchini, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes (with just a little planning, these could be added to the menu in two places). Other good options include snap peas, radishes, carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, corn, avocado, red onions, cauliflower, and mushrooms. We recognize it can be hard to add a huge variety of fresh vegetables to a menu, but even a few options would freshen up the Chick-fil-A menu for us.

Chicken bowls could be spiced up with different sauces. For example, the company’s Polynesian sauce would add a unique kick to the meal, while Chick-fil-A sauce would make the taste more familiar to the restaurant. With the huge selection of sauces, the customer could choose their own and create their own arrangement.

Pilates

Pilates was invented by Joseph Pilates, who struggled with health issues in his youth, including rickets and asthma. Because he wanted to overcome these challenges, he developed an interest in fitness in the form of yoga, gymnastics, and other forms of body movement. He was also a professional boxer and believed strongly in the mind-body connection.

After spending time in a British internment camp during World War I, Pilates emerged with experience rehabilitating soldiers. He created exercises that use bedsprings, which later led to the creation of the Reformer, the machine most commonly used in Pilates.

What Is Pilates Like?

Pilates focuses on improving core stability, strengthening and toning the body, posture, and cardiovascular endurance. The exercises require intense concentration and are often difficult to perform, but you’ll see results quickly. Pilates is a great stress reliever, as it requires you to use appropriate breathing techniques and focus that gives you practice in controlling your mind and body.

The rule of Pilates says that it’s better to do fewer reps accurately than more reps the wrong way. Keep that in mind when you step into your first class. The Reformer machine is also extremely expensive and intricate, so these classes can, at times, be more expensive, but there are also ways to adjust exercises so you can do them at home when you want.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is known for graceful, slow movements and has roots in ancient Chinese martial arts. The focus is on developing internal relaxation, energy, and balance. It’s been developed over several centuries and is now practiced worldwide. Benefits include reducing stress, improving flexibility and balance, and enhancing your overall well-being.

Because Tai Chi is designed to improve coordination and balance, it’s often recommended for older adults to prevent falls. The deliberate, slow movements make it a good exercise for all ages, and it’s also linked to mindfulness and meditation.

What is Tai Chi Like?

Tai Chi is the one martial art that focuses on strength rather than combat. Movements are patterned after natural ones, and the goal is to move the whole body as a unit with movement that flows together naturally. As you go through the movements, it’s almost as if your body is performing a dance that stretches, elongates, and strengthens.

Tai Chi is recommended by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health for those at risk of heart failure, stroke, osteoarthritis, and Parkinson’s disease. It can also help with high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain, and quality of life.

Barre

In ballet, dancers use a horizontal barre attached to the wall for support as they train. This is a necessary piece of equipment for dance as dancers develop strength in the core, legs, and arms. Many dancers do basic ballet moves at the barre to reinforce alignment and technique. Now, the barre has evolved into a type of fitness regimen that’s good for almost any age.

Classes became popular in the United States in the early 2000s. Variations of the workouts were developed by Carrie Rezabek Dorr, Bari Lieberman, and Sadie Lincoln. Today’s barre classes are a hybrid of different fitness types and often contain strength training, yoga, Pilates, and ballet. They are high-intensity but low-impact, so they’re easy on the joints.

What Is Barre Like?

Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a ballerina to benefit from barre classes. In fact, there is no dancing, only exercises that have been adapted to provide the same results in terms of strength and posture. Barre classes focus on squats, lunges, leg lifts, tendus, attitude lifts, planks, core work, tricep dips, chest flys, and bridges, to name a few.

Each movement targets a specific muscle group. Small, controlled motions improve posture, build strength, and enhance flexibility. Barre is ideal for beginners to experts, and movements can be adapted for those who are new. This is an ideal type of exercise if you want an alternative to yoga that won’t wreck your joints but will build strength.

Body Balance

Body balance combines Pilates, Tai Chi, and yoga into one workout, so you don’t get bored, but you still get the benefits of each. Most classes last anywhere from 45-60 minutes and offer a long list of benefits. These include improved strength, increased flexibility, a strong mind-body connection, enhanced coordination and balance, stress relief, better alignment, and stronger posture.

Founded by the Les Milles International global fitness company, Body Balance was formerly known as BodyFlow at the former Gold’s Gym. It’s a well-rounded workout that is calming, effective, and low-impact.

What Is Body Balance Like?

Body Balance typically involves a warm-up, followed by a yoga sequence. Next is a Tai Chi flow, and then a short section for Pilates exercises. The final step, and perhaps one of the best parts of this type of fitness, is the cool down and relaxation phase. Body Balance offers a lengthy cool-down period that ensures you are calm and relaxed when you leave.

The pace of the class is controlled and slow and is perfect for those who are intimidated by typical gym workouts. It’s low-impact, ensuring there’s no extra strain put on your joints. For those seeking mental clarity and stress management as part of their workout routine but also want variety, this is an ideal option.

HIIT

High-intensity interval Training is a popular form of cardiovascular exercise that switches from quick bouts of intense activity to a low-intensity rest or recovery exercise. This improves cardiovascular fitness, increases endurance and strength, and maximizes calorie burn.

HIIT workouts are adaptable to any fitness level, increase metabolism, burn fat, and improve heart health. They are also time efficient, as the workouts are usually shorter. They can be harder on the joints than other low-impact exercises but are ideal for someone who wants to get their heart going.

What Is HIIT Like?

HIIT workouts involve a 3-5 minute warm-up with dynamic stretches or light jogging, followed by workout intervals of 20 seconds with 10 seconds of rest. Each set involves a cool-down section of 3-5 minutes, like walking or light jogging.

HIIT is never boring, as there’s a variety of exercises, and most sessions only last 30 minutes. They use a variety of bodyweight exercises, cardio exercises, and strength training moves to target different muscle groups and keep workouts interesting.

Callanetics

Created by fitness expert Callan Pickney, Callanetics became popular in the early 1980s and is another option that focuses on small, controlled movements without heavy strain on the joints. Pickney suffered from a back injury in the 1970s that caused significant discomfort and pain, and traditional treatments and exercises weren’t making it better. She began experimenting with different types of exercises that were gentle on the body to improve her health.

She launched Callanetics with a video and book with key principles focused on muscle elongation and contractions. The controlled, slow manner of the exercises tones the muscles and uses the body as resistance to strengthen them.

What Is Callanetics Like?

Another low-impact option that is ideal for people at all levels, Callanetics involves exercises like pelvic tilts, leg lifts, a modified plank, inner thigh squeezes, leg circles, abdominal curls, booty lifts, glute squeezes, and abdominal rocks.

Again, the purpose of Callanetics is to use the body’s weight to fatigue muscles so they then have a chance to tone and grow. The small movements improve the body’s alignment and are ideal for those with joint pain.

Zara

Zara offers a mix of high-quality fashion and basic affordable staples without sacrificing quality. Their designers stay up to date on the latest styles and are known for translating styles quickly from the runway to the sales floor. New collections come quickly, in a matter of weeks, so customers can buy the things they’ve seen in magazines or on celebrities while it’s fresh in their minds.

There are frequent new arrivals, as products and collections are introduced weekly. The new influx of products means you can hit Zara on a Monday, then come back on a Friday to an entirely new selection to choose from.

Fast fashion gets complaints for quality, but Zara tends to have better ratings than other brands. The craftsmanship and durability are better, so you can get trendy pieces that will last. The company also has an extremely efficient supply chain, which means it can react to changes, produce new items, and ship them to stores before your next paycheck hits. Zara is also available in other countries, which makes it convenient for those who want to shop from home rather than hitting a brick-and-mortar store.

Zara Favorite Finds

I’m a fan of any basic staple or layering option for clothing. This basic cotton t-shirt comes in a variety of colors and works with almost any outfit. You can dress it down with jeans or up with a blazer and jewelry.

Many women have a hard time finding a good-fitting blazer that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, but here’s a favorite of ours from Zara. Once again, it is a good staple that can be dressed up or down and is available in extensive sizing.

We also love a good smell from Zara, like this Amber Fusion perfume. It’s cheap but big enough to last and smells fresh and cheerful.

ASOS

If there’s one thing we love more than trendy, affordable new fashions, it’s great customer service and an easy return policy. We found all that at ASOS. Their wide range of products includes accessories, clothing, footwear, and accessories for both men and women. ASOS also has inclusive sizing, including tall and plus-size categories.

ASOS is strictly an online retailer, which means the goods are accessible all around the globe, but you can’t go in and try them on. We see this as a pro and a con, as shopping from the couch is always a pleasure. The products are affordable and budget-friendly but trendy enough that you don’t feel frumpy or out of style. ASOS also offers a wide variety of brands, so you’re not limited in fits, price ranges, and styles. They also frequently discount their items or offer special sales.

While fast fashion has mixed reviews from socially conscious shoppers, ASOS implements sustainability initiatives including products made from environmentally-friendly materials. Combine that with the convenient, robust online shopping experience with extensive reviews, and you’ve got a match made in heaven.

ASOS Favorite Finds

A good workout set is essential, and ASOS has this combination of a V-neck tank with high-waist gym leggings to give you confidence while you get in shape.

We head to ASOS anytime we need something glamorous or fancy without the designer price tag. One particular favorite is this lace overlay body maxi dress that’s alluring and sexy.

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters is also known for its trendy and unique styles, and in our experience, they truly are one of a kind. They have a wide range of categories that also include lifestyle items along with beauty products, home decor, and fashion. Their aesthetic leans toward younger people but anyone can pull an outfit off with confidence.

Urban Outfitters offers exclusive brands and collaborations that are rare for fast fashion brands. This keeps the store relevant and draws in customers looking for specific items. They also have frequent promotions and sales, inclusive sizing, and quality pieces that are affordable.

The website and app are user-friendly, and most report a positive customer experience. Urban also has a unique pop culture appeal with pieces designed to attract Gen Z and Millenials. Combine that with their recent sustainability efforts to make fast fashion more socially conscious, and they’ve got fans in us.

Urban Outfitters Favorite Finds

As we said before, Urban Outfitters is more than a clothing store. It’s a great place to stop when you need a gift, and we like this marshmallow cloud fleece throw blanket in three different colors for anyone in your life.

The store carries popular brands like Ugg, Birkenstock, and other comfortable shoe options, but we love these Mary Jane ballet flats that are great for any outfit and come in three different colors.

Cotton On

Cotton On doesn’t always come up when the topic is fast fashion, but the company carries a variety of comfortable, casual styles at affordable prices. The brand is known for its staples but also offers trendy cuts and prints that spice them up a bit. They have a wide range of products and sizes, and it’s easy to shop for the whole family there with their inclusive sizing.

The store presents a fun, youthful vibe but offers clothing that fits all ages. Their successful marketing and branding make them a popular place to shop, and their efforts to lessen the environmental impact of fast fashion offset the negative impacts of it. Many of their items are made of recycled fabrics and organic cotton, and the company uses more eco-conscious production methods.

Cotton On Favorite Finds

A denim vest goes with practically anything, and the Harley denim halter vest from Cotton On comes in three different colors. Pair it with a skirt for an outfit with friends or with jeans and a cowboy hat for a concert.

Call the ’90s, because overalls are back! They’re a comfortable, easy look that still shows you put some effort into your outfit. Cotton On offers short denim overalls for just under $60 in four different colors.

Gap

The Gap is a classic and a brand that’s stood the test of time. A partner company to Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Athleta, there are different price points that fit customers where they’re at. They use durable materials to make some extremely high-quality basics that customers continue to rave about after decades of wearing them. Gap is also more affordable than other similar stores while still offering some high-end pieces, so they don’t appear to be a discount store.

The clothes are extremely comfortable without being boring, styles are versatile and the company has built up a strong customer base over the years. The consistent branding and family-friendly atmosphere make it the perfect go-to anytime you’re out for a quick shopping trip.

Gap Favorite Finds

If you live in a cold climate, a puffer coat is a MUST for comfort and style. We really like the Big Puff coat from Gap, which comes in sizes XXS-XXL and in regular, tall, and petite.

You can’t go wrong with a simple buttoned cardigan. Pair it over a tank or t-shirt with jeans, or put on a pair of slacks and a button-up shirt for a day in the office. We love this CashSoft cropped cardigan, and we think you should buy one in every color.

Apple Answers

If you have 200 apples and give 164 to a friend, how many apples do you have left?

Answer

Story problems are notorious for being difficult, but the formula for the answer is simple.

Total apples = Number of apples you have (-) number of apples you gave away

Total apples=200-164

Answer: You have 36 apples

Fraction Frustration

Is 3/4 bigger than 2/3?

Answer

Fractions give everyone a headache. Here are step-by-step directions to solve this problem.

Is 3/4 > 2/3?

Find a common denominator for 4 and 3. A common denominator is a number both divide evenly into. In this case, it would be 12.

Convert the fractions to have 12 as the denominator. Since you multiply 4 x 3 to get 12 in the first fraction, also multiply 3 x 3. Since you multiply 3 x 4 in the second fraction, multiply 2 x 4.

Simplify the equation: Is 9/12 > 8/12. With the same denominator, we can easily compare the two. 9/12 is bigger than 8/12, which means 3/4 is bigger than 2/3.

Time Troubles

If school starts at 7:45 AM and is 6 hours 30 minutes long, what time does it end?

Answer

Remember that time only goes to 60 when adding these numbers together.

7:45 AM + 6 hours 30 minutes = 2:15 PM

Coin Calculation

If you have a dime, a penny, and a quarter, how much money do you have?

Answer

A dime is worth 10 cents, a quarter is worth one and a quarter is worth 25. Add them together.

10+25+1 = 36 cents

Measurement Miscellaneous

If two watermelons weigh six pounds and the first one weighs four pounds, how much does the second one weigh?

Answer

Use simple subtraction to solve this question.

6 – 4 = 2 pounds

Addition Actions

What is 348 + 356?

Answer

Methods change, but this is a fairly simple question, and you can add in columns or if you have access to a calculator.

348 + 356 = 704

Shading Solutions

If a circle has eight parts and four of them are shaded in, what percentage is shaded?

Answer

This involves creating a fraction and simplifying it, then multiplying it by 100 to get a percentage.

4/8 circles are shaded, which reduces to 1/2, so 1/2 of the circle is shaded. Take 1/2 and multiply by 100, which gives 50%.

Simple Spending

If Anna has $10 and she buys a toy for $3.50, how much money does she have left?

Answer

Adding and subtracting with decimals is a bit more complicated, but it’s easy once you figure it out.

10.00 – 3.50 = $6.50

Ruler Reactions

If one straw is eight inches long and the other is six inches long how much longer is the first straw?

Answer

Solve this one with a simple subtraction equation.

8 – 6 = 2 inches longer than the first straw

Rounding Reflections

Round the number 679 to the nearest hundred.

Answer

For this, you must determine if 679 is closer to 600 or 700. It’s 79 away from 600 and only 21 away from 700.

That makes the answer 700.

Geometry Guesses

How many angles are in a rectangle?

Answer

A rectangle has four right angles. The right angles are 90 degrees.

Placing Problems

What is the value of the digit 7 in the number 874?

Answer

In the number 874, the number 7 is the tens place, while 8 is in the hundreds and 4 is the ones place.

Sequence Structures

In the following sequence, what is the next number? 5, 10, 15, 20, ___?

Answer

Sequences are similar to patterns, so the key to understanding them is to figure out how the previous numbers or shapes are placed. For example, in the question on the former slide, there are five numbers between each number in the sequence. That means that the final number would be 20 + 5, or 25.

More Money

This cute kitty sweater’s full price is $10.00, but it’s on sale for 25% off. Before you head to the register, let’s figure out how much you need to buy it.

Answer

One could argue that fractions, area, and perimeter aren’t as useful in real life as many other math topics. A concept that students will face their entire lives is money percentages and losses. Whether they’re buying groceries, figuring out change at a retail job, or trying to calculate a discount, these math problems show up all over. In this one, you must determine what 25% of $10.00 is. Here’s how to do it.

You can determine the percentage of an amount by moving the decimal two places to the right and multiplying the number then. For example, in the problem listed above, 25 would change to .25 and you would multiply it by ten.

10 X .25 = $2.50

This isn’t the end of the problem. $2.50 is the discount on the sweater, not the final cost. So the next equation is 10 – 2.50 = $7.50. The sweater costs $7.50 with the discount.

Telling Time

If the clock shows 12:30, how long until it’s 1 PM?

Answer

We’ve discussed time a bit before, but just like with percentages and fractions, there are different ways to answer every question. This one is posed a bit differently, as you have to figure out how much time is left between 12:30 PM and 1 PM.

Remember that time doesn’t go to 100, only to 60. So 1 PM would be the 60th minute in the hour. If the clock is already at 12:30, then 60 – 30 equals 30. There are 30 minutes left until 1 PM.

Remainder Reflection

What is 29 divided by 5?

Answer

Some numbers divide evenly into others, but when they don’t, you’ve got a messy remainder on your hands. These can be hard to understand and create real-life applications, which is why so many Americans get confused by them, no matter their age.

The problem is what is 29 divided by 5? Five divides into 29 five times evenly but leaves four behind. That means the answer is five with a remainder of four. This can also be written as 5 R4.

Counting Chaos

Start at 25 and count by 5. What is the eighth number in the sequence?

Answer

Here, we have another pattern-type question, but with a twist. You’ll start at a pre-set number and figure out what the 8th number is. The first thing to do is create a sequence, adding five to each number starting with 25. Once you’ve done this eight times, you have your answer.

1. 25 + 5 = 30
2. 30 + 5 = 35
3. 35 + 5 = 40
4. 40 + 5 = 45
5. 45 + 5 = 50
6. 50 + 5 = 55
7. 55 + 5 = 60
8. 60 + 5 = 65

Multiplication Messes

What is 8 X 9?

Answer

Once you’ve learned your multiplication tables, these questions are easier, but the higher the number, the harder it gets. If you don’t have your table in front of you, you need to add eight together nine times to get the answer. Fortunately, times tables are one of the first things kids learn in math.

What is 8 X 9 = 72

Comparison Chaos

Which number is greater: 247 or 366?

Answer

These get easier as time goes on, but sometimes it’s difficult to compare two numbers, especially when they get bigger. Once they hit millions or billions, it’s extremely difficult to solve this quickly. But this one is pretty simple.

One way to look at this is to examine the hundreds spot. One has the number two and the other has the number three. That would make the second number bigger automatically. If the hundreds were the same, you would then check the tens, then the ones. In this case 366 > 247.

Word Wisdom

If there are 12 students at each table in a class, how many students are in four tables?

Answer

This is a simple multiplication problem if you can identify the numbers. If you have four tables with 12 students, you can use your multiplication tables to find the number, or you may even remember it.

12 (students at each table) X 4 (total tables in class) = 48 students total

Athleta

Our first alternative for athleisure wear is Athleta.

What People Say About Athleta

Athleta’s prices are slightly lower than Lululemon’s, but the quality stays the same. The company uses sustainable materials and has inclusive sizing ranging from XXS to 3X. The company is part of the Old Navy and Gap chain, offers a loyalty program, and has a mission to empower women and girls. Customers also report that staff are knowledgeable, online orders are convenient and returns are made easy.

Vuori

Our second alternative for athleisure wear is Vuori.

What People Say About Vuori

Customers say that Vuori performs well and offers stylish products worn by celebrities such as Dylan Barbour and Vanessa Hudgens. The company partners with environmentally friendly manufacturers and works to measure and offset carbon emissions by pursuing climate-neutral certification. Vendors must adhere to their strict Vendor Code of Conduct. They also have an online store and an easy return policy.

Some of the well-known Vuori products include their Daily Legging and their Performance Joggers.

Sunzel

Our third alternative for athleisure wear is Vuori.

What People Say About Sunzel

Sunzel is available online through Amazon and is significantly more affordable than most brands. Reviews say the leggings are as comfortable as Lululemon, flattering and soft. Most say they are versatile and high-quality, and they’re opaque rather than see-through. With the V-shaped waistband, some of the products have an extremely flattering fit, and customers say they stay in place and are durable.

Sunzel’s flare leggings crossover yoga pants with tummy control have more than 23,000 reviews and hold steady at 4.3 stars.

Amazon

Our fourth alternative for athleisure wear is Amazon.

What People Say About Amazon

Amazon has its own clothing brand (Amazon Essentials) that’s surprisingly comfortable and durable. Most products are affordable and have high reviews. The only downside is that for many it’s slim pickings for sizes on some items. Their popular products include the Spacedye Slim Racerback Cropped Tank, Way Home Shorts, and Seamless Legging Set. Their Fleece Jogger Sweatpant is a nice casual option, and with more than 37,000 reviews, it still has a 4.3-star rating.

Girlfriend Collective

Our fifth alternative for athleisure wear is Girlfriend Collective.

What People Say About Girlfriend Collective

Customers say they get great customer service from Girlfriend Collective, which also offers a ReGirlfriend program. This allows you to recycle old Girlfriend Collective pieces, making their model more sustainable. They have inclusive sizing and a high-quality fit that’s flattering and comfortable without sacrificing style. The company is widely known for being transparent about its production process, sustainability efforts, and materials. You can find detailed information about every product on their website.

Some popular pieces include the Compressive Pocket Legging and The Dylan Tank Bra.

Outdoor Voices

Our sixth alternative for athleisure wear is Outdoor Voices.

What People Say About Outdoor Voices

Outdoor Voices creates pieces that make it easy to do what type of activity you want, rather than focusing only on extreme athletics. The goal is to be community-focused and simply provide pieces that make you want to “do something.” The clothes are stylish, and they are focused on inclusive marketing, showcasing normal people doing normal things rather than elite athletes. This places an emphasis on exercise being accessible, and casual movement being fun. The company often hosts events at their “community hubs” to foster connections among customers in the community.

They have products for men, women, and girls, and bestsellers include the MegaFleece Snap Jacket and the CoolForm 7/8 Legging.

FP Movement

Our seventh alternative for athleisure wear is FP Movement.

What People Say About FP Movement

Free People is known for quality and fashion-forward thinking, and the athleisure line is no exception. FP Movement offers trendy prints, colors and cuts that you can also wear as everyday pieces. They use the best-quality materials and breathable, soft fabric. Customers report that products give a supportive fit for high-impact activities, and there is a wide variety when it comes to what you want to wear. Choose from everything from jumpsuits to class sports bras.

Free People is known for inclusivity and promoting body positivity with their clothing. The company also collaborates with others in the industry to create one-of-a-kind pieces and takes a community-focused approach by engaging with their customers at all levels. Popular products include the My Time Tee and Hit The Slopes Hoodie.

Old Navy

Our eighth alternative for athleisure wear is Old Navy.

What People Say About Old Navy Athleisure

While Old Navy operates under the same umbrella as Athleta, the company offers affordable athleisure wear that’s often more accessible to everyone. The designs mimic high-end brands but come at more than half the price. Many have moisture-wicking technology to keep you dry when you work out, and most stores have a large selection of exercise wear. While it may not be the highest quality product, you definitely get durability and versatility. For a less expensive option, you can’t go wrong with Old Navy.

The Pros and Cons of Credit Cards

As a teenager in the public school system, it’s unlikely that your child will face questions about credit cards. Once they set foot on a college campus, they’re surrounded by offers that seem too good to be true. Many give in to these urges, only to find themselves with high-interest credit cards and mountains of debt down the road.

For the most part, kids should pay with whatever they want in cash. Borrowing for something you can’t afford can create bad habits and long-term credit and debt issues. As they become adults and a credit score becomes important, it’s time for them to learn about the pros and cons of credit.

Using credit like loans and credit cards can help to build credit. In most situations, bad credit is even better than good credit. As your child ages, they get better interest rates, higher credit limits, and better perks if they have a higher credit score. If they never borrow money, there’s no way to prove that they will pay it back. One way to manage this is to open a joint credit card with them and make sure it’s paid off every month.

The cons of credit cards are more serious. Most have high interest rates, so you can end up paying so much each month in fees that you can’t keep up. It’s easy to overspend with a credit card, and it can damage your credit if you borrow and don’t pay back. Overall, teenagers should stay away from any type of borrowing unless they’re working with a co-signer.

How to Budget

This is a concept that is hard for some adults to learn, and it will follow your child throughout their life. Some experts recommend that teens obey the 50-30-20 rule. This means that 50% of after-tax income goes to needs, 30% goes to things they want and 20% goes to savings.

Some parents start their kids young with allowance and chores, but we have some specific tips for teenagers. The five important elements of a budget are income, fixed expenses, debt, unplanned expenses, and savings. It’s important that your child knows their income, sets goals, and tracks their spending habits. If they have an unsteady income, it’s harder to manage but even more important. Encourage your child to set their own goals and track their habits, but to ask for help when it’s needed. Some kids spend money like it’s burning a hole in their pocket, whereas others refuse to let go of a penny. The trick is to find the middle ground.

All About Taxes

Taxes in the United States are unique. It’s hard to explain the process in a way that will translate for the future, but students should understand why they pay taxes, how to file them, and where they go. They should also know about state and federal taxes and why they are taken out of their paycheck.

Some teenagers don’t have to file taxes if they’re dependent on another taxpayer (like a parent). The exception to the rule is if they have unearned income over $1,100, or earned income more than $12,200.

Federal taxes go toward federal programs or reducing the debt. Some programs funded by taxes include health insurance plans like Medicaid and Medicare, Social Security, and defense. State taxes go toward education, health insurance, higher education, public assistance, corrections, and transportation. Explain to your students how they pay into these programs and benefit from them.

Establish an Emergency Fund

Kids often live paycheck to paycheck (and adults do, too). This works until there is any type of emergency that requires extra funds. It takes patience to establish an emergency fund because you can’t see the future. All your kids see is money that they could spend, but they’ll be happy they saved when they blow out a tire or crack their phone screen.

Some experts suggest that kids have an emergency fund that equals three months of wages. Even if they can’t reach this number, working toward it teaches good habits. If that number seems overwhelming, start them small or save a percentage of their income each month.

There are many reasons an emergency fund is essential. The most common for kids are tickets, accidents, increased insurance, or unemployment. Teenagers don’t often make enough to sustain themselves if they lose a job, so this is the time they’ll really feel it if they have an emergency and no money to cover it. In some families, kids help with their own expenses or with housing costs. If that’s your situation, help your kids understand what unexpected housing emergencies look like, and how they can quickly affect your budget.

Identifying Needs vs. Wants

This is an important skill to learn for every person. Do you really NEED that new iPhone, or do you just WANT it? These are important questions to ask your teen when they go to spend their hard-earned money. A need is something they can’t do without, like food or gas. A want is something they buy for enjoyment, like a video game.

There’s nothing wrong with buying things you want, but when there’s a choice to be made, students have to understand that needs must come before wants. This is a great concept that parents can model as they raise their kids because it’s an idea that most adults struggle with also.

The Non-Tangible Benefits of Working

There’s more to having a job than money. While a job is work, that doesn’t mean they have to be miserable the entire time they’re working. Help them identify and find a job they love. Consider retail, food service, and janitorial work as some options for teenagers.

A job is an ideal spot for a child to gain confidence. They talk to strangers and learn things they don’t learn at home. Many also realize how nice it is to have extra money on hand and commit harder to their job. While there’s so much emphasis on budgeting, credit scores, and income, don’t forget that a job can provide social interaction and confidence to teenagers.

Their Spending vs. Their Parent’s Spending

In today’s world, many teenagers graduate and expect to have the same things their parents have. They don’t realize the decades of effort that went into building your career and your home, and may find themselves in debt if they attempt to keep up with those around them. It’s important that your kids understand that just because you have some things, they don’t have the means for them yet.

Many kids buy a home that’s too large or take trips they can’t afford because that’s what they’re used to, but the reality is that mom and dad’s money looks much different than theirs. This is also a good time to talk about careers with them because their spending ability in the future relies heavily on the industry they choose. Remind your kids that it’s okay to start slow and build up. They can have the older phone or thrift their clothes until they have a good foundation of savings, emergency funds, and income.

What Are the Branches of the Military?

There are six branches of the United States military. Each one plays a unique role in the nation’s security, intelligence, and force. The Army is responsible for ground combat and is the oldest and largest branch of the military. The Navy provides runways for aircraft flying at sea, allowing military plans a place to refuel and transfer goods. It also protects waterways. The Coast Guard is a federal law enforcement agency that leads search and rescue missions, secures waterways and enforces laws at sea. The Air Force’s main job is to defend the country through the exploitation of space and air. The Marine Corps specializes in amphibious military operations. The newly organized Space Force trains, equips, and organizes space forces to protect allied and US interests in space.

The National Guard is also part of the military and consists of the Air National Guard and the Amy National Guard. These forces support humanitarian efforts, and combat missions, fulfill homeland security operations, and handle domestic emergencies.

Are the Navy and the Coast Guard the Same?

The Navy and Coast Guard are two different branches of the military and play two different roles within the forces. They are vastly different sizes, differ in distinct core operations, and exist in different geographic scopes.

The Coast Guard protects ports, waterways, and shorelines and serves as first responders on the water. When you think of someone lost at sea, it’s the Coast Guard who sets out to find them. It’s not a part of the Department of Defense but is a member of the United States Armed Forces. Members of the Coast Guard are separated into six distinct operational focuses: defense operations, security operations, transportation systems management, safety, and marine environmental protection, first response, and law enforcement.

The Navy plays a more proactive, protective role in protecting US interests throughout the world. Their focus is defending US allies, protecting things in the water that threaten the country and in turn, increase economic prosperity. They defend sea lanes, keep waterways open so goods can be transferred from one country to another. They prevent drug tracking and piracy and provide humanitarian assistance when needed. They also coordinate and operate telecommunications systems on the water.

What Are the Differences Between Active and Reserve Duty?

Most of the branches of the United States military have both an active duty and a reserve branch, but they are not the same. Active duty service members work for the military full-time. They often live on military bases and can be deployed whenever necessary. They receive benefits and full-time pay.

Reserve duty is part-time service in the military, sort of like a part-time job. They receive partial benefits and part-time pay. Most keep a civilian job and have military training somewhere close to where they live. Reserve duty members must participate in training drills two weeks each year and one weekend a month. The purpose of a reserve component is to make sure the US military has service people trained and ready to go at any time. Members of the reserve can be called to fill positions overseas and stateside when needed.

What Does a Commanding Officer Do?

A commanding officer has many jobs within their branch of the military. They are responsible for leading their unit, establishing policies, developing plans, inspecting, maintaining their unit’s economy, and providing technical guidance. They also function as an example of how they want their unit to conduct itself. They develop and create plans to finish missions and inspect the unit to ensure it’s operating efficiently. A commanding officer is also in charge of discipline and making changes when necessary.

What Is a Deployment?

Deployment by definition in the dictionary is the act or movement of deploying or the state of being deployed. This refers to military equipment or personnel put into positions for a particular purpose or use. Military deployment is the movement of armed forces.

Deployment can be outside the country and may move a servicemember to places out the continental United States. There are times when troops are deployed to enter a combat zone. Most deployments last between 90 days and 15 months, although every situation is unique.

Does the Military Aid in Cybersecurity?

The military has dedicated cyber units that help boost cybersecurity efforts. They play a large role in protecting the US from cyber threats by monitoring for attacks, responding to cyber incidences on military systems, and performing assessments of the system’s vulnerability. There are special cyber units like the U.S. Army Cyber Command and others that hold high-security clearance and play a huge part in keeping the country safe from a cyber attack.

What Is a Military Tribunal?

This is a military court that tries civilians or members of enemy forces who are charged with national security times during a war. They are different from court-martials and don’t operate within the same criminal and civil proceedings of most crimes. They are often used when civil courts are unsuitable or unavailable and are based on charges brought by military authorities rather than law enforcement. Military officers then do the judging and sentencing.

You may have also heard the term court-martial. This is similar to a criminal trial, but it’s done within the military. Any offenses against military law are handled in a court-martial. There are three types: general, special and summary. The military operates under different rules of evidence and the jury doesn’t have to have a unanimous verdict to convict, unless the death penalty is on the table.

What’s the Difference Between an Honorable Discharge and a Dishonorable One?

When a servicemember leaves the military, an honorable discharge is the highest ranking they can receive. This means that they followed the rules, completed their duties and their conduct never reflected badly on their unit. To obtain an honorable discharge, they must receive a rating of anywhere from good to excellent during their service. They must maintain military standards of discipline, duty, performance, and conduct. It’s also required that they complete their time commitment or enlistment.

A dishonorable discharge is a punitive one that is handed down after a court-martial if the servicemember is convicted of certain offenses. These offenses include being drunk on duty, sexual assault, desertion, fraud, and murder. A dishonorable discharge is given when the servicemember’s actions harmed the military’s integrity and effectiveness.

What Is the Highest Honor You Can Get in the Military?

The Medal of Honor is the most distinguished decoration that the government awards to servicemembers. In the name of Congress, the President of the United States presents the honor to military members who showed intrepidity and gallantry at the risk of their own lives.

The Medal of Honor is earned when the servicemember was engaged in battle with one of the country’s enemies or is engaged in conflict operations with an opposing foreign force. It can also be earned when service with friendly forces against a conflicting armed force. There are three versions of the Medal of Honor: one for the Air Force, one for the Army, and the same one for the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Navy.

How Many Military Bases Are There in the US?

There are more than 420 military bases in the country. The population of the state determines the number of bases in the state. For example, Alaska has 47 bases while California has 123. The state with the second-most bases is Texas with 59. There are also military bases in 80 other countries like Cuba, Italy, Greece, Germany, and Japan.

When Was the First Battle of the War?

The Civil War’s first battle was the Battle of Fort Sumter. It started on April 12, 1861, and ended the next day. It was the official start of the war as Union forces fired on Confederate forces, and occurred in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. There were no casualties during this bombardment, but the Union did surrender Fort Sumter to the Confederacy.

When Were All Slaves Freed?

It’s a common misconception that once President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, all slaves were automatically freed, but the truth is much more complicated. Enslaved people were free by declaration on December 6, 1865, and the proclamation only freed those in Confederate states, not Union-held slave states or states the Union already controlled.

After the proclamation on January 1, 1863, Union General Gordon Granger set out on horseback to inform those in all Confederate states. Because travel was slow back then, word didn’t reach Galveston, Texas, until June 19, 1865. Once he arrived, he issued General Order No. 3 to end slavery in Texas. This day is now celebrated as Juneteenth and is a federal holiday.

Simply freeing the enslaved people didn’t fix the problem. Many had no land, no money, and little education. The process of providing equal rights to all people continues today.

Why Did the Confederacy Surrender?

The Confederacy surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant in Virginia on April 9, 1865. General Robert E. Lee completed the process at Appomattox Court House after realizing their efforts were futile. While this was the beginning of the end, it took several weeks for all Confederacy forces to surrender.

There were many reasons why the Confederacy surrendered. One was the Union’s military success, like those at the Battle of Gettysburg, the March to the Sea that decimated Southern infrastructure, and the siege of Petersburg. The second reason was the blockade of Southern ports by the Union’s blockade which crippled the economy and led to shortages of weapons, food, and ammunition.

The population became tired of war when the Confederate economy began to crumble because of its heavy reliance on agriculture and slavery. The Confederate army had little foreign support from places like France and Britain. These forces remained neutral during the war.

The Union army had a larger industrial base and a larger population of soldiers. This made it easy for them to prepare for a long-term strategy, while the Confederacy was losing forces in devastating numbers.

Who Were the Powerful Leaders of the Confederacy?

The army’s primary political leader, Jefferson Davis, was the President of the Confederate States of America during the war. Alexander H. Stephens was his vice president, although they clashed often.

General Robert E. Lee was the army’s most celebrated leader and General of the Army of Northern Virginia. He was also the one who surrendered to the Union army at the end of the war. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson worked under General Lee and is most famous for his role in the First Battle of Bull Run. He was killed in 1863, and this devastated the Confederate army’s morale.

Other important military leaders include J.E.B. Stuart, James Longstreet, Joseph E. Johnston, P.G.T. Beauregard, Juda P. Benjamin, and Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Who Were the Major Leaders of the Union?

Ulysses S. Grant served as the General-in-Chief of the Union Army for one year until it ended and was one of the Union’s most successful generals. Abraham Lincoln was the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Union army, while Edwin Stanton served as the Secretary of War.

William Sharman was a key subordinate of General Grant and is famous for the war tactics employed during the March to the Sea. Other important figures include Commander of the Army of the Potomac George Meade, George H. Thomas, Winfield Scott, Joseph Hooker, and Ambrose Burnside.

What Was the Bloodiest Battle of the War?

The Battle of Gettysburg was fought around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, from July 1 to July 3, 1863. The Confederacy suffered more than 51,000 casualties including missing, captured, wounded, or killed soldiers. The Union suffered approximately 23,000 casualties.

This was a turning point in the war, as General Lee’s invasion of the North was halted by the Union’s victory. This weakened the Confederacy’s belief that they could sustain the war and boosted Union morale.

While this was the deadliest battle of the war, the bloodiest day was September 17, 1862, at the Battle of Antietam. In one single day, more than 22,000 soldiers were wounded, killed or missing.

What was the Dred Scott Decision?

In 1857, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling known as the Dred Scott Decision. The decision stated that Congress should not prohibit slavery in the territories, that slaves were property, and that African Americans were not citizens. Dred Scott was a Missouri slave who was taken by his owner to free territories and sued for his freedom.

This decision polarized the nations and created a deep division between the South and the North. It halted the efforts of many to stop slavery. It contributed to the rise of the Republican Party and greatly influenced the election of 1860 when Abraham Lincoln was elected. The Dred Scott Decision was a legal precedent until the 13th and 14th Amendments were ratified. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and the 14th amendment gave African Americans citizenship.

What Role Did African Americans Play in the Conflict?

African Americans contributed greatly to both sides of the war. Their involvement played an integral part in the struggle for equality and freedom. They were a key labor force in the south and many escaped to Union lines where they were accepted as property of the enemy.

African Americans joined the Union army after the Emancipation Proclamation. By the end of the war in 1865, almost 180,000 African American men had enlisted in the army. They served in artillery, cavalry, and infantry, and as nurses, laborers, and cooks.

Leaders like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Fredrick Douglass worked during the war to free slaves and fight for equal rights for all. The presence of these leaders along with the African American soldiers did much to boost morale and contribute to the military.

African American women served as spies, nurses, and home front support. They organized clothing and food drives, supported their families, and cared for the wounded and sick soldiers. In summary, the contributions of African Americans in the war greatly helped with the abolition of slavery and the groundwork for the Civil Rights movement.

Clothing & Hygiene

If you’ve ever had a teenager, you know that fight that comes with getting them to brush their teeth twice a day, or to shower regularly. They often think that slipping on a new shirt and combing their hair is enough for the day, but as hard as it is, it’s our job as parents to teach them better.

Set a schedule with them for how often they will bathe or shower, and teach them about basic things like deodorant and dandruff. Make sure you leave the door open so they can communicate with you if they have questions. Teach them how to plan their outfits for the weather and how to do laundry on their own when they’re ready. Help them understand how important washing their face is. Oh, and one last one — teach them to clip their nails regularly.

It’s difficult, but if your child tries to walk out the door and their smell indicates they need a shower, it’s your job to tell them before they leave. If they have food in their teeth and it’s obvious they haven’t brushed, you need to let them know. Approach it cautiously and come up with a solution, because no kid wants to hear they need a shower right before they enter school, where they’ll worry about it all day.

Time Management

This one’s hard because even adults struggle with time management, and your kids are likely to mimic your habits. Good time management reduces stress and anxiety and makes them more productive. It helps them in every activity they participate in and affects more than academics and work.

Every child is different, so your teaching methods need to adjust. They’ll also manage time differently and prefer unique ways to be organized. Some may prefer a checklist while others shouldn’t be over-scheduled. Keep the dialogue open between your child as they age to help them determine the best way to manage their time. This is especially important when they become teenagers, as they are about to head out on their own.

Handling Failure

While there are messages everywhere that you can become anything you want if you work hard enough, the reality is that most kids are just people who will face achievements and failures throughout their lives. How they deal with those things is a huge part of their character. Some kids become withdrawn and angry when they’re disappointed, while others may turn to hyper-achievement.

Junior high and high school are places where it’s important to learn to deal with failure. They may not make every sports team they try out for, may not get every job they apply for, and may be rejected by friends at times. The key to this is teaching them how their “failures” teach them things and give them opportunities to grow. Help them understand that failure doesn’t define them. As they move on and recover from certain failures, remind them how they felt when it happened and how they came out of it. This will help them in the future as they face similar problems, and give them hope that they will recover one day.

Financial Literacy

There comes a time when credit scores and bank accounts are important to teenagers. It’s important that they learn how to earn money, how to budget it, and how to responsibly spend it. While schools make an effort to teach financial literacy to students, the real responsibility lies with parents. Paying rent and tuition is difficult, and shouldn’t be the first financial situation your kids face.

Start early with basic financial concepts. Teach budgeting and set savings goals with them. Use real-life examples when you’re grocery shopping or buying new furniture. When they’re young, give them an allowance with clear directives and boundaries. Encourage them to work when they can so they can know the sense of achievement that comes with earning their own money. Push them to come up with creative ways to earn money like selling used clothing on reseller sites, babysitting, or mowing lawns. And while it can be difficult, sometimes they need to struggle to remember how important a job is and how much they enjoy having their own money to spend.

Interpersonal Communication

Communication styles are crucial to relationships. If your child learns the wrong way to communicate, it can affect their entire life. Teaching your kids how to communicate early means they avoid bad habits and misunderstandings that affect school, friendships, and the workplace.

Each child’s communication style is different, but there are basic facets of healthy communication you can teach them. Teach them to make eye contact when appropriate. Discuss emotions and how to respond to them. Teach them the difference between sympathy and empathy, and how to handle those feelings. Be a good role model for your kids with your own communication and mimic the behavior you teach them. At the same time, understand their limitations based on age, personality, and learning ability. Teach them how to actively listen and be invested in what others are saying.

If your child has a disability, tailor your lessons to their ability. Eye contact is difficult for some kids while others can’t put emotion into words. Be patient with them as they learn the best ways to communicate.

Critical Thinking

The new generation of kids has access to more information than they know what to do with. This can make it difficult to sort through the noise and figure out what’s true and what’s not. As media engages and people become more polarized, it’s more important than ever to understand how to think critically and decide for themselves what is real.

Teach your children what sources are reliable and which are not. Ask them open-ended questions and have a conversation with them about the answers and how they came to them. Open up difficult topics and be willing to take the time to talk to them. Encourage them to read from different sources and learn how to debate healthily. When they’re asked to debate, they have to deep dive into an issue and learn more about it.

Encourage creativity and new ways of thinking. Look for diverse perspectives where you can find them and teach your kids why they’re valuable. When they have problems or questions, don’t intervene immediately, but give them time to find answers and solutions on their own, and then discuss that with them.

When to Change the Sheets and More

There are many basic life skills and housekeeping tasks kids don’t automatically know. How to make basic meals, how often to change their bedding, how often to vacuum, how to sort laundry piles, and when to clean a bathroom, are some pretty simple examples. Before your kids leave the house, make sure they understand the intricate tasks that make a household run.

The best way to do this is to engage your kids in everyday activities and tasks from the time they’re young. If you didn’t start young, don’t worry. It’s never too late to teach a kid how to scrub a toilet or make spaghetti. Make an intentional effort to involve them and it’s often a positive learning experience for both of you.

Sunscreen

We take sunscreen for granted whenever we head out the door for a picnic or swimming date. So where did it come from and who determined it was important?

Humans have a long history dating back centuries to show how our skin has evolved over time in terms of lightness and darkness. In 1798, skin sensitivity to light was discovered by the father of modern dermatology, Robert Willan. UV radiation was then discovered in 1801. Over the next 100+ years, several scientists continue research on the sun’s effect on the skin.

The first sign that the sun could cause a form of skin cancer came in 1896 when a German doctor made the connection between the two. He defined skin cancer changes as sailor’s skin carcinoma. The first sunscreen was developed in 1910, but celebrities continued to popularize tan skin and companies worked on tanning oil as well as sunscreen. The United States Food and Drug Administration started to regulate the market in 1978, at the same time tanning beds became popular.

In 2007, the association between melanoma and tanning beds was confirmed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, but fortunately, the 1990s ushered in an era where consumers were conscious of terms like SPF and UVB. Sunscreen is such a common household item that we often forget it took more than a century to develop, with the first official product hitting the market in 1928.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste dates back to ancient times, when the Romans and Greeks used oyster shells, crushed bones, charcoal, and bark to clean their teeth. The Indians and Chinese used ginseng, mint, and salt. Interestingly enough, Egyptians used a mix of pepper, iris, rock salt, and mint as early as 5000 BC.

In 1800, the product was simply a powder with chalk or soap. The English added betel net to the mixture, and in 1824, a dentist added soap to dental paste. The next step was adding chalk in the 1850s, and then Colgate exploded on the market with jarred toothpaste in 1873. The first collapsible toothpaste tube was used in 1892.

Manufacturers included fluoride in toothpaste for cavity prevention in 1914, and sodium lauryl sulfate replaced soap in 1945. Eleven years later, Crest mass-marketed Fluoridated toothpaste. You may be surprised to learn that NASA created the first edible toothpaste, and whitening agents were added in 1989.

Today’s toothpaste consists of fluoride, water, abrasives, and detergents, as well as breath-freshening properties and different flavors.

Laundry Detergent

Washing clothes didn’t just start when machines and soap were discovered. The process has been around since 2800 BC when researchers found the first evidence of soap-like materials in Babylon. At that time, soap was made of rendered animal ashes and fat. It stayed that way for a while, and there is proof that ancient Egyptians did the same.

The washing machine made its first appearance in the 1800s during the Industrial Revolution, changing how soap was used. The original washing machine was designed to agitate dirt off items, and soap was still made from animal fat and ashes. Soap stayed the same until around 1916 when there was a shortage of vegetable fats and oils, as well as animals to use in making soap during World War I.

This forced chemists to work with other raw materials that are today known as detergents. Fabrics, bleaches, powder detergent, and liquid detergent became popular in the 1950s, and stain removers joined the club in the 60s. Since the early 90s, we’ve seen green-friendly products, biodegradable cleaners, color-safe bleach, laundry sheets, and detergent pods have entered the market.

Shampoo

In 4,000 BC, bathing and hairstyling were known as luxuries reserved only for the most popular in society. It wasn’t until about 1,000 years later that it became a widespread belief that grooming separated humans from other animals. Egyptians first harvested plants to make essential oils combined with vegetable and animal oils to create a soap-like material for washing centuries later.

In India in the 1800s, traders discovered a body and hair massage and called it champoo. The word shampoo eventually came from “champing” in Europe and was first developed by a Berlin chemist. Two years later, conditioner was created to soften beards and mustaches. In 1908, the New York Times published the rules of shampooing, advising people to wash, comb, and brush their hair out at night.

In 1914, the first shampoo commercial was released, and one of the premier liquid shampoos was launched by Schwarzkopf 13 years later. Over the next century, the substance is refined to last longer, repair hair, and match different hair types. While shampoo companies constantly try to improve the product, detergent remains a main ingredient, so it’s hard to improve it too much.

Non-Stick Cooking Spray

This is one that was invented within the last 100 years. In 1959, Leon Rubin and Arthur Meyerhoff created PAM as a healthier option for liquid oil, margarine, or butter. In 1992, the company changed the formula and added canola oil to improve the taste and reduce saturated fats. Fun fact: PAM stands for “Product of Arthur Meyerhoffer.”

Baking spray with real flour was invented in 2003 and a year later a version for grilling was released. PAM professional for high heat applications joined the other products in 2007. While the patent for the product was issued in 1957, there are many generic options today, and many consumers opt for olive oil spray as a healthier alternative.

Chapstick

While Chapstick is a specific brand, it’s also a generic name for a lip balm product. Invented by a pharmacological thinker and physician in the early 1880s, it was sold locally and was a bit of a flop. A little over 40 years later, after someone spent five dollars to buy the rights to the product, his wife melted the ingredients in her kitchen, let them cool, and then cut them into sticks. Her last name was Morton and the money they made eventually founded the Morton Manufacturing Corporation.

The familiar logo was designed in 1935 and is still used today. The product was sold again in 1963, then after several acquisitions and moves from American Home Products to Pfizer, eventually landed as part of the Suave Brands Co. in 2024. Chapstick now includes sunscreen in some situations and comes in many different flavors.

The company has paired up with several charitable corporations to raise money for breast cancer awareness and has a line for young teens. Familiar spokespeople include Diana Golden, Julius Irving, and Suzy Chaffee.

Hot Dogs and Lunch Meat

Listeria is a bacteria that is found in hot dogs and lunch meat. Many foodborne germs can’t grow in refrigerator temperatures, but listeriosis can. That means hot dogs and lunch meat are out until the baby’s born.

If you heat hot dogs and lunch meats before you eat them, they can be safe. Always heat them to at least 165 degrees and eat them right away. Don’t store them in the fridge for later. If you insist on buying hot dogs, look for ones that are low or completely free of nitrates.

There’s no need to panic if you’ve eaten a hot dog or sandwich while pregnant and remember these are worst-case scenarios. Listeria can cause miscarriage early in pregnancy and has been linked with low birth weight, premature labor, and infant death in the second and third trimesters.

Homemade Dressings and Desserts

The problem with homemade dressings and desserts is the raw eggs. If you make your own dressings or have a chance to enjoy some homemade ones, wait until after the baby is born. Raw eggs are often used in homemade sauces and dressings, while store-bought versions are made with pasteurized eggs. Some examples are Caesar salad dressing, mayonnaise, Hollandaise sauce, and Bearnaise sauce.

Desserts like mousse, meringue, and tiramisu may also contain raw eggs. If you’re craving your homemade option, you can do it safely. Only use pasteurized eggs in your recipe, as they are okay to eat raw.

On a similar note, avoid raw cookie dough while pregnant for the same reason. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 20,000 eggs contains salmonella bacteria. This isn’t a problem in the finished form because cooking them kills the salmonella.

Undercooked Meat

If you prefer your steak a bit pink in the middle, pregnancy is a time to change your habits. Undercooked meat can cause food poisoning, which harms you and the baby. Toxoplasmosis can be found in undercooked meat and can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or organ damage, while it’s harmless in those who aren’t pregnant.

When pregnant, you’re also more susceptible to food poisoning from other foodborne illnesses that can cause cramping, diarrhea, fever, and severe nausea. To prevent these problems, make sure all poultry and meat is cooked thoroughly before you eat it. Always use a meat thermometer if you’re cooking at home. Avoid ready-made meat salads, pates, and meat spreads from the refrigerator or seafood salads.

Soft Cheeses

Similar to lunch meats and hot dogs, there’s a small chance that soft or unpasteurized ripened dairy products may contain listeria, causing listeriosis. Soft cheeses with white coating have more moisture and are therefore more likely to contain bacteria. Cheese to avoid include goat, Camembert, Brie, feta, and blue-veined cheeses.

If soft cheese is individually wrapped, they are safer to eat. These are fairly easy to find at the grocery store. The good news is that if you’re a cheese lover, you’re not totally out of luck. Hard cheeses like Italian grana and Swiss are fine during pregnancy. Cooked cheese it fine as long as it’s to a steaming temperature that kills the bacteria.

Fresh Juices

The whole point of fresh juice is that it’s made with raw fruits and vegetables, but there are several problems with it. Some unpasteurized juices contain bacteria and parasites that can lead to neurological damage in a baby. If you’re making them yourself, there’s a chance that outside bacteria can get in through the process. Some common bacteria found in unpasteurized foods include salmonella, E. coli, and Cryptosporidium parasites.

You don’t have to completely give up juice while you’re pregnant, though. Stick to juice in bottles or boxes from the grocery store. Avoid juices with too much sugar as they can contribute to gestational diabetes. If you order juice at a restaurant, make sure it’s not freshly squeezed.

Sushi

It’s important to stay away from all uncooked meat during pregnancy, and this includes sushi. Both sashimi and sushi contain raw fish and are more likely to contain bacteria and parasites than fully cooked fish. If it’s hard for you to give up sushi while pregnant, don’t worry. Just stick to the cooked options.

Many fish used in sushi like bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, marlin, and swordfish are high in mercury. Mercury has been linked to blindness, deafness, brain damage, and other birth defects. Canned light tuna has very little mercury and is okay to eat occasionally, but avoid albacore tuna, king mackerel, tilefish, and shark.

Raw Sprouts

Raw sprouts can contain something we’ve talked about before here: listeriosis, caused by listeria. Before the sprouts grow, bacteria may enter the seeds, making it next to impossible to wash out. Even when the seed is clean, the sprouting process creates a prime environment for bacteria to grow. During pregnancy, the immune system is often suppressed, making your body more susceptible to food-borne illnesses.

You can keep eating sprouts as long as they are cooked to 165 degrees. Take raw sprouts out of salads or sandwiches at restaurants. Remember that this danger extends to radish, mung bean, clover, and alfalfa.

Refrigerated Smoked Seafood

Smoked seafood is a popular snack and often considered a delicacy, but once again, listeria is a concern. You’re safe to eat smoked seafood in things like casseroles or if it’s been cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. You can eat pickled fish, but avoid raw shellfish and oily fish as they can contain polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins.

If you need Omega-3 acids and can’t get them while pregnant, turn to fortified dairy products, soybeans, edamame, and flaxseed. Many opt to take a fish oil supplement while pregnant but make sure to clear this with your OBGYN.

Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most harmful substances you can expose an unborn baby to. While you may drink before you realize you’re pregnant, it’s important to stop immediately after you find out. Alcohol can lead to risks of preterm birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Alcohol can actually pass through the placenta and reach the fetus, increasing the baby’s blood alcohol levels to the level of the mother’s. The fetus takes longer to break it down and additional risks include problems with brain development, smaller-than-normal head size, and lower birth weight.

Finally, alcohol can lead to a serious disorder known as fetal alcohol syndrome, which can cause lifelong disabilities. Children with FAS struggle with central nervous system problems, learning problems, physical disabilities, intellectual problems, and behavioral disabilities. They may also have abnormal facial features. The United States Surgeon General recommends that women who are trying to get pregnant, think they could be, or know they are should immediately quit drinking.

Unwashed Fruits and Veggies

Some unwashed fruits and vegetables carry a parasite called toxoplasma that can be particularly harmful to expecting moms and their babies. Other harmful organisms like listeria, hepatitis A virus, and norovirus can be found on unwashed materials. Run all food under running water, and brush the skin if possible, or use a chlorine-based food disinfectant.

Keep washed and unwashed food separate to avoid cross-contamination. Be careful if you have a home garden, and eat cooked vegetables in restaurants.

University of Alabama Crimson Tide

When it comes to college football, there isn’t a team more synonymous with passion than the University of Alabama. Named the Crimson Tide after the red mud that covered the Birmingham field during early games, Alabama also has a famous chant that fans all over the world recognize in Roll Tide.

It’s hard to imagine what mascot would pair up with the Tide, but interestingly enough, an elephant is the mascot for Alabama. This comes from a story published by the Atlanta Journal in 1930 when a writer saw the eleven players on the field for the first time and was amazed by their size. It’s suggested that a fan yelled that the elephants were coming, and a mascot was born. The elephant made its first debut in the Sugar Bowl in 1979 with the name of Big Al.

The playing field is named after the university’s long-time successful coach Nick Saban, who retired at the end of the 2023 season. The stadium holds over 100,000 people who fill it every week to scream and cheer for the team.

The student paper reports that some students wear their hair the same every game for luck, while others believe the outfit is where the luck is at. Some eat the same nachos during the fourth quarter and many do the same chant before every third down. It’s safe to say that football fans are superstitious and with 18 national championship titles, Alabama fans may be doing something right.

Auburn University Tigers

Auburn University is another Alabama team that inspires passion, spirit, and tradition. As the Tigers since the first football team formed in 1892, their official mascot is Aubie the Tiger. This can be confusing because the team’s battle cry is “War Eagle,” and Auburn fans say they are the tigers who yell “War Eagle” but never the eagles.

Before every game, the team walks to the Jordan-Hare Stadium from the Athletics Complex, a tradition that started in the 60s when community members and kids could walk by and get the team’s autographs. After a Tigers win, the trees at Toomer’s Corner are covered in toilet paper in a prank known as rolling Toomer’s.

One of the best traditions of Auburn football is the pre-game ritual. Before every home game, the crowd of 88,000 gets to witness the majestic beauty of an eagle in flight.

Louisiana State University Tigers

Another member of the SEC with the Tiger mascot, Louisiana State University has bred professional athletes like Joe Burrow, who was drafted first in 2020 by the Cincinnati Bengals. LSU takes its football just as seriously as the neighbors in Alabama. Located in Baton Rouge, the athletes are known as the Lady Tigers, Fighting Tigers, or just simply the Tigers.

The team’s mascot is Mike the Tiger, and it’s said that for every one of Mike’s roars on game day, the team will score a touchdown. Mike is named after the first athletic trainer employed after the mascot was purchased. Students often attempt to take a picture with Mike on graduation day, and when a new mascot is adopted, the school has a special ceremony. LSU’s vet program locates a new tiger and blows white smoke from their building.

LSU students have special reference for jersey numbers 7 and 18 and 7 is given to the best player from the state of Louisiana. Before the games, the band plays the “Pregame Salute” while the coaches, football team, dancers, and flag twirlers march to Tiger Stadium from Victory Hill. The school also paints the crossbar with the word “WIN” and each player hits the bar on their way to the field.

One interesting fact about LSU is that it has five-yard yard lines and H-style goalposts.

Ole Miss Rebels

Known formally as the University of Mississippi, Ole Miss is actually in Oxford. It’s the state’s oldest higher-education public institution and has some serious football fans. One of the most famous traditions to come out of Ole Miss is the “Hotty Toddy” cheer. Most students and fans know the cheer, and it’s recited at every home game when the crowd is asked if they’re ready.

The team also does the Walk of Champions, where the team and coaches walk on a brick sidewalk to Vaught Hemingway Stadium from The Grove. Fans from all over line the path and cheer the team on. The night before a game, fans set up tailgating parties in The Grove with cocktails, fine food, satellite TVs, and oddly enough, chandeliers.

After scoring touchdowns or forcing turnovers, Ole Miss football players dunk on the basketball hoop, whether it’s a home or an away game. When the Ole Miss football team takes the field, all students lock arms with those next to them and sway back and forth, a tradition known as “Locking the Vaught.”

Texas Longhorns

The University of Texas may be situated a bit west of their SEC rivals, but they take their football just as seriously. Those who’ve attended games call it a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the historic Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The stadium itself is dedicated to United States military veterans and has seen more than 100 seasons of football.

The team’s mascot is Bevo the Longhorn, and he’s featured heavily throughout game days. Fans can line up for the Stadium Stampede when he enters the stadium with the marching band. He spends the game in the south end zone in the right-hand corner, and it’s believed that his presence inspires the team.

Texas has its own street dedicated to the tailgating experience, known as Bevo Boulevard (obviously named after the mascot). The party kicks off hours before the game starts, and the players enter through the area. This gives fans a chance to get some delicious central Texas food and cheer the players on before they hit the field.

During important parts of the game, the school sets off a 1,200-pound artillery cannon from the south end zone. It’s fired at the end of every quarter, score, and kickoff, so don’t sit in the area if you’re naturally jumpy. It’s a Texas tradition performed by real Texas cowboys. The school also has its own version of the wave, where one-half of the student section will randomly yell “Texas” while the other half responds with “Fight.”

Tennessee Volunteers

Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, the Volunteers play at Neyland Stadium, which seats more than 101,000 people. The team got the mascot from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution when way back in 1902, a writer coined it. The nickname refers to the fact that many soldiers from the state volunteered to fight in the War of Texas Independence and the War of 1812. The school’s physical mascots are Davy Crockett, and Smokey the Bluetick coonhound.

The Tennessee River is located near the stadium, and tailgaters bring over 200 boats to the area to celebrate. Before every game, the school paints a big rock orange and white, and it stands as a place for students to share their feelings, artistic abilities, and thoughts.

Every game day, the Volunteer and Smokey lead the football team to the stadium gates down Peyton Manning Pass in the infamous Vol Walk. The stadium has a checkerboard endzone and during one game each season, the fans alternate orange and white in each section to make the stands match.

After every touchdown, Smokey the mascot runs down the sidelines to pump up fans and increase the energy.

Florida Gators

The University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida, and is always one of the powerhouse teams of the SEC. Home to more than 33,000 students, the community rallies behind the university in every sport, but especially in football country.

Albert and Alberta are the team’s mascots. Obviously gators, they wear matching attire and represent American alligators, an animal commonly found in Florida.

Whenever the team’s defense gets to a third down, fans begin rubbing their fingers together in a signal for making money. The words “money down” are shown on the jumbotron while the crowd participates. Like most teams, the Gators perform a game day walk and greet fans on their way to the stadium, known as a Gator Walk.

There is a gator head that sits between the playing field and the locker room and it’s considered sacred. Before any player, staff member, or coach enters the field, tradition says they must touch the gator’s head.

If you attend a Gator game, you may hear the crowd perform the two-bit chant. Supporters yell out “Two Bits! Four Bits! Six Bits! A Dollar! All for the Gators, stand up and holler!” The chant was started spontaneously in 1949 by a fan who wanted to pump the team up after a difficult season. He was a veteran named George Edmonson and bought season tickets for decades after his first game. The school even asked him to lead the crowds in the chant before each game from midfield.

Georgia Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs are another extremely powerful SEC team that has won four national championships, most recently in 2021 and 2022. Located in Athens, Georgia, Bulldog Nation in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. Sanford Stadium holds more than 92,000 fans and is surrounded by iconic green hedges used to identify the stadium.

Before every game, the fans love to “call the dawgs.” During the kickoff, the fans yell “Go Dawgs, Sic ’em! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!” One goosebump-inspiring tradition the Bulldogs honor is before the game. The Redcoat Band enters the field, leaving one trumpet player in the South Deck. The trumpeter starts the Battle Hymn of the Republic and the complete student sections point their way. After the solo, a highlight reel of Bulldog football is played.

Fans turn on their phone flashlights early in the fourth quarter. They wave four fingers of the opposite hand while swaying their lights in the air. Before the game, tailgating starts early as more than 100,000 set up to party. Every time the team wins a home game, fans rush to the Chapel Bell to ring it and celebrate.

Question

How do plants make food?

Answer: Through Photosynthesis

Plants can make their own food through aprocess called photosynthesis. There are three main ingredients needed for this process: water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight. The plant’s leaves trap the sun’s energy within their leaves. They use this energy to change the water in their roots into glucose and oxygen. Leaves often have a green pigment because they contain chlorophyll which is used to absorb energy from the sun.

Question

What is often titled the powerhouse of the cell?

Answer: Mitochondria

The mitochondria are often called the powerhouse of the cell. It uses a process called cellular preparation to create energy, earning it the “powerhouse” title. The mitochondria are responsible for producing the majority of the cell’s energy, which allows the cell to perform a long list of biochemical reactions.

Question

What is a food chain?

Answer: How Energy and Nutrients Transfer Through Organisms

A food chain is a linear model showing how food goes from the most basic organism to others. At the bottom of the food chain are things like algae and plants because they make their own food. Primary consumers come next and eat producers. These are often leaf-eating insects and other herbivores. Next come secondary consumers, like spiders, snakes, and fish that eat herbivores.

The third type of consumer is a tertiary consumer. These are often large carnivores like birds of prey, sharks, and wolves. After consumers come decomposers. These are organisms like bacteria and fungi that break dead organisms into the basic materials plants need to make food. In this way, the entire food chain is complete, and the same materials are used repeatedly to feed an entire ecosystem.

Question

What does the immune system do?

Answer: Defends the Body Against Infection

The immune system is made up of a network of organs, tissues, and cells that work to identify and eliminate harmful things in the body. These can include cancer cells, parasites, viruses, and bacteria. This keeps you healthy in most cases by destroying the things that make you sick before they can spread.

There are two types of immunity. The first is innate immunity, which is the body’s first line of defense. The immune system sends a non-specific, rapid response to things like stomach acid, mucous membranes, and skin barriers. The second type of immunity is adaptive immunity, which is a more targeted response. In this case, the immune system recognizes things it’s seen before and sends specialized cells to attack them. This is how you develop long-term immunity to many diseases.

Question

What is a virus?

Answer: An Infectious Agent That Replicates Within a Host

Once a virus is inside a host organism, it can replicate quickly and make you very sick. They can infect animals, humans, plants, and any other living organism. They are so small that they have to be seen under a microscope, and for how much havoc they can cause on the body, they are amazingly simple.

A virus holds a small piece of genetic information in the form of RNA or DNA, and it lives within a protective shell. Some even have an envelope to protect them. Common viruses you may know are COVID-19, the common cold, and the flu. They enter the body through mucous membranes and come in all shapes and sizes. Viruses can’t be treated by an antibiotic.

Question

What is homeostasis?

Answer: How An Organism Remains Stable

Despite external factors, an organism must maintain a stable internal environment. The human body uses a variety of processes and systems to not only maintain stability but also to constantly check the body for anything that is off.

Blood pressure, body temperature, hunger, and acid levels are four things used to maintain homeostasis in the human body. Homeostasis is an important part of understanding how the body functions both when it’s sick and when it’s well.

Question

What does the circulatory system do?

Answer: Transports Nutrients and Oxygen

Much like its name suggests, the circulatory system is used to circulate nutrients and oxygen through the body. It also removes waste products such as carbon dioxide. The system is made up of the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins. It moves oxygen, gases, hormones, and nutrients with the heart as the pump for it all.

Arteries carry blood away from the heart and veins move blood back to it. While it’s circulating, it delivers the substances needed for repair, growth, and energy.

Question

What do enzymes do?

Answer: Speed Up the Body’s Chemical Reactions

Enzymes are proteins that are essential for things like blood clotting, growth, and digestion. There are thousands of different types of enzymes in the body, and each has its own role. Enzymes “connect” to certain molecules at the cellular level and lessen the amount of energy needed to perform a reaction.

Some examples of enzymes include helicase, amylase, lipase, maltase, trypsin, and lactase. The body requires each type to function correctly.

Question

What does the nucleus of a cell do?

Answer: Works As the Cell’s Control Center

RNA processing, DNA replication, and transcription all occur within the nucleus of a cell, and it functions as a control center. The nucleus stores and manages all genetic materials. Its membrane-bound structure protects the integrity of genes within the cell. It regulates things like metabolism and growth and houses the cell’s genome.

Question

What is an allele?

Answer: A Variant Gene Form

A person gets two different alleles, one from each parent, to create DNA. This determines the person’s characteristics like blood type, hair color, and eye color. Alleles can be dominant or recessive. They can also influence things like allergies, reactions to medication, and certain diseases.

One example of how alleles work is in someone who received one allele for blue eyes from mom and one for brown from dad. This doesn’t mean they will have one blue eye and one brown eye. There are three gene pairs associated with eye color, and the outcome is decided through a complex process of pairing recessive and dominant alleles.

Question

What is DNA?

Answer: Hereditary Material in Most Organisms

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, stores all genetic information for a cell. It’s known as the building blocks of human life and contains all instructions necessary for functioning and development. It’s essentially a blueprint for the body to follow and pass traits down through generations. DNA is unique to every individual.

While in utero, each organism begins to replicate cells to create a unique being. Each cell contains DNA, and replication errors can lead to things like cancer, developmental abnormalities, or genomic instability.

Question

What is mitosis?

Answer: The Part of the Replication Cycle Where Chromosomes Separate

When a cell replicates the chromosomes and splits them into two different nuclei before cell division, the process is called mitosis. After mitosis, the cell usually divides into two daughter cells with identical genomes.

There are four stages of mitosis: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Mitosis is an important part of creating new cells that pass down genetic traits at the core of every cell, the nuclei.

Question

What is cellular respiration?

Answer

Cellular respiration is how cells make energy for some biological functions by breaking down glucose near oxygen. The cells turn those substances into carbon dioxide, ATP, and water. It occurs in three steps and is aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (without oxygen). There are three stages to cellular respiration, but they’re much more complex than the basic question, so it’s no surprise most Americans don’t know them. They are glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.

Question

What is biodiversity?

Answer: A Wide Range of Species on Earth

Biodiversity is having a diverse variety of species on Earth. This includes not only the number of species but also their genetic variation and how they react within their individual ecosystem. Biodiversity provides economic growth, a stable climate, medicine, food, crop pollination, good quality soil, fresh water, and clean air.

There are many things that threaten biodiversity on our planet. Some examples are invasive alien species, pollution, climate change, direct exploitation, and changes in land use.

Question

What do chloroplasts do?

Answer: An Important Part of Photosynthesis

Chloroplasts help plants with photosynthesis, or the process by which they make food. They are green in color and mostly found in the leaves because they have access to more sunlight. They perform photosynthesis during the day and turn light energy into semi-stable chemical energy. They are vital to the process of plants making food.

Question

What is meiosis?

Answer: Cell Division to Sex Cells

Meiosis occurs in two parts and reduces the number of chromosomes in gametes in sexually reproducing organisms. Simply put, one cell divides twice during meiosis to form four daughter cells. Each daughter cell contains half the number of the parent cell’s chromosomes.

Question

What holds DNA together?

Answer: Hydrogen Bonds

DNA molecules are made of a double helix formed by nucleotides and then held together by hydrogen bonds. Cytosine pairs with guanine and adenine pairs with thymine.

Question

What are hormones?

Answer: Chemical Messengers That Control Organs and Cells

You may have heard of hormones like thyroid hormone, estrogen, insulin, testosterone, or progesterone. These are chemical messengers that control what organs and cells do as they travel through the bloodstream. Problems with hormones can lead to things like fertility problems, thyroid problems, and diabetes.

Question

What is an organism that can make its own food?

Answer: Autotrophs

Autotrophs are organisms that can make their own food, while heterotrophs must consume other organisms for food. Most plants are autotrophs because they make their own food through photosynthesis with only water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide. Autotrophs are most often the producers at the beginning of a food chain.

What Is an Ecosystem?

What is an ecosystem?

Answer: Community of Living Organisms

An ecosystem is a broad term for a community of organisms like microbes, animals, and plants that live together and interact with each other. They all rely on the same things like temperature, sunlight, soil, and water. Simply put, an ecosystem is a bubble where all living things rely on their surroundings and each other to survive.

Do Say: I’ll Bring Dinner Tomorrow

Even if it’s just parents and newborns, the thought of fixing a meal can be exhausting when you’ve just given birth. Many moms feel the beginnings of failure this early, and while partners can help carry the load, they may be exhausted also. Offering to bring a meal in is a great way to take some weight off mom’s shoulders.

Don’t make the meal a chore for them. Freezer meals are great, and you can even get their favorite takeout. Offer to leave the meal on the porch to avoid spreading germs. Don’t inundate them with texts about what is best, but do check for food allergies. Try to do something simple that most people like, such as pasta or sandwiches.

Don’t Say: Are You Breastfeeding?

The reality is that how a mother chooses to feed her baby is nobody’s business. Some breastfeed exclusively, others rely on formula and some mix the two. It doesn’t matter what a mother chooses to do with her body or her baby. Asking this question can trigger a whole wave of emotions for mothers who want to breastfeed and can’t for reasons outside their control. Unless you’re invited into this topic, stay out of it.

Do Say: You Will Sleep Again

There’s about a two-week time period where it’s amazing to see your baby day or night. Once the lack of sleep hits your body, it’s a different story. About two months in, most moms hit a wall and their bodies tell them they have to sleep.

The problem with having a newborn is that your body can’t get the deep kind of sleep that gives you energy. Telling a mom that she will sleep again gives her hope, particularly if you’ve been there before. Better yet, if appropriate, offer to take the baby during the day so she can nap.

Don’t Say: You Hold Your Baby Too Much

First of all, offering your opinion when it’s not asked for is just tacky, so this should be a given. Moms worry about tummy time, nap times and feeding. The last thing they need to feel guilty about is how often they sit to hold their baby. When she’s grown a human being and delivered it, she can hold them whenever she wants.

Research also shows that babies need to be held and loved. Whether the mom chooses to rock her baby to sleep or start with a strict sleeping schedule, it’s their decision to make.

Do Say: I Am Proud of You

The effort it takes to get pregnant, deliver a baby, and raise a child is incredible. Most parents feel as if they’re getting it wrong no matter what they do, and the worry sticks around late into the night. New moms don’t want advice unless they ask for it. They simply want to be told that they’re doing a great job and that you’re proud of them.

These words can come from anyone. A friend, a neighbor, a sister, or anyone else who wants to support a new mom and build her up. Tell her as often as you can, because she will doubt herself many times, and if she hears your voice in her head saying she’s doing great, it may pull her out of a funk.

Don’t Say: You Look Stressed

Of course, a new mom is stressed, and she doesn’t need you to point it out to her. That only makes her self-conscious that she’s giving off the wrong kind of energy to her family. It makes her concerned about her appearance when she needs to be resting and caring for the baby.

If she seems anxious, use your actions more than your words. Ask her what you can do to help her or just remind her that she’s doing a great job. Mop a floor, drop off a gift card, or bring her favorite treat to her. Do what you can to lift her up rather than stress her out and break her down.

Do Say: Trust Your Instincts

It takes some time to adjust to the idea that you are someone’s everything and that they rely on you for food, shelter, and all kinds of care. Because of this, many new moms have a hard time tuning in to their instincts and trusting them, but the truth is they know what’s right for their baby. Bad or good, a mama’s instincts are one of the most important things she can learn to listen to.

Don’t Say: You’re Leaving the Baby Home Already?

The truth is that motherhood looks different for everyone. Some moms have to go back to work quickly, some need to get out with friends or their partner, and some just simply need to be someone other than mom. There is no timeline on when a new mom should leave her baby with her partner or a trusted sitter. A big part of fighting post-partum depression is taking care of yourself, and if she’s taking active steps to do that, encourage her instead of berating her.

Do Say: So Thankful Your Baby Is Here Safely

Maternal mortality rates are higher than they should be, and the truth is that giving birth is very hard on your body. Most women have some type of health problem during pregnancy whether it’s swollen ankles or nausea, and many of these problems can be life-threatening. Not to mention the birthing process itself.

It’s a relief to finally hold your baby in your arms and know your body is healthy. Make sure mom and baby know that you’re happy everything went well and that baby is here and thriving. This is particularly true for women who have hard labors, difficult pregnancies, or C-sections.

Don’t Say: You’ve Already Lost the Baby Weight

Society is hard on women in many ways, and one in particular is weight. Most women gain 25-35 pounds while they’re pregnant, but it’s possible to gain much more. As long as a health care professional is monitoring their weight, they don’t need comments on it from you.

The hips widen for the woman to give birth and it takes time for things to go back to “normal.” But ultimately, this is not the mom’s goal, nor should it be the focus. Her body did and continues to do a miraculous thing. She needs additional calories and vitamins to help her body recover. It doesn’t matter what she looks like while she does it, as long as she is healthy and happy.

Do Say: I Trust You

We’ve all heard the old saying that trust takes a lifetime to earn and a second to lose, but your kids shouldn’t have to earn anything from you. They come inherently worthy of trust UNTIL they do things to lose it. Too many parents start their kids in the negative when it comes to trust, and it confuses them and makes them feel as if they’ve done something wrong. This sets even the best kids up for failure.

Rather than telling them they need to earn your trust, try telling them that you trust them until they give you a reason not to. This puts the decision in their hands and tells them up front that there is a consequence for breaking trust. When they do inevitably mess up, give them chances to earn your trust back, and don’t hold it over their heads once the problem has been settled. Kids are going to mess up from time to time, and they should have the freedom to do that and also know they can come back from it.

Don’t Say: Nothing

When your teen lashes out and hurts your feelings or ignores your rules, it’s natural to feel hurt, disappointed, and frustrated. What’s NOT natural is to try to correct their behavior by ignoring them or icing them out. Kids don’t understand this complex behavior and may feel as if they are unlovable if they make a mistake. This can set your teen up for difficult long-term relationships.

In extreme cases, the silent treatment is considered abuse. It leads to feelings of emotional abandonment and sends them to others to get the love and support they need. You can’t change your child’s behavior by simply ignoring them. They need to understand why you are upset, what they can do to fix it, and that they are still loved. Using love to change behavior will ruin your relationship with your kids and can seriously damage them mentally.

Now, it’s okay to take a step back and ask for some time to process your feelings about the issue. The key is to keep communication lines open and let your teen know you still love them, but you need to work through things.

Do Say: I Will Always Love You

Teenagers need unconditional love, but the truth is that they’re going to push your boundaries as far as they can. When this happens, they need to know that they’re still loved and worthy, even if you are angry or frustrated about their choices. As a parent of a teenager, it’s time to understand that your kids WILL mess up. It’s a matter of when not if.

This doesn’t mean that choices don’t have consequences. There are natural consequences and ones you impose yourself. Make sure the consequences match the crime, and ensure that your teen understands that their punishment is not tied to your love for them. They are loved no matter what, but their behavior may require you to take some privileges away.

This statement is also applicable to situations where your child shares any type of secret with you. Abuse, sexual orientation, and self-harm are three things that many teenagers feel shame and guilt about. If your child knows you love them no matter what, they’ll feel safe coming to you to get rid of their negative feelings.

Don’t Say: Just Get Over It

It may seem small to you because you’re looking at the problem through an adult lens, but every problem your teen faces seems huge to them. When you tell them to just get over it, you diminish their feelings, worries, and concerns. It also confuses them because they don’t trust their own emotions.

Instead, sit down with your child and discuss how they’re feeling. Try to understand the WHY behind the feeling so you can address the real problem. Validate their feelings, but help them understand that they can get through even the worst-case scenario. As they go through different events in life, they’ll refer back to the times they survived similar crises and be able to get through them easier, but if you dismiss their worries up front, they have no coping mechanisms.

Do Say: Your Options Are Limitless

Your teen should know that you believe they can do and be anything they want to be. If they have unrealistic dreams, the world will let them know that when it’s appropriate, but it’s not your job to hold them back. When a child says they want to be a superhero or become a doctor, we let them believe it. The same should be true of your teen. If they think they are going to play professional soccer and you know there’s no chance, you don’t need to tell them that. Just temper their expectations and limit how much effort they put into something.

Moms should always be cheering their kids on, even if what they want is unrealistic. Remember that Tom Brady was drafted into the NFL as the 199th pick and went on to win seven Super Bowl titles. Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four years old and Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first job. Your child’s options ARE limitless when they have a parent who believes in them. Don’t temper their dreams by saying things like “You’re not smart enough for that” or “You’re too short to play football.”

Don’t Say: Superlatives in Comparison

You can praise one child while tearing another down without even realizing it. If you tell your teen they are the best at doing chores, your other children hear you. If you tell them they are the smartest kid you know, their siblings automatically assume they aren’t as good. Using superlatives in compliments can create resentment between siblings and other family members.

Instead, tell your child how good they are at something without using words like “best,” “sweetest” or “most successful.” You can thank one child for doing the dishes thoroughly without shaming your other children who aren’t quite as good at it. Other examples include:

• You worked so hard for those grades and I’m so proud of you!
• I can tell you put extra effort into cleaning your room and I appreciate it.
• I think the coach will really notice that you have a talent for distributing the ball.

Complimenting one person doesn’t have to mean putting another down. Teens deal with this all day, and they don’t need to hear it at home.

Sabrina Carpenter Superfan Scholarship

Who knew your kids’ love of pop stars could help them get an education? This one is open to all students influenced by Sabrina Carpenter’s career and pays out $500 to the participant.

Harry Potter Fan No-Essay Scholarship

If you or your kids have been impacted by the Harry Potter empire, there’s a $500 scholarship just waiting for you. It won’t get you to Hogwarts, it’s not a Horcrux and there are no Defense of the Dark Arts classes at any college, but every student is eligible to apply for this money.

Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

Is your child an artist or do they even have creative tendencies? If so, this is the scholarship for them. They submit the best greeting or holiday card and compete with other students, with the only requirement being that they are over 14. The public can vote to narrow entries down to the top ten, but judges make the final decision on who gets the $10,000 award.

Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

This scholarship is designed for fans of shows like Z Nation and The Walking Dead. Unigo offers the scholarship and just asks for a 250-word essay on what they would do if there was a zombie apocalypse at their school. The winner gets $2,000 and the deadline is appropriately on Halloween.

Sunday Night Football Fan No-Essay Scholarship

Is your student passionate about football? If so, they meet the requirements for this unique scholarship. The best part? They can win the $500 without writing an essay.

Ike Foundation Scholarship

If your child meets the requirements, this is a scholarship worth looking at. Applicants have to be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, high school seniors, and planning to enroll in a university or college as a degree-seeking student. They must also have a GPA of 3.2. The Ike Foundation was created to instill a love of fishing in kids, so keep that in mind during the application process.

Minecraft Scholarship

Are there any gamers out there? Who says you can’t turn video game time into something profitable? This scholarship is intended for those who love the game and can articulate in writing how it affects career development and education. Your child can earn $2,000 toward school for writing about their passions.

American Quarter Horse Association Scholarship

Students involved in the American Quarter Horse Association who can also achieve specific academic goals and prove financial need may be interested in this option. Amounts are determined each year, but they’ve given out more than $9.6 million since the first scholarship in 1976.

Top Ten List Scholarship

This scholarship is for kids at all grade levels, as long as they are over 14. The money is awarded to the student who can come up with the best top ten reasons they should get the scholarship. The deadline is usually at the end of the year and the award is $1,500.

Bookshelf to Big Screen Scholarship

Whether you think the movie is always better than the book or you lean the other way, help your child pick out their favorite book that’s been adapted to a movie or series. From the Hunger Games to Twilight to Harry Potter, there’s a huge selection to choose from, and your student can earn $1,000.

Pumpkin Spice Fan Scholarship

Is fall your student’s favorite season? If so, this scholarship may be made for them. The Pumpkin Spice Fan Scholarship is a $500 award given to students at any level with any GPA. You simply have to fill out the application and honestly declare your love for all things pumpkin spice.

Allergies Shaped My Life Foundation Scholarship

Every year this foundation gives out multiple scholarships in the amount of $500 to graduate students, college students, and high school seniors. The only requirement is that your child has at least one food allergy and they write a 500-word on how that essay has shaped their life.

John Kitt Memorial Scholarship

This award is ideal for those who love candy and is funded by the American Association of Candy Technologists. One college sophomore, junior, or senior who demonstrates an interest in confectionery technology can win this award in the sum of $2,500.

Superpower Scholarship

This award is open to students at all grade levels and only requires a short essay. Your student writes about which villain or superhero they would change places with for a day and explains why they made that choice. With just a bit of creative writing, students are awarded $2,500.

1989 (Taylor’s Version) Fan Scholarship

Another female pop star inspired a chance for students to earn money for school. All your student has to do is share what songs or lyrics have impacted their lives and spoken to them. The amounts may seem random unless you’re a Switfie. Earn $1989 dollars toward school with this scholarship because Taylor herself was born in 1989 and has an album with the same name.

Rover College Scholarship

This scholarship is offered to both high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. For a chance at $2,500, all your student has to do is craft a well-written essay about how having a pet has influenced their lives. It doesn’t even have to be your pet — it can be someone else’s.

National Rice Month Scholarship

This scholarship is only available to high school seniors in the states that produce the most rice: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. As October is National Rice Month, the due date falls on the 14th of this year and requires a three-minute video about rice growth in the US and the importance of rice in the world. Three lucky students walk away with up to $5,000 if they do it right.

Rove Pest Control Scholarship

If your high school senior or college student has a 3.0 GPA, they may qualify for the Rove Pest Control Scholarship. Keep in mind that special consideration for the $500 scholarship goes to anyone pursuing a degree in entomology or something related.

Clowns of America Scholarship

This scholarship is geared toward those who are enrolled for a minimum of ten hours in a family entertainment educational program. Applicants must also be members of Clowns of America International, and the amount varies from year to year.

Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded quarterly in the amount of $1,000. High school seniors, and college and graduate students are all eligible to apply as long as they are studying in the United States.

Stuck at Prom Scholarship

Award amounts range from $500 – $10,000, but this scholarship requires some creativity. It’s open to students 14 and over in every state except Vermont, Colorado, and Maryland. Applicants must create a prom outfit made exclusively from Duck Brand Duck Tape.

Tall Clubs International Scholarship

This scholarship is designed for those who are exceptionally tall. Any woman who is 5’10” or taller and any man who is 6’2″ or taller can apply. Application just requires directly contacting Tall Clubs International, and the organization gives out several $1,000 awards each year.

UFDC Nancy Carlson Scholarship

If your student has a special interest in composition dolls, this is a unique option. The application process includes submitting a research topic and plan, and the amount varies each year, but it’s ideal for someone with a niche interest.

Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

This scholarship does a great job of rewarding good behavior. It’s available for undergraduate, graduate, and high school students committed to spreading the word about how dangerous driving and texting can be. The first part of the application process involves the submission of a 140-character statement about why the student promises to never text and drive. If your student is selected as a finalist, they’ll be asked to write a 500-1,000 word essay to be considered for the $1,000 award.

Shout It Out Scholarship

For a chance at $1,500, your student just has to share a 250-word essay explaining what they would say to the entire world if they had the chance. All students over the age of 14 qualify.

Fifth Month Scholarship

May is the 5th month, and this scholarship is all about explaining the number five and why it matters. Students must submit a 250-word essay that can be funny or serious but must be original. This is a great opportunity for those who love creative writing and is open to high school sophomores, juniors seniors, and undergraduate and graduate students.

Two Ten Footwear Foundation College Scholarship

Two Ten Footwear Foundation offers scholarships to various students up to $4,000. They must be an employee or a child of an employee of any company in the footwear industry. Their goal is to help students “hit the ground running” as early as they can.

I Have a Dream Scholarship

This is another option for students who love creative writing. Every year, one student receives $1,500 for writing a 250-word essay on what they dream about. The subject can be something about their future or a bizarre dream they had the week before. It’s open to all grade levels and expected deadlines are usually around the first of the year.

Ocean Awareness Art Contest

Available to high school students who are passionate about the environment and creative arts. Your child can win one of the multiple awards up to $1,000 by sharing about their relationship with the natural world through dance, music, film, music, spoken word, poetry, visual art, and creative writing.

Mycological Society of America Scholarship

Is your student fascinated by mold, spores, or fungus? If so, they may qualify for a $1,000 undergraduate award or one of two $2,000 graduate awards.

Tuition Cost

One of the biggest factors in where kids go to school is the cost and affordability. Students who apply for financial aid through the federal government often find that their parents are expected to contribute unrealistic amounts in the tens of thousands, and this can affect where they attend school. 

Some students qualify for Pell Grants if their household income is low enough. Those with a higher income are completely exempt from this option and may be forced to rely on student loans or their own savings. This can be difficult to balance for a family that brings in a higher income but requires the students to manage their own tuition. 

One way to offset the cost of tuition is to look at different housing options. In many situations, the lower housing costs make the higher tuition worth it, or vice versa. If you decide to take out student loans, it’s important to understand the repayment options and amounts in relation to the average salary for the likely career.

Housing Options and Availability

Housing is almost as important as tuition. Whether you choose an on-campus option or an off-campus one, the cost and location may make or break your decision.

On-campus housing like dorms often comes with built-in benefits like meal plans (for an extra fee), extra security and proximity to campus. Off-campus options like apartments managed by rental companies provide extra freedom, bigger rooms and a bit more privacy. Every person is unique and all parents should discuss their preferences with their students before choosing.

If you wait too long when choosing a college, housing can be hard to come by. Most students sign a year-long lease, but those who leave mid-year can sell their leases to incoming students. It is possible to pick up housing later in the process, but we don’t recommend it. Try to choose in early spring so you can register for the apartment you want for your child in terms of safety, price and convenience.

Programs: Major and Minors

This is a difficult one because many students aren’t sure what they want to study when they enter a university. If your student is unsure about their future but needs to get their general education credits done, then there are more options. If your child is ready to start a program or jump right into a major, it’s important to know what programs the school offers.

Some schools change, drop or add programs each year. Don’t just assume that a school keeps a program, but check it out before you apply and register. Try to meet with an advisor in the program to determine what the future looks like before you choose a college.

Proximity to Home

Being close to home can be a blessing and a curse. It’s nice to come to raid the pantry or visit Mom and Dad when they’re feeling homesick, but it also provides a comfort blanket that may keep them from meeting new people and having new experiences.

If your child needs special support or medical help, it may be necessary for them to be closer to home. If they need to branch out and find their own space in the world, it’s better if they are farther away. While a young adult will drive an hour or two to come home every weekend, they may pause at the thought of a four or five-hour drive or the hassle of a flight. This allows them to take part in school activities that complete the college experience.

School Size: Students and Campus

Community colleges average around 5,000 students at one time, which means smaller class sizes. Some of the country’s largest colleges have more than 70,000 students, which is an entirely different ball game than a smaller school.

The amount of students can affect security, acceptance rates, difficulty in getting into a program and as mentioned above, class sizes. Larger schools also give students a better platform to get on the national stage through sports or academics. Some students do better in a smaller, more intimate setting, while others thrive with thousands of new people to meet. It’s important to understand your student’s learning style and ability to function in large groups before choosing a college. 

Each setting provides unique challenges to socializing. Bigger schools mean you don’t run into the same people as often, but there is a wider variety of personality types to choose from. Smaller schools mimic a high school setting and may be more comfortable for shyer students, but often lack diverse options for new relationships.

Current Education Level

This is one factor many parents forget when they’re planning high school schedules and applying for college. Junior and community colleges are great places for those who want to ease into a larger campus, but they are virtually worthless for someone who was actively involved in college courses in high school.

The first two years of study are usually spent on general education classes like math, English, history and science. These are also popular classes for students to take in high school because they’re cheaper. If a student ends up at a two-year junior college but their general education courses are already done, there’s almost nothing for them to accomplish.

Plans for Graduate School

Probably one of the most important things to consider when choosing a college is what your child plans to do after they graduate from college. If they plan to pursue any type of graduate degree, this plays a large part in the college they attend.

Some graduate degrees are extremely competitive, and admissions boards factor in the university attended heavily. Others care more about GPA and quality of work and less about where they attended school first. If your child has expressed any desire to obtain any type of graduate degree (a medical degree, law degree, doctoral degree, etc.) they may want to attend a college or university with a respected program that feeds into that ultimate goal.

Ultimately, the decision is an individualized one that depends on many factors: your child’s learning style, your family’s income, your plans and your proximity to different schools. One thing it’s important to remember: even if you “mess it up” there are always ways to correct it. While choosing a college is a big decision, changes can always be made if something doesn’t work for your child.

Wednesday

The 2022 Wednesday series wrapped a whole new generation up in the kooky, spookiness of the Addams family. Wednesday’s popularity skyrocketed after the series. While there’s always a classic Gomez or Morticia costume, kids are most likely to be fans of Wednesday herself or popular characters like Enid or Xavier. The good news is the show signed for a second season in 2023, so this may be a costume you can pass down for a few years.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

Yes, these two are in their mid-30s, but that doesn’t mean your child wouldn’t look adorable as one of them. Pick up a friend who wants to go along for the couple, or just let your child dress like the one they love the most. Get a bejeweled leotard or bodysuit, with plenty of tips from Swifties online to help you make one, and join Chiefs Kingdom by purchasing a Travis Kelce jersey or repurposing an old one. You really can’t go wrong with these costumes because they are so versatile. And they’re sure to be a hit because we all need a good love story.

Ghostbusters

Those of us who are old enough remember who to call when there’s something strange in the neighborhood, and many younger fans caught on when Ghostbusters made a comeback with the movie “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” in 2024. The franchise attempted to revive itself back in a 2021 film, but it seems this is the year that kids are really catching on. Dress your kids as Ghostbusters and you and your partner like a marshmallow, and just see how fun Halloween can be.

Minions

The Minions are back in Despicable Me 4 and are likely to make their return to the Halloween costume scene. Or did they ever really leave? Plan on your kids being excited about them whether they’ve seen the movie or not. The good news is that if you can’t find the costume, it’s pretty easy to create on your own with just a simple yellow turtleneck, a pair of white-rimmed glasses, a yellow beanie and a pair of overalls.

Red

Is anyone ready for The Descendants to be back on the scene? If so, you’re in luck. Descendants: The Rise of Red was released in July of this year and is likely to inspire your kids in all ways. We chose Red as the most popular costume, but be on the lookout for others including the Queen of Hearts, Chloe Charming, Cinderella, Hook and Bridget.

Bluey

This show has remained a classic for years, and it’s easy to see why. The wholesome messages and fun characters make it a hit for kids. Most kids who watch Bluey range from 5-7, so expect your toddlers and up to be excited about it this year, and there’s even a Bingo costume to match it. If you’re looking for a family theme, this is a great one. Blue lives with her mom, dad and sister and interacts with uncles, aunts and people in the community, so you can add as many costumes as you need to fit your family.

Glinda or Elphaba

Wicked has been a successful show on Broadway for years now, but with the new motion picture coming out starring favorites Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, it’s likely to hit an entirely new generation. The story of connection and friendship is a good one, and costumes are easy to find. If you can’t find one or want to save money, Elpheba’s costume consists of a witch hat, black dress, and green face paint. Glinda simply needs a pale pink dress, a crown, and a wand that can be made with sparkly silver pipe cleaners.

Barbie or Ken

If you think the Barbie craze has faded, you may be surprised to find that this costume is still extremely popular. The great thing about a Barbie or Ken costume is that there are so many different versions that creating your own is easy. Expect Barbie to be popular for a few more years as more and more viewers appreciate the message of the movie. And who doesn’t love dressing up in pink and sparkles? If your kid doesn’t want to be like everyone else, have them be President Barbie, Writer Barbie, or even our favorite, Weird Barbie.

Beetlejuice

It seems all the old-time movies and shows are making a comeback, so plan to be nostalgic this Halloween when your kids choose the same costumes you love. For example, with the movie coming out in the fall, Beetlejuice will make a resurgence as a popular character. If you want to make it a group or family event, add Lydia Deetz or the new character Astrid to your roster.

Pokemon Characters

These are a hit every year. From Bowbosaur to Charizard to Pokemon itself, kids love to dress up as their favorite character. Some costumes are harder to find than others, so you may want to start early on these. Unless you’re an expert seamstress, they may also be hard to make on your own. This is another one that would be great for an entire family because there are so many characters to choose from.

Sonic

Another oldie but goodie brought back into the limelight is Sonic the Hedgehog. The video game plus the movies made this guy a hit, and there’s likely to be a ramp-up of advertising around him as the third movie comes out in December. Want to get the whole family involved? Add Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, or Sonic Prime.

Mario or Luigi

Mario and Luigi are characters that span decades, and this year is no different. This is a perfect costume if you have siblings or best friends who plan to go trick-or-treating together. If you can’t find the costumes in stores, just grab some jeans, suspenders, white gloves, fake mustaches, and a green or red shirt. The hat may be difficult to make, but you should be able to purchase that.

Add Bowser, Yoshi, Toad, and Princess Peach if you want to do a complete Nintendo theme for Halloween.

Optimus Prime

Transformers is a hit with almost all kids, and who doesn’t love the leadership and strength of Optimus? Even if your kids haven’t seen the movies, they’ve probably played with the toys or heard of them. These costumes are easier to find and also adapt to be a great group costume.

Huggy Wuggy

This costume is a bit disturbing to look at, but kids seem to love it. The costume itself comes with a blue onesie and gloves, with a wide-open smile for your kids to stick their heads through. If you can get through the initial shock, it’s a perfect costume for toddlers and older kids.