Unimor Capital Corporation

Tag: children

  • Simple March Break Activities

    Simple March Break Activities

    We know spending March break at home can be a bit nerve-wracking: how on earth will you entertain the littles all week, especially if the weather is bad?  To help, we asked around and collected the best ideas to keep everyone busy and happy—without breaking the bank.

    Visit a Museum, Library, Aquarium or Science Centre
    With the perfect mix of learning and fun, these are always a great place to go with the kids.

    Have a Circus Day
    Go to the circus?  Heck no!  Bring it home instead!  Make popcorn, hot dogs and watch a circus-themed movie while you paint each other’s faces.  Apply some face paint, read a few circus-themed books, and snuggle up with all the stuffed animals you can find.

    Have a Day at the Beach
    Go for a swim at the local pool and then have a picnic either out (in a mall food court, lunch out at a restaurant or set up a blanket and have one at home).

    Set Up a Scavenger Hunt
    Create a list of things, people or places for the kids to find, set them loose (with supervision, if necessary) to find the items on their list.  Be sure to have a prize for the winner, and prizes for the other players.

    Have a Relaxing Spa Day
    Arrange the bathroom or a bedroom like a spa.  Take out all the moisturizers and sweet smelling oils you have and let them go crazy.  Put on nail polish and even some makeup and give each other a hand massage.  Pamper them and yourself at the same time.

    Go for a Nature Hike
    Spend some time in the great outdoors, whether it’s at a provincial park or just a forest nearby.  Make a day trip of it and pack a lunch and snacks, and don’t forget to bring lots of water and sunscreen!

    Camp in Your Living Room
    Instead of the usual movie night have a camp-out.  Eat easy, simple food for dinner and then serve the fixing for smores for dessert.  Everyone can even sleep on the floor in sleeping bags and have a round of ghost stories before bed.

    Mini Chefs
    Let them pick what’s for dinner or dessert.  Take them to the store to get the ingredients and allow them to choose the veggies or fruits that go into it.  Then get them to help out in the kitchen or just supervise while they cook, depending on how old they are.  Make sure you’re stocked up on things like sprinkles, cookie cutters, and muffin cups if they want to do a serious baking session!

    Go Skating
    Don’t forget to have hot chocolate and stay warm.  Wear layers and just enjoy the sound of skates on ice for a while. Pad the kids with snow pants, helmets and jackets so if they fall it won’t hurt.

     

  • How to Talk to Your Kids About Money

    How to Talk to Your Kids About Money

    In some families, how to talk to your kids about money can be more uncomfortable than talking about sex. Many parents don’t know how to approach the topic of money, and some avoid it altogether. By starting the discussion early, you can make it easier to talk about this tough topic later, when your child is making larger purchases, thinking about getting a job, or beginning financial planning for college.

    Practice Smart Spending
    Talk with your children about how you make spending choices based on more than just affordability. Use language like “We’re not going to spend our money that way because…” or “It’s not a good value because…,” rather than just saying, “It’s too expensive,” which may give the impression that you would buy it if you could afford it.

    Create Learning Opportunities
    If you’re refinancing your mortgage, you have an opportunity to discuss the concept of interest and the importance of paying off loan balances quickly. When you’re taking out a car loan, talk about how loans allow you to pay for things that you don’t have the money for, but you end up paying more in the long run. Bring your kids with you to the bank. If you’re making a deposit in a savings account, talk about the importance of ‘saving for a rainy day’.

    Honesty as the Best Policy
    If you are facing financial difficulty, be honest with your children. You don’t need to worry them with all the details, but it is helpful for them to learn that money isn’t magical—it doesn’t just appear when you need it.

    Stress Wants vs. Needs
    Many kids—especially young ones—have difficulty differentiating between wants and needs. When your child says she ‘needs’ something, ask if she really needs it, or if she just wants it. Make sure your child understands the difference, and start paying attention to what you’re saying and the example you’re setting—for example, do you really need an expensive cup of coffee to get you through the morning?

    Keep an Open Dialogue
    When you’re out shopping, talk with your kids about why you make the purchases you do. Are you influenced by advertising? Pricing? The quality of the product? How do you choose one product over another? Help your child start thinking carefully about making purchases.

    Be an Example
    Discuss with your children the choices you make with your money. For example, how does your caring for others impact how you save, spend, and give money away? Why do you sometimes wait to make certain purchases? What does it mean to you to be responsible with your money?

    Highlight the Positive
    Many financially savvy practices, such as buying secondhand, donating old clothes to a thrift store, and reusing and recycling goods, are also good for the environment. Point out that not only are you saving money by doing these things, but you’re also taking action to help preserve the environment.