All Time Best Toy for Children Is.........

It's the holidays.  Parents and children are making lists and checking them twice.  Who gets what is the question at hand.  Year after year parents of all kinds spend hundreds of hard earned dollars on top toys all in the name of making their child(ren) happy.  While toys put a smile on a child's face, that smile is only short lived as toys become "old" and  "boring".  The question now becomes, what will give them long term happiness?

Studies show that parents who are actively involved in their children lives will raise children who are less likely to use drugs, drop-out, get pregnant,be bullies, and more likely to get better grades, excel socially and developmentally.  In order for young children to grow up and become happy, responsible adults they need to have positive interactions with adults who care about them the most.

Here are a few ideas to promote positive engagement with your child(ren);

1.  Turn Off your cellphone:  Precious engagement is lost when adults spend more time gossiping with friends than having meaningful conversations with their children.  Don't know how to start the conversation, try this: tell me something exciting that happened today.

2.  Introduce family game night once a week:  Let's face it, kids just wanna have fun!  Some of my favorite games to play with my son include Sorry, Uno, Mancala, I declare war and the list goes on.  Board games help children learn critical social skills  and where better to learn than at home.

3.  Initiate a exercise regimen:  Whether it means attending a mommy and me class, joining a family oriented gym like YMCA or simply riding bikes or walking together, exercise will help keep your family healthy physically and emotionally.

4.  Cooking:  We all love to eat!  Try cool cooking activities like making homemade fruit salad, smoothies or baking cookies and cake.  Smiles will mount as you both stir and pour your way to happy memories.

5.  Open the door and Go Outside: Take out the chalk and paint and go outside and create a masterpiece on the sidewalk or driveway.  Wash the car!  Play catch or 2 square.  The fun is endless when your outside but the memories created will last a lifetime.

The bottom line is this: The All Time Best Toy for Children is.................