Parenting is a big job. As our children grow, we can get lost in the tumultuous tides of worry. Many parents are busy trying to balance careers, relationships and households on top of the daily trials that parenting can bring. With all of the many details that pile up, it is easy to lose sight of the priceless moments that pass as we strive to keep up with all that life demands.

And yet, ask any parent what their favorite part of having children is, and rarely will you hear things like "planning a weekly menu," or "keeping the kitchen floor clean." I have yet to meet a mom who proudly declares that "keeping tabs on my son's screen time" is the highlight of her job as a parent. We feel most fulfilled as parents in those precious and fleeting times when our whole heart is filled with the thoughts of how much we love this little person.

I certainly do not mean to undermine the importance of planning or discipline. I am proposing that we slow down and learn to be mindful about where the majority of our thoughts are focused. As a single mom, I frequently find myself so caught up in the practical "to-dos," that our lives can lose some of the magic that really feeds me as a parent. When I practice mindfulness, I am much more plugged in to what my children's real needs are and how to be fully present in each moment. It is a healthy place for me personally, and it makes me a better mom.

Worry is a misuse of imagination. Dr. Edmund J. Bourne, author of The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, describes worry as "a form of trance." He says that the longer we allow ourselves to dwell in the negative spiral of worry, the more difficult it is to break the spell. It requires deliberate action, and for parents on the go, that means the action of being mindful to what's important in ours and our children's lives.

Mindfulness is living

Being mindful does not require you to set aside a chunk of time. It is not another item to add to your task list. Rather, being mindful can happen right here, right now. It can happen while you're waiting in the carpool line or while you're cooking dinner. Instead of allowing the spiral of worry or planning to consume you, exercise the process of carefully observing your mind as your thoughts move across your current circumstances.

Be where you are

Take deep breaths and be consciously aware of the air entering and exiting your body. Find a comfortable position so your body can rest and not be a distraction.

How do your clothes feel on your body right now? How are you positioned in the room you are in? Can you feel your body in the context of this larger space? Consider the temperature or the weather. How does the wind feel on your face? What sounds do you hear around you? If anything disturbs you or distracts you, take note, but do not fixate on it. Simply move your thoughts back to the moment.

Judgment-free zone

"The practice of mindfulness is about getting in touch with your own experiences moment to moment in a defused and accepting way," says Dr. Steven C. Hayes, author of Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life. As you practice mindfulness, you may find that worry and problem-solving are very persistent. Take the time to acknowledge your thinking patterns, without the compulsion to judge them. The effort should not be put into worrying and then beating yourself up for it, but rather to simply identify the worry and deliberately allow your thoughts to turn to something else.

Practice healthy rituals

As you make the effort to be more mindful throughout the day, your instinct to go directly into worry will have less power. Set aside a specific time where you are able to do some thoughtful planning, but give yourself a definite stopping point for that period. Find healthy affirmations or prayers that you can use to bring you back into a state of mindfulness when you are tempted to go into obsessive worry, such as "Let go and let God" or "This worry is just a thought - it will fade away" or "I will release this negativity."

Worry happens when our natural protective instincts go a little overboard. In reality, there is only so much we can control about our lives and our children's lives. Practicing mindfulness will help us replace those wasted hours of worry by cultivating more of the moments that are precious to our family. Be present with your family now.

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I'm certainly not suggesting that this is easy. Simultaneously, our teens are testing their boundaries, striving with everything in them for independence, and frequently trying to shake off the parents who can be such a cramp in their style. Still, if we are to survive this ultimate transition into adulthood, it will best serve our relationship with our teens by loosening the reigns.

The good news is that by being consistent and patient, we can still easily reach our teens where they still need us. The following tips may be helpful as you begin to allow yourself to trust your teen out in the big wide world.

Be trustworthy

Yep, there it is. Just like every other stage in your child's development, it's critical to lead by example. Keep your promises. Show up for your children. Live in a way that allows you to be candid and open with them about your life, just as you expect it from them. When we begin to treat our teens with the same respect we offer other adults, they can sense that we honor their thought processes and decision making.

Listen purely

Any time you find your teen willing to talk with you about her life is a priceless opportunity. Thank her for her openness. Try not to talk too much. Ask your teen if she wants your input, and if she does, keep it brief. A lot of times teens don't hear much after the first few sentences anyway. Don't reward your teen's willingness to be honest with you with a lecture. Make dialogue a pleasant experience for her, and she'll be more likely to come to you when she needs help.

Start today

Trust is built one brick at a time. Whether you're setting out to give your teen new freedoms or recovering and rebuilding from broken trust, it is parents that have to take the lead. Try a new curfew. Give your teen a twenty and ask him to bring you back the change. Give him a clear idea of what your expectation is in as few words as possible, and let him know that you are giving them the gift of your trust. Again, now is not the time to lecture him, but rather to allow him to know that the trust is not a question for you. Choose to give it as a gift.

Let them make mistakes

Teens are just adults in the making. How do we learn best? Personally, I have learned the most profound lessons of my life by making mistakes. I'm grateful for the grace to move past those mistakes and get another opportunity to get it right. Allow your teens the natural consequences of their mistakes, but be there to support them in getting a fresh start. Encourage them that there is always another chance to rebuild trust in your relationship. Encourage yourself by remembering that the teen years are all about trial and error. Eventually, your teen will find his way.

Spend time together

This tip can be more and more challenging as our teens develop their own social lives and priorities. Make certain you set aside time to simply "be" together. A great way to stay connected with your teen and build trust is to take an interest in the things they like to do - even if it's really not your bag. I've been known to spend an hour playing video games with my son, which is totally not my thing, but I love having him take the time to show me how to do something he really enjoys. This time is fertile ground for excellent conversation, and it doesn't have to be too heavy.

These simple suggestions can be the beginnings of an easier road through the teen years. Loving our kids as much as we do, we can often go to one extreme or another and risk becoming too loose or too controlling. Fortunately, the best guides for what our children need are our children themselves. Take time to listen to what your teen is really saying to you about what they need.

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Sometimes the kids don't quite agree. At night, a power outage can be pretty frightening. Suddenly everything is quieter than is usual. Of course, it's very dark. Even my teens get a little on edge when the power goes out. However, we have found some tricks that can turn a little fear into a lot of fun. Because we live in a neighborhood with a lot of mature trees, it's fairly often that a limb falls and knocks out the lights for a few hours. We've learned to make the most of it.

Get educated

When the lights go out, it's a great opportunity to catch your children's attention. If a weather situation is the reason for the outage, open the windows and listen to the rain and thunder. Talk to your children about the science behind weather, which may comfort them. Involve them in the process of calling your local power company to report the outage. Keep them in the loop about when the power might be restored. Helping your children understand what is happening will eliminate much of their initial confusion and fear.

Board games by candlelight

Getting the whole family together, taking the time to sit and play a game can be difficult with all the many distractions in our lives. Fortunately, those old favorites at the top of the closet don't require electricity, and can be a great way to spend an evening together with no power. Lighting the room by candlelight adds an element of magic, and any old game can create a room filled with laughter.

Flashlight tag

This dark version of hide-and-seek is a lot of fun. Divide up into pairs (especially if your children are small). One team gets a flashlight. The other team gets to the count of 30 to hide anywhere in the house. The other team can only use one flashlight to try to find them. If they do, they tag the other team, and switch roles. If not, the hiders get to hide again, until they're found.

Make music

Singing songs is another great way for everyone to join in together and distract the kids from a scary situation. If you have instruments, break them out and use them. If not, let the kids make their own drums from plastic bowls and wooden spoons, maracas by throwing dried beans or rice into a bottle, and the best instrument, their own voices.

Living room slumber party

What's better than a cushy fort that takes up the entire living room, even for adults? Light some candles in the corners of the room and build a space for the whole family to snuggle up together, talk, tell stories, play word games like you do on long family trips in the car. Plan a slumber party on this special occasion, which will certainly comfort the little ones.

Losing power can be a tricky surprise, particularly for our young children. Yet, with a little creativity, these times can be pure gold for family closeness. I welcome these breaks from the norm, and capitalize upon them as a chance to really enjoy each other without the distractions of everyday life.

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First of all, have confidence. Employers won't waste their time with applicants who are unqualified, so the fact that you have secured a few minutes for an interview is already in your favor. An interview is just the next step in the process. You may be surprised how many highly qualified candidates don't get past the interview process because they failed to adequately convey their best attributes. Look over the following tips to help you land the career opportunity you deserve.

Get to know the company

Almost half of employers surveyed indicated that not having enough knowledge about the company is the most common mistake job seekers make. Make sure this company is one you want to represent. Using their website is a great resource and get your hands on any publications they create. Know their mission statement and compare it to your own. Become aware of how this company gives back to the community - that topic can be a great conversation piece later in the interview.

Dress professionally and not too flashy

Sixty-five percent of employers surveyed said clothes could be the deciding factor between two similar candidates. Professional dress is encouraged, regardless of the type of job. Fashionable, trendy and flashy clothing is discouraged. You want your clothes to subtly emphasize your professionalism, but not to be a distraction.

Know how to explain why you left your last job

This question is very common, so be prepared to answer it in as few words as possible and with a positive spin. Be sure you approach it without resentment or frustration. Showing respect to your former employer is a testimony to your integrity, regardless of the situation.

Make eye contact

Stay engaged, even if you are nervous. Lack of eye contact can show a lack of interest and prevents a connection from occurring with your interviewer.

Smile

A lot. Show your potential employer that you are a joy and are enthusiastic about the opportunity.

Be aware of your body language

If you walk into your interview with a welcoming posture, you will naturally avoid pitfalls like crossing your arms over your chest or slouching.

Bring humor, warmth and personality

Good interviewing means striking the balance between professional rigidity and personal sloppiness. Be prepared to talk about the interviewer's photo of his family. Share a funny story about your own. Make a positive comment about a sports team represented in their office. Keep it short, but engage your interviewer. Remember that you are there to sell yourself.

Be prepared to give an "elevator pitch."

While you want to let your potential employer "drive" the interview, be ready to explain your qualifications in two to three minutes. Likely, he will ask specific questions about your qualifications. Be prepared to give a concise account of why you are perfect for the job. Prepare ahead of time so you won't be stuck with a lot of "and ums," or leave out something important.

Don't fidget

Try to avoid nervous habits like tapping your pen on the desk, playing with your hair or bouncing your leg under the table. Take deep breaths before your interview to relax. Remember, be confident.

Bring a copy of your resume

Even if your interviewer has already received a copy, bring an extra. In the event he left it in the other room, or needs a copy for another supervisor, being prepared will show him how you are already making his job easier.

Know your resume

Make certain you've taken the time to update your resume. Many employers use your resume as an interview outline, so be ready to show you know your own stuff.

Ask questions, but don't focus too much on what you want

When you get to a point in the interview where you can ask questions, take advantage of this time as an opportunity to show your potential employer that you are curious about how you can benefit the company. Ask about their business philosophies and management style. Try to make your questions about their business as much as possible. Don't use this time to start digging about personal benefits, vacation time, or salary. There will be an opportunity for that if you make an excellent first impression.

Solid handshake

It may seem odd, but the handshake is crucial, according to many employers. A flimsy handshake shows a lack of initiative and confidence while being too firm can be seen as aggressive. Practice a happy medium that conveys your readiness to be an essential member of the team. Most importantly, don't forget to shake your interviewer's hand.

Remember to ask for the job

Something we often forget to do, but it will make you stand out. If you get to the end of the interview and you know you want the job, don't be shy about asking for it. It is also perfectly fine to ask your potential employer when you might hear something back from him about your interview.

Thank the interviewer for his time

Tell him it was a pleasure meeting him. Again, showing your potential employer that you value the job he does is a sure-fire way to make a great impression. And it might just get you asked back.

Many of these tips are common sense concepts that go straight out the window when interviewees get under pressure. Ask a family member to do a mock interview with you once or twice so you can make these suggestions second nature. The most important thing to remember is to be your confident, professional self. After all, it is the real you that you're selling. Best of luck!

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Build a support group

Surround yourself with the support of your family and friends. Now is the time to be willing to ask for help. In the early days of the loss of your spouse, it will benefit you to not isolate, but rather to talk openly with those you love about what your concerns for the future are and what needs you have. Particularly if you and your spouse have children, you will want to make sure you are fortified with a healthy, supportive group of people that you can lean on in your time of need. Many people will seek out support groups or counselors in their churches to help get through the initial shock, and whatever emotional hurdles that arise down the road. Take a step back from any negative attitudes in your life, and soak up all the kindness you can from those around you.

Allow yourself time to grieve

It's often advisable to stay busy when we're grieving, and if you have a family, you won't have any choice in the matter. Try not to allow grief to drown you into an abyss of depression (if this is a risk, find professional support), but do make sure that you allow yourself those moments to feel the loss of your spouse. Grief is a tricky human emotion, and it will come sometimes when you least expect it, but it will come. Burning the candle at both ends to avoid feeling the sadness only delays the pain, and you will find it coming up at the most inopportune times. Honor grief as a necessary part of the loss of someone you loved tremendously. There is no weakness in allowing yourself to indulge in missing your beloved and the life you planned; in fact, it is part of the healing process.

Make lists

Handling even the most mundane tasks can seem excruciating following the loss of a spouse. If your spouse was responsible for taking out the trash, suddenly it is now your responsibility. These tasks can add up, and when combined with their ability to highlight your spouse's absence, can feel insurmountable. There may be paperwork and obligations surrounding the loss of your spouse as well, and decisions that have to be made even through the emotional turmoil. Making to-do lists helps you to manage these responsibilities with your regular duties, and not get taken by surprise as things add up. It also makes it easier to ask for help. When your friends say, "How can I help?," you can easily point to an item on your list. Before long, these tasks will become a part of your natural routine, and it won't feel as overwhelming.

Prioritize self-care

Connect with your spirit and pray. Make sure you are taking the time to rest as much as possible, eat well, and exercise. It is easy to get carried away in all the practical matters, the family needs, and the emotional distress that comes with this kind of change. However, your health is extremely important. Now as the head of the household, the success of your family depends a lot on your personal well-being. Remember to be kind to yourself, and pay special attention to your own needs as you heal.

When we get married, we usually imagine spending the rest of our lives with our spouse. If death or divorce alters that plan, it can turn our whole world upside down. It isn't easy, but you have to find the resources and courage to continue. There is a different plan for you and your family. You can recover from the devastation of losing your spouse, and still go on to live a happy and fulfilling life. Know that through this loss, you can find the gift of a new purpose. Take special care in the early days of your loss, and you will set the stage for a healthy recovery.

The post I just lost my spouse: How do I navigate this new life? appeared first on FamilyToday.

"Debt is a social and ideological construct, not a simple economic fact," said Noam Chomsky. An awareness of these constructs, and their impact on your family's level of happiness and freedom, can help people avoid the pitfalls of what has become standard procedure - overspending.

Brigham Young University breaks down the causes for debt into 5 categories: Ignorance, carelessness, compulsiveness, pride, and necessity. By taking the time to find and weed out these characteristics in money management, we can successfully break free from the ideological constructs and spiritual boundaries that may also plague other aspects of our lives. Of course, it's critical that we remember our children are learning by watching us. Showing them a lifestyle of financial freedom is a tremendous gift to their well-being.

BYU addresses the opposite, positive characteristics for recovery from the debt construct as follows:

• Ignorance >> wisdom

• Carelessness >> exactness

• Compulsiveness >> diligence

• Pride >> humility

• Necessity >> self-reliance

Of course, these are goals. Breaking the debt cycle is a process rather than an instantaneous change. Here are a few ways to get started in evaluating your mindset about spending so that you may ultimately break the chains.

Separate want from need

In what ways does your family spend money that is unnecessary? Do you use the things you have already purchased? Do you value quality time with each other that doesn't involve spending money? Begin to identify and eliminate the value of what uses your financial resources. When you identify expenditures in terms of your financial freedom, you may begin to make different choices.

Budget

Budgets get a bad rap because they involve the ever-elusive requirement of self-control. However, having a working budget can be very educational, and lead to a higher level of freedom. There are thousands of resources on how to create a family budget - choose one and dive in. Remember that it is a process. Start out with a realistic goal. The ultimate goal is never to allow your expenditures outweigh your income. It's possible!

Give yourself a 24-hour window before making purchases

. When making larger purchases or miscellaneous purchases that don't show up in your regular budget, allow yourself a 24-hour window before spending. Use this time to research your options. Pray about your need. Mention it to family members and friends. A few years ago, our television finally gave out on us. I found a replacement, but it required using a credit card. By waiting a day, and mentioning to a few friends that we were in the market for a television, another solution presented itself. A friend dropped one off at our house that was collecting dust in their garage. Taking pause allows you to not make impulsive purchases that you will later regret and gives an opportunity for solutions you may not have even considered to surface.

Identify where you are "keeping up with the Joneses."

How does your family define success? Evaluate how often you look to your peers or coworkers for clues as to how you should dress, which car you drive, or what modern technologies you continue to purchase. Develop a family mission statement that genuinely reflects your perspective and keep it in front of you. Become aware of the subtle ways that advertising affects your spending.

Consider debt as a last resort

Disaster strikes. Jobs are lost. Health problems occur, and life presents us with financial demands that genuinely require additional resources. Before assuming that debt is your only solution - get creative. Are there community or church resources available to help your family in its time of crisis? Can you or another member of your family get a part-time job to help alleviate the burden? Again, remember that every dollar of debt is a threat to your financial and spiritual freedom.

Congratulate yourself on your interest in becoming free from the bonds of overspending. When you begin to become aware that your family's financial health is an extension of your mental and spiritual health, you grow toward a greater level of happiness. Take the time to be grateful for the progress you make along your path to freedom.

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Still, suggestions to simply forgive and forget can feel flippant when we attempt to apply them to deep betrayals. Forgiveness is a deeper call to the spirit. It is the act of forgiveness that allows us to extract the beauty that is hidden within painful circumstances. Choosing to "just forget about it," or to "let it go," without processing its purpose can lead to a pushing down of your anger, which may resurface later in a much less controlled fashion.

After a particularly nasty betrayal in my own life a few years ago, I found myself in a place of being tired of anger and wanting very much to forgive. However, the ramifications of the hurt seemed to infiltrate even the tiniest areas of my life. Everytime saw evidence of this betrayal, anger or sadness would would encompass me.

I began to study forgiveness, across multiple religions and faiths, and learned quickly that my meager efforts to "forget" were not at all the same as forgiving. Forgiveness is a job, but it is worth every effort. Through practice, I have learned that those who hurt me give me a beautiful opportunity to grow in my faith and in my belief in goodness, when I am willing to forgive.

Below are some ideas to consider as you begin the journey of forgiveness in your own situation.

Awareness of being forgiven

Being harmed, particularly if it was unprovoked, can often lead us to a place of self-righteous anger. However, being wronged makes us quick to forget that we ourselves have also harmed others at some point. Perhaps not to the same degree or in the same manner, but at one time or another we have surely inflicted pain on someone we love. Take some time to meditate on the forgiveness you have been afforded in your relationships.

My spiritual beliefs offer me forgiveness for every aspect of my flawed humanity, and when I take pause to consider how enormous that grace is, how I am forgiven so that I may grow into a more loving person, it makes it difficult to hold on to hatred toward someone who has harmed me.

Ignorance in the person who has harmed you

Most people hurt others because they themselves are hurting in some way. Fear permeates the lives of the hurting, and it can blind them to the real effects of their actions. My spiritual discipline calls this "spiritual sickness." It helps, because it reminds me that even though it may feel personal, the harmful act was a result of the perpetrator's own internal struggles. Just as we may be less likely to resent someone who is bedridden with cancer, so might we be more inclined to forgive a person whose spiritual illness has affected us negatively.

Harmful effects of bitterness on your spirit

Betrayals have the power to bring us to our knees if we allow our anger to settle within us. Once we give resentment the permission to take up residency in our hearts, it has a magnetic effect that pulls negativity toward us. Before long there is a sense that we are victims whenever we are hurt in life, and the weight of bitterness robs us of peace, happiness and love. On the other hand, meditating on forgiveness is freeing. It enables you to not be held in a prison by the person who has harmed you, but rather to gently accept that although their actions were wrong, you are able to heal from the pain and move on as a stronger, more loving person. Allow their consequences to come from their own journey, as vengeance is not yours, unless you want it to consume your whole life.

Belief in the necessary aspects of pain in your journey

Not all of our lessons in life are easy to swallow. If we are to grow spiritually, there will be lessons along the way that hurt deeply. It catches our attention so that we can make the choice to either learn from it or continue to be harmed by it. If we view the person who harmed us as a vessel who delivers us an opportunity to grow, it opens our hearts up to begin to be grateful for their presence in our lives. Again, it doesn't mean that we approve of their behavior; it means that we are able to see that the greater good is at work.

Prayer

All of these concepts are great ideas as we strive toward practicing forgiveness, but nothing is more powerful than plugging into divine help. Prayer allows us to reach out in faith and become conscious that we are not alone in the seemingly cumbersome task of forgiveness. Offering daily prayer for the healing, prosperity and joy of the person who offended you will go a long way in helping to give you empathy for their own experiences. Requests for strength, the ability to forgive, and your own peace and healing will infuse your soul with a fortitude that you may not have thought possible.

Now is the time to start to enjoy the freedom of forgiveness. Old resentments can melt away and you can learn how to prevent new ones from keeping you in bondage. It is a wonderful feeling to be fully alive in this present moment, unshackled by the wrongs of the past.

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Packaging and Labeling

Many popular food brands found lining the shelves at your grocery stores spend millions each year to create the perfect package for you, their consumer. To meet their industry requirements, products should look attractive, meet mainstream health fad criteria, taste delicious and have good mouth feel. Manufacturers sometimes employ less than forthcoming methods to attract buyers, including using misleading food labels and potentially hazardous food additives. Taking labels at face value can lead the average consumer to the conclusion that the product they are buying is good for them, when in fact, it is anything but.

Nutrition experts who are unaffiliated with major marketing firms agree that the best way to eat healthy is to eat natural foods. "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants," is the simple nutrition advice by renowned author Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food. By food, he means unprocessed food. When food is processed for convenience or shelf-life, it loses its inherent nutrition. If the food has a label, and is packaged, we can already assume a certain level of processing. It is important to read between the lines of the labels, and know exactly what these claims mean.

Let me give you an example. Food labels, by US FDA standards, are legally allowed to tout low-fat if each serving has less than three grams of fat. But the label may be found on a box of cookies where one or two cookies counts as a serving. At the checkout counter, we pat ourselves on the back for our low-fat choice, but when our kids sit on the sofa and eat 12 cookies out of the box, our manufacturer's promise goes out the window. Beware of these little tricks, they are easy to catch if you take the time to understand the label. Unfortunately, the smoke and mirrors get more complex.

What low-fat means

If you see a low-fat sticker on a pear, that's goodness. Or naturally low in fat is good too. But when you see a low-fat or fat-free label on a processed food, it likely has a trade-off that you may not want to add to your diet.

When fat content decreases, something has to be added to preserve the taste quality of the food, usually sugar, salt, high fructose corn syrup or other food additives. Some potato chips use an additive that gained popularity in the 1990s called Olestra, a chemical compound that imitates the mouth feel and composition of regular fats.

Also, low-fat does not mean low calorie. Sugars and other additives add calories to low-fat foods, which can quickly increase your processed sugar intake to unhealthy levels. Check your food's nutrition information to be sure of what the trade-off is.

Dangers of low-fat

Foods that replace healthy fats with sugars don't have as much staying power. Sugars burn much faster than fats, so we find our appetite is not satiated, and we eat more. If we are replacing fat with sugar, and eating more because the calories are empty, then we're working against our own efforts at weight control by minimizing our fat intake.

Being overzealous about fat intake can be dangerous. Not getting enough healthy fats will prevent your body from properly absorbing necessary vitamins from your diet. Getting a balance of the right types of fat in your diet is crucial to proper nutrition.

Alternatives

Satisfy your body's cravings for fatty foods with natural, healthy fats. Avocados, canola and olive oil, almonds, tuna, salmon and flax seed are all excellent sources of healthy fats. Buy regular milk, peanut butter and yogurt, all commonly sold as a low-fat option, but are loaded with healthy fats and vitamins that chemical alterations completely ruin. Eliminating fat is a problem, but eating the right amount of the right kinds of fat can revolutionize your diet.

What sugar-free means

Think it's too good to be true to find your favorite chocolate sandwich cookies in a sugar-free option? It is. While those of us who have to avoid sugar altogether for health purposes may be tempted by a sugar substitute, know that to keep that same sweet taste, chemists have been swapping test tubes of paint thinner and other chemicals to happen upon accidental sweetness. While there are accusations of misinformation about the safety of these products, the bottom line is that any chemical replacement for natural food is a less healthy option.

Dangers of sugar-free

Sugar substitutes, although the five most common have been approved for use by the FDA, have proven health risks as well. Some cancers, high blood pressure, and digestive problems have been linked to artificial sweeteners in both animal and human testing. In terms of weight concerns, weight gain has actually been noted as more common with sweeteners than with processed sugar. Some are poorly absorbed by the body and thus create digestive issues. Many countries ban artificial sweeteners altogether to protect their citizens from the many health risks.

Alternatives

Science shows that unprocessed, natural sugar, in moderation, is far better than the chemical alternatives. Overall, if you're craving a sweet treat, fruits are by far your best option. Honey, maple syrup and coconut sugar are also widely used as a healthy, natural way to sweeten foods. Your body will thank you for breaking free from a processed sugar habit with natural, balanced alternatives.

Nutritionists, like Michael Pollan, affirm that good nutrition is more about the good foods we aren't eating than it is about the bad foods we are eating. In other words, making sure our bodies get a balance of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and proteins forgives the occasional splurge on something extra-fatty or extra-sweet.

The biggest danger low-fat and sugar-free foods give the illusion that they count toward a healthy diet. Be aware of what the trade-offs are for your personal diet in your favorite processed foods, and make an educated decision about what is best for you and your family.

The post Why sugar-free and low-fat don’t always mean healthy appeared first on FamilyToday.

Don't be too disappointed when the weather keeps your family indoors. My family has turned snow days and rainy weekends into a flurry of activity, just by getting a little bit creative.

Children are powerhouses of creative energy. Most of the time, they need very little help from us to turn the mundane into the magical. Sometimes giving them a basic framework, some simple tools and the freedom to be inspired can result in truly astounding craft projects. Working on projects together is a perfect way to learn about each other's uniqueness recognize individual talents within the family and create closer family bonds.

Here are some basic ideas to get you started on some craft projects. Each of these suggestions is age appropriate for any child, but parental preparation may be more necessary in some than others.

Paper Mache

Supplies: newspaper, tape, a balloon, flour, water and paint.

Beware, this one is messy, but paper Mache sculptures are relatively easy. I'm going to give you basic instructions on how to make a paper Mache sunshine, but once you know the method, you and your kids can make nearly anything out of paper Mache.

First, in a large bowl, mix one part flour with two parts water and blend with a wire whisk. Voila! Paste. You may decide to add more water as you work if the consistency gets too thick. Next, tear the newspaper into long, 2-3 inch wide strips. Then, you'll blow up the balloon and tie it off. The balloon will act as the structure for your sunshine.

Roll several sheets of newspaper up together in a "cone" shape, and tape it so it doesn't unroll (make sure it's thick, or it will lose its shape when you add the paste. Tear the wide end of the cone in four places (approximately 1 inch long) to make tabs. Tape these tabs to the balloon and this cone is now your first sunray. Make several more sunrays, and attach them to the balloon.

Now, you can start adding the wet paper. Dip a strip of newspaper in the paste and run it through two fingers to eliminate excess paste back into the bowl. Cover the entire sculpture in strips, paying special attention to areas where you have joined two shapes. Do two or three layers of wet paper over your sculpture. Allow it to dry overnight and then paint with vivid colors.

Collages

Supplies: paper, old magazines and catalogs, scissors, and glue.

Collages are another great craft project that opens up an entire universe of possibilities. Collages are usually created by taking clippings of portions of graphics from a magazine, arranging them in a new way, and gluing them to a canvas (or a piece of paper).

When my kids were very little, they enjoyed doing collages of people more than anything else. For example, we would cut out just the face of a bearded fisherman, glue it to a piece of paper, and then cut out just the body of a supermodel and glue her body to his head. As we flipped through magazines, we would find other pieces to cut out and add to the collage.

We were creating an entire story about this fictional character we were building on our canvas, and laughing the whole time. While gathering clippings, the family would talk about articles we were finding or a pretty dress in a catalog. Sometimes we would name the collage people, and they'd stick around on the refrigerator for a while. Now that they're older, they will collage landscapes, animals, they've even done a few self-portraits. It's a blast.

Puppets

Supplies: socks, markers, glue, and yarn"Šand anything else you find lying around!

Homemade hand puppets will skyrocket you into a full day of creative fun. Once the puppets are done, most kids will want to create a puppet show for their new characters. And they are the simplest thing in the world to make.

Take a sock and fold the toe side down toward you about three inches. You can put your hand in the sock and bend your fingers down to see exactly where the fold should go. The top fold is where the facial features should be drawn. Eyes, noses, the top lip, mustaches, or rosy cheeks would all be drawn here, in marker. The sock under the fold is the body of your puppet, and the inside of the fold is the puppet's mouth (some kids will want to draw a tongue or teeth here. It will only be visible when the puppet is "talking"). The yarn can be glued on the head for hair.

You can get as creative as you want. If you have googly eyes or buttons for eyes, these can animate the puppets even more, glue them right on the sock. Scraps of fabric or felt can be cut in shapes for hats, clothing and other accessories to give your puppet personality.

These three craft basics are just to get you started. I've found these three in particular to be a great starting point for hours of family fun. Forget about the rules - this isn't paint by number. Enjoy the freedom of letting silliness and fun take the wheel, and let the good times roll.

This article was originally published on FamilyShare.com. Check out these other related articles: How to make crafts with your preschooler, 5 Science experiments for kids and your kitchen and More than a towel: 5 fun activities to do with towels.

The post 3 simple kids crafts you can do with household items appeared first on FamilyToday.

Respect each other's personal space

One of the advantages of living together in a small area is the ability to get closer to one another. Still, everyone needs a place to get away and have private time. This can be especially difficult if children share a room, but it can be done. Use room dividers, or even schedule personal time, when the room is not to be disturbed. Ensuring that everyone has their own sanctuary, of sorts, gives family members a space to cool down, relax or unwind without being on top of someone else.

Draw physical boundaries

Room dividers and folding screens are a great solution to dividing spaces for more privacy. My children and I had to share a room for a year in a small one-bedroom apartment. We hung curtains across the top of their bunk beds so they would have a little space of their own. Bookshelves also act as a great way to section off part of a room. Get creative. Furniture you may use around the perimeter of a room in a larger home can be used in the middle of a room in an apartment to create a whole new space.

Downsize

Going through your possessions and donating what you don't use can be very therapeutic. More often than not, our closets, drawers and shelves are laden with stuff we don't need or don't use. It's hard to get started, but once you see how much space you're saving, you are sure to enjoy the process.

Use storage space creatively

There are all sorts of amazing ways to use your space. For example, a good friend used her hall closet as an office by using the shelves for her computer, printer and books, and pulling her desk chair up to the closet when she was working. When she wasn't working, she could close the closet door and put her work away. The desk chair wheeled into a corner in the living room. Other options are to install a lot of shelving - used decoratively as well as practically - for books, toys and electronic storage. Hooks over doors or on walls can be used to hang towels or clothing.

Everything has a place, everything in its place

Being organized and keeping your living space clean is especially important in apartment living. Toys, books or clothes strewn about a room will make the walls close in faster than anything else. Here again, you will need the whole family's participation to make it work.

Go outside

Many apartment complexes have playgrounds, swimming pools and fitness centers. Take advantage of the chance to spend afternoons at the park as a family. When living in small quarters, minimize the amount of time spent lounging around the house, and enjoy the great outdoors.

The challenges of living in an apartment with your family can be overcome. The most important thing to remember is that each family member respects the needs of the others in the house. This experience can be a great one for learning how to put each other's needs above your own.

The post Easy apartment living with your family appeared first on FamilyToday.