I was looking for information about how single moms can manage on a low income budget. It’s easy to find information for two parent households but rarely for one parent households.
I found something that might be helpful for single moms (with one child) who make less than $25k a year. The following image shows the percentage that could be spent for three income amounts. They are broken up over about 10-15 categories.
If you make more or less you could still take the percentages and apply it to your situation. Amounts shown could increase because of Earned Income Credit, government assistance, child support, or food stamps.
From Crown Financial Ministries
How to Budget on a Low Income
If you are struggling on a low income or think you can’t possibly live on a low income budget, take a look at this video series. I describe exactly how I was able to survive on $12,000 a year when my kids were young. It is totally possible but I encourage you to make a decision and plan to increase your income. It is totally possible to make as much money as you want to make. Living on a low income is a temporary situation if you want it to be.
Budget Worksheet for Single Moms
Be sure to grab my Budget Sanity Worksheet so you can create your own budget. It’s not your typical worksheet that you print out and fill in the blanks. With the Budget Sanity Worksheet you simply enter your paycheck amount in the first field and then your budget is created for you! Here is a video that shows you have it’s done:
Stretch Your Budget with More Income
I believe it is easier to add to your budget than subtract from it. You can only cut things out so much. Depriving yourself only leads to feeling defeated which can lead to depression. Being a single mom on a low income is hard enough without the added pressure of cutting out things you probably need. Choosing between food and diapers or shoes for your kid is a decision no one should have to make.
The best thing to do is add to your income. It might feel challenging at first but with determination and creativity you can add an extra $100 or more to your monthly budget. To add to your income start off babysitting, baking and selling cookies, creating wonderful smelling lotions or soaps, or being a virtual assistant. Sell to family, friends, and co-workers at first then learn marketing so you can attract new customers. Don’t forget about using Facebook Marketplace and other online sources to make sells too.
Making extra money will help relieve any pressure you are feeling. It will also make you feel happier and more in control of your life. Now that you know how to budget on a lower income you will have no problems budgeting your higher income.
If you want to learn how to attract larger amounts of money in shorter periods of time you should check out my book The Magic Money Manifestation Formula. I used money manifestation techniques to attract $10,000 in less than a week. I believe you can to if you follow my steps.
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
How Taking Care of Yourself Makes You a Better Mom
Mothers sacrifice everything for their kids – their sleep, health and social life. It’s natural for moms to put their kids first and neglect themselves which can have a devastating and long-term impact on the entire family. You want to give your kids the best of everything – so start by giving them the best of you! This will require intentional choices where you have to put your needs first which, let’s face it, is often easier said than done. Life as a mom isn’t about extremes where it’s either all about your kids or it’s all about you – the secret to being a happy mom is in finding a balance that works.
You will have higher energy levels
Stress triggers the production of cortisol which causes your muscles to tense up. This is a natural reaction which is meant to guard against injury and pain. However, if you remain stressed for a long period, your muscles do not release their tension. This is why a lack of energy is one of the most common symptoms of stress. Taking care of yourself will help to reduce your stress levels which will increase your energy levels. Kids have tremendously high energy levels so this simple step will go a long way in helping you keep up with your kids.
A happier mom is a more loving parent
When you’re unhappy or stressed, you’re more likely to snap at your kids. After a while, even small problems seem insurmountable and you stop appreciating the little things. When you are happy, you learn to take the good with the bad and remain calm and loving through it all. A recent study found that a mum’s level of happiness has a direct effect on her child’s mental health. The researchers also found that moms who had a high level of happiness when their baby was 9 months old were more likely to maintain a higher level of happiness when their child became a teenager.
Your kids learn from example
Whether you’re trying to reduce your kid’s screen time orraise money-savvy kids – the golden rule is lead by example. This means that if you want your children to grow up to be happy well-adjusted individuals, you need to show them the way. You can’t avoid irritation and anger and your kids will take their anger management cues from you. Does this mean that you need to bottle your anger or it is healthier to vent your frustrations? Although most of us fall back to these old unhealthy habits every once in a while, the healthy thing to do is to calm down and have a conversation about what’s upsetting you so that it can be resolved.
Self-care strengthens relationships
Self-care is essential for maintaining good mental, emotional and physical health. These aspects are essential for strong and healthy relationships. Without regular self-care, every aspect of your health will start to deteriorate. You are more likely to experience depression and anxiety as well as weight gain and psychosomatic conditions. This is likely to take a toll on all your relationships and even strain family bonds. Taking care of yourself will help you become a stronger person with greater resilience, patience and understanding.
Self-Care Ideas for Busy Moms
The first step towards caring for yourself is to make your diet a priority. Too often, moms spend their time creating gourmet meals for their kids and then just rely on a burger or pizza for their meals. You need to follow a healthy diet so plan ahead.
Meal prep over the weekends so that you can cook healthy meals on a daily basis.
Regular exercise is equally important as it not only helps to improve your physical healthy but also reduces stress and improves your mental health. You require a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per week – which amounts to approximately 30 minutes of exercise per day.
You should also put aside at least 15 minutes of “me time” every single day – just to relax and center yourself.
Treat yourself to a spa day every once in a while or hire a babysitter and go out for dinner with your friends. It’s important to have a social support system so keep in touch with your friends.
Being a good mother is not about how much you sacrifice or how much of yourself you lose while raising your kids. Social media might lead you to believe that anything short of perfection is unacceptable which is why you strive to reach unattainable goals. Don’t believe the hype! Focus on what’s important and strive to live a balanced, healthy and happy life.
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
During the school year, many parents find themselves on the sidelines of a field, watching their child participating in football, soccer, baseball, or some other sport. Some children may even opt for more unconventional sports, such as horseback riding. The benefits of childhood sports are well-documented. These types of activities help children learn to stay active, and they develop positive traits, such as perseverance and teamwork.
However, many parents may not understand the risks of playing sports or what kind of injuries can occur. While getting a scrape or a bruise here and there is just part of being a child, sometimes sports injuries can be devastating and costly, impacting a child’s life significantly. So, what you should know if your child plans on playing sports this year? Well, you need to be informed about the types of injures that could occur and what to do about them. Here is a list of the most common types of childhood injuries caused by sports:
Head Injuries
The head injuries that children can get from playing sports are called traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs. TBIs are can range from mild to severe, and they are one of the most common injuries caused by sports. They are seen most commonly in football players, since football is a contact-heavy sport. However, they can also be caused by other sports, such as basketball and soccer.
If your child gets a TBI from playing sports, it will most likely be a concussion. Parents of children who play sports should make sure they are familiar with the symptoms of a TBI. If left untreated, some TBIs can cause permanent damage. TBIs can also have delayed symptoms, so if your child suffers a head injury, it is important to seek a medical evaluation, even if there are no immediate symptoms.
There are several main signs to look out for that indicate a mild TBI. These include headaches, seeming dazed, fatigue, loss of consciousness for a short time, trouble sleeping, vomiting or nausea, sleeping more than usual, loss of balance, dizziness, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, speech issues, memory problems, mood swings, and sensitivity to light and/or sound.
A child with a more severe TBI will exhibit additional symptoms, such as the inability to awaken from sleep, seizures or convulsions, clear fluid from the nose or ears, numbness in the toes and fingers, slurred speech, profound confusion, and out-of-character behavior, such as sudden aggressiveness.
If you notice your child displaying any of these symptoms after a head injury, make sure you get them checked by a medical professional right away. TBIs can worsen if left untreated.
ACL Tears
The term “ACL tear” refers to a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament or, “ACL.” This is a serious knee injury common in young athletes. An ACL tear requires immediate medical treatment and can take a long time to heal. This injury can be caused by a variety of sports and can happen when an athlete is landing a jump, or when the knee is injured when an athlete collides with another player. When this happens, a loud popping sound can often be heard, and the injured player may feel a popping sensation in the knee. Generally, the player’s leg will then give way when weight is put on the knee. ACL tears often require surgery. People will this injury normally have to go through extensive physical therapy as well. If your child injures his or her knee during a game, don’t let them try to push through until the end. Pull them out and seek medical care immediately.
Sprains
Sprains are another common injury among children who play sports. Ankle sprains are probably the most common type of sprain caused by youth sports, but sprains are also common in the wrist and elbow. Mild sprains generally mean a child needs to take a short time to rest and heal, but more severe sprains require treatment. If your child has a difficult time walking or moving the impacted area, or if they are in continuous pain, take them to the doctor right away. An x-ray will show the true extent of the injury, and your doctor will help you and your child come up with the best treatment plan.
Additional Common Injures
Other common injuries parents should be on the lookout for include:
Dehydration
Hyperextension of the big toe (or “Turf Toe”)
Rotator cuff tendonitis
Little Leaguer’s Elbow
Hand and wrist fractures
Dislocated shoulder
Tips for Parents
The truth is, there is no way to guarantee your child won’t be injured while playing sports, but you can do a few things to reduce the risk. Whether your child is in preschool playing t-ball or in high school playing basketball, you should take all injuries seriously. As soon as you notice your child has an injury, you should get medical attention right away. Getting help quickly can be crucial if your child has a time sensitive injury, such as a TBI or fracture.
If your child wants to be active but hasn’t chosen a sport yet, you can try to steer him or her towards a “safer” sport and away from sports with high rates of injures. Sports like swimming and tennis have lower rates of injures.
Football is probably the most dangerous sport your child could choose to play, and that is because of the risk of a traumatic brain injury. Football is responsible for around 60% of all concussions caused by childhood sports. But what is even worse is that children who play football can end up with a long-term injury called chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This condition is caused by the repeated collisions that occur during football, and it can lead to lifelong problems with memory loss, poor judgement, and even things like impulse control.
Soccer and basketball also have a high rate of childhood injures, although the injuries caused by these sports are less likely to cause lifelong damage. Soccer tends to cause knee injuries, and ACL tears are common in soccer players. Basketball causes a lot of sprains and other injuries to the wrists, ankles and knees. Additionally, basketball causes the most dental related sports injuries in children. This is because players can sometimes collide, and the sport doesn’t require protective facial gear.
If your child is dead set on playing a more dangerous sport, and you want to let them follow their dream, you can still try to lower the risk of injury. First, you can sit down with your child and talk about the possible injuries that can occur. Make sure your child knows to let you or their coach know right away if they are injured. This way, you can get medical help right away. In addition, watch a few of your child’s practices to see what the environment of their team is like. If the coach is pushing the players too hard, or if there are aggressive children on the team, you may want to consider letting your child play somewhere else.
There is no sport that is 100% safe, but if you and your child are informed and prepared, the chance of injuries and long-term damage can be minimized.
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
Are You An Overprotective Parent? 4 Ways To Let Go And Let Your Child Grow
Good parents want to be involved in their children’s lives, but for years educators and psychologists have been asking the question: How much parental involvement is too much? When does trying to help your children in school, sports, and myriad other ways go too far, hurt their development, and become over-protective?
The explosive college admissions scandal seemed to answer that question. Television actress Felicity Huffman was sentenced to jail for paying $15,000 to influence the boosting of her daughter’s SAT score. Fourteen other parents in the probe have also pleaded guilty.
While most parents don’t cross that legal line, early education expert Christine Kyriakakos Martin says too much parental involvement can be harmful in a variety of ways, sometimes leading to children becoming ill-prepared for the challenges of adulthood.
“The consequences of being an overprotective parent is that your child will lack self-confidence to make decisions and take risks,” says Martin (www.youvegotthisparenting.com), author of You’ve Got This! Keys To Effective Parenting For The Early Years. “They’ll lack the coping skills to get up when they fall down from a bad experience and try again.”
Martin offers four ways for parents to stop being overprotective and promote more strength and independence in their children:
Stop teaching fear. While there are non-negotiables when it comes to teaching your child safety — for example: wearing a helmet when biking, no talking to strangers, no texting when driving — Martin says sometimes parents overprotect when they create too many boundaries, which in turn may teach children to live fearfully. “When you don’t allow them to play outside much, you’re impeding their freedom,” Martin says. “Play develops the imagination and self-confidence. Overprotective parents don’t want their children to fall down, and getting back up and brushing themselves off is a necessary component for healthy growth and development.”
Don’t be their full-time problem-solver. Martin says many parents want to take care of all of their chidlrens’ problems and make things easier for them. At some point that needs to stop, she says, because adult life is rife with adversity and unforeseen obstacles that we must learn to deal with independently. “Teaching children problem-solving skills encourages them to be independent,” Martin says. “Learning to resolve conflict on their own and work through problems builds resilience and teaches them how to handle adversity.”
Teach responsibility. “If you make their beds and clean their room, you’re doing them a great disservice,” Martin says. “It’s about learning early lessons in responsibility. Doing these things for a prolonged time can debilitate your child and set them up for a lack of life skills as adults. Let your child take on reasonable responsibilities and let them feel a sense of accomplishment.”
Let them branch out. Sometimes parents develop a comfort zone with their child’s pursuits and restrict them when the child wants to expand. “Let your child have some freedom to make some of their own decisions about their interests,” Martin says. “Interests change, and the more varied experiences they have, the better for their ability to make decisions and adapt to different situations.”
“Parents are right to protect their children in a dangerous world,” Martin says. “But having them grow up in a bubble hurts them and their ability to deal with the world as adults. The best thing you can do for your children is to find that balance between protecting them and teaching them to be strong and self-sufficient.”
About Christine Kyriakakos Martin
Christine Kyriakakos Martin (www.youvegotthisparenting.com) is the author of You’ve Got This! Keys To Effective Parenting For The Early Years. An early education expert and consultant, Martin is the founder and owner of Sunshine Preschool in Hopkinton, Mass. She has spoken on child-development topics at national education conventions and colleges.
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
Can you believe it’s already back to school season? Once we pass Independence Day the back to school shopping advertisements begins. We get into back to school prep mode in anticipation of a new school year. Ironically, in this day and age of bullying, suicide, and random shooters in school hallways, there is much more to prepare your children for than just having the right clothes and supplies.
Since this is a personal finance blog I will share my back to school budget tips, but I also want to share my radical parenting tips for bullying prevention and bulletproofing your kids. Hopefully, this will prepare you and your child for a financially, emotionally, and physically safe, healthy and happy school year. Grab your coffee or tea (my favorite) and settle in for an eye-opening, yet empowering read.
7 Back to School Budget Shopping Tips
According to the National Retail Foundation (NRF), “families with children in elementary school through high school plan to spend an average $696.70. That’s up from $684.79 last year.” That is a lot of money on a single income. Fortunately for you, I have seven things that you can do to budget-proof, save money, and cut your spending in half on back to school clothes and supplies.
Tip 1 – Create A Spending Plan or Budget
When you know what you want to spend for each child you have more control of your money and can make better buying decisions. If you have one child you will probably spend less but if you have more than one, then you definitely need to have a spending plan in place. This plan will hopefully include the clothes that they will be wearing, school supplies, lunches, and any activities they’ll be involved in.
Tip 2 – Buy in Bulk With Others
Buying in bulk with others will save money because you’re buying large quantities from a warehouse club at a lower price. You divide the order with everyone who contributed to the purchase. This is great for buying items that you probably never thought of purchasing, and also great for developing a cooperative relationship with other parents that can go on through the rest of the school year.
Tip 3 – Shop Top Sales
There are going to be plenty of sales but you want to be strategic about the sales you follow. Make sure that you’re only getting things that your child really needs for the school year. It’s easy to get sucked into buying unnecessary items on a whim because the price is just too good to pass up. Buy supplies for the entire school year on sale and use coupons for additional discounts.
Tip 4 – Create A Uniform or Capsule Wardrobe To Save Money
This might sound new and different but it can be a money and time saver, especially if your child is not going to a private school or school that requires uniforms. Clothing can be very expensive and even though our kids want to be the most fashionable and wear the latest styles, creating a uniform, or capsule wardrobe will definitely save you money. Create your own uniform with jeans or khaki pants and different color shirts for each day of the week. Use accessories for girls to mix things up or create a unique look.
Creating a capsule wardrobe or uniform that you can mix and match keeps you from spending crazy amounts of money on clothing for the school year. The added benefit is your kids, always know that they never have to wonder about what they will wear to school each day. It’s also important to know what your child wears daily should the unthinkable happen.
Tip 5 – Shop Consignment and Thrift Stores for Gently Used Designer Clothes If your child wants and craves designer clothes because they are fashionistas, you’ll want to help them find quality clothes, without the sticker shock. Head to a consignment shop like Plato’s Closet and look for designer clothing in their size and fits their taste. You can also find gently used clothes at thrift stores. Often there are tags still on the clothes. If you go on specific days you might even get up to 75% off the already discounted price!
Tip 6 – Say No to Excessive Requests
Fundraisers – During the school year, especially the beginning of the school year, there are fundraisers for everything. The PTA is always putting on fundraisers, the school has their fundraisers, the band or sports clubs have fundraisers as well. Every time you look up someone is asking for more money. Decide at the beginning of the school year how much you plan to contribute to a fundraiser. Making this decision early will save your budget and sanity.
Teacher Requests – Another type of excessive requests are classroom supplies. Teachers, with the help of the school, should be providing the cleaning supplies, tissues, hand sanitizer, etc. for the classroom. But somehow the parents have been made responsible for buying these items for the entire class. If this request will bust your budget, you can say no and tell them that you are not willing or not able to provide extra supplies for the entire classroom. It is too much for you and your budget. It’s okay to say no.
Tip 7- Choose 1-2 Extra Curricular Activities For The Year
Your child does not have to be in every club or every activity that’s available during the school year. You can decide at the beginning of the school year that your child will only be involved in one or two activities. Setting limits will cut down on the amount of money you have to spend on uniforms, equipment, instruments, and supplies outside of what you already spend for the regular school year.
So there you have your back to school budget tips and tools to make sure you both have a financially safe, healthy and happy school year.
7 Bully-Proofing Tips to Empower Your Child
Now let’s move on to bully-proofing and prevention. Bullying is a very important topic that has been spotlighted in the media and for good reason. I’ve had to deal with bullying as a parent and when I was a child. I equipped my kids as best as I knew how to deal with bullies at school. Statistically, 49% of children in grades 4–12 reported being bullied by other students at school at least once during the past month, according to StopBullying.gov. As a parent, you want to prevent bullying as much as possible for you and your child to feel emotionally safe, healthy and happy school year.
Here’s how to create a bullying proofing or prevention plan.
Tip 1 – Set Expectations With The School And Your Child At The Beginning Of The Year
You want to let the staff and faculty know that if there are any incidences of bullying, you will report it to the police and that you expect there be full repercussions to anyone, teacher or child, who attempts to harm or bully your child. Set expectations ahead of time so that everyone knows, including teachers, faculty, as well as the principal and staff that your child will not be a bullying target. In PTA meetings, make a declarative statement to all parents present that bullying is not going to be tolerated. Let everyone know you have a contingency plan for it, and that you expect that everyone will be in cooperation and speaking with their children about bullying and preventing it.
Tip 2 – Teach Your Child Verbal Self Defense
Bullying activity usually starts with words. If you teach your child verbal self-defense, you can equip and empower them to diffuse difficult situations.
Verbal self-defense is using one’s words to prevent, de-escalate, or end an attempted assault. (Wikipedia). If they’re being bullied or a hateful person is spreading rumors/ lies or is verbally abusive, teach your child how to stand up to the perpetrator. Teach them how to look the bully in the eye and let them know that you will not be bullied or listen to the abuse, and walk away.
There are other things that you can teach them about verbal self-defense. Practice saying something like, “Oh that’s all you got?” or “Is that right? Let’s settle this right now!” Once you teach your child to confidently give a rebuttal, then you and they will feel more confident moving forward in the school year. There is no guarantee they won’t be bullied, but it will help them see that they have an option to respond in a way that’s empowering for them.
Tip 3 – Teach Physical Self Defense
If you’re able to put your child into a self-defense class, then do that, whether it’s karate Taekwondo or boxing. You want to give your child a sense of empowerment to defend themselves in case someone decides to physically hurt your child.
Tip 4 – Agree on Limited Social Media During the School Year
Limiting social media during the school year is a very important tactic because this is where a lot of bullying starts online which turns into cyber-bullying. You want your child to understand that social media will be limited or off limits during the school year because they need to focus on their schoolwork. Involvement with peers is important, but not to the point of it hindering their studies. It also sets a precedent for letting their friends know what’s more important. You are proving that knowledge is power.
Tip 5 – Create a No Social Media Policy
Implementing a no social media policy is a way to ensure good mental health and focus. Explain to your child that the academic plan you’ve created for the school year will go off the rails if social media is distracting them. It cannot help them advance in their goals or help them stay on course for their projects, their homework, their applications to different organizations and or colleges. Social media is not a priority. It has to go on the back burner until all academic goals are met. In essence, eliminating social media can eliminate opportunities for bullying.
Tip 6 – Create an Open Door Policy/No Judgment Zone to Discuss Peer Issues
An open-door policy is very important because you don’t want your child to hide the fact that they are dealing with harsh situations, whether it’s bullying or cyberbullying. You want them to be able to come to you so you know what’s happening and how to help them deal with it. They may not want you to get involved, but you can be a coach for them to help them deal with the situation.
Tip 7 – Build Their Sense of Value and Self Worth
Building their self-esteem and helping them understand their value will build their confidence. They’ll be able to let peer pressure and bullying, as long as it’s not physical, slide off their back and not be emotionally affected by it. Building up their self-esteem is crucial because with high self-esteem they know another person’s opinion has nothing to do with their success or failure. It is simply a character issue with the person who is being the bully.
Note: In order to build self-confidence in your child, you have to have self-confidence and have a sense of value for yourself. Parents who are confident usually raise confident children, so you must build up your own confidence. You have to deal with bullying issues you faced when you were in school and not live vicariously through your child. You don’t want your child to be defenseless or hopeless, because you felt defenseless and hopeless. You need to build up your own self-esteem, your sense of self-worth and cultivate that in your child.
7 Radical Bulletproofing Tips to Empower Your Child
Finally, let’s discuss bullet-proofing your child. We live in a society where, unfortunately, school shootings are regularly occurring. In 2018, there were 82 school shootings, the highest on record, according to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS). These acts of local terrorism have become a part of our culture. Despite the fear and hopelessness around school shootings, It’s important to believe that you can bulletproof your child and to know that it doesn’t require you getting a gun. It also doesn’t require you to stand guard outside of the school every single day. Fortunately, there are things you can do that will keep your child safe and give you a sense of peace.
Tip 1 – Cultivate a Positive Mindset
Start with affirmations to cultivate a positive mindset. Why? Because your mindset and your attitude will determine how your child feels about going to school, and about how to deal with different incidences that happen at school. Having a positive mindset will set them up for a positive day, and positive life. Negative energy will draw more negative energy, which will keep your child in a state of fear. You don’t want them to be frightened of everything but want them to have a safe, healthy, happy existence at school. Cultivate a positive mental attitude.
Tip 2 – Pray for Your Child
Even though prayer has been taken out of school, there is nothing stopping you from praying for and with your child at home. You want to pray and bless your children before they leave, and when they return from school. We were created by the Creator, the source of all life, who is the ultimate protector. Give the Creator control and the opportunity to protect your child.
While you are praying for your child, pray for and bless the school and employees. Pray for the building and for everyone that comes in and out of the building. Pray for a wall of protection around the school, so that no perpetrators can enter the school with any ill intent. Your prayers have power. What is even more powerful is praying with other parents with children going to the same school. Your combined prayers are a powerful force against evil.
Tip 3 – Decide and Affirm That Your Child Has a Safe and Successful School Year
You can do this before school even starts. You can start saying this right now and begin making the affirmations over your child’s life, every single day. Do this in a thankful way, not in a begging way. There’s a difference. You are trusting that God, the universe, the Source of all life has your child’s best interest at heart and they have sent the angels of protection around them, to keep them safe. You have to pray this over your child because you are their parent and you are the one that has a vested interest in them living a safe, whole, successful life.
Tip 4 – Create an Emergency Plan
You are praying for and blessing your children, but we also want to take action and create an emergency plan. If anything does happen at the school, you’re able to contact your child, you’re able to contact the school, and you have a safe word or a safe place they will go. You also want to make sure that you are staying calm during any emergency situation so that you can make your child feel calm as well. Department of Homeland Security computer forensics expert, Kevin Tillman, suggests parental apps that monitor communications are a great tool to have in your arsenal. Some apps are free and others have a cost. He also says having parents on speed dial is critical.
Tip 5 – Teach Them to Pray For Themselves and Their Peers
School prayer has been banned but you can still teach your child to pray on their own in school. And it doesn’t have to be a group or school-mandated activity, but they can pray, while they’re in class. You can teach them how to pray prayers of protection to keep themselves safe. You can teach them positive affirmations and help them cultivate a positive mindset. They will be a source of light and positive energy to children around them.
Just think, if every parent who’s reading this article will teach their children how to pray, then prayer will be back into schools. It won’t be a mandatory thing that the school determines and dictates, but it is simply what each individual has a right to do. Think how much safer the school will be, because there are individuals inside the school praying every day. Every day and pretty much all day the school is protected by the prayers that started at home then filled the school because the kids start praying before tests, for their friends, and for themselves.
Tip 6 – Teach Them the Stay Low, Don’t Be a Hero Method
If anything happens at the school, your child needs to know that they should stay low and don’t be a hero. They should basically make themselves invisible, and run away if possible. When they have this in mind, they will likely be safer. Teach them to follow the stay low, don’t be a hero methodology, and you’ll likely see your child safely at home. “Parents should also be aware and familiar with any active shooter training the school provides”, says Tillman. This will help them know the school’s procedure if such an incident occurs.
Tip 7 – Adopt an Arrive Alive Visualization Practice
See you children coming home safe and happy every single day. When you are able to see yourself greeting their child at home and see them safe and happy, you are creating this reality. You’ve just adopted an arrive alive visualization. Know and trust that you and your children will always arrive home safe every single day. I’ve done this regularly through the years with my children and they’ve come home safely every day so far. Release any thoughts of tragedy or pain coming to your children. Speak goodness, peace, and health over their lives daily. Remain in a good mental place and keep a positive mental attitude every moment of the day to see positive things happen for your children.
Next Steps
We’ve discussed budget-proofing, we discussed bully-proofing, and we discuss bullet-proofing your child for the upcoming school year. All of these strategies are within your power as a parent to enforce and complete. I hope that as you go forward through this new school year that you will have both a safe, healthy, and happy school year for you and your children.
Back to School Safety Parental Resources
Spyzie – A mobile phone monitoring and tracking app. Monitor your kids’ phone activity to make sure you know they are safe online. Also, track where they are at all times which is especially important if there is an incident at school. Available for both Android and IOS.
Qustodio – A parental control software to monitor your child’s activity online and on the go. Block numbers, websites, and see who they are talking to on the phone and online. Available for Windows, Android, IOS, and Kindle.
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
From that first ride home together from the hospital, parents will spend many hours in the car with their children. However, what many parents fail to realize is that a vehicle can be an extremely dangerous place for a child. In fact, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of three and 14 in the US.
So, what can you do to make sure your child is as safe as possible while in your vehicle? Well, if you follow the Georgia car seat safety guidelines, you should be in good shape. Georgia law requires that children under 8 be restrained in an age and weight appropriate manner while in a moving vehicle. So, what does this look like for different ages?
Here is a quick guide:
Birth to One Year
Up until the age of one, your child should be riding in a rear-facing car seat only. Why? This type of car seat helps to protect a child’s neck in the event of a car crash. Even a sudden stop can cause injuries in children this young if they are not in the proper type of safety seat. If your child is in this age range, you can choose from several types of rear-facing car seats. You could pick a seat made for infants only, or, if you want a seat you can use a little longer, you could pick a 3-in-1 or convertible option.
One to Three Years
Most pediatricians recommend using a rear-facing car seat for your child as long as possible. These car seats simply lessen the overall chance of injury in the event of a car crash. You can check the labeling on your child’s seat for the weight and height limits, and keep your child in his or her rear-facing seat until they outgrow these limits.
Four to Seven Years
Once your child has outgrown his or her rear-facing car seat, you will need a forward-facing seat with a harness. These types of seats still provide a lot of extra protection for your child in the event of an accident. Once your child outgrows the weight or height limit of their forward-facing seat, you will need to get a booster seat.
Eight to Twelve Years
When a child is in this age range, many parents stop bothering with car-seats. However, this is a mistake. A booster seat should be used until your child has grown enough that a seat belt fits properly and snugly across their shoulder and chest. A booster seat helps the seat belt to do its job and restrain your child if an accident occurs. Booster seats should generally be used until a child is around 4’9”. Until they are at least 12, children should also be in the back seat. Riding in the back seat lowers the risk of injury or fatality in the event of an accident.
When used correctly, safety seats can reduce the chance of injury by 71 percent for infants, 54 percent for toddlers up to four, and 45% for children between four and eight. By simply following GA car seat regulations and making sure your child is properly secured in the right safety seat, you are helping to ensure the safety of your child. If you are unsure about which seat to pick for your child, ask your pediatrician or visit a GA child safety seat fitting location, where an expert can make sure your child is secured in the safest manner possible.
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
Hi! Welcome to RichSingleMomma.com. I started this website almost a decade ago because I couldn't find any blogs back then that helped single moms with money. I was having some success in that area so I decided to share what I knew about side hustles, making extra money, and managing money. Read more...
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