July 2024 - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Do the WAVE Heading Into the New School Year

growingupsc — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 03:37:54 +0000

As the new school year begins, parents all over are gearing up for another transition. Whether your kids are in public, private or homeschooled – there is going to be an adjustment period that can be a challenge. It can also be a very exciting time and a wonderful opportunity to prioritize family self-care. This year, I invite you to focus on your entire family’s self-care as we get back into our fall routines. As a big fan of systems to help keep me and my family moving and grooving, I will share my signature WAVE system to support yours too. Through WAVE: Well-being, Awareness, Vision and Energy we can ensure that our families are supported and prepared for the coming months ahead. Well-BeingWell-being is the foundation of all self-care. Taking some time before the summer is over to reflect and prioritize what that means for you and your family is a great place to start! As parents, overwhelm and stress can feel normal – yet taking some time to prioritize wellness will support you and your family so much. Often times this first step is the hardest and once we take it the rest can fall into place. Create some family exercise or routine you can do like taking a morning stroll together or maybe even certain days you walk or bike to school. Encourage communication in your home to allow each family member to have a voice that is heard. Create calming bedtime routines that support everyone getting good rest – adding in some calming breathing or family meditation can help too! AwarenessThis involves parents to take a look in the mirror both physically and mentally to be active and present in your kids lives. (As well as your own). So many parents come to me after they are so burnt out and don’t know how to bring any kind of self-care into their lives. I fully understand as a parent how difficult it can feel to make yourself a priority and also know how vital it is for the whole family. Grab a calendar that the family can all see. Put important dates and also fun ones that everyone can see and know what’s going on. Make a list together of any goals, yearly or monthly to keep each other accountable and supported. Do some outreach. Parent groups, activities for your kids – start to see what groups and communities you’d like to be a part of this year. Remember – you are not alone. VisionThis is all about creating clarity for a roadmap to success. Taking some time as parents to evaluate and look over the year ahead is a great place to start. Family rituals: Create some fun family rituals that give everyone a chance to take steps towards the bigger vision. This can look like a special family outing, weekly check ins or even a daily gratitude practice – in our home we do a rose and thorn or what did we learn and how did we have fun each day. Paint a picture of the things you are looking forward to this new school year, practice a visualization exercise and set some intentions for the year ahead. EnergyThis is your action steps. Energy is everything, its within and around us at all times. How we show up each day will play a part of the whole. And as a family it is important we can all work as a team especially when navigating new routines. Create space for your family. This is one myself and many others find difficult. As much as we’d like to say yes to all the things, make sure you are creating space for your family to have some relaxation and bond. Find the activities that work for YOUR family. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, the best parenting advice I’ve ever received or given is do what works for YOUR family. 🙂 Remember to map out time for the adjustment period back to school.Eat nourishing foods, move your body and spend time together. Family is the base foundation for our wellness. Most of all – remember this is a new year – lots of exciting times ahead. And each child and parent will feel their own feelings. Let’s come together and honor ourselves and each other. Be kind and make this year ahead a beautiful one! By Jaime McFaden. For more tips on self-care and to sign up for one of my live events make sure you join my newsletter jaimemcfaden.com. Do the WAVE Heading Into the New School Year. Happy Back to School!

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Celebrate Community at National Night Out

growingupsc — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 03:26:41 +0000

Mark your calendars and prepare for an evening brimming with community spirit, engaging activities, and delightful treats at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz. National Night Out is just around the corner, and the City of Santa Cruz is thrilled to invite you to this family-friendly event on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 7:30pm. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign aimed at enhancing public safety, fostering community partnerships, and cultivating camaraderie to create safer, more caring neighborhoods. Held nationwide on the first Tuesday each August, this event unites law enforcement, public safety officials, residents, businesses, and community leaders. It offers a unique opportunity for residents to engage with city staff and learn about various city programs, partnerships, and initiatives dedicated to building a safer, more connected community.National Night Out in Santa Cruz offers engaging activities and entertainment that cater to all ages. Here’s a glimpse of what you can look forward to:

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More Than Just a Backpack

Comcast — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 03:12:28 +0000

For 15 years, United Way of Santa Cruz County and the County Office of Education have partnered to make Stuff the Bus a vital source of assistance and encouragement for students. The primary goal is simple yet profound: to provide new backpacks and school supplies to over 2,700 students in need across Santa Cruz County. This mission goes far beyond just handing out supplies; it’s about instilling confidence and readiness in young learners as they embark on a new school year. At United Way, we firmly believe that when youth thrive, the entire community thrives. This event embodies our commitment to youth well-being and the power of community support. “In a community where the housing crisis and high cost of living cast long shadows, bright spots of hope and generosity shine even more. Stuff the Bus is one such beacon, providing support to thousands of students facing homelessness and other hardships,” said Keisha Browder, CEO at United Way of Santa Cruz County.Elaine Johnson, Executive Director of Housing Santa Cruz County and one of Stuff the Bus’s largest supporters and volunteers, understands the impact that Stuff the Bus can hold for students and families in our community. “Growing up in a family of seven children, we often lacked the financial means to get school supplies,” Johnson said. “I vividly remember the struggle and embarrassment when the teacher gave me a note to take home, asking my parents to buy the items on the list. My classmates would pick on me for having used supplies—an old binder, broken pencils, and worn-out notebooks.” As she got older, she said the community stepped in to help by providing school supplies.“Receiving a box of new crayons made me feel valued and worthy,” Johnson said. “The backpacks filled with supplies are incredible, but they represent so much more. They lift the burden off families facing financial hardships, giving them the breathing room to not worry about their children lacking the tools they need to succeed in school.” This year marks the 15th anniversary of Stuff the Bus, a significant milestone that reflects the spirit of giving in Santa Cruz County. We also exceeded our fundraising goal and were able to provide over 3,000 backpacks this year. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all those who participated, including the Comcast team, whose third year of volunteering exemplifies their commitment to our community. Their continued support, along with that of all our volunteers, demonstrates once again that collective effort can bring about substantial change. “The success of Stuff the Bus is a testament to the strong partnerships we’ve cultivated over the years. Working together with organizations like the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, the Santa Cruz Warriors, UPS, and sponsors like Comcast we can support the academic journey of every student,” said Dawn Bruckel, Director of Development & Marketing at United Way of Santa Cruz County. Their contributions have ensured that each backpack is filled with essential supplies, ready to support the academic journey of every student. United Way is deeply grateful to organize the fundraising efforts that power this impactful event each year. We recognize that Stuff the Bus is about more than just physical items; it’s about creating opportunities for students to feel supported and motivated. As we look to the future, we are inspired by the stories of resilience and hope that emerge from our community. Each backpack distributed is a step toward a brighter, more equitable future for all.Stuff the Bus is not just an event—it’s a movement. It’s a testament to the power of community, the importance of education, and the unwavering belief that every child deserves the chance to succeed. As we celebrate 15 years of making a difference, we invite everyone to join us in continuing this journey of support and compassion. Together, we can ensure that every student in Santa Cruz County starts the school year with confidence, hope, and the tools they need to thrive. To learn more about Stuff the Bus, visit: www.unitedwaysc.org/stb Amanda Gamban is the Program & Communications Officer for United Way of Santa Cruz County.

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Thanks to Everyone Who Came By and Said Hello During Kids Day

growingupsc — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 04:40:40 +0000

We had a great time during the Kids Day Downtown event on June 22. Everyone had a fun time and we enjoyed seeing all the smiling faces. Thanks to everyone for coming by the Growing Up in Santa Cruz booth. In this issue, don’t miss our annual Best Of awards as voted by our readers. Thanks for reading,Brad Kava,Editor and Publisher

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Creating Summer Routines

growingupsc — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 04:37:17 +0000

Let’s face it, summer is the time of year where kids are out of school, vacation mode is turned on and we become notorious for losing track of routines and rituals. Part of this is great, especially if you’re sitting on a beach enjoying a vacation. However there are still things that every mom or dad will have to take care of – work, or planning the daily meals. It can end up feeling more stressful at times, because many of us are still juggling while our kids are off. Leading to, yep, you guessed it..summer feeling like MORE work! Not to mention, summer comes and goes quick — often times families feel like they wanted to do more together and with our busy, tech induced lifestyles— we can get wrapped in the “chill mode” so much that we forget to make quality time a priority. The good news- summer can be filled with fun and quality time being present and making core memories with the family. The big difference is finding ways to balance the planning with the vacation mode still activated. Here are a few great tips to help you make the most of summer 2024 with the whole family and create your ideal summer routine which will lower stress for the whole house. Get your calendar outWhether you use a traditional pen and paper calendar or google calendars, write out everyone’s activities and imagine you were having someone come to house/kid/pet sit – what things would you put on the list? Once you write it all out you can start to see where there are busier times or more time for chill.Taking 1-2 hours to map out July/Aug events can also be really helpful for the whole family.Kids and adults both thrive with some kind of routine so even a loose one can be helpful Set your new routinesIt can be really easy to get “off track” during summer and binge eat, watch Netflix or simply just not really take care of your wellness Plan a few am/pm activities you can do MOST days that will give you movement, nourishment and quality time Taking a family walk daily, cooking together and trying some outdoor activities is a great way to practice self care together Family PlansHave everyone help to make a list of summer activities you would like to doChoose a few things you can do this week and make them a priorityEach week have your family look over the list and pick a few things to do together Make your HEALTH a priorityJust because it is summer doesn’t mean it’s time to forget the MOST important thing: SELF-CARE.Create some fun ways to be active with your family BE in the momentMost important – make sure you are embracing these moments with your family.If you have to work – see if you can schedule certain days off to just BE with the ones you loveTurn electronics off when you can to be as present as possible. Set aside time for screens so everyone can have some balance Take things off your plate that are NON essential or create a list of PRIORITIES and take everything that isn’t OFF your list right now Kids are only kids for a short period- making the most of this time together is going to impact everyone in your family so make sure you are spending your precious energy wisely and doing what is MOST important for your family this summer. Want to learn more family self-care tips? Join my newsletter jaimemcfaden.com and get my free self-care. By Jaime McFaden

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Exploring Equity Grading

growingupsc — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 04:20:03 +0000

As education evolves, so too does the way we assess student performance. One such evolution is equity grading, a concept sparking debate among educators and parents alike. What exactly is equity grading, and should it raise concerns? Over the past century, grading systems have morphed from the absence of grades to the conventional A-F scale. In today’s educational landscape, where grades wield considerable influence in high-stakes college admissions, the assessment of student learning methods holds paramount importanceEquity grading, the latest trend, shifts focus from traditional letter grades to assessing students’ mastery of specific skills or standards. This approach attempts to provide a more accurate depiction of students’ understanding by emphasizing what they’ve learned, rather than merely averaging test scores and homework assignments over a semester. In theory, equity grading nurtures a growth mindset, fostering continuous learning and skill development. By prioritizing mastery over point accumulation, students are better poised to engage in critical thinking and problem-solving—skills essential for higher education and future careers. However, critics contend that equity grading may disadvantage high achievers accustomed to traditional grading systems. The removal of incentives such as extra credit and test corrections could diminish the advantages these students once enjoyed, potentially dampening their motivation and college readiness.Conversely, equity grading can prove beneficial for students struggling in conventional classroom settings by eliminating punitive measures that often lead them to give up. With opportunities for makeup assignments and the elimination of D’s and F’s in some schools, equity grading seeks to provide a more supportive environment for all learners. its purported goal of leveling the academic playing field, the effectiveness of equity grading hinges on several factors, including alignment with college admissions requirements and labor market demands. Challenges related to standardization and consistency further complicate its widespread adoption.Developing a grading system that caters to the needs of both high-achieving and struggling students is imperative. It should accurately reflect students’ academic capabilities, devoid of bonus points or leniency for missed deadlines. Genuine equity in education commences early, ensuring all students, regardless of socioeconomic status or background, have equitable access to support and guidance necessary for success. Equity grading signifies a paradigm shift in assessing student performance, offering both potential benefits and challenges. While it endeavors to provide fair opportunities for all students, its successful implementation demands careful consideration of diverse educational needs and standards. Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy is the founder of Merit Academy (one-on-one classes) and Merit Educational Consultants (college and educational advisory). She has written books on projects, free child care, education, and parenting. Susan hosts TEDxMeritAcademy for students to present their innovative projects and solutions. In 2019, she was California Mother of the Year.meritworld.com

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Technology Helps Level the Playing Field for Those with Disabilities

Comcast — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 04:19:17 +0000

As Tom Wlodkowski walked through San Francisco Airport on his way to a conference, people frequently approached him, asking if he needed help. Blind since birth and using a cane, he continued navigating the complex maze of the airport, a challenge even for someone with sight, while declining offers of assistance. “No, thanks,” he told them. “I’ve got it.” His tool was an iPhone, on which other sighted people were looking at the maze and guiding him step by step. “Technology has been the great equalizer,” he said in an interview. “The iPhone has been a great invention for us.” Wlodkowski is a huge inspiration at Comcast. As the vice president in charge of accessibility, his career is devoted to making sure people with limited abilities can be a part of a world too often designed for those with no limits. “We borrow a phrase from the Civil Rights movement,” he says. “Nothing about us without us.” And he’s living proof of the expression. My 9-year-old asks him a burning question. “Do you watch movies?” “Yes, I love them,” Tom answers. “How?” my inquisitive second grader asks. “There are subtle voice overs that describe the scenes, the character’s age, what they are wearing or what is happening on screen when no one is talking,” explains Tom, who was the youngest of four kids raised in Connecticut. And yes, he watched “Spider-man” and a slew of Marvel movies with his own kids.Tom’s team was also the driving force behind Comcast’s recent move to bring American Sign Language support for the deaf into its Bay Area Xfinity retail stores. A deaf or hard of hearing customer can use this new ASL service to shop, check their account, pay a bill or any of the same things that a hearing person is able to do. Some other steps forward include bills in Braille and in large print and remote controls with large type and large buttons for those with limited mobility. There are Bluetooth hearing aids to make it easier for those with hearing problems to watch their favorite shows. There’s hands-free software that lets viewers control the television with their words. There’s also a remarkable invention that lets people control TV screens with eye movements!You can access information about these devices here: xfinity.com/accessibility Tom’s parents chose to mainstream him in school, rather than sending him to a school for the blind. “I was expected to do whatever everyone else did,” he says. “Certainly there were adaptations, but the expectations were the same for me as they were for my three older brothers.” A graduate of Boston College, he worked as the Director of Accessibility at AOL for over 10 years and also held positions at the WGBH Media Access Group, home to the Descriptive Video Service, Caption Center and the National Center for Accessible Media. Under Tom’s leadership, Comcast launched Voice Guidance on Xfinity X1, the industry’s first talking guide that provides people who are blind or visually impaired with independent access to the X1 set-top box user interface including: TV listings, the ability to manage their DVR, access to Xfinity On Demand , and adjust settings. Since it launched, Voice Guidance has earned Comcast several awards including the 2015 FCC Chairman’s Award for Advancements in Accessibility. The groundbreaking feature also sparked the award-winning Emily’s Oz marketing campaign for Xfinity. “His vision to empower and delight people of all abilities with world-class entertainment, communications, and smart home experiences has brought Comcast to the forefront of the accessibility space,” says the Disability Inclusion Newsletter. Tom’s joy is bringing equality to everyone in a world that is more and more defined by digital technology.“What makes me excited to come to work every morning is the fact that I have an opportunity to empower people through technology,” he says. “The other piece is the hunger that people with disabilities have to be included in pop culture. They’re locked out of an experience, and so I find that a challenge of, ‘let’s unlock that potential!’.” By Brad Kava

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Breastfeeding Support for All

Laura Maxson — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 04:15:20 +0000

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7, with the theme, Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All. Mark your calendars now, to participate in upcoming activities next month. Recognition for Employers – Just thinking about leaving a little one to go back to work can be hard for many nursing mothers. Employers can play a critical role in easing the transition by encouraging breastfeeding through appropriate lactation accommodations. Knowing there are resources, as well as support for pumping at the workplace can help lessen the stress around returning to work. All California workers are entitled to breaktime and a designated space to express their milk at work, but not all employers are clear on how they can or should help. It is to the employers benefit to promote and support breastfeeding. Breastfeeding workers have fewer absences, experience lower healthcare costs, and have less worker turnover. Some bosses do the minimum expected and others go the extra mile to help lactating workers feel supported. Any employer in Santa Cruz or San Benito Counties providing lactation accommodations can be nominated to receive a certificate of recognition. Such a nice way to say thank you for supporting breastfeeding in the workplace and our community. Anyone can nominate a business for recognition by contacting Erika Costanzo at erikac@cbridges.org. Nominations should be made by August 31, 2024, and include the business name, along with the lactation accommodations provided. Breastfeeding Health Fair, August 9 – Community Bridges Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program will host their annual Breastfeeding Walk and Health Fair on Friday, August 9, from 3:00 – 5:30pm at the Watsonville Plaza Park in downtown Watsonville. This fun, family event includes giveaways, games, snacks, a live DJ, and free T-shirts, along with plenty of fun and information. Members of the Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition, as well as a variety of community services, and organizations will be there. Walk for Breastfeeding, August 9 – In conjunction with the Breastfeeding Health Fair, everyone is invited to join in a short walk downtown, complete with babies, strollers and signs to bring awareness to the importance breastfeeding. The City of Watsonville traditionally hangs a banner over Main Street proclaiming breastfeeding support. Lots of fun, pro-breastfeeding signs and chants, in both English and Spanish, accompany the horns honking back in support. Proclamations – WIC received a proclamation from the City of Watsonville on July 9, recognizing the importance of breastfeeding and honoring the dedication of the WIC program, serving Watsonville families for 50 years. Another proclamation in honor or Breastfeeding Awareness Month is expected in August from Santa Cruz County. Human Milk Donations – A donation station from the San Jose Mother’s Milk Bank will be available at the Breastfeeding Walk and Health Fair on August 9. Frozen milk donations of any size are welcomed at this event. Members of the Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition are joining with the Mother’s Milk Bank to promote milk donations throughout the entire month of August. Help is needed to spread the word about the importance of banked human milk for vulnerable babies, and the ease of signing up to be a donor Local Resources – Santa Cruz County has a variety of options for breastfeeding/chestfeeding support in the community. These include classes, support groups, and organizations such as Nursing Mothers Council. International board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLC), along with other trained counselors offer breastfeeding support. Local independent family resource centers, as well as county agencies, the Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition, hospitals, and other local clinics and programs offer support to nursing families. Birth Network of Santa Cruz County has listings for lactation resources online and in their printed guide. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months, with breastfeeding continuing for at least one year, and extending to two years or beyond. Help “close the gap” by recognizing the importance of breastfeeding all year long. By Laura Maxson

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The Anger Wheel of Choice

growingupsc — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 04:09:03 +0000

Another great Positive Discipline tool to keep in your parenting “toolbox” is the Anger Wheel of Choice. The book Sophia’s Anger Wheel is a wonderful story to help teach kids about appropriate ways of expressing anger. This book can be ordered here: positivediscipline.com/products/sophias-anger-wheel-choice All emotions are okay, not just pleasant/positive emotions. It’s very important to talk about ALL emotions with children so they can start to identify their own emotions as they come and go. I found it helpful to have a feelings/emotions chart up in the house when my kids were little with real pictures of childrens’ faces (not just cartoon images) so we could point to how we were feeling at different times. We also used the chart to talk about feelings in general. When talking to children about emotions, it’s great to remind them (and ourselves) that emotions do not stay forever; they come and go. When you are excited, you won’t feel excited forever. When you are sad, you won’t feel sad forever. We often experience fear or shame around emotions that we are uncomfortable with, and just remembering the fact that the emotion will pass can be so helpful. Once we are clear with ourselves and our children that ALL emotions are okay, we can begin to discuss behavior. What a child FEELS is always okay. What they DO, however, may not always be okay. Self-regulation is a life-long goal and is certainly not going to be mastered by a young child. But through lots of practice and modeling, children can learn safe and appropriate ways of expressing difficult emotions like anger, and they can learn ways to self-soothe and calm down when they are ready. Rather than focusing on what it’s NOT okay to do when you’re angry (which can unintentionally reinforce what you’re trying to avoid), make a chart together with ideas about what you CAN do when you experience anger. Come up with ideas together as a family and put all the safe, appropriate ideas for expressing anger on your family’s Anger Wheel of Choice. Display this somewhere in the home where everyone can see it (low enough that it’s at the eye-level of the child). Some ideas that may go on your wheel can include: go to your cool-down space, draw your feelings, mash clay, squeeze a pillow, yell outside, put the problem on the agenda for the next family meeting, etc. You can have a few ideas on the wheel already when you present it to your child, and ask if they have any ideas they’d like to add to the wheel. When it comes to the Anger Wheel of Choice, here are some DOs and DON’Ts:DO: Create the wheel WITH your kids. Involve them in as much of the process as possible. They can come up with ideas, draw the pictures, and/or help decide where to display the wheel.DON’T: Discuss the Anger Wheel of Choice for the first time when your child is angry.DO: Talk about the Anger Wheel of Choice at a time when everyone is calm. Our brains go into fight/flight/freeze mode when we are angry and when children are in this state they are not able to think clearly or learn. DON’T: Force your child to pick one of the ideas off the wheel when they are angry. It’s just a visual tool to help children remember some positive ways of expressing their anger. It can easily turn into a power struggle if you try to force them to pick something and they are not interested. If they don’t want to pick something, that’s fine. DO: Point to the wheel when your child is angry and ask if he or she would like to pick an idea from the wheel. Remember to validate your child’s feelings as well. This can look like: “It seems like you’re feeling really angry. You are yelling and hitting. It’s ok to feel angry and I’m not ok with being hit. Would you like to choose something from the Anger Wheel of Choice?” Sometimes the less words we use the better. Just pointing to the wheel when you notice your child is feeling angry can be enough of a reminder. Remember that we have many tools, and that there is no tool that will work in every situation with every kid. Having the Anger Wheel of Choice as another tool in your home can be an asset to your family, but it won’t be the one thing that works every time. I like to think of each of the Positive Discipline tools as small stepping stones that lead toward a more peaceful, respectful home. Hannah Stubblefield is a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator. She is a former teacher and current co-owner of Wonderland Toys & Classroom Resources in Aptos. She is wife to Chris, step-mom to Sebastian, boy-mom to Adam, girl-mom to Maya, and dog-mom to Samson. Check out her ongoing in-person parenting classes at the Family Circle Center in Aptos.

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Kids and Allowance

Bay Federal Credit Union — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 04:06:34 +0000

Learning a new skill takes practice. For instance, if you want to teach a child how to ride a bike, they will need a bike to practice on. The same is true of money skills. If you want your child to learn how to save money and spend it wisely, giving them an allowance will help them practice.Here are some ideas to help you and your child get the most out of their allowance. Timing is everythingWhen your child starts to understand the concept of money and its purchasing power (usually around age 5 or 6), it might be a good time to consider introducing an allowance. If they can’t get to their piggy bank without losing the quarter you just gave them, you may want to wait a bit. Calculating the right amountA common way to settle on an amount is to multiply the child’s age by $0.50. For instance, a 7-year-old would receive $3.50 a week, an 8-year-old would get $4 a week, and so on. This system, coupled with an automatic pay raise on the child’s birthday, also helps younger children understand the concept of earning more as they grow older. Before deciding on the amount, consider how you expect your child to use the money. If they’re expected to save for their own toys, they’ll need less than if they’re responsible for buying their own clothes. Setting guidelinesIf your child is getting $5, give it to them in five $1 bills instead of one $5 bill. When you show them their weekly earnings like that, it’s visually easier to comprehend taking 20% of it to put into savings. Saving can mean putting away a little money each week to pay for a large-ticket item (bicycle, computer, Legos), or so that they will have spending money of their own to use on the family vacation. Encourage your children to save up for a larger purchase so they can experience the pleasure of buying something on their own and resisting the desire to impulsively spend. What about chores?Some parents tie allowance to household chores; others prefer to separate lessons about money from lessons about being part of a family. If you are unsure which way to go, try option #3: pay your child a commission based on the chore they perform. For example, emptying the dishwasher might earn 50 cents, while pulling the weeds in the yard could earn more than that since it’s a bigger time commitment. The idea is that they earn money for successfully completing a job – not simply because you bugged them to clean their room all week long. Earning a weekly commission based on work completed sets kids up for the real world. After all, if you don’t perform your own job duties, you don’t get paid. When you teach your child about financial matters, do so in bite-sized pieces. Your goal should be to teach your child just enough to stimulate a genuine desire to learn more. Allowance is just one great teaching tool that helps kids understand that money (yours and theirs) is not an unlimited resource, and this knowledge will help them to build responsible money management skills for the future. For more financial tips and resources, visit www.bayfed.com. Bay Federal Credit Union is a local, not-for-profit financial institution with banking solutions for the whole family. (bayfed.com)

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