Sue Scheff: Hope for Haiti – We have come together as a nation, now we must come together as a family
by Sue Scheff on Jan 21, 2010
George Clooney, Ellen, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Bono, Justin Timberlake, Sandra Bullock, Taylor Swift, Mary J. Blige, Adam Lambert, Michael Douglas, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and many, many more will be on the phones on Friday, January 22, at 8 p.m. EST. This is a commercial-free telethon across ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, the CW, CNN, BET, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT.
What a perfect opportunity to get your kids involved and help others in need. Get your teens involved! Teach them how they can make a difference. Do they receive an allowance? Do they have jobs? Encourage them to give what they can and feel good about paying it forward.
Teaching our children young and by example will make them a better person and help them to understand how fortunate we are. When disasters happen, we need to come together not only as a nation, but as a FAMILY.
So this Friday night, make it a party at your home! Put the TV on and make the call to donate and have a chance to talk to one of your favorite celebrities!
Watch video intro and also on Examiner.
Tags: Donating, Family Time, Hope for Haiti, Parenting, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Volunteering
Sue Scheff: Valentine’s Day – How to say ‘I Love You’ to your teen
by Sue Scheff on Jan 13, 2010
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, many parents with elementary school children will be purchasing their unique Valentine’s box cards depending on your child’s interest. Whether it is Disney, Sponge Bob, Dora the Explorer or Nascar, children are easy to please for this special day.
What about a teenager? Raising teens is not the easiest job and some teenagers are extremely difficult. Valentine’s Day can give a parent an opportunity to let their teen know just how much you do love them, even if they give you stress and angst at times.
- Plan some time together. Cook their favorite meal or go to their favorite restaurant. The important thing is you are taking the time to spend it with them. What a great opportunity to open those lines of communication.
- If they have special plans with a girlfriend or boyfriend, be sure to make a date on another night to celebrate. Let your teen know they are important to you, how much you do love them no matter what and you understand that they may want to spend Valentine’s Day with their significant other, however you would like a rain check. (Make the plans as near February 14th as possible so the understand it is a special time for parents and teens too).
- If they do have a significant other they want to take to dinner, you may want to give them a Valentine’s card with a gift certificate to a restaurant for them. This way you are showing your teenager you respect their decision and also want to spend them with them after or before they have their date.
- We all know it is almost impossible to buy for teens, and Valentine’s Day is about expressing love – do it with your time. It is a priceless gift.
Happy Valentine’s Day and make it special for your teenager and family.
Also on Examiner.
Tags: Family Time, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Valentine's Day with Teens
Sue Scheff: Gifts that Keep Giving
by Sue Scheff on Nov 28, 2009
Did you take part in Black Friday? Many people set their alarm clocks for those 4:00am sales. Everyone is looking for a bargain.
In a year that has been less than financially friendly to many families, these early morning sales can help them make a difference in giving their child that special gift they asked for.
During this time of year, it is also time to think about so many gifts that won’t cost you money, however will be priceless in their value.
Here are some ideas:
- Your time. It is that simple, your children crave your attention and would love to have more time with you. Can you make a promise to take more time out of your schedule and give it to your child? Learn about “Family Time Out” all year round.
- Volunteer with your family. There is nothing more fulfilling than giving back to those with less. Contact your local Goodwill, Red Cross or Salvation Army. Find out where the homeless shelters or soup kitchens are in your area - take a day to donate your time to others as a family. Learn more about Volunteering in your community.
- Clean out your closets! What does this mean? Do you have old toys, yet in good condition, or games that maybe you only used once or twice? Do you have clothes you no longer wear however are still like new? Donate! Everyone take the time to give up what they don’t use and find a place to donate to needy families. Bikes are always a hot and needed item.
- Does your grocery store offer buy one get one free? In Florida, Publix offers this almost everyday on many items. Give that item to a local food bank. Again, it is all about giving to those with less and doing this together will teach your children to be less materialistic and more about the true meaning of the holidays – to give.
- Spirituality. Maybe you are not religious, maybe you were at one time or maybe you are. Whatever category you fall into, maybe it is time to find visit a new church or synagogue. Trying new experiences can be enlightening and you never know who you may meet or what you might learn.
- Picture Time! Yes, of course you can take photo’s but to have more fun, drag out those boxes from your childhood, home movies from years (decades) ago as well as your child’s photo’s from birth to today! Your kids, even teens love this – and there is nothing like laughing and memories to bring in a new year and celebrate the love of family.
Do you have more ideas for families to try this holiday season that are cost effective? Please leave them in comments. Remember the holidays are about giving and as parents we need to set the example for our children.
Reminder: Holiday Safety Tips
Don’t forget to subscribe to receive my latest articles.
Also on Examiner.com
Tags: Community Service, Family Time, Family Volunteering, Gift giving, Parenting, parenting advice, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Volunteering
Sue Scheff: Safely Sharing Family Moments Online
by Sue Scheff on Jun 01, 2009
ShareFam.com provide families with a safe place to connect with immediate and extended family. Where families begin to connect!
Have you ever gone to a large family gathering and spent most of your time trying to reconnect – relearn how you are related, what family members’ interests are and maybe even relearning names?
Sharefam is a safe and secure environment for every member of the family to connect throughout the year.
1. Share Photos, Videos and Stories
2. Plan Events and Send Messages
3. Only interact with blood relatives and their current spouses
Are you interest in trying for Free Premium Access to ShareFamily?
Coupon Code: SFr197 The code is good for the first 25 visitors to the site that sign up with the code.
Check it out! Summer is coming – start planning that family reunion safely online!
Tags: Communicating with Family, Connecting Families, Cyber Safety, Family Reunions, Family Time, Internet Safety, Parents Universal Resource Experts, ShareFam, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: Happy Easter and Always Looking Up!
by Sue Scheff on Apr 12, 2009
What a beautiful day to spend with your family and loved ones.
Today is also a perfect day to be appreciative for all the wonderful things we have been blessed with. One of the most recent books released, Always Looking Up! by Michael J. Fox is a must read and brings so much love, grace and optimism that is priceless.Tags: Always Looking Up, Easter Time, Family Time, Happy Easter, Sue Scheff
