| Wondering what to do when the weather has | | | | The computer is a scary place for parents |
| you down? There are lots of activities parents | | | | sometimes, but there are tons of great sites that |
| might suggest, but many have been shunned or | | | | don't have predators or unhealthy motives. Find |
| are not as wholesome as you might prefer. | | | | education games or websites that boost |
| Rather than sitting around all day in front of the | | | | creativity. Find a site, such as The Doll Palace with |
| television, try something new. | | | | dress up girls, and let your kids experiment with |
| Family Togetherness | | | | fashion. Encourage story telling and creativity. Let |
| Do something as a family. Use the weather as | | | | your kids have a contest on who can dress up |
| the perfect excuse to head to the mall for a little | | | | girls the best and then make them tell you all |
| family bonding time. Pop into everyone's favorite | | | | about their creations. |
| store and pick out a little something new. Rain or | | | | There are lots of other things to do on the |
| snow makes it hard to keep from getting | | | | internet besides dress up girls and games, |
| restless, but a brisk walk inside a closed mall might | | | | however. Try finding online communities that |
| make things fun, and if you stop for smoothies or | | | | appeal to their interests and let them loose. If |
| coffee drinks and encourage conversation, all the | | | | your son is into trains or sharks, there are plenty |
| better! | | | | of sites that specialize in those topics and most |
| Something Different | | | | are education based. Read articles, play educational |
| Being stuck in the house doesn't mean things | | | | games, try puzzles, and let them search. The |
| have to be exactly the same. Sure it might be | | | | internet does have dangerous content, but with |
| easy to tell kids to go put in a movie or play with | | | | parents helping children understand what a good |
| their toys, but be ready for them to sigh heavily | | | | site is and what it's not, you are empowering |
| and profess their boredom. If you are not a huge | | | | them for the future and teaching crucial lessons |
| fan of video games, but your kids are, go and | | | | we didn't have to worry about until just a few |
| rent them something new. If you sit and play with | | | | years ago. |
| them, it will make the experience more | | | | Have Fun |
| meaningful to everyone and you might just get | | | | Regardless of what activity (or activities) you |
| hooked. | | | | chose for the day, have fun. Childhood is so |
| If you'd rather leave the television off, give your | | | | fleeting that many parents wish they had spent |
| kids a rare treat. Let them see your old slides or | | | | more time with their children while they could. If |
| photo albums. Perhaps you can make cookies, or | | | | soccer practice gets rained out or your kids can't |
| if it's a particularly bad day weather-wise, show | | | | go outside in a thunderstorm, encourage family |
| your kids how to make bread from scratch. | | | | fun. Spending time together is crucial to happy |
| Kneading a few loaves might burn off a little | | | | families, and rainy days might be one of the best |
| energy. | | | | chances you get! |
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