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