Ideas for Families and General Parenting News

By Betsy Stein

Parents worried about their kids' self esteem and the amount of bullying these days, take heart. There's a new business celebrating a grand opening today in Annapolis that hopes to make a difference.

The JNP Project is opening its storefront today at 126 West Street in the Loews Hotel Building. The project — which stands for Jane Not Plain — was developed to help kids find their self-worth as they grow. It is launching a series of books geared toward kids ages 5 to 12 to help them find their "inner awesome," says Dona Rudderow Sturn, founder of the project.

Experts say whether given weekly, monthly or annually, an allowance is one of the best ways to teach children and teens overall financial responsibility, including how to save, spend and budget money.

Elaine Morgan and her husband, John, wanted their children to learn the value of money early on.

So when Katie and Ryan were in elementary school, the Ellicott City couple opened a savings account for each of them. Whenever the kids received money as birthday or holiday gifts, they had to put half of it in their savings accounts and give 10 percent to charity, Elaine Morgan says.

"They got in the habit of saving," she says. "And the importance of giving back."

But as the sister and brother neared their teenage years, and their understanding of money grew, the Morgans agreed it was time to give them more financial responsibility.

They began giving their children an annual allowance in the summer based on academic performance and not chores, Morgan says.

By Katie Riley

The Christmas season is the perfect time to teach kids the importance of giving to the less fortunate and there are many ways to do this in Maryland.

It's important for kids — and adults — to focus on giving and volunteering around the holidays as a way to keep the true spirit of the Christmas alive, says Sarah Spaulding, a licensed counselor from Columbia and guidance counselor at the School of the Incarnation in Gambrills.

"A child's holiday focus may be on presents and parties, but volunteering breaks them out of that rut," Spaulding says. "Regular volunteering ... encourages children to develop empathy, rather than sympathy, for the less fortunate, and they will carry that ability throughout all facets of their life."

By Katie Riley

During the Thanksgiving season, many families will count their blessings by volunteering their time and effort to help those in need.

The Bush family in Ellicott City is one of those families. Two years ago, Laura Bush of Ellicott City decided to involve her kids, Eric, 8, and Emma, 10, in the volunteer work she had been doing for years on her own.

"I wondered if my son was too young to understand the impact of volunteering, but I was amazed that he could help in a tangible way," she says. "He definitely understood who he was affecting and how he was making a difference."

Recently she watched with pride as Eric happily prepared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless.

"I wanted them to understand that the world is a big place," she says. "It's one thing for me to tell them about it, but it's another thing for them to see it with their own eyes."

Now the whole family volunteers for the United Way. They pack toiletry kits for the homeless and participate in meal preparation activities at Our Daily Bread in Baltimore. It's a lesson that has been more powerful than she could have imagined.

"They love doing it, and it's definitely brought home a message of gratitude for our family," Bush says.

Whether it is through meal preparation, food donations or working one-on-one with the less fortunate, there are many ways to instill an attitude of gratitude in your family. Here are some ways your family can help during the holidays. (Here's an updated list of ways to help in 2015.)