Magic Momma; Project ASSIST's Tips for Bringing Riches into Your Children's Lives

 by Laura Washington.

One of the best things my mother and best friend, Gail Ferreira (a.k.a. the best mother in the world), taught me was how to be a great parent on shoestring budget. My mother was a magician. We never had a lot of money when I was growing up, but I never knew that. I thought that we were rich. My parents thought outside the box and found a way to do fun things as a family that didn’t cost too much. For example, when I was older I learned that my parents got us amazing free vacations by sitting in on 2 hour presentations to buy time shares; or camping at $5 camp sites. My parents never felt sorry for themselves. They found ways to make life stress free and fun for us. I believe that is why my family is still very close. Families today could learn a lot from my mother. People can still have a great time with each other without spending very much money. Parents can be magicians like my mother by adapting the kind of attitude she did about money. When a parent is enthusiastic about something, the child will follow suit.

Please click "Read more" to find out some fun ways of bringing richness into your children's lives.

Following please find a few magic tricks I use on my own kids to help them have fun without breaking the bank.

1.) On a snowy or rainy day, have a Teddy Bear Picnic. Throw an old blanket on the living room floor. Pack a picnic lunch. Pretend you are at a picnic. Later, kick back and enjoy each other’s company by playing a card game or a board game.

2.) Family Movie Night is one of my favorite activities. My husband and I both work full time and there are times we are really wiped out but realize we need to spend more time with the kids. We tell the kids it is Family Movie Night. They run to get into their PJ’s. I make the popcorn. We all jump into bed to watch a movie. Within a short period of time, my husband and I are usually snoring. The kids are happy just to be with us, munching popcorn and watching a movie.

3.) Summer sledding at Grammies house. My mother is great at ensuring my children have fun, no matter what the neighbors think. In the summertime, she lets them get in their sled, sprays the grassy hill in her backyard, and lets them sled down it. I challenge you to think of ways to hang out with your children and do fun things for little to no cost. Feel free to share your stories with us.

Laura Washington is a case manager at Project ASSIST (Assisting, Serving, Supporting in Stressful Times) and helps organize the Incredible Years Parenting Group, a free support group for parents. Our next group for parents of children aged 3-6 years old is currently forming and will start in Early March. Please call us for information on this or any of our other programs including Parenting Wisely (a computer based program through which parents can learn new skills), our Job Club (a group of residents looking for work in today’s economy) and up to six months of case management (help with everything from job coaching to obtaining food stamps or insurance). Call us: 508-837-6957. You may also visit our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/ProjectAssist.