News | Tracey and Kimberly Eaton™

Three Practical Tips for Kids and Parents on How to Manage Homework

January 15, 2020 Tracey and Kimberly Eaton Intentional Parenting

Today’s kids are busier than ever. Hours of school are often followed by extracurricular activities, family time, and futile attempts to unwind from hectic schedules. The growing demands on their attention and time can lead to inconsistent homework completion and performance, which can go on to affect their overall academics. However, with a little intentional parenting, your children’s homework burden can become a manageable responsibility. Here are three practical tips for handling homework.

Establish a Routine

Research has proven that school-aged children thrive when given routines. Ergo, when it comes to homework, kids need structure and predictable patterns to help them stay on track. Help your children by talking to them about what their after-school time should look like. You may be able to agree on a “playtime and snack break” prior to sitting down in a quiet location for homework. Other kids may want to get their homework out of the way immediately. Whatever the case, discuss the routine, put it into action, then stick to it.

Teach Time Management

Time management can be the determining factor in whether you have a happy, well-adjusted child or a stressed, on-edge child. No one (not even adults) enjoys feeling like they are always behind the ball, or playing catch up. So why would your child? That’s why it’s imperative to intentionally teach your little one an effective system they can use to manage their after-school time. Time management covers:

How long should each assignment take?
- How will I keep track? (timer, stopwatch, hourglass, etc.)
- What will I do if I take longer than I planned?
Will I have a reward for finishing in the allotted time?
Do I get to take breaks? How long will my breaks be?

Use Outside Resources for Help

Sometimes your children’s homework will be outside of the scope of your knowledge or memory, and that’s okay. As a parent, it’s not your job to have every answer to every problem. Your only responsibility is to find alternative resources that can help, for those rare situations that fall outside of your jurisdiction. Here are a few scenarios that may offer assistance:

Hire a Tutor
- Private: Private tutors can come to your home or tutor from their own homes, one-on-one, or virtually
- Company: Kumon, Barton, Sylvan
- School: Your child’s school may offer before or after school tutor hours
Internet Assistance:
- Brainpop or Brainpop Jr.
- Mathway, QuickMath
- SparkNotes, SpellingCity, PurdueOwl,

By teaching your children study tips, you are equipping them with the necessary tools to lower their stress levels and become more successful. Helpful lessons like these are exactly what intentional parenting is all about. As soon as you start implementing these three essential skills of homework management, both you and your children will notice improved results.

3 Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

November 15, 2019 Tracey and Kimberly Eaton Entrepreneur

The holidays are well known for vacation time spent with loved ones, food, and gifts in abundance. It’s also a time to consider those who do not have the same. For entrepreneurs and their organizations, the holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to consider those in their community who may need a helping hand. Here are three ways you can give back.

Dedicate a Day of Service

Volunteering is one of the easiest, yet most crucial ways to help others who need it most. It’s also one of the most rewarding and selfless acts you can complete as a person, especially during the holidays. Give back as a company by allocating at least one day to allow your team members to volunteer their time to a cause. Individual employees can make their own decision as to where they volunteer for their day of service or the entire company can go together as a team. Either way, your efforts will be greatly appreciated during this holiday season.

Become a Community Sponsor

There are always on-going initiatives in the community. Getting involved should be a company priority this holiday season. Clothes, blanket, toy and food drives, local charities, and sporting events typically are in need of corporate sponsors. Find the ones that align with your organization’s products, mission statements, or company values and choose those to sponsor and commit to. Through these sponsorships, you will have the opportunity to support other local businesses and nonprofits, as well as families in need.

One-Time Donations

Keeping it simple can be just as meaningful and effective. Set aside a portion of your company’s profits to make one-time philanthropic donations for the holiday season. You can ask people to send in a holiday request that your company can help with or you can secretly donate to causes around your town. You can even ask your employees for ideas on how to go about it to allow everyone to be involved in the merriment. There is no wrong way to go about spreading holiday cheer.

As entrepreneurs, we’ve been blessed with successful businesses and the ability to give back. What better opportunity than the holiday season? Use your good fortune to help others in need through a day of service, community sponsorship or donations. One day, the same people you help will go on to help others in their time of need.

Three Ways to Mentally Push Past Pain

September 15, 2019 Tracey and Kimberly Eaton Play Injured

We’ve all heard the saying that pain is mental. Whether that holds true or not depends on who you ask. But what is not debatable is that we possess the power to push past pain. Time and time again, people have conquered excruciating circumstances with nothing more than sheer will power. Here are three ways to mentally push past pain.

Set Small Attainable Goals

One way to push past pain is to start small. Instead of experiencing anxiety over the mountainous task that lies ahead, break the job into smaller objectives. Center your goals around your pain level. Whatever your body (or emotional state) is most capable of accomplishing quickly, make that your target. Use that same standard over and over again and before you know it, you’ll have accomplished your mission.

Find Your Why

When things get tough and you feel like you can’t go on, the best motivator is purpose. Dig deep and think of your motivation. Maybe it’s your family. Maybe it’s your desire to inspire others. Maybe it’s your end goal. Whatever your reason, locate it and focus in. Quiet the pain and replay your why. Think of how rewarding it will be to achieve what you’ve set out to do and remember; the pain is temporary, but the reward is not.

Focus Elsewhere

The last method to push past pain is to focus elsewhere. Anywhere else. If the pain is what is standing between you and the finish line, make it your mission to forget the pain exists. Mentally zone out. Pick something interesting to stare at in the room. Sing a song in your head. Daydream about your favorite childhood memory. Ask someone to talk to you to distract you. Whatever you need to do to pull your attention away from the pain, no matter how silly or unorthodox, do it.

When experiencing physical or emotional pain, almost any task can feel impossible, but you can succeed. You don’t need to be 100% to tackle your goals. You can still play, even if you are injured. Don’t let pain hold you back from achieving your dreams. Use these three tips to mentally push past the pain and cross the finish line.

Five Easy Ways To Take Care of Your Mental Health

July 15, 2019 Tracey and Kimberly Eaton Healthy Living

Holistic wellness is important to live a happy and fruitful life. This means that aside from giving prime importance to maintain physical health, people should also address certain emotions that can adversely affect their well-being. However, while people are often quick to offer solutions to symptoms which imply that there is something wrong with the body, not everyone is keen to give the same attention to signs that denote mental health problems. Unfortunately, ignoring emotions such as anxiety and depression can significantly lower one’s quality of life. It will also make it more difficult to accomplish tasks and reach goals.

In fact, World Health Organization recently announced burnout as an official medical condition. So while it is often beneficial to push yourself to the limits, it also pays to take a step back once you feel that the daily stress is getting harder to bear. At a certain stage, professional help or treatment may be needed to overcome the problems that poor mental health can bring. Still, prevention remains the best cure. So as you take steps to nourish a healthy body, it is likewise necessary to ensure a sound mind. The following offer some suggestions to help you take care of your mental health.

Cultivate relationships.

Sometimes, things at work or at home can get too demanding and every little task starts to feel like a huge burden. In times like these, you will find great comfort at the thought that you are not alone. Do not forget that you have friends or family members that will always be there for you. You can always seek their help or simply talk to them and they can offer advice or be a good listener. You may be surprised how a seemingly impossible situation suddenly appears easier once you share your feelings to someone who cares. So along with your other priorities in life, remember to connect with others and cultivate relationships as well.

Make room for mistakes.

Overachievers tend to be perfectionists because they want to excel in everything they do. Though this attitude may help them exceed expectations, it can also present dangers when they fail at something or commit a mistake. The best approach is to stay competitive but be ready to cope when things do not go as you expected. Stop beating yourself up because no one is perfect in this world and even the best can always commit errors.

Engage in activities you enjoy.

Taking care of your mental health does not have to be complicated. It can actually be as easy as taking a break. You can make your break time worthwhile by spending it on activities that will make you happy. Maybe you like reading or watching movies. Outdoor activities such as biking or fishing can significantly boost your mood and energize your body. You can also start hobbies or play sports. A research conducted in 2012 even reveals that taking a break can reduce stress and increase productivity. So take your mind off work for a while and do something you love.

Know your limits.

Most of the time, stress and fatigue happens because you try to take on more than you can handle. Maybe you want to do many things at once or you just find it hard to say no to other people’s request. Though your intentions may be good, you are also getting yourself closer to a breakdown. So be kind to yourself and learn to say no if it is clear to see that your plate is full. Accept the fact that you are not a superman or a superwoman and can only do one thing at a time.

Stay fit.

Amidst a hectic lifestyle, it is a must to get enough rest and eat healthy meals. Physical health is directly tied to mental health so a weak body is naturally more susceptible to feel gloomy and sluggish. Thus, a strong and fit physique should be a continuous goal for everyone. Follow a diet full of fruits and vegetables and try to minimize consumption of junk foods and sweets. It is also advisable to start an exercise regimen.

Have you been working so hard to achieve your goals in life? While your desire to do more than what is required is commendable, it also makes you at risk to suffer burnout. Do not wait until it is too late before you do something about it. Make a decision to take care of your mental health today!

3 Ways To Bust Fears To Finally Plunge Into Entrepreneurship

May 15, 2019 Tracey and Kimberly Eaton Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurship is one of the most recommended paths to take for people who wish to enjoy financial freedom. This is why “starting a business” is one of the answers you will likely see in someone’s list of long-term goals. Yet while so many people dream of making it in business, not everyone has the grit and initiative to even make the first step to realizing their vision. According to research by Dr. Philipp Berger, fear of failure is one of the top factors that explain why so many back out of investing in their own business. So to fulfill your dreams of creating a thriving business, you need to deal with the small voices inside that are hindering you from braving the risks and uncertainties related to entrepreneurship. The following points can help crush your anxieties and at the same time encourage you to finally take the big plunge into entrepreneurship.

Minimize financial worries.

Potential entrepreneurs may keep on stalling a business project due to lack of funds or the fear of running out of them. After all, losing money instead of earning it is one of the worst things that can happen to a new business. Still, this is a risk you should boldly face if you want to reap the benefits of entrepreneurship. Careful preparation and smart strategies can help you cope with this fear. Money is essential to keeping a business running, so make it a goal to raise enough funds before investing on a new venture. To reduce the risk of losing funds, thoroughly research and understand how the business model that you want to invest in works. This includes searching for ways to save operating costs and maximizing your budget. Laying out a concrete contingency plan right from the start will greatly help lessen your worries.

Ditch perfectionism.

Do you have a great business idea but can’t find the strength to bring it into fruition? It is probably because you are afraid to make mistakes and want everything to be perfect before taking the plunge. This unrealistic expectation, though, will hardly be beneficial. Even if true entrepreneurs strive to avoid mistakes, they are surely not afraid of them. This is because they know that mistakes and setbacks are part of the entrepreneurial journey. These mistakes also come with valuable lessons that can help hone your skills and improve their business. To gain more confidence as an aspiring businessman, ditch trying to be perfect and stop comparing your progress with others.

Treat it as a great adventure.

How long have you been pondering about managing your own enterprise? It may feel good to keep on dreaming, but if you don’t do something and act on it, you may just wake up one day and realize that it’s too late. So stop procrastinating and start doing. You surely don’t want to have regrets later on in life. Treat it as a great adventure: Win or lose, you can at least be proud of yourself because you tried. When you think about it, even if it fails, entrepreneurship will leave you with skills and experiences that you can never get at a corporate job.

For many of us, operating a successful business that you can call your own is a dream come true. Many factors, however, can prevent us from achieving this goal. In the end it all boils down to making the right choices. Choose to succeed by not allowing these factors to cripple you. Instead, never stop finding ways to empower yourself and reach your goals.

Financial Skills Every Child Should Learn Before Leaving Home

March 15, 2019 Tracey and Kimberly Eaton Intentional Parenting

We send our kids off to school daily where they learn everything from how to compose an accurate chemical equation to what year each ancient civilization collapsed. Our children effortlessly navigate the internet, confidently troubleshoot malfunctioning technology and speak a language all their own. But one area that continues to be an opportunity for improvement, generation after generation, is financial literacy. For various reasons (assuredly none intentional) we allow our young adults to leave the nest without the solid footing they need to confidently navigate the financial world they will soon enter. Many milestones of adulthood are paired with complex financial skills that our children may not fully understand. Going forward, we can right the wrong by making financial literacy as common and integrated as knowing their ABCs. Here are four financial skills that every child should learn before leaving home.

A budget is a financial tool that helps you plan how to responsibly spend your money. Budgets also assist in creating financial security by clearly presenting your incoming and outgoing funds, which discourages impulse purchases and inconsistent contributions to your savings account. Children who learn to budget are more likely to be more adept at money management later in life.
A credit score is a three digit number banks and lenders use to determine how well-rounded and consistent your history of responsible debt repayment is. Lenders check your credit score to decide whether the risk of providing a loan is worthwhile or not. A high credit score allows you to get the best interest rates on car, home and personal loans, as well as credit cards. Knowing the ins and outs of how to effectively building credit will give your kids a head start in their journey to financial literacy.
Buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions that we make as adults, but the process can be complex and overwhelming. For most, elements like interest rates, down payments, various types of loans, homeowners’ insurance, property taxes and closing costs were foreign concepts that we learned while buying our first home, making the experience even more stressful. Help your children avoid the anxiety by teaching them about these concepts early on.
Philanthropy is the act of giving a person or charitable foundation a gift. Philanthropic gifts can be given in the form of time, labor or expertise, but most often, they are financial. Philanthropists earn their title by habitually giving. In order to sustain such a financial commitment to others, the giver must employ several money management skills. They must budget, save and keep accurate financial records for tax purposes. Shouldering such a task is more complicated than meets the eye, so true philanthropy must be taught in the same manner as any other financial skill. By exposing children to the purpose, importance and management of giving, you substantially increase the chances of your child being a lifelong philanthropist.

The best way to help your children establish a solid understanding of financial acumen is to start early and be transparent. You are your kids’ first and most important role model and who they look to for guidance. It’s never too early to teach age appropriate money management skills to create in your children a habit of being financially informed and aware. Show your children how you manage your finances. Explain how you budget monthly. Teach them the technical aspects of making tough financial decisions. Doing so can make all the difference in how financially confident and able your child grows up to be.

Steps To Develop A Winning Attitude In Everything You Do

December 15, 2018 Tracey and Kimberly Eaton Play Injured

You were born to win, but to be a winner
you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win. -Zig Ziglar

Some people enjoy success after success while others wallow in repeated failure and losses. It is easy to say that maybe it is all just a matter of luck. Some days, good fortune is on your side while adversity seems to be a constant companion on unlucky days. However if you take a moment to ponder, you may begin to realize that people who always win possess habits and traits that are different from people who are always on the losing side. So if you want favorable circumstances to pour your way, the first thing you may need to do is examine your own actions and attitudes. Try and compare how your behavior differs from that of the successful folks. Your reflection may just let you see that to keep winning in life, you need to develop the following traits:

Expect positive outcomes.

Your thoughts and views have a great impact on the things you want to accomplish in your life. This is the principle behind the popular concept of the law of attraction. This theory implies that like begets like or simply put, you receive what you give. It means that expecting and visualizing positive results increases your chance of turning it to reality. The Roman poet, Virgil perfectly summarized this concept with the quote, “They can because they think they can.” So in every endeavor, choose to look at the bright side and stay positive. Theories and studies suggest that it boost your chance of succeeding. Moreover, positive emotions also helps you stay healthy and happy..

Mind your words.

Along with your thoughts that run in your mind, you should also guard the words that come out of your mouth. Try to observe how you communicate with yourself and assess if the words demean rather than uplift you. If you are given a task, do you describe it as easy and doable or do you tend to whine and complain? Words are powerful so make sure that it will work to your advantage. This is the reasons why meditations and prayers often contains phrases that are uttered repeatedly. To adapt this technique, you can start by making daily positive affirmations that will strengthen your resolve to win and excel.

Make necessary preparations.

Positive attitude is not nearly as effective without concrete steps and actions. So even with high hopes and affirmations, open your eyes to the reality that you also have loads of preparation to do. Take opportunities to train and equip yourself with skills that will ensure your success. Preparation also means identifying the weaknesses that can hinder your success. If you prepared ahead of time, you will have time to figure out ways on how to cope or avoid possible roadblocks. Having the will to win without preparing any strategy to accomplish the goal is like heading to a battle without anything to combat the enemy.

Welcome change.

It would be nice to stay in your comfort zone where everything is easy and predictable. However since nothing is permanent in this word, this ideal situation is not that realistic. To breeze through life, you should develop your adaptability skills. True winners do not fear change. They anticipate and embrace it because they know that it will bring new experiences and lessons. Winners do not let any changes overwhelm or topple them. Instead, they learn how to adapt to various situations without losing control or feeling stressed.

Hang out with the right crowd.

People you regularly hang out with influence you more than you know. So pay close attention the people you are always with. Do they always put you down? Or do they inspire you to be successful? As yourself if the people around you push you to do your best or heighten your anxiety to tackle tasks? Your reflection should lead you to a decision to keep your friends or find a new crowd to hang out with.

Be passionate about what you do.

A popular phrase states that people should find a job they love to do so it will barely feel like work. This saying is also true if you want to succeed in life. Being passionate about your job makes you devote much time and effort into it. It would be unlikely for you to feel burned out from too much work too because you enjoy it. Just being happy and satisfied with the work you do already makes you a winner, but you will likely get lots of recognition and accolades from it too.

Everybody wants to win but winning also means you are willing to work hard for it. Changing your mindsets and developing good traits are a good start to greatly increase your likelihood to win in everything you do.

Three Ways to Naturally Prevent the Flu

November 15, 2018 Tracey and Kimberly Eaton Healthy Living

Influenza (flu) season begins in fall and peaks in winter, but can last through May. In recent years the flu has become increasingly difficult to treat. Flu shots definitely do their part toward boosting immunity, but with rapid adaptations to the virus, the flu is notoriously hard to beat. The best medicine is prevention. Luckily, there are many natural remedies and aids to help your body survive the flu season sans illness.

Sanitize

Proper hand washing rules are well known among adults, but during the flu season it’s always wise to review. Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water, scrub underneath your nails and count to 20 before rinsing. As always, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. It’s best to keep your hands away from your face to avoid self-inoculation (transferring germs from one body part to another). Remember to sanitize items that you use daily (your phone, beauty products, etc.). Your office can also be the perfect place for germs to thrive. Clean your keyboard and any tangible surface you come in contact with. If you have to go to a public place, use a disposable or washable napkin to open doors or handle items. If you need to write something down, bring your own pen instead of using the one that’s provided. It’s also important to avoid sharing items that can transmit illness when shared, such as cups, glasses or cosmetics.

Get Enough Sleep

Flu season reinforces the need for adequate sleep. Adults should get seven to nine restful hours each night to maintain optimum health. If you are tossing and turning throughout the night or struggle to stay asleep, make sure to do all that you can to remedy the issues that prevent you from getting the vital sleep you need. Your body needs a fair amount of sleep to devote energy toward fighting off germs and viruses. Listen to your body and seek extra rest if you are feeling fatigued. If a solid seven through nine hours is too difficult to achieve with your lifestyle, commit to taking naps to help you recharge.

Watch Your Diet

While we all understand the benefits of eating and drinking healthfully, the flu season offers yet another reason to commit. Increase your water intake while reducing your consumption of alcohol. Give your immune system a boost with juicing and the addition of supplements. Some of the most beneficial supplements include zinc, vitamin d, glutathione, turmeric and vitamin c. Protein rich foods will also help your body fight illness. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar and stock up on fruits and vegetables.

While it is true that more than two hundred thousand Americans are diagnosed with the flu each year, you don’t have to fall victim to the virus too. Be aware of people who are showing symptoms, sanitize often and treat your body well. The flu is avoidable when the proper prevention methods are observed.

Be An Effective Parent & A Successful Entrepreneur: Yes, You Can With These Doable Tips!

September 15, 2018 Tracey and Kimberly Eaton Entrepreneur, Intentional Parenting

Parenting is a huge responsibility that requires your full attention and commitment. However, it does not necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice your other passions in life once you start raising kids. Mothers and fathers with an entrepreneurial spirit can still pursue their dreams of establishing a thriving business. This concept likewise rings true for working parents who aim to gain recognition in their own fields.

The key that will make you connect the gap between being an effective parent and a successful entrepreneur is balance. You have to understand that both areas of your life need equal attention. Moreover, you are required to give your best on both areas. If you have a booming business but unhappy kids (or well-raised children but struggling business) your success on the latter will rarely matter. The attempt to succeed on both areas seems to be a long shot but it is certainly possible especially if you keep the following points in mind:

Be An Expert In Organizing

The ability to organize your tasks and your time is crucial if you wish to succeed in anything in life. The challenge is greater if you wish to keep a happy household and manage a prosperous enterprise. Being organized is necessary for setting priorities and maximizing productivity. To do this, you need to instill good habits such as making a daily to-do list or following a strict daily routine. You can also take advantage of technology as there are useful apps available that can make you feel like a pro in organizing.

Adjust To Situations

You cannot predict every predicament that may come your way, so learn to be flexible and adapt to the situations accordingly. You can also shield yourself from unexpected setbacks by having contingency plans in place.

Invest In Self-care

Juggling two important areas in your life will require your best efforts, so make sure your body is up for the challenge. Eating healthy food, getting enough rest, and doing regular exercise will give you the energy you need to achieve your goals.

Seek Help Or Delegate Tasks

To accept that you cannot do everything is both humbling and empowering. Sometimes, you need all the help you can get. If you start to feel like you already have too much on your plate, stop to examine which tasks can you delegate to others. Maybe hiring an assistant will help you reach your target sales in half the time. Or maybe your kids are already big enough to handle some tasks around the home.

Make Bonding Times Sacred

Kids grow up so fast and you do not want to miss their important milestones while pursuing a career. You can ensure that you remain an important and present figure in your child’s life by setting bonding time with them. It can be a simple date night when you can sit down and enjoy a nice meal while catching up on your kids. What matters here is that you make the bonding times frequent and special. You simply pick a certain day for your kids and commit to spending it with them, no matter how full your schedule is.

The process to triumphantly glide between responsible parenthood and rewarding entrepreneurship may just be the toughest challenge one ever has to face. Nevertheless, parents with unwavering determination and commitment can definitely enjoy the best of both worlds. So do not be afraid to chase your dreams while dedicating your life to your family.

Effective Tactics To Rise Stronger From Your Failures

July 15, 2018 Tracey and Kimberly Eaton Play Injured

You have this great idea and intense motivation to work on it. So you carefully laid-out the strategies, devote hours for completion, and set yourself for success! But then life happens and due to an unexpected twist of events, you suddenly see your grand visions of success crumbling right before your eyes.

The world has its equal share of victories and defeats so it won’t be surprising if the above scenario will sound familiar to you. Failures can indeed crush your ego and weaken your spirit but only if you give it the power to do so. You can easily pick up the pieces and start over again with the following practical tips:

Give Yourself A Time To Grieve

Staying positive in tough times is important but the pain and devastation that comes from failing makes you human. So it is alright to allow yourself to wallow in self-pity for a little while. You can take a break, seek a counsel, or shed some tears to get the negative emotions out of your system. Coming face-to-face with your feelings will give you a time to heal and will get you ready for the next challenges you face.

Forgive Yourself

It surely feels ugly to lose but it is wrong to keep on blaming and punishing yourself for it. You probably did the best you could but some circumstances are simply beyond our control. So you can acknowledge your mistakes and at the same time forgive yourself for committing it. Then remind yourself to focus on your strengths and stay steadfast amidst defeat.

Look On The Bright Side

A quote from Winston Churchill explains it best, “The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Your failures may be unavoidable but you have a choice on how you can deal with it. So move past the failure and see your cup as half-full. With the right attitude, you will discover that failures are a goldmine for valuable lessons and opportunities. Moreover, failure allows you to analyze where you went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again. It gives you another chance to re-examine your strategies that may ensure your triumph on your next attempt. You may be surprised to discover that your failures will open doors to various opportunities.

Come Back Stronger

You can proudly call yourself a survivor if you experienced failures but decided to get up again. Like a mighty soldier that has fought in wars, you are now in a better shape for battles. The lessons you gained from your loss will allow you to create a foolproof game plan for winning the next battles you have to face. As they say, the most effective teacher is experienced so instead of crushing your enthusiasm on life, defeats should make you wiser and indestructible.

The most successful people understand that the road to victory is rarely smooth or straight. So instead of fearing failure, accept it as part of the process, and make a resolve to overcome it. After all, failures may scare the wits out of you but the journey will surely be boring without it.