What Real-Life Examples Does 'Raising Mentally Strong Kids' Provide?

I get that reaction all the time, and my instinct is to slow down and actually listen. First, I validate: 'That sounds frustrating' or 'You don’t have to pretend you like it.' Saying something like that out loud takes the heat out of the moment for a lot of kids. Then I pivot to tiny, manageable steps — not the whole program. I might ask, 'Pick two problems you want to try, and then you can choose what comes next.' Giving choice feels like power to them, and power reduces resistance. If the complaint is about boredom or repetition, I try to connect the work to something they care about. Sometimes I translate an IXL skill into a mini-game, a drawing challenge, or a real-world scenario: turn a fraction problem into pizza slices or a speed challenge with a timer. If it’s about difficulty, I’ll scaffold: show a worked example, do one together, then hand the reins back. When tech glitches or confusing wording are the culprits, I’ll pause the activity and walk through one item to model how to approach it. I always celebrate tiny wins — stickers, a quick high-five, a note home — because it rewires their association from 'boring chore' to 'I can do this.' At the end of the day I try to keep it light: sometimes we swap to a different activity or I let them opt for a creative learning task that covers the same skill. The goal isn’t to force affection for a platform but to help them feel capable and heard, and that small shift usually makes the next complaint quieter. I like watching them surprise themselves when frustration becomes curiosity.

My kid used to groan every time I said 'time for math' because the school was pushing those repetitive online exercises—sound familiar? A big part of why kids say they hate IXL is not just the problems themselves but the tone: endless skill drills, point chasing, and a sense that mistakes are punished instead of useful. What helped in my house was swapping out chunks of that practice for alternatives that actually respect how kids learn and stay fun. For basic skill practice I leaned on 'Khan Academy' for its mastery pathways—the immediate, friendly feedback and short video hints made a huge difference. For younger kids, 'SplashLearn' and 'Prodigy' kept things game-like without shaming mistakes; they rewarded exploration more than speed. When the goal is deep conceptual understanding, 'Zearn' (for math) and 'Desmos' activities let kids play with visuals and trial-and-error, which is way better than repeating the same algorithm 20 times. Beyond apps, I mixed in hands-on: number talks, whiteboard challenges, and project-style problems where the math had a real-world purpose (budgeting, building simple models). That combo reduced resistance—less eye-rolling, more 'can I do another?' moments. Teachers and parents can also change the context: offer choices, set growth goals instead of percent-perfect goals, and celebrate process instead of only points. It took some trial and error, but the classroom vibe shifted from survival to curiosity, and that made all the difference to us.

Picking up a pencil and trying to copy Deku's poses is honestly one of the most fun ways kids can learn how bodies move. I started by breaking his silhouette into simple shapes — a circle for the head, ovals for the torso and hips, and thin lines for the limbs — and that alone made a huge difference. For small hands, focusing on the gesture first (the big action line) helps capture the energy before worrying about costume details from 'My Hero Academia'. After the gesture, I like to add joint marks at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees so kids can see where bending happens. Encouraging them to exaggerate a little — stretch a pose or tilt a torso — makes copying easier and gives a cartoony, confident look. Using light lines, erasing, and redrawing is part of the process, and tracing is okay as a stepping stone if it's paired with attempts to redraw freehand. Give them short timed exercises: 30 seconds for quick gestures, 2 minutes to clean up, and one longer 10-minute pose to refine. Pairing this with fun references like action figures or freeze-framing a 'My Hero Academia' scene makes practice feel like play. I still get a rush when a sketch finally looks alive, and kids will too.

It's so exciting to think about young adult romance books featuring strong female leads! One of my all-time favorites has to be 'The Hate U Give' by Angie Thomas. Starr Carter, the protagonist, is relatable, fierce, and incredibly brave. The way she navigates her life after witnessing a police shooting is both heart-wrenching and empowering. I loved how she stands up for justice while also dealing with typical teenage struggles like friendships and first love. The theme of finding your voice resonates deeply, especially in a world where young women often struggle to be heard. Another solid pick is 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' by Jenny Han. Lara Jean Covey is charming yet complex; she juggles her feelings for multiple crushes while learning about love and family. The way the story intertwines her daring secret love letters with a unique romance is just delightful. It's both sweet and funny, reminding readers of that awkward yet exciting phase of young love. Both of these books truly capture the essence of strong female leads navigating life's ups and downs as they grow and find themselves.

Grab a handful of crayons and a comfy chair — drawing an army for kids should feel like play, not a test. I like to start by teaching the idea of 'big shapes first, details later.' Have the child draw simple circles for heads, rectangles for bodies, and straight lines for arms and legs. Once those skeletons are down, we turn each shape into a character: round the helmet, add a stripe for a belt, give each soldier a silly expression. That approach keeps proportions simple and avoids overwhelm. I always break the process into tiny, repeatable steps: sketch, outline, add one accessory (hat, shield, or flag), then color. Using repetition is golden — draw one soldier, then copy the same steps for ten more. I sometimes print a tiny template or fold paper into panels so the kid can repeat the same pose without rethinking every time. That builds confidence fast. Finally, treat the page like a tiny battlefield for storytelling. Suggest different uniforms, a commander with a big mustache, or a marching formation. Little stories get kids invested and they’ll happily fill up the page. I love watching their personalities show through even the squeakiest crayon lines.

Late-night commercials and cereal mornings stitched the 90s cartoons into my DNA. I can still hear Bart Simpson’s taunt and Tommy Pickles’ brave little chirp — those two felt like the twin poles of mischief and innocence on any kid’s TV schedule. Bart from 'The Simpsons' was the loud, rebellious icon whose one-liners crept into playground chatter, while Tommy from 'Rugrats' gave us toddler-scale adventures that somehow felt epic. Then there was Arnold from 'Hey Arnold!' — the kid with the hat and big-city heart who showed a softer kind of cool. Beyond those three, the decade was bursting with variety: Dexter from 'Dexter’s Laboratory' made nerdy genius feel fun and fashionable, Johnny Bravo parodied confidence in a way that still cracks me up, and anime like 'Dragon Ball Z' and 'Pokémon' brought Goku and Ash into millions of living rooms, changing how action and serialized storytelling worked for kids. The ninja turtles from 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' and the animated heroes of 'Batman: The Animated Series' and 'Spider-Man' injected superhero swagger into Saturday mornings. Toys, trading cards, video games, and catchphrases turned these characters into daily currency among kids — that cross-media blitz is a huge part of why they still feel alive to me.

Keeping a short kids mullet fade sharp takes a little routine but nothing too fancy. I start by trimming the sides every 2–3 weeks with clippers so the fade stays tight; I use guard 1 or 2 at the temples and then blend up with a 3 or 4 as I approach the top. When I do it at home I follow a slow, steady rhythm: clip the sides, switch guards to blend, then go back with the clipper-over-comb to soften any harsh lines. For the back length that gives the mullet vibe, I leave about 1.5 to 2 inches and snip split ends with scissors so it stays neat without losing the shape. Washing and styling are half the battle. I shampoo and condition twice a week and use a light leave-in or texturizing spray on damp hair; a small amount of matte paste helps shape the front without making it greasy. I also tidy the neckline and around the ears with a trimmer between full trims, and I show my kid how to tilt their head so we get even edges. When I notice cowlicks or odd growth patterns, I tweak the blend with the clippers on a low guard. Barber visits every 6–8 weeks keep things sharp if you prefer hands-off maintenance, but for my household the at-home routine and a good set of guards keep the mullet looking cool and manageable. I enjoy the little ritual of it, and it's fun seeing them grin when the haircut really pops.

Hedgewitch books that feature strong female leads seem to pop up more often these days, and it’s fantastic to see such representation! One series that grabbed my attention is 'The Witches of New York' by Ami McKay. The narrative is filled with powerful female characters who navigate the world with both magic and resilience. Each character embodies strength, with their own unique stories that intertwine beautifully against the backdrop of historical New York. Another standout for me is the 'Witch Hunter' series by Virginia Boecker. The protagonist, Elizabeth Grey, is not your typical damsel; she’s a formidable presence in a world where witches are hunted. What’s especially captivating is how her character evolves, tackling not just external challenges but also deep personal conflicts about trust and morality. It’s refreshing to see a lead who isn’t just wielding magic but is also battling her inner demons. If you’re looking for a blend of fantasy and real emotional resonance, check out 'The Bone Witch' by Rin Chupeco. The strong female lead, Tea, shows us her journey from underdog to powerful witch as she learns to harness her unique abilities. It’s layered with themes of loss and family ties, making her a relatable character. Anyone who enjoys rich world-building will find Tea’s story incredibly enchanting. In a more mystical vein, there's also 'A Witch in Time' by Constance Sayers, where the heroine, Mary, explores time travel and love while grappling with her identity as a witch. It beautifully blends romance and magic, and Mary’s determination ties the whole narrative together. These reads offer not just magic, but a deep look into the feminine spirit, and I always walk away feeling empowered after diving into these stories!