It’s a question I ask myself quite regularly as a mom of two teenage boys. It mostly occurs when they’re on their headsets gaming with friends. I’ll hear laughing, yelling, squealing, and then there will be conversations that I swear are in a different language. It’s like a secret teenage code. A code…that I’m about to crack!

As parents, I feel like we should at least have an idea of what our kids are talking about, right? So, with a little help from my kids and a few Google searches, I now know what they’re saying – and so do you! Let’s dive in, shall we?

“Sty”

You know how our parents always called us lazy? Well, it’s like this generation said “Here, hold my Root Beer”. If you overhear your child saying things like… “He’s got so much sty!” or “That’s so sty!”, it’s not an eye infection. The word “Sty” is simply short for Style. Yes, the kids of today decided that a word with only one syllable needed to be shortened even more.

“Bet”

To most of us, this word means making a bet with someone. We were forever saying “Wanna bet?!” to all our friends when we were kids about pretty much everything. Well, these days “Bet” means something different.  It basically means… “I agree”. So, if you were to ask your teen if they want pizza for dinner and they respond with “bet” – it means yes. Why can’t they just say yes, you ask? I have no idea. 

“Rizz”

I’m sure you’ve heard kids talking about other kids who have “Rizz”. I asked my boys what it means, and they just said it means someone has “game”, and they can charm people. Then, I decided to do a little Google search and “Rizz” is simply short for “Charisma”. It just sounds so much cooler to say “Rizz”, doesn’t it?

“Gyat”

So, I wasn’t sure if I was going to include this one on the list, but it’s become a common one I hear quite often. “Gyat” refers to someone who has a ‘large behind’ – but in a good way! It’s a compliment apparently. (Who knew?!)

“Mewing”

I think there’s about 18,956 pictures on my phone of my kid “mewing”. Basically, mewing is a technique in which the tongue is placed on the roof of the mouth to make the jawline look better. Google also said the technique of mewing can improve sleep and reduce mouth breathing. Some even claim that mewing can treat speech disorders, jaw pain, and sinusitis. I don’t know if there’s any actual science to back that up, so take what you will from it. 

“Cap”

The term “cap” refers to a lie, while “no cap” means “no lie” or “for real”. So, the next time your teen asks if you’re serious, respond with “no cap” and see what happens. 

“Skibidi Toilet”

I don’t even think the kids know what this means, they just say it. I think it’s the name of a series on YouTube though. All I know is there’s a “Skibidi Toilet” song out there somewhere and it’s annoyingly catchy and you may find yourself humming it in the shower…

here you have it! Teen speak translated. A year from now, we’ll probably have a whole list of new words we’ll need to learn, but hopefully this helps for now.

If you’ve managed to translate any other words that aren’t on this list – let me know! We need all the help we can get when it comes to raising teenagers!

And on that note… peace out, laters, G2G!

The post Understanding Teen Slang in 2024 appeared first on The Mabelhood.

In our house, 3 out of 4 of us are soup lovers. My youngest isn’t a soup fan, but I’ve mentioned before that he’d survive off buns, burgers, and mac & cheese if we let him, so his opinion doesn’t really count here. I think the only soup he’s ever really ‘approved’ of is this creamy dill pickle soup a local restaurant used to make before new owners took over. It was AMAZING! If I manage to find a recipe for something close to it and he gives it two thumbs up, I’ll definitely share it here.

Now, our oldest is a huge soup fan. He always has been. When he was little, he was all about chicken soups. He loved chicken noodle, chicken and rice, chicken vegetable, he loved them all. As he’s gotten older, he’s started to like cream soups as well. I’ve always been a fan of thicker soups and hearty stews, so I was pretty happy he came around to my kinda soups!

The recipe below for Loaded Potato Soup is a favorite in our home and in our regular meal rotation year-round. More so in these winter months of course. When you make something that one of your kids keeps asking you to make over & over again – you’ve found a winner! Kids are the best taste testers, aren’t they? They’re always brutally honest, so I know this soup must be good! Not only that, but it’s super quick and easy to throw in the crock pot in the morning and it just cooks all day. Your home will smell delicious!

If your family loves soup, I hope you all love this one as much as we do!

Loaded Potato Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 10-12 medium/large white (or yellow) potatoes
• 8 cups of chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons of Montreal Chicken Spice
• 1 whole onion
• 1 package of cream cheese
• 1 package of bacon
• Shredded marble cheese (or any cheese of your choice)

Directions:

1. Peel potatoes and cut into cubes. Dice up the onion.
2. Place potatoes and onions in the crock pot.
3. Pour the chicken broth over top.
4. Add the Montreal Chicken Spice and stir everything well.
5. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
6. Once cooked, remove half of the potatoes and broth into a bowl and using a mixer, blend well with cubed cream cheese until smooth.
7. Add mixture back into crock pot and mix well.
8. Cook the bacon and cut it up into pieces.
9. Pour soup into bowls and add desired amount of shredded cheese and bacon on top.
10. Enjoy!

Notes:

• If you don’t like chunks in your soup, you can remove more (or all) potatoes to blend.
• We usually serve this soup with some garlic bread. (at my youngest’s request, of course!)

What’s your favorite soup? Italian Wedding? French Onion? Classic Tomato?

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If you have plans to send your kids to camp this summer, you can be sure they’ll spend their days swimming, making new friends, playing sports, learning new games, exploring nature, singing songs, laughing, and making memories to last a lifetime. That’s why packing lunches for day camp that will fuel them for endless days of fun is so important.

Need some tips on how to pack a lunch for day camp that they’ll love? We’ve got ‘em!

Keep them on their toes

Camp isn’t like school. School lunches are filled with food to fuel their brain to help them learn and work hard. Camp lunches should be filled with food to fuel their bodies to help them run and play hard! So, keep them on their toes all summer by changing up their lunch a bit. Think an extra juice box, fruits that help hydrate them, and extra protein.

Summer Camp is a time to have fun, so it’s always most important to ensure they eat (anything!). They need fuel to keep going all day in the sun – so maybe add a treat or two!

Keep it cool

Ice packs are your best friend when it comes to packing camp lunches. Remember that their lunch could be left outside in the summer heat for most of the day. It’s a good idea to find out from your camp where lunches will be stored, as this will impact how and what you pack.

If you use one ice pack for school lunches, you’ll likely need an extra one for camp. Also, don’t pack anything that will melt or spoil if those ice packs don’t hold up. No kid wants a smushed banana. Make sure to toss any food that may have sat out too long; it’s not worth the risk.

If lunch is being left outside, make sure your items are shelf-stable, like nut butters, apples, bananas etc.

If your kids are a little nervous about attending camp, send some of these Washaway Lunch Box Notes labels in their lunchbox to add a special note to make them feel better.

Keep it in season.

Summer is full of amazing fruits & veggies kids love to snack on. Throughout the summer months, different produce comes into season, and you can change it up based on what’s available. June & July are great for strawberries, July is perfect for raspberries, and watermelon season kicks off in August!  If you’re looking for a weekend activity, you can take them to pick their own!

Here are a few ideas to add to the lunch box:

-Snap peas and hummus
-Strawberries and yogurt (sprinkle in some chocolate chips for fun!)
-Cherry tomatoes & cheese skewer
-Celery or apple slices with wow butter

Keep it simple

Camp lunches don’t need to be anything fancy. You know what your child will eat, and keeping things simple is usually the best way to go. I would rather pack my child a lunch filled with things I know he likes than pack a bunch of things I know he won’t eat. We want our kids to eat and fuel themselves – especially when they’re out there being active all day in the heat.

The most important thing is that they eat; if this means apple pouches and crackers, so be it!

Keep them hydrated

Water! Lots and lots of water! Send them with a refillable water bottle that they can refill throughout the day. Make sure to label their water bottle, as they all look similar!

Kids love these Water Bottle Bands, which avoid germy mix-ups and make their bottle special!

Summer camp is such a great experience for kids, and we hope yours love it and come home each day full of dirt, stories, smiles…and memories!

And of course, we hope they come home with all their own stuff – don’t forget your Day Camp Label Pack!

If you’re a seasoned pro at packing camp lunches, we’d love to hear from you! Leave your tips for other parents in the comments below so we can all have happy campers!

Here are some additional lunch ideas and recipes that your kids may love!

The post How to Pack a Lunch for Day Camp appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Me: How was school today?

Child 1: Fine.

Me: Just fine? Okay. How about you? How was school?

Child 2: Fine.

Me: Cool….

If this sounds familiar, it’s not just you. Trying to get information out of young children at the end of a school day is near impossible. Or so I thought. It wasn’t until one day I happened to ask my son a question about the library and he went into this whole story and didn’t stop talking all through dinner. I actually had to stop him at one point and tell him to eat before his food got cold.

That night, I learned the key to getting kids to engage and tell you about their day is to ask more specific questions. Think about their favourite subjects and interests and form questions based around that. For instance, my guys love gym class, so I usually ask what they did in gym and I end up hearing all about who won the running race or who had the funniest dance moves. One day I even heard a story about a kid who got suspended because of something he did in gym class. (That’s a whole other story!)

Here are a few questions that I’ve found always get the most response from my children. You know, more than just a one-word answer.

What did your friends have in their lunch today?

This one is fun but can sometimes backfire if one of their friends has something sweet and they ask why I never put stuff like that in their lunch. Regardless, I risk it because it’s usually a good way to get them talking. And if I’m honest, I also like to get new and fresh ideas for their lunches! (Besides cupcakes and pudding, of course!)

Have you gone to the library lately? What books did you pick?

I ask this one mainly because I like to hear what books they choose. It’s interesting to hear what type of books they’re drawn to when I’m not there giving them suggestions that I think they’d like. It’s how I learned my youngest was interested in graphic novels more than actual novels. As long as they’re reading something, I’m happy!

What did you do at recess?        

What kid doesn’t love recess?! I like this question because I usually get to hear the names of their friends and it’s always nice to know who they’re hanging out with and what they’re doing. I usually get a very animated description of their game of “manhunt” or who cheated during soccer.

Did you make anyone laugh/smile today?

This one is fun. I mean, sometimes I get a flat out “no”, but other times one of them will tell me about a funny joke they told their friend and they’ll re-tell it over dinner and go into a whole laughing fit again. Or sometimes I’ll get a nice story about something nice they did for one of their friends. One day, my oldest told me he went and sat on the buddy bench with a boy who was sitting there and looked sad. That made me melt, and it’s so nice to hear them reflect on their own acts of kindness.

What was the best part of your day?

This one is my favourite question. Now, if your kids are anything like mine, they’ll likely say lunch or recess, but I push them to give me another answer. One day I learned it was a classmate’s birthday. Another day I learned my oldest rocked his Google presentation! I love hearing about the things that make them happy or proud.

What’s your go-to after school question? Please share in the comments below! (I’d love to mix it up!)

…

The post 5 Questions to Ask Instead of “How Was School Today?” appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Over the years, I’ve known quite a few Aries. I dated one back in college, my good friend was born at the end of March, and I know a handful of others as well. So, I had quite a few people to keep in mind when I was reading about the stereotypical characteristics Rams are traditionally known to have. Turns out – most of the Aries I know fit the descriptions. Now, that’s not to say your little Aries will too, but it’s fun to read about the possibilities, right?

If you’re currently raising a confident little Ram, or you’re expecting one to arrive soon, let’s see what the experts have to say about what you can look forward to!

First, we’ll start with the basics of the Aries sign.

• Birthdate – March 21 – April 19
• Element – Fire Sign
• Symbol – The Ram

Yes, a fire sign. Along with Leo and Sagittarius, Aries belongs to the element of fire and is considered the most active zodiac sign. It’s in their nature to take action…sometimes before thinking.

Below is a list of typical positive and negative traits of Aries. Your little one might have some, or maybe they have all of them! Let’s hope they have all the positive traits at least. Fingers crossed! (You can find the whole list here)

Positive Traits

Leadership – The first sign of the zodiac means leadership. Aries like to take charge of every situation and try to control others to achieve success. They are natural leaders.

Optimism – Want an optimistic outlook on life? Ask an Aries. No matter how challenging the situation, an Aries is always able to put a positive spin on things. They aren’t big complainers, and they typically have plenty of friends due to their sunny disposition.

Confidence – Self-confidence should not be an issue for your Ram. They have a strong sense of self, and strong opinions as well. Others are often drawn to their confident vibe.

Organization – Manager. Director. Team Leader. The Ram personality is perfect for all of these with their outstanding organizational skills.

Creativity – Since Aries are so optimistic, they’re creative too. It takes a creative mind to continue to find the positive side to every situation.

Negative Traits

Aggression – When it gets to the point where a Ram can no longer control their behaviour, it results in bursts of rage. It’s best to give them some time to calm down.

Selfishness – Those born under this sign are often seen as selfish. They will always do what it takes to win, and it’s said they usually only think of themselves.

Explosive Temper – Remember that temper I mentioned earlier? Well, apparently it can get quite explosive. Aries are known for having very short fuses. There is some good news though! These bursts of anger are typically short lived. Phew!

Now that we know a little bit more about Aries, let’s see what they stereotypically like and dislike. As a fellow fire sign, I found that I was able to relate to quite a few of these!

Likes

Comfortable Clothes – I’m totally on board with this one! I live in leggings and hoodies 24/7. You’d think my youngest was an Aries as well. Since he was very young, he was absolutely against any kind of pants that had buttons or a zipper. He’s 12 now and continues to feel the same way.

Leadership Roles – Aries are born leaders, so it’s only natural that they will gravitate towards roles in leadership positions.

Individual Sports – If you notice your youngster isn’t excelling in team sports, maybe try an individual sport like swimming or tennis.

Dislikes

Delays – Delayed flights. Online orders not arriving on time. Aries is having none of it!

Inactivity – As I mentioned earlier, Aries is the most active sign of the zodiac. It’s in their nature to be on the move physically and mentally, so they aren’t big fans in inactivity.

Does this sound like your little Ram or another Aries you know? If not, that’s okay. Astrological signs are meant to be fun and not be taken too seriously. I mean, when was the last time you read your horoscope and it actually came true?

If you’re currently raising an Aries, let us know about all the ups and downs in the comments below!   For more birth months check these out!

The post How to Raise an Aries appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Whenever I’m researching zodiac signs, I always think of the people I know who fall under each sign so I can see if the stereotypes match up. For Pisces I noticed – I don’t know a lot of Pisces. I’m usually able to think of at least a handful of people, but for Pisces, I’ve got two.

What’s cool about these two people though? One is my sister-in-law, a married mother of three teenage boys, and the other is my 12-year-old son’s best friend. Complete opposites, right? So, if they have anything in common, it must be because of their zodiac sign! Well, it’s possible anyway.

If you’re currently raising a little Pisces, or you’re expecting one to arrive soon, let’s see what the experts have to say about what you can look forward to in the years ahead!

First, we’ll start with the basics of the Pisces sign.

• Birthdate – February 19 – March 20
• Element – Water Sign
• Symbol – The Two Fish

When it comes to personality, it’s said that Pisces are greatly influenced by the previous sign, Aquarius. While Pisces have a wide range of qualities and characteristics from Aquarius, from what I’ve read, Pisces are MUCH more sensitive, emotional, and empathetic.

Below is a list of typical positive and negative traits of Pisces. Your little one probably doesn’t have ALL these traits, but they likely have some. (You can find the whole list here)

Positive Traits

Empathy – Remember what I said about Pisces being a healer? Well, empathy is one of their strongest traits. Other people’s emotions are often more important than their own, and they have a desire to support, help, and heal others in their time of need.

Generosity – The most selfless sign of the zodiac is Pisces. They’re so generous, they often put other people’s needs before their own. They always want to make people happy.

Sensitivity – When I think of Pisces, sensitivity always comes to mind. They feel things quite deeply and react to pretty much everything emotionally.

Forgiveness – Grudges? What grudges?! Pisceans never hold a grudge for a long time. They forgive easily.

Compassion – If you’re feeling sad or need to talk, find the nearest Pisces. They always demonstrate sympathy and concern towards others.

Negative Traits

Too Many Emotions – Can one really be TOO emotional? Apparently, yes. Pisceans are known for being overly emotional and are often not able to control their emotions.

Laziness – If you’re raising a Pisces, it’s very important to motivate them or they will quickly just lose the desire to do anything.

Moodiness – Since they’re too emotional, Pisceans are often in a bad mood and can have mood swings quite suddenly. Raising a Pisces will require a fair amount of patience and understanding.

Now that we know a little bit more about Pisces, let’s see what they stereotypically like and dislike. While researching this sign, I noticed there was a longer list of likes for Pisces than there were for other signs. So, I included an extra one! Obviously, not everyone born under this sign is the same, but this might give you a bit of insight.

Likes

Being Alone – While other signs enjoy being around people, Pisceans have no problem being alone. They like their own company.

Love – They like being in love and can often be described as hopeless romantics.

Swimming – It’s funny, the two Pisceans I know and mentioned earlier are both big fans of swimming.

Sleeping – This is a great one for those early years raising a Pisces. Fingers crossed they sleep through the night and happily embrace nap time. Is that being overly optimistic??

Dislikes

Know It All’s – I hear ya, Pisces. Nobody likes a know-it-all!

Being Criticized – Some signs can take criticism and just let it roll off their back. For Pisces, criticism will need to be worded a little more delicately.

So, in a nutshell, Pisceans should be your go-to sign if you’re in need of compassion or a listening ear. If you’re thinking these characteristics sound nothing like your little Pisces, they might be on the cusp of another zodiac sign and have more of those traits.

For instance, if their birthday is February 19^th to 22^nd, they may have more Aquarius traits. If their birthday is around March 18^th to 20^th, they may have more Aries traits. (We’ll learn more about those fiery rams next month!)

If you’re currently raising a Pisces, let us know what you think in the comments. To find out more about your birth months check this out!

The post How to Raise a Pisces appeared first on The Mabelhood.

While researching information about Aquarians, I noticed they were repeatedly described as intelligent, independent, but also ‘unique’, or ‘different’, and even ‘eccentric’. Now, I’m no expert but Bob Marley, Guy Fieri, and Isla Fisher are just a few famous people born under this sign, so there might be some truth to that. Oh, and if you don’t think of Isla Fisher as that ‘different’, keep in mind she’s married to Sacha Baron Cohen, aka Borat. I mean, you need to be a little off to be married to Borat, right? (I still love Isla Fisher though!)

So, what else can you expect if you’re raising a little Water-Bearer or expecting one to arrive soon? Well, let’s see what the experts have to say!

First, we’ll start with the basics of the Aquarius sign.

• Birthdate – January 20 – February 18
• Element – Air Sign
• Symbol – Water-Bearer

When it comes to personality, Aquarians are grouped together with Gemini and Libra as Air signs. Most people wonder why Aquarius isn’t a water sign considering their symbol is the Water-Bearer. All I can say is that water signs are typically known for being sensitive and emotional – and Aquarians are NOT!

Below is a list of typical positive and negative traits of Aquarius. Your little one probably doesn’t have ALL of these traits, but they likely have some. (You can find the whole list here)

Positive Traits

Open Mind – It’s said that Aquarius personalities are open to trying new things, considering new ideas, and will never judge a book by its cover. Definitely a great trait to have!

Easy Going – As the sister of an Aquarius, I can tell you a lot of these are true, but this one is spot-on for my brother. He is one of the most easy-going people I’ve met.

Ambitious – Aquarians are known for making ambitious goals for themselves, as well as the world. They focus on positive changes and have a strong feeling of justice.

Friendly – You can look forward to your little Aquarius having many friends due to their naturally friendly personality and desire to help people.

Humanitarian – Your little Water-Bearer may gravitate towards humanitarian sciences as they get older. They find languages, sociology, geography, history, and literature very interesting. They easily remember things and enjoy learning.

Negative Traits

Impulsive – Since they’re quick thinkers, Aquarians tend to make decisions quickly too. Not always good decisions.

Insensitive – As a sign that isn’t too keen on sharing emotions, Aquarians often come across as insensitive.

Stubborn – Having a stubborn child isn’t always easy, but it does mean they have a strong personality and will likely be able to handle themselves as adults. When they make decisions, it can be almost impossible to change their mind. Only their opinion is right.

Now that we know a little bit more about the Water-Bearer, let’s see what they stereotypically like and dislike. Obviously, not everyone born under this sign is the same, but this might give you a bit of insight into your little one.

Likes

Fun with Friends – A social butterfly they are not, but Aquarians do like to socialize with their close friends and have some fun.

Intellectual Conversations – You can look forward to having some deep conversations with your child as they get older.

Risky Business – No, this doesn’t mean the movie. Although, they might enjoy it!

Dislikes

Limitations – Aquarians don’t like being controlled or having limits. This might be tricky in those toddler and teenage years, so this might be something to keep in the back of your mind.

Being Lonely – Simply put, they don’t like being alone. So, if your little Aquarius gets upset every time you leave a room, this could be why.

As I said, my brother is an Aquarius, and honestly, a lot of this is true for him. He always kept my parents on their toes when he was younger with his strong personality, and I can 100% say he’s friendly, easy-going, and loves to have fun with friends. He also likes the movie Risky Business, so there’s that.

If you’re currently raising a little Water-Bearer, let us know what you think in the comments. Interested in other traits of your little one? Check out each month here!

The post How To Raise an Aquarius appeared first on The Mabelhood.

My youngest is picky on a good day. He doesn’t like sandwiches. He turns his nose up at wraps. He doesn’t like cold vegetables. He won’t eat cheese. He hates yogurt with the “chunks” in it. He’ll only eat plain vanilla. Watermelon is too squishy. Oranges are too juicy. He’s the kid that will tell me he likes something one week and then stop eating it the next. He’d live off buns, mac and cheese, muffins, and croutons if you let him. Yes, croutons.

When it comes to packing lunches, he’s a challenge to put it mildly. So, when he tells me he wants hot food in his lunch, I know this will probably only last a week before he tells me he doesn’t like hot food in his lunch anymore. I think a week might be generous.

If I’m going to give this hot lunch thing a whirl though, I’m going to do it right! So, I did a bit of research, talked to some Mom friends who have kids that actually like food, and I came up with a few tips to make sure packing hot lunches this winter goes smoothly.

Tip #1 – Buy a Good Thermos

My biggest tip for packing hot lunches this winter is the thermos. You need a good thermos. We love Omie because you can have the thermos and lunchbox in one!

You know the saying “you get what you pay for”? Well, it’s probably true in this case. If your kids are anything like my youngest, they can be a little rough on things. So, you’ll want to invest in a thermos that will not only keep things hot but will also withstand being bumped all over the place! (We’re on water bottle #3 already this year!)

Tip #2 – Keep Food Hot

Okay, so most of us think if we put the food into the thermos steaming hot, it will still be steaming hot at lunch time, right? Well, not always. So, here’s what you do – boil a pot of water and pour it into the thermos while you’re preparing lunches. Then, drain the thermos right before you add in the food. The heat from the water will warm up the thermos to keep food hot until it’s ready to eat.

Tip #3 – Prevent Sogginess

Kids love chicken nuggets, right? But they don’t love soggy chicken nuggets. Trust me. So, stuff the bottom of the thermos with a paper towel to absorb all the liquid and prevent foods from getting soggy. Brilliant, isn’t it? I’d love to take the credit for this one, but I read it online somewhere and I just thought it was genius!
The best items to keep hot are always liquids like soups, stews and saucy pastas!

Tip #4 – Variety

That thermos isn’t just for soup and chicken nuggets! There are so many delicious items you can pack so the kids still have a hot lunch without getting bored. Think chili, pasta dishes, pizza rolls, even dinner leftovers like meatloaf or stir fry. I mean, my kid won’t eat half of those things, but I’m hoping yours will.

It also helps to engage them with their lunch, so keep things fun and kid-friendly by packing condiments/snacks on the side for dipping or sprinkling, like crackers or cheese to go with soup or pasta. When they can engage with their food it makes for an exciting lunchtime!

Packing lunches is not always easy, but I hope these tips help as we head into those winter months. Oh, and if you’re a hot lunch packing pro, we’d love to hear from you! Share any tips we may have missed in the comments below.

The post Tips for How to Pack a Hot Lunch appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Capricorns are known for being somewhat serious and are said to be good leaders or managers. One of my best friends is a Capricorn and so is one of my nephews – they actually share the same birthday! So, when I was researching Capricorn traits, I kept them in mind to see if any of it sounded familiar. As expected, some traits match up and others…not quite as much.

So, what else can you expect if you’re raising a little Goat or expecting one to arrive very soon? Well, let’s see what the experts have to say!

First, we’ll start with the basics of the Capricorn sign.

• Birthdate – December 22 – January 19
• Element – Earth Sign
• Symbol – The Goat

When it comes to personality, Capricorns are grouped together with Taurus and Virgo as Earth signs. These three are known as the trio of practicality and grounding. Sure, it might sound a little boring for a child, but those are great traits to have as an adult.

Below is a list of typical positive and negative traits of Capricorn. Your little one probably doesn’t have ALL of these traits, but they likely have some. (You can find the whole list here)

Positive Traits

Ambitious – Capricorns like to show others how determined they are. They set clear goals for themselves and don’t stop until they reach success.  I mean, Capricorns are known as The Goat after all.

Team Player – This a great trait to have! As sociable people, Capricorns easily merge into different groups and enjoy working as a team. Having a Capricorn as a teammate or co-worker is an asset.

Responsible – Known for being trustworthy, reliable, and responsible, Capricorns make great employees. They keep track of news, data, and documents and rarely lose things.

Intelligent – Capricorns are full of wisdom and have excellent analytical skills.

Loyal – Capricorns have a heart made of gold! They are kind and make very loyal and faithful friends. They will always be there for you when you need them.

Negative Traits

Unforgiving – To say Capricorns will hold a grudge is an understatement. Not only that, but because they don’t forgive others easily, it can be hard to build relationships with them.

Critical – Since they have a desire for everything to be perfect, Capricorns are known for being very critical of others.

Sensitive – Capricorns are very sensitive people. They can’t stand to be laughed at, and even a minor joke will hurt their feelings.

Now that we know a little bit more about The Goat, let’s dive into their stereotypical likes and dislikes. This sign had more likes listed than most signs I’ve researched, but I narrowed it down to three. As for the dislikes, well, that made me laugh a little bit.

Likes

Family – Capricorns are all about family. This one is true for the friend I mentioned earlier. We met in college, and for as long as I can remember, all she ever wanted was to get married and have babies. She always wanted a big family. (Spoiler alert: she got married and has two awesome sons!)

Music – Now, this one is true for my nephew. He loves all things music and chose his high school based on the music program. He plays guitar too! He’s definitely a music lover! Consider keeping music on at home to keep your little Goat smiling.

Quality Craftsmanship – This one made me smile because my friend is a crafter. She mainly makes children clothes and is always looking for quality fabric.

Dislikes

Almost Everything at Some Point – I don’t think much more needs to be said here.

When it comes to Capricorns, at least the ones I’m close with, I always feel a sense of calm around them. They’re just easy to be around, and considering I’ve been good friends with one for over 20 years, I’d say they make excellent friends.

If you’re currently raising a little Goat, let us know what you think in the comments.

The post How to Raise a Capricorn appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Now, full disclosure here, I am a Sagittarius. Growing up I always found astrology to be fun and interesting to read about, so I know a fair amount about this specific sign. Of course, I didn’t take it very seriously, but that being said… I’m pretty darn close to being your typical Sagittarius.

Sagittarians are known as the travelers of the zodiac, and I laughed a little bit when I read that because our family went on FOUR vacations this past year. We were making up for lost time due to the pandemic and don’t typically take that many vacations in a year but trust me – I’d LOVE to!

So, what else can you expect if you’re raising a little Archer or expecting one to arrive very soon? Well, let’s see what the experts have to say!

First, we’ll start with the basics of the Sagittarius sign.

Birthdate – November 22 – December 21

Element – Fire Sign

Symbol – The Archer

When it comes to personality, Sagittarians are full of fire! They don’t care what others think, they’re passionate, and they’ll always tell it like it is. Below is a list of typical positive and negative traits of Sagittarius. Your wee one probably doesn’t have ALL of these traits, but some might sound familiar. (You can find the whole list here)

Positive Traits

Sociable – Greeting everyone. Chatting loudly. Making a speech. Singing karaoke. That’s a Sagittarius in a social situation. They are very social beings, and you’ll usually leave a conversation with them feeling happy.

Friendly – Sagittarians are very friendly and love meeting new people. They love to talk, they’re full of charm, and they form new friendships quite easily.

Adventurous – As mentioned earlier, Sagittarians love to travel and they’re always looking for adventure in everyday life. Traveling and exploring makes them happy, so keep that in mind. Even day trips are enough to keep your little adventurer smiling.

Funny – Be prepared to laugh. A lot. Those born under this sign have a great sense of humour, they’re full of wit, and they’re usually a riot at social gatherings.

Optimistic – The glass is ALWAYS half-full. All the time. This one is especially true for me. I’m always looking at the bright side of every situation. My husband jokes all the time that I’m optimistic about literally everything. He’s not wrong.

Negative Traits

Blunt – Guilty. I mean, I’ll try to word it nicely of course, but if you ask, I’m going to tell you the truth whether it’s what you want to hear or not. So, you can expect some brutal honesty from your Sagittarius. Other fire signs Aries and Leo are also known for their bluntness.

Stubborn – Yep, this sign has a stubborn streak. It’s important to try and help them keep a level head so their stubborn side doesn’t end up sabotaging friendships and relationships.

Impatient – Your little Archer wants what they want, and they want it NOW! Patience is something Sagittarians don’t have a lot of, so you’ll need to use YOUR patience and teach them how to wait so their impatience doesn’t get in the way of things later in life.

Now that we know a little bit more about Sagittarians, let’s dive into their stereotypical likes and dislikes. Again, these may not all be true, but it can’t hurt to keep them in the back of your mind.

Likes

Travel – They want to see and experience all the things! So, let them explore! Take them to new places, ever if it’s just nearby! Plan little adventures!

Being Outdoors – This is a good thing! In a world full of technology, having a little one who loves being outdoors is quite literally a breath of fresh air. So, encourage outdoor play! Go for walks! Check out local parks!

Freedom – With that adventurous spirit we keep talking about, Sagittarians just want to live life to the fullest without anything holding them back. They become restless when they aren’t moving, so having freedom is very important to them.

Dislikes

Clingy People – If we’re being honest here, I don’t think anyone really likes a clingy person, do they? Maybe that’s just the Sagittarius in me talking…

Being Constrained – They don’t like being restricted. At all.

So, in a nutshell, Sagittarians are fun people to be around and they like their freedom. If you’re reading this thinking it doesn’t sound like your child at all, they might be on the cusp of another zodiac sign and have more of those traits.

For instance, if their birthday is November 22^nd or 23^rd, they may have more Scorpio traits. If their birthday is December 20^th or 21^st, they may have more Capricorn traits. (We’ll learn all about Capricorns next month!)

If you’re currently raising a hilarious little Sagittarius, let us know how much fun you’re having in the comments. Oh, and let us know where you’re travelling next. Some of us might want some ideas.

Looking for all the birth months? Check them out here! 

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