Empower Your Children to be Independent

An early start will make their move toward autonomy smoother

Kids are living at home longer. It’s happening, so get used to it. But this extra time shouldn't lull parents into a sense of security that their kids will be independent when they finally do go out on their own. Parents need to instill the pillars of independence early on to make sure they are ready to live on their own whenever that time comes.

The good news is that raising independent children provides plentiful benefits, both for parents and, more importantly, for children themselves. Those independent habits will also benefit young adults who still live with their parents. But getting there requires some work for parents and the sooner they start, the sooner they will see positive results.

2024 Online Mental Health Toolkit

Smart thinking for election season and other potentially tricky mental obstacles

As the 2024 election season unfolds, young people turn to social media to get news and form opinions on polarizing issues--with teens spending as many as 3.5 hours a day on favorite channels from Instagram to Snapchat. And as Miami's housing affordability crisis looms, older teens scale back plans to move out of their parent's house and retreat to phones in the journey to adulthood. With Mental Health Awareness Month in May and youth crisis raging, parents take action to promote children's digital moderation, respectful dialogue and civic engagement. 

Hurricane Prep 101: Tips for the Whole Family

The beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season is just around the corner. It runs from June until the end of November every year. As Floridians, hurricanes are nothing new to us, but it is still always important to be prepared for the season. If you have never experienced a hurricane before, then remember it is essential to plan ahead.

Find Summer Programming That Fits Your Family’s Needs

Parents and their children yearn for the summer months as a break from the regular work and school routine of the rest of the year. But when it comes, summers can be stressful if parents don’t plan ahead. Where will the children and youth spend those hours when parents and caregivers are at work? Who will care for them? What kind of activities will provide engaging, education and fun opportunities for them?

To avoid uncertainty and anxiety, parents and caregivers should sign up their children for summer programming as soon as possible. Luckily, there are many options provided by The Children’s Trust and its partners to make sure to fit the needs, interests and learning that should happen over the summer. There are hundreds of low-cost or free summer camp options across Miami-Dade County, and finding the one that is right for a particular family is easier than ever. 

Help Build Your Young Child’s Vocabulary with Trust Book Club

Research by Ohio State University indicates that children who are read one book daily will hear about 290,000 more words by the age of 5 than those who don’t regularly read books with a parent or caregiver. The early years are the most critical for their development, and The Children’s Trust Book Club can help all children between birth and 5 years old in Miami-Dade get ready for schooling in the best possible way.

Registered members of the free Book Club get a free new age-appropriate book every month in English or Spanish through the mail. The book comes with reading and activities guides filled with more information and exercises to help parents and caregivers get the most out of the book. “Reading with your child helps their growing brain as they learn new words. When you point out and name objects in a book, you are showing how words and things are connected,” states the reading guide for the June book for 1-year-olds. 

“Take this book with you the next time you and your child go to the grocery store. Open the book to the page that has the fruits. Point to the fruits and say, ‘What are these?” See if your child can name the fruits. Then say, ‘Ok, now let’s them here.” 

To sign up for The Children’s Trust Book Club to receive a free monthly book for registered children from 0-5 years old, text “READ” to 786.460.CLUB (2582) or visit TheChildrensTrust.org/BookClub.

Looking for a summer camp program for your child? Check out the More Summer Camp Choices page for hundreds of free and low-cost summer programs

The Children’s Trust Parent Club offers FREE, countywide workshops on relevant topics about raising children that are successful, healthy, and happy.