Lately I’ve been reliving my youth. No, I’m not having dreams that I’m walking around my high school in my underwear as everyone points and laughs. Uh, not that I’ve ever had those kinds of dreams.

Anyways, I’ve been playing a lot of board games with my two boys lately, Jason especially. I have such awesome childhood memories of hanging out with my neighborhood buddies Ethan, Eddie and Gary.

We’d spend so many days and nights in the summer doing nothing more than playing board games. Gary, who had two older brothers, must’ve had about 97 different games, so we never were at a loss for something new to play.

I still love board games, although I have to admit playing games like Candyland and Chutes and Ladders with my kids when they were younger was an incredibly painful experience.

Some nights as I lay awake in bed drifting off to sleep, I still have horrible flashbacks of Peppermint Forest. Shudder.

While video games and iPads and all sorts of other technological mumbo jumbo seem to have today’s youth under they’re spell, there’s still something to be said about the classics.

Classic board games, that is. I’ve started playing a few with my kids, and was pumped to see that they liked them as much as I did when I was a kid.

So if you’re looking for something new (that’s really old) to play with your kids, give one of these games a shot.

1. Monopoly

Yes, there are roughly 1.6 million special editions available for Monopoly from Star Wars Monopoly to NY Yankees Monopoly to 90210 Monopoly to Guess What’s Stuck On the Bottom of My Shoe Monopoly. Now if you find a theme you love, go for it and have fun. But nothing beats the tried and true original classic Monopoly.

It’s my 10 year old son Jason’s favorite game. We actually started with Monopoly Jr. when he was real young and it not only hooked him on the game, but taught him some pretty good math/money skills.

2. Risk

Jason just got this for his birthday and it was one of my favorites as a kid. It’s a game for 2 to 5 players, and the more friends you play with, the better. The rules are fairly simple as you roll dice to see armies fight each other for world domination.

Two parts strategy and one part luck, you’ll not only start teaching your kids about diplomacy and making truces with others, but you’ll be surprised at how many countries they start identifiying.

3. Stratego

Another favorite of mine from childhood! When I was a kid, I believe the pieces were Revolutionary War soldiers. Nowadays, they’re space marines fighting a war! Way simpler than Risk, this two-player game sees each side have an army of pieces ranging in number. The higher the number, the more powerful a piece.

Thing is, your opponent can’t see your pieces, so when you attack, you both turn your pieces over and the higher number wins. Toss in bombs and a slew of other special moves, and this basic game of “Capture the Flag” is a real hoot. I even played against my 7-year-old son Ryan, and, well… let’s not talk about how he actualy beat me. Totally beginner’s luck.

4. Clue

My mom used to love playing this and I liked it too. We actually haven’t tried playing the full original version yet with my boys, but I’ll admit we played the SpongeBob SquarePants Clue and, surprisingly, it’s a blast.

It’s similar to the original but with a few twists. Both versions have you moving around an area as you collect clues to find out three pieces of evidence to solve the case. In the original, it’s who committed the murder, in what room, and with what weapon? SpongeBob doesn’t see any murder, but someone’s stolen SpongeBob’s jellyfishing net! Your job is to find out who took it, when they took it, and where they hid it!

5. Scrabble

Until recently, I actually never really liked Scrabble. Odd for an English major, I know. But playing it with my family has turned me into a fan. I started with my wife, and then my kids would watch what we’re doing and join in without realizing they were helping to spell words. Yes there are plenty of online Scrabble-like games, but nothing beats holding those wooden tiles in your hand as you join in with your kids.

6. Mancala

This one’s a real oldie, but still a real goodie. It’s a super simple game of a board consisting of small holes that you put little beans in. You pick up a pile and count them out one at a time, dropping a bean in each hole as you move around the board. Whoever ends up with the most beans in the end, wins.

7. Rummikub

I’ve always loved Rummikub and now even more so that my kids can play… and beat me! The game consists of colored numbers on tiles and you need to place your tiles in either a run (that’s a straight) or 3-of-a-kind. The fun really begins when you start adding to what’s already on the board. It’s a really great game to start teaching strategy and patterns to younger kids.

There are plenty of other fantastic games for families to join in on. Setting up a specific day of the week as Family Game Night will not only help set up a regular routine, but give you some great bonding experiences with your kids. Just expect a lot of crying the first few times around when a certain someone keeps losing. Oh, and your kids may cry too.

What games do you play with your kids?

Image Credits: Andrew Kardon

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Over the last few decades the price of college has continued to rise. As a result its becoming harder and harder to pay for college. And that’s where grants come in to play.

Grants are basically free money that can be used to pay for college. Below I am going to share a few grant opportunities available to Rhode Island residents.

The Rhode Island State Grant Program

The Rhode Island State grant program is available to those who cannot afford to pay for college. It is the only state grant for families in this state. If you fill a FAFSA application by the deadline and list Rhode Island as your legal state of residence, you will be considered for this grant.

Before the grant is awarded the program will contact the school you listed to make sure you are enrolled and eligible for the grant program. To be awarded this grant you not only have to be enrolled in college, but you also have to be keeping your grades up. The amount awarded will be between $250 and $700.

Arts in Academics Grant

This grant was created to support educational projects that integrate art disciplines into core academic subjects. The grant amount ranges from $500 to $1000.

Any K-12 public or charter teacher, artist or nonprofit organization can apply. The grant money can be used for equipment, materials, stipends and other costs associated with the project.

Your proposal will be judged based on the following:

• The level of arts integration
• Creativeness
• Educational merit
• Group size
• Potential impact on participating children
• Access to other funds

All applications must be received by November 1st. Visit www.rifoundation.org to apply

Project Grants For Individuals

Project Grants for Individuals, also known as PGI, are available to artists who are residents of Rhode Island. These grants support individuals who are looking to produce, perform or teach their creative talents to the public. To apply for this grant email Cristina Dichiera at cristina.dichiera@arts.ri.gov

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Rhode Island Child Support Guidelines

In Rhode Island the income share model is used to calculate how much support the child would have if the parents would have stayed together. That amount is then divided proportionally between both parents. To come up with this amount you will need to fill out a child support worksheet as well as turn in some of your past pay stubs of W-2 forms. Let me give you a quick example of how this process would work.

Which ever parent has the higher income will be responsible for the greater portion of child support. On the same hand, which ever parent has the lower income will be responsible for the lower portion of child support.

Please be aware that the child support obligation manifest itself differently between the custodial parent and the noncustodial parent. For example, it is rare that you will find a custodial parent paying child support to the non custodial parent.

Places to Apply for Child Support in Rhode Island

Via Telephone

401- 458-4400 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Via The Internet

Visit the following link to download and fill out the application needed to file child support. http://www.cse.ri.gov/application/. You will also need to include a $20 fee with your application.

In Person

Office of Child Support Services
Department of Human Services
77 Dorrance Street Providence
Rhode Island 02904

How to Apply for Child Support in Rhode Island

The first thing you need to do is get court order. You should try to get a court order as soon as the baby is born. Especially if the parents aren’t married at the time of birth. You will also need a court order if the parents are divorced or legally separated. Child support is not retroactive

Generally speaking it starts on the date the court order was filed. That’s why its so important you start this process right now! You can go through your local Child Support Agency to get the court order. When going through this process you have the option to represent yourself, get a lawyer or have the agency represent you.

It is best to get a lawyer yo represent because they have extensive knowledge of family law and they don’t have any emotional attachments to the situation. Please note that this process can be very time consuming.

Make sure you pack your patience. Make sure you have all needed documentation before you start the process. That way things will move a little quicker.

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The Shaw Worth Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a New England high school senior every year. It is for high school seniors who have made a meaningful contribution to the protection of animals. Meaningful contributions would include writing papers or giving presentations on humane topics as well as working directly with organizations that rescue animals. They should have a humane attitude and an understanding of humane ethics.

Financial need nor academic achievement are considered for this scholarship. Your application will be a letter or essay and should include a narrative of what you have done as far as animal protection goes. You should include recommendations from at least three people with your essay. Letters from teachers, mentors and peers are also helpful.

NEDMA Foundation

This is for students who are studying marketing, advertising or communication. You should be interested in a career in direct marketing. You must have completed your sophomore or junior year prior to the year the scholarship will be awarded. Your application must be received by January 20th not later than 5pm. You could be awarded up to $3,000 for college tuition.

www.nedma.com

New England Employee Benefits Council Scholarship

The New England Employee Benefits Council Scholarship, also known as NEEBCS, was established to help further education in the field of employee benefits. Careers in this field include pension design, pension planning, work & family issues, analysis and management. To be eligible for this scholarship you must be a full time college student living in New England or enrolled in a school in New England.

This is a annual scholarship that is worth up to $5,000. It is a supplemental scholarship and will not exceed tuition or room and board. This scholarship can be renewed on a yearly basis for up to four years by submitting the right documentation.

Rhode Island Academic Promise Scholarship

This scholarship is designed to help Rhode Island students who show academic promise as well as have a financial need. As long as the students maintain their academics they will be able to use the scholarship to pay for college.

To be eligible for this scholarship you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a resident of Rhode Island of as the first of the year for the award year
• Be a graduating high school senior who will be attending college or university on a full time basis
• Have academic promise
• Show financial need

Rachel Butterworth Diezt Scholarship

The Rachel Butterworth Diezt scholarship is a $5,000 scholarship that is awarded to New England students who are pursuing higher education in the fields of floriculture or ornamental horticulture. You must be enrolled full time in one of these programs to apply for this scholarship.

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If you are an individual or family that is having trouble buying food, you should consider apply for food stamps of SNAP as it is now called. The SNAP program may be just what you need until you are able to get back on your feet.

How to Apply For Food Stamps in Rhode Island

There are basically two steps to applying for food stamps in Rhode Island. First you need to fill out and return the application. You can apply online or you can apply in person at your local DHS office. To properly fill out the application you will need some documentation.

Here is a list of the documentation you will need to include with your application:

• Proper Identification
• Social Security Numbers For All That Are Applying
• Proof Of Income For The Previous Month’s
• Proof Of Previous Month’s Expenses (mortgage, utility bills etc.)
• Proof Of Medical Expenses (This is for those who are over the age of 60 or disabled)
• Proof Of Assets (Bank accounts, stocks,etc.)
• Proof Of Citizenship

The second step is to schedule an interview with a DHS worker. This interview is required. During the interview the DHS worker will go over the application and make sure everything is filled out properly. You can do this interview via phone or in person.

If you do it by phone your interview will be scheduled after your application is received. If you have any questions you can call the DHS info line at (401) 462-5300.

Eligibility Requirements

Your income is the biggest factor in determining if you are eligible for food stamps in Rhode Island. The state will also look at how many individuals live in your household.

Here are few guidelines to give you a general idea of the eligibility requirements. For a family of four the income can not be more than $40,792.50 per year. That equals about $3,399 a month. However, there are some exceptions you should be aware of.

If your income is higher than $40,792.50 a year you may still qualify for food stamps. This is because expenses such as child care and shelter can be deducted from that amount. So even if you make more than the income limit states, call DHS to see if you still qualify.

You can find out if you are eligible by answering a few questions on the self screening test. You can find it at the following link.

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If your family has recently lost a loved one and your child is asking a lot of questions, explaining that someone has passed away may not be the easiest thing in the world to explain.

Admit to yourself that you may not have all of the answers, but you can do your best to explain life and death in a way that will make sense to them. Whether you decide to buy a children’s book about death and read it to your younger children or sit older kids down and explain it in a simple language, over time your child will understand.

There’s no right or wrong way to answer and in the same way it’s okay if your child is confused. Be open about your faith and in time your child will understand.

Image Source: Freedigitalphotos.net

Keep in mind that a child’s understanding of death will vary, depending on their age. Every child will also respond differently but you can still do your best to explain things to them no matter their age.

Ages of Understanding

Until your child reaches 5 or 6, they will think of things in a literal way. If a grandparent recently passed away, you can tell your child that their body is no longer working or once you are old your body stops working someday. Even though it may be difficult, you might also want to explain that the word “dead” or “dying” means that a body is no longer functioning.

Once your child is age 6 and above usually they will begin to understand death, even though they won’t quite grasp everything it entails. They won’t realize that death actually takes place daily in every part of the world.

Continue to be honest with your child because if they still don’t fully understand death they may think of it as something negative or label death as “the bad guy”, or a ghost, for example. Be specific and kind with them when explaining death and in time they will fully understand it.

Teenage Years

Once your child reaches his or her teens they will fully grasp the fact that people die and that there is nothing they can do to stop it. This may scare them, but you can teach them to embrace their faith, pray about it, and reach out to others should they have any questions or concerns.

If for some reason your child is still struggling with death or is grieving from a death of a parent, grandparent, or friend, don’t be afraid to reach out to those who can help you. There are many resources available – from counselors to books.

Just by being there as a faithful single parent, your child will get through this challenging time. As they mature and embrace their faith they will be able to get through the hard times thanks to your compassion and honesty about some of the most difficult questions about life.

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If you have recently become unemployed due to no fault of your own, you can apply for unemployment. Unemployment will provide you with temporary relief while you try to find a new job and get back on your feet.

Please know that unemployment only lasts for a certain amount of time. So make you start looking for a new job as soon as possible.

Where to Claim Unemployment in Rhode Island

Online

The quickest and easiest way to apply for unemployment is online. Just visit the following link and follow the instructions on the page.

By Telephone

You can also claim unemployment via the telephone. The system is known as Teleserve and it is open from 12:01 AM on Sunday until Monday 5:30 AM. It is also open Monday through Friday from 3 PM to 6:30 PM and 9 PM until 5:30 AM. Call (401) 243-9100 or (401) 462-9600.

In Person

If you do not have access to the internet you can apply in person at one of the unemployment centers.

Here are four office locations:

Providence
One Reservoir Ave
Providence, RI 02907
(401) 462-8900

West Warwick
1330 Main Street
West Warwick, RI 02893
(401) 828-8382

Woonsocket
219 Pond St
Woonsocket, RI 02895
(401) 235-1201

Wakefield
4808 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
(401) 782-4362

Rhode Island Unemployment Rate

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in Rhode Island fell to 9.1% in March of 2013. That’s 0.3 percentage points below the previous month’s numbers.

How to File For Unemployment in Rhode Island

To file for unemployment in Rhode Island you first need to determine if you qualify. Here are the qualifying factors. You must be unemployed due to no fault of your own, meet the earning requirements, physically able to work, actively looking for work and willing to accept a job that is deemed suitable. Once you know you qualify you will need to gather all the needed documents.

Some of the documents you will need include your social security number, proper identification, employment information from the last two years and information on dependent children just to name a few.

Once you have all the needed information you can apply via one of the ways discussed above. If you file online you can file 24 hours a day. Otherwise you will have to fill during business hours or the specified hours telephone service is available.

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As a parent, the scariest thing we can do is entrust our kids to someone else’s care. Whether it’s a sleepover, a class trip or a day camp, so many horrible thoughts run through our minds.

Now imagine multiplying that feeling by 10 and having it 24/7. That’s pretty much what it’s like to be the parent of a child with severe food allergies.

My oldest son is severely allergic to peanuts, tree nuts and seeds. He carries an epipen with him everywhere he goes and knows not to eat anything without checking with us first. Doesn’t mean he always remembers, though.

As he’s gotten older, he’s gotten better about checking with us and asking, but he still has a long way to go.

You don’t realize how big a role food plays in just about everything we do until you become ever-vigilant of the fact that a mere hamburger with a sesame seed bun could cause your 10 year old to stop breathing. Every single social event you can think of pretty much revolves around food.

My wife and I read a lot of labels and some companies are way better than others at clearly labeling any of the major allergens. But just because Oreos are safe for him to eat this month, doesn’t mean that the same exact package on store shelves next month is safe.

Companies are constantly changing the way they manufacture, so you have to treat each new bag of cookies as if it’s the first time you’re buying them, and check the ingredients carefully.

Heck, some companies seem to go out of their way to make life way more difficult for us than it should be. Take Hershey’s for example. The normal-sized Hershey chocolate bars are fine. Totally safe for him. But buy a package of the small ones and suddenly there’s a “Main contain traces of…” warning on the bag.

It’d really be fantastic if a big corporation like Hershey’s or Nestle created a dedicated line of nut-free chocolate and actually gave it special nut-free packaging. It’d taste the same and look the same, but slap a nut-free on the bag and suddenly watch thousands upon thousands of parents rejoice!

The real tough part is when you face other parents that just don’t “get it.” Or worse, they just don’t care. “My son only eats peanut butter for lunch. What am I going to do now? He’ll starve?” Sorry, lady but first off I don’t think he’ll technically starve. And second, let’s look at the bigger picture.

On the one hand there’s a kid that’s mildly inconvenienced and at worst will be introduced to some new foods. On the other side we have a boy who’s limited in what he can eat and should he come across something like peanut butter, could actually stop breathing. Sorry you’re inconvenienced, but it’s my kid’s life at stake.

Not all parents are like this, thankfully. Many are apologetic if they forget, some ask well in advance if their kid can eat certain foods and others even call us and buy special treats for him when he goes over for a playdate or even birthday party. If nothing else, I hope people can try to understand that while it’s inconvenient for them at times, imagine how it is when you’re the one with the allergies.

It’s really tough for us to trust others when watching Jason. That even goes for close friends or family. To be honest, my wife and I pretty much only trust each other and thankfully can rely on each other. Single moms have it tough from the get go, but a single mom with an allergy kid must be exhausted! All the label reading, explaining, and worrying non-stop have to take their toll.

Next time you come across someone with food allergies, just be aware and realize that it’s not something they choose so they can intentionally inconvenience you. It’s something they just have to live with. And hopefully they will, for a very very long time.

Do you know anyone whose child has food allergies?

Image credis: Dan4th Nicholas on Flickr

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The Pennsylvania food stamps program, now known as SNAP, is there to help low income households buy food. It will you buy more nutritious food for your family. If you are eligible you will receive a Pennsylvania EBT card, or electronic benefits card, that you can use to purchase food at your local grocery store.

The card looks and acts just like a debit or credit card. You go to the store, do your grocery shopping and go check out like everyone else. The only difference is that instead of pressing credit or debit at checkout you will click on the EBT button.

How to Apply For Food Stamps in Pennsylvania

In the state of Pennsylvania you can apply for SNAP benefits a couple of different ways. The first one is through COMPASS which can be found at http://www.compass.state.pa.us. This is the website where you can apply for not only SNAP benefits but other state programs as well. If you do not have access to the internet you can go to your local assistance office and pick up an application.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for Pennsylvania food stamps you must meet one of the following guidelines:

• Be the head of household
• Be the spouse of the head of household
• Be a responsible household member
• Or be a designated authorized representative

There are also certain income guidelines that you must meet. The income limits are without a doubt the strictest of all the requirements. The income limits are based on the size of your household. For a single family home your gross monthly income must be less that $1,444 per month for you to eligible. The the elderly and disabled that amount goes up to $1,805 a month.

For two family homes your monthly income can’t be over $1,943, for three family homes $2,442 and for four family home the income limit is $2,941.

You also need to be a U.S. Citizen you receive food stamps. If you are not a U.S. Citizen you need to be a resident alien or a lawfully admitted alien.

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If you plan on going to college it is very important that you apply for different types of free money. Grants can provide you with the resources you need to pay for college.

Below you will find several grants that are available to Pennsylvania residents:

Kids Chance of Pennsylvania Grant

This grant is for children who have either lost a parent or whose parent has suffered a severe injury. The injury will have to be one that is under the Pennsylvania Compensation Act. To qualify you must be between the ages of 16 and 25 and you must show financial need.

Website: www.kidschanceofpa.org

The NETS Grant

The NETS, or Pennsylvania New Economy Technology Grant, is a grant for students who are studying technology. The grant can be renewed on a yearly basis. The primary requirement for this grant is the commitment to work in the technology field in the state of Pennsylvania after you graduate.

You must work one year for every year you received grant money. For example, if you receive four years of grant money you will be required to work in the state for four years.

Minority Teacher Incentive Grant Program

This grant program is open to junior and seniors who are considered minorities. The grants are around $5,000 a year and can be used in Pennsylvania as well as other states.

Pennsylvania Council of the Arts Grant

The Pennsylvania Council of The Arts Grant is awarded to both individuals and institutions. It is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and they work with the Carnegie Mellon University Center for Arts Management and Technology. The two sponsor the award together. Each award can be as high as $20,000. The amount received will depend on need and merit.

Pennsylvania Chafee Education & Training Grant

If you are a Pennsylvania undergraduate who is or will be aging out of foster care, you can apply for the Pennsylvania Chafee Education & Training Grant. The school you attend must be approved for Federal Title IV Assistance Programs.

To apply you must already be enrolled in college or will be without a doubt going to college.

Pennsylvania Postsecondary Education Gratuity Program

This grant is offered to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. This includes children of firefighters, police offers and any other profession that services others. It also included prison personal and those in the National Guard.

The grant will help with tuition, room and board and other fees related to going to college. To apply you must be under the age of 25 and have already to other state and federal grant programs.

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