Author: Harvest Time Partners

Transitions: Blending Families

by Harvest Time Partners

The transition of divorce is hard enough, but with that transition comes another, the transition of blending families.

If you are a child of divorced parents or have experienced a death of a parent, this transition is inevitable in your life. Blending families is hard; it stirs up many emotions and difficulties. It takes time for the transition to become non-existent and become the family’s new normal, but with these tips the transition will be easier for yourself, your family, and your new family.

Moving in together

Making a house a home with a new family is hard. You grew up in separate households so you have different habits and are used to doing things a certain way, but when you blend families you have to compromise. Compromise is key for living with your new stepfamily. You have to understand that this transition is new for them too, and it will take time for them to get accustomed to it just like it will for you. Taking the time to learn their habits and talk openly about any problems that may arise will create a healthy living environment for everyone.

Accepting and liking your new step- parent

Your new step- mom or step- dad will never replace your biological mom or dad, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to know them, like them, and treat them with respect. Your mother or father married this person for a reason, so give them a chance to be a good stepparent to you.

Accepting and liking your new step- siblings

Like the relationship with your step- parent, the more effort you put into your relationship with your new step- siblings the easier it will be to live together and become a family. If you have siblings but your stepsibling is an only child, make sure you and your siblings include them.

Spending holidays together

The saying, “old habits die hard” is true. Your holiday traditions and your stepfamilies holiday traditions will merge together to create new traditions. This change can be hard to accept, especially during the holidays, but welcoming it with a positive attitude and an open mind will ensure the holiday cheer.

Tips for parents

  • Don’t expect your child and new step- child to acclimate to the transition right away.
  • Give your child and new step- child time to adjust to the blended family.
  • If possible, give your child and your new step- child their own rooms at the new house.
  • Listen to your child’s feelings about the transition.

For more help and advice with the transition from elementary school to middle school check out Harvest Time Partner’s Face to Face conversation games.

Harvest Time Partners thanks contributing writer Emily Garber for her insights on life’s transitions.

Transitions: Divorce

by Harvest Time Partners

Tolstoy once said, “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

No divorce is the same, and no child experiences their parent’s divorce in the same way. In the United States, 40 to 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. (Source)

The transition of a divorce may be one of the most impactful transitions. Here are some tips to manage it for yourself and your child.

Taking care of yourself (Source)

The difficulties of divorce and living your life without the person you once depended on can cause a rush of emotions and may come on when you least expect them. It is important to feel and accept those emotions, whatever they may be, but it is also important to be kind and compassionate to yourself. Research shows that those who are kind and compassionate to themselves have an easier time managing the day-to-day difficulties of divorce.

Even though communication with your soon to be ex or ex may be the last thing you want to do, it is important to do so to ensure a smooth and healthy transition. Write down points that you want to talk about so your emotions don’t take over and speak for you when you are trying to have a successful conversation with your ex.

When children are involved 

Ending a marriage causes a wave of emotions, especially when you have children together. If you are worried about your child during you and your ex’s divorce, it is important to know that most children of divorced parents adjust to their parent’s divorce within two years, whereas children whose parents remain in their high conflict relationship, instead of getting a divorce experience more problems. (Source)

Your life and your kid’s life will drastically change during and after the divorce. In order to make this transition smoother for the entire family, encourage honest and open conversations and discuss the new transitions together such as moving houses, the custody agreement, and make sure your kids know you and your ex will always support and love them. Even though you and your ex may not get along, always encourage and support the relationship between your ex and your child.

For the kids

Change is hard, especially drastic and emotional change. When your parents get a divorce you feel like your family is broken; but it’s not. Your parents still love you, and you were not the reason for them breaking up.

Being a child of divorced parents can put a lot of pressure on you. You may feel like you have to choose between one parent or the other, like you can’t talk about them to each other, or like you can’t be with them at the same time. But this shouldn’t be the case; it is important to maintain a close relationship with each parent.

For more help and advice with the transition from elementary school to middle school check out Harvest Time Partner’s Face to Face conversation games.

Harvest Time Partners thanks contributing writer Emily Garber for her insights on life’s transitions.

Transitions: Moving to a New Home

by Harvest Time Partners

A common transition that not many parents nor kids are prepared for is the transition of moving. Moving to a new city or state is a challenge for both the parents and kids. Often times people only sympathize with the children who are “forced” to move to a new school, find new friends, and join a new sports team or club, but the parents also have to find new friends and adapt to a new community.

If your family needs to move because of a new job, marriage, or whatever else it may be, follow these steps to make your families transition easier.

Kids’ Tips

Moving while you’re in elementary, middle, or high school can seem like the end of the world, but follow these tips and it will make the transition smoother.

Introduce yourself to the person you sit next to in class

First impressions are extremely important in life, but especially when meeting new people that you will see everyday. If you don’t introduce yourself, your peers may think you are rude or think that you don’t like them. Avoid this assumption by introducing yourself. This will make you and your peer more comfortable, and a simple “hello, my name is” could turn into a friendship.

Try out for a sports team

Leaving your sports team that you have played with for years is tough; you have to adapt to a new coach and players, but you loved the sport in your hometown so you will love it in your new town too. Just like at home, your teammates will become your family and you will feel like you are fitting in.

Try out for the school play

Getting involved in your school’s theatre program will make your new school seem smaller. If your niche at home was theatre, your niche at your new home will be theatre too. Before you know it you will be taking part in post performance celebrations and making friends.

Knock on your neighbor’s door

Neighborhood friends are the best of friends. You all hang out in a big group at the park or in someone’s lawn, and you are able to hang out whenever you want because you don’t have to worry about your parents driving you. Knock on your neighbor’s door and introduce yourself to make the most out of living next to kids your age.

Go to events and gatherings that you’re invited to

Being the new kid in town is awkward; everyone knows who you are because you’re the new kid, but you know none of them. There will always be the person who invites you into their friend group and when they are all hanging out together. It feels comfortable to say no, but you are already out of your comfort zone by living in a new place, and the only way you will make friends is if you hang out with your peers outside of school.

Parent’s tips:

Even though you are worried about your child’s transition, it is important to focus on your own transition too and feel at home.

Get to know your child’s friend’s parents

Befriending the parents of your child’s friends is a great way to meet friends for yourself. When your child has their friend over at your house, you can invite their parents over too. It will also be useful to coordinate rides.

Meet your neighbors

Neighbors are great to not only befriend, but they are helpful in times of need too. For example, if you are out of town and need your flowers watered, if you forgot to bring your garbage to the curb, or let your dog out, they are always there to lend a friendly hand.

Volunteer at your child’s school

By volunteering at your child’s school you are able to stay up to date with events that are happening in the best way- by helping planning them. You can also meet their teachers and see where they spend most of their day.

Invite your co-workers over for a house warming party

There are co-workers that you only want to be work friends with, but invite those who you could see yourself becoming better friends with over for a house warming dinner party. This will give you the chance to get to know them in a more personal and casual setting.

Join a gym

Finding people who share a common interest as you is easy to find at the gym. Join a Pilates or yoga class, or a tennis or swim team to mix socially while getting your exercise.

For more help and advice with the transition from elementary school to middle school check out Harvest Time Partner’s Face to Face conversation games.

Harvest Time Partners thanks contributing writer Emily Garber for her insights on life’s transitions.

Transitions: Elementary School to Middle School

by Harvest Time Partners

Elementary school is all fun and games until it is time for the transition from elementary school to middle school. Middle school is a major transition in a child’s life that is filled with physical, mental, and emotional changes and includes many firsts. Like the first time with no recess, the first time to switch teachers every hour, the first time to take honors classes, and the first time to play for your school’s sports team.

During this transition not only are aspects of your child’s school changing, but your child is too. Physically, their body is growing and maturing; they are going through puberty. Mentally, they are adequately challenged in classes or it is too hard. Emotionally, they are experiencing mood swings and outbursts of anger.

Like all transitions, the transition for the child is a transition for the parent too. Parents, talk about these aspects of the elementary school to middle school transition with your child:

Bullying

Today with social media use there is an increase in bullying. Kids can hide behind their phones and social media accounts to send mean texts and direct messages that they would not say in person. But just because it is not said in person doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt the victim of bullying.

Puberty

Puberty is a roller coaster of body changes and emotions for both boys and girls. Girls get their periods, boy’s voices change, and both boys and girls experience acne and hair growth in places that they aren’t used to. Mood changes and outbursts of anger are especially heightened when juggling the transitions of middle school.

Emphasis on academics

Academics are one of middle school’s biggest transitions from elementary school. The classes and expectations get higher, and the homework piles up. Your child may go from getting 100% on their grammar tests in elementary school to struggling with writing a paper in honors English. The transition to the academic standards in middle school can take a toll on your child mentally and psychically.

Popularity

Like bullying, social media has an influence on popularity. Everyone is in competition to post the best Snapchat story or the best Instagram picture. Popularity is an image. In reality, it doesn’t matter how many likes you have on Instagram or how many people have watched your Snapchat story, it matters how good of a friend you are. Encourage your child to care about what is important, like honest and true friendships. That will make them happy, not social media popularity.

For more help and advice with the transition from elementary school to middle school check out Harvest Time Partner’s Face to Face conversation games.

Harvest Time Partners thanks contributing writer Emily Garber for her insights on life’s transitions.

Transitions: Middle School to High School

by Harvest Time Partners

The transition from middle school to high school is like walking into another town’s shopping mall; some of it is familiar, but the majority of it is new. You have some of the same friends, teammates, interests and habits, but then there’s the new- a new school, new classes, new teachers, new sports teams, and new friends. With all of these major life changes, drama, relationships, parties, and peer pressure inevitably comes too.

Transitions in high school can be awkward for both the parent and child to openly communicate with one another about, but a healthy and open parent to child relationship during the transition from middle school to high school is especially important.

Follow these tips to foster a healthy and open relationship between the parent and child for a smoother transition from middle school to high school.

Parents and Child—Talk Openly

The transition from middle school to high school is the most important time to build an honest and open parent to child relationship because it will continue to blossom throughout high school and onto the high school to college transition. Talking openly about problems, concerns, and thoughts that are embedded in the high school transition will promote honesty, trust, and compromise between the parent and child.

Child—Be Understanding

As a student in high school it can seem like you are always being told what to do and how to feel- especially by your parents. It is important to realize that your parents are expressing their thoughts and concerns about your life decisions because they love you. Understand that no matter how many times you text your parents that you arrived safely at your friends house after driving late they will always worry. Understand that they will always worry for your heart when you start or end a new relationship. Understand that they will always cheer for you, even if you don’t make the team or play.

Parents—What Did You Do?

As you are parenting your child through their transition from middle school to high school, ask yourself: what did I do? You remember what it was like to face peer pressure around drinking and going “too far” in a relationship. Sometimes it was fun to break the rules and other times it was downright scary. You made some poor choices, so what makes you think that your child won’t, too? Tell your child your experiences with alcohol and relationships in high school so they feel comfortable confiding in you about their own experience and problems. By creating this bond and trust with them you can ensure that they know the risks of drinking and sex.

For more help and advice with the transition from high school to college check out Harvest Time Partner’s Face to Face conversation games.

Harvest Time Partners thanks contributing writer Emily Garber for her insights on life’s transitions.

Transitions: High School to College

by Harvest Time Partners

The transition from high school to college is one of the biggest transitions in our young adult life. It is the time when we escape our roots and move to a new place to discover a new version of our self.

You think you have it all figured out in high school; you are well liked, great at your sport, in theatre, or band, and you think you know what you want to do with the rest of your life. But then you go into your freshman year of college and everything changes, and continues to do so throughout your four years.

College- especially freshman year is filled with choices and transitions you have to make in order to grow into the person you will become when you graduate.

Friendships

In high school you think the friends you have will be your friends forever, and maybe they will be, but you will be surprised at how quickly bonds will form with people you’ve known for only a month. You will bond over mutual interests such as living on the same dorm floor, joining the same sorority, fraternity, and clubs. These social groups are especially important to join if you only know your randomly assigned roommate at your school. It will be awkward to knock on your neighbors door, introduce yourself to the person you sit next to in class, and walk into a welcome meeting for a club by yourself, but that’s the only way you will make friends, and college will be miserable if you don’t. The friendships that you make in college you will have for a lifetime.

Studies

It is a Sunday night and you are studying for your quiz you have at 9:00am the next morning, but your friends on your hall knock on your door and invite you to drink with them in their room. You know you should say no and continue studying because you have a B+ in your class on Monday morning, and if you get an A on the quiz it will boost your final grade. But you succumb to peer pressure and say yes anyway. You wake up late the next morning and your professor doesn’t let you take the quiz so you get a zero. Managing your studies and your social life is one of the hardest transitions of freshman year. It is so exciting to have the majority of your friends live on your floor or in your building; it is like one giant sleepover every night. But it is important to remember why you are in college, yes to build friendships, but also to graduate with a college degree and know that you did your best. In situations like this, listen to your gut instinct and do what is best for your conscience and grade.

Mistakes

It would not be a true college experience without making some mistakes, and that is okay, because that is how you learn and grow. College is filled with choices that you have to make; which classes to take, which dorm to live in, which clubs or Greek life organization to join, and more. Sometimes you are peer pressured into the wrong choice or make the wrong choice on your own. Whatever happens, acknowledge that what you did was wrong, learn from it, and try not to make that mistake again.

You think freshman year will be the easiest year of college, but in my experience it is the hardest. Freshman year is awkward, intimidating, and confusing, but still the time of your life. Remember that no one’s freshman year is easy, and try to make the most of the crazy and fun life that is college.

For more help and advice with the transition from high school to college check out Harvest Time Partner’s Face to Face conversation games.

Harvest Time Partners thanks contributing writer Emily Garber for her insights on life’s transitions.

Harvest Time Partners, Inc. Announces Complimentary Offering of The 4 A’s of Leadership for Families

by Harvest Time Partners

Free Program Supports the Strengthening of Families through Alignment, Assignment, Accountability, and Affirmation

The 4 A’s of Leadership for FamiliesPortage, MI (August 18, 2016) — Harvest Time Partners, Inc., a rapidly growing personal and professional development company, announces that its 4 A’s of Leadership for Families program is now available for FREE from the company’s website. The 4 A’s of Leadership for Families is a proven framework for building and strengthening families in all types of environments.

According to David Esposito, Managing Partner of Harvest Time Partners, there is no denying that our world continues to grow in complexity, intensity, and uncertainty. Despite the unprecedented pace of change we are all experiencing in our homes, businesses, and communities around the world, there is one constant truth about families that we cannot escape: A loving, safe, and secure family is critical to our overall well-being and is the foundation for a better world. The 4 A’s of Leadership for Families is a practical and simple approach to strengthen families in a world that continues to challenge the well-being of those we care about most.

“We all spend a great deal of time and energy outside the home, but no amount of outward success can compensate for a failure at home,” said Mr. Esposito. “As families try to deal with the growing complexity and intensity of our world, we are pleased to offer The 4 A’s of Leadership for Families for free with the hope that these principles can provide a small degree of positive change in families as we all continue on the important journey to leave a positive legacy for our children and grandchildren.”

The 4 A’s of Leadership for Families program provides relevant resources and practical steps to ensure families are equipped to reach their full potential in a complex world. It is composed around the themes of:

  1. Alignment
  2. Assignment
  3. Accountability
  4. Affirmation

The program is available for FREE for download HERE.

The Principles of Our World Children’s Book Series Wins a 2014 Tillywig Brain Child Award — November 2014

by Harvest Time Partners

Children's Books from Harvest Time PartnersPortage, MI (November 5, 2014) – Harvest Time Partners, Inc., is pleased to announce that its children’s book series, The Principles of Our World, has been honored by The Tillywig Toy & Media Awards with a 2014 Tillywig Brain Child Award, a prestigious recognition that is only associated with products of “high educational value.”

The Principles of Our World book series is designed to introduce children to the importance of principles like honesty, teamwork, and courage. Each book’s main character, like The Principle of Sacrifice, Hope, and Compassion, is illustrated specifically to visually interest children in the book’s content and to assist parents and educators in sparking conversations about real-life issues. All of the books support and encourage children to make more effective decisions in their everyday lives. The Principles of Our World book series helps to build and strengthen character—and Character Creates Opportunity® to reach our hopes and dreams.

Tillywig’s mission is to provide retail buyers, news media, parents, and consumers with product information and reviews of superior children’s products available in today’s marketplace. The Tillywig Brain Child Award is given to exciting products that energize the mind while seamlessly blending fun and learning—an endorsement of excellence that is recognized by both consumers and retailers of children’s products.

David Esposito, author and managing partner of Harvest Time Partners said, “We are honored that our children’s book series, The Principles of Our World, was selected to receive a 2014 Tillywig Brain Child Award. Our products have been developed to help parents and educators guide children in the importance of principles like honesty and teamwork as they navigate the complexity of life today. We are grateful for the recognition of the prestigious Brain Child Award.” 

The Principles of Our World book series is perfect for parents and educators wishing to introduce young children (age 4+) to the importance of character and principle-based decision making. The books are also ideal for young independent readers (age 7+). The books are available online at Amazon.com and through a growing number of retail stores.

About Harvest Time Partners, Inc.

Harvest Time Partners, Inc., a rapidly growing personal- and professional-development company, was created almost 20 years ago to provide support to individuals, families and organizations on a variety of topics and subjects encompassing personal and executive development, team building, leadership training, and building a strong marriage and family. Harvest Time Partners provides character-building seminars, workshops, and custom programs designed to increase personal effectiveness, enhance character development and strengthen the bonds of marriage and family. For more information, visit https://www.harvesttimepartners.com.

About Tillywig Awards

Tillywig Awards provide retail buyers, news media, parents, and consumers with product information and reviews of superior children’s products available in today’s marketplace. Tillywig supports a rigorous evaluation process where products are used by a number of testers in an observed focus group format. Product testers and observers come from all walks of life and a broad range of ages.

The full list of winners is posted online at www.tillywig.com.

Harvest Time Partners, Inc. Announces New Character-Building Conversation Game — October 2014

by Harvest Time Partners

Face to Face Bible Edition Box TopPortage, MI (October 29, 2014) — Harvest Time Partners, Inc., a rapidly growing personal- and professional-development company, announces the launch of a new game as part of its award-winning Face to Face® conversation-game series. The new game, Face to FaceBible Edition, is part of Harvest Time Partners’ Character Creates Opportunity® brand and is suitable for ages 10 and above. The new conversation game is available for purchase today.

This new conversation starter game contains the same easy-play format of the other Face to Face games. The Bible edition contains ninety-six key events from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. This new edition is designed to open a door to effective discussion around biblical events and to reinforce the importance of applying biblical principles like sacrifice, courage, and commitment in our lives today. The game helps to encourage open and honest conversations on real-world issues and to develop the critical life-skill of effective face-to-face communication in a world that is rapidly changing how people connect. Face to FaceBible Edition is perfect for small group meetings, Sunday school sessions, and as content support for parents, teachers, and ministers in a variety of forums focused on improving biblical understanding and its application in our present-day lives.

David Esposito, managing partner of Harvest Time Partners, said, “We are excited to bring this new game to market. The faith-based community has been a wonderful supporter of our entire product line; and, based on their request, we are thrilled to bring the Face to Face Bible Edition to market today. Similar to our other products, the new game helps to reinforce the importance of principles like faith, compassion, and understanding as powerful ways to build and strengthen character to effectively deal with today’s realities. In addition, the game helps to develop the critically important life skill of face-to-face, authentic communication that is rapidly being replaced by today’s online chatter.”

The game is available on the company’s website at www.harvesttimepartners.com, on major online channels such as Amazon.com, and through a growing number of retail outlets. Retail orders are available through New Day Christian Distributors at www.newdaychristian.com or by calling 1-800-251-3633.

For more information or to discuss additional products and services from Harvest Time Partners, Inc., please visit the company website at www.harvesttimepartners.com. You can also contact David Esposito at (877) 786-4278 or david [at] harvesttimepartners.com.

About Harvest Time Partners, Inc.

Harvest Time Partners, Inc. was formed over 20 years ago to enable individuals, families, and organizations to reach their full potential in an increasingly complex and unpredictable world through customized, character-building programs and services. The company’s patented and award-winning family-based games have been embraced by families, schools, counseling programs, and faith-based organizations worldwide. They support the development of character and the importance of principle-based decision making—you reap what you sow.

Face to Face® Kids Edition Card Game Wins 2014 National Parenting Publications Award — October 2014

by Harvest Time Partners

NPPA Award

Portage, MI (October 14, 2014) —Face to Face® Kids Edition, a conversation card game from Harvest Time Partners, has been named a 2014 GOLD winner from the National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA), one of the longest running and most respected awards programs serving the children and family market.

Each year, NAPPA enlists the help of expert judges, parents, and children who evaluate and play with hundreds of submissions to find the highest quality, most educational and entertaining products. Face to Face Kids Edition stood out for its ability to stimulate lively discussions on real-life issues. It helps build the critically important life skill of “Face to Face” authentic communication, encourages a high level of engagement, and reinforces principle-based decision making with the intent of developing a person’s character.

“We recognize products that are innovative, engaging and stimulating,” says Julie Kertes, NAPPA General Manager. “A NAPPA award-winning product is a product that parents can trust and kids will love. Parents want the best for their families and strive to make the best consumer decisions possible. Knowing that a product has been tested and deemed worthy of an award gives parents peace of mind that their dollars are well spent and, more importantly, that their children won’t be disappointed. We’re excited that the Kids Edition of Face to Face is joining this year’s list of award-winning products. With NAPPA’s vote of confidence, it’s sure to be a welcome addition to anyone’s gift list.”

David Esposito, managing partner of Harvest Time Partners, said, “We are honored that our conversation game Face to Face Kids Edition was selected by NAPPA to receive a GOLD Award.  We share a common mission to promote the importance of having effective learning tools that enhance open communication and create teachable moments for parents and educators.”

NAPPA will reveal its 50 gold winners in select parenting magazines across the country, and release the complete list of winners — gold, silver and honors — at NAPPAawards.com and on the leading family organizational app, Cozi, on November 1.

About NAPPA: For more than 20 years, the National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) has been the go-to resource for the best products for families. NAPPA’s team of independent expert judges, along with parent and child testers, select the best toys, games, books and other family essentials to be award winners through year-round product testing. For more information, visit www.NAPPAawards.com.

About David Esposito: David Esposito, game creator and managing partner of Harvest Time Partners, was inspired by his experiences as a combat veteran, business executive, husband, and father of four to create resources that remind families about the importance of principles like courage and honesty.

About Harvest Time Partners, Inc.: Harvest Time Partners is a rapidly growing personal- and professional-development company created almost 20 years ago to provide support to individuals, families, and organizations on a variety of topics and subjects encompassing personal and executive development, team building, leadership training, and building a strong marriage and family. Harvest Time Partners provides character-building seminars, workshops, and custom programs designed to increase personal effectiveness, enhance character development, and strengthen the bonds of marriage and family. For more information, visit https://www.harvesttimepartners.com