The POWER of Reading
March 31, 2008
Reading to your child at a young age is one of the most effective tools for expanding his mind and instilling a lifelong love of learning. Reading a good book allows your child to travel to places she has never been, to meet people she has never met, and to develop an understanding of how to deal with a variety of physical and emotional situations.
Reading to your child also helps you develop an emotional connection. Whether you have her cuddle up in your lap, nestle with him while he is winding down for bed, or read to her while waiting for food in a restaurant, you are connecting. Reading to your child from an early age will also help him be successful in school. Reading out loud will help him learn language and become familiar with words. Reading is the foundation for developing an understanding of conceptual information and it sparks imagination!
The Essential ‘To Do’ List For Your Prom Night
March 30, 2008
The Essential ‘To Do’ List For Your Prom Night
by: Jason Anderson
In the lead up to a once-in-a-lifetime event like your prom night, it can be easy to forget to organize something. The easiest way to prevent this is to plan ahead. Remember, the day of the prom will be very busy - get as much organized before the day as you possibly can!
Here are some of the things you should organize beforehand so you don’t accidentally turn one of the greatest nights of your life into a disaster.
Check opening hours - make sure you know when shops, etc that you will have to visit on the day are open. More than one girl has gone to pick up her dress on the day of the prom, only to find that the shop doesn’t open on a Saturday!
Research photographs - make sure you get a price list from the school before the night of the prom, so you know how much photos at the prom will cost (you can easily spend between $30 and $130 - even more). Check with the photographer before the night to find out what payment options are available - many will accept checks or credit cards, which is much safer than carrying cash.
Girls Gone Mild
March 30, 2008
Voices!
So many voices crying out for adherence and so many people confused about values, virtues and life.
What voices are calling out to you and what voices are you listening to?
My daughter is just now enjoying her first year in life. As I listen to the voices calling out to young ladies these days, I can’t help but wonder what the popular trend will be when she has to decide which voices she will lend an ear to.
As she enters young adulthood, I hope this is what she finds.
I hope the popular trend of the day is a video craze called, “Girls Gone MILD!”
No, that’s not a misprint!
I hope it is popular because it depicts women in the following ways:
* As more than full-of-brandy eye candy and toys-for-boys * As pillars in the community instead of pillows for the community * As being more concerned about innocence lost than being “not that innocent” * As valuing their bodies and it shows by how they use them instead of showing them using their bodies to be valued * As valuing being wanted for a lifetime of nights and not just a night of a lifetime * As adhering to the belief in moral decency instead of the belief that it is indecent to be moral * As being applauded more for lifting their skills to the world than lifting their skirts
Six New Debate Topics
March 29, 2008
Six New Debate Topics
by: Steve Gillman
The same debate topics are used again and again. Why not liven up your next debate with some new ideas? Here are some more unusual and fundamental questions to debate.
Happiness shouldn’t be pursued. The pro side of this could start with the obvious pain that people face when their expectations are not met. Maybe it is better to just relax and stop thinking about happiness. On the other hand, the fact that the pursuit of happiness sometimes leads to pain doesn’t mean it is without success too. What better thing is there to pursue?
Political Debate Topics
Taxation for non-essential programs is stealing. The pro side can start with the idea that a consensus or majority makes it different, and morally acceptable. The con side can point out that it’s wrong to forcibly take your neighbors money to pay for an art program you like, and voting with others to have the government do it for you is no different morally.
Communication Mistakes Parents Often Make - And Easy Ways To Correct Them
March 28, 2008
As parents, we love our children and want to do the best for them. At times, however, the pressures of living every day create stress and distractions for all of us. We can easily fall into communication habits that are not effective, especially when we need to discipline our children or teenagers, or to talk with them about sensitive issues.
If we can talk with our kids more effectively - if we can find ways to understand them better and get them to really hear what we are trying to say - then we can work together to create more peaceful and satisfying relationships.
So how do we change those communication habits that aren’t working for us?
First we need to understand what is not working.
Let’s look at five of the most common mistakes parents make in trying to talk with their children. We say “trying,” because these mistakes actually create barriers to good communication.
Mistake #1: Poor Environment
By this we mean conditions around you that interfere with communication.
Fun Nursery Themes That Will Even Have Your Baby Talking!
March 27, 2008
There are many whimsical, fun baby room themes if you are planning on decorating a nursery. Infants need stimulation, so parents get the chance to be kids again and let their playfulness and imagination run wild.
A fun, flexible baby room theme is to decorate it in whimsical patterns. Try painting butter yellow or grass green stripes on the walls. Then hang bold graphic pictures of cats and dogs in bright red or blue frames on the walls.
Use the same graphic style to paint a toy chest using stencils, or apply stickers against a colorful painted background.
Another fun baby room theme is a design around the theme of Sweet Dreams. Use bright colors such as watermelon pink and lime green on accessory pieces, and then choose white for the walls, ceiling, and lamps.
Use the bright, bold colors in places that will capture your baby’s attention, and mix them with different fabrics and patterns. Try fabrics such as grape terry cloth, plaids, polka dots, and candy cane stripes. Paint the walls a creamy vanilla to keep the room centered and calm.
Choosing Names For Twins
March 26, 2008
There are many reasons for treating your twins as individuals rather than a pair. But if you must choose names that go together here are a few suggestions.
But first, always make sure the first name goes with the surname, and watch out for the initials - spell out baby’s initials to make sure you are not increasing her chances of being teased or bullied. Also, keep it sensible; we came across twins the other day named Mercedes and Porche - admittedly the babies will probably cost about the same as the cars by the time they leave home, and perhaps Daddy would have preferred the cars?!
OK, now to the suggestions.
Names With The Same Meaning:
- Tammy and Tasmin - both mean ‘Twins’
- Sadie, Sarah and Zara - all mean ‘Princess’
- Mia, Mariah and Marianne - all mean ‘Wished for child’
- Saffron, Yasmin/Jasmin, Daisy and Rosie - all are flowers
- Shona, Sian, Sinead, Siobhan, Joanne(a), Jack and Ian - all mean ‘God has been gracious’
- Cheryl and Charity - both mean ‘Dear’
- Carl and Brian - both mean ‘Strong’
- Archie and Patrick - both mean ‘Noble’
Your Checking Account
March 25, 2008
Checking accounts are an absolute necessity these days. You can either have a checking account or run to the bank or other outlet for money orders. Many people pay for almost everything with a check including groceries, gas, clothes and a long list of other things. When you add an ATM card to this picture, your chances for a potential problem is greatly enhanced.
Don’t get me wrong. There are many people that can keep their check book up to date, even deducting all of the ATM advances and automatic withdrawals as they make them. However, too many people that write checks for everything wind up not entering a check when it is written or an ATM advance when it is made. The result is a bounced check fee of up to $25 for the bank and god only knows what the store where you wrote the check could charge you.
The Truth About Motherhood
March 25, 2008
What is the mystery of motherhood? I know that when I was pregnant, experienced mothers could not stop giving me advice on taking care of newborns, delivery expectations and child care solutions. Yet, no mother ever told me how dreadful post partum depression could be, how much my world would change, how one person can bring so much to my life. I am taking this opportunity to share with expectant and first time mothers the truth about motherhood:
You will never love another being as much as your child (ren).
Wet kisses, hugs and snuggles really do make you feel better.
You might not automatically bond with your new baby.
You will feel like a failure some days.
There are days when you are on the edge of losing it.
You will always do more than your share in the family.
There are days when you don’t remember what you did for the day.
Having someone constantly depend on you can sometimes be daunting.
You sometimes feel guilty for wanting to spend time away from your children.
You worry about them whenever they are not with you.
Why have children? DINCs, This is For You!
March 24, 2008
First there were Yuppies (Young Urban Professionals). Then came the Boomers, the Busters, the Boomlets, and Generation X. Now we have the DINCs, which stands for Double Income, No Children. I’m not talking about those who are unable to have children or who postpone having children until their financial crisis or mega-time-commitment to career has stabilized. I’m referring to those who are determined not to have children. Ever. Period. If this is your situation, please consider what follows.
Those of us who have crossed the Rubicon into parenthood know all about the liabilities involved–expenses, additional stress, unasked-for criticism, awakening to cries at 3 A.M. We also know its joys–a baby’s smiles, that first step, the first words, clapping for the little league big play, giving away the bride to a worthy man. And, well, yes, we know about the challenges it presents us–having to be more responsible and less impulsive, coming home on time, planning ahead, having to set a good example, having your inconsistencies and little hypocrisies exposed.
