How to Survive with As
June 22, 2008
Attend Class
Go to class, every class, every time. It is very common and very easy not to attend class. “I can always get the notes from a friend”. In some schools you can even purchase the class notes. Or maybe, “the notes are on reserve in the library”. It does not matter. This is a justification for a bad habit. I know, you were up late partying last night. You were up late studying last night. You were up late working last night. You don’t understand the lectures anyway. You only understand it after you read it. I have heard it all; but the bottom line is simple: the students who get good grades attend class regularly. You will absorb more information by being there. Hearing the material and writing notes helps you learn. In addition, you have the opportunity to participate. Unless you are exceptional, you are kidding yourself if you think you can learn it just as well by simply reading it in a book.
Learn Actively
ADD / ADHD Children : Being Your Childs Best Friend
June 21, 2008
Do you live with an ADD / ADHD child? If so– my hat is off to you! ADD / ADHD children are brilliant, full of energy, smart as a whip (as grandma says), and tons of work. They are also the rising sun and the setting star: meaning much of life revolves around them in one way or another. One tactic you might employ is to: be your child’s best friend.
Hear me out just a bit. I am not promoting parents in “jammies” all day– everyday, messy homes filled with increasing whirlwind clutter that no-one attends to, nor hot dogs and pizza nightly just to avoid more arguing with an ADD / ADHD child. I am suggesting the reminder we all need with these special needs children: keep perspective.
And yes– try thinking along the lines of being best friends with your child.
Best friends are people who look out for the best interest of another.
Best friends have a special tolerance for each other.
Best friends set aside time to truly know each other and how each other thinks and feels.
Best friends stand up for one-another, for their rights, their feelings, their health, and their needs.
7 Things To Teach Your Kids About Money
June 20, 2008
Did you know that many people retire broke?
It’s true. After a lifetime of hard work and having earned literally hundreds of thousands of dollars, they end up with nothing.
So where did all their hard-earned cash go? The answer is, it passed right through their fingers.
While schools are great at teaching algebra, calculus, and geometry… how many of us learned about the basics of personal finance and creating financial security for ourselves?
The truth is, the earlier you learn to handle money, the more likely you are to manage it properly and live a prosperous life.
So why not provide a little home schooling for your family and teach them the basics? Here are 7 important lessons to instill in your kids about money:
1. Save something of what you earn
Acquiring the savings habit is one of the smartest things you can ever do.
If you’re reading this now as a middle-aged parent, imagine how much you’d have in the bank today if you’d saved 10% of everything you’d ever earned.
(It’s almost scary to think about, isn’t it?)
Teach your kids to save a little of everything they earn.
Introducing Your New Baby to Your Pet
June 19, 2008
Having a child is a life altering event for you and your family. If you own a pet and are concerned about how your pet will respond to the bringing home of a little bundle of joy, then you are not alone. Hundreds of thousands of new families each year have to deal with how their pet might respond to the new baby. If you have a small child or are expecting in the near future you may have many questions such as, what if my pet gets jealous, what if he or she bites the baby, how do I get my pet used to the new baby, and vice versa?
Not to fear, we have compiled some basic guidelines to follow when introducing your new baby to your family pet. First, you might want to think about your pet’s breed and temperament. This applies to all pets, but in particular dogs. In all likelihood you have seen many news stories about how certain dog breeds have attacked or even killed small children. Doing some basic research on your dog’s temperament will help you decide what to do upon the baby’s arrival. If you find yourself deciding that you will not be able to keep your pet, keep in mind that many local rescue groups willingly take in animals and place them in homes where they will be better situated. It can be a tough decision, but the protection of your child is obviously paramount.
Cooking With Your Kids Helps Develop Motor Skills for Preschoolers
June 18, 2008
Did you know that cooking with your kids is a natural way for them to develop motor skills? If you’ve never looked at cooking that way before, think again. There’s a reason why kids have a universal love for cooking - just like for stacking blocks and banging!
Cooking is especially good for preschoolers and here’s how:
1. Two year olds are developing large muscles in their arms: They will enjoy stirring and stirring and stirring 
. My two year old is always asking to stir; and her subconscious knows why! At 2 years old, a child naturally imitates circular strokes as part of their normal physical development. So, let them stir at every opportunity.
Here are some ways to encourage arm muscle development through cooking:
- stirring: flour, eggs, pancake batter, gelatin making, etc.
- scrubbing potatoes and vegetables
- cleaning the cutting board: Give them a washcloth and some lukewarm water with the cutting board in the sink. They’ll have a blast rubbing the wet washcloth up and down the cutting board to clean it.
- pouring from large measuring cups into a bowl
2. Two year olds are developing the ability to turn pages: Another motor skill developed during the preschool age is the ability to turn pages.
The Secrets To Finding The Right Online School
June 18, 2008
The Secrets To Finding The Right Online School
by: Scott Patterson
Do you want to complete and online degree?
Obtaining a degree online can seem like a dream come true. You can improve your education (and chances for a better job), while learning from the comfort of your home.
But how do you know what program or university is right for you?
Picking the best Internet university may seem like a daunting task, but in truth it can be broken down into a few easy steps. Let’s get started
Like the standard college or university, an online degree has a high level of standard. So the first step is to ensure that you meet the academic requirements. To do this, you must see if you can match or exceed the minimum GPA, courses taken and a high enough score from the appropriate standardized test.
The next step is to look for a school that is accredited from a recognized educational body. Most of the time, it will be obvious if an online university has an accreditation. This is because the online degree course will be part of a well-known institutional body. To help you out the Department of Education has six different accrediting bodies that you can use to research your potential school.
Late Night Adventures with Your Children
June 17, 2008
Vacations are fun ! Weekends with the family are nice. But, Late Night Adventures are “simply marvelous”. If you really want to shine in your child’s eyes on a more regular basis– try some late night adventures with them.
By late night I am talking about adventures that start from 10pm on.
Shouldn’t kids be in bed at that time? — yes
Shouldn’t parents keep structure? — yes
Don’t parents need to set an example? — yes
Aren’t kids only young once? — YES and that is the point.
Take time to be magical in your child’s eyes. I applaud organized, structured family systems. I think it can be quite difficult for many families today that are over worked, tapped out, and stretched as far as time will allow for cramming in activities. Yet, since your kids are only young once– why not give it a shot and build a couple memories as the coolest parent on the block.
Here are a couple ideas that won’t take up much time or money but go a long way with kids:
Adoption: Laughter and Tears
June 16, 2008
If you ever walk through an orphanage, it will be an experience you’ll never forget. Witnessing children in poverty, children discarded, children stunted both physically and emotionally, will stir your heart beyond belief. And adopting a child is a joy as great as witnessing the first sharp intake of breath by your very own newborn infant.
The suffering of orphans vary from country to country, but even in the US, where conditions are as good as they get outside of Western Europe, less than 20% of those that age out of the foster care system are completely self-sufficient as young adults.
The conditions elsewhere are sad and sadder, and the need for families to take these children home is dire, in some cases a matter of life and death. The orphans in Sierra Leone bear pain and suffering that no human being should have to endure. Food, potable water, and healthcare are in short supply. The median age in Sierra Leone is 17. Due to war and shortages of food supply, many of these children won’t make it to that median age.
Children waiting for adoption in Sierra Leone.
How to Make a Time Capsule
June 15, 2008
Looking for an unusual and memorable gift? Why not preserve a slice of history by creating a time capsule for your loved one?
A personalized time capsule can be made for any special event, such as a birthday, wedding anniversary, graduation or even the birth of a child. Your personally designed time capsule preserves history, popular culture, special memories and can help link generations of a family together. It is a unique and thoughtful gift that will be appreciated and long remembered.
There are a number of steps to keep in mind when creating a time capsule gift.
MAKE YOUR OWN HISTORY
Traditionally, a time capsule provides a "snapshot" of a specific day in history. Consequently, if you are making a capsule to welcome a new baby into the family, then you would focus on the baby’s birth date — what was happening in the world and with the baby’s family on that day. On the other hand, if the capsule is to mark your grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary, you probably want to make it more of a "retrospective" on their many years of marriage.
TIME CAPSULE 101
Triumphing Over Tantrums
June 14, 2008
Before you had kids you probably witnessed an out of control child having a temper tantrum at the store. More than likely you thought or said, “If that was my child, I would ______”. Well now here you are with children of your own dealing with these exact situations. Temper tantrums are a normal part of life with toddlers and preschoolers. Almost all young children have tantrums occasionally. If handled appropriately, most children outgrow this stage by four or five.
Some children have severe tantrums and may get so upset that they vomit or hold their breath until they pass out. Although this can be extremely upsetting to the parent, the child will generally recover quickly and completely. If your child is fainting or vomiting from tantrums, you may want to consult your pediatrician to check for any other health concerns.
How you handle tantrums will have a direct impact on the frequency and intensity of the tantrums. Here are some tips on preventing tantrums and how to respond to them.
Make sure your child is not over-tired. If she is cranky or tired put her down for a nap or try doing some quiet time. You can lay down in the bed and read a book or play soothing music to help her relax.
