Car Wash Fundraiser Preparation
November 30, 2009
Are you considering a car wash fundraiser for your group? We all no it is getting harder and harder to raise the funds for non-profit groups these days. Especially kids groups such as youth groups, sports teams, high school bands and scouts. Now more than ever it is important that we take special care to mentor our youth. One of the most important things you need to do to insure a successful car wash fundraiser is to pay special attention to the pre-planning preparation.
As with almost anything, the amount of preparation you do will be in direct proportion to the success of your fundraiser. Pre-planning preparation is the key between just another car wash and an unforgettable experience. Let us discuss the necessary steps you must go through to insure a successful car wash.
PICKING DATES AND TIMES
You should pick a date six weeks or more in advance if at all possible. Obviously, if everything could be coordinated correctly, this would be easy. Unfortunately we all know that if it’s the end of the year or season and your budget is in the hole and you’re short a couple of thousand dollars, you really have no choice. You may even have less than a week or two to prepare. Don’t worry. Simply sped up the time line. Try cutting everything by a third.
Parents/Teens and Money ? 5 Ideas for Keeping the Peace
November 30, 2009
Children and teenagers are relentlessly bombarded with merchandise that entices. It can be difficult to find contentment when a newer, better, faster gizmo of the moment hits the market every day. What’s a parent to do?
First, try to put yourself in your child’s shoes. The pressure to fit in and to belong is particularly strong for young people. Part of that belonging involves having the latest "it" item or article of clothing. It makes sense that you feel frustrated at times. Perhaps you’ve even reminded your teen that money does not grow on trees or that you are not an ATM.
With a little patience, planning and compassion you can stop fighting with your teen about money.
To start, set aside some time for a family meeting and bring some of the following options to the table (your teen may also have some ideas about how to balance saving and spending). Look for options that you are both comfortable with and willing to try.
Involve your teen in family budgeting. It may be difficult to understand what the limits are if you have no idea of the fixed expenses and income for the household.
Its Not Too Late to Vaccinate Against the Fear of Failure Flu
November 29, 2009
There’s an epidemic in our culture. Have you heard of the ‘fear of failure flu?’
Early symptoms include sweaty palms and a knot in the stomach. Those in the middles stages of the ‘disease’ have an intense focus on ‘resume building’ — children’s activities are no longer for fun but become accomplishments that will somehow separate some important future application from the rest of the pack. A form of paralysis (that keeps kids from trying new things at which they might not instantnly excel) is a symptom only visible in the later stages of the disease.
Parents who want to teach kids to value effort for its own sake start with themselves. They start with their own fears. Everyone fails from time to time; when we don’t it’s often because we’re not stretching far enough!
To vaccinate your kids agains the ‘fear of failure flu’ a careful self examination may be in order. After all, to thrive, a virus needs a carrier and a hospitable environment. As parents, it’s importnat that we take steps to make sure we’re not ‘carriers’ of the very behavior we’re trying to help our kids avoid!
7 Ways to Know Your Child
November 28, 2009
How well do you really know your child?
There is so much information at our fingertips to learn more about a child’s personality, ‘behaviorisms’ and intelligence. Of course, we want to be the best parent we can, and so we read all the information. And some of it is great! Take the four different temperaments . . . I can see my child in one, but then I turn the page and I see him in another temperament ? it all depends on the day or even the time of day!
I used to spend a lot of time looking at ways to give labels to my children. I thought that if I could just find the word that would sum them up, parenting would become so much easier. When child number three came along, I just didn’t have the time to be searching for someone else’s opinion about the type of child he was. I don’t want any label other than his name used on him. This kind of parental confidence can be hard to find. We seem to be knocked off balance every time we read a newspaper ? you know, another piece of research, another thing we are doing wrong. But you are the one to understand and know your child the best. And this knowledge will teach you how to interact and support your own, individual child.
Hidden College Costs: Roommate Conflict
November 27, 2009
Parents, if you’re already reeling from the costs of today’s college education, take a deep breath. According to one expert, if your kids lack conflict resolution skills, it could end up costing you even more.
"Students who can’t handle conflict run into trouble with roommates almost immediately," said Susan Fee who is the author of My Roommate is Driving Me Crazy! Solve Conflicts, Set Boundaries, and Survive the College Roommate From Hell (Adams Media, 2005). "They avoid the issue rather than deal it, causing increased stress, lower grades, and additional moving and housing expenses," said Fee, who is a licensed professional counselor. She said students who focus only on academic success do so at the expense of other life skills.
"Some students have spent so much time studying and fitting in extracurricular activities that they never develop necessary social skills. Well-intentioned parents have become overly-involved in their kids’ lives, planning their time, and solving their dilemmas. By the time these kids enter college, they have no confidence in speaking up for themselves," said Fee.
Another factor leading to trouble adjusting is a sense of entitlement. "It’s not uncommon for students to come from homes where they had their own bedroom, bathroom, and TV," said Fee. "They have unreasonable expectations about having things their way."
PG Rating Isnt What It Used To Be
November 26, 2009
If there are any parents reading this who are thinking of taking their under-10 year olds to see the PG rated Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, please read the following from a ScreenIt.com review:
Rated PG, the film contains a handful of mild expletives; some non-explicit, but sexually related dialogue; one teen who sexually pursues her soccer coach nonstop until he finally can’t resist anymore and they apparently have sex (off-camera, after some making out, and she feels empty afterwards)…
I have not read the books this movie is based on, nor am I likely to see the film (I’m not the target audience), but I did read in an interview with the author of the book series (Ann Brashares) that she made an effort to allude to any sexual issues in the books in the most oblique way possible.
It doesn’t sound like it will be all that subtle in the movie version, which would be fine if it was rated PG-13 (The target audience for these books is 13-16 year old girls).
Gone are the days when you could just assume that a PG-rated movie is OK without doing any further research. I really believe that at some point parents will have to screen even G-rated movies before taking their kids to see them.
Education Online Discriminates in Favour of Dictators
November 25, 2009
Education Online Discriminates in Favour of Dictators
by: Ian McAllister
Distance Learning Education Online Needs a Dictator
Education Online: I know that it is politically incorrect to suggest that you should work to pass your exams because it discriminates against lazy layabouts. But…
Conventional Education for the Lazy
If you are at a politically incorrect school the teachers will be the dictators. They’ll lay down the rules about what homework you must do and when it must be presented. They’ll keep an eye out for any learning difficulties that you have and try to help you.
You will be spoon-fed. If you are very clever you will sit in the classroom and learn without any effort, just because there is nothing else to do so you might as well listen to the teacher. The teachers won’t let you wander away to do something more interesting. They are dictators!
My son couldn’t understand why his school reports always said “could do better” when he was top of the class. He never did any work, so his success was really the success of his dictatorial teachers.
My Distance Learning Home Schooling
Is Your Teen Swamped with Homework and Tests?
November 25, 2009
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed out with schoolwork, tests, finals, finding time to study, and extracurricular activities.
I do not like seeing overstressed children and teenagers. Stress takes a dangerous toll on us-we must prevent it early on.
Sit down with your child and do these three things:
1. Pick out a paper or electronic planner for them to record their appointments, assignments, and to-dos. I like using a paper planner in conjunction WITH something electronic to record all phone numbers, addresses and set appointments.
2. Talk about Priorities and map them out. What are your child’s priorities? Typical student priorities are academics, family life, after-school activities, friends, relaxing, religion, pets, etc.
Have them rate their priorities according to level of importance. Then track the time they’ve been spending on things. For example, does the amount of time spent on schoolwork reflect the number 3 that your child gave it?
Draw a schedule with your child. Put the days of the week on top and the time of the day on the left hand side. Draw squares for the chunks of time that are occupied currently. Much of the time will be “school”. Include squares for travel to and from school time, wake-up and dress, snack time, and after-school activities.
Drivers Education for Teens
November 24, 2009
Drivers Education for Teens
by: Wesley Smith
Virtually every teenager will do it; take a drivers education course to obtain their learners permit and eventually an unrestricted drivers license. Most states have requirements that must be met for a teen to get their learners permit.
What is a learners permit?
A learners permit is a special permit issued by a State Department of Motor Vehicles (often referred to as DMV, but some states have varying titles) office for teenagers to begin “behind the wheel” drivers education training. For many states, the average age you can apply for a learners permit is 15. However, there are a few states where you can apply as early as 14 and as late as 16 years of age. Different states have different requirements. For example, there are a few states that have no formal requirements, where as most require initial written testing of driving basics. Six to eight hours of classroom (or approved home training course) is typically required.
Drivers Education Training
3 Simple Steps In Searching For A Baby Name
November 23, 2009
1) BRAINSTORM
It is a good idea to pick a baby boy, girl, or a unisex baby name, even if the sonogram has already shown you the sex of your baby, after all, surprises do happen. Set aside time with no interruptions to clear your mind and brainstorm names that appeal to you and write them on a piece of paper. You may want to honor an endeared relative, or choose a name with religious meaning. Or perhaps you have heard a name before and said to yourself ‘Hey, that’s a cool baby name’. If you want the name to have a specific meaning, for example ’strong’, do an internet search, or look it up in a book. Check out the most popular baby names list for the last few years. It is surprising how many names you thought were unique are actually very popular. If you want an unusual baby name, skim the dictionary or a favorite book to see what pops out at you. Surf the internet for sites with free or paid baby name wizards, usually you answer a few questions and the wizard suggests possible baby names, for more ideas.
2) ELIMINATE
