Here are lessons I've learned about dealing with family members:
1. We are obviously genetically linked with family members, having most of the same genes. That's big. That means that on many levels we have a tremendous amount in common. We may not behave exactly the same way, but we are essentially similar. It helps to examine what the similarities are at a base level, so that we can work with them.
For instance, I come from a very intense family, where everyone wants to be right. Ouch. That can be challenging for a person like me, who hates to argue. I had to look at why I argue. Because I want to be right... like them. When I finally realized this I could step back and be objective. How important is being "right" to me? In most instances it's irrelevant who is right. When I step back I can SEE the other person more clearly. I then have the power to act instead of react and can choose how I respond or not.
The characteristics that bother us the most about family members (and others) are often the characteristics that we share. How can you tell if you share it? When the family member says or does something to you that makes you angry, you probably are seeing a mirror on some level. Look at yourself closely and work on accepting that part of yourself.
2. Boundaries tend to fall apart in many families. We get in each others face and space. Somehow the rules of outside decorum don't apply and we invade each other. Maintain your boundaries with your family. Know what you need and accept, and don't get pushed around.
For example, members of my family tend to be critical of each other. I know from introspection that I have a tendency to be critical of others and especially of myself. I accept that in myself and can mitigate some of my tendencies. I decided to stop criticizing myself (sometimes works, sometimes doesn't) and also decided that I wouldn't accept unsolicited criticism from others. I had to tell my family members that I could no longer be around them if they were critical of me. That meant being away from one or two of then for awhile, until they agreed to accept my boundaries.
I can't say they don't criticize me (or me them), but they are much better about it. If they aren't I don't put up with it and walk away, and I no longer take it personally. I've learned a lot from being around family. I can often feel compassion for them, and even amusement. Other times, I'm still learning.
The key is, know what you need. Let others know and kindly enforce your boundaries.
3. Don't expect to get along. If it happens, great. If not, accept it. For most families there's going to be friction. If you accept this going in and see it as an opportunity to grow you may get a lot out of the interaction. At first you may try being with them for shorter periods. Increase the time when you feel ready.
Also, plan on taking off - time alone - when you're with them for longer periods. You'll need time to process and recoup your energy from all the effort you put into personal growth. You'll find that over time you'll begin to change and grow - to behave better and maybe appreciate them more. You may even find you love yourself and your family members more.
4. All of the above applies to family situations where the members aren't abusive (emotionally or physically), rude or taking advantage of others. If this is the case, stay away until you know you're safe.
5. We tend to think of our families as the most important part of our world. They can be an extremely important role. However, they are only a part of your life. Focus time on your friendships with others and with your mate or partner, and appreciate the life outside of family.
By Deborah Hills
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Effectively Balance Your Family and Career Time
Is the process of starting a family something that has been on your mind? Do you already have a spouse and children but find yourself in a quandary of working a lot while trying to discover additional time for being with your family? It is important to do what it takes to make an adequate income while not neglecting your loved ones. You will learn how to balance the time you spend with your family and the time you devote to your career.
If you are married or have children but you are out of work currently, you should make plans that revolve around your family before you accept a new job. An important factor to consider is the specific hours you are likely to work in addition to focusing on the hours your husband or wife works. If you and your spouse do not have children, you should attempt to find a position in which the scheduled hours match that of your spouse.
If you are married with children who attend school during daytime hours and your spouse works all day while your kids get ready for school and spend the day there, it would be a smart idea to look for a position that at least slightly overlaps the schedule of your spouse in order for you to be able to see your children off to school or drive them there and pick them up if they are unable to ride a school bus. It would be helpful if you and your wife or husband can make an arrangement with your bosses that allows one of you to take the kids to school and the other to pick them up.
Be careful about taking a job that has more than one shift if you have a family. If a company you are considering working for makes working various days and shifts mandatory, make an attempt to work out a schedule with your company that enables you to usually not work an entire shift that makes you miss being with your spouse and children. You also need to make sure your spouse will not unfairly be saddled with all of the time taking care of the kids before you take a job that requires all employees to work odd hours or various shifts.
Factor in how a particular organization values employees' family time before accepting a job. You should concentrate on finding a position at a company that is family-friendly and will enable you to attend special events your children participate in. You should also consider working where you will be offered flex time. This process focuses on letting employees earn extra days off work.
Make sure you get adequate time off. Whenever you feel you are overworked and have not been at home enough for your family, take a day off, if you can.
If you and your wife or husband have kids that are very young, it is helpful if one of you can be home most of the time. If one of you has an income that is very high, the other should stay at home. If neither of you makes an exceptional income, it would be a good idea for one of you to try working at home running a home business or making money off the Internet by taking surveys or writing articles. You and your spouse should both attempt to incorporate time into your schedule that involves telecommuting.
Even when you are off the clock, you have to be diligent about making time to be with your family. If you like to do things such as play tennis, you should only do that a few days a week instead of every day.
Incorporate these ideas to effectively balance your family and career time!
By Todd Hicks
If you are married or have children but you are out of work currently, you should make plans that revolve around your family before you accept a new job. An important factor to consider is the specific hours you are likely to work in addition to focusing on the hours your husband or wife works. If you and your spouse do not have children, you should attempt to find a position in which the scheduled hours match that of your spouse.
If you are married with children who attend school during daytime hours and your spouse works all day while your kids get ready for school and spend the day there, it would be a smart idea to look for a position that at least slightly overlaps the schedule of your spouse in order for you to be able to see your children off to school or drive them there and pick them up if they are unable to ride a school bus. It would be helpful if you and your wife or husband can make an arrangement with your bosses that allows one of you to take the kids to school and the other to pick them up.
Be careful about taking a job that has more than one shift if you have a family. If a company you are considering working for makes working various days and shifts mandatory, make an attempt to work out a schedule with your company that enables you to usually not work an entire shift that makes you miss being with your spouse and children. You also need to make sure your spouse will not unfairly be saddled with all of the time taking care of the kids before you take a job that requires all employees to work odd hours or various shifts.
Factor in how a particular organization values employees' family time before accepting a job. You should concentrate on finding a position at a company that is family-friendly and will enable you to attend special events your children participate in. You should also consider working where you will be offered flex time. This process focuses on letting employees earn extra days off work.
Make sure you get adequate time off. Whenever you feel you are overworked and have not been at home enough for your family, take a day off, if you can.
If you and your wife or husband have kids that are very young, it is helpful if one of you can be home most of the time. If one of you has an income that is very high, the other should stay at home. If neither of you makes an exceptional income, it would be a good idea for one of you to try working at home running a home business or making money off the Internet by taking surveys or writing articles. You and your spouse should both attempt to incorporate time into your schedule that involves telecommuting.
Even when you are off the clock, you have to be diligent about making time to be with your family. If you like to do things such as play tennis, you should only do that a few days a week instead of every day.
Incorporate these ideas to effectively balance your family and career time!
By Todd Hicks
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Don't Try To Be a Supermom- They don't Exit!
Forget about everything you see in magazines and the paper - supermoms don't exist! Well, they do if you can afford to have a nanny, personal trainer, chef, cleaner, gardener and personal assistant!
Society today places unnecessary pressure on mother's to conform to the 'supermom' image. Pictures of celebrities looking glamorous with their unnaturally fashionable kids in tow are a far cry from normality. The majority of mothers are just happy to get through each day with their sanity in check!
Being a first time mother and trying to juggle running the household, setting up a new business and getting involved in internet marketing, you learn a lot of things:
Time out for yourself: for me, it's a shower and a coffee in the morning (I'm a simple gal!). For you, it may be reading the paper, going for a walk or just having enough time for a nap. But whatever it is, you need time out for yourself to recharge your batteries and restore some sense of normality to your life.
Notes, notes and more notes! I now write everything down. I have enough to deal with without having to worry about remembering when the doctor's appointment is or that I have to call the plumber to fix the sewerage system. I have a phone that syncs with my calendar on my computer so I always know what I have on and what is coming up. A pocket diary works just as well.
Sleep - I used to try and get through without having any naps and I end up crashing after about 3 days. Lack of sleep affects not only your mood, but also your judgment and ability to think things through reasonably. Don't try and skimp on the sleep - if you don't get enough sleep, everyone suffers!
Don't be afraid to say "no": no more 'Mrs Nice Gal' - you can't do everything and please everyone. If you want to stay sane and in control of your faculties, you need to learn to say "no".
Get out and about: I can sometimes get so caught up in what I do that I can easily spend 10 hours a day, 7 days a week in front of the computer. But this is definitely not healthy! You need to get out of the house. Whether it be for a walk, dinner or coffee with friends, make an effort to get back out in the world. And make a deal out of it - get dressed up, put on some makeup and heels. You will be amazed how good you feel afterwards.
If you implement just some of the above, it will make a huge difference in coping with motherhood. And at the end of the day if you take care of yourself, you will be a better mother, wife, girlfriend and partner for it.
by Michelle Chan
Society today places unnecessary pressure on mother's to conform to the 'supermom' image. Pictures of celebrities looking glamorous with their unnaturally fashionable kids in tow are a far cry from normality. The majority of mothers are just happy to get through each day with their sanity in check!
Being a first time mother and trying to juggle running the household, setting up a new business and getting involved in internet marketing, you learn a lot of things:
Time out for yourself: for me, it's a shower and a coffee in the morning (I'm a simple gal!). For you, it may be reading the paper, going for a walk or just having enough time for a nap. But whatever it is, you need time out for yourself to recharge your batteries and restore some sense of normality to your life.
Notes, notes and more notes! I now write everything down. I have enough to deal with without having to worry about remembering when the doctor's appointment is or that I have to call the plumber to fix the sewerage system. I have a phone that syncs with my calendar on my computer so I always know what I have on and what is coming up. A pocket diary works just as well.
Sleep - I used to try and get through without having any naps and I end up crashing after about 3 days. Lack of sleep affects not only your mood, but also your judgment and ability to think things through reasonably. Don't try and skimp on the sleep - if you don't get enough sleep, everyone suffers!
Don't be afraid to say "no": no more 'Mrs Nice Gal' - you can't do everything and please everyone. If you want to stay sane and in control of your faculties, you need to learn to say "no".
Get out and about: I can sometimes get so caught up in what I do that I can easily spend 10 hours a day, 7 days a week in front of the computer. But this is definitely not healthy! You need to get out of the house. Whether it be for a walk, dinner or coffee with friends, make an effort to get back out in the world. And make a deal out of it - get dressed up, put on some makeup and heels. You will be amazed how good you feel afterwards.
If you implement just some of the above, it will make a huge difference in coping with motherhood. And at the end of the day if you take care of yourself, you will be a better mother, wife, girlfriend and partner for it.
by Michelle Chan
Menu Planning For Stay at Home Mom
One of the most challenging task for stay at home moms is menu planning. This task can consist of planning and budgeting for grocery lists, saving money through planning ahead for chores around the house or just making sure that healthy eating and living is being exercised inside and outside the house.
Not only is this a smart choice but it can reap enormous benefits when all is said and done. Stay at home moms are sometimes swamped with numerous tasks on their agenda; but none is bigger than cooking. This begins with planning ahead with your menus months in advance. So its important that cookbooks are made readily available or maybe you can visit an online website that provide plenty of dishes to experiment with. And while you're at it, you can search the web for coupons and deals on your grocery list.
When searching the web for coupons, be extremely careful with websites trying to sell coupons, technically they are not suppose to be sold. But you can pay for their services like collecting the coupons and clipping them for mailing purposes.
Websites like couponclippers.com can provide coupons without the unwanted purchases and/or scams. And then theirs eBay, they have thousands of coupons made readily accessible for surfers. There are also online sites like coupons.com that provide printed manufacturer coupons directly from your computer. Major big name companies like Betty Crocker, Campbell's and Kraft will offer printable coupons with no strings attached.
Planning things make life a lot more manageable for stay at home moms. There's nothing like going into a grocery store having forgotten your coupons at home which causes us to make unnecessary trips back and forth. Or even worse, have you ever visited the grocery store with your prepared list only to come out of the store with things that wasn't even on the list, we all do it. This can be easily prevented if we plan ahead of time and refrain from impulse spending; not to mention, saving money, time and gas expenses.
This is also an excellent way to save time when it comes down to actually preparing meals. If you plan your menus in a way that everything goes accordingly, you save considerable amount of time and effort in preparations. For instance, if you've made fried chicken and it all wasn't eaten; place it the refrigerator and use it for the next day in a chicken salad. All you'll need to do is simple put a salad mix together. A large amount of time and effort is eliminated because your chicken was already prepared.
This is a pretty simple procedure that serves a great purpose. It's like putting a puzzle together, once all the end pieces are in place all that's needed is the inside stuff. The end pieces serves as the main dish and the inside stuff are the vegetables or side dishes. This is the best way to save time and money as a stay at home mom.
by Jason Bobich
Not only is this a smart choice but it can reap enormous benefits when all is said and done. Stay at home moms are sometimes swamped with numerous tasks on their agenda; but none is bigger than cooking. This begins with planning ahead with your menus months in advance. So its important that cookbooks are made readily available or maybe you can visit an online website that provide plenty of dishes to experiment with. And while you're at it, you can search the web for coupons and deals on your grocery list.
When searching the web for coupons, be extremely careful with websites trying to sell coupons, technically they are not suppose to be sold. But you can pay for their services like collecting the coupons and clipping them for mailing purposes.
Websites like couponclippers.com can provide coupons without the unwanted purchases and/or scams. And then theirs eBay, they have thousands of coupons made readily accessible for surfers. There are also online sites like coupons.com that provide printed manufacturer coupons directly from your computer. Major big name companies like Betty Crocker, Campbell's and Kraft will offer printable coupons with no strings attached.
Planning things make life a lot more manageable for stay at home moms. There's nothing like going into a grocery store having forgotten your coupons at home which causes us to make unnecessary trips back and forth. Or even worse, have you ever visited the grocery store with your prepared list only to come out of the store with things that wasn't even on the list, we all do it. This can be easily prevented if we plan ahead of time and refrain from impulse spending; not to mention, saving money, time and gas expenses.
This is also an excellent way to save time when it comes down to actually preparing meals. If you plan your menus in a way that everything goes accordingly, you save considerable amount of time and effort in preparations. For instance, if you've made fried chicken and it all wasn't eaten; place it the refrigerator and use it for the next day in a chicken salad. All you'll need to do is simple put a salad mix together. A large amount of time and effort is eliminated because your chicken was already prepared.
This is a pretty simple procedure that serves a great purpose. It's like putting a puzzle together, once all the end pieces are in place all that's needed is the inside stuff. The end pieces serves as the main dish and the inside stuff are the vegetables or side dishes. This is the best way to save time and money as a stay at home mom.
by Jason Bobich
Taking on the Responsibility of Being a stay at home mom
Being a stay at home mom has tremendous benefits and rewards that will be cherished for a lifetime by you and your child. It's a known fact that the beginning years of your child's life will leave memories forever etched in your mind and they have been proven through research to be the most critical years in shaping the way your child learn, act and think as a human being. In those first few years the information that your child take in will serve as the building blocks for years to come. Their lives, their characters and their destinies will be determined by the way you act, teach, live and love. This is an amazing opportunity to help your child grow into the life of humanity; however, it comes with the irreplaceable duty of responsibility.
It's natural for you to have an important role in the life of your child from day one as a mother, provider and teacher. You will take the duty of responsibility and wear it as a badge of honor. Everything conceivable will be meticulously done to insure that your child follows your footsteps. There will be times in which things will appear to be overwhelming but you will stay the course because it's not all about you anymore, it's about teaching, developing, nurturing and loving someone without measure. But you must always bear in mind that your child is nothing without you, and a strong you can be of better use than a weak you.
Mother's who have experience at this can bear witness to the fact, that many mothers make the damaging mistake of neglecting themselves to care for their child. Even though your child will need you every step of the way in his/her early years, you must remain a mother to yourself as well. Besides being a mother, you are also a woman and every woman was created to be a thinking, self-reliant, spiritual human beings with needs of her own. Yes, your child will place a big burden upon you but God will not place a burden on you greater than you have strength to bear.
It will be smart and wise of you to take some time and set it aside for you to reflect upon what you are doing for yourself since the arrival of the child, and be honest and fair to yourself, as a stay at home mom. This time that you set aside can be used to gather your thoughts, spend time with friends and to just relax while the baby spends time with other family members. Go get your hair done, have a manicure done and go out with the father and discuss future plans. The point is to not get yourself caught up in tending to your child while neglecting yourself.
This is what you call "me time" because the focus is on your needs, wants and wishes. Take advantage of your child's nap time by making it a time to read a book, watch a movie or just reflect upon life in general, but be careful not to fall in a state of depression which will never take place if you exercise your right as a woman with needs as well.
by Jason Bobich
It's natural for you to have an important role in the life of your child from day one as a mother, provider and teacher. You will take the duty of responsibility and wear it as a badge of honor. Everything conceivable will be meticulously done to insure that your child follows your footsteps. There will be times in which things will appear to be overwhelming but you will stay the course because it's not all about you anymore, it's about teaching, developing, nurturing and loving someone without measure. But you must always bear in mind that your child is nothing without you, and a strong you can be of better use than a weak you.
Mother's who have experience at this can bear witness to the fact, that many mothers make the damaging mistake of neglecting themselves to care for their child. Even though your child will need you every step of the way in his/her early years, you must remain a mother to yourself as well. Besides being a mother, you are also a woman and every woman was created to be a thinking, self-reliant, spiritual human beings with needs of her own. Yes, your child will place a big burden upon you but God will not place a burden on you greater than you have strength to bear.
It will be smart and wise of you to take some time and set it aside for you to reflect upon what you are doing for yourself since the arrival of the child, and be honest and fair to yourself, as a stay at home mom. This time that you set aside can be used to gather your thoughts, spend time with friends and to just relax while the baby spends time with other family members. Go get your hair done, have a manicure done and go out with the father and discuss future plans. The point is to not get yourself caught up in tending to your child while neglecting yourself.
This is what you call "me time" because the focus is on your needs, wants and wishes. Take advantage of your child's nap time by making it a time to read a book, watch a movie or just reflect upon life in general, but be careful not to fall in a state of depression which will never take place if you exercise your right as a woman with needs as well.
by Jason Bobich
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Family Money Managment and your Kids
Family money management is a central part of teaching kids and teens about money. Much of what kids learn in life lessons they get from watching others - especially what goes on in their own house. Having a good home money environment is another example of where this is especially true.
What are integral parts of family money management that can really help your kids grow in their own understanding of money?
Everyone in the house needs to understand that money is a just a tool. This applies to parents and kids. Money can become an emotional subject very quickly, so keeping any money discussions neutral is a key to moving forward. Here are some ways to get started.
Family money management is a great tool for teaching kids about money in a way that gets them involved without having it be just about their money. It can create a safer way for them to learn because they feel like they are not alone - they are part of a team. You may find them volunteering to take on more family money responsibilities or even doing a budget for themselves.
by Jennifer Peek
What are integral parts of family money management that can really help your kids grow in their own understanding of money?
Everyone in the house needs to understand that money is a just a tool. This applies to parents and kids. Money can become an emotional subject very quickly, so keeping any money discussions neutral is a key to moving forward. Here are some ways to get started.
- Try to view and talk about money in a neutral way. Money itself is not "good" or "bad" and creating ways to help kids understand that is important. The more they can think of money as a tool at a younger age, the easier it will be for them to learn key concepts like budgeting and saving.
- Create a family budget. Make it a team effort, involving the kids as much as possible depending on their ages and money knowledge. Creating a team approach can help everyone feel like they are working together. It is a way for parents to help show kids that there are many things that have to be paid that they don't know about. It can also help kids understand that there really may not be enough money to buy them everything they want.
- Make a family spending plan. This sounds alot like a budget - and they can be the same thing. But you could also have a family spending plan that just focuses on the spending part so that kids can see how everyday decisions on spending get made.
- Set family saving goals. This could be for your next family vacation or just a day at the local amusement park. Starting with a fun goal can be motivating for everyone.
- Create a family bank that everyone contributes to. This can be the bank that holds the savings that you set with your family savings goal. Come up with a list of ideas on how you can find money in the budget or spending plan to add to the family bank each day or each week.
- Track your progress on your family money management goals - whether saving or spending - together. Teaching the kids to not only make a plan but then also to review how the family budget is working is a great way to get them educated for when they will make their own budget. If you can make it work, have different family members be responsible for tracking different things. You may have your 5-year-old count the week's savings in the family bank while your 12-year-old charts progress on the grocery budget for the month.
- Celebrate money successes as a family. Achieving goals, such as meeting your family savings goal for the week, is important. Recognizing this and everyone's part in making it happen can help make the next goal seem even more doable. It keeps everyone motivated and shows what your family can accomplish.
Family money management is a great tool for teaching kids about money in a way that gets them involved without having it be just about their money. It can create a safer way for them to learn because they feel like they are not alone - they are part of a team. You may find them volunteering to take on more family money responsibilities or even doing a budget for themselves.
by Jennifer Peek
25 Ways to Instill Self Worth in your Children
Self worth is so important in all of our lives and that's why it's important that we, as parents and caregivers of children, have such a responsibility to know how to instill this important foundational structure into our child's life.
Oftentimes, it comes down to very simple acts and conversations with your children that can enhance how they see themselves as being worthy. Below is a list of ways in which you can impart self worth and encourage a positive self image for your child.
1. Stop what you are doing and give your child your full attention when they are talking to you.
2. Make eye contact with your child as they are talking to you.
3. Be aware of your body language when talking with them - show positive expression as they tell you a story.
4. Get to know your children's friends.
5. Play with your child - even when you don't feel like it.
6. Partake in your child's hobbies.
7. Learn to appreciate your child's style of music
8. Tell your child you love them . . . often
9. Tell them WHY you love them . . . often
10. Give your child meaningful compliments
11. Take note of your child's strengths and bring them to your child's attention.
12. Give your child opportunities to work and accomplish projects/tasks on their own.
13. Help your child set meaningful goals. Then help them to measure their success toward each goal.
14. Encourage your child to try new things
15. Allow your child to fail but be there to lift them back up
16. Expand your child's sphere of life experiences
17. Give your child hugs . . . often
18. Play "My Favorite Memory Game" (My favorite memory about ____ is ____) and then have the rest of family give their answers about that child.
19. Laugh together with your child
20. Do some sort of service project with them
21. Teach your child to take good care of their bodies - watching what they eat, what they listen to, what they read and what they watch on TV etc. - this is all so important.
22. Give them a courtesy call if you are going to be home later than they expected you home.
23. Be a great example of how to treat others with respect and how to see the worth in every individual - making sure you speak positively about others especially in the presence of your child. Seeing the worth of others helps us to recognize our own worth.
24. Go on dates with your child to their favorite place or restaurant - just the two of you - make it special for them - let them plan the time.
25. Most importantly, and first on the list, tell your child and teach your child about their Father in Heaven, about Jesus their savior who died for them and the power of the Holy Spirit. Tell them and teach them they are not a mistake but that God loves them so much that He created them to have communication with Him. Teach them that God has a wonderful purpose and plan for their lives and knew them before they were even born. All of these truths help your children to see themselves as a prized gift and so worthy to be alive. This is the only place any of us will find the real foundational structure of our self worth.
By Mark Arens,
Oftentimes, it comes down to very simple acts and conversations with your children that can enhance how they see themselves as being worthy. Below is a list of ways in which you can impart self worth and encourage a positive self image for your child.
1. Stop what you are doing and give your child your full attention when they are talking to you.
2. Make eye contact with your child as they are talking to you.
3. Be aware of your body language when talking with them - show positive expression as they tell you a story.
4. Get to know your children's friends.
5. Play with your child - even when you don't feel like it.
6. Partake in your child's hobbies.
7. Learn to appreciate your child's style of music
8. Tell your child you love them . . . often
9. Tell them WHY you love them . . . often
10. Give your child meaningful compliments
11. Take note of your child's strengths and bring them to your child's attention.
12. Give your child opportunities to work and accomplish projects/tasks on their own.
13. Help your child set meaningful goals. Then help them to measure their success toward each goal.
14. Encourage your child to try new things
15. Allow your child to fail but be there to lift them back up
16. Expand your child's sphere of life experiences
17. Give your child hugs . . . often
18. Play "My Favorite Memory Game" (My favorite memory about ____ is ____) and then have the rest of family give their answers about that child.
19. Laugh together with your child
20. Do some sort of service project with them
21. Teach your child to take good care of their bodies - watching what they eat, what they listen to, what they read and what they watch on TV etc. - this is all so important.
22. Give them a courtesy call if you are going to be home later than they expected you home.
23. Be a great example of how to treat others with respect and how to see the worth in every individual - making sure you speak positively about others especially in the presence of your child. Seeing the worth of others helps us to recognize our own worth.
24. Go on dates with your child to their favorite place or restaurant - just the two of you - make it special for them - let them plan the time.
25. Most importantly, and first on the list, tell your child and teach your child about their Father in Heaven, about Jesus their savior who died for them and the power of the Holy Spirit. Tell them and teach them they are not a mistake but that God loves them so much that He created them to have communication with Him. Teach them that God has a wonderful purpose and plan for their lives and knew them before they were even born. All of these truths help your children to see themselves as a prized gift and so worthy to be alive. This is the only place any of us will find the real foundational structure of our self worth.
By Mark Arens,
Friday, August 7, 2009
Teach Children To Practice Social Etiquette
Have you thought about becoming a parent or teacher? Are your hands tied in regard to encouraging your children or students to do the right thing in a social setting? Children require proper guidance to grow up to become adults who conduct themselves with good manners and consideration for other people when they are in public.
You will learn numerous tips you can apply to teach your children to practice social etiquette.
One important lesson to teach your children is the value of sharing. If there is a point when you are in the presence of two kids and one has a toy he or she refuses to share with the other kid, do something. For example, you could say, "Billy, it is mean and hurtful to not share some of your items with others; furthermore, you feel better about yourself when you do something nice to help others. Please share your toy with Johnny for a while."
Another important lesson is to teach children not to tattle on others just for the sake of it. If a child tells you another kid called you a mean name, you could say, "Susan, Bobby has not caused any harm even if he did call me a name behind my back. You should not tattle on others if they have not caused any harm and you cannot prove they did what you are accusing them of. You should not be a tattletale just to get someone into trouble."
Teach children not to hit or throw things at others. If you are a teacher, tell your students, "You must always keep your hands and feet to yourself. It is also wrong to throw things at others."
Encourage your children to not yawn or belch in an obnoxious manner. Let them know it is good etiquette to cover your mouth while sneezing, yawning and belching and subsequently say, "Excuse me."
Teach your children to be careful about spitting, scratching and picking their noses. If your child spits on the sidewalk, you should say, "That is nasty. You should only spit on grass or into a toilet or trash can." If your child picks her nose or scratches herself in front of you, let her know she must only do it when no one else is looking at her.
Encourage your kids to not slouch. Tell them it is good etiquette to sit up in a straight manner.
If you are a teacher, discourage your students from butting in front of others in a line. Teach them to not call other students names.
Follow these tips to teach your children social etiquette!
By Todd Hicks
You will learn numerous tips you can apply to teach your children to practice social etiquette.
One important lesson to teach your children is the value of sharing. If there is a point when you are in the presence of two kids and one has a toy he or she refuses to share with the other kid, do something. For example, you could say, "Billy, it is mean and hurtful to not share some of your items with others; furthermore, you feel better about yourself when you do something nice to help others. Please share your toy with Johnny for a while."
Another important lesson is to teach children not to tattle on others just for the sake of it. If a child tells you another kid called you a mean name, you could say, "Susan, Bobby has not caused any harm even if he did call me a name behind my back. You should not tattle on others if they have not caused any harm and you cannot prove they did what you are accusing them of. You should not be a tattletale just to get someone into trouble."
Teach children not to hit or throw things at others. If you are a teacher, tell your students, "You must always keep your hands and feet to yourself. It is also wrong to throw things at others."
Encourage your children to not yawn or belch in an obnoxious manner. Let them know it is good etiquette to cover your mouth while sneezing, yawning and belching and subsequently say, "Excuse me."
Teach your children to be careful about spitting, scratching and picking their noses. If your child spits on the sidewalk, you should say, "That is nasty. You should only spit on grass or into a toilet or trash can." If your child picks her nose or scratches herself in front of you, let her know she must only do it when no one else is looking at her.
Encourage your kids to not slouch. Tell them it is good etiquette to sit up in a straight manner.
If you are a teacher, discourage your students from butting in front of others in a line. Teach them to not call other students names.
Follow these tips to teach your children social etiquette!
By Todd Hicks
5 Tips for Toilet Training Boys
Toilet training can be a breeze for some children and more challenging for others. Your child's success in learning how to use the toilet can depend on how you react and handle the process. It is going to require you to have patience and consistency for their success and your sanity.
Approach toilet-training as an exciting and fun thing they are learning and not a dreaded task. From a toddler's perspective, learning to use the toilet is for big boys and is a sign they are growing. This can explain why the desire to stay little makes some children more resistant.
• Make sure you son is physically and emotionally ready. Usually between 18 and 24 months you'll notice signs of readiness.
• Start out toilet training boys sitting down it is much easier.
• Set up a regular routine. The best time for a bowel movement is around twenty minutes after a meal. Let your son sit on the potty after a meal- preferably after breakfast-so he gets into a daily toileting routine.
• Help them make a Connection between the feeling to have to go and what to tell you. As soon as you notice the about-to-go signs, query, "Go poo-poo? Or pee? Tell mommy or daddy. You are teaching him when he feels the urge, he says the words.
• Don't let you son become diaper dependent. Use cloth training pants as often as possible. Diapers have been made to be so absorbent that boys and girls are not uncomfortable after they have wet themselves.
Toilet training can be a breeze for some children and more challenging for others. Your child's success in learning how to use the toilet can depend on how you react and handle the process. It is going to require you to have patience and consistency for their success and your sanity.
Approach toilet-training as an exciting and fun thing they are learning and not a dreaded task. From a toddler's perspective, learning to use the toilet is for big boys and is a sign they are growing. This can explain why the desire to stay little makes some children more resistant.
• Make sure you son is physically and emotionally ready. Usually between 18 and 24 months you'll notice signs of readiness.
• Start out toilet training boys sitting down it is much easier.
• Set up a regular routine. The best time for a bowel movement is around twenty minutes after a meal. Let your son sit on the potty after a meal- preferably after breakfast-so he gets into a daily toileting routine.
• Help them make a Connection between the feeling to have to go and what to tell you. As soon as you notice the about-to-go signs, query, "Go poo-poo? Or pee? Tell mommy or daddy. You are teaching him when he feels the urge, he says the words.
• Don't let you son become diaper dependent. Use cloth training pants as often as possible. Diapers have been made to be so absorbent that boys and girls are not uncomfortable after they have wet themselves.
by Delises Eros
Approach toilet-training as an exciting and fun thing they are learning and not a dreaded task. From a toddler's perspective, learning to use the toilet is for big boys and is a sign they are growing. This can explain why the desire to stay little makes some children more resistant.
• Make sure you son is physically and emotionally ready. Usually between 18 and 24 months you'll notice signs of readiness.
• Start out toilet training boys sitting down it is much easier.
• Set up a regular routine. The best time for a bowel movement is around twenty minutes after a meal. Let your son sit on the potty after a meal- preferably after breakfast-so he gets into a daily toileting routine.
• Help them make a Connection between the feeling to have to go and what to tell you. As soon as you notice the about-to-go signs, query, "Go poo-poo? Or pee? Tell mommy or daddy. You are teaching him when he feels the urge, he says the words.
• Don't let you son become diaper dependent. Use cloth training pants as often as possible. Diapers have been made to be so absorbent that boys and girls are not uncomfortable after they have wet themselves.
Toilet training can be a breeze for some children and more challenging for others. Your child's success in learning how to use the toilet can depend on how you react and handle the process. It is going to require you to have patience and consistency for their success and your sanity.
Approach toilet-training as an exciting and fun thing they are learning and not a dreaded task. From a toddler's perspective, learning to use the toilet is for big boys and is a sign they are growing. This can explain why the desire to stay little makes some children more resistant.
• Make sure you son is physically and emotionally ready. Usually between 18 and 24 months you'll notice signs of readiness.
• Start out toilet training boys sitting down it is much easier.
• Set up a regular routine. The best time for a bowel movement is around twenty minutes after a meal. Let your son sit on the potty after a meal- preferably after breakfast-so he gets into a daily toileting routine.
• Help them make a Connection between the feeling to have to go and what to tell you. As soon as you notice the about-to-go signs, query, "Go poo-poo? Or pee? Tell mommy or daddy. You are teaching him when he feels the urge, he says the words.
• Don't let you son become diaper dependent. Use cloth training pants as often as possible. Diapers have been made to be so absorbent that boys and girls are not uncomfortable after they have wet themselves.
by Delises Eros
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Home organisation 101-6 tips to help mom create a clutter free home
When you first move into your home it seems like you have so much space. However, as the years go by and you collect more possessions, you may find yourself becoming a bit of a pack rat. When this realization strikes home you have to ask yourself the question; what am I going to do with all this stuff? If this is your reality, perhaps it's time to flush out the unwanted or unnecessary items and begin to reorganize your home.
Luckily, home organization can be broken down into an easy to follow step-by-step process. It will definitely take more than a day and could even take more than a week to get your entire house and everything in it back to a manageable level, but once you have accomplished that, staying organized in the future becomes infinitely easier. If you have a family that you can call upon to take part, you'll want to enlist their help. Not only can they help pitch in but they might also learn a thing or two about controlling clutter in their own lives.
1. Start with the busy zones.
Usually the most used rooms in a house are the living room and kitchen. More often than not, when people come home, these two rooms are where everyone and everything ends up. Because of this, counter, couch, and floor space tends to become quite cluttered in these two rooms. The important thing to focus on here is to concentrate on getting these high traffic rooms set up the way that you want them before moving on to another part of the house.
2. Separate stuff into categories.
If you have large Rubbermaid tubs or containers, they would come in handy here. Otherwise you can simply use some heavy duty garbage bags. Everything that you are sorting through can placed into one of the following piles: KEEP, THROW AWAY, GIVE AWAY, and RELOCATE. Items that you intend to keep in that room are to keep. Items that are broken or are not functional can be thrown away. Clothes, furniture, or other odds and ends that are still in great condition can be dropped off for donation or picked up by a local charity service. Anything that either belongs in another room or is being moved elsewhere should be labelled 'Relocate' for moving when you get to that part of the house.
3. Empty all your drawers and cabinets.
Although this is a time-consuming process, it is always easier to begin organizing when you start with an empty space. If you line things up on a table or counter, you can sort the stuff and replace items while someone else helps put other items in their respective piles.
4. Use storage containers.
Over the years, storage containers have gone from being ugly, strictly functional tubs to aesthetically pleasing and versatile storage units. Instead of stacking storage containers in the garage, you can now buy ones that match your house or room décor and allow you to integrate them into a space to serve multiple purposes and look completing unassuming.
5. Utilize all available space.
For example, many kitchens have room above cabinets or appliances that would allow you to store extra items and goods. This built in room creates extra storage space without needing to use a storage container. As for the bedroom, make sure to utilize the space under your beds to place things like winter gear or shoes. There are a number of options when it comes to finding storage units that are the right height and fit for different bed sizes. These flat storage bins can easily slide under a bed or dresser, allowing you to take advantage of previously dead space.
6. Label your containers.
It's a good practice to use labels and a permanent marker to clarify the contents of your storage containers. Since many containers are used for many different things over the course of a lifetime, you should avoid writing on the actual container. Labelling also allows for easy identification if you intend to sell or give away a container of items or are planning to move in the future. This will save you time since you won't have to open each individual container to locate an item.
With all that being said, organizing your entire house will take some time. However, once the job is done, you home will have a new and fresh feel to it. Many things will have returned to their proper place, some items will have found a new and better place, while other items may no longer have a place in your house. By doing this whole house organization, you will create a higher degree of cleanliness and this will allow you to maintain greater structure and flow in your household....at least until the next big overhaul.
by Eronne Ward
Luckily, home organization can be broken down into an easy to follow step-by-step process. It will definitely take more than a day and could even take more than a week to get your entire house and everything in it back to a manageable level, but once you have accomplished that, staying organized in the future becomes infinitely easier. If you have a family that you can call upon to take part, you'll want to enlist their help. Not only can they help pitch in but they might also learn a thing or two about controlling clutter in their own lives.
1. Start with the busy zones.
Usually the most used rooms in a house are the living room and kitchen. More often than not, when people come home, these two rooms are where everyone and everything ends up. Because of this, counter, couch, and floor space tends to become quite cluttered in these two rooms. The important thing to focus on here is to concentrate on getting these high traffic rooms set up the way that you want them before moving on to another part of the house.
2. Separate stuff into categories.
If you have large Rubbermaid tubs or containers, they would come in handy here. Otherwise you can simply use some heavy duty garbage bags. Everything that you are sorting through can placed into one of the following piles: KEEP, THROW AWAY, GIVE AWAY, and RELOCATE. Items that you intend to keep in that room are to keep. Items that are broken or are not functional can be thrown away. Clothes, furniture, or other odds and ends that are still in great condition can be dropped off for donation or picked up by a local charity service. Anything that either belongs in another room or is being moved elsewhere should be labelled 'Relocate' for moving when you get to that part of the house.
3. Empty all your drawers and cabinets.
Although this is a time-consuming process, it is always easier to begin organizing when you start with an empty space. If you line things up on a table or counter, you can sort the stuff and replace items while someone else helps put other items in their respective piles.
4. Use storage containers.
Over the years, storage containers have gone from being ugly, strictly functional tubs to aesthetically pleasing and versatile storage units. Instead of stacking storage containers in the garage, you can now buy ones that match your house or room décor and allow you to integrate them into a space to serve multiple purposes and look completing unassuming.
5. Utilize all available space.
For example, many kitchens have room above cabinets or appliances that would allow you to store extra items and goods. This built in room creates extra storage space without needing to use a storage container. As for the bedroom, make sure to utilize the space under your beds to place things like winter gear or shoes. There are a number of options when it comes to finding storage units that are the right height and fit for different bed sizes. These flat storage bins can easily slide under a bed or dresser, allowing you to take advantage of previously dead space.
6. Label your containers.
It's a good practice to use labels and a permanent marker to clarify the contents of your storage containers. Since many containers are used for many different things over the course of a lifetime, you should avoid writing on the actual container. Labelling also allows for easy identification if you intend to sell or give away a container of items or are planning to move in the future. This will save you time since you won't have to open each individual container to locate an item.
With all that being said, organizing your entire house will take some time. However, once the job is done, you home will have a new and fresh feel to it. Many things will have returned to their proper place, some items will have found a new and better place, while other items may no longer have a place in your house. By doing this whole house organization, you will create a higher degree of cleanliness and this will allow you to maintain greater structure and flow in your household....at least until the next big overhaul.
by Eronne Ward
5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR KITCHEN CLUTTER FREE
The kitchen is the heart of many homes, and since it must be functional as well as a pleasant place to spend a lot of time, it is imperative that the clutter and chaos is kept to a minimum. Here are five sure-fire ways to keep the kitchen organized and under control:
1. Don't overbuy. Only buy food and paper products that you know you are going to consume, and don't impulse buy trendy sale items such as cheap plastic cups that are on the end of the aisle at the grocery store. Don't buy in bulk unless you have a large family and a place to store extra large cans, jars and boxes.
2. Label leftovers. If you date and name leftovers with a permanent marker on their container you are much more likely to use them up before they become unidentifiable and inedible. This is especially important when freezing food items that may become covered in ice and will help you determine what is still safe to eat.
3. Don't get overrun by dirty dishes. To manage the dishes, dispose of extra dishes and glasses that you don't need. You'll do the dishes more frequently, but they won't be able to stack up in get out of control. Create a habit of emptying and filling the dishwasher at the same time every day. If you wash dishes by hand and have a double sink, get an in-sink dish drying rack to free up counter space and install a built in soap dispenser for liquid detergent so you can banish messy dish soap bottles permanently.
4. Clear the refrigerator door. Take everything-paper, magnets, photos-off the refrigerator door and keep it clear. Your kitchen will look automatically larger, neater and it will be easier to keep the fridge clean.
5. Contain the paper. If your kitchen is also a catch all space for kids' homework, the family calendar, phone messages, take out menus, etc., create a dedicated inbox for paper material, or consider a folder system for each family member. Don't let paper pile up on every surface, give it a single place to accumulate, and go through the stack frequently, tossing whatever is trash and taking action on everything else. Reference materials, such as menus or recipes, should be filed in a family binder or in a magazine holder with your cookbooks.
by Lelah Baker-Rabe
IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY IN OUR LIFE
Family is very important part of our everyday life. It helps us in improving our personality. It also helps us in shaping our life. It teaches us the value of love, affection, care, truthfulness and self-confidence and provides us tools and suggestions which are necessary to get success in life.
Family is a place where you can be yourself. It is a place where you are accepted for what you are. This is where you are completely tension free and everyone is there to help you. Family encourages you when you are surrounded by problems. It helps you survive through tough times and bring joy and happiness into life.
Decency is very important in the communication of daily life. It helps us make strong relationship with others and make us come across as a very gentle, intelligent and likable person. Everyone loves to be in a company of such person. Family helps bring decency into our life which is necessary to lead a happy life.
One of the most important aims of our life is to build a successful and highly rewarding career. Our families help us in creating a strong future. It gives us valuable suggestion about different career prospective. It not only guides us in choosing the best but also financially helps us to cover the expenses of education. Thus it helps us in making a good future.
The importance of family is probably realized when one went to holiday or celebrate an occasion without family members. It was very hard to celebrate an occasion or went to holiday without being surrounded by family members. At that time probably we realize that how important they are to us. At that time, we came to know about the importance of our families.
Today, most people don't realize the importance of family. They prefer to spend most of their time with their friends. But when they are surrounded by problems, it was their family that helped them get rid of problems. At the time, when even our best friends refuse to help us, it was our family that came to help us. So it is very important for each and every individual to give importance to their families above anything else and enjoy spending time with family members.
by Karan Kapoor
Family is a place where you can be yourself. It is a place where you are accepted for what you are. This is where you are completely tension free and everyone is there to help you. Family encourages you when you are surrounded by problems. It helps you survive through tough times and bring joy and happiness into life.
Decency is very important in the communication of daily life. It helps us make strong relationship with others and make us come across as a very gentle, intelligent and likable person. Everyone loves to be in a company of such person. Family helps bring decency into our life which is necessary to lead a happy life.
One of the most important aims of our life is to build a successful and highly rewarding career. Our families help us in creating a strong future. It gives us valuable suggestion about different career prospective. It not only guides us in choosing the best but also financially helps us to cover the expenses of education. Thus it helps us in making a good future.
The importance of family is probably realized when one went to holiday or celebrate an occasion without family members. It was very hard to celebrate an occasion or went to holiday without being surrounded by family members. At that time probably we realize that how important they are to us. At that time, we came to know about the importance of our families.
Today, most people don't realize the importance of family. They prefer to spend most of their time with their friends. But when they are surrounded by problems, it was their family that helped them get rid of problems. At the time, when even our best friends refuse to help us, it was our family that came to help us. So it is very important for each and every individual to give importance to their families above anything else and enjoy spending time with family members.
by Karan Kapoor
PARENTING TIPS FOR YOUR BABIES, TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS
A series of practical tips for your family.
TIP # 1
Make time for family togetherness. A sense of belonging is realized in children when families take time to engage in common activities such as having meals together, sharing tasks and responsibilities. Use this time to talk and listen, to solve problems and promote cooperation.
Tip # 2
An economical and fun way to keep children extra cool while riding in the car this summer. Keep water bottles or containers filled with water 3/4 of the way and freeze in your freezer. When leaving for your ride across town to Grandma's or on a longer excursion, let each child have their own container of ice next to them or in their laps. It's their instant cooler. This helps while the air conditioner is revving up and if your car's air conditioner is windows rolled down, this will really come in handy. You can even freeze several containers and keep them on the floor by their feet. Rub your toddler's carseat with the frozen bottles to cool off the material before placing her in it too!
TIP #3
It may well be one of the most precious memories your child recalls long after they grow up...Reading to your child that is! Most little ones love the feeling of warmth and security that comes from snuggling and listening to a a story by Mommy, Daddy. They are more likely to grow up loving books and, will want to learn quickly to read them too! Start reading from infancy. Books are great but don't forget every opportunity to read ie., signs, menus, mail, cereal boxes, everything with a word on it...the learning opportunities are endless...use them and enjoy!
TIP #4
The number one way to protect children from illness--wash their hands often. Teach washing hands after every activity. Coming in from outdoors, after bathroom visits, and especially before eating. A simple yet effective way to help stop the spread of germs.
TIP #5
Help build your little ones brain and body with healthful meals and snacks. And remember to model these same eating habits yourself for them to see. Encourage activities with exercise. Visit your local zoo, library and explore other places of interest for the opportunity to learn even more.
Tip #6
Set your household up for success -- make it work for the whole family. Model and teach good safety habits and establish routines. Discuss and enforce family rules that work for your household -- for example, putting toys away after play.
Interesting one by Chelle Blair
TIP # 1
Make time for family togetherness. A sense of belonging is realized in children when families take time to engage in common activities such as having meals together, sharing tasks and responsibilities. Use this time to talk and listen, to solve problems and promote cooperation.
Tip # 2
An economical and fun way to keep children extra cool while riding in the car this summer. Keep water bottles or containers filled with water 3/4 of the way and freeze in your freezer. When leaving for your ride across town to Grandma's or on a longer excursion, let each child have their own container of ice next to them or in their laps. It's their instant cooler. This helps while the air conditioner is revving up and if your car's air conditioner is windows rolled down, this will really come in handy. You can even freeze several containers and keep them on the floor by their feet. Rub your toddler's carseat with the frozen bottles to cool off the material before placing her in it too!
TIP #3
It may well be one of the most precious memories your child recalls long after they grow up...Reading to your child that is! Most little ones love the feeling of warmth and security that comes from snuggling and listening to a a story by Mommy, Daddy. They are more likely to grow up loving books and, will want to learn quickly to read them too! Start reading from infancy. Books are great but don't forget every opportunity to read ie., signs, menus, mail, cereal boxes, everything with a word on it...the learning opportunities are endless...use them and enjoy!
TIP #4
The number one way to protect children from illness--wash their hands often. Teach washing hands after every activity. Coming in from outdoors, after bathroom visits, and especially before eating. A simple yet effective way to help stop the spread of germs.
TIP #5
Help build your little ones brain and body with healthful meals and snacks. And remember to model these same eating habits yourself for them to see. Encourage activities with exercise. Visit your local zoo, library and explore other places of interest for the opportunity to learn even more.
Tip #6
Set your household up for success -- make it work for the whole family. Model and teach good safety habits and establish routines. Discuss and enforce family rules that work for your household -- for example, putting toys away after play.
Interesting one by Chelle Blair
THANK YOU VIEWERS
hello people, thanks for viewing this blog. this blog has been specially designed for young, want-to-be and experienced parents to share views and learn best paranting practices and other family related issues.
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