Tips For Parents On How To Handle Video Gaming - Gaming has taken root and there are no signs of the popularity abating. Children as well as adults

10 Tips For Parents On How To Handle Video Gaming
by: Timothy Rudon

Gaming has taken root and there are no signs of the popularity abating. Children as well as adults are all hooked to computer and video gaming in a big way. And, the internet has added a dash of excitement into gaming as players can now not just play online but compete online.

The gaming world realizes that if they are to sustain a multi-billion dollar business they must care not just for the gamers but their parents too. The Entertainment Software Rating Board or ESRB has issued video gaming tips as a guide for parents. The ESRB is the one that tests video games and rates them so that parents can select suitable games for children of different age groups.

1. Parents must check the ratings and examine the rating symbol on the front of the package as well as read the content descriptor at the back when buying a game. The ESRB site http://www.esrb.org has in depth information about games rated by them.

2. Never depend on advertisements, always talk to parents and older children to get an holistic view of the game you intend to buy.

3. Be a friend to your child and play the games with him or her. There is nothing like a hands on experience.

4. Beware of online gaming as very often the game has unrated components. Online gaming also has features like chats and exchange of ideas and information. Parents must teach their kids especially very young ones about the dangers lurking on the internet.

5. Learn all about downloadable mods that alter the content of games. Mods can change the appropriateness of the game for young players so parents must be vigilant.

6. Always invest in video game consoles and handhelds that have parental controls. This will enable you to limit the gaming content your children can access. Using parental controls will ensure that the children only play games that are appropriate to them.

7. Know your child’s nature and buy games that will nurture the child’s holistic growth. Games are known to have many benefits, us them to your advantage.

8. Know the games your kids play by reading their reviews online and joining gaming blogs and forum. Read game reviews and watch game trailers and demos.

9. Make time to interact with your children. Play games with them and teach them that gaming is not harmful if played right. Win their confidence so that they are open with you and share their fears and joys.

10. Take the kids to game expos and exhibitions. Learn all about the gaming world. Keep one step ahead at all times and your kids will be able to play games without any problems.

The World Wide Web is a great information highway that has information about all games new and old. Make use of the knowledge to monitor your children’s gaming world.



About The Author

Timothy Rudon is a writer for http://www.1888videogames.com/ , the premier website to find video games, video games play, free video games, online video games, free online video games, new video games, play online video games and many more.

Children's Creativity - Parents and teachers can and do have an effect on child's creativity. Creativity may be more influenced by environmental

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Keeping Your Kids Active - Keeping kids active today is becoming increasingly difficult. Most parents blame video and computer games for this, as well

Keeping Your Kids Active
by: Dave Roth

Keeping kids active today is becoming increasingly difficult. Most parents blame video and computer games for this, as well as the Internet in general. While those things have certainly contributed to a more sedentary lifestyle, it is really up to the parents to keep children active as much as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to stay active with them. Young children often play outside with others in the neighborhood, but there are some children that do not fit in with their peers, and there are also children that grow up in neighborhoods where there are no other children or where it is not safe to play outside without adults.

For these children, and for others that are not getting enough exercise, parents must work to keep them active. Taking them to the park is helpful, but after a while this ceases to be interesting, so parents must find other ways of ensuring that their children stay active. One way to do this is to have them take a class such as martial arts or ballet where they will get consistent exercise. If a parent can take the class with them, that is even better, but some classes are designed only for children. Naturally, a kid should not be forced to enroll in something that he or she will not enjoy, regardless of whether exercise is needed.

For children that do not want to enroll in this kind of structured activity, though, there are other options. Playing Frisbee or horseshoes or badminton with parents or other relatives can help a kid stay active, as can outdoor play with friends. This does not mean that a child should be forbidden to play video games or watch television. However, the time spent doing those things should be limited. This is especially true if the kid is not in a physical education class at school or if he or she makes no effort at all to get any kind of exercise. Children that stay active are less likely to be obese, and they often have fewer health problems as they get older, making staying active very important for them both now and in the future.



About The Author

Dave Roth runs a leading outdoor game and sports product site that sells horsehoes, volleyball, and cornhole gear, go to http://www.corntossmania.com/ right away.

Get more information regarding corn hole game

http://thebestshoppingblog.com/games-shopping/why-is-cornhole-popular-with-college-kids.html

Should you Limit Your Kids Time Playing Video Games?

Should you Limit Your Kids Time Playing Video Games?
by: Dave Roth

Whether to limit the time that a child plays video games is a question that almost every parent has battled over at least once and often many times. However, just because one parent has a specific opinion about it does not mean that another parent holds the same opinion. In other words, whether a parent should limit his or her childs time playing video games is a largely subjective, opinion question. There are, though, some signs that a parent should look for when trying to make a determination as to whether the time that his or her kid is spending on video games is too much.

If a kid who is playing video games is paying so much attention to them that his or her schoolwork is suffering, a parent might want to limit the video game time that child has. In addition, if relationships are suffering because of video games, this might also be another reason to limit the amount of time spent playing them. Video games are supposed to be for fun and enjoyment only. Unfortunately, they can actually become addictive. When someone is addicted to video games, the rest of that persons life suffers. He or she will generally not do well at all with school or work, and the relationships that have been built with others will be ignored, at least to some extent.

The person may also lose sleep, not eat well, and exhibit other behaviors consistent with focusing too much on video games and not enough on reality. This is, of course, very detrimental, especially for a child who is just developing habits. Because this is such a serious issue and can lead to many problems in the future, any parent who is concerned about how much time his or her kid is spending playing video games or any parent who sees a change in his or her child because of video game playing should limit the time each day that the child is allowed to play the video game.



About The Author

Dave Roth runs a leading outdoor game product site that sells bocce ball, volleyball, and cornhole gear, go to http://www.cornholegamecenter.com right away.

Get more information regarding corn hole game

http://todayslifeathome.com/buy-games/chicago-vs-ohio-cornhole-vs-bean-bags.html

Tips for Improving Communication with Your Kids - Are you content in the thought that your communication with your kids is spot on, or do you worry

Eight Tips for Improving Communication with Your Kids
by: Len Stauffenger


Are you content in the thought that your communication with your kids is spot on, or do you worry that you might be missing the mark? If your interface is overwrought with emotion, you might need these tips to gain a more peaceful relationship with your children. I experienced wonderful things with my daughters when I used these eight tips.

Be Your Word.

Everything you say to your children is a promise or an agreement. Do what you say you're going to do and you build trust. Trust carries you through when they're sixteen years old, driving around with their friends and you don't know what they're doing.

There was a recent article about the Florida football team which was about to go into the National Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Florida had a new coach named Urban Meyer. Everyone agreed he had turned the program around. Their season had dramatically improved, even though they essentially had the same talent and schedule. So what was the difference?

To a man, they all emphasize the fact that the new coach had built a greater sense of trust among the players and coaches. They discussed some of his techniques. There were things like practices at midnight and certain competitions he had dreamed up. The important point was he had created a high level of trust.

Your children will be tempted, and since you won't be there looking over their shoulder, you have to instill character in them. The first step in instilling character is that they see character in you. You are their role model.

Be 100% Responsible

Having integrity means being 100% responsible for everything in your life. It means giving up your reasons and your excuses. Every truly successful person I know lives their life as though they are 100% responsible for everything in their life.

At first blush, many people think this is ridiculous or unrealistic. Other people get the concept but they don't really live it. This may at first sound like a burden; in reality it's a freedom.

When you really get that you are 100% responsible for everything in your life, it's a tremendously freeing experience. It allows you to create your life. This idea isn't just some quotation you can read and pooh pooh. It's real. Think about it: if you're not responsible, if you don't have control over your own life, then you're just a victim and whatever makes you unhappy will always make you unhappy because you can't change it, get rid of it. I know you can see this truth.

Be Genuine

This means being straightforward in your communications and take what you get. This means don't use force or manipulation as a way of trying to get what you want. We know that we can't control other people. When you really understand that and accept it, you'll stop trying to manipulate or force others into achieving the results that you want. Force and manipulation will, at best, only get you a temporary result. Human beings always resist force and manipulation. Force and manipulation are really a product of fear.

When my children were young and they told their mom they wanted to live with Dad all the time, her response was to tell them that if they did that she would disown them. Obviously, I knew she wouldn't disown them and I told them that. But she got what she wanted temporarily. They went back to live with her for a month. But in short order, they realized Mom wasn't really going to leave them and then they moved into my house permanently.

Be Free

Learn to give up being right. How many times have we used that as justification for our actions?

When I say give up being right, I'm not saying forget about the concept of right and wrong. It's incredibly important to teach your children the difference between right and wrong. Giving up being right really relates to the whole idea of control. More specifically, it deals with the fact that you don't control anyone else. If you're having an argument with your ex or you're mad at them because you're right and they're wrong, this has nothing to do with making them right and you wrong. It has nothing to do with forgetting about right and wrong. It doesn't meant that you have to give in to the. I just means you aren't going to convince them that you're right. It just means, let it go. Again, think long term. Think what will be effective and what your kids are seeing as you interface with your ex.

Be Courageous

Always deal with issues with your children head-on. My daughters told me throughout high school that their friends were always amazed at all the things they could talk to me about. My daughters would tell me "My girlfriends are amazed about the things I tell you." Of course, I was forced into this because there was no mom around. The result is that my kids can talk to me about anything - sex, drugs, rock-n-roll. However, our goal here is to raise these children so they become productive and healthy young adults.

When you communicate clearly and openly with your children and develop trust they will come to you with the important issues in their life. Be their guide. You are their anchor. You want them talking to you, not their friends.

Be Peaceful

This comes back to being accepting about what you're really trying to achieve. Don't take the easy way out. Develop an early warning system. What are the things in your relationship with your children that irritate, aggravate or anger you? Think about what it is that really angers you.

Whatever you think it is, it really isn't that. Now you think I'm talking nonsense. Let me give you an example. When my daughters were in high school I used to get really aggravated when they would leave the bathroom a mess. Typically, they would spend hours in the bathroom, doing what girls do, so that they could leave and be beautiful and get to that party. They would make a half-hearted attempt to clean up the bathroom and boom, they were out the door. I'd go upstairs, take one look at the bathroom and become angry because the sink was a mess and the towels were just lying on the floor.

On its face, I was angry because they left the bathroom a mess. When I really analyzed it, I knew I was mad at myself because I was failing as a parent to modify their behavior. That's what I mean when I say, look at whatever it is that upsets you and whatever you think it is, it's not really that.

Be Powerful

Don't be cynical; be inspiring. Act in a way that they are touched and that you make a difference in their lives. A last work about complete ownership: I've repeatedly talked about being responsible in your life. Successful parents are responsible. Responsibility in this context is not a burden. It's not something you have to do, like pay the bills. It's not about fault or blame. It's not about guilt of shame. It's not about getting credit. It isn't all about your ability to understand things or to say if a thing is moral or ethical. It's not about what's good or bad.

Being responsible means being wiling to deal with a situation in your life from the view that you are the creator of your life and of what you do. No one makes you responsible and you don't make anyone else responsible. It's a gift you give yourself.

Pass this lesson on to your children. Teach them to be responsible for themselves. Again, not a burden - acknowledge that they determine the consequences of their lives.

Take Nothing Personally

In all of your relationships, in all of your communications, take nothing personally. Observe the world around you. Notice how often people get offended. Look for it. As an experiment, see how many times you can notice someone being offended in a single day. The more you observe it as an outsider, the more comical it becomes. People act like little kids.

Don't be like everyone else. Step back and be an observer. Watch how people interact with each other. You'll find it humorous. The more you observe it in other people, the more humorous it is, the funnier it becomes, and the more quickly you'll realize when you're doing it, you'll be able to stop.

If you want your children to turn out great, your success in parenting and your communication with your kids will both benefit from using these tips.



About The Author

Len Stauffenger's parents taught him life's simple wisdom. As a divorced dad, he wanted to share that simple wisdom with his girls. "Getting Over It: Wisdom for Divorced Parents," his book, is the solution. Len is an author, a Success Coach and an Attorney.

http://www.wisdomfordivorcedparents.com/

Academic Summer Camps - SuperCamp, the original Academic and Life Skills summer camp that launched in 1982 with 64 students is poised to enroll its 50

After 25 Years, Academic Summer Camps Now a Mainstream Choice for Many Parents
by: Jim Hartley

SuperCamp, the original Academic and Life Skills summer camp that launched in 1982 with 64 students is poised to enroll its 50,000th student in 2008.

SuperCamp, which broke new ground in the summer camp industry in 1982 with the first learning and life skills program for middle and high school students, is about to pass the 50,000 enrollment mark, reflecting both SuperCamp’s success and how more parents are turning to academic camps for summer enrichment.

When SuperCamp co-founder, Bobbi DePorter, held that first camp in Lake Tahoe 26 years ago, most parents wanted a traditional camp that would keep their children busy for a week or two during summer vacation.

“We were not interested in starting a summer babysitting service,” says DePorter. “Our goal from day one was to help make great kids greater. Over the years, as the pressure to excel in school and to get into the best colleges has increased, more and more parents have turned to SuperCamp to give their children every opportunity for success.”

SuperCamp remains unique in that it deals with the whole person, providing practical learning skills while developing the life skills of the teenage and pre-teen campers. The camp helps students get past barriers that hold them back by using metaphors such as board breaking and a ropes course, emphasizing positive peer support and carefully orchestrating many mini-successes for each camper.

As a result, most SuperCamp graduates return to their homes and schools empowered with a new sense of confidence, more motivated, and armed with an array of learning, study and test-taking skills. As one 2007 graduate says, “SuperCamp teaches great life skills and opens doors I didn’t even know had handles!”

Parents, aware of the fleeting value of traditional summer camps, see SuperCamp as an investment that pays lasting dividends. “SuperCamp was probably the single best investment we made in our daughter’s future,” stated Alice Keppler. “She feels so good about herself. Every time she remarks how her grades have improved, we remind her that this is a gift she gave to herself.”

SuperCamp offers four grade-specific programs for boys and girls from age 9 to 19, all the way up to a college boot camp for incoming college freshmen called Quantum U. The residential camps are held on eight college campuses in the U.S., including Stanford and Cornell, with the campers living in dorms for the duration of the 7- to 10-day camps.

SuperCamp has added a significant international presence over the years with programs now operating throughout Asia, in Latin America and in Europe. Additionally, over 30,000 teachers have been trained in the same Quantum Learning methods developed by Ms. DePorter and her associates for SuperCamp.

For more information on SuperCamp visit http://www.supercamp.com/.


About The Author

Jim Hartley works for Quantum Learning Network, a company that focuses on children and teen education and life skills.

http://www.qln.com/

Learn Communication Skills From Summer Camp - At Quantum Learning Network we use some powerful tools for achieving clear, constructive communication a

Teens Learn Communication Skills From Summer Camp
by: Jim Hartley

At Quantum Learning Network we use some powerful tools for achieving clear, constructive communication and teach these tools in all our academic summer camps, SuperCamp and Quantum U, and our many school programs. Communication is the key to positive, meaningful relationships in all areas of our lives—home, school, college, and career. Wherever we are in life, the ability to relate to others and communicate clearly gives us an added advantage.

One of our most useful communication tools is called Open the Front Door, or OTFD, which stands for Observation, Thought, Feeling, and Desire. This positive approach to communicating in uneasy situations opens a path for discussing disagreements, clearing up miscommunication, and creating solutions.

It's hard to communicate negative feelings without slipping into negative patterns such as laying blame, attacking, accusing, or insulting. But these approaches never accomplish anything positive. The only power they have is to damage, confuse, wound feelings, and inspire the other person to respond in a similar tone. But if we use a positive approach, even in a tense atmosphere, we have a chance to forge a bond of communication.

OTFD: Open the Front Door

OTFD is particularly good for communicating negative feelings, but it can be used in almost any situation, with almost anyone. This method communicates four vital pieces of information: Observation, Thought, Feeling, and Desire.

O - Observation is simply stating the facts of the situation, something you observed that anyone else could observe.

Example: I noticed that everyone left the meeting without helping to clean up and put the furniture back. (Not, I noticed you were inconsiderate.)

T - Thought is an opinion or thought about what you observed.

Example: I think that people are assuming I am responsible for cleaning up because I am the instructor.

F - Feeling is how you felt about what you observed.

Example: I feel frustrated because I have work to get back to just like everyone else.

D - Desire is what you want for the future.

Example: I would like us to take turns setting up and breaking down for the meetings.

Following these four steps tells the other person precisely what they need to know in order to understand the situation you're speaking about. Often, you’ll find when you finish communicating this way, the person you’re talking to will agree: “Yes, I see why you feel this way.” Compare this to what happens when you try to express an upset through blame, shame, judgment, or ridicule, and you’ll see the power in this tool.

SuperCamp summer programs fill up fast. Parents, go to http://www.SuperCamp.com now to learn about enrolling your son or daughter while space remains. Age-specific programs are available for students in grades 4-12 and incoming college freshmen. At the website, you also can get a free eBook that gives you an inside look at what works with teens from a world leader in youth achievement, SuperCamp co-founder Bobbi DePorter.



About The Author

Jim Hartley works for Quantum Learning Network, a company that focuses on children and teen education and life skills.

http://www.qln.com/

Summer Camp Tells Kids How To Keep Balance In Their Lives

Summer Camp Tells Kids How To Keep Balance In Their Lives
by: Jim Hartley

At SuperCamp, the learning and life skills summer camps for students in grades 4 through 12, kids learn about the 8 Keys of Excellence. SuperCamp co-founder, Bobbi DePorter, has lived the 8 Keys for more than 25 years. They are principles of behavior that inspire people to try great things—and succeed. These Keys have the power to constantly propel you forward and to help bring purpose, meaning and fulfillment to your life and your work.

The first key is balance – living a fulfilled life by aligning your mind, body and spirit. You create balance in your life by apportioning your time according to your highest priorities.

What are the things that are most important to you? Family, friends, health, a talent you have, a cause you care about? Spending time on the things that are important to you brings a sense of balance. Staying in balance is an ongoing process that is affected by the choices you make every day. It brings a feeling of quiet peace you might not even notice.

Balance is a subtle, quiet Key

Balance is subtle. You may not always recognize it when it’s there, but you’ll feel its absence. Imbalance clanks loudly, like an out-of-tune piano. When you’re out of balance, you know it.

Keeping your balance is about bringing your life into alignment, recognizing when some part of your life doesn’t reflect your priorities, and rearranging your life in a way that creates an ongoing sense of peace and fulfillment. When you’re able to make time for what matters in your life, your life will be in balance, you will feel fulfilled, and you won't be plagued with a nagging sensation that some aspect of life is passing you by.

When she was in the process of developing the 8 Keys, Bobbi first tried to bring balance to her life by devoting equal time and energy to all the important aspects of her life. She made a pie chart and devoted equal slices to work, home, family, friends, charitable organizations, and so forth, and then set about trying to apportion her time to match the chart.

No matter how hard she tried to do strike a balance in her life that way, no matter how close she got to that goal, something still felt out of whack. Eventually, she came to realize that it wasn’t a matter of rigidly devoting equal time to everything that mattered to her, but of prioritizing and then finding the allotment of time and energy that created the greatest sense of fulfillment. That’s balance.

How to know when you’re out of balance

You may not recognize that you’re out of balance unless you take the time to step back and look at your life from a different perspective. And remember that the times we’re most in need of a new perspective are often the times when it’s most difficult to take that break.

1. Take a time-out—especially when you think you can least afford it

Sometimes when you’re going too fast in one or more areas of your life, you just have to call a time-out, just like a basketball coach whose team seems out of sync. Take your time out to do something fun and relaxing and make sure it’s a long enough break that it gives you a chance to evaluate how you’re spending your time and if aspects of your life might be out of balance.

Balance has little to do with the amount of time you spend in any area of your life. When you’re focused and excited about something, you can spend mega hours at it and feel fulfilled and balanced. So, don’t worry about whether you’re spending too much time at something. The secret to balance lies not in an allotment of time but in an awareness of your priorities.

2. Check your priorities daily

When you’re driving a car, you’re making constant small corrections. You’re steering, adjusting the gas, and braking almost automatically, but you are paying attention and constantly making corrections to accommodate changing situations along your route. Keeping your life in balance requires the same kind of ongoing correction process. Balance is about choices. When you’re keeping yourself in balance you’re making a thousand internal corrections each day. You’re constantly asking yourself, What do I value? What’s really important? Does this activity really need to be done now?

No matter how good you become at it, you won’t be in balance every moment of every day. Tune in to the signals your mind, spirit, and body send that warn you when you’re slipping out of balance. Compensate sooner rather than later. The quicker you realign yourself, the smaller the “wobble” you’ll have to correct.

The balance that comes from fulfillment acts as a lens. It clears the view to your dream. Balance and the big picture are self-reinforcing energies. Stay balanced, and you’ll be able to keep the big picture in sight—stay focused on the big picture, and you’ll see clearly the choices that will keep your balance.

Fulfillment creates balance—and balance creates fulfillment. Make choices that are consistent with what makes you feel fulfilled.

Use this Balance affirmation often: I give to the things that are important to me the amount of time that creates the greatest sense of fulfillment.

"The antidote to exhaustion is wholeheartedness. It's the things you do

half-heartedly that really wear you out." —David Whyte

SuperCamp summer programs fill up fast. Parents, go to http://www.SuperCamp.com now to learn about enrolling your son or daughter while space remains. Age-specific programs are available for students in grades 4-12 and incoming college freshmen. At the website, you also can get a free eBook that gives you an inside look at what works with teens from a world leader in youth achievement, SuperCamp co-founder Bobbi DePorter.



About The Author

Jim Hartley works for Quantum Learning Network, a company that focuses on children and teen education and life skills.

http://www.qln.com

Where To Take Your Kids When They Say "Mom I'm Bored!"

Where To Take Your Kids When They Say "Mom I'm Bored!"
by: Megan Hazel

"Mom, I'm bored!"

How many times have you heard your ten year old exclaim this on a Saturday afternoon, only to follow you around while you tried to do laundry or iron or cook dinner? Children may expect you to be their entertainment committee, but there are things you can do to keep them entertained for hours without eating up your entire Saturday or Sunday afternoon in the process.

The roller rink is a perfect place to take your kids on a Saturday. Almost every town has a local rink, and it is good for many ages. For about $10.00 a child, skate rental money if they don't own their own, and perhaps some extra money for snacks or lunch, you can usually bet on a good three or four hours of entertainment. Many of the skating rinks have video games and a café as well, so if your child is done with skating he or she can still be entertained. If your child is young, a chaperone will obviously be needed, and perhaps you and a neighbor can take turns and alternate weekends. If he or she is of the age where "dropping off" is appropriate, there is usually an open skate complete with the music of the moment that your kids will surely enjoy. Of course, he or she is getting exercise along with having fun so you can rest easy that this is a positive activity all around.

Another good place, depending on the season and your locale, is your local commercial dairy farm. True, it is a bit different, but it can be packed full of things to do for children of all ages. For the little ones, a simple tour of the farm can be full of wonder and amazement. Usually all you need to do is ask and those in charge will be more than happy to show your little one around. He or she can see the cows up close and even pet them in their stalls. They may get a tour of the production facility if they are a bit older and it can hold their interest, which can take a good amount of time. Often there will be other animals on the farm, and both younger and older kids will enjoy visiting with the barnyard animals. If your child's boredom occurs during the warm spring or summer months, it may be strawberry season and you may be lucky enough to have a farm that honors the age-old tradition of strawberry picking! If it's October and pumpkin season, perhaps you will be able to find your next perfect jack-o-lantern with your kids or even take a haunted hayride if it's close enough to Halloween. A hayride might just be possible no matter the season, so it can't hurt to ask! Of course, before you leave the farm don't forget to get a taste of their sure-to-be-homemade ice cream. The tour guide will probably give a cone to your little ones for free. Again, this Saturday or Sunday treat will be an educational source of entertainment for your children and cost you almost nothing.

Almost every parent falls back on the movies or the mall, if their child is old enough, but what about getting them outside for some fresh air instead? Surely you can open your back door and let the kids play in the yard any day of the week, but if you physically take them to a playground it will be something different. Bring the dog, if you have one, and get the most ‘bang for your buck' - your dog will be worn out by the end of your visit, and the kids can help with the wearing-out process! Both your children and your pet will have the benefit of a new play yard, and there will likely be other children to join in the fun, or even other dogs. There is bound to be a swing set, sliding board and jungle gym. Even if you own these and have them in your own backyard, they will likely be different than your own and hence more entertaining for your youngsters. Bring a ball or your dog's favorite toy to play fetch, bring some snacks for the kids, and get out there and play with them yourself! If you are fortunate to share the park with a pond or lake, you may need to bring some bread and you can feed the ducks there as well. Just getting outdoors to the park really can be a good hour's worth of fun at the least.

Any of the above recommendations will force your child to stop the "I'm bored!" exclamation. By the time you get home from any one of the three, your little boy or girl will most likely be ready for a nap and you may too - so look forward to your relaxation.



About The Author

Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about childcare and parenting topics, similar to what consumers read in http://www.magazines.com/ncom/mag?mid=4780 Women's Day

The Terrible Twos - How to Stay Sane When Your Child Is Not

The Terrible Twos - How to Stay Sane When Your Child Is Not
by: Megan Hazel


If you have a little one who is anywhere between the ages of two and four, some days can seem like they last forty eight hours instead of twenty four. If you are the proud mother of a little girl this age, the only word in her vocabulary may be "No." If you try and counter her "no's" with "yes's", she may emit sounds so shrill your ears will bleed. If you are the proud mom of a little boy, his new habits may include coloring the dog with your lipstick or banging your favorite, and delicate, table with his toy trucks until they crack. How do you deal with this? One way of course is to leave the country and never return. There are, however, more reasonable ways in which to deal with your children's testing periods.

While you may not be able to move to China, you can remove yourself from the situation and help calm your frayed nerves. If your child is being rebellious or misbehaving, sometimes just stepping out of the room for a few moments, counting to ten, and taking some deep, calming breaths can make all the difference when you re-enter the room to deal with your misbehaving child. He or she may then start to associate your leaving the room with "Uh oh, Mommy is mad" rather than associate your screaming and yelling with being angry, which can only be detrimental. This may help calm the child enough that upon your return, he or she will be more receptive to your teaching him what behavior you didn't like. Since you will be calmer as well, the discipline will likely be more effective.

For a more long-term approach, taking some time for yourself and "getting away from it all" is a good bet to restore your sanity. Take a good block of time on a Saturday or Sunday, 2 hours, maybe, and mark this time in your calendar in pen, not pencil, as a recurring activity. Keep a standing appointment with yourself, and honor it as you would any other. Think you are too busy on a weekend to do this, between your toddler's play dates, errands, and your other family obligations? You will feel much more productive the rest of the weekend allowing yourself this little ‘refresher', rather than trying to cram some time in on a random Tuesday or other weeknight. Moreover, you will feel much more able to cope with your child's behavior. For this special "adult time-out" time, you can book a massage or a facial at your favorite spa. Take a couple of hours to go window shopping or visit a museum, by yourself or with a friend. Take in a movie with a couple of girlfriends. If your husband is willing to fly solo on a Saturday night, you can even steal away to your favorite local pub with the girls once in a while and let off some steam. If you don't have extra funds for these activities once a week, you can sneak yourself off to the tub with a good book, a bubble bath and a nice glass of wine and come out feeling ready to face the world and your terrible-two-year-old.

Getting involved with groups that highlight child behavior may also help you cope with issues that seem to rear their ugly heads again and again. Your child may be going through a developmental phase that has you frustrated to say the least. It can be comforting to have a support network or group of friends with similarly-aged children. Many of these groups are "Mommy and Me"-type groups that can be found in your community directory. If no such local groups exist in your area, you can always consult some educational reading material on child behavior and speak with your doctor if it is getting more and more difficult to control. Sometimes, just a different approach can give great results. For example, if you are used to taking away a privilege or a toy when your child acts up, perhaps you need another tactic. Calmly tell him or her why Mommy is upset with the actual behavior, and explain and speak as if he were older than his actual age. Your own child may surprise you!

On the flip side, sometimes just not reacting at all can be the best approach. Just like you are getting to know what makes your child tick, he is getting to know what makes you tick as well and will quickly learn how to push your buttons and command your attention. Rather than play into this, ignore his pushy requests and the negative behavior may just quietly go away.

The Terrible Twos are challenging, to say the least, but using some of these approaches can help you keep the loving bond between you and your child without you losing your mind in the process.



About The Author

Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about childcare and parenting topics, similar to what consumers read in http://www.magazines.com/ncom/mag?mid=3026 Oprah Magazine

Toys For Teaching Infants - When an infant reaches the age of three months, he begins to become playful. He starts playing with anything he sets his

Toys For Teaching Infants
by: Nathan Nunez

When an infant reaches the age of three months, he begins to become playful. He starts playing with anything he sets his eyes on. Anything that fits in his hand or has something that is able to be grabbed on it.

This is also the stage in a child’s life when he begins what is called “teething.” That means that the child is beginning to grow his first set of teeth in and he is anxious to give them a go, which means that anything that the child picks up goes straight into his mouth.

That is why it is important that the child is given toys that are appropriate for this stage. Anything that he picks up may contain pieces that come off easily when pulled. This could pose a danger for a small child, seeing as how they could choke easily on anything that enters their mouth.

That is why toys for their age have been created. Not only are these toys fun for children that age, but they are also educational. Infants are also in a stage where they are beginning to learn new things and specially designed infant toys aid in their learning of new things.

For babies who love to place everything in their mouth, there are all kinds of toys that are soft and squishy that can go in their mouth without posing any kind of threat to their health. They come in all shapes and sizes, but they all serve the same purpose. They are for infants who love to put things in their mouth. With these toys, your child can do that without any danger.

Another thing to consider is that children at this stage are always open to learn. Making sure they learn the right thing should be a priority.

One such toy is a device with several buttons that produce musical sounds when they are pushed. Several babies at this age enjoy hearing music. Depending on the kind they hear, they are relaxed by it. When they play with these buttons, they come out with their own unique “songs.” Who knows? Your child may become the next Beethoven or Mozart and this little device could help them in that process.

Another toy is another machine, but this one helps the child learn new words. These machines vary, seeing as how some teach words for animals, objects such as a lamp or book, or other words. These devices have been known to help children with new words and recognition of objects.

Infant toys such as these should be able to help babies in the first stages of their life. They are very open to learn anything and it is imperative that they learn the right things the right way. They may not know as much as adults do, but that means their mind is open to learn anything that comes their way. Thankfully, there are infant toys available to babies that help the, learn the basic things in their early life.



About The Author

Nathan Nunez is ready to answer your educational toys questions. For more tips and information about educational baby toys, please check out http://www.thekidstoystore.com/.

Choosing The Right Infant Toy For Your Child - Toys have been a perennial thing in each person’s life. Every individual passes the phase of having toy

Choosing The Right Infant Toy For Your Child
by: Rachel Nunez


Toys have been a perennial thing in each person’s life. Every individual passes the phase of having toys and enjoy playing with it. Toys need not to be expensive and complex, as long as the enjoyment is there then its fine having a simple one. There are also toys that are not bought; they can just be made from household things. Imagination and creativity is the key in making and creating a homemade toy.

But there are times when parents find the right toy for their infant. The toy should be soft so that the infant would not be harmed. Several toy makers are always coming up with new designs to cater to the infinite needs an infant has. But of course there are several factors that need to be considered before purchasing an infant toy.

First thing to consider is its size. The toy should not be small because the infant may swallow it thus making him choke. It should also be not that large so that the infant would not have a hard time in handling it.

Second thing that should be kept in mind is toy material. Is the toy made of plastic or cotton; or other substances that is used in making it? Individuals should see to it that the material used in making the toy would not be harmful to the health of the infant.

Thirdly, the toy’s color should also be thought of. Though children may not know what color they are seeing, it is best that they are exposed already to different colors. This exposure helps their mind develop that sense of color distinction at an early age.

Fourthly, the purpose of the infant toy should also be considered. Buying toys because of its functionality enables the infant to learn and discover new things with these. There are toys made to strengthen the grip of an infant and the like.

Fifth, look at the age group the toy is intended for. You wouldn’t buy a toy that says for ages three and up would you? Of course you want the toy to be right for the age of your child.

Sixth, asking and talking to other parents about the toys for their infants can also be helpful. Since their child is older than yours, perhaps they can share some ideas on what to toy to buy or give to your infant.

Making sure of the health and welfare of a child is always the priority of a parent. So in keeping the things stated, your infant will be ensured of having a safe yet enjoyable toy. The aforementioned tips are only a few of the many things that parents should consider in buying an infant toy. They can always do some more research and keep their options open until they find the most suitable toy for their child.

Toys are educational and at the same time enjoyable, it is up to you on which toys you think have both. Expensive toys does not necessarily mean a high quality toy, there are less expensive ones that have the same purpose. Infant toys should also be kept clean at all times since it is the nature of the infant to suck on things he grasps.



About The Author

Rachel Nunez is ready to answer your educational toys questions. For more tips and information about infant toys, please check out http://www.thekidstoystore.com/.

Preschool Educational Games For Maths, Easy As 1,2,3.

Preschool Educational Games For Maths, Easy As 1,2,3.
by: Victoria Welch

Preschool educational games for maths are so important, children learn more, and at a greater speed, during their preschool years than at any other time.

We need to show them the positive side of learning, that it is not Work, but Fun to learn.

Children love the magic and mystery of playing with numbers, they will delight as they begin to grasp number, and its fundamental meaning, but this is not something that will happen over night, it will take time and patients.

Singing number songs is a great start to introducing your child to numbers.

There are many number songs, and also many CDs and DVDs, that can help you if like me you are not a natural born singer. But it is the enthusiasm you put into the songs, which will have your child asking for more!

Children need to do hands on activities such as Sorting and Matching before they will understand that counting is actually referring to sets of items. We can encourage our children through a wide range of activities so that they can understand and enjoy learning maths. Some great games can include learning maths with shapes, ordering and sequencing and games for counting and recognising numbers up to 10.

Preschoolers naturally want to sort things by colour, shape, and size. When you are watching your child play, you will see this tendency in action, as they try and make sense of the world around them.

They naturally sort their cars by colour and their blocks by size. Watch a child with a handful of crayons and they will often separate the crayons into the different colours that they see.

You can use this need to sort things to make learning early math skills exciting for preschoolers.

Learning to distinguish between things is a major accomplishment for your little preschooler. Whenever possible, let your child help you sort things around the house.

In the kitchen you could sort the fruits and vegetables by colour or the spoons by size or when doing the laundry, sorting the socks by size and color.

Putting things in order or sequencing is a basic maths skill that some children will do naturally, they may put objects in a certain sequence based on size or arrange items of clothing in colour. Your child may arrange his cars in a line from the smallest to the largest.

Ordering can be a fun game, as children begin to think about the sequence of their day, and gain an understanding of the calendar and seasonal timetable.

You can make your own activity cards that your child can put in order, for example, pictures of your child getting out of bed, cleaning his teeth, having breakfast, going to nursery, having dinner, having a story read before going to bed and your child asleep.

Doing simple picture activities like this is a fun way for your child to look at his day, and also understand the order of the day.

Another great picture ordering activity is one of growing up. A picture of a baby, child, adult and an old lady. Talk to your child, about where they are in the order. Children love talking about themselves and this is a great way to talk to your child, and help them learn about ordering.

There are some fantastic learning games for preschoolers to help them learn about shapes, there are also plenty of free activities that you can do at home.

Simple craft play will help your preschooler learn shapes easily and naturally.

You could make small cards with colourful shapes on them, so that when you talk about shapes you can point to them and make comparisons with every day objects, such as round like a plate or square like a window. This will make your child see everyday objects in a new light and firmly place these fun ideas in their memory.

Another idea for a learning games for preschoolers would be, to make you own play dough, and ask your child if they can find shaped items around the house to use as cutters, perhaps using the shape cards, to help him remember what shape is what.

Whatever games you are playing remember to keep talking to your child about each shape, has the shape got corners?, how many sides has it got? so that he learns the important words and phrases to do with shapes.

Dont forget to do 3 dimensional shapes to!

Books that focus on shapes and color are a great way for your preschooler to learn.

A brilliant collection would be the Mr Men books, your child will gradually begin to recognise the shapes the more you read the books. Point to the shape and let your child trace their finger over the outlines. The more you show your child, the faster he will learn and understand the differences in both 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional shapes.

Of course play is the greatest way to learn, other learning games for preschoolers could be a simple Block Building game. Try building different shapes with the blocks and ask your child to find a block of the same shape.

Even tidying up gives you more opportunity to teach, instead of just putting things away try asking your child to pick up all the squares or all the triangles first. You can also do this with cardboard boxes from around the house, kitchen towel cylinder tubes, cereal boxes, or even make your own box!!

There are also many Shape Sorter Toys available that will teach your child all about shape and color, you can even get Shape Dominoes and Shape Bingo learning games for preschoolers.

Art is a brilliant way to teach your child about shapes, these painting and sticking games are great fun and help to reinforce your preschoolers creativity at the same time.

Have fun making houses, rockets or even a robot out of squares, circles, triangles and rectangles. Put your collages up on the wall and talk about the shapes you have used.

All children develop their numeracy skills at different speeds, so it is essential that each child is given the opportunity to develop at his or hers own speed.

Before your child learns to count they need to understand that one equals one item, two equals two items and so on. This is a difficult skill for your preschooler to learn, so have patients, and encouraging your child, will go along way.

You can help your child by doing a small daily activity.

Laying the table is a good idea, as it gets done every day, which is good practice for your child. You could do this in a play situation, do a teddy bear picnic, and let your child share out the sweets or cakes to each of their teddy bears.

Use very small numbers to start with and as your child gets his understanding of association number and quantity, start adding another one at a time.

As you count objects together touch each one. This helps children to understand that they are counting one thing at a time. A good way of doing this is at story time; The Three Bears is a good one to start, as it repeats up to three, many times. Then gradually as your child successfully does it by himself, give a more challenging book.

It is important to build your childs confidence so that he is not uncomfortable with numbers.

To help your child understand the order of number and number symbols, you could make your own number cards, with the number symbols on one side and the number of spots on the reverse.

Lay out the cards with the spots on up to five at first, and ask your child to put them in the correct order. When this is achieved you could make the game a little harder by taking one of the numbers out and see if your child can tell you what number is missing.

Educational toys games for preschoolers will make them a step ahead of the rest, with confidence in themselves and dealing with numbers.



About The Author

Victoria Welch

I have spent many years working with children of all ages, from nursery through to high school, and have also spent a lot of time with children with special needs.

During all my time working with children, one strong pattern began to emerge. Children who had experienced structured play with their parents and guardians seemed to have a strong bond, felt loved and appreciated.

Their carers also seemed to be benefiting and had an understanding of the child’s uniqueness, enjoyments and development needs.

Educational-Games-For-Kids.com was set up to drive this message home and help parents choose the right educational games and toys for their little ones.

http://www.education-games-for-kids.com

Educational Baby Games and Toys, Choose The Games That Make A Difference

Educational Baby Games and Toys, Choose The Games That Make A Difference
by: Victoria Welch

Educational Baby games and toys are so important, they stimulate your babies brain, creating interest and arousing curiosity for further development of their mind. Bright colours, moving objects, classical music and textured toys will all help to stimulate your baby, as he begins to discover his whole new world.

Baby educational games and toys will help your baby to learn about the world in a fun and safe way, they will have more fun with a toy if it’s stimulating to the sense of sight, hearing, touch, taste or smell than they would if it was just cute or pretty.

Educational Baby Games and Toys, Make Learning Fun!

Educational Baby games and toys are so important, they stimulate your babies brain, creating interest and arousing curiosity for further development of their mind.

When your baby is born their eyesight is blurry. In the first two months of their life they can only focus on objects eight to ten inches in front of him, so the first colours your baby sees are black, white and red. Lets make their environment exciting.

Education Baby games and toys should be bright. The brighter the better!

Bright colours, moving objects, classical music and textured toys will all help to stimulate your baby, as he begins to discover his whole new world.

Baby educational games and toys will help your baby to learn about the world in a fun and safe way, they will have more fun with a toy if it's stimulating to the sense of sight, hearing, touch, taste or smell than they would if it was just cute or pretty.

As your baby grows, you will want educational toys that help your child learn eye-hand coordination and develop their large and small motor-control skills, you will also need educational baby games and toys that stimulate social and language development, imagination, and creativity.

The first senses babies use to learn, are sight and sound.

When your baby is born their favourite sight is you, and they love to hear your voice. Now you can sing to your hearts content, they will love it.

So what else do baby need?

Not a lot, so don’t go over the top with toys, they don’t need it and neither does your bank account. It wont be long before they will want every toy and game there is, so be sensible while you can.

Interaction is your great fun learning game, seeing you, listening to you, giggling and laughing at you.

But you cannot be your child’s only entertainment system, you will need some time out!

So lets look at some other toys and games that your baby will love.

Up to eight weeks old your babies favourite sight and sounds are human faces and voices, they will also enjoy watching brightly coloured mobiles, wind-chimes and cot-toys, if clearly in view, they will focus best on hand held toys that are 8 inches from their face and will respond to soft music and being rocked gently.

At twelve weeks your baby can focus for longer on mobiles and cot-toys, they will also be able to see them at a greater distance. He will show a preference for bright colours and look at them for longer, but he will still have more interest in human faces and large pictures of faces, he will also enjoy wrist rattles, musical toys and squeaky toys.

From three to six months he will start to grasp a toy that is placed in his hand, and will begin to reach for toys. Your babies favourite early toys will be lightweight rattles and colourful teething rings, he will have learned to use both hands and will start to play with foam bricks, soft balls, cuddly soft toys or grip-toys with an internal squeak.

He will love floor activities up to the age of nine months, large bright activity quilts are a good idea, as is a activity centres. He will also love colourful toys with interesting designs and textures to study during quiet play, and of course, noisy toys for rattling and banging will have them enjoying and laughing.

Their first books should be brightly illustrated and made from "Chew Proof" card or Textured Fabrics, push and pull along toys will encourage walking and be a great aid for balancing.

Learning to walk is a fabulous time for your baby, but can be testing on you, as they will be everywhere, and while trying out their newfound skill, there will be bumps, cries and tears, and some of those will be yours.

The average ages for walking is between nine and thirteen months, but remember, this is only guideline so don’t be concerned if they are not quite on the move yet.

The timing is determined by your baby’s muscle strength, his ability to balance and most importantly, his personality, his motivation and confidence.

The weight of your baby may also play a part; a heavier baby will take longer to get up on their feet.

Give plenty of praise when he starts walking, they need encouragement just like we do, but don’t try to rush him along if he’s not quite ready, if he is pushed to quickly he may go back to crawling until he feels ready to give it another go.

Walking Aids come in many shapes and sizes, from simple baby learning toys such as Building Block Trolleys to Walkers that develop from simple aids to ride on toys, as you toddlers skills develop.

Baby ride on toys, are great for developing and strengthening the muscles in his legs and arms, the best one of all, has to be The Rocking Horse. This is excellent for learning to keep their balance and start their pretend play, there are others such as sea-saw and trikes, but you cant beat the classics.

This form of play benefits all toddlers. It improves mood, appetite and quality of sleep and brings better general health, it also develops their muscles, increases their strength and agility, and improves their co-ordination,

Just a quick note about the First Pair of Shoes

While your baby is still crawling, shoes are largely there for decoration, although its important that they are not too small.

When children start to walk, they often curl their toes, so it's better for children to go barefoot or wear socks for as long as possible. The bones in a child’s feet are very soft and can easily be damage, which can lead to posture problems.

Wait until your child is walking unaided, and ready to walk outside, before buying his first pair of shoes and please get his feet measured by someone who is properly qualified.

But it is not just baby games that your baby will need, he will also enjoy physical contact and will enjoy being massaged, and this will help relax your baby, keep his joints flexible and encourage muscle coordination.

Massage will also give you confidence in handling your baby and help you get to know him.

Ask your doctor about massaging your baby, it is important to get the right information before you start.

Food is a brilliant way for children to learn it stimulates your baby’s sense of taste and smell by allowing him a wide variety of tastes and textures, it is important to allow your baby to experiment and see how your baby reacts to different foods and varying taste.

Eating food with his hands is natural and beneficial, and should be encourage.

So many children come to fear food by having to eat everything on the plate, others become fussy eaters through not being taught to experiment with food.

Most importantly remember that you are your baby’s super hero; he looks up to you for the best start in life and what you do and how you react in his environment, will be reflected in him, he will follow in your footsteps.

You can make a difference

Your baby will grow more now, in the first year of his or her little life than at any other time, both physically and mentally.



About The Author

Victoria Welch

I have spent many years working with children of all ages, from nursery through to high school, and have also spent a lot of time with children with special needs.

During all my time working with children, one strong pattern began to emerge. Children who had experienced structured play with their parents and guardians seemed to have a strong bond, felt loved and appreciated.

Their carers also seemed to be benefiting and had an understanding of the child’s uniqueness, enjoyments and development needs.

Educational-Games-For-Kids.com was set up to drive this message home and help parents choose the right educational games and toys for their little ones.

http://www.education-games-for-kids.com

Potty Training-A Simple 4 Step Formula for Initiating Toilet Training

Potty Training-A Simple 4 Step Formula for Initiating Toilet Training
by: Elena Neitlich

Potty Training-A Simple 4 Step Formula for Initiating Toilet Training.

“I’m so done with diapers!” groans a mother as she looks at the high price tag on the jumbo pack of diapers. “Is it time for my child to start potty training?”

Potty training is a big milestone for children. But how do parents know when to start? Intuition, expectations, common sense and observation play key roles in initiating potty training.

Step #1-Create a Parent/Child Team

Potty training is a combined effort between parent and child. Some parents may assume that they are in charge, while other parents place the child at the helm. In actuality, potty training is a partnership. Parents provide support, potty training tools, books, and dry clothing; children do the “going.”

Grasping the concept that potty training is a team effort between parent and child, and not a command and control situation, is critical to success. Strict, impatient pursuit of the goal puts undo pressure on the child, resulting in stress, anxiety and in some cases delayed potty training.

Step#2-Starting early doesn’t ensure quick results

In depth research on intensive potty training has proven that initiating the process early is in fact correlated to extended duration of potty training. Those parents who start training prematurely find that the potty training process lasts longer.

Children must develop bladder and muscle control before they are able to control toileting. Parents may adhere to this rough timeline of readiness: 15-18 months the child senses that his or her clothes are wet; 18 months the child may urinate on the potty if placed on it; 2- 2 1/2 years the child might alert the parent that he has to go; and 3-4 years the child may have the ability to “hold it” and visit the bathroom alone.

Step#3-Determine readiness by child’s development

When deciding to begin the potty training process, chronological age may not be the correct indicator for readiness. The parent should look for signs that the child is developmentally ready. This is especially true for babies who were born prematurely and children who are developmentally delayed.

Some good signs of readiness are: child can sit and walk well, child can stay dry for 2 hours or more, child is interested in doing what big kids or grownups do, child is able to follow and execute simple instructions, and child seems to understand what the potty is for and uses words relating to using the toilet.

Parents should assess the temperament of the child. Important questions to ask are: is the child able to focus, what is her attention span, does the child frustrate easily, is the child easily angered or discouraged.

For most children potty training occurs between 2 and 3 years, with the majority of children potty trained by 4.

Step#4-Go on now, go!

Today is the day! Parents should make sure that the child is in good health, and that the household is calm with no impending turmoil such as a move coming up, a new baby being brought home, or a parent going away on a trip.

Dress the child in easy to remove clothing like sweat pants with an elastic waist. Snaps, buttons and zippers are difficult for little hands and time consuming to manipulate when the urge arises. To reduce the pressure on the child, allow him to stay in diapers during the early days of potty training. Gradually transition him into underwear for short amounts of time as his dry times become more and more extended.

After a meal, nap, or when coming in from outdoors are good times to encourage the child to hop on the potty. Parents should be on the look out for indicators of when the child may have the urge to go.

Accompany the child to the potty and stay with him. The visit to the bathroom should be short and sweet; five minutes is plenty of time. Offer reading material, or use a fun potty training tool or toy to make the five minutes engaging. Important: if the child wants to get off of the potty before five minutes, don’t force him to stay.

Praise, praise, praise! Little milestones deserve lots of hugs and kisses. It is really something for a little tyke to hop on the potty by herself, pull up her own pants, or make it into the bathroom (even if only to be a little late.) Be kind, patient, sensitive and proud. Don’t scold the child for having accidents, ever.



About The Author

Elena Neitlich is owner of Moms On Edge at http://www.momsonedge.com. If you are ready to initiate potty training or need a little motivational parenting tool to guide your child, try her ingenious Potty Training Targets. When you're tired of battling with time outs, tricky bedtimes, sharing, and other behavioral issues, find clever parenting tools and products proven to quickly help solve the most common parenting challenges in creative, fun ways.

Gender Selection - Frogs & Snails or Sugar & Spice?

Gender Selection - Frogs & Snails or Sugar & Spice?
by: Julie Gardner

Will gender selection be the new isle in the supermarket, geared towards people who need to have a baby of certain sex?

In today's society, where we have a choice in everything major in our lives, from where we are going to give birth to our babies, to pre planning our own funeral. Is it right that we can determine the sex of a baby before it's even conceived?

Apparently so... Gone are the days when a fourth little girl would cause disappointment to the father. Gone are the days of fingers crossed and hope for a boy.

It's all out there for us if we care to look. Gender selection products and methods are easily available, so we can have a baby to fit into our preplanned lifestyles.

Baby sex selection methods can range from the 'very expensive' to 'the very cheap'. Microsort & PGD weigh in at the top end of the scale, and have approximately 80% chance of giving you what you want. But could you imagine paying thousands of pounds for a bouncing baby boy, and being in the 20% that end up with a little girl.

That's right, around twenty percent of people will spend lots of their hard earned money, and still not get what they wanted!

So onto those cheaper gender selection methods, and even a couple of free tips!

Whether you are purely desperate enough to try anything, or just trying it for the fun of the whole experience - with a little bit of "how great would it be if it really worked!" Here a few theories (based on the Shettles method) to think about.

* Alter your diet. This is supposed to work by altering the PH balance in your body, making cervical mucus more hospitable to either male or female sperm (whichever is your choice)
* Douching, making either alkaline or acidic douches to alter your cervical mucus, again favouring either the male or the female sperm.
* Timing of sex (no not with a stopwatch!) But the timing of when you have sex. A few days before ovulation will favour a girl. A few hours before ovulation to a few hours after, a boy.
* Sexual positions, the theory that certain positions can control the depth of penetration and exactly where the sperm is deposited. Because male sperm are more aggressive and swim faster than female sperm, which are more alike to ' Slow and steady wins the race'. It can make a difference to the gender outcome, with how close those sperm end up to the cervix.
* And for the Dad to be, a nice cup of coffee before intercourse will give those male sperm an adrenalin fix!

And the free tips? - For a girl

Remember these are just for fun

* Make love on even numbered days.
* Make love when it's a full moon * Initiate the lovemaking (dominant women are more likely to have a baby girl)

For a boy

* Make love on the odd numbered days.
* Let the man climax first (Is there an option!)
* Let the man initiate the lovemaking and you are more likely to conceive a boy.

If you would like to see these methods in more detail then visit me, Julie at http://www.new-baby-and-beyond.com/shettles-method.html

(C) 2008 All rights reserved


About The Author

Article by Julie Gardner, Mother of 2 gorgeous but very demanding children! After trying for 3 years to get pregnant with my first child, I picked up a few tips. Helping my friends with their pregnancy and baby problems, started to come second nature to me. So I decided to make my own site about parenting, and hopefully help others too.

Grab a cuppa and take a look around my site, dedicated to all the mothers of the world, new and not so new! Motherhood is a joyous occasion, make it the best time in your life!

http://www.new-baby-and-beyond.com/index.html

Baby Gender Selection - How To Get The Child Of Your Dreams!

Baby Gender Selection - How To Get The Child Of Your Dreams!
by: Julie Gardner

Wouldn't it be great if gender selection was a 'little button' somewhere on your body, that you could press to choose the sex of your baby!

Press once for a boy, twice for girl.

If only life where that simple.

People from all corners of the world are desperate for a baby of a certain sex, and for numerous different reasons. A boy to carry on the family name, a girl to be Daddy's little angel. Baby sex selection would be a dream come true for a lot of people

I have a few friends who have 3 or 4 children all of the same sex. When asked if they are having any more, the answer is always "If someone could guarantee me a boy, I would. I just so want to give my husband a little boy to play football with" or "If there was a way I could definitely get a little girl, I would be all for it, but with 3 boys... I just wouldn't take the risk of another!"

I am one of lucky ones, I have a boy and a girl, one of each, most people tell me how blessed I am. And I do feel blessed, not to mention guilty sometimes when I see my friend walking in the street with her 3 little girls.

Years ago people just popped babies out and didn't really mind if they were boys or girls. IF they really wanted one or the other, they would just keep having babies until they got what they wanted.

These days things are very different. The average family with it's 2.4 children, just can't afford to keep adding more kids to the itinerary until they get exactly what they want.

So in today's society there must be things that you can do, after all it's a world of freedom and choice.

Well there are things that you can do, but they don't come cheap! It all depends on what lengths you are willing to go to, to add that much wanted child of a certain gender to your family.

Gender Selection - The Expensive Method!

Now if you have a couple of thousand pounds lying handy (which I'm sure not many of us have these days!) There's a procedure called 'Microsort' This gender selection method sorts out the sperm, male and female. Now that sounds fairly easy, the next bit is the hard bit.

You will then have to undergo IVF (inVitro fertilization) or IUI (intrauterine insemination) With IVF your eggs will be harvested and mixed with either male or female sperm. If the sperm goes on to fertilize the egg, you will then have the sex selection embryo implanted into your uterus.

With IUI the sperm will be deposited into your uterus by artificial ways. This is a lot less invasive for the woman, and can also work out cheaper.

The problem with the above procedures is that neither one can guarantee you a baby! On the other hand, if you do get pregnant from these gender selection procedures, the chance of you having the gender of your choice is a lot more promising. At around 90% success rate with a girl, and 80% success rates for boys, you would be well on your way to the baby of your dreams.

As baby sex selection becomes more widely available, will planning to have a baby also include planning its gender too?

For more information on gender selection, including some none expensive methods, visit: http://www.new-baby-and-beyond.com/natural-gender-selection.html



About The Author

Julie Gardner

I'm Julie, mum of two beautiful but demanding kids. Raising children has given me an insight and a lot of great tips into every aspect of childcare. I'm hoping to share my experiences with you, and help you to enjoy your children as much as I enjoy mine.

You can join me at http://www.new-baby-and-beyond.com/ Make yourself a coffee and browse around, and hopefully gain some insights into the world of conception, babies and beyond.

(C) 2008 - All rights reserved.

Mistakes Parents Make when Dealing with Separation Anxiety

Top Three Mistakes Parents Make when Dealing with Separation Anxiety
by: Elena Neitlich


Saying goodbye is one of the most difficult tasks that people learn in life. Learning to handle separation is an emotionally difficult task that begins in infancy. Too often, parents and caregivers mishandle the child’s transition between them, and the child is left feeling scared and abandoned. “Maybe mommy isn’t ever coming back.”

Failing to provide the necessary support that children need, to separate well, may have a negative effect on the child’s future relationships. The parent’s own feelings of anxiety and sadness, or on the opposite end of the spectrum, insensitivity to the child’s emotions, can have a profound effect on a child’s level of separation anxiety.

If separating is handled with sensitivity, children develop confidence and independence and feel secure when left in the hands of a loving and competent caregiver.

Mistake #1-Ignore the child’s fears-Many parents think that ignoring a child’s anxiety, anger, stress and fear makes separating easier. Mom or dad might believe that springing the separation on the child and sneaking out, like ripping off a band-aid, won’t give the child time to get worked up, tearful and upset. Other parents may not be sensitive to the fact that separating is a big deal, “Why is he so upset, I am just running out for an hour.” Don’t tell the child his or her feelings are insignificant.

Solution: Explain to the child calmly, clearly and briefly, what he or she should expect. Use the same ritual before each separation. For example: enter the room, hang the child’s coat, put the snack away, take out a loved toy, give a big hug and kiss, etc. Do not sneak out or use a distraction to duck out of the room. In new situations, parents should allot adequate time to hang around while the child becomes acclimated to his new surroundings. The parent should reassure the child that mommy/daddy is coming back soon and should expect the child to feel some distress. Separating is tough.

Mistake #2-Emphasize the fun and excitement of the activity-Disregarding that the child is feeling frightened, and instead focusing on how much fun she is going to have, does not ease separation fears. The child may be confused and not understand why she is being left and wondering if mommy or daddy will ever return. While upset the child is not able to focus on the fun things in store for her while mom is away.

Solution: Short absences initially (30-90 minutes) are easier for children. Ensure that the child understands what is happening by using the same description of the situation before each separation. “Mommy is going to have her teeth cleaned, remember we passed the dentist’s office on the drive over here? I will be back shortly to pick you up and then we will go to the park and have our lunch. I know that you feel a little afraid because this is a new place to play and I am leaving. Miss Melanie is really kind and happy to play with you, I like her very much. I love you and I am coming back to pick you up as soon as my teeth are shiny.” Explaining what to expect gives the child a sense of control.

Mistake #3-Neglecting to give the reunion its proper consideration-“Grab your coat, let’s get in the car, we are late!”…is not a proper hello after being separated from a child. Having a conversation with the caregiver before acknowledging the child, is also a mistake.

Solution: Handling the reunion between parent and child with sensitivity is just as important as the goodbye. The child is relieved that the parent has returned as promised. Develop a warm and loving routine used for returns. Positive relationship development relies on reuniting with joy and happiness. Using a special routine honors the loving bond between parent and child.



About The Author

Elena Neitlich is owner of Moms On Edge at http://www.momsonedge.com/. When you're tired of battling with potty training, bedtime and other behavioral issues, find clever parenting tools and products proven to quickly help solve the most common parenting challenges in creative, fun ways.

Parenting Tips to Help You Assertively Participate in Your Child's IEP

Special Education: 6 Parenting Tips to Help You Assertively Participate in Your Child's IEP
by: JoAnn Collins

Are you the parent of a child with a disability in special education, who would like parenting tips on how to be an equal participant in your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) development? Are you afraid to give your opinion because you are not a professional? Then this article is for you; learn six easy to use tips that will help you assertively participate in the process for the good of your child.

Tip 1: Ask a lot of questions. The process can be overwhelming; The IEP meeting usually has 5-10 disability educators plus the parents. Ask questions whenever you need to, so that you can understand what is being said by school personnel.

Tip 2: Ask the disability educator to slow down, and explain something that you do not understand. Sometimes school personnel speak very fast, and do not stop to explain what they are talking about. This is especially true, when they are giving parents results of a psychological evaluation. You should ask them to show you the results of the tests and explain what the scores mean.

Tip 3: Bring a written list of items that you would like to discuss at the meeting; it can be hand written or typed. Check off each item as it is discussed. Leave space at the bottom of the list to handwrite any new issues that come up at the meeting.

Tip 4: Consider bringing a parent input statement to your child’s IEP meeting. A parent input statement is a one page document that states what you believe your child’s needs are, and what special education services your child needs. It should be typed, if possible, and ask that it be attached to your child’s IEP.

Tip 5: Use the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to support your position. Peter and Pam Wright have written several books including Special Education Law; second addition. This book is easy to read, and use as a reference at any school meetings.The book can be purchased at http://www.wrightslaw.com/.

Tip 6: Read the IEP document before you leave the meeting. What was said at the meeting is not important, what is important is what is written in the document. Make sure that any important discussions about your child are included in the meeting notes, and that all educational services promised are listed.

With these 6 tips, you are well on your way to learning to assertively participate in your child’s IEP meeting. You know your child better than school personnel, so you have a lot of valuable information to share with the team. Good luck in your advocacy journey!



About The Author

JoAnn Collins is the parent of two adults with disabilities, has been an educational advocate for over 15 years, an author, as well as a speaker. JoAnn teaches parents advocacy skills to overcome disability educator’s deceptions, and help their child receive an appropriate education. The recently released book: Disability Deception; Lies Disability Educators Tell and How Parents Can Beat Them at Their Own Game helps parents develop advocacy skills to be an assertive and persistent advocate for their child. For a free E newsletter entitled "The Special Education Spotlight"send an E mail to JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com. Check out her Web Site at: http://www.disabilitydeception.com/. Can be reached at 815-932-9263

JoAnn Collins Copyright 2008

The Five Senses Of Bonding With Your Baby - I didn’t fully comprehend the need - or the satisfaction that came with it - to bond with my child until

The Five Senses Of Bonding With Your Baby
by: Lynn Powers

I didn’t fully comprehend the need - or the satisfaction that came with it - to bond with my child until he was born and I held him for the very first time. But although the bonding began that day in the delivery room, it didn’t end there.

The parent-baby bonding process takes time. But that process will probably be one of the most rewarding times your life. The moments when your baby stops crying when he sees you walk around the corner, smiles at you for the first time, and falls asleep contentedly on your shoulder are priceless. They are all indications that your baby feels safe and loved in your presence.

They are all signs that you have bonded.

In those precious first weeks of life, your baby responds to you using all five of her senses. Here are some ways to engage her in each one and ensure the emotional attachment you create with your child is healthy –and rewarding – for you both.

1. SOUND – Your baby has been hearing you speak for months before he was born. Chances are he already recognizes the sound and tone of your voice. By speaking gently to your baby or singing lullaby’s to him, even when you are out of his range of sight, you are letting him know you are there. He trusts your voice and every time he hears you, it bonds you to him. And it won’t be long before he talks back.

2. TOUCH – There is little that soothes a baby more than when you pick her up and hold her close. The security she feels increases each time you respond when she cries, rock her to sleep, or let her curl her hand around your finger. Also, research indicates there are many benefits to nurturing your baby with infant massage. This can also be a wonderful time of bonding with your baby. Check into local classes or conduct online research regarding the techniques of infant massage.

3. SIGHT – Is there anything that can compare with the moment when your baby locks his eyes with yours and breaks into a smile? Focusing your gaze on your child sends the message that he has your full attention which is essential for creating a bond with your child. He needs to know he is the center of your world and maintaining eye contact tells him that he is, indeed.

4. TASTE – Of course, breastfeeding is the way your baby will bond through taste. Your milk has a distinct taste that she immediately becomes accustomed to because that taste also is her primary source of nutrition. But even if you don’t breastfeed your baby, the formula you use will become the tasting bond for you and your child. While it’s true that anyone is able to feed a non-breastfed baby, when combined with the other four senses, your child will feel especially secure when you’re the one holding the bottle.

5. SMELL – We all have a unique scent to our bodies and it doesn’t take long for your baby to know yours. It is especially important not to wear perfumes around your baby that might turn him off to you or cause you to be more unrecognizable to him. Clean and fresh is better and promotes a more familiar - and gentler - atmosphere for your baby.

The opportunity to bond with your newborn lasts only for a time and then is gone, forever. Whatever you do, make the most of each moment and savor the special time you have together.



About The Author
Lynn Powers

Access Thousands of Christian Articles, Christian Poems, and Christian Stories at http://faithreaders.com/: http://www.faithreaders.com/. Discuss all Christian topics at Best Christian Forums: http://www.bestchristianforums.com/.

Do You Have An Incredible Kid? - What parent doesn’t think his or her children are absolutely incredible? I know I do! The Bible tells us in Psalm 37

Do You Have An Incredible Kid?
by: Lynn Powers


What parent doesn’t think his or her children are absolutely incredible? I know I do! The Bible tells us in Psalm 37:26 that children are a blessing. And now there is a day to celebrate our kids!

The third Thursday in March is set aside for Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. Campfire USA created this special day to show kids that they are loved and cared for. If you’re a parent, they encourage you to write a letter to your kids today. If you don’t have children of your own, any incredible kid will do!

So a letter is a great idea. But what are some other things you can do to show your child that he or she is exceptionally special?

• Tell him! Don’t like to write? Then just say it! To a child, nothing can quite compare to hearing Mom or Dad say he’s wonderful. Watch your kid’s face light up and heart swell when you brag on him and tell him what an awesome kid he is.

• Advertise. Call your local newspaper and run a classified ad, “just because.” Tell thousands of readers just why your child is the most incredible kid in the world. Be sure to cut out the ad, laminate and enlarge it. Wrap it up along with a copy of that day’s paper. Place it on her mirror or frame it and place it in front of her plate at dinner.

• Send an E-Card. If your child spends a lot of time on the computer and has his own e-mail address, send him one or more e-cards, telling him how much he means to you. There are plenty of sites offering free e-cards, including http://www.123greetings.com and http://www.free-e-cards-online.com which offer several cards to choose from. You’re sure to find one with the message you want to deliver.

• Turn on the Radio. Does she have a favorite radio station? How about calling to request a dedication of a particular song she loves? Or choose a song yourself that speaks of a parent’s love for their child (Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle, Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman and You are the Sunshine of my Life by Stevie Wonder are just a few that come to mind.) Just be sure you’ll be in a place where you can turn the radio on so she’ll hear your dedication.

• Do his chores. If it’s your son’s job to set the table or take out the trash on Thursdays, do it for him. The fact that not only does he get a day off from his chores but that you’re doing the work for him speaks volumes of love and appreciation to your child.

• What’s for Dinner? Whether hot dogs, pizza, macaroni and cheese or a trip to McDonalds, let your kid choose what to eat for dinner. Throw in a yummy ice cream sundae for dessert. They’ll not only have incredibly full tummies, but also incredibly full hearts.

• Open the Bible. Refer to various Bible stories that tell about God using kids to accomplish His purpose. (David, Samuel, the boy with the five loaves of bread and two fish…). Remind your child that God wonderfully and beautifully created her and that He has an incredible plan for her life.

Of course, kids should be told they are special every day – not just one day of the year. However, use this day to begin the habit of demonstrating just how important your child is. To you, to the world, and to God.

If only every child could fully grasp just how magnificent they truly are.

Now that would be incredible!



About The Author

Lynn Powers

Access Thousands of Christian Articles, Christian Poems, and Christian Stories at http://faithreaders.com/: http://www.faithreaders.com/. Discuss all Christian topics at Best Christian Forums: http://www.bestchristianforums.com/.

Daddy-daughter Dating - Whether you realize it or not, you alone are the greatest factor in determining what type of man your daughter ends up

Daddy-daughter Dating
by: Lynn Powers


Whether you realize it or not, you alone are the greatest factor in determining what type of man your daughter ends up marrying. Quite likely, she will choose someone just like you. Or, if not a man exactly like you, one with very similar tendencies and characteristics. Scary thought, isn’t it?

You have your daughter’s best interests at heart, right? You want her Prince Charming to come along (many, many years down the road!), sweep her off her feet and treat her like the princess she is. Assuming that you want that fairy tale ending for your little girl, it’s at least partly up to you to see to it that she starts getting the royal treatment at an early age. Let her know that settling for anything less is just plain unacceptable.

A great way to do that is to date your daughter. Set aside specific date nights (or mornings or afternoons) to spend with her and only her. Because girls usually love extra little things that make them feel special, perhaps you’ll want to even give her a personalized invitation. You might decide to reveal all the details of where you’re planning to take her on your date. Or call it a “Mystery Date,” heightening her anticipation even more. If the date is a mystery, however, you might tell her to how to dress – should she wear her fanciest dress or will jeans do?

The most important thing isn’t what you do, or where you go, but that you’re spending some one-on-one time with your baby girl (and no matter how old she is, she’s still your baby).

Not sure where to start? Need some daddy-daughter date ideas? Here are a few to get you started:

Ages 3-8: Your little girl is starting to crave her daddy’s attention so anything you choose to do on these “dates” will probably make you a hero in her eyes. At this age, you’ll want to keep it simple. Fast food restaurants with play equipment (McDonalds) may be okay, but be sure to set aside some time for eating and chatting, first.

Other options:

• Swimming at a local public pool, followed by pizza.

• A picnic in the park and a nature walk or a few pushes on the swings.

• Toss her bike in the back of the van and head to an empty parking lot – this is the perfect spot to practice without those training wheels.

• Pitch a tent in your own backyard and play Barbies for a couple hours.

• Send the rest of the family away and set your kitchen table with chocolate chip cookies and china cups of Kool-Aid. Invite her dolls to dine with you.

Ages 9-13: This is the age when your daughter is beginning to notice boy / girl “roles” in relationships. Make a point of opening doors, pulling out her chair, lavishing on the compliments, and showing her the proper way to treat a lady. If money allows, this would be the perfect time to give your daughter her first taste of fine dining.

Other options:

• Take her to the mall and let her model a few outfits for you. Then let her choose her favorite.

• Sports aren’t just for boys! Take your daughter to a local or professional baseball or basketball game, or any sporting event she might enjoy.

• Dust off your ball and shoes and head to the bowling alley. You might want to ask for bumpers if it’s been a while. This is for your benefit, as it probably wouldn’t look good if you got beat by your ten year old!

• Get tickets to her favorite concert (Miley Cyrus would likely be a hit!). Yes, it might be torture for you, but I’m willing to bet it would go down in history as one of her best dates ever!

Ages 14+: Now that she’s a teenager, give her the opportunity to decide what to do on your dates. It may be a dinner and a movie, a Christian rock concert, a local theater production, or just taking a drive out to the beach once she gets that learner’s permit.

Keep in mind that she may go through a period where dating her dad seems so, I don’t know…. “ew.” While you don’t want to force her to continue with these one-on-one dates, don’t ever stop asking. Chances are she’ll soon come to miss her time with you and realize you’re not so “ew” after all.

Again, the important thing is not what you do but that you’re taking the time to get to know your daughter. And hopefully, when she does choose that special someone on day, she’ll be proud to say he’s just like you.

Some excellent resources:

• What a Daughter Needs From Her Dad (How a man prepares his daughter for life) by Michael Farris

• Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker, M.D.

• The Dads and Daughters Togetherness Guide: 54 fun activities to help build a great relationship By Joe Kelly



About The Author

Lynn Powers

Access Thousands of Christian Articles, Christian Poems, and Christian Stories at http://faithreaders.com/ http://www.faithreaders.com/. Discuss all Christian topics at Best Christian Forums http://www.bestchristianforums.com/.