By Noah B Brown

There are more and more episodes of bullying being reported on the news today. This is becoming a severe problem in our country. Sure, bullies have always been around but with the technology that kids are exposed to now, the bullying can be nonstop. Follow these parenting advice so you can recognize the child behavior signs associated with bullying.

Watch for Withdrawal

One of the earliest child behavior signs that bullied children exhibit is withdrawal. Even young children start to close themselves away in their bedrooms and avoid contact with everyone, including family members. Bullying makes a child feel isolated and alone and the emotional trauma causes them to retreat and isolate themselves further. Most tips for parents suggest that if this child behavior is allowed to go on for a period of time, irreparable damage could be done to the child's psyche.

Beware of Bruising

Many children who are bullied by others are physically assaulted by them as well. One of the best tips for parents is to be aware of any suspicious bruising on your child. A child who has been assaulted by others might flinch when approached or touched. This is a classic and common child behavior exhibited when someone has been or is being bullied.

Forgetting about Friends

Children who are being bullied often begin to disassociate themselves from their friends. They will no longer run home and want to go out to play. Usually, bullied kids do their best to hide themselves away from the world. When this child behavior surfaces, the child is beginning to believe everything that the bullies are saying about them. It is essential for parents to recognize these child behavior signs and find out what is going on immediately.

Speaking of Suicide

Although young children rarely use the word "suicide", but at times, kids might say that they want to die or want to kill themselves. Hopefully, you will have acted before the bullying got to this extreme level. If a child behaves like this, you need to talk to your child gently and be loving towards your child.

Stand Up for Your Child

Being a parent, you must act as soon as you find out that your child is a victim of bullying. Rarely will a child admit that he is being bullied. You'll need to recognize the signs on your own and do a little bit of investigation.

You should contact your child's teacher for an appointment. Inform her that you don't want your child to know about your meeting. Explain to her that your child is exhibiting typical child behavior signs associated with being bullied. Tell her that you expect that she watch your child carefully to see if anyone is victimizing your child and that she report back to you in a few days.

A lot of bullying occurs on the school bus. Many school districts have security cameras on the buses. You can schedule an appointment with the principal and tell him that you would like to review all bus tapes for the past month. Legally, you are allowed to do so.

Talk to a Therapist

Your child might be too embarrassed to talk to you about his problem with bullies. It would be best if you set up an appointment with a child behavior psychologist. Many kids balk at the thought of a therapist, but you will need to use your delicate positive parenting techniques to help your child recognize that he can't handle this problem on his own.

By Brenda L Hopkins

No matter where you live you have probably celebrated your birthday in one way or another. Birthday parties mark another year gone; this can be exciting especially as we get old enough to drive or frightening as we get older and want to celebrate 29 again and again. In ancient times birthdays were a time when evil spirits could harm you so to protect yourself you had your family and friends around you their well wishes were a way of protecting you.

Birthdays are celebrated in many ways around the world in many countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay they celebrate the girls 15th birthday with the Waltz. At this age she is considered of suitable age and dances the waltz first with her father and grandfather then with possible suitors. When a girl turns 15 in Ecuador there is a great celebration and the girl wears a pink dress. The father puts on the birthday girls first pair of high heels and dances the waltz with her while 14 maids and 14 boys also dance. In the United States when a girl turns 16 she has a great celebration known as a sweet sixteen. Family and friends are invited and it is a elaborate celebration of her turning into a young women.

In some countries such as Brazil Hungry, and Italy the birthday is celebrated with ear lobe pulling and in Scotland it is a smack on the bottom. In Puerto Rico they celebrate the birthday with taps on the arm one for each year. Some countries celebrate with chair raising and in Jamaica the birthday child is floured while music plays. In Germany if you are a man and turn 30 without a girl friend you are made to sweep the steps of the city hall.

Some countries such as Africa and Vietnam they celebrate birthdays in groups. In Vietnam all birthdays are celebrated on New Year's Days while in many countries they hold elaborate celebrations for each child's birthday. Many countries include special food into the celebration; in China and the Philippines they serve noodles which are a sign of good fortune. While in Russia the birthday child is presented with a birthday pie with a special greeting carved into it. Ghana and Guyana include traditional dishes into the celebration as well. The United States, Cuba and Germany as well many other countries across the world the main event is the birthday cake decked with candles one for each year. These candles were said to be able to shine to the Gods so that they knew that there was a birthday. Most people believe that when you blow out the candles that you will receive a wish.

Some celebrations include marking the child or the house as in Nepal with a mark on the forehead or in Canada where they ambush the child and grease their nose. In Lithuania garlands are hung around the entire door and in Denmark flags are flown from the widows all to show that someone in the house is having a birthday.

No matter how you celebrate your birthday it is a special day in your life an ancient tradition that still holds today with candles, gift giving,and well wishing; a celebration of life.

By Michael Cahall

There is nothing that may frustrate an adult more than a child imagining they understand far more, questioning their authority, and not accepting that they already have the right to give directives. We all have been through it in one shape or other. The problem is how does one manage such a circumstance? What should be undertaken not simply to get the preferred behavior out of a young person but to ensure you under no circumstances again have to handle kids asking why? We'll give you some fundamental ideas for helping you have an understanding of how to manage this issue.

Right here is an illustration. A mom is occupied cooking supper as the woman's small one strolls into the area. The handle to the boiling pot of soup is hanging out over the stove and immediately catches his attention. He believes it essential that he need to tug it down for whatever cause that develops in his tiny brain. The mother notices his fixation and warns, "Don't touch that." If the kid has been trained to not ask why or debate his mother's authority then there might be no issue. Yet if kids asking why hasn't already been addressed in her home, this mother may perhaps wind up with a panicked visit towards the ER.

These standard ideas need to be thought of if kids asking why is noticed by the grown ups that take care of them.

Youngsters do not need to have a explanation to follow directions of an adult which is accountable for their safety. Adults must not accept their motives, decisions, or preferences to be challenged. The role belonging to the parent, teacher, or guardian is to guide the girl or boy as they definitely can't guide independently.

If someone looks after a child they must be clearly seasoned within the "You don't ask why. You are a kid." phrase. Even telling them that an explanation is not going to be given for whatever reason is providing them with an inroad that will lead to you over explaining even that cause. They desire reasoning and arguing points, as much time to postpone the process as they are able to acquire, and also the slightest wish that they are able to completely be free from performing what they're told.

It seriously won't make a difference how persuasive of an argument you provide a kid, they may be probably not going to agree with you anyhow. Besides, most of us have had debates with youngsters in our lives. The very best it is possible to often wish for from their end is often a string of recurring phrases similar to, "But I do not want to".

There's much more on this topic that cannot be discussed in a small write-up similar to this. In case you would like far more on this issue, you may read an in depth, fully complete lesson plan on kids asking why, instructing you on exactly ways to use these and several additional concepts with your youngsters. There you'll find a variety of articles, lesson plans, and facts to help you with quite a few problems of educating, parenting, and disciplining kids. You could also check out kids asking why to uncover much more on many of the topics covered by the wife and husband team at the Teaching Spot.

By Ruth Knight

It is very common for girls to hit their teenage years and suddenly become less outgoing and motivated, while lacking self-esteem and confidence. It is a worrying time for parents who want their daughter to feel good about themselves and their achievements.

Research suggests that girls with low self-esteem have self-concepts that are confused, self-contradictory and inconsistent. This is concerning, because forming an identity is one of the most important tasks for adolescents, and it is extremely important for girls to know who they are, what they are good at, and what they believe in. Girls who form a good and strong identity have increased confidence and ability to deal with peer pressure, disappointment and change.

So, here are some ideas for parents who are looking for ways to raise their daughter's self-esteem and confidence:

Firstly, encourage your daughter to have a well-defined identity. This means helping her define what she likes, what she values and what she believes in. Good questions to ask her are: "Tell me about that", "Why did you make that decision?" and "Why does it make you feel like that?"

Spend lots of time giving her sincere and genuine feedback about her strengths and abilities. For example, "I think you are good at...because...", and "I like the way you..."

It is very important for you to work together with your daughter's teachers and mentors to help her become proud of her uniqueness, personality and strengths. If she receives mixed messages or regular discouraging criticism, it may result in confusion or an identity crisis.

Secondly, support your daughter to master self-control and problem solving skills. It is critical that she learns the art of taking responsibility for the decisions she makes. She must be supported to be creative, empathic and courageous as she becomes independent and accountable for the choices she makes.

It can be helpful to replay situations with her and ask: "What might have happened if you had made a different decision?" and "If a situation like this happens again, how are you going to handle it?"

Thirdly, encourage your daughter to be generous to others. This could be by being trustworthy, or by offering her time, ideas or friendship. When girls learn to be generous they start to realise that they can influence others positively. It helps them become more mindful of others and increasingly self-confident as people thank them for their generosity and kindness.

When teenage girls are supported to cultivate an internal appreciation for themselves and others, they begin to feel motivated and confident. That is why a positive and strong identity, good problem solving skills and an ability to be generous promote girls' sense of gratitude and purpose.

Ruth Knight is an experienced youth worker and consultant with Zark Consultancy. Ruth has developed a life skill program for teenage girls called "Girls With A Purpose", which is available from non-profit organisation Lifehouse Project. Find out more about working with teenage girls by going to http://www.lifehouse.org.au/gwap

By Terry Tracy

As a parent, when choosing the kids motorcycle helmets to purchase for your child, you must make sure they are comfortable, have enough padding on the inside, and of course provide the maximum security and safety levels for your kids when they are out on their bikes. Along with other safety equipment and pads, the helmets are likely to be the most important piece of equipment parents must consider; your child's helmets will keep their head and neck protected in the event they fall, preventing serious injury, bruising, or potential for any internal injuries to the child.

When choosing the helmets, your child is likely to want something trendy and stylish, in order for them to look cool on their bikes. It is possible for parents to find something that their kids will like, as far as the design, style, and overall shape of the kids motorcycle helmets, while still choosing something that is going to cover their entire head, offer support for the sides of their face, and offer support to the neck, in the event the child does fall while riding. Therefore, considering several styles and design options for your child's motorcycle helmets, while still choosing something that will protect them if they do fall, is something parents should consider.

Knowing where to purchase the helmets from is also something parents must be aware of. When choosing a retailer, making sure you go to a local bike shop that sells the best equipment and safety gear, sells the most well known and reputable brands, and still sells affordably priced helmets, are all things parents must consider when choosing where to shop. Comparing a couple local shops prior to purchasing, is the best way to find the deals and discounts, and to find the shops which employ the most knowledgeable staff, to assist parents in choosing the best brands that will not only protect but also satisfy your child's style.

Taking the time to compare kids motorcycle helmets brands online is also something parents can consider doing. This will allow them to find the best and highest rated brands, and will allow them to find which retailers to shop with, in order to get those brands, and the lowest prices. Some parents will find that shopping online is a great way to save as well; so, if they do find the best name brand kids motorcycle helmets on an online site, purchasing there will allow for the savings they are looking for.

In choosing new helmets for your kids, allowing them to help in the decision process is something parents can do, to ensure the child will like the helmet design and style. But, making sure that the right brands are chosen, the most comfortable kids motorcycle helmets are chosen, and the most protective kids helmets are purchased, are all things which must be considered when choosing the new helmet for your child. For price savings and the safest helmets, shopping around, and doing the research, is the only way to ensure parents get both.

As you can see when choosing your kids motorcycle helmets there are many important options to consider. It is best to research as much as possible before making your selection.

By Sherry Belmonte

The holidays have gone, Christmas break has gone and so has the motivation. Everyone is hanging out indoors and waiting for brighter days. Stop those dreary after school moods!

Create a mood change in your child's own personal room. Take a realistic look at his/her existing room and envision a blast of brightness, a touch of nature, a new theme, something soothing or something whimsical and fun. The use of wallpaper borders or wall appliques are an inexpensive way to add a new visual look to rooms with minimal experience in decorating.

Choosing kid's wallpaper borders or appliques can be determined by color themes already in the room. There is no need to hassle with painting or changing the bedding and curtain decor. Look for wallpaper borders that will blend with the current colors. If the border is placed around 40" from the floor it will become a new focal point and be seen immediately when entering the room. If it is place around the top edge of the wall it will appear as more of a finished, bordering look to the room.

Don't hesitate to choose patterns that simply build on your child's favorite hobbies or interest. There is a huge variety available from dancing, to cowboys, to extreme x games and to Disney classics. Color scheme will be almost insignificant if you use this method to choose your new room look. Most likely you already have many of your child's favorites incorporated into the room now. Adding a huge wall mural or appliques will become like another accessory in the room and will help tie in all of the other pieces.

Using wallpaper border or wall appliques is very easy and is a project that can be completed in just a couple of hours. Using the kids' hands to help is even better, especially if you select a wallpaper border. There are generally two kinds of borders. One is self-sticking which is basically like a 15' long wall sticker. The other kind is pre-pasted and will need to be dipped into water to activate the glue.

Choose your room to facelift. Improve everyone's mood while you do the project and see your child's joy during the process and then get the benefit of a great new mood in the room itself! You can't lose out on this project. The selections of kid's wallpaper borders and wall appliques are huge these days. They are environmentally safe, good quality, mold resistant and made to be easy to install with minimal inconvenience. This indoor season is the perfect timing and the kids will love you even more!

I have experimented with a variety of ways to place wallpaper border in rooms and have enjoyed all of them. We have allowed the kids to put wall appliques where they wanted them. There is no wrong place so be comfortable putting your new decor where it will work best in your kid's rooms. Look for a variety of ideas at http://yourwallpaperborder.com.

By Mihaela C Schwartz

The doll that has single-headedly dominated the market for many decades was born in March 1959. Ruth Handler, wife of one of the Mattel Company's co-founders, is credited with the original idea of creating this doll during a family trip through Europe. It is believed that she was inspired by the German Bild Lilli and by her daughter giving adult roles to her dolls while playing. Millions of items have been sold ever since its inception and the manufacturers have come up with different Barbie models. In reality, there is a base, which has been undergoing constant changes, but remained basically the same.

According to Mattel, Barbie embodied the Western of beauty of that time: slender legs, tiny waistline, long arms and neck. This anatomically improbable beauty ensured her success, but also attracted lots of controversies. Fair and dark haired models have emerged on the market over the years, but eventually the blond girl imposed herself. Despite the constantly proclaimed novelty, the doll remained the same. The changes are minor, but significant. There are aesthetic changes which refer to the hair length and color and especially to the costumes and there are technical changes, mainly allowing Barbie to become more flexible.

Completely rigid initially, Barbie has acquired subsequently, some flexibility. In 1964, she can bend her knees and she can open and close her eyes. Since 1965, all the dolls of the family have articulated legs. In 1967 her bust swings and the following year, Barbie starts talking. In the early 1970s, a new improved technique is used to link her hands and fingers. In 1977, the Olympic dolls make gestures and in 1979, Barbie sends kisses and makes a movement of the arm if you press on her back.

It is however true that the doll's morphology has slightly changed. In the two first years, her face softened, her eyebrows became less strong. In 1963, Barbie has also changed her hair style by means of interchangeable wigs. In 1967, she took a more smiling face, a straight look and long hair. In 1971, within the Malibuseries, Barbie and Ken appeared tanned. In 1973, she has the features of a Super Star. In the late 1970s, a giant Barbie of 45 cm was launched on the market, but the 29 cm doll continued to be the company's best seller. In those years, Barbie looks more and more like a photo-model, reflecting the extraordinary success of the fashion industry and the influence of women magazines such as Seventeen, launched in the 1960s.

During the 80s, Barbie attacked the international tastes coming out as an Irish, Canadian, German, Peruvian, Swedish, Indian, Eskimo, Spanish, Scottish, Italian and Parisian symbol. During the 90s, Barbie is ready to go to a reception and dance waltz, but she can also ride a Harley Davidson or help the X-Files detectives.

In 1992, Mattel created a Barbie model that had precisely the size of a child - My Size Barbie - and it is presented to customers as the first doll with which girls can exchange clothes. How ever, its price does not make it available for every budget and nor are the other two special models issued the same year: The Empress Bride dressed in a tulle crinoline and Neptune's Fantasy - a miniature pink diva. They both speak, which is a sign that the morphological changes start to be competed by technical ones.

Nowadays, Barbie is a whole universe and her fans are mostly interested in the life she leads, in her feelings and all the challenges her manufacturers put her through. Motivated by the fierce competition brought on the market by the now equally famous Bratz dolls, Barbie has lately become more active socially in order to keep up with her fans' demands.

By Todd Leavitt

When shopping for playground sets you will notice you have three choices: Wood, metal or plastic. Wooden playsets are by far the best choice for several different reasons.

First of all wood is durable and can last for many years, which means that you get the most of use of it for your money. This is especially true if it is sealed with the right weather resistant treatments. Metal playsets get rusty and start cracking and degrading at the seams. Plastic also easily cracks, especially if older kids get on them and stomp around. Wooden playsets will just look nicely rustic and weathered after a few years whereas plastic or metal playground sets can really give your backyard the appearance of a junkyard.

Wood playground sets are also superior because they are so sturdy. Plastic sets are easily squashed and can look cheap. Metal sets get extremely cold and pose the risk of frozen hands and tongues stuck to metal but most wood swing sets consist of a tire hanging from a rope which makes it safer for small grips.

Furthermore wooden playsets can be firmly anchored into the earth whereas the metal ones tend to sway or rock a bit. The best ones will have through-bolts at the joints and recessed hardware that prevents small hands and clothing from being scratched and cut. You should also avoid hardware with over the bolts or joints and they can come loose and become a choking hazard.

Many manufacturers will allow you to add features to wooden forts like wood swing sets, slides, rock walls, swings, trapezes netting and tire swings to a basic fort-like construction. You can add components as you please which allows you to stay within your budget for the unit in the first place.

Many manufacturers are also offering features that adults can enjoy as well like hammocks and exercise rungs. This is not necessarily the case with metal or plastic playground which tend to be a bit more limited in scope. For instance metal and plastic playgrounds rarely come with a built-in dwelling like a playhouse or a fort.

Choose wooden playground sets made out of woods that are naturally resistant rot and insect invasions like redwood, cypress and cedar. You should also look for wooden sets that are approved by the American Society for Testing Materials; this means that the wood has not been treated with anything toxic. Finally, realize that the best wood playground sets are well polished or sanded so that your children don't risk get splinters.

By Todd Leavitt

The reason more and more parents are installing kids playsets in their backyard is because it really is getting more dangerous to send your kids to the park. Thanks to the recession more homeless people and drug dealers tend to hang out there. Furthermore you don't know what kind of shape the playset at the public playground or school is in, or when it was last inspected for splinters, loose screws, nails or cracks. For many reasons, it is a much better idea to have your kids bring their friends over to your backyard to play on wooden playsets you have chosen for their safety and versatility.

There are several types of playsets on the market with metal being a bit old-fashioned and even plastic sets looking kind of seventies retro and like they belong inside an Ikea or McDonald's. The only real style of kids playsets that is really standing the test of time are the wooden ones. Wooden playsets have a more classic look to them and nowadays you can buy beautiful designs that look like forts or playhouses.

Choosing wooden playsets can be all about choosing the right kind of wood materials, especially if you are planning on having it last a long time. Both redwood and cedar material natural oils that help keep the wood from cracking for years.

Kids can be quite hard on playsets. You want to make sure that the unit you choose can sustain jumping, climbing and swinging back forth. Many of the wooden playsets available nowadays boast separate rock climbing walls and tire swings that supported securely on triple joints. Look for sets that have bolts and other fixtures embedded into the wood and ladders that are slightly angled and have skid-proof details. Ladders on playset should have guard rails.

Finally, if you are a family that is trying to make eco-sustainable choices than buying a wood playground is a good choice. Metal and plastic playground parts can rot in landfills for years and plastic can leach all kinds of chemicals into the ground and the water table. If you want to make a solid choice of kids playsets that is good for the environment then choose wooden playsets.

One thing to consider when choosing kids playsets is versatility. Nowadays wooden playsets come with a variety of features that you can add on as the kid's grow. Your child can graduate from a swing with a bucket seat to a glider to a hammock swing. This means that you can "grow" your kids playset as your kids do.

Superior Play Sets has been creating quality play system since 1993. They have the best selection of kids playsets such as wooden playsets.

By Lorraine M Burns

ABC Card Game

Games are fun for children, so turn the alphabet into a series of entertaining activities, and your child will get from A to Z in no time. For this game, make 26 playing-size cards, each having a letter from the alphabet on one side. (Make the many back sides identical.) Also, make a worksheet for each player with every one of the letters written on it.

Shuffle the cards, and let each person pick the top card off the deck. Whenever a player picks a card, she ought to say the name in the letter and cross it off her worksheet. Only the player who picks the card gets to cross the letter off the worksheet. A player who forgets the name of your letter cannot cross it off.

As soon as the gamers have turned above the many cards, shuffle them and keep playing. The player who crosses off all the letters of the alphabet for the worksheet first wins.

Alphabet Puzzle

An alphabet puzzle is definitely an effective way to teach your kid the ABCs mainly because it allows him to visualize the letters inside alphabet although placing them along in order. For this game you will have to have large foam alphabet puzzle pieces. Instruct your child to put the puzzle jointly making sure that the alphabet is in correct order. He can not match two incorrect alphabet letters next to each other expected on the various puzzle piece shapes. Permit your child to run through the puzzle the moment as demo. Then, have him put the puzzle along again though you time him having a stopwatch. Play the puzzle game daily and time him each time till his score will get better and better.

Letter Match

Letter Match can be a game in which your child need to match the uppercase letter to the suitable lowercase letter on a worksheet. Create a worksheet with two columns of letters. One column should have uppercase letters along with the second column should have all lowercase letters. Your child will use a crayon to draw a line from your "A" on the "a," etc. To make the worksheet additional fascinating and stimulating, draw pictures next to the letters of images that get started with that letter.

You can make your own ABC games to teach your kids. With games, kids will discover abc easily and effectively.

By Todd Leavitt

When it comes to playground sets safety must come first. Wood swing sets are your wisest choice because they are simply more durable than plastic or metal. They are rooted into the ground, they don't fall over easily, unlike metal swing sets that become giant rockers after a winter or two and they don't snap and break like plastic. In fact both metal and plastic can develop seams and cracks that you cannot see and that can eventually break.

Yet another thing to consider is that wood can support a lot of weight, and that means it can support the weight of growing children. Even adolescents can't resist swinging off the trapeze on wood swing sets. Wood swing sets have triple joints and also bolts that often slide completely through the wood in a way that is embedded. This means that if something does happen to compromise the structure the bolts will still keep the lagging structure together. Your child is not in danger of collapsing and falling like they would be if they were standing at the top of a plastic or metal set.

Another thing to consider is that wooden swing sets are not made of toxic materials. Plastic materials off-gas fumes that can be toxic, especially in really hot weather.

A big part of accident prevent is choosing playground sets that are age appropriate. The great thing about today's wood playground sets is that you can assemble them in components that suit your child's age. To have fun your child does not have to go up a ten foot metal ladder and risk a fall. You can get a five foot slide that attaches to a fort-like or tent-like enclosure that is lower and offers less of a drop should your child slip.

Yet another way to prevent accidents is to make sure that any swings on the set are at least 22 inches apart. This prevents them from clashing with each other when two children are swinging on the set at once.

Quality playground sets have guidelines that tell you what components are appropriate for what age. For instance a climbing wall is more suited for a kid over age seven rather than a toddler. Tire swings suit ten-year-olds better than little seats with bucket swings.

Finally, it is a good idea to make the area beneath playground seats a bit softer by placing it in a "bed" of cedar chips or shredded rubber. Make a rule that the area must be kept free of any clutter, such as branches, skateboards and toys, as a falling or slipping child might risk injury.

The laughter of children is like music to a parent's ears. This is why Tree Frog Swing Sets builds quality wood swing sets and playground sets to give children more fun and enjoyment.

By Todd Leavitt

One thing that many people over look when buying playground sets is how and where they will be situated in the yard. It is very important to measure the span of your chosen location to make sure that you have enough room to put the set you have in mind. This is particularly true of wooden playsets. Although wooden playsets are preferable over other types they are also bulkier and larger. As many of them are put together in components with each "block" having a different feature like a slide, a fort, a net or a climbing wall, you have to be particularly meticulous about making sure that the space you have is large enough to accommodate it. Yet another thing to keep in mind is that you might want to add even more components to these wooden sets over time. This means that if you think you want to add a climbing wall to an existing swing and slide that when you situate the unit in your yard you must leave room for expansion.

It is not a good idea to situate your playground set beneath a tree as children that grow could bump their heads on branches. You should also watch out for back ending the unit up against a tree that could grow a huge trunk over the years. Wooden playsets also last for years and you do not want to compromise the growth of your tree or do an expensive move of the unit.

Playground sets with swings should have plenty of clearance on all sides. If there are two swings on the unit then make sure there is no fence or any other kind of obstacle that could get in the way of the swings highest potential to arc upwards. Also, most adults remember from being young once that the favorite thing for kids to do on a swing is swing as high as you can and then jump off. Make sure that your child has at least six feet in front of the swing to play like this and that he or she is not going to smack into the side of your house or into a pool or into the neighbour's fence.

Another important aspect of situation playground sets is line of view. Make sure that you place it in a way that you can view it from windows that you often look out of when you are in the house. This allows you to keep an eye in general on your children and their friends as they monkey around on playground sets in your backyard.

The laughter of children is like music to a parent's ears. This is why Tree Frog Swing Sets builds quality wooden playsets and playground sets to give children more fun and enjoyment.

By Preeti Sunil

Parents are at their wit's end trying to teach children lessons in hygiene only to find them indulging in their favorite hobby, yet again! Dirty, mud covered clothes and bodies are symbolic of childhood. However, new research suggests that this is an evolutionary instinct, which must not be curbed for reasons described in this article.

It is no secret that most children have an insatiable urge to grab the dirtiest looking things and put them into their mouth. Even a child who is less than a year old, hardly able to do much except drink milk and sleep all day, experiences a personality change the moment it is put down on the ground, out in the open. The exploration begins and everything including dirt, mud and even poop finds its way into the tiny mouths. This continues for a while and most mothers are clueless about why their babies find the taste of dirt so irresistible, when mashed veggies, formula food in various flavors and other food prepared with the labor of love just do not seem to appeal to them! Well, relax everyone! You're not bad cooks, bad parents or bad caregivers. Your darling kids are just being very natural and their actions are driven by instinct.

Positive Effect On Our Immune System
Recent research suggests that children splattered in mud are acting on instinct that gives them an evolutionary advantage. The immune system that is still in the developmental stages in children, is exposed to a variety of bacteria, viruses and worms through all the dirt and filth. This exposure prepares suitable immune responses to counter the possible ill effects caused by the entry of these pathogens into the body. This early exposure to pathogens is so effective that scientific research claims it is instrumental in preventing allergies and other autoimmune disorders later in the life of these children.

Exposure to dirt and filth is akin to a "warm-up" exercise for the immune system to enable it to get ready for nastier bugs. Isn't that a good reason why dirt is good for kids? Among all the research published, the book by Dr. Mary Ruebush, Why Dirt Is Good: 5 Ways to Make Germs Your Friends is worth mentioning here. Through her book, the immunologist strongly advocates that the western civilization's obsession with antibacterial soaps and the quest to be 'always clean' is actually making our children more sick.

A Case Against Hyper-cleanliness
Diseases involving immune dysregulation, autoimmunity or chronic inflammation have been increasingly reported as becoming common in developed countries. Experts believe that this is mainly due to the destruction of our 'personal ecosystems' caused by our attempts to over sanitize our living spaces and our bodies to make them "germ-free". A whole range of modern diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, Graves' disease, ulcerative colitis, type I diabetes, asthma, allergy, coeliac disease, and Sjögren's syndrome are more common than ever before, and experts believe that our excessive sanitization of our environment is one of the primary causes.

In modern medicine, this theory is called the hygiene hypothesis. The hypothesis states that humans have always coexisted with several varieties of microbes (lactobacilli, various mycobacteria, and certain helminths) including parasites forming our personal ecosystem. The exposure has resulted in human beings becoming less susceptible to allergies. But in today's extremely clean environment, the lack of exposure to these microbes has resulted in children growing up with an underdeveloped immune system. The lazy immune systems are now developing allergic reactions instead of focusing on fighting infection (which never occurs due lack of exposure to microbes, thanks to vaccination, hand washes, airtight windows, etc.). In addition, antibiotics are making things easier for the already relaxed state of our immune system. On the contrary, the microbes are now fighting back to resist these artificial responses, resulting in "super bugs" that seem to be resistant to even antibiotic treatment.

Is it Time to Shed our Clean Image?
So should we go to the prehistoric lifestyle of humans and stop all vaccinations and cover our children in filth and dirt? Should we just stop bothering if the child catches a mild cold or fever, hoping his/her immune system will rise up to the challenge? Certainly not! We definitely should not ignore life-threatening food allergies or encourage our children to be less hygienic in the hope of developing resistance to germs. What we need to do is stop obsessing over cleanliness and understand why playing in the dirt is good for kids.

Let your kid play freely when he/she is out in the open. Let environmental interactions be normal and playful. Stop fretting every time your child touches mud on the ground. Do not count the several times he/she touches his/her sweaty playmate! It is useless to lose sleep over that little scratch on his/her elbow. Stop carrying the hand sanitizer looking for an opportunity to use it on your child.

Go and get that vaccination done now, if your child has been bruised by a rusted metal thing. Ask your child to wash his/her hands before a meal and to always keep the nails clean. Ordinary soap is fine for maintaining hygiene. Avoid using antibacterial soaps on a regular basis. A balanced diet and normal exposure to the environment are essential for children. You're not being a protective parent by obsessing over your child's hygiene when outdoors. Just let the child be. Find that essential balance between caution and obsession. Let your children go barefoot into the mud and befriend some of those germs! Mother Earth will surely protect them.

My work experience spans content development, knowledge management and organizational social learning activities. One of my favorite subjects, relating closely with my career background, is the study of social media tools and social learning strategies within huge organizations and their potential benefits in facilitating real time exchange of ideas and knowledge transfer.

By Shazzie Love

I am celebrating. Actually, I'm always celebrating, but today I'm celebrating for a reason. My daughter Evie has been head lice free for two weeks.

Is that something to celebrate? Yes. Why?

    She's got the longest hair in the world.
    Head lice are rife where we live, in her school and amongst her friends outside of school

Why are head lice hard to get rid of?

Lice are very clever at resisting all conventional treatments and it seems many parents have given up trying, preferring instead to wait until they "grow out of them". More children have lice now than in our day, and so it's much easier to catch them. Chemicals that are toxic to our children don't make much of a difference to lice. Even if you get rid of them with chemicals, they will come back when your child comes into contact with lice again, and so your child has to be subjected to more toxic chemicals. Not a nice option, and I wouldn't do it to Evie.

So I've been working my way through Evie's hair for months using a combination of an electric comb and essential oil spray. Sometimes she'd only have one or two lice a day, sometimes she'd have none, but they'd always come back. Only when I added tea tree to the oil spray did the head lice disappear properly.

I'd read about tea tree oil being the magical head lice ingredient a while ago, and in tests the oil kills both the lice and the eggs. But spraying a child every day with any substance isn't really what I want to do, so I figured I'd use the minimum amount possible.

This is what has been working for us: Using a 200ml bottle, I filled it up with water and added just 10 drops of tea tree oil. After combing Evie's hair with the electric comb to detect and kill the lice, I spray her hair, making sure I spray in all the areas head lice like to gather. Since using tea tree oil spray, she hasn't caught head lice at all.

You can also add tea tree oil to your shampoo, but I don't know how effective this is as it gets washed out. Adding it to a leave-in conditioner would probably work better.

So there we are, a child with no lice, and still with the longest hair in the world. Yipee.

And no, I have no idea how I can call myself a vegan now, after intentionally killing animals living on my daughter. Where do you draw the line?

Bliss U

Shazzie | TV Presenter, Author, CEO

Read my book on raising children naturally for more hints and tips like this: http://www.detoxyourworld.com/acatalog/evies_kitchen.html

By Carolyn Whitley

Kids Strider Balance Bike

Teaching children how to ride a traditional bike can be challenging. Young children have difficulty learning so many new skills in one go. They need to learn to peddle, balance, be confident enough to take their feet off the ground and have some co-ordination. Children do learn quickly, they also learn that if they come off they will have scratched knees and some bruises. Previously, parents have had no choice except to purchase a traditional bike for their young child with the addition of training wheels, and gradually take the wheels off as the child has gained sufficient skill and confidence to ride without them. Surely there must be an easier way! Well now there is!

Introducing the Strider Balance Bike.

This is a fabulous little bike that teaches your child one thing at a time. It gives their feet easy access to the ground if they feel their balance is a bit off. Most kids don't want to fall off a bike and will feel reassured knowing that they can put their feet down to balance them at any time. Developing co-ordination skills takes time and practise, and these balance bikes allow children at a very young age, to begin their journey. And learning to ride their bike, becomes a fun and exciting time for them.

So, What Age Is Best..

The strider bike is perfect for small children. Children as young as 18 months can ride a strider bike. If your child can walk confidently, then he is ready to ride a strider pre-bike. Children learn very quickly to sit down and push with their feet, balancing on two wheels.

Advantages of Using Strider Bikes

- The strider is a safer bike, eliminating risks of injuries that may be sustained from bicycle pedals, chains and sprockets if your child loses his balance and falls off his bike.

- It is a better alternative to tricycles, as tricycles are heavier and bulkier for little children to handle, they are harder to pedal and there are still risks of ankle scraping and other leg injuries. They will still need to learn to balance on a bicycle.

- The seat is designed to adjust to suit the size of the child, allowing them to have their feet comfortably touch the ground whenever they choose, allowing them time to learn how to balance on the bike, without the pedals getting in the way. As the child grows, the seat can be adjusted.

- As the child becomes more experienced and more confident, he can put his feet on the footrest, allowing him to glide down hills.

- The balance bike is smaller and is lighter in weight than a traditional bike, making it easier for young children to manage. He will have more control over the bike and less chance of falling off.

- A pre-balance strider bike doesn't require the usual maintenance and repair that a traditional bike does.

- Your child will enjoy the freedom that comes with a pre-balance strider bike, as he will be able to go further before his little legs get tired.

This article has been written and provided by Carolyn Whitley. It has been written from first hand experience of the strider bike. If you found this article helpful, please visit my site http://www.squidoo.com/strider-bike-balance-bike-for-kids for further information.

By Kathy D Lee

The weather along the northeastern seaboard has been so mild this December-January 2011-12 season that it's hard to write anything that has to do with enjoying fun, cold-weather activities with children. There has been no snow to speak of, and it's already the first of February. In fact, it's getting so close to spring and the balmy weather is already reminiscent of a beautiful summer afternoon, that I decided to turn my full attention to a summer vacation trip with the little ones aboard. If by some coincidence the weather reverts to the type while I'm writing this article, I'll of course get busy penning my snowman building instructions.

But, for now, whether it's a day trip, a long weekend, or a full week at a remote vacation spot, taking along an infant or toddler requires some serious planning ahead. Some of us can remember our own experiences when we were children, when once the car was in full motion, we were lulled to sleep by the confines of inactivity and the rhythmic hum of the engine. But if you have children who are not susceptible to this, here are a few suggestions to help you get your trip off to an enjoyable, stress-free beginning.

Dress the children in their most comfortable outfits. When it's warm, a short-sleeved bodysuit for the baby and a cotton tee and shorts or pajamas are fine for your toddler. If you're looking to impress Grandma, if that's where you're heading, you can always change them to special outfits just before you arrive. Important: Don't forget your child's lovie (special stuffed animal or blanket). This works wonders, especially if they're tired and you're stuck in traffic. Remember, familiarity breeds content. And while you're at it, keep your diaper bag close by filled with plenty of wipes, diapers, binky, and a fresh change of clothes. Keep all your bottles in a cooler filled with ice packs. If baby needs her bottle warmed, be ready with a compact bottle warmer that plugs into the cigarette lighter. This all makes perfect sense, but consider the impact it would have on your trip if you omitted any of these things. This is a list worth going over several times before leaving.

Provide entertainment. You can burn your children's favorite music on CDs and create your own "mix" from your experiences with them. Bring along plenty of books, and if possible, consider moving into the back seat to read them some stories. You can even play car games with your toddler, like counting trucks or red cars, and other fun and simple exercises.

Make frequent stops. You might be able to get where you're going in under four hours if you keep on truckin', but your little ones might not be able to sit in position in their car seats for that long. Stopping along the way gives everyone a chance to unwind, get some fresh air, and at many rest stops, run around on the grass.

Pack plenty of snacks. Having an impromptu picnic can be a lot of fun for infants and toddlers. Pack cut-up cheese into your cooler, along with a sufficient amount of yogurt, cut grapes, apple slices, Cheerios, crackers and pretzels. Add a cool cup of water and you have a yummy snack for the entire family along with a drink that doesn't make you thirsty (or sticky) once you're on the road again.

Finally, make a surprise bag the night before. This was a favorite for my daughters. I'd give them each a paper bag filled with a few surprises, like books, stickers, and paper to affix them to, plus a snack and pipe cleaners. The night before heading out on our trip to Hershey Park, (when the girls were two and six), we watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Once the show was over, I gave them each their own special "Golden Ticket", just like in the movie. That set the stage for our road trip the next morning. We left in our jammies, sang the songs from the movie, and wondered what we would see on our way there.

Going on a car trip with your children doesn't have to be along the road to disaster. You can create your own theme based on where you are going. Often, the giggling and laughter that comes from little ones can make the trip much more enjoyable for the adults as well. Enjoy yourself... and relax.

Kathy Lee is the Assistant Director at the Alice Brown Early Learning Center at Adelphi University. Her experiences in a long career as a classroom teacher and Early Childhood Specialist has contributed to the knowledge base supporting her informative website designed exclusively for solving the child care concerns relating to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. You can enjoy more of her collection of helpful information by visiting her unique website at http://www.AllAboutChildCare.INFO

By Roz B Stuzin

As a grandmother of four year old twin girls, I often ponder what baby gifts to give them for holidays and birthdays. A lot of the answers I have discovered depend on how the Mother dresses them.

Tip 1. Find out whether the Mother wants to dress the babies alike or different. If she has matching baby boy and baby girl outfits for every occasion or has her two twin sons or daughters dressed identically, then you should send two of whatever you choose. They should be exactly alike. If they are two blankets, it is permissible to buy a pink for the girl and a blue baby blanket for the boy, but make sure they are the same identical baby blanket.

Tip 2. If the Mother is more modern and wants to dress her twins differently, then you have more flexibility in what you choose as the gift. Now you need to find out what the Mother's favorite color is or what color she has chosen for the nursery. This way you can coordinate the blankets, towels or outfits to the color palette that matches the nursery.

Tip 3. If you are going to buy totally different gifts for twins; they should cost approximately the same amount.

Tip 4. It is a good idea to buy gifts that have something in common. For example, buy two towels that are totally different or buy two security blankets that are different colors and have different animal heads.

Tip 5. Twins love to share. When you gift clothing, try to buy tops and bottoms that are interchangeable so that if one twin wants to wear the top of one outfit; it will match the bottom of the other outfit.

Tip 6. If you want to individualize either identical or totally different gifts, you can always have them embroidered with baby's three letter monogram, initial or name.

Tip 7. Sometimes, you can find one gift that is meant for two. For example, there are shopping cart covers for twins or strollers designed especially for twins.

Tip 8. Books are a great gift for twins. Make sure that you select a board book so that it will last through sticky fingers and sippy cup spills. In this case, you would usually buy different books that they could share. One caveat, if a twin has a favorite book, make sure to get two of the same because they might not share their favorite book.

When twins are older; it becomes much simpler to find gifts for them. This past holiday season, I asked my two granddaughters who are fraternal twins to help me select their gifts. One wanted a Fancy Nancy purse in purple; the other wanted a telescope. No gifts could be so different as their two choice. I gave them both what they wanted and they were delighted and I was certainly glad I checked with them before I spent a lot of money on gifts they didn't want.

Namely Newborns has beautiful gifts for twins. Please contact us at 1-979-9347 or email us at info@namelynewborns.com Enjoy a 10% discount on your first purchase. Use code ma. http://www.namelynewborns.com located at 7005 N.Waterway Drive Suite 303, Miami, Fl. 31555. Call for appt.

By Shaun A Maxwell

At the end of 2011 there were still very few cyberbullying laws on the books, anywhere in the United States. Of course the issue with these types of laws always comes down to our First Amendment Right to freedom of speech. But in dragging out feet to protect freedom of speech we're allowing innocent kids to literally perish at the hands of cyberbullies who know the actions will go unpunished.

Right now, as it stands, those states that do have any laws against cyberbullying will only charge offenders with an unclassified misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of only $1,000 or a year in jail. When you consider the fact that in 2010 there were 34 children in the United States who committed suicide as a direct result of cyberbullying, that small $1000 fine is an egregious insult. And since most cyber bullies are minors, the punishments will be even less.

Current proposals before state legislatures call for a broader definition of cyberbullying or a broader definition of bullycide. On the other side of the coin they're asking for narrower definitions so they don't step on anyone's right to free speech.

And therein lies the problem, really. It took years for states and the federal government to come to terms they could all agree on in relationship to hate crimes. We can't afford that wait when the victims of cyberbullies are our children. We need to act now.

A lot of this harassment occurs on sites like Facebook. No. Let's not use the word 'Like'. That's too passive-aggressive. Let's point fingers here and say - Most of this cyberbullying that's resulting in bullycide is occurring on Facebook. While Facebook has taken measures to try to detect and eliminate cyberbullying it still has a long way to go.

As parents, we need to be pro-active. We can't wait for the legal system to catch up. By then, how many more children will die?

We need to demand even stricter controls at Facebook. Facebook needs to accept responsibility for the monster they've created and put stronger controls in place - now. If it hurts Facebook's pocketbook, so be it. Our children's lives are at stake.

We need to talk to our children. In 2011 more than 1 million teenagers were harassed or threatened on Facebook. Yet only 1 in 6 of those teens let their parents know there was something going on. We need to let our children know that they can come to us the minute, the very MINUTE they receive that first harassing message. And we need to let them know that we will step in and do everything necessary to bring the cyberbully to justice.

As parents, we need to let our kids know that being the victim of a cyberbully isn't something they need to feel embarrassed or guilty about and that it's not their fault. Until stricter cyberbully laws are enacted we need to be the protective barrier between our children and the bully.

By Moh Eng Bee

If you have been giving in to your child's demand for fast food over healthy foods, then think again. Regardless of the stress you are undergoing, be it at home or at the office, it is a sin to just give in to the child's demands. The child cannot think right, but you as the parent have the onus of ensuring they get the needful nutrition, that they cultivate healthy eating habits so that they can grow strong and healthy. Most fast foods, though labelled "the most nutritious protein food" is more often made up of more than 50% non-nutritional material such as preservatives, stabilizers, sodium, sugars, synthetic substances and fat. Protein, the most important nutrition for healthy growth makes up less than 10%. With a wailing 3 year-old on your hand, it is understandable to just give in and have some peace, but this is detrimental to your child's health. If you have been finding it difficult to manage, here are some tips.

Get your child involved in the preparation of family meals from an early age. Show them what to prepare, teach them what is healthy food, explain why they are healthy and most of all, make the food look and taste good. In as much as possible, stock up plenty of healthy foods of many varieties so that your child gets accustomed to healthy eating from an early age. Allow your children to make their own snacks; in this way they are more likely to eat what they have prepared.. Make your marketing and grocery trips interesting and fun. Bring along your children. This is one area where it allows you to educate them on the value of healthy food. It will also give them the sense of pride that they are allowed to take part in making purchases.

Children love finger food snacks especially chicken. No, do not run to the nearest fast food outlet. Make your own, they are easy. Just cut chicken breasts into "finger" size, and bake them or have them grilled. At all times, avoid frying. Make some healthy and tasty yogurt dressings to go with them. Serve a variety of foods and a spectrum of colors to make the foods you are serving attractive and delicious. There are times when you do need to eat out and when that happens ask for food to be grilled instead of fried.

Fruits and vegetables are healthy foods to eat

As an adult, you need to show good examples. Children ape their parents, so as a responsible parent avoid snacking on salted chips or processed food too often. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, they do make delectable snacks and meals. So, make a habit to snack on fruits, salad and juices instead of reaching for that bag of chips. Fruits can be sliced; carrots and celery cut into sticks and serve with a bowl of yogurt dip, low-fat sour cream added with honey as well as applesauce. Children just love anything that comes with a bowl of dip.

Remember, it is the owner of the hand that feeds them that makes children what they are. So start now and give your children healthy foods to eat.

I am Moh Eng Bee, an active grandmother, enjoying my retirement. I have time now on my hands to do the things I love and writing is one of them. I love taking care of my 5 grandchildren ages two to nine. I am therefore, an expert in this area of child care and besides that I am also an advocate of home remedies and all health recipes.

By Mark S Hawley

This game is brilliant for 4s and up at a birthday party or other gathering. Ideally, you would have some music in the form of a CD player or similar.

Before you start this or any other game it is important to get every child's attention. The way I do this is as follows:

Tell the children that you need them to sit down somewhere. This might be in the middle of the floor if indoors or at a venue, or perhaps outside on the grass - but as long as they are sitting close together, this is fine.

Once you tell them where to sit, count from 5 down to 0. Once they hear you counting down from 5, 4, 3, 2 and then 1, the children usually hurry to sit down where you have asked them to just before you say 0. If there are children being fairly noisy once sat down, the you can ask them "who is the quietest person in the whole room/garden?" (wherever you are). Usually this is enough to get the attention of all of the children with them sitting quietly.

Once you have them sat down in the middle (hopefully quietly), you can explain the rules for this particular game:

The Rules (for your reference):

When you say a number, the children have to get into groups of the number you said. So, for instance, if you say "groups of 2" then the aim of the game is to be in a group of 2. If you say group of three, then the aim is to be in a group of three and so on. Usually about half way through, I like to introduce a new rule whereby if I say the word 0, they all have to hide. If you have a prize to give then you can say that the person who hides the best wins a prize. It is also fun to shout the number 1 every now and then.

How to explain this to the children in a fun way:

"OK, now we're going to play a game called musical numbers. Don't worry, there isn't any adding up to do!"

The second sentence is crucial as the children who don't like maths will be able to relax.

"who here knows how to hug?"

At this point, you should encourage the children to raise their hands by raising your own hand - after all, they surely all know how to hug!

"Now, when I say a number, you guys have to get into groups of that number and give everyone else a nice, big hug."

"Ok guys, up you get. Now who's the best dancer here?"

At this point, you should play some music. After a few seconds of music playing, you simply stop the music and say a number. Whichever number you say, they'll rush in to groups of that number. If you say 1 at any point, it is a little confusing in a fun way, so have fun with that too if you are brave enough.

This game can usually last around 10-15 minutes and is great fun!

Thanks for reading!

Mark Hawley is a Children's Entertainer from London, England. He has performed at over 1,000 shows from school disco and children's parties. You can find his site here: http://www.thecoolkidsparty.com. If you are looking to book a party in the areas of London, Surrey, Essex or Kent then go ahead and book your party here: http://www.thecoolkidsparty.com/childrens-parties

By Janie Walker

Low self esteem is so hard for any parent to deal with in their child. Bullying is rife in our society and these kids can either become the bully or be bullied. Low self esteem is a major source of low achievement at school.

Having raised 3 children to be happy, achieving, rounded, caring, respectful parents, friends, daughters & sons (Though not angels!) I do have some expertise in this area.

Additionally, before my marriage to David I was a nanny. An interesting study in parenting!

Just being thoughtless, we treat those we love most badly and wonder why they have low self esteem & poor confidence in themselves. I'm sure if we understood more we would be shocked at the effect we can have with out actions.

One of my jobs was looking after 2 children, Claire & Tom, 15 & 13 year old English kids. Great people, and the parents lovely people.

However, the parents thought it was 'modern' to let the son have 'elevenses' (a late morning beer)! Or to have alcohol at a party? Or to go to adolescent parties unattended by adults. Or to smoke a 'bit' of Pot! And certainly to have no set limits they knew to adhere to.

This didn't meet with what I believed was a way to raise kids. Fully 20, travelling the world, as cocky as you like I started to 'lay down the law' not only to the children but to the parents as well. To give them their due they kept employing me, I think they were realising that what they were doing wasn't really working.

The great lesson I learned from this was that when these children were given boundaries, even though they bucked against them, they loved it. The biggest thing I learned was that they knew I cared. They told me they weren't sure their parents loved them?

With our family, a few times we took the TV out of the house. Often the children would fight over programs or something and we would have a couple of weeks TV free. One of the reasons people don't want to do this I think, is that we, the adults like our TV too!!!!

The magic was that after a day or so they went outside, played happily, more creatively, read books, and even did homework happily.

Don't have a TV in your child's bedroom. (Nor, even more critically a computer). Today most homes would have 2 televisions, but they must be in common areas as with computers.

3 good reasons for this are:-

    It is very isolating to sit alone in a bedroom. Isolation breeds loneliness.
    Children need to know you care about what they are watching or what they have on their computers screens.
    They need to feel they are part of a family, that they belong, and that you want them near.

We looked at dinner as a time for the family to be together. TV was off and a discussion of the day was on! A special treat was a pizza in front of the television.

Another important builder of confidence and self esteem for kids is having jobs to do around the home that add to the smooth running of the household. Garbage, vacuuming, bed, kitchen cleaning. Laying the table, mowing the lawn. There are so many ways for a child to feel they are contributing to the family and household.

Children need to be kept busy especially as they mature. There is no end to the 'creativity' of a child with too much time on their hands. If you want mischief, you'll get mischief!!

Here are 20 tips that will help you...........

    Don't end the day with an argument. Always sort it before you sleep.
    Be optimistic, we get what we think about!
    Always back your partner's decisions even if you don't agree. Discuss it privately later.
    NEVER be embarrassed to say "I love you"
    Let your child know that no matter what they do you will always be there for them. They can always talk to you...good or bad. And you WILL believe them.
    Discipline firmly but without anger.
    Not all bruises show on the outside. Words can be equally bruising!
    Sometimes there are no words to sooth only to be held close!
    Teasing is rarely a self-esteem builder but we all must learn not to take ourselves too seriously.
    Let you child take responsibility for their mistakes. There are consequences for miss deeds.
    Do outdoor activities with your child, it's great for bonding.
    Let your child see you cry if you're upset.
    No matter what it is, if your child made it or chose it, love it. Their taste will improve
    Pick up on the 'right' things they do so you aren't just the 'corrector!
    Don't overreact to sniffles, hypochondria is a communicable disease!
    Boundaries are requirements for a child's feeling of security.
    "Rough house' play with Dad is a child way of learning from you where risk begins. It is important.
    Have fun and be silly with your child, laugh, tell stories.
    Make sure your child gets plenty of affectionate touch.
    Be very careful talking about your child in front of them.
    Really listen to your child. Don't interrupt. Don't finish their sentences.

"Self esteem is not something to teach, it is absorbed. It's not something we package; it takes time----our time, the lap time, the playtime, the fun time, the bedtime. But it's the most important gift we can give our children."

You will find more articles and a growing list of resources on my website http://www.shiftgears.com.au My love of people and thier success in all facts of their lives has lead me to this great resource, the internet. Please leave your email on my contact page. I would love to talk with you.

By Sabih Javed

Disney is a top brand name, when it comes to stories, games and toys for children. With an established familiarity in households, Disney is synonymous with kids-entertainment for many people. Disney junior games, a new online platform for children aged between 2 and 7 has gained popularity in a short span of time. In fact, it is a multi-platform brand, and its video games are designed to invite elders, i.e., parents and grandparents to join children to and get the Disney experience.

'Disney junior games' is not just about games, but also includes music and stories that exude the Disney fragrance in a magical way to impart fun and joy to every participant. It also offers series that encourage a healthy lifestyle and habits for pre-schoolers. Many parents appreciate fun learning games and also recommend them. Disney offers a lot of entry-level games for three-year-olds, rendering a great portal to introduce children to the PC. Games featuring Mickey Mouse, Handy Manny, Lightening McQueen, etc. are based on the favorite Disney characters of children. Kids will be overjoyed to interact with cartoon stars from the Disney Playhouse.

Further, the games are structured perfectly to present appropriate choices for each age group. Most of the games are informative, though a few are entertainment-oriented and meant for fun and leisure. Several video games, such as 'Koko's Color Field' and 'Quincy and the Magic Devices' are centered on Colors and Shapes, which help children to learn and identify colors and object shapes. Besides, the whole entertainment is vivid with attractive colors and pleasant yet lively music. The website is child-friendly and allows easy navigation, so that children can easily access their choice games.

All the Disney junior games are easy to understand for the relevant age-group and the friendly interface helps children to understand things at a glance. Another interesting fact about this online venture is that it provides several language options. So, people who are not familiar with English can select the appropriate native language from the language list offered on the site. Once the language is set, the site will start interacting in the chosen language and the games will also be based on the selected language. This is an added advantage for children as they will not have to blink and ponder for every subsequent step.

Apart from games, there are stories, puzzles and short educational series that are informative. Disney also updates the website regularly with newer games, which means that your child's Disney experience will not be diminished by monotony. Playing newer games day after day with favorite, traditional Disney characters can be a unique experience for children. Unlike several other video games that are based on fighting and violence, Disney junior games blend fun and learning in a marvelous way to impart interesting knowledge to kids.

In a nutshell, Disney Junior Games provides an assortment of amusement activities that are interesting, entertaining and educational for children. Children might actually learn one or more useful things from most of the games.

By Zena Jenssen

Many teens are looking for fast hiring jobs. Paid surveys are a great way for teenagers to make money. Without leaving the house, they can fill in surveys and do other offers on the internet and receive their payment every month. Lots of young people have started making extra money this way. Teens can always use some extra cash. There are several reasons why doing paid surveys is a great source of income for young people. Nowadays there are even some sites where you can watch a video and get paid to do so.

Doing surveys for money is a fun and simple way to earn an income. It will be difficult to find any other way to make extra cash that is this quick and easy. After signing up to a survey site, you will be asked some information about things that you like and things you do not like. This way you will get the surveys and the offers about things that you are interested in. This is a win-win situation. The company will get the information that it wants and you will not get bored with the questions, because it is a topic that you like. It is an ideal job for 15 and 16 year old teens. Most teenagers like to give their opinion about products and services anyway. So, this is your chance to get paid for giving your honest opinion.

Another great aspect of this job is that as a teen you can influence products and services. You can give your input and your opinion about many things on a daily basis. You will influence things that you and your peers may end up using every day. For companies this is an ideal way to find out what the consumer and the people that will purchase their product in the future really want. It is a fact that teenagers like to give their opinion. Teens are also a very influential group in the community. By taking paid surveys they can be sure that their opinion is valued. Another fact is that many products are targeted to teens.

Many teens who are doing this job, like the fact that they also get to try out new products. This is how it works. Businesses send their product to you. You try the product and fill out the paid survey with your opinion about their product. Most of the time they will let you keep the product. The best thing is that this job is not only for teens. You can start doing it now and keep it as an extra income for years to come. Another way to earn extra cash is to introduce this job to other people and receive a commission for every paid survey that they do.

By Michele Renee

It's hard for kids these days to believe and hold onto their own moral values. There are so many outside sources that promote wrong and immoral behavior. Doing the right thing and living an upright lifestyle isn't great entertainment. Most shows promote drinking, lying, and sex. Most shows have people living together that are not married and it has become socially acceptable. Today's youth does not have to adhere to the worlds ideals and they can raise their own standards and be confident and secure.

The first place this needs to start is in the home. Kids need to see a positive role model and if not, they will search out what is acceptable to society. The problem with this is that society doesn't always provide a true moral representative. As children grow up, they need to know their worth. That doesn't mean that you should tell them they are the best at everything. Positive reinforcement is key, but there has to be a balance. Letting children know that there will be ups and downs and they are not always going to win will help mature them and be secure in themselves as individuals. Teaching them right from wrong, and letting them know that even though no one is watching, doing the right thing builds character and integrity. As these attributes grow in a child, they will develop into a person that people want to be with; a person that others will speak highly of. All of this starts in the home and the example that is being set forth. Everyone needs to take inventory of their own values and actions and see if there needs to be revamping. Once a parent or an adult decides to change, other will take notice and it will have the trickledown effect.

Teaching children about sex is of the utmost importance. Explaining that sex is not just physical and that it is emotional is great. Letting them confidently know that sex is something that is to be shared between two married individuals that takes two people and joins them together as one is vital. Instilling this sense of pride for waiting will not only help them in their decision to wait, but will make it okay and make them happy and bold to let others know the choices they have made. Kids need to know about sex from their parents or the adults in their lives, because if they don't they are going to learn about it from their peers.

Kids need to have rules and values put in front of them so they can know what is right and wrong. Children learn more by what people do rather then what they are told to do. You can't tell a child something not to do and then do it. You are sending a wrong message and in the end, they will not follow the instruction. They will do what they see other people who are influential in their lives do. Changing the next generation into high moral, honest and trust worthy individuals will be the change that this country needs. They will be our next leaders, politicians, Wall Street workers, financial advisors, and teachers. With a generation like this, there are no limits to what can happen.

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By Manoki Kumari Rathor

Selecting clothes for your kids might be very challenging. As you are choosing clothing for your children, it is right choice to take your child together with you. Encourage your child to have her or his own perspectives about the style. They will be very excited and happy when they buy their own clothing. They would be more likely be interested in wearing the clothes frequently. Suitable clothes will make your child adorable and cute. Now there are various styles of child clothes, but some are too mature or revealing for children. As a responsible parent, you should carefully choose the appropriate clothing for your child.

Though you want your children become the fashion vane among his or her peers, you should also consider his or her age. As children have tender skin, they need clothes made of soft materials. Even though clothes or dresses with laces or sequins are popular, you should remove them from your shopping list. Clothes made from 100 percent cotton would be the best choice for your child. Furthermore, you can choose branded clothes for they are not only making your child comfortable but also stylish. Choosing the right party clothes for kids is very important thing that you should do.

One thing that you should consider before you in choosing the party clothes for kids is that you should consider about what party your kids will attend. After you know about this, you are able to choose the right clothes that they are able to wear. In choosing the right party kids clothing, you may need to find information in the magazines or internet. There are many casual party clothes that you are able to wear in attending the casual party. The parents need to get a cloth that will last longer. Don't buy clothes that are out of season. Buy clothes while taking care of cold and hot weather conditions. A summer dress should be flowing and lightweight.

Choosing kids clothing is a very difficult process as you should choose comfortable clothes that basically depend on cotton and similar fabrics. Choosing the right fabrics will help your kid feel comfortable while playing and during the daily activities at school or even while being out, or in a trip. Such important matter of fabrics would drive your search for many types and brands until you settle on one. Many stores also introduce nice home collections for your kids such as velour pajamas, cotton pajamas, shorts, and so on.

The children at the younger ages mostly play with cuddly baby dolls. Cloth baby dolls that can be machine washed are the best pick for this age because they are softest and most durable. Be sure the baby doll you choose does not have parts that can be swallowed if they come off. Boys generally will prefer dolls that are male. There are wide ranges of baby dolls and toys for kids available through online stores at the cheaper price and best quality as well.