By Denise J Hockley

Have you ever wanted to tear out your hair concerning the teenagers residing in your home? Do they act like extraterrestrials from another dimension? Do you wonder why they can't see that you and your spouse or partner are overwhelmed with work, getting them clothed, fed, to school, to the doctor, to choir practice and sports functions, paying the bills, handling household chores, and planning for your and their futures?

Do you marvel some days what prompted you to be a parent? Do you wrack your brain to figure out how you can steal a moment for yourself and slow things down just a little? Or do you think that other parents are doing much better?

These seem like a lot of questions that at first blush don't appear to have clear answers, but, in fact, they do. There some things you can do to improve your situation besides reading a number of books from specialists on the subject. But, frankly, who actually has the time to read anything more than "byte" size?

First and foremost, you need to be ready to dig in your heels and curb your natural instincts to keep the peace. It does take time for individuals (adults and youth) to adjust to new behaviors. Your kids may not believe that you will follow through with either discipline or incentives, if you haven't been in the habit of doing so previously. It'll take time to see change but the effort will be worth the results you will achieve. Your overarching philosophy has to include communicating with your children that you love them. In addition, a parent's job entails setting limits and ensuring that your children have increasing responsibilities; making them capable of tackling the world when they leave the nest.

1. Before you begin this endeavor understand if you desire changes in behavior, you will have to memorize the following rule:"If you can't measure it, you can't change it." This pertains to behavior you want to see changed, the means you utilize to effect change, setting up consequences and incentives and evaluating when this change has occurred.

2. Having a private discussion with your spouse or partner (or any other additional primary caregiver) whether or not they reside in the same household ensures that you are on the same frequency about the children. Engaging teachers in this venture because they see your child behave differently in school is also helpful. Otherwise, your children will easily split your influence, authority and affections. Children are much smarter, focused, and scheming than parents imagine.

3. You have to have an idea on what behavior you would like to see in your child or children. Initially, limiting this desire for two to three behavior changes (or even one) increases chances of success.

4. You need to have a plan you can live with. In other words, don't make threats or even promises you can't keep because all you will achieve is a loss of credibility. You will need to set limits with realistic, natural consequences. The punishment has to fit the crime. If a youngster is sexting; take away his/her cell phone long enough so there is an effect. If a child is misusing his/her computer, remove the computer privileges for a specified time and then stay true to that course of action. (This last step is very important because children are superb "hostage negotiators.") Finally, if you give a reward, let it be commensurate with the changed behavior. Such as improved or good grades result in special privileges and occasionally spending money. Teenagers want your positive attention and support more than anything else.

Let me give you an example how to employ some of these steps. Billy is a 13-year old only child and has been the apple of his parent's eye. They have been available to his every beck and call. This has resulted in a very insecure Billy who is doing poorly in school, has no ability to self-soothe or play by himself and needs constant reassurance. Billy's parents are exhausted from his constant need for attention, Billy doesn't seem very happy, and there is excessive whining being reported by the parents and the teachers. What can be done? Little Billy really believes he is incapable because his parents come to his rescue to solve all his problems for him.. Now that he is in middle school there are expectations that he will be able to do things for himself. And he is baffled on where to begin.

Billy needs responsibilities. He needs to be able to care for himself and personal possessions such as folding his clothes, making his bed and contributing to the family by walking the dog and/or taking out the trash. Mom and Dad need to show him exactly what the expectations are and monitor these carefully. Billy also needs to learn that making a mistake is the best way to learn. (Incidentally, Mom and Dad also need to understand this!) Further, Billy needs to track his assignments at school and request his parents assistance with homework a limited number of times. Privileges are removed if he exceeds this amount. Only the most urgent requests are met. Billy has to sort out his educational questions primarily by listening in class and talking to his teacher/s. In this way he will be taking responsibility for his learning. Mom and Dad can monitor his progress by his results and by teacher conferences as needed. Only as a result of accomplishing his responsibilities in school and at home does Billy receive additional attention from Mom and Dad which should include some family time.

The next article on raising teens will focus more specifically on chores and responsibilities, facilitating open discussion, rewarding positive behavior (and ignoring negative), and engaging in negotiation. Also addressed will be the underlying secret to what children want from their parents.

Denise J. Hockley, MS LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private Practice in Oceanside, California. She spent five years working with the chronically mentally ill, and more than 19 years working for the County of San Diego as a Senior Protective Social Worker. Her expertise is in addictions, individuals in crisis and she actually enjoys working with adolescent girls. Ms. Hockley can be contacted at http://denisehockley.com on the web.

By Todd Leavitt

There is an obvious concern with children spending too much time indoors these days. It seems like kids would rather keep themselves entertained with the newest gadget or game then spend quality time outdoors. Kids that have a means to creatively express themselves are more likely to want to spend time outdoors, but how do you turn your couch potato into an outdoor enthusiast? A good idea would be to spice up your property with a backyard playset.

A wooden play set may be a better choice than the traditional metal sets. Wooden sets have been found to provide a safer play structure and won't rust over the years. A wooden set will also add to the attractiveness of a yard if it is kept up on a regular basis. Caring for a wooden swing set is relatively easy. As spring draws near, you should physically inspect your set and look for signs of damage. Things to look for include cracked or missing rungs on the ladders, splintered wood that may possibly pierce or scratch the child and rusty or missing bolts. Inspect the slide for signs of instability and cracks and replace any damaged or missing parts. The seat of the swing should be inspected to insure that it isn't cracked or dry rotted from the heat of the sun. Inspect all chain guards to ensure they provide protection from finger pinches.

The area around backyard playground sets should be inspected as well. Keep the area well moved and weed free. This will prevent small children from tripping in long grass, and will help to reduce any unwanted pests. Look and make sure that there is nothing that a child can get injured on such as broken glass or objects that can cut or pierce the skin.

To keep your play set looking its best, you can pressure wash the wood, and then apply a coat of stain if needed. A sealer can be used to reduce the effects of weathering on the wood.

Children that are at play can become easily excitable on the equipment. Letting a child release their pent-up energy outside requires supervision. When children are playing on the set, keep a watchful eye and make sure that no one is pushing or engaging in other risky play that could result in an unwanted trip to the emergency room.

With proper care and attention, your set will bring your children many hours of wondrous and creative play. It is clearly a wise decision to make sure the equipment is maintained to provide maximum use.

By Doug Rogers

It's hard to fathom that we'll catch Tim Tebow in a TMZ moment any time soon - probably not even in our lifetime, for that matter. The devout Christian doesn't drink, doesn't do drugs and hasn't even managed to utter one syllable of egocentricity during the hundreds of public interviews about his skyrocketed path to national sports stardom. Tebow has seemingly broken the mold; the mold, that is, for the modern day pop culture hero who is typically idolized by young people for behavior that is radical, rebellious and outrageous. The crazier the behavior, the cooler that pop idol becomes.

By that standard, Tim Tebow would be the furthest thing from cool; considered a square, a nerd or at least a "goody two shoes," by old-fashioned labels. And yet here's the cool thing: Tebow is beloved by thousands of young people. But while Tim Tebow may be cast as an unlikely role model for today's youth, he is by no means the most unlikely figure to inspire young people in recent history.

When Tebow entered this world in Makiti City, Philippines in 1987, he would have had no capacity to imagine that just seven years later that same densely populated metro region would host an event that would attract one of the largest human gatherings in the recorded history of mankind. In 1995 Pope John Paul II held his sixth World Youth Day in Manila, Philippines, and youth pilgrimages from around the world brought an estimated five million people to the city for worship, celebration and social interaction. It constituted the largest Papal gathering in Roman Catholic history, and may have been the largest Christian gathering of any kind. And young people were at the center of it all.

Rock-Star Pope

Ten years prior, the charismatic and visionary Pope John Paul II had conceived of and initiated World Youth Day as a way to connect with young people across the globe. Since its inception, the biennial week-long event has attracted over 12 million people to major global cities, most of them young people, and most of them inspired to make the journey in order that they might catch a glimpse of this man who had somehow come to mean so much to their individual and collective lives. Only Pope John Paul II could have imagined the incredible success of such an event.

John Paul's appeal among the youth was uncanny, and defied conventional thinking about what appeals to the masses of youth. Here was a man in his sixties, then seventies, who preached sexual abstinence and strict conformance to Church doctrines. And yet young people admired him in an almost rock-star fashion. Uncanny yes, but not surprising to the pope himself.

In 1979 Pope John Paul II made his first visit to the U.S. during the first year of his papacy. He was a vigorous, athletic and charismatic representative of the Catholic Church, and his trips to New York City and Washington DC were extremely popular, appealing to a cross section of ages. In New York, Pope John Paul II invited tens of thousands of teenagers to join him for a youth convention at Madison Square Garden. As the Pope rode his "pope mobile" up and down the aisle, the raucous crowd whistled, screamed and cheered his name. The pope reveled in the moment, enjoying himself by touching outstretched hands and at times chanting along with the crowd. The event came to symbolize his relevance among the younger generations, and was largely seen as the impetus for the World Youth Day which the pope would officially create six years later.

Appealing to High Ideals

Putting aside divine intervention for a moment, we have to ask what was it that enabled this elder clergyman to connect so profoundly with young people, in a way that has never been experienced by any pope before or since? The answer is quite simple. Pope John Paul II deliberately and actively reached out to young people. He took a sincere interest in who they were, and he showed that he cared about what they cared about. He took them seriously, and perhaps most importantly, he appealed to their high ideals. Cynics might dismiss young people and teenagers as not having high ideals. Pope John Paul II was not a cynic. He was a believer. And he knew better.

As I watched the week of memorial tributes to Coach Joe Paterno after his death, I couldn't help but see another unlikely hero and inspiration in his own right to many of our country's youth. Here was a man well into his seventies, whose thick glasses, rolled-up khakis and ever-present tie kept him fashionably linked to a generation long past. And yet he too was adored and admired by thousands of 18, 19 and 20+ year olds, who took to the streets en masse over the loss of their adopted mentor - first in anger over Paterno's dismissal - then to publicly mourn his death. They unanimously explained their grief as not due to the loss of a football coach, but rather to the loss of a role model whose high-minded ideals and sense of core values they aspired to emulate in their own young lives. The young students connected with this octogenarian, because Joe Paterno acknowledged them, valued them and appealed to their sense of idealism.

As I think of these three stories, I can't help but be inspired myself. They are irrefutable evidence of the fact that our nation's youth possess an inherent appreciation - and longing - for a core set of values and ideals. That gives me a feeling of hope, and it puts a different tone on the phrase, "kids today." And that makes me smile to myself.

Doug Rogers is a retired corporate executive who now devotes his time to speaking and writing about Nice Guys.

http://niceguysfirst.com

By Kendall Rowsby

Kids these days rely a lot on electronic gadgets to battle boredom. Television, laptops, online gaming, and portable game consoles play big roles in keeping children occupied and indoors, which is why traditional toy makers are coming up with new ways to get kids interested in toys that involve more than just one's fingers tapping on keyboards or remotes, and get kids outside and running once more. The release of the new Nerf Vortex Nitron Blaster aims to do just that.

These blasters are unlike any other toy guns before it. Years ago, Nerf had a big chunk of the toy market with blasters that shot foam darts out of pistols, crossbows, and rifles. This time, their new line of blasters spit out discs, and there's sure to be a blaster for kids of just about any age.

The Nerf Vortex Blaster collection includes an array of blasters with different features that would suit children with different preferences. The Vortex Proton Blaster is the equivalent of a handgun: compact, lightweight, easy to conceal. It shoots out a single disc, but is quite long-range, and quick to load. Younger kids would find this blaster light enough to carry around, even all day!

The Vortex Vigilon Blaster, on the other hand, is a mid-sized weapon that can hold up to 5 discs in its clip. It's easy to carry around, and it has a simple reloading mechanism: just push a button to release the clip, insert a handful of discs, replace the clip, and it's good to go. The blaster hurls discs at a good distance, yet it's light enough for even younger kids to run around with.

The Vortex Praxis is this line's more versatile blaster. It has a shoulder stock that can turn it into a sniper rifle, or can be removed to turn it into a smaller blaster that's easier to carry around. It comes with a clip that holds 10 discs, and as it needs a pump before firing, it's the blaster that offers the longest range.

But the prize in the collection would have to be the Vortex Nitron. It's the toy equivalent of the automatic rifle, with a 20-disc clip ready to hurl a barrage of discs toward a target. It also has scope that centers aim with the help of pulsing lights that hone in on the target. It has about the same range as the Proton and Vigilon blasters, but it's heavier, carries more discs, and it's the line's only full-auto blaster.

Whether it's mobility, range, or full-auto function, there's bound to be a blaster for everyone in the Nerf Vortex Blaster collection. And while the discs are hurled at a great velocity and distance, it won't hurt anyone even when they get hit. Of course, standard precautions apply - shooters aren't supposed to aim at the eyes or face. But other than that, it's inevitable for kids to have their share of fun running around with Nerf's newest and most innovative creations. Goodbye to days cooped inside with gadgets, and hello to fun-filled mock battles with top-of-the-line blasters!

If you'd like to get more reviews on the Nerf vortex blaster then please visit http://www.nerfvortexblaster.com

By Elaine L Lindy

When I arrived to collect my 7-year-old from her after-school program the other day, many youngsters were gathered on the playing field to admire a fabulous rainbow arching across the sky. After a while, the rainbow faded. The children and the after-school teachers turned around and returned to their regularly scheduled activities.

In a similar way, many educators and parents gather to admire the beauty of the notion of values in the school. Then, after awhile, the beauty of the moment fades and all return to the ongoing demands of school life.

How to make values last? How to bring the beauty of the goal of holding laudable values such as compassion, persistence and responsibility, from outside the framework of the school day to a phenomenon that thrives within it?

There are no simple answers, only a tapestry of individual school experiences. For over five years, I've chaired the Core Values Committee of the Cabot Elementary School in Newton, Massachusetts. Our committee is composed of our school's principal, Marilynne Quarcoo, teachers, and parents. When I came to the committee, parents and teachers had already identified three: Becoming Lifelong Learners, Respect for Self & Others, and Commitment to School & Community. From the outset, our challenge was how to weave these central concepts into the fabric of school life. "Core values allow the school community to remain focused on what's important", says Quarcoo. "They provide a mirror for our decision making, and provide a guide and reason for our actions and behaviors."

Here are some approaches that worked for us, and may work for you.

(1) Define Your Core Values -- It Creates a "Default Position"

Nearly ten years ago, the principal, teachers, and parents at the Cabot School, over an extensive process (or so I heard, since it occurred before I entered the school system), identified such concepts. Concomitant to that, all public schools in Massachusetts in 1991 were mandated to formulate a strategy of core values.

Since that time, we've found some unexpected benefits to having articulated these ideas. Jodi Escalante, a kindergarten teacher at our school, was the first to coin the phrase "default position" relative to the benefits of core values in the classroom. "As a teacher, I'm frequently called upon to make decisions, resolve conflicts, work through dilemmas or problem solve in other ways," says Escalante. "Having core values gives me a consistent direction. It removes Â?my opinion' from the equation, substituting a default position, a previously agreed-to authority." She adds: "If a solution promotes a core value, it is acceptable." As a parent, I, too, soon found that having a default position accessible was just as handy a tool at home.

One frenzied morning not long after, my then-7 year-old cried, "Why do I have to brush my hair? Why does it matter anyway?" While I fruitlessly searched for a plausible answer, a worry tugged at the corners of my mind: "You know her hair will only get mussed in the course of the day..." Almost without thinking, I grabbed onto this explanation: "Because brushing your hair shows respect for yourself, and Â?Respect for Self & Others' is one of the Core Values of the Cabot School!" Thankfully, the phrase had popped to mind, if only because I had memorized it. And so, in the flailing of the moment, these stated ideals had provided me a safe landing ground.

Thus, our two-dimensional core values, painted on a poster in the main lobby, have come alive within the subconscious of teachers and parents walking throughout our school.

(2) Each Year, Spotlight a Different Core Value or Concentrate on an Arena of School Life

Transforming a school to exemplify an array of core values is, indeed, a daunting task! Better to divvy up the task into smaller, more manageable pieces. At the Cabot Elementary School, we first decided to focus on one value each year. Though we remain conscious of all of them, the core value on rotation receives special emphasis. At the nearby Angier Elementary School, parents and teachers identified five which they also spotlight, in turn.

H ave Courage
E ffort
A chieve
R espect
T ake Responsibility
[Here's their slogan:] "At the Heart of Angier"

A different approach is to focus each year on a certain arena of school life. The challenge here is to brainstorm how the dynamic that occurs within that arena can be improved to reflect core values. The arenas may be physical places such as the bathrooms, cafeteria, hallways, homeroom, or playground. Or, you might prefer to concentrate on procedural arenas such as class routines, conflict resolution, curriculum, students reward systems, or traditions & ceremonies. At the Cabot Elementary School, however, we found that one year hasn't been enough time for a given core value; without fail we've extended an initial year devoted to a given core value to a second year. With two years devoted to each of our three core values, a given student is immersed in core values activities throughout the elementary school experience from kindergarten to grade five.

(3) Display Student Interpretations of Core Values for Other Students to See

Not to be underestimated for its impact on students is the public posting of work by other students. Take advantage of any chance you have to display writing assignments, art projects, holiday work (such as for Martin Luther King Day) that ties to your school's core values. Here's an example: At the Cabot Elementary School, each year the 5th grade gives a gift to the school as a departing gesture. Several years ago we provided the 5th graders a banner showing the three core values of our school and asked each student to write their interpretation of them on attached fabric triangles, later attached to the bottom of the banner. The banner is now on permanent display in our main lobby. Here's a sampling of comments from the students:

Listen to your heart.
When someone is in trouble, never turn your back on them.
If you want friends, be yourself.
Don't smoke.
Remember that everyone has different talents.
Never stop learning.
Recycle.
Do your best at everything at school.
Be Unique.
If you have to walk the race, walk it but never give up.
Don't exclude people just because you're not great friends with them.
Be kind.
Life is short, use time well.

For awhile, a floor-to-ceiling paper machè tree was secured to the wall in our main lobby. Once, when we were spotlighting the core value, "Becoming Lifelong Learners", we asked each student at the beginning of the school year to write on a red cut-out of an apple a single goal of something she or he would like to learn that year. That springtime, we asked each student to identify on a white cut-out of an apple blossom one learning goal that had been achieved. The beauty of this approach is that as students search to find their own apple or blossom cut-out display on the tree, they inevitably read a number of other students' goals as well. Thus, they couldn't help but be struck with the collective nature of the effort.

Making values last is an aim that, challengingly, reaches a moving target. Each year, one grade graduates and a new class of kindergartners and their parents enter. You might plan for this by sharing the school's core values with new entrants. Distribute to incoming kindergarten parents, during the springtime orientation, flyers that explain the school's core values. Discuss in the first few parent-teacher meetings in the fall the history and goals of the school's core values. Be sure that new hires, including lunchroom monitors, librarians, janitorial, school nurses, as well as teaching staff, are conversant with your school's core values.

At the same time, with new entrants come a fresh source of energies and ideas. It may well evolve that a consensus of core values that had been formed by parents or teachers no longer with the school may be rewritten to reflect the priorities of an ever-reshaping school community. This, thankfully, ensures that the most important quality of the core values experience, that is the quality of dynamism, is built into the equation. Only when the individuals who are expressing the core values, in their own hearts, believe in the underlying concepts, will they become forces that move that lovely rainbow admired outside into a transforming experience that lasts within your school's walls.

Elaine L. Lindy is an expert on the strategy of storytelling in character education. As Founder of Whootie Owl International, Lindy created the award-winning web site, "Absolutely Whootie: Stories to Grow By" ( http://www.storiestogrowby.com ). The web site, which presents a selection of ethical and entertaining fairytales and folk tales from around the world, has received recognition from USAToday, Highlights for Children Teacher.net, The New York Times on the Web, and is recommended to teachers by Disney. Lindy can be contacted for interviews or speaking engagements at (617) 899-7397, toll-free (877)-WHOOTIE, or via e-mail at elainelindy@gmail.com. The mailing address of Whootie Owl International is Post Office Box 300644 / Newton, MASS 02460-0004.

By Aisha Sherina

Being a mom of two little kids, I have learned how beneficial it is to develop their imaginative skills especially at a very young age. My three year old son now able to imagine new things, invent new machines and cars of his imagination. I always encourage his flourishing creativity by helping him with his task. It is truly fascinating to watch your kid draw or learn something for the first time.

They should be given the freedom to explore themselves, share their ideas through different play activities. Learning through play can help them explore about themselves, people and world around them. By giving them endless play time, we are giving them the space to explore that helps them find solutions to problems through creative thinking. For them, playing and learning are two sides of the same coin. The play classes develop your child's motor skills, physical development, mental development, social skills, etc. Now a day's kids are spoon fed with swimming classes, coaching classes, dance and music classes that they do not even know how to play with a doll. That creates an unimaginative life around them.

Benefits of Boosting Your Child's Imagination.

Play is a powerful tool that helps in mastering new skills without much stress. Discover your child's real self, through his imaginations and creativity. Boosting a child's imagination helps them gain the following skills.

Gain social skills - While they play with people around them, they learn about relationships among people and how to behave with elders. Playing tent or house, they learn about a parent's affection for their child. They also develop empathy and care for others. They also learn to adjust with any situation and develop self-confidence.

Develop language skills - Kids who do a lot of talking while playing develop appropriate sentence structure and excellent communicative skills.

Gains intellectual development - Those who do a lot of imagination will learn to think symbolically. This will help in the child's over all development.

Builds self-confidence - Playing police and thief, they work out of their fears and develop self-confidence and becomes bold. They also becomes aware of the social injustices.

Develop motor skills - Dancing to music, art and craft, all enhances their motor skills which help them to do any activity easily.

How to Nurture Your Child? Sending kids to dance classes or art classes cannot boost their imagination. Just be a play mate for them which is more than enough. Play cars or mommy and daddy with them, Smash and bash the cars along with him. Now see his imagination flowing out. It is time to think out of the box.

Monitor your kids carefully while they play and know their interest and help them develop that. Give them more opportunities to try out new things like art and craft, outdoor play, sports, music, or provide them with materials like scissors, play dough, color papers or color pencils that might interest them. Help them come out with their own imagination. Never discourage them when they are up to do something creative and add fuel to their learning curiosity.

Learning Through Play.

Only a child with imaginative skill can play well as playing needs imagination. So what can be done to boost a child's imagination? Read stories for them and ask them to do character play of the story, take them to picnics, trip to a zoo, or beach to give them new experience. Dance to music along with them or read books for them. Always place a box of crayons, scissors, craft paper, gum, paints, on the kids table so that they can use them whenever they want to explore their imagination. Allow to play with water or sand and give them ample time to create wonderful things from their imagination. They can develop a sense of achievement and self-confidence from each successful invention.

By Mihaela C Schwartz

The most beloved and famous doll of the history, Barbie has enjoyed over a decade of uninterrupted success, but she has also had her share of controversies. Although she has embodied the symbol of beauty for many generations, most of the criticism takes on her physical features. Many psychological studies have been conducted over the years in order to emphasize the negative impact that Barbie has upon children's development.

The major concerns coming from researchers and parents refer to the unrealistic body image the doll transmits to young girls. Her too long feet would make it impossible to stand and walk for a real life women and her incredibly tiny waist was blamed for promoting anorexia. Cindy Jackson's case and the numerous plastic surgeries she has undergone in order to fulfill her dream of looking like Barbie is well-known and used as an argument in this kind of debates.

The manufacturing company has also been accused of stimulating girls to keep unhealthy diets when in 1963, the outfit "Barbie Baby-Sits" was launched and it came on the market accompanied by a book focusing on the losing weight topic and advising girls not to eat. More over, the doll that has already passed the age of 50 has never shown a wrinkle on her face - another factor in favor of cosmetic surgeries in order to eliminate aging signs.

Besides this, Barbie has been the subject of countless critics hinting at her lifestyle, at her relationship with Ken as well as at racial discrimination. Thus, when Mattel decided to issue a colored doll in order to respond to such critics, they were blamed for using head molds of the while version of the doll which did not have African American features. Since then, the manufacturers have struggled to solve these issues, launching on the market different series of Barbie friends in line with various beauty standards, to cater for international tastes.

However, no matter what crisis she had to overcome during her long history, Barbie was, has been and still is the most beloved doll in many countries and many generations of girls have enjoyed playing with her. Nowadays teenagers have the opportunity of keeping themselves updated with every detail of her life as well as that of her long list of friends, family members and neighbors as the internet comes with this great advantage and the manufacturing company knows very well how to make use of it.

Mihaela Schwartz is an versatile content writer with over 10 years of experience with all sorts of topics (medical, leisure, technology, education).

By Todd Leavitt

The debate on whether or not video games affect a child's behavior has conflicting results. It has been reported however, that young children who play violent video games may reflect what they see and do during game play in real life situations. The point that is undecided is whether or not the games have long-term effect on the child. The same holds true to inappropriate television shows that may show young children acting inappropriately to their elders.

Is it true that games and television have a negative impact on children? I suppose it depends on each individual child. What we need to do is find a positive and fun way to convince our kids to play outside more. We can do this by providing them with the tools they need.

Backyard playground sets are becoming more and more common as parents are learning more about the importance of outdoor play. Back in the day, there was the metal swing set. And that's what it was, a swing. In current times there are several different types of swing sets, but the one that is gaining the most popularity is the wooden swing set. These sets on average are more costly than the metal or plastic types, but the durability and the option for growth may be worth the extra investment. Children are busy by nature and have been known to spend hours on playgrounds. For those looking to keep their kids out of the house, a set in your back yard will offer hours of fun while keeping the comforts of home.

Wooden swing sets can be an investment that grows as your child grows. Unlike a metal swing set, a wood set can have different accessories added and removed as needed. You can purchase a small wooden set for the early years, and then as the child's motor skills and personality develop, change the scene by adding things like a loft or platform, a tube slide that empties into a sand box, a picnic table that can be built under a deck or loft and a rope ladder for climbing. The possibilities are endless when it comes to upgrading your set. A child's imagination is an ever-growing thing. When they are fed positive experiences, their creativity will flourish.

Families that have decided to make a difference and purchase backyard playground sets can enjoy quiet summer evenings while the kids explore the new world of imagination. Children will be more eager to create memories with friends and less time in doors by running, playing, and having a good time.

By Todd Leavitt

Imagine the squeal of delight as your child finds out that he is the proud new owner of his own play ground. No longer does a weary mother or father have to disappoint their child after a long day at work or a busy schedule leaves you pressed for time. Outdoor playground sets have provided quality outdoor family fun across the nation. However, there are several things to consider before you run out and buy a new set to add too your yard.

The first thing that you should consider is the age and mentality of the child, or children. You should also keep physical limitations in mind when exploring your options as well. Your new set should comfortably accommodate the needs of the child at the time. For new beginners, small sets are ideal. Eventually though, the child will grow, and as he grows, so should the set. Wood swing sets are ideal for this situation. Typical metal swing sets come with set features, the swing, the rocker chair and maybe a slide. A wood set keeps the door for improvement open. As the child grows and develops, you can add different features to your set. While in the beginning you may have started small, over the years you can add different types of accessories such as tire swings, tube slides, rock walls, rope ladders and additional levels to outdoor playground sets.

Another thing to consider is how much room you actually have to install a set. There should be adequate room for vigorous play on all sides of the set. When you choose the location of the set you should make sure that the build site as well as surrounding area is fairly flat. This will ensure that the unit sits flat and remains structurally sound, and also prevents injury while kids are running and jumping. Ideally you should factor in room that surrounds the play area so you can add soft material to protect from falls.

The location should also be considered when there is long exposure to sunlight. Children that are active in play may not notice the heat. Wood swing sets can have a picnic table below the deck installed or you can have an enclosed structure for kids to find relief in.

Metal swing sets have a tendency to rust and corrode over time, leaving an unsafe play area for kids. A wood set is durable and able to withstand the weather longer. Your play set is an investment that will last for many years to come. With proper planning a play set is worth the investment.

By Todd Leavitt

Kids are active by nature and eager to explore fun things. How many times have you wondered what you could do to get your kids outside? Many children today lack the incentive to go outside and explore the world around them. To them it is much more fun to sit back and play the newest video game or watch a program on the television. The result? Sadly it leads to over weight children with under developed minds. As parents we should encourage our children to play outdoors as much as possible. We can do this by providing useful outdoor equipment. Spice up your child's play by looking at outdoor playground sets. Almost every child enjoys playing on a playground, how exciting would it be for them to have their very own?

To help your child make the most of their set, you should encourage mental stimulation by helping them explore the endless possibilities of their new world. While boys seem to fancy anything that is action packed, girls tend to be a little on the nurturing side. Think of different ways that you could incorporate imaginative play into real life situations.

For a girls, their wooden playsets could be transformed into their very own house, or a vets office, possibly a place of employment. For active boys, a set could be a pirate ship, or a fort that is being defended from Indians- or maybe a space ship that is getting ready to invade Mars. Getting involved with your child's play will create a bonding experience and also foster a desire for more creativity. Play sets can be used to help the thought process by encouraging your child to think out possible situations and playing out the scenario together. Outdoor playground sets can provide a sense of ownership to a child and may encourage a feeling of independence when they play in their personal space, and also create a sense of pride when they take care of their own place.

One of the benefits of wooden play sets is the ability to add different features. There is no need to worry that your child will grow bored when there are many different features that can be added to keep the creativity alive. The only bad thing about a new set is that you may not be able to coax them back into the house for a bite to eat. Luckily you can add a built on picnic table for the times when the play is going good, in that case you have a ready-made diner that the little ones can serve you from. Keeping play creative is part of the fun.

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