By William R. Alheim, Jr.

Most parents realize that their children are growing up faster and becoming much more fashion conscious, than they were as kids. Some children by the time they reach the age of seven or eight, are already telling their parents what types of clothes that they want to wear. If your kid needs a new set of eyeglasses and you would like to learn how to save a little money off of them, the following article will let you know how to do it.

If you have not started shopping on the internet for almost everything that you need, we only have one question for you, which is, "Why Not"? You must have too much money, or you do not realize how much cheaper almost every item is when you purchase it online.

If you are worried that you will not be receiving the same quality of product from a website, as you would from a local retail store, you could not be more wrong. In fact, not only will you be able to cut your cost considerably, you will be getting precisely the same product as you could find locally.

You did read that correct, you can purchase the exact same pair of kids eyeglasses on the World Wide Web, as you can at any store located close to your home. All you need to do is to check out a few sites that sell them, select the brand and style that you want, enter your payment and address information, and they will arrive at your home in a matter of days.

One bit of warning though, which is if you kid has their heart set on a certain style and color, please make sure that you get it for them. Kids are under a great deal of pressure from their friends to fit in and look cool. If you try and save a little money by getting something that your child does not want, there is a very good chance that they will be unhappy, and let you know about it. Below you will find a few helpful hints that if you choose to make use of, should significantly enhance your online shopping experiences for your child's next set of eyeglasses.

Helpful Hint #1 - The first thing that you want to do is to find a few websites that have what you believe are the eyeglasses that your child is looking for. Next, you want to bookmark these sites, before you ask your kid to sit down next to you and give you their opinion.

You want to do this, because most children do not have very long attention spans, and they could very easily get bored while you are searching all over the internet for a couple of good sites.

Helpful Hint # 2 - Whatever you do, please make sure that you let your child sit next to you, and tell you what set of eyeglasses they want. If you fail to follow this recommendation, your kid could very easily end up being upset, and could refuse to wear the glasses.

Think about this for a second, a set of eyeglasses, unless they are for reading only, are usually worn virtually all day, every day. No self-respecting image conscious child is going to wear anything that they believe makes them look bad, for that many hours.

Helpful Hint # 3 - If there are any doubts in either your or your child's mind about which set of eyeglasses that you should acquire, you should visit a local retail store and review your options. This way, your child will be able to see exactly what they look like, and how they will look on them, before you make the final purchasing decision.

Another plus to employing this strategy, is that you will be able to compare prices, and see exactly how much money you are going to be able to save by purchasing the eyeglasses online.

There are a ton of websites today that sell cheap eyeglasses for kids. All you need to do is to find a few of them, check out what each one has to offer, and then select the product that best suits your child's needs. When you are all done with that, you will have made your child happy, and you should have saved a great deal of money in the process.

By Aaron Huu

Are you thinking that your little girl's tutu is the same one that all of her friend have? Do you want to dress it up and make it look fabulous? You would think it would be complicated, but it's really quite simple to do. I have a few ideas for you that can take your little girls tutu and make it fit for a princess.

Of course you will need your tutu, some scissors, ribbon, a hot glue gun and a pretty embellishment such as a flower or cute pompoms. You can even add some crystals to make it super cute and give it more bling.

First, you will want to remove any embellishments, such as a bow that is already attached. You may use your scissors to do this. Please be careful not to cut any of the material of the tutu. It's best to leave a bit of the embellishment behind and just cover it up if you need to do so. You can find your favorite flower to go on your tutu at your local craft store. You can pick up some cute ribbon as well there that can match.

Secondly, you will take your ribbon and place it in the middle where you will place your flower. You can cut the ribbon to hang the length of the tutu or it can be shorter. I sometimes use two designs of different width to add a little pizzazz. You will then make a cute bow by folding the ribbon behind itself and then tying another piece of ribbon in the middle. Glue the ribbon in the front on top of the other ribbon that is hanging. After this, you will place your flower on top of the bow. You may skip the bow part if this is a bit of a task or if it doesn't go with your design. You may also add a bit of sparkle by adding a diamond in the middle of your flower. Every girl loves a bit of sparkle.

Now step back and look at your creation. Would you like more or is this just enough? You can always add some flowers or diamonds to the tutu itself at the bottom or in the middle, staggering them so they don't look so uniform.

Now that you know how to simply embellish a tutu, you can practice with more each month. Great places to find embellishments are your local craft store and even the dollar store. This will be great projects for you and your daughter and the holidays (such as Halloween) are even more fun thinking of great ways to decorate them! You can get cute things like spiders, ghosts or cute little black cats to put on the tutu. She will love being beautiful and celebrating the holiday at the same time! You can try out different things through the holidays and watch your friends that have little girls want to join in the fun of making their little girl cute tutus, too.

By Aaron Huu

It does not matter how old you are, you will find that a tutu is a great way to show your personality. You will find that even many of the celebrities are wearing tutus today to award shows, photo shoots and even in movies. Tutus are a wearable art and are very functional, cute and light. They can add flair to any outfit and it's for certain, no one will be able to take their eye off of your clever outfit. It is an amazing way to set yourself apart from all the other girls and it shows your confidence in a beautiful way.

Also, you can use a tutu to accessorize with anything. Whether you want to be a pretty princess with a cute tiara or have a little more of a punk flair with some boots, you can make it work for you. There are so many combinations that will work for a perfect look for you and your individuality. And don't forget the usual mate for a tutu, which is the leotard or stockings. These come in a variety of colors and designs. There are so many colors that can express your personality and your feelings on and off stage.

You can also dress up your tutu to match your style. There are cute ladybug tutus for your sweet princess that loves nature. Of course, you can always find a perfect princess tutu for any princess at any age. You may also be a rockin' roll girl and love to spice up an outfit with a tutu that has a little flair in it. And for the diva in your family, there are beautiful tutus decorated with zebra print, diamonds and hot pink. What diva in training would not love this kind of tutu?

If you are having a wedding or an event you may want to look into a tutu dress for your little princess. They come in many colors from pastels to darker colors. These tutu dresses are accented with beautiful bows and flowers for any occasion. If you have a design in mind, you may also contact a tutu boutique and they can help match the colors of your event perfectly and also accessorize with your themed flowers. You will want to make sure these dresses are made of soft tulle so that the child may wear the dress with no problems throughout the day.

As you can see, there is a tutu just for you and your little princess. From the pretty little princess to a rockin' princess, there is a design for you.

If you would like to find a perfect handmade tutu for your little princess, you can visit LilTutuPrincess.com for your tutus and tutu dresses.

By Marilyn LaFiura

If you know someone who's turning 16, the best gift you can give her is to show her how to begin a good skin care regimen. The earlier you start taking care of your skin, the better! Show her how to properly cleanse, moisturize and protect her skin from the sun and your gift will last her a lifetime!

When we are young and our skin is dewy fresh and free of wrinkles and lines, we don't think about someday looking in the mirror and not recognizing the person looking back. We all know how fast time goes by. Set some time together when it will be just the two of you to bond and when its quiet with no distractions. Then get to work!

Begin with her skin. Teach her to cleanse her face in the AM and PM using a gentle cleanser. Make sure you show her that whenever she applies a lotion to her skin, that she makes sure her hands are clean first. Teach her to use circular motions when cleansing or applying lotions to her face, preferably in an upward, outward motion. Show her how to pat her skin dry and not rub it as this will irritate her skin and rub away any natural oils.

If her skin is prone to acne or occasional blemishes, there are anti-acne solution treatments that include cleansers, daily astringents to keep pores clean and unclogged and lotions that will prevent new acne breakouts. Next, apply a moisturizer that contains an SPF of at least 15.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The higher the number, the more protection you get from the sun. Many skin care and makeup products today include SPF. We know that there is a dark side to the sun and it's not just the side you can't see. Our government has proven that the ultraviolet rays from the sun (and from tanning machines) are definitely linked to cancer in humans. You need protection from the sun whether it's summer or winter, or sunny or cloudy, as the sun's rays are always there.

Choose a moisturizer that is light and non-greasy. Apply it the same way you applied the cleanser. Put a small amount on her fingers and, using slow, circular motions, allow her to spread the moisturizer on her face in an upward, outward motion towards her temples. Very lightly. The moisturizer will be absorbed into her skin. You can add moisturizer if you feel you need it; just make sure her whole face and forehead are moisturized.

If her skin has some acne blemishes, you may want to use a concealer that contains a tint very close to her natural skin tone. Apply it with fingertips, also, however just pat it on. Don't rub it as this will cause her skin to get red and irritated. Just dot on and blend.

Now you are ready for a little Face Tint. This will even out her skin tone and aid in moisturizing and protect her from the UV rays of the sun. Apply with fingertips the same as the moisturizer and just make sure that it is blended well. Apply the product to the top of her neck also, as you don't want any tint to stop at her jaw-line and be obvious. Blend it evenly from the jaw up and out over her face.

As for makeup, you can get a light color eye shadow, such as pink or lavender and just apply it to her eyelids evenly. Use an eye shadow brush as this will evenly spread the makeup on the eyelid. You can blend it with your fingertips to smooth any loose flakes. You probably don't need an eyeliner, but if you choose to add this, choose a warm color in a little darker shade than the eye shadow. Such as if you have a light pink or lavender eye shadow, use a plum-colored eye liner. Very lightly apply to the top of the lashes and, again, blend it with your fingertips.

Next, use a mascara. You may not need to add mascara with any color; a clear gel would probably work best. This will separate the lashes and curl the ends just a little bit, but it will make her eyes appear more open. No one will even know she is wearing mascara. The clear gel mascara on her lashes will set off the light color eye shadow and her eyes will just wake up her face!

For a light blush, use a nude or very pale pink shade. Show her how to find the apples of her cheeks by smiling and, using a blush brush, blend the blush along the apples of her cheeks towards her temples. Very lightly. The secret is you want all these products to look very natural, like she's not wearing any makeup at all! You want her natural beauty and uniqueness to shine through.

Lastly, apply a lip tint. You can choose from a lip balm, a lip gloss or a lipstick. Again, make sure the product contains an SPF 15 or higher. Your bottom lip especially is vulnerable and needs protection from the sun. Apply from the middle of the lip and work your way to the corners, applying evenly.

Don't forget, stress that you need to cleanse your face morning and night when you start wearing makeup and you should never go to bed with makeup on. This could clog your pores and could encourage acne breakouts. Also, show her how to wash her makeup brushes once a week to prevent any bacteria from growing.

This is a fun time for you to bond. Answer her questions and have some fun! You can experiment with colors, but at a young age, natural is always better!

My name is Marilyn LaFiura. I am an Independent Avon Sales Representative.
I love selling Avon because I love the products and I enjoy bringing new beauty trends and other items to my customers.

Read my blog at: http://www.Avon4everyone.com

Please feel free to share these links with your family and friends. If you register at my store, I will send you a personal message. I have lots of great things planned for 2012!

Also, all comments and shares are encouraged and appreciated!

By Nancy J Razza

What makes you happy, --do you know? For most us discovering what brings us joy, as well as what builds our self-esteem, is a lifelong process. There is, of course, always more to learn about ourselves.

But happiness, as the saying goes, is an inside job. Many of us are well into adulthood before we accept the fact that our happiness is our own responsibility, --and no one else's. For example, if I'm in a low-paying job, or in a relationship with a person who continually puts me down, I could complain about my miserly boss or my critical boyfriend, --or I could take responsibility for being in those situations. I could work on trying to assert myself appropriately and negotiate for what I want. If my requests are not honored, then it is I who needs to take responsibility for finding other employment and new relationships.

Sounds neat and logical but, for most of us, it isn't easy stuff to learn. So imagine if, at the tender age of 10 or 12, you had the opportunity to be part of a structured system designed to teach you the art of creating a happy life. Actually, make that the science of creating a happy life. The Girl Scouts of the USA has created a new badge designed to provide just this experience. Called the "Science of Happiness" badge, this merit badge is the brainchild of psychologist Martin Seligman who has conducted extensive research on reducing depression and anxiety in adolescents.

After puberty there is a sizeable increase in depression but research shows significant reductions in depression and anxiety in children who learn who learn these skills. Self-esteem and self-empowerment are cultivated in advance of the stressors of adolescence, giving girls a leg up against the possibility of teenage depression.

You can help your daughters, --and your sons, too, for that matter, by teaching them these essential skills. Scientific research demonstrates that being happy is something people can learn to do. It is not simply a state caused by external circumstances. Teach you kids this concept: That they can do things to create happiness for themselves.

So here goes. Let's run through an example to make each step clear.

Your 10-year-old daughter has been after you and your husband to get her a puppy. Your husband and you are both thinking that you'd like to get a dog, but had been waiting until your daughter was older and could be more responsible for her pet. Your daughter, of course, promises you the moon; she will walk the dog in the rain, sleet and snow. You know full well, however, that you will be the one who is ultimately responsible. Of course, you could simple get her a puppy, and then she'd be happy, right? She might, but she'd be happy because of something you did, not something she herself did. This is a great opportunity to teach your daughter to learn what she can do to help herself. She can learn to be responsible before getting the dog; moreover, she will learn that her responsible behavior will get her what she wants!

Step 1. Define the problem. Sit down with your child and and a large pad of paper. Define the problem in objective terms that are clear to both you and your child. In this case, your daughter writes: "I want a puppy but Mom and Dad won't let me get one!"

Step 2. Reframe the problem into one that can be tackled by the child's efforts. In this case, you could help your daughter to revise it to read: "I want a dog and there are things I have to do in order to get one." This is great! She's on her way.

Step 3. Jointly create a list of activities with your daughter that she can do to reach her goal. In this case, you and your daughter might create a chart on a calender with responsibilities she can take to prove she is ready for the responsibility of a pet. You and your daughter will make marks on the calender at the end of each day, to note her accomplishments. For example, let's say that each day for the next four weeks, your daughter will:

* make her bed in the morning;

* get all her homework done by 8 pm and show it to you;

And, once a week for the next four weeks she will read an article or book with you about caring for a dog. At the end of four weeks, she will create a final project such as a poster on what she has learned about dog care, and a list of things she herself will do for the dog.

(As you develop the activities in Step 3, make certain each task is one your child is capable of!)

4. Highlight and affirm your child daily for her efforts. When you check off her activity on the chart, make a point to offer verbal praise along with it. Say, for example, "Honey, you did a great job making your bed today! I didn't even have to remind you! If your child fails to complete her responsibilities, keep your tone neutral and matter-of-fact. Simply say, "Tomorrow is another chance to get it right. You can still earn what you want. It will just take a little longer."

5. Once your child has completed her set number of days or weeks of her responsibilities, be sure to let her know she earned the reward because of her own efforts. In this case, once you have gotten the dog, you might put a picture of your daughter and her puppy up on the refrigerator next to her completed chart and write, "Congratulations, you did it!"

Going forward, keep these steps in mind. A similar project can be set up to help your daughter with ongoing responsibilities for her pet. There is no limit to the application of these steps. Apparent problems are opportunities for teaching happiness in disguise.

Nancy J. Razza, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in New Jersey and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She provides consultation and psychotherapy and can be reached at 732-758-1122.

By Jennifer Little

The prom is an important event to students, but why? The prom is really just a high school dance, specifically put on by juniors and/or seniors. But there is a mystique about the prom, an event into which parents and students alike dedicate great care and planning for months.

For parents, it is an event that symbolizes youth: joy, carefree days devoid of responsibility, and being with friends made over many years including some who marry within the next one or two years. In some ways, parents get to regain their own memories as their child's excitement and planning builds up to the night of the prom. For students, it is a special occasion like a rite of passage into adulthood: the formal attire, proper manners, the boutonnieres and corsages may only be seen again when they are participants in a wedding.

For students attending schools in remote and/or rural areas, the school gym is ornately decorated by committees spending weeks or months in preparation and the day before and day of the prom putting everything in place. For students attending suburban or urban schools, the prom is a dance preceded by a dinner at an area hotel, country club or fancy restaurant. Regardless of where students attend school, there are certain elements to the event:

The Hairstyle (For girls only)

Visits to have hair cut and styled usually happen the day of the prom. Stylists cannot do miracles on everyone in the school during the same two hours between school and getting ready for the prom. Long hair takes a lot longer than short hair to wash, dry and style, especially when the style is ornate and unusual.

The Clothes

Girls spend months looking at dresses, finding The One that fits their dream to wear. Color, fabric, design and accessories all must match the dream. Budgets are allocated for these clothes to be either rented or purchased. Sometimes outrageous amounts of money are needed for these dresses destined to be worn only once and retired to a dress bag for decades. Tuxedos must color coordinate with the girls' dresses - after all, what would be worse for a couple to be blinding others with harsh colors? Boys have it much easier - they can rent the tux and not worry about it anymore, but they must decide on the jacket (such as satin or plain lapels) and shirt (such as ruffled or pleated fronts) styles and cummerbund (usually just black or red) options.

The Flowers

Boys and girls usually collaborate for these, because both color and style are going to be dictated by personal taste and The Clothes. If a girl wears a strapless gown, a corsage will present unique challenges. The boy is expected to pin the corsage on the girl's dress, and this can often prove to be awkward and embarrassing. Then there is the matter that it is going to be in the way or destroyed by the first slow dance. A wrist corsage would be most appropriate for the strapless dress situation and for those who want to preserve the flowers for the entire evening (and beyond, if possible). The boutonniere is a more easily solved problem: typically it is a rose that matches or blends well with the cummerbund and the girl's dress.

The Transportation

Wise parents do not encourage their children to drive cars, especially when there are parties before and after the prom. Instead, limousines are hired by the couple and/or a group of friends going together. The limousines assure driving safety for everyone.

The Dinner

When the prom is in the school gym, typically the couple go out to eat somewhere before the prom. When the meal is served where the prom is held, the price is included in the prom tickets. The point is to show off appropriate table manners (elbows off the table, not talking with your mouth full, eating appropriate portions of food without complaint) and the ability to eat without spilling everything in your lap the way you do at home or school. When the restaurant is a country club or "fine dining establishment", there are extra pieces of tableware that provide the opportunity to demonstrate that the small fork is for salads, the outside spoon is for tea/coffee, and the fork and/or spoon above the plate is for dessert.

The Pictures

Photos remain as memorabilia for the rest of your life (or at least until you toss them out of embarrassment) of this moment in time. Parents take oodles of pictures to remember the day their child suddenly grew up into an adult (if only for the day). Couples have photographers take pictures at the prom to remember who they went with and what they each wore to the prom. Sometimes these can cost a lot of money, depending on the package you order, so be prepared for the bill.

The Dance

The music at the prom may be a live band (when the class can afford the cost) or a DJ. Typically the music plays for 2-3 hours; when there is a live band, they often need to take a 15 or 20 minute break in the middle. Regardless of the source, the music is usually loud and fun to dance to. While there may be some "challenging" music (fox trots or cha-chas, for example), typically it is patterns of several fast dances followed by one or two slow dances. Both boys and girls should practice waltz steps so they don't step on each others' toes unless they only plan on standing in one place and swaying to the music.

The Chaperones

The prom is a school function, so teachers and administrators must be in attendance. They usually enjoy themselves by watching the couples behave appropriate and have fun. Should someone try to disobey the rules (exiting and entering the building repeatedly or after having consumed the forbidden alcoholic beverages that some will try to consume), they will be the ones to have to enforce the rules. It makes for a pleasant memory to follow the rules of the prom.

The After-the-Prom Parties

The prom usually ends between 11:30 and 12:00 because people need to sleep, the limousines are rented by the hour, and many students have curfews at home. Some students may rent motel rooms (if there are any willing to have teenagers after a prom) or go to a willing adult's home to continue the party atmosphere for an "all-nighter". Sometimes these will be harmless gatherings of friends just having a good time until they collapse from exhaustion. For others, this often means consumption of alcohol and/or drugs often in conjunction with sexual activity just to prove they are adults and capable of making decisions of what they will do to and with their bodies.

The after-the-prom party is where the teenager demonstrates all the efforts his/her parents have spent raising their child to be responsible. This is where many teens make poor choices or bad decisions that can affect them for the rest of their lives. Far too many teenagers die because they drive under the influence. Many more must decide what to do about an unwanted pregnancy. Everyone wants to have fun, but sometimes fun turns into danger or sorrow very quickly. Be smart and make your decisions as if your whole life depends on them; it may be the truth more than you realize at the time.

Jennifer Little, Ph.D.

All children can succeed in school. Parents can help their children by teaching the foundational skills that schools presume children have. Without the foundation for schools' academic instruction, children needlessly struggle and/or fail. Their future becomes affected because they then believe they are less than others, not able to succeed or achieve or provide for themselves or their families. Visit http://parentsteachkids.com to learn how to directly help your child and http://easyschoolsuccess.com to learn what is needed for education reform efforts to be successful.

By Craig L Smith

These days electric scooters for kids are gaining popularity and it has become difficult for parents to enter their neighborhood with their children without an electric scooter as almost every 2nd home will have one for their kids.

There are plenty of benefits for buying an electric scooter for kids which most parents might have never thought of. Let us discuss some of the main benefits for buying one for their child.

Benefits of electric scooter

    Quality Time - This is one of the important factors. Today in our internet crazy world, kids tend to remain at home and spend time playing online games on the computer challenging other players across the globe. Moreover, sitting at one place for hours together will definitely weaken a child's approach to the outside world and eventually kids turn out to be obese when they begin to grow sitting at one place. These electric scooters will automatically allow kids to come out of their internet crazy world and learn to breathe fresh outside air and meet new friends along the way. This is one of the ways to divert a kid's attention from watching television or playing online games.

    Senses of freedom - Most kids who remain at home are always being watched by their parents or siblings. They too prefer some quality time to be alone on their own. The electric scooter for kids can be a great stress booster for them to be away from family and be with friends. Care is to be taken that they do not ride far away from your home. It is preferred to take them to a park so that they can play with these scooters on their own with their friends. See to it that kids wear protective equipments such as a helmet & elbow pads. Most of the electric scooters have a top speed ranging from 10 to 15 mph. This average speed is enough for your child to have a feel of freedom and self confidence.

    Feel of confidence - The feel of riding an electric scooter is similar to an adult riding a bike or a scooter. There is no much difference. The only difference is in the speed limit, but kids as young as 8 years require only sufficient speed. Moreover, as they grow up in age, they will automatically feel the confidence of riding a bike and will be able to adapt riding a professional bike with confidence which can last for a lifetime.

    Social - Kids tend to be social as most of the time they are outside their homes meeting and making new friends in real, unlike computer online friends who are completely virtual. This way, they will grow up to be responsible citizen of their country by interacting with different people. They will also get a feel of self confidence doing any work as they grow up in life. All these factors help in nourishing a child in the best possible manner.

The above mentioned features go a long way in helping a child become responsible.

By Todd Leavitt

When warmer weather approaches, it is not uncommon for many families to develop a sense of cabin fever. Depending on your location, some children have spent months cooped up in the house due to unfavorable weather conditions. This can cause children to become lazy and will trigger more snacking. Studies have shown that the percent of children that are over weight is on the rise. It is important to get our kids outdoors so that they can relieve some pent-up energy. By getting the children outdoors, not only will it give over stressed parents a needed break, but also has positive health benefits for the child.

It has been reported that children that are able to have ample amounts of time out doors have less stress then those who remain indoors. The action of running and jumping is said to be a natural release for stress. Children that have regular amounts of outdoor play also seem to be able to focus better on their studies and can interact with their peers on a healthier level. The challenge, however is finding a way to encourage kids to get out doors. Outdoor playground sets may be the answer. A child will be more than happy to play on their own playground set, and will spend countless hours in imaginative play.

While children are outdoors, they are absorbing healthy amounts of vitamin D. Some may worry that exposure to the suns rays may cause more harm than good, but with common sense and protection, they can play outdoors without worry.

Kids playsets can help with vision development also. It has been suggested that children that spend more time indoors may have poorer vision then those with regular amounts of outdoor play. Outdoor playground sets allow children to get the natural light needed to help develop young eyes, and also help to cause a child to focus on their surroundings. The eyes will receive exercise as well when kids focus on something that has caught their attention at a distance, as being outdoors is visually stimulating.

The eyes of the child aren't the only thing that benefits from the use of kids playsets, muscles and bones get a work out as well. Running and jumping is the best way for children to build leg and torso muscles, while the use of rock walls, ladders and swings will develop arm and torso muscles. As the child explores they are also learning depth perception, balance and agility as well. As you can see there is more than one benefit to getting the kids out of the house, not only is it relaxing, it's a body building experience.

By Todd Leavitt

Warmer air will soon be causing kids to hit the grass in hard active play. Whether it's playing football, basketball or exploring the wonders of a swing set or rough housing in the front yard, the first priority should be to keep our kids safe. Accidents can happen in a blink of an eye, that's why smaller children should be supervised during play. Many homes across America have decided to add excitement to their yard by the addition of playground sets. While this can bring many hours of family fun and excitement, care should be taken to keep the play a happy experience. There are a few things that you should look for on new sets and old.

If you have wooden swing sets, you should inspect the structure of the set. The corners should be rounded to avoid a nasty injury due to trips or falls. Any wood that is cracked and splintered should be replaced.

Swing sets are assembled with many nuts and bolts. As a precaution you should do a walk around and make sure that there are no protruding or loose bolts that can pierce skin or snag clothes. Carefully tighten any loose connectors and replace any rusted parts. A light oil can be applied to bolts to prevent rusting.

If your set has a rope ladder, rock wall or rope swing, inspect each of these for signs of weathering and replace if needed. Check the handholds on the rock wall to make sure that they are secure.

Swing set chains should be covered with a thick coating to prevent hands and fingers from getting a nasty pinch, and the seats should be inspected for cracks that can cause a dangerous fall.

While it is important to inspect the playground sets, it is also important to make sure that each child remembers to play safe on the set. When it comes to a child's safety, make sure that they aren't wearing any clothing that can get caught and cause a choking hazard. Children should wear well-fitting shoes- flip flops and sandals can get caught in planks and make them trip.

Inform children that pushing and pulling isn't tolerated on the equipment. Many accidents happen this way simply because they become over excited. On hot days it is a good idea to keep an eye on the kids to make sure that they are not getting over heated. Encourage them to take a break and enjoy a cool beverage while playing.

Wooden swing sets are a great addition, keeping kids safe should be the most important.

By John R. Morella, Ph.D.

Unfortunately, many children and teens experience physical, emotional and sexual abuse. It is difficult to determine what percentage are victimized, depending on the research study reported. In a 2009 study by the Clinical Psychology Review, examining 65 studies on 22 countries, 19.7% of females and 7.9% of males where sexually abused, and in North America, 15% to 25% of women and 5% to 15% of men were abused when they were children. Add in physical and emotional abuse, one can only assume that the percentages are much higher.

The focus of this article is the relationship of abuse experienced by children and teens and eating disorders. Again, be cautioned that physical, emotional or sexual abuse of children do not cause an eating disorder. However, there appears to be a positive relationship or correlation between abuse and obesity, compulsive eating, and the disorders of anorexia and bulimia. This was the observation this author noted when working with males and females who experienced some form of serious abuse as children. Research supports that those who were abused, reported twice the level of obesity. They also reported significantly more bouts of sleeping problems, headaches, gynecological problems, feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety disorders.

Now, back to our focus on eating disorders and its relationship to sex abuse victimization. Food may become a source of comfort to the abused child. It may also be a way to "self-medicate," by feeling in control. This author recalls one female sexual abuse victim whose intent was to overeat, become obese so as to not be viewed "attractive" to her perpetrator. Shame, anger, fear and feelings of helplessness may all be used as triggers to over-eat, with the result of weight gain and obesity. Many sex abuse victims feel "damaged." Their self-esteem is assaulted by the abuse, as well as their physical self-perception as "ugly and soiled." They stop caring about how they look, and further self-inflict by overeating. Keeping the secret of their abuse "stuffed inside," they stuff themselves with food, as one victim shared with me as her therapist, "I eat until I hurt inside."

Some sex abuse victims become problematic in their eating by demonstrating characteristics of bulimia. They gorge themselves with a large volume of food in a short period of time, then they purge by self-induced vomiting. Other forms of purging may be excessive use of laxatives. Some abuse victims have indicated that by purging, they are "expelling" the sex abuse perpetrated upon them.

To some readers of this article, some of the psychological conclusions in the relationship between child sex victimization and eating disorders may appear poorly connected. However, the trauma of a child or teen experiencing sex abuse often is explored by the unconscious processes that operate in all of us. In the case of children, where food is often viewed as a loving way for parents to care and nourish the child, the child will use food to comfort themselves.

Mental health professionals may or may not be aware of the link between obesity and eating disorders and all types of abuse upon children, especially sexual abuse. It is important that this article alert parents and others to observe closely children and teens who have been abused.

Retired psychologist and academician with thirty-five years of experience working with children, teens, and their families. Currently, author of two nonfiction books written for the layperson; A Guide for Effective Psychotherapy (a consumer's guide for understanding mental health services) and Give Teens a Break! (a positive look at teens). My passion remains the same, the growth and mental welfare of our children. Please visit my website: http://www.johnmorella.com