By Todd Leavitt

Kids playing and having fun on an outdoor wooden playset on a sunny Sunday afternoon is a sure way of lighting up your home with laughter and happiness. Having this kind of fun in your home is the best investment anyone can make. It is traditional for every home that has young children among the occupants to have an array of different toys at all times. However, a child's playtime should not be restricted to indoors activities alone. If you have ample space in your backyard you can possibly and affordably extend your children's play outdoors with a set of wooden swings and other types of toys.

Every child usually drawn to a swing set as if by magic. The swing represents an opportunity to have fun and make new friends as well. Swing sets come in different varieties from plain metal and hard plastic to wooden sets. There are large ones that combine different features in a single unit with single or two deck styles. When planning for a backyard playground, think of wooden swing sets. They not only provide great outdoor fun but are also safer than metallic ones. Besides swing sets, there is an endless variety of playsets available in the toy market. A few common examples include:

The list of playsets is actually endless.

Safety while having fun should be a major consideration. Before buying that beautiful outdoor wooden playset, consider the following important factors:

    Outdoor wooden playsets are made of wood, so get a set made of a specific wood that is stable enough to avoid accidents. Hardwood, though more expensive than softwood is always the best choice as it can withstand outdoor elements and last longer.

    Keep in mind while shopping for wooden playsets that cheap might not be the best choice. The safety of your child should be your primary concern and you wouldn't want to compromise it for a few dollars. Make sure to evaluate the set's safety features carefully before buying.

    Wooden playsets come with different types of necessary accessories. Some even provide extra accessories such as monkey bars, tire swings, and rope ladders. Ensure that all the required accessories are included in your single purchase to avoid spending more on accessories.

    As the child grows the variety of wooden play items change over time. You will need to keep up with playsets relevant to your child's age.

There are many places you can buy wooden playsets from popular malls, toy stores to online outlets specializing in wooden playsets among other types of toys. However, if you have some basic carpentry skills and some extra time, you can easily create your own swing set or other wooden playset in the backyard using a Do-It-Yourself kit, lumber, and tools. Ensure you get everything right for your child's safety.

Looking for quality wooden playsets and outdoor wooden playsets? KidsGottaPlay.com has been providing safe, quality, creative, and exciting play equipment for families to enjoy.

By Asante George

"Self-esteem is the real magic wand that can form a child's future. A child's self-esteem affects every area of her existence..." - Stephanie Martson

A strong foundation of self-confidence is rooted in childhood. The messages a child receives about themselves shapes their self-image and esteem for the rest of their lives. As a parent, you have the opportunity to boost your child's esteem and guide them to develop into a confident, well-rounded person. Be a reflection of the best in your child, practice attachment parenting techniques, allow your child to taste achievement, and abstain from labeling your child. In this article we'll discuss how to raise a confident child using these simple and powerful steps.

Be a mirror of your child's best qualities. Notice things your child is good at, and let them hear your speak positively about them to other people. The way your child thinks you perceive them forms their first perception of themselves. When your child sees that you are proud of them their confidence soars.

Be attached to your child... literally. Practice attachment parenting techniques such as baby wearing, breastfeeding, and responsiveness. A child who receives what they need learns from an early age that they are worthy of having their needs met. A child who is raised in a responsive, caring environment is more likely to feel competent to pursue their dreams and take calculated risks.

Give your child opportunities to achieve. When children achieve something, whether it's an everyday accomplishment like brushing their own teeth or a big score like making the baseball team, they experience a big surge of confidence. By achieving something meaningful, your child develops trust in their abilities. Achievement is addictive, once your child is bitten by the bug of accomplishment they're likely to look for more areas in which to succeed.

Refrain from labeling your child. Have you ever read a fairy tale in which the power of a character resides in their name? Think Rumpelstiltskin. There is great influence in the names and labels we place on people and things. Families who develop a tendency to scapegoat one member by calling them names like "the problem one" or "the mean one" run the likely risk that their little one will live up to the label. Additionally, labeling children for a trait you see in them such as "the sweet one" or "the smart one" limits their ability to develop into a well-rounded person. Allow your child to grow and shift into the person they are meant to be without the pressure of living up (or down) to labels you've place on them.

Your child looks to you for an idea of who they are, who they should be, and how much value they hold. By mirroring the best in your child, using attachment parenting methods to lovingly meet their needs, allowing room for your child's successes, and refraining from labeling your child, you will raise a confident person who is sure of their value and abilities. How to raise a confident child begins with you.

Asante George ( http://www.TheArticleAuthor.com ) is a writer, self development author, artist, and mother. Visit her website http://www.AsanteGeorge.com which offers practical information to help readers navigate life's terrain and become their best.

By Debi Geroux

With the going green era weighing heavily on everyone, taking care of the Earth is becoming a bigger deal now than ever. Most people want to find ways that they can promote a healthier life on Earth. The good thing is that there are many ways to go green. Teens can even use going green and recycling to make some extra cash on the side.

What exactly is recycling? Well, the act of recycling involves taking things that can be reused and sending them off to be made into new products instead of having to use new resources. There are so many products out there that can be recycled, and this should definitely be taken advantage of.

Teen can actually learn a lot by recycling. It is teaching them for their future how to better take care of the planet. It is also a great way for them to make a little extra money while they are in high school. Lets face it, teens love ways that they can make money. Why not promote going green while they are doing it?

The first thing that they can do is start a service that offers recycling to their neighbors. They can start out in their own neighborhoods and work their way into the local community. By doing this, they can pick up and collect recyclables, sort them, and take them to a local drop off. They will be able to charge a fee for this on a weekly basis.

The main thing that you have to worry about is how they will be transported. If they have their own transportation, that is great. If not, then you may have to take on the responsibility of carting them around. Just remember that they are doing a good deed for the planet earth, and bear with them.

Another thing that they can do is use some of the recycled products to make new products. These days creativity is running wild in kids and teens. Let them use it to see what they can create. They can then sell their products later online or in local flea markets.

There are many things that people can recycle that may be worth money online. If they pick up things that look like they may have some sort of value - such as electronics or computer parts- then they may want to check the value before chucking it out to the recycling bin.

Let them open up their own second hand shop. This is a great way for them to learn how business operates and how they can make money by working for themselves. It will not only help them to learn the basics of recycling, but it will also help them to learn to be a productive member of society.

As you can see, teens can really make good money with recycling. It is a great way to encourage a greener environment while also making it fun for them.

By Leanne Ronalds

Even after 50 years, Barbie is still a favorite among young girls. The fashion doll, manufactured by Mattel, is an iconic toy and well recognised in popular culture in the series of novels and films released for children.

For children going to school for the first time or even returning to school, it can be a scary time. One way that many parents help to ease their child into the transition to go to school is by allowing your child to have a special treat - some new school supplies. A new backpack that reflects your child's favorite character or their likes and interests will take their mind off any fear or apprehension they may have about attending school. So if your child is a fan of the fabulous fashion doll, then a Barbie back is the perfect accessory for back to school.

There are many options available for selecting a Barbie backpack for your child. The easiest option is to take a look online and see what's available, but you still might like to take a look at your local department store to see what is available and inspect that the goods are adequate for your needs. For your online Barbie shopping needs, you can try online auction sites, like eBay, or you can search for a Barbie backpack on Google, or just visit your favorite kids toy store.

When you are selecting a Barbie backpack for your child, ensure that it has adjustable straps and padded shoulder straps, so that it will provide the most comfortable fit for your child. Select a backpack featuring Barbie that your child will love. Most of the backpacks that feature Barbie are available in pink and have a stylish and modern design that reflects that of the iconic fashion doll.

There are many additional accessories that will make your child's transition into school a little more fun. For example a lunch bag and canteen or sports drinking bottle are practical accessories for school. Quite often, you will find a Barbie backpack and matching lunch bag and canteen to complete your child's school essentials.

A first day at school and even returning to school can be a daunting event for young children. With their own Barbie backpack, lunch bag and canteen your child will be prepared to go back to school and will feel at ease with their own personalized school accessories that reflect who they are and their interests.

Characters 'n' Toons is an online toy store that has a great selection of Barbie backpacks that are ideal for children returning back to school. With a deluxe Barbie backpack and Barbie backpack and lunch bag combo, both beautifully designed and made from high quality and heavy duty materials to ensure it stands the daily use at school. They also have great range of school supplies and accessories available, including a Barbie lunch bag, canteen and sports bottle and plenty more Barbie toys and games.

By Shazzie Love

One of the most common questions I'm asked is this: "how do you get your really young children excited and interested in raw food?" Well, here are some tried, tested and fun ways.

So you're into raw food and you've read all the benefits, but what happens if your child isn't in such a hurry to give up his pasta and tomato sauce? I have three nephews and each one has gone though a (lengthy) stage of calling me weird. They've also gone through stages of letting me feed them the food I eat. My eldest nephew loves avocados, thanks to my dad. My youngest loves raw chocolate. The middle one, well, he still calls me weird. However, when I looked after him for a fortnight at the age of fourteen I did get him eating a few raw vegetables before he had his beans on toast. All older children will eat some raw food if you explain the benefits clearly.

Making food appealing is easier than you may think, yet the starting point will be different for each child. Some children are fussy eaters, some are hearty eaters.

Here are some tried and tested pointers for small children:

Silly plates: This involves doing anything surreal with food. Children love the unexpected. Put food on dolly's plates, or useoversized and mismatching cutlery. Try feeding dolly first. Feedyour belly button. Let your child feed you. Reverse roles, act like your child and call your child Mummy.

Fishing: When my daughter Evie was small we put goji berries, raisins andother dried foods in the bath. Evie fished them out, and then ate them.

Where food comes from: Get your child involved with gardening,wild fruit hunting, eating edible flowers, growing pots of sprouts, and making animal sprouts (use tights to make a face and grow sprouts inside. The sprouts will come out like hair all over the "animal").

Hide and seek: I hide little food parcels around the house orgarden for Evie to seek out.

Blankie picnics: When it's cold outside, we lay down a blanket or tablecloth and have a picnic inside with party cups and plates.We get dressed up and eat to party music in the presence of many dollies.

Eating in the car: It's funny how children will eat in a car when they refuse to eat at home. Take advantage of it by preparing pots of cut up vegetables for all your car journeys.

Eating around the stupor market: That stupormarket trolley came in so handy when I couldn't get Evie to sit still and eat. Avocados,bananas, punnets of berries and even cucumbers got demolished before we'd arrive at the checkout. I kept the labels to scan,though!

Making food together: This is a really important practise. When Evie was really little I'd put the juicer and cutting board on the floor. She'd eat as I made the food. She still does it now, sitting on the worktop. Make dough from ground flax and water and get them to shape it. Dehydrate it to make nibbly biscuits.

Funny faces: We use sprouts for hair, a tomato for the nose, red pepper for the lips and olives on cucumber rounds for the eyes. Suddenly, a drab salad snack is appealing and fun.

I hope this helps you in your quest to get more raw food into a child.

Bliss U

Shazzie | TV Presenter, Author, CEO -- http://shazzie.com

By Shelby Strong

As the New Year begins I have seen on the Internet or heard mention of changes many of us would like to make in our own lives and those of our families. I've heard everything from exercising more, to spending more quality time with my kids, to watching less television or managing "screen time" more effectively.

However, the underlying worry has been can we make this positive change stick? Yes we can! Sometimes change can be overwhelming. Television is second nature in many homes and changing how much we watch, or when we watch, changes the structure of our home. How do we decide where the limits should be set, especially for our children?

Every family has a different situation in their home; some choose to watch only one day a week, while others choose only to watch certain programs each day. What really matters is that we set achievable limits for ourselves and for our children. Here are some ideas to help do that:

First, the limit should apply to everyone in the family, not just the kids. Make sure you explain why you want to set TV limits. If they understand the reason behind the rule they are more likely to keep it. Some possible reasons are: losing weight, less violent programming, having more quality time together or fostering creative play. Let everyone in the family help decide where the limits should be set. By making sure each member has a say in the decision you will find they will be more agreeable towards the new limits.

Second, designate a space in your house as a television-free zone. Fill this space with creative toys which allow children to use their imagination and experience adventure. A wooden bake set by Melissa and Doug, and beautiful Cinderella dresses by Little Adventures can prompt a tea party for your princess and all her friends. A puffy ballet tutu can provide hours of dancing and tumbling fun. A foam sword and shield set will send your young knight off on a long quest. By doing this these young minds will learn that imagination is the best kind of entertainment.

Third, set a specific time for family members to watch TV. Create a game to help with getting chores or a certain amount homework done before that time. If it's the same time every day or every week then children will have something to look forward to; helping motivate them to get their projects done. Watching TV with them will help you monitor what kind of programs they are watching to ensure that it is the quality you want in your home.

Don't give up, even if you find you have to modify your new limits. Keep in mind that it takes about 21 days to create a habit. When you have met your goal remember to celebrate your accomplishment together. Most of all enjoy the opportunity to experience your child's imagination through play.

Shelby is the mother of 3 kids and lives in Orem, Utah. When not chasing a baby or driving kids to dance and swimming lessons, she is at the office educating people about the benefits of pretend play. She owns an online toy store boutique at https://www.playfullyeverafter.com/ and sells everything from Little Adventures and Disney brand princess dresses to backpacks and quality puzzles and toys. Check out her blog as she often gives away free products. Her Amazon store has free shipping and so does her website. If you would like to read more articles from Shelby please subscribe to her article feed.

By John Waren

With money tight, parents find themselves stretching every dollar; parents are wondering what to do with kids. Entertaining kids outside the home is expensive. Finding activities for the family is a challenge unless you have an unlimited budget. Most of us are not that fortunate. A simple outing at the bowling alley can set you back a hundred bucks or more by the time you pay for a few games, shoe rental, drinks and snacks. Taking the kids to see a movie is similar in cost. Do you find yourself wondering what to do with kids? The simple addition of a fire pit outside on the patio will open up new and exciting things to do at home with kids. For about the same amount of money that a single camping trip in the forest will cost, you can own a fire pit. This one-time investment will be spread out over many years and provide countless evenings of healthy family camaraderie.

Fire pits are readily available in many varieties and types. My preference is a wood burning fire pit because it brings the campfire home with all the wonderful benefits. Propane fire pits are also available, they have their advantages but they tend to be a bit pricier and you have the propane bottles to deal with. Either type will to the trick. Whether you choose a wood burning fire pit or a propane model, always monitor its use with children present and practice all appropriate safety precautions. Never leave a fire pit burning unattended.

Most fire pits are shipped complete with no assembly required. Once yours arrives at the door, within minutes you'll have your very own fire pit outside on the patio. The list of things to do at home with kids just got longer.

Most kids love to make campfire treats called s'mores. These wonderful little treats are believed to have been first created by campers around the turn of the 20th century. This was about the time that marshmallows were becoming popular and available commercially. Making S'mores is also a time honored tradition from the early days of scouting. The first official recipe was published in the 1927 Girl Scout Handbook. They are made by roasting a marshmallow in the traditional way over the open flame. Once the marshmallow is roasted to your liking, simply sandwich it between two graham crackers and a square of chocolate bar. Always supervise children when making these treats. Roasted marshmallows are hot and caution needs to be used when handling them.

Almost every kid loves to go camping. With your own fire pit you and your kids can go camping in the backyard. Like camping in the woods, camping in the backyard comes with many memorable benefits. The advantage is that you don't have to pack up the car and travel for hours. Camping at a campsite or in the forest is a wonderful thing to do. It is, however, expensive and time consuming. Many times a camping trip requires a long drive after work. By the time you arrive at your campsite it is already dark and you still have to unload the car and set up camp. While this is a wonderful adventure, it is not possible to spend the necessary time and money on a regular basis. You can however, plan a backyard camping activity on the spur of the moment and with little expense. With a portable bonfire pit, a camp tent, sleeping bags and a few camping supplies, you can transform the backyard into a genuine campsite complete with a campfire and all of its therapeutic benefits.

If you are in a neighborhood where the homes are close, consideration should be given to your neighbors. Kids will get loud and could disturb them. If possible include them. If they have children, suggest that you make it a neighborly backyard camping trip. The kids can play just as they would in the woods and the grownups can divvy up the cooking duties. One family cooks dinner and another does the breakfast. To make your backyard camping trip most enjoyable, make sure to cook the traditional foods that you would if you were in the forest. This really brings the camping experience home.

Sitting around the bonfire pit telling stories and jokes is a traditional favorite. Stories told around a campfire make lasting memories. Laugh and poke fun at each other. With this much fun and frivolity, you'll ask yourself why you ever wondered what to do with kids.

Activities for the family take a little thought and preparation. The time, money and effort spent finding things to do with kids will pay off in close knit camaraderie between parent and kids. Taking the time to create this interaction will create a bond that will likely carry families through the difficult teenage years. Eventually your kids will grow up and become parents. It is almost certain that they will remember your commitment to finding fun activities for the family. Backyard camping will likely become a tradition and you will be honored with a few backyard camping outings with your grandkids. Consider getting a portable bonfire pit and expand your list of things to do at home with kids. With your new fire pit you won't have time to wonder what to do with kids anymore, you will know.

John R Waren is owner of Waren Enterprises, LLC and operates an online retail site for the outdoor firepit enthusiast. Bonfire pits, firepots and firelights.

Contact info:
Waren Enterprises, LLC
5577 W Painted Cliff dr, Marana, AZ 85658

http://www.firepitboss.com

By Katherine Y Waddell

There are some things that are a struggle to balance in life more so than others. For instance, the adults in the household are the providers. On top of being the provider you need to finding time to spend with your children and make that time meaningful. This can be a challenge to balance. Imagine after a long day at the office you come home and your children are eagerly seeking your attention. More than likely you desire to be left alone to hide out in a quiet place in the house, some place that is free of other people.

This behavior over a period of time can leave the children feeling unwanted and you feeling stressed out! What would life be like if you were able to take the children to work with you? Now this idea may seem unpleasant at first, but before you deem this a dead topic read on. This may not work for the traditional employee unless the employer has a policy in place, as for the entrepreneur you are the boss! Why not take your child with you to work and begin teaching them the business? This is an amazing way to show your children how you earn the money that pays the bills and buys the things they want.

Some feedback on this topic has been that the children may slow you down and get in your way. Often children are told to slow down and take their time so they can do their best job. Is it different for the adult? Of course their job may require speed or may even be hazardous, and this of course should be considered when taking the children to work. Just as you would not put a new employee on a task that required more experience, neither would you do that with your child. Take your child in as often as possible with you to work and train them. Something as mundane and repetitive as creating an invoice or filing paper work could be a task they learn to master. They will see what money goes out and what comes in. They will see that this little task that they help the business with helps the family ultimately. What a legacy to begin right there!

Another comment received on this topic was someone did just what was suggested above and this became the way their children earned their own spending money. This is a wonderful way to teach them how to 'create' their very own path. None of that waiting for someone to tell you what you are worth and then pay you less than that.

One more comment to this topic was on the opposing side because they said they went to work to get away from the family. This is a sure sign there is some work to be done on the family unit when work becomes the vacation some thing is out of whack. By sharing the business world with the children they begin to understand that money really does not grow on trees. Train them early and often and they will appreciate it when they are older.

By Andrea K. Clark

While many parents think that little girls are naturally born with a desire to wear all things pretty, pink and frilly, this really isn't the case. There are thousands of parents out there with little girls who prefer to wear jeans, t-shirts and tennis shoes. Why? Because they enjoy running and playing outside, digging in the dirt, climbing trees, making mud pies and a lot of other activities that most little boys enjoy. These little girls are often little sisters with older brothers or little girls who live in the country, however, there are many "tomboys" who also live in cities. So, if you've got a little tomboy, it's not the end of the world. In fact, the majority of the time it's a blessing because you don't have to go through the drama of picking out the "perfect" shirt. However, when it's time to go to a formal event where a dress is required, it can be like pulling teeth to get your little one to wear a dress. Below are a few tips for making this process easier.

1. Make It Fun. First, you have to make dressing up seem like fun for your little girl if you want her to enjoy it. To do this, don't wait until the day of the event. Instead, have a few "dress up" days...you can even make these play dates with a few of her friends. On these days, pull out some formal dresses, let her dress up and help her make her hair pretty and maybe even experiment with makeup.

2. Go Out. The thing with tomboys is that they really don't care much about dressing up at home because it seems to be "a waste of time." After all, there are trees waiting to be climbed outside! So, when you have the occasional dress up day, take her out for ice cream after she is all dressed up. Or maybe take her downtown for a carriage ride or something fun!

3. Let Her Choose the Dress. Finally, when you're preparing for a special event that's coming up, don't go and pick the dress out for your little one. Even though she is a tomboy at heart, she still has an opinion on the clothes she wears. Therefore, let her pick out the dress she wants to wear. When she's happy with the dress, it'll be much easier to get her to wear it.

4. Skip the Bows. If your little girl is a true tomboy, then she probably is happier in a ponytail then she is wearing a big frilly bow. Therefore, compromise with her and settle for lightly curling her hair and skipping the bow. There are even ways to make ponytails look cute with dresses, so experiment with this look!

5. Bring a Change of Clothes. If you are going to an event like a wedding or church followed by a family reunion, then consider striking a "deal" with your non-compliant tomboy. If she will wear a flower girl dress for the "main event" (the wedding or church) then you will let her change into more comfortable clothes for the latter part of the day (reception or family reunion). Often times, when presented with an option like this, little tomboys will agree because they know they don't have to be in the clothes all day.

Andrea K. Clark is a freelance writer who writes about weddings, communions, christenings and special occasion wear such as flower girl dresses

By Steven John Harrison

There are many problems that the teenager of today could face. Even in the most stable homes worldwide. Teenagers will still be exposed to the elements of confusion, uncertainty, sibling rivalries and their own image.

Different people will show their emotions in different ways, however as a parent of a teenagers, it is hard to source the foundations of any problems they may have. As you were once a teenager, you will remember all the pressures that you will have faced, peer pressure plays a huge part in many decisions that we will make. Many of which we will not find out, are the wrong decision until it is too late.

But we all learn from experience and we could argue, that we would not have become who we are today without these experiences. So let's refresh our memories and look back at some of the difficulties you may remember tackling and that no doubt your son or daughter will be facing at the current time.

Divorce -

Divorce is now an unfortunate huge part of our world, the reason behind this are not clear. In recent years, we have seen the divorce rates in much different country's rise to unthinkable levels. Parents in all homes will face disagreements; this is just a part of life. Spending so much time with each other does have its downfalls, and all too often arguments will arise because we simply just get in each other's way.

To the children within the household, seeing their parents argue is a freighting and confusing experience. It will seem that their parents do not love each other anymore and that divorce will soon follow. What the child does not understand, is that when their parents argue, many of the words that used, are often regretted later in the day.

The child may also feel as though they are the reason, which their parents are arguing. This makes for a kind of depression for the child and can lower their self-esteem to a level close to rock bottom. It affects a child or teen much more than it will often affect the parents, and to this extent it is important that family arguments are not in visible sight of the teenager or child.

Sibling Rivalry -

Sibling rivalries are another common occurrence in family homes. There will always be a form of completion between teenagers, on who is the better person. The arguments are often on trivial subjects, such as girlfriends, money or who Is the favourite in the eyes of mom and dad.

As a parent you know that you will love your children both the same and always will, however for the adolescent teenager, they will always have attempt the best, in the eyes of the parent. The words" you don't love me" or "you love him/her more" will become a common saying within the household. It is a completion between teens to see who can gain the most popularity or attention from parents.

The cause of a sibling rivalry between teenagers, all comes down to one sibling being jealous of the other. Growing up is a competitive society and in the end, it will teach the child to be better in all that they do. This is a problem for teenagers, as sometimes the wish to excel in something, can lead to many reckless decisions, which they may regret.

These are just some of the problems facing a teenager, there are many more that as part of growing up, the teenager may meet. As the teenager will grow older, the thoughts of dating and sex will also begin to sneak into the mind. The subject is full of peer pressure and for many teens, this will be a topic that causes many days of regret and remorse for them.

One thing that is often said, is that all the problems a teenager will face will never go away and they will always be a part of the life experience. They do however help us in later life, and will have given us the experience necessary to make important decisions later on in life.