A Fund Raiser

About the Author

Kimberly Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She was recently featured in the book the Myth of the Perfect Mother. She is the author of “Help, I Just Can’t Say No” and Pearls of Encouragement for Christian Working Moms. To schedule a free, initial coaching session send an email to free@kimberlychastain.com or visit http://www.christianworkingmom.com.

About the Author

Owner and innkeeper of Ambroselli's Villa Serendip Bed and Breakfast in the Finger Lakes of New York.Retired teacher and Freelance author

About the Author: Dion Semeniuk is the proud father of 2 girls. He's actively looking at ways to be able to generate money for kids to be able to participate in special events. Learn about School Fund Raiser Ideas, visit http://www.school-fund-raiser-directory.com

About the Author

Dion Semeniuk is the proud father of 2 girls. He's actively looking at ways to be able to generate money for kids to be able to participate in special events. Learn about School Fund Raiser Ideas, visit http://www.school-fund-raiser-directory.com

Do you know what these famous people have in common Alexander Graham Bell George Patton Albert Einstein Benjamin Franklin Winston Churchill Agatha Christie George Bernard Shaw Will Rogers

If you guessed that they were all homeschoolers, youd be correct. This is a very short list of famous and successful people who were educated at home. If you would like to expand this list, do a search on the Internet for famous homeschoolers. There are many websites that list these people and some provide detailed biographies. There is even a book called, aptly, Famous Homeschoolers, by Nancy and Malcolm Plant. http://www.fun-books.com/specials.htm

The point here is to get into the mindset that people can be educated and become successful adults without attending public school. And because I can almost hear what you are thinking, no, it is not necessary to have a high school diploma to go to college.

So what is homeschooling In the broadest sense, homeschooling is educating your children at home. You, as parent, become teacher. Parents homeschool for more reasons than you can imagine. Some want to avoid having their children exposed to violence and peer pressure. Some homeschool so that they can make sure their childrens education adheres to their religious beliefs. Some live a different lifestyleperhaps they travel a lotand want their childrens schooling to be flexible enough to fit around that life style. And some, like me, simply enjoy being with their children. They dont want the public school to interrupt and weaken the parent/child bond that they have been working hard to create for the first five years of their childs life.

Just as there are many reasons to homeschool, there are many methods of homeschooling. All the way from un-schooling learning by doing, learning from life, not using textbook type materials to school at home using textbooks at desks set up in a schoolroom at home and everything in between. Its very easy to find hundreds of homeschool Websites by using a search engine, but just to get you started, try:

Jons Homeschool Resource Page http://www.midnightbeach.com/hs/

When I decided to write this article, I thought hard about what I could offer that wasnt being displayed on thousands of Websites on the Internet. I realized that the only thing I have to offer anyone interested in homeschooling ismy experience. So everything in the article below comes from my fifteen years of experience homeschooling my four youngest children. I hope it is of some use to you.

Deciding to homeschool your child may be one of the most important decisions you ever make as a parent, and it will take a lot of thought and soul searching. To the newcomer, it may seem impossible, overwhelming and very, very lonely. But like most huge obstacles, once its broken down into smaller pieces, it becomes manageable. Well take it one step at a time, in small enough chunks to get a hold of. So, if youre game, roll up your sleeves and lets get to work figuring out if homeschooling is for you and your child.

First things first. Organization is the key. Get a three-ring binder homeschooling parents LOVE three-ring binders and put a label on the front. If youve made the transition to digital record keeping, you can just start a folder on the computer. But its not as much fun. Label it something serious, like My Homeschooling Plans or Homeschooling Thoughts. Put some paper in the binder, find a really comfortable ink pen, and sit down somewhere quiet.

Ready Good. Now, lets get started.

What are your reasons for considering homeschooling Even if you havent actually made the decision to homeschool, the fact that you are here reading this article says you are curious. Perhaps you honestly dont know the answer yetand thats ok. The remainder of this article is going to try to help you start to find those answers.

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but each state has its own set of laws that must be followed. Compulsory how I hate that word education here in Washington State starts at the age of 8. Even though I had been homeschooling him from birth, to stay legal once my son reached 8-years old, I was required to become certified. That meant I either had to have two years of college education, or take a certification class. I met this requirement by taking an independent correspondence class, during which I was asked to put on paper my goals, philosophies and reasons for wanting to homeschool. Id like to help you do the same right now.

Start a page--either the tree kind or a file on the computerand title it My Educational Beliefs. List what personal beliefs you have about educationespecially the education of your own children. Get as detailed as you can here--the value is in the thinking process behind the list. Take your time, Im in no hurry.

As an example to get you started, Im going to share with you what I wrote on my list nine years ago.

My Educational Beliefs

1. I believe my childs attitude about learning should be:

One of continual curiosity and seeking of knowledge.

2. I believe my childs learning should lead towards a lifestyle that is:

Rural, physically active, creative.

3. I believe these basic values should be part of my childs learning: Respect for others Loyalty to family and friends Honesty Generosity

4. I believe children learn best:

Through hands-on learning experience, reading, workbooks.

5. I believe a teacher should: Provide side-by-side assistance and direction. Interact with the child. Provide the structure within which the child may explore, experiment, study and achieve. Provide a good example of excitement in learning.

6. Other beliefs:

I believe my child should grow up to be self-reliant and occupationally secure in a field of high interest to them.

Now, that wasnt too bad, was it Dont give up on this until you have at least something written down, but dont agonize over it either. You can come back to it later if need be. Next, start a paper or file titled Life Goals For My Child.

I want you to write down what kind of person you envision your child being as an adult. What are your hopes and dreams for him/her What educational gifts do you hope to be able to help them find that will serve them their entire lives

Ill share mine from 9 years ago, just to get you started.

Life Goals for My Child

7. Be literate.

8. Be self-reliant.

9. Compete well in their chosen field of occupation.

10. Appreciate art, music, and literature.

11. Be creative.

12. Be inventive and resourceful.

13. Be healthy, mentally and physically.

14. Co-operate with others.

15. Maintain a strong sense of self-worth.

16. Maintain a life-long curiosity, seeking knowledge as a way of life.

17. Look to the future with a sense of excitement and adventure.

For the last exercise, start a third paper titled: Why We I Am Going To Homeschool Our My Child Yes, single parents can successfully homeschool their children. You may not have all the answers for this one yet either, but just get something down. All of these ideas and beliefs can start getting mixed in with other peoples opinions once we start educating ourselves in depth about homeschooling, and youll be glad you have these lists tucked away.

Okay, heres my old list:

Why We Are Going To Homeschool Our Children

Our family consists of myself, my husband, a 21-year-old daughter, a 19-year-old daughter, an 8-year-old son, a 7-year-old daughter, a 4-½ year old daughter, and an unborn son due in 6 months. My two oldest daughters from my first marriage were in the public school system for the whole of their educational years. It is largely a dissatisfaction with the public schools and all its attendant problems academic, social, and moral that has caused us to make the decision to homeschool our youngest children. We decided, even before our 8-year-old son the oldest of the younger set was born, that somehow we would find an alternative to the public schools.

We want to homeschool for some additional reasons. We want added closeness with our children. We want more independence, greater control over our familys moral and philosophical values, and better awareness of our childrens interests.

We dislike the thought of any government agency--no matter how well meaning--directing the raising of our children.

We intend to homeschool because we do not want our childrens academic, social, and moral education taken out of our hands.

We believe these areas of a childs education are a parents responsibility, right, and pleasure.

Id like you to spend some time going over these lists until you feel they accurately reflect your feelings about homeschooling your children. When I did these exercises, I had only a vague idea about why I wanted to homeschool and what kind of education I wanted to help my children acquire. These simple exercises helped me to solidify my ideas and provided the basis for our future homeschooling methods. I hope they help you to do the same. Keep these lists in a safe place and add to them as you explore the possibility of homeschooling your child.

About The Author

Anita York has been homeschooling her four youngest children for the past 15 years. In addition, she teaches other homeschoolers at two resource centers, and is a contracted Senior Editor, Editor, Copyeditor and Manuscript Screener for three publishers.

Her book "You CAN Homeschool Your Child" is available from One-At-A-Time Enterprises, the business she started with her homeschoolers. Available at: http://www.L7S.net/Item.phpID=YC000.

Her home business, EagleMountain Reading, Writing, and Research Services http://www.L7s.net/eaglemountain provides a variety of services geared towards helping beginning as well as established authors with various aspects of the writing process. support@L7S.net

Did you know that cooking with your kids is a natural way for them to develop motor skills If youve never looked at cooking that way before, think again. Theres a reason why kids have a universal love for cooking - just like for stacking blocks and banging!

Cooking is especially good for preschoolers and heres how:

1. Two year olds are developing large muscles in their arms: They will enjoy stirring and stirring and stirring :-. My two year old is always asking to stir; and her subconscious knows why! At 2 years old, a child naturally imitates circular strokes as part of their normal physical development. So, let them stir at every opportunity.

Here are some ways to encourage arm muscle development through cooking: stirring: flour, eggs, pancake batter, gelatin making, etc. scrubbing potatoes and vegetables cleaning the cutting board: Give them a washcloth and some lukewarm water with the cutting board in the sink. Theyll have a blast rubbing the wet washcloth up and down the cutting board to clean it. pouring from large measuring cups into a bowl

2. Two year olds are developing the ability to turn pages: Another motor skill developed during the preschool age is the ability to turn pages.

So - just pondering here...is it the story they love so much or just turning the pages of the book Well, actually both. They need the motor development of turning the pages; and the pictures and vocabulary improve their intellectual development.

3. Two year olds love "patting" and "pressing": From being fascinated with "patty-cake" chants at an early age, preschoolers still love to pat and press.

Im sure youll recognize your preschooler doing this at the park: scooping up rocks or sand, piling them up, and patting the top into different shapes.

Well, heres some suggestions to bring the "patting" inside: packing down brown sugar in the measuring cup gently pressing a fork on top of peanut butter cookie dough on the cookie sheet patting to level off the top of a cup of sugar patting and pressing on pizza dough pressing down with a cookie cutter on rolled sugar cookie dough

4. Two year olds love to dip - and this develops arm muscles skills too!: it takes a lot of coordination to dip! Getting the food in the dip, then moving the arm and somehow getting it into your mouth. If it wasnt difficult, they wouldnt get food all over their face! :-

So, unless your 2 year old always has a clean face when he or she is done eating, heres some dipping opportunities: carrots in salad dressing french fries in catsup dipping a spoon in the emptied batter bowl to clean out the goodies :- dipping fruit in a fruit dip or chocolate like frozen bananas or strawberries dipping chicken or fish in a batter for you to cook dipping the bread in French toast mix

So, instead of "shooing" your preschoolers and 2 year olds out of the kitchen, let them dive in with these simple tasks that not only give them great pleasure, but help them develop their age appropriate motor skills.

About The Author

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: “Homeschool Cooking in a Box” and the “Homeschool Cookbook”. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com laura@homeschoolcookbook.com

The back-to-school shopping is done. Brand new pencils, colored markers, and notebooks fill my daughter’s back pack. I’ve cleaned off the refrigerator in preparation for the new onslaught of pictures and class notices. School’s started. She is excited to be back amongst her friends. I find myself in the everyday routine of waking up in the dark, fixing breakfast and packing lunches. Even though my daughter is old enough to drive herself to school this year, I still rush out the door behind her dressed in sweat pants and no makeup. After a quick work out and a shower, my work day finally begins. It’s good to be back in the routine.

But, back-to-school is also time to recharge the parenting batteries. The kids are gone until at least 3:00. The house is quiet. I actually get some work done for the first time in 3 months. I’ve signed up for an art class at the local university. I have time for lunch with my girlfriends.

This month, why not celebrate back-to-school by taking a few minutes for yourself Put on your favorite CD and take a long leisurely, uninterrupted bath. Why not go for coffee with the girls or host a brunch for your neighborhood friends Try something decadent, just for mom.

Foaming Chocolate Milk Bath Sachets

Enjoy a relaxing, aromatic moment to yourself.

Ingredients: 1 cup baking soda 1 cup instant nonfat dry milk 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tablespoons cinnamon 2 tablespoons cream of tartar 2 tablespoons cornstarch Vintage handkerchiefs or Pretty 10-inch square scraps of fabric Ribbon

Directions: Mix all of the ingredients together. Place about 3 tablespoons on the center of a pretty cloth handkerchief. Tie the bundle with a piece of ribbon. Hang the sachet over the bathtub faucet and let warm water run through it. Store the extra milk bath in an attractive airtight jar. It will keep up to 6 months.

--

You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in print, free of charge, provided that each article is: Printed in its full form with no changes Includes an active link A courtesy copy of your publication is sent to the above contact And the following byline appears at the bottom of each article:

About The Author

Copyright Nine Twenty Press

Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes are the co-authors of the award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out their website thats jam packed with family ideas, visit http://www.togetherparenting.com

To subscribe to their online newsletter, go to http://www.togetherparenting.com/feedback.asp

htpp://www.togetherparenting.com

info@togetherparenting.com

I am crying tears of joy mixed with great sadness as my oldest daughter prepares for her freshman year of college at the University of Maryland in the fall. She has already told me I am to send care packages.

So it was neat to receive a school sponsored offer in the mail "aiming for 100% participation" for the care packages they were selling! What could be more fun for her and easier for me than ready-made packages with my "personal, handwritten note" delivered directly to her dorm.

At least that was what I was thinking until I read the details on the "favorite with student" goodie boxes – the more boxes you buy the better the value. The Welcome Package includes Nerds candies, strawberry twizzlers, fruit candies, potato chips, caramels, Laffy Taffy, atomic fireball candies, Tootsie pops, peanut chews, toffee popcorn, chewy fruit gems etc. Oh yeah there is a mini sports bottle, stationary set and sewing kit in there too.

With the exception of the first package, none of the other boxes contained anything but candy, munchies and other faux goodies, except the Halloween one which boasted a bendable skeleton and a plastic spider friend!

So mom will be making and sending her own care packages! If you have a child going off to boarding school or college, its easy to make and fill care packages – and certainly more personal.

Students will always enjoy food. So you may want to include some food items they cant find easily on campus or healthy items that you bake. If you are sending perishables wait until the weather is cool. Goods will easily spoil in hot weather. Cookies can be baked, layered on sheets of wax paper and place in a cardboard gift box like the inexpensive Xmas boxes. Place this box inside a sturdier heavy duty cardboard box, add padding and your other items. Your student may enjoy baked chips, granola bars, nuts, and other tasty items that wont spoil easily.

Tuck in extras like a first aid kit, sewing notions, tea bags, good coffee, a thesaurus, gift certificate to online vendors like Amazon, or to local shops and restaurants, greetings from the family, CDs, stamps, stationary, phone card, mug, oversized tees,etc. personalize it to your students interests.

Pack everything carefully being sure to tape down the caps of any lotions you are including to make them leak proof. Be sure you have plenty of padding in the box. Have UPS pick it up at your door by calling their direct 800 number or take it to UPS or to the Post Office.

Thats the kind of package that shows you really care!

About The Author

Lee Mellott is the webhost for The PATH Weight Loss: www.fatfallacy.com.

She holds a Masters degree in Education from Hood College. Born in England, she spent most of her childhood in France and Germany. Lee resides with her husband Rusty and their two daughters Katie and Jessica in Maryland.

lee@fatfallacy.com

With 61% of children between the ages of birth and 6 years in daycare, its important that parents work closely with their childs care professional while potty training. When you child is ready for potty training, the right potty training guidance and supplies can make all the difference.

Be Sure Your Child Is Ready – Before you begin potty training, make sure your child is ready. Your child should show the following signs of potty training readiness: Expresses an interest in the potty Tries to imitate family members Stays dry for two hours Express the need to go potty or indicates that he or she just has Able to pull pants up and down Irritated when diapers are wet Expresses interest in cotton underwear Has predictable bowel movements on a regular basis Diaper stays dry overnight

Introduce Potty Training - If your child is in daycare, he or she will probably notice that there are other children around who wear cotton underwear and use the potty. This kind of light peer pressure can motivate your child to want to use the potty as well. Start introducing the idea by watching a potty training book or video together. Be sure and tell your childs daycare provider that you are beginning the potty training process. You childs daycare provider can help by watching for signs of potty training readiness and answering questions from your child.

Discuss the Plan - When you begin potty training your child, discuss your plan with your childs daycare worker. This person has probably potty trained many children and may have useful tips and tricks that he or she has found useful. Make sure your potty training methods are similar.

Set Potty Training Rules - Work together to set some basic potty training guidelines. For example, agree that neither of you will punish your child for accidents or that youll give stickers as rewards for using the potty. The potty training process will be easier for your child if both you and the child care worker are providing the same potty training guidance.

Progress Reports - Speak with the child care provider often to exchange progress reports. Both of you need to be aware of any successes or potential problems. If the daycare worker tells you that your child used the potty earlier that day, be sure and tell your child that that you heard about his or her success and that you are proud of him or her.

Copyright © 2004 ZIP Baby. All Rights Reserved.

Danna Henderson ZIP Baby 101 Convention Center Drive, Ste 700 Las Vegas, NV 89109 http://www.zipbaby.com

About The Author

Danna Henderson started ZIP Baby in order to provide parents with comprehensive potty training information as well as a large variety of potty training products. For more information about potty training, visit http://www.zipbaby.com. info@zipbaby.com

1. You reheated the same cup of coffee three times this morning.

2. There is always one more person in your bed in the morning, than there was the night before.

3. You can’t imagine life without the Cartoon Network.

4. The lock on your bathroom door is purely for decoration… After all, no locked door could withstand, “Mom What are you doing Mom Can I come in Mom Can I show you something Mom Can I give you a hug Mom Can you hear me Mom

5. You have started—or signed—a petition to banish the word “why” from every language known to man.

About The Author

Deborah Shelton is a mother, freelance writer, and author of the brand new book, "The Five Minute Parent: Fun & Fast Activities for You and Your Little Ones." Visit Deborahs website for more family-friendly ideas: http://www.fiveminuteparent.com deborah@fiveminuteparent.com

Are you thinking about dog obedience school Do you know what to expect out of it Do you know what it costs or where to find a good school

If not, let me help take out some of the mystery of finding one to make sure you and your dog get the best experience you can.

If you have searched the web in this topic, you probably found some sites that are basically search engines within search engines, no real information about dog obedience schools. Or you might have found some obedience schools that were on the other side of the country. Needless to say, neither one was of much use.

Chances are you have a dog obedience school of some sort in your town, unless youve got a population of less than 20,000. In that event, you might need to opt for dog training videos or books, and I will go over some good resources for that later.

The first thing I want you to do is look for someone with proven experience. You can start in the yellow pages and look under "Dog Training" as opposed to "dog obedience school."

Ask a LOT of questions. These people are going to be molding the mind of your impressionable pup and you want to know that its a good fit.

Ask things like:

What will the dog be taught What is the success rate What happens if youre not satisfied Will you be taught how to continue with your dogs new training What are their methods of correction when the dog disobeys Visit the facility too. Check it out. Meet the trainers and see how they act with people and dogs.

Ask if you can watch a training session or a video of a session so you get an idea of what your dog will be subjected to.

Dont make a final decision on a dog obedience school until your dog has met the trainers. Dogs are extremely good judges of character.

For the most part, someone in this line of work is going to be a good person and a dog lover. Some, however, will be doing it just to get a paycheck and may not have your pals best interest in mind.

If your dog doesnt like them... take another route.

You might want to consider the local 4-H club. 4-H is where I learned how to train my own dog as a child. It isnt a dog obedience school in the traditional sense. It teaches kids how to train their dogs, or a friends dog. Its a youth education program and it provides many facets of education, one of which is often dog training.

Read more about dog training videos, if you would like an alternative to dog obedience school.

About The Author

Tina Spriggs is an expert dog lover whose lifelong interest in canines provides the motivation for her site. To learn more about dogs or to find gifts and toys for them visit her site at http://www.dog-gifts-and-toys-for-dog-lovers.com

Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.

How do you spare your preschoolers for the negative effects of divorce How do you promote your preschoolers healthy growth and development The answer is appropriate divorce parenting practices.

The next question is what appropriate divorce parenting practices for preschooler really means Lets keep things simple. All you need to know is learn how divorce affect your children. Knowing how preschoolers react to divorce will bring you to a better position of knowing the best appropriate divorce parenting practices you can give for your child.

So lets get started. How is preschoolers affected by divorce Preschoolers commonly experience regression during parents divorce. Children whose parents are in conflict regress to thumb-sucking, bed-wetting and other behaviors their parents assume theyve outgrown.

Children at this developmental stage may think they are responsible for their parents divorce or for their parents not living together. As a corollary to the perception that their misbehavior caused the divorce or caused a separation, preschool children often believe that if they are really good, everything will be okay again. This can be an incredibly stressful perception for a little kid, because he or she begins to carry on his or her shoulders the burden of getting mom and dad back together again.

Preschoolers may be confused, have fantasizes about reconciliation, and show difficulties in expressing their feelings. Their sense of security is affected by predictable and consistent routines.

Preschoolers may fear being left alone or abandoned altogether and may worry about the changes in their daily lives. They may deny that anything has changed, or they may become uncooperative, depressed, or angry. Although they want the security of being near an adult, they may act disobedient and aggressive.

Preschoolers exhibit signs of sadness and grieving because of the absence of one parent. Preschoolers may be aggressive and angry toward the parent they blame.

Now that you know how preschoolers react to divorce, Im sure a lot of ideas come to your mind on what divorce parenting practices is best appropriate for preschoolers. To add up to your list of ideas, here below are some of the things you should do to help your preschoolers adjust to divorce.

Repeatedly tell children that they are not responsible for the divorce. Children need to be reassured that the breakup wasnt their fault.

Discourage reconciliation fantasies. Avoid dinners, outings, or holiday celebrations with your ex-spouse; they only fuel your childs fantasies. Instead, emphasize the finality of divorce

Keep daily routines intact. Children feel more secure when there is a standard routine. Stick with bedtimes, no matter at which home the children are. Have some consistent chores. Have some time committed to the child, which is treated as sacred.

Reassure children that everything will be ok, just different. Children are invariably frightened and confused by divorce. Its a threat to their security. Provide extra hugs and kisses and tell your child that you and other adults will always be near to love and protect

Explain what is happening over and over again. Children this age are confused easily. In simple terms, explain where your child will live, with whom, where the departing parent will live, and who will provide care when both parents are unavailable.

Encourage your child to talk about how he/she feels. Be sensitive to childrens fears. Let your child know that he or she can openly talk to you about the ups and downs of your separation or divorce.

Encourage the child to carry photographs and other keepsakes of the custodial parent when he or she leaves home to visit with the non-custodial parent. Conversely, encourage the child to keep a photograph of his or her non-custodial parent in a visible place at home.

Be sensitive to children signs of depression and fear. Seek professional help if depression is prolonged or intense.

Help non-custodial parent stay involve. Let non-custodial parent maintain a regular presence such as a phone call several times each week, messages sent on video or audiotapes.

Plan a schedule of time for children to spend with their other parent. Be supportive of childrens ongoing relationship with the other parent. Remember that children generally fare best when they have the emotional support and ongoing involvement of both parents. If you have difficulty relating to your former spouse then get your free copy of my ebook "8 Essential Steps to Cooperative Parenting and Divorce." Just visit my website and get the said ebook for free.

You can learn more divorce parenting practices appropriate for children of any age in my ebook "101 Ways To Raise Divorced Children to Successfully." This ebook is a divorce parenting guide that offers many proven ways that will not only help you help your children but will also guide you on how to deal with yourself and your former ex-spouse for your childrens sake. Thus, giving you complete information on how to raise healthy, happy and successful children even if youre divorced. For more information, please visit my website.

With the above information, I hope you will become an empowered divorced parent and believe that you can raise healthy, happy and successful children even if youre divorce.

Copyright by Ruben Francia. All Rights Reserved.

Publishing Rights: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the authors information and web link are included at the bottom of the article. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. Minor edits and alterations are acceptable so long as they do not distort or change the content of the article.

About The Author

Ruben Francia is an author of an indispensable divorce parenting guide ebook, entitled "101 Ways To Raise Your Divorced Children To Success". Get his other ebook for FREE, "8 Essential Steps to Cooperative Parenting and Divorce." Visit his web site at http://www.101divorceparenting.com.

support@101divorceparenting.com

It is being said that how bad or how well children go through the divorce depends on how the situation is handled. And believe me when I tell you that there is an appropriate divorce parenting practices for children of any age for them to be healthy, happy and successful despite youre divorce. It simple means that divorced parents can raise healthy, happy and successful children. Here, in this article, we will focus on the best appropriate divorce parenting practices for school-age children.

First, you need to understand how school-age children react to divorce. Knowing how school-age children react to divorce will bring you to a better position of knowing the best appropriate divorce parenting practices you can do for your child. So, how is school-age children affected by divorce

School-age children are old enough to understand that they are in pain because of their parents separation. They are too young, however, to understand or to control their reactions to this pain. They may experience grief, embarrassment, resentment, divided loyalty and intense anger.

Elementary school children begin to understand that divorce means their parents will no longer be married and live together, and that their parents no longer love each other.

Children worries about the future. They fear nobody will be there to pick him/her up from school and take care of them. It is common for them to ignore school and friendships.

Children also become aware of their parents as individuals, often fear the loss of parents, and feel sadness and anger because of their parents divorce or separation. Self-blame, depression, and attempts to reunite parents are not uncommon in this age group.

Knowing how school-age children reach to divorce, Im sure by now ideas flow into your mind on what divorce parenting practices is best appropriate for school-age children. To add up to your list of ideas, here below are some divorce parenting practices that is best for your child.

Explain what is happening over and over again. Children this age are confused easily. In simple terms, explain where your child will live, with whom, where the departing parent will live, and who will provide care when both parents are unavailable.

Encourage your child to talk about how he/she feels. Be sensitive to childrens fears. Let your child know that he or she can openly talk to you about the ups and downs of your separation or divorce.

Read books together about children and divorce. Use books to help your child talk about feelings.

Answer all questions about the changes, and keep lines of communication open. Make sure your child feels like he or she can ask you questions and get answers about why the divorce happened and what to expect.

Plan special time together. Set aside special time to spend with your child but be careful not to make promises you may not be able to keep.

Repeatedly tell children that they are not responsible for the divorce. Children need to be reassured that the breakup wasnt their fault.

Reassure children of how their needs will be met and of who will take care of them.

Reassure children that everything will be ok, just different. Children are invariably frightened and confused by divorce. Its a threat to their security. Provide extra hugs and kisses and tell your child that you and other adults will always be near to love and protect

Talk to your childs day-care provider about the divorce. She will better understand your childs possible regressive behaviors and will likely offer extra support.

Talk to your childs teachers or school counselors about the divorce. They may then better understand possible learning or behavioral problems and will likely offer extra support.

Keep daily routines intact. Children feel more secure when there is a standard routine. Stick with bedtimes, no matter at which home the children are. Have some consistent chores. Have some time committed to the child, which is treated as sacred.

Respect, but monitor, your childs privacy.

Discourage reconciliation fantasies. Avoid dinners, outings, or holiday celebrations with your ex-spouse; they only fuel your childs fantasies. Instead, emphasize the finality of divorce

Be sensitive to children signs of depression and fear. Seek professional help if depression is prolonged or intense.

Help non-custodial parent stay involve. Let non-custodial parent maintain a regular presence such as a phone call several times each week, messages sent on video or audiotapes.

Plan a schedule of time for children to spend with their other parent. Be supportive of childrens ongoing relationship with the other parent. Remember that children generally fare best when they have the emotional support and ongoing involvement of both parents. If you have difficulty relating to your former spouse then get your free copy of my ebook "8 Essential Steps to Cooperative Parenting and Divorce." Just visit my website and get the said ebook for free.

You can learn more divorce parenting practices appropriate for children of any age in my ebook "101 Ways To Raise Divorced Children to Successfully." This ebook is a divorce parenting guide that offers many proven ways that will not only help you help your children but will also guide you on how to deal with yourself and your former ex-spouse for your childrens sake. Thus, giving you complete information on how to raise healthy, happy and successful children even if youre divorced. For more information, please visit my website.

With the above information, I hope you will become an empowered divorced parent and believe that you can raise healthy, happy and successful children even if youre divorce.

Copyright by Ruben Francia. All Rights Reserved.

Publishing Rights: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the authors information and web link are included at the bottom of the article. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. Minor edits and alterations are acceptable so long as they do not distort or change the content of the article.

About The Author

Ruben Francia is an author of an indispensable divorce parenting guide ebook, entitled "101 Ways To Raise Your Divorced Children To Success". Get his other ebook for FREE, "8 Essential Steps to Cooperative Parenting and Divorce." Visit his web site at http://www.101divorceparenting.com.

support@101divorceparenting.com

Their high achievement comes as they spend half the money of Indiana’s public schools.

While government schools scream about small cuts in their state funding, Catholic schools will celebrate the great work they do with half the per-student spending of their counterparts.

This is Catholic Schools Week, when schools nationwide will showcase what they do for millions of children.

Criticisms that Catholic schools skim the top talent aren’t true. Many take all comers.

The difference They don’t let excuses explain away poor achievement. This year’s Catholic Education Week theme – Faith in Every Student – perfectly sums up the goals of these schools.

I point to my alma maters, McAuley High School and Assumption Elementary School in greater Cincinnati. Both draw heavily from blue-collar families. Both have long offered a high-quality education that rivals some of the city’s best schools. Both rely on parents and alumni to fund new facilities.

Surprisingly, Catholic schools frequently are less annoying than public schools that nickel-and-dime people to death with sales of wrapping paper, candy and other things that no one wants. This comes after they tax us to death. Why do they need more money Half of our education dollars never make it to the classroom, but get sucked up in education bureaucracy.

St. Paul Elementary, where my daughter Meredith attends kindergarten, strictly limits fund-raising to very few events. Focus on those and the school will get enough.

If you can’t afford the tuition, even if you’re not Catholic, these schools usually find a way for your children attend. They offer scholarships. High schools frequently allow students to sweep floors or wash dishes to offset tuition and to get work done less expensively

At my high school, these low-skill student workers freed our maintenance workers to do the high-skill work of taking care of the building.

Compare that building to Marion High School, both of which were built around the same time, and you’ll see what a huge difference it has made. McAuley looks amazing. Marion High School is falling apart because maintenance wasn’t a priority. Now the school corporation is sending taxpayers an avoidable multi-million-dollar bill.

Catholic schools don’t fit every student. Students with special needs may not find the proper resources. Some schools may have education methods that don’t suit specific students. Some families may find that Catholic teachings clash with their own.

This is why I hope that Catholic Schools week inspires not only those who attend Catholic schools, but everyone who wants the best for Indiana’s children.

Lutheran schools, which are common in Fort Wayne, do excellent work. Other Christian schools, whether denominational or non-denominational, are multiplying as parents become frustrated with public schools that challenge their religious teachings.

Actually, private schools are the proper places for morality-based teaching. Catholic schools trace their roots back 100 years, when public schools taught religion that was hostile to Catholicism. Instead of griping, Catholic parents put their kids in their own schools. Problem solved.

Public schools have their place. But we cannot expect each school to be all things to all people. Private schools have a vital role to play for our children. So could charter schools, if Indiana stops sabotaging them with restrictions.

Indiana could encourage more private schools and home-schooling by offering tax incentives to anyone who pays for a child’s education. Despite public-school belly-aching to the contrary, this would leave more money for public schools because they would have fewer kids to educate and more opportunities to specialize.

Regardless of your religious beliefs or your devotion to public schools, please say thanks to Catholic schools. They demonstrate the amazing things that happen when we put faith in our children.

by Sheri Conover Sharlow Libertarian Writers Bureau http://www.writersbureau.org

About The Author

Sheri Conover Sharlow, a former journalist, is the product of 11 years of Catholic education. Her daughter, Meredith, is the fourth-generation in her family to attend a Catholic school.

kenngividen@libertarianwritersbureau.org

It’s back to school time again. Does the thought of having to get everyone organized and out the door make you want to send for boarding school brochures Here are a few tips to help get through that back to school daze.

Making Merry Mornings:

The biggest cause of whining and tantrums in the morning is a sleepy child trying to make a decision. Eliminate the choices along with the grumpiness.

Lay out clothes the night before. This simple action can prevent wasting time looking for a missing shoe or favorite pants that are still in the dryer.

Pack a lunch or put out lunch money the night before.

If family members share a bathroom in the morning, work out a schedule and have them stick to it.

A good night’s sleep is essential to reducing some of the morning moodiness. Keep a regular bedtime – both parents and children.

Staying Cool At School:

New situations can make children anxious and uncomfortable. Knowing what to expect the first day can ease some of the anxiety.

If the child is going to a new school, attend the orientation session or arrange for a tour of the school. Navigating around a new place can be scary for a child.

Suggest to the youngster to call friends to find out if they share any classes. What a comfort to have a friend to sit next to in class or in the cafeteria.

Buy only 1-2 new outfits before schools starts. Usually it is still warm when school starts so children can wear last spring’s clothes, plus this gives the child time to see what is “in” this year before buying.

Effortless Evenings:

Homework, clubs, sports…Organization is key to keeping track or what’s happening and when.

Create a special spot for homework. Setting one location for studying can help with concentration as well as minimize the chance of a book being misplaced.

Have a system for the student to keep track of all assignments and upcoming tests. This system can be as simple as a small notebook where homework for all classes is written down.

Start a family calendar to keep track of PTA meetings, school parties, extracurricular activities, etc.

A daily family ritual can give the child and parents something to look forward to. Ideas are a card game after dinner, a walk in the park, or a crafts project.

About The Author

Written by Megan Corwin, Personal Coach. Visit www.megancorwin.com or email megan@megancorwin.com to schedule your complimentary 30-minute coaching session and to find out how a personal coach can help you have more time and energy for the things you enjoy.

About The Author

© 2003-2004 Amy Allen Clark. All rights reserved.

Amy Allen Clark is a stay-at-home mother of a two year old son. She is founder and creator of http://www.momadvice.com. Her web site is geared towards mothers who are seeking advice on staying organized, living on a budget, and for those seeking work-at-home employment. Please visit her site to sign up for her free monthly newsletter filled with more great tips to help simplify your life.

amy@momadvice.com

It seems that school starts earlier every year. So its time to start thinking about what to put in those school lunches every morning.

My children always wanted to bring their own lunches because they didnt really like what was offered in the school lunchroom. But it was sometimes a little difficult to make their lunches nutritious and tasty and also to put a little variety in their lunchboxes without spending a small fortune.

If we let ourselves, we can spend a "lot" on individual servings, lunchables, and treats for lunches. Here are a few ideas to help you meet the "Frugal Lunchbox Challenge".

Go to the Dollar Store and buy a few of those individual serving-size storage containers. These are very inexpensive and they are worth every penny.

You can use them for any number of things--like making your own fruit cups and pudding cups.

And they can also be used to hold dip for carrot or celery sticks or fill with peanut butter and pack a zipper bag of pretzels for dipping.

Also at the Dollar Store or discount store, you can pick up one or two of the small "blue ice" cold packs. They will help keep lunchbox items cold and safe. Sandwiches such as egg salad or tuna salad need to have a cold pack. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, on the other hand, can be packed without one.

Those zipper bags we all love come into their own when packing lunches! They can hold vegetable sticks, popcorn, crackers, homemade cookies, etc.

Muffins hold up well in a zipper-top bag, as do slices of banana nut bread, or most any other quick bread.

When the weather turns cool, a small thermos will come in handy for homemade soup or chili. I see lots of these for sale at garage and yard sales, sometimes for as little as 25 cents.

A thermos is also handy to hold whatever drink your child likes to take.

Try to put some fun in the lunchbox: keep a stash of small, inexpensive toys, cut sandwich bread into cool shapes with cookie cutters, write little notes to your child, cut out funny cartoons. Children love surprises.

A good routine to get into is while you are cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, put leftovers in the storage containers, or make sandwiches and place in the fridge in a designated area for lunch items. Get your kids to help--the more they are involved, the better!

Put napkins, etc. in lunch boxes or bags and place them where all anyone has to do in the morning is fill with the prepared items. Now you can all be out the door in minutes!

Here are a few recipes that will help get you started this school year:

Apple Surprise 1 apple Raisins Peanut butter

Cut apple in half. Carefully, cut out the core of the apple. Spread peanut butter where the core used to be and over surface of apple. Sprinkle raisins over the peanut butter.

Trail Mix 2 cups granola cereal 1 cup peanuts 1 cup dried apple bits 1 1/2 cups yogurt-covered raisins 2/3 cup chopped dates 1 cup dried banana bits

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container.

A small serving of this goes a long way!

Peanut Butter Balls 1/2 c. peanut butter 2 1/2 tbsp. nonfat dry milk 2 tbsp. raisins 2 tbsp. honey 1/4 c. coconut Sesame seeds

Mix all ingredients and form into balls. Roll in sesame seeds.

This is a good recipe for the kids to help with-- they love to roll the dough into balls.

NOTE: sesame seeds are cheaper in bulk at a health food store. You can get unsweetened coconut there, also.

About The Author

Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly newsletter and founder of the website of the same name. Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to find creative tips, articles, and a free e-cooking book. Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free e-course "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".

editor@cynroberts.com

Did you see the Larry King Live show where Suzanne Sommers informed us she was a victim of breast cancer

Until then the butt-mastering, thigh-mastering Ms. Sommers was thought to be a model of good health. Not only that, legions of her fans followed the Suzanne Sommers’ Diet.

Suzanne acknowledged that as a model of good health she had to set an example and eat the right foods. Well, if she was eating all the right foods, why the cancer

Some experts have theorized that Ms. Sommers carries a disease gene that resulted in her cancer.

Just like us, she has more than 30,000 genes that provide the coded instructions to: 1 Shape her body, and 2 Make it run.

Each gene consists of a section of DNA, which looks like a twisted ladder. It is actually the rungs of the ladder, comprised of just four molecules that can be arranged in seemingly endless combination that will tell a cell what to do. Often cells are told to produce a myriad of proteins that will carry out the work of the body.

Medical science has taken the position that when a disease results from an absent or insufficient or malformed protein, the problem usually can be traced to a glitch in the DNA.

The concept of human disease genes is nothing new. But compare the ongoing effort to reveal the genes thought to separate sick from healthy individuals, against the conclusion from a study of 90,000 identical twins reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in July, 2000:

"There is a low absolute probability that a cancer will develop in a person whose identical twin, a person with an identical genome and many similar exposures, has the same type of cancer...For cancer at the common sites in monozygotic twins, the rate of concordance is generally less than 15%."

How can it be, regarding cancer in identical twins, 85% of the time human disease genes do not act as human disease genes

What is the difference between the twin with breast cancer [pretend that is Suzanne Sommers] and her cancer-free sister

The answer: All metabolic enzyme systems function normally in the breasts of the cancer-free twin.

Go back to the theoretical genetic result of absent, or malformed or insufficient proteins performing cellular work. The proteins that perform cellular work are our metabolic enzymes.

We have over 2000 of them. Not only do these organic molecules have minerals within their chain, each metabolic enzyme requires an activator mineral to mobilize it. Minerals also activate hormones.

Here is what "experts" conveniently neglect:

Our genes do not determine the availability of minerals to serve as activators, or as inventory for the cellular construction of our metabolic enzymes. That depends upon the quality, the nutrient density, of the food in our diet.

The Suzanne Sommers’ Diet has one thing in common with all other diets:

The foods in her diet and every other diet lack minerals.

When we consume food and water deficient in minerals, this leads to the break down of our metabolic enzyme systems. That’s when we begin to lose immunity to degenerative disease, which is what happened to Suzanne Sommers.

About The Author

Bill Quesnellbill@mineralsbuildhealth.com is a health educator, author of Minerals: The Essential Link to Health, and Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation member. He farmed melon for eight years in Costa Rica where he learned how minerals build health and prevent disease by putting his hands in the soil, not by relying upon medical advice devoted to disease and treatment. Critical reviews of his book and a list of 15 harmful health myths can be found at http://www.mineralsbuildhealth.com Bill@mineralsbuildhealth.com

A simple experiment that can help preschoolers discover and enjoy the wonders of science.

Most childcare businesses supervise children for more than three hours a day, five days a week. Such long hours in care can have a serious impact on a child’s growth and development. Businesses that offer educational curriculums help children grow academically and help prepare them for school. Science plays an important role in the learning process and should also be included as part of the curriculum. Science encourages preschoolers to ask questions, make predictions, and find answers to some fascinating questions. Here is an interesting experiment that can help teach science to preschoolers. We came across ideas for this experiment on PBS Kids Website www.pbskids.org. We tried it ourselves, at Young Achievers Inc., and it was an extreme success.

First, we had circle time with the kids and recited some classic nursery rhymes. One of the nursery rhymes was the age-old rhyme, Little Miss Muffet. After singing in our circle we asked the kids some questions about Little Miss Muffet. We discovered that they knew what Little Miss Muffet sat on, what she ate, and what frightened her. We then posed a thought-provoking question to the preschoolers. “Can the curds be separated from Miss Muffet’s curds and whey” The children responded with interesting answers. Their answers became our scientific hypotheses. We documented all responses in large text on our chalkboard so that the children can see and value their predictions. We then headed to the kitchen "laboratory" to see whose prediction was true.

We had the kids sit at the table and measure the milk and vinegar portions for the experiment. They counted how many cups of milk were needed and how many tablespoons of vinegar to add. It was now time to blast the mixture into the microwave for two minutes. We recommend that an adult perform this part of the experiment to avoid placing children in harms way. After two minutes, the mixture was ready to be taken out of the microwave. We allowed it to cool for several minutes and then the children compared two samples of the mixture before and after it was placed in the microwave. They observed that the mixture was lumpier after being heated in the microwave. The children then strained the mixture by using kitchen towels. What remained was a white, rubbery substance - the curds. They were excited. They saw first-hand what Miss Muffet ate. Then they discovered through experimentation that curds can be separated from Miss Muffet’s curds and whey.

The children dyed the curds different colors using food coloring and made their own rubbery type of play dough. They loved touching the curds and feeling its texture. Some children even shaped the curds into cool looking dinosaurs and flowers with our help. At the end of the day the children were enlightened and had a great appreciation for science. They were all proud to show their parents what they had done. They were truly young scientists!

If you would like to try this with children at your childcare business we recommend the experiment for children ages 3 and up. The following materials are needed:

3 cups of Skim Milk 2 tablespoons of white vinegar Microwave-safe bowl for mixing and heating Kitchen towels for straining

About The Author

Nicole Brekelbaum is the director at Young Achievers Inc. - A home-based learning center for aspiring youth located in Pflugerville, Texas. She has been providing childcare in her home since her career switch from working engineer to childcare director and mom. Visit her companys website at http://www.youngachieversinc.com

nicole@youngachieversinc.com

Not only does the internet provide research for everyday school work, students can also find useful material to help prepare them for college.

Some sites allow you to look up information for homework and provide help to complete special assignments or projects. Your child will find question and answer sessions and be able to chat with other students online.

There is a site for just about any topic-- History, Current affairs, Health, Math. Is your child a language student If so, their skills can be honed by reading online foreign language magazines. Your child will find resources that will help them with any area of study.

One of the largest and best search engines online, can be found at: http://www.google.com When you get to the home page, type a keyword or phrase into the search box. You will receive a list of websites that pertain to your search.

A great site to start with is: http://www.education-world.com They offer links for science, history, math and universities, plus other subjects. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, there is also a link for Special Education students.

In order to interact with some sites, you will need to download Shockwave. Shockwave is a plug-in that you can download from a site. There will be a link to download it from, if the site requires it.

You will find that some of the sites charge users a fee to access their services and information. One such site is: http://homeworkhelp.com They offer some free study aids, but charges a fee for their full range of lessons and quizzes in core middle school and high school subjects.

At this site, you can buy books and textbooks: http://www.bguide.com

At http://www.howstuffworks.com , you can learn how things work. It covers car engines to tornadoes, and also has an extensive question-and -answer section.

TIP: Be sure to look for free subscriptions to educational newsletters, that can be sent to your email address.

For The Parents: Chatting online can be addictive. You will need to set a time limit for your child to visit the chat rooms, like you do when they talk on the phone. At http://www.akrontech.com/ they have software that offers parental control what sites your children view and an internet timer. The internet timer is a great tool. You, the parent sets up individual accounts and determines how much time each user gets to be online. When their time is up, they are automatically logged out and not allowed to go back online. The cost of this software is $34.95 and they even give you a 30day free trial, to see if its right for you and your family.

About The Author

Jane Fulton is Owner & Webmistress of http://janes-place.com Home For Newbies & Beginning Marketers. She has been helping them for almost 4yrs now. She publishes a newsletter, Newbie & Affiliate SOS Newsletter. It appears online twice a month. If you like these How To type of articles, subscribe to her newsletter at: http://janes-place.com/sos.htm webmistress@janes-place.com

How Rearranging Your Child’s Room Can Make Better Study Habits This Year

Every school year parents and students dutifully trudge through the malls in search of the perfect sneaker or the cool new outfit for the coming school year. However, it’s unlikely that the new shoe or shirt will benefit them at school like a new room arrangement. How so According to feng shui, a child’s room that is arranged well can positively impact study habits and create better grades.

Feng shui, the Chinese technique for design and arrangement, suggests that rooms that have good energy, or “chi”, create happier, well-adjusted children. Feng shui theories believe that for a child’s room to have good “chi,” the room must follow certain guidelines to be harmonious.

If the room follows these guidelines, the room will not only be restful, it also promote good relationships others and generate good self-esteem. Perhaps most importantly, a harmonious bedroom will encourage good study habits and promote greater success in school.

Follow these eight feng shui tips to help create a room that inspires your child to study more and to do better at school.

1. The room has a desk.

It sounds obvious, but many kids’ only workspace is a bed, the bedroom floor, or the family dining table. Every child needs a suitable study area in the bedroom that includes a desk, chair, and a lamp. Children with study areas are more likely to study.

Better still, having a study area keeps all the school books and papers confined to the child’s room. Feng shui also teaches that it’s best for children to study facing the northeast, the direction of wisdom and learning.

2. Ground your kids.

Buy your kids a globe to promote interest in geography and to help ground them and encourage them to study. Add a globe in the Northeast corner of the bedroom, if possible, as this enhances the wisdom corner.

3. Create an “achievement area.”

Every child needs to have recognition for a job well done. A perfect way to gain this is to create an achievement area on the South wall of the bedroom.

According to feng shui, this is the recognition area and it is the perfect place to pin up awards, papers with good grades, letters of recommendation, ribbons or trophies. Hang a roomy bulletin board here to make an “atta’ boy” or “atta’ girl” spot in your child’s room!

4. Hang a crystal in the Northeast corner of the room.

Crystals are used to make computer chips go faster, so why not use them to make your child study better Hang a crystal in the study location to create more “study” chi and to help sharpen the child’s ability to “process” or think!

5. Put your child in the command position.

Avoid having children face a wall when studying because this represents an obstacle. They should be able to when someone enters. Position the desk so that they can see the door.

6. Display maps and other educational artwork.

Maps are another way to ground and encourage educational pursuits. They encourage “worldly” interest and curiosity and they make suitable images for a child’s room. Avoid scary creatures, pictures depicting violence, or sad or dark subjects.

7. Eliminate TV from the bedroom.

Sadly, too many of today’s children have TVs in their bedrooms. This is a feng shui no-no because it can make children much less likely to study and rest fully. If your child doesn’t study as much as you would like and has a TV in the bedroom, ask yourself what is more important: television or school

8. Shells and fish are symbols of education.

Conch shells and koi or goldfish are excellent symbols of educational success. Place the conch shell in the Northeast corner of the bedroom. Or, hang a picture of koi or goldfish in the Northeast corner. It is not recommended to keep live fish in the bedroom as water in the bedroom is associated with loss.

About The Author

Kathryn Weber is a certified master practitioner in classical feng shui and the publisher of The Red Lotus Letter a weekly feng shui E-Zine. She has been featured and quoted by publications and websites, including Seventeen Magazine, First for Women, Martial Arts Professional, the Indy Star Newspaper, Self-growth.com, and Transformations.com. Log on to www.redlotusletter.com to subscribe or to contact her about a personal consultation, speaking engagement, or workshop. kweber@redlotusconsulting.com

Let’s face it…not everybody likes going to school and high school can be a terrible experience for many students. Whether you’re the hands on type who preferred Shop class to English class, or an athlete who liked working as a team more than studying alone, or even someone who liked schoolwork more than schoolmates; the idea of four more years of school is unbearable. If you identify with any of these types, but still want to secure a good future, there are some great options out there for you.

For you hands on types there are a lot of great careers out there that allow you to work with your hands and they pay well. There will be some coursework in things like shop math, reading schematics or architectural drawings, but most of this will be reinforced in your daily work. The schoolwork won’t seem useless because you will be using it everyday. Best of all, most of the schooling will be finished in two years or less. Most hands on jobs have an apprentice, or on the job training aspect as well, so you can get to work right away.

Some of the careers in this category include:

Electrician – Installation or troubleshooting of electrical wires and connections. Work may take place in new or existing constructions. Licensing is required. The lowest starting wage for an electrician is $11.81 per hour, while the median is $19.90 per hour.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Tech HVAC Tech – Installation or troubleshooting of heating and air conditioning systems in homes or businesses. Licensing is required to work with refrigerants. The lowest starting wage for HVAC Tech is $10.34 per hour, while the median is $16.78 per hour.

Home Appliance Repair – Repair of in home appliances like refrigerators, ovens and washers and dryers. The lowest starting wage for Home Appliance repair is $18,200 per year, while the median is $30,390 per year. The skills learned for this job can advance you to other higher paying careers.

For students who paid more attention to extracurricular activities than schoolwork, there are plenty of careers where you can capitalize on your social skills. The healthcare field is one such career. Nurses, physicians assistants and medical assistants all work directly with people – both patients and their families. If healthcare doesn’t appeal to you and you have an appetite for technology, being a help desk technician allows you deal directly with people and computer technology. You might also take business classes and work your way up to become an office manager in any number of industries.

If you’re someone who loves to learn and prefers talking to people on a limited basis there are plenty of jobs you can train for as well. Computer based jobs like software development, web design or database administration immediately come to mind. If you’re creative and visually talented, the fields of graphic design and multimedia design might suit you. A great job for someone who likes to perform research is that of a paralegal. That job offers many of the tasks a lawyer performs, without having to go to court. And it pays well. You can even find jobs in the healthcare field where there is limited or no contact with patients like medical coding or office administration.

The bottom line is, even if you didn’t like high school, that’s not a reason to bypass education and your shot at a good future. Career colleges get right down to business and offer specific training for well paying careers in a short period of time.

Careers for graduating seniors who hate school: HVAC Tech Home Appliance Repair Electrician Help Desk Analyst Nurse Medical Assistant Office Management Paralegal Database Administration Medical coding

www.top-colleges.com

About The Author

Max Stein, Salt Lake City, UT, USA http://www.degreesource.com/articles Max Stein is a freelance writer who writes about business, education and marketing. For daily updates, read our blog at http://degreesource.blogspot.com

Has Johnny seemed a little frazzled lately Today, kids have more worries and face more pressures than ever before. Here a few tips to help your child focus on and do well in school.

1. Create a personal schedule

Recording everything that must be done on a calendar or "to do" list will help him to keep track of important dates and deadlines. If he keeps it in a visible place he will have no problem acknowledging upcoming events and will be better able to plan how and where to spend his time.

A "to do" list would also help him to prioritize his tasks. When it comes to homework, whatever is most important should be tackled first.

2. Watch the clock

Setting an alarm for the morning is a must. I also recommend setting his clock or watch five minutes ahead since it’s always easy to run late. When it comes to something like catching a bus, just five minutes can make a significant difference.

3. Focus

He should train himself to be able to concentrate solely on one specific task. This is much easier in a noise-free environment. No T.V or radio should be on to distract him.

4. Get enough sleep

Lack of sleep is proven to take a toll on us physically. The more sleep we get, the more alert we are. We thus have more energy to handle lifes daily tasks. The average adult needs at least six hours of sleep a night and the average child needs at least eight.

5. Stay in shape

Through spending time outdoors or playing sports with friends, he can "blow off some steam" so to speak, as well as re-energize. Encourage him to get outside.

6. Talk through your problems

Being able to share his concerns with you will alleviate the frustration of keeping things bottled up. Sharing feelings often makes them easier to deal with. If you make it clear that you understand him and are willing to help, not only will you contribute to his emotional health but you’ll help build an open and honest relationship as well.

About The Author

Denni Gill is an up-and-coming Canadian writer. http://www.urban-eden.org chronicles her spiritual growth. denni@urban-eden.org

-The L.E.A.D.E.R. Way

INTRODUCTION

In June 1997,the Prime Minister of Singapore unveiled the Government’s vision of ‘Thinking Schools, Learning Nation’ TSLN. This vision was forged to improve Singapore’s education system in the light of the rapid changes around the world. The Government foresees that Singapore, with its limited natural resources, can only continue to progress by nurturing a knowledgeable workforce that is adaptable to the changes in the world economy. More importantly, the Government realized that it had to start preparing the nation for these inevitable changes by revamping the education system in accordance with the vision of TSLN.

The Ministry of Education MOE in Singapore, the state agency responsible for the undertaking of this vision, states the goals of TSLN as follows:

Thinking Schools ensure that we equip students with skills and knowledge and values and instincts to face future challenges, while Learning Nation aims to promote a culture of continual learning beyond the school environment. MOE, 1998,p.16

In order to realize the vision, the MOE has introduced changes to the curriculum, the training of teachers, assessment modes and the development of resource packages. Furthermore, all schools will have students spending at least 30% of their curriculum time accessing electronic resources and working on computers. MOE, 1998,p.17 The changes in the curriculum include the infusion of thinking skills and the reduction in the contents of the curriculum. Schools are strongly encouraged to set up their own thinking programs and teachers are to enroll in courses to learn how to infuse thinking skills in their teaching.

With the restructuring taking place to realize the vision, most teachers fear that the changes will burden them by increasing their already-heavy workload and tight time schedule due to increased training hours. The principal, being the main disseminator of the MOE’s mission of TSLN in the school, has the unenviable task to articulate this vision to overcome the resistance to the changes especially from the school’s teachers.

The main objective of the paper is to explore the perceptions of teachers as to the effectiveness of principals in leading a change programs in this case, a Thinking Programs. Since teachers are directly responsible for the learning outcomes of the students, their perceptions of their principals’ effectiveness and concomitant actions are vital to the success of the vision of TSLN. As part of the paper, a case study of a primary school, which has embarked on a Thinking Programs, has been carried out.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

In the hope of improving the existing system, schools face many problems when introducing well-meaning changes. Restructuring would, inevitably, involve people within the organisation to absorb new ideas and ideals that usually result in many uncertainties Heckman, 1990. A school’s principal, thus, has the uphill task to manage the level of resistance to change and align the staff to work towards a common vision, amidst the turbulence.

To reiterate, the author is focussing on teachers’ perceptions of their principal in leading change, more specifically, the process of creating a Thinking Programme for the school. The importance of teachers’ perception of their leaders in the success of a school has been documented in various researches. Researchers such as Bhella, 1992 suggested that teachers’ morale is related to student achievement. And, in turn, the principal has the strongest influence on teachers’ satisfaction in the workplace. Vanderstoepe et al, 1994 From that perspective, the teachers’ satisfaction and perceptions of the principal in leading the change process would directly have an impact on the success rate of the new programme of boosting students’ achievement.

In the process of writing, the author discussed with many teachers on what they expect their leaders to do when introducing a new programs to their schools. The author has summarized the teachers’ opinions for inclusion in this paper. Previous research and literature would be used to illuminate the factors that are critical to the success of a principal in leading a change programs. To further enhance clarity of exposition, I have presented systematically the ideas encapsulated in previous research by using the acronym of L.E.A.D.E.R as a model to elucidate the steps in leading a successful change programs in a school. The acronym of L.E.A.D.E.R stands for:

Leading by example

Empowering vision

Adaptive change

Developing people

Evaluating the system

Recharge

The above model does not try to be prescriptive or attempt to imply that it will cover all the salient factors of an effective change programme. Due to the prescribed length of the paper, the author hopes that the model will shed more light in the topic of research in a more methodical manner.

Leading by Example

In most organisations that have embarked on a change programme, one of the more common complaints by the employees is that the leader does not ‘walk the talk’. In a school, if a principal is not willing to learn and adapt to changes, there are no compelling reasons for the staff to do so. The Scout’s motto, ‘ Lead by Example’, is a major criteria of what a principal must do to succeed in leading change.

In order to create a thinking and learning organisation, principal will become researchers and designers rather than controllers and overseers. They should also be a model of learning to the rest of the organisation and encourage the staff to be life-long learners. Senge, 1990 More importantly, a principal must not merely communicate in words, but by deeds to convince the staff that the change is happening at all levels. These build a sense of esprit de corp in the school that will help in lessening the pressures that change brings to organisations.

In short, a principal has to be perceived to be capable in leading school educational development by his or her own example. Dunning, 1993; McHugh & McMullan, 1995 Unless the staffs are convinced, they will not work co-operatively towards the success of the change programme.

Empowering Vision

A change programme requires a change of vision. According to Kotter 1995, p.10,

“ A vision says something that clarifies the direction in which an organisation needs to move.”

The Ministry of Education developed the vision of TSLN in the middle of 1997. In the schools, banners are put up to herald the vision of TSLN and school principals were expected to align the teachers towards this shared vision for the betterment of the schools. The principals are expected to modify culture through skill in communication of the necessary shared values for a changed vision. Campbell-Evans, 1993.

Adaptive Change

In most organisations’ change programme, the appropriate pace of change is often ignored. Most leaders are impatient to see results and thus apply unwarranted pressures on those involved in the process .In Singapore schools; such a situation is a commonplace. With the MOE’s intention of creating a world-class educational system in Singapore, many new initiatives are introduced within a short period of time. Most of the initiatives will require much time and effort of the teachers, on top of their already-heavy load. Such a situation often causes distress and the principal has to address the issues.

A good leader, therefore, must be capable of regulating the distress by sequencing and pacing the work required of the change process. Unfortunately, this is not the case in most change programme. Most leaders start new initiatives without stopping other activities or they start too many initiatives at the same time. They overwhelm and disorient the very people who need to take responsibility for the work. Heifetz & Laurie, 1997,p.180

Developing People

The people who are directly involved in a change programme have to be suitably trained to meet the challenges. A good principal would ensure that the staff’s potential is developed for many reasons. Firstly, if the staffs are not trained well to undertake the new responsibilities of the initiative, the programme will not be a success. Secondly, a principal who develops and empowers the staff in the concerned change programme will be more able to convince them to commit to it. By doing so, a principal can demonstrate leadership by sharing leadership with the staff in the school. Through empowering others, the principal can also elevate his/her status and power. Blasé, 1987

A principal can also develop the staff potential by opening up channels of communication within the school. Setting up committees and encouraging peer learning could do this. External agencies with expertise in the areas of change can also be consulted to help smoothen the process of change.

A principal who is a people developer would benefit as “ solutions to adaptive challenges reside not in the executive suite but in the collective intelligence of employees at all levels.”Heifetz & Laurie, 1997,p.173 Thus, by doing so, the principal would have increased the level of success of the new initiative and also the hearts of his/her followers.

Evaluating the System

The principal must constantly monitor the process of a new school initiative. The initial enthusiasm that has been built up the principal may wane due to the lack of a good evaluation system .An effective evaluation system would allow the principal to see the flaws and to refine the programme due to changing circumstances. A good evaluation system for a thinking programme would consist of classroom observations on the teaching of the thinking tools and feedback from those who are involved in the change process. This includes the teachers, pupils and their parents. This is important as constant feedback allows the principal to refine the programme due to changing circumstances. Hargreaves, 1995

To further enhance the evaluative aspect of the programme, the principal could brainstorm with the staff on the criteria of what are considered to be desired outcomes of the new initiatives. To be more specific, an effective change leader would spell out what are the short and long-term desired results of the programme and base the evaluations on such targets. The evaluative process must be realistic and fair by including appropriate time frames for achieving them. This would calm down the fears of the teachers and to ensure that they would not resort to cosmetic measures in the process of change.

A principal must also be self-reflective and be able to take criticism if the programme is not moving according to plan. He or she must rely on the teachers who are directly involved with the pupils to give honest feedback. Though, this may raise questions of the credibility of the principal’s initial plans, a good head would allow the subordinates to point them for further improvements to a new initiative. This is especially so if the head is seeking to create a thinking and learning organisation.

Recharge

An effective evaluation system would also be used to ensure the continuing momentum of a change programme. Most change programmes may start out enthusiastically but they usually lose steam at the end. The ability to maintain the initial enthusiasm and commitment to the vision is, thus, an important criterion of an effective principal. He or she must be able to recharge the interest of the teachers by constantly reminding them and encouraging them to achieve desired outcomes. In a thinking programme, a principal could hold monthly meetings to talk about the progress and to share success stories of the programme to maintain the interest of the teachers. If the interest and enthusiasm of the staff to the initiatives can be maintained throughout, more change programmes will be successful in schools.

CONCLUSION

During the process of writing this paper, the author felt that certain issues should be addressed. One of the main problems seems to lie in the pacing of new initiatives introduced by the Ministry of Education. Due to this, a principal is stretched for time and effort in juggling with the new initiatives. This, as shown in the case study, usually leads to other good school programmes going through a roller-coaster ride of enthusiasm. The principal would then resort to cosmetic efforts to convince the parents, visitors and the Ministry that a programme is in place as in this case study. The author hopes that this is just an isolated case but feels the Ministry should really look into the issue of whether principals are overloaded with the projects in progress before launching into another initiative.

Another issue connected to the above is the need to improve the evaluation and appraisal methods of the principals by the Ministry. At present, the evaluation tends to be inaccurate, as the Ministry does not really know the inner workings of the school. There should be a 360 degrees Feedback Survey whereby the staff especially the teachers; pupils and parents are to evaluate the effectiveness of the principal in leading a programme. It may be considered time-consuming but it will ensure that principals do not adopt cosmetic measures to hide weaknesses of any new programmes. This also allows schools to be opened to ideas and suggestions for further refinements of the programme. In this way, the Ministry will have a more accurate picture whether the initiatives that had been introduced are articulated in a proper manner.

The author reiterates that the success of leading a change programme in schools is largely dependent on the principal’s ability to influence the perceptions of the teachers. Trust, thus, is an important ingredient that has to be built up by the principal, as the principal-teachers relationship will have an impact on other future initiatives. The paper has also included a self-evaluation questionnaire Appendix 3 for principals who are in the process of leading a change programme in their schools. In closing, the author wants to emphasise that in order to reap the full benefits, a change programme should be nurtured and not enforced.

About The Author

Dr.Alvin Chan is an Innovation Research Specialist in Asia. He has consulted for and aid in the development of managerial innovations and effective learning methodologies in several organizations.

Please email to Dr. Chan at alvinchan@firstquatermain.com as a courtesy if you are reprinting the article online or in print.

It has been said that only 2% of affiliate marketers ever make any “real” money from their efforts. The rest struggle and flounder as they see most of their efforts fail. Rather like master archers hitting the bull’s-eye each time while the rest struggle to sharpen their arrows, draw the bow and try to figure out what to aim at!

Those who run affiliate programs are often very sincere and well meaning, but lack the expertise at marketing. They may have produced a great product, but that doesn’t make them great marketers.

If you want to make money from affiliate marketing then you need to go to someone who’s meets 4 simple criteria.

Has made a success at affiliate marketing.

Has the skills to teach their success principles.

Teaches principles of success for any program and not just their own.

Has committed themselves to seeing you become successful and not just inflating their own bank account.

All this can be summed up as quality support for your benefit. Does such support actually exist Most courses train you and then leave you to “go and put it into action”. They don’t follow through with you until you are successful. The reason is they have no motivation to do so because its not cost effective.

We are about to see a new era in the field of affiliate marketing. Just recently launched is “Affiliate Classroom” who meet the previously mentioned criteria. This is hugely refreshing. At last proper training without hidden agendas! Training for the benefit of the marketer and not the product owner. I believe we will see a rise in the number of such training programs over the next few years. We may even see affiliate program owners promoting such “classrooms” as part of their own marketing strategy.

About The Author

Ray Burton is an internet marketer specializing in affiliate programs, business opportunities, joint ventures and resources to create your online success. He has paid special attention to online training programs for new marketers.

© R.Burton - Dec 2004 - All rights reserved

http://affiliateclassroom.com/x.cgia=r&id=1&aid=12

As a mom of 4 whos youngest child is about to start Kindergarten this Fall, Id like to share with you some things Ive learned about Preschool over the last ten years, along with a list of readiness skills every child can be learning at home - whether attending Preschool or not.

Preschools, especially those taught in a church environment, are a wonderful resource that help prepare children for regular school. Not to mention they also provide social interaction with children of the same age, and for a few hours each week, a much-needed break for Mom. Overall, we highly recommend them!

Theres just one catch - Preschool is expensive!

Though I truly enjoyed successfully homeschooling our first child for preschool in 1994, by the time our next child was ready for preschool in 1998 I also had a toddler at home our third child, and another shortly on the way. My husband and I decided it was definitely time for some help, and somehow we managed to put our second child through preschool, as well as the third. And the fourth - as Ive already mentioned, will be graduating this year.

If youd like to send your child to Preschool but would like to keep the costs down, try finding a school that offers just two days a week, thats what we did. Of course homeschooling would cost even less, but we realize thats not an option for everyone - especially working moms.

Whether you choose to home-preschool your child or send him/her to a local Preschool on a part-time basis, heres a suggested list of academic, physical and social skills every preschooler should be learning. If your child will be attending Kindergarten in the fall it would be a good idea to continue working on these things over the summer. Kindergarten is a lot tougher than it was even a few years ago, so the more prepared your child is the better off he/she will be!

You will find that Kindergarten Readiness lists will vary but this is a great list that covers the basics.

Academic Skills Say the alphabet Recognize own name, and letters in name Recognize as many letters as possible A-Z Count to 10 Recognize numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Count items Name the basic colors blue, red, yellow, purple, green, orange, white, brown, black

Physical Skills Care for personal needs Use restroom, wash hands, fasten clothes, wipe nose, etc. Catch item tossed underhand Walk up and down stairs Use pencils and crayons Use scissors & glue stick Stack blocks Put toys and class items where they belong

Social Skills These are always a work in progress! Shares and takes turns Sits quietly and listens in group setting Follows directions Demonstrates good manners while eating Respects other students and adults Respects others belongings and class items Expresses thoughts and feelings clearly

And a Note About Reading.

Depending on your local school system, children now begin reading in either Preschool or Kindergarten. It is very important that your child be familiar with the letters of the alphabet and if possible, even the sounds each one makes. Knowing the letters will make the transition to reading much easier.

Throughout the early school years, teachers will often remind you how important it is to read to your children every day. You can make it a special time by letting the child choose the book to be read, and ask them questions about the story as you go - this will also help them develop good comprehension skills, which are needed throughout life.

Enjoy these early years together, they grow up so fast!

Copyright 2004 by Michelle Jones

About The Author

Michelle Jones, author of Dealing with Debt and publisher of Living a Better Life: The Money-Saving Tips Ezine, is a frugal mother of 4 whos dedicated to helping families live a better life, not by spending more money, but less! If youd like a free subscription to her monthly Ezine please visit www.BetterBudgeting.com for more information. editor@betterbudgeting.com

There isn’t a school day that goes by that I worry about my son’s lunch. Of course, I ask myself the usual questions: Is he eating what he has in the bag Will he trade his apple for a cookie Will the school lunch he’s ordering once a week be nutritious He’s a kid! He’s not a fussy eater, but there are plenty of days that he has come home with a bag full of food. I’ll ask him “what did you eat for lunch” He always says, “nothing.” What’s a parent to do

Plenty of Mom’s worry about what to feed their kids for lunch. They always ask me which foods are the best to pack. I believe there’s no such thing as a good or bad food. Remember, the food police aren’t arresting anyone at Ben and Jerry’s. Some foods are much more nutritious than others. The key to feeding your child well is to offer variety and make sure to include fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, 90% of Americans don’t eat the recommended five or more servings of antioxidant-rich and nutritious fruits and vegetables daily. Kids eat even less. While supplementation may guarantee you get enough Vitamin C and Beta Carotene, it‘s not a substitution for all the thousands of healthful nutrients found in fruits and vegetables that you can’t get in a pill. You want your kids to grow up healthy and strong. Here are some winners that will compliment any school lunch and help make your fruit and vegetable choices count.

Broccoli: Here’s an all American winner, as if you didn’t already know! Broccoli is chock full of vitamins, fiber, and minerals. It taste great, too. Broccoli is high is Vitamin C and carotenoids. These are antioxidants that help boost our immunity and protect our body from environmental insults like cigarette smoke and pollution. The two types of fiber in broccoli , soluble and insoluble, help lower cholesterol, fight cancer, and keep our digestive systems in tip-top shape. Broccoli also contains indoles and isothiocyantes that help decrease estrogen’s effectiveness and protects our cell’s DNA the building blocks of genetics and reproduction. It’s also an excellent source of folic acid-a B vitamin that seem to be critical for cardiovascular health. Not bad for being green!

Kids either love it or hate it. Here are some ideas to help you kids eat more of the green stuff. Broccoli tastes best if it’s blanched first, cooked in boiling water or steamed for 3 to 4 minutes. Stop the cooking with an ice bath if you want to eat it cold. Marinate it in your favorite light Italian dressing and place it in a zip lock bag for lots of flavor. Substitute broccoli for half the cabbage in your favorite coleslaw recipe and add to a sandwich instead of lettuce and tomato. Don’t throw away the stalks.

Carrots: If this vegetable was marketed for its benefits, I bet it would sell for $20 per pound! Carrots have over 200 carotenoids, one of which is beta carotene. Scientists aren’t sure which caroteniod is responsible for protecting us from cancer. Since beta carotene provided such disappointing results in recent research, I’ll keep eating carrots and skip the beta carotene. Carrots also contain phenolic acid, a phytochemical that may reduce the risk of cancer.

A great way to get your kids to start eating carrots is top his/her favorite sandwiches with shredded carrots along with lettuce and tomato. Kids will enjoy a bag of baby carrots they are large carrots cut into small bite-sized pieces with some low fat dressing on the side for dipping. Even try it shredded on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if your kids won’t eat their vegetables.

Beans: Most kids won’t eat beans, “I don’t like them.” “They taste yucky.” My son loves black beans, soybeans and chickpeas. There are so many different types of beans all with a different texture and flavor. Don’t give up on your first try. Beans are a great way to add a powerful nutritious punch to any meal. A large portion of the world population depends on beans to provide them with nutrition. People of the orient uses soybeans, Americans use peas, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries depend on chickpeas and lentils, Africans uses a combination of beans. Beans have the highest source of fiber for a whole food. They also are loaded with cancer-fighting phytochemicals like genistein and flavones. Soybeans have the most impressive list of plant chemicals to help fight, cancer, and high blood pressure, and menopausal symptoms. Add to its long list of benefits its ability to lower blood cholesterol and you have a winner. Use canned beans if you’re in a rush. Open a ca!

n of chickpeas, chop up an onion and some red pepper if your child doesn’t like them, you can always substitute another bean and vegetable until they are happy, toss in your favorite salad dressing and let it marinate overnight. Let your child spread black beans or prepared humus a chickpea spread on a flour tortilla. When at home, add cheese and chopped onion and cilantro, heat it in the toaster oven or microwave and have a side of salsa with carrot sticks for a delicious and well rounded lunch.

Apricots, Melon, and Papaya: All these fruits are loaded with nutrients. They’re high in Vitamin C and mixed carotenoids, potasium and have lots of fiber. Papaya has enzymes that help digestion and break down protein. Some of these enzymes have anti-inflammatory qualities. All of these fruits are great as snack foods in a lunch bag. Whether dried or fresh, these fruits taste great solo or with other foods. Combine dried apricots and toasted almonds for a tasty snack.

Spinach: Here’s another vegetable with abundant amounts of beta carotene and potassium. Most kids say they don’t like spinach probably because it’s cooked incorrectly. Spinach tastes best if cooked when young and tender. Older spinach tends to be woody and tough. Don’t use aluminum cookware. The spinach will pick up an acidic taste and lose its beautiful green color. Don’t overcook spinach. It gets waterlogged easily and is probably the reason why many don’t like it. Use it on sandwiches with lettuce and tomato.

Herbs and Spices and Tea: Don’t to forget to spice up your kid’s life with garlic, turmeric, ginger, rosemary and green and black tea. Many parents think kids don’t like spices. It’s true their taste buds are more sensitive to hot and spicy foods. But, if you don’t introduce these flavors at an early age, your children won’t learn to like them. These additions to your children’s diet will provide antioxidants such as curcumin, lycopene, allicin, and flavonoids. They taste great and may be the hidden ingredients that provide protection from cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Use lightly sweetened green tea mixed with juice for a great tasting thirst-quencher.

Next time you question whether your children’s lunch is packing enough nutrition, try these easy ways to add more fruits and vegetables. You’d be surprised how easy it is to fee your children power foods for a powerful body!

About The Author

Evan L. Mestman, MS, RD, CDE, CDN is the owner of www.roundyourplate.com, the home of the Pleasure Principle Weight Loss Plan. Lose Weight, With Pleasure! info@roundyourplate.com

Depending on where you live school will be starting this month or next month. A new school year is usually exciting and scary at the same time. Most children won’t admit it, but they are ready to get back to school and see their friends. As much as I love not having a rigid schedule in the summer, I do miss the structure of the school year. We get up later in the summer and go to bed later as well.

When you think of a new School Year what are your first thoughts Back to school shopping for clothes and school supplies. A big transition from elementary to middle school, or to high school, even college. A new teacher who you heard is strict or not strict enough There can often be lots of anxiety with a new school year for parents as well as children.

Can I offer a few suggestions for your back to school list Remember whose children they are. Yes they are our children, but they are God’s children. He cares about them and loves them more than we ever could. Pray for your children. Pray for their academics, choice of friends, study habits, and wisdom to make Godly choices. Pray for their teachers. If their teachers are not Christians, pray that God can use you to be an example to their teachers. Pray for the administrators in your child’s school. Pray for the safety of your child and all the children at their school. Pray that your children will see a Godly example in you, with how you handle school difficulties or problems with your children. Begin praying with other mothers for their children as well. We don’t have to carry the burden alone. Above all remember God is in control. I often have a difficult time remembering that principle.

In closing, God is a mighty God and he cares about our concerns. I often pray on the way to taking my children to school. I pray when my children are having difficulties with friends. God cares about everything in our lives and He truly cares about our children. My mother is a prayer warrior for my children and myself. May we all become prayer warriors for our children. Take your problems to Him and leave them there.

About The Author

© 2004 Kimberly Chastain

Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in helping Christian women make the most of their lives. She is the author of the on-line course, “I Can’t Say No” and Pearls of Encouragement for Christian Working Moms, a free e-book. If you suffer from “I Can’t Say ‘No” Syndrome, visit Kimberly’s site today for the details on an exciting email course that’s sure to set you free! http://www.christianworkingmom.com/online.htm.

The Text Information Box above MUST be included for reprint privileges. You may reprint this article in it’s entirety with the attached text box.

kimberly@jerpat.org

1. New Word of the Day

Introduce your preschooler to a new word each morning at breakfast and define it for him. Keep it simple by using synonyms for words he already knows. Example: vehicle can be another word for car, truck, van, etc. Make a game of using the word as many times as possible each day. This is a fun way to build your childs vocabulary.

2. Create a Reading Hide-Away

A large cardboard box can become anything your child wants it to be. Spend a fun-filled afternoon fashioning a reading hide-away with your child. A miniature house, a castle, or a cave are just a few possibilities. It need not be fancy to catch your preschoolers fancy! Large pieces of construction paper can be taped to the outside to represent stone or siding. Place a rug, some pillows or child-sized furniture and a few age-appropriate books inside. Be sure to design a skylight into the top of the box. Your child will spend many hours "reading" or playing in their special spot.

3. Her Very Own Scrapbook

Scrapbooking is a fun way for children to develop their fine motor and categorizing skills while creating neatly organized memories that parents can cherish for years to come. Scrapbooking supplies are readily available at specialty stores and craft shops. Let your child choose a topic for her scrapbook. If she needs ideas, suggest a birthday, a holiday or other special family event. Allow her to choose her own stickers, colors and accessories while explaining that certain symbols represent certain events. If she really insists upon using a cake with blazing candles in a Halloween scrapbook, let her! This is supposed to be fun, remember Sort through your family photos together and help her choose ones that fit her theme.

4. Community Map

Show your child a map of your state or the U.S. Using a large piece of poster board, draw a map of your community and help your child mark your home, school, grocery store, and relatives and friends houses. Children enjoy using colorful stickers to represent familiar landmarks. Help him create a simple key for your map. New landmarks can be added as your child further explores the community.

5. Personal Telephone Book

Buy or help your preschooler make a telephone book of her own. She can list emergency numbers, such as 911, and also the numbers of her friends and grandparents. Provide a toy telephone with realistic buttons so that she can practice dialing and proper phone etiquette. Her reading hide-away would make a nice quiet spot in which to do this.

6. Roleplay Bedtime Stories

Preschoolers feel secure with routines, and as a result parents often find themselves reading the same bedtime story night after night. Another result is that children often know the stories by heart, even if they cant yet read. Break up the monotony by having your child take over the speaking part of his favorite characters. This gives them early practice in dramatic interpretation and makes bedtime a little more fun!

About The Author

I am a homemaker and homeschooling mother of four. I live with my husband, two sons, two daughters, two flop-eared bunnies, and one sweet cat in southeastern Michigan. myrandamorgan@yahoo.com

“Daddy, I want to take Karate!”

“Mommy, Jimmy on the bus hit me again today”

There are many reasons why parents want to sign their children up for Self Defense or Martial Arts classes. Once you have made the decision, now you are faced with many different options and questions. What style How much does it cost Is my child to young

Martial Arts and Self Defense Styles

There are as many different styles of Martial Arts as there are religions in the world. You have probably heard of Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Jujitsu, and even Aikido, but there are still numerous styles and offshoots of the Major styles.

So what Style is the Best and what style should I choose

In reality, it is this author’s opinion that the style of Martial Arts your child will learn is not that important. What is important is the method of teaching and training that your child will undergo. With Martial Arts training your child should learn self-discipline, self-respect, and self-esteem, along with the confidence and ability to defend themselves.

The Instructor, or Sensei is the key. I suggest that all parents visit several locations with their children to observe the Instructor at work. Make sure you visit a beginner’s class as well as an upper level class. The beginner’s class is where your child will start.

Does the instructor’s personality and philosophy match your morals and ideals Does the class participate in any “Eastern Religious” practice that doesn’t match your faith Do you want your child viewing this instructor as a role model Most children will look up to their Martial Arts & Self Defense Instructors as role models and will be in awe of their skills and abilities. Make sure that this person who will be dealing with your children matches your values.

It is also important to view an upper level class. The beginner classes are usually very tame, and the teaching philosophy is tailored to a younger audience. However, the older the student is, the “real” teaching and training methods are put into effect. You may feel comfortable with how the instructor “teaches” the younger beginning students, but may not be comfortable with how they handle the older students.

Cost

The majority of Martial Arts & Self Defense Locations or Dojo’s run their business on a membership basis. Customers must sign contracts, where they are obligated to pay for a certain time period to participate. The locations are run like a gym membership, you pay for a certain length of time and may participate as often as you desire.

Unfortunately, rarely are the “hidden costs” discussed when signing up for a class or membership. What are the hidden costs The most over looked cost is the “testing fee”. In Martial Arts there are numerous skill levels that are equated to a belt rank. After a certain period of time and training, the student is ready to advance to a new level or belt in their martial arts style, and a “belt test” will be performed. This “belt test” almost always required the student to pay a “belt-testing fee”. I have seen fees from $50 up to $500 depending on the belt rank. Parents, make sure you inquire about these fees and are comfortable with them before you sign any contract.

Another hidden cost is required items to purchase. Some locations require that you purchase a uniform with the schools logo. The average cost of these uniforms range from $30-$50. As the child advances in rank, protective sparring gear is required. Now this is normally mandatory for the child’s protection and safety, but can be expensive. Normal safety gear for Martial Arts consists of Foot Pads, Hand Pads, Head Gear, Mouth Piece, Groin Cup, and optional Spar Vest. Depending on the style and sizes all this gear together cost about $150 retail or higher.

So Parents, factor in the total cost of classes, testing fees, and required equipment when making your decisions.

Age

At what age should my child begin Martial Arts or Self Defense Now this is an often-debated issue. I have seen children as young as 4 years old participate in Martial Arts or Self Defense training. Some have been successful while others it was just to young. The age of which a child should start Martial Arts or Self Defense classes should be judged on an individual basis and be determined by the parents. Some key points to consider. Does the child have a good attention span Has the child participated and flourished in other group activities Is the child comfortable in larger group settings

If the child is currently enrolled in grade school and has no problem adapting to those settings or conditions then they should be considered old enough to participate and benefit from Martial Arts or Self Defense instruction.

About The Author

Article written by Eric J Gehler & Jim Johnson http://www.aimusainc.com For more is available on the AIM USA website

Study hard, get good grades and you will have a bright future! I am pretty sure many of you have been brainwashed by your teachers with this statement when you were students. And your perception of a bright future is most likely to become a lawyer, doctor, engineer, businessman. whatever that promises a high salary.

Your school helped you to achieve your goal. It equipped you with the necessary set of skills to thrive in your trade. But does your school train you how to manage your finances once your money starts rolling in. Does your school tell you that you will stop earning that kind of money once you stop working Do your teachers give lectures on the importance of earning residual income and managing personal debts Does your school teach you how to achieve financial freedom

Your high salary profession enables you to live in big houses, drive fast cars, own countless country club memberships, go on yearly travels, buy the stuff you longed for But wait! Have the thought of you losing your job ever creeps into your mind

The economic bubble burst. Businesses plummet. Your employment company cash flow statement goes into the red. The directors of the company want to cut cost. They decide to layoff employees who take home fat paychecks. You are one of them. Your world collapses when you were retrenched.

You suddenly realized that you could not maintain your lavish lifestyle anymore. Your posh house is on mortgage with the local bank. You took a loan for your fast cars. You havent clear your credit card debts. You dig into your savings to appease your creditors for the first few months. But pretty soon, your creditors came knocking on your house door every few days and flood your voice mail with reminders to pay your debts.

As important as it is to earn lots of money, managing your finances is paramount to you being able to achieve financial freedom. Once you obtain financial freedom, you would be able to escape the rat race, have more free time to do what you really love, go on vacation as long as you wish and live the lifestyle you wish!

Educate yourself to achieve financial freedom. Teach your children on the importance of managing their finances since their school most probably would not do so. There are no shortages of resources around for you to learn and teach. Money is a double edge sword. It could make or break you. But if you could master the skill of managing it, money would be on your side.

Embark on a journey to achieve financial freedom. Educate yourself. Be financially free.

About The Author

Augustine is a electrical and computer engineering undergraduate who has learned the importance of achieving financial freedom and pinpoint a missing link in the education system for not teaching students this crucial survial skill.

I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus she tutors several other children that are dropped off at her house. AND shes a Pastors wife. AND shes working on fixing up the fixer-upper they just moved into. Whenever Ive been in her house, its been immaculate. Her children all have perfect manners. They all seem to be way ahead of their grade level. Shes definitely gotta be a Homeschool Super Mom.

Youre probably thinking of someone like this too, right Someone that made you think, "Man, my son isnt reading as well as hers." or "My house isnt as clean as hers." Or a million other things.

And you probably discovered her when you were new to homeschooling. When you were already feeling uncertain in your new endeavors. You were already putting high expectations on yourself. You were constantly analyzing to be sure you were doing everything right. And as a result, you tend to be a little over-sensitive about what others are accomplishing around you without giving enough credit to yourself.

So, its really important that you remember as a new homeschooler or a seasoned one these basic principles that we all so easily forget:

"The 4 Basic Principles That Conquer the Super-Moms Syndrome"

Principle #1: We always see others through glasses that make them larger than life. When I was a teenager, there was this lady in our church. Her hair and makeup was always perfect. She lived in a big, expensive home. She was very stylish and her kids were so cool. I always wanted to grow up and have that.

But I dont anymore.

Id rather have my house that gets messy 5 minutes after it gets picked up, my hair that falls down into my eyes as I pick up my children, and my face that only gets makeup on Sunday. Why you may ask Well, heres why. Im happy. I love my family, and I wouldnt trade them for anything.

The lady I had idolized as a teen She still has her perfect home and impeccable style. But, she has a marriage without love and children who are stuck up adults who ignore her totally.

I had seen her through glasses that made her larger than life. In the end, shes not any bigger or greater than me. In fact, she probably wishes that she had my life!

So, if you start to think about someone else who seems to have the life you want, STOP LOOKING! Instead, sit down and make a list of 100 good things in your life--from the air you breathe, to the heat in your home, to the kisses from your child. I guarantee that youll feel better about yourself that you ever have before.

Principle #2: Everyone has their own unique gift. Everyone has their own unique ability and we tend to notice in others the abilities that might be our "weak" ones.

For instance, if you think youre house is always messy, youll seem to know all these people who have perfectly neat homes.

For an example from my life, I have a son who struggles with speech and it seems like every other parent within a 100 mile radius have children with perfect diction. But you know thats not the way it is. My son might not pronounce every phonic sound correctly--yet!--but he has so many other gifts that hardly make that one seem important.

For instance, no one notices his speech. They always comment, though, how loving he is. Just running up to people and giving them hugs. And he has fun no matter what he does. Can you believe one day I actually heard myself saying, "Ryan. Stop that. Not everything is supposed to be fun." I had to step back and slap myself. Then I said, "Never mind. Mommy was wrong. Have as much fun as you can." And I learned a lesson from that.

So, forget about what the homeschooled Jones are doing. Discover your childs unique ability and relish in it and develop it and learn from it.

Right now, at the end of your list of 100 things that youre grateful for, list 10 wonderful qualities or abilities for yourself and each of your children. Work on acknowledging, praising, and being thankful for all of your gifts. And dont forget to thank God that you got the greatest kids ever born on this earth.

Principle #3: It doesnt matter what others think. I know, it seems easier said than done. But I guarantee that if youve actually taken the time to write down your list of 100 things that youre grateful for and 10 wonderful qualities of your child, that you wont care what other people think because you will know and appreciate what you have.

And, see, it really doesnt matter what other people think.

What matters is whats important to you. Your core values. Your beliefs. Your ethics. How do you want your children to be as adults Hey, write it down right now. 5 things you want your child to be as an adult.

Okay, Ill do it right now too for Ryan who is 6 years old--but do yours before you read mine: A loving husband and father An honest, ethical entrepreneur Faithful in service to God Kind, thoughtful, and helpful to those less fortunate Thankful and content for what he can do and what he has Now, Ill bet that you had similar types of things. Not, "makes $1,000,000 by age 30" or "wins he Miss America contest".

Focus on developing and rearing your child to have those 5 qualities, and Ill guarantee that the fact that Mrs. Smiths daughter who is 2 years younger than yours is reading book three times as difficult. Geez, thats a real life skill. You see what Im getting at

Principle #4: When you say "yes" to one thing, you are always saying "no" to something else. Have you ever heard that before I heard that from an owner of a successful multi-million dollar business. That was the simple rule that he used to prioritize his life. When he sat at his desk with phone messages to return, he would literally think, "If I say yes to calling this person, what will I be saying no to" When someone would asked to do something, he was able to say "no", knowing that if he said "yes" to that project, that he would be saying "no" to extra time with his family.

This principle applies to everyone whether they are conscious of it or not.

Mrs. Smith who is working so hard to have her child advanced in reading is saying "no" to some other educational area. Or, Suzie Homeschool Super Mom up the street who has her immaculate home is saying "no" to time with her kids or family or something else.

The same applies to me. Ive said "yes" to this homeschool site, so Ive had to say "no" to things like having a perfectly neat house, laundry always done and put away, and a 5 course home-cooked meal on the table by 5:00 every night.

Only say "yes" to the things that are important to you. See, you dont know it, but Ive been gone for 20 minutes. My daughter came downstairs crying, and I stopped to take care of her. And Ive also acquired a set of ear muffs made from pipecleaners and pom-poms. So, as I was saying, say "yes" ONLY to the things that are most important to you. And know ahead of time what youll be saying "no" to before you say "yes"!

Principle #5: Take advantage of every possible tool. Thats right. I dont lift a finger well, hardly a finger to clean my home as I have cleaners come twice a week to take care of that responsibility for me. And to solve my meal preparation dilemma I purchase items that can be thrown in the oven and get side dishes that are quick and easy.

You can do similar things. I have a homeschooling friend who takes one day a month and cooks all day to makes meals for 30 days that she freezes and uses one at a time. And I thought she cooked from scratch every night!

Having difficulties organizing Dont fight it. Buy something that organizes your stuff or forget it. It really isnt that important to waste time stressing over!

Use all the tools you can, and leave everything else to collect dust.

So whatever happened to that super mom

Hopefully by now youve done the exercises or at least skimmed enough here and there to know that there is no super mom except the unrealistic giant youve created in your mind. Instead, you should have a full, realistic view of the gifts and treasures that you possess and a new appreciation for all you get done and how you can enjoy doing what you do a little more! If youve done that, than I wasnt wrong in saying "yes" to this project!

Release your worries and enjoy life!

About The Author

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com laura@homeschoolcookbook.com

1. Put in a DVD/video. What is it about children that they can watch the same movie over and over again Take advantage of this fact.

2. Barter with the parent of your childs friend. She can take them to a movie or watch them at her house for the day. Just be sure to return the favor on a weekend or day your home business is closed.

3. Check with your local YMCA or museums. Many of them offer special full or half day programs on school holidays.

4. Put them to work. Smaller children can certainly stuff envelopes. Older ones can possible handle data entry. Let them practice their alphabetizing skills with your orders. Either you will get clerical work done by your helpers or they will stay out of your hair so they wont have to help.

5. Hire a babysitter. If schools are closed, that means your high school aged babysitter is off for the day, too. Ask her to watch the kids for a few hours or all day. Then close the door to your office and ask her not to disturb you unless it is an emergency.

About The Author

Megan Corwin helps work at home professionals grow their businesses while balancing work and home. For more articles, assessments, and the WAH Woman newsletter, become a member of Megan’s online community for work at home women: http://www.wahwoman.com/membership.html. Megan invites you to a complimentary 45-minute coaching session. Contact her by completing the form at http://www.wahwoman.com/getstarted.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Eric & Jim have been in the Martial Arts business for 15 years.www.aimusainc.com

Sometimes it can be difficult to round up the old gang from high school; everyone is busy, someone in their family either can’t or won’t go, or people will think, “Oh, those things are so boring.”

Well, if you or someone you know is in charge of coordinating your reunion for the “Class of ----,” you’ll definitely get better results from the get-go if you decide to plan the reunion aboard a luxury yacht, offering your former classmates a real chance to unwind while they reminisce about the “old days” with you and your friends.

Most yacht clubs offer more than adequate dining and banquet rooms for a special occasion like this. One thing to keep in mind in advance, though: Make your reservations early, because this concept is quickly catching on!

And though yacht clubs are always great choices for reunions of that size, the ocean, or sailing yachts will likely appeal to even the stodgiest of your past classmates. There’s just something about floating along in luxury on the world’s oceans that people just can’t resist. Add a good party with lots of good food, service, and great accommodations, and you’ll have one rockin’, rollin’ ship!

Make sure, also, that the yacht is fully licensed to provide a complete beverage service, including host bar capabilities. Other attractions to look for are a good-sized pool (of course!) table linens (in your choice of colors), a good ballroom or dance floor, floral and other decorating arrangements, billiard rooms, adjustable lighting, and even a fireplace! The idea is to make everyone feel both “at home” and “on vacation” at the same time – something that can only be accomplished in few places, such as an ocean yacht!

And, because we’re such a “business society” these days, many of your old classmates may need office facilities, such as a fax or photocopy machine, comfortable desks, chairs, and lamps, and even a “board room” for those who may prefer to mix business with pleasure more than others.

Of course pricing is always a factor, and for a luxury yacht, you can expect the numbers to be around $2,200 per person (for sailings to the Caribbean), up to $10,718 per person for an Owner’s Suite (for Mediterranean yachting). However, you can bring those prices down considerably if you charter a yacht on a per diem basis.

Most travel agencies can handle these arrangements for you, or for more information, see www.onlyforyachts.com.

About The Author

David Dunlap is the owner and founder of Only For Yachts, an online resource for everything related to yachts. Visit http://onlyforyachts.com to get information on yacht charters, yachts for sale and also sign up for the free yachting newsletter.

newlink@onlyforyachts.com

About the Author

Bud Bradley is a freelance writer, working long hours at acomputer. His main relaxation is golf, and over many yearshe's visited many golf schools in an attempt to improve hisgame. This series of articles relates his experience.

About the Author

Bud Bradley is a freelance writer, working long hours at acomputer. His main relaxation is golf, and over many yearshe's visited many golf schools in an attempt to improve hisgame. This series of articles relates his experience.