It’s back to school and your child will soon come rushing through the door back energetically waving a piece of crumpled paper in his hand and announcing that he wants to take up Judo and Guitar and drop Chess. You wonder, Why this sudden miraculous interest in Judo? After a little clever questioning your child accidentally lets slip that his friend is taking up Judo this year.
Yep, parents, it’s time put your skates on, grease your elbows and sign up your kids to several hours a week of educational activity that is real fun. But get in there now, places are limited and if you miss the boat you’ll have to wait another academic year before your child can join!
As you examine the list of options facing you, you may feel confused and a little lost. There are so many different activities to choose from, the options are endless: judo, foreign languages, chess, football, guitar, drama . . . and the list goes on! Perhaps with careful planning you can squeeze in several after-school activities for your child and keep him well and truly busy all year round. No time for being glued to the television, or endlessly swapping messages with cyber friends . . . hum, but no room for just plain being a kid either.
Naturally, most of us want only what’s best for our kids; but is too much activity actually doing our kids more harm than good?
Spanish Pschycologist Laura Ortiz states that above all you have to take time to understand your child’s likes and dislikes. “It’s key to distinguish between a child who doesn’t want to join an activity due to shyness or perhaps out of laziness or that he is simply happy with his own company. Children need to make some of their own decisions and to feel in control of some aspects of their life. It can be detrimental to a child to force an activity on them that you wish them to do. Just listen to your child, talk to your child. It is clear they need limits but it is also clear they need oportunities.”
A US study carried out involving eighty health professionals, sixty parents and one hundred children concluded that exposing them too early to extra-curricular activities is not such a good idea. In fact too much, too soon, can lead, according to André Brooks, to stress disorders in some children. So how do we know when we are overstimulating our children?
Well, perhaps we need to ask ourselves some of these questions:
? Do we find ourselves dashing from one activity to another? Overscheduling can also affect family life as a whole leading to less time to spend on other aspects of life with your family.
? Does your child cope well at home with “time off”? Is your child able to get involved in a hobby or game at home? Too much activity may in fact create a child who doesn’t know what to do when he or she is not involved in a planned activity.
? Do we base our decisions on what is right for our child, or what is right for us? Many parents feel the need to give their children all the opportunities that they never had as kids, and with the world as it is today the feeling is ever present that your kids will be left behind or “miss out” if they don’t participate in a multitude of activities.
William Doherty, professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota, states that “children need to be children”. “They need time to be in control of themselves and time without adult direction”.
That’s not to say that after-school activities are bad for kids, quite the contrary; given the right balance, activities provide an excellent equilibrium and provide your child with the tools to become more socially capable whilst developing a creative outlet for a particular interest.
Even so, it’s important to set a limit. It is essential to understand that children have the most fun when they pursue their own interests – so make time to listen to your child and understand where his interests lie. In this way you can be selective and narrow down your choice to an activity that he will thoroughly enjoy and perhaps even pursue for many years to come.
It’s important too to recognise that some children don’t want to be involved in any after-school activities – they enjoy simply being by themselves. It’s important not to urge your child too much to get out and be involved, because it may just make him miserable and more reluctant to enjoy any other activity you steer him towards. In short, keep suggesting possibilities without forcing the issue.
Whether or not you are involved in any activity, follow the wise words of Christopher Morley:
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/childhood-education-articles/overstimulating-afterschool-activities-594951.html
About the Author:
I live in Madrid with my son. I moved here 6 years ago from London. A few months ago, in my spare time, I set up an English online guide to visiting Madrid or Living in Madrid with kids called www.kidsinmadrid.comI run a Maths academy for kids in Madrid and I also teach English.http://www.kidsinmadrid.com The family-friendly guide to Madrid
Jumat, 17 Oktober 2008
Kamis, 16 Oktober 2008
Seven Important Facts You May Want To Know About Saving For College
by: Robert Walsh
Major Corporations want to be able to hire college graduates. The average college graduate makes approximately 70% more than the average high school graduate in his working career. The cost of college is increasing faster than the inflation rate. Dollar wise, the cost of college increases at more than $1,000 per year. If you are able to SAVE $480 per month with an interest rate of 3.5% in a College Fund from the time your child is born to the time you send him/her off to college at age 18, you will have paid for 4 years at a public college or university ($145,000) with today’s projection. With an average of 40% savings of monthly shopping costs for food and household goods, you can save an extra $226 per month to invest in a college-savings-plan. Scholarships and grants are available for families based on yearly incomes of $65,000 or less. Saving-and-paying for college may not be as difficult as you think. Save-money with everyday-shopping is the smart-way to save-for-college. Generally, the more you hear about the high rising costs for a college education today, the cost factor becomes more frightening every year for the average American family. As with anything that is frightening we try to avoid it. We hide from it. We may even want to bury our heads in the sand, and hope that it just goes away. Or it paralyzes us into non-action. No matter what one’s response to fear is…as loving parents you will have to face the challenge head on one day… and the earlier the better. Facing a fear head on, even as children, is ultimately how we all conquer our fears. So let’s journey together, it’s easier than doing it by one’s self…there’s safety in numbers. And you may become a lot safer with these numbers to plan, save, and pay for a college education for your son or daughter. "SHOP-SMART SHOPPING-TIPS SAVE MONEY" will be our slogan. Let's start with some guidelines or rules. The guideline or RULE #1 is very simple: NEVER PAY FULL PRICE for anything you buy. With a little bit of effort you will be surprised how much you can SAVE before you go out shopping. According to a new poll conducted by the consumer Reports National Research Center for “ShopSmart” magazine, (women) shoppers who use coupons and store loyalty cards save over 10% a year on groceries…estimated to be the equivalent of $678 a year with an average weekly shopping trip of $116.00. Actually, YOU CAN DO A LOT BETTER THAN TEN PERCENT! The women in the survey used their coupons occasionally, and they did not necessarily use all of them. This leads to RULE #2 - ALWAYS SIGN UP FOR STORE-LOYALTY CARDS. Don’t miss out on a sale. Sign up at all the local grocery stores in your area, and it’s FREE. Each week different stores have different items on sale. For example, if you have a loyalty card for store A, but not store B; and your brand of coffee or laundry detergent goes on Sale at store B, you will miss the SALE. And you pay FULL PRICE at store A because there was no Sale on your coffee or laundry detergent there this week. BE SMART….SHOP SMART makes the loyalty cards work for you. BE LOYAL TO YOURSELF and SAVE MONEY! RULE #3 - TO OPTIMIZE YOUR SAVINGS- ALWAYS USE COUPONS. Coupons are easy to obtain. Check your Sunday Newspaper first, go online, and check the store sale ads both in the mail and in the store. Rule #4 - ALWAYS STOCK UP, and BUY IN BULK WHAT IS ON SALE when it is a highly used item or high ticket item like coffee or laundry detergent. For example, your brand of coffee which is regularly priced as $10.99 for a large can (34 oz. or more) goes on sale for $5.99 for the shopper with the store loyalty card. That’s a savings of $5.00. Add one .50 cents-off manufacturer’s coupon. Now you just have saved 50%. (Hint: Keep an eye open for the coupon dispensers that hang off the shelves in the grocery store. If it offers a coupon for an item you use, take 3-4 of them, and save them until the product goes on sale prior to the coupon’s expiration date.) Back to the coffee example… let’s say, you have four coupons for your brand of coffee. You purchase four cans of coffee and stock up at this price… and WHAM you just SAVED $22.00 for a 50% SAVINGS….much better than the average 10% that survey suggested. Even if you go out to the store just for the coffee that’s on SALE….YOU MADE A GREAT DEAL! To keep your savings at a 50% level leads to Rule #5 - TAKE ADVANTAGE of BUY 1 GET 1 FREE OFFERS, especially on products your family uses on a regular basis. Again, buy in Bulk. Rule #6 - BE FLEXIBLE with your shopping list when you see something on SALE:an item might not be on your shopping list this week; but you see that it’s on SALE, and you buy it. Now, there won’t be a need to put it on your shopping list for the next two or three weeks, and you SAVED. Rule #7: ALWAYS ASK FOR A RAIN CHECK FOR A SALE ITEM that the store has run out of. This way you will be guaranteed not to miss out on the SALE ITEM. Rain checks can be good for one month or one year, depending on the store policy. (Hint: On the rain check ask for maximum amount of the item possible for a multiple purchase in the future.) These Shop-Smart shopping-tips will help you save-money with your everyday-shopping. Another area to look for to SAVE MONEY is with your kidswear. You can SAVE BIG when you buy Kids clothing at half-off prices whether for your infant, toddler, or teenager. You can save up to half-off on top-quality designer kidswear. Think of how many more dollars YOU CAN SAVE and add to YOUR CHILD’S college savings plan. Each year, how much do you spend on clothing for your kids? Do the math…how much is the 50% off savings worth to you and your CHILD’S FUTURE COLLEGE EDUCATION….year after year. Don’t allow your education dollars educate someone else’s child. As a loving parent your responsibility is to your child first, and foremost. These are just some of the possible ways to save half-off with your grocery shopping and your children’s clothing purchases that will begin to make college a reality for your child. Use these SHOP-SMART SHOPPING-TIPS to SAVE MONEY. Once you see how much money you save for your child’s education…set a goal….plan-save-and-pay for college with your monthly savings. The survey indicated saving 10 percent on your grocery shopping would generate savings of $678 per year. My challenge to each of you is to average SAVINGS of 40% on your purchases. If you can do that…. you will realize savings up to $2,712 a year, or $226 per month; and that’s just on your groceries alone. Saving-and-paying for College may not be as difficult as you think once you start using the SHOP-SMART SHOPPING-TIPS for all your purchases. Automatically-save money-for-college each time you FOLLOW THE RULES. They represent Free-Money-for-College you didn’t know you even had. It is our goal at http://robertwalshkidsclothing.com to provide hope to every family who has the dream of sending their child(ren) to college. Continue to deposit MONEY in your Free-College-Money Reward Program each time you order top-quality designer kidswear for your child(ren) whatever their age…infant…toddler…teen or any age in-between. Remember Rule #1: NEVER PAY FULL PRICE.
Major Corporations want to be able to hire college graduates. The average college graduate makes approximately 70% more than the average high school graduate in his working career. The cost of college is increasing faster than the inflation rate. Dollar wise, the cost of college increases at more than $1,000 per year. If you are able to SAVE $480 per month with an interest rate of 3.5% in a College Fund from the time your child is born to the time you send him/her off to college at age 18, you will have paid for 4 years at a public college or university ($145,000) with today’s projection. With an average of 40% savings of monthly shopping costs for food and household goods, you can save an extra $226 per month to invest in a college-savings-plan. Scholarships and grants are available for families based on yearly incomes of $65,000 or less. Saving-and-paying for college may not be as difficult as you think. Save-money with everyday-shopping is the smart-way to save-for-college. Generally, the more you hear about the high rising costs for a college education today, the cost factor becomes more frightening every year for the average American family. As with anything that is frightening we try to avoid it. We hide from it. We may even want to bury our heads in the sand, and hope that it just goes away. Or it paralyzes us into non-action. No matter what one’s response to fear is…as loving parents you will have to face the challenge head on one day… and the earlier the better. Facing a fear head on, even as children, is ultimately how we all conquer our fears. So let’s journey together, it’s easier than doing it by one’s self…there’s safety in numbers. And you may become a lot safer with these numbers to plan, save, and pay for a college education for your son or daughter. "SHOP-SMART SHOPPING-TIPS SAVE MONEY" will be our slogan. Let's start with some guidelines or rules. The guideline or RULE #1 is very simple: NEVER PAY FULL PRICE for anything you buy. With a little bit of effort you will be surprised how much you can SAVE before you go out shopping. According to a new poll conducted by the consumer Reports National Research Center for “ShopSmart” magazine, (women) shoppers who use coupons and store loyalty cards save over 10% a year on groceries…estimated to be the equivalent of $678 a year with an average weekly shopping trip of $116.00. Actually, YOU CAN DO A LOT BETTER THAN TEN PERCENT! The women in the survey used their coupons occasionally, and they did not necessarily use all of them. This leads to RULE #2 - ALWAYS SIGN UP FOR STORE-LOYALTY CARDS. Don’t miss out on a sale. Sign up at all the local grocery stores in your area, and it’s FREE. Each week different stores have different items on sale. For example, if you have a loyalty card for store A, but not store B; and your brand of coffee or laundry detergent goes on Sale at store B, you will miss the SALE. And you pay FULL PRICE at store A because there was no Sale on your coffee or laundry detergent there this week. BE SMART….SHOP SMART makes the loyalty cards work for you. BE LOYAL TO YOURSELF and SAVE MONEY! RULE #3 - TO OPTIMIZE YOUR SAVINGS- ALWAYS USE COUPONS. Coupons are easy to obtain. Check your Sunday Newspaper first, go online, and check the store sale ads both in the mail and in the store. Rule #4 - ALWAYS STOCK UP, and BUY IN BULK WHAT IS ON SALE when it is a highly used item or high ticket item like coffee or laundry detergent. For example, your brand of coffee which is regularly priced as $10.99 for a large can (34 oz. or more) goes on sale for $5.99 for the shopper with the store loyalty card. That’s a savings of $5.00. Add one .50 cents-off manufacturer’s coupon. Now you just have saved 50%. (Hint: Keep an eye open for the coupon dispensers that hang off the shelves in the grocery store. If it offers a coupon for an item you use, take 3-4 of them, and save them until the product goes on sale prior to the coupon’s expiration date.) Back to the coffee example… let’s say, you have four coupons for your brand of coffee. You purchase four cans of coffee and stock up at this price… and WHAM you just SAVED $22.00 for a 50% SAVINGS….much better than the average 10% that survey suggested. Even if you go out to the store just for the coffee that’s on SALE….YOU MADE A GREAT DEAL! To keep your savings at a 50% level leads to Rule #5 - TAKE ADVANTAGE of BUY 1 GET 1 FREE OFFERS, especially on products your family uses on a regular basis. Again, buy in Bulk. Rule #6 - BE FLEXIBLE with your shopping list when you see something on SALE:an item might not be on your shopping list this week; but you see that it’s on SALE, and you buy it. Now, there won’t be a need to put it on your shopping list for the next two or three weeks, and you SAVED. Rule #7: ALWAYS ASK FOR A RAIN CHECK FOR A SALE ITEM that the store has run out of. This way you will be guaranteed not to miss out on the SALE ITEM. Rain checks can be good for one month or one year, depending on the store policy. (Hint: On the rain check ask for maximum amount of the item possible for a multiple purchase in the future.) These Shop-Smart shopping-tips will help you save-money with your everyday-shopping. Another area to look for to SAVE MONEY is with your kidswear. You can SAVE BIG when you buy Kids clothing at half-off prices whether for your infant, toddler, or teenager. You can save up to half-off on top-quality designer kidswear. Think of how many more dollars YOU CAN SAVE and add to YOUR CHILD’S college savings plan. Each year, how much do you spend on clothing for your kids? Do the math…how much is the 50% off savings worth to you and your CHILD’S FUTURE COLLEGE EDUCATION….year after year. Don’t allow your education dollars educate someone else’s child. As a loving parent your responsibility is to your child first, and foremost. These are just some of the possible ways to save half-off with your grocery shopping and your children’s clothing purchases that will begin to make college a reality for your child. Use these SHOP-SMART SHOPPING-TIPS to SAVE MONEY. Once you see how much money you save for your child’s education…set a goal….plan-save-and-pay for college with your monthly savings. The survey indicated saving 10 percent on your grocery shopping would generate savings of $678 per year. My challenge to each of you is to average SAVINGS of 40% on your purchases. If you can do that…. you will realize savings up to $2,712 a year, or $226 per month; and that’s just on your groceries alone. Saving-and-paying for College may not be as difficult as you think once you start using the SHOP-SMART SHOPPING-TIPS for all your purchases. Automatically-save money-for-college each time you FOLLOW THE RULES. They represent Free-Money-for-College you didn’t know you even had. It is our goal at http://robertwalshkidsclothing.com to provide hope to every family who has the dream of sending their child(ren) to college. Continue to deposit MONEY in your Free-College-Money Reward Program each time you order top-quality designer kidswear for your child(ren) whatever their age…infant…toddler…teen or any age in-between. Remember Rule #1: NEVER PAY FULL PRICE.
Rabu, 15 Oktober 2008
How to Listen to Your Teenager without Appearing to Have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
By V. Michael Santoro, M. Ed.
In one of the Family Circus cartoon strips, the little girl looks up at her father, who is reading the newspaper, and says, "Daddy, you have to listen with your eyes as well as your ears." That statement says almost all there is to say about listening. Being a good listener means focusing attention on the message and reviewing the important information.Listening can be considered an art, as well as a skill, and like other skills, it requires that you exhibit some discipline to be effective. However, in today's world where multitasking is considered essential to surviving in the workplace, it is not uncommon to be talking on the phone while we are reading mail or sending e-mail, and simultaneously conducting hand signals with a co-worker who needs your input about something important.However, when it comes to communicating with your teenagers, you have to separate yourself from this multitasking communications style, and learn how to focus 100 percent of your time on her when she needs to talk to you. If you do not, she will perceive this distracted behavior as a lack of interest in her.Thus, during your conversations with your teen, you must ignore your own needs, demonstrate patience, and pay attention to her. Hearing becomes listening only when you pay attention to what is being said, and can contribute to the conversation.So how good are your listening skills?Answer the following "yes or no" statements honestly:1. I make assumptions about my teens feelings and thoughts2. I bring up past issues during current disagreements 3. I interrupt my teenager's conversation4. I respond to a complaint with a complaint5. I respond to my teen with phrases like, "That's ridiculous."If you answered "yes" to any of these statements, then there is some room for improvement in your listening skills.What to doUse the following guidelines to help improve your listening skills:1. Maintain eye contact with your teen during conversations. Good eye contact allows you to keep focused and involved in the conversation.2. Be interested and attentive. Your teen will sense whether you are interested or not by the way you reply or not reply to her.3. Focus on "what" your teen is saying and not "how" she is saying it. If she is upset, for example, she may be exhibiting body language that may be distracting.4. Listen patiently and avoid getting emotionally involved in the conversation. If you do so, you will tend to hear what you want to hear, as opposed to what is really being said. Your goal is to remain objective and open-minded during your discussions.5. Avoid cutting your teenager off while she is speaking. This will show her that you respect her right to have an opinion, as well as to freely express it.6. Avoid distractions or trying to multitask during your conversations. This may be okay at work, however your teen may perceive that you have a terminal case of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). :)ExerciseIt may be helpful to have a practice conversation with your teenager rather than wait to try and be a better listener when she comes to you with a "real world" problem. Inform her that she is really important to you, and that you want to be a better listener. Then tell her that you need her help.Referring to the above guidelines, have her tell you about her day while you demonstrate your listening skills. Then ask her how you did and what you could have done better. Remember not to get defensive and conclude by thanking her for her help. Doing this on a regular basis will not only improve your overall listening skills, but also will make your teenager want to talk to you.About the author:This article is an excerpt from the book "Realizing the Power of Love," How a father and teenage daughter became best friends...and how you can too!
By V. Michael Santoro, M. Ed and Jennifer S. Santoro.
For more information visit their Web site at http://www.dads-daughters.com/Circulated by Article Emporium
In one of the Family Circus cartoon strips, the little girl looks up at her father, who is reading the newspaper, and says, "Daddy, you have to listen with your eyes as well as your ears." That statement says almost all there is to say about listening. Being a good listener means focusing attention on the message and reviewing the important information.Listening can be considered an art, as well as a skill, and like other skills, it requires that you exhibit some discipline to be effective. However, in today's world where multitasking is considered essential to surviving in the workplace, it is not uncommon to be talking on the phone while we are reading mail or sending e-mail, and simultaneously conducting hand signals with a co-worker who needs your input about something important.However, when it comes to communicating with your teenagers, you have to separate yourself from this multitasking communications style, and learn how to focus 100 percent of your time on her when she needs to talk to you. If you do not, she will perceive this distracted behavior as a lack of interest in her.Thus, during your conversations with your teen, you must ignore your own needs, demonstrate patience, and pay attention to her. Hearing becomes listening only when you pay attention to what is being said, and can contribute to the conversation.So how good are your listening skills?Answer the following "yes or no" statements honestly:1. I make assumptions about my teens feelings and thoughts2. I bring up past issues during current disagreements 3. I interrupt my teenager's conversation4. I respond to a complaint with a complaint5. I respond to my teen with phrases like, "That's ridiculous."If you answered "yes" to any of these statements, then there is some room for improvement in your listening skills.What to doUse the following guidelines to help improve your listening skills:1. Maintain eye contact with your teen during conversations. Good eye contact allows you to keep focused and involved in the conversation.2. Be interested and attentive. Your teen will sense whether you are interested or not by the way you reply or not reply to her.3. Focus on "what" your teen is saying and not "how" she is saying it. If she is upset, for example, she may be exhibiting body language that may be distracting.4. Listen patiently and avoid getting emotionally involved in the conversation. If you do so, you will tend to hear what you want to hear, as opposed to what is really being said. Your goal is to remain objective and open-minded during your discussions.5. Avoid cutting your teenager off while she is speaking. This will show her that you respect her right to have an opinion, as well as to freely express it.6. Avoid distractions or trying to multitask during your conversations. This may be okay at work, however your teen may perceive that you have a terminal case of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). :)ExerciseIt may be helpful to have a practice conversation with your teenager rather than wait to try and be a better listener when she comes to you with a "real world" problem. Inform her that she is really important to you, and that you want to be a better listener. Then tell her that you need her help.Referring to the above guidelines, have her tell you about her day while you demonstrate your listening skills. Then ask her how you did and what you could have done better. Remember not to get defensive and conclude by thanking her for her help. Doing this on a regular basis will not only improve your overall listening skills, but also will make your teenager want to talk to you.About the author:This article is an excerpt from the book "Realizing the Power of Love," How a father and teenage daughter became best friends...and how you can too!
By V. Michael Santoro, M. Ed and Jennifer S. Santoro.
For more information visit their Web site at http://www.dads-daughters.com/Circulated by Article Emporium
How To Select The Right Baby Gate.
By Kelly A. Smith
Three Steps to Selecting The Right Baby Gate:
There is no perfect baby safety gate for all situations; There are several factors to take into account when purchasing a baby gate:1) Where is it going? If it is going at the top of a stairway, you will want to look for a hardware mounted (screwed into the wall) gate, never use a pressure mounted gate at the top of the stairs*. If the gate will be used to block off a room, or prevent a child from climbing up the stairs, you may be able to choose from hardware mounted and pressure mounted gates.2) What size is the opening where the gate will go? You will need to measure the opening where your gate will go, both width of the opening, and height of the opening. Child safety gates all have specific dimensions that they will fit. You need to find a gate that will securely fit in your space. An extension kit may be necessary with some gates to fit larger areas.3) Are there any special circumstances in the space that you need the baby gate to go? If you have a banister, molding, hollow wall, or wrought iron railing, you may need the use of a gate installation kit to create a proper mounting surface. Kits are also available to mount a baby gate to banisters without creating holes.Using these three factors can help you make an informed decision on proper baby gates for your space. Please remember that most gates are appropriate for ages between 6 months and 3 years of age. This may be more or less for certain gates and manufacturers. As a rule of thumb, if the top of the baby gate is at or below a child's shoulder height, it is time to discontinue use of the gate.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mounting a baby gate to spaces with hollow walls, wrought iron railings, banisters & moldings/baseboards:Gate installation kits are needed in almost all gate installations where the gate is not being mounted in a wood framed door opening. They help create a mountable surface for gates in spaces that have moldings, banisters, hollow walls, and wrought iron railings. Most gate installation kits are appropriate for hardware mounted and pressure mounted safety gates. Kits are also available to create a solid mounting surface on banisters, with no holes! About the
author:Kelly Smith is the owner and professional babyproofer for Totsafe, http://www.totsafe.comwhich provides parents and caregivers with childproofing products and baby safety information. Circulated by Article Emporium
Three Steps to Selecting The Right Baby Gate:
There is no perfect baby safety gate for all situations; There are several factors to take into account when purchasing a baby gate:1) Where is it going? If it is going at the top of a stairway, you will want to look for a hardware mounted (screwed into the wall) gate, never use a pressure mounted gate at the top of the stairs*. If the gate will be used to block off a room, or prevent a child from climbing up the stairs, you may be able to choose from hardware mounted and pressure mounted gates.2) What size is the opening where the gate will go? You will need to measure the opening where your gate will go, both width of the opening, and height of the opening. Child safety gates all have specific dimensions that they will fit. You need to find a gate that will securely fit in your space. An extension kit may be necessary with some gates to fit larger areas.3) Are there any special circumstances in the space that you need the baby gate to go? If you have a banister, molding, hollow wall, or wrought iron railing, you may need the use of a gate installation kit to create a proper mounting surface. Kits are also available to mount a baby gate to banisters without creating holes.Using these three factors can help you make an informed decision on proper baby gates for your space. Please remember that most gates are appropriate for ages between 6 months and 3 years of age. This may be more or less for certain gates and manufacturers. As a rule of thumb, if the top of the baby gate is at or below a child's shoulder height, it is time to discontinue use of the gate.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mounting a baby gate to spaces with hollow walls, wrought iron railings, banisters & moldings/baseboards:Gate installation kits are needed in almost all gate installations where the gate is not being mounted in a wood framed door opening. They help create a mountable surface for gates in spaces that have moldings, banisters, hollow walls, and wrought iron railings. Most gate installation kits are appropriate for hardware mounted and pressure mounted safety gates. Kits are also available to create a solid mounting surface on banisters, with no holes! About the
author:Kelly Smith is the owner and professional babyproofer for Totsafe, http://www.totsafe.comwhich provides parents and caregivers with childproofing products and baby safety information. Circulated by Article Emporium
Senin, 13 Oktober 2008
Be Patience While Teaching Your Kids
Children are inquisitive by nature. When they are younger, it's usually because they want to better understand something. When they are older, it's because they want to better understand why you think something is important and why they should also feel the same way. Regardless of their age, it's imperative that when setting forth the rules and expectations in your home, your child understands there is no room for questioning the rules you set forth and the consequences of breaking the rules. Younger children usually do not understand a lengthy explanation of why it's important that they be home from their friend's home at a certain time or why they aren't allowed to play ball in the house. But the one thing they do strive to do most of the time is to make their parents proud and happy. So when a young child asks "Why?" or "Why not?" when they are told they can't play with something or someone or why they have to obey a rule you've set forth, simply explain to them that "because it makes me happy when you follow the house rules and do what I have asked of you." You should avoid using the term, "Because I said so," as that only adds to the child's frustration and confusion.
Older children, adolescents and teenagers alike will probably require more from your explanation. When they question "Why?" or "Why not?" it's best to directly, honestly and clearly state your reasoning. "I asked you to be home by 10 p.m. because we have to be at the dentist's office first thing in the morning for your check-up and we can't be late." It is also a great opportunity for you to reiterate the consequences of breaking the rule. "If you are not home by 10 p.m., you'll be grounded from going to your friend's house for a week." Be consistent, be firm, and be clear. Though your child may challenge you by asking your reasoning why a rule has been put in place, it also shows their growth as an individual thinker. So try not to get angry or frustrated when they do so; realize it's their way of understanding their world around them.
By: Jerald Shapiro
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Visit the Free Tips Online website to learn about babysitting tips and potty training tips.
Older children, adolescents and teenagers alike will probably require more from your explanation. When they question "Why?" or "Why not?" it's best to directly, honestly and clearly state your reasoning. "I asked you to be home by 10 p.m. because we have to be at the dentist's office first thing in the morning for your check-up and we can't be late." It is also a great opportunity for you to reiterate the consequences of breaking the rule. "If you are not home by 10 p.m., you'll be grounded from going to your friend's house for a week." Be consistent, be firm, and be clear. Though your child may challenge you by asking your reasoning why a rule has been put in place, it also shows their growth as an individual thinker. So try not to get angry or frustrated when they do so; realize it's their way of understanding their world around them.
By: Jerald Shapiro
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Visit the Free Tips Online website to learn about babysitting tips and potty training tips.
Is Daycare The Right Option For Your Child?
Many parents consider placing their child in daycare when both parents are working and child care is needed. Daycare seems the logical choice but is it right for your child? There are many factors to take into consideration before deciding to place your child in daycare. Of course you would need to check into the available providers in your area and visit those that interest you before making a decision. But even if you think you've found the perfect nursery your child may not be ready.You know your child better than anyone else and you should at least have an idea of how easily your child will adapt to a daycare setting. Answer the following questions honestly.
Does your child cry even when you leave him/her with a grandparent or other family member?Does your child refuse to share or does he/she act out physically toward other children?Does your child adapt easily to other people and environments?If you cannot leave your child in the care of a family member that he/she is very familiar with without an ensuing battle the chances are that the child will react even more intensely in the daycare environment. Some children go through a longer and stronger period of parental attachment than others. Placing them in nursery can be stressful on both the child and the daycare provider.If your child has difficulty interacting with other children in such a manner that he/she may act aggressively toward other children then daytime care may not be the best choice. It may be best to hire a sitter or have a friend or relative care for the child while you're at work. Set up playdates for your child when you can supervise and give the children your undivided attention. This should help your child learn concepts such as sharing and interacting with other children.If your child readily adapts to other children and situations he or she may feel right at home at daycare and fit in perfectly. Some children adjust well while others need more time. Children develop in their own way and in their own time. What is right for one child may not be right for another. You will need to decide if it is right for your child or if a sitter would be the better option at least for the time being. Children are constantly growing and changing on all levels. Before you know it your child might be ready to adjust to daytime care quicker than you think.
By: Simone Butler
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Simone writes for a parenting guide site, where you can find a list of nurseries countrywide.
Does your child cry even when you leave him/her with a grandparent or other family member?Does your child refuse to share or does he/she act out physically toward other children?Does your child adapt easily to other people and environments?If you cannot leave your child in the care of a family member that he/she is very familiar with without an ensuing battle the chances are that the child will react even more intensely in the daycare environment. Some children go through a longer and stronger period of parental attachment than others. Placing them in nursery can be stressful on both the child and the daycare provider.If your child has difficulty interacting with other children in such a manner that he/she may act aggressively toward other children then daytime care may not be the best choice. It may be best to hire a sitter or have a friend or relative care for the child while you're at work. Set up playdates for your child when you can supervise and give the children your undivided attention. This should help your child learn concepts such as sharing and interacting with other children.If your child readily adapts to other children and situations he or she may feel right at home at daycare and fit in perfectly. Some children adjust well while others need more time. Children develop in their own way and in their own time. What is right for one child may not be right for another. You will need to decide if it is right for your child or if a sitter would be the better option at least for the time being. Children are constantly growing and changing on all levels. Before you know it your child might be ready to adjust to daytime care quicker than you think.
By: Simone Butler
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Simone writes for a parenting guide site, where you can find a list of nurseries countrywide.
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