Free Child Day Care from DirecTV

For a time back in the sixties, standard TV programming was
actually pretty good at times. Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fud were
stalking each other in the mornings and in the evenings there
was Bonanza and Gun Smoke to look forward to, along with other
shows like Hawaii-Five-O, featuring detective McGarrett, who
coined the phrase, bookem Danno!

So kids could be set in front of the TV and were content to
watch Mr. Magoo Drive his car through houses and Yosemite Sam
puff on cigars that Daffy Duck had hidden fire crackers in. Then
it became too expensive to make great programming and the
studios began to cut corners and budgets and the results were
painfully obvious.

You cant just sit you kid in front of your TV any more and just
walk away, or you might find junior watching a lesbian make out
scene on some soap opera, when you return to check on him. The
cartoons are computer generated crap now that can turn your kid
into a spaz if he or she watches them too much.

There is one good solution to the TV programming quality dilemma
and that is DirecTV with its great fool proof parental control
function that comes installed with all the other great functions
in the free Hughes receiver that they give you when you join
their family of TV viewers. The free receiver comes with the
free Hughes satellite TV system that is delivered and installed
at no cost to you.

The digital video recorder, that comes installed in the
receiver, has a full one-hundred hours of memory in its
computer, so you can prerecord loads of great childrens shows
and cartoons that can play for over four solid days straight.
Kids will love the great high quality programming that DirecTV
has for them, that not only is entertaining, but also is
educational and helps to sharpen their thinking ability while it
entertains them.

The Hughes receiver is so easy to operate that even your child
will soon be able to use it. The parental control function lets
you have full control of what junior is watching, even while you
are in another room though, so you dont have to worry about the
lesbian make out scenes that little Tommy and his buds might
find amusing.

DirecTV programming packages have a wide variety of topics for
you to choose from, so everyone in your home will have lots of
shows and movies at their disposal, any time they like. DirecTV
has free installation in up to four rooms in your home and will
give you all the receivers you need to connect up to four TVs to
satellite programming, at no cost at all.

There are no hidden charges, or added fees in this introductory
offer and you only pay for the programming you watch and nothing
else. With separate TVs everyone can watch their own
programming, all at the same time on their own TV set. Look to
DirecTV and their great childrens programming, to help you keep
your child occupied, entertained and educated.

About the author:
Written by David Johnson. Find more information on Dish Network Deal as well as the top Dish Network Promotions

Interactive Wall Ideas for Kids' Rooms

"Don't write on the walls!"

Well, why not? Kids' spaces, whether it's your little one's
bedroom, a play area for your home daycare, or just a place for
the grandkids to hang out, should encourage imagination and
creativity. And yes, that may even include writing on the walls!

However, before you set the kids loose with a box of crayons,
here are a few ideas to try:

1. Chalkboard paint - The things they do with paint now! Yes,
if you have a few hours to spare, you can transform a bare wall
in your home into a chalkboard, so the kids can create, erase,
and create some more...

2. Chalkboard paint alternative - If you don't feel like
painting, but still like the idea of a chalkboard, you can also
pick up peel and stick chalkboard panels. For ideas check out
WallCandy® Arts - they make standard rectangular chalkboard
panels, as well as other shapes, including circles and jungle
animals (yes, elephants, giraffes, and even hippos).

3. Dry erase boards - If your children are a little older, and
you feel "safe" entrusting them with markers, consider
installing a dry erase board. Create, erase, and create some
more - this time without the chalk dust.

4. Magnetic paint - There's more than one way to add an
interactive element to those bare walls, and magnetic paint is
another ingenious alternative. Unfortunately, most common
refrigerator magnets do not work well on magnetic paint. Use
flexible rubber sheet magnets instead. The kids can even make
their own magnetic shapes after a quick trip to the hobby store.
Also, if you can't decide between chalkboard paint and magnetic
paint, check out Magnamagic™, one of the more popular magnetic
wall paint manufacturers, for magnetic chalkboard paint.

5. Felt board walls - Felt boards are popular with toddlers and
preschoolers, and it's easy to make one yourself. Using spray
adhesive, affix a large piece of felt or flannel to thin
plyboard, then anchor securely to the wall. You can then
purchase pre-made felt shapes or if you are feeling crafty, make
your own.

That's just a start. For more ideas, take a trip to the hardware
or craft store, or visit the children's murals area of Wall Murals 1-2-3.



About the author:
Dawn Hall is the owner of Wall Murals 1-2-3, a site offering practical, easy to understand how-to instructions
and advice for do it yourself wall murals, as well as
theme-based ideas & inspiration and reviews of mural products.

Children's Parties - an adults survival guide

Children's Parties - An Adults Survival Guide

You would think, wouldn't you, that the main aim of a Children's
Birthday Party or, for that Matter, any Children's Party, was to
make sure that the "little darlings" have a lovely time.

Well, I'm going to let you into a secret, It's Not.

The primary objective of a Children's Party is to ensure that
the adults present stay alive and maintain some perceptible
level of sanity and that the house the party is held in remains
an insurable piece of real estate.

No matter how much money you spend on entertainment for your
children's birthday party - bouncing castles, magicians, The
Rolling Stones, live elephant rides - the "little darlings" are
going to prefer climbing anything that projects from the outside
of your house, smothering the cat with 'silly string', feeding
the $1700 pedigree dog play-dough or hurling sticky food at
passing old aged pensioners.

The older children, those over the age of eight, will be behind
the garden shed smoking your lawn clippings.

If you are unfortunate enough to have a swimming pool, the water
in it will be the colour of very weak tea by the end of the
festivities and you'll have to get the hazardous waste experts
in to sanitize it for you and stop it being a mortal danger to
indigenous wildlife.

The most popular entertainers, at children's parties, are the
clowns. I'm sure that you've all heard the song "The Tears of a
Clown". That song was written by an entertainer at children's
birthday parties.

You can never hire a clown for a mid-week party as they're all
in specially set up, Mental Health Department Funded, Clown
Sanatoriums receiving intensive electric shock treatment to get
them ready for the next Saturday afternoon's gig.

I feel sorry for the poor mothers who have to officiate on these
perilous occasions. Hours and hours spent baking delicacies only
to find that the guests prefer throwing and wearing the food
rather that eating it. It would make any mother wish that she'd
piled the table high with half-bricks covered with icing and
hundreds and thousands.

If the party started at 2pm, by 3.45 all the mothers are huddled
together in the bathroom taking turns at swigging from the
gallon flagon of cooking sherry. They're safe in the bathroom,
the kids won't want the bathroom, why should they? There's a
perfectly good swimming pool outside.

The fathers are, of course, doing their best. They've either
gone fishing or are in the pub watching the football.

I suppose that I should, at this point, start giving you some
ideas on how to stop this chaotic event turning into a full
scale disaster that necessitates the mobilisation of the
National Guard and all other emergency services.

Let's have a look at a few 'damage control' ideas.

Firstly it is a terrific help if you, or someone close to you,
has a military background.

Planning is the name of the game for these fiascos. They have to
be planned, well in advance, with military precision. I wouldn't
go so far as to suggest snipers on the garage roof, but just
about everything short of that.

One of the major problems is to make sure that the children's
party keeps ALL CHILDREN occupied at ALL TIMES. There
must never be any lull in the proceedings. Un-occupied children
cause havoc. It was un-occupied children that caused the
downfall of the Roman Empire, the Black Plague, both World Wars,
Country and Western Music and the invention of the musical
doorbell.

Keep them occupied! The children's birthday party must
flow like high grade lubricating oil. It is essential that as
one organised activity ends, another starts. Never, ever, give
the "little darlings" time to think of what they'd 'really' like
to be doing.

Allowing children to decide what 'they' want to do is inviting a
disaster of monumental proportions unless the orange juice has
been liberally laced with valium. Your children's party will
make the American Revolution look like a casual disagreement
between two three-toed sloths.

Bored children at a children's birthday party would mean the end
of civilisation as we know it. Keep them busy, give them no time
to think, heaven help us all if boredom sets in.

Make a timetable, have all the weaponry required for each
activity prepared and in cardboard boxes, in chronological
order. For example - sack race 3.10 start - 3.20 finish - egg
and spoon race 3.20.03 start and so on.

Did you notice? Only 3 seconds between events, any more than
this and boredom sets in. Goldfish have a three second memory
span, children, at children's parties, have a three second
'un-occupied quiet time' span. Any longer than three seconds
and, well, you get the idea.....

You can give each of the children an empty cardboard box to take
home with them. Just tell them it's a special present. This
saves a lot on cleaning up after the party.

Military planning is also required when it comes to setting up
the area for this funfest. No, not the kind of military planning
that goes on in the White House, REAL military planning.

Make sure that the food area is well away from the activity area
otherwise the food area WILL BECOME the activity area.

If you have neighbours, make sure that the area is well secured.
It is not good for future relations, or the value of the real
estate, to have hordes of un-leashed, sugar filled little
children carrying out an unrestrained rampage through the
neighbouring properties. The street will look like Baghdad in
three minutes flat.

Electrified razor wire immediately springs to mind, or half a
dozen hungry Rottweilers, but maybe your local hardware store
doesn't stock that sort of child restraint. After all, not
everybody lives in Texas.

We now come to the food. I've always found it a good idea to
make everything 'individual and soft'. Portion control
eliminates arguments and soft foods eliminate the need for sharp
objects at the table. Children arguing and sharp objects are not
an especially healthy combination.

More substantial food should be limited to things like French
Fries, hot dogs and other finger food. I call this 'delayed
action' food. The children love it and manage to eat five times
their daily recommended calorie intake in one afternoon. It's
not until they get home, happy, but tired, do they throw up all
over the Ikea.

When serving the refreshments at a children's birthday party,
it's always a good idea to cover the surrounding area, say 500
square meters, with industrial strength plastic. Just in case of
spillages. Little fingers can be clumsy fingers.

It is a golden rule at children's parties, that one of the
"little darlings" will actually be a real brat. He/she won't
join in with anything and will generally leave you at a loose
end about what to do. Some people suggest keeping a few
colouring books or videos handy, just for this sort of
emergency.

Personally, I find handcuffing the little terror to the washing
machine and then closing the sound-proofed laundry door to be
the most effective method of dealing with the situation.
However, each to his own.

To re-cap. Keep them occupied, soft food in individual
portions, Rottweilers, colouring books (or handcuffs) and plenty
of mind numbing games and activities.

Oh, one last thing. If you're looking to be absolutely secure
and trouble free, you will find the telephone number of your
local chapter of the Hell's Angels in the yellow pages.

To see more of this fascinating insight into the world of the
pre-adolescent psyche - please follow me to
PARTY CENTRAL

About the author:
The author is a Grumpy Old Chef and is totally uninteresting as
a person.

His articles, however, are very interesting.

Strange, isn't it?

Visit him at home CLICK
GRUMPY

Are Your Expectations Too High For Your Kids?

It doesn not matter whether it is academics or sports or both,
of course parents what the kids to be better than other kids.
Whether it is something simple like making their beds or drawing
a picture to achieving something more difficult like hitting a
home run or winning in gymnastics, young children want very much
to get their parents approval and find happiness in doing so.
But how much pushing is too much? Push too far and their spirits
will break and they will be set up for disappointment.

Parents who are too competitive often expect to many things from
their children. When a child is going through school and
participating in outside activities, the parents are less
concerned about the happiness of the child than they are about
good grades and winning. An example is when a parent expects an
A in every class even though the child has worked hard to get a
B. For these parents, mistakes are not an option. Rather than
accept that there could be other factors involved, these parent
have a need to put the blame on somebody because their child
'failed'. Even worse is when the parents demand reasons from the
child, who might not know why they were not able to meet their
parents expectations.

For What Reason Do Parents Demand So Much From Their
Children?

Family background: Following in the parents footsteps and
'family tradition' has importance to most parents. One example
is if a child comes from a family of lawyers, it is likely that
the child will be expected to be a lawyer, too, even if the
inclination or aptitude is not there. Continuing the family
'legacy' is important for most parents. High achieving parents
fail to see why their children should not have the some
abilities that they do.

Economic stress:: Sometimes kids are forced to be high
achievers by parents of average incomes so they can qualify for
grants and scholarships to reduce the out of pocket expenses of
college.

Children owe it to them:: There are many parents who
think that giving a child everything will translate into that
child succeeding. So, of course, they have no reason not to
excel.

If another child can do it, why can't mine?: Self-doubt and envy
are often the result of hearing the boasting of other parents
about the successes of their children. This results in parents
pushing their kids harder.

Effects on Children:: Instilling competitiveness can be
constructive: children will strive harder and find out for
themselves what they are actually capable of. Another advantage
is monetary gain. Scholarship grants and other good offers are
awarded for good performance when high school and college levels
are reached. Of course, a certain amount of popularity and
prestige will be there, too, because of the 'shining ability of
the child'. Though there are benefits in encouraging
competitiveness in our kids, experts are in agreement that the
positives can be outweighed by the possible negatives. Below are
a few of them:

Children are misled:: knowledge and its acquisition are
no longer seen as goals when a child is under too much pressure.
Whether the child learns anything that will have value to him or
her is overshadowed by the grade becoming all important. The
child will also become a disagreeable competitor.

Frustration comes easily to children. Just one or two mistakes
and children who are highly pressured can become immensely
unhappy. A small setback can cause children to begin blaming
themselves. They will not be able to sleep at night. Every
mistake is seen as failure and the end of everything. Children's
self-perception can be damaged by a mindset that makes grades,
awards and other such achievements the measure of the personal
worth.

Children become fearful: Children might be afraid of
being punished when they don't quite come up to standard when
expectations are set too high. Support and guidance are
necessary early on when children have problems in some subjects
of areas. But out of fear of being a disappointment to their
parents, they will not say, "I am having trouble getting this".
Because no action is taken, there is no resolution. Because they
fear failure, children become unwilling to take any risks,
explore or try anything new, so their development is stunted.

Children become overly dependent on parents; When parents put
too much pressure on children, they become unable to think for
themselves. Their happiness with their efforts depends on mom
and dad being happy. Every move they make must be approve of by
their parents.

Children become isolated socially: When parents brag all the
time about their children, other often do not receive it well.
As a result, a wall is often created between the children and
others, such as friends, community, school and sometimes even
relatives. This can result in the development of an unhealthy
inferiority or superiority complex in a child. When a child
constantly has it drilled into him or her that he or she is
better than everyone else, other children will ostracize him or
her. By the same token, when a child feels inferior to other
children, he or she will pull back into a shell. Children
measure self-worth with accomplishments: "I am perfect, so mom
and dad love me," or "They don't think I am as good as everyone
else" are the kind of messages children get when parents compare
them to others. So children begin to feel a need to succeed so
they will feel accepted and loved. Self-doubt so develops into
severe anxiety without anyone noticing. This can then lead into
such serious problems as eating disorders, power struggles and
depression, even in young children.

Whether or not they get accolades, children should know they are
loved. Preschool children should have more guidance in mastering
skills that are age appropriate to lay the foundation of later
learning rather than focus on getting awards and medals. The
right to play is as much a universal right to children as having
shelter, food and education. So insuring that children have time
to relax and play is something that is important for parents to
make sure of. Be confident of your children's lead: Be there to
hold your childrens hand as he or she learns at his or her own
pace. Success in adulthood is not guaranteed by the
accomplishments made in infancy, toddler or preschool years, so
that must be kept in mind.

Loving and accepting children for who they are, is what parents
can do best for their children. Let your child be who he or she
is and let them find their own way to achieve their best. Every
child is different. Each child's own way of growing, learning
and thinking deserves respect. When it comes right down to it,
the guidance and values parents give a child will determine the
true measure of the child's greatness.



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10 Kid-Friendly Attractions in Los Angeles

With gorgeous weather year round and lots of exciting
attractions, Los Angeles, California is the perfect vacation
destination for families. Where else can you step onto the set
of your favorite movie, relax on a sun-kissed beach, and shop
alongside celebs on Rodeo Drive? Here, travel experts at Smart
Destinations, creators of the Go Los Angeles Card, recommend
their favorite family-friendly places to visit and things to do
on your next trip to Los Angeles.

1. Aquarium of the Pacific features more than
500 species in 19 major habitats highlighting the marine life of
the Pacific Ocean. Explore sunny Southern California and Baja
Pacific, the frigid waters of the North Pacific, and the
colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific. The Southern California
and Baja gallery showcases seals and sea lions in an
up-close-and personal indoor/outdoor setting. The Northern
Pacific gallery is home to puffins and other diving birds which
nest overhead and "fly" underwater, while the sea otters frolic
in a nearby habitat. The Tropical Reef Habitat, the aquarium's
largest exhibit, introduces visitors to a coral lagoon with
colorful fish, as well as sea horses, sea snakes and mysterious
sea dragons. Go Los Angeles Card users gain free entry before
5:30 pm.

2. The Sony Pictures Studios Tour gives tourists
a rare glimpse of old Hollywood's glory days and an insider's
view of a state-of-the-art motion picture studio where movies
like The Wizard of Oz, Spiderman, and Men in Black were filmed.
Depending on availability, you may also get to visits the sets
of shows such as "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."

3. The Zimmer Children's Museum encourages
interactive learning, creative self-expression, and imaginative
play through "please touch" exhibits and art activities. Music
Island introduces kids to music and lets them create a virtual
drum loop and create their own original music. Western Wall
recreates the Western Wall in Jerusalem (the Kotel) and invites
visitors to share their hopes for the future. Discovery Airplane
lets kids navigate a plane simulator as they fly over distant
destinations like Israel, Mexico, and more.

4. The Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana
houses 120 exciting hands-on science exhibits on two floors,
including Dynamic Earth, Techno Arts, Discovery Stadium and
Quake Zone. Play a game of Virtual Volleyball, make music on a
Laser Beam Harp, climb a Rock Wall, watch an indoor Geyser
erupt, ride out an earthquake in the Shake Shack, and more.
Visit the life-size dinosaur exhibit featuring an interactive
walk-through Argentinosaur that explains life sciences. The
center hosts BubbleFest in April, Spooky Science in October, and
a new exhibit each summer.

5. Kidspace Children's Museum is an
interactive indoor and outdoor learning center offering exhibits
like Bugsy's Diner, where kids learn about mantids, cockroaches
and more. Also, search for fossils in The Dig, create
nature-inspired artwork in N'Art, or ride a tricycle through the
Wisteria Courtyard.

6. Golf N' Stuff Family Fun Center offers
four challenging miniature golf courses set against imaginative
settings like a castle, a haunted house, an old western ghost
town, a Californian mission, a tree house, and more. The park
also offers exciting rides including go-karts, bumper boats,
bumper cars, and a kiddie train, plus arcade games and lazer
tag.

7. Guinness World Records Museum in
Hollywood chronicles record-breaking facts and feats ranging
from the Largest Work of Art to the Lowest Limbo. You and your
kids will experience racing at 240 mph in the world's fastest
Formula One car and explore the world's most fascinating natural
phenomena, human feats, animal acts, and more.

8. Wild Rivers Waterpark is Southern
California's biggest waterpark with over 40 water rides and
attractions. It's the perfect place to "chill out" with the kids
after a long day in the California sun. If you dare, go to the
top of the seven-story Wild Rivers Mountain. Relax on Explorers'
Island with a lazy inner tube float down a warm river,
refreshing spas, and scaled down rides and wading pools for
little adventurers. Open late May through September.

9. The Hollywood Museum features 10,000 artifacts and
articles from Hollywood's past, including Rocky's boxing gloves,
Marilyn Monroe's dresses, Indiana Jones' whip, and more. Housed
in the historic Max Factor building, the museum pays homage to
Hollywood's Golden Era with a beautifully restored Art Deco
exterior and opulent interiors. Newer additions to the museum
include Nicole Kidman's costumes from Moulin Rouge and Paris
Hilton's party dresses.

10. The Museum of Tolerance is a great way for older
kids (some of the exhibits are recommended for 12+ and others
are for all ages) to explore issues of prejudice and
discrimination through hands-on exhibits and role playing.
The Children of the Holocaust exhibit brings the
Holocaust to live as visitors walk through a simulation with
sound effects, photos, newscasts, and more. Finding Our
Families, Finding Ourselves celebrates the multicultural
diversity of several notable Americans and encourages visitors
to explore their own heritage.


About the author:
Susan Johnston is currently the copywriter for
Go Los Angeles Card,
which offers over 40 of LA's best attractions, tours,
activities, and more on one easy-to-use smart card and for one
price based on the number of days purchased.

Childrens Safety - Why We Shouldn't Risk It

Whether you are a parent or not most people would I'm sure agree
that a child's safety is paramount. This article looks at what
our childcare providers can do to help make sure the risk or
chance of an accident occurring in Schools, Nurseries,
Kindergartens and Day Care Centres is reduced.

Before we look at what steps childcare providers can actually
take to reduce exposure to risk we should first perhaps look at
what risk actually is. Risk can be defined as a hazard, a source
of danger, the possibility of incurring a loss or misfortune or
put another way an accident waiting to happen.

So what can Nurseries, Schools and other childcare providers
actually do then to manage risk and make sure our children's
safety is always at the forefront of their minds?

Well to begin with they can carry out a risk assessment at their
premises and this is perhaps best organized, arranged and
co-coordinated by the person who is ultimately responsible for
the health and safety at the nursery or school.

And whilst the actually risk assessment doesn't necessarily have
to be complicated it can be time consuming as it involves
looking at each area of the premises and noting any potential
hazards or risks. It also should involve looking at the existing
safety measures in place and make recommendations on how
implementing additional safety measures could reduce these risks
even further.

The fact is accidents do happen in nurseries, schools and in all
types of business but by following some simple checks the
chances of an accident happening can be reduced. And as the
owner, manger or person responsible for health and safety has a
duty of care to employees, children, visitors or indeed anyone
visiting the premises risk assessment and ultimately risk
reduction is vital.

Here are just a few areas that nurseries, schools and other
childcare providers should be looking at to firstly see if a
risk exists and then to put preventative measures in place to
reduce it.

Trips, slips and falls - do you have leads trailing across the
floor or any other obstructions? Are there any spillages of
water or any other liquids? And if so what steps are there to
address these once they occur and to warn others? Are there any
loose rugs, mats, carpets or other flooring including
floorboards or tiles? Is the lighting within the school or
nursery adequate (especially on stairs and in cellars or
basements)?

First Aid and Accidents - do you have suitable first aid
equipment on the premises? Do you have employees with first aid
training? Do you have systems in place to deal with accidents
including transport arrangement to the hospital if deemed
necessary?

Safety of Personnel - are staff likely to work alone or handle
cash? Do they have a facility to summon assistance and raise an
alarm?

Outside Areas - will your outside play areas be adequately
supervised? Has the play equipment you provide been suitably
tested and is suitable for the children using it? Will the
children be playing near plants that could be poisonous? Do you
have systems in place to prevent or deal with sunburn and insect
bites and stings?

These are just a few examples of potential risks that may exist
within a nursery, school, kindergarten or other child day care
facility. If you make sure you carry out a risk assessment with
the intention of reducing your exposure to risk not only can you
make sure your employees and children are protected but you
could also see a reduction in your nursery insurance, school
insurance or other business insurance premiums. This is because
many insurance providers reward providers of child care
facilities with discounts and premium savings who have good risk
management procedures.

There really is no excuse for modern nurseries, schools and
kindergartens to fail to make sure their premises is as safe as
possible so make sure you do your best to protect the children
in your care - failing to do so really isn't worth the risk.

About the author:
Mark Burdett is Marketing Manager for The UK Business Insurance
Broker - Northern Counties Insurance.

Mark is a Marketing Expert with over 17 years worth of Marketing
experience in the UK and has worked on successful campaigns for
companies including Norwich Union, Zurich and Kia.

Children And Boats: Teach Them How To Water-Ski

I'm sure that we've all seen people trying to learn how to
water-ski. They splash and burn repeatedly while they and their
friends in the boat get more and more frustrated. After someone
sees this, they think," no way" when one of their kids says that
he wants to learn how to ski, but getting your kids into skiing
is a great way to get them involved with the family boat. The
process that I'm about to talk about should alleviate the
frustration and provide a much easier process for teaching
children to water-ski. My brother and I learned using these
techniques, and I taught my 10 year old son using these
techniques, so I know they work

The first thing to look at is the boat. You have to put yourself
in the child's place. A 200 hp boat can be very intimidating to
the child. My dad taught me behind a 14' boat powered by a 50 hp
outboard motor, but to me it looked like the Titanic. A 12' boat
with a 35 hp engine is probably big enough. I've even seen
pictures of people skiing behind a jet-ski.

The actual procedure for teaching a child can be broken down
into two parts with several steps in each part

Part I Training

1.) The first step of my course eliminates the boat altogether
and therefore the intimidation factor. The child should be in
shallow water, close to shore. Ski ropes are usually around 200
ft. long, so at least two adults (more is even better) should
hold one end on the shore while the rest of the rope is
stretched out into the water to the child.

2.) For the child, one of the hardest parts of skiing is
learning to control the skis while sitting in the water. For
this step, an adult should get in the water to help the child
get the skis on and help hold the skis up until the launch takes
place.

The adult helping the child should probably wear a life jacket
too, even if he is a good swimmer. He will be busy helping the
child, so he shouldn't have to worry about keeping his head
above the water.

3.) Once the child has his skis ready, then the adults on the
shore should pull the rope taunt and get ready to run. At this
point, it is important to impress upon the child that he is in
control. The pullers don't go until the child screams for them
to run.

4.) Once he is stable, the child should yell at the adults
onshore to run! The adult in the water should tell the child to
pull the tails of his skis up towards his rear end. Then, he
should be told that after he pulls up the tails of his skis, he
should stand up. At this point, it should be easy to stand up
because of the pull on the rope. This pull will tend to make the
child lean forward, which should make it easy to stand.

5.) The child should be pulled ashore several times. As the old
saying goes, "practice makes perfect" . I remember being pulled
into shore as being a lot of fun!

6.) On the last few pulls, the child should be instructed in
making simple turns away from the centerline of the pull. The
child should be told that if he puts more of his weight on the
left ski, he'll turn to the right. Conversely. if he puts more
of his weight on the right ski, he will turn toward the left.
These turning skills will be necessary when being pulled behind
the boat.

Part II The Moment of Truth

Before the first tow with the boat, the child and the boat
driver should talk about what is going to happen. At this time,
the child will be very nervous, so it is important that he feels
like he is in complete control of the situation. The main source
of his nervousness will be the fear that he doesn't have control
over the boat.

1.) The first tow behind the boat should start with the child
once again in shallow water with an adult helping him to get
set. This first trip behind the boat should be planned out
extensively by the child and the driver. For the first time, the
boat should make a small circle and slow down to a stop where it
started. This will allow the child to slowly sink back into the
water while still holding onto the rope. I've seen a lot of
people crash after letting go of the rope.

2.) The child and the driver should have a pre-arranged signal
in case the child wants to keep going. This signal could be as
simple as pointing one thumb up while holding on to the rope.

A few other tips for the first tow:

The child should be instucted to stay behind the boat, so he
stays inside the wake where the waves won't be so bad. The boat
doesn't really cut down the waves very much, but if you tell the
child that it does, it will help him relax.

b) The driver and the observer should be the only ones in the
boat so it makes the smallest waves possible.

c) Ski in the morning when the water is at its smoothest.

The above techniques could be used with a small adult also, but
you may need more bodies for pulling on the rope. If you use
these techniques with children, you and your children will have
far less frustration and far fewer tears on the part of the
kids. The best part is; once you teach them to ski they will be
anxious to go on family boat trips. They might even wash the
boat!

About the author:
Craig Stanford has been driving powerboats since he was six. His
son owns an 18ft Four Winns boat, so now he gets to be a
passenger. He owns the "Boating Guide" website at
http://online-boat-info.com/boat

Tips to Make Homeschooling Fun for Kids

Children often say they don't like school, but you might not
ever hear your children make that statement if you homeschool.
Homeschooling has many benefits over sending your child to
public school. Besides being able to attend school in your
pajamas, your child will have much more freedom to learn than
their public school counterparts will have.

One of the things that can make homeschooling fun for children
is the ability to take multiple field trips throughout the year.
Whereas most public school students are lucky to take one field
trip a year, if they even get to take that, homeschool students
have the freedom to go on as many as their parent or support
group can plan.

Field trip possibilities are endless, limited only to by the
imagination of the planner, and funds you're willing to see
leave your wallet. Some common field trips are museums, zoos,
and botanical gardens. Did you know you can also make a field
trip out of a trip to a Krispy Kreme Donut store? Yep, you sure
can. You can also visit police departments, fire departments,
and local newspapers. In fact, if you can find someone willing
to allow it, you can make a field trip out of almost any
business you can think of.

Besides taking several field trips a year, another thing that
makes homeschooling fun for kids is the ability to learn what
interests them and in a way that suits their learning style.
While they will still have to learn the basics of reading,
writing, and mathematics, they may choose to concentrate on
robots, dinosaurs, or some composer or artist. And one of the
benefits of homeschooling is that you can combine coursework
into Unit Studies that enable the student to cover the basics
all while concentrating on that one subject.

It seems that art and music are all but missing from public
schools as educational budgets are slashed each year. If you
homeschool, and your child likes either art or music, you can
spend as much time on those subjects as you'd like. In fact, you
can combine art and music appreciation with many other subjects.
Allow your child to try something they've never done before. You
have that option if you homeschool, and you don't have to get
permission from the principal to do so.

Many children learn best by handling items, whether math
manipulatives, building blocks, or cooking utensils. If you
homeschool, you can allow your child to use those manipulatives
if doing so will help them to learn. In public schools,
children's learning styles often aren't taken into consideration
since teachers have to teach to a whole group and can't address
students individually. By allowing your child to learn in the
way that is easiest for them, homeschooling will be much more
fun for them.

While it's unlikely that your homeschooled children will say
they "love" school, there are things that you can do to help
them enjoy it more. By allowing them to learn to their
strengths, concentrating on subjects that interest them, and
taking them on field trips, your child will enjoy going to
"school" much better.

About the author:
Jane Saeman runs an In-Home Tutoring service called Aim High
Tutors. Find out about how to help your student
reach their full potential at http://www.aimhightutors.com/blog

Is Ritalin Safe For Treating ADHD Children?

Ritalin is one of the most prevalent drugs used to treat
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is
prescribed to thousands of children under the age of 18 every
year. While Ritalin has been shown to help in severe cases of
ADHD, it may not be beneficial in mild cases as its side effects
may be worse than the symptoms of ADHD. Ritalin has varying side
effects on children, some of which can be potentially harmful.

Ritalin causes stunted growth in children. A new study conducted
by the Child Development Center of the University of California,
Irvine found that children who took Ritalin for three years were
about an inch shorter and weighed 4.4 pounds less than other
children in their age group. It is not known if these children
ever regain their normal height. The long-term neurological
effects of Ritalin remain unknown.

Another possible problem with treating ADHD children with
Ritalin is the potential for addiction and abuse. Ritalin is a
stimulant and is categorized as an amphetamine. All amphetamines
carry with them a likely risk of addiction. A study found that
children who took Ritalin for more than 3 years have a greater
risk of substance abuse and committing crime.

Many adolescents and young adults snort Ritalin in a way similar
to snorting cocaine. They think that Ritalin is a cheaper and
safer alternative to cocaine. However, Ritalin has dangerous
side effects whether taken orally or inhaled. This could be a
short leap from using prescription amphetamines such as Ritalin
to using illegal street amphetamines in the future.

Other side effects of Ritalin include headaches, stomach upsets,
reduced appetite, depression, irritability, anxiety, increased
blood pressure, sleep difficulties and nervousness. When the
side effects of taking Ritalin are severe, they can be worse
than ADHD symptoms, making them an ineffective treatment.

Instead of treating mild to moderate cases of ADHD with drugs
such as Ritalin and Adderall, some believe that dietary changes
can help control ADHD symptoms naturally. Many processed foods
contain dyes, addictives, preservatives and artificial flavoring
that can cause allergic reactions in people with ADHD. Avoid
excessive intake of sugar as it can cause hyperactivity. Consume
fresh and wholesome foods. Herbal remedies may also be helpful
to treat ADHD without the harmful side effects or possibility of
addiction or abuse. Behavioral therapies have more positive and
lasting benefits.

With so many side effects of Ritalin and its long-term effects
remain unknown, it is best to consider alternative treatments
for ADHD. Discuss all treatment options with your doctor
carefully to ensure that Ritalin is only the last line of
treatment for ADHD.

About the author:
The long term effects of Ritalin is still unknown and its
benefits have been called into question many times. Besides drug
medications, there are alternative treatments for ADHD that are
safer and yet effective. Check out the all natural and drug free
treatments for ADHD at http://www.guidetoadhd.com/prd-ritalin1

Bipolar Disorder in Children

Bipolar disorder is a being diagnosed in children as young as
six years old in recent years. Some doctors think this is a good
assessment of many children while others think the diagnosis is
overdone. While it may be just an intellectual controversy to
some, others who know a child who may have bipolar disorder will
not be amused. It is important therefore to take into account
all the facets of the disorder.

It is a tricky diagnosis to say the least. Bipolar disorder in
children often appears similar to ADHD, or as simply
rambunctious childhood behavior. Young children may cycle fast,
meaning that they go from a depressed state to a manic state and
back, etc. very quickly, often within weeks or even days.

Suicide attempts often happen on the spur of the moment, with
little or no warning. This is different than in most adults
where the depression is often long-lasting and suicide attempts
may be well thought-out. For this reason it is imperative that
children with the disorder be treated successfully.

Bipolar disorder in children often presents in mania. In the
younger children this is often likely to come with
hallucinations, both auditory and visual. It may seem that these
would be difficult to distinguish from a healthy imagination.
Sometimes, in fact, it is. Many times, though, the visions and
voices are more disturbing and threatening than a healthy child
would imagine.

Teens with bipolar disorder are, for the most part, similar in
their symptoms to adults. A major complicating factor with teens
is the use of drugs and alcohol. As with adults, this practice
of trying to use street drugs and alcohol to control mood
swings, is called "self-medicating." It is a dangerous business
and often masks the symptoms of the disorder. Bipolar disorder
in children should always be considered when drugs are being
used by them, if only to rule it out.

Bipolar disorder in children who are older, such as teenagers,
is still different from the adult disorder in that the person
with the disorder is still a minor. This leads to situations
where the older child has an adversarial relationship with
authorities and is therefore hard to convince that treatment is
a good thing.

There are some ways to cut down on the confusion. Speaking with
the child's teachers gives an outside opinion of how the child
is doing day-to-day. Also, this shows how the child fares in a
different setting from the home environment. Bipolar disorder in
children, if it is masquerading as some other form of disorder
or behavior, is more likely to be found out if more people are
alert to its symptoms.

Getting a second opinion is also very important, since so many
doctors disagree on bipolar disorder in children. Once the
second opinion is obtained, the family can make a more informed
decision as to what the problem is and how to proceed. Doctors
may not all agree on bipolar disorder in children, but a second
opinion should help to clarify the situation. The parent or
guardian can listen carefully and determine if the doctor's
explanation sounds accurate. Then, ultimately, it is the
parents' job to make the call. Misdiagnosis and wrong treatment
would be unthinkable, but if bipolar disorder in children is the
correct diagnosis, it is surely better to accept it.

About the author:
To learn more, check out Bipolar
Disabilities Guide.

Hair kid style

Hair kid style If you are a mom or a dad then you know how
difficult it can be to pick out clothing, apparel or anything
for that matter, for your children! One of the toughest jobs a
parent has is bringing their children into a barber and getting
them to sit still for 10-20 minutes for the haircut to be over
with! But what options do parents have with the hairstyle of
their kids? Is it wise to invest in a stylish haircut for a
child? Here's a quick guide to hair kid's style!

* Kid's need simple hairstyles! While this isn't a hard and fast
rule it is something that most parents follow, if not by
default. First of all, kids don't tend to be as wrapped up in
their physical appearance as do adults. This means that most
children aren't going to care as much about their haircuts
'style' and they'll care more about getting in and out of the
barber's chair! (Although this will vary from child to child).
Kid's hair styles should also be simple because kids tend to
play a lot...which means any style that you put in their hair is
in jeopardy when they hit the playground! * Simple cuts for boys
usually means clean cut! A parent can get their little boy to
look good with a clean cut, simple hair cut if they do it right.
No, this doesn't mean you have to chop off all of little
Johnny's hair, you just need to cut short and comb it down. Many
boys will be more then happy with a crew cut or a spiked look
and they are usually pretty manageable, taking little
maintenance time. * Simple cuts for girls tend to be a little
more complicated, but then again girls don't tend to be as rough
and playful as boys! For girls the easiest style to handle is
the medium length cut. This medium length hairstyle is long
enough that a mom can creatively style it in nearly anyway they
want but it is short enough that it won't have to be constantly
monitored and watched. Super long hair on a little girl may look
cute and fun but it can often be a nightmare when it comes to
daily maintenance.

If a parent can learn to style a kid's hair then a kid's style
can be a fun, cute and/ or easy to maintain. Simple is usually
better in the case of hair kid's style!

more info visit www.designerhairstyle.com

About the author:

Leigh Connelly are about making you look and feel better than
you ever dreamed possible While he was officially established in
the year 2000, He have a long history of commitment to the
fashion industry. HE know that beauty is not just about a great
hairstyle, so over the coming months, he will constantly strive
to add a host of new features to our site that our subscribers
have been asking for. It will be like having your own beauty
salon - eye

Baby Clothing - The Newest Way To Make A Statement

One of the best parts of being a parent to be is shopping for
all of the baby clothing. It's even more fun when you know the
sex of the baby, so you aren't limited to neutral colors like
green. Baby furniture is also fun to buy, but since it's so
expensive you can run out of money before you're done shopping
for what you need. I've seen cribs that cost thousands of
dollars, changing tables for about as much and don't even get me
started on the nursing chairs! Still, there's something about
the miniature versions of all of the things that we use every
day that kind of warms my heart.

Take, for example, the little baby tee shirts that they sell at
those baby clothing stores. Nowadays you can get them to say
just about anything. There are websites that will sell you
political baby tee shirts that say "if I were old enough, I'd
vote for John McCain in 2008" or have other cute things on them.
If you prefer your baby to look like a miniature version of
yourself, they have full suits for little boys and gowns for the
baby girls. If you like Tommy Hilfiger, your baby can wear it
all of the time. Ditto for Ralph Lauren and most other brands.

The cool thing about baby clothing is how detailed it can get.
From tiny tennis shoes to denim pants and jackets, they really
are little versions of big people clothes. Everyone loves buying
kids miniature outfits that they would wear themselves, and
there's something about seeing a little kid in grown up clothes
that makes one's heart smile. The only drawback is that it can
really add up and a shopping spree for Junior can cost just as
much as a shopping spree for mommy.

About the author:
Are you pregnant? Visit the Pregnancy Forums at http://www.ThePregnancyForum.com/ today. It's free to join, and
you'll get lots of great baby clothing
advice!

ADHD Symptoms and Teaching your Child

ADHD Symptoms and Your Childs Schooling

There can be no escaping the fact that it can be quite a tricky
task teaching a child who exhibits ADHD symptoms, who thus
carries all of the 'baggage' that the associated ADHD (Attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder) condition usually brings.

These problems are often seen to be at their worst when it comes
to finding a school that is appropriate for any child who
endures such ADHD symptoms.

Some schools are aware of this, and also of the problems that
children affected by ADHD (and the other associated forms of
Attention deficit disorder - ADD) may suffer.

These more enlightened schools have often recognized the problem
already, having already taken significant steps to address the
issue.

But there are still many schools that lag behind in their
arrangements and often these schools are not in a position to
answer the individual needs of a child exhibiting ADHD symptoms
and characteristics.

Unfortunately, the often negative influence of a child who is
affected by ADHD can often be clearly seen in the classroom,
even before any official diagnosis of the child's condition has
been attempted.

For example, it can be seen in the over boisterous boy who is
persistently disturbing his classmates or in the small girl
sitting in the corner, toying

absent-mindedly with her hair, her mind somewhere far away.

Perhaps not surprisingly, it is usually the teacher who would
first recognizes that a particular student is having problems
paying attention in class or is unnecessarily overactive. But
identifying the situation is only the first step, and definitely
not the most difficult part.

Undoubtedly, that is going to be the process of attempting to
alter the child's inattentive or hyperactive attitude or
behavior, and it is obviously unrealistic for anyone to expect
that ADHD symptoms will simply 'go away'!

Before any kind of 'dealing with' process can be begun, of
course, everyone actually has to acknowledge and agree that the
disorder exists. It only after such a proper diagnosis has been
made that proper action can be taken.

At this point, the decision will then need to be made as to
whether medicine is required, or if it can be avoided.

This decision is a critical one, given the often invasive nature
of many chemical based medicines, and would generally be
determined by the extent of the ADHD symptoms shown by the
particular child in question.

This will also determine the subsequent course of the treatment,
perhaps for the longer term, and therefore arriving at the
correct conclusion is of paramount importance.

Now, accepting that ADHD is a condition that tends to be irksome
to others, some schools may take the 'easy way out', adding to
the child's suffering by giving sometimes unnecessary medicines.

Still other schools will, however, adopt a more patient stance
and avoid medicines wherever possible, thus generally complying
with the wishes of the child's parents.

If you are in the situation of having a child who exhibits ADHDH
symptoms in school, then whether your child is able to cope with
the situation is likely to be determined by the kind of school
he or she is in.

In the ideal world, your child should be at a school that
understands that the most effective way of addressing an ADHD
child's problems is for everyone to work together as a team.

They must accept and understand that your child's ADHD symptoms
will not just 'go away'.

It is only by accepting and working with (or sometimes, around)
your child's ADHD that a school can enable your child to achieve
their best.

Regrettably, however, there are still many schools that lack
this open-minded attitude and vision, especially in small
communities or those where money may be scarce.

No doubt that a child demonstrating ADHD symptoms can be hard to
control, and even harder to instruct, as they are often pretty
chaotic and disruptive characters.

It is therefore perhaps no surprise, but still no less
disappointing, that some schools will refuse to accommodate such
unruly children, even in this day and age.

On the other hand, there are plenty of schools who will accept
and accommodate ADHD affected children, who will indeed make
great efforts to help the situation.

Sometimes this is done by placing the child with the disorder in
corrective classes, even though there is a school of thought
that such 'differentiation' of a child at this age can lead to
longer term isolationist problems.

Other schools are set up so that they are able to handle the
child who exhibits ADHD symptoms in the 'normal' class, with all
the other kids.

Where this works, this is undoubtedly the most satisfactory all
round solution, but to achieve this does require the allocation
of often scant resources, putting it out of the financial reach
of many institutions.

Remember that, in the final analysis, your child cannot help
having and demonstrating ADHD symptoms, and cannot always
control the actions and behavior that result from their
condition.

It is your job, as a parent, to accept your child as they are,
and to always look after the well-being of your child.

You should always therefore strive to make sure that you discuss
any matters pertaining to our child with his or her teachers, in
an effort to come to a conclusion that is in the best interests
of your child.

Always remember that they did not choose to exhibit the affects
of ADHD symptoms, and act accordingly.

About the author:
The author has compiled a FREE handbook of some of the best
writings about ADHD from the last ten years, and you can access
your personal copy from http://SteveCowan.com/ADHD/book.html. He
also analyzes the #1 ADHD Management Program on the net at
http://SteveCowan.com/ADHD and blogs on ADHD & ADD related
matters at http://SteveCowan.com/add

Why Soccer Is Good For Kids

There are more benefits to playing youth soccer than you may
realize

The sport of soccer continues to grow in the US as evidenced by
the increasing number of kids getting involved in the game and
the attendance numbers at MLS soccer games throughout the
country. This is a good thing because it provides a great
opportunity for all kids, no matter how tall, short, skinny,
plump, shy, smart, or whatever, to gain the benefits of being
part of a team where anyone can be a super star on any given
day.

All sports provide physical and other benefits for those
involved in them. But soccer offers much more to help youths
develop, interact with others, and just plain enjoy themselves,
something kids should do, after all.

One of the greatest things about soccer is that any kid can
kick a soccer ball and learn to do it well within a short period
of time. There are no special talents required. If a boy or girl
can run, he or she can do so with a soccer ball at his or her
feet. Any kid can gain basic skills in dribbling, passing, and
shooting a soccer ball with minimal time and effort expended.
This means that any child that wants to play soccer can do so
and be at a level of most of the players on the field.

Kids don't need to be 7 foot tall leaping gazelles or
refrigerator-sized brutes or multi-talented athletes to play on
a soccer team and perform at least as well as most of the
teammates. Soccer is a pure team sport. No one player, no matter
how talented, can win a game on his or her own. Winning a soccer
game requires the participation of every one of his teammates
out on the pitch. This allows every kid on the team to touch the
ball often and contribute to making plays, no matter what his or
her skill level is.

This really helps build a child's self-esteem, which can be
seen in the confidence displayed on the field. Something as
simple as a good pass or stopping the ball from getting to an
opponent can make a kid feel good about him or herself and that
makes them perform even better. And they have lots of chances to
do this. One good play washes away any and all misses.

I have seen timid boys and girls blossom into assertive soccer
players in just a few weeks. All because they got to touch the
ball and contribute to the team. And when they win, every kid
feels part of that win. And when they lose, they feel proud of
having played as well as they could and look forward to the next
game when it starts all over. Every kid knows that in the next
game he or she will be right out there in the middle of things
helping her team win and maybe even score the winning goal or
make a winning save.

There is also something about the parents at soccer games. Only
the sport of soccer has a "Mom", a Soccer Mom. These wonderful
ladies, who shuttle their kids back and forth to soccer games
every weekend, are the soul of youth soccer in America. Soccer
moms have played a big part in the popularity of youth soccer
and their involvement in the sport has helped many a youngster
enjoy being part of a team.

There are many resources on the web about other benefits of
youth soccer including physical conditioning and injury
prevention. One of my favorite soccer websites is
http://www.SoccerCountry.com where you will also find all kinds
of stuff about soccer, like soccer news, stats, and soccer game
schedules.

In addition to those highlighted in this article, soccer
provides other benefits for youngsters. Think about all that
running and stopping and turning. Great for the lungs, muscles,
and the mind. And there are so many more.

If your child is not playing soccer, what are you waiting for?
It's going to be the number one sport in the US eventually, just
like it is in every other country in the world. Get your son and
daughter out on the soccer field as early as possible. It keeps
them out of trouble, builds their confidence, keeps them
healthy, and helps them grow the right way. I know. I raised
four soccer kids that started playing at five years of age and I
saw the development provided by soccer through their teen years
as the coach of their soccer teams.

Every town and county probably has a youth soccer association.
It won't be hard to find a team for your son and daughter. You
never know, one of your kids could be the next David Beckham.
And, if you are a mother, maybe you will be Soccer Mom of the
Year.

Ciao for now,

Bernie Rosellen

Soccer From The Pitch

About the author:
Bernie Rosellen has played and been involved with soccer for
over thirty years. He coached his four kids' youth soccer teams
for fifteen years and is still active coaching youths today. He
still plays on two adult soccer teams in the Richmond, VA area
today. Tapping his experiences as a soccer player and soccer
coach, he writes articles as ASoccer From The Pitch@ and
provides content for websites such as
http://www.SoccerCountry.com.

Travelling in a Car with Kids

Travelling with kids to any destination by any mode of
transportation is not an easy feat, but with preparation, a
sense of humour, and plenty of bribe material, it can be done. A
driving holiday is as ideal a choice as any when you have
children to entertain. They have easy access to all their stuff,
you can have as many loos stops as you please, and you can
choose when and where to travel.

Every parent is looking for optimum flexibility, which is
guaranteed with a hire car. You can travel in safety and in
style, with pick up and drop off points in central and
convenient locations. The goal is to spend time together, travel
to amazing places and have fun at the same time, which is
possible even with a lot of kids.

There are a number of points that will help you maximize your
family driving holiday:

1) Firstly, keep it simple. Factor in enough time each day to
ensure that children have ample rest and relaxation. If your
itinerary is so jam packed with trips here there and everywhere
you won't enjoy yourselves. There will be plenty of great photos
but you will all be exhausted and cranky. It's better not to
visit as many attractions and save some time for relaxation and
chilling out with the kids. Children do not have as much
patience as most adults, and trudging from one place to another
every hour of the day can stretch the family to breaking point.

2) Pack well. If you are prepared, you will enjoy yourself more
on your holiday. Plan, write lists, stock up and always pack an
extra amount of clothes and food supplies in case of
emergencies. Its great to travel light, but another bag does not
take up a lot of room, and that spare tracksuit or muesli bar
may come in handy.

All children get the munchies, so a few extra treats for those
long drives will instantly help the trip become more enjoyable.
Don't pack them in the middle of your largest suitcase furthest
away from you, rather have them easily accessible at the front.
Your handy bag should always include sunscreen, hats, insect
repellent, small first aid kit, bottle of water and a washcloth.
And of course the treats.

Don't forget the favourite travel games, perfect for children
who are bored and have had enough of endless scenery. The old
fashioned notepaper and pencils will always come in handy, and
for teenagers you may have to give in and allow some extra
technology. Another great idea is for the older kids to have
their own camera and travel diary to record their own holiday
moments.

Your children may never fight for their space in the back seat,
but for most of us who endure this generational curse, some
simple masking tape will ensure that boundaries have been set in
place. Simply stick in a straight line to mark out each child's
'territory' and they should keep their fingers and toes to
themselves.

3) Remember who's in charge. This point seems obvious enough,
but it's amazing how the rules can bend when one small child is
screaming loudly in the back seat sending another into a small
frenzy resulting in instant travelling chaos. The solution would
seem to be to pull over (again) and sort the kids out, but if
you are only half and hour from your destination, you have tried
everything and their needs have been met, sometimes it is better
to just keep pressing on and put up with the high noise levels.
The good news is that it will soon be over.

You will also be requested time and again (from the back seat)
to stop at a lookout or pull over at another service station.
It's ok to stop for a stretch and a run, but if you stop every
time they get bored you will never get to where you are going.
They will have a great holiday, but you will be frustrated and
behind schedule. The simplest rule is, stick to your schedule
with adequate stops, and remember that you don't have to see
everything that everyone in the family wants to see. Your kids
will soon realise that it's as much your holiday as it is
there's, and will sit back to enjoy the rest of the trip.

The aim of a family holiday is to create lasting memories and
relax at the same time. To do this well you need to plan a
simple itinerary that includes all the main attractions and
places you want to see, pack carefully and stay in control. You
will find with some strategic planning that your holiday will be
all you could imagine. You will have time to enjoy adventures
together in plenty of fantastic places, and have such a great
time you will be soon be planning to do it all again next year.



About the author:
Jenny Brewer is a travel agent whose passion is writing. After
spending her leisure time writing time writing childrens
stories, she now enjoys writing about travel destinations. For
more of her articles visit Car Hire
Australia

Help a child start a hobby in astronomy, and avoid the pitfalls!

I caught the astronomy bug at an early age. It was right after
my dinosaur-obsession and right before my car-obsession.
Unfortunately, my interest in
astronomy ended as abruptly as it
began and on a very sour note. It took almost 30 years for me to
decide to take it up again, and when I did it was hard to
imagine waiting so long. Upon reflection, I realized I didn't
just stop; I stopped out of anger and frustration. My mother
confirmed this recalling that when I was about 8 years old, my
father and I went out with my little
telescope for the first time. A half
hour later when we came back in I wanted nothing more to do with
it and wouldn't even talk about it! It's very easy to get a
child interested in astronomy but it's even easier for them to
get frustrated and quit. I've come up with four suggestions that
I feel may help you avoid the pitfalls I experienced and inspire
your future scientist to take up the amazing hobby of astronomy
and enjoy it for a lifetime! First, you don't need a telescope
for an astronomy hobby. You heard that right! The very best way
to start out is by learning about what you're looking at. And
you don't need any equipment to do it. Get a book on
constellations, sit down with your future astronomer (during the
day), and start with the constellations that are visible for
that time of year. Learn to identify the patterns, associate
them with their names, and read the stories behind the
historical characters they are named after. Kids have amazing
memories and are fantastic at learning patterns and associating
the names with them. Perfect for constellations!

Check out science kits,
science toys, and Janice VanCleave science experiment books,
they are a great way to get started. After your child has become
familiar with and can identify some of the constellations in the
book, wait for a dark clear night, lie out on a blanket, and
identify as many as you can. It will be so much fun you will
count the days until the next time you go stargazing!

Now let's talk about what you can and cannot see.

The moon is amazing to look at through either binoculars or a telescope, but it's
bright so make sure you have a moon filter so you don't hurt
your eyes! A moon filter is like wearing sunglasses, it reduces
the amount of light entering your eye(s). And don't observe the
moon when it's full, it's too washed out. Shadows bring out
details in craters and other landscape features. Meteor showers
are fun and there are schedules that will tell you when and
where to look for them. Constellations are easy to see with the
naked eye, but try to go out during a new moon (also called a
dark moon) or close to it. The brighter the moon the harder it
is to see celestial objects. With binoculars you will be able to
see many open clusters and globular clusters, quite beautiful!
With a low powered telescope you'll be able to see both types of
clusters, some double stars, and a few nebulae. You may also get
to see Jupiter and Saturn. The only galaxy you should expect to
see is Andromeda (M31), the closest large galaxy to the Milky
Way. Unless you live under extremely dark skies and have a big
telescope, galaxies are just too faint and too far away to see.
Even Andromeda will look like a faint fuzzy in most parts of the
country. This leads right into my second postulate. Objects seen
through a telescope rarely look like the clear, colorful, large
photos you see. The human eye is unable to see the color that
can be picked up by a camera. Therefore, a nebula that shows up
in photos with wonderful reds and purples, and sticks out in
sharp contrast to neighboring stars will look gray, faint, and
ghostly through your telescope. And that's if you can see it at
all. Jupiter will show some color, but the image will be very
small in your eyepiece and making out details will be difficult.
I'm not saying the objects you see will be disappointing, quite
the contrary. But if expectations are set too high for a child,
the let-down can be damaging. Learning about the objects first
will make them much more interesting to observe. Let's take the
following example: Imagine looking at a globular cluster
(personally, my favorite object in the sky). Looks pretty
amazing through your telescope, believe me. But look at it again
knowing its M-13 or Messier 13, the Hercules Cluster, the best
globular cluster north of the celestial equator. This is a naked
eye object under very dark skies with 500,000 stars extending
150 light years across and a distance of 26,000 light years from
Earth. Discovered by Edmond Halley (of Halley's Comet) in 1714.
While Messier never saw its individual stars, even a small
telescope brings out the details in this magnificent mass of
stars. This globular cluster is about 14 billion years old!
Three dark rifts radiate outward from near the center, like a
dark "propeller". M-13 is located in the constellation Hercules,
son of Zeus, the hero who was made to perform twelve great tasks
to cleanse himself after he went temporarily insane, killing his
wife and children. Even if your child can't grasp all the
concepts, do you see how the constellation and the objects now
have life? Third, (as I've previously mentioned) you need to
manage a child's expectations. If they expect to see a big,
bright, colorful object, and they end up having to struggle to
see a bland, blurry one that takes you a long time to find, they
will get frustrated and lose interest. Kids have big
imaginations as we can see by the cartoons they watch. Their
world is big, loud, and colorful and their attention span is
short. It also depends on what age your child is. The Janice
VanCleave science experiment books are for kids 8 years and
older, and that's probably a good age to start them with a
telescope. They may be interested in constellations at an
earlier age but when it comes time to look at things through the
telescope it's a little tougher. Astronomy can be a slow and
deliberate hobby, with beauty in the very subtle details of the
objects. As a parent you need to decide when to start your child
in this fantastic hobby. If they have become interested, teach
them as much as they can soak up! And fourth, when you are ready
to buy a telescope, don't buy a cheap piece of junk! Now let me
tell you how I really feel.  You don't need to spend a
lot of money, but buying an inferior scope is a recipe for
disaster. Walking through department stores you'll notice the
no-name brand telescopes being sold that advertise 400x power
(sounds good, right?) and show beautiful large color pictures of
heavenly objects on the box. As we've discussed, you won't be
seeing those objects on the box the way they are shown, but it's
a nice marketing tool. Cheap telescopes don't focus well and 400
power just blurs images. A low power scope with quality optics
is the best way to go, and they are inexpensive. A great source
on the web is Science Store for the Stars for telescopes and
Janice VanCleave science books. Years after I put my telescope
into "storage", I got it out again and took it apart to see what
was inside. The primary mirror was basically a piece of tin foil
that reflected the little bit of light it could muster onto a
small mirror that looked just like the hand mirror a dentist
puts into your mouth. It was a complete piece of junk! It never
focused or showed anything in detail. Even the moon was blurry.
No wonder I angrily quit the hobby! Of course there was no way
for my parents to know, and how would you? Very briefly let's
talk about telescopes. The purpose of a telescope is to first,
capture light with the primary mirror or refracting lens(s), and
second, to focus it (with an eyepiece) into a clear and sharp
image. The eyepieces are what give you different powers (also
called magnifications). One lesson I learned rather quickly was
that you don't need an expensive, large, and powerful scope to
see some of the best objects in the sky. But you do need a
quality telescope. There are many different designs of
telescopes, but there are really only 2 types; refractors and
reflectors. Refractor telescopes use lenses like binoculars to
refract or bend the light coming in. Reflectors, on the other
hand, use a primary mirror which reflects light to a smaller
secondary mirror, then through an eyepiece (a lens) before it
gets to your eye. There are many different kinds of reflectors
including the Dobsonian, SCT or Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope,
Maksutov-Cassegrain, Newtonian reflectors, Ritchey-Chretien, and
others. We won't get into the specifics of these, but the
different types of reflectors all basically work the same way;
by reflecting light. If you start by learning about the
constellations and other celestial objects and manage your
child's expectations, they will appreciate what they see. When
it comes time to buy a telescope, do your research! There are
plenty of inexpensive telescopes with quality optics out there.
Try Science Store for the Stars for great starter scopes by
Smithsonian and Educational Insights. Both are affordable with
high quality optics. They also have Janice VanCleave science
books on astronomy and constellations. If you follow these
guidelines, you and your young astronomer will enjoy the hobby
of astronomy for a lifetime!

Copyright © Thomas J Ryan - Science Store for the Stars 2007

About the author:
Tom Ryan owns Science Store for the Stars, an online retailer of
science kits, toys, games, experiment books, telescopes,
microscopes and more. Science educational products for future
scientists of all ages!

What every parent should know about their ADHD child

No doubt that, as a parent, being told that your youngster is an
ADHD child will unleash a torrent of often conflicting emotions
within you.

You may feel that things have suddenly become a little 'skewed',
and that you are no longer in charge of your life or that of
your child, either.

You will perhaps feel a terrible, but nevertheless natural,
surge of sadness, frustration and remorse.

In some ways, you will probably even blame yourself for the fact
that your child has been diagnosed an ADHD child.

In the midst of all of these conflicting feelings and emotions
however, it is very important not to lose sight of one crucial
fact.

That is, it is not the end of the world and that the fact that
your child is now 'officially' an ADHD child does not change
them or your one jot!

You must accept the fact that many, many kids that are diagnosed
with ADHD (or the associated ADD) will ultimately be seen to
have gifts and talents that far outweigh their 'disability'!

There are quite a few ways in which you can help your ADHD child
to nurture and utilize his (or her) 'special' talents, and thus
deal with ADHD.

The first and perhaps most critical step is to know exactly what
it is that you are dealing with, by doing your research and
becoming familiar with everything there is to know about ADHD.

Quite simply, the more that you know about what being an ADHD
child means to your youngster, the more you will be able to help
them. You will be better equipped to help your child, and
understand their particular problems.

You would also be able to teach yourself about some of the more
popular or common ADHD treatments, and be better prepared to
face whatever might happen next. In this way, you can position
yourself to help your ADHD child to cope better with their
situation, to teach them more about their condition, and to
answer any questions or queries that they might have.

Being informed will be useful in readying you to work with your
child's medical professional to try to manage their disorder
successfully, too.

In consultation with your Doctor, you will also have to give
very serious consideration as to whether you can accept having
your child medicated. This will obviously depend on several
factors, such as the degree and severity of your ADHD child's
'affliction', and will also be decided at least to some extent
by your own individual opinion.

At the end of the day, such a decision is an entirely personal
one that only you can make.

Some parents have maintained that the administration of drugs or
medicines give their ADHD child the best chance of leading as
normal a life as possible and that, therefore, such drugs are a
good option.

For others, medication is a very definite 'last resort',
something to which they really do not want to turn until all
else fails.

However, no matter which path you should choose to take, you
need to make that decision based on knowledge and certainty,
rather than on guesswork!

Even if you should decide that using medications is the right
way for you and your child to go, you should not lose sight of
the fact that you still need to manage your ADHD child's
behavior as well.

By teaching them the basics of what constitutes acceptable
behavior and what does not, you will prepare your child for
life, teaching them the skills that they will need in order to
become efficient and productive in later years.

The strategies, plans and rules that your child must adhere to
must come from you. It is absolutely crucial that a children
suffering from ADHD has clearly defined limits set on their
actions and that they must be taught to adhere to those
guidelines.

You must be willing to encourage your child at all times, no
matter how difficult their behavior may sometimes become. You
should be their strongest supporter, and provide them with
everything that they might need to succeed.

Whether they are at home or in school, it is your job to help
your child to grow into a confident, self-assured and happy
person.

Rather than focusing or concentrating on the negative side of
them being an ADHD child, you should strive to recognize their
potential and try to help them to do the same. Make sure that
they are always aware of the extent to which you value and love
them.

An ADHD child is often susceptible to some degree of depression
and low self-worth, so you need to be aware of, and prepared for
this eventuality.

You must be ready and able to take the necessary actions to deal
with this situation, never forgetting, of course, that you can
always seek expert help should the situation demand it.

Finally, is at all possible, never allow either yourself or your
ADHD child to become isolated and cut-off from others. If
possible, seek out and join a good support group to meet and
interact with others in the same situation as you.

It is very often true that sharing a problem does lessen its
burden upon you, and the advice that you can get from a parent
who has been through a similar situation to yours is probably
the best advice you can ever hope to receive.

Do not be mislead into thinking that having an ADHD child in the
home is the end of the world.

Do not allow yourself to treat it as such, and the quality of
life for both you and your ADHD child will be immeasurably
enhanced.

About the author:

The author has compiled a FREE handbook of some of the best
writings about ADHD from the last ten years, and you can access
your personal copy from http://SteveCowan.com/ADHD/book.html. He
also analyzes the #1 ADHD Management Program on the net at
http://SteveCowan.com/ADHD and blogs on ADHD & ADD related
matters at http://SteveCowan.com/add

Autism

In this article, I will discuss what autism is and what some of
the common misconceptions are concerning autism. Autism is a
neurological disability that affects an individual's ability to
communicate and socialize with others. They might also be
experiencing issues with motor skills and processing information
as well. Autism affects each child and adult differently. There
is no such thing as typical Autism behaviors.

The exact cause of Autism is not known. It is believed to be the
result of abnormalities in the brain structure. Brain scans of
individuals who have been diagnosed with Autism show such
differences. It is also believed that heredity and genetics play
a role in the development of Autism.

Autism often occurs in those who have other medical issues
including Fragile X Syndrome, Sclerosis, Rubella, and toxic
diseases that are related to issues during the pregnancy. There
is a debate that standard vaccinations can result in Autism as
well.

Regardless of the reasons behind Autism, there are some myths
out there that result from uneducated individuals. This includes
the idea that Autism is the result of poor parenting during the
early years of a child's development. There is also the myth
that Autism is a mental illness. There is no evidence to support
that idea.

Taking the time to learn the basics of Autism will be
beneficial. There are many terms to be aware of. Knowing the
basics can help you decide what step to take next. You can also
find great resources to provide information and help for your
Autistic child. Early identification and diagnosis are key. If
you feel your child might have Autism it is a good idea to get
an evaluation conducted by a qualified doctor with knowledge of
Autism.

The education process of Autism can be challenging for those
with the disability as well as parents and caregivers. This is
because there are so many variable to take into consideration.
Support groups are an excellent source of information and
emotional release. Working with qualified individuals to set up
an Individual Education Plan is a great idea.

There is still much we don't know about Autism. However, it is
possible to live with an Autistic child and still have a fairly
normal home life. This means taking the time to understand the
disability, seek out resources, and find support for yourself
and other members of your family.

Most children who develop Autism will show symptoms of the
disability by the time they are three years old. If your child
is not meeting milestones in a timely fashion, they may have
Autism. The sooner a diagnosis is made the more options you will
have for helping your child.

For more information and resources concerning autism, you can
visit our website.

Author: Matthew Wagner

11 Parenting Tips to Help Your Child Succeed at School

For most parents, sending children to school is a necessity of
childrearing. The goal when parents turn their precious children
over to the school, be they toddlers or teenagers, is for kids
to be safe, comfortable and ready to learn. Too often, parents
feel like separate entities from their child's teacher/s and
school. As soon as parents hug their children goodbye in the
morning, parenting is put on hold until they collect their kids
at the end of the school day; and virtual strangers take over
the important parenting/teaching role.

Becoming an active member of the child's teaching team is an
important role for parents that not only encourages the child's
learning, but alleviates some of the anxiety that parents feel
as they place their children in the hands of the school.
Thinking as a team allows parents to become more involved in
their child's educational experience and opens up good
communication between parents and teachers.

Assuming that the school is of quality and the teachers
competent, what is the role of the parent in the learning
process? It is important for parents to understand their role as
members of the team and to respect the boundaries of the school.
Parents must also feel confident to step in, on behalf of the
child, when situations call for action.

Below are helpful steps for developing a good relationship with
the child's school and parenting with the goal of academic
success.

Establish a Set Bedtime Routine Get kids bathed, and into bed
early. It is in the hands of the parents to deliver well rested,
fed, happy and bright eyed children to school every morning.

Drop Off is Not for Conferences Drop off children promptly each
morning. Leave the house on time so children are not stressed
when they arrive to class. Give a big hug and kiss, give one
goodbye, and leave the building. Prolonging goodbyes is
upsetting to most children. Good teachers are equipped to handle
upset children, and children rarely continue to cry after the
parent leaves. By being strong at drop off, the parent models
and supports independence.

Drop off time is not the right time for a teacher conference.
Drop off is a hectic time for teachers, and parents deserve a
teacher's undivided attention when discussing their children.
Teachers are usually very happy to schedule time for
parent/teacher conferences at times when they can devote enough
time to parent's concerns. Short e-mails to teachers addressing
questions and concerns are usually responded to promptly and
with insight and care.

Observe a Class Make an appointment with your child's teacher to
come into the classroom and observe a part or all of your
child's day. Observing the child's day allows parents to see the
classroom through the child's eyes and from the perspective of
the teacher. Classroom observation also tells the child that
his/her parent is interested and concerned.

Get Involved Make time to volunteer in the classroom or school.
Tutoring and chaperoning are great ways to keep a finger on the
pulse of the classroom. Volunteering time to the school helps
out the school and more importantly demonstrates to children
that education is of value.

Create and Follow a Dress Code to Keep the Focus on Learning
Follow the dress code of the school. If the school does not have
a dress code, parents can create and enforce an appropriate
dress code for the family. Many parents mandate that clothes
exposing the upper thighs or buttocks are not appropriate for
school. Tight shirts and low cut pants that expose the midriff
in any way are also not appropriate for school. The goal is to
place the focus on learning and studying not on personal attire.
Choose clothes and shoes that children can play, do arts and
crafts, run and sit on the floor.

Monitor What Children Bring To School Toys, video games,
electronics, trading cards etc. are not conducive to learning.
By monitoring what children bring to school and not allowing
children to bring distractions, parents help focus children on
learning. It is okay for parents to check backpacks.

Intervene When Appropriate and Be a Child's Advocate The
parents' first assumption should be that having chosen a quality
school with quality teachers, that their children will be
handled appropriately. Situations that arise with behavior,
difficulty with subject matter and social issues will in most
cases be dealt with professionally and skillfully by the
teacher(s).

There will be situations that come up when a parent must step in
as the child's advocate. Parents should listen to both the
teacher's take on the situation as well as the child's. Parents
should be wary of looking for a short term gain at the expense
of the long term lesson i.e.: by negotiating grades.

Create an Atmosphere that Supports Homework Completion Find out
what homework assignments have been given and when they are due.
Create a comfortable, well lit, quiet location for children to
sit and do homework. Be available for questions and assistance,
and make sure children complete homework.

Reading to children or with children should be a part of the
nightly homework assignment and bedtime ritual. Young children
can be held close and read to, or parents can take turns reading
to and being read to by older children. Nightly reading should
be for pleasure to teach a love of reading. Reading before
bedtime will encourage children to use their imaginations and
give them the necessary motivation to read for themselves.

Sick Kids Need to Stay in Bed Keep children at home if they are
exhibiting any symptoms that are contagious to others. Check
with school policy, but usually fevers, runny noses, vomiting,
and diarrhea are all symptoms that should keep children tucked
in bed for the day. If parents are vigilant the school stays
healthier throughout the year.

Make sure that the school has updated telephone numbers for
parents. Children feel more secure too if they memorize mom's or
dad's cell phone number even if they never need it.

Pack a Healthy Lunch that Delivers High Energy Foods Pack
lunches with healthy foods. Proteins and complex carbohydrates
like carrots, cheese, crackers, 100% fruit juice, turkey, sliced
fruit are all tasty items for a lunch and will give children
sustainable energy for the day.

Dinnertime is the Perfect Time for Discussing the Day Sitting
down to dinner as a family is a great way for parents to connect
with children and discover how the day went. Parents can ask
questions about school subjects, social interactions, successes
and concerns. The family meal should remain upbeat, warm and
loving, a haven for the family at the end of the day.

For instance, one mother discovered during dinner that her son
was having difficulty understanding the oral instructions for
completing reading exercises in a workbook. Knowing that her
child was a visual learner, she shot off a quick email to the
teacher requesting a visual demonstration of the material in
addition to the oral. This simple intervention, based on a
mealtime conversation, solved the problem quickly and alleviated
what could have been prolonged anxiety.

Parents should not feel intimidated by teachers and
administration and should be comfortable discussing their
concerns with the appropriate administrative staff. It is
beneficial to everyone to be compliant with school policy. By
following the above steps, parents can become an important part
of their child's educational experience, their child's advocate,
and feel included in the learning process. In addition, parents
will help make their child's educational experience a positive
and non-stressful one. Parents should remember that although
their child will be taught by many different teachers over the
course of their educational years, parents are ultimately the
child's most important teachers and role models.