"Crayon Stain Removal" Step by Step To Clean Fabrics, Furniture and Wallpaper

CRAYON REMOVAL

Fabrics:

Place the article of clothing with your childs beautiful art work between paper towels.
Press it with a warm iron.

Repeat this process with a new paper towel.

Then clean with dry-cleaning solvent.

Wallpaper:

Put a commercial spot remover on the surface.

Let it dry.

Then simply brush the crayon off.

Wood Furniture, Furniture Fabrics, Floors, Carpet:

Spray on shaving cream.

Then wipe off your childrens handy work with a paper towel.

More Stain Removal Tips

"Shopping For Childrens Holiday Gifts" Don't Stress Out When Buying Them Presents

Holiday toys should be just as safe as they are fun. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for the perfect present.


It really is better to give than to receive. The holidays are that one time of year when everyone seems to go the extra mile to get that perfect gift especially for all the little ones in their lives. You've got to admit that watching a child get that present they've been waiting for is more fun for you! But while you're in the middle of your gift-buying craze, here are a few safety tips that will keep mom and dad's mind at ease.


Okay, so I know what you're thinking, I don't have time to do a little homework! I just want something under the tree. Just a few minutes on the web can save you hours in the returns line. This kind of research is focused on safety. Many stores are not up to date with the latest safety information on toys. In fact, I recently read an article about a woman that purchased a toy that had been recalled that she purchased at a local toy store. You can avoid this by checking out www.cpsc.gov. This website announces all of the most current recalls and can help you shop smart.


Let's be honest, silence really is golden unless it’s the wonderful sound of kids laughing. Most people want to avoid toys that make a lot of noise; but did you know that there's actually a good reason to avoid them? Certain toys that make sounds are not regulated and are actually loud enough to cause hearing damage to young children. Kids tend to put their ear next the speakers on these toys, and that can simply be too close. A good rule of thumb: if it hurts your ears, leave it at the store.


We see so many labels on products that it becomes “white noise” and it’s easy to glance over a safety label or ignore it completely. But they’re there for a reason! Before you get in line or press the place order button, take a closer look at the age recommendation. Many people argue that their child is advanced and can handle the more sophisticated toys, but when dealing with a child's safety you are better safe than sorry. Small parts are a disaster in waiting and we all know that kids tend to place things in their mouth. Marbles, magnets, and other tiny pieces must be kept away from young children regardless of their intelligence level.


Last but not least is a comment on cleaning up. It’s Christmas morning, mom and dad have their coffee in hand and watch the kids open boxes like 49’ers going after a gold strike. Soon you're surrounded by a sea of wrapping paper and empty boxes. Take a few minutes to clear the area, this won't just help your house looking nicer; it will help keep your kids safe. The fact that the toy is safe doesn't mean that the packaging is too. There are so many little plastic pieces and zip ties in that empty box that can be become a safety hazard in the wrong hands or swallowed by a family pet.


So now you have a list that you can check twice before your shopping adventure begins. Keeping these tips in mind and taking a little extra time before you hit the buy button will make the joy of the season cheerful and less stressful.


About the Author
Alycia Shapiro is a mom and a toy store owner. She has filled her store at http://www.sensoryedge.com with fabulous educational toys and furniture kids furniture that have made Sensory Edge a popular destination for parents, teachers and therapists. If you're looking for a great gift,

"Happy Family Picnics" Things To Keep In Mind When planning A Picnic With Kids

Planning a picnic is an event that the whole family can join in on. Because you want the day to be successful, everyone's contributions are vital. If you have children, don’t forget to pack items for fun and in case of emergencies.

Let’s start with safety. No matter where you have the picnic, kids will be kids and accidents can always be a reality. Bring along a first aid kit for any bumps, scrapes, or bug bites. A first aid kit is also a good idea for the rest of the group.

If the picnic is later in the afternoon or early evening, flashlights are a must. They keep older children from getting lost and can be used by the younger ones to play a variety of games. Some extra light will keep you from forgetting any of your stuff when packing up to go home.

If you are near the woods or at the beach, bring sun and bug protection along. Everyone should protect themselves from sun damage no matter how old or young they are. Waterproof sun block won’t wash off even when kids sweat during play. Bug spray keeps mosquitoes away in the late evening. When possible, bring along sun visors or ball caps to keep the sun off of small faces. You can purchase inexpensive visors and caps at your local craft store and adorn them prior to you family picnics.

Sticky hands are a fact of life with children. To keep their hands clean between eating and play, purchase some moist towelettes. A box of cleansing wipes will work just as well to keep hands and fingernails free of dirt and germs when soap and water is hard to come by. Look at the box to ensure the wipes are gentle enough to be used on the face.

Remember blankets and toys. Kids always seem to want to sit in the grass and play. A waterproof blanket gives them a comfortable place to sit and play with their toys where you can watch them. Sitting directly in the grass can make the skin itchy. If you frequent an area where ticks are a problem, sitting in the grass is not a good idea.

Since children can get bored rather easy, bring an assortment of things for them to do. Kids who don’t want to run around may enjoy board games. You’d be surprised at how a game of Scrabble® or Monopoly® can pass the time. Older children can ride bikes or roller skate if you are in a park or an area with trails.

Children love to picnic. Good food and fun can occupy a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Packing a few choice supplies can keep your picnic a memorable family event.

"Childrens Good Manners" Tis The Season How To Say Thank You

It's almost Christmas and there will be lots of family visits and many presents will be given. Do your children have good manners? How do you teach your children about good manners? This is a great time to teach your children about the importance of being polite and letting people know you are grateful. Children do not automatically have good manners installed in them, they have to be taught this behavior and then good manners need to be reinforced.

I think most parents want their children to have manners etiquette, but they just don't quite know how to go about passing them on to their children. One of the most important things children need to understand is that the best presents are kindness and consideration. Some of the best presents come from the heart, not in a package. Here are some ways to start with when teaching your children manners.

1. Always say "please" and "thank you." The best way for your children learn is by example. If you say please and thank you, your children will follow. This is the best way to teaching manners.



2. Greet visitors by looking up at their face and saying "Hello". Tell your children to always try to figure out what color a persons eyes are. This will ensure that they always make eye contact. This is all part of etiquette when greeting someone.



3. At the table, speak with an " inside voice. Using a napkin instead of your pants when your hands are dirty, is a tough thing for children. It's just a natural thing for them to wipe their hands on whatever is convienient, but it is considered bad table manners. Your fingers are not eating utensils, unless you are actually eating finger foods. Make sure they use their utensils when eating. Have your children ask to be excused before they leave the table. It may seem old fashioned, but it part of proper etiquette.



4. Have your children help clean up after a family gathering. Clean up toys that were played with or clean dishes off the table after eating. This will help teach your child to have good manners.



5. Help pick out present for family and friends. Teach them to take some time to think about what that person would really enjoy getting for a present.



6. When shopping, it is always nice to smile at a busy salesperson. You never know when you might make their day.



7. When you receive a gift, write a thank you note. If your child does not write yet, it's still great to have them color a picture or scribble a note.

Manners are not just something you do when we have holidays, but they must be practiced all year long. It is best to start young, but it is never to late to start teaching good manners. Your children might not catch on at first, but soon it will become a good habit. Be consistant and you will see results!

"Parent Your Children" 6 Ways to Terrific Parenting

Being a parent is the most difficult job you will ever face. Trial and error is inevitable when taking care of children. No child is the same and so they must be treated differently. There are many ways to be a terrific parent, here are just a few.

1. Play with your children! It doesn't matter what you play together, your child just wants to know they are important. Let them decide. This will help you learn more about your childs interests and concerns.
   
   
   
2. Take charge. As backwards as it seems, children like to have limits set for them. Children without limits don't feel secure and will generally act out in frustration and fear. Even adults in a new job, without direction can feel uneasy and fearful. You will find that children without limits will gravitate towards people who will give them structure, because they feel safe.
   
   
   
3. Eating a meal as a family. Statistics show that children who eat at the table with their families will eat healthier. It is also great for family relationships. It is a time to talk about your day. The happy and the sad. The best way to start conversation at the dinner table is to go around and have everyone tell what was the best or worst thing that happened to them today. You'll be amazed at what you learn about your children.
   
   
   
4. Let your children help. Give your children responsibility. When your child is old enough, let them help clean up their toys. Have them take their dish to the sink. This actually gives your child confidence, self-esteem and is great for their development. Start your child young and this will make your job as a parent a whole lot easier later on.
   
   
   
5. Read books together every day. Read to your baby daily. Even from the time they are just new born. Babies love to listen to their parents voice, even if they don't know what you are reading about. This will develop a love for reading books at a young age. Children who are read to will do better in school when they are older.
   
   
   
6. Say "I love you" every time you feel like it. Give hugs and kisses every time you have the chance. It is important for your child to know that you love them. This helps build self esteem and confidence also. You can never show your child that you love them too much. The more the better. Remember, they may not always be accepting of this kind of affection, so get in as much as you can while your children are young.

Child Car Seats "Different Types and Installation Tips"

Your doctor will stress that your child should always ride in a safety car seat, but what's best for my child. Well all situation are different and not every car seat will work for every child. So here are some tips and facts about the different types of car seats that might help you in buying the best car seat. Once your child is at least 1 year old and weighs at least 20 pounds, she can ride forward facing in her car seat. Although, studies show that it is still safer for her to ride rear facing for as long as she can comfortably do so.
There are 5 types of car safety seats that can be used forward facing.

1. Convertible seats are ones that can be used rear facing or forward facing.
2. Forward facing toddler seats can only be used forward facing with a harness. These are for children who weigh up to 80 pound. You must check the specifications on each model, because some can only be used up to 40 pounds.
3. There are car seats that can be used forward facing or as a booster. These are called a combination forward facing/booster seat. These car seats can be used forward facing for children weighing up to 40 to 65 pounds, depending on the model. They can be used as a booster car seat without the harness for children weighing up to 80 to 100 pounds.
4. Some vehicles are made with forward facing car seats built right in. Read your vehicle owner's manual to find out the weight and height limits for your particular vehicle. They will vary.
5. Travel vests are a pretty new product on the market. They are a safe alternative for forward facing child car seats. Travel vests can be useful when you have a vehicle with only lap seat belts in the back seat. They are great to move from vehicle to vehicle, so you do not have to take your car seat in and out. Travel are used for large toddlers who can no longer fit in a traditional car safety seat or for children who just simply will not stay in their car seat. They can be used for children between 20 pounds all the way up to 168 pounds.

Installation tips for forward-facing seats

1. The car safety seat must be installed tightly in the car. The harness should fit snug against your child.
2. When rear facing, the shoulder straps must be in the slot at or below your child's shoulders. To switch a convertible seat to forward facing, you must move the shoulder straps to the slots at or above your child's shoulders.
3. With some car seats you may have to adjust the angle of the seat to recline.
4. Vehicles made after 2002 should come with the LATCH system. This is used to secure car safety seats. If you have this, it should be used. It keeps the car seat more secure than an ordinary seat belt. Check your owners manual for your vehicle to find out where your tether anchors are located in your car. Use your manual for you particular safety car seat to learn how to use this system with your car seat.

Always use your manual and your car seats specification when using and installing it. Remember, even though you think your little one is big enough to ride with just a seat belt, statistics show they are not. Even children from the age of 4 to 8 years should be in a booster seat. So keep your child safe and use a safety seat.

Effective Parenting Skills "Be The Worlds Greatest Mom Or Dad"

Do you strive to be the best Mom or Dad ever, just to be dissappointed when your child doesn't notice that you did something great. Like the time you spent weeks tracking down the toy that they just had to have for Christmas, only to have her open it and say, "Oh, I wanted the blue one." Sometimes it's exhausting to be the worlds greatest Mom or Dad, so maybe you need some help in.
"How To Become The Worlds Greatest Mom or Dad Without Putting Yourself To Wit's End In Raising Happier Highly Successful Children"
https://paydotcom.com/r/54711/angela7165/20773323/

Booster Seats For Older Children "At What Age Are They Old Enough For Seat Belts"

If you have ever watched a child in a car, that is too small for a regular shoulder seat belt, they will almost always pull it off their shoulder and place it behind them. It is never tight enough to hold them in case of an accident and isn't doing much good. This is why booster seats were designed. The problem is that just because your child is to big for his forward facing safety car seat, he is still not quite tall enough for the lap and shoulder belts to fit him. They weren't made to. Your child should ride in booster car seats until his ears can reach the top of the seat. This is usually about 4' 9" in height and between ages 8 and 12 yrs. of age. A booster car seat are made to lift the child up, so that the regular seat belts will lay correctly on your child and hold them tightly.

Booster Seats For School Aged Children

Booster seats are to be used for older children who have outgrown their regular forward-facing car safety seats. There are ways that you can tell whether your child has out grown his car seat and is ready for a booster seat.

• He has grown tall enough or has reached the weight limit for a harness. Your manual for your car seat will specify what those limits are.
• When your childs shoulders are above the very top slots of their car seat. The shoulder straps should be at or above her shoulders.
  

There are two kinds of booster seats, which are High-back and backless booster seats. They do not come with harness straps, booster seats are to be used with the lap and shoulder belts in your car. They usually come with a plastic clip or guide to help you correctly use them. Make sure to read the manual for directions on how to install them properly.

Installation Tips

1. You must always use a lap and shoulder belt with your booster car seat. It is not safe to use them with only lap belt.
2. When using a booster seat, the lap belt should lie low and snug across your child's upper legs.
3. The shoulder belt should cross in the middle of your child's chest.

Warning

If your car does not have shoulder belts, do not use booster car seats. You will need to use a forward facing car seat. Another option is a travel vest. Some of them can be use with only lap belts. You must check the manual on each one, as they are all different.

Make sure your child does not tuck the shoulder belt under her arm or behind her back. This leaves the upper body unprotected, putting your child at risk of severe injury in a crash or with sudden braking. Never allow anyone to share a seat belt.

Do not use safety car seats that have been in a moderate or severe crash.

No one seat is the best or the safest. The best child safety seat is the one that fits your child’s age and size. It needs to be correctly installed, fit well in your vehicle, and be used properly every time you drive.

Making Toothpaste: A Fun Activity for Kids

Are you looking for a fun activity that might be educational, too? Looking for a fun way to get kids to brush their teeth? Are you looking for just a fun activity? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you might want to try your hand at making toothpaste.

Materials Needed:
bowls
baking soda
salt
water
food flavoring extract
spoons
sandwich bags

Place baking soda, salt, and water in separate bowls. Assist the children in placing 4 teaspoons of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of water in individual sandwich bags. Add a drop of food flavoring extract, such as peppermint, mint, or orange. Let the children mix their own toothpaste in the sandwich bags.

This activity is appropriate for children aged 6 and up. Always be sure to provide adult supervision. Whether you are a parent or a teacher who would like to utilize this activity, please also make sure that none of the children are allergic to any of the ingredients used in making the toothpaste.



The educational benefits of this activity include engaging students so they will apply math concepts such as measuring, counting, and critical thinking. Some sample questions to ask the children: How many teaspoons did you use all together in making the toothpaste? Does the salt and the baking soda taste the same? How does the toothpaste taste? A variation of flavoring extracts can also be used. The kids could compare the different flavors, and then graph accordingly. Whether "Making Toothpaste" is used as a family activity or a classroom activity, its overall objective remains the same: to have fun. So, regardless of the reason why you might choose to use this activity, please remember to have fun with it.

Protect Your Childrens Eyes

Modern living is imbalanced and parents need to make extra efforts to protect the eyes of their children. Most children spend 3-5 hours a day staring at a computer screen, either surfing the internet or gaming. Children watch movies, play video games, watch hours of uninterrupted television and hardly ever go out doors or give their eyes a chance to focus on distant objects.

In fact doctors who treat children are finding an alarming increase in eye sight weakness and other ophthalmic problems like red eyes, irritations, and so on. There is a new problem, computer vision syndrome and 25-30% of children need corrective eye wear before they are even six years old.

Protect the eye sight of your kids; consider some of the following tips:

1. Always place things like televisions and computers at appropriate distances. Surf the World Wide Web for recommendations by experts.

2. Ensure that the child has a comprehensive eye exam every year the exam should include near-point and distance testing.

3. Teach the child the importance of splashing clean water on the eyes. This will removes any dust or bacteria.

4. Use soaps that are not harmful to the eyes.

5. Never allow children to use sunglasses or magnifying glasses that are not of good quality. Any eye wear or use must be optically safe.

6. If the child is going to be traveling or out in the sun for long hours, it is best he or she wears a cap that shields the eyes or wears sunglasses. The sunglasses must be bought from reliable manufacturers. Check the internet for high quality sunglasses at low prices. Before you buy a pair for a child check with the doctor whether the glasses should be prescription or non prescription.

7. Ensure that the child does not spend the whole day viewing close objects . Take the child for a drive, to the park, or beach. Teach the child the joys of watching birds fly, clouds float in the sky and so on. It will naturally exercise the child’s eyes.

8. Restrict television viewing and computer time to a minimal. Encourage the child to enjoy outdoor activities. Hand held computer games to strain the eye.

It is our duty to bring up kids in the healthiest way possible. Include in the child’s diet vegetables, fruits, and fish; things that protect the eyes and prevent wear and tear. Read up on foods that are beneficial to ophthalmic health and are rich in vitamins A and C and beta carotenes. When buying children eye wear ensure that you buy only “top” quality glasses.Modern living is imbalanced and parents need to make extra efforts to protect the eyes of their children. Most children spend 3-5 hours a day staring at a computer screen, either surfing the internet or gaming. Children watch movies, play video games, watch hours of uninterrupted television and hardly ever go out doors or give their eyes a chance to focus on distant objects.

In fact doctors who treat children are finding an alarming increase in eye sight weakness and other ophthalmic problems like red eyes, irritations, and so on. There is a new problem, computer vision syndrome and 25-30% of children need corrective eye wear before they are even six years old.

Creative Disipline For Your Kids

I’m no child expert, but I have been a mother long enough to know what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes, as parents, we inflict more harm than good simply because we feel angry, tired, or frustrated. Thinking about effective disciplining practices BEFORE they are needed can help save you and your children a lot of heart ache later.

How do we battle whining or undesirable attention-grabbing behavior? Lengthy car trips, long waits in the check-out lane, or doctors’ office waiting rooms – wherever boredom sets in, watch out! My children require a great deal of input in a day. Usually, we travel with one or two board books or coloring books to pass the time at doctor’s offices. Singing songs or reading a story can help make car long trips seem shorter. Frequent rest stops to stretch little and big legs alike help reduce irritability.

We recently took a two-week vacation to the beach. After thirteen days of fun, my four-year-old was grappling with feelings of loss and sadness that our vacation was nearing an end. When she told me that she didn’t like this day, I suggested that we change the day to a new one. We ran around our beach chairs three times, tumbling in the sand with peals of laughter. It helped lighten her mood and mine too!

Sibling rivalry is another issue that requires effective discipline. Oftentimes, children need to gain distance from their negative feelings. When my two and four-year-old were at odds one day, I asked them for their help. Suddenly, I had two quarrelling children that I didn’t know what to do with. I asked them if they could help me toss them out the window. We took two imaginary kids, hoisted them out the ground-level window, and dusted our hands of them. It worked! They immediately began playing nicely together.

Acknowledging that children have control of their own feelings and actions can be very powerful. Our time-out chair is placed away from any toys or books in the living room. The children know that if they misbehave after repeated warnings, they’re destined for the white chair. Often it is enough to simply ask them if they want to sit on the time-out chair or stop their behavior. They are made aware of their power to influence the situation.

A heightened form of discipline is sending the kids to their rooms. I never leave them in their rooms for more than a few minutes. Asking them why they were punished helps clarify the situation for everyone. Oftentimes my four-year-old is so wrapped up in her feelings that she isn’t aware of what she is doing. Explaining why she was punished gives her an added understanding of what went wrong and how to avoid such behavior in the future.

Listening to her response is just as crucial. As parents, we often forget that children need to be heard, no matter how trivial it may seem. Parental explanation and listening are key factors in building a mutually respectful relationship. Your child won’t listen if you don’t.

Discipline means teaching or guiding. We all need a little guidance every day. Being creative and loving about it can help you have the relationship you want with your child, and you’ll have fun doing it, too!

For more ideas about positive parenting: Click Here!

Start Your Own Kids Cooking Lessons

Did you ever want to teach your kids to cook but don't know how to start? Or are you too afraid of the mess in the process? Getting your child involved in the kitchen and learning to cook can have long lasting effects on their self esteem, their eating habits and their connection with their family. It's an opportunity not to be missed. Different age groups can handle different tasks in the kitchen. Start by evaluating where your child is for skill level and get them involved in cooking. There is no time like the present!

3-6 years old kids are best at helping and assisting an adult while cooking. Stirring, mixing, creating and adding premeasured ingredients are all good tasks for this age group.

7-11 years old kids are good at simple 6 or less ingredient recipes, no bake recipes, using a microwave and preparing food for an adult to cook.

12-15 years old can learn to use a sharp knife for cutting, cooking in the oven or stove top, baking bread, pies, cookies or cakes are appropriate tasks for teenagers.

16-18 years old can do all other tasks listed and are at an appropriate age to learn to cook main dish meat recipes, explore and create and have fun with theme recipes. Preserving food and learning to shop economically will help them when they are out on their own.

So go ahead and get your kids involved with cooking just ignore the extra mess and enjoy the time bonding with your family.

Teach Your Children to Respect You

The most important value you will ever teach your children is: to respect their parents. And since you cannot pass anything on that you don’t incorporate yourself, you will have to start by first respecting your children. If they don’t feel treated like a human being, worthy of respect and love, deserving of your attention, then their cooperation will be in short supply. First, you show them respect. Second, you teach them to respect you. So how to go about this in practice? What to do if your children complain about the food, insult you because you’re picking them up from the gym 10 minutes too late, or if they don’t want to clean up their own mess? Let’s have a look at these situations one by one:

1. Are the kids complaining about the food? Do you hear a “bwerk” when they see what’s in the casserole? Well, you are no fool, are you? You just spent one hour in the kitchen preparing that meal. Before cooking, you spent one hour at the grocery store buying the food. Before that, you spent many hours on the job, earning the money to pay for that food. So you now start asking yourself, “Did I not give enough of myself for this meal?” Yes, you did! You do not owe it to them to prepare a warm meal every day. But you do owe it to yourself to get some respect from those for whom you make all these efforts. Enough is enough! You did your part of the deal, now it’s up to them. Teach your children to say “thank you” for every meal. If they have no “thank you” on offer but only muster a “bwerk,” then you are not making dinner for at least two days! Soon they’ll be begging you for a warm dinner, and God knows they will be very grateful when they finally get one on the third day! Never continue delivering a service that is not appreciated. You’d be a fool to do that! How does it feel to be toiling away behind the stove, all the while fearing your efforts and goodwill won’t be appreciated? This is no way to live! If they appreciate neither your efforts nor your cooking, then make them go without for 2 or 3 days, and see what happens.

2. Are the kids insulting you just because you’re ten minutes late when picking them up from the gym? Then stop picking them up from the gym for a few times! Make it clear to them that they have to appreciate your effort of taking them and picking them up. Don’t start an argument with them, for that doesn’t work. Don’t keep explaining time and time again that they should respect you, but rather show them by taking action. If they are unable to see the difference between the important facts (you are there to pick them up) and the unimportant facts (being ten minutes too late), then let them feel the difference. Next time around, simply don’t take them to the gym, so they will become aware of the difference and learn to appreciate what you are doing for them. Don’t settle for being treated like a slave. You are worthy of respect! Show them what it means to be a person who respects himself. Respect yourself and others will respect you.

3. Are the kids complaining that “there is nothing to eat” in the house, while the kitchen cupboards are bulging with food? What they mean, of course, is that THEIR favorite food is not available in large enough a quantity. Do your kids have this kind of complaints? Okay, here’s what you do: stop going to the grocery store for a while. That way the kids will have to first finish all the food in the fridge and in the cupboards (or go do some household shopping themselves, also an enlightening exercise). This also makes for an economical cleaning up of all those half-finished packs of crackers, biscuits, cheese, and the like. Then comes the next phase where there really is “nothing” left in the cupboards. Now is the time to go to the grocery store, and you can bet on it that they will appreciate the new arrivals! They will feel like there’s “so much to eat,” while in fact there’s less food than when they were complaining there was “nothing to eat.”

4. Are the kids putting tons of ketchup on their food, continuously ignoring your warnings to be more economical and eat healthier? Stop arguing about it, for that doesn’t work. Instead, stop buying ketchup all the time! For example, buy one bottle of ketchup per month and clearly tell your children that they’ll have to do with this one bottle for the whole month. When the bottle is done, it’s done, till next month comes around. If necessary, buy a bottle for each child and label it. That way your children will learn to regulate their “ketchup behavior.”

5. Are the kids ignoring your orders to put their shoes in the designated place? Do they go on leaving their shoes all around the house? Tell them this will be the last warning, and that from now on, any shoes found scattered around will be “launched” into the back yard. And then, stick to your promise! I had to do this once with my sun’s basketball shoes: I launched them outside. As it happened, that night it was raining cats and dogs. The next morning he cried, “What do I do now? My shoes are all wet!” I said to him, “Sun, this is your problem.” Believe me, I had to do this only once! Once your children know that you will do as you say, then you won’t have to do it. They will respect your word!

6. Are your children’s rooms a mess? You want the mess to be cleaned up? Don’t do it yourself! Your teenagers should clean up their own mess! So instead of arguing about it, tell them that they have to clean up their room before dinner on Saturday. That way you are giving them plenty of freedom to chose their own timing. Come Saturday evening dinnertime, go check if the room is tidy. If not, then there is no dinner for that child. After all, this was the deal: room to be cleaned BEFORE dinner. They can still clean their room right there and then, and have dinner when they’re done, but as long as the room is not clean there is no dinner. You could also say, “You clean your room and after that you can go out with your friends.” Be consistent and do as you say.

This is where many parents stumble when dealing with their children: they argue too much. They go on explaining the same thing dozens of times. Do you really think the kids didn’t understand what you were saying? If you have said something two times, then that’s enough. After the second time, you should ACT and not TALK. Don’t argue with them! Never argue with a child. You are the parent, you are the one who decides. You can negotiate with your child, but don’t feel you need to explain yourself. Kids have much more energy than you do, and sooner or later you will give up (or give in) because your energy is spent while theirs is not. They know that and they will win the battle! Don’t get tempted to go into endless discussions with your child. Learn to act after the second warning. Be consistent! That’s the only way to get respect.

Homework Tips For Kids & Teens

Homework has been a perennial headache for kids and teens as well as for their parents. Following are some tips to make homework time more effective and enjoyable for all concerned.

1. No TV. As a general rule, kids should not watch TV while doing their homework. It might be a good policy to have the television turned off any time it's time to do homework, depending, of course, where the television is located.

2. The radio is OK. Contrary to what many so-called experts recommend, actual studies have shown that having the radio on a child's or teenager's favorite music station can actually help him learn better.

3. Set fixed hours. There should be a set schedule for homework. This way, the youngsters can arrange their schedules and make sure they get their homework done every day. It's also a great way for answering those comments. "I'll do it later, after I've finished whatever," which is a standard line among kids when asked if they've finished their homework. You may want to set a standard time for supper and family discussions, followed by study time. If the student doesn't have other commitments and gets home reasonably early from school, some homework can be done before supper.

4. Set telephone rules. As a general rule, kids should not be allowed to use the telephone during those hours when they are supposed to be doing their homework. However, sometimes it becomes necessary to use the phone, say, for confirming homework and the like. In these cases, the parents should set a fixed number of minutes for discussing school-related matters so the kids can get back to their homework right away.

5. Create a good study area. First, designate an area where it would be ideal for your children to do their homework, usually in their rooms. Set up this area to make it conducive for studying by putting proper lighting, an area for studying supplies such as pencils, pens, paper, books, and other essentials and make the area free from distractions. It might be a good idea to set up a bulletin board there as well.

This is a good resource of something to help your child do better in school. Teach them memory skills that make learning easier. This is ideal for all middle school and elementary age children. If they are struggling to go from C's to A's or if they are fighting to go from F's to C's, this can help.
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What Kids can learn from the Martial Arts

Martial Arts are becoming more popular as the years go on and they do provide us with the skills that we need in order to protect ourselves form others. However, when it comes to kids and Martial Arts, some parents are wary of whether or not a Martial Arts school is for them. How do you know if your child will like the school and just how do you know it will teach them all of the right things?

Martial Arts and What They Teach Our Kids
There is a misconception that Martial Arts schools teach our children to fight. Obviously all Martial Arts consist of some kind of physical activity, but it is purely taught so that our kids can protect themselves against harm. In a world packed full of danger it is always a good idea to get our children to be able to look after themselves. At the end of the day there is only so much a parent can teach their child but once they get out into the open world, they are literally on their own. That means that they need to be able to protect themselves and Martial Arts schools do help them to do that.

Now, there are obviously going to be some kids who just want to cause trouble. However, generally Martial Arts are only learned by those who are serious about the practice. All Martial Arts require some form of focus and kids who are just out to cause trouble and fight all the time will not be able to stick with Martial Arts for long. Martial Arts schools never teach children to fight. If anything they teach the opposite, as using the skills that you have learned through Martial Arts to just simply fight, is opposed.

So just what are Martial Arts schools teaching our children then? Well, they teach them to look after themselves, to stay focused, to have a higher self confidence and overall to keep calm. There is definitely nothing sinister going on and Martial Arts classes are extremely safe to leave your children in. You just have to make sure that you find a good school. Do not get sucked in by the many fake Martial Arts schools out there.

Overall Martial Arts schools are good for our kids and they do not teach anything dodgy. If you do have a child enrolled in a Martial Arts school and you are not particularly happy with the attitude they are developing, then you should really consider swapping schools. It is all a matter of doing your research and finding one to suit you and your child. You should eventually find one and you can rest safe in the knowledge that your child is bettering themselves and learning to become more protected against the world.