|
|
The Editor's Desk - From Beneath the Clutter
Feature Article - Fall Fun 4 Kids!
What's happening on the discussion boards?
Guest Article - The Most Powerful Question a Parent Can Ask…
Free Offers
Classified Ads
Well, I'm getting the newsletter out this week, but both articles are by guest authors.
My grandfather is in the hospital with pneumonia and might not make it, so I'm very distracted waiting to hear what happens.
I wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Don't forget, you can contribute your articles or tips anytime for consideration. Just use the contact form.
Free Affiliate Marketing Tips Report - New from Jason Potash!
Looking to make some sweet Fall memories with your little ones? Here are some great ideas to get your family laughing, smiling and enjoying each other's company during these crisp Autumn days.
- Hit the trail.
Kids love to be outside. The out-of-doors is a huge playground and children
are naturally attracted to it. Exploring some of the hiking trails in and
around your community is a great way to spend time together. While you're
walking...
** Collect leaves. Take them home and arrange them on a piece of poster board measuring approximately 17 inches by 12 inches. Smooth a piece of clear contact paper over the poster board on both sides, laminating the board and leaves. Now you have a special placemat to use for the remainder of the season.
** Contact your local library to ask where you can find a guidebook on local flora and fauna. Take it on your hike and try to identify as many different trees, plants, and critters as possible.
** Go sliding. Sure, you take your kids to the park. But do you go down the slide with them? Do you swing alongside them? Don't hurt yourself, of course, but joining in the fun will make your outing that much more enjoyable for both of you.
** Plant a tree. Go to http://www.arborday.org/ and learn the ins and outs of tree planting, plus you can even get free trees when you join the foundation. Children love planting and caring for living things and a tree is something that will grow with them throughout the years.
** A little history. Go to http://www.railtrails.org/find/totm/archives/02-04.asp and see where the Rails to Trails pathway is in your state (US only).
- Stuck indoors?
Even if the weather turns too cold for outdoor activities, there's still plenty
of fun to be had.
** Get several Autumn-themed books from your local library. Check to see if you can locate your books online at your library's website and have them brought to your local branch for easy pickup. Many large libraries now offer this convenience.
** Stencil a pumpkin. For little ones, drawing on pumpkins, gourds, and even apples is more fun than actually carving the fruit itself. Or use simple shapes to sponge paint directly onto the pumpkin. A little messy, but tons of fun!
** Need more?
Click here http://www.paintedgold.com/FallFun
to find more great resources to enjoy with your child. Ideas for parties,
gardening with kids, easy crafts, yummy treats, all with an Autumn flavor.
Even family tradition suggestions to get you thinking about the special things
you can do in your own family.
Before long the snow will be flying in earnest and Fall will be but a memory. Make it a great one this year, one for your kids to remember with joy!
=========================
Colleen Langenfeld offers helpful ideas to busy working moms. Use the resources at http://www.paintedgold.com to make your life as a mom feel easier, healthier, and better!
Add to Your Social Bookmarks:
Del.icio.us
Furl
Reddit
Simpy
Spurl
Y! MyWeb - Netscape
Google Has Enough Data To Pull You Out Of A Crowd in General Chatter - Knight, Fri 04-Jul-08 (1 Reply)
Happy 4th of July! in General Chatter - Knight, Fri 04-Jul-08 (1 Reply)
Hi from Bulgaria! in Introduce Yourself - stephfoster, Thu 03-Jul-08 (3 Replies)
In my spare time, I like to... in Hobbies - Audrey, Thu 03-Jul-08 (3 Replies)
How do I find serious business partners? in General Home Business - dencho, Thu 03-Jul-08 (5 Replies)
The question I have for you drives right to the heart of the matter. It could alter that tired, haggard feeling you have at the end of a day or weekend. It could alter the life of your children for the better and the life of their future partner. More than that, it could even alter your community, because once I’ve told you the question and you’ve seen how powerful it is you’ll want to share it with your brother, sister, neighbours and friends.
Before I ask you my question I want to set the scene. You’re a loving parent striving to give your children the best life you can offer. You race around the household picking up their dirty underwear from under the bed, collecting the towels from the bathroom floor and spend whatever time it takes to knock up their favourite food while one of your children spends fifty percent of their free time surfing the net and talking in chat rooms and the other catches up on thirty hours of TV a week. Meantime, you…
Well, sometimes you might feel tired. Sometimes deflated. Sometimes unappreciated and perhaps just a tad grumpy! If you relate to any of what I describe then my question will change it all for you and I recommend you read on.
For women, age-old family values still play a big part. Values passed on – mother-to-mother – combine with the natural instincts to love, support and nurture. And despite doing a day job you probably still arrive home and strive to take care of your family in the way your mother took care of you. But are your mother’s old values working for you and, just as importantly, are they working for your children?
So, here is the question…
What kind of children do you want to raise?
Do we want to raise well-rounded, confident, considerate children that show gratitude and appreciation for all that is given to them and just a fraction of what you do for them? Do you want strong, loving children, who understand and accept responsibility for their ‘self’ and the ones they love. If you do then I have a second question for you…
Will the current behaviour in your household make that happen?
Will chatting to strangers on the internet during a large part of her free time help your daughter become a confident, considerate woman? Will Homer Simpson help your son to respect his ‘self’ and the ones he loves? And will you picking up their sweaty, crumpled, underwear help them to become responsible for their own lives?
I recently overheard a woman talking about her 12 year-old son. She confessed to laying out his clothes each morning, packing his school bag with books and food and then she said, “Because if I don’t, he’ll forget.” This shocked me and here is why…
My own children, since the age of five have done all the things that a lot of mother’s still do. Why? Because I am their parent – their guide and leader, not their nanny – and as such I have a responsibility to first nurture, then educate, then, as soon as they are ready, hand over responsibility for their wellbeing to them. Children who take part in their own life – pick up their dirty linen, contribute to dinner and tidying their home – go on to become confident, well-rounded, respectful kids; and children who don’t… well they’re the ones you might moan about to your friends when you witness them disrespecting both other human beings and the environment.
Begin by directing your children to take on small tasks. Ask them to put their clothes in a washing basket or hang a towel up. Ask them to bring their plates to the sink and wash them after dinner and tell them they are helping you and that you really appreciate their help. Give them a hug for their help and they might do even more! As they get better increase the tasks. Ask them to cut the grass for you, iron the clothes or cook dinner. And if you think that is too much responsibility then think about this…
A Maasai tribe leader appointed a seven year-old girl as the person in charge of two-thirds of his village’s wealth. The wealth was not held in money, but in three camels. The girl was responsible for ensuring that these camels stayed safe and well fed and she knew if she failed to do this properly then the villagers may end up starving. Maybe we could trust our children with a vacuum or a mop or a duster once or twice a week!
Help your children to find purpose in life. Find more time for your ‘self’ so you can to define your own purpose more strongly.
Neil Millar writes monthly articles for Unstoppable Life’s FREE newsletter. He invites you to join the fast growing newsletter aimed at people who want to find more energy in their home-life and greater rewards at work.
Join Neil’s readership at Unstoppable Life and get a FREE copy of his e-book, Steps to Greater Happiness. It’s FREE. Sign up at www.UnstoppableLife.com
Do you like freebies? Perhaps this week's free offer will interest you:
Have fun! Test products! Get free*, fabulous gifts!
If you offer a freebie, let me know! I will consider it for inclusion here and in the freebie section of the website.
Want to find more free offers? Search here to see if there's a freebie for your needs.
============================================================
The Internet Marketing Center's top rated Affiliate Program
is 100% free to join and gives you the ability to INSTANTLY
GENERATE AN ONGOING STREAM OF INCOME without any cost or
obligation on your part.
To start maximizing the profit-producing power of your web
site in the next 10 minutes, click here and take advantage of the arsenal of Internet marketing
tools they provide you with just for joining!
============================================================
Make bundles of Cash on Google P/T F/T
Let us tell you about people who are doing it and how you
can do it too… It's fast, easy and can be done from home
part or full time (no previous experience necessary).
Click here to start making money on Google.
Site Map - Press Room - Disclaimer - Disclosure
Copyright © 2003-2008 Stephanie Foster unless otherwise indicated
Enter to win a FREE SBI website! Drawing held on the first of each month.
Save $10 Download ZoneAlarm Security Suite
Jewels to Remember - Fine Jewelry Christmas Gifts for all budgets