June 29, 2010 – Here are three ideas to make the most of your low-key summer, without sacrificing the memory making or learning opportunities that we associate with being on the go.

June 29, 2010 – When, exactly, are we supposed to find the time or the words to talk about meaningful topics like injustice, simplicity, death, or faithfulness?

Take a look at these related posts:

• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading

I know most of you are WAHM and know how it is but, this is the first time for me and I don’t know how am I going to entertain them for so many weeks. We already have the pool in the backyard so most of the days will be spent by the pool but, what about those lousy and green days when it’s to cold to go to the pool?

Being jobless after 22 years of full time workers brings us a lot of financial problems. We have a small budget and we can’t spend extra money. Although Disney World Packages are with an affordable price for most families, I’m not part of those families.We are really tight when it comes to money and staying at home, enjoying the pool and “the house” will be our summer vacations.

Of course we have the beach 20 minutes away but gas is expensive not to mention being all packed up with beach towels, snacks, sand toys, sun umbrella, etc. alone with two kids. I’m not saying I won’t go, of course I will. It is really good for their health to breath the sea breeze, to run along the beach and to play on the sand. Of course, I never forget the sun protector.

I only intend to go to the beach once a week. so, I guess I have to make a vacation plan with movie days, picnic days, pool days, and other kind of days.

What do you do to keep your kids distracted and enjoying the summer vacations?

What kind of activities do you choose to spend the time with them and still have time for the daily chores and blogging?

Take a look at these related posts:

• I want more vacations
• Hobbies: Beads and Pool
• Weekend: Relaxed Day and Camping … Again
• Day Off

May 7, 2010

Take a look at these related posts:

• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading

Take a look at these related posts:

• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading

sponsored like

Laura Barros’s profile on MyLikes

Random Posts

• Silkworks – Cocoons and Moths
• I need some time for myself
• Tough time: Chaos is on my life
• Fresh News coming soon

April 3, 2010 – I have been following this foster family for a long time and I’m thrilled that finally they have Boo. I can’t imagine Boo’s mom pain but due to the circumstances I think she did the right thing.

March 25, 2010

March 9, 2010

Take a look at these related posts:

• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading

February 11, 2010

February 5, 2010

January 31, 2010 – This is a terrific post with great points on how to get control of your finances.

January 12, 2010

Take a look at these related posts:

• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading

When you’re really angry, take a break. For example, take your children for a walk or call a friend to come help you.

If you feel angry with your child almost every day or have trouble controlling your temper, get some help by talking to your family doctor. He or she can offer advice and provide resources to help you. There are groups that can help parents, also.

Source: familydoctor.org

Take a look at these related posts:

• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading

First, developmentally, young children are faced with lots of tasks and transitions without being in control of very much. For example, when they get up in the morning, they might cuddle with a parent a little, visit the bathroom, play with a toy, perhaps watch a morning cartoon, somewhere in there is breakfast and getting dressed. These daily events can feel rather arbitrary when they are dictated by the adult in charge. If you are a preschooler absorbed in playing with your dinosaurs and a grownup suddenly expects you to drop everything and run to the table for breakfast, you will probably object.

Second, you have to consider the child’s temperament. If your child is slow-to-adapt (resists and adjusts very slowly to changes), then sudden changes will feel scary or uncomfortable and your child will protest. If your child is intense, then his response to such changes (things as small as being asked to use a red cup instead of his regular blue cup at lunch) will be strong.

Tool—A very useful way to avoid the emotional upset these children experience (and then inflict on others) is to rely on routines. When a child knows the sequence of a daily routine, he or she will cope better with the regular transitions and occasional changes.

“A very regular routine is the friend of a slow-adapting child,” says pediatric nurse Helen Neville, author of Temperament Tools: Working With Your Child’s Inborn Traits. A predictable daily routine will go a long ways toward helping a child feel safe and grounded. If a child knows what to expect, doing a task at a certain time will feel familiar and more like a habit than a request from a parent. A habit is much less likely to be challenged than a request.

Very active, intense temperaments, such as the Active-Alert personality type described in psychologist Linda Budd’s book Living With the Active Alert Child: Groundbreaking Strategies for Parents, also benefit greatly from absolutely clear and consistent routines. “Build them around daily habits such as bedtime, tooth brushing, dressing, and mealtimes,” advises Budd. “Try not to skip a routine, because every time you do, your active alert child will notice it and challenge you when you seek to reinstate it. When you change the order of your child’s life, he will try to negotiate it the next time around. Your child will say, in effect, ‘Brush my teeth? I didn’t have to do it yesterday after breakfast, why do I have to do it today?’”

Without established routines, your child may believe she is doing a task or a favor for you. When that happens, there is a strong likelihood she will question the need to do it at all. But if brushing her teeth is a consistent part of her daily routine, she can begin to understand that it is for preventing cavities, not just to please you. Sticking to the routine of daily brushing communicates to your child that she is doing the task for herself. This message will help prevent power struggles.

You’ll find more practical tips you can use right now in Temperament Tools: Working With Your Child’s Inborn Traits by Helen F. Neville, B.S., R.N. and Diane Clark Johnson, CFLE, and Living With the Active Alert Child: Groundbreaking Strategies for Parents by Linda Budd, Ph.D.

Source: Parenting Press

Take a look at these related posts:

• Parent Tip: Behavior
• Parent Tip
• Parent Tip
• Parent Tips

I know that I shouldn’t concern myself unless it continues after the age their permanent teeth begin to appear, around six years old. Experts say that the act of sucking implies some strength that can cause deformation of the teeth and in the future braces might be needed. My daughter sometimes just puts her thumb passively in her month and doesn’t do it aggressively, but I’m still concerned with the implication that might have in the future. For those who doesn’t know how your kid do it just closely monitor your kid and analyze her/his technique. If the child seems to be sucking vigorously, you may start thinking about curbing the habit earlier.

Punishing or nagging our child to stop won’t help, believe me, I’ve tried that several times. I thought about putting some stop nail bite on her thumb, I even tried that once, but is was too painful for her and me. She felt I was punishing her and I felt awful, especially since she indulges in the habit for comfort and security.

I’m going to follow some advice I found on the web and from some expert people I know. I’m going to try to find some alternatives to comfort her as a soft blanket or a teddy bear she loves. The key is to offer an alternative.

I’ve already spoken with a dentist and for now everything looks just fine with her teeth so he told me not to worry too much and that with time she will give up the habit.

What about you? Do you have any advice for me?

Take a look at these related posts:

• My Father is in The Hospital
• My Father In Law almost saw the light
• Adults can have Acne too, I know
• Still a Slim Laura

• New Job, New You – January 5, 2010

• Is there more to the Christmas “miracle” mom & baby “mystery?” – January 8, 2010
• How to Create Flexible Family Routines – January 4, 2010

Take a look at these related posts:

• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading
• Posts worth Reading

Image by arghoost_toons via Flickr

All parents know how important it is for to get reading habits, but sometimes they just don’t know what kind of books they should buy. Here are 10 tips for choosing books for children of all ages.

• Have children choose their own books as soon as they start showing a preference for one over another.
• Find the children’s section of your local library. Get to know the librarian, who can be a great resource.
• Find out what your child is interested in, and help choose books that are related to his or her interests.
• Ask friends, family, and teachers what books their children have enjoyed; try a book swap.
• If your child does not like a book you are reading together, put it away. Reading is a fun time to share, not a time to fight.
• Again, Again, Again! Children may want to read the same book many times, even if you think they have outgrown it.
• Use book lists generated by various literacy organizations; they usually have good suggestions. For example: American Library Association, International Reading Association, Children’s Book Guild
• Look for books that you will like reading aloud. Your enjoyment will shine through and become contagious.
• Try out different kinds of books to see what appeals to your children.
• Have fun! Show your children the joy of reading and how it can open up a brand new world!

I found these Tips at Reading is Fundamental.

Take a look at these related posts:

• Baptism
• Parenting Tip: Consistent routines bring predictability and comfort to your child’s world
• Our Hair has a Lice Invasion…Yeak
• How To Make Peanut Butter