-Make a list
Trying to keep a running list in your mind of what needs to be done can tax your sanity. Early in the game - as in months ahead - take some time to sit down and make a comprehensive moving plan, complete with details. Then your mind can rest and you can see what has been done, and what you still need to do.

-Purge your house of unnecessary items
There is a reason why people have moving sales. Both packing and unpacking are made easier when there is less stuff. You don’t have to have a moving sale if the notion seems daunting. You can give your items to a charity or give them away online. Some charities will even come to your house and pick up your stuff.

-Organize
Whether you are packing and moving your own items or hiring movers, be sure the boxes are well labeled. Consider specific boxes for special items, especially those things that will be needed right away: cookware, special children’s toys, bedding, etc.

-Call ahead and have utilities ready
Arrange to have the utilities turned on and in your name on the day you move in. Nothing adds to stress like not having running water or electricity, and trying to make phone calls to get the utilities turned on when there is no phone service hooked up.

Moving with children

-Make lots of special visits to the new house with the children
Before actually moving in, take your children to visit the new house as often as is practical. Take a picnic and eat on the floor or in the yard, or bring a special toy reserved only for the new house. Consider a homecoming party when you do move in, where the children each get a special gift that signifies their new home. Talking about the party you are going to have will give children something to look forward to.

-Encourage participation
Children feel insecure when they feel something is happening to them without any input. While children may not get a choice in when/where you move, letting them participate in as many aspects of the move as possible will help them feel empowered and view the move in a more positive light. Allow them to help paint their new room, for example, or pick paint colors (narrow it down to two or three colors you can live with before letting them choose!). If children get to participate, they will gain a sense of ownership of the new house.

In time, your family will settle in and your new house will become home.

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Children aren’t immune to anger, either. Anger is, after all, a completely natural emotion especially for child development. Our job as parents is not to prevent our children from ever getting angry. In order to do that, we would have to cater to their every whim, and that would be doing them a disservice. Our job is to teach them how to properly manage their anger. Here are five ways we can do that.

1. Set a good example. When you find yourself getting angry, strive to handle your emotions in an appropriate manner. Yelling, screaming and getting violent aren’t things we want our children to do when they get mad, so it’s important that we don’t do them, either. Calm yourself down in a way that you would want your child to calm down when angry, and he will usually emulate your actions.

2. Talk to your child about his feelings. When you see that he is angry, ask him to explain why. Sometimes it might be such a silly reason that by the time he gets done explaining it, he will realize that there’s nothing to be angry about. If he does feel that he has a right to be angry, talking it out will help him calm down and find a solution to the problem.

3. Encourage your child to let his anger out in an acceptable manner. When we’re really mad, sometimes we just need to release some of that negative energy before we can move on. Your child could hit a pillow, run laps around the house, or pound on some Play Doh for a while.

4. For children who are old enough to write, a journal can be helpful. When they get mad, they can write about their feelings. Once they’re down on paper, it’s easier to work them out rationally and let them go.

5. Sing with your child. Singing might be the last thing he wants to do when he’s angry, but it can help diffuse the rage. Help him make up a song about being angry, and have him sing it when he’s upset. This provides an appropriate outlet for his feelings and lightens the mood a bit so that you can effectively work out the problem.

Seeing our children angry can be difficult. But it’s important not to give in just to calm them down. Teaching them how to deal with anger will serve them much better in the long run.

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1. Get the children’s new rooms ready first

Have a box marked with your children’s special toys, and unpack those immediately in the child’s new room. Move the big furniture in and unpack their bedding and other bedroom accoutrements first, and get the room set up right away. Then, your children can occupy themselves with some of the fun details, such as unpacking their other toys, finding places for things, and so forth. Let them decide some of the details about the room, such as where their toy box will be or what color you are going to paint the room.

2. Plan a “new house party”

Yes, it’s another thing to plan, but in the end it can help lift some of the stress. Tell the children about the party and let them help you plan it. Have a picnic among the moving boxes or out in the yard, or pick up food from their favorite restaurant. You could even pick up a cake or box of cupcakes for a celebratory treat.

3. Get to know the people who will be a part of your children’s lives

Many of us are too busy to get to know our neighbors, but it’s a necessity if you are moving to a new area with your children. Introduce your children and exchange contact information, and encourage play dates with new kids.

Your children’s teacher will be a very important influence, so visit the new school and arrange a meeting with the teacher before the first day of class. If possible, establish contact with the school and teacher before the move.

4. Keep some routines where possible

Children love routine, and nothing disrupts it quite like a move. Try to maintain some of the family habits, such as movie or board game night, and try to establish a daily routine similar to the one in your old house. Go to bed and get up at the same time as usual, and don’t try to stay up late unpacking. It also helps to prepare the same sort of foods in the same way - “comfort food” is comfortable for a reason: it’s familiar!

5. Relax and don’t be in a rush

Of course you want to be unpacked and settled as soon as possible; but slowing down and taking the time to talk, creating a calm atmosphere and establishing comfortable routines will make things easier in the long run. If your moving boxes are clearly labeled, you can unpack what you need right away and take your time with the rest.

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What does it mean to foster children?

Fostering is not the same as adoption. When you foster a child, it is understood from the beginning that your home is a temporary refuge while the child’s biological parents try to straighten out their lives and become responsible parents. Foster parents are in the unique position of giving love and attention to a child as if that child were their own, but need to be able to give that child up to a permanent home when the time comes. That can be a difficult sacrifice to make.

What kinds/ages of children are fostered?

Foster children range in age from newborn to 17 years of age, and encompass all genders, races, and backgrounds. Thus, there is quite a variety in the sorts of children foster parents can have in their home, although most foster parents specify what sort of child they feel most able to foster.

How long does a child stay with the foster parents?

This is quite variable, and depends a great deal on the state of the biological parents. There are cases of children being fostered for only a few weeks, during which time the child’s biological parents get their lives in order so as to be fit parents. Other times, a foster parent may have a child for years and may even adopt that child. Generally, a foster parent reserves the right to have a child removed for any reason, or to refuse to accept a child for any reason.

How is the existing family affected?

The whole family is involved in creating a “foster family” - thus, everyone needs to be committed to the fostering process. If there are any family members who are not on board with the concept of welcoming children into the home and caring for them, then it would not be a good idea to try to become a foster family. The existing family, after all, will be asked to share space and toys and time, and children will need to share their parents’ time.

There can be no doubt that foster parenting requires sacrifice and dedication. But like so many things of that nature, the rewards are great and so is the joy. Parenting, after all, is not about what we get out of it; it is what we give to it that makes it rewarding.

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There are many benefits of having a good sense of humor and laughing each day. Laughter, when it’s shared between friends and family, can actually improve your relationship. It can also have a domino effect by being contagious. All you need is for one person to begin laughing and others will soon join in the fun. Laughing actually triggers physical changes in the body which means there are health benefits of humor as well as emotional ones.

The health benefits of humor and laughter include reducing the effects of stress, lessening the sensation of pain, and giving you a boost of energy. You can also expect to feel better emotionally after laughing, particularly if the laughs were deep, sustained belly laughs. Laughter can also boost your immune system which could keep your entire body healthier.

Some experts believe laughing can be as good for you as exercise. In fact, some experts think of laughter as jogging for the inside of the body. The good thing about laughter is that you don’t need any special equipment, don’t have to pay for classes, and it can be enjoyed anywhere. Best of all, it’s free!

Humor and laughter reduce stress. You can’t be stressed out if you’re laughing; it’s simply impossible. When you laugh the body releases endorphins which help reduce stress. It also improves your mood which can have a large part to play in how stressed you feel. Laughter relaxes your muscles and can help you remain happier for up to 45 minutes after the laughter stops.

How do you get humor back into your life if it seems to be non-existent? There are a number of things you can do.

* Start with a smile. Smiling, like laughter, is contagious. If you’re already smiling it will be much easier for you to break into laughter. Think about something pleasant or enjoyable. Then when something does or says something silly or funny, you’ll be laughing with them before you know it.

* Move toward laughter whenever you hear it. In most cases, if someone is laughing loud enough for others to hear them, it’s unlikely they’ll be upset if you come near. You can actually ask people, “what’s so funny,” and they’ll likely tell you so you can join in the fun.

* Spend time with people who are fun to be with. Children are great for being able to laugh easily. Some adults can easily laugh at themselves or at funny things that happen around them. When they start laughing, it’s easy to get caught up in the joy, too.

* Watch older comedies that you found funny in the past. Some of the newer comedies simply aren’t as funny as they’d like us to believe. Find comedies that make you laugh and enjoy them regularly.

You may have heard the song lyrics “Money makes the world go around.” That may be partially true. However, you may want to try humor instead. Learn how to get fun back into your life and feel good by laughing every day.

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There are some women who may never be considered to be a “classic” beauty, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still be considered to be attractive. Every woman won’t be a super model but when you really think about it, wouldn’t the world be a boring place if everyone was stunningly beautiful? Here are some ways you can learn to appreciate your inner beauty rather than fixating on the outward appearance.

* Define what inner beauty is to you. Is it having integrity above all else? Does it equate with being a good listener or having compassion for those that are hurting? Can it be said you have inner beauty if you’re able to see the good in others or if you have a great sense of humor?

* Whatever inner beauty consists of to you, determine to work on those areas of your personality. Develop your sense of justice, compassion, or the ability to listen and truly hear what others are saying.

* Think about how you can make yourself more attractive, but don’t rely on your outer appearance to help you get by in life. Do your best to dress neatly, have your hair styled in an appealing way, and think of how you want to be treated by others. Even if you’re not considered beautiful by society’s standards, you can still be attractive.

* Another common saying you may have heard is that the “eyes are the window to the soul.” If you’re unsure of yourself or don’t feel good about yourself, it’s unlikely you’ll look into the eyes of another person. What do you see when you look into another’s eyes? Are the alive with confidence and mischief or lacking energy and distant?

* Do your best not to make disparaging comments about others’ appearance. There really is more to a person than what you see on the outside. If this is true for others, it’s also true for you.

* Show others that you care about them. Encourage them to be the best they can possibly be. Cheer them on when they’re struggling. And no matter what you look like on the outside, you will have the type of character traits which will make you appealing and desirable to be around.

Make it a point to spend time with others who appreciate their inner beauty as well as those of others. Develop a good attitude.

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You can tell when a dog is being playful or when they want to be left alone. Some dogs even smile at you because they’re happy to see you. When it comes to helping your child overcome the fear of dogs, it’s a good idea to begin by teaching them to read dog behavior. If your child is afraid of dogs, take them to a pet store. They will have puppies and dogs for the child to look at but they stay behind a glass where the child and animal are safe. This will allow your child to see the animal without fear of being hurt. Don’t try to force your child to pet an animal. They may have good reason for their fears. Let them watch dogs from a distance.

This will allow them to see how dogs interact with other children and adults. It will help them to recognize when there is danger and when there is not. After they become comfortable seeing the animal from behind the glass, ask if you can see one of the calmer animals. The sales person will bring dog into an enclosed room where you can get to know the animal. They will remain with you and will be able to help protect your child. They may also have some more ideas for helping your child overcome their fear of dogs. Teach your child that when a dog is wagging its tail or its whole body, there usually is nothing to fear except if the dog inadvertently knocks the child down. Explain to the child that the dog is being friendly and that it means them no harm. This can be especially important if your child has been bitten or nipped at before. On the other hand, if a dog comes running toward them with their ears back and barking, the child is fully justified in being scared. The child needs to know to stand still rather than run, however.

Running may be an automatic response, but running will only encourage the dog to chase the child. Helping your child recognize the difference between a dog that’s friendly and one that’s not can make all the difference in the world as to how they respond to them. When being introduced to a new dog, have your children follow these steps: * Stand still; let the dog sniff at them. * Let them look to you for cues as to whether the dog is friendly or not. * After they become comfortable, or at least less uneasy with the dog being near them, teach them to hold out the back of their hand for the dog to smell. * Finally, when they’re ready, tell them to move slowly and then gently pet the dog on the back of the neck or the head.

It is possible to help a child overcome their fear of dogs. These smart ways may give you information you need to help your child. If you’re still unsure about introducing your child to dogs, ask a veterinarian or your child’s pediatrician for more ideas.

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Read on to find out what mothers the world over consider as the answer to the question, “what qualities should a good parent possess.”

Patience with a capital “P” heads the list. You are going to have to call upon hitherto untapped resources to find the patience to deal with day to day circumstances that arise when raising children.

Let your children know how much you love them and never be backward to demonstrate the love you have for them. This will teach them to express their feelings and emotions and help them grow into caring individuals.

Pay attention to what your children are trying to tell you. Listen without judging and try to understand the reasons behind their actions. Talk to them without getting angry and frustrated and they will talk back to you. Your children need to feel confident in coming to you with their problems; they need a listening ear and someone to guide them when they go off track. If you rant and rave you will only succeed in pushing them away from you and you can bet they are not going to come to you when in a crisis.

Make time for your children, set aside family time that is totally devoted to them. Take the time to get creative when planning family activities and make sure that you include their personal favorite activities as well. Every one is always busy and has plenty to do but that will not work as an excuse. Your children need and deserve your attention – give it to them!

Treating your children with respect means they will in turn respect you, your authority and your decisions. While they may not always agree with your decisions, especially when it restricts television or telephone talk time, they will respect what you say. This is the best way to encourage obedience.

Learning to laugh and stay cool in situations where you would rather explode is an excellent quality to have. This provides a calm and stable environment for the children.

Keep personal disagreements with your spouse separate from the children and never interfere when one parent is doing the correcting. Time enough to discuss it with your partner behind closed doors if you do not agree with something.

When you consider what qualities should a good parent possess, the list is seemingly endless. Hopefully this article will help you get started.

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What is the role of a parent in the old fashioned context was for the father to take on the authoritative role of provider and protector and the mother to nurture. We would be hard pressed to maintain this concept in a society such as ours. Both parents work and more often than not single parenting seems to be the norm.

Children need to know and accept that parents are in charge. Raise your children on love and teach them the art of respecting people. Honesty, truthfulness, sincerity are virtues you can inculcate in your child with the right kind of upbringing. Teaching your child morals and values in life is not something that is picked up as your child grows, rather something that is taught from the knee high stage onward.

What is the role of a parent? It certainly isn’t a dictator! Authoritative parenting requires parents to be firm in raising children, rearing them on love and warmth, teaching and guiding, avoiding harsh discipline and being clear in what they expect from the child, yet flexible when necessary. In order to be a good parent you have to walk a fine line between overindulging and overbearing in your treatment of children.

Families that make the effort to have family time sessions, share information, fun and laughter at mealtimes, and participate in the decision making will continue to strengthen the bond that binds. There is a very popular saying, “Families that pray together, stay together.” I would like to stretch that to include those families that share and care build an interdependency and oneness that continues to grow over time. Treat your children with respect and they will learn to respect you. If you have older children, involve yourself in their lives without intruding. Smaller children are easier to manage, get them involved even in your shopping activities and weekly cleaning and you will find they make willing helpers.

Children need to feel loved and wanted and that is the main focus of what is the role of a parent in a child’s life.

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You can give your kids what they like to eat, yummy foods that are delicious and healthy. Teaching a child to eat healthy from the start will avoid a lot of problems later on as the child grows. Overweight children tend to have medical issues involving the heart and blood pressure and then there is the psychological factor as well, overweight children get bullied and mocked. You can prevent all of this as a parent by making sure your child eats the right kinds of nutritious food and leads an active life.

Parents can develop healthy eating patterns in children by being innovative and making use of some very healthy kid friendly recipes that use vegetables and proteins in combinations that provide for lower calorie, vitamin and mineral rich foods will teach a child to eat right and enjoy it. Whole grains are full of proteins but need to be served up as appealing fare to get children to eat the food and calcium rich foods are a must for the child’s bone development.

Busy work schedules and microwavable food have seriously affected the growing child’s overall growth and development, because bad eating habits make for nutrition less food. Parents tend to think that as the child grows these deficiencies can be made up for but that it is absolutely the wrong thinking. Right nutrition goes a very long way in making for a healthy child and the positive effects carry on into adulthood, helping defend against medical illnesses.

Children who are raised on nutritious foods adapt quickly to the food and don’t have any problem with eating it, but it is important to start them off right from the word go. Potato crisps are yummy but not nutritious, while fruit is tasty and good for a child. While it is true that it is far easier to whiz through the market picking up snacks and other munchies, it is well worth the time invested in shopping for healthy fruits and vegetables. Buy more fish, which is full of omega 3 fatty acids that are excellent for the body. Always check the child’s food pyramid for your food options and try as far as possible to stick to it.

Make sure your healthy kid friendly recipes include generous helpings of the daily recommended allowances of vitamins and minerals. You can get the vitamins and minerals chart to help you closely adhere to the necessary daily intake and make sure the food groups you buy cover all of them. Children who eat healthy, nutritious food seldom need vitamin supplements. Your pediatrician can help you make informed decisions about the food you give your child. Calcium, iron, zinc and fluoride, and vitamins A, C, D and K should be included in healthy does in the foods you feed your child.

There are several good books that you can buy, which provide healthy kid friendly recipes to help feed your child favorite foods that are healthy alternatives to high calorie diets.

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While it is very easy to hand a bag of potato chips to your child to munch on, it will not give the child any nutritional value. Too much fast food, oily foods and over eating have led to a huge problem of overweight children across the country. As parents we have to take control of our children’s eating habits and steer them on the right path to eating foods that provide the nutrition the body needs to grow healthy and strong.
Children get hungry very quickly and if you have trained your child to eat right from a very young age you will not have any problem in getting them to eat the right kinds of snacks. Every growing child is going to need fillers between meals and it is better to train a child to eat smaller portioned meals more often. Healthy snacks are good fillers and can consist of fruits and other whole grain snacks that will add value to the growing body.

Supermarkets are inundated with kids snacks in exciting packages and oh so easy to just dump a few in the trolley and move on. Time savers indeed! These processed foods contain plenty of sugar that is not good for anybody. You can make eating fruit a lot more fun by blending it into yoghurt that makes for a very tasty snack. Alternatively you can also serve the child a fruit platter with a bowl of flavored yoghurt as a dip. Another alternative to getting your child to eat more fruit is to make fruit popsicles – goes down great on a summer day. Fruit smoothies are really very popular among children and can be made from low fat milk, yoghurt and fresh fruit. Your child gets the dual health benefits from fruit and low fat dairy products together. You can make up combinations of fresh vegetables and exciting dips or put low fat peanut butter on whole grain crackers. All of these ideas make for healthy snacks that are going to fill your child up in more ways than one with the goodness of nutrition.

When we are busy rushing around between work, the kids and home with barely a minute to breathe, it is very difficult to think nutritious when easy is all that comes to mind. However, every parent is urged to find the time to make up a list of fun healthy kids snacks based on the preferences of the child. Make a conscious effort to shop right; if you don’t have it in the house the child is not tempted to eat it!

If you take the time to consider your options to provide fun healthy kids snacks you will be pleasantly surprised, there is quite a list of possibilities ranging from fruit, pretzels, crackers with peanut butter, muffins, yoghurt, granola and so much more. Make the time – your child’s health depends on the food you feed him or her.

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America has a problem with as many as one in five kids being overweight. Children need to eat balanced, nutritional meals and healthy snacks, and stay active. In a world as fast paced as ours it is difficult to be there for your kids when you hold down a full time job but the effort needs to be made. A healthy lifestyle for kids is very important and involves making the time needed to prepare healthy meals for your children. If left to their own devices we all know well what a child’s menu would consist of and any child who controls his or her own diet by zapping favorite foods in the microwave is in for trouble.

While it is the parents’ responsibility to ensure a healthy lifestyle for kids, research has shown that there are several external factors that are also responsible for our overweight children. Fast food is the number one culprit with their high calorie content and portion size. More children are being driven to school instead of good old fashioned ‘walking the two blocks to school’ concept. Of course this can also be attributed to child safety concerns. With the advent of the television, video game console and the computer it has become increasingly difficult to pry a child away and get them outdoors to play. Ask your child to stop playing his video game and come outside for a game of one-on-one basketball; the look you will get as good as asks whether you are from outer space!

Camps are an excellent solution for tackling this problem; they are geared to provide nutritious food and a whole lot of interesting activities that keep kids active and on their toes. It is hoped that the right eating habits and healthy lifestyle for kids taught at camp will translate to the home environment as well. Some of the benefits of sending your child to camp regularly can be summed up as:
• Camps are designed to reinforce positive development of children.
• At camp the child learns about foods that are good for them; these choices are presented in a fun environment in the company of other children, making it an overall happier experience to eat the things that are good for you but you may not like.
• Camps have adult staffs who serve as mentors to support healthy behavior in terms of eating and activities.
• There is a range of healthy outdoor activities even for the most die hard television fan and it is always fun to get involved in activities with other children.
• At camp children experience learning made fun through group activities that stimulate and educate; best of all there is a firm emphasis on the value of good nutrition.

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One of the many advantages of family volunteering is having your family work on a project together. Not only can you spend time with one another, but you help someone who is less fortunate than yourselves. If you look at it like that, it’s a win-win situation.

Perhaps your family is concerned about the environment. You can probably find environmental projects you can do in your own area. Call the local city park to see if they need help. They may ask you to help pick up litter, plant trees or flowers in flower beds, or place markers to identify the trees along a walking trail.

Another family volunteering activity you can do is to work at a soup kitchen or center for homeless people. They have to feed those staying at the shelter every day so they’d probably be thrilled to have someone come to the center to help cook, serve, or clean up after meals. Many people consider helping during the holidays but there are needs at these shelters and centers all year round.

Is anyone in your family handy with tools? You may want to volunteer as a family to work on a Habitat for Humanity home or some similar project. If you get involved when the project first starts and see it through completion, your family can feel proud of a job well done and see the joy on a deserving family’s face when they are handed the keys to their new home.

What are some other advantages to family volunteering?

* You’re teaching your children about giving to others rather than always asking for something.

* Volunteering allows children to become involved in their community in a tangible way.

* It teaches your family to become stronger, promotes positive values, and teaches them how to work as a team.

* Having your children volunteer while they’re young will probably encourage them to continue volunteering as an adult. They may even pass the volunteering tradition onto their own children.

* Family volunteering can be a lot of fun!

Bring your family together by volunteering. You can strengthen your family, have fun, and benefit others in the process.

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Some families handle day-to-day life by creating detailed charts or schedules for each family member. They know what time breakfast is, how long to plan for each homeschool subject, what time they’ll eat lunch every day, how much free time they have, and when they’ll eat dinner. However, there’s no reason to believe this type of scheduling is necessary in order to balance your daily life as a homeschooling family.

Other families are opposite of the ones described above. They live life by the seat of their pants. They don’t plan elaborate schedules but prefer to take life as it comes. They may keep a calendar so they know about important appointments or events, but that’s as close as they get to a schedule. For them, living life one day at a time is about experiencing life as it happens rather than depending upon a piece of paper to dictate when they do things.

Does this mean that one method of balancing daily life is better than the other? Of course not! Part of the benefit of homeschooling is learning what works best for your own family. This may take time and some trial and error, but you will soon find yourself falling into a routine of sorts that is best for you.

Create an area in your home where you have access to good books and music. Having good resources around gives your child someplace to turn when they want to learn something. And the benefit is if they are interested on their own, they’re learning without realizing it. This method is often referred to as delight-driven or “unschooling.” It enables children to learn what interests them and allows Mom to be able to concentrate on taking care of the home rather than sitting with the child while they learn. Of course, even homeschooling moms know it’s important to be available when their child needs help, but they don’t feel obligated to remain right there with them.

Use real life events to help your child learn. If you’re cooking dinner, have your homeschooled child help you determine how much milk is needed if the recipe calls for one-third cup of something but you’re tripling the recipe. When you plan a trip to the grocery store, have your child write out the list of items needed. Then, while you’re walking through the store, have them help you determine which box potatoes is cheaper based on the cost and number of ounces are in the box. Both of these activities teach your child how math is important for daily life.

Get your children to help you with household duties. They can learn how to cook, sort clothing, do laundry, and stack dishes in a dishwasher. Not only will they be learning skills which will be helpful for their future, it will also make your job easier; you can also count the time they’re learning those skills as home economics - whether they’re boys or girls.

There are many things to can do to balance your daily life as a homeschool mom. Don’t feel like you have to do everything yourself. Let your partner work with your children on some of the subjects you feel uncomfortable teaching. Have your children help you with household duties. After some time you will be able to find what works best for your family so your life is more or less balanced.

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While old houses have the greatest room for improvement, there are many simple fixes that can be made to new houses to improve their efficiency for a better atmosphere for child development.
The author suggests not waiting around for the proposed Cash for Caulkers stimulus program, but to get started now. The article offers free suggestions for improving home efficiency such as…
Whenever you leave the house or go to sleep, lower your thermostat down a bit. It has been said, “If you consistently set your thermostat back at night 10 degrees Fahrenheit, you may reduce your heating bill by 10-20 percent.”
You can take this to the next level, by always keeping the thermostat lower and wearing warmer clothes around the house. I know one guy who keeps his house at 55 degrees during the winter. I can’t say I’d be into that, but I am sure his heating bill is a lot lower than mine!
Lower the temperature on the water heater to 120 degrees. If you have smaller children this could be a safety measure as well. 160 degree water coming out of your faucet can be a bit dangerous. Also, turn off the hot water heater when on vacation.
The article also looks at many inexpensive options for reducing home heating bills…
Open windows during the day - especially if they are south-facing. But close them up at night to keep the heat in.
Install Foam Gaskets behind electric-outlet and switch-plate covers.

SOURCE ChristianPF.com

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“It was definitely a chocolate and peanut butter moment,” added Mike Connolly.

Hoffman and Connolly are two entrepreneurs each owning what seem to be unrelated businesses, however both share a common passion, bringing health and well being into the home in a fun and motivating way. Now, together they are trying to change the way families approach health, fitness and child development.

Hoffman is the owner of Creative Playthings, one of the nation’s oldest and largest children’s backyard play-set manufacturers and retailers. Connolly is the owner of Creative Fitness Solutions, one of the largest quality fitness equipment retailers.

In summer of 2009, Hoffman walked into one of Connolly’s stores looking for a treadmill for his home. When the two met, lengthy discussion regarding the importance of fitness at every age ensued.
Hoffman noted to Connolly that they were essentially in the same business, only Creative Playthings was for kids and The Fitness Store was for adults. In fact, they were sharing many of the same customers who were ultimately buying products for different members of the family for the same goal.
Their shared passion for the importance of health and wellness was evident and the synergy between their two businesses became clear.

In late 2009, Hoffman and Connolly entered a joint venture to bring their two businesses together to form the nation’s first and only family focused exercise and fitness store aimed at giving the whole family fun and motivational exercise options that suit each member of the family’s age and lifestyle.

SOURCE Creative Fitness Solutions

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For child development, however, psychologists at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center recommend this annual practice be approached carefully.

Because children often mimic their parents, the cycle of resolutions — make one, stick to it for a few weeks, then forget it — doesn’t always set a healthy example. But Robert Ammerman, Ph.D., and Wendi Lopez, PsyD, agree that structured goal setting can be beneficial to the whole family.

Goal setting can be an annual family activity. This process teaches children about planning ahead and making commitments.
“Children should make New Year’s goals that are reasonable, measurable and concrete,” explains Dr. Lopez. “‘I will go a week at school without any infractions’ or ‘I will be on the honor roll this upcoming semester.’ Resolutions that are overly ambitious and can’t realistically be achieved should be avoided. Keep them simple, achievable, and positive,” says Dr. Lopez. “Parents should never encourage a goal if it is unhealthy or unattainable,” she says.
Dr. Lopez also recommends parents have similar goals to their child. If a child wants to become healthier, for example, parents should encourage healthy behavior and lead by example, such as buying less junk food. A concrete goal could be playing the Wii Fit three times a week together. This will not only help the child from struggling alone, but will also demonstrate the importance of teamwork and support, she says.
Because children like to see results, Dr. Lopez suggests a sticker chart for young children who can measure their goals on a daily or weekly basis. For older children, weekly rewards may help keep motivation up.
“Making New Year’s resolutions is not essential for children, and there are many other ways for families to bond,” says Dr. Ammerman. “However, the value of goal setting is that we own it and are self-motivated to achieve the goals. When children fulfill a goal or resolution, they feel satisfaction because they have set a goal and met it.”

SOURCE Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

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Love your child for who they are: Every child is unique with different temperaments and different interests. Every day they are learning and growing - and the new year is a perfect time to take a new look at what makes your child special. You can support them as they struggle to master more difficult skills and celebrate their unique successes with them.

Be a part of playtime: Play is how young children learn about the world and practice new cognitive, emotional, and social skills. A parent can learn a lot about their child’s developing skills and interests by participating in their play. Your questions, ideas, and attention support your child’s curiosity and creativity. Play interactions with you can also help them to develop skills to use when they are playing alone or with peers.
Talk about feelings: Understanding and managing feelings is one of the hardest skills children under five have to tackle. So respect what they are feeling by recognizing their emotions, listening to their thoughts and helping them to work through their emotions.

Be an example: Though your voice, your expressions, your gestures and your actions, your child learns from you how to interact with other people and with the world. You are in a wonderful position to set a positive example for everything from solving problems to showing compassion to buckling seatbelts.

Create routines and stick to them: Children respond to the expected. If you create a bedtime routine that has three steps and you do the same things every night, your child finds comfort in knowing what comes next and will respond in positive ways as a result of sticking to the plan.
Make mealtime special: Whenever possible, make mealtime a time to be together and enjoy a healthy meal. This not only develops a good pattern for eating, but it creates an opportunity to connect as a family.

Make books a part of your child’s life: Make reading fun. Cuddle up. Let your child choose the books. By reading to your children, you are helping them to increase their vocabulary, inspiring their imagination, and setting the groundwork for a love of reading.

SOURCE Talaris Institute

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The new “best” is unique baby clothes that are free-trade, sweat shop free, preferably made in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Europe or Australia. And “best” is even better, if it’s eco-friendly, made from sustainable fabrics, organics and bamboo. “These next genesis fabrics are full of color and are luxuriously soft for baby’s delicate skin. Long gone are the drab scratchy organic wools of yesteryear” says Torress.

Styles are preciously classic yet relaxed as we emerge from recession. Warm pinks and sky blues are modern again with aargyle and kimono side ties. Colorful whimsy prints are seen on traditional baby rompers. Think orange owls, rich chocolate trims, turquoise guitars and animal prints. Little girl dresses take their inspiration from the storybooks of renaissance princesses and a midsummer’s night dream. “Celebrity favorites are California designers Luna Luna Copenhagen, Made Sky Kids and Toni Tierney Designs. They are constantly mixing things up season to season”, states D. Torress. “Miraculously, they have managed to keep their prices at bay, while maintaining high quality and excellent work conditions for their sewers.”

Will the twenty tens be as fashion iconic as were the 60’s and 70’s? Then again, when all is said and done, every generation laughs at the old fashions and follows the new; and babies base most of their fashion taste on what doesn’t itch!

Source Recurrent Dreams

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The study sought to analyze the value of the Chefs in Schools Initiative, which was launched by Project Bread in 2007 with the help of the Office of Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Boston Public Schools, and the Boston Public Health Commission. The concept behind the Initiative was simple: over 74% of the nearly 56,000 Boston public school children qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, which include breakfast and lunch.

Clearly, many of these children come from families that struggle to put food on the table, making these children especially vulnerable to hunger and under-nutrition. The Initiative sought to make cutting-edge nutrition available to these children as an ordinary part of their school day.

To accomplish this, the partnership hired Chef Kirk Conrad, a master chef and graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, to work with the Lilla G. Frederick Middle School in Dorchester and the Mario Umana Middle School in East Boston. Chef Kirk, as Conrad is known by all, was charged with serving healthy, cost-effective meals that kids love to eat and creating an environment that signaled to kids, their teachers, and parents that school meals were crucial to their overall health and learning. Chef Kirk’s menus feature fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats — and remove excess fat, sodium, and sugar. These healthy meals are cooked from scratch, using fresh ingredients and herbs to enhance taste, by Conrad, who has also trained a willing kitchen staff in his techniques, who regularly test the palatability of new dishes with their students as they would guests in a restaurant.

As the final step in the rollout of the Initiative, the Healthy Lunch Study analyzed the results of this innovative program. The study compared Boston middle schools receiving the district’s traditional school lunch with the middle schools participating in the Chefs in Schools Initiative who received the healthy lunch. Results were collected from 3,188 trays and researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health stated their preliminary findings as significant:

Over three times as many students ate the vegetables at the Chefs schools as compared with the control schools.

Among students who ate vegetables, students at the Chefs schools ate on average about 30% more of their vegetables.

When only 1% white milk was served instead of chocolate milk, students still drank the same amount of milk.

Meals had over 50% more whole grains at the Chefs schools compared with the control schools.

SOURCE Project Bread - The Walk for Hunger

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All milk contains a unique combination of nutrients important for growth and development. And flavored milk accounts for less than 3.5 percent of added sugar intake among children ages 6-12 and less than 2 percent of the added sugar intake among teens. Studies have shown that children who drink flavored milk meet more of their nutrient needs; do not consume more added sugar, fat or calories; and are not heavier than non-milk drinkers.

Flavored milk is an important choice because:

Milk provides nutrients essential for good health and kids will drink more when it’s flavored
Flavored milk contains the same nine essential nutrients as white milk - calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents)

Drinking low-fat or fat-free white or flavored milk helps kids get the 3 daily servings* of milk recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and provides three of the five “nutrients of concern” that children do not get enough of - calcium, potassium and magnesium as well as vitamin D
Low-fat chocolate milk is the most popular milk choice in schools and kids drink less milk (and get fewer nutrients) if it’s taken away.

SOURCE National Dairy Council

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McNeil Pediatrics(TM), Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., presented the data at the U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress (Poster 303: Time Course of Treatment Effect of Concerta® [OROS® Methylphenidate] in Children with ADHD).

“Untreated ADHD symptoms can present challenges throughout a child’s day, so new findings on onset and duration of effect are important to understand,” said Matthew Brams*, M.D., a practicing psychiatrist in Houston, Clinical Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and an investigator who participated in one of the studies. “There’s benefit in medication that acts quickly and lasts through the day, providing treatment coverage when a child may need it in the early morning, through the activities of the day and into the early evening hours.”

The results presented today showed significant improvements in attention with CONCERTA® versus placebo as measured by a validated, time-sensitive math test administered throughout the day.

At one hour post-dose, subjects who received CONCERTA® attempted 38 percent more math problems compared with baseline (from 75.8 problems attempted before treatment to 104.4 problems attempted after treatment), while those receiving placebo showed no change from baseline (from 80.6 problems attempted before treatment to 80 problems attempted after treatment).

The results were statistically significant throughout the study’s interim time points, from the first testing point at one hour after dosing (p<0.0001) through to the final assessment at 12.5 hours (p<0.0001). Accuracy, as measured by percentage of problems correct, was similar for both treatment groups and was consistent across the period of observation (placebo, 92.1 percent to 93.5 percent and CONCERTA®, 94.0 percent to 94.3 percent).

SOURCE McNeil Pediatrics(TM)

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Raw carrots, celery, and broccoli were provided either with or without peanut butter for dipping and those not provided peanut butter, did not improve vegetable intake.

“We measured what they ate and were excited to see that even those who reported not eating vegetables, who are the most challenging group, ate a greater variety of vegetables with the peanut butter,” said Dr. Craig Johnston, Instructor at the Behavioral Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine, at the USDA-ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center in Houston, Texas who conducted the study.

Vegetable intake has been shown to be beneficial against the development of many chronic diseases, but consumption in adolescents is well below recommended levels and strategies to increase intake in adolescents are limited.

Peanut butter was paired with vegetables in this study, because it is a nutrient-rich comfort food loved by kids and adults alike. In fact, it was well received and readily consumed by the students in this study all of whom are Mexican-American.

The adolescents are part of a treatment group in a successful weight loss program in schools that is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). Though some believe peanut butter would be associated with increased energy intake, the study has demonstrated significant weight loss that is maintained over time.

In the United States, over two-thirds of the nuts eaten are peanuts and peanut butter. Peanut butter provides over 15 key nutrients and is offered in Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) packages because of its protein, nutrient content, and affordability. Numerous studies have also shown that peanuts and peanut butter reduce the risk of chronic disease when eaten in small amounts daily and that they can help in weight management and keeping you satisfied.

Pairing vegetables with peanut butter is an effective, simple strategy for children and adolescents, which helps build positive eating habits and increases vegetable intake. Eating more vegetables with increased variety, by providing them with healthy, nutrient-rich foods like peanut butter may contribute to healthier lifestyles and chronic disease reduction.

The Peanut Institute is a non-profit organization that supports nutrition research and develops educational programs to encourage healthful lifestyles. Learn more about peanuts and health at www.peanut-institute.org

SOURCE The Peanut Institute

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All guests who purchase a Mercury Milan Raffle Ticket, which benefits the Caring for Kids campaign, on November 6, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., will receive a Free Smiley Cookie, courtesy of local Lincoln Mercury dealers. The offer includes one Smiley Cookie per guest.

This year marks the 17th year of partnership for Eat’n Park and Lincoln Mercury, who annually donates a vehicle to the Caring for Kids campaign. The car raffle has generated $1.5 million for local children’s hospitals. This year, one lucky Eat’n Park guest will walk away with a 2010 Mercury Milan vehicle, courtesy of Lincoln Mercury dealers.

Eat’n Park’s Caring for Kids campaign has raised more than $7 million since its inception in 1979, thanks to the energy and dedication of Eat’n Park’s partners, team members and guests who are passionate about the success of this campaign.

According to Jeff Broadhurst, CEO and president, Eat’n Park, “We’re proud to be a part of the communities we serve and want to do our part. A big way we do that is to raise money for our local children’s hospitals to help support the health of the kids in our community. This campaign is really about neighbors helping neighbors in their time of need.”

SOURCE Eat’n Park Restaurants

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The national survey, released today, signals the breadth of parents’ support for changes to make schools healthier places–and their willingness to help make those changes happen. In fact, nearly eight in 10 parents are ready to get more involved to create a healthier environment in their local schools.

Conducted for the Alliance by KRC Research, the survey found that more than 92 percent of parents consider physical education and health education as important as English, math and science instruction. Furthermore, 96 percent of parents believe that physical activity can boost their children’s classroom performance, and virtually all parents (99 percent) recognize that healthy eating also has a positive effect on learning.

The results indicate parents’ increasing awareness of the impact schools can have on student health. The survey also suggests widespread parental concern over the cuts many school systems have made in physical education and recess, often the unfortunate result of budget difficulties and standardized testing pressures.

“Schools across the country are trying their best to provide healthier environments for students, but they are working against significant time and resource constraints,” said Ginny Ehrlich, executive director of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. “What is exciting about the results of this survey is that not only do parents understand how important nutrition and physical activity are to the academic success of their children, but they are overwhelmingly willing to step up and be a part of the solution.”

Among the key findings from the online survey of 600 parents of children in grades K-12:

* Parents nearly unanimously agree (98 percent) that their child’s school should offer opportunities for physical activity throughout the day, whether through P.E., activity breaks or recess and afterschool programs.
* Almost as many parents (96 percent) agree that their child’s school should limit access to unhealthy snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages.
* About two-thirds of parents (63 percent) believe schools play a major role in instilling healthy habits in students.

source KRC Research

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In “Words from the Wise, Parenting with Proverbs” (published by iUniverse), author Deana Cerniglia presents tips and straightforward, Bible-based information for making this job easier and improving parenting skills for all families.

“Words from the Wise” shows readers how to use the timeless words of wisdom from the Book of Proverbs to tackle tricky parenting tasks, maintain sanity and strengthen a nurturing relationship with the Father. Cerniglia offers solid guidance, tips and strategies to conquer even the most difficult challenges of parenting.

She explains that in order to be a good parent, readers must analyze themselves to avoid passing down any hurts or dysfunctional behaviors learned from their own childhood.

Based on the personal experiences of a mother with three children, this guide uses humor, stories and a friend-to-friend approach that acknowledges all parents make mistakes.

Source iUniverse

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Myth #1. Sitting too close to the TV will damage your child’s eyes.

Fact: “Sitting in front of the TV or a computer screen for four hours may hinder your child’s intellectual development but it will not damage their eyes,” notes Dr. Mark Borchert, division head of The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Nearly half of all kids spend four hours or more per day using computers and electronic devices, according to a recent national survey. Dr. Borchert notes that children can develop blurred vision, headaches and other problems when focusing too long on one object, such as a computer screen. Long video game sessions may have adverse consequences such as reduced social interaction or less time doing homework; however, they will not permanently damage a child’s eyes.

“If a child is sitting too close to the TV or computer screen, it is probably because he needs glasses to see well. Sitting very close to the screen will not cause them to need glasses,” said Dr. Borchert.

To make your child’s computer station more comfortable, make sure the screen is at eye level. Reduce screen glare by using a desk lamp with a dimmer so there isn’t a big contrast between the brightness of the screen and the room. Make sure your child can’t see her own reflection on the screen.

Enforce the 20/20 rule. Have your child take a 20-second break for every 20 minutes of screen time, either by getting up and stretching or by looking out the window.
The concern about TV screens damaging young eyes originated in the 1960s when some early color TV sets were discovered to be emitting high amounts of X-rays. The problem was soon corrected and modern TV monitors, including older tube-type sets and new LCD models, are safe and do not emit any dangerous rays.

Myth #2. Eating lots of carrots will improve a child’s eyesight.

Fact: Carrots do contain Vitamin A, which is a key ingredient in good overall nutrition; however, eating a lot of them will not improve your eyesight. Recent research findings have found that eating foods rich in Lutein, a plant nutrient, may help prevent age-related macular degeneration, one of the most common causes of blindness in older adults. Lutein is a carotenoid, natural pigment, found in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, plus various fruits and corn.

“The research is very preliminary, but it does suggest that Lutein can help protect against adults developing macular degeneration. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of green vegetables should be sufficient for most families,” said Dr. Borchert.
Carrots’ reputation as eyesight enhancers is partially due to the fact that Vitamin A sources are helpful in treating night blindness, also called nyctalopia, which can be caused by Vitamin A deficiency.

Myth #3. Only adults can wear contact lenses safely.

Fact: Children of all ages, even infants, can wear contact lenses safely if the correct procedures are followed. Under the age of 10, an adult will need to insert, remove and clean the lens. Many children over 10 can handle the contact lenses (wearing and cleaning) themselves.

According to Dr. Borchert, ophthalmologists may prescribe contact lenses for infants and very young children to enhance vision development when the eyes have very different prescriptions after cataract surgery, corneal scarring or diseases like Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Dr. Borchert said older children could manage their own contact lens care if they are mature and responsible. “If they make their own bed and shower on their own, they can probably safely handle their contact lens.”

He noted that it is not a good idea for elementary school children to wear contact lenses just for cosmetic reasons. Also, all contact lenses should be obtained through a physician, either an ophthalmologist (M.D.) or a doctor of optometry (O.D.).

Myth #4. Running with scissors is the leading cause of eye injury in children.
Fact. A recent national survey found that approximately 59% of pediatric eye injuries occur during sport and recreational events. The National Eye Institute also states that baseball is the sport responsible for the greatest number of eye injuries in children aged 14 and younger. However, basketball is the leading cause of eye injuries in those aged 15 to 24.

According to Prevent Blindness America, 72 percent of all sports-related eye injuries are to those aged 25 and younger. Yet, only 15 percent of children wear eye protection. Children should be encouraged to wear the appropriate safety eyewear, such as goggles or face masks, for every sport in which they participate.

“We need a cultural change in this country. Children who play contact sports such as basketball and baseball should be wearing eye protection — most do not. Twenty years ago, very few children wore bicycle helmets; now a parent would be considered irresponsible if she sent her child out riding without a helmet. We need the same sense of concern when children play sports,” said Dr. Borchert.

Myth #5. It is impossible to get young children to wear sunglasses.
Fact. “It is very important that young children wear sunglasses and the newer products with strap-on frames are easy for them to wear,” said Dr. Borchert.
The lens of a child allows 70% more UV rays to reach the delicate retina than in an adult. Most parents are aware of the critical need to protect their children’s skin from UV exposure with sun block, yet few insist their children wear sunglasses.
“If it is bright enough outdoors for you to be wearing sunglasses, your child should also be wearing them,” said Dr. Borchert.

New, colorful sunglasses with Velcro straps, designed for infants and toddlers are available in stores and via the Internet. They are comfortable and provide excellent protection from UV rays and foreign objects. Most young children adapt to them easily.

SOURCE Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

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Create a central calendar

Think about the activities you and your children are involved in that require you to be out of the home. Placing these items on a central calendar that can be viewed by everyone will help you know when you have to take the children for practices or to visit their other parent if you are divorced.

You may want to use color coding to make your calendar more functional. By assigning each person a color, everyone will be able to see when activities are planned and whether there is room to add another. Having a central calendar will also help you learn to say “no” when you simply can’t fit anything else in your day.

Ask for help

You’re only one person so don’t feel bad if you have to ask for help. If the ex-spouse is involved in your children’s life, be sure they are helping when necessary. You can also ask from help from the grandparents, aunts and uncles, or friends if there are two activities planned for the same time. You can’t be in two places at once, so you’ll need help if you don’t want to let one child’s activity slide.

Do your best to be organized

Besides having a central family calendar, it helps to be organized in your home so you can easily find items that are needed. If your child is always losing their homework, designate a special place for their book bag at the end of the day. Then go through their assignments to ensure they’re done and returned to the book bag before your child retires.

Having an in-box for papers you need to sign for your child will also help you be more organized. You can also immediately transfer any important dates onto the family calendar so you don’t forget about them.

Delegate to others

Your children may be without one of their parents but that doesn’t give them a free pass for helping around the house. Asking and expecting your children to help you may seem like two totally different things, but it’s important for your children to pitch in with household chores. Not only will they help you, which will make you less stressed, but they’ll also be learning life skills they’ll need when they strike out on their own.

Learn to say “No”

This one tip, saying “no,” may seem like an obvious time management tip you can follow as a single parent. However, many single parents have a hard time telling anyone no, especially their children. You’re not doing anyone any favors by saying “yes” to every request, though; in fact, you’re doing yourself a huge disservice. You’re allowing all of your time dictated when you need time to take care of your own needs as well.

No one doubts that single parents have a more difficult time than dual parent homes. These five time management strategies for single parents can be used with good results. Not only will you be more organized, you’ll also be able to take much-needed time to meet your own needs as well as those of your children.

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Although morality is often defined in terms of religion, it is much more than a religious concept. Morals are also defined by society, philosophy, and conscience. They are the center of how people make ethical decisions.

What can parents do to ensure their children learn morals? Here are some suggestions:

* Be a good moral role model. It’s often said that when children are involved more is caught than taught. This means they’ll watch what you do, how you act and react to situations, and how moral you are to learn morality. By being a good role model, they’re more likely to follow your positive examples rather than ones you may not be proud of.

* You expect your children to be honest, so model honesty before them. You’ll have a hard time convincing your child honesty is important if you tell someone you can’t be somewhere because you’re sick. This sends a mixed message to your children, and may make your child think honesty isn’t as important as you say.

* Respect others. Children may begin treating others the way they see you treat those in your life. If you’re disrespectful your children may disrespectful.

* Know your own morals and values. Think about the things and people that are important to you. Use those as the basis for how you make decisions and as the starting point to determine the things you do.

* Do what you can to help your child develop a sense of their own worth: a strong sense of self. By having self-esteem, your child won’t have to get the approval of their peers. Instead, they will be able to make rational choices based on their values and self-worth.

* Help your child learn to think for themselves, which will allow them to make wise decisions rather than depending on the influence of others to make them. With the various external influences today – peers, television, movies, and songs – you want your children to know how to think on their own.

Children and teens that learn to make their own decisions and stand on their own two feet are more likely to do the right thing. They may also stand up for the underdog if they see someone being mistreated. Having strong moral principles will help your child make the right decisions.

Ultimately, as the parent, you have the most influence on your children’s moral development. Help them establish good self-esteem, to think for themselves, and model morality before them. They’ll see how important morality is to you and will follow in your footsteps.

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Sportsmanship can be defined as the way you conduct yourself suitably to all participants in sports. Included in this idea is playing fair, striving to do one’s best, and losing gracefully. If these are qualities parents want their children to display, why is it there have been newscasts from around the world of parents acting just the opposite?

Your children may wonder why good sportsmanship is important. You may be wondering how to instill good sportsmanship in your children from an early age so it will be evident as they get older and need it.

Most children instinctively want to win and considered to be the best at everything. Unfortunately, the desire to win may cause some children to display poor sportsmanship rather than good. You might want to use some of these tips to help your child learn how to be a good sport.

When children are preschoolers their parents may have a tendency to let their children win. Although this is usually done from a parent’s love for the child, it can give them the impression that they can win at any game because they won against their parents. The better choice might be to teach your child how to play a game and then “let the chips fall as they may.” They might actually learn more about the game, and being a good sport, by losing at an early age.

If they complain and whine about not winning, let them know how much practice it took for you to become good at the game. You could also offer to play with them whenever they like, as long as you’re not in the middle of something else, so they can get better at the game and possibly beat you in the future.

Model good sportsmanship while watching sports on TV or in person. Cheer for your team, of course, but make positive comments about the opposing team. Say something about the good defense or how well the team works together. This teaches your child to enjoy the game, be a fan of one team, but respect the players on the other team.

Encourage your child and praise them when they show good sportsmanship, no matter what the game. If they’re not quite the good sport, acknowledge and address the negative behavior. Good sports play fair and follow the rules. Children need to understand the difference between being a good sport or a bad sport; your praise for positive behavior will reinforce that knowledge and entice them to choose the higher ground.

As a parent, you want your children to play fair. When you teach your child to be a good sport, remember they learn a great deal by watching you. If you’re a good sport, your children will be more likely to follow suit.

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