:The Flash Advancer

My name is E-l-o-d-i-a. I wouldn’t make that up. My mother did, but I wouldn’t.

People often ask me if I got teased, when I was a child, because of my name. I tell them “Nope”. Children didn’t have a problem with my name. It’s the adults that seem to have a problem.”

Looking back, I have two theories why I wasn’t teased for my name. One is that children tease the obvious and they had plenty of material to work with, due to my nose. Two, they love to rhyme and there are not too many words that rhyme with the name Elodia (E-low-dee-a). Think about it. So far, I can only come up with one……..Cambodia. Trust me, after all the nose jokes “Elodia from Cambodia.” couldn’t’ have hurt my feelings one bit.

I can remember clearly, telling the teacher my name, on the first day of school, when I was five years old. She was not as prepared for the first day of kindergarten, as was I.
She should have worn gingham and black patent leather shoes. They helped.

She bent down and looked me in the eye and asked “What is your name?” I said “Elodia.” She then had this look of sheer horror on her face and she actually jumped backwards. I might as well have said Lucifer. Now that I think back, I guess I can understand her position. Here she was looking at this cute Caucasian, blonde, freckled face, pigtailed little girl (and I was cute) and then hearing this strange and “ethnic” sounding name escape from my lips. This wasn’t in the teacher’s manual. I could tell.

She became extremely nervous and said “Well. We’ll just have to think of something more appropriate to call you.” Now, can someone tell me what could be more appropriate to call me than my name?

She pleaded “You must have a nick-name. Don’t you?” I shook my head “No.” I wasn’t about to tell her my family called me “Baby Ann”. Next, I’d be telling her that I sleep with two of my sisters and I still wet the bed. No, she’ll just have to learn to deal with the cold hard facts. Hey, I thought I was the one coming to school to learn?

That was the first of many name adventures to come.

My name is Spanish. It sounds more like “E-lo-thee-a” with the accent. Try to imagine Antonio Banderas and how he would sound pronouncing my name. I do it all the time. Not that he would be, but I can dream.

I asked my mother where she got my name and she says she named me after a friend. Not just any friend, but her best-friend. However, I am over forty years old and I have yet to meet this friend. She doesn’t call, she doesn’t write. I have my suspicions.

Maybe she gave me a difficult name due to having had a hard time bringing me into this world. Call me crazy but I asked her and she said I almost killed her.

I asked about two of my sisters and did she have a hard time birthing them. She said one labor was only an hour and the other she didn’t even feel a cramp. She just pushed once and the other babies came out. Their names are Julie and Cathy. You decide.

My name is a great conversation starter. Here are some of the things people tell me after an introduction and what I am really thinking when I reply to them, politely, with a smile and a nod. Not too big a smile because I would hate for them to see me gritting my teeth.

“That is such an interesting name. Where did you get it?”

Thinking: “Um, Ebay?”

“Is it a family name?”

Thinking: “No, the people in my family…they have other names.”

“Your name is so pretty. It sounds so, so melodious.”

Thinking: “Take the “M” off melodious, you idiot, and you’ll find out why Elodia sounds so melodious.”

Then there are the funny people who say real slow and with a wave, “Hellllo- to- ya”, and that’s always cute. (Serious eye rolling going on here.)

It might sound like I am complaining but I honestly LOVE my name. I can’t imagine having had another one. Not that I’ve never been called anything else. I’m sure that’s happened. Once.

I wouldn’t trade my name, even if I could find personalized souvenirs while on vacation.

Because of my name I think I stand out in a crowd and I am remembered. Oh, never mind that’s my nose again, standing out in the crowd, but it does help me to be remembered. I think they remember me as the lady that they can’t remember how to say her name.

My name has given me a voice, as I have learned to tell the stories about my name over and over and over again. And best of all, it has taught me a sense of humor.

I now have eight daughters of my own and I have named them all Elodia. No wait. I didn’t do that. George Foreman did that. No, he didn’t name his daughters Elodia. He had lots of little George Foreman’s but he added the name “Grill” on the end. I see them everywhere.

No, I did the intelligent thing when I named my children. I gave them all names that start with the letter “D”. You should hear how smart I sound when I try calling one of them. I sound like a broken CD player “Da,da,da,da,da,da…….you whatever your name is. It starts with a “D”. Get over here!”

To confuse me further, my mother and my sister’s son, lived with us for a short time. Their names are Dora and Danny. We just referred to them as “Da-motha” and “Da-nephew”.

My point is…no matter what you name your child, they may or may not wind up liking their name, but they are still going to wish you had given them a nose job at thirteen.

To find out more on baby names visit http://www.babynamesebook.com and to contact Elodia visit http://www.elodiatate.com

© Copyright 2004 Elodia Tate all rights reserved. Permission to reprint granted with full article reprint, author credit and a link back to my site. Oh, and a bottle of White Zinfendel wouldn’t hurt either.

Elodia Tate is a best-selling author, and professional speaker who is known for using humor & story telling to connect with her audience. She enjoys speaking to small groups as well as large audiences, and has been labeled as a “Health Activist” for the right to choose your own path to wellness.

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Why in some families boys are born, in other families - girls, and in another ones - both boys and girls? Can we influence a future baby’s sex? People have been interested in these questions since antiquity. Our great-grandmothers believed that if one puts some sugar on a window-sill while full moon, then a girl will be born, if one puts some salt - then a boy will be born.

In Ancient China there was a legend: if a woman is lying head-on to the North during a process of conception, then a boy will be conceived; if she’s lying head-on to the South - a girl will be conceived. And in medieval Europe there was rather a bigoted tradition: a man, dreaming to have a son, put a battle-axe under a pillow and at the moment of climax he would take it out with the words: “You must have a boy”. And the one who wanted a daughter put on a hat on his wife’s head and whispered tender words to her… Many theories convince us that a future baby’s sex depends on weather.

For example, an ancient Greek doctor Empedocle considered that a chance to conceive a boy was bigger when the weather was hot, and a girl should be conceived when the weather is cold. In Germany there was a legend saying that if you make love while rainy weather, a girl will be born, and while dry weather - a boy will be born.

Different theories about the ways to conceive a baby of a certain sex continue appearing till now, and quite often they are no less quaint, than during our ancestors’ times. This does not prevent young mothers from experimenting with diets and intricate calculations…

Six theories with following disclosures

Theory № 1. Do you want a boy? 2-3 months before conception, start eating more foodstuff, containing salt and potassium (meat, sausage, fish, bread, potato) and less foodstuff, rich in calcium and magnesium (milk and dairy produce, lettuce, spinach). If you want to conceive a girl, do everything back to front.

This theory was confirmed after a series of experiments on animals, but there’re no evidences, as for people. However, in the early eighties, a group of French researchers announced that 78% of women, wishing to give birth to sons, succeeded to do this, due to such diet. If you want, you can try your luck, following one of the diets, quoted here.

However, a number of participants of this experiment was too small - only 45 people, moreover, there were no control groups. Scientists warn: surplus of salt is unhealthy for women suffering from high blood pressure. And is it reasonable - to lower calcium and magnesium consumption during a period of pregnancy, when one’s necessity in these substances increases?

Theory № 2. Coitus in the day of ovulation increases a chance to conceive a boy, 2 days before ovulation - a girl. The author of this theory, a demographer Otfrid Hatzold, proves his arguments with the fact that spermatozoa with X- chromosomes, responsible for female sex, are less active, but hardier, than spermatozoa with male Y- chromosomes. In the day of ovulation, a chance that some of more active male spermatozoa will meet an ovule being first, is bigger.

IN FACT, a recent research, carried out in USA, showed that a majority of children, regardless of sex, turns to be conceived in the day of ovulation.

Theory № 3. Energetic and decisive women give birth to boys more often, a New Zealand researcher Valerie Grant affirms. The matter is, that there’s more male hormone testosterone in a woman-leader’s organism. It supposedly influences an ovule’s membrane and spermatozoa with male Y- chromosomes become prevalent. Thus, it becomes clear, why more boys are born after wars and epidemics: women go through stresses and show male features of character, and a level of male hormones in their blood rises.
ALAS, this theory cannot explain why a majority of women give birth both to boys and girls.

Theory № 4. If a woman wants to give birth to a girl, she should not experience orgasm, as at this moment an alkali is being thrown out of her organism. This alkali favors to movement of spermatozoa with male Y- chromosomes. Adherents of this theory assure that such information can even be found in Talmud, which says: if a husband finishes a coition first, a boy will be born.
IN FACT, there’s no any scientific confirmation to this theory.

Theory № 5. An American physician Eugene Jonas affirms very seriously, that a baby’s sex depends on a zodiac constellation ruling in the sky at the moment of conception. There’re female and male zodiacs - and everything depends on them.
HOWEVER, doctors will just smile, while hearing such affirmation.

Theory № 6. If a woman’s age is equal to an even number - for example, 26 years, - she can conceive a girl in even months of a year (February, April, June, August, October); if a woman’s age is equal to odd number - in odd months (January, March, May, July, September, November). This dependence is inverse for boys conception.
OF COURSE, there’s no any scientific confirmation of this theory.

A magic test-tube

Nevertheless, there’s a real possibility to choose a future baby’s sex. Indeed, one will have to resort to an insemination “in vitro” - in a test-tube.

How a sex is formed?

An ovule always has X-chromosome: this is a female chromosome, which is situated in a female organism’s cells in the form of XX. Spermatozoa cells can contain either X, or Y-chromosome (in male organism they have the form of XY). If X-chromosome of a spermatozoon’s cell joins an ovule, then there will be XX, i.e. a girl; if there will be an encounter with Y-chromosome, then XY boy will take place.

Experts will separate spermatozoa with X and Y-chromosomes from each other, mark them, select an appropriate one and combine with an ovule, taken from a woman beforehand. Some time later, an embryo is implanted into uterus. This method is used, when there’s a threat of serious heritable diseases, connected with certain sex. For example, haemophilia is passed only through male line, so, insemination in a test-tube allows to programme a healthy girl’s birth.

In some clinics, quite healthy couples, dreaming of a baby of a certain sex, can use this method, - of course, for considerable money. Indeed, doctors cannot guarantee a success even here, and they take a signed statement from couple, saying that they won’t have an abortion, even in case of failure. And here goes a very important moment:

Well, if your wish still did not come true?

How do we behave, if our wishes and reality don’t match? At best, we accept the inevitable cap in hand, and even find positive sides in it. For example, you were eager to have a boy, and gave birth to a girl: great, you will have someone to tie bows to, and you will have someone to help you, and girls are easier to bring up.

If we still keep on persevering in our wish, instead of resignation and acceptation of the fact that cannot be changed, consequences can be fatal. Remember a story of Oscar Wild. A famous writer’s mother was dreaming about a girl, and, when a boy was born, she started dressing him in little frocks and treating him like a daughter. Probably, this served as a reason of his future homosexual orientation.

An American psychiatrist Thomas Werni affirms in his book “A spiritual life of new-born babies”, that favourable conditions for healthy development of personality can be created only when a mother accepts her pregnancy positively, and a child of a wishful sex is born. An ultrasonic test allows determining a fetus’s sex on 24th week of pregnancy already. Doctors, who execute ultrasonic tests, often see parents’ disappointment, if their wishes don’t come true. And here’s a point that represents a danger, as psychologists consider. If a child feels outcast in a belly, this may influence his whole life negatively, cause defects of behavior and even a wish to change sex.

It turns out, that the wisest women are those, who answer the question: “Who do you want - a boy or a girl?” - simply: “Whom God will bless with”. As if there’re no any theories and “true” methods to set a necessary trajectory for chromosomes.

A diet that contributes to a boy conception

Meat - all sorts, cooked meats.
Fish - all sorts.
Bread and cereals - pastry, biscuit, semolina, rice.
Vegetables - potato, white kidney beans, lentil, peas.
Fruits - various, especially bananas, apricots, oranges, peaches, dates, cherries.
Dried fruits - prunes, dried apricots, dates.

And also: canned goods, yeast, salt - without restrictions.
Drinks - tea, coffee, fruit juices, mineral water, some beer and wine.
Not recommended: dairy produce, mineral water containing calcium, shrimps, crabs, caviar.
You need to restrict taking confectionery containing eggs, milk, lettuce, leguminous haricot, raw cabbage, watercress, dill, walnuts, filbert, almonds, peanuts, cocoa, milk chocolate.

A diet that contributes to a girl conception
Meat - all sorts little by little. Sausage, ham and smoked food are not recommended.
Fish - fresh and fast-frozen. Crawfish, shrimps are not recommended.
Eggs.
Cereals - all.
Bread and batch - without salt and yeast.
Vegetables - egg-plants, beet, carrot, cucumbers, asparagus, watercress, beans, green peas, tomatoes.
Potato - limited quantity.
Fruits - all, except plums, apricots, bananas, oranges, currant, cherry.
Nuts - almond, filbert, filbert 9not salted).
Drinks - tea, coffee, chocolate, cacao, mineral water containing calcium.
Soda drinks and canned juices are not recommended.
Undesirable: cheese, ice-cream, corn, any canned goods, spicy sauces, fried potato, raw tomatoes, lentil, olives, margarine. Salt should be restricted, avoid taking yeast and soda.

Yana Mikheeva is the creator of Baby Health Directory - Pregnancy, Birth, Parenting and Baby Care resources. Are you going to get pregnant? Visit our friendly resource and read information on pregnancy and parenting, painless childbirth, growth and development of a baby, baby health, safety, signs of pregnancy.

She also has All about women site where you can find articles on various subjects, such as: diets, receipts, health, cellulite, figure, aromatherapy, wholesome food, psychology of relationships, pregnancy, parenting, fashion and many others.

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Separation Anxiety in children is to be expected as babies and toddlers adjust to the world around them. They have determined that their parents or caregivers are a source of security, and therefore being deprived of that security distresses them. Concern at being separated from Mom or Dad is typical in toddlers up to about three years of age. The anxiety demonstrates that the child has formed a healthy attachment to the caregiver.

The behaviors that result from Separation Anxiety in children generally include crying when the parent or parents leave and clinging to them when they return. The anxiety usually lasts for a few minutes, but it may resurface when the parent returns, as the child remembers how upsetting it was when the parent left in the first place. Children may also become very quiet and refuse to interact with the people around them, even if they are familiar with those people. In some cases, a child may “punish” the parents upon return by ignoring or hitting them. It is even possible for children to develop physical symptoms as a result of their anxiety. Headaches, stomachaches and muscle pain are all common.

While a child is feeling anxiety over a separation, the response is likely causing distress for the parent as well. The adults need to remind themselves that despite the child’s fear and concern, they are in a safe environment with people who will care for them. It can be difficult, but it is a necessary step in the toddler or preschooler’s development. The act of leaving the child with a trusted person helps him or her have confidence that the parent will return. It also helps children to develop a sense of their individual identities and to recognize that they are separate beings from their parents.

This phase of a child’s development generally appears late in his or her first year and persists for the next two years. However, some children may display signs longer than others. The negative behaviors or physical symptoms are most likely to reappear when a child is home for an extended period of time, like a school holiday, and must then return to daycare or school. It is not unlikely for a child to revert to such behaviors after a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one or the parents divorcing.

Separation Anxiety in children also becomes more acute it they become ill or are hospitalized. Parents should make every effort to be with their children during any medical procedure. An absence can cause a serious increase a child’s anxiety and will lead to greater pain and possibly a longer recovery. When the parent can not be present, the child should know where he or she will be and should be reassured that they will be reunited.

A certain amount of Separation Anxiety is to be expected, and is even an integral part of a child’s development. Occasionally, a child may exhibit extreme behavior or it may continue or worsen as the child gets older. A child who calls home repeatedly from school because he is worried that something has happened to his parents or who refuses to go to sleepovers (or even school) due to fear of harm to his parents or himself may have developed Separation Anxiety Disorder. This disorder can be debilitating, but it is treatable. In general, Separation Anxiety in children causes a fair amount of distress, but it is simply a phase of development that leads to stronger, healthier children.

Learn how to beat child separation anxiety with The Separation Anxiety Solution.

Article written by: KC Smith

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When you’re responsible for throwing a baby shower, one of the most important things to remember are the baby shower invitations! The first thing you need to think about is the theme of your baby shower. All the invitations need to reflect this theme. Is it going to be a boy or a girl, or is it a surprise? Is the nursery going to be decorated with ducks or bears? What colors should be incorporated? All of these are very important questions that you need to ask yourself when planning for a baby shower.

The mother’s personal preferences should also be taken into account. Does she like bold and bright colors, or is she into subdued pastels? If you’re unsure, ask those that know her best. After all, the shower is about the mother and her child, and the baby shower invitations are likely to appear in the baby’s scrapbook - an eternal memento of the baby’s first party.

Once the theme has been planned, it’s time to prepare the baby shower invitations. Will you make your own or order printed invitations? Whatever you decide, remember that baby shower invitations need to be sent out weeks in advance and should list all the important information, such as time, date, location, and RSVP information. Are men allowed at the event? You need to make sure this is noted on the baby shower invitations if they are. Also be sure to include any locations where mother and baby may be registered.

Creating baby shower invitations yourself is always an option, but for truly special baby shower invitations that will be treasured, hiring an expert or a printing company may be the best way to go.

Whatever you decide, you should make a special keepsake for the new mom with these baby shower invitations. One of the most creative ways to give the mother a special gift would be to make a small display box with the invitation displayed along with little baby-related trinkets such as a rattle and diaper pins. This will help get the mother-to-be started on saving all the precious memories that are soon to come with the arrival of her child.

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The average pedophile will victimize between 50-150 children before he comes to the attention of law enforcement. A large and growing number of predators have gravitated towards the internet, reasoning that browsing the personal profiles children themselves post on instant message services and anonymously lurking in chat rooms is less risky and more effective than hanging around playgrounds and schoolyards. The number of predators using the internet to groom children for future exploitation rises every month.

How do internet predators select their victims? Here are some important factors:

* Almost by definition, internet predators favor children who have regular (and private) access to a computer. Most victims live in suburban or rural areas while relatively few live in inner cities.

* Internet predators gravitate towards children who are online for lengthy periods of time each day, and usually at the same time of day. Predators seek children whose schedules mesh with their own, children who are online most days during a consistent time frame. Think about it… predators have little chance to groom a child for future exploitation if that child is rarely online or is online at various times of the day. Children who do not have a lot of activities outside of school tend to be online longer and at the same times of day compared to those children who have lots of activities. These children are more often targeted by internet predators.

* Internet predators prefer children who have instant message accounts. Although some predators use email, many prefer communicating with their victims through instant messages. Predators know that while emails are saved automatically and have to be manually deleted, instant messages tend to evaporate into the ether once the instant message window is closed. Parents can keep a permanent record of instant message conversations by installing instant message monitoring software on their children’s computers. PCSentinel Software ( www.pcsentinelsoftware.com ) is one vendor of such software.

* Internet predators search out children who will speak to them. Again this seems self-evident, but predators are forced to pass over children who refuse to communicate with strangers they have not met offline. Teach your children never to communicate online with someone they have not met offline.

* Internet predators search out children who are vulnerable and lonely, sheltered and naive. Predators seek to develop a relationship with their targets, often posing as children or teenagers themselves, and then use that relationship to initiate sexual discussion and activity or lure the child into an offline meeting.

* Internet predators are all the more emboldened if they find out a child is from a single parent family, having trouble at school or with the law, or has been experimenting with drugs, alcohol or sexual activity.

* Internet predators search out children who post personal profiles on the internet, especially those that provide name, age, photos, gender, physical description, telephone number, address, etc.

* Internet predators favor targets who own webcams or digital cameras. Predators often coerce children into using these devices to send images of themselves to the predator. If a child does not own a camera, predators sometimes send one to their targets for the purpose of photographing themselves.

* To be successful, internet predators require children who will not terminate the relationship at the first suggestion of sexual activity. Even if a vulnerable child with few friends is uncomfortable with sexual talk, they will sometimes put up with the unpleasantness of the conversation for fear of losing their new “friend”.

* Internet predators seem to favor victims between the ages of 12-15. These are the ages where children are discovering their own sexuality and independence, and also the ages where they are most likely to be conned into meeting with a stranger without telling their parents. Younger and older children are also solicited, but as a whole tend to be harder targets.

Michael Ryan owns and operates PCSentinel Software, developer of easy-to-use keylogger software such as PCSentinel’s Busted: Keylogger and Instant Message Monitor and PCSentinel’s Red-Handed: Record Instant Messages!

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Pre-teens are no longer wanting to play kiddie games but are not yet teenagers. They will not want to play running games yet are not really ready to just hang out. Here are some ideas for your pre-teen party.

Untie the Knot

Place the guests in two separate circles. Ask them to raise a hand and take hold of someone’s hand on the opposite side of their circle. Then, using their free hand, grab the hand of a different person close by. Without letting go they must try unravel themselves. The first team to do so is the winner.

Matching Characters

Identify couples from real life or fiction like Lady Di and Charles, Peter Pan and Wendy or Willie Wonka and Charlie. Place a piece of paper on each persons’ back identifying them. Each person then asks 1 question from every other person till they discover who they are. They may only ask questions such as am I male or female, a fictional character or real person, dead or alive, etc. Once they identify themself, they can start looking for their partners. The winners are the first matching couple.

Toilet Paper Game

This is a wonderful ice breaker - especially if the guests don’t know each other well. As each guest arrives ask them to take a strip of toilet paper off a roll. When everyone is there get the guests to sit in a circle. Starting with the birthday person, each person must reveal something about themselves equal to the number of squares they tore off. You could also pass a bowl of sweets around. Tell each guest to take a hand full. They must tell a secret for each sweet they took.

Balloon Defense

Tie a balloon to each persons’ ankle. The idea is to try stamp on each other’s balloons to pop them without having yours burst. Here are tons more wonderful balloon games.

Note for Note

Have a selection of popular CD’s (preferably of mixed artists) and a CD player which allows you to fast forward to the middle of a song. Press play anywhere in the middle of a song and play for 2 seconds. Whoever identifies the song first gets a toothpick. The one with the most toothpicks in the end wins. You could have them identify the song or artist.

Questions and Answers

Get each person to write a way-out question on a piece of paper. Fold and place in a bowl. Ask them to write a line from their favorite song on another piece of paper. These are the answers. Pass the questions around and let every one take one. Each person gets a turn to read their question, then take an “answer” from the second bowl and sing it if they know the song. Some really hilarious answers to questions come out! And strange versions to songs too.

Stork the lantern

This game is played best outside at night. One child is “it” and sits with a flashlight or lantern. They must look at the light. The other children move out into the dark. They try get as close to the lantern as possible. The person with the light tries to listen for noises or spot movement. Then they can look up and say something like “I see you with the red shirt”. That person then sits down. The child that gets the closest to the lantern wins.

Bubble blowing

No not just any bubbles but big odd shaped bubbles. You will need a good bubble solution and shaped wire to create these huge bubbles.

Use these ideas, they are sure to be a hit.

Blessings from Africa
MissTy (Tania Collins)
I get all my free printable invitations here

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Individualism is a common thing in today’s modern society. Many people care more about themselves than others and do what they like with little consideration for people whom may be affected by their action. It is quite a sad thing. You can see that there are is a general lack of loyalty and commitment to people own belongings. For example,

increasing number of adultery cases (a lack of loyalty to family and spouse)

vandalism and destroying of public properties (lack of loyalty to country)

increasing cases of cheating in the corporate world and white collar crimes (lack of loyalty and commitment to the organization)

There is a need for us to teach loyalty to our children - loyalty to family, to country, church, schools and other organizations and institutions to which commitments are made. We have to teach them about reliability and consistency in doing what they say they will do.

Here are some general guidelines that help you to teach loyalty to your children:

Highlight Your Own Dependability

Make yourself an example of being dependable. We do things every day that illustrate our loyalty to our children and show our dependability in the family. However many of these things are so automatic that they are seldom noticed and seldom used as visible examples of important moral values.

At home, I often tell our 4-year-old daughter Ethel “Papa need to go out to work today so that I can bring in the money for the family to buy food and things that we need”. She understands it so well that she said to me some time ago, “Papa, I’ll love that you can stay at home more often and keep me company. However I know that you need to go out and work because we need you to bring in the money. So don’t worry, just go. You can keep me company when you are back tonight.” Honestly I feel very proud and touch by her sensitivity.

Last Sunday, Ethel forgot to bring her favorite toy to her English lesson - it is for the “show and tell” activity. She called me on my phone while I was at the hospital visiting my mom. She sound very sad and started to cry on the phone. Knowing how kids feel when they forget something that the teacher tell them to bring, I quickly said to her “Don’t worry my dear. I will definitely bring your favorite toy to you before your class begins. You can count on me. Just tell me what time your lesson starts”. And indeed, I arrive just in time for her lesson. That save her tears and added another point to her trust in her daddy that she can always count on him if she needs help.

Here are two more examples that you can use to highlight to your children about your dependability. Instead of saying, “I’ll pick you up after your lesson.” say “I will be there before 4 p.m. You can count on it.” Instead of just going to the concert where your child will be performing, tell her that “Papa will definitely be at the concert because I love you and I want to be with you and support what you do!”

Tell your children often that you will be there for them especially when they are going through difficult time. And take credit and pat yourself for your dependability and loyalty for your family. It makes you feel good and it is also the best way to instill the same qualities in your children.

Thanks Your Children and Praise Them for Every Evidence of Their Own Dependability

Praising your children reinforce the value and show them how often dependability can be used. Thanks your children when they are on time for an event or when they help you or their younger siblings. For example, whenever our 4-year-old daughter helps me to bring me the potty, baby wipe or food for her baby brother, I often say to her “Thank you my dear for your help. I can always count on you to help your brother.”

So make a commitment today, to never take for granted any act or evidence of dependability or loyalty. You can help your children to develop the great value of loyalty, dependability and reliability.

Article by Alvin Poh, founder of Learning Champ, a parenting website that provides information and resources to parents,
who want to help their children develop the important skills and mind set for a brighter future ->
http://www.alvinkh.per.sg/learningchamp

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Baby Strollers are one of the major purchases you will make for your baby. There are different types of strollers and in each category there are a variety of models. This may leave you with a variety of questions. Some frequent questions along with their respective answers are listed below. They deal with everything from the handlebars to the wheels and what is appropriate for newborns to older children. Your needs, how and where you will use the stroller as well as your budget will determine the strollers you will have to choose from.

Q. What are the different types of baby strollers available?

There are single, double, and triple strollers. Jogging strollers also have single and multi-seating strollers. Strollers with multiple seats come in Tandem where one seat is directly behind the other. Stadium baby strollers have the rear seat slightly higher than the front enabling both children a view of the scenery. Some strollers actually allow you to place your children in different positions such as facing one another. Another Tandem stroller is the double-decker where the rear seat is significantly higher than the front seat.

Q. What is a height adjustable handle bar?

A height adjustable handlebar on the stroller is one that can be adjusted to the height of the parent or caregiver. This helps prevent bending while pushing the stroller and as a result there are fewer issues with your lower back.

Q. Is this stroller appropriate for a newborn?

When choosing a stroller particularly for newborns, you have to be certain that it is appropriate for your baby. The seat must recline enough to allow your baby to lie flat. A stroller that converts from a stroller, to an infant carrier, to an infant car seat might be an option. It would at least provide you with the knowledge it is good for your newborn.

Q. Are the restraint straps and buckles safe?

When purchasing your stroller make sure the straps are secure. The buckles or fasteners should be easily manipulated but not so easy that your baby could open them and risk injury.

Q. Is a second hand stroller acceptable for my baby?

For the most part yes, a second-hand stroller is acceptable for use. Before you purchase the stroller be sure to inspect all belts, straps, and fasteners. There should be no fraying or tears in the belts or straps and they should be securely in place. All fasteners should be free of cracks and still be easily used. Be sure though your baby won’t be able open it. Check the seat and make sure that the back is stable and that it won’t collapse under his weight. The reclining positions should also hold your baby’s weight. Make sure there are no sharp edges or places where little fingers can be pinched.

Q. Does this stroller come with a parent organizer?

Many newer model strollers come with a detachable tray that has a cup holder, and spaces to hold your keys, your cell phone, and a wallet.

Q, Is this a convertible stroller?

You may want to consider a stroller that has a detachable seat that becomes an infant carrier and/or a baby car seat. This would reduce the continual removal from the car seat to the stroller or to a carrier. This is a travel system and comes with a base that remains in the car.

Q. Will this stroller maneuver on any terrain?

Most strollers are made for the street or for mall walking. There are some models that have different kinds of wheels for different terrain. If you are going to use it hiking, you will want to look for a specific type of wheel. For general walking whether in the street or a mall, a simple stroller like the inexpensive umbrella types strollers.

Q. What kind of brakes does the stroller have?

The preferred type of brake is the brake that is attached to both rear wheels with a bar. This type of brake is preferred because it can be applied or released with one foot reducing the chance that one brake would not be applied and causes the stroller to roll or tip over. Some strollers come with a strap that is called a wrist brake which is worn by the parent to prevent the stroller from rolling when you are stopped for a long period of time.

Q. Where can I find out about recalls on my stroller?

The store where you purchased your stroller should have recall information. You can contact the manufacturer or search the Internet for information. You can contact the Consumer Protection Safety Commission or check consumer magazines dedicated to informing consumers on the ratings of many products.

Q. Are replacement or extra parts available for the model of baby stroller I have chosen?

When you purchase your stroller you might want to ask specifically if the stroller you have chosen has extra parts (i.e. wheels) or replacement parts. This could be helpful if you need to replace the seat liner or an extra stay in the car base for your stroller. The best source for this information would probably be the manufacturer. Check the owner’s manual to see if there is information in there on replacement parts and where you can get them.

Q. What can I do to keep my stroller in good condition?

Some of the things you can do to maintain your stroller in good condition includes not leaving it outside in bad weather. Keep the wheels in good shape, check all the belts and fasteners periodically to be sure they are not worn or broken. It is important to keep the seat cover clean. Apply the brake and make sure it holding when fully applied.

In Conclusion

Buying a stroller is very important and must be appropriate for you and your baby. Keeping your baby safe is of the utmost importance and to that end be sure that your baby never exceeds the maximum weight it is meant to hold. The manufacturer is a good source for any questions or concerns you might have about choosing a baby stroller.

About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of
Baby Crib Bedding which includes
Baby strollers,
Baby car seats,
and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

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Your Cancer Baby..

June 21 - July 22

A Cancer child can be independent from a young age, often playing alone for hours and inventing invisible playmates. Cancer babies are fascinated by colors and pictures, and they love the different tastes of delicious foods and drinks. Cancer children need to be hugged and loved and they thrive when encouraged. A Cancer baby will change moods frequently and will withdraw themselves if they suffer any kind of rejection. Young Cancer children are quite capable of using tears to get what they want and Cancer babies have a reputation for crying a lot.

However, Cancerians are delightful and fascinating children whose changing moods are shown on their faces. They are imaginative and will thrive when given a lot of warmth and attention. Your Cancer child will be easy to manage and discipline and will be well-mannered. Most Cancerians prefer to be the leader rather than to follow.

When raising a Cancer child you will need to give constant reassurance when she is fearful, which is likely to be often. These children are very sensitive to emotional hurts and rejections and will need your support to ensure that they do not feel unloved. The danger is that they may withdraw into themselves for self-protection.

You should encourage your child to express emotions in poetry, painting, music, acting or any other creative activity. Parents will need to find a compromise between being too firm and spoiling your child.

Cancerians are unlikely to complain when they are ill. Typical illnesses involve the upper digestive track - the stomach.

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Author: Tony and Katy Luck who run a website about raising babies.

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