BATTLING THE BACK–TO–SCHOOL BLUES

Parents can make the first days of school fun rather than frustrating

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Too frequently, children begin the school year unprepared to succeed, quickly experience frustration and failure, and get turned–off to learning. However, kids can love instead of loath the first days of school; they just need a little help from mom and dad. Here’s how:

Tip #1: Give your children the gift of chores

Children who regularly do chores at home find it much easier to do assignments at school. Why? Both schoolwork and chores require perseverance, delayed gratification, and attention to detail. When parents expect chores to be done without reminders and without pay, children also learn how to work independently and to enjoy the intrinsic rewards of accomplishment.

Tip #2: In a loving way, hold your children accountable for their chores

Parents who nag and remind their children to do chores raise kids who expect their teachers to nag and remind them to do assignments. These children don’t do well in school. Smarter parents ask their children to do their chores, bite their tongues, and let empathy and consequences do the teaching. Why empathy? When parents deliver sincere doses of empathy or sadness before describing consequences, their children learn responsibility rather than resentment. A parent might say:

How sad… I love you so much, but you forgot to clean your bathroom today. Now I don’t have the energy to take you swimming. This really stinks.

Tip #3: Limit television, videos, video games, and other "entertaining" activities

Children who are used to being entertained during the summer by fast-paced TV shows, movies, games, and trips to the amusement park go into shock when they enter the classroom. Before long, they begin to complain about how "boring" their teachers are and how much they dislike school. Love and Logic parents help their children transition back to school by making their homes so "boring" that their kids can’t wait to be back in class!

Tip #4: Have fun with reading and writing

During the first week of school, teachers can always tell the difference between the children who’ve been read to during the summer and those who have not. Spend at least 20 minutes per day reading with your kids. Experiment with reading one page, asking your child to read the next, and alternating back and forth. Writing is important too! Experiment with having your child spend the two weeks prior to the start of school making and writing cards for friends and relatives. Your child’s writing skills will grow… and so will these relationships!

With these practical tips , you can give your kids an advantage in school that will last for months, years, and a lifetime! Parents around the world have benefited from the power of these four down-to-earth tips. Now it’s your turn to give your kids the head start they deserve!

By Dr. Charles Fay

Tidbit Tuesday!

For today's Tidbit Tuesday I seen this and thought it was pretty cool. It is called Goog-411.

I hate to pay for the 411 calls so when I seen this I was so excited. If you go to the site I listed you can access the you tube video that also tells you about have a map sent to your phone and texting the # as well.

Dial 1-800-GOOG-411 from any phone.

State the location and business type

Connect to the business for free

Done!

Make It Yourself Monday

Newspaper Hut


I found this cute little project by Pepper Paints and thought it looked like a really fun project for the kids that would not only give them hours of enjoyment after it is finished but would be a great project to keep them busy for a while as well.

This project uses A LOT of newspapers. Also, you will need tape, a pencil, stapler, a sheet is optional.

First lay 4 sheets of newspaper on top of each other. Place the pencil in the corner and roll the 4 sheets diagonally to make a tube.

Tape the middle and let pencil slide out of tube. Repeat 25 times. The 25 tubes should be close to the same length-trim if you need to.

Use 3 tubes to make a triangle and staple at each corner. Repeat until you have 5 triangles.

Connect the triangles in a long line, staple together.

Use tubes across the top and staple in place.

Get help! Stand the triangles up and staple the two ends together. Add a tube to the last top spot.

Use the 5 remaining tubes to make a star stapled in the middle.

This is the roof. Staple in place.

A sheet or other light weight material can cover your hut if you want. Get inside and play!!!!

Family Friday! The Family That Plays Together Stays Together

Bonding time with the family is more important than bonding with friends. The family is intact therefore the ties and the memories experienced will be forever remembered.

There are a lot of things that families can do in making those ties stronger. A simple gesture of helping one family member pick out what clothes to wear is one way of proving that a family is really bonded.

Also, the mere comments or opinions of what each family member does are given utmost consideration. Having a family is something people should really learn to appreciate because not all individuals have families to take care and love them.

Tantalizing Thursday

"Greek Chicken Pasta"

"This pasta dish incorporates some of the flavors of Greece. It makes a wonderfully complete and satisfying meal. For extra flavor, toss in a few kalamata olives." Yield: Serves 6.

Ingredients:
1.) 1 pound uncooked pasta
2.) 1 tablespoon olive oil
3.) 2 cloves garlic, crushed
4.) 1/2 cup chopped red onion
5.) 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast meat - cut into bite-size pieces
6.) 1 (14 ounce) can marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
7.) 1 large tomato, chopped
8.) 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
9.) 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
10.)2 tablespoons lemon juice
11.)2 teaspoons dried oregano
12.)salt and pepper to taste
13.)2 lemons, wedged, for garnish

Preparation:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion, and saute for 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear, about 5 to 6 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low, and add the artichoke hearts, tomato, feta cheese, parsley, lemon juice, oregano and cooked pasta. Stir until heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, season to taste with salt and pepper, and garnish with lemon wedges.




"Balsamic & Rosemary Grilled Salmon"

"This is a quick and easy way to grill salmon. It's wonderful served with baked asparagus with balsamic butter sauce and boiled new potatoes!" Yield: Serves 4.

Ingredients:
1.) 4 (4 ounce) salmon fillets
2.) sea salt to taste
3.) 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
4.) 3 tablespoons olive oil
5.) 1/4 cup lemon juice
6.) 1 clove garlic, minced
7.) 1 sprig fresh rosemary, minced

Preparation:
1. Season salmon fillets to taste with sea salt, and place into a shallow, glass dish. Whisk together vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and rosemary; pour over salmon fillets. Cover, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil grate.
3. Remove salmon from marinade, and shake off excess. Discard remaining marinade. Cook on preheated grill until fish is opaque in the center and flakes easily with a fork, about 4 minutes per side.



"Watermelon-Yogurt Ice"

Ingredients:
1.) 1/4 cup water
2.) 1/4 cup sugar
3.) 4 cups diced seedless watermelon (about 3 pounds with the rind) (see Tip)
4.) 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
5.) 1 tablespoon lime juice

Preparation:
1. Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring, over high heat until the sugar is dissolved. Transfer to a glass measuring cup and let cool slightly.
2. Puree watermelon in a food processor or blender, in 2 batches, pulsing until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in the cooled sugar syrup, yogurt and lime juice until combined. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into another large bowl, whisking to release all juice. Discard pulp. Pour the extracted juices into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions. (Alternatively, pour into a shallow metal pan and freeze until solid, about 6 hours or overnight. Remove from freezer to defrost slightly, 5 minutes. Break into small chunks and process in a food processor, in batches, until smooth and creamy.) Serve immediately or transfer to a storage container and freeze for up to 2 hours. Yield: Serves 8.

Tip: Melon selection & storage: Look for symmetrical unblemished melons, without flat sides, that have a creamy yellow spot on the bottom indicating ripeness. At 92% water, this fruit should feel heavy when you heft it. Precut melon flesh should be dense, firm and appear moist. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or keep in a cool, dark spot. Cover the cut surface of melon with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Guiding Children to Solve Their Own Problems

Step One:

Empathy.

• "How sad."
• "I bet that hurts."

Step Two:

Send the "Power Message."

• "What do you think you're going to do?"

Step Three:

Offer choices.

• "Would you like to hear what other kids have tried?"

At this point, offer a variety of choices that range from bad to good. It's usually best to start out with the poor choices.

Each time a choice is offered, go on to step four, forcing the youngster to state the consequence in his/her own words. This means that you will be going back and forth between Love and Logic steps three and four.

Step Four:

Have the child state the consequences.

• "And how will that work?"

Step Five:

Give permission for the child to either solve the problem or not solve the problem.

• "Good luck. I hope it works out."

Have no fear. If the child is fortunate enough to make a poor choice, he/she may have a double learning lesson.

by Jim Fay

Tidbit Tuesday

Ok for today's tidbit I wanted invite those of you that have not done so already to take minute and stop by Posh Mama's Online Magazine and Social Network.

Before I became a Posh Mama myself I kept visiting all of these blogs that belonged to Posh Mama and I kept wondering what it was all about so one day I decided to check it and I joined right then. Posh Mama has a lot of great information and lot of great mama's as well. I am proud to say I am a Posh Mama! Won't you join us?

Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network is a positive and upbeat community made up of women from around the world. You will feel immediately welcomed as it is the sweetest spot on the 'net. Come hang out, network and make some great friends at www.poshmama.com.

Don't forget to check and see what Melinda Zook's tidbit for Tuesday is.

Make It Yourself Monday

Strawberry Freezer Jam

I found this great tutorial from Marie @ Make and Takes on how to make strawberry freezer jam.

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Apr 29th, 2008 by Marie

I recently had a friend ask me how to make jam. I started talking about pectin and storing it in the freezer, and she didn’t know what I was talking about. So I’ve decided to do a little how-to for making Freezer Jam. It’s so easy and super delicious, you will never buy store jam again!

First buy a box of pectin. Pectin is the stuff that makes the jam jiggly. You will need it for any kind of jam you make. I usually buy the Sure Jell brand, but there is also Fruit Pectin, and others too. You can find it in the baking aisle, or next to the canning supplies. The directions to make the jam, whether it’s cooked & canned or for the freezer, are included right in the pectin box. Just follow the directions. Really all you need is, your pectin, sugar, and your fruit. There are some fruit flavors that will require lemon juice. Just check the pectin directions to be sure.

Because strawberries are so easy to get and cheap when they are in season, I have only made Strawberry Jam. I have used frozen strawberries too, but it’s better if they’re fresh. If you choose to use frozen strawberries, make sure you drain as much liquid as you can before you puree them. Cut up your strawberries, then mash them to a puree. I use a mini food processor, but you could use a potato masher or blender. You will need 2 cups of strawberry puree. Then add 4, yes I said 4, cups of sugar. I didn’t say this was low calorie, just delicious.

Then pour your pectin packet into a small pot and bring it to a boil with some water, read the directions from the pectin box for how much. Once the pectin is dissolved, stir it into the fruit/sugar mixture.

It’s now ready to pour into containers. I like to use plastic containers that are freezer safe. I found these great jam containers (with the purple lids) but I need a few more for a whole batch.

Now you are ready to devour your Jam. I keep one out to eat now, and save the rest in the freezer for later. It should last up to a year if stored properly. I have also given these little containers as gifts to neighbors. Enjoy putting this yummy jam on your toast or simply eat it with a spoon straight from the jar like my Grandma!

YOUR VALUABLE INPUT IS NEEDED!

Welcome To The Weekend!
Today I am going to ask a favor of you.
I am wanting to get YOUR VALUABLE INPUT. Please take a few moments to fill out my survey on Click Here to take survey . I am interested in finding out what you like or don't like and what topics you would like more info on or would like to see added. Your input would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

After today I will be making this a sticky post for a bit so I can collect some more input so please pardon the sticky for a bit. Thanks so much for your time.

Family Friday! The Family That Plays Together Stays Together

Children are excellent observers. Even as newborns, they imitate their parents. During the elementary school years, discussions they overhear at home on a wide variety of topics are integrated into their own thoughts. By the time they are in middle school, when we ask our children to do something, a commonly heard response is "You don't do it, so why should I?"

Although it is never too late, the best time to start being a role model to your children is right away -- even from birth. Does being a role model for your kids mean you have to be perfect? Fortunately, the answer is no. In fact, a tolerance of imperfection is a good behavior to model! While it’s important to exercise and eat well, taking a day off from riding your bike or deciding to have dessert at a party is absolutely fine — as long as it’s in moderation. Similarly, if we yell at our children when we shouldn't, we can apologize and, by doing so, effectively model how to deal with a mistake.

Below is a list of behaviors that are among the most important to model for your kids:

Turn off the TV

By turning off the TV, you and your child will have time to do other, more important things together, such as talking, playing a game, reading, exercising, or pursuing other hobbies. Studies show that spending time with your child each day makes them more likely to come to you with problems and less likely that they will get involved in alcohol and drugs. Also, turning off the TV will decrease your chances of becoming overweight, because people tend to eat junk food while they watch TV.

Eat A Healthy, Well-Balanced Diet

By maintaining a healthy diet, you decrease your risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and some cancers. You will also feel better about yourself. People who eat a healthy diet will have more fruits and vegetables in their house than those who don’t, and this makes it much more likely that their children will also eat healthier. Instead of grabbing for that lollipop or cookie for your child, chances are greater you will grab a piece of fruit or some yogurt because it’s readily available.


Exercise Regularly

Exercise also helps decrease the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Studies also show that exercising decreases the level of stress hormones in our body. By exercising regularly, you are not only improving your own health and happiness, but you are also teaching your children how important it is for them to take care of themselves. Chances are, if you have children and you exercise regularly, you will include them in your activities. You may go hiking or biking with them, play tennis or baseball, or bring them swimming or ice skating. This could also teach them to love physical activity and, at the same time, allow them to spend more time with you.


Help Others

We all have the responsibility to help others who are less fortunate than we are, even if it is simply by carrying groceries into the house for an elderly neighbor or picking up trash off the side of the road. Plus, it makes us feel good. Children are aware at a very young age that we are helping others, and they want to imitate us. During pretend play, they may pretend to pick up trash off the side of the road or serve food at a homeless shelter. They also learn how important it is to think about and respect other people and to care about other aspects of the world, such as the environment.


Cuddle Up And Read

By reading our own books, we instill in our children a love for books and knowledge. Reading also teaches them the art of relaxation and quiet time. Our lives are so stressful these days that it's important to build in relaxation time. In addition, it's also fun to have several family members sitting together on a couch reading their own books on a rainy day or a lazy weekend afternoon.


Drink Responsibly

Almost half of all teen deaths in the United States is due to motor vehicle accidents. Almost one quarter of teenagers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking. How can you help decrease the leading cause of mortality among teens? By acting as a role model and refraining from drinking any alcohol before you drive. If you are going somewhere after drinking, make sure you assign a designated driver -- and let your children know. It is also a good idea in general not to drink too much or too often for your own health and for the benefit of your children, as they notice everything.


Wear A Seatbelt

It is important to show your children that you are always thinking of safety and that they should as well. It's a good idea to wear a helmet when biking, roller blading, skiing and doing other sports which carry a risk of head injury.


Don’t Smoke

Everyone knows smoking can cause lung disease and cancer, may worsen asthma, and even has secondhand effects. Studies also show that teenagers are more than twice as likely to smoke if their parents do.So, if you smoke, now is the time to quit to increase your health and to show your family that you are motivated to improve yourself even if it’s hard work.


Keep Your Cool

Children learn how to cope by watching their parents deal with stressful situations. If you lose your cool and yell at your children when you get upset, they learn to deal with disagreements the same way. Teach your children to discuss issues calmly by remaining calm yourself, listening to all sides of an argument, and respecting all involved.


Maintain A Relationship With Your Significant Other And Friends

While it is very important to spend quality time with your children, you should also spend time with your significant others and friends. This teaches your children that all relationships are important and require nurturing. It also helps keep you happy and reduces your stress, which are important factors for all of us, adults and kids alike.



By Stacy Beller Stryer, M.D., FAAP
Content provided by Revolution Health Group

Tidbit Tuesday!

Well another Tuesday is upon us I have few juicy tidbits for you today. I hope you might find one that works for you.

For all those out there that have a above ground pool. With everything going up these days, it is hard to buy chemicals for the pool. I was told by a professional pool man that you could use baking soda to keep the ph level up in the pool. It works, and it only cost about $0.25 to $0.45 a box.

The best and cheapest way to get rid of weeds growing in the cracks of sidewalks is white vinegar. On a nice bright sunny day just squirt the vinegar all over the weed and into the sidewalk crack. The hot sun will take care of the rest. It's not only cheap but environmently friendly. And it's safe enough to have the kids do this job... I put it in a squirt bottle and have my son do this.

Sprinkle old coffee grounds around places you don’t want ants, or on the ant piles themselves. The little buggers will move on or stay away. Used grounds are also said to repel snails and slugs.

To clean those filthy artificial flowers, just pour some salt into a paper bag and add your flowers. Shake very well .The salt will absorb all the dirtydebris and leave your artificial flowers clean and new!

If your scissors get dull, just layer about 7 pieces of foil and cut through them a few times, and the scissors are sharp once again!

Be sure and stop over @ Melinda Zook to see what great tidbits she has today as well.

Make It Yourself Monday!

Happy Monday!

It is great to be back in action after a little over 2 weeks. I was up till 2:30 am trying to catch up my Entrecard drops. I dropped about 150. I tryed to get everyone that had dropped on me in my absence. So back to business.

I found a cute little project over @ Splitcoaststampers that would be wonderful for wedding favors or baby showers or even a birthday. They are made like those sour cream containers you get at restaurants. They seem very simple to make and would be a great touch to any party as a little treat for each guest.

So click here for the tutorial on this wonderful project.

Food And It's Uses

apples	Protects your heart	prevents constipation	Blocks diarrhea	Improves lung capacity	Cushions joints
apricots	Combats cancer	Controls blood pressure	Saves your eyesight	Shields against Alzheimer’s	Slows aging process
artichokes	Aids digestion	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Guards against liver disease
avocados	Battles diabetes	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin
bananas	Protects your heart	Quiets a cough	Strengthens bones	Controls blood pressure	Blocks diarrhea
beans	Prevents constipation	Helps hemorrhoids	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Stabilizes blood sugar
beets	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones	Protects your heart	Aids weight loss
blueberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Boosts memory	Prevents constipation
broccoli	Strengthens bones	Saves eyesight	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure
cabbage	Combats cancer	Prevents constipation	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Helps hemorrhoids
cantaloupe	Saves eyesight	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Supports immune system
carrots	Saves eyesight	Protects your heart	Prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Promotes weight loss
cauliflower	Protects against Prostate Cancer	Combats Breast Cancer	Strengthens bones	Banishes bruises	Guards against heart disease
cherries	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Ends insomnia	Slows aging process	Shields against Alzheimer’s
chestnuts	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
chili peppers	Aids digestion	Soothes sore throat	Clears sinuses	Combats Cancer	Boosts immune system
figs	Promotes weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
fish	Protects your heart	Boosts memory	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Supports immune system
flax	Aids digestion	Battles diabetes	Protects your heart	Improves mental health	Boosts immune system
garlic	Lowers cholesterol	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	kills bacteria	Fights fungus
grapefruit	Protects against heart attacks	Promotes Weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol
grapes	saves eyesight	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Enhances blood flow	Protects your heart
green tea	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Helps stops strokes	Promotes Weight loss	Kills bacteria
honey	Heals wounds	Aids digestion	Guards against ulcers	Increases energy	Fights allergies
lemons	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
limes	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
mangoes	Combats cancer	Boosts memory	Regulates thyroid	aids digestion	Shields against Alzheimer’s
mushrooms	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Kills bacteria	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
oats	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	prevents constipation	Smoothes skin
olive oil	Protects your heart	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	Smoothes skin
onions	Reduce risk of heart attack	Combats cancer	Kills bacteria	Lowers cholesterol	Fights fungus
oranges	Supports immune systems	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Straightens respiration
peaches	prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes	aids digestion	Helps hemorrhoids
peanuts	Protects against heart disease	Promotes Weight loss	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Aggravates diverticulitis
pineapple	Strengthens bones	Relieves colds	Aids digestion	Dissolves warts	Blocks diarrhea
prunes	Slows aging process	prevents constipation	boosts memory	Lowers cholesterol	Protects against heart disease
rice	Protects your heart	Battles diabetes	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes
strawberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	boosts memory	Calms stress
sweet potatoes	Saves your eyesight	Lifts mood	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
tomatoes	Protects prostate	Combats cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart
walnuts	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	boosts memory	Lifts mood	Protects against heart disease
water	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Conquers kidney stones	Smoothes skin
watermelon	Protects prostate	Promotes Weight loss	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure
wheat germ	Combats Colon Cancer	prevents constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	improves digestion
wheat bran	Combats Colon Cancer	prevents constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	improves digestion
yogurt	Guards against ulcers	Strengthens bones	Lowers cholesterol	Supports immune systems	Aids digestion

Happy Fourth To Everyone!