Overweight Kids - Helping Your Child to Lose Weight and Feel Better About Themselves

By Connie Ragen Green

If your child is overweight, they may be in for a lifetime of health and emotional problems. It is far better to deal with the issue while they are young instead of letting them grow up overweight and unhealthy.

� Whether your child has been heavy since they were a toddler or became chubby as they entered adolescence, they can successfully lose weight and keep it off for the rest of their lives. You will need to help them with this because they do not know what to do. Much of what children hear about being overweight is based on the media and their friends. This information tends to be misinformation and based more on rumor than on fact.

� The majority of overweight children have at least one overweight parent. When you begin the process of helping your child lose weight you will also be helping the rest of your family. Here are some things to think about as you get started on a new way of eating and exercising to improve your child's help.

� Take your child to your pediatrician or family doctor. Discuss the situation with them and make sure your child does not have any other health issues or diseases, such as a heart problem or diabetes.Discuss the situation with your child. Make sure they understand that you love them no matter what, so that they will not feel worse than they probably already do about needing to lose weight.Make the diet a family affair. Exercise and eat better along with your child.Get your child involved with a sport or other activity that will be a fun way for them to start getting used to exercise.�It won't be long before your child begins to lose weight and feel better about themselves.

To find out more about healthy eating visit http://www.HealthFitnessLongLife.com

Raising Children Using The Five Love Languages Part 4

By Barbara Underdown

The other day I observed a couple just sitting together and saying nothing. It was on a park bench at a local park. I observed them without them knowing and it was fascinating. They said very little, held hands, and looked into each others eyes with such love and tenderness. What an inspiration!

You know, there are time when words just don't do enough, silence is much better. When a friend loses a loved one, it's better to just spend quality time with them, if they want to talk, fine, if not, fine too.

Sometimes silence is the best answer, although quality time is not only silence, it is just spending time together, and not necessarily doing anything but just being together, either talking or silent.

The fourth love language is quality time. You probably guessed that by the little story above. Quality time is something that children cherish. You don't even need to do anything but just be there. How easy to make someone feel loved by just being there. Elderly people value this one too. You find that just holding their hand and not saying anything but just being there makes them feel so loved and wanted.

Instead of talking a lot, just try to listen to what someone else has to say, or just sit there with them for a while. It may frustrate you as it may not be your love language, but if it is theirs then you have expanded your friendship or relationship with them.

Be sensitive to others, observe them for a while and you'll quickly pick up what their love language. Quality time is one of the easiest to apply. Just be there.

Last love language coming soon

Barb Underdown is a parent of 5 adult children and has 9 grandchildren. She and her husband Terry have fostered over a dozen children and homeschooled some of them with their 5 children. Terry and Barb have a passion to help parents realize the enormous benefit of good literature and spending time reading to children, building imagination, literacy and heaps more.... You can find out more at http://www.aesopfablestoday.com

Crib or Toddler Bed?

By Barbara Pietronudo

Is your child climbing out of their crib?

Have they out grown their crib limits?

Do they have a new sibling on the way?

These are three great reasons to start making the transition from crib to toddler bed.

Many times a parent has been awakened to a loud thump and a cry in the night from their child falling out of the crib. If your toddler is starting to climb out of their crib then this is definitely the right time to make the transition to a toddler bed.

Age is not the only thing to consider....

Children grow at different paces. My daughter stayed little and petite while my son out grew everything very quickly. If your child is rolling and hitting the sides of the crib or just looks cramped or if your child is 36 inches (3 ft) or taller you may want to start transitioning your child for comfort.

If you have a new sibling on the way and are going to need the crib for the new baby it might be a good idea to start making the transition a few months ahead of time if possible. Many little ones get jealous and have a hard time getting used to the idea of having to share mom and dad with their new brother or sister. You may not want them to think the baby is trying to take away their bed too! You may just have your first taste of sibling rivalry on your hands! There is plenty of time for that.

When you have decided to make the change there are a few things you may want to keep in mind...



Make the big event fun. Find a bed that your child is going to be excited about. If possible let them help you pick it out. There are so many cute toddler beds to choose from finding one their excited about shouldn't pose a problem. When you have chosen their new bed I would suggest using the same mattress from their crib so they have the same comfort they are use to. Many parents also use the same bedding at first. If you choose to buy new bedding try to pick something bright, cozy, and fun that will excite your child. Make sure you make a big deal out of their new bed, talk it up and let them know their big kids and not babies anymore.

There is nobody that knows your child better than you and ultimately the decision is yours, most children can safely be moved from crib to toddler beds from 18 months to 3 � years, most importantly keep your child's bed time routine the same with the toddler bed as you did with the crib.

For more information and a great selection of toddler beds visit Toddler Beds at My Childs Gameroom

A Father's Experience In Webkinz World When The Parent-Child Is Vacationing

By Philip Sumpter

The next time your child ask you to do something know what it is you're really getting into. Take notes if you have to or you could possibly destroy the entire Webkinz World and all the virtual pets in it.

Get your child a Webkinz pet and he/she becomes the expert parent, just when you thought you had it all down pat. But be concerned if your child goes away to camp or on a trip, sleep-over, etc., and for more than one day or night. Because Webkinz World empowers you to follow schedules when you already have too many.

You gotta keep these pets alive, happy and healthy, or else. If you neglect and end up killing them all, your child-judge, more than likely, may want to sentence you to a life in prison. Or, never let you hear the end of it.

So what can happen in Webkinz world? Well consider what happened to me. I had to think and act on my feet quickly to save my daughter's pet and the entire Webkinz World. Well, maybe I'm over exaggerating here. But...

In a nutshell, Webkinz World is like real life stuff. Watch your child while he/she cares for his/her pet, like buying food, feeding and figuring out how much "KinzCash" is needed to buy other things. I wasn't prepared enough when my daughter went off to camp. Buy you learn as you go.

I can honestly tell you that being a parent to this virtual live stuff can be fun, addictive and life threatening. You are really put on a schedule and you can never-ever forget your pet. My daughter does a very fine job of parenting.

Here's what Webkinz World can do to you?

While babysitting my daughter's pet, Love Puppy, it was important that I maintained its health, safety and well-being. When you see what really goes on... you realize kids are learning real life experiences. In addition to the games and educational part of Webkinz World, kids are to think and react to what may seem like real life situations.

If you're a parent like me, don't ever get yourself in a situation without some understanding of Webkinz World. Or, you will be in trouble. Multi-tasking plays a role--you have to ensure that each task is carried out daily and successfully.

You can also receive quite a surprise, for instance. One day while checking our pet's food dish, I had to figure out how much "KinzCash" was needed to buy food, among other things.

Well, our Love Puppy was rolling in the grass below my daughter's feet. Yes, my daughter is also in this virtual world. Our puppy began to choke on the grass that I had gotten, and I couldn't believe my eyes. I was having some sort of virtual life crisis here and almost didn't know what to do. "Are you kidding me," I thought! But you can see what kids are experiencing. Oh, and by the way, I did save Love Puppy's life... thank goodness!

Understand when you buy one of these stuffed toy animals, your child is given responsibilities on a daily basis. While this can be good for a child in many ways, it's a little trying when you have to come back to the website each and every day. Also this can be addictive to a child (just like video games), and this is where you, the parent, must help manage your child's computer time.

To learn more about Webkinz stuffed animals toys and accessories, click below... http://webkinz-love-puppy.blogspot.com

Raising Children Using The Five Love Languages Part 2

By Barbara Underdown

The second love language is acts of service. We spoke briefly about the love language of words of affirmation the other day, now it's time to talk about acts of service.

Watching the way people react to other people gives us an indication as to what their love language is. For instance, if you find someone who looks for nice things about other people and compliments them, or says encouraging things to others, then it is most likely that their love language is words of affirmation. If someone is always doing things for others, then theirs is likely to be acts of service. Just observe others and especially your children to see how they respond to their playmates. Initially it seems that children have all the love languages and to some extent this is true. Over time, as they develop, they will show signs of having just one major one and some secondary ones. Knowing about all the five love languages, being sensitive to others and observing them, as well as applying them will reap huge rewards.

Going back to the love language of acts of service. I will give you an example. My love language is acts of service. It used to frustrate me when the children were young (before we learned about this amazing secret) that Terry (my husband) would tell me he loved me a dozen times a day (his love language is words of affirmation so that is the way he communicated love to me), however, I used to think, "If he really loves me he would put the rubbish out, make me a coffee, put the kids in the bath, etc", but he used to sit down and tell me he loved me. I never understood that. My reasoning was that you showed someone your love, or how much you cared - by your actions!

Rather simple, hey? When we learned this stuff, he would put the rubbish out and make me coffee sometimes without being asked to do it. That was just wonderful for me and I just appreciated and loved him so much for just doing those little things. It made me feel loved

How easy can that be done to everyone, including children. Have you tried showing your child how much you love and appreciate them. When was the last time you read a book to them? What about just doing special things for them? It works for children, adults, even pets!

I know that just applying these last two love languages have transformed our marriage and life enormously.

Applying the love languages is as easy as finding out what the other persons love language is and treating them in the way they treat others. Those who do acts of service to others, like the same returned. Those who practice words of affirmation can be blown away by your speaking words of affirmation to them.

Try reading to your child, that's an act of service and you will help to develop a love for learning that will grow with your child forever.

Change your world a little at a time by applying the five love languages starting now.

Love language number 3 coming soon

Barb Underdown is a parent of 5 adult children and has 9 grandchildren. She and her husband Terry have fostered over a dozen children and homeschooled some of them with their 5 children. Terry and Barb have a passion to help parents realize the enormous benefit of good literature and spending time reading to children, building imagination, literacy and heaps more.... You can find out more at http://www.aesopfablestoday.com

Do Your Children Feel Listened To? What's The Scoop On Listening?

By Barbara Underdown

Is listening important? When was the last time you really felt listened to? If you are like the majority, that probably is never. When was the last time you didn't say anything and just listened to what your child was saying? They like to feel listened to as well.

Listening is a skill. We sit down for coffee with a friend and they talk about the latest gadget, or TV show, and you are sitting there, bursting out of your skin to butt in and add your little bit to the story. True? If you are like most people, you even have your answer rehearsed in your mind even before they have finished speaking. I know I have.

Well, try putting your agenda aside and when you have that next cuppa with a friend, or when your child comes in from play and wants to tell you all about it, just listen!

That's right, just listen.

It is not hard, it seems, but it does take practice and discipline?

I know someone who has a friend who even cuts her off when she is talking to have her say. It has happened to me too and I am the sort of person who just shuts up. My mother in law does this to me all the time. I just shut up. She gets the hint and usually says, "Oh, sorry, what were you saying?"

It can be frustrating to be with people who just have to talk all the time, they know everything and they have done everything. You try telling someone about your day, and they cut you off and say, "I know what you mean." And they continue to tell you all about their day and how tragic it was. How exhausting to be with them. Are you one of them? If you are, then you can do something about it. Next time you are chatting with someone or someone is trying to chat with you, just let them talk and learn to listen. Set aside your agenda and be in the present moment. Just focus on them and what they are saying and you will absolutely make their day. As you do it to others, you will find others will do it for you too.

Listening is so simple, yet very few of us feel truly listened to. Try spending some time in the next few days to listen to someone, your child, your friend, your partner. Just listen.

Barb Underdown is a parent of 5 adult children and has 9 grandchildren. She and her husband Terry have fostered over a dozen children and homeschooled some of them with their 5 children. Terry and Barb have a passion to help parents realize the enormous benefit of good literature and spending time reading to children, building imagination, literacy and heaps more.... You can find out more at http://www.aesopfablestoday.com

It's Never Too Early To Teach Kids Safe Driving With Pedal Cars

By Rony Pollock

Children love to pretend. They want everything their mommies and daddies have in kiddy size, even cars. Teaching them road safety rules is easy and fun with colorful pedal cars.

Play and learn

Dolls, pedal cars, and Legos � these are the favorite playthings of toddlers. From playing, they learn a lot about the things around them. Life�s lessons begin with the first tumble. From then on they learn how to avoid those nasty bumps.

From day one, children are smothered with toys. These are usually brightly colored non-toxic playthings. In the crib, a baby can gaze at the decorative mobile and hear the tinkling sounds. This is a way of teaching the child to use his visual and auditory senses. He learns to develop his motor skills by grasping toys and learns their texture by putting the rattle in his mouth.

From mobiles to pedal cars

The nursery mobile loses its appeal when babies are ready for bigger and more interesting things. The little tykes want to have pedal cars, electric trains, kites, and bikes. Parents should take the time to teach the children how to use their toys properly to prevent injury. Toys bought should also be appropriate for the child�s age. Three-year-olds can start driving pedal cars but only under the watchful eye of an adult.

One dad brought his little boy along for a drive. He explained that driving a car is a big responsibility. The little passenger listened intently as his Dad explained that drivers must follow rules and must be good on the road. When they returned home, the little one asked if he should also be careful when driving his pedal cars. His dad told him to avoid hitting mommy and the dog. Like daddy, he must watch where he was going. The little boy learned very early the rudiments of safe driving.

The child can be taught where to park his cars when the play is over. He can play pretend by cleaning the car. You can check his toy car regularly for defects along with him.

Pedal cars galore

Pedal cars come in different designs and colors. If you see one, you�ll want them all. Classic Pedal cars provide children leg exercise when they drive on the lawn or indoors. They also learn to coordinate their hand-leg movements by speeding down the hallways. They quickly learn when to brake, so they are encouraged to think fast.

There are several models to choose from � Sidewalk Cruisers, Race Cars, fire engines, jalopies, and flashy sports cars. You can surprise the young ones with a storage disguised as a gas pump. There are also pedal planes, bikes, and motorcycles. These toys are built to last with durable materials.

When buying toys

Before buying toys, check the label for age recommendations. Find out if the pedal cars are flame retardant. Also check out the hinges and fastenings. When you take home one, show your child how to use and store it safely. They may not be able to do it perfectly, but it would be a nice try.

Want to have a little grown up in your midst? Start them young with pedal cars. Visit ronjuneshop for children's tables and chairs and toy chest designs.

Creating A Great Halloween Party For Your Teenagers

By Rebecca Osborn

Most teenagers do not want to be going out trick-or-treating, but they still love Halloween and want to celebrate it with a party. Why not help your teenager plan a fun Halloween party to help them celebrate with their friends in a safe environment? Granted, teenagers can sometimes be a tough audience to please but if you involve them in the planning from the start, they will enjoy it all the more.

Here are a few suggestions for your teen Halloween party:

- Invite all teens to come in costume. Put both a start time and an ending time on invitations.

- Decorate with anything from streamers and balloons to a full-scale haunted house.

- Teens LOVE Music. Why not invite the teen guests to bring one CD along with so that they can alternate the music that is played during the party.

- Teens also LOVE to eat, keep the treats/food simple but fun for them to munch on as they socialize.

- Serve punch in a witch's cauldron with dry ice. Have each teen bring a 12-oz. can of soda and pour it into a punchbowl for a strange tasting and looking drink.

- For dessert, why not serve pumpkin pie or pumpkin ice cream with candy corn sprinkled on top.

Safety is obviously very important at a teenager's party. Here are a few tips to keep the party great fun while being safe also.

- Never should you allow alcohol to be served at a party involving teenagers

- Be sure that there is a parent picking up the teen from your home or that they have a valid drivers license and are driving straight home.

- Keep in contact with the parents of the teens that are attending the party to let them know that the party will be properly supervised.

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Closet Organizing for Kids

By Colleen Langenfeld

Do you have a child? Does he have a bedroom? With a closet?

Are you afraid to go in there?

Relax! Closet organizing is not just a topic for adults. After all, if you could get your child to keep her closet organized, you could get her to...rule the world. See? This is good stuff.

Successful closet organizing for your child is based on the same ideas you would use in your own closet.

-- Everything has its place.

-- Everything is accessible.

-- Get rid of what you don't use.

-- Use tools and accessories to prevent clutter.

For maximum effectiveness, I suggest you organize your closet with your child working alongside you. While you have the final say in all decisions, a child that has some input will bring cooperation to the process and undoubtedly will have some vital pieces of information to contribute.

Your child needs to tell you how she likes to use her closet. Lots of hanging clothes? Toys stored in the closet? Need more shelving? Tiny items that need to be sorted?

If your young sweetie can't see the point in this domestic exercise, you can try pointing out that an organized closet will save him time and energy. But, at the end of the day, you may simply have to play the Big Card.

"Because I said so", is the parent's reason of choice and always plays well with "the buck stops here".

Once that's settled, here are the quick steps to use during this closet organizing session with your child.

1. Take a good long look.

The first step is to open those closet doors wide and see what's really in there. Can't see the back or the floor? Then everything should come out.

Yes, this is the part of the process for the strong and the mighty. Steel yourself. Unclaimed food nestled in the back corner of the closet will NOT make you and your child feel closer.

2. Get rid of what's broken, moldy, out-of-date, or no longer used or wanted.

As always, recycle usable items to a local charity. Be sure and include your child in this important step of community involvement.

3. Assess what's left.

This is where you both decide what needs to get hung up, folded and shelved, put in bins and baskets, or archived to a better place.

4. Make a list and shop for the organizing accessories you need. Together.

Or use cardboard boxes and customize (including decorating) to your kiddo's satisfaction. This is the fun part!

5. Put everything in its place.

You are not done with your closet organizing until EVERYTHING has a place. Everything. Period.

6. Allot ten minutes a day to KEEP everything in its place in this newly organized closet.

This is the crucial step. If you don't enforce this, you might as well not even start in the first place. The truth is, this part is called 'discipline' and most kids aren't born with any. But they need it and you can teach it to them. You'll find this is a fantastic opportunity to do so.

If necessary (and it probably will be), your child may need help seeing the value of keeping their closet in perfect working order.

-- Do they like to socialize with their friends?

Then they put in their ten minutes (or thirty seconds if they get practiced) of clean-up time every day.

-- Do they enjoy some free time?

Have they done their ten minutes?

-- Do they look forward to other privileges?

Is everything in its place each and every day?

This is simply a new habit and like all habits, takes a bit of time and practice to master. Give your child the opportunity to feel terrific about themselves by tackling a closet organizing session with them. It may just inspire you to go take a peek in your own closets!

Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 26 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more at http://www.paintedgold.com . Visit her website and get more easy tips about closet organizing today.

Teenage Agonies - Teenage Anxiety Caused by Peer Pressure

By Jan Gamm

Teenagers today have an entirely different set of anxieties to cope with compared with the teenage pressures suffered by their parents and grandparents. We live in a competitive world, fraught with the difficulties of holding one�s own in a modern social structure.

Present day teenagers must socialise with some sophistication if they are to have any hope of keeping their heads above the water with regard to street credibility and popularity with their peers.

Unfortunately, such sophistication comes with an impressive array of accessories, not the least of which is the standard cell phone, iPod, matching phone contracts and charge cards, the latest trainers, designer jeans and, in the case of older teenagers, a set of wheels to compare with everyone else�s.

Gone are the days when teenager�s deepest concerns were sourced with dating problems and a recent outbreak of acne. Today�s gadget crazed technology floods the teenage market with this music player and that, game consoles with enough buzz to keep a family of six on a permanent high for about three years, mobile telephones including cameras, music systems and video technology; fashion trends run through just about every aspect of teenage life � even food and drink.

Modern parents are beginning to appreciate the simple life is actually better for their children. Some opt for a country life, to avoid city playground pressures, sacrificing attractive career opportunities to give their children a healthier lifestyle, away from the more destructive competitive aspects of life at larger comprehensive schools. Country kids tend to enjoy more basic pleasures and there is no denying that country social circles are less driven by modern gadgetry.

For those parents who are financially unable to support the latest mobiles, fashions, computers, cars and every other teenage must have, the outlook is bleak. Faced with pleadings for new trainers, new computers, new mobiles, and then having to deal with tantrums and frustrations caused by the teenager�s inability to keep up with the teenage Joneses, these parents can hardly be blamed for losing patience.

The way forward must actually be put into place at nine and ten years old. At this age, children are far better able to understand the difficulties of not being able to afford the latest street trends. Once they are used to the idea, they find it easier to cope with later on and even to defend their parents� reluctance to hand out cash for replacement technology and fashion items.

Teach your children as early as possible that such items are mere toys, not imperative to live a perfectly content and efficient life. The teenager they will eventually grow into will be more leveled as a result.

Jan Gamm writes reflections on life with an emphasis on world travel. She has lived in many countries and traveled extensively in the Far East, the Middle East, America, South America and throughout the South Pacific. She writes for fun and for money whenever she can manage it.

Why Children Love Wooden Building Blocks

By Teresa Martin

Wooden building blocks are essential for little children as a toy. Wooden building blocks not only provide lots of fun but are very stimulating for the child. One nice thing about wooden building blocks is that there is not an incorrect way to stack the wooden building blocks. Children will soon learn the easy way to stack things and work the balancing act.

All children love to line things up and that is another interesting thing about wooden building blocks. Wooden building blocks do not always need to be built by stacking but laying them down on the floor and lining them up provides lots of fun and also stimulates hand/eye coordination.

Wooden building blocks come in all sizes, shapes and colors. Some wooden building blocks are small for toddlers while others are more detailed for older children. Some blocks are painted, while others are stained and some are left unfinished for the natural color of the wood to show through.

I prefer the unfinished wooden blocks to show the natural wood colors. The better quality wooden building blocks are made of a variety of hardwoods.

There are also some wooden building blocks that can be put in a bathtub and children can enjoy them during bath time as well!

Wooden building blocks are a good old fashioned toy that has proven to be a toy that children have enjoyed. Buy your child some good old fashioned building blocks and watch your child enjoy that toy.
Wooden building blocks will be an investment that you can give to your child and probably still have for your grandchild! http://myuniquewoodentoys.com/

Author: Teresa Martin

Turn the TV off and Start Playing

By Alexis Masterson

Too often in our world of advanced technology and satellite TV, parents turn their child�s early development over to the electronic babysitter. Although the TV has been around quite a bit longer, our current unhealthy relationship with it didn�t begin until the mid to late 1950�s. These days, what has gone from a child spending it �s day learning from their mother through play, with perhaps an occasional evening TV show, has changed to almost the opposite, with a child spending it �s day learning from a TV, with an occasional playtime with their mother.

Chances are high that the best thing you can do for your child�s development is to turn that TV off. Get rid of all the fancy electronic toys, and computer or video games, and take it back to the basics of play and learning. Dump a bag of building blocks onto the floor, or drag a puzzle out, then get down on the floor and play with them. Take out some pretend food or tools and act out a scene.

Granted, you can definitely not spend all day every day on the floor playing with your child, even if it �s all you wish you had to do. The good news is that by providing these more simple toys, you are facilitating their learning, even if they play on their own.

To get an even bigger handle on the playing and learning game, you could check further into developmental, or learning style toys. These are toys which were specially created with a child�s development and learning in mind. Some may seem simple, or basic, such as puzzles and building blocks. Others may seem overly fanciful, such as those which stimulate pretend play. As far from learning, and development assisting as they may seem to be, in reality, they are a huge part of the foundation of learning through playing. Over everything else, if you remember that playing is learning, you�ll be just fine!

Written by Alexis Masterson. Find the latest information on kids learning toys as well as toys for kids.

The Price of Spoiling Your Teenager

By Jan Gamm

Imagine having your own room, bathroom, TV, DVD, computer and music system, set up and free of charge, for your exclusive use. Yes, please � bring it on! Adults do not have such privileges provided, at least not unless they are in jail; they have to pay for them. It is easy to understand how teenagers of today have become so over indulged. Some even have their own car; complete with an unlimited gas account, with all the freedom that necessarily results as part of such arrangements.

It is debatable whether such grown up responsibilities should be inflicted upon a teenager. The more you give them, the more they have to maintain and care for, the more pressure on their lifestyle. It is hard enough to cope with all the unpleasant side effects of adolescence, such as pimples, awkwardness, puppy fat, and dozens of other insecurities; is it really advisable to add more complications?

Some of the happier, better adjusted teenagers I have come across are those who live away from cities, in a simple environment, where peer pressure is almost non existent and modern day gadgets are in short supply.

Another case is that of a fifteen year old teenager who must provide daily care for her sick father. This outstanding young lady cheerfully sacrifices just about all of her social life and divides her time between providing care and assistance for her father and catching up lost homework in the little spare time she has to herself. Her nature is such that she never complains about not having so many of the accessories of teenage life. She has never owned a TV or DVD player of her own, she has a limited supply of fashionable clothes which she treasures and she would be amused if she knew that many parents would consider her underprivileged.

In contrast I have seen nineteen year olds throw childish fits because their parents will not buy them the latest iPod technology or pay for yet another ticket to see Rock Vomit in concert. It appears that parenting techniques which include showering your teenager with every modern convenience come dangerously close to inflicting real and lasting damage on your child.

The question is where is this magical line we must all take care not to overstep? Is the secret merely to withhold that last little treat so that your teenager is aware that some things are worth waiting for? Should privileges be earned and not given as routine?

The evidence is clear that teenagers do not require an array of gadgets to enjoy a successful adolescence. Nor do they need unlimited access to the keys of the Jaguar. What they all really need and what so few of them ever get is gentle, affectionate but strict parental involvement.

Jan Gamm writes reflections on life with an emphasis on world travel. She has lived in many countries and traveled extensively in the Far East, the Middle East, America, South America and throughout the South Pacific. She writes for fun and for money whenever she can manage it.

What Makes Doctor Who So Successful?

By Jayen Woods

I believe the first ever Doctor Who episode I ever watched must have been when I was around five or six; it was one of the old black and white episodes featuring the second doctor. I was absolutely glued to the television set from beginning to end. I just found the whole concept intriguing, the whole Tardis concept being bigger on the inside than the out, time travel, time loads, unconventional villains set in worlds totally different from our own and then you had some of the greatest villains ever created, the Daleks and the Cyber men.

For me there is no doubt in my mind that the Daleks are the best villains ever created, I just feel that other Sci-Fi villains that have been created over the years like the Borg or the Dominion from Star Trek just don�t compare when you consider just how truly evil the Daleks are. It�s that evil aspect to them that make them so powerful as characters, who can forget their shrieking voices? EXTERMINATE!!! EXTERMINATE!!!

And of cause no great series would be complete with out some great unique and different theme music and Doctor Who is no exception to this rule. The theme music in Doctor Who was one of the things that truly struck me about the whole series from the first time I heard it, different and unique are truly a understatement, it�s probable the most unique and different piece of music ever created! It also is one of the first ever electronic pieces of music ever created; most people have no idea just how hard it was to create that kind of music in those days. Unlike today where we can just use a mixer to edit where we want sounds to go, in those days the only way to do it was to physically cut up the old tapes that the sound was recorded on and then stick the tapes back together where you wanted the sounds to change. It took the team who created the theme tune months of work, working all hours to get it together! The result; a truly timeless piece, even today it doesn�t sound dated because quite simply there has never been anything like it! In the new Doctor Who series they have change the tune, adding to it some extra sounds, personally I don�t like it because the sounds added are more normal and take away from the original uniqueness of the sound.

Many people�s favorite Doctor from the old series was Tom Baker, but personally I�ve always favored John Pewee, I just loved the way he delivered his lines. I remember watching him in the sea monster episodes and countless others. Of cause there are many who say that the new and currently present Doctor for the new series; David Tennant is possibly the best ever doctor and I have to admit, he is really taking the character and flying with it! I believe he�s said before now that he was a Doctor Who fan from very young and that to play in Doctor Who is a dream come true, that definitely would make sense when you look at the way he performs.

These days as I get busier and busier, I�ve been finding it harder and harder to find the time to sit down and view an episode on television, so recently I�ve been downloading Doctor Who audio books from the internet and listening to them with my mp3 player and car stereo. It�s just great to be able to utilize my dead time with the enjoyment of a good Doctor Who episode, it helps me focus on my work and feel that much happier at the end of the day! Just recently I downloaded and listened to Doctor Who Stone Rose! It�s one of my favorite Doctor Who audio books from the new series, apart from having a great story line, it�s narrated by David Tennant him self! All in all it�s a great title.

Doctor Who audio books are also a great way to revisit some of the old episodes; some today are only available on audio book as the original television episode has been lost! All in all I find Doctor Who audio books the perfect way to enjoy the series with out taking up more of my time then I have.

Discover Dr. Who and Torchwood audio books! Read about episodes, listen to audio samples and download digital audio books at great prices at http://DoctorWhoAudioBooks.com.
For 1000s more audio books for mp3 and Wma download from all categories, try visiting http://SpeakingAudiobook.com

Free Educational Games For Little Kids - 7 Fun Kids Games To Play With Your Preschooler

By Yogi Shinde

You can either make your 3 year old sit down for a 45 minute drill daily and teach some basics they are required to learn or quite simply have so much fun while playing free educational games like the ones below with them that they wont even notice they are learning.

And you are bound to have the end result you desired. Here are some fun kids games to play with you little one which you are bound to enjoy as much as they will.

1. Letter Learning - Alphabet learning need not be a task for your young one with a simple activity like this one.

Have an ongoing game of alphabet of the day. Have a letter for the day or even week. Hang a cutout of your letter, point objects beginning with your letter or even go all out and have stickers around the house of objects beginning with your letter for the day. End of this fun educational game your little one is sure to have learnt his letters.

2. Sing the Letter Order - Teach your young one their letter order with the all time favourite preschool ABC song.Sing along or listen to the fun online versions on some good online games sites available on the internet and watch them pick up the letter order.

3. Learning Numbers - Have you tried numbering the chairs in your Diner? Well, it can work brilliantly. Don't restrict to chairs, go all out and number the whole household up and see the result.

4. Learning colours is just what you need for a lazy afternoon - Got a free afternoon? Get some washable watercolours, paint brush, water and towel to clean up afterwards. Give your little one an opportunity to choose the colour from the colour tray laid out by you, paint the little palms and feet's one at a time and take prints of the little palms and feet's on a plain sheet of paper.

Giggling together while learning some colours is great.

5. Hunting down Shapes - Have a scavenger hunt while learning some shapes in this fun kids game. Have a set of 2 for each type of shape, hide one and have the other one with you to show your preschooler what they are supposed to be looking for.Let your preschooler go on a hunt with some clues from your end.

Have an applause round every time there is new find and have fun with the jumping and clapping sessions.

6. What's in Daddy's' Pocket? Counting the change in Daddy's' pocket every night can just be the activity Daddy needs when back in the evening! Introduce different coins to your 3 year old with this fun game. Such free educational games are all your little one needs to learn some basics about money.

7. Science lessons for your preschooler - Go on a nature trail with your little one, pointing out the little insects and plants while enjoying the fresh air. Return home with a collection of different shapes of stones, dried leaves other little items you collected on your way back home.

So weather its letters, numbers or colours that you would like your preschooler to learn just think how can you make it enjoyable for your little one and they are sure to respond in the way you want them to!

Yogi Shinde is a busy Mum and a web master of a kids games website featuring free educational games for Little Kids.

Find Fun Kids Games at best-preschool-games.com

This article is free for republishing by visitors provided the resource link is retained.

School Uniforms The Debate Continues

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jan_Gamm]Jan Gamm

A recent debate among senior high school students highlighted that there are a significant number of high school students who feel their individuality is compromised by having to wear a school uniform or comply with any kind of dress code.

One student felt strongly enough to state she felt her human rights were under violation by having to wear lace up shoes instead of trainers. Hmm. The question of degree is at issue here I would suggest. Violated human rights are something the holocaust survivors could tell us about, or the few surviving victims of the Killing Fields, or perhaps the tortured journalists held hostage by fanatic regimes throughout the Middle East. Having to wear a grey pleated skirt and navy blue underwear hardly seems comparable.

Some of these students went on to criticise not only school uniform, but any uniform; sweepingly condemning the use of military and naval uniform as passionately as that of their local high school. The debate fell into heated argument as soon as the words �regulation socks� hit the microphone. Seemingly students care a great deal about their appearance at school � enough to raise the debating hall roof anyway.

It does seem that school uniform is an excellent training for those who might have to don a military or service uniform later in life. Firemen, for instance, spend most of their lives in some kind of uniform and are proud of their appearance. Refuse collectors might not be so proud of their appearance in their regulation overalls but it is, nonetheless, a uniform with a practical purpose. And show me a lady who does not find a white naval uniform sexy and I will show you a liar!

A recent survey of professionals in uniform revealed that ninety per cent of these people have absolutely no objection to their uniform and in fact are proud of wearing it. The survey covered pilots, air stewardesses, fire service personnel, security guards, and police.

Uniforms have their place in modern society and most of the population accepts the necessity of uniformed personnel in day to day life. Why is it, then, that some school children find the wearing of a uniform in any way demeaning or a threat to personal style or identity?

It is true that a uniform wipes the school slate clean on individual style, and perhaps that is why so many teenage students object so stringently to having their imaginative style preferences so effectively controlled. After all, what is the point of owning screaming lime green and lilac spotted Doc Martens if you cannot wear them to school?

My only objection to school uniform is one of economy; most complicated uniforms cause parents unnecessary expense in my opinion. However, I have no objection to a simple dress regulation set within a reasonable budget.

Jan Gamm writes reflections on life with an emphasis on world travel. She has lived in many countries and traveled extensively in the Far East, the Middle East, America, South America and throughout the South Pacific. She writes for fun and for money whenever she can manage it.