Archive for November, 2009

Neuro Linguistic Programming – a great Parenting Skill to acquire in modern times

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Parenting has been going on since the beginning of humanity, but many parents still feel they must reinvent the wheel over and over again and count on some mysterious instincts they are supposed to have.  Parenting is at first a physical challenge, then slowly; it morphs into a mental challenge.  However it is highly desirable that parents do use child-centred, non-directive play, as a part of their parenting activities.  This requires special Parenting Skill. For many people, parenting their kids is one of the most fulfilling feelings in their life. Parenting skill is all about knowing your parenting personality. This is important as it helps you discover how your personality motivates the way you behave as a parent and how your child’s personality interacts with your own.  As times have changed – parenting has become more refined and several parenting skills and techniques are available to make the process simpler and less stressful. Below is one of the most effective and contemporary parenting skill; that can give you complete parenting satisfaction.

Neuro Linguistic Programming  or NLP was begun by Dr John Grinder and Richard Bandler in the mid 1970’s and Neuro-Linguistic Parenting (NL Parenting) is a parenting skill that takes the essence of NLP and applies it to parenting circumstances. First let us understand what is NPL? NLP is the study of how people know what they think they know and how they do what they do (as opposed to ‘why’ they do what they do).  NLP processes can be used to explore beliefs. NLP explores the relationships between the way we think (Neuro), the way we communicate (Linguistic) and our patterns of behaviour (Programming). Our minds, bodies, emotions, beliefs, knowledge and memories are all present and active simultaneously. NEURO is our “Nervous System” through which experience is received and processed via the five senses. LINGUISTIC is our language and nonverbal communication systems through which neural representations are coded, ordered, and given meaning.  PROGRAMMING is the pattern of manifestation of our neural codes and communication.

NL Parenting is the parenting skill with a main goal of dissemination of the necessary processes and information to assist parents in achieving personal congruence. It is all about generating options from which we can choose, so it is the finest system we have for learning how to relate to children in creative and congruent ways.  NLP in Parenting helps foster better communication between parent and child. 

NL Parenting works quicker with children and adolescents simply because their nervous system is still in the process of integrating those inner messages so they can be helped to delete and replace them quicker. From an NL Parenting perspective the roles of a parent are; to manipulate contexts so that children can learn or play in relative safety and to model or demonstrate exceptional behaviour and congruence. NL Parenting is the parenting skill which provides parents with a framework that helps their children to get along with others and in the process make parenting an enjoyable experience.

We are often taken aback with the way our kids change their behaviour when moving from one stage of their life to another or even within their individual life stages. Our 11 year old child who was dependent on us for all decisions suddenly becomes independent by the time they cross 13. Our infant who was howling a few minutes ago is smiling and giggling away now. Children are experts at changing states. The first step to developing NL Parenting Skill is to understand the state of our child. It is like putting yourself in the shoes of your child and understanding how they think, their needs, what is driving their behaviour (good or bad) and what are their frustrations.

This parenting skill can be achieved by anchoring – which means associating their current state with their beliefs and surrounding. So if your 3 year old knows that by creating a tantrum they will get what they want, you need to understand that creating a tantrum to have their way is the belief that your child has developed. If you put yourself in their shoes, you will be able to point to various instances where they have got a better of you just because you gave into their tantrum. These instances were the key to development and reinforcement of their beliefs. It is very important to remember that even though you feel that creating a tantrum in this instance is bad behaviour – your child definitely sees it as giving them benefits. Hence there is an incongruence of your beliefs versus your child’s.

Knowing their belief and understanding the physical stimulus for the same is the second step to acquiring NL Parenting skill. However, anchoring is not the end of the process. By anchoring you will now be able to identify the beliefs and the physical stimulus that you want to change. So the goal of the first two steps is not to leave the state unchanged, but to find a way to change it that preserves some elements of its benefits. So if your child has created a tantrum to have a chocolate, you can try and negotiate with them to complete their dinner first and then allow them to have a chocolate – such that you get some benefits out of the situation.

The final step of NL Parenting skill is the process of achieving permanent transformation in your child. Here coaching skills play a very vital role. Coaching comes in when a situation arises that displays a gap between, what the environment is asking and what skills the child may lack. Coaching skills give parents the tools to build on their relationship with their child and to create opportunities for courageous conversations. Acquiring the right coaching skills is important as it helps parents to identify their governing values and standards, which establishes the basis of their parenting decisions. It helps to transform your awareness about your child’s behaviour, it energizes your child’s successes, that promote desired behaviour and it identifies & creates qualities that would not have otherwise existed. So in the above example, through coaching parents can create a complete different external stimulus for the child – like say need for healthy teeth – and steer them away from demanding chocolates and creating tantrum for them all the time.

 

Finally NL Parenting skill doesn’t prescribe any single parenting ideology, but identifies models of parenting excellence and skills and tactics that progress us to more gentle and respectful parenting. It helps you to recognise your parenting strengths, weaknesses and beliefs and allows you to become a true guide and mentor to your child. 

For more tips on parenting refer to my free e-book “New Parenting Style” on http://www.newparentingstyle.com/index.html

The author is a successful marketing executive in a large consumer good company and a mother of two boys. She has had a rough ride in the past two years and has successfully saved her family from the brink of disaster by working on her parenting style. She has recently built a website www.newparentingstyle.com, which touches upon some effective parenting tips that have helped her in her success.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/neuro-linguistic-programming-a-great-parenting-skill-to-acquire-in-modern-times-1523509.html

The History of a Playset : How it Came to Existence

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

You have been looking forward to have a playset installed in your own backyards. You want to purchase one for your children. But was there ever a time you tried to look into where the playset came from? Did you ever bother to see through how these items were developed?

A playset would not be possible if wooden toys were not introduced in the market. Miniature wooden toys actually led to the conceptualization of play pieces that are larger than life. Trace facts on the history that brought about the manufacture of the wooden playset you have known of today.

Early civilization to the 1700’s- wooden toys came first before a playset
Archeologists have looked for early traces of toys and kinds of playset played by our ancestors. Even back then, girls enjoyed toys while boys dealt with chariots and horses. All of these items were found out to be made of wood. This is what is considered as the wooden playset or wooden toys before.

From the early civilization, people continued to enjoy each wooden playset they come across with. It was during the 1700’s when the Germans took their own efforts to make wooden toys for public consumption. Marketers found their way out of Germany and travel around Europe to make these types of wooden playset know to other citizens of the continent. From the travel, these tradesmen accepted custom-made orders from people who want a playset. Back then, wooden animals and dolls were favorites of Europeans.

The 1800’s – more elaborate definitions for a playset
During the 1800’s, toymakers saw a better opportunity to redefine the wooden playset or toy marketed in Europe. Back then, these craftsmen were able to create wooden doll houses and miniatures of opera houses which were very popular in the continent.

Other wooden toys that sold easily during this era were wooden toy soldiers, wooden trains and wooden tracks. The Jack-in-a-box playset you know of today came from this century. This was the period when the toy was made colorful by toymakers.

World War II – a period of decline for the wooden playset
When plastic manufacturing was introduced in the toy industry after World War II, craftsmen who used to manufacture a wooden playset opted for the said materials. Plastic was known to be cheaper than lumber thus they thought that they will save more by using such inputs for the creation of a playset. Adding to the decline of the wooden playset is the fact that more families only had the means to pay for toys that are made out of plastic.

Now, the wooden playset that everybody is looking for had been made into larger projects like swings and playhouses. Children look forward to having these things in their homes. You should consider having the playset in your backyards to make your children’s learning process even better.

In this recent time, the playset found in local playgrounds, educational institutions and leisure parks are made out of a combination of wood, metal and plastic. Everybody else is enjoying this combination. Apparently wood is still a frontrunner when it comes to durability. If you want a playset to last long in your possession, choose one that is made out of wood.

Playsets are very durable available at http://www.creativeplaythings.comArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/the-history-of-a-playset-how-it-came-to-existence-1517864.html

Nappy Samples – Free Nappy Sample

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

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Baby products are really expensive for families now that any savings are welcomed and getting free nappy samples is a great benefit.

Moms everywhere are finding that baby prices and in particular nappies are rising in price and many are using free samples to save money on their housekeeping bills.

It’s easy to save money by using free samples and you can get your nappy samples by clicking on the link above or below and entering your zip code to match the area you live with the samples.

With the state of the economy at the moment families are looking for ways to save money and this can be achieved by cutting down on your outgoings.

One of the easiest ways to do this is by using free samples to reduce your bill at the checkout of your baby product store.

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Unemployment is very high at the moment and by using free nappy samples you are able to save money every week when you go shopping at your baby shop.

If you have a computer and internet connection you can easily sign up to receive your nappy samples.

Nappy samples are very popular because Moms have to use a lot of nappies on their little ones and are high on their shopping list. The samples are great for every day use.

There are all different types of nappies and Moms normally have their favorites. Free samples are also very useful for taking on holidays and for days out.

What better and easier way is there to saving money, cutting down on your expenses and getting your free nappy samples.

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/nappy-samples-free-nappy-sample-1516296.html

Ten Sources of Help for Parents

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

At one time or another we all need help and parents are no exceptions. Parents have long lamented that children do not come with an instruction manual. Sometimes parenting can be a lonely job and parents simply need to feel validated that they are on the right track with their kids. There are also sources that can give a parent new ideas on how to care for their children better.

One of the first places a parent can go for help is parenting magazines. As a rule magazines will give a good overview on accepted thoughts on child development and health issues. Every once in a while a magazine will publish something that seems a bit off or contrary to common sense. This can happen can magazines can be inclined to be a bit sensational to sell more issues.

Another source of help is your child’s school counselor. They can be a great place to go if your child has learning disabilities or problems with friends in school. Anytime a child is having difficulty in school, a school counselor is one to approach.

Your child’s teacher is also a great source of help. A teacher spends hours a day in a room with twenty or more youngsters of approximately the same age. A teacher will have a good feel for what is the expected development for a child of that age. Teachers can also give an adult perspective of what is going on between one child and another at school.

The internet can be a dubious source of help for parents. Anybody can publish anything on the internet so be careful of this source. On the other hand the website for a real world parenting resource can be very helpful. An example of this would be the website for the La Leche League which offers breastfeeding support or the website for the American Academy for Pediatrics for children’s health issues. Parents can also find empathy and advice from other parents in forums, chat rooms and on blogs.

Your church or other religious affiliation can be a good source of help for parents. Churches can offer instructional support on parenting skills in the form of parenting classes or Sunday School classes. They can also offer practical helps such as babysitting, preschool programs, scouting programs and consignment sales for children’s clothing. They can be a social outlet for parents and their kids. They are also a good place to find other parents with the same values that you have.

Books are a great source of parenting advice by the experts and can be purchased online or in bookstores. Another great source of books is your public library. Books can give you the perspective from other parents, as well as educational and medical experts.

People you know like your friends who are parents, your own parents and your grandparents can be a source of help. Friends can swap babysitting, parenting anecdotes and sympathy with you. Your parents can also be a source of advice, but do not feel you must follow their advice just because they are your parents. You are still the parent of your child and must weigh all the advice you get before you choose to act on what feels right for your child.

Parenting is a difficult job and parents need all the help they can get. Every child, parent and family situation is different, so parents cannot automatically assume that advice will translate well to their own circumstances. However the above sources can be very helpful when considered with care. Sources such as these can be great for providing creative new ways of considering a problem and its solutions.

Gabriella enjoys sharing parenting advice and writes about topics such as toddler bed sheets, toddler bed sets and toddler bed furniture.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/ten-sources-of-help-for-parents-1514582.html

Parenting Guide for Adolescents

Friday, November 27th, 2009

Adolescence is your youngster’s final transition to adulthood. It is probably the most challenging stage for your child and also for you as parents. You will be surprised to notice that your tried and tested skills for dealing with your child is no longer quite as effective. The same is true with your disciplinary techniques, you will discover that your well polished parentings skills no longer have the same effect now that you are dealing with your maturing and somewhat defiant teen.

As parents of a teenager, you are now dealing with a new entity so you must adjust and acquire a new set of skills in terms of communication, discipline and conflict resolution. This is completely challenging and may knock you completely off guard if you are not prepared for the changes that lie ahead. It would then be wise to seek out information about teen parenting tips and get expert advice, otherwise you risk losing control over your teenager.

As your teen grows and changes, you must keep up and change as well particularly on how you view and treat this maturing person. You must face the fact that your child is no longer a baby and that he is going through the critical stage of transition to adulthood. Your support and guidance is needed more than ever, this turbulent stage poses tremendous pressure on parents because how you handle this stage could later determine your child’s final character. It is indeed stressful but it is also quite rewarding if you can react appropriately to this milestone in your teen’s development.

It may console you a bit to know that you are not alone and most parents also go through this turbulent and unpredictable stage of adolescent life. There are also tons of information and guidelines that you can take advantage of to make the transition as successful and problem free as possible. On the other hand, if you believe that you can no longer handle the situation on your own, you can always seek professional help before things spiral out of control.

Mia is a full time Internet Marketer that manage a site for helping troubled teens and their families. She is always available for any help about teen problems via 1-866-573-6566. Call now!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/parenting-guide-for-adolescents-1513346.html

How to Stop Other Kids From Bullying Your Overweight Child – Useful Tips to Parents of Overweight Child

Friday, November 27th, 2009

Bullies are your kid’s number one enemies. They are the instigator of many problems of overweight kids. There are a lot of bullies everywhere, in school, classroom, playground, and sometimes your neighbor’s kids. So what can you do if your kids are bullied in school?

The first thing you should do is to let your kid handle it by themselves, at first. After all, they can always ignore the comments and insults, or they can just simply walk away. Sometimes these things are for the best, the more they take noticed of the people who are bullying them, the more these bullies attack them.

But there are also a periods when you have to act and step in. These are the times when your kid is already hurting or the situation is beyond your kid’s control. Being bullied is not normal, just because you kid is overweight. The following can help you handle your kid situations.

1.Talk to the teacher. As a mother you have the right to protect your kid from anything and anyone. You can ask the teacher to step in especially, if the bullies are your kid’s classmates or schoolmates.

2.Talk to the principal – If by any chance the teacher is unwilling or unable to assist in your kids problems, ask the principal instead. After all your kid has the right to go to school without the feeling of being threatened or bullied.

3.The support of the parents is very essential in this important time of their kid’s life. Most particularly, if they are trying to lose weight. Giving them support inside the home and encouraging them to continue their program, can ease the negative effects of being bulled when they’re not at home.

4.Bullies by nature are weak and insecure; they tend to pick people whom they knew will not fight them. Reminding these things to your kid is important so they will not feel pathetic.

5.Persuade your kid to always stay with their friends or groups. That why, bullies won’t have the chance to pick on your kid.

6.Teaching your kid to have more self confidence even if they are overweight, can greatly help them, and protect themselves from those bullies. As we all know, bullies always pick someone who they think are weak and easily scared.

The best and most important facts you can advice your kid, is to never get involved in any fight or arguments. The last thing your kid needs is to be involved in any kind of situation, where they can easily be considered as the instigator.

Remember that your kid and you as the parents have the right to complain those bullies to the head principal. Your kid has all the rights as those bullies to be at school with no one insulting and threatening them, just because they are overweight. If all else fails, you can always ask the parent of those bullies to intervene and reprimand their kids. I hope all this information can help protect your kid.

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An Outdoor Swing Set is Important in Keeping Your Children Healthy

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

Nowadays, it cannot be stressed enough how having an outdoor swing setis important in keeping your children in good health. Because of technology, urban development and the constant demand for children to excel at an early age these days, most children do not get to play outside anymore. Instead, they get to sit in front of the television set, the computer or the latest gaming console.

And yet, staying indoors and sitting stagnantly for long periods of time are not good for children. They should be encouraged to play indoors every once in a while so that they can stay healthy and promote their physical development. A good outdoor swing setis the perfect toy that will push them to go out and play.

But how exactly can an outdoor swing setpromote better physical health for children? Here are four reasons why an outdoor swing setis good for keeping children healthy.

1. It gets them to exercise. An outdoor swing setwill force your children to move. Children these days are resistant to any physical activity that they see labeled as “exercise” and would rather play computer games or watch television. But when they see the exercise as “play,” they are more likely to get into it wholeheartedly. With an outdoor play set, they get to exercise as they push their playmates on the swing, climb ladders, swing on monkey bars, go down on slides and generally just run around.

2. It strengthens their bodies. Because an outdoor swing setgets the children to exercise, their bodies in turn become stronger and less resistant to illness. The constant movement makes their limbs and joints become more flexible. They get to develop a more resilient immune system that can fight off harmful, disease-causing germs. They also get to lower their chances of getting diseases such as obesity, heart problems, osteoporosis and other such conditions when they grow older.

3. It helps develop motor skills. Since children get to move a lot with their outdoor play set, they also get to develop their motor skills. They will learn to have a better sense of balance and a keener sense of space, which will help them coordinate their movements with a lot more ease and comfort. They will also develop sharper reflexes, which can save them from getting into accidents and injuries in the future.

4. It gets them to sleep better at night. Studies have shown that children who do not get enough exercise often find it hard to sleep at night. A good night’s sleep is essential to a child’s mental and emotional development, and so a child must have around eight hours’ sleep at night. Because their bodies are tired out by playing with their outdoor play set, children would not have any trouble sleeping come bedtime.

Being able to play outdoors is a very important element to your child’s physical development. It keeps them healthy and helps them develop resilience against diseases that may affect them as adults. A good outdoor swing setwill help address this need for your children to have some exercise.

Outdoor swing set is available in several different, versatile “configurations” available at http://www.creativeplaythings.comArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/an-outdoor-swing-set-is-important-in-keeping-your-children-healthy-1505627.html

Tricking Your Kids off the Couch

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Parents these days have to face many more challenges than past generations. Not only do both parents work more than 40 hours per week, they must constantly work to combat the negative health effects of technology. Childhood obesity rates continue to rise and it’s not all that surprising because all kids ever want to do is sit on the couch and watch TV or play video games. If you want to get your kids up and out of the house, then you’re going to have to be sneaky about it. You’ll have to lure them with interesting activities and toys, but the extra work will be worth it when your kid’s health is in good shape.

  1. Buy an RC plane. Every kid, boy or girl, dreams of being able to fly a remote control airplane threw the sky. It won’t provide them with a ton of physical exercise, but it’ll be the first step in facilitating outdoor activity. They’re likely to spend hours playing with their new toy, which will give you plenty of time to think other ways to get them active.
  2. Sign them up for a class. It’s best if you let them choose, but anything from yoga to bowling will be both fun and physically challenging. Pay for at least a few classes in advance so they are committed to going for a little while. Hopefully after the few classes are up, they’ll be hooked.
  3. Take them to play paintball. Rent or purchase some paint ball guns and head out to your local paintball arena. Your son or daughter is sure to love the competitive exciting nature of the game and they’ll get an excellent workout while having fun at the same time.
  4. Take them to the beach or lake. In most cases, kids would be a lot more active if they had transportation to and from activities. As long as your son or daughter is old enough, drop him or her and some friends off at the beach for the day. It’ll get them out of the house and they’ll keep fit by swimming and playing volleyball.

Getting your kid off the couch is a challenge, but as long as you are consistent it will get easier and easier as time goes by. Kids are growing up in the age of technology and many are just unaware of what else there is to do outside of the home. So be creative and persistent and your kids will grow to love physical activity.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/tricking-your-kids-off-the-couch-1499747.html