Archive for the ‘Parenting’ Category

Tips to Help You Choose the Right Pram

Monday, January 25th, 2010

With so many different prams, buggies, pushchairs & strollers to choose from, just how do you pick the right one? There are hundreds of makes & models, and then each one of these comes in different styles, themes & colours with a range of different accessories. . . confused already, right?

First things first, you need to decide what your needs are. Prams are built with many different features to satisfy these needs, so you can quickly eliminate many of the prams by simply knowing what you require. You could ask the following questions:

- Are you having twins (or triplets)?
- Are you planning to have more children? Will they be using this pram?
- Will you use the pram while shopping? Do you need space to put your bags?
- Where will you store the pram? Is there much space?

The answers to these questions will likely leave less than half to choose from.

If you are having twins or more, you are going to need a pram that accomodates more than one child. You will just need to decide whether you want your babies in front of one another or side-by-side. If you spend a lot of time in shopping centres & supermarkets, the side-by-side models can be cumbersome and difficult to maneuver down narrow aisles.

If you will be putting the pram in a car, you will definately want to measure the size of the pram when folded to make sure it fits into your boot. If you are going to be using public transport, you need to think about the size and portability of your pram. There is very limited storage space on trains & buses. You wouldn’t want a pram that is too heavy and/or complicated to fold & unfold.

Do you intend on your child using the pram from birth? If so, you need to make sure it is suitable. Usually prams like this can lie fully flat. Will your child be using the pram up to a toddler? If so, you will need to check the maximum weight.

Other things to consider are the security of the pram & the comfort. You will want a pram the has a harness & a brake lock. Suspension will make for a more pleasant ride for your baby.

Finally, do you want to buy new, or second hand? You can save a lot of money by buying a second-hand pram, so if you are on a budget, you could get a very nice second-hand pram with good features for the same price as a brand new basic pram. The main thing to remember here is to check the pram thoroughly when buying second-hand. Make sure it is secure in every position, check the brakes & security features. Obviously, you will want to check for stains too – but these are not as important as making sure it is safe & reliable – it can always be washed.

So hopefully, by considering these questions, you will have a better idea on the pram you want to buy. It is a big decision, as you will be using the pram weekly (if not daily) for years to come. Make sure you do your research & make sure you shop around. There are plenty of good deals out there – don’t just go for the first one you find!

For more tips like these, pram reviews (like this review on the Silver Cross 3D Pram System) & to find the best deals on the latest prams, visit PramsReview.co.uk.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/tips-to-help-you-choose-the-right-pram-1783324.html

Mr. and Mrs. X and the Baby

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

Mr. and Mrs. X and the Baby

Fiction Short Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

(Dear Readers, this is a fiction short story, purely apocryphal, with a message for younger readers on the threshold of matrimony)

Mr. and Mrs. X desperately wanted to have a baby.

So they tried very hard to have a baby.

Poor Mr. and Mrs. X, they tried and tried, all by themselves, but they couldn’t have a baby.

And as time flew, and the biological clock ticked away, Mr. and Mrs. X became more and more anxious, and so with resolute perseverance, they put everything at stake, made determined efforts, consulted the best doctors in town, spent huge amounts of money on the best and most sophisticated infertility treatments possible, tried all sorts of things, exoteric and esoteric, left no stone unturned, struggled and struggled, with dogged persistence, till, at long last, at the age of 35, Mrs. X conceived, and after a difficult, delicate, grueling, backbreaking, anxious, harrowing  pregnancy, she overcame all sorts of complications, and finally, after enduring for nine long months, successfully delivered a beautiful bonny baby.

Everyone was delighted – the parents, having proved their mettle, the doctors, on the success of their treatment, the grandparents that the family lineage was preserved, the soothsayers, the relatives, the friends – everybody.

Three months later I happened to be in town and decided to visit Mr. and Mrs. X and their bonny baby.

On the way, at the jewellers, I bought a gold ornament as a present for the bonny baby.

I found my way to their classy house in an elite condominium located in the most posh and exclusive neighbourhood of the city.

I felt a tinge of envy thinking about Mr. and Mrs. X, the young IT whiz kids, who could achieve such expensive luxuries and an ostentatious living style so early in life.

The proud grandparents opened the door.

The baby, on her grandmother’s lap, looked cute, very cute and cuddly.

The baby’s parents, the young mother and father, were conspicuous by their absence.

It was late evening and I had expected Mr. and Mrs. X to be at home, doting upon their adorable little baby, so curious I asked, “Where is the young mother?”

“At work,” the grandfather answered.

“Oh! Back at work? So fast? But she should be back home soon, isn’t it?” I asked looking at the wall clock.

“No! No! She won’t be coming for at least six months now. She’s gone abroad, to the States, on an important project,” said the proud grandmother, cuddling and mothering the baby.

“And Mr. X, the proud father, he’ll be coming…” I asked.

“He’s in Singapore. He got a fantastic job offer the day the baby was born,” said the grandfather.

“You know, the baby has proved real lucky for them. Her mother got promoted as project leader, a hefty raise and this foreign assignment and her father got this fabulous job offer in Singapore,” said the proud grandmother, cuddling the baby, who suddenly started to cry.

“It’s her feed-time,” the grandmother said, handing over the baby to the grandfather, and she went to the kitchen to warm up the baby’s milk.

“It’s good,” the grandfather said lovingly fondling the bonny baby, “for all these years when they were trying so hard to have this baby, they had put their careers on the back-burner; now that they have got their baby, they can focus on their careers once again.”

The grandmother came out with the milk bottle and began feeding the bonny baby while the doting grandfather lovingly looked on.

I looked at the grandparents – the surrogate parents – and the baby – the light of their lives, their raison d’etre, probably their reason for living and certainly the source of all their present happiness.

As I said earlier, this is a fiction short story, purely apocryphal, with a message for younger readers on the threshold of matrimony.

Any Comments?

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2009

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

vikramkarve@sify.com

http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU and The Lawrence School Lovedale, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource and Training Manager by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book “Appetite for a Stroll”. Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram’s Creative Writing Blog – http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/mr-and-mrs-x-and-the-baby-1775479.html

Babysitters in Miami – Looking for a Child Minder near You?

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

It can be stressful finding reliable childcare, and as for lining up babysitters in Miami via the web, most parents are in the dark about how they can locate someone they can trust with this important task. Can they trust reviews from past clients, internet classified ads, or look for a baby sitting Referral Company that can do the work for them? What does anyone really know about and who can be someone who will take loving care of their child? One of the simplest and most efficient ways for dealing with this stressful question is to employ the services of a referral company that will set you up with a suitable caregiver.

Find Babysitters in Miami Now – Click Here!

Prior to engaging the services of babysitters in Miami, take a little time to define all the various job requirements and what you want in the way of character and personality. For example, when and how often do you need this person? What tasks will the sitter be expected to do? Do you need any specialized care? Would you like your babysitter to have a quiet, calm demeanor? Compile a sample contract for your childcare provider to sign which lists the important qualities that are important to you.

Upon completion of your list of requirements, the next thing to do is decide on an easy, and most importantly, reliable way to find the perfect candidate for you and your child. Of the various ways you can go about this, the best is to link up with a digital babysitter placement agency. Babysitter placement agencies are capable of giving you the tools you need to access impressive listings of a wide range of candidates who are looking for a job caring for your child.

Hiring babysitters in Miami in your locale, you can simply open up msn (or whatever search engine you choose) and type a minimum of two keywords: your locale (city, state and zip code), and the exact type of childcare provider you want to find. After scanning all the options that have made their appearance on your monitor, you select those that appear to be the best choices available in your locale. Compare the experience level and references of the babysitters and choose the candidate who is available when you need to leave your child or attend to other business.

A reputable agency should always give you a variety of capabilities: a no-charge search of the caregivers in your area, and a glimpse of the child provider through their online description (photograph, basic information about them, previous experience, etc.). Many times you can try out their program for free, which typically have the limitation of a certain time-frame, take advantage of this option and in order to examine the quality of service which is offered.

If you wish to learn more about finding babysitters in Miami



Visit: online babysitter finder

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/babysitters-in-miami-looking-for-a-child-minder-near-you-1772420.html

You Need More Money? Need Good Luck? Want To Win Money? Need A Good Luck Charm?

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Moms & Dads, Do You Need Better Luck? Do You Need More Money? Do You Want And Need To Find True Love? Then It’s Simple…You Need An Indian Medicine Bag Good Luck Attracting Amulet To Help With These Things!

 

Okay Ladies & Gentlemen, for thousands of years now, people have sometimes turned to Good Luck Charms and Amulets to help them with a variety of hopes and dreams! The most popular two reasons why people of today turn to Good Luck Amulets, such as the Indian Medicine Bag, are for Matters of Love, Sex, Dating, and Romance and the other is for Money and Financial Matters!

If you want or need more money, a better body, a better job, to meet a lover, to meet a FWB, to get an acting or modeling gig, or anything else under the sun, then maybe you should try an Indian Medicine Bag Good Luck Amulet!

These Indian Medicine Bags just might also help you quit smoking or some other bad habit, lose weight, win money gambling, ward off evil and negativity, eliminate jinxes and curses, and settle problems with others! Even though the law requires us to say things like these are for entertainment purposes, you and I know better! 

Hello, my name is Father Time, and I am a writer, plus I have an awesome website that you will fall in love with, and when you do, please tell a few friends! Thanks! On the website there are many cool items, plus some great Lucky Crystals, Jewelry, and Incense! You Can See The Indian Medicine Bag Good Luck Amulet By Clicking Here! I also hope that you will order one, and they have even been known to start helping a few people immediately after they were ordered, and before the person even received it!

Remember, Life is too short to deny yourself the simple pleasures, and sometimes we want to treat ourselves to a little entertainment, so why can’t we? We are all adults!

Good Karma…Please send this article from ArticlesBase.com to whomever you know that may like it or need the information! Thanks!

If you need motivation to quit smoking, lose weight, make your sales calls, or with any other area of your life! I offer an awesome Daily Dose Of Motivation Via e-mail Seen Here and maybe you will catch it “on sale” or at a special deal!

Good Luck looking for the person of your dreams, that new job, or the next gambling win, and best wishes with the diet, exercise, or whatever else you are working on!

Many Blessings!

Father Time has been a published writer for over thirty two years and particularly focuses on motivational and self-help writing and speaking! He also has many years of sales experience and writes sales & marketing training and materials. He has a fabulous eBook featuring over 111 Ideas How Practically Anyone Can Make Money From Home With Their Very Own Home Based Business! You don’t have to live in the USA for this eBook to help you!

Father Time currently does a lot of writing for hire, especially article marketing pieces for folks who have their own websites to promote. IF you have a website, you should contact him for some good writing to promote your site; right away! You will be glad that you did! Details are found on his website!

Father Time also deals in wholesale merchandise, and is willing to help ordinary people who need to earn cash, by selling small quantities of wholesale items that people can re-sell for a cash profit. This is an easy way to earn an immediate cash income, it’s just like selling Avon, for example! There are great catalogs available as well!

Father’s website: www.FatherTimePublishing.com and if YOU are simply purchasing at retail, you save an extra 15% off. (Sorry, discount doesn’t apply to writing, readings, eBooks, sales items, or wholesale packages) The coupon code is: SaveNow

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/you-need-more-money-need-good-luck-want-to-win-money-need-a-good-luck-charm-1768208.html

Fun Decorating Projects That Kids Can Do

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Children are naturally creative, and if you encourage that part of them they may surprise you with some really great designs. One of the easiest ways for you to encourage your child’s creative juices is to let them decorate their bedroom. Even if it looks somewhat questionable to you, letting them create their own space will further feed their creative spirit. Of course, depending on their age, they may need a little help getting the job done.

Fun Kids Decor Project #1: Fun with Finger Painting
Finger painting is a fun activity for all ages. This activity can be enjoyed by the tiniest of children right up to teens. While you can always have them simply do a finger painting picture and hang it in their room, you can also take finger painting and apply it to the furnishings. For example, you can make finger painted curtain toppers for their windows. Make sure that you have plenty of space to work in and cover the work area with a cloth for easy cleanup. Buy or make some curtain toppers in a pale color and lay them on your work surface. Put out pans with finger paint in them. Let small children dip their hands in the paint and stamp handprints across the curtain topper in different colors. When the masterpiece is complete, let the curtain dry and then iron to set the paint so that the curtain is washable. Another idea is to make a finger paint border for your child’s room. Add a white paint chair rail around the room, and let the child “hand” stamp the walls.

Fun Kids Decor Project #2: Decorate with Decoupage
Another great project that can be enjoyed by young and old alike is decoupage. This project covers an old chair with decoupage. First have the child cut favorite magazine pictures of photos. You can even make color copies of some of their favorite storybooks or cartoon characters. Once they have their cutouts, let the child decide how to arrange them on the furniture. Then affix the pictures to the chair with the decoupage glue. First coat the underside of the picture, and then stick it to the chair. Next paint a layer of decoupage glue over the top of the picture to seal it. Let the project dry and then coat two more times allowing the chair to completely dry in between each application.

Fun Kids Decor Project #3: Buy a Kit
Children that are a little more grown up may be able to do projects on their own. Look for kits to get them started. A paint by numbers mural or latch hook rug kit are both great projects for decorating a room. The rug kits are really easy for kids to make, and the resulting rub is fun and colorful. You can buy pre-designed carpet canvas, or you can decorate your own depending on your child’s interest in the project. Wall murals are not that difficult to do, and they give a huge impact to the room. The wall mural is fun, because as your child outgrows it, they can simply paint a new one; so it is actually an ongoing project.

After acting as a contributing editor for http://www.americanartisanart.com/, Angela Glancy, an award winning designer in her own right offers tips on displaying contemporary metal wall art and large wall sculptures.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/fun-decorating-projects-that-kids-can-do-1762802.html

Great mother in China

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Born with a deformity, Xiong Mingqiang’s head is disproportionately large for his small 80-cm tall body, which prevents him from even standing up on his own. However, the unfortunate man fortunately has a mother who chose to forever shoulder him in a bamboo basket, caring for him and keeping him in touch with the world outside of their timeworn earthen house. The great mother has carried her son for 35 years. 

About 8 am yesterday morning, his mother’s arm wrapped Xiong’s chest and back in order to lift him up and slowly drop him in the basket placed on a stool. She will walk about 1 hour from their home in Taluo village to the nearest bus stop for a ride to Xiong’s uncle. Wen Qizhen’s upper body bows deeply forward to keep her balance while walking. Whenever she encounters a slope or stairs, she has to push both hands against her knees to give them extra strength. 

“I have carried Xiong outside since he was born. They said calcium deficiency might have led to his condition and basking in sunshine was good for him, so I did it,” Wen said without much expression. 

Xiong was brought up in three damp, dingy rooms in the Taluo mountain village, Nanpeng county, southwest of Chongqing municipality. “But we were later told that he is deformed, which sentenced Xiong to being unable to stand up for life. Many neighbors have suggested I abandon him for his own sake as well, but how could I ever do that?” said Wen. She said since then, she knew the child needed to be helped for the rest of his life.

Wen firmly believes that each mother will do the same thing as her. 

Xiong’s father and two younger brothers were either busy with farm work, or migrated to other provinces to provide a livelihood, so his mother is the one who helps him with his daily necessities. She also often carries Xiong to visit relatives, go to village fairs or other events to “widen his views”.“Because I’m dying to see what’s there outside. If I had sealed myself up in home without learning, I would even be mentally disabled,” Xiong said with his twisted short arms on the basket. 

“My mom is my legs and hands. Having her around, I feel less handicapped,” said Xiong.

With the face of an adult, Xiong continues to travel in his mother’s basket, regardless of others’ looks “mostly tainted with curiosity or scorns”. Crawling and sometimes hiding behind his mother’s back, Xiong said he is more familiar with the aging woman’s shoulders than her face.

“I’ve seen close up her hair turning gray and back bending even lower. I’ve become very uneasy that one day she might pass away and leave me alone,” he said.
“But at that time, I will feel sadder for not having done anything to pay her back – all I can do is to sit and move my lips.”
“For now, I would rather stay in than ask to be moved outside – to lessen her burden,” Xiong said, patting his mother’s shoulders in a way to “massage” her.

But his mother thinks differently.

“As long as I have one last breath, I’ll keep carrying him and letting him enjoy every day,” Wen said.

 Yes, being disabled is lamentable. But Xiong Mingqiang’s mother has never given up him. How to interpret the great maternal love? Wen is a good example.Show solicitude for our parents now, maybe buy a pair of discount ugg boots for them. It depends on our good regards rather than money or something like that.

 

A nine-year-old boy’s love

What husbands want

Copyright reserved by go4uggboots.com

 

 

 

 

 

golf clubs |
Discount UGG Boots | UGG Classic Cardy Boots | UGG Classic Tall Boots | UGG Classic Short Boots

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/great-mother-in-china-1758801.html

Personal Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Greenhouse gases are those gases that soak up and give off radiation in the atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect, which simply means heating. The main gases involved in creating the greenhouse effect on our planet are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, water vapor, ozone, nitrous oxide and CFCs, that is, chlorofluorocarbons. These gases are emitted on a regular basis by human beings, which cause more and more global warming. Having a personal greenhouse gas emissions calculator is one step that can be taken to reduce the emissions every day.

Also referred to as a Household Emissions Calculator or Climate Change Calculator, the Personal Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator helps an individual to understand how their consumption of fuel and other energy sources contribute to global warming and provide ideas on how to cut down their emissions.

The calculator is available online from such websites as the EPA and NASA websites . The calculator enables the user to estimate the current level of emissions in their household, to find out what the person can do about it if their emissions are high, and to give a monetary value to saving on greenhouse gas emissions. The calculator shows how much money one can save by cutting down on how much they use on their energy needs.

The Personal Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator takes about 10 to 15 minutes to fill in. One may need to collect their recent bills for gas and electricity in order to receive the most accurate results from the calculator. There is also an allowance for more specific details about the home, such as the exact square kilometers it occupies. Having more details reveals a more accurate calculation of greenhouse emissions in the home.

The main aspects that the calculator incorporates are the number of people living in a particular household; modes of heating in the home such as electricity or gas; transportation, meaning the number of vehicles currently owned by the residents of the home as well as the mileage on each one; and waste and recycling. Assumptions made by the makers of the greenhouse gas emissions calculator are based on national and international statistics on energy consumptions and global warming.

Emissions from air travel are not included since the calculator is mainly focused on the household. For individuals who are frequent flyers, the emissions calculations should include the amount of fuel they spend on ground transportation such as fuelling the car to get to the airport. Air travel emissions will be included in the calculator in the future because aircraft consumption is calculated differently from the household consumptions.

Several suggestions are offered at the end of taking the personal greenhouse gas emissions calculator that can be done in the home, in the office and on the road. They include switching to energy saving light bulbs, cleaning air filters to decrease the energy spent in heating and cooling the household, insulating the attic and the basement of the house, and the three Rs of handling waste: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The reminder to spread the word about the personal greenhouse gas emissions calculator should not be taken for granted because the more the people who know about changing their lifestyles to fight against global warming, the greater the change that can be made in the environment.

Daniel Beeler is the Author of these Parenting Articles. You can simply visit our blog site at http://parentingteens.com/blog

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/personal-greenhouse-gas-emissions-calculator-1754053.html

Information on Best & Worst Booster Seats of 2009 Provided by IIHS

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Until children are grown enough to be restrained properly with seatbelts, they should continue riding in booster seats to increase safety.

Booster seats are meant to hold children securely in place, so that there is a minimum of movement or jostling if an accident were to occur.  This helps prevent injuries and minimize the impact of a crash, however it is imperative that the right quality booster seat be chosen.  Unfortunately, some booster seats are not of good quality, malfunction, and can actually put your child at an increased risk of serious injury should an accident occur.

Recently, the second list of the worst and best booster seats for children has been released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  While the institute had 60 to consider, it chose 15 as good and best bets when it comes to protecting your child.  Among the considerations to be included in these lists are the protection the booster seat offers, fit, and proper buckling of seat belts.  It should also be comfortable so that children are not tempted to place the shoulder belt under or behind their arms.

The 15 Best Bets and Good Bets according to the IIHS after testing at its vehicle research center are as follows:

Good Bets

1.  Britax Parkway SG
2.  Combi Kobuk
3.  Evenflo Symphony 65
4.  Graco TurboBooster
5.  Graco TurboBooster
6.  Maxi-Cosi Rodi

The Best Bets, according to IIHS:

1.  Britax Frontier
2.  Clek Oobr
3.  Combi Dakota
4.  Cosco Juvenile Pronto
5.  Eddie Bauer Auto Booster
6.  Evenflo Big Kid Amp
7.  Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR
8.  Recaro Vivo
9.  Recaro Young Sport

The IIHS also compiled a list of booster seats that are not recommended, which includes 11 that are found to provide a poor fit.  The results:

1.  Alpha Omega
2.  Alpha Omega Elite
3.  Alpha Omega Luxe Echelon
4.  Combi Kobuk
5.  Eddie Bauer Deluxe
6.  Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1
7.  Evenflo Express
8.  Evenflo Sightseer
9.  Harmony Secure Comfort Deluxe
10.  Safety 1st All-in-one
11.  Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite

It is important to note that the choices in the “not recommended” list are there because they do not provide a good fit, not because they are defective.  They have been placed in this category because of the fact that the seatbelt does not fit as well as the models listed in the Good and Best bets.  If you have one of the models listed in the not recommended list, you are urged not to discard it.  Riding in an ill-fitting booster seat provides more protection than not using one at all.

The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of California product liability.  Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.

Joel McLaughlin
Learn more about California accident attorneys by visiting this link.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/information-on-best-worst-booster-seats-of-2009-provided-by-iihs-1751661.html

3 Steps to Dealing With Defiant Teens

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Dealing with defiant teens can be frustrating. You want the best for your child, but how do you guide him in the right direction when he’s obviously off track? And how do you know when a teen is just going through a phase or when he needs outside help? In this article, you will learn three important tips for progressively getting back the child that you know and love and how to help a teen who you can’t seem to make an impact on.

First, you must understand that defiant teens’ behavior is a function of brain development and hormones. Adolescence is a time of neuronal pruning and brain reconstruction. During this time, the brain gets rid of entire neural networks and builds the prefrontal cortex, which is that part of the brain that once fully developed, allows young adults to make healthy choices.

Problem is during the teen years, your child’s brain goes out the window. This is why formally responsible kids can suddenly start making shockingly poor choices. Couple this with the surge of hormones during adolescence and you get behaviors like disrespect, aggression and teen defiance. Choices made while in a rebellious state can be a recipe for disaster for kids and the parents who are responsible for them.

As parents, we know full well that decisions made during the teen years can affect a person for their entire life. For instance, the decision to make good grades can be the springboard to college and the ability to earn a good living at a satisfying career and support a loving family. The choice to dropout can lead to a lifetime of low paying jobs and barely scraping by.

We love our kids, but defiant teens and their choices frighten us and make us worried about their future. Below are three tips that will help. (Note these tips apply to teens who get along with people most of the time, not with teens who are chronically mean-spirited and rebellious. Read to the end of the article to learn how to get help for this type of teenager.)

  • Give your child kudos for the good choices he makes. If you are always on his back about what he does wrong, he will end up feeling like he can’t do anything right, so why bother? In some ways, teenagers are like two-year olds—you need to acknowledge the small steps they take in positive directions and define firm limits. So give your kid a “good job” when you catch him studying or when he takes his dinner plate to the sink, but don’t be over the top about it. Let him know that you appreciate the good things he does with small expressions of approval. Sometimes a nod, or a pat on the back will be all he needs.
  • Do not rescue your child from the consequences of his behavior. If he acts like a typical defiant teen and backtalks one of his teachers, do not call and make excuses for his behavior. Let your teen learn on his own that his behavior has consequences in the real world for which he must be responsible. Talk to him about making choices that serve him, rather than those that ultimately make him miserable, but don’t preach. Ask him the questions that will help him find the answers on his own. One of the most difficult tasks we face as parents is to let our children learn the tough lessons in life, but ultimately, this will make them responsible human beings.
  • Trust in teen development. Remember what you were like when you were a teen. In some ways, when defiant teens reject us and all we stand for, they are desperately trying to find themselves. Yes, this may involve making some poor, reactionary choices, but as long as we help them learn and clearly define the limits, we should be able to steer our teens away from those choices that permanently alter the course of their lives. Trust in the seeds of love and wisdom you have planted in your teen. In time, they will sprout and flourish.

Of course, these suggestions will only work with kids who are basically good kids, but act like defiant teens from time to time. For kids that have been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, you need a different tact. These kids have adopted a behavioral style that is chronically negative and combative. Even if your teen has not been diagnosed with this condition, but he shows this teen behavior, you should get help.

Don’t wait because as your teen grows in stature, strength and psychological power, this behavior usually worsens, so it’s important to get help now. Studies have shown that this type of teen behavior can even lead to criminal behavior in adulthood. The solution for a defiant teens is to get them into therapy or use an at-home behavioral program that will teach you the skills to help your teenager turn his life around. The benefits of a behavioral program is that it creates measurable changes in behavior and is a tool that you can use to educate yourself, so you’ll know what to do when your teen acts out.

Another possibility, although a lot more drastic is military school or teen boot camp, but most parents consider this only as a last resort.

As parents, we love our kids and want the best for them. That’s why we must pay attention to the cues that our teens give us and learn when they just need patience, limits and guidance and when defiant teens require outside help.

Laura Ramirez is an advocate who helps troubled kids get their lives back on track with an at-home behavioral modification program called Total Transformation which was developed by a therapist who was once a troubled teen himself.

She is also the award-winning author of the parenting book, Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting which teaches parents how to raise kids to develop their strengths and lead fulfilling, productive lives.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/3-steps-to-dealing-with-defiant-teens-1745680.html

Proper Parenting And Becoming A Good Role Model To Your Children

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Most children have lost the respect and the admiration they once had for their parents and they are not entirely to blame for this. Parents have failed in their responsibilities and their role in the upbringing of their children. Like in the case of disciplining their children, they have left this to fate. I am one person who believes that when you spare the rod you spoil the child, but for this to be administered correctly there is need to have parenting skills.

Good parenting involves include not argue or fight with your partner in the full glare of your children. Also do not confront your partner in the presence of children, relatives or any other person. Wait until when you are only the two of you and talk about what is bothering you. This will make the children respect you both.

Regardless of how busy you are; good parenting is making time for your children. Have heart to heart talks with them. Create an atmosphere where your children feel free to consult from you anything that involves their personal life. The internet has get information on good parenting skills so make use of it. Attend your children’s school events instead of sending your driver or house help.

Be fully involved in every phase of your children growth. If you have a girl, daddy should take her out on a ‘date’. This makes girls extremely confident even when they become adults and if you are a single mother get a man you truly trust to be a father figure to your kids.

Instead of spending all your free time with the boys having beer, watching football and discussing politics, or with the girlfriends sharing drinks, talking about fashion, be home and help your kids with their homework. Proper parenting is about commitment and focus in the welfare of your spouse and children.

Parents should never give bribes openly in the presence of their young ones or giving them alcohol or cigarettes. If possible keep away from these negative habits and be a good role model to your children. Let them know that these habits are detrimental to their personal life, thus when they grow up they will make good life choices.

Stephen shares his experience in Personal Growth Tips that will definitely Add Value to your Life. Website:- Self Improvement Tips

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/proper-parenting-and-becoming-a-good-role-model-to-your-children-1743147.html