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I read with great interest the article "Despair is up — so why isn't crime?" (Dec.

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Americans hear tragic stories every day involving guns! However, we must discuss community change if we are going to stop violent behavior! Government, police, schools and nonprofit groups work to reduce violence with educational programs on child abuse, bullying, drug abuse, domestic violence and gangs. Political leaders write new gun control laws to stop gun violence. However, citizens need a multifaceted approach to break the cycle of violence. We need to address, America's spiritual crisis and strengthening families.

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The headline from Pinole, Califo ia read: “The killer showed no remorse.” A 28- year-old man was sentenced for killing two young teens by mistake because they wore red (the gang color of his enemies). At the hearing, he turned to the sobbing parents and said, “Get over it!” Criminal gangs in ...

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For decades, politicians have tried to break the cycle of violence by hiring more police and implementing new laws. Those strategies and other penalties, however, have limitations because they do little to prevent the next generation from following the same destructive path. City officials ...

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Millions of people enjoyed Michael Jackson’s genius as a showman, however, his legacy is even greater if we learn from his life story. During a TV interview, “Living with Michael Jackson,” Michael stated he was beaten by his father. He was so terrified he became physically ill when he saw him. When asked about his mother, he said he could hear her screaming, “Stop you’re going to kill him.” Physical, mental and sexual child abuse is a family secret that must be exposed. All forms of abuse leave life long scars on victims.

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The Internet discussion reminded me, neighbors must be involved. The blog centered around a seven-year-old boy who broke into four homes, trashed houses and abused neighbor’s pets. The question was, “What should neighbors do?” I read 27 responses without one suggestion about helping this ...

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Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions and health care costs to address this issue have now reached $14 billion a year. But ordinary citizens have discovered an unexpected solution to this national problem: walkable neighborhoods. By forming walking clubs, Americans are not only ...

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America slowly evolved from “In God we trust” to the “me generation” demanding rights without a sense of responsibility to neighbors or community. The loss of community involvement has contributed to the growth of criminal gangs. When families break down, children can become angry. They can find comfort and support through gangs, sex and drugs. The FBI reports the peak age for burglary is 16 and violence, age 18. Without correction, children fill the void with a false sense of power. Without responsible adults, a teen can steal or assault another child without guilt.

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One of the main reasons why most New Year’s resolutions fail is because we don’t look at them as making life changes. When we give our resolutions the title of “life-changing” events, we need to approach them in a different way. We should set them as goals, and make plans to reach these goals. Change is a gradual process that takes time. We also need to learn to better manage our time to create something new in our lives. Acknowledging successes.

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U.S. Special Forces killed Osama Bin Laden one year ago. As the 1st anniversary approaches, Americans are being warned to stay alert as terrorists may be planning violent acts of revenge. Brave American soldiers removed this ego-driven man, however, his behavior should be a wake up call for everyone. Bin Laden was part of a very dangerous worldwide movement.

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America’s budget crisis and economic downtu has experts writing articles and wondering why crime has gone down. A former Los Angeles police chief gives credit to tracking, analyzing numbers and quick responses. Richard Rosenfeld, a sociologist who studies crime trends states, "a remarkable decline." He suggests possible explanations include, extended benefits, food stamps and other government-driven economic stimulus "have cushioned and delayed for many people the big blows that come from a recession."

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Life on earth is an miraculous blend of spirit and matter, an expression of the universal force at the heart of creation. Whatever you call that force-- God, All-That-Is, the Ete al, Prime Mover, Ground of Being, Allah, Yahweh, Shiva, Zeus, or Life itself-- you and I and every living thing is ...

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Did you ever hear the old phrase "What you don't know can't hurt you"? Well, it can. In fact, family secrets can destroy your life in more ways than one. There is usually one person who is the "keeper of the secrets". That person is privileged to all the things that are unsavory about the family and usually decides who gets to know about them and when. Secrets are passed down through a family much like a family recipe. The eldest person gets the privilege of the power.

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"Marc" was nine years old when his mother was killed by a drunk driver. An immigrant with no other family support, he bounced through foster homes until he "aged out" of Child Services at eighteen, and the system abandoned him to sleep in his car. He didn't waste time feeling like a victim. He ...

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Toxic Families is a subject upon which I am an expert and that is a sad fact. It doesn't have anything to do with time spent sloughing through psychology or sociology courses or spent learning to be a life counselor. My particular expertise is highlighted by multiple examples in my own life. This is the time of the year when having a toxic family hurts more than most any other. Even the most balanced family can have spats or falling outs but a toxic one takes even the smallest slight to the extreme.

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Everyone comes into life with a purpose. You are a unique expression of the universal life force. Spirit guides you from the moment your life begins. The people and events of your life reflect your spirit's journey. No one else ever has or will affect the world as you do. With every act, word or ...

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Life on earth is a miraculous blend of spirit and matter, an expression of the universal life force at the heart of creation. Whatever you call that force--God, All-That-Is, the Ete al, the Prime Mover, the Ground of Being, Allah, Yahweh, Shiva, Zeus, or an name you invent yourself--you and ...

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The murder of 12 and wounding of 58 people at a theater in Aurora, CO is another national tragedy sparking debate on gun control. Based on my experience as a crime and violence prevention consultant, over the past 35 years, I see a need to share what I have learned about violence.

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Penn State and Syracuse University are facing national scandals! At Penn State in 2002, an assistant coach witnessed a sexual assault of a child, told administrators and no one reported it to police. Seven more assaults have now been reported.

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A friend wrote to me: I'm in the mountains right now, and having a terrible time with my muscles and with the altitude. I don't know if I'll ever want to come back here. But this trip did give me a chance to tell my brother about some things he said that upset me. It was hard to do because he's ...

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George Will’s national editorial, “Should U.S. legalize drugs?” needs discussion. Will states, “20 percent of all prisoners – 500,000 - are incarcerated for dealing illegal drugs, but alcohol causes as much as half of America’s criminal violence and vehicular fatalities.” Interdiction and incarceration cost billions, so some say, “Let’s just try legalization.”

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Have you ever thought about suicide? Have you ever felt like the world would be better off without you in it? Have you ever spent hours crying or lying in bed with your head covered up? Have you cut yourself off from friends and family? Do you spend copious amounts of time alone in your home? These are all symptoms of depression. Clinically, the signs of depression are as follow: • Feeling sad or tearful • Significant loss of pleasure in life • Weight loss or gain without trying • Trouble sleeping • Sleeping too much • Agitationr

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How do you identify a toxic relationship? Here is a list of ways to tell if something might possibly be wrong in your personal relationship with your significant other. Just answer these questions truthfully. • Does your significant other verbally abuse you? • Does your significant other say he/she loves you but act the other way? • Does your significant other keep you from your friends or family? • Is your significant other jealous of your children? • Has your significant other ever opened your mail? Read your email? Listened in on your phone calls?r

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In marriage, what do you think “forever” means? • Till death do us part • Until the divorce is final • Until someone more interesting comes along • Even after we are dead and buriedr

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Do you remember when neighbors knew every child on the block and they called parents if they misbehaved? At that time, neighbors knew how important it was to correct children before destructive behavior got out of control. As a crime and violence prevention consultant for 36 years, I saw a gradual change as citizens became dependent on the police to control neighborhood issues including loud music, young vandals and bullies on the block. Neighbors no longer knew each other.

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“Must stay on guard,” (Bay Area News Group Editorial 5-2-11), is a message for all citizens. However, Americans need to know what they can do to reduce this dangerous threat to our safety. Terrorism is an unholy war with evil leaders spreading fear to promote their agenda. Terrorists want to rule the world and convince followers to sacrifice themselves for heavenly rewards. Naïve followers don’t question and become extremely dangerous. For centuries, charismatic men have twisted religion for their own purpose. American examples include:r

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Maybe you are looking at the title to this article and thinking "What the heck? How can family be toxic?". Maybe you are one of those people who know exactly what the title is all about. Whatever your reason for reading this article, I hope it speaks to you and you learn something from reading it.

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Twenty-two year old Jared Loughner killed six and wounded 14 innocent people in Tucson. The public reaction; a “deranged monster.” Others blame angry political speeches. Loughner’s friends called him a “social outcast.” This tragic event is a wake up call to focus on mental health and how to stay safe. We need to identify root causes and examine solutions for violent behavior. Human beings have the power to make choices for good or evil regardless of what has happened in the past.

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LOSS OF FAMILY 1. 50% of marriages end in divorce which cuts a child’s support system in half – 1 in 4 women in abusive relationships. 2. Adult bullies: Mental abuse with put downs, insults, belittling, cursing, screaming and controlling without listening or guiding. 3. Physical abuse: hitting, whipping, slapping, kicking or sexual abuse of a child. 4. Bio-parents have authority to discipline and guide, not a stepparent, boyfriend or girlfriend. 5. Overly emotional women (crying, pleading, begging) lose their authority with teens, especially boys.

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“All we have to fear is fear itself.” We’ve heard President F.D. Roosevelt’s quote so often, it risks being trite. But I think this was an example of his effort to provide the nation with emotional leadership in a dour time. All we really have to fear is blind refusal to understand how ...

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It sometimes seems that the general public isn’t paying attention to the growing crisis in long-term care for the elderly but we can’t blame the press for not trying to get the message out. It seems that almost very daily newspaper and other national and local media outlet has published articles ...

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Here is the theme and the statement of the day: In order for any relationship to work and have any lasting prospect of existence what it must have first and foremost is INTEGRITY. So, what is this thing we call integrity? We use the word usually in relationship with others, like politicians, business people, and such. We can say when ‘those people’ have no integrity. How often do we think about and consider our own integrity? Do we know when we are in integrity and when we are not?

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Step Oner Answer this question honestly and with as much clarity and detail as possible: What is it that you really want? If you are having a difficult time with this question then write down on one side of a piece of paper what you do not want or what is happening in your life right now that you want to change. On the other side right down what you would rather see happening instead. Once you have a list of what you want tear the paper in half and throw away the piece that lists your ‘don’t wants’.

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The things inside families are pretty complicated nowadays. Many parents don't know how to handle their children and let them grow on their own, which sometimes can end really bad. On the other hand, others are obsessed by making their children some kind of geniuses. Of course, many parents would like to encourage and even push their children’s brain potential as much as possible at an early age. This is fine, but parents need to know how to stimulate the young mind and, of course, when to do it as to achieve optimal results.

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Mother Teresa said “I was once asked why I don’t participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I’ll be there”. September 21 was Peace One Day, a day to bring people together with activities and events that focus on creating peace in the world. We need Peace One Day every day. Whatever we put our thoughts and efforts towards will grow. So what are you placing your thoughts and efforts towards?

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Every challenge is an opportunity. The recession is a perfect chance to create a shift in your family's values; a chance to move from want-based, status-based, and impulse spending, to sustainable consumer choices. Of course, the first step is to make that reframe in your own thought process. ...

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Does your teenager want to use the Internet to meet and communicate with new cyber-friends? Are they looking for others who share similar interests? To do this, they may want to go into online chat rooms. Internet chat rooms are fun and a way to meet new friends. Its also easy to use and ...

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Setting up internet safety rules, no matter how old your child is, can be a good step for your child when online. n Whether it's a school project, emailing friends or poking around a chat room, children on the Internet go many places. Internet safety rules for going those places and doing ...

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Scams? With missing children? You Bet! Its unfortunate but true. There are some scurrilous individuals around that play the “missing child” alert to scrape and steal email addresses for their spamming purposes. Even child safety experts get side tracked by this. The alert came ...

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As conscious parents working to create a better world, we know that the work - and joy - of it begins at home. Here are seven steps that offer you a foundation for clear and healthy communication with your most precious focus; your children. 1. Honor your kid's questions with answers. If your ...

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Online safety protect your child from the violence, explicit language, pornography, sex, nudity, gambling, predators, viruses, spyware, and adware and WHEW! Anything else that might be out there! These are some of the threats that your kids can encounter while on line. And since you can't ...

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Coming from a life long career in education, I believe in teaching by example. The first thing is to recognize the situation and the problem. The possible solutions come later. The following is a short story which may hit home for you or for someone you know. It presents a scenario to be ...

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What on earth is a child safety expert doing on a self growth and personal improvement site? What does child safety have to do with personal improvement? Everything! We know that confident kids have an advantage. We know that kids that stand a little taller, walk a little straighter with ...

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Empowering your child to take care of themselves is one of the most powerful Safety Secret we can offer you. Empowerment means you teach them to make choices, good choices, for themselves. When you mentor them as a parent you actually guide them into learning to make good, positive choices for ...

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Fourth of July is upon us this week! Just about all of us grow up watching the fireworks and parades after a day of family bar-b-ques, swimming and picnics. Here are a few safety reminders for you, your family and your children for a safe and happy holiday. At the pool or lake, even for ...

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Confident kids are safer kids. It’s common sense and no special safety secret. Kids who are confident are naturally less of a target for predators and criminals, even the bullies at school. Confidence belies and underlying, subconscious message that says, “I’m not easy. I’m not going down.” ...

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A Deeper Look at Relationship Talk... If you want a full-of-respect, caring relationship, try this full-of-caring, respectful talk with anyone in your circle that you care about. It's especially important with your intimate partner.

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We know that sexual predators search for the child that they see as weak, sad and unhappy. It's the kid with the shuffling feet, head drooping and eyes fixed to the ground. It's the child that appears they are in need of a friend. The predator wants an easy target when the time is "right." For ...

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Internet Safety? Is you child on the Internet? If they are, I hope you have internet safety rules already in place. If you do, how well is your child following them? Your child following the rules you set up for them when they are online is as important as knowing basic Internet safety ...

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As a parent, your child’s safety from sexual predators depends on you. Your know that, especially when they are young, you are always there to protect them. As your child grows, they need to learn various safety techniques so they can begin to keep themselves safe. Even the youngest of children ...

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We all know as parents that discussing and negotiating the rules with our children is never easy. When they were younger, “negotiating” was a series of ,”Please, Please Please, can we, Mom?” until we relented. As they grew into elementary age children their skills became more savvy in order to ...

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Limit Whining and Teach Better Communication "I dooooon’t waaaaaaaaaant toooooooooo!" It's irritating, it's frustrating and it gets on your nerves. Though it's obnoxious, whining is actually a way your child gets your attention. And, like other habits, you can nip it in the bud early with ...

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A Deeper Look at the Pleasing Personality.

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Seasons are changing and it is time to think about putting away your summer or winter clothing—depending on where you live---and getting out the clothes that have been stored away. This is a good time to look at every article of clothing you have in your closet. Take out each one and check it for rips and stains. Analyze if you still like it, if you even wore it this year and if you want to keep it. The statistic is that 80% of the time we wear 20% of what we have hanging in our closets.

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A good deal of safety, for both kids and adults, stems from the fact that you project self-confidence. Many victims, whether being one from a bully at school, the office intimidator or the mugger, project weakness in their personas. Having low self-esteem does not necessarily mean you will be ...

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Have you been taught if a can of food is bulging then it is bad and that is all you know about the safety and quality of food on your shelf? If your milk in your fridge has passed the expiration date do you still drink it until it tastes bad?

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We’ve highlighted confidence, empowerment, positive praise (what we call ‘catch them being good’) and listening skills as four important elements in teaching your child to keep themselves safe. “Repetition” is the fifth and final secret to teaching kids to keep ...

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There are 5 Secrets we teach that truly make kids safe. These Secrets set the foundation of true safety for a lifetime innchildren, and can do the same for your child. We’re going to highlight these in our next few articles, so come back regularly! These Secrets will also surprise you. They ...

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There are 5 secrets we have learned that truly make kids safe. These Secrets set the foundation of real safety for a lifetime in children, and can do the same for your child. These secrets will also surprise you. They work quietly and effectively beneath the surface of your child’s brain. If ...

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The third secret to keeping your child safe and teaching them to keep themselves safe is, "Catch Them Being Good." When your child makes a bad choice, it's important for you to stay calm about it. Yes, this is easier said then done. However, it is critical in your child’s ability to keep ...

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Honestly this is the very hardest!! Tips I have found that work for me: I show him how I want it to look and how I want it kept that way (like junk 'resource' drawers that he also uses all the time). I bought organizers for the drawer and organized it and asked him (a verbal contract) if he would help me keep it that way. It worked. Now and again I do have to put things back in their right place in the drawer but that doesn't bother me as it is a very simple and quick thing to do.

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Today's world is a dangerous place. Today's dangerous world is very different than anything seen before. It's dangerous for adults. It is very dangerous for our precious children. This sad truth is a reality however, one that you must accept and deal with in order to keep your child safe from ...

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Do you cringe when you hear the word goal or New Year's resolutions? Or are you goal driven and you relish the thought of writing goals and crossing them off? I am one of the latter. I write down what I am going to do during a day, if I do something that is not on my list I sometimes go back and write it down just so I can cross it off. And I know others who do the same thing. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment which is motivational.

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When is playing video games unhealthy? How long is too long to be in front of a video game or television? How do you create the balance between video games and fresh air? Your schedule is full already with after school activities and music lessons; where can you find the time to spend outside doing some fun physical activities with your kids?

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A Deeper Look at the Pleasing Personality in a Work Setting… As I sat down, I asked Judy how her week had gone. Her reply, “Definitely not good.” So, I asked if something had happened. Yes, something had. Judy is an engineering consultant. She has a degree and 20 years of experience in her field. She’s been freelancing now for about 7 or 8 years with different companies, all in the pharmaceutical industry.

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A Deeper Look at How Parents Show Encouragement.

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When January rolls around, we look with fresh eyes at the new year ahead, thinking about things we want to achieve... dreams we'd love to come to life... goals we want to reach. Yet, I've heard a number of caregivers say things like, "Oh, I gave up on that dream when I started taking care of my folks" or "I don't have time for my goals anymore, I give everything to caregiving". A dream is just that-a vision of how life could be different. But a goal, with action steps and strategies that can be implemented, makes a dream come true.

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The Story Line. The Whos are preparing for their Christmas celebration. They’re obsessed with buying, giving, getting and decorating. Right from the start Cindy Lou, about 8 years old, observes all this activity and asks her father if it’s”right.” He brushes her off and says that this is how Whoville celebrates Christmas.

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The Story Line.

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A Deeper Look at the Defenses of Criticism and Blame.

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The Magazine was Published in the Fall of 2010. I Reviewed the Article in the Fall of 2010. My “Good Housekeeping” magazine came the other day and I’ve finally had time to sit down and go through it. It’s a magazine with a long, great history and it has done well evolving through its hundred years. It’s usually a quick and enjoyable read, short articles on a variety of subjects.

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This NPR program was aired in November of 2010. I’d finished writing a “Deeper Look” movie review of “The Blind Side” last night. But, now it’s Sunday morning and I’m planting shrubs in my back yard. I’m hoping to turn my mud spot into a sea of green; it would feel so much better when I look at it.

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A Deeper Look at Personality Traits In a Relationship When Ashley came to talk last night, I expected Mike to be with her. But instead, she was alone. He’d gone grocery shopping and had completely lost track of time. She was disappointed and frustrated at the same time. She and Mike are planning to marry in a year or so.

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A Deeper Look at Relationships -- Defenses (Not Listening and Others).

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For many, the decision to pursue adoption comes after years of struggling with infertility. Letting go of the dream of the biological child and embracing the deepest wish - to become a parent - usually involves some emotional work, your own and between you and your partner. The fact is that partners often come to the decision to adopt at different times. While stressful, this makes sense when you consider that you are unique individuals with different feelings about the losses of infertility; fears, fantasies, stereotypes or prior experiences related to adoption.

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A Deeper Look at Personality Concepts.

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If your parents live far away and yet you are involved in their care, you are one of 7 millio Americans who are long-distance caregivers, according to the National Institute on Aging estimates. According to a recent article written for the Associated Press by Matt Sedensky, the share of people 65 and older is expected to rapidly expand over the next four decades, while the number of people under 20 will roughly hold steady. Which means there will be a much smaller share of people between 20 and 64, the age group that most often is faced with caregiving.

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A Deeper Look at Relationships

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The holiday season brings traditions, meals, parties and gifts that can light up life for us. For some caregivers, though, the season can be truly unbearable. Many caregivers just want to get through the holidays and get the whole thing over with. Caregiving is stressful enough without adding on all the extra tasks that go with family gatherings, gift buying, meal planning, cooking, and other activities. Here's 7 tips to help you not simply survive the holidays but actually enjoy some of the holiday cheer:

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We all wish that we could have Mary Poppins to take over the childcare while we indulge ourselves with a night out. Unfortunately, that is not possible. So, what does a parent do to find the best person to provide childcare for their kids, for just a few hours? Here are five suggestions for you to consider when looking for your “Mary Poppins”:

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I can't believe it is that time of the year, again. The first day of school is just around the corner! I wonder where summer has gone? Now it is time to find that list of back to school supplies and then purchase them? Does it seem like your kids are groaning on the outside when you talk about going back to school? Just realize that no matter how they act on the outside they are most likely a little bit nervous on the inside. They probably just don't think it is cool to let those feelings show to their mom.r

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A Deeper Look at Personality Styles in Parenting...

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School has been part of your everyday routine for the past month now and already the kids are crying about their "boring" lunch choices. What if your schedule is too busy to spend time being creative with your child’s lunches? What are you supposed to do?

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A Deeper Look at Money Issues in Relationships… Nick and Ashley weren’t talking to each other when I came into the room. That’s never a good sign. But, I was hopeful that they’d be talking by the time we were finished.

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A Deeper Look at the Control Personality. Sam and I were having a conversation about why he’s depressed. I said that I knew his dad, Carl, had the same problem. Yeah, he thought his personality was like his dad’s in some ways. Like his dad, he’s angry a lot. (By the way, over time, chronic anger makes depression.)

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A Deeper Look at the Controlling Personality.

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A Deeper Look at “Talk” in Intimate Relations

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A Deeper Look at the Comfort Personality. Joel and I were talking the other day about some of his personality traits. A few of them are holding him back. Our talk focused on why he has no goals and, so, no direction. He’s busing tables in a restaurant now, but wants to move on to a “real” career, something that has meaning for him. Joel is 23, married and has an almost three-year-old daughter.

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A Deeper Look at Personality.

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A Deeper Look at Relationship Skills.

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A Deeper Look at Parenting.

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I’m always a little bit surprised when people who live together don’t respect each other enough to (1) listen, really, listen, (2) try to understand their partner and then, (3) work to compromise. It actually seems illogical. If you buy the idea that we’re each unique human beings, then it goes without saying that we’ll each be different. So, it follows then that when we choose to live with someone, we won’t always get exactly what we want.

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Now that you have establish the "family routine" for the new school year; it's time to help create great study habits for your children. Tests and assignments are part of the school routine and encouraging good work and study habits will help improve your child's grades and confidence in themselves for accomplishing tasks. The success of a child in school is dependent on their study habits and organizational skills. Establishing a homework routine or habit early will ensure fewer struggles for your child as they continue through school and life.

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A Deeper Look at The Passive/Active Concept in Relationships. Waiting isn’t Participating Yesterday I talked with Frank and Nicole about their very different life postures: passive or active. Frank and Nicole have been together for a little over two years. They truly love each other. And, one important positive is that they have many of the same values and interests.

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A Deeper Look at Your Feelings.

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You probably already know that self-confidence (self-esteem) is necessary to feel happiness inside and to achieve success out in the world. So, increasing our awareness of ourselves is pretty important as we do our life journey. Let’s get acquainted with how a self-confident person thinks. Below you’ll see some positive thoughts or beliefs. As you read, ask yourself how many of these are true for you? - I believe I have value because I’m human. - I believe that I know myself, both my positives and negatives and that I accept them both.

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A Deeper Look at Personality and Relationships.

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A Deeper Look at Relationship Talk. Just as there’s no crying in baseball, there’s no arguing in committed relationships. Yes, there’s disagreement because we’re all different. Yes, there’s discussion if our views are different. But, within the discussion there’s respect. Then, there’s negotiation and compromise. Ed and Lisa came into my office and as they sat down, we started talking. Their son, Don, 20, is looking at universities in Califo ia and Pennsylvania; he wants an environmental degree.

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Sometimes when I’m really tired or I realize I won’t get everything on my perpetual to-do list done, I hear myself complaining. My next thought? Oh, it’s just me being grumpy; I’m feeling sorry for myself. It’s then that I remind myself how rich my life is and how much I have to be grateful for. So, today I’ve written a fresh “Gratitude List.” It’s incomplete, of course, but I’ve started. I’m grateful for : - My deep spiritual and moral beliefs. - My grandchildren. - My health—my body has been very good to me.

Published · 1,817 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

A Deeper Look at Self-Esteem.

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A Deeper Look at Conversation in Relationship… Over time, observing myself and others, I notice how much we all just open our mouths and talk without any thinking or filtering. Most of us are reactive and on auto-pilot. Sometimes this careless conversation works okay but many times, it doesn’t, especially with your partner. Here are some ideas that might not have occurred to you. I hope they help. Talking Talk Plainly.

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A Deeper Look at Positive Parenting. Sometimes, especially if our child/teen is doing well, we parents tend to forget about giving her that pat on the back. Or, we assume she doesn’t need it. Not so. Everyone enjoys being noticed or getting support. Your child/teen also wants to know that you see her effort and progress as well as her successes.

Published · 1,586 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 3 votes

When school starts back after the summer, the morning routine can be very demanding and stressful for the whole family. Most households are chaotic from the moment they wake the kids to the moment they drop them off at daycare or wave good-bye to them on the bus. Do you often think, “OMG, get me out of here!”? If your house is anything like mine used to be, mornings were one of the most stressful times of the day. There was bickering, fighting, and sometimes even crying. Can you relate?

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A Deeper Look at the Exaggerated Superiority Personality and Awareness of Self.

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A Deeper Look at the Comfort Personality. Sue is a stay-at-home mom, so she doesn’t work outside her home. When I asked how she spent her time on a typical day, she just mentioned play groups for her and Alex, or social time with her friends when Alex is in school. She didn’t mention house responsibilities, even though I know she has a large 5-bedroom home.

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On your way home from a long day at work do you find yourself thinking about your next family vacation? There are so many questions such as where is everyone’s passport? How do I prepare the kids for this trip? How do I entertain them while waiting for flights or on the long drive? How do I keep them engaged at the destination? While I can’t help you find your passports; I can give you 5 helpful tips on how to prepare your kids for your next family vacation.

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Every day of our lives from early childhood and into adulthood we create patterns for ourselves. Through our perspective of the world in which we live along with the words and actions we choose to use to react to all this stimulation that we encounter, we are constantly building and reinforcing patterns of behavior that become who we are.

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The IAC Center loves groups. We offer: infertility groups; pre-adopt groups, adoptive parents groups, children's adoption groups and teen adoption groups. These groups have shown us the best side of human nature as we see the members support each other, share tips, make each other laugh and form lifelong friendships. All of our groups are professionally led and cover both practical and emotional aspects of infertility and adoption life cycle issues. IAC Center groups make a journey easier and often more meaningful as well.

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For many, the decision to pursue adoption comes only after many years of struggling with infertility. Letting go of the dream of the biological child and embracing the deepest wish - to become a parent - usually involves some emotional work. Deciding to stop medical treatments Even though the infertility experience is most often described as an emotional rollercoaster, knowing when to get off can be extremely difficult. Having a biological child is such a basic expectation.

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Are you looking for ways to share the passion you have for reading with your children this summer? There are many benefits to reading with your child such as opening the door to discovery, adventure and creativity. Reading together with your child also forms strong bonds that will last a lifetime.

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A process requiring resilience comes in two phases. First there is the crisis, a time when the loss or distress is often too unbearable for you to see opportunities that may be available. Once the distress fades away, you may start to see potential in a new situation and to gain a new perspective. And that is when you can start the active work of getting re-focused on what is really important to you and what some of your next steps could be. At the IAC Center, those steps are usually related to family building and/or personal and family member growth.

Published · 1,539 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

With all the recent news about the recession, even young kids are likely to hear some scary things from the TV, from older siblings, or overhear conversations betwee Mom and Dad. This can be unsettling and upsetting for kids.

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When was the last time you achieved a positive result from holding a grudge against another person, especially a family member or someone close to you? Have you ever held a grudge against another person so long that you truly felt satisfied and happy that you did so?

Published · 4,247 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

If you or your child have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), there are many alte atives to Ritalin or other mind-altering drugs for you and your family to choose. Mind-altering drugs should always be the last resort, as our ...

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Here’s a tasty recipe that is easy to make and is simply delicious! It contains none of the foods that irritate a newborn’s digestive system, so as a breastfeeding mom, you can enjoy the food now and have a calm, happy baby afterwards. Throughout time, many breastfeeding mothers have noticed ...

Published · 4,997 views

When babies cry for hours on end, their parents (especially first-time parents) can be driven to distraction. It is quite clear that something is bothering the baby. What is not obvious is how to relieve the baby's pain. The result is that someone walks with the crying, fretful baby for hours ...

Published · 3,171 views

Chiropractic care facilitates a more comfortable transition from early to late term pregnancy and through to postpartum recovery. No one has said that pregnant women should silently endure the aches and pains of pregnancy. The good news is that pregnant women do not have to suffer these pains ...

Published · 3,614 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

“The next century will be dominated by the conce s of the elderly” affirms Ken Minaker, MD., Chief of Geriatric Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. By the year 2050, our average life expectancy is projected to be 82.6 ...

Published · 5,923 views

This past month, I have had quite a few frantic calls from stressed out moms who have fussy babies and are hoping that The Calm Baby Cookbook could help. After a short conversation, their problem was easily diagnosed over the phone. These women were experiencing problems with breastfeeding ...

Published · 2,442 views

Backpacks are extremely helpful when it comes to transferring schoolbooks, supplies and lunches from home to school and back again. However, the type and size of your child’s backpack could cause your child to experience headaches or back pain. Scientific research has shown that more than 50% ...

Published · 4,316 views

Exercising regularly during pregnancy can improve your health and the health of your baby. There are many benefits for both the mother and the baby when women exercise during pregnancy. Benefits for the mother-to-be include: • Improved cardiovascular fitnessn • Less weight gain during ...

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Many people simply do not know how much of difference Chiropractic adjustments can make to an infant or child’s health because infants and toddlers are usually unable say that their necks or low backs are hurting. When a child is old enough to tell an adult about his or her neck or back ...

Published · 3,065 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Breastfeeding Is More Than Just Food While the breastfeeding process exists to nourish a newbo and to provide everything that it needs to grow, breastfeeding is much more than food for a baby. The entire breastfeeding process provides significant benefits for both the baby and the ...

Published · 1,378 views

Fussy, crying, colicky babies are usually distressed because they arereacting to foods that their mothers are eating! Indeed, everything abreastfeeding mother eats or drinks ends up in her breastmilk and smallparticles of foods in the breastmilk itself can cause a baby pain anddiscomfort. ...

Published · 1,777 views

After a baby is born, her brain and her nervous system get to work learning about how her body works and the world that she live in. Despite the fact that a newbo sleeps quite a lot of her day, a baby's brain and nervous system are incredibly busy. If fact, from birth to 2½ years old, a ...

Published · 15,856 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Learning to Breastfeed Can Be Such A Vulnerable Time Learning to breastfeed can be a difficult and frustrating timefor first-time mothers and their babies. Under the bestcircumstances, most of us have patience and determination tolea a new skill. However, after the physically ...

Published · 1,318 views

As new parents, it can be daunting to try to soothe a baby when they fuss and cry. Here are some ideas that might help you to calm your baby. 1. Dance together. Gentle music soothes babies rather than fast music with a lively beat. By swaying and humming to the music, you can entertain a ...

Published · 1,361 views

Compromise and Boundary Settingr By: Jessica Plancich, MFT

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How do I Improve my Self Esteem? By: Jessica Plancich, MFT

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How to benefit from your differencesr By: Jessica Plancich, MFT

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How to Fight Fairlyr By: Jessica Plancich, MFT

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Hi! my name is Eric Little. I have a few things on my mind as it relates to love and relationships that I must release. Feel free to listen in and respond if you'd like.

Published · 1,824 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

Published · 1,874 views · Rated 3/5 from 3 votes

Hey! I know it's a truly a stretch to establish real conversation beyond the superficial as it relates to love and relationships. I will passionately press this topic as far as I must to offer a helpful contribution to the conversation. To those that may be following this conversatio I thank you for yielding to this school of thought thus far.

Published · 1,403 views · Rated 3.7/5 from 3 votes

Why is Self Esteem so Important? By: Jessica Plancich, MFT As I go to write this, I am aware that there aren’t many aspects of life that self-esteem doesn’t impact. Defined as the value that you hold for yourself, it is carried with you throughout all your days and touches all ways of your life. It’s the level of worth that you hold for yourself, about yourself and regarding yourself. If it’s lacking (and unfortunately, most people could use a much healthier sense of themselves) or damaged in some way, it has some deeply hurtful and painful consequences.

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Celebrate Mardi Gras! This history rich festival makes for the perfect mid-winter party! The dead of winter is upon us all here in the Northern states and it’s time to gather friends and family just in time to get everyone over the winter doldrums. Mardi Gras provides a fun and festive reason for a celebration! Mardi Gras season runs from the end of Christmas to the beginning of Lent on the Christian calendar. It always begins with the Feast of the Epiphany, the twelfth day after Christmas and ends on Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday.

Published · 2,143 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

New Year’s Eve.. a night to say good bye to the old and ring in the new.. For many people it is a night of revelry and fancy festivities. At our home it has always been a night of family and friends gathering together for food and fun. When our children were little, and we were much younger, they hated for us to go out on New Year’s Eve, even when I bribed them with their favorite babysitter, who I had booked months in advance.

Published · 1,641 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

Valentines Day, February 14th, is a fun day for both young and old! It is a day to think of those we love and celebrate friendship and kindness. It was one of my favorite winter holidays when the kids were younger as I loved all the hoopla of the parties in school, Scouts and Sunday School. It was a break from the winter doldrums! I loved going to the store to let them each pick out their own Valentines. Back then "computer printables" were not in the vocabulary, if you can believe it! We bought the old fashioned boxed cards that you tore apart on the perforated lines.

Published · 2,206 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Having Family Holiday Traditions adds a wonderful dimension to your holiday season. There is so much emphasis on the the whole gift selection, gift buying aspect of Christmas, that sometimes that becomes the main focus of the holidays. It shouldn’t be that way. By starting some family traditions, you will add balance to your holiday celebration as well as fun and laughter. Family traditions also provide roots for your children that will bring them great memories in years to come. They also provide a way to instill a sense of family within your children.

Published · 1,392 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Thanksgiving is just two weeks away and the planning is already started at our home. For over 15 years, we have hosted Thanksgiving weekend for all the family. The guest list runs for 15 to 30 depending on who can travel in any given year. It is my most favorite holiday to celebrate. I have it down to a science and can pull it off without stress or anxiety.

Published · 2,187 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 3 votes

Securing the college letters of recommendation is a big part of the college application process. It can be a daunting task for many students. It may be the first time they have ever asked for a reference. They may also not understand the importance that these letters bring to their college application package. College recommendation letters are an important component to most schools in evaluating the student’s application. It gives the admissions committee some insight into the student that is not visible via their academic and testing data.

Published · 2,621 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

Getting into college and the whole college application process can be a stressful journey for both students and parents alike. From 1999 through 2005, as a mother of four, I spend endless hours helping, advising and consoling our children as they were applying to colleges. Each of our four children are unique individuals who needed different things from us as parents as they were applying to colleges. We had self-directed child, who virtually did it all himself. We had a procrastinator who required more guidance and prodding.

Published · 1,353 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

When was the last time you had a family mealtime together? I don't mean sitting in the car munching on burgers from the drive-through. I mean sitting down at the table and sharing a home-cooked meal. If you can't remember when you last enjoyed a family mealtime, make plans to have them more often. Experts have found - and continue to discover - plenty of benefits for both children and adults when they share a family dinnertime together at least three times a week. A wonderful service that I have found and use on a regular basis is Dine Without Whine.

Published · 3,030 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Keeping an organized home can be a bit tricky if you have young ones around the house like I do. Some days it feels like you just cleaned up one room and a few minutes later it looks like the Terminator has been in there! But keeping your home clutter free can actually save you time because you can find things faster and it keeps your family happy. Believe it! Experts agree that clutter is costly. It's costly not only in the amount of time it takes us to find the things we need, but also in hurt feelings among family members who don't like clutter.

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When deciding on different forms of child daycare, there are many important things to consider. I struggled for quite awhile with my daycare decision when I went back to work after my first child but settled on a daycare center. I like the laws that the government has in place that public daycare centers have to follow, as well as the accountability that the different daycare providers have to display to their colleagues and employers. Our children are precious to us, there's no denying that.

Published · 2,978 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Talking to teens and family communication is very important while raising your family. What's interesting is that your teen wants to communicate with you as much as you want to communicate with them. Make as much time as possible to do this so you know what is happening in your teens life. You want to be able to trust your teenagers while they're not with you. You also want your teen to talk with you about things they're going through and for them to come to you when they have questions.

Published · 2,491 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

School will open in weeks and now is the time that Booster Club organizations everywhere are planning for the kick off of their respective seasons. With these trying economic conditions, Booster Clubs will need to become more creative than ever in their fundraising efforts. Local businesses and individual families may not be able to contribute to your budget as they have in seasons past.

Published · 2,769 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

Creating unique works of art is something which gives a sense of satisfaction few people besides artists get to feel. Knowing that the image on your wall is yours and yours alone is satisfying in a way which mass produced canvas photo prints can’t even begin to approach.

Published · 1,963 views

When it comes to switching from traditional photography to the world of digital image capturing, the first thing you’ll notice is the sheer number of photographs you’re now able to take, free from the constraints of rolls of film and the prohibitive cost of having photographs developed. Having amassed a large collection, however, it’s vital to find a safe, accessible and effective means of storing them and photo books tick all of these boxes.

Published · 1,925 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Fourth of July is just around the corner, so light up the onset of summer with a great gathering. Start your plans now so that you can insure your guests will be available as that is always a busy holiday. You can print or buy invitations or save your money for fun party favors and games and make calls or send emails. If you are thinking this will be annual event, as ours is, name your party. We used “Fourth of July Free-For-All” as a joke many years back and it has stuck. Our family tradition is to host a pot luck barbeque. We supply the burgers, dogs and drinks.

Published · 2,122 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 3 votes

For many people, the summer months exude a vision of sunny beach days and family vacations; however for anyone with kids who will be attending college in September, summer brings lengthy “to do” lists! It is a bittersweet time for parents of high school graduates whose children are opting to further their education away from home on a college campus. The excitement of the graduation season fades as more and more mail is arriving daily from their future collegiate home.

Published · 1,653 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

For many people, the summer months exude a vision of sunny beach days and family vacations; however for anyone with kids who will be attending college in September, summer brings lengthy “to do” lists! It is a bittersweet time for parents of high school graduates whose children are opting to further their education away from home on a college campus. The excitement of the graduation season fades as more and more mail is arriving daily from their future collegiate home.

Published · 1,738 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

Summer is here and it is a wonderful time to plan an outdoor party with your friends and family. The ability to entertain outdoors offers a plethora of possibilities for great gatherings and parties. It gives you flexibility in your guest list and lots of options for fun themes, games and menus. ...

Published · 1,535 views

High school and college graduations are looming on the horizon. These are special and momentous events for both you and your graduate. Planning you graduation party should be a fun and exciting project. Don’t let your graduation party get lost in the crowd; with some early planning you can host ...

Published · 3,663 views

Easter is a celebration of rebirth both spiritually and physically. It is a spring holiday that welcomes in new growth and flowering. Trees are budding, flowers are slowly blooming, lawns are greening and the days grow longer. The dark and cold of winter give way to a new optimism filled with ...

Published · 1,696 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Christmas is one time of the year above all others when you want to let the people closest to you know just how much they mean to you. Choosing and giving gifts which resonate on a personal level is the clearest means of doing this, and creating items such as canvas photo prints using specially chosen images form your own collection can allow you to do just this.

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Photo books are often bought from books shops and given as gifts and this is because of the sense of excellence and luxury which they evoke. The thick, rich paper, glossy, high color images and luxury binding all combine to produce an aura of timeless style and class.

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Using a calendar to organize your life and keep track of the many appointments you have to keep is an obvious thing to do. What’s not quite so obvious, however, is choosing to create personalized calendars, meaning that every time you go to check a date, you’ll also get to look at a favorite photograph.

Published · 1,855 views

Taking a photograph is only the start of the adventure when you’re using digital technology. The range and variety of things which can be done with the images once they’ve been captured is dazzling from small scale novelty items such as key rings to larger luxury objects like bespoke one off photo books.

Published · 2,515 views

March 17th is just around the corner so now is the time to start planning your St. Patrick’s Day party. St. Patrick’s day is a great reason for a party for young and old alike. It was always one of our favorite family events. Historically, St. Patrick’s Day is a remembrance of the death of ...

Published · 1,176 views

What is a college application activity sheet? The activity sheet is a tool for admissions counselors to evaluate the student in a perspective that is above and beyond grades and test scores. All college applications require information outlining the applicant’s extracurricular ...

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Once you’ve managed to build up a sizable collection of photographs, it’s only natural that you’ll want to find somewhere safe and easily accessible to store them. The modern answer to doing this, one which takes full advantage of the latest technology available, is to create personalized photo albums.

Published · 1,838 views

There are millions of scholarship dollars available for prospective college students. The problem is trying to figure out where they are and how to apply. There are websites all over the net that are happy to assist you with this process for a fee. Stop there. You want to find scholarship ...

Published · 1,513 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

In an age of multimedia mass communication, taking the time to send a card is something which, in itself, shows just how much you care. More than a text, tweet or email, it will demonstrate the time and trouble you’ve been willing to go to. Personalized photo greeting cards take this effect and multiply it many times over.

Published · 1,990 views

The Christmas tree is up, the Christmas lights are draping the front yard, the Christmas cards are mailed, the shopping is done, all the gifts wrapped and it’s only December 8th! Does this sound like your life??? Most likely …NO! During this busy but festive holiday season there is ...

Published · 1,150 views

Choosing the right gift for the woman in your life, especially if you’re a man, can often be very difficult. When it comes to the usual items such as perfume, lingerie or chocolates, many men both fall back on things which are too predictable, and even then often get the choice wrong. Creating your own Christmas photo books, on the other hand, allows you to give a gift which is utterly unique and absolutely personal.

Published · 2,993 views

Thanksgiving seems to arrive at lightning speed after Halloween. No sooner has the last trick or treater left your door and you are making Thanksgiving dinner plans. When our children were young, Thanksgiving was a very "Norman Rockwellesque" holiday for us. The whole family gathered at Grandma ...

Published · 1,721 views

Over the years, I have written numerous letters of recommendation for business associates. However, my favorites to write are for young students who are applying for colleges, scholarships or their first job. These are personal reference letters and I love getting the chance to sit with these ...

Published · 3,895 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

It’s that time of the year! No, I’m not talking about the holidays…it is Exam time for our college kids. The end of the semester brings our college kids a boatload of papers, projects and the dreaded exam week. Unless your student happens to be on a trimester schedule, the ...

Published · 1,331 views

In recent years it has become incredibly popular to decorate the walls of your home with canvas photo prints. The reasons for this range from the price to the ease of availability, but the latest innovations in digital technology have added originality to that list of features.

Published · 2,345 views

Using a photo calendar to keep track of the many appointments and important dates which are part of a busy life is the natural choice to make. The extremely low tech nature of such a calendar makes it simple to use and more or less fool proof in operation. If you want to have something which looks good as well as being practical, however, then why not think about the options offered by personalized calendars?

Published · 2,019 views

Printing and producing your own photo books was once something which only professionals were able to do. The equipment and materials required put it far out of the range of even the most gifted amateur photographer, but this is a situation which has been revolutionized by the onset of digital photography.

Published · 2,071 views

Choosing and giving gifts at Christmas time is undoubtedly a massive pleasure, especially when you can see that you’ve made choices your friends and loved ones are delighted with. Despite this, however, it has to be admitted that the actual process of tracking down just the right gifts can be difficult and time consuming, which is why the knowledge that there’s one Christmas shop at which you can find gifts for everyone will come as such a relief.

Published · 1,984 views

If you take a look at the photo books for sale on the shelves of any high street book shop, the first thing you’ll notice is the sheer quality of every aspect. The paper used, the printing techniques and the way the book is put together are all of the very highest possible quality.

Published · 1,908 views

If you want to select from the selection of photo greeting cards available in high street stationers and newsagents, then the chances are that you may find yourself somewhat frustrated by the choice. Finding an image which perfectly matches the occasion and your personality as well as that of the recipient is often a difficult task.

Published · 1,920 views

You have invested possibly 17 – 25 years of your life into your son or daughter. The years hold memories of laughter, tears, celebration, struggle and pain. As a parent there have been times when the responsibility of raising your child has been costly and you have looked forward to the day when they would be independent and living their own life.

Published · 1,435 views

Choosing a card to send to someone to mark a special occasion is a question of finding something which suits both their personality and your own. On top of this, you want to find an image which specifically matches the occasion in question, and doing this can often be very difficult. That’s why creating personalized photo greeting cards is such a genuinely effective option.

Published · 1,791 views

The very best gifts are those which demonstrate the degree of time and thought that has gone into them, rather than just the amount of money they might have cost. Canvas photo prints are an example of this, because as well as being stunning and impressive objects, the right subject matter can mean they are extremely personally resonant.

Published · 1,785 views

Creating your own gifts for people has always been deeply satisfying, due mainly to the delight with which such items tend to be received. In the past, the craftsmanship required has limited the options available to most people, but digital technology now means that absolutely anyone can create truly unique items such as personalised photo calendars.

Published · 1,951 views

When it comes to selecting gifts which perfectly combine a strong personal input with a dedication to technical excellence, there are few things which hit the mark better than bespoke canvas photo prints.

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Choosing and buying father’s day gifts can often be difficult, since men are notoriously tricky to buy for. All too often this results in people falling back on the same old ideas and items – hence all the jokes about aftershave and pairs of socks. This year, however, you can use digital photography to do things differently.

Published · 1,811 views

Choosing the perfect gift to give on Father’s day is often trickier than it might sound. Ideally, you want to give him something which shows how much you care and demonstrates that a certain degree of thought and time has been spent. Whilst buying something like a photo book will go some of the way towards doing this, creating your own will truly get the job done properly.

Published · 1,828 views

If you want to mark a special occasion or make sure that someone is truly aware of just how much they mean to you, then giving personalized photo greeting cards is one of the most effective means of doing so. Choosing just the right card can often be difficult, but making one using your own images means that you can hand over exactly what you want every time.

Published · 1,881 views

Turning your favourite photographs into stunning, full sized works of art is now easier than it’s ever been thanks to the advances of digital technology. Creating canvas photo prints of a standard which would be fit to grace any gallery is now incredibly simple and means that you can decorate your home with images which are both beautiful and unique.

Published · 1,895 views

The idea of producing a photo book of your own would once have seemed fanciful if not completely impossible, but the advances recently made in digital technology have changed this. Now it’s perfectly simple for absolutely anyone to turn a selection of favourite photographs into a stunning personal volume.

Published · 1,818 views

Wall calendars are a feature of almost every home in the country, due to the ease with which they allow people to organise a busy life. Most of them are dull and anonymous to look at, however, but personalised photo calendars achieve the same aim whilst also being aesthetically pleasing.

Published · 1,906 views

In the days before the widespread take up of digital photography, photo albums tended to be fairly primitive, basic affairs, usually little more than scrap books with individual photographs taped or glued onto the pages. The digital revolution has ushered in a whole new era, however, meaning you can keep your favorite photographs in a manner befitting some of your most treasured possessions.

Published · 1,946 views

No matter what your religious beliefs, Easter is a time of the year which can be celebrated as one of springtime renewal and familial togethe ess. The giving and receiving of gifts is a vital part of this, and using your own Easter photos to create genuinely personal items will make it a celebration to remember.

Published · 1,800 views

When it comes to Easter gifts, particularly for younger memories of your family, then the temptation is to fall back on old favorites such as chocolate eggs. Whilst the kids themselves may be very grateful for this, there’s probably a limit to the amount of chocolate which their parents are happy to have them eating. A far wiser option, and one which will result in something which creates a lasting impact, is to create gifts using your own Easter photos.

Published · 1,907 views

Putting works of art up on the walls of your home is one of the easiest and most effective ways of making sure it really feels like it belongs to you. The images you choose are intended to be more than merely aesthetically pleasing, they are also a way of expressing your personality and the image which you want the world to take away with them. Canvas prints are a highly effective yet relatively inexpensive means of doing just this.

Published · 1,989 views

Parenthood is a balancing act of nurturing, teaching, and protecting, with a goal of producing a functional, well adjusted, and independent adult.

Published · 6,452 views

Displaying art on the walls of your home is about more than just decoration. The choice of images which you make will be seen as a reflection of your personality and the face you wish to present to the world. Whilst a few privileged people are able to purchase original one off works of art, for most of us, canvas photo prints are the best and most flexible choice.

Published · 1,984 views

Choosing greeting cards to send to people is a question of finding one boasting an image which is just right. Whether it’s a humorous picture, something artistic or a more personal image, finding one which reflects both your own personality and that of the recipient is frequently very difficult.

Published · 1,878 views

Now that it’s easier than it’s ever been to get a message to somebody – using text messaging, email, facebook updates or twitter feeds – the act of sending an actual tangible card is more meaningful than ever. When you really want to make sure the message gets across loud and clear, however, the very best thing to do is print and send personalised greeting cards.

Published · 1,063 views

Keeping track of important dates is vital to anyone who has a busy life, particularly if you have a family to organise as well. Calendars are far and away the simplest means of doing so, but personalised photo calendars take this basic function and give it a twist of personality.

Published · 1,049 views

Giving canvas photo prints as gifts to friends or loved ones is something which is undeniably tempting but at the same time fraught with stress. The temptation arises from the fact that a work of art is a genuinely spectacular and thoughtful gift to give, whilst there’s no getting away from the fact that finding an artwork which you feel perfectly matches someone else’s tastes and personality is a stressful task. That’s where personalised photo gifts come to the rescue.

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Whilst it’s undeniable that photo calendars are genuinely useful and simple organizational tools, there’s still no getting away from the fact that the vast majority of them are extremely dull and uninspiring to look at, and that when an object is going to be hung in a prominent place in your house this really shouldn’t be the case. One way to maintain the usefulness of the objects whilst still having something which is pleasing to look at is to use your photographs to create personalized photo calendars.

Published · 1,060 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

When it comes to storing and showcasing the very best photographs from your personal collection, there are few things that do the job better than a bespoke individual photo book.

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Personalized photo calendars offer a unique combination of the useful and the touching. As practical as any other kind of wall calendar, and just as easy to use, they none the less boast the advantage of being one of those rare household items which will bring pleasure each and every time they’re used.

Published · 1,187 views · Rated 4/5 from 1 votes

The manufacture of luxury quality photo books in the UK has, in the past, been something which has remained firmly in the hands of professional photographers and printers. The advent of digital photography, however, had altered this situation, in a way which has meant that absolutely anyone with a digital camera is now in a position of being able to create their own bespoke volume.

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Many believe along Parenting Blog that new parents experience the birth of a first child as a dilemma. The birth of a baby is a life-changing event, though many couples vow that a new baby will not change their lifestyles, but in reality, a baby changes everything.

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Parenting Blog believes in the amazing relationship that mothers and their babies have. And babies always have that special regard for their mums even before they even learn to say their first word. This special regard in itself is natural and helpful to teaching a baby the basic and mandatory things. How can parents help in the early learning and development of a baby?

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We all want to have our own unique careers. When we were still very young, our teachers in primary school would, at least once, ask us what we want to become in the future. Many varied answers come up but the most common ones are becoming lawyers, doctors, teachers, engineers, and others. However, it may be safe to say that nobody would ever say at that young age that they want to become parents or take parenting as a career in the future.

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Your eldest child is growing up and there is a clamor for a new little one. Parents are thinking it would be nice to have another little bundle in the house crying for milk at wee hours of the night. And three months after, the pregnancy test proves positive and mum and dad are going to be parents again for the second time. This is definitely good news to share with everyone. Grandparents would be so happy as well as the aunts and uncles and friends. Breaking the news to them will prove to be easy. But will it be as easy to tell this to the soon-to-be older sibling?

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Choosing and handing over Valentines gifts is a way of telling a special other person just how much they mean to you. That’s why, if you get it right, it can be one of the most joyous gifts you’ll ever hand over whereas, if you make the wrong choice, you’ll feel terrible at the disappointment you’ve caused. Creating your own special photo book is one way of ensuring that this latter situation isn’t the case.

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Many people would want to become parents. The thought of having one’s own offspring, who happens to be half the person you are, is such an exciting thing to happen. However, the sad thing is that most people are only conce ed about the positive things and exclude the negative ones or those which require work and effort. A parenting advice is for parents to be responsible for their children.

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When you’re trying to think of a gift to give to someone close to you in order to mark a special day of the year, it can be difficult to come up with an idea which combines excellence and high impact with a more personal and intimate appeal. Canvas prints, in the past, would have been gifts which were well capable of meeting the ‘high impact’ side of this equation, whilst falling down as far as any personal input is conce ed. Now, however, that position has changed.

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Valentine’s Day is here. And people from all walks of life have all the different plans of spending it. And why not, this day is considered as the only day of the year that is devoted to remembering love - love for parents, love for husbands, wives, and family, love for friends, and love for partners. And there are many ways to spend Valentine’s Day. It is couples who find this day especially special. They take it as a day to express and renew their commitment to love each other. And there are also quite a number of things they can do. Parenting Blog has a rundown of these activities.

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Pregnancy is definitely a wonderful time for mothers-to-be and fathers-to-be. Considering that a new life is growing within, a miraculous thing is going on. Grandparents-to-be get excited, as well as all the others members of the family are elated. However, little do people know that this event also happens to bring anxiety on the part of the pregnant woman.

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Baby names are very important. In naming, parents must think hard and choose the best, taking into account that the name you are saddling your child with will be for life. Remember that our child’s name is very special. To avoid being subjected to a lifetime of sniggers, we, as parents, must think long and hard to choose the most appropriate, presentable and “unteasable” name you can find. Some parents and parents-to-be even believe that a child’s name contributes to her success in life.

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Choosing the right gifts for the people who mean the most to you is something which everyone strives to do in order to mark those special days throughout the year. The right gift, one which has obviously taken time and trouble to choose, can move in a way which transcends the amount of money spent on it, and this is especially true of Mothers day gifts.

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With consumerism, massive media intrusion in normal everyday life, and the disintegration of family and community, creating unique and challenging pressures on today’s adolescents, many teens of today are experiencing more change more rapidly than any previous generation.

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Choosing and sending greeting cards is all about letting the recipient know just how much they mean to you, and that you’re thinking of them. Personalised greeting cards allow you to design and choose exactly the card you want to send, meaning it can be tailored to both your message and the personality of the recipient. Making your own Mothers day photo cards has now been made so simple that it’s probably actually easier than finding one in the shops.

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Privacy and trust issues have always been sensitive subjects for parents and teen's relationship alike. Particulars like how much privacy is allowed and how much trust is to be given and how much privacy our teens need have always been complicated and difficult practical parenting decision. More and more parents nowadays are turning to parenting blog for parenting tips and parenting advice, just to glean insights on how to address these issues. Nowadays, with teenagers spending a lot more time away from their parents, trust issues between parents and teens are more important than ever.

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One of the chief advantages offered by the rise of digital photography lies in the flexibility which the images in question offer. Not only are they excellent photographs in their own right, easy to store and reproduce many times over, but they are also capable of being utilized in the creation of a wide variety of gift items, from cards and photo books to personalized calendars.

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Christmas has come and gone. And it’s now time to plan for the New Year. Along with Christmas, it is better to welcome and celebrate the New Year with one’s family ï¾ with kids and all! So what can we do with our family this New Year’s eve? How can our kids help in preparing things for New Year’s Eve? And what can we do for our kids to be happy this New Year? So many parenting questions, but don’t worry for there are many parenting tips and practical parenting advice that can easily answer these questions.

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Motherhood is a beautiful stage of life. In fact, it is a time that should not be missed out by any woman. And among the best part of being a mother is feeding her baby. It is a moment that connects the mother to child and the child to the mother.

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Roles of Parents during Pregnancy With women increasingly delaying having babies or pregnant women now more likely to be highly educated and employed during their pregnancy often experiencing pressures to return to work within weeks or months after the birth as they are the main or co- 'breadwinner' for their family are placing young babies into childcare. Fathers being 'stay-at-home dads' are now not an uncommon practice in our community.

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In today’s troubled times where families are being faced with many challenges and obstacles, as well as with issues of teen-age pregnancy and "Careers vs. Home & Family", building a positive relationship between parent and child has never been more difficult and needing of effort and time.

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In this age of widespread broadband take up and wireless connectivity, keeping touch with friends and relatives has never been easier. Sometimes, however, this very ease can dull the impact of the communications themselves. After all, if you receive hundreds of text messages and tweets every day then each individual instance can’t help but be swamped in the rush. Greeting cards, on the other hand, are different.

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Nowadays, with more and more children involved in accidents and traumatic injuries or life-threatening incidents, parents are wondering if is it safe to let the kids play outside without supervision. Even authorities are worried of children doing unsupervised outdoor plays, as posted by a parent in a parenting blog, that cops are now saying that it is illegal for kids to play outside, unsupervised.

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Congratulations! Now you know that you are pregnant and are blessed with an angel from God. What should you do next? Are you going to live the same lifestyle you had when you were still “single”? What are the changes that you are going to experience during this period? When a woman gets pregnant, it is understood that the little angel growing inside her tummy will get the nutrients from what the mother takes in. That means if the mother eats healthy, the baby also eats the same healthy stuff. Accordingly, if she has poor diet and nutrition, the baby will also be fed with unhealthy stuff.r

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There is a common misconception among us. Almost all of us believe that what makes a woman irresistible is the way she looks. But, the belief that the thin, tall and smart and a lot of other misconceptions that society demands us to believe are all lies. We have witnessed countless women who are equipped with attributes of being perfect in this regard but are a total failure in their relationships. Why is that? Well, they simply are not irresistible enough to the opposite sex as we thought they would be.

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The busy life of a modern family leads, inevitably, to a plethora of information which needs to be stored, updated and accessed quickly and easily. Put this way, it sounds like a fiendishly complicated task requiring the latest technology. In truth, however, the answer lies in something as simple as a wall calendar, and, in the form of personalised calendars, it’s possible to have something which is both useful and beautiful.

Published · 876 views

Whereas once, a photo album was probably a slightly tatty book with photographs which had to be printed and then stuck onto the pages, the modern equivalent is a hi tech affair based on the internet and offering security, accessibility and excellent picture quality. Building photo albums on-line is quick and easy and offers a solution to the problem of storing the ever growing number of pictures that every person with a digital camera takes.

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Every parent, would-be parents, and those who are still planning to be parents always dream and want to be good parents to their children. However, being a good parent is not as easy as counting one, two, three. One has to strive and be determined to be a good parent. Moreover, one of the most challenging and most rewarding jobs a parent can have is raising a happy and healthy child.

Published · 1,048 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

If you’ve got a digital camera then the chances are you take an awful lot of photographs. That’s because it’s easy to take a lightweight digital camera anywhere, and the automatic features of even the most basic cameras make taking photographs in all conditions simple. The upshot of this is that you’re bound to end up with a large collection of photographs, and if you want to keep them safe, somewhere where you’ll be able to look at them whenever you like, then photo albums in the UK offer the most modern and definitely the best option.

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There are photo calendars in almost every home in this country, making it possible for families everywhere to run their lives and keep track of the many dates which are important. This is largely because of the simple fact that calendars such as this work incredibly well, making it easy to input, update and access a wide range of information.

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In this time of advanced electronic technology, which includes the television and the computer (internet), children have been accustomed to being fed with everything that they want. For example, the TV has hundreds of channels to choose from which are accessible through a few clicks on the remote control. On the other hand, the internet also provides online movie and TV streaming as well as animations and programs with a few mouse clicks. These cause a child to lose his/her focus especially in school.

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Kids are so precious to us. That is why it is always a good parenting advice to always watch children as they play or stay in one corner as accidental injuries are among the reasons for death among children in UK. More particularly, one million children under the age of 18 are sent to accident and emergency units everyday due to accidents occurring in the home. It can also be noted that children under 3 years of age are the most to visit the ER while an appalling 70 percent of children who die from accidents are 4 years old and younger.

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Pregnancy is both an exciting stage as it is a scary one for women. To say scary does not mean the strictest sense of the word. Scary here would mean a time for the woman to be anxious about what will happen in the next nine months of her life and how her unbo baby will change their lives. It is also an exciting stage since the fact that a new life growing within the mother-to-be is amazing and miraculous.

Published · 964 views

If you’d like to give art as a gift, then the chances are you truly want to show somebody just how much they mean to you this Christmas, by presenting them with something which is unique and personal. The options for doing this, in the past, revolved mostly around paying high prices for original art, but the fact that you can now put a photo on canvas quickly and easily has opened up the option to absolutely anyone with a digital camera.

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Have you ever been dumped? Or are you still waiting for the right man for you? Whatever your situation may be, do not jump right into any relationships just yet. Give yourself enough time to think things through and analyze what you want out of a relationship. Try to imagine a blank canvass, if you are the painter, how would you paint to bring out a masterpiece? What would you do to bring out the irresistible woman in you? Here are 14 ways to draw out that irresistible woman masterpiece out of you. 1. Don't sought him out. Let him seek you!r

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Now that the vast majority of people use digital cameras with which to take their photographs, the opportunity is there to take a very much greater number of pictures than used to be the case. Because the images are stored electronically rather than physically, thus taking up very little room and costing no more money, the clear temptation is to take as many photographs as you possibly can. The problem should you do this, of course, is how to go about storing quite so many pictures, and the solution to this problem lies firmly with the use of photo albums online.

Published · 1,277 views

A canvas print is the kind of Christmas gift which will be truly appreciated by one and all. Visually appealing, sumptuous and extravagant, it’s the kind of gift which says you’ve taken time and trouble in choosing it. How much more impact would such a gift have, however, if it’s a one off, especially made work of art?

Published · 700 views

If you want a place and means via which to showcase some of your favourite photographs, then the best option available could well be a specially printed photo book. Access to photo books in the UK is now open to absolutely anyone who’s able to take digital photographs, or even has just the ability to scan images into a computer.

Published · 557 views

If you’ve got a digital camera then the chances are you’ve taken and will continue to take hundreds of photographs. This is because digital images, unlike those taken on physical rolls of film, can be turned into images (and much more) quickly and easily, and once this has been done they can be stored electronically without taking up too much room. Whilst the number of pictures that can be taken is obviously a boon, the question does arise as to what you should do with them all – and the answer to that question lies in photo albums.

Published · 712 views

A lot of people choose to decorate the walls of their house using specially purchased artworks such as canvas prints. The motive for doing so is usually a wish to introduce an individual touch to the art of decorating ones home, but this is always going to be difficult when the artwork in question is off the peg and mass produced. Putting your very own photos on canvas is a technique which enables anyone to produce artwork which is theirs and theirs alone.

Published · 638 views

Buying a Christmas gift for a family member or a close friend is undoubtedly a pleasure, since it’s a chance to show somebody just how much they mean to you in the most tangible way possible.

Published · 628 views

There’s really no denying the fact that photos on canvas make for spectacular and dramatically effective works of art. In the past, reproducing a photograph above a certain size led to an inevitable decline in the quality of the image, but modern technology has corrected this situation and led to large scale images that are a match for those hanging on the walls of a gallery.

Published · 931 views

A photo book made up of your very own photos is a product which combines quality with individuality in a way which simply can’t be matched, and the very best photo books in the UK are available at Albelli.

Published · 499 views

One of the chief advantages of digital imagery is that the images themselves are so very easy to store, with thousands of individual photos taking up no more room than the size of a digital cameras memory card. Storage is one thing, though, whilst access and the ability to actually enjoy your pictures and the memories they capture is something else entirely. Putting together photo albums online is the quickest and easiest way around this conundrum.

Published · 578 views

Canvas photo prints Most people are completely unaware of canvas photo prints and simply do not realise that they exist. Until you have seen the quality that online organisations such as Albelli can produce from their websites it is almost impossible to imagine how good photos on canvas can be.

Published · 1,124 views

It’s fun to create photo albums online with the help of Albelli’s templates and it’s fast too! Photo Albums UK The current generation of amateur photographers is taking a great risk; leaving images in the digital domain can result in the loss of wonderful photos that would give pleasure in years to come. The simple solution is to utilise the digital aspect of the photos and upload them to a website such as Albelli where they can be inserted into personalised photo albums for printing and distributing to family and friends.

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Take some time today to Make A Memory. A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door. It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

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Creating and printing your own photo albums uk requires a vehicle website such as that offered by Albelli.

Published · 669 views

If you are looking for a swift improvement to your home or office, look no further than personalised photo calendars, featuring your family every month of the year. Make a date and never forget it There was a time when photo calendars used to feature a scantily clad girl on every month of the year but, fortunately, those days seem to be behind us and now you are much more likely to see personalised photo calendars featuring the digital images of family and friends every month.

Published · 688 views

Photo calendars help to prevent important events slipping your mind in a most interesting and delightful way. Personalised photo calendarsr Technology and all that the online world offers, it may still come as a bit of a surprise to appreciate that it is very easy to upload your digital photos to a website and whilst online, create your own, personalised photo calendar.

Published · 792 views

When you convert digital images into photos on canvas you bring the photos to life in a way that normal prints simply cannot achieve. Canvas prints UK

Published · 1,071 views

There’s really only one thing better than seeing beautifully printed photos, and that’s seeing the results when you have these photos turned into canvas prints. Taking a photo and using it to make a top quality work of art is a quick and easy way of producing a stunning work of art which, whilst being visually appealing, will also be something which exists as a reflection of your personality.

Published · 701 views

If you want a gift or just an object for your own enjoyment which combines a practically useful tool with a piece of precious memorabilia, then the best thing you could possibly do is make a personalised photo calendar.

Published · 701 views

There’s really no finer way of keeping your most treasured and special photos than by turning them into gallery quality canvas prints, because when photos become photos on canvas, they stop being snapshots and start being works of art.

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We all lead busy lifestyles and occasionally succumb to occasional memory loss. For example we may leave our mobile phone at a friend’s house or leave a book on the train. However, something much more common that many of us tend to forget is birthdays and anniversaries. Every New Year we look for calendar’s to buy so we don’t forget important events. More and more of us are moving away from the traditional calendars and choosing to create our very own personalised photo calendars.

Published · 667 views

Photo albums are not usually expensive when created online but they tell the recipient that you care a great deal about them as it is clear that time has been taken selecting the photos, uploading them to a photo albums online website, selecting the style and shape of the photo albums and choosing the design for each page. Instructions Photo Albums UK

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Canvas photo prints

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There’s really no finer way of keeping your most treasured and special photos than by turning them into gallery quality canvas prints, because when photos become photos on canvas, they stop being snapshots and start being works of art. The rise of digital photography has changed the nature of the photos that we all take.

Published · 664 views

No matter how many photos you take, no matter how many treasured images you have, there will always be some which you value above all others, and the perfect way to showcase these special photos is in a custom made personalised photo book. The very best place to get photo books in the UK is at albelli.co.uk, where the process is as simple as it is effective and value for money.

Published · 976 views

If you wish to know why printed photo albums are growing in popularity, simply take a look at a printed photo book/album and feel the lasting quality. Photo Albums UK

Published · 594 views

If you turn your favorite digital photos into enlarged canvas prints you will create images that will give you so much more pleasure than photos left in your camera, computer or simply uploaded to an online album. Photos on canvas It can be hard for people to appreciate how remarkably good, well-shot digital photos on canvas can look. Much is made of our digital services as though technology can solve all the world’s problems but no amount of digital images can take the place of real images that are given an extra dimension by being printed on canvas.

Published · 608 views

When you create a photo album online and then print it into a hard copy photo book, you turn transient images into memories that will be preserved forever. Photo albums UK

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Photo books UK

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Did you know there’s such a thing as environmental grief? It’s the despair we feel when we look at the state of the environment around us. From wildlife woes to climate instability, there are plenty of issues and conce s to keep us up at night. Thankfully, there are also plenty of ways we can do our part. By taking even baby steps toward a greener lifestyle, we not only make a difference for the environment we live in, but we also claim a host of mental health benefits, to boot.

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We’ve all heard the saying “If you have a job you truly love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” While that sentiment is true in many cases, it’s unfortunately not the reality for most people. In fact, surveys reveal that 52% of Americans are unhappy with their work. Even if you don’t spring from your bed ready to take on the day and clock in, you can find happiness and fulfillment from within your workplace. You can also find ways to make it through the day with a positive attitude rather than waiting impatiently for closing time to strike.

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Today I got my latest edition of People Magazine. I know. I know. But it’s my one guilty pleasure-read each week. I fit it in betwee The New Yorker and The Atlantic Monthly – both of which take me much longer to read. Not as many pictures. Good cartoons, though. I digress. This week’s People Magazine featured a rosy and pregnant Meghan Markle, aka Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex on the cover. She is beaming. Inside there were all sorts of little details about a recent baby shower held in NYC by all of her American friends, like Serena Williams.r

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Many of us run around at top speed trying to do it all a great deal of the time. There are quite a few expectations and quite a few triggers around every corner, it seems. Our bodies, though, likely don’t know that little crises will soon pass. Our bodies just keep taking the hit. For me it is the neck area. I know I am feeling extra stress when my shoulders seem to be touching my ear lobes. Sometimes getting a full breath is a chore. And my eyes are tired from lack of good sleep. But like a lot of folks, I have always kept up the pace. Kept pushing along to get it all done.

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A few months ago, I was with a group of friends, and while talking with two women, I learned how one was now caring for her Mother In Law. It was a change in plans for her and her husband, and it meant putting some things on hold. The other friend talked about how her mother would likely come live with her and her husband when necessary. Both felt very positive about their decisions, even if it meant life changed or would change. I did not get a sense of “Poor me. This is such a burden.” It was a life choice and they could own it. That is powerful.

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There are some great articles on the web that can give you information about what signs to look for to tell you if your parent needs more help. Next Avenue and A Place for Mom are two that have good information. Common items are: • Difficulty with Activities of Daily Living (often referred to as ADLs) o Cooking o Bathing o Home maintenance and cleaning o Running errands • Frequent Falls • Driving difficulty o Look for dings on the car o Traffic violations o Limiting driving – if this is unusual • Social Isolation • Forgetfulness o Missed appointments o Getting lost

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Parenting presents a crossroad every time you turn around. Becoming an Empty Nester is one of the bittersweet ones.

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It’s excrutiating to witness the pain of someone you love. Whether that pain is physical, emotional or spiritual, it is almost overwhelming to witness knowing there is little you can do to really alleviate the pain. Sure, with physical pain you might be able to make the other person more comfortable. You could give them pain meds if they have been prescribed. You can adjust the environment as best you can – turn down the lights, quiet noises, maybe turn up some white noise, set the temperature to an ideal level, add scents or eliminate scents. Whatever they need.

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Living in the Sandwich Generation is a tough squeeze! What’s the Sandwich Generation? Those are folks who are busy raising children while also caring for an aging parent. Nearly 47% of Americans are part of the Sandwich Generation. One of the kickers is that it tends to sneak up on us. We live in a busy world when raising children, even if they are older and able to take care of most of their own needs. Combine any level of childcare or teen and young adult “management” with working, and we have busy with an extra dollop of stress on our plate.

Published · 1,158 views

Living in the Sandwich Generation is a tough squeeze! What’s the Sandwich Generation? Those are folks who are busy raising children while also caring for an aging parent. Nearly 47% of Americans are part of the Sandwich Generation. One of the kickers is that it tends to sneak up on us. We live in a busy world when raising children, even if they are older and able to take care of most of their own needs. Combine any level of childcare or teen and young adult “management” with working, and we have busy with an extra dollop of stress on our plate.

Published · 1,248 views

It’s no secret that we live in a society that encourages us to be self-focused. Every time we turn on our televisions, listen to the radio, or drive by a billboard, we see messages advertising the latest beauty product, skincare regime, or clothing fad. If we let them, these announcements of how to be, how to look and how to dress can consume us. Yet, there’s also a beauty, and deep reward, in turning away from ourselves and looking at the needs of others.

Published · 1,277 views

We all have days where we wished we would have stayed in bed. For some, all it takes is a little dreary weather, and the blues start cropping up. Or, maybe a series of small incidents and setbacks during your morning routine has thrown your entire day off balance. Either way, once you’re stuck in a rut of negative thinking, it can be incredibly difficult to turn your day around. Still, all is not lost. There are a few ways to salvage even the most seemingly hopeless day, and it all begins with changing your perspective. 1. Understand that situations are temporary.

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When we set out on a journey to reach a new goal, we often do so with gusto. We’re extremely motivated in the beginning because everything feels fresh. It doesn’t take too long, however, before the enthusiasm wanes and real life sets in. It’s the reason we stick closely to our diets in January, but by March or April, we’re back to our old habits. If you’ve been feeling stuck in a rut lately, you’re not alone.

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When I was expecting my first child, I had several friends who had transitioned into work-from-home careers. Some went into multi-level marketing, some sold handmade crafts online, and others were fortunate enough to find a flexible employer who allowed remote employees. After weighing my options, I decided to make the switch as well. I’d spent almost 10 years as a proposal manager and while I loved what I did, I’d known for while that I’d reached a professional plateau and something needed to spur me onward toward change.

Published · 1,557 views

If you have struggled to conceive a child, you know what a heavy toll the process can take on your spirit, your body, and your relationship. Many women find themselves devastated before turning to alte ative therapies such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) a gentle, hopeful therapy that is ...

Published · 1,216 views

Make a list of your favorite things about Christmas and I would be willing to bet your list doesn't include fruitcake. Christmas fruitcake has never made the list unless you are a Randisi. My mother-in-law Rose Randisi made the best Christmas fruitcake bar none. People who have tasted her fruitcake unanimously agree, hers is nothing like the customary fruitcake misfortune everyone dreads. And that is because Rose’s fruitcake is flat out delicious. We normally fight over the last piece, it is that good.

Published · 3,102 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 3 votes

Tell me if you've heard this one. Five birds are sitting on a telephone wire. Two decide to fly south. How many are left? Most people would say three. Actually, all five are left. You see, deciding to fly isn't the same thing as actually doing it. So it is with most things. Good intentions are not enough. It's not what we want, say or think that makes things happen; it's what we do. We either make the time for the things we want to and should do, or we make excuses. No doubt all good parents want to spend more time with their children, but so often life gets in the way.

Published · 1,764 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

Parents never know which gesture, tradition or spur-of-the-moment childhood adventure will become a treasured memory. However, chances are more treasured moments will occur during the summer months when most parents have more time to spend with their children.

Published · 1,538 views · Rated 2.8/5 from 4 votes

I remember the year I felt eager to try out some new communication skills I was learning. I trusted they would help lessen confusion and help me to get more of what I wanted out of my relationships. When I spoke to one person I knew for many years, I was confused because my new skills seemed to help to end that relationship. I thought I was trying to resolve a conflict. I believed these skills didn’t work or I didn’t do them right. So I tried again around the same time when I spoke to my dying mother. These new skills helped us to deepen our connection and mutual understanding.

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"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." Albert Einstein Watch a child examine a bug for the first time. What do you see? Wide eyes looking closely, touching, tasting, and asking “what’s that?” or “what does it do?” Curiosity is an emotion growing ...

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A little preparation can turn any road trip into a fun family adventure. Here are some suggestions and creative ideas to help families enjoy one another’s company while traveling on the road. FOR TODDLERS: Prepare ziplock bags of items to be given out every 25, 50 or 75 miles. In each bag put ...

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The French philosopher Jean-Jacque Rousseau wrote, “Childhood has its own way of seeing, thinking, and feeling, and nothing is more foolish than to try to substitute ours for theirs.” The pressure on today’s children to grow up fast begins in early childhood, starting with their clothing. We ...

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A teacher once asked me, “What are you doing with your children?” She pushed her reading glasses to the end of her nose, pointed her finger directly at me and said, “I must speak to you in private.” I didn’t know what to expect. She shook her head and added, “What ever IT is, just keep doing ...

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I’ve thought long and hard about what makes children feel good about themselves and the world they live in. I’ve also read a lot of books and articles on this topic because it is my passion, but instead of overloading you with research or information, I thought it would be best to share some ...

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It’s not easy to admit when you said or did something that didn’t work out the way you hoped. What do you do with your feelings of remorse or disappointment? How do you feel when you make a mistake or when others make mistakes? Your beliefs about mistakes can tell a lot about what you believe ...

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Most people dread arguments, power struggles, and the silent treatment. Exploring and resolving differences are skills as important as the 3Rs and the skills least likely to be talked about. Avoiding pain doesn’t make it go away. Instead , when we explore conflict, we paradoxically experience ...

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This week, I received a couple of questions about toddlers who hit and bite from parents wondering how to teach their youngsters about emotional intelligence. I also received similar questions about teens which I will cover in next week’s blog. I was drawn to the toddler questions when my ...

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When our four year-old son asked if he could have a candy bar at the grocery store, I said no, and he said, okay, and the woman behind me said, “Wow, I’ve never seen that before.” She couldn’t recall seeing a child take no for an answer without whining. Usually children ...

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BOOK REVIEW: Somebody Cares! A new children’s book by Renee Heiss When twelve-year-old Lexii plans her birthday party, she wants something special. What she finds is a way to celebrate her special day while making many exceptional days for needy children. What she doesn’t expect is an emotional reaction from one of her friends at her unusual birthday. Kids can use her suggestions to plan their own celebration!

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How many times have you ordered, "Don't do that" only to have your child continue rocking back on the kitchen chair? There are four mistakes with that statement. Let’s examine each hint individually. 1.Be Positive – If you want your kids to cooperate, you need to inform them exactly what you would like them to do, as opposed to what you don’t want them to do. Don’t and can’t are invisible commands. Kids only hear what comes after. Therefore, they translate “Don’t rock back on the chair” into “Rock back on the chair.”

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Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway) is the ancient Chinese approach of interior design that promotes balance and well-being in our environment. Literally translated, it means “wind” and “water.” By employing the pointers outlined below, your classroom can grow to be more relaxed, thereby fostering learning and minimizing disciplinary problems. I was a nonbeliever at first, also. I thought it was all hocus-pocus. But then I started adding Feng Shui solutions to different areas of my classroom, and I found that I had one of the most productive years I’ve ever experienced with my students.

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Has a supervisor requested you to get your students moving while they learn? Have you noticed that kids who participate actively in a lesson learn much easier? There’s a reason for this phenomenon: When children move, they enhance the rate that oxygen circulates all through their bodies, including their brains.

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Learned Optimism-Overcome Fear Perhaps, like many others in the world, you began to have doubts and fears as your constant thoughts. You may have given up hope for a brighter future and an easier daily life. You may feel a darkness or shadow when you are associating with negative people and events. Your thoughts and your body feel heavy, sluggish and slow to make decisions. Negative Pushes Down, Positive Pulls Up Optimism can be learned, just as any life-skill. Make a habit of being happy and choose to overcome fear.

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As I travel the country teaching workshops for parents, teachers and day care providers I often ask them if they recognize the Indigo Children. These children are not content to color in the lines or glue macaroni on paper. They are very bright but also very active and curious. Born To Be Leaders

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As I travel the country teaching workshops for parents, teachers and day care providers I often ask them if they recognize the Indigo Children. These children are not content to color in the lines or glue macaroni on paper. They are very bright but also very active and curious. Born To Be Leaders Some of the children who are being born now are just arriving knowing who and what they are. They really just need parents to guide them a little and keep them safe till they are grown up enough to accomplish what they have been sent to do.

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Twelve-, Thirteen- and Fourteen-Year-Oldsn Characteristics Middle school and junior high students are growing more rapidly than they have at any time since infancy. They vary in size tremendously, a fact which directly relates to their feelings about themselves. It should also be noted that ...

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In the world today we are faced with many choices. We are all built with the instinct for fight or flight when faced with confrontation. Recently I ran into a situation where I was faced with a rude, nasty response to a birthday greeting I had sent to an acquaintance through Facebook. I hadn't realized the link to the free ebook I normally send to my Facebook friends on their birthday had been changed. The gentleman in question reacted by sending me a snarly note back chiding me for sending him marketing material in his birthday greeting.

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It is not the strangers who manipulate and prey on their sexual victims, it is someone who is usually known and respected by the family. Sexual abuse is often first committed by juvenile family members who are loved and trusted. As hormones begin to surge and if they have not been taught how to handle thoughts and urges, they may experiment on younger siblings or cousins.. Adolescent Sexual Offenders

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Why won't my kid behave? What makes him so angry? How can I control his angry behavior? Why is his behavior rude and obnoxious? How can we teach respect and responsibility? Are all kids his age lazy? What am I doing wrong?

Published · 2,745 views · Rated 3/5 from 1 votes

To many dads discipline means yelling, threatening or spanking when the behavior of the child is unacceptable. They may be confusing discipline, which means loving guidance and teaching, with punishment. Punishment is punitive and harsh. Their own fathers worked long hours and the mother did most of the parenting, sometimes with a threat of "just wait till your father comes home." Consequently males may have grown up without a strong caring father or in many cases, no father present at all. So they are not sure how to parent or how to get cooperation without punishing or yelling.

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Teasing is universal, its a fact of life. In my classroom when I ask any person if they were teased as a child the answer is always the same. Yes. Then I ask who they were teased by, there are a number of answers I get: siblings, the kid down the street, their teacher, or even their family. People are always able to remember who teased or bullied them. The torment they underwent becomes a part of them.

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Children who have been allowed to participate in the care of loved one, including hospice care at end of life, are better prepared later in life when losses of any kind occur. Loss of a Pet For many children the first death they may witness or participate in, is the death of a pet. When I was researching for my book "I Lost My Best Friend Today" it was humbling to hear the stories. Many adults said they mou ed more over the death of their pet than the loss of their parents.

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Why does a six-year-old become stressed when their parent loses a job? Why does an eight-year-old suddenly become queasy and ill when its time to go to Little League? Many feel that children live relaxed, stress free lives. This isn't always the case. Over the years I have had a chance to work with families and have had the opportunity to learn about what frightens children, what causes anxiety in children which in some cases can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.)

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Ernest Hemingway once said: "The world breaks everyone. and afterward,many are strong in the broken places." When we are going through adversity, it is not always possible to believe that everyone suffers loss and heartache. It feels and acts very personal when bad luck and rotten life experiences happen to good people. Our first response is " Why Me? " We may question whether we did something to deserve this punishment or trouble. We may feel resentment for others who are not suffering and question why trouble did not choose them.

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When children learn to be compassionate, caring and learn they may not be the centre of universe they become more confident. They need to realize that they are an important part of the earth, but it does not revolve around them.

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Do you have to like or love someone to be considerate, kind and courteous? The answer to that question is simply- No. You can be respectful without agreeing with, or even liking another person. One reason this is such a vital life skill for our children, is for the rest of their lives they will need to interact with, work with and deal with people they may feel are unpleasant.

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Character is the set of qualities that make somebody distinctive. It is the outward manifestation of what you believe inside your mind and spirit. It is your nature, personality and moral fiber. Your character is the attitude and mindset which indicates to others who you are and what you stand for. Character, values and standards are not inbo or inherited, they must be learned, accepted and believed by the person. Belief System Reflects Actions if your parents called you lazy, you can either incorporate that label as a part of your character and indeed become lazy.

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Are You Afraid and Frustrated? If you are having difficulty turning problems into opportunities, you may be discouraged. You may have a need to build your self esteem in order to overcome fear, doubts and frustrations that are impacting the life you deserve to live.

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If your bills and expenses equals more than your income, you are headed for trouble and must take steps immediately to get back on track. There must be enough coming in your household to cover what is going out in expenses. If there is a big difference between the two, then you may be headed for trouble.

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If you are like most parents, grandparents, teachers today, you probably think that children are watching way too much television today. Not only are they sitting on their rear ends inside, when you can get them outside, they are playing video games on their cell-phones or other electronics. ...

Published · 2,397 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 3 votes

Internal work on our believe systems, thought patterns and behaviors is the hardest work any of us will ever do. It takes a great deal of courage and desire to change to undergo the strenuous work of digging through the layers of hidden feelings, experiences and hurts. Those who are in ...

Published · 1,375 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Your intention is to motivate a child or employee to do better. You are clear in your mind what you want to achieve and the behavior that you want changed. You expect to be listened to and obeyed! You are right and they are wrong. Someday, they will be grateful that you cared enough to show ...

Published · 2,361 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is easier to take the garbage out yourself than to keep nagging your son? Do you wonder what kind of employee he will become since he doesn't always follow through at home? Is it worth the effort on your part to insist that he do his share? ...

Published · 2,492 views · Rated 3/5 from 5 votes

Even though 10% or more of reported deaths are unexpected and traumatic, you are still blindsided when it happens to those you love and care about. It is not something that one ever plans on and so are not only grieving emotionally, but have no idea on what to do in order to handle the ...

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The family is the foundation of life. It is the basic organization and where family members learn what is expected of them in life and their part in the scheme of things. It is in the family setting that children understand their exte al environment. Young children and teenagers figure out ...

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Are you a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach or employer who is dismayed at the sense of entitlement many of our young children have? And that is not all they have. They have clothes enough to outfit a small orphanage, toys enough for a play land and an excuse for every chore they are asked ...

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Home, home on the range, Where never is heard A discouraging word And the skies are not cloudy all day! Oh, that would be wonderful but most parents and bosses tend to feel that criticism and pointing out what is wrong will make others want to do what is right. However, people cannot improve ...

Published · 5,480 views · Rated 3.3/5 from 3 votes

Character is the set of qualities that make somebody distinctive. It is the outward manifestation of what you believe inside your mind and spirit. It is your nature, personality and moral fiber. Your character is the attitude and set of mind which indicates to others who you are and what you ...

Published · 6,332 views · Rated 2.6/5 from 5 votes

"While practicing a little mindful eating today I discovered a glorious source of gratitude--colors! While I was concentrating on a potato mindfully, the thought suddenly arose--how would you describe the taste of a potato...and from there my monkey mind jumped to...how would one describe a ...

Published · 1,317 views · Rated 3.4/5 from 5 votes

Your intention is to motivate a child or employee to do better. You are clear in your mind what you want to achieve and the behavior that you want changed. You expect to be listened to and obeyed! You are right and they are wrong. Someday, they will be grateful that you cared enough to show them ...

Published · 2,955 views · Rated 3.7/5 from 3 votes

Families and individuals often struggle to find words which describe what they are feeling. Many find themselves referring back to mad, sad and happy, especially if the parents were never allowed to express feelings in their childhood homes. One of the cornerstones of successful families is ...

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The five-year-old is surer of himself and is generally dependable. He has learned to do what is expected of him. You can usually reason with him, and he will understand why you want something done a certain way. A five-year-old may still have some difficulty using small muscles, but can usually ...

Published · 1,682 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

It is not always easy to combine fun and work, but it is possible. The goal of family relationships should be one of mutual respect and cooperation. The sooner the chores are done, the sooner you can go have fun. Or, if you use the techniques and ideas listed below, you can do both at the same ...

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What do children really need besides food, shelter and protection? Have you ever wondered what your responsibility is to ensure that your child will grow up to be a contributing member of society? As a mom, foster mom and grandmother as well as a family educator and relationship coach, I have ...

Published · 2,468 views · Rated 3/5 from 3 votes

A reader is not always a leader, but a leader is always a reader.n- David Gergen How do you get kids to read? You read to them or with them. How do you teach values, standards and leadership? You talk with them, not to them. How do you get them to talk? Children, no matter what age group, ...

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Do your kids think you have too many rules? Do they push the limits and boundaries of respect? Perhaps you have had similar conversations that started like these in order to teach respect for others. "What’s the matter with that word, they say it all the time on television?" "We were ...

Published · 2,466 views · Rated 2.8/5 from 4 votes

In order to take care of others, we must first use self-care strategies in our own life. If we have children in the house, they will model what we do, not what we say. Stress and Adversity can be handled if the following tips are used often enough that they become automatic action and good ...

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Are you more stressed than usual? Frustrated with life? Are you afraid and scared about the future? Do you find yourself getting more annoyed with the children and coworkers? It is easy to be grateful when your needs are being met, but what about when you are stressed and worried? Keep ...

Published · 1,669 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

The third year is a fascinating one in the growth of a child and is personally my very favorite. I have never met a three-year-old I didn't just adore. The three-year-old can do things. He can run, jump, ride a trike and go up and down stairs proficiently. He loves to run errands, and his best ...

Published · 1,681 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Duh! I just recently came to realize that I listen to my body when it is telling me that I have to go to the bathroom, and when I am tired. These little subtle nudges warn me that my physical body needs some attention. Active since a small child, this internal monitoring system has sent me ...

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For every moment you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness. Ralph Waldo Emersonn Where is your stress coming from? Inside or outside of you? Are you subconsciously adding to your feelings of frustration? Perhaps you are sabotaging your self by not being honest about what you need. ...

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51 ways to have fun with your family nthis summer for little or no money.n©2006 Judy H. Wright, Parent Educator and Family Coach. www.artichokepress.com, Missoula, MT. 1. Take a hike. Go around the block, up the mountain, down the trail or under the elm trees. Ideally, we ...

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Anticipatory Grief and On-going Sadness for Caregiversn© Judy H. Wright, 2005 www.ArtichokePress.comnnn In 1969, Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross published On Death and Dying and later went on to launch the Hospice movement in America. Even though her studies focused more on those who were dying than ...

Published · 1,190 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Are You an Author-ity? Judy H. Wright,nwww.ArtichokePress.comn(word count 770) The easiest way to become an expert, specialist, power to be reckoned with, a person of influence and someone deemed to know what they are talking about--in other words an authority--is to write a book. For some ...

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Many families today are blending members from past relationships. It would be easy to give up when faced with all the conflicting methods of parenting and discipline that come to a family who has joined forces together. As I was doing research for a recent book, I interviewed a young counselor ...

Published · 1,433 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

There are certain characteristics of those who have high self esteem and confidence in their ability to affect the jou ey of their life. These factors are universal and can be learned if they are not present in you life right now. 1. They are ambitious. They want more from life than ...

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Many people have no idea how to accept a compliment with grace and ease. Those old self defeating thoughts are right there yammering away; “She’s crazy if she thinks that I did a great job. I messed up big time last week” or “If I agree, it will seem like I am conceited.” Sometimes the ...

Published · 1,285 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

How and why do we believe what we believe? How do we arrive at our underlying set of beliefs, attitudes, assumptions and prejudices? Who planted the information in our minds? Was the information nurturing or toxic? What did we hear, see or experience that established our life’s action ...

Published · 1,589 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Parents and the home environment are the most important parts of the equation of a well rounded education. It is in the home that the love of learning for learning’s sake takes place. Babies are born eager to learn, create, touch, explore and investigate their world. We want to offer an ...

Published · 1,417 views · Rated 3/5 from 3 votes

Family: How to Get Teens to Listen to What You Sayn© Judy H. Wright, parent educator and autho www.ArtichokePress.comnnn“Idunno” becomes the answer of choice for children from ages 14 to 18. You would almost wonder if perhaps they had lost the power of speech, but somehow they can communicate ...

Published · 1,415 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Garden of our Mindn©2007 Judy H. Wright, life educato n How and why do we believe what we believe? How do we arrive at our underlying set of beliefs and attitudes (which includes assumptions and prejudices)? Who planted the information in our mind? Was it nurturing or toxic information? Most ...

Published · 862 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

“How do I teach my child social skills, when I don’t know how to make friends?” “How do you find time to maintain a friendship when life is so busy with work and kids?” These are just some of the questions that were asked by adult participants about their own lack of intimate friends at my ...

Published · 1,138 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Loving your step- child can be both simple and hard. It is not enough for parents, step parents and extended family to feel a deep glow of love for the children in your circle of influence. You must convey that feeling into a message that is heard, felt and integrated by the child. Children ...

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How does your child handle disappointment? What happens if they don’t win the game, election or friend? Do they want to quit the team when they’re not picked to play? Have a Plan B Resilience helps people deal with disappointments, stress, even trauma. Resilient people see an obstacle as a ...

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Boundaries are like fence lines that protect the precious heart and soul inside our bodies. It is important when we build and maintain those lines of protection that we make decisions about what is and what isn’t permissible in all relationships. Boundaries are valuable It doesn’t matter how ...

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If I were to pick one period of our lives that could stand as a symbol of love, sharing, friendship and in fact, the very personification of the teaching and life of that little babe born in Bethlehem so long ago, it would have to be the Christmas of 1979. It had been a year filled with ...

Published · 1,656 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.n -Mother Theresa Words can be deadly weapons or protective layers of love. They can bruise and batter a person, no matter how old, in the heart and spirit just like physical blows can cause damage to ...

Published · 5,656 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Have you ever wondered what your destiny in life was? Did you ever ponder whether the road you were on was the one leading to fulfillment and happiness? Unlike so many of my friends and family, I have always had the sure knowledge of what was expected of me. Under a tree with my teddy bears ...

Published · 938 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

Do you know how to compliment your child? Strangely enough, many parents don’t. If you only heard criticism growing up, you may need to learn the words and actions in order to build the self esteem and character of your child. Combine the compliment with a smile or hug Verbal language is ...

Published · 5,930 views · Rated 4/5 from 2 votes

www.ArtichokePress.com Have you ever wondered where destiny would lead you? Have you ever pondered whether the road you are taking would lead to fulfillment and happiness? Unlike so many of my friends and family, I have always had the sure knowledge of what was expected of me. It was under a ...

Published · 1,096 views · Rated 4/5 from 3 votes

Judy H. Wright© 2004 www.ArtichokePress.com Have you ever wondered where destiny would lead you? Have you ever pondered whether the road you are taking would lead to fulfillment and happiness? Unlike so many of my friends and family, I have always had the sure knowledge of what was expected of ...

Published · 1,185 views · Rated 3.5/5 from 2 votes

Home is where your heart is safe. It is the one place you can relax and be authentic. Home is not just walls, floor and bed, but the intangible aspects of your environment that make you feel welcome and blessed. It is, or should be, a refuge from the world. I am not going to write much about home because it is such a sacred and personal sanctuary. But I will encourage and empower you to be a homemaker, to make a home wherever you may be sleeping and residing. 3 Ways to Rest Well Wherever You Sleep

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As an empowerment coach and life educator, I teach families about the importance of self-soothing rituals and calming techniques for each member of the family. If you have been a parent, you will remember the methods you developed to sooth a fretful baby or toddler. You knew what worked and what would just make the child more upset. Coping With Stress

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As parents our job is to teach our children how to be the person that will attract the kind of people they want to be around. As we empower them to respect and be kind to others, it will reflect on how they feel about themselves. When we teach them how to be a kind and responsible person we are really teaching them three things: Confidence, Character and Critical Thinking. Confidence: Confidence is the belief that you can do things well. There is an air of assurance and trust that others can see and are drawn to in relationships.

Published · 1,890 views

Why won't my kid behave? What makes him so angry? How can I control his angry behavior? Why is his behavior rude and obnoxious? How can we teach respect and responsibility? Are all kids his age lazy? What am I doing wrong?

Published · 1,699 views

Are you or your loved ones getting older and becoming isolated? Perhaps the idea of an animal as a companion may be just the thing. An animal offers so much more than companionship, but having a friend nearby can prevent loneliness and other health conce s. One might be forgiven to think that the advent of the communication technologies that exist would get rid of the loneliness from this world. Especially since getting in touch with a loved one is as easy and as fast as a couple of mouse clicks or phone taps. Unfortunately, in many ways, this is not true.

Published · 1,912 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Is Your Child a Bully? Aggressive Behavior to Watch For in Kids. Does your child manipulate others for favors, and never make an effort to reciprocate? Do they have a lack of conce for the feelings and well being of others? Do they fight, steal, vandalize or set fires? What do you do when you have tried every parenting technique in the books? Where do you turn when you can no longer communicate with your child? When tough love and co-operation are not enough to turn a rotten attitude or disrespectful behavior around. Who & When To Ask For Help

Published · 1,432 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

For thousands of years dogs have provided people with protection, companionship and support. What we today recognize as the domestic dog became a part of human society when nomadic bands of hunter gatherers were roaming the Earth. There is evidence to suggest that these dogs, descended from the Grey Wolf were viewed as both working animals and as valued partners in surviving the tough environment that characterized the lives of these societies and today the dog has become part of the fabric of society and often a valued member of families across the globe.

Published · 1,872 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

It's the most wonderful time of the year... Or so they say. While the end of year holidays are supposed to be a time of peace, love, and joy, it often turns out to be a time of stress, depression and worry -- especially as people struggle to create some "holiday magic" for their friends and ...It's the most wonderful time of the year... Or so they say.

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1. Now is the time to be honest with yourself and others. If you're trying to revitalize yourself and jump-start your life, you have to be 100%, no-bull, straight-up honest about what is and what is not working in your life. Self-deception is like driving around in circles... you’ll be ...1. Now is the time to be honest with yourself and others. If you're trying to revitalize yourself and jump-start your life, you have to be 100%, no-bull, straight-up honest about what is and what is not working in your life.

Published · 3,737 views · Rated 5/5 from 1 votes

Many parents feel stressed before and during school openings, when kids have to wake up earlier than usual, when they have to wrestle with new school mates and new teachers. As well, kids demand latest jeans and designer shirts just to keep up with peers. And who shell out the required funds for these extra and sometimes unnecessary demands? Of course you, honorable parents. Unfortunately such demands can take their toll. Very soon, you’ll notice that you’re becoming more irritable, stressed, and tensed. How do you cope?

Published · 1,482 views · Rated 2/5 from 1 votes

For the past few weeks, I’ve been reading a book which I bought in 2006 but forgot or deferred to read because I thought it was just a rehash of old, worn-out ideas. Anyway, the book “The Laws of Lifetime Growth” by Sullivan and Nomura has been uniquely engaging. For its size — a small, 127- page book — it contains profound ten life gems or laws that can guarantee extraordinary growth for some people. Out of ten, three Sullivan and Nomura’s laws have caught my attention.

Published · 1,528 views · Rated 3/5 from 2 votes

“Mike, wake up! You’re daydreaming again!” My best friend in childhood used to accuse me of daydreaming. I’d just laugh each time he would lead me back from my fantasy land to reality. Everyone daydreams. But while others are preoccupied with the miseries of current realities, some dream about ...

Published · 1,781 views

With all this talk of recession, of global economic crisis, of failing banks and creeping foreclosures, of unpaid credit card debts, of mounting monthly bills, how can you stay motivated? How can you maintain your momentum when under extreme pressure? When the world is full of negativity and ...

Published · 1,636 views

Do you know what emotional intelligence (EI or EQ) is and how it can benefit your life? Do you know how to manage your emotion so you can propel yourself to the next level? In short, do you have the EQ edge for success? There’s so much talk about emotional intelligence and how it can ...

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Our community has suffered a blow this week. Dr. Albert O’Mahony, a revered Clarenville family doctor for years, met an untimely death. Only a few weeks ago, I had seen him walk in our neighborhood with Donna. He then greeted us with his signature broad grin and vibrant demeanor. Not ...

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A nice lady who sat beside me on a plane narrated her life after learning that I’m a practicing psychiatrist. “I can’t say ‘no.’ That’s my problem for years. I‘m now 68 years old and I still try to please everyone except myself. I feel guilty if I say ...

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For the past few years, I’ve talked to parents complaining about their kids and their online or computer habits. “They spend too much time playing online games. No time for homework,” reports a single mom. “When my child loses a game, he yells at me,” adds a ...

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“As parents, what’s really our role?” I asked a group of parents during my lecture on family and emotional intelligence. Each one had an opinion about children and parenting. “Feed them,” said one. “Clothe them,” said another. Soon, others shared their ...

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“Only two things are certain in this world — change and death.” A relative told us this as we gathered in the balcony one summer evening many years ago. For a young boy, those words sounded strange and profound. As a physician, I’ve realized that change and death are ...

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“Something is wrong. How can procrastination be effective?” “That’s impossible. I can’t believe it. You’re just kidding.” “No, I’m not. I really believe that procrastination can be positive at times. And I mean it,” I argued with a ...

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I usually put my children to sleep. Routinely, each one takes turn saying prayers before dozing off. “Dear heavenly Father, thank you for my family and relatives and for all the blessings. Thank you for giving me only good dreams and good thoughts.” As this prayer echoes around the room, it ...

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I’m surprised when some patients and caregivers confuse dementia and Alzheimer’s as one and the same. Each time a family member is suffering from memory loss, the conclusion is always Alzheimer’s. Is it reasonable to label all dementias as Alzheimer’s? As a clinician, my answer to queries is ...

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Alzheimer’s Dementia has a combination of cognitive and behavioral manifestations. Cognitive impairment is the core problem which includes memory deficits and at least one of the following: aphasia or language problem, agnosia or problems with recognition, apraxia or motor activity problem, and ...

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Junkyard Wars, a TV series showed two teams of experts contending for a title. The aim of the competition was for teams to construct a torpedo that can hit a target. But the challenge was more than just the process of construction. The challenge was creating a torpedo out of a junk. Each team ...

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Maria has been increasingly depressed for the past few years. She has tried at least four newer antidepressants but so far, she doesn’t seem to respond. Unable to work, she’s now feeling helpless and hopeless. Likewise, her family is discouraged. Frustrated and baffled by Maria’s lack of ...

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There’s so much talk about emotional intelligence and how it can promote personal and business success. What is it really? What are its basic tenets? Emotional intelligence is the capacity to recognize, understand, and manage one’s emotions and that of others. This “intelligent” concept focuses ...

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I remember a friend in college who would blush, sweat, and tremble when required by a teacher to speak in class. A few weeks before the presentation, he’d be anxious, agitated, and couldn’t sleep. Because I was still a student then, I didn’t have any clue what he was going through. But I knew ...I remember a friend in college who would blush, sweat, and tremble when required by a teacher to speak in class. A few weeks before the presentation, he’d be anxious, agitated, and couldn’t sleep. Because I was still a student then, I didn’t have any clue what he was going through.

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Nancy was doing very well until about two years ago when Phil, her boyfriend of 9 years, broke-up with her. It was a difficult moment for her especially after she learned that Phil eventually married her cousin. Since then, Nancy had deteriorated. One evening, she was involved in a motor ...

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A British weapon’s inspector was found dead in the woods after he slashed his wrist. For the past few weeks, he was entangled with a controversy about the war in Iraq. On Monday, a Hyundai executive leaped to his death from the 12th floor. He was on trial for allegedly paying off North Korea ...

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Dysthymic Disorder, used to be called Dysthymia, is a low-grade and yet chronic depression characterized by feelings of sadness or depression associated with lack of interest to do things and some physical symptoms such as lack of energy, sleep, and concentration. Psychological symptoms such as ...

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When suffering from clinical depression, people have different ways of confronting it. Some acknowledge it, face it just like any problem, and seek help. Some ignore it as if it doesn’t exist. And others simply accept that it’s there but they don’t do anything about it. In fact, they don’t even ...

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Countless number of patients and their family members have asked me about manic–depression and major depression. “Is there any difference?” “Are they one and the same?” “Is the treatment the same?” And so on. Each time I encounter a chorus of questions like these, I am enthused to provide ...

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Like in most families, children are around you everyday. Whatever you show to your children is what you teach and impart to them regardless of your intentions. In the eyes of your children, you are a teacher. Everyday you are teaching “live” — whether you like it or not. You’re like a walking ...

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Jill is a 21 y/o college student who used to do well until about a few months ago when she started to experience “weird” attacks almost daily. She described her experience as “horrible.” When she has the attack, she feels that she’s about to die or develop a stroke. One day while she was in a ...

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Sarah is a 28 y/o accountant who had a traumatic past that she kept to herself. At age 15, she was grabbed by a masked man while she was jogging in a park. The man threatened to kill her with a knife and brutally raped her. She screamed but nobody seemed to have heard her. Since that time, ...

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When driving, we need to check our rear-view mirror every few minutes to perceive dangers lurking behind — tailgaters, hecklers, over speeding cars, and drivers under the influence. Aside from anticipating threats, it helps us contemplate our next move, giving us enough time to be cautious ...

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One of the common plot lines of romantic comedies involves a relationship that has to change from a best of friends into a romantic couple.

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If you’ve messed up the first date, you are not alone. Read these three true stories from my clients. 1. “Alyssa” agreed to meet Allen in person after ten days of emails, text messages and phone calls. She was really looking forward to meeting someone who seemed good for her. The problem was that shortly before she met Allen for coffee Alyssa had a huge fight with her mother. Her mother frequently mentioned that Alyssa’s younger sister just married a plastic surgeon. Alyssa’s mother said, “You’ve got to give up these teachers you date all the time.”

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Unhappy with your primary doctor or specialist for a long time but too busy or unsure what to do about it? If you are nodding your head yes, you are not alone. I’ve spoken with hundreds of professional women who say any or all of the following things about changing their doctor: • “I don’t have time”r • “I don’t know where to start”r • “…well I guess the one I go to isn’t that bad…it’s just that…”r

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Making and keeping New Year’s resolutions is challenging—especially when you want to make the best resolutions about dating. Don’t despair. You can make smart resolutions — and use your brain’s ability to undo old habits to keep your resolutions! Let’s start first with smart resolutions that are based on my research about love issues from thousands of people. The next section offers ways to prepare your brain for lasting change.

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One day, “out of the blue,” when I was trying to find ways to help my clients, the idea of writing a list of Ten LoveCommandments came to mind. My clients and research participants ask me many questions, and one of the most common one is: “How do I keep that spark alive with my partner?”

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I love traveling. I love it so much that while I am on vacation, I am already planning my next one! But I sure don't like packing. And unpacking is even worse! I must be a slow learner because it took years of making mistakes to learn what to take and what to take it in. You may not use all these tips, but here are the ones that have worked for me and my family and friends. The goals are to look good and feel good — and still be a smart packer. 1. What kind of luggage should I bring?

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Secrets to Hiring Smart: New Ways to Mix Wisdom with New Formats, Questions and Intuition In my career the task of hiring always landed on my desk. There were other “sets of eyes” on the potential employee, but I was often the first or last set of eyes. Over the years, I relied on a unique format and questions, combined with my intuition. There is no magic recipe that will work in every situation, but I’m sharing top tips that have worked.

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If you have never been in an abusive relationship, it’s easy to think: Why doesn’t the person just get out of it? Well, think of these things: An abuser knows exactly what emotional buttons to push in his or her partner. The abuser is a master of finding that chink in the partner’s sense of self-worth and confidence. An abuser has emotional radar for people who need to please, and who tend to doubt his or her feelings, thoughts, and actions.

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Are statistics about the odds of women finding love and happiness getting you down? Don't fret — get smart and think about you instead! Virtually all of the women in my study for my books said they had trouble "turning down the background noise" about what statistics and society said about women's chances for happiness in love, life and work. Turning Off these Messages that Can Jam Your Head about Love!

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No matter how successful and seasoned you are, you may still experience setbacks and disappointments. Setbacks come in many shapes and sizes for each of us. Sometimes they are small, while other times they're huge — or perhaps they just feel that way. Read this sentence out loud several times: No one is immune from experiencing career setbacks, regrets and disappointments, and from making mistakes both big and small.

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Here are some thoughts that might surprise you. There is not necessarily a type of person who cheats. Even nice people can be cheaters—and this concept can cloud your ability to see the signs that your partner is a cheater.

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Perhaps the end of your most recent relationship is a good thing regardless of who did the leaving. But now what's the best next step for you? Every situation has different details, but here are the top things to consider that emerged from my research and work with thousands of women. 1. Don't swear off love for a long time. That decision could start an unhealthy cycle:

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Even if you are the one saying good-bye in an intimate relationship, you still may not feel strong, wise and happily single and alone again. It is normal to feel scared and doubtful about your decision to leave. Whether you are doing the leaving or you are the one who is being left, it is also normal to feel anger. After all, you invested your heart and hopes, time and possibly your best years. But it is not healthy to stay stuck with your anger so that you never risk falling in love again.

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Your divorce is final, and you are glad, sad, excited and scared all at the same time. You love your nights to yourself — for a while — and then you wonder if you can ever be optimistic about finding love again. The good news is that this roller coaster of feelings and doubt is normal. And the even better news is that a healthy, intimate relationship is possible. But before you start searching dating websites or asking your friends to introduce you to date-worthy men…

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No matter how seasoned and successful you are, you still may experience disappointments and setbacks. Here are tips to empower you. Read this several times: No one is immune from experiencing career setbacks, disappointments and regrets and making mistakes big and small. Setbacks come in many forms for all of us. See if these situations sound like you. I've added possible solutions for each item.

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Many of us have probably heard the word "mindfulness," but what does it mean? And more importantly, why should I bother? Obviously, I think it's important, otherwise I wouldn't be mentioning it. So, I'll start by attempting a definition. Mindfulness is the conscious process of learning about you by being aware of your physiological and emotional sensations in the moment.

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I've often told my clients that at any moment World War III could break out in your intimate relationship—if you let it. You really do have to pick your battles and your moment, tone, words, and emotional intensity. Here are some key ideas from Part 1. Quick Review: Managing relationship disappointments, setbacks and hurt require skills in: Keeping a perspective on what to let go and what to talk about (No knit-picking) Maintaining a positive emotional management and style (No criticism)

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When you're unhappy in love, it's often hard to know if you are being too picky, too "sensitive" or just wrong in your assessment of the situation. You wonder what "counts" as being a legitimate reason for you to fall out of love or feel distant from your partner. Should you break up if your partner cheats on you, hits you, lies to you? Just how do you know how to set limits, draw the line and pick your battles?

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Does your tummy chu at the thought of speaking in public? Do you feel cotton-headed when you get to the podium? And, unbelievably, did you forget to make the most important point? Welcome to the vast majority of people who fear speaking or performing in public. You’re in good company with famous actresses who revealed they get stage fright — such as Barbra Streisand, Cher, Ella Fitzgerald, Adele, and Hayden Panettiere.

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Q: Should I remarry my ex? A: We all like second chances in life. Rarely do we get them. Remarrying your ex is one of the few opportunities for a "do-over." There are no divorce statistics for people who re-marry their ex. However, the divorce rate for all second marriages is about sixty percent. Oops-not very good odds. But remarrying your ex does not have to end in the chaos of Liz Taylor and Richard Burton. Here are some tips from my clients who have succeeded in remarrying their ex.

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Q: My partner's become withdrawn since being diagnosed with a serious illness. What should I do?

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Q: I think my partner is addicted to porn. What should I do? A: Last week I saw "Avenue Q," the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that stars humans and puppets. The Trekkie Monster puppet gets repeated laughs when he sings about the purpose of the Internet: "Porn," he belts out. Even without the Internet, pornography is here to stay. In fact, it's probably always been a part of human life. Pornographic graffiti, for example, has graced the walls since ancient times.

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Q: My partner and I recently separated. What's the best way to use this time? A: Instead of going directly to divorce, some couples decide to separate for a while. This approach definitely has its merits. It prevents you from acting hastily about the relationship and gives you a chance to manage loneliness, time, and decisions.

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Most of us want to feel chosen, connected and cared for. Unfortunately, it's easy to be fooled into thinking you are falling in love, and one of the sure ways to cloud your judgment about your new partner is having sex too soon. Here are the top reasons how a hasty decision to have sex endangers your relationship health.

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In a column about relationships, it's easy to overlook that the number one person you must always relate to is yourself. Yet, sometimes, when circumstances make us veer off our usual course, we get irritable, pessimistic and just plain old down in the dumps. Here are some tips to help you strengthen your positive coping skills, gain a perspective, a sense of control and feel better.

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Q: I love my partner very much, but how do I manage that we are so opposite when it comes to being outgoing and social? A: You've probably heard the expression "opposites attract." But what, exactly does this mean? And is it true? Of course, nothing is true for all couples, but, in general, we have a tendency to choose someone whose personality style adds or complements our own.

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Q: I'm dating the person with whom I cheated. How can I learn to trust him? A: There is some truth that those who cheated on their partner are more likely to cheat again in a new relationship. Cheaters, after all, have crossed one of those major relationship boundaries-fidelity. And cheaters chose to solve their personal and relationship problems by seeking others or by allowing their emotional needs to override their ethics and commitment.

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Q: How can I turn around my sexless marriage? A: Why would some couples remain celibate? Isn't sex supposed to be part of the pleasures of love and marriage? Yet, approximately 10-15% of marriages may experience long stretches of time without sex. A smaller number of couples never consummate the marriage. Most of us assume that sex is a very important part of being a couple. It forms one of the building blocks of lasting love. The other building blocks include shared values and interests, and commitment.

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Q: It's Valentine's Day, and I'm single and miserable. Is there anyway I can turn it around?

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Q: I've already broken my New Year's resolution. How can I successfully better myself? A: Unfortunately, it's true that by February many of us are on a downward slide of breaking our New Year's resolutions. You've probably given it a good try, but old habits are hard to break. Since you most likely resolved to do-or not do-something important, your frustration soon increases. Now you have to face not only the return of bad behavior but also disappointment in yourself. But don't give up. There are other steps you can take to start the New Year in a smart direction.

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Q: My boyfriend won't propose even though we've been dating for years. Should I take the initiative? A: Let me just get it over with-I do not recommend that women propose marriage. I'll explain why a few paragraphs later, but first, here is the experience that sparked my deeper thinking about marriage proposals.

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Most of us want to feel chosen, connected and cared for. Unfortunately, it's easy to be fooled into thinking you are falling in love, and one of the sure ways to cloud your judgment about your new partner is having sex too soon. Here are the top reasons how a hasty decision to have sex endangers your relationship health.

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Do these scenarios sound familiar? * Your in-laws are cold to you. * Your husband or partner can't stand up to his mother or father. * When it comes to the holidays, it's your in-laws' way-or the highway. * Your in-laws are critical and judgmental of you. * Your in-laws don't abide by the rules or guidelines you set for your children.

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Have a relationship question and want Dr. Wish's advice? Email her a question, here. Your query may become an article! Q: Every year I drop my New Year's resolutions by February. What can I do to keep them? A: Unfortunately, for many of us, by Valentine's Day your New Year's resolutions feel long forgotten. Let's face it-it's too hard to keep them. But don't get down on yourself if your efforts to change and be better have dwindled to practically zero.

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Q: Why do I end up with such "basket cases" for partners? A: Basket cases--a great description of someone whose behavior prompts you to give too much of your time and energy to help, calm, or "fix" them. If you are exhausted and exasperated from feeling that you always have to pick up the slack or do damage repair for your partner, you might be trying to help in unproductive ways.

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Q: Do I empathize too much? A: Most of us have been taught to feel sorry for people who are less fortunate than we are and to forgive people when they make mistakes. Charity and civilization rely on empathy. Yet, as many of my clients have shown me, there is such a thing as too much empathy. Read these brief scenarios.

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If you're like myself and many of my clients, you find forgiveness a difficult prospect. Big questions such as "When is it too late to ask for an apology?", "Is forgiveness necessary for personal and spiritual growth?", and "Should someone apologize for being truthful?" complicate the process.

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Have a relationship question and want Dr. Wish's advice? Email her a question, here. Your query may become an article! Q: I'm about to meet my partner's parents. How can I make a good impression?

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Have a relationship question and want Dr. Wish's advice? Email her a question, here. Your query may become an article! Q: My ailing mom has come to live with me, and it's taking a toll on my marriage. How can I find a balance? A: Medical advancements have allowed us to live longer but not always better. Just ask families who are caregivers to ailing parents or partners. Even if the job is an act of love, the responsibility erodes energy, patience and good will.

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Have a relationship question and want Dr. Wish's advice? Email her a question, here. Your query may become an article! Q: My husband is always picking on me in public. How can I get him to stop?

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Have a relationship question and want Dr. Wish's advice? Email her a question, here. Your query may become an article! Happy marriages and long-term relationships are not happy every day. John Gottman, a pioneer in marital research, discovered that even in mutually satisfying marriages, couples said they went through bad patches--and years! Yet, these same couples said they were glad they "toughed it out" and would choose their partner as their mate all over again.

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Q: How do I "fall in love using my head and not my heart?" A: Most of today's grandparents heard the love lesson "use your head not your heart" long before they looked with interest at the opposite sex. But just what do these words mean--and how do you apply it to your love life? Consider the following stories.

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<img border="0" src="http://www.lovevictory.com/uploadimages/34ThanksgivingHolidayStressWEBTMR.jpg" width="488" height="199"> Holidays for many people can mean being alone and feeling lonely--or being with family members who cause you stress and also make you feel lonely! It seems you can't escape the holiday blues. But you can! Here are some tips.

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<img border="0" src="http://www.lovevictory.com/uploadimages/35MeetingSantaWEBTMR.jpg"> Wouldn't it be great if you could instantly read men? So far, there isn't any super-power for that. And wouldn't it be great if there were Santa Claus men who are bigger than life--and who can satisfy your every whim and need. Uh-oh, it might seem that there are enough of these kinds of men, but be careful what you wish for. Here are some tips about reading men so that you don't mistake gift-givers from gift-takers.

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<img border="0" src="http://www.lovevictory.com/uploadimages/CookieandJoeat-RockConcertWebTMR.jpg"> Activities that excite us make us feel good about life, love and ourselves. We are all pleasure-seekers, and there are endless things that can make us feel re-vitalized. We like to be carried away.

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How to Avoid Wedding Stress and Be a Smart Bride: Over-the-Top Wedding Plans Can Reveal Bottom-of-the-Barrel Feelings Weddings and the accompanying engagement parties and showers can get stressful and out of hand for many reasons. Here are the top reasons why planning weddings may not be as ...

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Divorce is a difficult enough experience, and when children are involved, most divorcing parents have to set aside their marital feelings and work together to co-raise children responsibly. The goal is not to have children survive divorce but to thrive. However, many ...

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Dr. LeslieBeth Wish, Ed.D, MSS at www.lovevictory.com Reasons Why Getting Along with siblings is So Crucial The Most Common Problems of Having Siblings-in-laws What Can You Do if You Have Siblings-in-law Problems? Why are the siblings so important in approving your choice of mate? It’s ...

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When Laurel’s boss overlooked her for a promotion, she was stunned. She had received high praise for her market analyses and team cooperation and was sure she’d be selected for a major project. Tip #1: Get Feedback Rather than wallow in disappointment, Laurel sought from her boss ...

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We expect to outlive our parents, but we still struggle with grief. Take this quiz to learn about dealing with the loss of a parent. Put an “x” next to one answer for each question. 1. Losing a parent suddenly is worse than ...

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Divorce and death of a husband is a top life stressor. Learn about this grief from the following quiz. Choose one answer that best describes your belief. 1. Jennifer and her husband divorced after one year. Five months later, Jennifer has gone out on three casual dates. n___A. She was only ...

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Tip Sheet Introductio Observe first—rather than act Confide in a colleague as a last resort Confront the difficult person as another last resort Make the colleague or boss look good—by being indispensable Don’t personalize--maybe Introductio Almost anyone who works has run ...

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Tip Sheet Introductio Recognize personal stress triggers and symptoms Re-train the brai Get solution-oriented Develop a buddy system Minimize self-blame Be realistic in expectations for change Introductio No one can avoid stress. In fact, it’s a necessary part of life. Stress ...

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Instant Relief from Grief: Tip Sheet Introductio Give Back Stay Connected Cry and Yell Get Inspired Get Help Introductio Grieving is one of life’s most unpleasant events. Like falling in love, experiencing grief can make you feel as though you are going a little crazy—except ...

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When The Soldier Doesn’t Return: The Needs of American Families of Downed Warriors In Iraq Note: All names have been changed to protect confidentiality. By LeslieBeth Wish, Ed.D, MSS,MA Reprinted with author's permission from www.helpstartshere.org Introduction Sally had been a ...

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New Years Resolutions that Work Introductio It’s holiday time of year again when thoughts turn to shopping, giving, partying and—yes—making New Years’ resolutions. Even if a person doesn’t want to make them, reminders about resolutions are on the Internet, talk ...

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Introductionr Few of us are immune to holiday stress. It doesn’t help that Thanksgiving and Christmas are so close together. For many people, it’s like getting a second-wham of anxiety and disappointment before you recover from the first one at Thanksgiving.

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Dear LeslieBeth, I’m a successful, single business woman in my late thirties. My trusted friends told me I seem unhappy. I think my friends are right. I’m not unhappy about anything specific, and I don’t feel any more stress than usual. I searched the Internet for tips, but some of the tips are for more specific problems such as marital or health problems. Could you give me a general checklist of things to do so I can feel better about my life? Thank you, Confused Dear Confused,r

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You’ve read the dating articles. You feel armed with enough of the “right” questions to ask so you’ll never get fooled again. You know to ask about their values, recent breakup, favorite music and movies, where they live, what they do for a living and whether they like animals and their family. Phew! You tell yourself that you are on solid footing.

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The way your partner proposed to you might allow you to see into your future with this person. Good card players can detect “tells”—those unconscious behaviors that give away information about a player’s hand.

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Colleges Rejected You? Learn Top Tips of Intuitive Parents and Students—and Get Accepted! Got rejected or wait-listed by your college or grad school? I got rejected in my senior year in high school by all the colleges I applied to! And, later, I got rejected on my first attempts at applying to graduate programs. And guess what? I graduated from prestigious colleges and graduate schools!

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There is NOTHING WRONG with choosing these men–but be sure you can trust your intuition to know how to detect the difference between a “take charge” man and a man who wants to take charge of YOU!

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Question: Leslie Beth, how would you describe your product or project? Answer: Are you a woman who is often smart about work but not love? Do you flip back and forth between men who are too mild or mean? Do you know how to take off your Man Blinders so you can read men—and never be fooled again?

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It’s difficult enough to meet someone who seems like a good love match. But then, over time, things happen between you and your partner that make you wonder: “Is this the right person for me?” It seems as though it should be such an easy question to answer. But once you fall in love, your head and heart can conspire to make you minimize your unhappiness. As the saying goes, love really can make you blind.

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Here is the age-old question: Can a man and woman be friends and stay strictly platonic? The answer is “Yo and Nes”—each word, as you can see, is a combination of Yes and No. So, how do you know if your friendship with a person of the opposite sex might cross over into “dangerous territory?” In the movie When Harry Met Sally, Harry declares that men and women can never really be friends because “sex always gets in the way.” In other words, at some point, one or both of them will have a sexual desire for the other. Is that always true?

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How Women Can Boost Their Travel Mindfulness & Intuition I’ve been fortunate enough to travel a lot – often alone – to give workshops and talks. I’ve also lived in another country that is very different culturally from my home in the United States. I mention this information because I was living with the false belief that I was a really savvy traveler.

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Yep—soon it will be time for you to get: HOLIDAY SEASONAL STRESS DISORDER. Symptoms of this disorder include:

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Travel is great medicine for boosting your sex and love life. Don't have the money or time? Don't worry. All you need to do is cut back on a few unnecessary purchases such as that magazine, or comfort food, or that movie that you don't really need - and then find a day and a half to be together. So, let's get started! STEP 1. HOW MUCH TO SPEND, HOW LONG TO GO!

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I am really angry—and sadden by how the media and the National Football League handled the domestic violence incident of Ray Rice against his fiancé, Janay Palmer, who is now his wife. For those of you who don’t know the details, here is a recap.

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It’s very scary to think you found Your Soul Mate, but you found instead Your Love Nightmare. What went wrong? Getting smart about dating, mating, and relating relies, in part, on maintaining your ability to turn on your awareness lights about your observations of you and others. You are most likely doing this already. For example, when you meet a new person, you are making assessments about them. You think: Is this person kind, secure, honest or smart? Prehistoric humans had to rely on these skills because their survival depended on it.

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We tend to give our partners more than second chances—even when they have betrayed, disappointed or hurt us physically or emotionally. It's as though we'll do almost anything to defend against rocking the boat, and being alone or wrong about our love choices.

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The suicide of Robin Williams has shaken—and awakened us up. News of his death has made many of us think:

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Have you ever thought that you found The One—only to realize later after much heartache that the person was The Wrong One?

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Uh-oh—another study about women's unhappiness at home. The sociologist Arlie Hochschild wrote in her 1997 book, "The Time that Binds," that time at home with spouses and children was more stressful than time at the office. The author described home as a place where couples had on-going tasks about caring for children, the household, finances, and all the emotional ups and downs of family members.

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It might surprise you that size may not be the most important factor in choosing your cabin. Location and the amenities that are included in your cabin’s category can be much more important. Here are some tips to help you select the cabin that is best for you.

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When Alyssa and Rick returned from their honeymoon in Italy, they were still squabbling. They rented a car in Tuscany because they wanted control of their itinerary. Instead, they ended up losing control of their temper over being lost, low on gas, and parking spaces. They drove to so many towns that they came back exhausted and in need of a vacation!

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Do you want to be happy in love? If you answered, "Yes", then you need to know the signs of a good relationship. Common sense will tell you to find someone you trust and like. But you can learn a whole more with research-based advice that delves deeper. The first part of this Women's Love Quiz series tested your relationship smarts. In this second part of the quiz, you'll be challenged to spot the signs of a good relationship and see if you really know what it takes to be happy in love!

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Yes—you broke up because it wasn't working. Every relationship has unique details about unhappiness. You may still harbor some doubts, but, for now at least, breaking up feels the right thing to do. It wasn't easy—regardless if the relationship was very bad or just not a good match with a person who was good! You may already know that your next steps after you close that door on this relationship are to:

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I'm sure many of you have wondered why a man didn't call back — or call you at all after you had what you thought was a wonderful conversation. It's very confusing. Doubts swirl through your mind such as: was I too quiet or too opinionated? Did I talk about my ex too much? I wish I had a magic answer or a sure-fire way to know a man's heart. After all, some men like agreeable women, while other men like women who challenge them.

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Sometimes you just have to end the relationship. But what are the best ways? Test your Break Up Smarts and take this quick quiz. Break Up Quiz 1. Suzanne knows it's not going to work out with Ron. They've been dating for a few months, and she already sees that Ron is selfish and controlling. The best way for Suzanne to break up is: A. Send him a text. She hasn't known him that long so it's no big deal. B. Send him an email. C. Talk to him on the phone.

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First dates are both exhilarating and a bit frightening. And sometimes it's hard to know the difference between these two feelings. No wonder — these emotions arouse virtually the same areas in the brain. Even more confusing, when you feel anxious, you often don't think clearly. California educator Judy Willis discovered that stress prompts the brain's amygdala, which regulates emotions, to function in overdrive.

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Dear Dr. Wish, Please help me get my thinking clear about my boyfriend "Don," who has been divorced for two years and has seventeen year-old twin sons who live with his ex. We've been dating for a year. I have never been married and I don't have any kids.

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Yes, it can happen to you—the date with the man you always wanted. But don't let your enthusiasm compromise your safety. Get smart and take the following precautions ahead of time. How to Protect your Safety on Dates

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The New Year seemed to have passed, and the sting of an unhappy, unromantic Valentine's Day is over, too. No wonder you feel sad. No matter how much you fight the influence from what seem like manufactured holidays, it's still hard to beat the blues from breakups and being alone. Best Tips for Beating the Breakup Blues

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Can a man and woman manage not to mix together eventually? The answer is "Yo and Nes"—each word, as you can see, is a combination of Yes and No. So, how can you tell if your friendship is going to remain a friendship or turn into something more? In the movie When Harry Met Sally, Harry makes it clear that platonic friendships are essentially self-lies where the man at least wants to have sex with the woman. Is that always true?

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Well, you got through your divorce, settled in to your new life as best you can, and now you are in your first important, post-divorce intimate relationship. You're excited and relieved — yet also wary. You wonder if this new relationship is a go? Your doubts are not unfounded. After all, 67% of second marriages fail and 73% of third marriages fail as well. But, as I mentioned in my first article in this series, these statistics are for lots of women in general and in all different kinds of circumstances that might not apply to you.

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Many New Year's resolutions are broken by the end of January. If that sentence describes you, don't fret. New Year's resolutions are hard to keep because we humans—and probably most primates—have brains that are designed for pleasurable sensations and encounters such as eating delicious food, having sex, socializing or mastering a difficult task.

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Oh—so you think that just because you are together with your family that it's a good time to have one of those heart-to-hearts where you grab the opportunity to air your emotional hurts and open wounds. Well, not so fast. It just may not be the best time to settle your grievances. Why It May Not be a Good Idea

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Bad boys have edginess. They're risk-takers, a trait that's present in successful, charismatic men of power, status, wealth and savvy. So, what's wrong with being attracted to them? The answer is "almost nothing," as long as you don't allow the exhilaration of being with a man of fame, fortune or excitement make you overlook his disrespect of you. Look at the expression on the face of the women with the pink striped top. She's the only one not smiling amongst her privileged friends. Something's wrong.

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Has dating etiquette about money really changed from the days when men paid for everything? Yes and No. In the not too long ago past—talk to your parents and grandparents—men paid for almost everything on a date. Oh, once in a while the woman would treat him to something that was not expensive, but the cultural etiquette was that men were expected to pay.

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Had rotten parents who abused, neglected, criticized or abandoned you? Or something happened to you later in life such as assault or rape? Or your disappointing love relationships hover overhead like mylar balloons glinting at your failures?

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Q: How long should I wait before dating again after my divorce? A: Most of us have heard this advice about looking for love after you've just ended a marriage or intimate partnership: "Don't jump from the frying pan into the fire." In other words, to avoid re-bound love, take time off from dating and mating. The big unanswered questions are: How much time do I take off? And what am I supposed to do with my time if I'm not dating?

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Q: I'm in my thirties and I've been living with my parents ever since I lost my job. How can I convince my parents that I still need a personal life? A: No matter how great the goodies are at your parent's house, you'd probably like to live on your own in your own space. More adult children who have lost their jobs often have no choice but to move back in with mom and dad. Many families underestimate the stress levels and the issues of this new living arrangement.

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n *Sylvia’s husband had a rule: If you can’t be home right after work, you had to call. When she rushed a co-worker to the hospital, in the confusion, Sylvia called about thirty minutes after she was due home. When she did phone home, he ...

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Losing your home for any reason is heart-wrenching. Many families describe the feeling as “the rug being pulled out from under you” or “losing your moorings.” Money issues are one of the top sources of stress for families these days, and the number of families who have ...

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***Tips for Recovering from Being Suddenly Single*** Women, Loss, Grief and Loneliness: If I’m so great, how come it hurts so much to be alone?n ...

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In many states, a child custody mediation session must take place before any legal court documents can be drawn up outlining custody of the child and visitation rights. This is in an attempt to get everything settled legally and peacefully instead of having to go before a judge, which would take much more time and cost

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My Experience in Family Divorce Mediation My name is Matthew Brickman and at the time of this article I have conducted nearly 300 mediations over the past several years. As a professional family mediator I specialize in conflict surrounding family issues and 99% of the time the mediation session involves dissolving a

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Child Custody after Dissolution of Marriage in Florida: The subject of dissolution is a popular one, but few married couples will actually be able to achieve it. Why? There are a few reasons of course, one of which might be that the couple in question cannot actually prove that they have come to a mutual conclusion. Sh

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