“Positive Parenting Tips” newsletter January

Inspiring Parenting Quotes:

"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one."
- Leo J. Burke

"A baby is born with a need to be loved and never outgrows it."
- Frank A. Clark

Kids Activities:

Birthday Party Fun: Goodie Bag Alternatives

If you're looking for alternatives to pricey goodie bags, here are a few ideas that will make your guests--and wallet- -happy.

Any Fun Party: Take Polaroid photos of each guest with the birthday child, and decorate cardboard picture frames, or make frames with popsicle sticks.

Hawaiian Party: Decorate inexpensive plastic sunglasses with artificial flowers. String together more artificial flowers for one-of- a-kind leis.

Royal Party: Decorate paper crowns and make scepters from wooden dowels and plastic jewels.

Sleepover Party: Decorate plastic light switch covers with stickers. Allow your young guests to embellish white pillowcases with fabric paints for a take-home sleepy surprise.

Spring or Garden Party: Paint flower pots and include a pack of flower seeds for children to grow at home.

Survivor Party: Send the children on a scavenger hunt equipped with compasses and trail mixes that they can make before the hunt. The compass will become a new favorite gadget, and the trail mix is a lot healthier that candy treats.

Tea Party: Let the girls decorate straw hats with artificial flowers, which they can wear for the party, and later take home. Complete the party with candy necklaces.

Visit for our Free Kids Games & Activities from A to Z

Easy Kids Recipe:

Crunchy Noodle Jumble

3 oz (1 cn) chow mein noodles;
1/2 ts Chili powder;
1/4 ts Garlic salt;
1/4 ts Dry mustard;
2 tb Reduced-calorie margarine, melted
1 tb Reduce sodium soy sauce;

Combine all ingredients in a 13" X 9" X 2" baking pan, tossing lightly to coat.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once during baking time.

Remove from oven, and serve hot.

Child Arts & Crafts Activities:

10 craft projects using your old greeting cards instead of throwing them away.

Don’t you just hate throwing away those beautiful Christmas cards every year?

Yet what else can you do with them?

Well, start saving the cards and get out your scissors and glue.

Here are ten fun and easy crafts you can make from those cards.

Most of these can involve children, and many of them make delightful homemade gifts.

1. PLACE MATS.

This is fun to do with the kids. Select your favorite cards and cut out the picture or card front. You may make a collage with the pictures or arrange the card fronts in rows.

Glue the cards/pictures onto an 11x17 sheet of paper. You may cut down the paper ahead of time to make a smaller place mat, if desired. When finished, have the place mats laminated and you’re set! Don’t forget to write pertinent information on the back before you laminate, such as the year and names and ages of the kids who made them. These make great gifts.

2. CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS.

There are numerous ways you can craft the Christmas pictures from your cards into tree ornaments. You can find books from the library or come up with ideas of your own. Here are a few to get you started:

-Select a picture you can cut out, such as a reindeer, angel or Santa. Glue the card closed and let dry. Cut out the picture, punch a hole near the top and thread with ribbon. Or, cut the card into an interesting shape around the picture, such as a diamond or teardrop or star.

-Cut out pictures from the cards. Glue them onto ornament shapes cut from construction paper, lace paper doilies, felt, painted cardboard, craft foam, etc. Punch a hole near the top and thread with ribbon or yarn.

-Ignoring the picture on the front of the card, cut a spiral, starting large and spiraling inward to the center of the card front. When finished, pull the spiral slightly so that it will hang three-dimensionally like a Christmas tree. Use a pin to poke a hole in the top center of the spiral and loop some thread to it for hanging.

3. DECOUPAGE.

Decoupage is simple and fun. You can find books from the library describing the technique and ideas. Basically, you cut out the picture you like, use decoupage glue to adhere it to wood, glass, ceramics or cardboard and then seal it with the glue.

You can decoupage furniture, glass plates or vases, homemade clocks, picture frames, serving trays, etc.

The possibilities are endless. Make a special Christmas vase, or decoupage a Christmas stepladder for hanging ornaments on the tree. Decoupage a set of glass plates or a candy dish.

Decoupage some sturdy cardboard boxes and re-use them every year for enclosing gifts. You can even decoupage some cardboard balls from the craft store to make detailed tree ornaments.

4. CHRISTMAS CRACKERS.

This English tradition is fun and easy to make. Make a tube from your Christmas card, either using just the front part for a small cracker, or the whole card for a longer one.

Tape the tube together. Fill the tube with tiny gifts and candy. Wrap the tube in brightly-colored tissue or wrapping paper, or with aluminum foil.

Tie the ends with bright ribbon, leaving extra wrapping sticking out from each end. Present them as little gifts, use as stocking stuffers, party favors, put them in a care package, or save them for next Christmas—by then you’ll have forgotten what you filled them with!

To open, simply pull the two ends simultaneously until it pops open and the goodies spill out. Kids love this!

5. PHOTO FRAMES.

Make simple photo frames to hang on the tree or place around the house. Measure the photo you want to frame, then cut out an oval, rectangle or other shape from the front of the card to go over the photo.

Tape the photo to the inside of the card front. Open the card slightly to stand it up. Or, glue the card closed and punch a hole near the top, thread with ribbon and hang it on the tree.

6. HOMEMADE VALENTINES.

There is a lot of red and white on Christmas cards, perfect colors for Valentine’s Day! Cut the cards into hearts and craft homemade Valentines.

Here are some suggestions:

-Cut out a large heart. Carefully cut out the inside. Then cut out a smaller heart, and a smaller and smaller one. Use a needle to poke holes in the center top of the hearts. Attach them together with thread, so that the smallest one hangs inside the next sized one, which hangs inside the next larger one, etc.

-Cut two large heart shapes from the front of two cards. Cut each heart into strips, horizontally or vertically, making sure they’re all the same width (1/4”, ½” or whatever you desire). Carefully weave the strips together, alternating hearts. Trim so that it’s still heart-shaped, then glue onto paper or card stock. You can also try this with different-width strips for a more artsy look.

Experiment with it.

-Use a heart punch to punch out lots of tiny hearts from the card. Send these in an envelope so when the recipient opens it, the hearts spill out. Or, glue them onto a homemade card into letter shapes, or framing your heartfelt message.

-Cut out a heart and glue it onto a paper doily for a lacy Valentine. You can write on the back of the doily.

7. BOOKMARKS.

Isolate parts of the card front which could work as a bookmark. Measure the width of your bookmark and cut out. Punch a hole near the top and loop a ribbon to the top. Use as stocking stuffers, or place inside a book you are giving as a gift. Don’t forget to write a message on the back for your loved one.

8. RECYCLE THEM. I think you need to have the right personality to get away with this, but my brother did it with great success and gave everyone a laugh. Simply cross out the name on the card and write your own name in.

Then mail them to your friends and family next year! For an added touch, have an office store make a stamp for you that says “Recycled Card.” Then you can stamp this on the back or on the envelope.

9. POSTCARDS.

Use cards which haven’t any writing on the inside front. Cut out the fronts of the cards, and you have a postcard! On the blank side, draw a line down the middle.

Write your message on the left, add the recipient’s address and a stamp on the right. These can be quick thank-you notes for the gifts you’ve received.

10. SHARE A RECIPE.

Use cards which haven’t any writing on the inside front. Cut out the fronts of the cards and write a favorite holiday recipe on the blank side. Enclose this with a letter, package, gift or card to your family and friends. A nice extra for your loved ones!

Positive Parenting Resources:

“Big Bullies and Little Victims”

Bullies often get pleasure in teasing, fighting, and generally dominating others, forming a bully-victim relationship.

Bullies as well as the victim may not be aware of the unconscious magnet drawn to one another.

This scene is all so familiar to parents, teachers and school yards all over the world, and is not all that different to the animal world, where the fit and strong are the boss and the rest are ruled.

The Bully May Be Quite Aggressive:

 Often involving teasing or hurting other children physically.

 Shows a lot of angry behavior or displaying a temper.

 Challenging all adults.

The Victim Is Normally Quiet, Self-Conscious, Timid Or Just Being Unable To Fit In:

• Finds it difficult to make friends or join in with others.

• Often picked on being teased by other children.

• May show weakness to defend or be easily upset.

If You Get The Feeling Your Child May Be A Bully:

Have your child learn respect and consideration toward others peoples rights-don’t just expect your child to have knowledge of this.

Constantly reminding your child of how others will feel, also have him understand how important it is not to things to people making them feel bad.

Have your child memorize this saying, “Don’t do to others that you wouldn’t like have done to yourself.”

Make firm rules.
That any nasty, mean or unkind remarks will not be tolerated. Enforcing these rules to be respected at all times.

Teach your child to communicate, to discuss what it is that he wants instead of using the forceful approach on others.

Start taking notes on the degree of bulling, this will help understand what is causing the stress that triggers his actions.

Set good examples in the family home. Don’t use bullying tactics yourself to have your child do what you want.

Most importantly, Praise- making sure you present positive and rewarding remarks for your child’s good or willing behavior. This will help him realize the benefits in his efforts.

If You Think Your Child May Be A Victim Of Bullying:

Explain to your child that bullies are usually troubled children who may be upset or unhappy- may be with something happening at home.

Tell your child not to feel responsible for the bullies behavior, and that it isn’t your child’s fault. Letting your child also know there is no excuse for this harmful treatment.

Teach your child to turn the tables on the bully- suggestions, show little to no reaction to teasing- by not letting on it is bothering you. Simply but firmly say, “I don’t like what you are saying,” and walk away.

Reassure your child there is no weakness in leaving the situation, to keep away from the bully.

Spare time to listen and talk about your child’s concerns as well as his days events. Taking note that if the situation seems to be getting worse, you now need to step in and take this matter in your own hands.

Build self-esteem
. Suggesting activities your child can be good at, examples- writing, reading, sport, setting the dinner table, helping you with jobs around the home, there are many ideas that your child can do with confidence while also achieving self –esteem.

Remember to praise even small achievements-for they are just as rewarding, especially for acts of courage.

Don’t smother your child, it may effect his ability to protect himself in the future.

A very common question asked….
Is your child dominated at home by other siblings, for example? If so, may be he is used to being treated like a door mat.

What Actions Confirm Bulling?….

VERBAL…
Being Called Names,
Sarcastic Remarks,
Continually Being Put-Down.

PHYSICAL…
Hitting,
Lashing Out At Others,
Punching,

Harmful Acts.

PSYCHOLOGICAL…
Deliberately Excluding From A Group,
Spreading Malicious Stories.

THREATENING…
Demands To Get What Is Wanted.

Article contributed by Theresea Hughes, creator of
http://free-toddlers-activity-and-discipline-guide.com a site dedicated to providing parenting resource articles for toddlers activity & child discipline with positive parenting tips, free kids games, recipes, arts & crafts, including articles about potty training, temper tantrums, kids sleep problems, parent tips for fussy eaters, including free child development toddlers activity and toddlers discipline parenting resources.

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Editor’s notes & humour:

Well, this has got to be the simplest, and most effective, formula for personal goal setting success ever.

You need no other formula or strategy, ever.

In order to achieve any and every goal, you simply need to answer these 3 questions.

"In order to achieve my goal....

1. What do I need to STOP doing?

2. What do I need to START doing?

3. What do I need to DO MORE OF?"

THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO THIS FORMULA FOR SUCCESSFUL GOALSETTING...

But if you DO want more suggestions and tips for goalsetting, go to:

Personal Goal Setting free self help articles

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1920's 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's -

First, we survived being born to Mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

They didn't need birthing classes or birthing videos to do what comes naturally.

No need for back rubs, a partner to breathe with them, or the need to put the blessed event on a home movie for all and sundry to see..

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints, with bars you could get your head stuck in.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because................ WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING !

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We respected the authority of adults, parents, aunties, uncles, teachers, police officers and the like.

We had to attend school every day and like it. We worked our arses off because we knew the consequences of a poor report card. The Teacher was always right, and your parents sided with them.

When we misbehaved, were rude, spiteful, or didn't follow the rules, we were caned, detained, and reprimanded. We didn't go home and tell our parents what happened because we knew we'd get walloped again.

We had three meals a day and we ate what was put in front of us. No choices. You ate what you were given and you ate it all....."There were children starving around the world."

We had an extended family watching out for us..........aunties, neighbours, and your friends mothers. If you were caught doing something you shouldn't be doing, you got a slap up the side of the head from some one.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

If you were lucky enough to get pocket money.........you had to earn it.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

Dirty knees and fingernails showed we knew how to play, explore and have FUN.........a few bruises and scabs proved we were tough.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

And YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.

And while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how strong and independent their parents were.

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For more books, visit our Free Kids Books Directory page

Thank you for joining us this month, I hope that you have found some extra motivation and inspiration for your positive parenting.

Visit today for latest Toddlers Activity & Child Discipline Guide articles.
Free parenting resources added each week to help you use positive parenting in your child’s development, toddlers activities & games, toddler arts & crafts, kids easy recipes, free kids books for bedtime reading and even child discipline help!
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Your Editor,
Theresea Hughes.
http://free-toddlers-activity-and-discipline-guide.com

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