Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Spanking Is It Proper Punishment Essay

Writen by Michael Cooper

For year parents have been using spanking as a means of disciplining a child. It was always seen as a good method until now. Many have come to question this form of punishment wondering whether this method is too harsh. Some argue that it may lead to abuse, while others say that without it children might not learn from their mistakes. By looking at the several views of people we may later come to understand and go along with one side of the argument.

In the article, "Study: Harm Outweighs Benefits of Spanking," Shankar Vedantam questions whether spanking is a greatly harmful or beneficial method of disciplining a child. She does so by comparing the opposite views of Elizabeth Gershoff and Robert Larzelere. Elizabeth believes that spanking is 100% harmful to children, as it makes them temporarily complaint and raises the risk of the child becoming aggressive, antisocial, and chronically defiant. Conversely, Robert Larzelere believes that if a child becomes aggressive after spanking, it is because he or she had problems to begin with, and if it wasn't for the spanking, he or she would have been worse off. The most argued problem with spanking is that it might turn into abuse. On that ground, both researchers agree that spanking delivered in vexation is indeed not effective and could turn into abuse. The great controversy about spanking lies along a societal fault, whereas the rights of parents conflict with those of children. For example, spanking is illegal in most states in the U.S.; however, it is still practiced. Larzelere then argues that the severity and circumstances are more important than whether parents spank their children. This controversy has many baffled, as even the American Psychological Association are undecided about whether spanking in the house is a bad practice.

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Blood Stain Removal

Writen by Steven Gillman

Here's the short lesson on blood stain removal: act fast. Carpets today usually come with stain-resistant treatments, so even blood can be removed if you get it right away. The longer the delay, the more difficult removing any carpet stain becomes, and there are no stain-proof carpets yet. With blood, the process of coagulation makes it especially hard to get the stain out if it is old and dried.

Step-By-Step Blood Stain Removal

1. Rinse and extract the blood stain with cold water. Apply just a little at a time, so you don't spread the stain. Hot water can set the stain, making it permanent, so use only cold water. Add the water, then blot it up with a clean white cloth or white paper towels. You can also suck the solution out with a shop-vac, which means less of a chance of spreading the stain.

2. Remove the remaining stain with a solution of a few drops of Dawn dish washing detergent in a cup of cold water. Work it into the blood stain, but be careful not to spread the stain. Blot the area with a clean white cotton cloth or white paper towels, but don't rub the stain, as this can damage the fibers. Damaged fibers hold stains and get stained in the future more easily.

3. Repeat the process as many times as is necessary, or until there is no more transfer of the stain from the carpet to the cloth or paper towels. Then blot up excess water when you are done.

4. Leave the fan blowing on the area to dry it quickly. Otherwise, set a stack of paper towels (white) on the stained area, or a couple clean white cotton cloths, and put something heavy on them. Leave this to blot up the remaining liquid, replacing the cloth or paper towels as necessary. Fast drying keeps any remaining stain deeper in the carpet from "wicking up" to the surface and becoming visible again.

Some have reported good luck using club soda to remove blood stains, so if the above instructions don't work, you can try that next. It's not easy to predict which stains will come out and which won't until you try. This is because of various types of carpet fibers and other factors. For example, wool and other natural fibers are usually more difficult to remove stains from. As with all stains, use water first before trying other solvents for blood stain removal.

Steve Gillman has worked in the carpet cleaning industry for years. For more on carpet-care, carpet stains, and specific stain-by-stain removal instructions, visit http://www.HowToRemoveCarpetStains.com

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Monday, September 29, 2008

Gift Basket Ideas For Men

Writen by Lisa DeClue

I'm always on the look out for great Gift Basket Ideas & have come up with a few especially for men. I'm using Home & Garden Party products, but you can easily adapt them to your line or what you have on hand.

For the wannabe chef:

Fill our Bean Pot with Carr's crackers, smoke flavoring, packets of chili seasoning & hot sauce. Wrap with cello and a plaid (or coordinating) bow with a masculine tag. He can make great chili with very little work!

For the shower:

Take a citrus or clean-smelling set of shower gel & lotion, a small wooden handled scrub brush and a rolled wash cloth or two, put in a wire basket from the dollar store and wrap in cello... I suggest our Orange Blossom, Coconut Lime or Spearmint Eucalyptus scents.

Coffee Hound:

Fill a wire basket with shred, add packets of gourmet coffee/cocoa and our "Life is Good" latte cup. Maybe add a mug warmer and wrap in a coordinating napkin.

Time for our Date:

We have some beautiful clocks with dark stain. Wrap one, like our Hideaway Box Clock, in a delicate silk or chiffon scarf with a note inside saying, "Meet me at __________ (place)." Set the time on the clock to the time of your rendezvous!

Publishing Guidelines:
You may publish this article with the article and resource box intact and unchanged provided any links are hyperlinked. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

Lisa is a WAHM and decorating consultant in the central Illinois area. Get deco ideas and home décor at Decorating with HGPgal. Submit an article and sign up for our monthly newsletter & contest and check out the DecoForum for tips and answers to your questions. http://www.HGPgal.com

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Fun Grill Amp Sizzle

Writen by Robert Thatcher

Beach party, picnic or just a simple get-together at home will never feel complete unless you mount gas grills on one side and start grilling your favorite fish or meat. Just the aroma of smoked fish can confer you a festive mood. In fact, it can afterwards drag you to a luscious and appetizing meal. The festive mood will be contagious and the fun will linger.

Isn't it amazing how a simple grilling session on your front yard can trigger delightful bond and overwhelming fun? People, by nature, longs for fun and excitement. Nobody wants to sulk in one corner all the time. He sure wants to take a break and enjoy.

Every person deserves to be happy. Moreover, if you are throwing a bashing small shindig, pool party or a simple gathering, let your guests enjoy to the fullest by preparing them their favorite entertainment and foods.

For sure, just every one likes grilled foods. In order to enjoy the gathering be sure to have gas grills around.

Gas grills have metal box. At the bottom of the box, there are tube-shaped liquid propane burners which are responsible in providing the grills with fuel. Traditionally, propane or natural gas fuel the gas grills. With them, grilling is made faster and easier.

The gas grills' burners are topped by warming the exterior of the metal bars, ceramics and lava rocks.

Modern day gas grills are more beneficial. If you want fast pre-heating, gas grills will help you do it pretty fast. Fast in the sense that it can preheat in a matter of 10 to 15 minutes.

Second benefit is its longevity compared to charcoal. One 20-pound tank can last up to 14 hours. You will no longer fret about running short of charcoal. Propane tank is more reliable, that is.

If you are worrying about the mess of grilling, worry no more. Since, gas grills do not use fire starters or charcoal, mess will be out of the situation.

Grass grills use multiple burners. They are especially designed to give superior heat control to secure easy grilling.

If you are contemplating of purchasing gas grills, here are the considerations that you have to take note of:

1. Consider having stainless steel, cast aluminum or porcelain-coated steel for a solid gas grill construction.

2. It is vital to have a built-in thermometer to check the grill temperature.

3. Lava rock system is also good in collecting grease that can result to flare-ups. Try to look for them in the gas grill that you are to purchase.

4. For easy and safe gas grill lighting, be sure to have a push-button ignition.

5. To monitor fuel levels your gas grill must have gas gauge.

6. If you can have three burners that can work separately, the better. This will give you flexibility when it comes to controlling heat.

7. For easy cleaning, the best gas grill material will be stainless steel or porcelain.

Aside from the aforementioned features, you can also incorporate rotisserie or smoker box, side burners, additional outer shelving or work space and removable secondary grill racks.

In order to have a long-lasting gas grill, maintenance is a must. Regularly check on grease catch pan so as not to create flare-ups. Check for leaks, cracks and holes. Finally, be sure to detach tanks from gas grills and keep them out-of-doors.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides gas grill resources on http://www.your-gas-grill.info.

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Sunday, September 28, 2008

Frugal Livingyard Sales Buying And Selling

Writen by Cyndi Roberts

Yard sales (or garage sales as we call them in my part of Texas) are a wonderful frugal source for almost anything you need. They can also be a wonderful, frugal source of extra money almost any time you need it.

When shopping at yard sales, it's important to remember that most things you buy are not going to be in "new" condition, although there are times when you will find items that are brand new, in the box. And at a much lower price than in the store.

Most yard sales have lots of clothes for sale. But if you are willing to take a closer look, you may find tons of treasures. The other day I found a shiny cookie sheet in a box of "freebies"! I was thrilled and so was my son, who didn't have one!

My grandchildren have tons of books, most of which have been bought at yard sales. And all were in great condition and didn't cost over 50 cents apiece. I keep a lookout for seasonal items for kids such as coloring books, little stuffed animals, etc. Then when Valentine's, Halloween or other holidays roll around, we send the grandchildren a package filled with neat stuff for very little cash.

This summer I am also watching for "new-in-the-box" toys for children of all ages. In December, I'm going to send them with my son (who is in the Texas National Guard) to their annual Toy Drive. But almost every community has some sort of toy drive at Christmas time. This way, I will already have my contributions and won't need to go out and spend more money during the holiday season.

Yard sales are a great way to make some extra money, also. Plus, you can get rid of unwanted items at the same time. My daughter and I recently held a sale and here are some of the things we learned.

Put up signs. The newspaper goofed the weekend of our sale and left out all that week's yard sales. So we had to depend on our signs. Put as many out as you can. Find out ahead of time what kind of ordinances your town has about placement.

Take the time to make your signs...we bought ours and about halfway through the first morning, we noticed that we weren't getting any customers. So we checked out our signs--and they were gone! We put out more and the customers started coming again. But it was costly.

And when you make your signs, be sure to make them sturdy enough to stand up in the wind and also be sure your lettering is large enough to be seen by people driving by in cars. I think a large arrow pointing in the direction they need to go is helpful.

Be sure to plainly mark your items. It will save you lots of time during the sale if you don't have to talk to each customer about the price of every item. If you aren't sure what prices to ask, it might help to go out to some yard salesyourself in the weeks before your sale and check out what others are asking for items.

If you really want to get rid of something, be willing to negotiate on the price. By the same token, if you really want to get a certain amount, be willing to say no when someone asks for a price reduction.

When your yard sale is over, if you are lucky, you have space to store the leftovers until next time you need to hold a sale. However, if you're not one of the "lucky" ones, consider donating your items to the local Goodwill box.

Helping you live the good life...on a budget!
Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly e-newsletter and founder of the website of the same name. Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to find creative tips, articles, and a free e-cooking book. Subscribe to the e-newsletter and receive the free e-course "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".

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Gas Prices Too High Save On Everything Else

Writen by Gary Gray

As you know, gas prices are way up right now, and could hit all-time highs this summer. Since gas is a necessary commodity, the high prices may give us a good reason to complain. But instead of slamming your fist on the steering wheel the next time you fill up, try saving money in other ways to make up the difference.

Now, I'm not talking about clipping newspaper coupons for your next visit to the grocery store (though that might be a good idea.) I'm talking about deals and discounts that are easy to find and easy to use--no cutting required.

Coupon sites on the World Wide Web provide a very valuable and FREE resource that can save consumers a lot of money. A lot of people don't think about looking at coupon sites before they shop for something online, but if they do, they'll find special coupons, discounts, or promotions. And we're not talking 5% off at Harry's House of Hairpieces. We're talking about great discounts from retailers like Target, PetsMart, Buy.com, Overstock.com, Home Depot, and many more.

Before you go shopping for a gift or something essential for yourself, I'd urge everyone to visit online coupon sites and see what you've been missing. Chances are, you'll find something that will save you a good amount of money on that purchase.

So what kind of deals can you get? These sites offer discounts, coupons, and promotions from retailers in any category, such as pet supplies, jewelry, apparel, toys, books and magazines, flowers and gifts, home and garden, sports and recreation, shoes, luggage, office supplies, and more. Many of them also feature a search function where users can look for deals on specific items or from specific retailers.

A lot of coupon-site promotions include free shipping, big "dollars-off" discounts on purchases from certain retailers or on certain items, and more. Many of the merchants featured on coupon sites provide "affiliate only" links to discounts, meaning shoppers would be unable to find those deals elsewhere. Some sites even offer a mailing list users can join to be notified of great deals when they come up.

These sites are usually updated frequently, sometimes even hourly, meaning you can be sure to get that one day only or weekend special. So before you go to make your next purchase on anything, remember that coupons sites can ensure you have the best deal you can possibly get.

Author Gary Gray is co-founder of CouponChief.com which currently offers over 1400 discounts and deals from over 800 well-known, reputable retailers. This discount shopping site is updated with new coupons and deals daily, many of them not available anywhere else. Great search function, even notification of deals you're looking for. Don't get frustrated by high prices! Save at http://www.CouponChief.com

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

How To Make Environmentally Friendly Newborn New Baby Or Baby Gift Baskets

Writen by Helen Hecker

Giving an eco-friendly or environmentally friendly newborn baby, new baby or baby gift basket is a great way to help the environment. Whether you buy an eco-friendly gift basket from a gift basket business, make it cheaply yourself at home or add it to an existing line for your gift basket business, the environment will be better off for it. Think recycled paper (100% post-consumer, waste/process, chlorine-free), organic products, vegan products, non-toxic and non-plastic items, natural fibers, reusing and recycling. Just use these simple tips and follow these easy instructions and you'll learn how to make a great, unique, custom, personalized baby gift basket.

First of all you'll need to decide whether you'll be using organic or vegan items or products, fair-trade products like soaps, items of clothing like new socks made from recycled cotton, or pre-packaged, homemade or recyclable used items. You probably won't want to use any fragrant food items if you're using any scented products. The fragrances of food and perfume don't combine well in a gift basket. But use your best judgment. Also you may have some other ideas for making your basket more of a personal memory gift.

Next decide on what products or items will go into the environmentally friendly newborn baby, new baby or baby gift basket.

For an organic, vegan or all natural baby gift basket – some products and ideas are: organic baby foods, organic teething chews, all natural or organic baby lotions, organic shampoos, organic baby powders, other organic bath products, organic, vegan and fair-trade soaps, natural fiber sponges, organic cotton towels, terry cloth bath pillows, natural spa pillows, natural hair brushes, socks and other clothing made of organic cotton, CDs of nature sounds or other soothing music, baby toys made with natural fiber and/or safe recycled material, wooden blocks, safe, non-toxic baby games, personal memory gift items, or a no-expiration gift certificate to a store that specializes in environmentally friendly items.

Now that you've decided on what products or items to use it's time to put your personalized environmentally friendly gift basket together.

For gift container ideas: fair-trade baskets, wooden baskets, wooden bowls, fiber baskets, straw baskets, locally made pottery, buckets, potted plant holders, wire baskets, fabric gift bags, homemade gift bags, used baskets and containers from Goodwill Industries and Salvation Army stores or anything recyclable.

For gift basket liner ideas: shredded newspaper, shredded comics, organic cotton tea towels, organic cotton dish towels, organic cotton wash cloths, hand towels, or bath towels, colored recyclable napkins, organic cotton cloth napkins, fabric pieces, or an organic cotton receiving blanket.

For gift basket filler, if needed, you can use: crumpled or shredded newspaper comics, or use your imagination to come up with a better idea.

And for gift basket wrap and tie you can use: recyclable paper, butcher paper, newspaper, newspaper comics, or reusable brown paper bags. Also check with the Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries stores for inexpensive recyclable wrapping paper. Tie with jute or raffia twine for a simple rustic look or leave the gift basket unwrapped.

Now the easy instructions for putting your custom, personalized environmentally friendly gift basket together - first start with your custom container. Place the liner inside and add the gift basket filler. Arrange the gift basket products and gift items with the tallest in back. If needed, fill any holes with small baby items or crumpled or shredded recycled paper. Cover with wrap and tie with jute or raffia twine. Don't forget the personalized, recycled or homemade card. If you're using a homemade card include a happy, personal, positive, uplifting, spine-tingling favorite quote or saying. Mom can read it to baby. That's it! You should have a fine-looking eco-friendly, environmentally friendly newborn baby, new baby or baby gift basket!

Helen Hecker heads Twin Peaks Press a 25-year-old PR, marketing, publishing co., publishes "Helen's Hecker's Biz Hotline" for small/home biz/entrepreneurs, publishes books, gift basket DVDs, "Helen Hecker's Health Secrets Hotline," websites include: http://www.howtomakebeautifulgiftbaskets.com

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The 40bucks Dillema

Writen by Marsha Maung

What??! RM40 bucks? You've got to be kidding? Here, why don't you do me a favor? Here, grab my arm, twist it and yank it out! You might as well take my leg as well, why dontcha? All that for a sparkly looking blouse that I might not even wear?

This woman is shopping for some clothes. In her hand, she is carrying package after package of toys and baby clothes. She's even got a funky looking musical rattler hanging surreptitiously out of her bag. In the meantime, she's got a car seat that costs 10 times the price she's haggling about right now. That woman, my dear friends, is me!

Sadly, I realize that I have become much of a miser. A miser in the most miserable sense of the word. When it comes to my kids, I have the ability to forget to ask myself the question I am so used to asking "Do they need it? Do you need it? Can they live without it?"

I scout and my eyes fall on these loveliest pair of shoes I have ever seen. It comes with those tiny little toespace (that will squeeze the bejeezus out of your toenails and little toe when you walk) but it would cost me RM29.99. Forget it! It's above 20 bucks, then it's out of the question. I spot a trailer toy in ToysRus and it comes with a hefty 120 buck price tag and I lug it to the counter….then, I pay for it without even hesitating.

What is wrong with me???

It's not so wrong to get something for myself, is it? After all, I earned the money…didn't I?

The problem with me is that I have my perspective, objective, priorities all wrong. My kids need booties they'll only wear for 2 weeks more than I need that blouse (although that darn booties costs me more than triple the cost of my blouse). Jared would surely need the third spoon because he's suddenly grown a third mouth recently. Joshua is going to need the new set of Play-doh because if I don't get it for him, he's going to be a criminal when he grows up.

Oh oh…wait. I just spotted a cassette recorder…the kiddy kind. Yeah, those that comes in a myriad of colors and can record voices and plays back sounds that does not resemble your own….yeah, those. Joshua is going to NEED those too.

Wait a minute, what about that cape for Jared. Uh-huh, he's gonna need those, for sure cause the cape is going to cover his handsome little back from snow…(for your information, I stay in a place whereby it doesn't get any closer to the equator).

Oh my goodness, check out the little socks…the one with Winnie-the-pooh on it! Aaawwwww….it's adorable. I mean, it's black and it's going to make Jared look so much fairer than he is. I bet he needs that.

Those jigsaw puzzles are simply going to make an Einstein out of Joshua. It's gotta. I bet it's gonna. Looking at the bundle of toys and NEEDED toys in my arms, I can only smile. My kids are going to love this. Ah well, maybe next time I'll replace these shoes that's killing me. I don't REALLY mind this handbag that is falling into a million pieces, do I? Nah.

Besides, I can wear my husband's pants…he hasn't complained yet. The good thing is that it isn't falling off, right?

I can live with this.

Marsha Maung is a freelance graphic designer and copy writer who works from her home in Selangor, Malaysia. She loves nothing more than blowing bubbles in the park with her 2 kids, Joshua and Jared. She designs apparel and premium items at http://www.allmomstuff.com and is the author of "Raising little magicians", and the popular "The Lance in freelancing". More information can be found at http://www.marshamaung.com

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Friday, September 26, 2008

How To Get Rid Of Skunks The Quick And Fast Way To Get Rid Of Skunks

Writen by Emma Drosy

Skunks are known for their warning to attack people and a special gland below the tail allow them to spray the powerful liquid up to 15 feet and this scent can cause injuries and sometime even temporary blindness to the eyes. Skunks can consume anything from small insects, worms, rodents, garbage or pet food. Skunks rarely fear from humans and can come up to our houses in rural, semi urban and sometimes even urban areas also.

If you see skunks near to your house, you would like to know how to get rid of skunks. Many conventional methods such as lights, fox urine or wolf urine and mylar balloons are common but rarely found effective for skunks. As skunks come very close to the roadside, so many skunks killed during accidents in night. I have seen many dead skunks on the roadside early in the morning several times.

If you want to get rid of skunks, you may observe that there is no simple way to get rid of skunks, however the population of skunks automatically will come down in a few months and this all happens due to accidents.

The other best way to get rid of skunks is to take help from biological professional to trap these skunks. If you see the number of skunks increasing in your locality call the professional from the nearest location. These professionals are experts in dealing with these animals and can trap these animals and in no way these animals should be killed. The professionals used a trap and keep it in a suitable place and as soon as the skunks enters inside the trap, it will automatically closed and the skunks can be deported to inside of a deep forest.

So to get rid of skunks, it is only the trap method that can be successfully used to trap the skunks. Any untrained person should not use the trap and always the help of professional or expert should be taken to avoid injury to either skunk or humans. Other methods such as fox urine are not effective to get rid of skunks.

Good Luck Getting rid of that Skunk !!

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How To Find The Perfect Birthday Gift

Writen by Claire Calkin

Most of us frequently – if not all the time – are short of good birthday gift ideas. Regardless of who the intended recipient is, whether it is a brother, sister, mum, dad, grandparent or in-law, often we all end up frantically searching through shopping malls for the elusive perfect birthday gift. All too often unfortunately, all these stores seem to stock only products that fall into one of three categories – they are either unsuitable, overpriced or impractical.

So when you are looking for birthday gift ideas it can help to bear in mind the following points. Firstly, does the recipient deserve the efforts you are going to find them a gift? If they are a passing acquaintance or you find them disagreeable, then perhaps a gift is not necessary. If the person does deserve a gift, you should determine to what extent you want to go to for them. Are they worthy of you trudging through a crowded shopping mall for? Quite often, the quest for good birthday gift ideas can take longer than initially envisioned, so it is important that you only extent this for gifts for the people most important to you.

DETERMINING SUITABLE BIRTHDAY GIFT IDEAS

Often, before setting out on a shopping expedition to the mall, or online, it is good to have a think about your intended recipient. What are their interests? Have they been dropping any subtle hints about something they may particularly want or need? In some cases, you are geographically distant from the recipient, so it may be hard to determine quite what they may be looking for in a gift. However generally you will have at least a rudimentary knowledge of the person interests and what they like. You should also determine prior what your budget is for the gift, and stick to this. While you are likely to see otherwise suitable gifts outside of your budget, you should stick to your original budget lest exceeding it should cause consternation.

When it comes to choosing from different gifts you should always consider whether the item in question is most suited to your recipient. Some of the questions to ask of the prospective gift include, Is it in some way useful? Could it bring the recipient enjoyment? And perhaps most importantly, is it something I would like to receive myself? If the gift meets these criteria and fits within the budget, then chances are it is entirely suitable.

VOUCHERS / MONEY VERSUS GIFTS

Many people tend to give vouchers or money rather than a physical gift. The reasoning behind this is that it allows the recipient to spend the money as they see fit on a gift that they will surely like. The advantages for the gift giver is that it is a somewhat faster process than trudging through a mall trying to locate a suitable physical gift, and they can console themselves with the thought that they have given something of true value to the recipient. In many cases however, the reverse of these objectives is achieved. Often, the recipient may – while grateful for a gift in the first place – may consider voucher or money as the easy way out, in that the person who gave them the item did not think it worth the time or effort to locate a physical gift. The reality is, once received, money and vouchers are rather easily dispensed with, and for the recipient it is difficult to relate the fruits of the money or vouchers to the person

This said, certainly there are places for the gifting or money or vouchers – specifically to those located abroad or who are otherwise geographically distant.

BUY IN ADVANCE

The reasons to buy presents in advance greatly out weight the reasons not to. When you begin preparing for birthdays and Christmas at the start of the year you can buy presents that are less expensive, more thought out, less stressful experiences and more time to relax. If you leave present shopping until a few days before, you will have to pay the price the retailer asks for a particular item instead of buying it when it was on sale a few months earlier. Especially with Christmas, this season can be stressful and it takes time and money to buy all the presents required in only a few days. Waiting in long queues is no fun either. It is ideal to buy presents ahead as you can spend more time on this present, less money and get them something they will really appreciate. It is great to shop around over the course of year to find gifts to suit everyone in your family. You can buy them on sale then store them safely away in the closet until it is time to bring them out.

About The Author
Claire Calkin operates several websites featuring birthday gifts and presents for family members. http://www.birthdaygifter.com

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Thursday, September 25, 2008

Air Mattress Pumps Factors To Consider

Writen by Teve Torbes

Air mattress pumps are crucial to making your air bed functional. Sometimes they are sold with the bed. Often, you'll have to buy a separate one. This article will provide a number of tips for selecting which air mattress pump you need.

What kind of pump should I buy?

This is the first question you should ask yourself. Air mattresses have essentially two kinds of pumps: manual pumps and electric pumps. Manual pumps can be advantageous if you are camping or going somewhere that does not have available electricity. These will generally involve either hand pumps or footpads. However, these pumps will be extremely slow in filling up the air bed. If time is a factor, you should probably select an electric pump for the mattress. Many electric pumps can fill up an air bed in as little as a minute.

Does my air mattress come with a pump?

If you haven't already purchased an air bed, research it to determine whether or not a pump is included. Many will include cheap, manual pumps and it might be worth it to upgrade so that you can use it in a hurry. Others don't come with a pump at all, so you need to make sure that you have bought one before you head out. Traveling without an air pump will mean that your air mattress is useless.

Is the air pump useful for anything else?

Many air pumps are not simply used for air mattresses - if you're going camping, you might be using other inflatable things besides an air bed. There are many recreational items that require an air pump: some kayaks, rafts, pool toys, etc. will need one. If you already have an air pump, you should test it out on the air mattress before you leave. If you don't, make sure that you buy an air pump that is compatible with the other items you'll be using.

Teve Torbes runs http://www.airmattressinfo.com, a useful site containing air bed and air mattress purchasing information. The site contains air bed buying tips at: http://www.airmattressinfo.com/airbedadvice.html He also runs http://www.thedeprogrammers.com, a directory site that is completely awesome and should be used by everyone.

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Retirement In Jeopardy

Writen by Bill Bates

Enron and United Airlines and so many more are specific examples of the reasons your retirement is in jeopardy.

Lets throw in two more examples, Social Security and "Mother Nature".

An upcoming worry is General Motors. Once said to have been the world's third largest economy, now has rumors floating of bankruptcy.

How are individuals like you and I going to be able to retire? Where and who do we trust?

The "who" do you trust must be you! The "where", we will discuss that later.

Lets discuss the "who do you trust" question right now. I told you that the answer was "you"! You have within that round globe sitting on top of your shoulders, all the computing power you need. And, if you can add two and two together and get four, you computing power is much greater than any of the corporations mentioned above.

Think about that last statement for a bit. Reread the paragraph above again. Now take a brief break from reading. Grab yourself a drink, take a walk around the yard, or just listen to the radio and think back over the last fifteen years and how many time have you expressed the thought "those poor people" who have been involved in any of the opening examples.

Welcome back.

How is it that so many people have lost everything they worked so hard for over so many years?

Greed and a lack of faith are the reasons. Do you remember the many times quoted golden rule, "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you"?

No, do not change that to the more common altered version! That is a reflection of a total lack of faith and the ultimate version of greed. If we, as a human race, are to survive we must change the attitude of how we interact with other people.

We must also relearn the most very basics of mathematics. One plus one equals two. There are only twelve months in a year consisting of either 364 or 365 days, which are only 24 hours long.

Lets pretend for a moment ok. You live in a large city earning $6 per hour or less. It would be almost impossible to pay rent even on a one-bedroom efficiency apartment (if you could find one) and still eat.

Now add a family to that equation. Or say you live outside of the city and must commute to work. The month starts getting scary.

Oh no! The car quit on the way to work and your told you need an engine replacement. Labor cost are $65-$120 per hour and they tell you it will take about 18 hours to replace the engine. You will be without your car all week.

You do the math. Your income has not allowed you to build any savings. You most likely will need to visit a loan company for the money to have your car fixed and in doing so, you increase the demands on your very meager budget.

So you take an extra job to carry you through the rough time ahead.

How are you, in this situation, even consider retirement? It will never happen! If you cannot make it work now, Social Security will not work either. You must continue to work.

I mentioned greed above. The most current example of this is the report of medicine cost world wide compared to what we pay for the same product, same manufacture, here in the US. The major networks are reporting (June '05) we pay twice what others do and in some cases, much more. Why?

Is it that as a US Citizen, we have more disposable income?

What causes inflation? Greed or Unions or is it a combination of both? Why does it cost more today to make a car than it did just 15 years ago? What was it that happened in '71 to raise the cost of a car by almost 33%? Was it greed or the Unions?

Anyone remember the strike Kroger Grocery Stores underwent in 2004? If I had owned Kroger Grocery Stores, I would have shut them down, changed the name, and then reopened as a non-union business. If I own a business, why must I accept dictation as to how much I pay my employees? Is it not a free world?

In the past ten years, to many Unions have gone bust leaving hundred of thousands of people without retirement funds.

There is too much "do unto others BEFORE they do unto you" in the world today. If mankind cannot change this attitude, we are all doomed to a very difficult time!

Take another break from reading for a while. Think about all that has be presented so far. Think about how it has influenced your income and expenses. Just maybe you will see why I chose the topic title "Retirement In Jeopardy".

So far we have only discussed the human influenced factors as to why your retirement is in jeopardy. My firm belief is that there is a much larger threat to retirement income than any other. Can you guess what that might be?

I am going to guess, "no".

What could possibly remove your income overnight? Gone, non replaceable, and all the retirement funds earned and saved through the company plan, gone! There is no longer employment in your community and you do not have the funds to move to another community. It happens every year here in the US.

Every year, "Mother Nature" has fits of rage that take all the ability to earn an income from several thousands! Earth Quake, Tornado, Hurricane, Flood, are all the cause of businesses completely closing their doors for business. That is if they still have the doors to close.

You say, "It won't happen to me". What do you think the people above thought?

You think that the insurance will pay to rebuild. The employer did (?) have insurance, right?

Do you remember the show "Oil Storm" shown on cable TV in June '05? Do you honestly believe it will or cannot happen?

Those disaster shows on TV were not only meant for entertainment! Someone had something they wanted to say and the movies are the easiest way to get the word to the most people.

Unfortunately, most viewed the movies for the entertainment and not for the message being delivered. They never thought about the fact it could happen at any instant and what would they do if…

In a couple of those movies, they show the complete collapse of the insurance industry. Won't happen? How many tornados are there in the US yearly? How many hurricanes? How many earthquakes?

Remember the 10.2 earthquake and the resulting Tsunami at the end of '04? What happens when one hits San Francisco, New York, or Florida?

Do you really believe that the insurance companies could pay on the claims generated by the above situations?

How will the survivors of the initial event survive during the days, weeks, or months following such an event?

Located several hundred miles away from such an event, how will it impact your income? For how long would it impact your income?

You must take responsibility for your future. Dependence upon employment is a gamble. What are you doing to ensure you have funds for an emergency, funds for your retirement? Does your plan take into consideration how "Mother Nature" could affect those plans?

I said at the beginning to put your trust in YOU. You must have a direct influence on most everything that influences your income and retirement. Total dependence on an employer is unacceptable as shown by the examples given.

Reliance on an employer's retirement plan and Social Security will not guarantee you a retirement income!

"If it is to be, it is up to ME!"

Put faith in the computing power sitting on top of your shoulders. Do not let it be influenced by greed. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

I have not mentioned "where to put your trust". As you can tell, I have some strong beliefs and convictions. If you want to know the "where" get my "A Retirement Solution" by visiting my web site.

It is also provided free as a learning tool and information for securing a Retirement Income.

About The Author
Bill Bates and BandSMarketing.com believe very strongly that dependence upon employment for retirement income will not work in todays economy. Bill goes to great lengths to explain why and provides solution options at his web site http://bandsmarketing.com/.

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Defending Your Home From Pests

Writen by John Knox

At the first site of a home invasion of bugs, don't run for the spray gun. First, learn a little about the insect and how much of an invasion has really occurred. There just may be an easy way for you to get rid of the pest without putting yourself, your family, or your pets at risk. However, if a showdown is what it takes, there are some steps you should take to keep your home environment safe and healthy for your family.

Know your opponent

The behavior of certain pests can help you eliminate them. For example, if your problem is cockroaches in your kitchen, you can set out baits in the corners of cabinets or hide them behind appliances against the wall. This is because cockroaches tend to follow along walls when they scout for food and water. No matter what insect has invaded your home, knowing your opponent will help you choose an effective and economical way to eliminate your infestation.

Run 'em out of town

The pest may decide to avoid a showdown. Run them out of town by removing sources of food, water, and shelter. Most insects come into your home for these reasons. If the necessities for life are not there, they will go elsewhere. You may need to have a leaky faucet repaired and store food in sealed containers. You may also need to seal cracks under doors, next to windows, and around drainpipes to keep the insects from entering your home. Throwing out unnecessary paper boxes and paper bags can also eliminate places for insects to hide.

Don't be quick on the trigger

Use baits first because they are usually clean and have little or no odor. However, you must place them away from kids and pets. A child or pet may be attracted to bright colors or mistake the bait for a toy or treat.

You may also want to try an organic solution that is less harmful to the environment and often has less odor. However, organic does not mean it will be completely harmless to you, your family, or pets. You still need to follow the manufactures safety precautions when using organic pesticides.

Get ready for the showdown

To get ready for the showdown, read the label first. And read all of it, so you will know how to apply the pesticide, how much pesticide you need, where and where not to apply it, and most importantly, what to do in case of an emergency. The special warnings not only tell you to keep it out of your eyes, for example, but what to do if you spray and it's carried to your eyes.

If sprays are necessary, only use what is approved for home or indoor use and use only the recommended amount. Inside your home a chemical can be toxic, especially those designed for the outdoors. Chemicals designed for the outdoors often remain toxic longer inside than they would outdoors, because outdoors the chemical will breakup and disperse to some degree, but inside the wind and elements are not there to help this happen. When spraying indoors, you may want to air out the house before you close it up for the night.

Don't over do it. More is not better when it comes to chemicals in and around your home. Use the amount recommended on the label. The manufacturer of the product makes recommendations with the expectation that you will use it properly for the right insect, in the right volume, and in the right environment.

Don't forget to dispose of unused pesticides properly. You will find the disposal instructions on the label. And don't transfer the pesticide to another container or use the pesticide container for something else. Of course, keep stored pesticides away from children and pets. In the United States, every 15 seconds a poison control center takes a call. Most of the calls are concerning a child and a substance the child found in the home.

If your home has been invaded with pests, don't be fast on the trigger. Take a little time to learn about your opponents and then run them out of town. But if a showdown is the only way to rid your home of the pest, be the quickest on the draw by selecting a product designed for the pest and one that is suited for use in your home. For more information on products or pest, please go to www.pestproductsonline.com. For our organic selection, visit http://www.pestproductsonline.com/st_organic_category.htm.

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Bunco Party Theme Ideas

Writen by Dee Schrock

Bunco is a great game that is rapidly taking over in our living rooms. It's not your grandmother's canasta game!

Bunco allows for regular get-togethers with family, friends, and neighbors as you can meet on a monthly basis, while rotating hosts. It's fast paced and gets you mixing with all players (usually 12) as you rotate from table to table.

Couples can play together in the group, or increasingly popular is a monthly girls night out. For the girls night out, set up the TV show Desperate Housewives as you play!

Decorations

*Hanging fuzzy dice and lots of black and red balloons.
*Line the area with casino themed posters and art
*Use poster board to create large playing cards and dice
*Playing card piñatas
*Hang large playing cards suit cutouts on the walls.

Invitations

Purchase decks of cards and place an invitation inside. The decks can be mailed or hand-delivered to each recipient.

You can also create your own theme with Bunco related items such as dice and playing cards.

Food/Drink

*Have different stations throughout the room with finger foods and snacks.
*The best drinks include popular mixed drinks and beer.
*Be sure to have soda on hand for the non-alcoholic set as well as water for all.

Music

Play the host' favorite tunes or from his/her era (70s, 80's, 90's, etc.). For a girl's night out, play "chick flick" movies in the background.

Have a great Bunco party!

About The Author
Dee Schrock has put together hundreds of theme party tips and fun ideas for easy (and budget conscious!) party planning.

Visit her website http://www.fun-theme-party-ideas.com for tons of popular theme party ideas, including decoration, costume, game, and party drink ideas, as well as printable invitations.

© Copyright 2006. Feel free to reprint this article on your site as long as the article is not modified in any way and the resource information (about the author) is listed as above.

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

School Shopping Less Is Better For Your Wallet And Your Kids

Writen by Pauline Wallin, Ph.D.

Attention parents: It's back-to-school shopping time. This year, do your kids a favor by NOT buying them everything they claim they need. Of course, you will probably purchase some clothes, shoes, and school supplies.

But when it comes to expensive name brands, sports logos, celebrity-licensed items and electronic equipment, it's better to set limits -- not only for the sake of your wallet, but also because it is psychologically healthier for your children. Here's why:

- Kids who get everything they want develop expectations that this will always be the case. This leaves them ill prepared to deal with the world later, as adults.

- Kids who get everything they want develop a sense of entitlement, with the assumption that things should come easily and on demand. Not only is this unrealistic, but such a sense of entitlement fosters a very self-centered view of life, which can lead to relationship problems as adults.

- Kids who don't have to work for things are deprived of the opportunity to develop self-esteem. Self-esteem doesn't come from the brand of sneakers they wear. Nor does it come from merely being told that they're a good person. It comes from a sense of competence, which develops through sustained effort toward a goal (e.g., saving up for those special sneakers.)

- Research shows that kids who don't learn to postpone gratification may not develop the "emotional intelligence" that is important for long-term success in life. Emotional intelligence includes skills such as self-control, confidence, empathy and communication.

So, to help both your wallet and your kids, here are some tips for setting limits on back-to-school expenditures:

1. Decide in advance how much you plan to spend. Divide your list into two categories: Necessities and Want-to-haves. Concentrate on the former.

2. If your children are of middle-school age or older, involve them in the planning. Give them a budget and show them the sale flyers. See what they can come up with. When kids are involved in all stages of a decision-making process, they are more cooperative.

3. For younger children who demand a cartoon logo on every article of clothing, tell them how many such items you will allow, and let them pick the specific items. For example, if you allow two, they might pick a sweatshirt and a backpack, or a jacket and a notebook. You can also set a dollar limit on items with licensed characters. Allowing some degree of choice helps younger children feel a sense of mastery and control.

4. When you go on the shopping trip, don't rush through it. Allow time for lunch or videogame breaks. In this way, the shopping trip becomes a shared family experience, not just a mad rush to acquire things.

5. Set limits not just on the dollar amount you'll be spending, but also on what is acceptable. Your teenager may insist on certain clothing styles that you don't approve of. If she starts arguing with you at the store, calmly tell her it's time to go home. If she continues arguing in the car, don't try to reason with her; she's too angry to listen to logic at that time. However, you can offer to take her shopping on another day when she has settled down.

6. If your child insists that he absolutely needs something that is not in your budget, make a deal with him to allow him to earn money toward it by doing extra chores. However, don't buy the item until he has earned the money. This is very important, because it helps your child learn to plan and to work toward a goal. He will also appreciate more an item that he had to work for.

7. If you're like many parents, you try to set limits or to say "No", but the kids whine and complain so much that you eventually give in. Try your best not to succumb. If you give in, you are inadvertently teaching your children that if they whine long enough, they will eventually get their way.

Pauline Wallin, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in Camp Hill, and author of "Taming Your Inner Brat: A Guide for Transforming Self-defeating Behavior" (Wildcat Canyon Press, 2004)

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Monday, September 22, 2008

Gifts All That Is Left Of Yesterday

Writen by Ispas Marin

Whenever dealing with such an overwhelming issue as the exquisite feeling of achievement and joy of our children we always use the commercial use of gifts usually comprising their utmost yearnings such as the latest toy embodying their hero or favorite personality. It was psychologically shown that these moments are sheer important for forming their personality and preserving their serene state of mind which usually means full development.

First and foremost, it should be taken into account the fact that, in this case, we should discuss the safety projected by these certain toys or gadgets on your children: firstly, we can bring about the issue of their imaginative world, the one they have created accordingly to their ideas or fantasies. Secondly, by safety we can also refer to the fact that these toys are precisely chosen by means of their age and possibilities.

Furthermore, many people should be protected by the ensnaring of matters regarding the easiness of pursuing these toys. There are plenty of possibilities for doing it; yet, the most convenient way is the exact one which could combine the price, quality and purchase of the gadget. There should be added that there should exist the range of products which could satisfy any taste, as exigent as it could be. Needless to say, the degree of accomplishing all these should give an aid for all parents who are willing to fulfill their children's yearnings.

All in all, our intent was to highline the fact that there are patterns to comply with all these aspects diminishing the useless efforts of formal demands. By all means, joy is almost priceless. And this 'almost' can be solved by quality services which give the proper answer to all preferences; pragmatism is the one thing which could combine all the needed elements, pragmatism and the right services.

Get your gifts, gadgets & toys at http://www.gadgetsquick.co.uk - The coolest gadget site on the internet!

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The Party Idea Cycle Your Ticket To Perfect Party Planning

Writen by Neal Lohse

I loved him. But his lack of faith stung me:

"Ha!! You organize a party? You wouldn't have any idea."

Little did he know you had hundreds of ideas. And...a way to make them ALL work.

What's all the fuss?

Ideas are one thing, planning another and organizing yourself to do it all is perhaps the key.

So, let's keep this party planning stuff extra S-I-M-P-L-E. I believe there are only three basic steps to planning a successful party or event. Yep, only three!

Here they are:

1st : The Ideas Or Theme -- this will send the party into orbit and giove your planning direction.

2nd: The Plan -- How are you going to do it all -- with ease?

3rd: Showtime! -- Put all your work into action when it counts.

Each has its own pitfalls and peculiarities. Today we'll focus on the Idea - not so much where they come from, but what you do with them. I will also create with you a way to prepare for every party you'll ever organize.

Yes. That's the promise.

This stuff is TOTALLY TRANSFERABLE to other events, functions, occasions from birthday parties, to graduations, funerals, (Yes!!, funerals) and what ever you can imagine. It all starts with an idea...

What is an idea??

The idea is the spark that ignites you -- the fuel and machinery -- to get this all done.

I get asked every day, "How do you come up with really good ideas?"

The trick is to have plenty to begin with!

Before you can even get ideas you have to put aside time to let your brain know that you are in idea-generation mode. This is a habit that will serve you well in other areas of your life: work, parenting...so what we are talking about is a transferable mindset or something that you can apply elsewhere.

Yep, let you brain know. Give your self permission to stop and do this for someone else.

I developed and use the Party Idea Cycle™ a cool-tool to get the ideas into some order.

The cycle is 7 simple steps to using ideas:

Step One: Solo Ponder

You with you running your thoughts about the idea of you organizing someone's celebration. For some this is Massive! This time is to reflect on what's needed of you, and to be ultra sure that you are going to commit to doing this. This commitment is crucial. Half baked is half baked. We are playing with peoples feelings and, on a day or a time when they are no:1. Anything pulling that focus is not needed. Half baked has a tendency to pull focus!

Step Two: Catch the idea

Gather the elements that represent the person in question have them around you. Things like: magazines, music, food, movies, their culture, likes, hates ...do the big brain dumpo and throw all your thoughts on paper. DO NOT EDIT these nuggets. Just get them down. I have a lot of these ideas on tap at BBPI. How? Habit mostly. I have trained myself to catch ideas as the pop.

Step Three: Grow the idea

Use the rule of three. Learnt in my tour guiding days, don't try and put any more than three big elements together. Put them in some order and link them in some way, so that there is a continuous flow during the time.

Step Four: Engage the masses

Get others involved. Choose wisely and really make sure they are clear on their role.

Step Five: Take the idea out on the highway.

Use Mental Rehearsal and have a Run Sheet. No matter how small the occasion, have it clearly stated what will happen, when, and who is responsible. Then go over it in your head stepping through it.

Step Six: Unleash the Beast

Put the plan into action.

Step Seven: Rewind the memories

After all is done and dusted, spend time running the mental dvd, to lock in the memory. Revisit the photos, meet up and "debrief". Share the experience online - tell the world! There's seven for you to mull over, discuss and hopefully put into practice.

Another "half step"...

There is one more that I believe is really important.

What's the half step, I hear you ask? That's the extra bit, the bit that can make it all worth while. The cherry on the cake!!

You see, the focus on this article has been on you doing for others, what you do, how you think and who you engage to help. That's fine and all very valid. BUT-- and it's a big but -- the EXTRA juice is to forget about them at the end and acknowledge you for conceiving-planning-and-carrying out the whole operation.

You've conceived a plan, nurtured it, given it birth and allowed others to get together and enjoy themselves.

What are you waiting for? Take a bow!

Neal Lohse is the author of Best Birthday Party Idea.com

He describes himself is a Happy Person, Loving Spouse, Cool-Dad, Business Coach, Author, Corporate Philosopher, Event Designer, Education Facilitator, cook-washer-cleaner ...and is in love with a mountain-bike and a pair hiking boots.

The planning tips and suggestions come from his personal and working experience.

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Sunday, September 21, 2008

Know The Types Of Adoption

Writen by Michael Russell

So you have decided that you and your spouse are ready to adopt? You have the finances set aside; you have evaluated your motives for adopting and considered all of the pros and cons with your spouse. Now you need to be educated on the various types of adoption that are available to you. One of the forms of adoption is referred to as "Domestic Private". Another form of adoption that is available is known as "Inter-country adoption". There are also the options of "kinship/relative adoption" and "Domestic Adoption from State Foster Care". I will be elaborating on the various types, so that you can make the most educated of decisions, when it comes to choosing the type of adoption that will be best for your family.

Domestic Adoptions are facilitated through licensed adoption agencies, attorneys, adoption facilitators, or physicians, among other avenues. This type of adoption allows you to choose to adopt a child right from their families. In this case, the family of the child would typically choose the family that would later adopt the child. The current family and the future family will make decisions, together, to discuss how much contact the child will have with his or her biological family in the future.

The next type of adoption is known as "Inter-Country Adoption". This form of adoption includes children who are citizens of one country, but their parents are citizens of another country. Since the governments of both countries will be involved with this form of adoption, it is wise to first look at the State Department website to make sure that country is currently permitting inter-country adoptions to the United States to take place. Often, these children have been living in an orphanage. It is important that, if you do adopt a child from a culture that is not your own, you are sensitive to that culture and take the time to research the culture, language, food, among other things to ensure that your child will know where they came from to increase their sense of identity.

"Kinship/Relative Adoption" is another form of adoption that often takes place. This type of adoption refers to a family adopting a child through family ties or through a relationship that particular family has had with the child's family. This includes children who are adopted by their stepmothers or stepfathers, grandparents, friends, teachers, etc., if their biological parents are unable to care for them. Licensed adoption professionals are still needed with this type of adoption to ensure that all legal requirements are being met, to make the adoption final.

Finally, the last type of adoption is "Domestic Adoption from State Foster Care". These children will be adopted out of temporary foster care or welfare situations. Many instances of this type of adoption include numerous siblings that are looking for a home together. These children have often suffered many losses and do not know much about commitment. They will require more attention and commitment, so that they transition into a home that they know is permanent and safe. With these children, the state will often provide access to Medicaid for their medical needs and a subsidy to help fund tutoring, other education, camps and other activities that would aid in their transition to a permanent environment and help them to succeed.

You are now familiar with the main forms of adoption out there. There are many avenues that you have to choose from. Knowing what you expect and what you need from the adoption process is very important in knowing what form is best for you and your family. Talking to these agencies and organizations, or contacting the state in which you live may be the best way to obtaining more information about the how to go about each type of adoption. Much of this information can be found online, as well. After that, the choice is yours and your will be on your way to finding that new member of your family to love.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Adoption

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Birthday Tea Party Your Daughter Will Love This One

Writen by Mike Dougherty

A birthday tea party is an elegant and fun way to celebrate your child's birthday party.

Your daughter and all her invited guests will have a wonderful time with this kid birthday party theme.

And you can put together lots of fun activities and games that will keep everyone busy and having lots of fun.

You can also use your tea party theme to teach your child and all her friends proper manners and etiquette.

Tea Party Invitation

Set the stage for your child's tea party by making your invitation elegant but fun. And you'll have your invited guests excited if you tell them you'll be doing makeovers and playing dress up.

You might word your invitation like this:

"(First and last name of the birthday girl) invites you to join her for a birthday tea party celebrating her (number of birthday) th. birthday."

"For your tea time with (birthday child's first name) please wear a party dress for high tea. You can also wear your dress up hat and gloves."

To make your invitation really special and exciting you might include a pair of white gloves with the invitation.

If your birthday tea party is for younger children, you might ask them to bring a favorite doll or stuffed animal with them.

And don't forget to give them all the important information too.

"Our special tea party will take place on (month and date) at (start time for your party), ending promptly at (end time)."

Giving an end time for your party will keep you from having party guests stuck at your house waiting for a parent to pick them up.

"Our party location will be (street address and other important location information)."

You can also mention that you will be doing make overs and playing dress up.

You can deliver your invitation by postal mail or you can have a gentleman in a butler suite or tuxedo hand deliver the invitations. What fun!

If you send your invitation by postal mail, consider using a special envelope and stationary. Anything to make your invitation elegant and fun.

Birthday Tea Party Decoration

Think elegant, pink and fun with balloons, streamers, ribbon, confetti and glitter.

Mix pink, white, gold, silver, royal blue and red.

Use balloons to create a pink and white ceiling. You can also use red ribbon tied to the balloons as streamers so your guests can get hold of the balloons and play with them. Have some balloons on the floor as well.

A tea party pinata is also a great idea.

And don't forget to use some balloons and streamers outside to decorate your mail box or doorway.

Set An Elegant Table

Set your table using a table cloth, plates, cups and napkins. You'll also need forks and spoons. You might want to roll up each fork and spoon setting with an elegant napkin and tie it with a nice ribbon.

Decorate your table cloth with glitter.

Use a colorful tea pot as a fun centerpiece. Attach a small helium filled balloon bouquet to the tea pot.

To make your table setting really exciting, you can put a few party favors by each place setting. A ring, a fun bracelet or even a tiara for each guest.

Birthday Tea Party Games

Get things started as soon as the first guest arrives, this will keep everyone from just "standing around" while they wait for all your guests.

Give everyone some indoor bubbles to blow.

Have your guests make a tiara

Give each girl a coloring page from the tea party in the Disney movie "Alice in Wonderland."

You might even have the tea party scene from "Alice in Wonderland" playing on a DVD in your living room or family room.

Make Over

Pick up a small mirror and comb set for each guest. You can also pick up an assortment of lipstick and nail polish.

Let the girls help each other with a make over.

Just for fun you can also pick up a few colorful costume boas, hair clips, costume jewelry and even high heel shoes.

You can always pick up a few dress up items at a local thrift store. This is a great way to save some money and give a little back to your community at the same time.

Pass The Ring

Have all your guests stand in a circle.

Now place a small ring on a long piece of string and tie the ends of the string together.

Now have your guests hold the string while your birthday girl puts her hand over the ring.

To start the game, have one player stand in the middle of the circle as all the other guests pretend to be sliding the ring along the string and secretly passing the ring to each other.

The player in the middle tries to guess who really has the ring.

When the player guesses who has the ring. That person switches places with the player in the middle.

Birthday Tea Party Food

Think elegant, think fun! If your group is very young you may want to stick with cake and ice cream.

  • Small finger sandwiches
  • Sliced veggies
  • A crackers and cheese plate
  • Pizza cut into small squares
  • Grapes
  • Melon balls or slices
  • Strawberries dipped in chocolate
  • Elegant Mint candies
  • Jello Jigglers
  • You can easily add a very elegant touch to the serving of food and treats by asking an older male to put on a a tuxedo or a suit and tie and serve the food.

    This can be a lot of fun especially if the male actually pretends to be the butler by asking the birthday girl what she would like and serving it to her and her guests.

    Birthday Tea Party

    You can easily put together an elegant cake for your daughters tea party.

    One things for sure, your birthday child is going to have an absolutely wonderful time at their fun birthday tea party.

    Mike Dougherty has lots of experience putting together successful birthday parties for his children and grandchildren. To learn more visit http://fun-kid-birthday-parties.com/birthday-tea-party.html

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    Saturday, September 20, 2008

    Ways To Save Money On Your Heating Amp Energy Bills

    Writen by Jamie Clark

    Want to save money on your heating and energy bills this winter? With natural gas and heating oil prices skyrocketing, it's a good idea to do everything you can to make your home as energy-efficient as possible. Below you'll find a few useful tips to help you save energy and lower those bills this year.

    Easy and inexpensive energy-saving tips:

    1. Add new attic insulation -- Many home attics are much warmer than they should be, and lose a lot more heat than they ought to. Making sure you have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save money on your heating bills.

    2. Check your windows -- Minimize the loss of warm air from your home by repairing any broken or cracked glass. Putty old windows and make sure that they close properly. Also, consider adding new weatherstripping and caulking the frames around windows.

    3. Check your doors -- Make sure all of your external doors close tightly. Replace any doorknobs, latches, and striker plates that don't work properly. Also, consider adding weatherstripping and caulking door frames as well.

    4. Check the fireplace -- Make sure that it has a tight-sealing damper and that you close it when not using the fireplace. If you never use the fireplace install a chimney block to eliminate heat loss through the chimney.

    5. Use energy-efficient light bulbs -- Replace all of your old incandescent light bulbs with newer energy-efficient bulbs. They'll help you save on your electric bill and you may even be able to get a rebate from your utility company by using them.

    6. Install low-flow showerheads -- Over time these can save you quite a bit on your energy and water bills.

    7. Reduce your hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit -- Many people keep the water in their tanks way too hot. Lower the thermostat and save a bunch of money.

    Other energy-saving improvements you may want to consider:

    (Note: These improvements are more "involved" and costly but well worth the investment in the long-run.)

    1. Install automatic setback thermostats that adjust your home's heat on a schedule.

    2. Add new insulation to your walls, basement, crawlspaces, and flooring.

    3. Install exterior storm windows.

    4. Replace your normal curtains with tight-sealing or insulated window coverings

    Jamie Clark is a writer for Home-Insulation-Guide.com. For more information about home insulation as well as additional energy-saving tips visit http://www.home-insulation-guide.com today!

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    Friday, September 19, 2008

    What The Heck Is Futon Furniture

    Writen by Joseph Hanoa

    Futon furniture comes from the Japanese mattress that is used as a bed. The futon is a mattress that is about two or more inches thick that is placed on the floor. The mattress is filled with cotton stuffing. During the day the mattress is packed away. The American version of the futon comes from this Japanese concept, except the mattress in on a frame, which can be wood or metal. It appeared in America in the later 1960s and today is considered to be a space saving inexpensive piece of furniture.

    Today, the American version of the futon comes in different shapes and sizes. The frames can be from five feet to seven feet wide. The futon is a chair or a sofa during the day and a bed when it is opened up at night. They come as either a bi-fold or a tri-fold. This refers to the number of times the mattress is folded or bent as the bed converts to a sofa. A bi-fold sleeper turns into a sofa by pulling up the back of the wood or metal frame. A tri-fold involves an extra fold and is a little more cumbersome to work with.

    The futon that is considered to be a less expensive alternative to a traditional sofa or bed is a space saver. The basic metal frame futon with a mattress can be purchased for less than one hundred dollars. But not all futons are cheap. Futon frames range from the plain metal frame to the more elaborate wood design frames in almost every kind of wood and finish. They can be plain or very elaborate but they assemble with eight or ten screws. The frames can cost up to seven hundred dollars or more. There is also a great deal of variety in the futon mattress today, from the simple cotton filled Japanese version. A futon mattress can range in price from one hundred dollars to over six hundred dollars depending on the tastes of the buyer.

    The nice thing about the futon is the cover, which the owner can change at any time. The buyer can chose from a colors, patterns and textures, with and without pillows. The price of the covers without pillow can range from about thirty dollars to about two hundred dollars. A high end futon can cost about fifteen hundred dollars, so even though they are space savers, they aren't always inexpensive space savers.

    Joseph is the proud owner of Furniture Guide, a website that will explain everything you need to know about Furniture. We invite you to visit our site today and see what we have to offer.

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    Thursday, September 18, 2008

    Family Entertainment

    Writen by Christian Tylor

    Family entertainment can be very exciting and a great way to spend quality time together in an excellent environment. Children and adults alike need this time together to learn about each other and be close as a family. Entertainment can be fun and enjoyable and some forms of entertainment can even be educational.

    Theme parks are a great form of family entertainment where you have thrilling rides and exciting shows that is suitable for the whole family. It doesn't matter how old or young members of your family are, these types of amusement parks always have something for every one in the family. Carnivals are another place where families can go for thrilling entertainment. They offer a variety of rides and games for the whole family.

    Everyone loves a good circus where animals and their trainers put on a spectacular show. Clowns are a big hit and keep the children and many adults laughing. If excitement is something you are looking for then the acrobats presenting their balancing acts on the tight ropes keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.

    Does your family enjoy seeing and learning about different types of animals and their habitats, if so then a Zoo is a wonderful place to visit. You can explore how these animals live and exist and learn what they eat and how they survive. You can see many exotic animals that you would not ever have the opportunity to see any other way.

    If you like being one of these first to see the newest movies then a family trip to the theater would be a lot of fun. But if you are looking for family entertainment that is a little quieter and less expensive then having a family night at home watching movies and eating popcorn together can be a lot of fun. Also board games can be a very inexpensive way for the family to play together while providing an educational edge. Family entertainment is the way to bring any family closer together.

    Christian Tylor is a freelance publisher based in Atlanta, Georgia. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides family resources on http://www.freenetpublishing.com.

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    Wednesday, September 17, 2008

    Seven Simple Tips About Child Custody Issues

    Writen by Danielle Hollister

    The following advice comes from my heart and my personal experience. I am not a lawyer. I did graduate from college with a degree in Communications, however, that does not qualify me to offer professional legal advice. If you read this article, remember you must consult an attorney to get help for your specific situation.

    There are numerous, diverse issues surrounding legal custody of your children. Laws vary from state to state. Each individual situation is different depending on your personal circumstances, such as: marital status; employment; income; other financial resources; family support; relationship with other parent; past history of abuse or domestic violence; arrest record; and past role in children's life.

    The following ideas are only some suggestions to consider if you are fighting for custody of your children or if you fear that you may have to battle the father/mother of your children for custody.

    My first suggestion comes from my own terrifying experience.

    1 - Don't think you will never have to fight for custody of your children.

    Don't assume you know the father/mother of your children so well, that you have no fear of being forced to fight this man or woman to retain your parental rights. Don't foolishly trust everything the father/mother of your children tells you.

    If they were planning to file for custody of your children, do you really think they'd let you know in advance? Obviously if they gave you with any type of a warning, you would have time to obtain your own lawyer and try to beat them at their own game. So of course, they're going to lie about their intentions if they're planning to seek custody of your children.

    And they're going to try to make their lies sound so sincere, so convincing and so honest that you could easily be deceived. The only advice I have about how to tell the difference between a lie and the truth is - go with your gut instinct. If you have any reason to believe they may be thinking of filing for custody of your children, follow your heart. If you have any doubt about how honest they're being with you, don't wait around to see what happens next. Time is critical, so don't delay taking action to protect yourself if you feel threatened or mislead in any way.

    2 - Be very careful about who you trust with important information.

    You may be shocked to find out how quickly word travels from what you tell your friends or some of your family members to the other parent's friends or family members. People love to gossip. Rumors spread like wildfire with little regard for you or your children.

    The only way to extinguish flaming tales of your tragic situation is to keep your mouth shut. Don't share your side of the story with anyone unless you are willing to bet your life and your future with your children on their loyalty to you.

    When you're hurt by the actions of the father/mother of your children, it can be very difficult to not talk about your feelings of disbelief, anger, anxiety and devastation, but it can hurt you more in the long run to share your emotions with even your closest friends and family. You never know who will repeat what you say to whom and there's nothing worse than being stabbed in the back by someone you thought you could trust.

    This may be the most expensive, bitter battle of your life. Don't risk the outcome by revealing significant factors of your defense to more than a few of your closest friends or family members, who you trust with all your heart. The stakes are high in any custody case. Gambling in this situation can reduce your credibility, destroy your reputation, ruin your defense strategy and significantly decrease your chances of winning in court.

    3 - Hire a lawyer. You do need one.

    You're selling yourself short if you don't seek legal advice. Unless you have incredible knowledge of the child custody laws in your state, if you are not represented by an attorney, you will probably be manipulated, intimidated and mislead by the attorney hired by the father/mother of your children.

    Lawyers are not cheap. Hourly rates vary from $100 to $300 an hour. Be prepared to pay anywhere from $200 to $500 just for an initial consultation, which is the first step in finding a lawyer to represent you. Once you share your side of the story with an attorney, they should tell you what they believe the chances are for you to prevail, what their strategy would be to defend you, and how much they will require as a "retainer fee."

    Retainer fees can range from $500 to $5,000 for a really good lawyer. You must pay this money up front before they will take actions to represent you. This fee is usually put into an account that your attorney uses to fund your defense. Each phone call, office visit, fax correspondence, conference call with other attorney, review of your message on voice mail, etc. costs you money. The attorney deducts these costs from the retainer fee.

    4 - Seek free legal advice if you cannot afford to pay for an attorney.

    If you cannot afford a lawyer, most states have free legal services available for people, who qualify for this type of assistance based on their income.

    If you have time to look for a lawyer, one of the best ways to find a good attorney, is by asking friends, family, business associates - people with knowledge in this field - people you respect and trust. What you hear by word of mouth will probably give you more honest insight into a lawyer's ability than any advertisement claiming to offer the best attorneys for your case.

    If you think you can't afford to hire an attorney, consider whether you can afford to lose custody of your children. The choice is yours. Where there's a will, there's usually a way. You may have to take a bank loan, remortage your house, borrow from friends or family members, sell your favorite toys, cash in savings bonds, withdraw from your retirement account, pawn your diamond ring, or cancel your cable television, cellular phone service, or other little luxuries, but aren't your children worth making any sacrifice to ensure your future together?

    5 - Watch your back.

    Consider every move you make with extreme caution. You would be surprised how stupid little actions you take can be twisted to appear negative or illegal. Don't do anything remotely illegal, like: lying on your tax return; taking a job that pays "under the table;" drinking and driving; associating with people who may be linked to potentially illegal activities or visiting establishments with questionable reputations.

    Make an extra effort to keep your house clean, free of products containing alcohol, and full of items essential for proper feeding, bathing, teaching, and caring for your children. You never know who is watching you or when you may get a knock at the door from the local Child Welfare authorities, who received an anonymous report that you're an unfit parent.

    If you believe in the "always innocent until proven guilty" concept, you may be disappointed. Better safe than sorry when it's your children, your reputation, your parenting skills, your mental stability and your life that's on trial.

    6 - Never ever sign anything that your attorney hasn't read.

    Better yet only sign documents related to your child custody case in the presence of your attorney.

    Even though it takes less than a minute to apply your signature to a piece of paper, it can take months to reverse the terms you agreed to be signing a legal document.

    7 - Remember no matter how much you're hurting and regardless of how much you loathe the father/mother of your children, a child custody case is not about you.

    It's about your children. It's about what's best for them. The court battle and the consequences of the outcome have the potential to hurt your kids more than anyone.

    Resource Box - © Danielle Hollister (2004) is the Publisher of BellaOnline Quotations Zine - A free newsletter for quote lovers featuring more than 10,000 quotations in dozens of categories like - love, friendship, children, inspiration, success, wisdom, family, life, and many more. Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8364.asp

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    Tuesday, September 16, 2008

    Choose From A Variety Of Window Blinds

    Writen by Kenneth Morris

    Until recently, window blinds were seen as severe, hard and impersonal window coverings that were most suitable for an office facility or public building. However, the very reasons they are used in such places, their practicality, durability, and ease of maintenance, make them ideal for use in the home too. The only factor missing was style and this has now been achieved, meaning that there are now a variety of blinds available designed specifically to be used in home design.

    There are a wide variety of blinds that can be used instead of, or in conjunction with curtains and drapes to create a really stunning effect. Designers love the bright, airy modern feeling that can be achieved with blinds and the following varieties of shades have become popular for use in the home.

    Venetian blinds are generally manufactured from aluminum, but are also available is various vinyl and plastic finishes. They are made up of horizontal slats, varying from one to three inches in width and having a slight curve. These slats are fastened together by cord and can be fully open, completely closed, or left half open for a degree of privacy with some light allowed through. The slats can also be pulled right to the top of the window when they are in the fully open position. Venetian shades are highly versatile, and come in a range of colors, which will complement the décor in any room.

    Venetian blinds made from wood can be called wood slat shades. These have the same functionality as standard Venetian blinds, although the slats are usually thicker and do not have the same curve. They can be painted, stained, or left as natural wood to create the desired effect.

    A variety of Venetian blind that has become a very stylish addition to many homes in recent years is the aluminum or PVC miniblind. Similar to standard Venetian shades, they have much narrower slats, which gives a particularly smooth effect when the blinds are fully closed.

    Vertical blinds are a great alternative to Venetian blinds and are particularly appropriate for covering sliding doors as well as windows. The individual panels are attached to each other by cord or tape and can be turned so that they are closed, that is flush with the window, or fully open at right angles to the window. They can also be pulled completely to one side. Although a pull cord at the side is the usual way to operate such shades, more expensive shades may be automatically opened via remote control.

    Woven blinds are different from Venetian styles as they do not have slats that open and close. They are made up of very narrow slats that are permanently woven together. Light is able to penetrate through small gaps between the slats, or the whole blind can be rolled up towards the ceiling. These do not offer the versatility or privacy of Venetian blinds but can still be an attractive addition to your home.

    Being specifically passionate about curtains, Kenneth Morris is authoring quite some reports on the topic. You can come across his articles on window blinds at many different sources for window blinds information.

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    Monday, September 15, 2008

    Fortune Telling Party Theme Ideas

    Writen by Dee Schrock

    I see a fun theme party in your future...

    This popular theme party can be prepared in less than a day, or in only a few hours for those high energy hosts!

    Activity Ideas

    The central part of a fortune telling party is telling fortunes and reading tarot cards.

    Have a least one table with a crystal ball. If you can't find one, you can always use a large snow globe of some kind.

    Other great games include a Ouija board and Magic Eight ball.

    Decorations

    *Hang beaded curtains at the door entry.
    *Hang zodiac pinatas around the room for a fortune telling theme.
    *Use lava lamps as table centerpieces.
    *For a mystical effect, add plenty of glow products.

    Costumes/Dress Attire

    A gypsy type garb is perfect for a fortune telling party. Complete your outfit with scarves, lots of bangle type bracelets, and hoop earrings.

    Invitations

    Purchase decks of tarot cards and place an invitation inside. The decks can be mailed or hand-delivered to each recipient.

    You can also create you own theme by drawing fortune telling themes such as a moons, stars, astrological signs, etc.

    Food/Drink

    Snack and finger foods are most popular, since they can be eaten while participating in games and readings.

    The best drinks include popular mixed drinks with a neat blend of colors. Be sure to have soda on hand for the non-alcoholic set as well as water for all.

    Have a mystical theme party!

    About The Author
    Dee Schrock has put together hundreds of theme party tips and fun ideas for easy (and budget conscious!) party planning.

    Visit her website http://www.fun-theme-party-ideas.com for tons of popular theme party ideas, including decoration, costume, game, and party drink ideas, as well as printable invitations.

    © Copyright 2006. Feel free to reprint this article on your site as long as the article is not modified in any way and the resource information (about the author) is listed as above.

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    Reasons For Domestic Violence Seldom Understood

    Writen by Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD

    A few weeks ago my community paper published a letter to the editor which asked the question, "When will society stop domestic violence?"

    The answer to the question is surprisingly simple, but difficult for people to accept, because domestic violence is ensconced in the deepest fiber of many families--religion. Many religions teach that 'spare the rod, you spoil the child' or that the Bible, specifically the book of Proverbs, commands spanking.

    There is a distinction, however, which is of key interest to fundamentalists, between the practice in King Solomon's day of beating people on the back for discipline. The latter is not prescribed anywhere in the Bible.

    Furthermore, it needs to be pointed out that the Old Testament contains passages that could be (and in some incidents have been) construed as divine endorsements of wife-beating, racial warfare, slavery, the stoning to death of rebellious children and other behaviors that are outrageous by today's standards.

    If our laws no longer allow these Biblical commands, why then do we hit children, a.k.a. chastening to supposedly correct unacceptable behavior?

    The answer is not complicated. We cannot conceive this Biblical and society-sanctioned form of child discipline as abuse until we can honestly acknowledge the mistreatment from our own childhood experiences and examine the shortcomings of our own parents.

    As long as we believe, "I was hit and I turned out OK," the practice of violence through spanking will continue to be perpetuated in the home with the blessing of religion and a blind eye from society--unless of course the 'spanking' goes too far and the child is bloodied and bruised.

    One fundamental commonality among all men and women in prison is the fact they were all spanked. If spanking created compliance to rules of society, then why is this the only commonality among people who are on the wrong side of the law?

    Our laws and our cultural values are unambiguous concerning adults who hit, attack or verbally threaten other adults. Such behavior is recognized as criminal and we hold them accountable.

    Why then when so much is at stake for society, do we accept and promote physical assault against children? Then we wonder why there is domestic violence. Adults tend to repeat what they experienced more often than not. The old saying, 'The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree' makes this point. The child accepts the message, "If I don't like something someones says or does, hitting is the acceptable response."

    As a physical and sexual abuse prevention specialist, I have heard all the rationales why spanking is the only form of discipline some children seem to need in order to get the message. All these rationales are biologically faulty, because when a child is hit, his/her brain goes into shock and when the brain is in shock it no longer can assimilate information. Thus the message the parent intends to convey is lost. Furthermore, hitting is a betrayal of trust and engenders anger/rage not compliance.

    Think about it, if spanking is the magic solution for correcting aberrant behavior, then why doesn't one spanking solve the problem? Why does the child continue to repeat the same unacceptable behavior over and over?

    Again the answer is simple--spanking doesn't work and children repeat any behavior--acceptable or unacceptable because they are in a learning process and they learn by repetition.

    Consistent consequences such as: time out, grounding, withholding something of significance, extra chores teaches critical thinking, problem solving, relationship building and understanding how they are the creator of the consequence.

    Whereas hitting/spanking because it is usually administered when the parent is at their 'wits end' or the parent(s) is/are in a bad mood about something which sometimes has no relationship to what the child did creates distrust. How can a child continue to trust a parent, who has betrayed them? Children trust their parent implicitly, but once that trust has been betrayed it is seldom regained, because there is no way to achieve reconciliation with a parent/person who doesn't acknowledge their unacceptable behavior.

    When will society stop domestic violence? The simple answer is: When society stops sanctioning and promoting hitting or spanking children at home or in school. Twenty-two states allow corporal punishment with a wooden paddle in schools. Is your state one of the twenty-two? Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming allow paddling children with a wooden paddle in schools.

    The real question is "When will you stop sanctioning and promoting hitting/spanking of children in your community, your school, your state? As Voltaire pointed out long ago: "We are not only responsible for what we do, but also for that what we don't do." If you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Take action to educate yourself and others about this insidious crime against children.

    1. "Punished for life: Canadian study links spanking to addiction and psychiatric disorders," Reuters, 1995-OCT-5. Online at: http://nospank.org/

    2. Harriet McMillan, et al., "Slapping and spanking in childhood and its association with lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a general population sample," Canadian Medical Association Journal, 1999-OCT-5, at: http://www.cma.ca/

    3. Jane Gadd, "Spanked children suffer intellectually," The Globe and Mail, Toronto ON, 1998-JUL-30

    4. M.A. Straus, Corporal punishment of children and adult depression and suicidal ideation," Chapter 5 of: "Beating the devil out of them: Corporal punishment in American families and its effects on children," New Brunswick, (2000), Page 60 to 77. Online at: http://pubpages.unh.edu/ This is a PDF file. You may require software to read it. Software can be obtained free from: Adobe Acrobat

    5. P. Greven, "Spare the child: The religious roots of physical punishment and the psychological impact of physical abuse," Knopf, (1991)

    6. Irvin Wolkoff, "Spanked child can become self-loathing adult," The Toronto Star, 1999-NOV-26, Page F4.

    7. E. Larzelere, "A review of the outcomes of parental use of non-abusive or customary physical punishment," Pediatrics 98:824-831

    8. Patricia McBroom, "UC Berkeley study finds no lasting harm among adolescents from moderate spanking earlier in childhood," at: http://www.berkeley.edu/

    9. Maggie Fox, "Why some boys go bad: Gene study may show why abused turn violent," Reuters News Agency, 2002-AUG-1.

    10.Michael A. Milburn & Sheree D. Conrad, "The Politics of Denial," MIT Press, (1996). Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store

    11. Andrew Grogan-Kaylor, "The effect of corporal punishment on antisocial behavior in children," Social Work Research, Vol. 28, # 3, 2004-SEP, Pages 153-162.

    12. "U-M study: Spanking can lead to more bad behavior by children," University of Michigan News Service, 2004-SEP-08, at: http://www.umich.edu/

    13. The abstract is online at: http://miranda.naswpressonline.org/ You can also purchase the article from the same URL.

    14. Sean Fine, "Study links spanking to future alcohol abuse," The Globe and Mail, Toronto, 1999-OCT-5, Pages A1 & A13

    Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, specializes in verbal, physical and sexual abuse prevention and recovery. http://www.drdorothy.net

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