Where You Can Use A Word Find Puzzle

Writen by Gail Leino

You can use a word find puzzle practically anytime, anywhere. However, there are certain times when they are more appropriate. Here are some ideas how you can use a word find puzzle or puzzles with your kids:

1. Work on those spelling words! – Create your own word find puzzle on the computer using your child's spelling words for the week. Not only will your child be having a great deal of fun, but he or she will also be finding the word using its correct spelling.

2. Keep them busy while you are traveling – It is very difficult to take a board game on a long road trip or on an airplane. However, it is quite easy to take a word find puzzle book! Give one to your child with a pencil or a pen and they will have something to do for hours!

3. Something to do on a wet and rainy day – Many children enjoy playing outside, but when it is wet and rainy that is impossible. Give them a word find puzzle book or set them up with a word find puzzle online for some educational fun.

4. Party fun – most children's parties have a theme, so you can create a word find puzzle with all the objects and characters that go along with that theme. The puzzle itself can be as hard or as easy as you want it to be. You can make this into a party game and give a prize for the first one done!

There are so many ways you can use a word find puzzle. These are just some of the places where you can give a word find puzzle or puzzles to your kids. When you think of some more, just add them to the list and keep giving them this fun and educational activity.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Party Games to help complete your event.

Your Family Values Are You Walking Your Talk

Writen by Lori Radun

Have you ever really sat down and given thought to what values you want to teach in your family? If someone asked you, could you tell them the five most important values to you? How clear are your children about what the family values are? Your values speak to what is most important to you in life. They are the foundation of your family. Without a clear vision of what your values are, life is more challenging. Let me explain why.

Your family values guide your decisions. Every decision you make is based on values. If you choose not to get up for a morning jog, then you are valuing sleep over exercise in that moment. If you allow your child to stay home from school because she complains of a stomach ache, then you are valuing your child's health over her education that morning. Many of the day-to-day decisions are made without even thinking about them, but they should all represent what's important to you.

Sometimes, however, you'll notice some decisions are much harder to make. It's usually because you're struggling with a value conflict. I think one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make was whether or not I should put my older son on medication for ADHD. The value conflict I wrestled with was his physical health vs. his emotional/educational health. Until I was very clear which was most important to me, I battled with guilt and apprehension. Today I am totally comfortable with my son taking medication because I ultimately decided that his emotional and educational success was more important than the risks I may be taking with his physical health. His dad, however, has different values than me. He values his physical health over his emotional and educational success.

Stress is the result of not living in integrity with your values. In the coaching world, we regularly talk about how well we are walking our talk. If I say honesty is important to me, then I better live an honest life. If I'm not, then I'm not walking my talk. And the result is self-induced stress. How much stress in your family can be contributed to living out of integrity with your family values?

For instance, let's say you highly value peace. If your family has frequent conflicts, then you will feel stressed much of the time. If being on time is important to you, stress will occur anytime the family is running late. Honoring your most important values is paramount if you are going to live the life you want.

To have a phenomenal family, everyone needs to be on the same page with the family values. So sit down and make a list of what values you want to live by. Try to pick your top five. If you're married, have your partner make his own separate list. Combine your lists and together choose 5-7 values that you absolutely won't compromise in your family. Schedule a family meeting and clearly communicate your family values. For example, if respect is a value you want your family to live by, then explain to your children what respect means. Give them concrete examples of what respect looks like. Being respectful means we talk to each other with kindness. It means we must ask each other if we want to borrow personal belongings. Respect means we listen to the person who is speaking.

Once everyone is clear what the family values, then start walking your talk. That means your rules will center on your values. Your decisions will be guided by your values. Each member of the family will be held accountable to living out these values. You reward and praise each other when those values are being displayed. There are consequences when the family values are compromised. And most important, mom and dad must be walking models of these values in the home.

Being clear about and honoring your values will make life easier for you. Most decisions will be effortless. You will experience less stress in your life. You will begin to live your life with more purpose and fulfillment. And ultimately, you will pass on to your children the family values you one day hope will be passed on to future generations.

Lori Radun, CEC – certified life coach for moms. To receive her FREE newsletter and the FREE special report "155 Things Moms Can Do To Raise Great Children", go to http://www.true2youlifecoaching.com

Should Students Have To Wear School Uniforms

Writen by Matthew Sirpis

The great debate continues about should students have to wear school uniforms? There is no definitive answer as it entirely depends upon the persons beliefs. There are benefits for some children who wear uniforms and disadvantages to others.

The main reason schools in America choose not to allow their students to wear their own clothes is because of the gangs. Having a uniform stops gang members from displaying their colours and garb. The schools also believe it helps stop violence and helps instill a sense of pride in the students. It also helps to break down the barriers between different socioeconomic groups.

Below are some opinions taken from a messageboard regarding the issue:

"I feel we should keep to the uniform. It sets an example of the school. It is representation the community. It is easy to point out different people. Also there would be more fights/bullly's due to the lack of 'fashion'. "

" Many schools throughout the U.S. force students grades kindergarten through twelfth to wear uniforms. Students who attend public schools should not have to wear uniforms for four reasons.

1. School uniforms inhibit students€™ individuality. Young people often express their feelings through the clothing that they wear. Uniforms will take away this form of expression. Why should school districts try to make everyone look the same?

2. A school uniform policy inhibits a student's freedom of choice. Schools teach students that our country is a free one. But when school boards make students wear what they tell them too-- it curtails the students' freedom.

3. There is the issue of cost. Many parents shop for their children's clothes at used and discount stores. Uniforms can cost more money than these families might be able to afford. Also, these students would need to buy additional clothing to wear after school and on the weekends. That's double the amount of money a family would spend than they would without the uniforms.

4. The last reason I do not enjoy the thought of school uniforms is comfort. Students enjoy wearing comfortable clothing to school. Uniforms are not necessarily comfortable. Also, wearing a uniform might make the student uncomfortable around people outside the school who don't have to wear a uniform.

If we want individuality, freedom, and comfort for students while keeping costs down for families, we should not have a school uniform policy for students who attend public schools. "

" In my opinion, right up to year 11 students/kids should have to wear school uniform, it stops all the arguments about who has the latest fashions etc.

But when you reach college or 6th form it should stop, because by then your old enough to know not to take the pee out of what people wear. Mind you saying that, most of the people at my 6th form were wallys. "

Matthew Sirpis http://www.mariamagic.com