I’ve often thought that in 6 million years, archaeologists will marvel at the devotion the 21st century Earthlings had to their household gods. Excavation will show these deities in virtually every home, obviously objects of devotion, the focal point in a room. The gods were believed without question. Families emulated them, discussed them, and scheduled their lives around them. The parent was secondary in influence to the various versions of these boxes with a glass screen that captivated an entire civilization.

Despite the title of this article, I do not really think that we are all guilty of worshiping the god of the underworld. I am, however, quite turned off by the amount of affection and devotion we give to the unworthy television. Last week I was teaching a class of four year olds, and before the lesson began, one of the children informed me that she had to leave early so she could get home in time for American Idol. As a society, I’m afraid we truly have made television an idol – and not just an American one. Studies disagree on how much we watch per week; studies agree that we watch too much.

My husband I refuse to give others remote control of our home, and have taken several steps to channel our boys away from the seductive and addictive influence of the television. We thank the major networks for loaning us their initials to broadcast our system to you:

CBS – Cut the Box on Schooldays. Consider taking the extreme position of not allowing television on weekdays. This has earned us the title of ‘most unreasonable parents in the school’, but we wear it with pride. To soften our image, we allow television freedom on the weekends, after chores and homework.

MSNBC – Make Summertime Nice. Bribe Children. During the nine weeks school is out, television time can be bought. For every minute spent on reading, we award time on the television or computer. We have an Excel spreadsheet that keeps up with time earned and spent. (If you’re interested, email me and I’ll send you a copy.)

FOX – Filter Out X#$&%. What children watch is often worthless, at best. At its worst, television undermines everything we teach as it spews foul language, violence, casual attitudes about sex, and disrespect for authority. Our family uses TV Guardian to help with the language. The other negative elements are impossible to remove, which is why the television has an ‘off’ button.

NBC – Note Basic Content. Teach your kids to evaluate a program by its main premise. “Aladdin” is one of my favorite movies, but it quite frankly glorifies being a thief. Gentle “E. T.” leaves the impression that adults aren’t to be trusted, and that dishonesty is justified when its purposes are noble. After watching a show, ask, “What did that movie just say? Was it a positive message or a negative one? How did it try to influence you?”

CNN – Cultivate Natural iNquisitiveness. Try to broaden your world so that your children are interested in more than cartoons and sit-coms. Make friends with those from other cultures. Discuss world events. Travel and visit museums to pique interest in topics explored on The Discovery and History Channels.

BET – Be Exemplary Teachers. A student doesn’t rise above the teacher. Set a good example to your children by developing good viewing habits. Participate in National TV Turnoff Week April 21 – 27, and evaluate how addicted to the television you are.

About The Author

Kayla Fay is the publisher of Who Put the Ketchup in the Medicine Cabinet and the author of The Spy Party, a cool birthday idea. Kayla and her husband have four sons, and only one television. Visit Kayla at http://www.goaskmom.com/ or write her at mailto:goaskmom@goaskmom.com.

Share This

As the big day approaches, a little advance planning can save us from headaches and stress. Use these three simple steps to organize and prepare for your upcoming celebration.

Get ready… Set out all your recipes, on the counter, in plastic sleeves, so you can refer to them as you cook. I keep a Holiday 3 Ring Binder just for this purpose. All my recipes are organized and catalogued for my Holiday Cooking, so that every year I have my recipes “at the ready” when it comes time to “gear up” My Holiday Kitchen.

Get set… Before starting a recipe, set out all the utensils and ingredients you will need.Read through the recipe to refresh your memory.

Go… but cook what you know. Stick with recipes you’ve made before and are comfortable with. Now is not the time to experiment with that Beef Wellington or Baked Alaska
you’ve always wanted to try. You will only frustrate yourself if it doesn’t turn out the way you had hoped.

Visit www.rushhourcook.com/holiday.htm for a full holiday meal plan with shopping list and www.changeyourlifechallenge.com for a free weekly newsletter with sanity-saving solutions.

The Change Your Life Challenge
http://www.changeyourlifechallenge.com
Take control of your home, finances, relationships, clutter, time-managmenet and more with this 70 Day Program. Sign up for the free Challenge Weekly Newsletter and the motivational daily Good Morning.

Share This

During the assessment process it is of great importance for the physician or clinician to consider other possible causes of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity in your child (or teen, or yourself). In fact, this is probably the most important element of a good assessment. There are several possible causes of these behaviors, especially in children, and the clinician must have great certainty that these other possible causes have been ruled out before giving the label of “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” to your child.

One of the first things to have ruled out is a thyroid problem. Only MD’s can do this, so off they go for a physical. This is not a common problem, but it does happen, even in children. Thyroid problems can cause inattention, learning problems, even hyperactivity and impulsivity in some. Once that has been ruled out by the doctor, then other environmental or emotional causes of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity need to be ruled out.

Depression in children often causes inattention, as in adults, and also often causes impulsivity and irritability and excessive restlessness or agitation. Anxiety disorders in children can result in agitation, impulsivity, hyper- vigilance, motor restlessness, and excessive startle responses, as well as inattention to task. Significant emotional traumas can also result in these behaviors. Physical or sexual abuse, divorce or other significant loss, or the death of a loved one.

Physical traumas can also cause the same behaviors as ADHD, such as a minor head injury from an auto accident, sports injury, falling as a child, and so on. For example, one of my “ADHD” kids, who was extremely hyperactive and also very oppositional and at times violent toward others, took part in one of our research projects. As part of the study we “brain mapped” him (QEEG) at the onset of the study. We saw two small head injuries in the back of the head and one big injury in the front of the head.

The frontal problem was expected, but the problems in the back of the head were not. I simply asked the parents, “When did he bash the back of his head?” They thought for a minute and remembered that when he was about six weeks old he had fallen out of his crib onto a hard flood so hard that they had to call an ambulance to take him to the hospital. They had forgotten about the incident during the clinical interview, but the mapping showed a clear problem. He fell on the back of the head, causing those injuries, and the brain “sloshed” forward causing the frontal injuries. These injuries have resulted in a lack of inhibition and cortical control, temper outbursts, and learning problems. The diagnosis here would not be ADHD, but rather a head injury.

Mark my words, in the next five years you will see lots of research showing that playing soccer causes minor head injuries from “heading” the ball. A brain researcher friend of mine has seen this several times now in treating soccer players (professional and collegiate) for memory problems and other cognitive problems.

Every once in a while we see someone who has been exposed to toxins come down with cognitive problems. We live one of the biggest agricultural areas in the world, and sometimes people get sprayed by chemicals, or get exposed to pesticides other ways. This can result in all kinds of neurological problems.

Tourette’s Syndrome is also commonly misdiagnosed as ADHD. Think of it as basically ADHD with tics, and it is a close genetic cousin to ADHD. But it is important to know the difference, as the treatment for ADHD is often stimulants, and sometimes stimulant medications can make Tourette’s worse. You can learn a great deal about Tourette’s Syndrome in a great book by David Comings, MD, titled, “Tourette Syndrome and Human Behavior.” It should be available through your library.

What are the major things to look for then? The big clue is in knowing whether the target behaviors (inattention, or impulsivity, or hyperactivity) have always been apparent to some degree or other, or if they just started one day. And if they just “started one day,” then did they start as the result of some event (traumatic or environmental) ?

ADHD is usually “always there” while the other things tend to have a starting date. Tourette’s is the exception, as sometimes it has “always been there,” and sometimes it has a starting date. Realistically, if it looks like ADHD, then it probably is, but as a clinician the other possibilities must always be ruled out before making a diagnosis and developing a treatment plan. Information on the different types of ADHD and specific treatment recommendations is available at the ADHD Information Library.

Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library’s family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.

Share This

If you are like me, you never know what to get dad for Father’s Day. Well, today, you’ll get a few ideas that will get you out of a bind any time.

Wallet Memories - Cut a business card size rectangle out of poster board. Decorate both sides with stickers, photographs, small messages, or drawings (for kids). Laminate it, and give it to dad. He can keep the card in his wallet - a reminder of your kind gesture.

Daddy Cake - Your child will love creating this Father’s Day cake. Bake a cake and then get busy decorating. You can create a golf scene for the golfing dad, a briefcase for the businessman, or simply, just a smiley face. Oh, what fun!

Short story - Write a short story where the hero is your dad. Don’t forget to mention some of the things you’ve always taken for granted, and never thanked him for. This will be a great keepsake for him. An alternative to this would be to write a poem for your dad and frame it for him.

Father of The Year Banner - design a father of the year banner and post it in the front yard before dad gets home on Father’s Day.

Breakfast in Bed - we always do this for mom, but this time, make dad’s favorite breakfast and serve him in bed. Better yet, make breakfast for 2 and leave him and mom alone to enjoy it.

Scented Pillow - sew a small pillow and fill it with cotton and a few drops of either clary sage, marjoram or ylang-ylang, or a combination of them, for an anti-stress effect. If you like, you can also hand-embroider some sweet saying like “World’s Best Dad”.

Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift ideas that don’t blow the bank. If you are looking for Father’s Day Gift Ideas, look no further. Want regular reminders on gift-giving? Sign up for her free monthly newsletter, Gift News

Share This

If you own a pet you will have fleas in the house from time
to time. In some cases you may become infested with fleas.
We have had as many as four cats at our house and we have
been infested with fleas a few times. We only have two
cats now so it is not as bad, but we still have to use the
process I am about to tell you about.

You really don’t have any control if your pet goes out of
your yard, but you will need to spray your own yard about
two times during the summer months with a good flea
insecticide. If you kill all the fleas in your house with
out killing the little pest in the yard you will continue
to have a problem inside.

One of the main reasons a house will become infested with
fleas is, after you vaccum your house and put the vaccum
away, every flea that was in the vaccum bag will crawl
right back out of the vaccum cleaner and into the house
and start multiplying.

The way to stop this is to take the bag out, spray some
flea insecticide in the bag and tape the hole of the bag
up. Then spray the insecticide around the house. If you
will repeat this process every two or three days for two
weeks you will not be infested with fleas any more.

You can resume your normal schedule of vaccuming after you
clear up the infestation, but you will still need to tape
the vaccum bag up just in case your pet brings a couple of
fleas in from outside.

The author, Clint Pollard is the webmaster of
History Of German Shepherd Dog
http://ncave.com/sites/germanshepherd.html

Share This

There are many home remodeling projects, but one of the most valuable in terms of increasing the value of the home is the bathroom remodeling job. Remodeling an aging bathroom can have a great many benefits, both in terms of livability and in terms of home value, but it is important to do the job the right way.

Start with proper planning

The great bathroom remodel starts with proper planning, and it is important to plan the project properly in order to have it turn out how you want. One priority, and unfortunately one that is often overlooked, is to obtain all the necessary permits from local and county governments. It is important to notify the township and other authorities of your plans, as failure to do so could leave you with a big fine o pay.

Another part of planning is to draw up a good set of architectural plans. A good set of plans will be a great help when hiring a contractor, and it will help the contractor more easily visualize the finished bathroom. If architectural drawings are beyond your abilities, a quick drawing, or even a set of photos from the architectural magazine you have been using as your guide, can be a good substitute.

Remember the utilities

Remodeling the bathroom may require moving utilities, and it is important to let the contractor know where the water lines are located, and which lines may need to be moved. It is important to know that structural changes may be needed in order to reroute water lines, or to bring in plumbing, electricity or telephone lines.

Start with a good foundation

The floor of the bathroom is one of the most important considerations, since the bathroom floor gets much more of a workout than the floor of most other rooms. The most durable of all bathroom floors is stone or ceramic tile. When properly installed, stone or ceramic tile will last a lifetime.

Of course the expense of stone and ceramic tile, coupled with the difficulty of installing it properly, puts it off limits to many homeowners. Vinyl flooring can be a good and more cost effective substitute for stone and ceramic tile. Vinyl is durable, and easy to clean, and it is comfortable, quiet and skid resistant as well.

No matter what type of flooring you choose for your bathroom remodel, it is important to install it properly. Improperly installed flooring will not last, and the last thing you want to do is end up doing is remodeling that bathroom all over again in just a few years.

Brooke Sikula is a freelance writer based in Ventura, CA and writes on a wide range of topics from home improvement to credit repair and everything in between. She is a regular contributor to http://www.get-home-improvement.com and http://www.credit-card-faq.com

For more information and advice on home improvement projects, check out http://www.home-improvement4u.com

Share This

It’s the usual thing every Parent goes through from time to time I guess.

“Daaaad, why can’t we get a dog?”

“Well son it’s like this, they take a lot of caring, they’re a big responsibility, they need feeding (this is starting to sound like a job description for Parenthood in general I know), and they need someone to walk them on cold dark winter nights.” Hit them hard with the triple mantra of “Dog Health, Dog Grooming and Dog Training” I thought, that will do the trick……..

So four weeks later there I was heading with my sister in law to the nearest branch of the Dogs Trust to check out some abandoned puppies from a litter that had been taken in before Christmas and were coming up to eleven weeks old and it was crunch time.

“What sort of dog were you looking for sir and what sort of experience have you had with dogs? We will need to take out references and check out where the dog is going to live, whether it is safe.” Heck, this was starting to sound like a job interview with the local bank not some search for an abandoned pooch.

It would possibly have been easier to pack a suitcase full of cash and hop on the next plane to some third world country and come home with a baby – a contentious view point I know but says more about the shoddy approach to most Intercountry Adoptions but I digress.

Five minutes later there I was walking round the inner courtyard of what sounded like canine hell. There is something deeply tragic about the way we treat our pets in this world (marginally better then we treat our fellow humans I know) and unless we stop treating pets and dogs especially with the same disposable mentality that we use when buying our next cheeseburger it is only going to get worse.

Trying to take a reasoned and rational approach to what can only be best described as a display of truly pathetic (in the truest of senses) wretchedness is extremely difficult. The Dogs Trust is wonderful organisation that copes, alongside numerous others, in a much challenged environment, with a miniscule budget and essentially damaged goods. It is a hard task to manage in a situation whereby the credo of the organisation is “we do not destroy any dogs” means that there is an ever increasing strain on budgets. The upshot of all of this is that you find yourself in a canine equivalent of a used car showroom but without the shiny cars, heating and cheap aftershave to keep you company.

It is a very functional environment whereby the dogs are well cared for, fed, kept warm, safe, dry and medically cared for but the Ritz Carlton it is not. The dogs are kept in pens with wire partitions and once one starts barking the rest join in for what seems to be the fun of it. The inhabitants of this canine community seem to recognise what is going on and pathetically struggle to out muscle, out do, and generally create as much interest in them as possible. Of course there is always the compete opposite, the really damaged ones who seem to have lost all interest in human contact remembering not too fondly the lack of humanity or brutality that led them to be here in the first place.

Interesting choice, I thought, feeling rather guilty at the fact that no matter what choice I made there were going to be at least forty or fifty of these frantic barking creatures that would be left here waiting for a better draw from the “lottery of fate” on another day.

I was very aware of the fact that the main driving force behind this choice was the fact that I had a seven year old son who was probably going to be the dogs main companion over the course of it’s life and therefore it would be an idea to find a dog that got on well with humans (not as easy as you think) and kids especially.

Yes, you got it; we ended up with a puppy, a cross between a Black Labrador and a Border collie (we think). It was one of those tragically funny situations when I looked at the paperwork and there it was in front of me, “Mother – Black Labrador, Father – unknown”. Apparently, the litter had been taken in before Christmas and though the mother was acquired at the same time and therefore known, the “likeliest suspect” for the Father apparently was a working dog at the nearest farm thereby giving rise to the “Border Collie, we think” routine.

As most dog owners will testify, despite feeling as if I had accomplished a great deal, it was only the beginning.

Steve Morgan is a freelance journalist who writes in many subject areas. He is a father to seven year old Sam and the family have recently acquired Elmo, a Black Labrador Border Collie Cross bred. 50 lbs of Fun, Fur and Destruction. Information about the goings on with Elmo can be found at http://www.nutsaboutpets.info and http://www.dogtrainingonline.ws plus regular Blog updates can be found at http://dogtraininguk.blogspot.com/

Share This

Home theater speaker systems comprise front stereo speakers, a center channel speaker, surround speakers, and a powered subwoofer.

Working together, these speakers create the surround sound experience of a professional movie theater in your living room. You will find several brands and models of good speakers; you have to ensure that they work as a cohesive unit. One very important aspect is voice matching. The best way to achieve this is choosing speakers from the same ‘family,’ by the same brand. Voice matching ensures a smooth flow of sound around you, creating a seamless surround effect.

The front left and right speakers offer a wide soundstage that combines with the video, creating a realistic movie experience. Apart from reproducing the musical score, front speakers also handle most of the special effects. You can find floor-standing speakers, bookshelf speakers, and satellite/subwoofer systems as front left and right speakers.

The center channel is a vital component of the home theater speaker system, delivering over 50% of the soundtrack, including almost all the dialogue of the film. Ideally, it should be located directly above or below your screen, because placing it elsewhere will disrupt the surround experience considerably. Choose its size in accordance with the sizes of the other speakers and the television set.

The surround speakers, apart from producing sounds like raindrops, or the rustling of leaves, also provides directional effects, such as a locomotive rushing by, a bullet whistling past, or the rumble of a spaceship. If the system includes a subwoofer, then most users prefer either bookshelf or satellite speakers requiring stand placement or wall mounting.

As most speakers can’t deliver that level of bass on their own, you need a subwoofer so that your home theater system delivers crucial low-frequency impact. A subwoofer can also enrich music listening; it is capable of rounding out all types of music, from classical to jazz to rock.

DVD Home Theater Systems provides detailed information on DVD Home Theater Systems, Wireless Home Theater Systems, Buy Home Theater Systems, Home Theater Speaker Systems and more. DVD Home Theater Systems is affiliated with DVD Movie Rentals.

Share This

Patio umbrellas help one enjoy the outdoors on a regular basis without overexposure to the elements. They shield from all the rigors of sun, wind, thunderstorm, pesky insects and even bird intrusions. They offer the perfect combination of sunlight and shade, fresh air and uncluttered space.

Known as patio, garden or market umbrellas, they are used by amusement parks, hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants, cafes, rental outlets, outdoor kitchens and domestic consumers. Patio umbrellas come in many shapes, colors and sizes. Round, square, octagonal, rectangular or even side-post, market umbrella sizes vary from 6 feet to 13 feet with or without tilt facilities. They can accommodate 4 people or a larger group, depending on the patio space dimensions.

Patio umbrellas can be simple roof protection, or like a tent (for greater privacy), or more up-market in design, with the entire patio enclosed in glass. They can be operated with a simple lever, a basic push-up system, a crank handle, dual pulley rope assembly or an electric auto lift. Retractable awnings are a great alternative for selective usage according to wayward weather patterns.

The poles and framework can be of stained hardwood, pure ash, mahogany and teak, heavy-duty powder-coated steel or anodized rustproof aluminum with an antique bronze finish. Thick polycanvas canopies work best but other choices are mildew-resistant polyester, synthetic thatch or dyed and lacquered acrylic fabric for fade resistance and easy cleaning. Scotchguard-coated canopies resist stains, rain, sleet or snow, and can be easy to maintain. Wind vents are provided for stability and cool air circulation.

Installation can be simple or complex, usually against a solid wall or building’s façade. Costs vary for a simple, do-it-yourself, stand-alone cover or a permanent enclosure that calls for a larger investment. Some patio umbrella models come with intricate light features where the wiring is built into the umbrella framework. Some embedded light systems come with continuous, chase, alternating and random settings. Low-voltage electric adaptors are also provided.

Before installing a patio umbrella it is good to get estimates from local dealers and match them against your patio requirements. Warranties range from one year to the 5-year life span of an average patio umbrella. Extras that are thrown in include matching carry bags, and/or replaceable canvas or frames, lights, torches, mosquito netting or fabric cleaners. Some canopies require bases for additional stability, which come in granite, cast iron or even bases with wheels.

To extend its life, close the umbrella canopy when not required, ensure it is regularly cleaned and spray it with UV umbrella protectant. Shade out all the extremities, snuggle up with a book, and laze under your cozy canopy for life.

Umbrellas provides detailed information on Umbrellas, Patio Umbrellas, Beach Umbrellas, Rain Umbrellas and more. Umbrellas is affiliated with Band Saws.

Share This

All classy baby showers today have some type of party favor or small baby shower gift to give attendees. This is a classy and caring way to thank all of the guests that have traveled from far away to help celebrate the welcoming of a new baby. While it is still possible to skip this step and go without it, it is highly recommended. Yet the baby shower party favor does not need to be a super expensive or extravagant gift. These are often just small fun tokens to remember the event.

Some ways that you can easily save money on baby shower party favors and gifts are to either assemble the gift yourself or even better make the whole gift yourself. Below you will find some simple ideas for both of these ways to save money.

Baby Shower Party Favors Savings Tip One: Some assembly required

In this category are party favors that need some assembly. This means buying in bulk and buying individual items and then putting them together to make your own custom and unique favors. Typically these can be objects that fit a theme and which can all be gathered in a small basket or gift bag.

Candles:

Candles are another fun item that can make a very classy baby shower party favor. These can be order in a variety of colors and sizes and in bulk of course. Then simply but them in a fun decorative bag or box with a nice bow on top and you have a great gift.

Bath Products: Soaps, bath oils and washes

Soaps can also be ordered in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and then assembled together to make a wonderful little basket of bath goodies. You can easily add to this some soothing bath oils, bath salts, or even fizzes. These are a lot of fun to give as you know the baby shower participant will be making good use of the gift and they will think of you as they relax and soak in the tub.

Picture Frames:

You can buy pretty plain picture frames at your local craft store and then decorate them to match the theme of the party. This can be a lot of fun to do with the help of others.

These are just a few quick ideas for the some assembly-required type of baby shower party favors. You can easily extend these into all kinds of fun gifts. The wonderful thing is you don’t have to spend all of your time making these types of gifts yet you can still add a personal touch. It is always good if you have already chosen a theme for the baby shower to tie the theme into the party favors if possible so keep that in mind as you browse the isles of your local stores.

Baby Shower Party Favors Savings Tip Two: Do it yourself

This is a more advanced category of baby shower gifts and great if you have the extra time or want to reall add a personal touch to the favor. This category of gifts are ones that you and your friends can make ahead of time and then have ready for the shower. They often require time to make the gifts so make sure you plan ahead. However, these are the truly classy types of gifts that people will remember years later.

Baking:

In the some assembly required category are baked items. Things like cookies, brownies, chocolate can all be easily made ahead of time and then assembled into a fun box or basket. Chocolate can be a particularly classy item to give away. With chocolate remember the often less is more and you do not need to make 25 individual truffle chocolate for each guest. Even just a small basket of three or four chocolate truffles arranged can make a wonderful gift.

There are a lot of other things you can easily make at home with the supplies from a local craft store. You can even your own soaps or candles for the shower.

Customization Tips:

It is always nice to tie the gift in with whatever the theme of the party is. Think about the colors of the rest of the decorations and try and match these colors in the gift-wrapping. If anyone knows calligraphy or can do some type of fun fancy writing this can be a nice addition. It is also easy to make custom tags with a computer that can add a personal touch to the baby shower party favor.

Just remember plan ahead and leave yourself time to assembly the gifts.

Free
Secrets of Baby Shower Planning 5 day course sign up now! Or for more info go here
to find baby shower game ideas, favors,
invitations, ideas, gifts, and free articles.

Share This