As parents who love our children, one of our main objectives to raising healthy minded and goal oriented children is to give them a sense of purpose in life. Many people may disagree about whether or not purpose in life can be found through employment or leisure activities, but few will debate the necessity for living life with a feeling of purpose and meaning. Even kids need to feel that they are important and can help accomplish tasks.Filed under News by 
Fun in the Sun 4th of July Activities for Kids
Celebrating the 4th of July is an American tradition. It is a day to celebrate our counties birth, liberty, and freedom. It is a time to remember all those who have given their lives for our country and remember those in the Armed Services that can't be here and are helping protect and support our country. We want our kids to enjoy the day as well. Here are a few fun-in-the-sun 4th of July activities for kids that you can utilize on this special day and some tips to help keep this special day safe.
Buy a red, white, and blue piñata. Fill it with candies and small toys. Set it up in the backyard patio. When you are finished with your barbecue dinner, give the kids a chance to whack the piñata and enjoy all of the riches that fall to the ground.
Do you have a pool in your yard? If so, you’ll want your guests, including the kids, to bring bathing suits to the party. To this end, here is another party activity: Fill up red, white, and blue balloons with water and initiate a “toss the balloon” game. Each child can toss a balloon to the other. Whichever kid catches the most balloons without them breaking wins.
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"Being Sneaky"
By Julie Baumgardner
A young lady told her parents she was going to the movies with friends. When asked what movie they were going to see, she promptly told her parents one title knowing that she intended to view an R rated movie, which would be unacceptable to her parents. She says she will never forget the moment when someone sat down next to her in the movie theater…it was her father!
Another teen’s parents specifically told her she could not have a space on facebook.com or myspace.com. Over time her parents suspected she had a space. After being confronted, she confessed, but felt justified in her actions because “everyone else is doing it.”
Some would say this is typical behavior for teens and just part of growing up. But in a world with so much uncertainty, how much room should parents give their children? READ More on Teaching Teens Accountability and Responsibility
I was just looking at one of these last Christmas to put away for my sons upcoming birthday. It is unfortunate they are being recalled. While there have been no injuries reported, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall with the firm below of the Play Wonder Toy Barbecue Grill. The circular ash tray on the picture to the right could pose a laceration hazard. Consumers are urged to take these away from children immediately and return them to Target for a refund.
About 2300 units of this product are affected. Target of Minneapolis, MN distributes this product and Schylling of Royley, Mass is the manufacturer. These units were sold at Target nationwide from December 2006 to February 2007.
If you have any questions you can get more detail at the target website www.target.com, or call 1-800-440-0680 Monday through Friday from 7 am to 6pm CT.
Filed under News, Product Recalls by
My 9 year-old daughter recently informed me that summer was fast approaching, as if I wasn’t aware of the change of seasons around me. Rather than asking me what we had planned for this summer, she informed me that plans were underway with her “summer friends” as she calls them – a group of girls she sees exclusively at camp when school’s out. For the last two years, they’ve attended the same day camps and have had a blast. Summer has become a treasured time for them to build on their friendships while trying their hand at a new activity each year.READ More on Summer Camp 101: How to Select the Perfect Camp for Your ChildFiled under Family, Kids Activities by
Of the millions of parents in the world and each has their own different parenting style. This is not surprising as it would be crazy to think that the vast amount of parents in the world would all have the same method of parenting. And, while there are a multitude of differences, the categories of a different parenting style generally fall into four specific areas: Indulgent, Authoritarian, Authoritative, Permissive, and finally Connection Parenting. Connection Parenting is my style of parenting that I am working on, and I am hoping more parents will discover this wonderful style of parenting. Here is a description of some of the main parenting styles. Which one is yours?READ More on What is Your Parenting Style?
Filed under Parenting by
This recall alert affects various Thomas and Friends™ wooden railway components and vehicles. According to the U.S .Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 1.5 million units are affected with this recall sold from January 2005 through June 2007.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with RC2 Corp issued a recall due to lead in the surface paint of these products. Lead ingested by children can have adverse side affects.
Unless others instructed consumers should stop using these products immediately. For full information on the recall, including exactly which products, and for a return form, you can visit: http://recalls.rc2.com/recalls_Wood_0607.html or call RC2 Corp toll-free at
You can also read more about the recall at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Photo copyright Consumer Product Safty Commission
Filed under Product Recalls by
