RaisingOurKids.com

http://www.raisingourkids.com

Last Christmas, my husband convinced me that it was time to get our children a pet, and to let them learn all the valuable lessons that come along with that experience. It wasn’t long before we were welcoming Lucky Star, a 3-month old puppy, into our family and into our hearts.

As my husband anticipated, our children learned quite a bit from having Star around. Our son learned the joys of cleaning up after a pet, and having to take the dog outside in all kinds of weather, day or night. Our daughter learned that she had to put her socks on in her bedroom, and never remove them anywhere near Star, or those socks would quickly become a chew-toy. Both kids learned to clean up their toys more quickly, so that they wouldn’t become ‘doggie toys’. Our daughter learned how sweet a puppy’s kisses can be. Our son learned how a dog can be a boy’s best friend when he is mad at the rest of the world. And both kids learned how much fun it is to play with their new “little sister”.

But recently, they learned the most difficult lesson in pet ownership, when we had to tell them about the unexpected loss of our dog. Our son, 11 years old, has had a very hard time handling his grief. He has been expressing it in anger, although not directed at anyone in particular. Our 6 year old daughter, on the other hand, has turned to her faith in God and heaven, believing that she will be with Star again someday, and that her puppy is in a happy place. We helped to comfort both of them the best we could, but my husband and I also had to face our own feelings of loss.

Here is some recommended reading on helping children cope with the loss of a family pet:
* Rainbow Bridge

http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

* Death Of A Pet

http://www.petfinder.org/journalindex.cgi?path=public/livingwithyourpets/counseling/1.30.1.txt

* Pet Loss – Helping Your Child Cope

http://dying.about.com/library/weekly/aa022898.htm

* Explaining Pet Loss To Children

http://www.griefhealing.com/article10.htm

* Pet Loss – Understanding Grief In Children

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/grief-children.html

* For Every Dog An Angel

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0965922502/raisingadaughter

* Dog Heaven

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0590417010/raisingadaughter

Although we were all handling our grief in different ways, there was one thing that we were on the same page about… our home just wasn’t the same anymore without a dog in it. So the kids and I have had the fun, yet difficult, task of trying to find another dog to bring into our home again. Now, a few weeks later, we haven’t been successful yet, but we aren’t giving up. I’ve learned a few lessons myself since we started this new search…

First, I found out the importance of not buying a pet from a “pet store”. Rather than try to explain this myself, here are a few places you can visit if you’d like to know why you shouldn’t give pet stores your business (be warned – these are heartbreaking, and may be graphic if you explore the sites at all):
* http://www.puppymillrescue.com
* http://www.kerryblues.org/RESCUE/WHYNOT.HTML
* http://yorkieviews.com/puppymills.htm
* http://www.hua.org/Prisoners/Puppymills.html

Secondly, I never realized how many pets there are out there already without homes. Take one look at websites like www.Petfinder.org and you’ll see what I mean. There are tons of rescue groups (for example, www.brewbeagles.org) and shelters (such as www.MichiganHumane.org), with plenty of lonely animals looking for a family to love.

If you are looking to add a new pet to your family, here are a few articles that are worth reading:
* Looking for a dog?

http://www.hua.org/Prisoners/dogs/buying.html

* How To Pick A Winner?

http://www.petfinder.org/journalindex.cgi?path=/public/adoption/1.1.27.txt

* Pledge For New Dog Adopters

http://www.petfinder.org/journalindex.cgi?path=/public/adoption/1.1.21.txt

Although this past month has been very difficult for us, I would never change the fact that we became pet-owners, because the right pet can be like a good dose of medicine for a family that is stressed out from a hectic life. And the months of fun, happiness, cuddling, and wet puppy-dog kisses from our Star were well worth it. We will gladly take that journey again when we find the right dog for us.

In memory of…
“Lucky Star”
9/10/2001 – 10/5/2002

——————————————————–
Valerie Zilinsky is a mother of two and webmaster of http://www.RaisingOurKids.com, which provides articles on every stage of childhood as well as an active community area. Visit RaisingOurKids.com for more support on showing your kids that you love them everyday!

This article provided by the Family Content Archives at: http://www.Family-Content.com

Retire Quickly

http://www.retirequickly.com/89863

I will share with you a few of my on-going thoughts
regarding the practice of keeping a journal.

I am not an expert on subject: but I am a proponent of
the art.

This is a highly *personal* article, and segments of what
I have written may not read well in your opinion.

However…

There’s a reason for my leaving things as they are: most of
what you will peruse in this short piece is from my journal,
and I don’t always make entries that “read well.”

On the contrary, my overall purpose for keeping a journal is
to engage in a practice which helps me *live well.*

May these very simple — but hopefully not simplistic –
meditations be a blessing to you in any one of the
following ways.  Should that transpire, I will deem the
time and effort I have taken to formulate these ideas a
success.  It would be an honor for me if what I share…

1. Encourages you to begin the practice of keeping a
journal or at least give it a try for a period of
time.

2. Causes you to reflect on your own life in a way
that is meaningful for you.

3. Prompts you to continue living “the good life.”
A life of excellence.

4. Inspires, encourages or motivates you in any way!

IN THE BEGINNING…

Recently I decided to begin the practice of journaling once
again in my life.  In order to assist me in the process, I
joined a forum and began to engage in a “21 Day Challenge”
of personal development.

As a part of the process, I wrote down my own guidelines
for the adventure.

“I will give myself the freedom to be creative in my
journaling.

It may be a quote, recording a victory, joy, or
struggle. I will also give myself the freedom to vary
in my ‘purpose’ for each journal entry.

I may ‘use’ my time for simple expression,
professional development or a variety of other
on-the-spot ‘reasons’ for a day’s entry. In this way I
will attempt to capture a ‘life in process’ — the
journey of my days during this time period.”

In other words, I defined what I wanted to accomplish with a
measure of personal freedom and creativity in mind.  I did
not want to jump-start a 21-day guilt trip for myself by
setting my expectations to high!

In addition, I decided to design something that was
“doable.” Below was the backbreaking endeavor I set out to
accomplish grin.

“Goal: 15 out of 21 days, M-F. each week.”

Based on my experience, I have two recommendations for you.
Should you decide to begin or renew your own practice of
journaling, I would encourage you to:

1. Design a “non-killer” objective.  In your own mind
what you set out to do should be *believable* and
*achievable.*

2. Define a set of “guidelines” or statements that will
serve to free you in the process.

Having said that, I will now continue to share a number of
random observations, insights and suggestions related to the
art of keeping a personal journal.

The comments after the headings in capital letters are the
thoughts from my journal.  They are in quotation marks and
will serve as a running commentary to highlight the main
topic of discussion.

I would suggest that you…

TAKE TIME TO PREPARE

One of my first entries after I made the decision to begin
my journaling activity was this:

“Being ‘prepared’ helps — i.e. a journal file open
and ready to record things if the opportunity comes
up.

Get something to record in.
Make it visible.”

If I were to continue that line of thinking today, I would
record…

“Take note of the time frames and locations that ‘just
seem to fit’ when it comes to ‘making it all happen.’

Capture those moments that appear to rise up and say
to you: ‘Now is a good time’ or ‘This is a good
location.’

Preparing does help. It really does.”

FREE YOURSELF

I wrote these words about the “freeing aspect” of my goals:

“Glad I ‘freed myself’ by making it simple and attainable –
that helps.

Principle: create your own ‘emotional freedom.’

Do whatever you have to do in order to give you…

A sense of freedom as opposed to obligation,
Delight instead of duty,
Encouragement instead of exasperation.”

JUST BEGIN

“Just starting the process helps.

How do you get up the mountain?  Begin.  Not new, but true.

Like anything else, just beginning the process helps.
That’s an advantage of making it simple and attainable.”

CAPITALIZE ON WHAT MOTIVATES YOU

Concerning the importance of incorporating into your life
anything that prompts you to accomplish your mission, I
wrote:

“Utilizing the motivation of this board helps.

Utilize whatever — or whoever — personally
motivates you to ‘get the job done.’”

MAKE IT FUN

These comments speak for themselves:

“Do what’s fun.

Structure it in a way that is fun or record in a way that is
fun.

Incorporate the ‘fun factor’ into your journaling
experience.  I have found that helpful.”

USE YOUR JOURNAL TO HELP YOU FOCUS

One day I decided to create a “gratefulness ledger” and
record various things for which I was thankful. I could
have listed *many* additional items.

But…

My goal was to give me freedom, remember?  I wanted to see
life that day through grateful eyes.

Here is what I recorded:

“Gratefulness ledger for this day…

I’m grateful for a loving, godly wife.

I’m grateful for good health and the Lord’s blessing
with my health.

I’m grateful for my ministry and the leaders He has
given me to serve with.

I’m grateful for being able to influence others for
eternity.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to continue
to develop my writing skills.

I’m grateful for a loving family.

I’m grateful for a past that didn’t totally destroy me.

I’m grateful I can pray.”

CHANGE YOUR STYLE

On another occasion I designed a section called “about
journaling” and recorded these thoughts concerning how we
we journal.  A given “style” if you please.

“Changing the ’style’ helps.

For instance, this day I quickly wrote down ideas in
the ‘Here and there’ section, added the ‘About
journaling’ section, began with a paragraph style,
and added a ‘Gratefulness ledger for the day’ section.

These were all spontaneous ideas.”

Please push the pause button on your mental control panel
for a few seconds and visit this phrase once again:
“spontaneous.”

I would encourage you to be spontaneous as you journal.
Spontaneity and creativity are soul mates.

Are you “in” to pictures? Add a photo to the pages of your
journal. After all, a journal is an expression of your life.

That is only one example.  I’m sure you will discover many
additional avenues to explore as you express *your* life,
in *your* way, in *your* journal.

RECORD YOUR INSIGHTS

A journal can be a place to collect various types of wisdom.

One day I recorded this observation:

“People Insights…

Transparency goes a long way in ‘connecting’ with people.

For instance, today in my class I shared about dealing with
temptations.  I’m sure that my openness and transparency
assisted me in having the students be open to what I was
sharing.”

FOLLOW YOUR DESIRES

By “follow your desires” I mean do what you feel like doing.

As an example, I enjoy creating quotes. The ones below were
crafted as a part of my journaling process.  I was “in the
mood.” Remember, spontaneity and creativity are soul mates.

GRACIOUSNESS
©Lee Wise 2003

The blend of kindness, honor, humility and respect I choose
to reflect to the people I touch in my everyday world.

HEARTACHE
©Lee Wise 2003

The opportunity God gives me to seek
His face and quietly trust Him with the
deepest needs of my soul.

TRACK YOUR EXPERIENCES

While going through some hard times, I recorded my
feelings about the times we call “hard.”

I penned these reflections…

“Expect and accept your emotional ups and downs.  You may
find your emotional pendulum swinging in wide range of
directions, for instance.  In my way of thinking, it’s
gotta happen!’

Don’t expect or demand everything to make sense. It doesn’t.

I think there is a measure of acceptance about life that is
required of all of us sooner or later.

I’m not talking about an acceptance that turns a blind eye
to injustices, inequities, or the pains associated with our
journey on earth: an acceptance that does nothing.

I am, however, speaking of accepting the best we can to the
tensions in life.  The tensions we face as we find ourselves
located at various places along the sliding scales that run
somewhere between the good and evil, pain and pleasure, in
our own life experiences.

For me, as a Christian, I can say ‘I don’t have to know why.
It’s enough for me to trust God and walk through this with
Him.’

Return to whatever brings you stability and comfort.

This could be any number of practices or people that have
helped you during the difficult days of your past.

If walking, journaling, resting, praying, talking to a
trusted friend, or listening to music helps you, then take
a walk, write in your journal, take an extra nap, pray, talk
to a friend or listen to the music!

The point: do whatever you need to do for your own comfort
and stability.”

RECORD IMPRESSIONS

As I was intently viewing a television program, I wrote:

“I’m watching the Hallmark special, and again I’m
reminded of the love, strength and fortitude of moms.
Amazing.”

Impressions recorded in church one day went like this:

“Today’s choices become tomorrow’s legacy.’

The choices you make today will, over time, become
your personal legacy.”

“Creativity communicates.  It can…

Inspire to action,
Challenge the mind,
And touch the heart.”

RECORD LIFE INSIGHTS

I will share two examples from my journal:

“Leadership insight: keeping people informed every step of
the way during change is needed.”

“Each role we have in life has its unique set of demands and
fresh opportunities for growth and renewal.  We are in an
on-going process of “becoming.”  The question we must face
is: ‘Who?’”

ASK YOURSELF IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

After reading a section of a book, I noted:

If I looked at a primary role in my life to be one of a
listener and learner…

What would that mean for me?

How would I change?

What wisdom would I collect?

Who would I contact?

How would it affect my ‘time’ with God?

ON TO THE ADVANTAGES

One day I decided to record a few — just a few mind you — of
the advantages of journaling.

I have chosen to limit my comments concerning the advantages
of journal keeping to that singular day.

Why?

For two reasons:

1. The purpose of this article is to encourage you
in the art of journaling and give you a few “how
to” ideas along the way.

2. Not enough space. It is a lengthy article as it
is!

My reflections went something like this:

“The advantages of keeping a journal…

It helps you remember.

This is only my 10th day of starting to journal, and in
reading over some of the thoughts I’ve written I
realize they aren’t as “fresh.”

It is a good place to quickly store ideas.

Good ideas.
Ideas that can make a difference in your life.

You can begin projects in your journal.

Kind of like an on-going file folder for a
’someday project.’  Like writing an article on
journaling, maybe LOL!

You can record suggestions or advice you give to others.

An example: I recorded in my journal questions and
thoughts to share with a couple about whether or not
they should stay in their present ministry or seek
another place to serve the Lord.”

WOW… THAT WAS LONG!

Long or no, I hope that somewhere in these 2000 or so
words you have been motivated, inspired, encouraged or
challenged in one way or another.

And I congratulate you for making to the end of this
commentary!

Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,

Lee

P.S. The forum I referred to where I took part in the “21
Day Challenge” is Total Life Success.   If you decide to
stop on by, be sure to say “Hi” to Mark from Lee!  Here’s
the link — http://success-forum.com

——————————-
Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business
at home, and writes two motivational ezines: “A Beautiful
Moment In Time” and “Hope For Daily Living.”  Permission
is given to distribute article. This paragraph must be
included.  Email:  Lee@seariches.net
Link: http://www.retirequickly.com/89863

This article provided by the Family Content Archives at: http://www.Family-Content.com

Momscape

http://www.momscape.com

A single good night’s sleep can rejuvenate your mind,
body, and soul. Here’s how to get one tonight:

IN PREPARATION

- A regular exercise routine will help you fall asleep
faster and wake up feeling more refreshed, but experts
don’t recommend vigorous exercise fewer than three hours
before bedtime. Instead, schedule your workout five to six
hours before lights out. (Exercise causes
your core body temperature to rise, and natural
sleepiness will set in when your body temperature drops
again).

- Find another place for stressful activities. Pay your
bills at the kitchen table, not in your bedroom.

- Avoid nicotine and alcohol before bed. Nicotine is a
potent stimulant, and the metabolism of alcohol has an
alerting effect.

- Skip the afternoon latte, too. The stimulating effect
of caffeine can remain for as long as 12 hours. Keep in
mind that many teas and sodas, such as Mountain Dew,
contain high caffeine levels, as well.

- Restrict your water intake just before bed and during
the night. Midnight trips to the bathroom can cut into
your sleep, particularly if you have a hard time dozing
off again. Six hours of continuous sleep often result in
a more rested feeling than eight hours of on-again,
off-again snoozing because non-consecutive sleep interrupts
its deep, restorative phases.

- Check to see if any of your prescription or over-the-counter
medications may be interfering with your sleep. Some
diet pills, birth control pills, anti-depressants, and blood
pressure medications can have a rousing effect. Sleeping
pills, while tempting, are not the answer. They quickly
lose their effectiveness and can be addictive.

AT NIGHT

- Create a nest. Eliminate clutter, maintain a comfortable
sleeping temperature, and keep the room dark. Nightlights
and bright moonlight can interfere with quality sleep.
Install window treatments that block light, such as wooden
Venetian blinds or shades with blackout lining.

- Practice aromatherapy. Lavender oil or a lavender sachet
on your bedside table may help you feel sleepy and more
relaxed.

- Maintain a consistent bedtime routine. Try eating a
high-carbohydrate snack 30 to 45 minutes before bed. Then
engage only in relaxing activities.

- Stock your bedside table with easy reads that are both
empowering and relaxing.

- Keep a notebook and a pen near your bed, as well, to jot
down any late night worries. The act of recording your
anxieties will help clear them from your head so you can
relax into slumber.

- Make a ritual of giving your subconscious a problem to
solve during the hours you spend sleeping. You’ll be surprised
how often you’ll wake up with the solution after a good
night’s sleep.

STILL CAN’T FALL ASLEEP?

-Just do it. Orgasms increase endorphins, which can help you
feel into a deep sleep.

-If your mate is causing you to lose sleep, get help.
Consult a doctor about a chronic snoring problem. Invest
in a good mattress so you won’t move every time your spouse
does.

-If you haven’t fallen asleep within 30 minutes, there’s a
problem. Staring at the ceiling will only increase your
anxiety. Get out of bed. Do something relaxing, such as
deep breathing or meditative exercises. Then try again later.

Copyright 2004 Susie Michelle Cortright

Susie Michelle Cortright is the author of the Soul Snacks
booklet series– a href=”http://www.momscape.com/soulsnacks”http://www.momscape.com/soulsnacks/a –
and founder of the award-winning website Momscape.com, featuring
exclusive resources to help women balance their busy-ness.
Visit a href=”http://www.momscape.com”http://www.momscape.com/a today and get her
“6 Days to Less Stress” course free.

This article provided by the Family Content Archives at: http://www.Family-Content.com

What You Should Know
Adopting a disease-fighting diet is easier than you think. When you shop, choose fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains, such as brown rice and whole-wheat bread. Avoid foods high in sugar and fat.
Here are some tips for arming yourself against disease with good-for-you foods:
Follow the Food Guide Pyramid
This guide tells you what foods to include in your diet each day and in what portions. It shows you how to have a balanced diet by eating foods from all the basic food groups:
· milk, yogurt and cheese (two to three servings; one cup of milk or yogurt would be one serving)
· meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts (two to three servings; one serving would be two eggs, ½ cup of tuna fish, or about ½ of a skinless, cooked chicken breast)
· fruit (two to four servings; one serving would be a medium-sized apple or banana, ½ cup of canned fruit, or ¼ cup of dried fruit)
· vegetable (three to five servings; one serving would be ½ cup of raw or cooked vegetables or one cup of raw, leafy vegetables, such as spinach or lettuce)
· bread, cereal, rice, and pasta (six to 11 servings; a slice of bread, ½ bagel or English muffin, or ½ cup of pasta would be a serving)
Think colour
When it comes to fruit and vegetables, eat lots of deep-coloured produce. Oranges and dark berries, like blueberries and cranberries, are especially rich in natural plant chemicals that can protect you against diseases like cancer and heart disease. Orange and dark green vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach are also rich in these plant chemicals.
Remember fibre
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables will give your body extra water and fibre, which will help keep your digestive tract clean and healthy. Beans, bran, whole-grain breads and brown rice, and high-fibre cereals are also good sources of fibre.
Make good bacteria your friend
Fermented foods like yogurt are especially good for you as you get older because they contain “good” bacteria that keep your digestive tract healthy. Check food labels for these bacteria.. The good bacteria in these foods also fight the bad bacteria that can enter your body through spoiled food and make you sick.
Eat fatty fish
Your body needs some fats to stay healthy, and the fats found in fish like salmon and tuna are good for your heart. Fish also provides a rich source of protein without the large amount of unhealthy fat you get from red meat.
Try soya
Eating about one to two ounces of soya protein daily can help lower cholesterol and unhealthy fat in your diet and protect you from heart disease. You can find many different soya products, which come from soyabeans, in your food store. The most popular are tofu, soya milk (in different flavours), soya burgers and hot dogs, soya ice cream, soya nut butter, and soya flour.
Drink plenty of water
To stay healthy, drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Pay special attention to drinking enough because your thirst decision dulls with age, and remember that if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.
Don’t abstain if you don’t have to
Beer and red wine, in moderation, are another rich source of plant chemicals. This means no more than one glass of beer or red wine a day for women, two for men.
Following a healthy diet, along with regular exercise, will prevent you from gaining weight, which is important for good health. Losing 10 percent of your body weight, for instance, could be enough to lower your cholesterol. Choose healthy foods for a longer and healthier life!
Don’t lose out, watch this space for regular updates!

About the author : Jon Wickham is the owner of Mabels…Maintaining Bygone Times, containing numerous articles thoughtfully researched mainly for the older person. You may access these articles by visiting http://www.mabels.org.uk/ – You will learn about the best tips to improve your health, fitness, finances, safety as well as information on nostalgic topics, places to visit & leisure & lifestyle.

This article provided by the Family Content Archives at: http://www.Family-Content.com

Over the years I have had to be creative in
saving money.  Trying to raise three small children
with a husband whose job required transferring every
couple of years, it was tough to stay anywhere
long enough to get beyond the moving expenses.
Even though his company paid to move us from one
city to another, there were always expenses associated
with selling the old house and fixing up the new one.

I learned a few ways to save without really
missing it beause I found ways to save money I never
got used to having.  Here’s how you can do it, too:

1.  Establish a savings account.  Today’s savings
accounts don’t earn much money, and you might think
that it’s not worth having, but it is a good practice
to get used to putting something away each payday
and not living off of everything you bring home.  As
your balances increase, you may consider investing
the funds in something that might earn you more money,
but for now, just get in the practice of saving.

2.  Don’t use change.  I don’t carry much cash
in my purse anyway, but I never carry change.
The coins that I receive after making a purchase
are thrown into a pocket in my purse and when I
get home, I throw them into a piggy bank.  About every
three months I’ll dump the coins out on the table
and roll them in coin wrappers.  It’s amazing to
me that I rarely have less than $25.  It’s money
I never missed, so I hate putting it right back
into my wallet.  Instead, I exchange it at the
bank for bills and put it into my emergency
backpack.  For those of you who don’t know what
an emergency backpack is, it contains essentials
I might need for 72 hours if I had to leave my
house in a hurry.  It is always good to have at
least a small amount of cash when plastic may not
work.

3.  Remember that bonuses shouldn’t be for “catching up.”
Most of us spend all year and then depend on bonuses to help
get us out of financial trouble.  Have you ever
had a year when the boss didn’t come through with
the bonus?  Then you know how devastating that can
be when you have overspent all year.

We used to have our credit cards charged to the max!
Each year my husband would get a bonus, or a profit
sharing distribution, and we would pay the credit
cards off, vowing to never get in that shape again!
Because we had so much debt, there wasn’t much spendable
income, so as you might imagine, we used the
credit cards and maxxed them out again.  We finally got
smart and made a commitment we would not use credit
cards except for purchases we knew we could pay off
each month.  This meant no big ticket items, and we
estimated that we could afford no more than $500
each month for the credit card payment.  Ten years ago
we were able to pay the cards off, and I’m
thrilled to say that we have been successful
with our goal.  It feels so good to write that
check for the total balance due every month and
not have to pay any interest expenses.

3.  Hide the raise!  About 15 years ago I changed
jobs and got a good raise along with it.  I had
been able to live on the salary I was making,
so I decided to sign up for an automatic deposit
to my savings account each payday. Instead of
finding things I could buy with this extra $500
a month, I was socking it away into my savings.
Funny thing was that we never missed it because
it was never a part of our spendable income.
It helped me feel secure because I knew if
we did have an emergency, at least we had the
funds available.

4.  Save money from rebates.  Sometimes we get
checks in the mail as rebates from items we’ve
bought.  They may or may not amount to much money,
but you’ve already paid for the item.  Just take
the rebate and stash it in your special account.

In order to accomplish your goal of saving money,
you have to be committed to it.  Decide now that
you will live on your spendable income and put
the rest away.  You’ll be surprised at the peace
of mind you will feel when you start paying
yourself.

Copyright 2003 Joyce Moseley Pierce
mailto:joyce@emersonpublications.com
Joyce is a freelance writer and owner of Emerson Publications.
She is the creator of “All They’ll Need to Know,” a workbook
that will guide your family when you can’t be there with them.
ISBN 0-9725726 http://www.emersonpublications.com/atntk.htm
She is also the editor of The Family First Newsletter, an
ezine for families with young children. To subscribe,

http://www.emersonpublications.com/famfirst.htm

This article provided by the Family Content Archives at: http://www.Family-Content.com

Save Money

http://www.megaone.com/hbb/savemoney/

Preventive Healthcare: The Cheapest Way To Stay Healthy

By Irina

Who won’t agree that prevention is the most economical form
of healthcare? Yet, a recent government study showed that
55% of all Americans do not receive preventive services
such as:
- immunizations,
- screening tests, and
- education about healthy habits and injury prevention.

It used to be simple: everyone needed a standardized
“complete physical” exam once a year. But in the 1980s, an
independent committee of physicians called the U.S.
Preventive Services Task Force concluded that over the long
run, it doesn’t pay off in terms of better health and
longer life.

The good old head-to-toe physical became unnecessary for
healthy people, since it yields too few benefits for its
cost. Some routine tests, such as chest X-rays,
electrocardiograms (EKGs), urine tests, and complete blood
counts are now reserved only for people with symptoms or
risk factors.

No wonder that both doctors and patients are confused by
contradictory recommendations. What should a medical
checkup consist of? Does everybody need an annual physical?
Should all men get a PSA test? At what age should a woman
start having mammograms?

Experts will continue to argue, but each of us has to make
his/her own choice. With insurance premiums constantly
rising, simply getting an access to preventive services is
a serious financial challenge, but there are some
alternatives that give us hope.

The most promising is the idea of so-called patient
advocacy via health care savings programs. The availability
and popularity of these programs is picking up year after
year, as more and more people, unable to get or afford
health insurance, are discovering them for the first time.
These programs negotiate prices with health care providers
on behalf of their members. Since they represent large
groups, the resulting discounts are usually the same that
the hospitals and physicians give to big insurance
companies.

Unlike traditional insurance model, the patient advocacy
actually encourages people to seek medical help as soon as
the need arises thus preventing “little aches” form
developing into life-threatening illnesses and financial
disasters. Monthly membership fee is affordable and no one
can be turned down because of a pre-existing condition.

Many of such programs also allow their members to
contribute money to medical savings accounts. Federal law
makes this an attractive option, because medical savings
accounts are tax deductible or not taxable at all, as long
as the funds are used to pay for healthcare.

(C) by Irina 2003.

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About the Author:
Irina helps people save money on healthcare and create
steady stream of residual income working from home

http://www.megaone.com/hbb/savemoney/

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In their recent comprehensive review of the literature, Nancy Robinson and Kate Noble report:
Perusal of a large group of studies of preadolescent children revealed [that] …as a group, gifted children were seen as more trustworthy, honest, socially competent, assured and comfortable with self, courteous, cooperative, stable, and humorous, while they were also seen as showing diminished tendencies to boast, to engage in delinquent activity, to aggress or withdraw, to be domineering, and so on. (N. Robinson & Noble, 1991, p. 62)
It would appear obvious from these studies that gifted children are highly socialized. It is interesting that the context of most of these studies was some form of special provision for the gifted, such as special classes or acceleration. Clearly, then, gifted children’s socialization does not suffer the slightest when special provisions are made for their learning needs. Ann Robinson advises parents and educators to speak plainly on the issue of cooperative learning as therapy for socially maladjusted, talented students. The assumption that gifted children are more likely than others to have a variety of personal and social problems is not supported in the literature. Thus, the pill of cooperative learning may be prescribed for a perfectly healthy patient. (A. Robinson, 1990, p. 35)
Up to this point we have been addressing primarily the issue of socialization. According to the dictionary, socialization is the ability to adapt to the needs of the group. Gifted children are very adaptable, particularly girls. But at what price? If one works very hard at fitting in with others, especially when one feels very different from others, self-alienation can result. And this is exactly what we find in so many “well adjusted” gifted youth and adults. In their desperation to belong, they have given up or lost touch with vital parts of themselves.
Social development, on the other hand, is not the pressure to adapt, but a deep, comfortable level of self -acceptance that leads to true friendships with others.
Lasting friendships are based on mutual interests and values, not on age. Individuals with good social development like themselves, like other people, demonstrate concern for humanity, and develop mutually rewarding friendships with a few kindred spirits. Social development goes hand in hand with self-actualization, whereas socialization is merely the desire to conform – often the opposite of self-actualization. The research indicates that special provisions for the gifted foster good social development (Silverman, 1993); this, rather than fitting in, should be our aim for them.
REFERENCES
Robinson, A. (1990). Response to Slavin: Cooperation, consistency, and challenge for academically talented youth. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 14, 31-36.
Robinson, N.M., & Noble, K.D. (1991). Social-emotional development and adjustment of gifted children. In M.C. Wang, M.C. Reynolds, & H.J. Walberg (Eds.) Handbook of special education: Research and practice, Volume 4: Emerging programs (pp. 57-76). New York: Pergamon Press.
Silverman, L.K. (1993). Social development, leadership and gender. In L.K. Silverman (Ed.), Counseling the gifted and talented (pp. 291-327). Denver: Love.

Accumulating Images from Various Art Periods
Renaissance paintings are wonderful for depicting medieval themes, people, environments, landscape – of course too, the role the church played – there are differences between styles depending on the country. IE: British Isles, Netherlands, Italy and so on. Historically, some fascinating things are beginning to emerge politically and consequently geographically.
The Baroque Period depicts lifestyle changes, try introducing the music from this period.
The Impressionists – a familiar and comfortable group of painters, controversial in their day,. Explore why this group was controversial. Describe why their painting style is different. How has the style changed? What were they trying to achieve? Describe their use of color. You can group these painters into subject areas (landscape, portraits, social groups). How do they tell a story about the people, their times. What noticeable differences are there between then and now? Look for paintings by Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Picasso, Renoir, Turner and Degas.
Post Impressionists – A growing interest in different cultures. Masks play an important roll. Artists include: Van Gogh, Gauguin, Rousseau, Matisse, Toulouse Lautrec.
20th Century Art is a lot of fun. Try out some of the abstract expressionists from pre and post World War II period – particularly the German groups. Paul Klee is one example of an artist children will relate to.
Check out the work done by the political artists of 20th Century Russia as an example of social and political repression. Look for work done in this century by artists commenting on social injustices during the second World War. Kathe Kolowitz is a very articulate example. These artists and the art they produced is a great way to introduce periods of social/geographical change.
The work of Canada’s Group of Seven was very controversial. Explore the images of artists A.Y. Jackson, Lawren Harris, Frank Carmichael, Fredrick Varley, J.E.H. MacDonald, Arthur Lismer and Frank Johnston. Discuss why the work was controversial. How do these artists portray Canadian landscape? What feelings do these images evoke? How did these artists change Canadian painting? Which work do you like the best? Why?
Don’t forget Tom Thomson’s work. Although this artist was associated with members of The Group of Seven, he died before the group was officially named. His well-known images are symbolic of Canada’s rugged wilderness and are still as hauntingly beautiful today as they were 70 years ago when they were painted.
Native [Canadian] Art including West Coast and the Eastern Woodland school are tremendous sources of imagery. Contemporary Native Art is challenging and at times controversial, it often dispels stereotypes and creates a dialog between the work and the viewer.
There are a wide range of posters and books available in all these areas and often accessible at frame shops, museums and art galleries. Check “remainder” or used book stores for great $1.00 to $10.00 books. They are invaluable resources.

Gaining Symbol Knowledge

This is helpful in trying to understand or read the painting. Some contemporary artists make that process difficult because they develop their own set of symbols, however, one can simply ask for interpretation or begin decoding themselves. Historically, the same symbols or variations of the same symbols are used. Colors are symbols as well as in some cases the composition of a work will indicate a symbol.
Trusting Your Intuition
Your intuition will tell you a lot. Never be afraid to share how you feel about a work. It is your opinion and a valuable one. If a painting or sculpture makes you feel angry, frightened or sad, figure out why. In a lot of cases, we tend not to work through those feelings when we look at work because the feelings make us uncomfortable – in most cases, the artist wanted us to feel that way. Ask yourself why – what issues arise from those feelings? Confrontation is not unusual in a work. Again, examine what response the artist is trying to elicit.
Using Analogies
When Describing a Work of Art, ANALOGIES Are Very Helpful.
Art, music and language arts all use the same descriptives and they virtually mean the same thing.
A composition is the same in each of the arts – a building of words, notes or images that will eventually tell a complete story.
Lyrical, harmony and balance are all great words to describe a work of art.
Encouraging Risk Taking
ENCOURAGE Children to Take Risks with Their Work
The more often they do art work, the more inclined children will be to take those risks. Their work will not be so precious to them.
Repetition, like math and spelling, reinforces their skill and their ability to move forward.
Encourage students to work with “mistakes”. This challenges, yet also enables them to problem solve.
Creating an Environment Free of Certain Art Tools
You are doing sculptures with egg cartons and you don’t have enough … what other materials could you use?
Take away the color red or blue or black in your student’s palettes.
Have the students choose three colors they hate and create something they love.
Dealing With Criticism
When a student criticizes their own work, ask them what they DO like in it.
Encourage them to find something positive.
Involve them in a positive critique of the work.
What would you have done differently?
Do you think you could change the way you did that the next time?
Some Final Thoughts
Experiment yourself.
Try what the students are doing – you’ll run into the same snags they will and this will help you answer the questions that arise.
Take an art class, teaching styles vary and you will learn a lot.
Register in a beginner’s watercolor or drawing class and apply the techniques you learn to the work your students are doing.
Try a parent/child art class that you can participate with your child in – a valuable experience in many ways.
Don’t forget to use Community Resources – the Internet, the library, local art clubs, art gallery, retail art gallery, print shops, colleges, community artists and art associations in your area.
Don’t forget to try a variety of activities – Illustrate a book, try some printmaking, build a sculpture, do a loose experimental work, try some precise, very articulate drawing.
Just remember …………. The best part of art is to have fun, experiment and yes … make a (controlled) mess!!!