Unique and Thoughtful Gifts That Will be Appreciated

Gift-giving can cause unnecessary stress – for both the giver and the give-ee! Today, many people are stepping away from accumulating “stuff” and are looking for non-material gifts that will be appreciated by the recipient. If you’re not sure what you can give that doesn’t involve a box and ribbon, here are some ideas for unique and thoughtful gifts that will be appreciated.

1. Memberships
One of the keys to giving thoughtful, non-material gifts is to give someone something they are not likely to buy for themselves. Memberships to gyms, museums, clubs, and other organizations can give someone the privilege of membership they’d not buy on their own.

2. Swaps
Okay, this does involve material things – but it’s not about accumulating more stuff. It’s about helping others and receiving something at the same time.

Getting a swap together requires time and space, and you need to know if there is interest. The swap can be for toys, household items, clothes, or whatever; just so you have something of a theme to tie it together. The idea is this: everyone brings items that are still in good condition but that they no longer need. Then everyone simply trades; no money is exchanged.

3. House Cleaning and Organization
Who wouldn’t want a free house cleaning as a gift? or maybe just someone to spend a few hours organizing your closet or pantry. Offer these services to friends and/or family (tactfully) and it will be appreciated.

4. Childcare
This is another gift of service that can be a big help in someone’s life. Of course, it depends on the family’s dynamic; but offer to do what you know falls within the comfort level of everyone involved. It might be that you come to the house and watch the kids while the mom gets something done (the “mother’s helper” role), or it may be watching the children of a single mom while she goes out to coffee with a friend.

5. Home Improvement Project
Do you know someone who really needs something done around the house but doesn’t have the time or money? Offer to do the project for them! Maybe it’s re-tiling the bathroom or fixing a leaky faucet, or maybe re-painting a room. Getting it done for them would be a welcome gift!

6. Take a Trip
For many, creating memories is better than piling up material items that get forgotten or broken. Doing the planning and paying are part of the gift, so the recipient just gets to relax and enjoy. It might just be a day trip and lunch, or a week-long vacation! Whatever time and budget allow will work.

There are lots of other ideas, too, from gift certificates to spa appointments. Let your imagination go and think outside the gift box.

The Value of Doing Nothing

When was the last time you sat and did nothing? How long did it last? No, we’re not talking about sitting in front of the TV folding socks and t-shirts. We’re not talking about chatting on the phone with your mom. Or the day you sat down to work and ended up reading Yahoo articles and Pinterest recipes for twenty minutes. We’re talking nothing. Doing nothing at all: simply sitting still and doing nothing. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Doing nothing has its value.

Winnie the Pooh author AA Milne said, “Don’t underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.” Many people will argue that we don’t do that enough. Stopping to listen has its benefits.

People often get their best ideas while doing nothing. Walt Disney spent countless Saturdays in Griffith Park watching his daughters play on the carousel, waiting for hours until they were ready to go. It made him wish there was a park where kids and parents could enjoy things together. Was Mr. Disney doing nothing? Um, only coming up with the idea for the greatest theme park in the world…

Writers, songwriters, actors, inventors and philosophers have all been known to get their best ideas while doing nothing. Whether it’s a nap, a shower, driving, yard work, or cleaning, creativity is often at its peak when we allow our minds to not focus on the problem we’re trying to solve, but instead let it rest. Problems get solved, final acts get written and songs get composed.

Stephanie Meyer says the concept for her Twilight series came to her in a dream. J.K. Rowling says the world of Harry Potter came to her fully formed while she was riding a train. The song “Pretty Woman” was written when Roy Orbison was just playing anything that came to mind. His wife said she was going to go to the store, his partner, Bill Dees, made a comment and Orbison sang “Pretty woman… walking down the street.” The song was finished that day, recorded a week later and a week after that the song was out.

Monks spend hours sitting in meditation. Are they doing nothing? They’re lowering their blood pressure, clearing their minds, improving their circulation and perhaps learning something about themselves. There’s an old Zen saying recommending meditation for 20 minutes every day unless you’re too busy – then you should meditate an hour.

Consider Baloo’s advice from the cartoon Jungle Book: “If you act like that bee acts…. Uh-uh… you’re working too hard….I’ll tell you something true… the bare necessities of life will come to you.”

Back in the day, people would sit on their front porch. They’d basically sit and do nothing. Watch a butterfly or birds in the yard, sip lemonade, or swing on the porch swing. The lazy summer days are nearly gone now – today’s porch sitter would be texting, reading Twitter updates or news headlines. There’s no time for sitting. Maybe there should be.

Next time you’re headed out on a neighborhood powerwalk or heading out to sit on the deck, consider leaving your phone and tablet behind. Just sit there, sip your coffee and look around. Sometimes a little rest, a little daydreaming, a little cloud watching or stargazing is good for the soul. In the words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.”

The Language of Flowers How to Create a Wedding Bouquet

Your wedding bouquet is one of the most important things in your wedding, but if you don’t have the language of flowers, creating your own may not come naturally to you. You may not have the slightest idea how to make a bouquet, but if you need to save money where you can, creating the bouquet for your wedding might be a must for you.

Here are some basic instructions on how to make a beautiful bouquet that you’ll remember forever.

You’ll need 30-40 real flowers, your sink, a bucket, a knife, floral tape, and ribbon.

When choosing your flowers, make sure they’re to your liking so you don’t have to spend more money than necessary. Make sure you choose the right colors and the right flowers so your design is perfect. You should also include greenery and baby’s breath.

When you get started it’s important to have 10-12 flowers left over just to be safe. You never know when one could break or if the petals fall off.

The next step is to remove the leaves from the stem. However, leave them near the flower itself. This will help you have greens in your bouquet to go along with the flowers.

Next you need to place your flowers under cool water. Using a sharp knife, cut the stem off at an angle – approximately two inches from the bottom. This technique will help your flowers absorb water.

Once the stems are cut, it’s important to run them under water for approximately one minute. This will help your flowers to soak up as much water as possible.

Place the flowers in a bucket of cool water.

One by one, arrange the flowers in your desired fashion. Make sure you intermingle baby’s breath and green flowery pieces throughout your bouquet.

Once your arrangement is complete, dry the stems with paper towel. Wrap the stems in floral tape, tight enough so they’re secure and won’t move. Make sure you leave two inches at the bottom without tape so you can cut the stems so they’re the same length.

At an angle, cut the stems under running water, making sure they’re all the same length.

At this point you’re ready to add any ribbon and other decorative pieces to your bouquet. Make sure you use ribbon to cover the floral tape you placed on the stems.

The ribbons you use and the flowers you choose can make all the difference in the world. It’s important to choose what’s right for you. The right decision may be based on the season, the colors you choose, and your favorite flowers. It’s important to remember there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to your bouquet. It’s yours and only yours so it’s important not to let anyone affect your decision.

Your bouquet is part of what you’ll remember for years to come. When you follow these steps you’ll be able to make your own bouquet. You’ll find creating them yourself will make them that much more special.

The Hands-On Approach to Lessons

People learn in different ways. Some read things and have the ability to figure it out, while others need to use the hands-on approach to learn. The old way of counting on your fingers and toes may be what some people need. There’s nothing wrong with either way as long as you know what works for you and how to get it done.

If your child is a visual learner and needs to do things on his/her own with their hands, there are many ways to make this happen. You can help them at home and if it’s serious enough you can make the same recommendations to the teacher as well. There’s no point in trying to teach your child how to do something and have the teacher try to do it the complete opposite way. Even though the teacher spends more time with your child than you might, it doesn’t mean you have to fight when it comes to teaching and helping your child learn.

It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to help your child with math or history, the hands-on approach will still work. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.

Math

With math problems you can help your child learn the hands-on approach easily. You can use flashcards, pictures, or a counting stand. The counting stand can be helpful and often times resemble the blocks used when playing table games. Any of these tools will work, but may not work for every problem you’re trying to solve. The best thing to do is find the tools that work with each lesson.

Relating to the child’s likes may help with the learning process. For example, you don’t want to use cars if your child is not interested in cars, but at the same time you maybe wouldn’t want to use flowers if your child is a boy. When you use things that are interesting to them they’ll pick up on it easier.

History

History is a little harder to learn when you learn hands on, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get it done. When trying to teach a child history through the hands-on approach, you may need to use visual objects they can pick up or touch with their hands. These would include maps, items that are closely related to what you’re studying, or re-enactments. This is another one of those things that may need to be lesson specific, but it is possible to teach in this manner when you do your research.

There are no two people that are alike which makes it really difficult to teach things to others. Even siblings aren’t the same, which produces challenges for parents as well. The important thing to remember is they need to learn and you need to teach them.

If hands-on learning is what they need, then you need to help make it happen. Almost every subject can be taught in this manner if you put some research into it and find out what needs to be done.

The Coolest Colors for 2014

We’re nearly midway through the new decade and we’ve seen a lot of trends come and go. This year will be full of new trends and colors. Here are some ideas for what designers and color experts say are the coolest colors for 2014.

Where do these cool colors come from? Every year a company called Pantone releases its color suggestions for the year, and the fashion industry is always several years and seasons ahead. Paint companies, interior designers, magazines, furniture makers, curtain manufacturers … basically the whole world follows these trends.

One less industry-driven way of choosing popular colors comes from Feng Shui. According to this Chinese philosophy, 2014 is the year of the wood horse. That means shades of green and brown will be powerful in the coming year. This can be any shade of green from forest, moss to olive, sage to lime, fern, grass… even pale mint greens. Browns will come in all varieties as well – from cappuccino to mocha or burnt umber, walnut, amber, cinnamon, nutmeg, hazelnut, tan, mahogany, sienna or plain old khaki.

Not surprisingly, the Feng Shui actually bleeds into the fashion industry and green and brown are two big colors for 2014. The fashion industry also expects to see stark black and white along with icy pastels and light shades of pink trending for spring 2014.

Water elements are also important in 2014, so shades of blues and black will also bring luck — think royal and navy blues, which can be mixed with black despite what your grandmother may have advised.

In addition, earthy tones will be popular in 2014. Think rusty browns, dusty desert tones and warm russets, earth tones. Beige, brown and gray tie up the neutrals for the earth tones.

For reds, colors like caramel lust, crimson, and tomato will burst onto the scene in the New Year. Expect these colors to be out full force in the summer, along with citrus orange and daffodil.

Deeper shades of purple are also in vogue, especially deep blue purples to show passion, as are all shades of glowing, youthful pink.

For the home, shades of gray are the up-and-coming neutral color for interior paint colors. With an elegant backdrop of gray, silver is a nice accent for added pop.

White is also making a comeback – as more people are downsizing, they’re remembering that light-colored walls can open up a small space.

Look for always-popular blues and greens and also a newcomer: mustard yellow. Whether it’s used as an accent or a base, mustard yellow is opening the door to new possibilities for designers and homeowners alike.

Finally, in the auto industry: If the color “Rosso Corsa” doesn’t want to make you ready to buy a new red car, what does? There’s school bus orange “Dozer yellow” and “Stinger Yellow,” which may make you want to channel your inner Kill Bill Bride. “Peridot Green Metallic” is a new alligator-green color, and “Starfire Pearl” is a creamy, sparkly white that shimmers as you drive. The new “Grabber Blue” is a Montana-Big-Sky color that just may inspire you to take an epic road trip.

Whether it’s fashion, interior design, or considering a new car, there are beautiful new colors on the horizon for 2014 – a whole rainbow of possibilities.

Stress Management Myths

When it comes to stress management, myths can be misleading or damaging. And unfortunately, there are some prevalent myths about this all-too-common problem of stress.

Here are some of the myths of stress management for you to watch out for.

1. Some Stress is Good
While it’s been said that some stress is good – for example, the stress you feel when you have a big presentation coming up is said to motivate you to do better – but “stress” may not be the right word to describe what motivates you to work hard on your presentation. Instead, it might be inspiration or stimulation, not stress. When we’re talking about chronic stress, it’s not ever good.

2. Stress is Unavoidable
This myth might come from the prevalent nature of stress – people feel it’s “just life.” But feeling stressed all the time is indeed avoidable, even though we can’t always control or choose every circumstance and situation. Rather, changing your mindset and practicing mindfulness can actually decrease stress hormone levels, sources say. So reducing stress is certainly possible, meaning that not all stress is unavoidable.

3. All Stress is Caused by Circumstances
This may tie in with #2, where people assume that since they can’t control their circumstances, they can’t avoid stress. But stress is more about how you respond to circumstances than the circumstances themselves. Yes, some things are inherently stressful; but how you work through those emotions and manage them has a lot to do with how much stress you experience.

4. Stress is Part of “Making It”
When you picture a successful person, you may picture him or her madly working, never resting, and being completely driven and stressed out. But actually, it’s not healthy to be a workaholic, and it’s not necessary to stress yourself out to be successful.

5. If You “Feel Fine” You’re Not Stressed
Not necessarily so, unfortunately. Of course, if you’re not stressed, you probably won’t have symptoms; but it’s possible to be stressed and not show any symptoms at all, or experience symptoms that are not generally associated with stress. For instance, a stressed person may experience physical problems like shortness of breath or headaches. Other times, the symptoms are psychological or mental, such as memory problems or being disorganized.

6. Stress is “No Big Deal”
This myth implies that stress only needs to be addressed if it becomes a big deal, such as when it results in a heart attack. But why ignore stress until it tries to kill you? It makes more sense to manage it before the big crisis hits, which is why the “no big deal” myth can be so dangerous.

The bottom line with all these myths is, if you feel over-stressed, it’s time to seek help and appropriate management techniques.

Single Woman’s Guide to Surviving Valentine’s Day

It can get pretty hard to be a single woman on Valentine’s Day. The romantic nature of the holiday is everywhere – in shop windows, online, on television…it’s impossible to escape the message that Valentine’s Day is for couples.

But you can’t just stay indoors for a week and close all the blinds. So what can you do? Here are some suggestions for you single women out there: the single woman’s guide to surviving Valentine’s Day.

1. Own It!
You don’t have to be a “victim” of Valentine’s Day hype; don’t let it make you miserable. Instead, claim the holiday and make it your own! Here are some ideas for making that happen.

-Set up a massage or manicure on Valentine’s Day. Make it an annual event.

-Declare Shoe Shopping Day on February 14, and spend the day shopping for shoes. Let yourself splurge on a special pair of heels or boots or bedroom slippers – whatever you like best.

-Make February 14 a day when you buy yourself an accessory like a fancy hair clip, watch, necklace, bracelet, etc.

-Take yourself out for dinner to a restaurant you’ve always wanted to go to, but never have.

You get the picture – the point is to set up an annual Valentine’s tradition that will help you actually look forward to the holiday rather than dread it.

2. Give to Others
Instead of feeling down that you’re not on the receiving end of a significant other’s Valentine affections, why not give instead? Think outside the box – what other single women are out there who might be lonely? A senior citizen in the nursing home? someone in your own family? a friend? Remember that you’re not the only one who doesn’t have a significant other, and there are plenty of people outside your demographic who could use a pick-me-up on Valentine’s Day. Bake cupcakes, send a card, make a cake, take someone out to dinner, buy someone flowers or candy…

3. Celebrate with Kids
Children love Valentine’s Day, and they’re certainly not in romantic relationships! If you have a child or children of your own, plan a fun day of crafts and sweet treats, or take a special day trip. Stay in and watch fun movies. If you’re up to it, you can host a kids’ party at your house. If you don’t have children, send cards to relatives like nieces and nephews, or hold a Valentine’s party at your local community center, church, or elsewhere.

Valentine’s Day does not need to be a depressing day for single women. Get creative and enjoy the holiday on your terms!

Personal Budget Mistakes Most People Make

The people who have their budgets intact are far and few between. If you are one of those people who cringe when they hear the word budget, you are not alone. While budgeting is not the most fun you might ever have, it is a necessary part of life and finances.

There are several ways to manage your budget, and there are several mistakes that many people make. Once you are aware of these budget busters, then it is that much easier to create and maintain a healthy budget once and for all.

Relying on Future Events

How many times have you found yourself relying on that promised raise or that end-of-year bonus and gone out and spent the money “as ifâ€

Parenting Classes Do They Work?

We have all heard the expression that children do not come with a manual. However, there are many insightful ways to learn about parenting.

Learning from Women of Your Past

You can pick up little tricks and tips from the women of your past. For example, you can learn an old remedy for stomach-aches or ear infections from your grandmother. You can also learn tips and tricks from your very own mother. Your mother can teach you so many things about feeding, diapering, and swaddling your baby. And, even your mother-in-law can teach you a trick or two on how to get baby trained to sleep through the night.

Chatting with Other Moms

You could easily find yourself sitting around the table drinking coffee for hours on end with other women who have children of similar age. These women can offer you insight to things that you never would have known. They can also offer you a listening ear and a sympathetic shoulder when necessary. You bring value to the table with these women as well when it comes to things you have learned the hard way.

Mommy and Me Classes

Mommy and me classes are an excellent way to bond and spend special time with your child, especially if it is an older first-born who is dealing with the birth of a new sibling. If you are fortunate enough to have someone watch the baby, you can make special memories in a mommy and me class.

Parenting Classes

Chances are if you mention parenting classes to an older adult such as your mom or your mother-in-law, they would not be as supportive as you would like. What is a parenting class?

A good parenting class focuses on positive parenting based on the most recent scientific developments in raising children today.

What can you expect from a parenting class? You can expect to gain knowledge that you did not have before in areas that were troubling to you. You can learn different techniques that help the child to behave better and lessen your agitation and frustration along the way. You can learn to positively connect with your child and learn to use positive parenting in most cases.

A good parenting class will cover many areas and how to overcome difficulties dealing with those areas. For example:

* Whining
* Disobeying
* Saying no
* Biting
* Tantrums

Does a parenting class really work? Each child and each parent is different and has his or her own personalities and style of parenting. The only way to know if a parenting class really works is to try one on for size. Do not quit after the first one either. Try many different types of parenting classes, from free ones at the library to ones that you pay for monthly. You never know what you might learn.

Natural Cosmetics You Can Make at Home

When we read about all the chemicals and toxins that are present in the products we use in our cleaning supplies, it can be doubly shocking to discover that there are all kinds of toxic chemicals used in products we put on our bodies – especially our faces and lips. If you want to avoid chemicals but still want to use cosmetics, here are some ideas for natural cosmetics you can make at home. For best results, consider organic ingredients.

FACIAL MOISTURIZERS

Avocado Mask:
Take a half avocado, mash it up, add a splash of honey and a teaspoon of plain yogurt. Wash your face. Apply the mask. Wait for at least 60 minutes, then gently wipe off with a wash cloth.

Oatmeal Mask:
You’ll need ¼ c. of old-fashioned oatmeal, ¼ c. water and 2 tsp. honey. Grind the oatmeal in a coffee grinder or blender. Put the ground oatmeal in a container, add the water and stir until it’s blended. Then add the honey. Apply the mask to your face, wait about 15 minutes, then gently wipe clean. The oatmeal removes bacteria from the skin and is an excellent treatment for acne.

SCRUBS

Many experts recommend course Himalayan sea salt as the best for removing toxins, but really any salt will work. You can also use white or brown sugar. Popular bases include extra virgin olive oil or virgin coconut oil, but you can also add Vitamin E oil or Jojoba oil for added moisture and preservation.

Orange Scrub:
½ c. sea salt
½ c. brown sugar
¼ c. extra virgin olive oil
A few drops of orange essential oil.

Blend ingredients together, then rub over skin in the shower. Exfoliates and moisturizes.

Vanilla Coconut Brown Sugar Scrub:
½ c. coconut oil
½ c. brown sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix ingredients together, put it on and exfoliate that dry skin. Store in an airtight container.

Antioxidant Organic Coffee Scrub:
1 c. coffee
1 c. sugar or salt
½ c. coconut oil
½ tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Melt the coconut oil and allow it to cool but not solidify. Mix in the other ingredients and store in an airtight container to use 1-2 times per week.

MAKEUP

Feeling experimental and want to delve into making your own makeup?

Bronzer:
Start with arrowroot powder. Mix cinnamon and cocoa powders until it’s a nice bronze shade that looks good with your skin tone. Put in a small shaker or airtight lid and brush on whenever you want to look sun-kissed without damaging your skin.

Blush:
Mix arrowroot powder, cinnamon, and cocoa powders with dried beet powder and hibiscus flowers to add a pink color. Put in an airtight container and dust on the face with a brush.

Lip Balm:
3T grated beeswax
5 tsp. carrier oil such as sunflower, castor or jojoba
6-7 drops essential oil
1 tsp. honey

Melt the beeswax and oil in a double boiler, stirring to combine. Remove from heat; add honey and essential oil. Mix thoroughly. Pour it into containers and allow it to sit for 20 minutes before pouring or moving.

Creating your own natural cosmetics is a fun and inexpensive way to assure that your beauty products are toxin free. It’s important to start out with a clean workplace, sterilize materials and containers, and be sure those containers are dry before you begin. Be sure to label ingredients if you decide to give a gift – even though it’s all-natural, someone with an allergy or sensitivity could have difficulties. It’s best to be on the safe side.

Online Resources to Make Education Lessons Interactive

 

Technology is becoming more important in education. It’s sad to say, but books are becoming a thing of the past. Teachers are starting to use the computer more and more for teaching. They’re finding it’s easier to do and students are learning better because of it. While arguably it may not be a good way to go, it’s the way it is and there isn’t anything we can do about it but grasp it and get on for the ride.
 
The children in this generation are developing learning habits that are based on technology. The reason is because it’s all they’ve ever seen. They’ve never used anything else, so it’s the way it is for them. More and more children are learning to read with Kindles and iPads, which is one of the reasons why books are becoming obsolete. But, those of us that read paperback and hardback books need to remember the children of today’s world are still learning – the only difference is the tools being used.
 
Instead of playing games in the classroom with flashcards and paper they’re playing games on the computer. It’s possible they may be playing with another child down the row from them or they may be playing against a child in another country. No matter what, they’re still learning and that’s the most important thing to remember.
 
If you’re struggling to grasp this internet thing or you feel your child is struggling a bit, consider looking for online resources that make education interactive. Google search “Online Resource to Make Education Lessons Interactiveâ€

Online Field Trips Your Child Can Take

There are many reasons why a child may not be able to go on a field trip. Some of those reasons could be due to your location, the fact that you home school, or you may live in a community where funding doesn’t allow for them. No matter what the reasoning is, with the help of the internet this won’t be a problem any longer.

There are quite a few places that now offer virtual tours so it doesn’t matter where in the world you live – if you have the ability to access the internet, you can go on an online field trip.

The great thing about these field trips is you don’t have to travel, there’s no money involved, and you have the ability to take the tour when the time is right for you. No concerns about the weather, how you’ll pay for it, and how you’ll get there. All you need is a computer with internet access and the ability to share the screen with your children and you’re set to go.

You’ll find there are national parks, museums, villas, dioramas, and exhibits – to name a few. Almost anything you could think of has a tour on its site. You may find these online field trips are so interesting that you’ll wonder why you didn’t go this route before.

Here are quite a few for you to consider.

The American Museum of Natural History – http://www.amnh.org
With this tour you’ll have the ability to view pictures, video, and dioramas.

The Butterfly Conservatory – http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/butterflies/tour.html
With this tour you’ll see exhibition highlights and butterfly cams or a virtual tour.

The Museum of Unnatural Mystery – http://unmuseum.mus.pa.us/unmuseum.htm
With this tour you’ll see the seven wonders of the Ancient World, learn about geology, and more.

The Sistine Chapel – http://www.christusrex.org/www1/sistine/0-Tour.html
With this tour you’ll see paintings right from your computer.

Ancient Greek Artifacts – http://www.ancientgreece.com/gallery
With this tour you’ll be able to see sculptures, artifacts, and paintings.

Online Exhibitions from the Natural History Museum in London – http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/online-exhibitions/index.html
With this tour you’ll see botanical illustrations, explore art themes, and even have the ability to save pictures of your favorite exhibits.

The Great Wall of China – http://www.thebeijingguide.com/great_wall_of_china/index.html
With this tour you’ll see a 360-degree tour of parts of the wall. This gives you a feeling that you’re walking right next to it.

Yellowstone Park Webcams – http://www.yellowstone-natl-park.com/northcam.htm
While this is not a virtual tour, you still have the ability to see the park with the webcams.

This is a small list compared what you can find on the K12.com blog. They have a much larger list of sites you can visit which will help you to decide which online field trips would be good for your child. You’ll have the ability to work this list into their studies and the great thing is you can do it as a parent or share this with your child’s teacher. Either way will work because you’re not limited on who can do these online field trips.

Managing Electronics and Screen Time

Without much notice you may find you’ve spent several hours on the internet talking to friends on Facebook or doing research. Surfing the internet in one way or another is enjoyable and relaxing to most people. As an adult, most of the time you have the control that’s needed to get off when you need to, whether you just keep an eye on the clock or you set a timer.

Kids on the other hand often don’t have the self-control that’s needed to get off the computer or other electronic devices at the drop of a hat or after a specific amount of time. They know it’s time to get off, but it’s so hard to do it. They may say, “Just a few more minutes” or “I’ll get off after this round.” They just don’t have control that’s needed to get off.

There are several options when it comes to managing electronic and screen time. Some may work for you while others won’t, so it’s best to try each option for a little while and then make a decision. However, if you see it’s not working right away, then it’s important to go ahead and move on to the next option. There’s no point in wasting time on an option that won’t work. The most important thing to know is when you follow these two steps, whatever option you go with will work better.

Setting Rules

Setting the rules and guidelines with your children is important. When they know how you feel and what you expect of them as far as getting online and the amount of time they’re allowed, they’ll follow the rules. When you set these rules you’ll want to keep in mind there may be things that would require you to allow them to be online longer. Of course, homework would be one of those exceptions, but playing games would not be.

Weekdays verses weekends are another exception to the rule, but at the same time you need to put limits on the time. You need to make sure your kids are not spending every waking minute on the computer or other device. It’s important they get up and do things or get outside in the fresh air.

Enforcing the Rules

Enforcing the rules can be one of the hardest things you’ll have to do. It’s not easy saying no to your children and it’s not easy telling them that they must turn the computer off. And it’s worse when they get upset with you and say bad things to you. However, it’s important to keep your child’s best interests close at heart and when you do this you’ll find it’ll be a little easier to enforce the rules.

Managing the time your child spends on the computer or other devices is important for their life, their wellbeing, and their future. They need to do other things instead of just sitting in a chair behind a monitor. They need to be active for their health as well. When you learn to set rules and then enforce them, you’ll find your child will be a better person in the end.

How to Make Valentine’s Day Fun

Whether you’re single, married, dating, or have small kids in the house, it can be a bit of a challenge to make Valentine’s Day fun. While the holiday is marketed as a day for couples, it doesn’t have to be exclusively for people in intimate relationships. But if you are in a relationship, you still might need some ideas for making things enjoyable.

Here are some ideas on how to make Valentine’s Day fun.

If You’re Single
Yes, Valentine’s Day can make you very much aware that you are single. But don’t let the marketing pitch get you down! Instead, consider trying some of these suggestions.

-Don’t give in to the pressure to “find someone” just because “everyone else” seems to be having a wonderful Valentine’s Day. First of all, none of those relationships are perfect, no matter how they seem; and second of all, it’s never a good idea to rush into a relationship just to “keep up with the Joneses.”

-Treat yourself, and make it a tradition each year. Regardless of what you do for yourself – getting a manicure, eating out, reading a good book, doing something creative, etc. – the point is to make it a Valentine’s tradition so you have something to look forward to. Choose a treat that you can do without during the rest of the year, and then get ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your own special activity.

-If you’re religious, focus on the story of St. Valentine himself and learn what you can about the life of this saint.

If You’re in a Relationship
Your significant other may have ideas about Valentine’s Day that are not the same as yours. She may think it’s just marketing hype and doesn’t want to give in to the materialism; or he may feel all kinds of pressure to make Valentine’s Day perfect in order to impress his partner. Try to meet in the middle – find out what the other person really thinks about Valentine’s Day, and compromise. Here are some ideas.

-Be a romantic “stalker” – leave notes where your partner will find them; follow him/her on errands or to the office, and leave notes under the car windshield or, if you’re really on the ball, leave notes on his/her desk or in an area of the store where he/she is sure to go. Invest in a dry-erase marker and you can decorate mirrors and windows, too.

-Have a listening date, where your goal is simply to hear what the other person’s dreams and goals are.

-Make a gift instead of buying one. Homemade gifts can be very endearing, whether they are something edible or a simple card or keepsake.

If You Have Kids
Children like Valentine’s Day, too. Here are some ways to make it fun for the family.

-If your family is religious, read the story of St. Valentine and talk about the meaning of the holiday. Let his story inspire your celebrations.

-Valentine’s Day crafts are always a great way to celebrate with kids, from homemade cards to homemade sweet treats. Check online for some creative craft ideas.

-Small children may like Valentine’s Day games, like searching for hidden paper or candy hearts (like an Easter egg hunt).

These are just a few ideas to help you get started making this Valentine’s Day the most fun yet!

Making Valentine’s Day a Year-Round Habit

Showing your significant other that you love him or her is a lovely thing, but what does it have to happen only once a year? Many couples are discovering the art of daily demonstrations of affection, love, and respect. It doesn’t mean you have to go all-out every day; few have the resources for that! But there are things you can do each day to affirm and nourish your relationship. The key is making these gestures habitual.

Here are some ideas for making Valentine’s Day a year-round habit.

1. Say “Thank You”
Expressing gratitude is so important in a relationship, even if it’s just a friendship. Thanking your significant other also benefits you, because it opens your eyes to the many ways in which that person augments your life. In other words, the more you practice saying “Thank you,” the more you’ll see what the other person does for you. And that will make you happy as well.

2. Do His/Her Job
Does your mate always take out the garbage? cook breakfast? vacuum? mow the lawn? You probably are pretty aware of what he or she contributes since you’re now taking the time to say “thank you.” So volunteer to do that job yourself one day. Then you might leave a note that says something like, “Don’t worry about doing ____; I’ve taken care of it. Love you!” This shows your mate that you actually do notice what he or she does every day, and it’s a load off of their shoulders, too.

3. Gifts
Little things can mean a lot, especially if you make a regular habit of giving them. Obviously, you don’t need to give a gift every day; it starts to lose meaning at that point. But maybe once a month a little gift for no particular reason may be just the thing your partner needs to feel fantastic. When you give a thoughtful gift at some other time in the year, your partner knows you’re not giving because you’re “supposed” to according to the calendar. They know you’re doing it because you want to.

4. Love Notes
Leave a note somewhere that your significant other will find it when you’re not around. Again, you don’t have to do this every day; once a week would be great. If you want to keep him or her guessing, do it on a different day of the week each time.

5. Make Something
Create something special for your love. Surprise him or her with a homemade collage of romantic pictures of both of you, or put together a simple necklace. The key here is to do something that is meaningful and fits the other person’s tastes and personality. It’s also a good idea to make something that signifies or illustrates your relationship, or something unique about your relationship.

The spirit Valentine’s Day – showing love to others – need not be a once-a-year thing. Try venturing out and doing some random acts of love!

Is Chronic Stress Ruining Your Life? Learn the Signs

You m ay think it would be obvious if chronic stress were ruining your life. But surprisingly, the symptoms can be subtle or vague. Many times, chronic stress manifests in ways you would not suspect. We’ll take a look at what some of the signs of chronic stress, so you can get a handle on your stress, and stop it before it ruins your life.

1. Feeling Agitated
Do you find it really hard to relax? Do you feel like you’re never “at peace”? When you’re stressed, all kinds of body chemicals kick in, creating a “fight or flight” response that can play out as a constant sense of agitation. You might be unable to sit still or feel “driven,” even when you are very tired.

2. Anger
Do you find yourself having inappropriately angry outbursts over small things? Do small things feel huge and upsetting? Then you might be under too much stress. That tense feeling can manifest as anger and a feeling of being tightly wound.

3. Shut Down and “Hide”
The opposite to #1, you might feel depressed and low on energy if you’re stressed. You may feel too tired to do anything, and just end up withdrawing. Many times, overly-stressed people will sort of detach and not engage anyone around them.

4. Unable to Focus
Stressed people may find themselves too distracted to focus on anything, and just space out. Tasks may go undone, and the stressed person finds that only last-minute panic can motivate them. This is because your body is exhausted from making stress hormones, and it takes a lot to kick it into “motivation mode.”

5. Memory Problems
If you have trouble remembering basic things, it may mean excessive stress. Everyone has a memory glitch now and then, but if you find that you regularly have trouble remembering simple things like items on a list, appointments, work projects, etc., then you might be stressed out.

6. Too High or Too Low an Appetite
Neither overeating or undereating are healthy, and stress can induce both problems. Stressed-out people may turn to food for comfort, energy (especially carb cravigns), and relaxation, while others may find that they never have time to eat, or they just don’t want to. If you have a low appetite, you may feel too anxious or depressed to eat.

As you can see, many symptoms of chronic stress can be conflicting and broad. If you think you may be on the “stress road” and want to turn off, it wouldn’t hurt to see a qualified counselor or therapist.

Ideas for a Cozy Valentine’s Day

For some, the idea of a cozy, intimate Valentine’s Day is more appealing than a night out on the town. If that’s your style, you’ll appreciate these ideas for a cozy Valentine’s Day.

1. Romantic Movie Night
This goes beyond popping popcorn and watching movies. For a Valentine’s movie night, you’ll want romantic movies and an atmosphere that’s just as romantic. You could make up a bed in front of the TV (if you don’t have a TV in your bedroom) with lots of pillows and even rose petals if you like. Serve wine and finger foods and enjoy the evening.

2. Valentine Hunt
Like Easter eggs, you can hide Valentine chocolates, poems, pieces of jewelry, and other little gifts all around the house. You might want to take it to the next step and do a scavenger hunt, where each item found has a hint for the next item.

3. Try New Wines
Wine and Valentine’s Day go hand in hand. Why not try some new ones? Sample them over a romantic dinner and dessert.

4. Have a Few Friends Over
No one says you have to be alone on Valentine’s Day. You can still have a cozy, at-home celebration with a few close friends. Decorate your house for the holiday, and serve a buffet or hors d’oeuvres. Don’t forget those sumptuous Valentine’s desserts!

5. Create Memories
Did you and your significant other go on a lot of vacations or travels together? Do you have lots of photos stored on your phone or computer? Valentine’s Day is a great time to do something with these mementos. You can do something traditional, like create a photo album of a special trip or event; or you could be more unconventional and make a keepsake collage with photos, movie tickets, and other items. It’s even possible to make jewelry, clothing, or mugs out of some items.

6. Simple, Romantic, Fireside Champagne
What could be more romantic than champagne and chocolate? This could be the perfect dessert after a meal, or just an intimate way to spend an evening. Build a fire in your fireplace, draw up a sofa or loveseat, and have the chilled champagne, chocolate, cheese, and nuts ready and waiting.

7. Special Delivery
Flowers and candy delivered to your front door is very romantic and sets the stage for a cozy at-home celebration. If you do a little research, you’ll find there are delivery services for lots of things, from teddy bears to fruit baskets. Choose something that fits your relationship and enjoy at home!

There are so many fun ways to celebrate a cozy Valentine’s Day at your home. You’ll save money, too!

How To Identify The Sources Of Stress In Your Life

One of the keys to managing stress is to realize where it’s coming from. That may seem simple – doesn’t stress come from stressful situations in your life? Yes and no. Sometimes, it’s how you look at those situations that makes the difference.

If you’re wondering how to change your stressful life, a good place to start is learning how to identify the sources of stress in your life. Then, you can work on your perception and attitude to help relieve stress.

1. Circumstances Won’t Change
This may sound depressing at first; but think about it: waiting for everything to fall into place and be perfect in you life hasn’t paid off so far, has it? The thing to realize is, tough circumstances are part of life. They may go away, or they may not; or if they do go away, they may well be replaced with something different but no less stressful (for example, your problematic child may grow up and leave home, but then your aging parents move in). The point is, you can’t count on problems just evaporating.

Accepting that your circumstances are what they are (at least right now) can actually be very freeing. You can now take charge of your life, because you have learned to let go what you can’t control. So you can take hold of what you can control! And that would be your attitude, schedule, outlook, feelings, etc.

2. Take a Look at Yourself
You may be creating more of your stress than you realize. Be honest – is it the work deadlines or the fact that you procrastinate that stresses you out? Do you feel like you can’t say no when people ask you to help? Are you “comfortable” with your stress and don’t see any way out or way to change it?

3. You Can Change Things – Starting with You
Go over your schedule. Be honest about what stresses you – feeling rushed to get somewhere on time? Having relentless deadlines? Seemingly endless responsibilities? Go ahead and write them out – no one needs to see the list but you. Identify these things, then you can start to work on managing them.

4. Look at Your List – is it You?
Some items on your list may be external circumstances – a death in the family, divorce, children leaving home, a new baby, loss of a job, insufficient income…the list can be a long one. Some of the items on your list may be internal, however, and be rooted in personal fears, discomfort with being out of control, beliefs and opinions that put pressure on you to act a certain way, etc.

5. Managing External and Internal Stress Triggers
Just because some triggers are external does not mean you can’t take some control over how you respond. And internal triggers can also be managed, sometimes without outside help. Some ideas for managing external triggers include:

-Learning to say no
-Ask for help even if you can’t repay
-Learn effective time management

Managing internal triggers could involve the following:

-Training your thoughts to be more positive
-Identifying negative thought patterns and challenging them
-Meditation and/or relaxation techniques (like Yoga or stretching)

Once you identify the sources of stress in your life, you’re on your way to managing them effectively.