How to Help Your Teens Do Their Homework

Do you have trouble with your teens when it comes to doing their homework? Homework in high school is not was it was when they were in grade school. It could be something you have never studied and don’t know enough about to help your teen, or it could be a long drawn out project that takes your teen an entire semester to complete. Whatever it is, there will be times that parents can’t really help their teen in the ‘traditional’ sense of sitting with them and going over the answers. You and your teen will need a few different skills to solve the problem, try these:

• Know where to find usable resources. As soon as your teen knows his/her schedule, look up websites that can help in a crunch. Local college libraries are perfect resources for high school Advanced Placement students and normally offer cards for local residents.
• Write down the times the teacher is available for extra help and encourage your teen get it when it is needed.
• Work on your teens organizational skills..
• Encourage your teen by being there for him/her. You do not need to know what his/her vocabulary means to be able to look at the answer sheet and quiz your teen. This one-on-one time means a lot.
• Hire a tutor. There is no shame in getting some professional help, especially if it works and if you don’t have enough time to study your teens because of your work.

Sources of Parental Rejection

Do you know that there are many parents who are rejecting their own kids for varied reasons? Below are some of the reasons.

1. Wrong Timing. Many children is rejected, not accepted, not appreciated or loved as he needs to be simple because he came at the wrong time. When a child comes at the wrong time, it can lead the parents unconsciously to reject him.
2. Disappointment over the Sex of the Child. This happens for first born baby especially when the father wanted to have a baby boy but fortunately it was a baby girl. Problems arise when there is a crossover of roles. If these roles becomes uncertain of his sexual identification. He will ask himself, “What I am supposed to be?
3. Extra Responsibility. Some couples are so emotionally immature that they are totally unprepared for the responsibility of parenthood. Other parents are so busy doing their own thing that they have little time left over for their offspring.
4. Unrealistic Expectations. Many parents are secretly disappointed because their child is so average. And they had hoped for a child with unlimited personality and talent.
5. Extended family attitudes. In some families, extended family members bring pressure on parents either to have children or not to have children; when to have them and how to have them; how to train and how not to train them. It is said that grandparents or other members of the extended family can be a marvelous asset to the family. But at the same time, parents must not allow grandparents to take over child rearing.
6. Social Pressure. Other parents are deeply concerned about universal hunger, over population or the end of time. A parent who accepts such ideals could reject a child. Selfishness is the root of all sin, unhappiness, marital discord and broken families. As we work at being better parents and spouses, we shall mature and lay aside our selfish desires by living for the good of others.

Roadblocks to Self-respect

Most feelings of inadequacy can be traced to unfortunate childhood experiences. Parents are frequently unaware of the effect of their words and actions, yet it all either builds or destroys self-worth.
A critical parent arouses in his child feelings of rejection. Yelling, screaming and constant criticism tell a child that you do not love him or care about his feelings.
Parents with low self-esteem particularly have a compulsive need to find fault with everything a child does. Soon the child feels that it is impossible to please this parent or to measure up to expectations. If the child receives additional censure and condemnation at school from teachers and peers, the blow is even more devastating. Take note that feelings of unacceptance do not always have to be verbalized to be experienced. A lack of appreciation or recognition speaks as loudly to a child as if it were verbally announced. Whether spoken or unspoken, criticism is by far the most common and destructive cause of low self-esteem.
An adults domineering or bossy attitude implies to the child that he isn’t capable of completing an assigned task unless his parent is there to supervise. A parent spends musch time in telling a child what to do, when and how to do it. Authoritarian parents waken the sel-worth of a child. A child who is constantly told what to do develops few inner controls and lacks faith in his own abilities to carry out tasks by himself. A child needs training and guidance, but not in an overbearing manner.
Over protectiveness or excessive sheltering can also make a child feel rejected because he never has an opportunity to make decisions for himself. During the very early years of a child’s life you can control his environment but from the age of 3 or up when he began interacting with others, neighbors, friends, schoolmates, it may tear your insides out to have your child laughed at, called names or even ignored. Your first reaction may be to hold him close- shielding, defending or smothering him. But such approach would only inhibit your child’s progress. His emotional growth will be strengthened by learning to cope with small problems. A mother who fights all the neighborhood battles in order to protect his child from the cruel world inhibits his progress towards a positive self-image. Parents are advised to spend more time with a child, yet it is not quantity but quality time that is important.
A parent will show rejection through lack of interest. Furthermore, our attitudes of acceptance or rejection vary along with our moods. Some parents are more accepting and loving than others by virtue of their emotional make-up. Our accepting and rejecting attitudes also depend on where we are who is watching. Most of us tend to be less accepting at a friends’ home in a restaurant or at church. And when friends visit our homes, we may get upset over manners that we would accept at other times. Many of us fall innocently into some of these traps. We love our child but in a day to day struggle we tend to lost it.
The key therefore is the ability to accept the child at all times, while perhaps not accepting everything he does. Just as God hates sin but loves the sinner. So as parents you should differentiate between the child’s behavior and the child himself, if you want to build a positive self-image.

Nutritious Snacks for Kids

For a better, more regular energy boost, people should make healthy eating part of an everyday lifestyle. The best snacks are a combination of protein and carbohydrates not just a piece of candy bars.

We are often led to a run-down feeling by a high carbohydrate snack that will increase our blood sugar and give us that quick boost of energy, but then we drop down after that. For the most part, we are going to get more benefit from a piece of fruit or half of a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread with a banana or raisins, instead of snacks that are high in sugar and fat.

Parents should also realize that children’s energy needs vary, not only with the weather, but with occasional growth spurts. Parents should listen to kids’ requests for snacks. They should plan for snacks. Make sure when kids are asking for snacks, nutritious ones are available. If you don’t prepare for snacks, kids may eat what you don’t want them to. There should be a place where high-quality snacks can be found, such as a bowl on the cabinet, or a basket in the refrigerator. Easy snacks that work well include bananas or other fresh fruit, graham crackers and yogurt cups.

Tips on How To Raise a Resilient Teens

Parents cannot constrain themselves to their teenager and supervise every decision he makes throughout his adolescence. Parents want their teenagers to know when and how to protect themselves against negative peer pressure, teen drug use, bad grades in school, and other social problems. They want them to learn how to grab their own boot straps and pick themselves up. This is called teaching resiliency. There are five factors contributing resilient to teens.
1. A strong relationship with a parent or caring adult who takes a parenting role in the teen’s life. Teens need a good foundation that starts from the family. They need someone that is there for them with guidance and love.
2. A sense of accomplishment will make your teen feel capable. Once he has experienced this feeling, he’ll want it again.
3. Good communication and social skills are essentials to resiliency. Teens need to ask for what they need and explain the why’s without acting like they are going into battle. For this reason alone parents should learn not to buy into power struggles.
4. Problem solving skills give more than we think. Teaching your teen to make choices is one way of building his confidence whenever problems arise. Therefore, he’ll be able to think through the problem and find all of the choices he has to help solve it.
5. A supportive environment at school and community makes it easier to work on a problem if you know there is help down the road should you need it.
These five factors will help your teenager to become a resilient person. Though it may not happen overnight, but its worth to wait until he develops his ability to face the problems.

Five Tips to Minimize Competition Between Siblings

Jealousy is an emotion typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear and anxiety. This happens between siblings in the family. The baby of the family wants to be the center of attention and this can be the source of competition or rivalry between siblings. Jealousy can push the person to work harder and expect more of him but it can also wear a little one down and prevent him to show his best. Below are some tips on how to manage jealousy and bring harmonious relationship among the family and other people.

TIP ONE: Treat each child as a unique person instead of equals. Parents often think siblings need to be treated exactly the same. However, when parents try to give the exact same amount of love, time and attention, kids become suspicion instead of satisfied. A child may wonder, "Did I really get as good a present as my sister?" Or he may complain, "Mark always gets to sit on the big couch." It's better to think in terms of treating siblings as individuals rather than equals.

TIP TWO: Avoid comparisons at all costs. Don't ask, "Why can't you clean up your room like your brother?" Or, "Your sister gets straight A's -- why can't you at least get B's?" Parents can aggravate feelings of jealousy by holding one child up to the other. Although your intentions may be innocent, a child is likely to hear the message "You love Johnny more than me." Lifelong resentments and grudges are born from making comparisons.

TIP THREE: Nurture unique qualities in each child. Promote different interests so that each child excels in her own unique way. When a child's special talents are recognized, it sets him apart from his siblings and builds up his self-esteem.

TIP FOUR: Make spending time alone with each child a priority. Kids treasure these precious moments. Schedule these times so they remain a priority. I guarantee that years from now you won't look back with regret that you didn't spend more time in meetings. However, you may wish you'd spent more time with your kids.

TIP FIVE: Set clear boundaries. Kids need to learn to respect each other. That means the oldest should not be allowed to tease younger siblings, while the younger siblings should be taught not to hassle older ones. Bedrooms are private places, and siblings should ask for permission before entering. Parents should be impartial when kids squabble occur, otherwise bickering becomes a way to get parents attention.

Back To School Kids Stuffs Available Online

Being a mother is not an easy task to handle especially when it comes to budgeting. And I think all the parents are longing only the best for their children. I remembered having a hard time looking for the best and suited kids backpack for my two children who are going to school this year. Because I wanted a good quality bag that will last for a long time or as much as possible would survive the whole school year. Thanks to Posy Lane after spending a quite long time searching I finally found a kids backpack. They have a huge selection of styles and colors that will much your taste. They also have stephen joseph backpack which is great for kindergarten, preschool, dance class, overnight backpacks and for small diaper use. It is made from a 100% cotton, machine wash and very strong which will last for a long period of time. It can also be personalized by embroidering your name on the flap of the bag.

Posy Lane is also engage in making nap mat. It is also perfect for young children and toddlers. I can remember my daughter telling me that after eating their lunch, they are advised to take a nap, that is why I bought her a nap mat. She told me that she feels comfortable because it is padded and lined with nylon and cotton. Posy Lane has expanded their line of business and they produced variety of products for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and big kids. They also produced personalized items like plates, ink stamps and many other items you wish to order. They can be reach through online ordering which is so quick and easy. They will deliver the items from 1-3 business days from the time you place your order through UPS pickup. Hurry and visit their online store now.

The 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines

Benigno Aquino took over as president of the Philippines on Wednesday with a vow to lift his nation out of poverty and wipe out crippling corruption that he said thrived under his predecessor.

"Today marks the end of a regime indifferent to the appeals of the people," Aquino said in one of many stinging criticisms of Gloria Arroyo, whose nearly 10 years in power were marred by allegations of vote rigging and massive graft.

"Through good governance in the coming years we will lessen our problems. The destiny of the Filipino will return to its rightful place and, as each year passes, the Filipino's problems will continue to lessen."

"To those who are talking about reconciliation... we have this to say: There can be no reconciliation without justice," he said. (This line of his speech really struck me because it assures the Filipino people that he will run after those who committed sins against the people. and I hope he will be true to his words.)