The Dbottino Weblog

Learning a new skill takes time, and it can be a challenge. From golf to computer programming, we all know its true. We also know the quality of instruction makes a difference. It’s no different with kids learning to read. Good reading tutors can go a long way, and make an incredible impact on a child’s life from very early on!

Kids struggling to read from their parents and teachers may need a little outside help from an expert. When a student is having a hard time understanding given instruction, a specialized teacher could be able to help educate or motivate your child to learn. Tutors can help improve test scores and get a kid up to his/her proper reading level. However, good reading tutors are hard to locate. I’m going to offer a couple tips for the things to expect in a reading teacher, where you can find a tutor, and how to know if the tutor is working. Any unique child learns in their own way, so it is best to select a tutor that is a good fit the young learner.

You might begin a search speaking with your child’s teacher or counselor to discuss recommendations. Even public libraries and and community centers often make reading assistance available.Browsing through a yellow pages may provide a few private educational centers. Perhaps if the student shows a chronic problem reading well, you could find a center with expert speech-language pathologists such as this clinic of chicago reading tutors, because most reading tutors are primary education generalists not familiar with the nature of cerebral reading difficulties.

When you have found a prospective tutor, it is a meaningful step to evaluate if he or she is indeed the right tutor for your child. Be sure to take an active role interviewing the reading tutor. Some parents figure one tutor is the same as the next. This couldn’t be further form the truth. Look at a tutor with an pedagogy method consistent with the national reading panel.

Your job does not end after you’ve found a good reading tutor. An effective teacher will make meaningful progress with your child that can remain a valuable skill and benefit the child forever. A few tutors, specifically reading centers, assess students with a thorough educational assessment when the child starts to receive specialized instruction. This can serve as a baseline to chart empirical improvement. But the best results are the ones that come from meaningful change in a child’s life. Reading is such a valuable skill, and developing it early is critical.

Here are some of the things kids like to do in cars:

They Sometimes Don’t Wear Seat Belts and Harnesses

When they get in the family car, a parent or grandparent or older child says, “You kids got your seatbelts on? Jeremy, help Annie get her belt on. Okay, Jason! We’re not going one inch until you get that seat belt on.” When riding a friends car, or if they are driving and in control, it is a different. They don’t necessarily wear seat belts. Some think it is macho not to.

American Indian youth in particular don’t like the restraint of a seat belt.

My oldest son is a neurosurgeon (brain surgeon). He has some very sad stories. Don’t you become one of them.

Two of my grandchildren and four of their friends were in an accident the other night. They are all hurting today. My grandson had terrific trauma and eye abrasion. (The trauma was caused by a horrible accident he had as a pedestrian in his youth. Everything came back.) Most of the kids had their seat belts on, some may not have.

They Sometimes Drive too Fast

Fourteen percent of all traffic deaths are teenage drivers. Speed is the major killer. What’s called “the need for speed” can kill you and strangers you didn’t want to meet head-on.

Your school may exhibit cars that have been in head-on and rollover accidents, squashed vehicles that turned out to be killers. Don’t get into a car with a teenage speed maniac. The need for speed is death indeed.

They Distract the Driver or the Driver Doesn’t Watch the Rode

Teens often think that car time is fun time.

It’s time to yell, push and shove, and distract.

That can become, and too often is, deadly.

Behave yourself in a car and encourage others to do the same.

Who do you know that got into an accident because of this behavior? Check the In Memoriam section of your high school yearbook. Experts say that immaturity is the factor here. You already knew that, didn’t you?

They Drive or Ride in an Unsafe Vehicle or Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck

I lost a niece because of mechanical failure of the car she was driving. A sweet, bright university student is gone.

Make sure your car is properly maintained, that the tires are at the correct air pressure, that the breaks work, and that the steering is system is safe. Have a mechanic take a look at your vehicle. It won’t take that much of your time. It may save your life.

Teenagers have a tendency to drive smaller vehicles that are not as safe as larger vehicles. There is not much you can do about that but if you are buying a vehicle, think about it.

Don’t become a flying projectile bounced out of the back of a pickup during a collision.

They Sometimes Drive too Soon in Heavy Traffic

Just because you past the driving test, don’t mean that you are an expert driver. If you learned to drive in a rural community and then you drive into the traffic of a larger city before you’ve had experience in driving in heavy traffic, you can get in to an accident before you can say, “Jack Sprat could eat no fat.”

Have an adult spend some time with you driving under more difficult driving conditions. Yes, I know you can drive like Mario Andretti. Please do what I suggest. My grandson has had two accidents since he got is driving license. He was not ready to drive.

At http://www.drivehomesafe.com/teen_driving_fatality_information_start_page.htm we learn that teenage drivers are in more single automobile accidents than older drivers. Does that prove my point?

In Summary

Drive carefully, don’t distract the driver if are not driving, have your car checked for safety, let up on that gas pedal, slow down for that turn, don’t drive too close to the vehicle in front of you, obey the traffic laws, and live longer. Have you got that seat belt on?

Oh! One other thing! My neurosurgeon son says that if you are on a motorcycle or bicycle, wear your helmet.

The End

John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com, a retired VP of R&D for Lenox China, is author of detective & western novels, nonfiction (business, scientific, engineering, humor), poetry, etc. Former editor of Ceramic Industry Magazine. He calls himself “Taylor Jones, the hack writer.”

More info: http://www.tjbooks.com

Business web site: http://www.dumbincome.com

As a pregnant woman, you may experience sex drives much like your moods. Up and Down! Some women claim that they have no sex drive at all during pregnancy, and others, say their sex drive is better during pregnancy. With changes to your body happening so quickly, your moods and dives may also change just as quick!

Here are some common questions often asked by pregnant women with helpful answers!

Is it safe to have sex during all trimesters of pregnancy?

If there is no pain during sex and your not a high risk pregnancy, then sex is perfectly safe! If you are experiencing pain, or have a history of miscarriages, or any complications, consult with your medical professional.

I do not have any desire for sex, is this normal?

Every woman’s pregnancy is different. While some women experience an increase in their sex drive, others may experience a decrease. Many women that are experiencing morning sickness, have no desire for sex at all. This is fine, and actually perfectly normal. Who wants to make love when they feel sick? As you enter your 2nd trimester, most of the time the morning sickness will start to vanish. Once this happens, you will feel better and your sex drive many appear. If you seem to just have no desire for sex at all, there are other ways to satisfy your needs and your partners needs for intimacy, such as kissing and holding each other.

Are there any positions that are more comfortable during my later months of pregnancy?

Once your belly begins to grow, it may become uncomfortable to have sex in the “man on top” position. The “spoon” position has become pretty popular among pregnant women! In this position, each partner lays on their side, with the man in the back. This way your belly is not in the way and your body is still flat.

Is it true that sex can induce labor?

According to medical professionals, there is a chemical in semen, that will soften the cervix, and aid in the labor process. However, sex will not actually induce labor. The semen can assist the labor process once it has begun, but will not actually cause labor to begin. If you are experiencing contractions, consult with your medical professional.

If you have any other questions that have not been addressed, talk with your medical professional! He or She would be more than willing to offer answers to your questions!

This article may be used on any website or newsletter, given our links
are active.

Pregnancy Guide – Offers information on all aspects of pregnancy that will allow you to make informed decisions about your prenatal care, newborn care, and learn great tips for a healthy pregnancy! We also offer free baby webpages, a due date calculator, baby coupons, and much more! Visit http://www.mypregnancyguide.com today!

The thought of ’summer camp’ can evoke strong emotions on the part of parents and children alike. These emotions run the spectrum from excitement and fun to fear and anxiety. Camp isn’t for everyonechild or parent. In many social circles it is a status symbol or a family tradition. Neither of these reasons are the appropriate reason for sending your child to camp. The correct reason for providing the ‘camp experience’ is if it is ‘in the best interest of the child.’

Deciding to camp or not to campIn the best interest of the child is all well and good, but how does a parent determine what is ‘in the best interest of the child?’ Some questions parents can ask are:

1. Is the camp being used to solve a child care problem?

2. Is this an opportunity for my child to learn, grow and experience life in a unique way?

3. Is my child adventuresomea risk taker?

4. Does my child enjoy new experiences; is s/he ready to do new things when, or even before I am ready to provide them?

5. Has my child enjoyed overnight experiences with family or friends?

6. Does my child have friends and/or cousins who attend camp?

7. Will camp provide opportunities for my child to enjoy favorite activities?

If you answered ‘yes’ to questions two through seven you have it made. If you answered ‘yes’ to question one only, the odds of success are slim. If you answered ‘yes’ to at least four of questions two through seven, the odds are optimal for a successful camp experience.

Selecting the right campthe ‘right’ camp is the one that supports the interests of your child. Select three or four camps that have activities that interest your child. Visit these camps without your child to determine if they meet your specifications. Some important issues are: the ratio of camper to counselors, the training and experience of the counselors, medical facilities (especially if your child has on-going medical needs). Check food, diet and menus. Are there choices of activities? Ask for references.

After you have narrowed it down to two or three camps, take your child to visit and allow him/her to choose which camp s/he likes best. Allowing your child to choose is crucial for success. You do not have to decide quickly. Indeed, beware of the camp management which wants a decision quickly.

If your child is reluctant to commit to a camp, gentle encouragement is usually the key in dealing with a reluctant camper. This is probably not the first time your child was reluctant to do something new. What is s/he concerned about? Listen, but do not tell your child that it will be okay or that you can protect him/herbecause you won’t be there and that may be the core of the concern. Acknowledge the concern or fear as valid. Children usually have a solution to their own problems. Through careful questioning, allow your child to find the answers. Talk about a similar experience and how it was solved, and the possibility that the new situation could be solved in the same manner.

Your child wants to camp, but you may have concerns. Be careful not to convey your concerns. Avoid phrases like: “Don’t worry about…” Call the camp and state your concerns and rely on your reaction to their response. However, having done your investigation earlier, you really would have only minor doubts.

There remains the possibility that your child did not have a good experience last year and therefore does not want to attend this year; or, positive experience notwithstanding, your child is reluctant. Start at the beginning as if it were the first time. Ask yourself the seven questions, research camps, visit, select and gently encourage. Sometimes parents need to make an executive decision. In the vest interest of the child you may need to make an empathetic, supportive, but not popular decision. After a second negative experience in a different camp, consider, however your child just may not be a camp enthusiast.

One last considerationyour child may voice reluctance to go, or complain about the food, activities, etc., because s/he is afraid that showing eagerness to go and/or ‘having a ball’ will make the parents feel rejected. Reassure your child that you will miss him/her, but remind your child, “I am glad you have a good time at camp.’ More often than not you will have a happy camper.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD is a Life Coach, Single Mother of two adult children and grandparent to four Grandchildren and author, If I’d Only Known…Sexual Abuse in or out of the Family: A Guide to Prevention. http://www.gen-assist.com/book.asp

Wood doll houses with authentic look and design are best as a doll houses choice. Here, you can see a big line of wood doll houses. Its rough surface made of plywood gives protection from easily broking down and children can use it as a play item.

But for purchasing the wood doll houses you need to follow the same norms as buying any other doll house. First of all, you should look into the design whether it has all the patterns of a house or not.

The wood doll houses for kids are made to fit with the height of their toys. The wood doll houses for children should be strong catchy and most important- with a space to play. They should be reasonable in price with an exterior appealing to children. Adults with an aesthetic go for the dollhouses as a collectible item.

And the design and patterns of wood dollhouses ranges from the simple to sophisticated penthouses. The Queen Mary’s Doll’s house, designed in 1924, Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle, Malahide Castle, Windsor Castle and many more are famous dollhouses.

In many ways you can make wood doll houses part of your miniature dolls. You can start from already decorated dollhouse then after can make innovations of your choice in it. In purchase of a dollhouse you invest good amount of money. So, always purchase a dollhouse kit carefully otherwise you will face problem while finishing the dollhouse.

Here, you can have a look on Victorian wood doll houses, classic wood dollhouses. Wood Barbie doll houses are the best for children to play.

Anuureeta

ABC’s of Becoming an Effective Teen By: Lin Miao

A: Acquire a Strong and Positive Attitude

B: Break Out of Your Shell

C: Characterize Your Hero

D: Demand Respect For Your Standards, Yourself and Your Beliefs

E: Energize Yourself Everyday With a Goal of Making a Difference

F: Failure to Plan, is Planning for Failure

G: Go Big or Go Home

H: Humility is Power

I: Itemize Your Qualities and Seek your Strengths Not Your Weaknesses

J: Jealousy Will Always End in Negative Not Positive

K: Keep your Momentum, Never Stop, Keep Moving!

L: Live Your Life

M: Magnify Your Opportunities

N: Nothing is Better Than the Truth

O: Okay, You’ve Failed, Now Get Back Up!

P: Position Yourself in Positive Environments

Q: Quality Over Quantity

R: Realize Problems and Quickly Fix Them

S: Stick to the Purpose

T: Treasure All Your Friends, For They’re Your Most Prized Treasures

U: Understand That All Things Have a Purpose

V: Visualize Success and Don’t Be Afraid to Fail. You Miss 100% of The Shots You Don’t Take.

W: Work Hard If You Expect Success

X: X It Out! You’re Better Than That

Y: Yes, is Not Always the Answer. Learn to Say No!

Z: Zoom into Reality, and Zip the Fluff

Copyright 2004

Known as The Miao, Lin Miao Executive Director of LinCity.com – http://www.lincity.com – The Ultimate Online Teen City, is labeled as a powerful and inspirational speaker in the subject of Teen Leadership. He is also the Chief Information Officer for United Planet.

There’s not an expectant mother alive who hasn’t had some anxiety about her baby’s health. She wonders whether her baby will be born healthy. Thoughts that never entered her mind are now present.

Movies, books, television, the nosy woman in the hair salon tell birth horror stories that increase a pregnant woman’s anxiety. Combine all this with the hormone changes that take place in the body during pregnancy, and it’s a wonder that any woman survives with her sanity in tact.

An expectant mom over 35 is hit with a double dose of anxiety. She worries about her baby’s health and worries about the role her age will play in her baby’s health.

Here are 8 guidelines to ease your mind and to help you achieve a healthy midlife pregnancy:

1) Choose an obstetrician or midwife who doesn’t view midlife pregnancy as a problem. Ask if your prospective health care provider has concerns about pregnancy over 35.

Listen carefully to make sure the concerns are medically-based rather than opinion-based. Opinion-based concerns are those that do not have any medical validity.

Your health care provider may be concerned that collectively the medical history of pregnant women over age 35 shows an increased risk of: high blood pressure, diabetes, cesarean birth and chromosomal defects.

Remember that these studies are based on the results of midlife pregnant women as a group and are not based on your individual medical history. Select an obstetrician or midwife who respects your right to have your pregnancy viewed individually.

2) Diet Matters. A pregnant woman needs an extra 300 calories a day. You can get these calories by eating foods which are high in protein, calcium and iron.

To prevent bacteria and parasites that could be harmful to your unborn baby, avoid unpasteurized milk or soft cheeses and uncooked or raw meat, fish, shellfish or eggs. Also, all fresh fruits should be washed thoroughly before eating.

You’ll need to increase your intake of protein and folic acid. Protein is cruical for the development of all new cells. A minimum of 60 grams per day is needed for the physical and cellular development of your baby.

Taking a multivitamin supplement that includes 400 micrograms of folic acit daily is beneficial to a pregnant woman as well as all women of childbearing age. Folic acid helps in developing the spinal cord and the brain of an unborn baby.

During pregnancy curb your craving for caffeine. Consumed in large quantities, caffeine can cause irritability, nervousness and insomnia as well as low birth-weight babies.

Some studies show that caffeine intake during pregnancy can harm the fetus. Other studies state there is no evidence that small amounts of caffeine cause problems during pregnancy. Until more conclusive studies are done you may want to limit your caffeine intake while pregnant.

3) No to Alcohol. No one knows how much alcohol a woman has to consume to put herself at risk for a miscarriage or her baby at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome may include mental and growth retardation, facial malformations, liver and kidney abnormalities.

Because there is such uncertainity surrounding alcohol consumption and pregnancy, most health care providers recommend that expectant moms avoid alcohol.

4) Stop Smoking. An expectant mom who smokes is putting her baby at risk. Smoking while pregnant reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to your baby, which may impair the growth of your baby resulting in a greater chance of a premature or too small baby.

5) Legal and Illegal drugs. Some medications are not safe for a pregnant woman. You should review all drugs including prescriptions, over-the-counter and herbal medications with your physician during and after pregnancy.

Illegal drugs. Stay away from them. They can kill your future and the future of your baby.

6) Exercise regularly. Never begin an exercise program without first checking with your doctor. Exercise is a a good way to keep your body in shape and relieve stress during pregnancy.

7) Rest. The body goes through many physical and emotional changes during pregnancy. Listen to your body. Rest whenever possible. Stop or cut back on many activities that sap your strength.

Limit your contact with negative people. All expectant moms, regardless of age, run into unwanted advice about everything from clothing to weight.

As an expectant mom over 35 you will run into people who applaud your decision to give birth later to people who tell you outright that you are too old to have a baby.

The key is not in what others say but in how you react and believe the message they are saying. Like a solider who puts on her physical attire for combat you must put on your mental gear to protect negativity from penetrating your spirits. Most of all enjoy your pregnancy!

Cynthia Wilson James is a childbirth instructor, author of Ease Your Fear Of Giving Birth After 35, and midlife mom of two healthy bubbly toddlers. She gave birth to her first child at age 42 and a second child at age 44. You can reach her at her website http://www.inseasonmom.org which is designed to encourage first time moms over 35.

Bad breath in children does occur, but how do you handle
it? If an adult who unknowingly had chronic bad breath
spoke to a group of friends, that group would probably not
make it obvious. If a child with chronic bad breath is
talking to a group of friends, chances are the group will
not have the maturity to deal with it and will probably
look away or fan their hand, acting in a way that makes the
child with bad breath embarrassed. When bad breath in
children does occur it is important to treat it and prevent
further occurrences.

Something Stinks: Chronic Bad Breath

Ever wonder why someone with chronic bad breath went around
talking to everyone, even in close circles? That is because
the person probably had no clue they suffered chronic bad
breath, since people cannot smell their own halitosis.
During school and in after school activities children
participate regularly in interacting with other students
which is why bad breath in children should be treated
immediately.

If you are not sure if your breath smells bad or not, ask a
good friend to let you know. Bad breath happens to everyone
at some point and there is nothing to feel ashamed about.
You will often find yourself around someone with chronic
bad breath, and just remember to that person with the same
dignity you would like to be treated with.

What Causes Bad Breath in Children? Children, like adults,
can develop halitosis a couple of ways.

• First of all, certain foods and even drinks can create
temporary bad breath in children. Some known offenders
include onions and garlic, but items kids usually eat that
cause bad breath include pop, certain juices and cheese.

• Some children are not big fans of brushing or flossing,
yet failing to do both regularly will create chronic bad
breath.

• Thirdly, a dry mouth or post nasal drip from a cold or
allergies can create halitosis. Snoring or breathing
through the mouth can also cause chronic bad breath in
children as this contributes to a dry mouth.

• Relax. It’s likely not serious. According to WebMD,
halitosis is rarely a side affect of more serious health
conditions in children. And according to a Journal of
Pediatrics study performed in 1999, bad breath in children
is caused either by dry mouth or the nasal cavity.

Combating a Child’s Bad Breath

First, look at what your child is eating. Do you serve up
garlic or spicy dishes for dinner each night? Is your child
a big fan of cheese? If so, try cutting back on the dairy
and garlic. Make sure that regular brushing and flossing is
occurring, even if you have to stand by and check. To make
this more fun, take your child to the grocery store and
allow him or her to pick out their toothbrush and
toothpaste. If your child is older, it is important to note
that alcohol and tobacco cause chronic bad breath. Finally,
make sure your child regularly sees a dentist to have his
or her teeth cleaned. These appointments are also a good
time to talk with the child’s dentist about halitosis.

The most important part of helping a child with bad breath
is to be sensitive and not make the child feel embarrassed
or self-conscious. Bad breath is a part of life and
something everyone encounters. By zeroing in on the cause,
and taking care of it, you can quickly eliminate and
prevent bad breath in children.

Whozylee Aris has created a website on the topic of bad
breath. Find the real causes and cures for bad breath by
visiting http://www.bad-breath-resource.com. View this
article online at
http://bad-breath-resource.com/article-5-bad-breath-in-children.html

It’s the standard at every weekend party: a case of beer, a keg, many hard liquor bottles and mixed drinks. Alcohol is everywhere these days, and teens (as well as adults) can’t keep their hands off it. Teens are getting drunk just about every weekend during the school year, and even more during the summer.

But why do teens insist on drinking? Is it peer pressure? Is it the thrill of doing something illegal? Do they think it will make them cooler in the eyes of others? Most likely, it’s one (or more) of these reasons. Teens are easily pressured into things. Almost all of them want to be accepted, and are willing to do just about anything to gain acceptance. Even the smartest student in school could very well be giving in to peer pressure, drinking, doing drugs, and having promiscuous sex.

Most Parents wouldn’t like to think of their child being the one to give in. “My child is smarter than that,” they say. While it is quite possible your child is very intelligent, it takes a very strong willed teen to just say “no.” The fact is that most teens will give in to peer pressure at one time or another, whether it be with alcohol or something else.

Parents need to be on the watch when it comes to their teens. Make sure you know where they’re going and verify that parents are going to be there. This will likely assure that drinking will not take place, but it is still a possibility. Make sure your teen knows the consequences and dangers of alcohol over-consumption, such as liver damage and alcohol poisoning. Teens usually have a different attitude about it if their parents explain to them the effects of alcohol. Parents work a lot better than health class in school, and can be more personal.

Resources:
Help for parenting teens
The Truth About Alcohol

Movies are intended to entertain, but they can be so much more. With a little planning on your part, movie night can be a fun and educational experience for your child.

For a long time, our family has had a weekly “movie night” on Friday night. Family movie nights are more structured than simply renting a movie and letting the kids watch it. The point of a family movie night is to make it a simple but special event that involves the whole family. Set a movie start time and take care of all chores before you settle in for the show. Sometimes my kids will even make special tickets and collect them as we enter the “theater”. You can set a cinematic tone by preparing bowls of popcorn and other snacks.

For added interest, make your snacks “match” the movie thematically. You could use family movie nights to introduce foods the kids might not normally try. For example, you could whip up a batch of “Turkish Delight” to go along with a viewing of The Chronicles of Narnia, or you could introduce Indian bread and chutney while watching Bend It Like Beckham.

Thanks to the internet, it is easy to learn about the movie before the designated night. Reading online reviews will help you choose appropriate movies for your family and give you an idea of what the movie is about so you can plan appropriate snacks and activities.

Often my children will have questions about the setting or the characters. With a little planning, I find I am more prepared to answer these questions and can even devise my own “lesson plan” to go along with the movie we are watching that week.

A little more research will likely yield activity suggestions or even entire lesson plans and study guides devoted to the movie. Using these resources, families can prepare activities for before and after viewing the film.

Depending on the film, our family might have a pre-movie discussion about the film’s setting and some background information. If we have found some interesting activities based on the movie, we may schedule these for the following day.

By expanding the movie experience, you and your children will learn so much more from time spent watching movies.

Caren Bugay has lots of tips and resourcs to enhance your child’s education. Find more great ideas at http://www.helpyourchildrenlearn.com