There’s been a lot of talk lately over how hard parents have found arguing with their kids to get them to clean, go to bed, or do something else.  The talk itself isn’t new at all, but the newer trend that seems to be coming along with it is. 

It’s an odd idea behind it, but many who have tried it really swear that it does work.  The whole idea is not saying ‘no’ to almost anything (reasonable requests only, naturally).  Parents who have tried the technique swear that it created a calmer home environment. 

However, you really have to wonder if the best method to having a calmer home is to limit the word no.  After all, isn’t ‘no’ usually for a fairly good reason (avoiding a huge and rather catastrophic mess should be a very good reason)? 

Then again, maybe we do overuse no and limiting it down may help us realize the motivations behind when we say it. 

So, would you omit ‘no’ from your vocabulary?  Or, is this new trend just going too far?

Recommended:

Cruiser Accessories 81230 Locking Fasteners, Domestic-Stainless
Nalgene Travel Kit

Image by Appfrica via Flickr

Entertaining a toddler can pose some difficulties, especially when it comes to the seemingly limitless supply of energy they posses. Maybe it’s been a longer day than normal, maybe things have been broken, tears may have been shed, and maybe your nerves are just getting frazzled.

Let’s face it- there are times where even the best of us parents need a small break, just a teeny-tiny moment to yourself.  When you need that moment, (and it can happen), it’s better to entertain your child and take it.

It doesn’t mean we care any less about out children, but raising kids can have it’s rougher moments.  There is no shame in taking those tiny breaks, really.  In fact they can be beneficial.  At times, moms tend to not take those breaks when we may need them, and instead just get more and more stressed out and in the end wind up worse than before.

At those times that you really can’t just sit your child down with someone trustworthy but are feeling frazzled, turn on some music and just be silly for a bit.  The exercise and just acting silly with your child can be relaxing in and of itself. 

Taking those moments can save a surprising bit of sanity, especially in those crazy few years of toddler hood (where you may need every bit you can scrape together on some days).

Recommended:

The Lucky Ones To Be Made Into Movie With Daniel Radcliffe
Zip Your Way Up to Cebu

It’s almost a necessity, clearing and cleaning after the long winter months.  Clearing out the old, to make way for the new (and warmer season). 

To try and make it all go a bit quicker, try getting your children in on the act.

Kids can dust, vacuum, and sweep and some actually enjoy it.  Depending on the age of your children, getting them started doing something smaller (and age appropriate) can pay out in the long run as well.  While children shouldn’t be near any chemicals, so be sure to be careful if you are using them.

About.com has a fabulous ‘checklist’ over what both you and your kids can be tasked with:

Your Spring Cleaning Chores:

• Dust for cobwebs along the ceiling/corners
• Clean the light fixtures
• Dust your electronics
• Wash the curtains
• Vacuum under furniture

The Kids’ Spring Cleaning Chores:

• Purge magazines
• Clean under the couch cushions
• Rinse houseplants with a spray bottle
• Clean the inside of the windows
• Dust picture frames

(Source)

Be sure to check out the rest, it has some great ideas. You can also use this cleaning time to get your children to go through any old toys that they don’t play with anymore, and donate any that are still in good condition.

Recommended:

Thomas the Train Engine Blue Conductor Lantern Light for Children

DangerBomb Alarm Clock

Image via Wikipedia

Norton, the computer security software giant, released to the public a list of search terms by age group.  What the kids are searching for is something parents need to both question and assure that their own children aren’t searching for anything similar.

While many aren’t anything that should cause concern things like youtube and myspace, among the result are some decidedly ‘adult’ terms.  Below is the top ten (by age-group), and the list continues past that.

This is quite alarming, even if you aren’t an alarmist. 

Is there cause for concern?  While very few will argue that kids shouldn’t know about this kind of thing, many also argue that parents need to do more to protect their children- especially online.  Keeping the home computer in a public place,and limiting access to more mobile devices could help. 

While with the older set, and all school aged kids need access to computers, keep it within the parents view can help curb any inappropriate searches.

Recommended:

Logitech’s Portable Webcam C905

Fashion mistakes for the party season

This is just a great idea, a company is selling pre-assembles bikes to assure consumers that it will be properly put together.  It avoids the sometimes costly process of trying to both figure out and fix something that could go wrong in other bike purchases.

According to a Wired.com article:

Online cycle store Performance Bicycle will sell you a properly assembled kid’s bike and send it to you in a box. The scheme is called “Bike in a Box”, and the advantage is that, unlike the bikes that come from a department store, they are properly put together instead of poorly assembled machines waiting for a long downhill stretch before they start to shed nuts and bolts.

The bicycles are from kid’s sized ranging from 3 to 12, and run from $140 to $330 for a 24-inch mountain bike.

This set up can save so many headaches and hassles, it is really surprising that no one thought of this sooner!

Recommended:

Fail: The Obama Dress

An Introduction to Risk Management

Incoming search terms for the article:

• custom bike in a box