Jaipi Sixbear
This award winning web writer is co-owner of several writing websites. She's a featured parenting contributor on Yahoo! Shine and Yahoo! Voices. She enjoys helping fellow writers maintain a positive mindset with her online article writers tips. Jaipi's a savvy parent and grandparent with varied interests, reflected in her helpful how-to articles. She has a talent for making people think outside the proverbial box, as well as over, under and through it. She has an opinion and she's not afraid to express it. Jaipi has worn hats too numerous to list. Her latest venture is a cruelty free soap company. Diversity above all!
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Award Winning Freelance Web Journalist - Published Poet - Photographer - Website Co-Owner and EditorInterests
online article writers tips, commentaries, natural cures, natural beauty, natural remedies, green, old fashioned home remedies, gardening, landscaping, vegetarian, parenting, relationships, how to, home improvement
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Weeds and Seeds that Travel by CarDid you know weeds and seeds can hitch a ride on your car? Still, with a little patience and a couple wise tricks, we can keep the travel weeds down to a liveable level.
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Is Permissive Parenting a Bad Thing?Many people feel permissive parents are simply too lazy to do their job. I don't consider myself a permissive parent. Still, I can see the logic. I also don't believe permissive parents are lazy. In fact, I think they're quite tough and very brave.
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Non-Monetary Rewards for TeensWhat are some non-monetary rewards for teens? How will these rewards benefit your child in their adult years?
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School's out - Keeping creative kids stocked with cheap craft suppliesOver the years, I've come up with some cheap fixes for stocking the house with arts and crafts supplies for kids. Hopefully, these tips will help you keep your little creators well stocked this summer when school's out.
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How and When to Use TV as a Parenting ToolIf parents limit TV time and monitor the type of programs kids watch, there are benefits to canned entertainment.
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Camping with an active toddler – What to packWhat should you pack when camping with an active toddler? Everything you can to keep them busy and safe.
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Handling tween outbursts calmlyTween and teen tempers run hot sometimes. How do we handle them calmly? -
Gardening Newbie Advice - Why Weeding Daily is the Best PracticeWhy is weeding daily the best practice? Where do I begin?
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Manual Reel Mowing Adventures, Tips and PointersDo you plan on buying a manual reel mower? Here's the best and the worst of manual lawn mowing in my experience.
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Is it Possible to Eliminate Plastic in the Home?Today I decided to take an inventory of all the plastics in just my kitchen. How will I ever eliminate plastic in the home? It's so overwhelming! I'm afraid it will have to be one piece at a time.
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Making a Garden Wheelbarrow DisplayMy adventure with planting a garden wheelbarrow display started simply enough. Who knew serendipity would follow? I should have. Isn't that the way everything happens to gardeners?
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Parents: Let Your Kids Play Freely for Optimum LearningParents, don't get too involved in your kids' play-time activities. It's good for them to play independently. It helps them learn.
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Teaching Kids to Form Active Habits Early and EasilyWho has the best chance of helping kids form good habits early? Their parents, of course. Here's five discreet ways to get kids into healthy habits they won't have to break later.
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Entertain Kids with Club Memberships This SummerThis summer, skip the usual scenario. You aren't the only one who can keep your kids entertained. Give your kids the gift of summer entertainment through club memberships. By joining groups and clubs, your kids will be busy all summer.
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Parenting: Keeping boys entertained on the cheapHow do you entertain boys frugally? It's really not that difficult. Most boys like to camp, build, and tear things apart. My son sure did. Keep boys busy with these fun ideas.
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Safety rules for electric kid carsDo your kids have electric cars such as the pink jeep or monster trucks sold in department stores? That's great fun for them. Just be sure they're using them safely.
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Keep tweens cool without wasting water this summerWasting water for summer fun is no way to teach tweens about saving the earth. Sprinkler runs, kiddie pools and more can use a lot of water. There are plenty of fun ways to keep tweens cool without your water bill hitting the roof.
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Tips for leaving tweens with younger kidsIt's going to be nice to have a built in babysitter for your younger kids, right? Here are a few thoughts to ponder before you leave your just turned twelve year old tween alone with the rest of the kids.
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Are your kids' tech devices interfering with bedtime?Kids going to bed early is no longer a guarantee, even if you tuck them in personally. Why is that such a big deal? Are your kids' tech devices interfering with bedtime?
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Help kids maintain a healthy weight with happinessWhat does happiness have to do with weight gain? Everything. As adults we see how our own self esteem impacts making healthy lifestyle changes. It's no different for kids.
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Separation Anxiety Tips and Tricks for Clingy ParentsClingy parents can have a real tough time with separation anxiety. How does an experienced parent deal with it?
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Parenting: Why Some Things Are Non-negotiableIt's OK to let your kids make some choices. They should be able to express their opinions freely. There are certain areas that should be non-negotiable. What they are depends on the parent.
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Leading a Simple Life with KidsWith all the technology, media and more in the lives of today's kids, is it even possible to lead a simple family life?
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Kicking Kids Out of the Nest – Sometimes It's Not a Simple MatterSometimes when your kids and grand-kids leave the nest, it's not a matter of just letting them go. Sometimes it's a lot more complicated than that.
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5 overlooked summer vacation entertainment options for kidsHere are some fun summer vacation entertainment options that might not roll right off the top of your head.
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5 healthy life habits to instill in kidsEveryone has a different idea of what's healthy for their kids. I've found these 5 uncommon habits that help kids survive life's ups and downs now and in the future. Let's see if you agree.
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Drawing the Line Between Discipline and Child AbuseI've always felt that doling out appropriate consequences sends a more effective message to kids than a swat on the behind. Still, any method of discipline can become abusive when done for the wrong reasons.
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How Do You Know Your Daycare is Safe?It's hard to know if the daycare you choose is safe. What's my secret? Well, I don't really have just one. I do have a few suggestions that might make finding a safe day care more likely.
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What Do Your Kids Know About Stranger Danger?Have your kids been warned about interacting with strangers? While not all strangers pose danger, some certainly do. What is the best approach for talking to your children about stranger danger?
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How much internet is too much for tweens?How much internet is too much for tweens? Will constant web-surfing turn them into chair potatoes? These are the questions plaguing many parents of tweens today.
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Stay-at-home grandma tackles summer insanityI'm not a SAHM. I'm a “Grand-SAHM”. Last summer I was officially introduced to the frustrations of a stay at home mom with kids on summer vacation. It's insanity at best. Here's how we kept things down to a dull happy roar.
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Weaning your soda pop addicted kidsSoda pop, soft drink, pop, soda, whatever you want to call it, your kids have had enough of it. They're becoming little soda pop addicts. What can you do?
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I Raised a Family of Thrill SeekersI'm not sure how it happened but I have a bunch of thrill seekers among my descendants. I say I'm not sure how it happened because, while I'm a bit of a rebel, I'm not exactly stunt girl material.
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Learning Your Kids' QuirksQuirks? We all have them. You have them. So do your kids. Why is it so important to learn your kids' quirks? Well, mainly so you don't disturb a sleeping giant.
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The Down-low on Having KidsBefore I give you the down-low on having kids, I should say this. I love my kids and grand-kids. I wouldn't trade them for all the hot peppers in Texas. They're awesome people. That's not what I'm here to warn you about.
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Would you like some please with that tween whine?Please with that tween whine? Would you like some please with that whine? Here's what I'm referring to:
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Five Ways to Get Your Kids to Eat More FruitWhen my kids were small, I always bought lots of fruits and veggies. Problem is, half of them went bad before they were eaten. That is, until I started using the following clever tricks.
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Parenting: What's Income Got to Do with It?Raising kids takes money. No argument there. It's wonderful to be able to afford health insurance and college, for instance. On the other hand, I raised three of the most awesome people in the world with very little income.
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Five Fun Chore Chart AlternativesWe like to switch up our chore methods from time to time. We usually focus task selection on the kids. It breaks up the dull routine and makes them feel they're a part of family decision making.
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What kind of annoying parent are you?There are all kinds of annoying parents in the world. What kind are you? Don't be offended. I'm an annoying parent too. I know exactly what kind I am. How about you? All parents are annoying. Do you know why?
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5 stupid things people have asked me about my racially mixed kidsOver the years, people have asked me some pretty stupid questions about my mixed race kids and grand-kids. Some were offensive, some made me angry, while others just prompted me to laugh hysterically. Let's start this off with a laugh.
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Tween outdoor play not just for weight controlWhat benefits, other than maintaining a healthy weight, does your tween get from outdoor play?
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Parenting in the Kitchen: Life Lessons and LaughterWhat can kids learn in the kitchen? Everything form teamwork to social skills.
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Parenting by the BookParenting strictly by the book is usually ineffective, no matter the book. Why do you think that is? Here's what I think.
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Letting Kids Get Down and DirtyThese days parents seem overly concerned about kids getting dirty. What's the big deal?
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Stay-at-home moms: Entertain preschool kids while you workStay at home moms aren't just there to keep the house clean anymore. Some of them have work at home jobs to do. It's tempting to use electronic entertainment when trying to meet work deadlines. You don't want to go there. What else can you do?
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Are you sure you want a super clean tween?I'm going to tell you right now, the tween grand-kids in my life are slobs. Their rooms look like twin tsunamis struck after a tornado.Are you sure you want a super clean tween? Do you want it bad enough to clean up after them?
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Save the planet: Grow green kidsWhat kind of kids are we raising? Will they be able to correct our past mistakes? Will they even want to? Do they have the ambition, heart, and courage to make this world a better place to live?
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Tips for a Housework Free Stay-cationAs gas prices rise, more and more families are opting for a stay-cation. Moms and Dads might balk at the idea due to housework interfering with their fun. Actually, a stay-cation can be almost housework free if you lay down a few ground rules.
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Dining Out: How to Occupy Kids at the TableHow do you keep kids entertained when dining out? You don't want your kids disrupting the other diners. What are some things you can do to keep them busy and happy?
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5 sneaky ways to get kids to listenHow can you get kids to really listen to what you've said? I just happen to have a few tricks in my arsenal designed exactly for this common issue.
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5 cheap, healthy Easter basket ideas for tweensGo ahead and give them those chocolate bunnies. It's an Easter tradition. As for the rest of the basket, try one or more of these cheap, healthy Easter basket fillers.
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Parents: 5 reasons to take a time outSpeaking as a frustrated former retail worker, I know plenty of parents who could use a time out. Some people are as bad as their kids. Some are worse. Some are just tired and frustrated. In any case, sometimes parents need a time out, too.
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Single Moms: Do the Kids Hate Your New Boyfriend?Do your kids hate your new boyfriend? Of all the things single moms face, this one is the toughest. Find out why your kids aren't so crazy about your perfect match.
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Place No Limits on These Kids ToysIs there anything parents don't or shouldn't place limits on? Absolutely. Parents should place few or no limits on these toys for kids.
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Raising girls who like themselvesHow do you raise girls who like themselves in a world filled with contrary input? Most of all, how do you teach them what qualities should be valued?
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Making bedtime something kids look forward toIt's bedtime and your toddler wants no part of it. The battle ensues. He pushes you to the limit. His older sister's none too happy either. How can you get kids to bed on time without all this craziness?
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Fun green money making activities for tweensHere's some things my kids did as tweens to save the earth, make a profit and have some fun at the same time.
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Teaching Kids to Make Healthy Choices Away from HomeHow can you be sure kids make healthy choices at school, friends houses and social events? While you can't be positive kids will always do the right thing where their health is concerned, you can give them a little push in the right direction.
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Nix Kids' Boredom with Unseasonal FunWhen you envisioned having kids, you knew nothing about the bored games. No, I don't mean monopoly. I'm talking monotony. Having a little unseasonably good fun can make all the difference when kids are bored.
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Spring Break Fun for Budget Conscious FamiliesYou want spring break to be a real reprieve for your kids. You might be surprised what you can afford to do. Here's some ideas kids will love that won't leave you with an empty wallet.
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Single Moms: How to Keep Friendships StrongHow can single moms keep their friendships strong, while still giving kids the attention they need?
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Kids and Credit Ratings: Education and RevelationYour kids are still in their tweens. Why is it so important to talk to them about their credit ratings now?
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Super-Size Your Family Game Night with Five Fun TwistsDo your kids think family game night is boring? Why not add a few fun twists to liven things up?
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5 calming activities for restless, rambunctious tweensThese days a lot of parents are worried about couch potato kids. For others, the struggle is the opposite one. How do you get some tweens to sit still?
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5 alternatives to kids' lunch box plasticHealth concerns about plastic got you worried? It's not just about BPA anymore. There are at least 700 studies on the dangers of different plastics. What other materials can you use to pack kids lunches in?
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Empty nest bucket list: 5 things to do when the kids fly the coopMaybe you're already facing that empty nest. Do you have plans to fill the time? What are your goals for life after kids? Here are some activities that might help you transition with enthusiasm.
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Bringing Family Game Night OutdoorsWhy not take family game night to a whole new level this week? Get outside and play in the great outdoors for a change.
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Five Reasons Date Night is Essential for ParentsWhy is date night so important to parents? All work and no play makes Mom and Dad pretty dull. Even parents deserve a little down time.
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Five Strange Items that Make Great Toys for KidsKids will play with the craziest things, won't they? Might as well go with the flow, right? That's what parenting is all about. In that spirit, here's a few more strange toys to add to your kids collections.
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5 fun workouts your family will beg to doHaving a hard time getting your family to work out together? You're calling it healthy, aren't you? Why not just incorporate some of these fun activities into your family schedule?
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Spring cleaning chores kids loveSpring break means kids are home from school. How do you beat the boredom? It shouldn't be all fun and games. You want to get them into the healthy habit of spring cleaning. What kind of spring break chores will kids enjoy?Also published on:
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Stopping smart mouthed tweens from spouting off in publicSome tweens have smart mouths. Maybe they've watched too many sitcoms. Maybe they lack our social wisdom. Whatever the reason, it can be humiliating when they smart off in public. What can you do?
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Single Parents Can Achieve Their DreamsSingle parents can achieve their dreams. Here's how they can do it.
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Kids' Friends Have Issues? How to DealDealing with your kids' friends comes with the territory. Plus, you have to remember, other parents may be having the same problem with your kids.
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Five Reasons Stay-at-Home Moms Should Have a Set ScheduleIs it really necessary for stay-a-home moms to set a rigid schedule? There are some advantages to having some kind of regular routine. For one, it gives a sense of purpose to your life.
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Helping kids understand the family budgetWhat is this budget thing? Why is it preventing kids from getting what they want? How can you make kids understand the concept of a family budget?
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Take your tween hiking for teamwork lessonsWhen my kids were tweens we took plenty of long walks. Our hikes included searching for natural items, helping each other up slippery slopes and more. All of these hiking activities build teamwork.
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5 ways going green improves your kids' healthWhat makes children of green parents so healthy? Just about everything green you could imagine.
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Kids' Fatal Mistakes Happen Regardless of Good ParentingKids will be kids. They will get into trouble, they will follow their peers, they will bully, they will be bullied and yes, they will try things they shouldn't. Sometimes good kids will make fatal mistakes. Good parenting is not immune to tragedy.
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Quick healthy snacks for moms on the goStaying healthy is a huge challenge for busy moms. What can you do? When you're dreaming up healthy lunches and snacks for kids, don't forget yourself.
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5 fun lunch ideas for first gradersPack one of these lunch surprises for your first graders. Not only will kids gobble them up, they'll make their friends jealous. No trades on these fun lunches.
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Do fairy tales give tween girls false impressions?Not everyone lives happily ever after. Do fairy tales and children's stories give tween girls a false impression of the world? How can you make sure they view the world realistically?
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Eleven Year Old Dies After Playground FightLast Friday, according to Press-Telegram, 11-year-old Joanna Ramos died after a playground fight. How can you keep kids from fighting at school? You can start by talking about Joanna and other children like her.
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Parenting Takes Both Authority and SensitivityHow do you keep your voice of authority, without being a complete dictator? Why is it so important that a parent have the final say? How can parents project both authority and sensitivity?
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Make Kids Want to BehaveKids really do want to please their parents. You just have to give them encouragement to do so.
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Lessons Kids Learn from Your Tax ReturnThere are some very positive things your kids can learn at tax time, if you do your taxes the right way.
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Does the Book “To Train Up a Child” Encourage Child Abuse?Sparks are flying over a parenting book found in the homes of three children, dead from parental abuse. Some say the book, “To Train Up a Child”, by Michael and Debi Pearl encourages abuse.
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Keeping tweens fed through growth spurtsOther parenting duties pale in comparison to keeping growing tweens fed.They all seem to have the bottomless pit syndrome. How do you keep up with tween appetites?Also published on:
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5 parental characteristics needed for effective disciplineThere are five characteristics kids sense in you when they're disciplined. Any one of them can make or break the lessons they learn.
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Extreme parenting produces extreme kidsParenting isn't about extreme measures or agendas. It's about raising a well-adjusted, healthy child. In order to do that, you might want to center yourself between extremes.
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Parents Gone Wild with Viral Parenting TechniquesIf you've been watching online news at all, you've seen more than a few crazy parenting techniques. What are these people thinking? Is it about the fame, the fortune or are they just goofing off at the expense of their kids?
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Consoling Your Kids After Best Friend Break-UpsBest friend break-ups are nearly inevitable for kids. Socialization is a learning experience for them. They haven't quite figured out who they get along with well. Is there anything you can do when kids break up with their best friends?
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Peers Provoking Classroom Drama? Keeping Your Kids Out of ItAre your kids' experiences at school starting to sound like reality TV? How do you keep your kids calm and rational in a classroom gone mad with drama, jealousy, and rumors? Try these tips.
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Work at Home Tips: How to Separate Job and Family TimeWorking at home is a great way to spend more time with your family. The problem is, you have work to do. So how do you draw that line of separation between working at home and being at home?
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Tweens still love to learn: Don't wait to educateParents, are you taking full advantage of your tween's love for learning? They'll be teens soon. Don't wait to educate them until it's too late. I'm speaking of life lessons, exploring new interests and broadening horizons.
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Anger Management Techniques for Single ParentsWhy do single parents need unique anger management tips? Simply put, they have no partner to get their back when things get overwhelming. And believe me, things do get overwhelming.
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Why you should keep a toy box at Grandma's houseAs a grandmother of four, I keep a few basic toys at my house for the younger ones when they come to visit. We do a lot together, but they need independent play time too.
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How single parenting builds strength and characterHang in there, single parents. All your efforts will pay off in the end. Don't resent the fact that you're a single parent. Embrace the education you'll obtain.
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Raising vegetarian kids: Is it a healthy choice?A vegetarian diet can provide everything your child needs for optimum health. In fact, in many ways, it's far superior to the meat-based diet most Americans choose to feed their children.
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Developing a voice of authority with tweensIf you have trouble getting your tweens to listen, this article is for you. Developing an authoritative voice is essential to parenting.
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Creating a network makes for more effective parentingThe bigger, tighter and stronger your parenting network is, the less chance your kids have of falling through the cracks.
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Fast Food Not the Only Issue with American Kids' DietsThe way we cook at home is negatively impacting our kids' health just as much as the fast food industry. It's time for drastic changes in the way we view nutrition.
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Keep Kids Warm and Dry in Heavy Snow and Freezing TemperaturesI was a divorced Mom of three for many years. Buying a car was out of the question on my tight budget. Thankfully, I had grown up in a lake effect snow area. My Mom taught me how to keep kids cozy in any kind of weather.
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Stopping tween school tardinessIs your tween habitually tardy for school? Get your tween out the door and off to school promptly with these tips.
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Starting a kids' community gardenWhy not start a kids' community garden? Your kids' friends will have something constructive to do when they visit. Plus, you'll be giving back to the community.
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Sneaky ways to check up on teen babysittersFinding a trustworthy teen babysitter isn't easy. You don't want to create tension. What are some sneaky ways to check on teen babysitters?
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Dumpster Diving for the Grand-kidsI take what other people throw away, clean it up, paint it up, fix it up and give it to my lucky grand-kids. Oh, and in case you're wondering, it's completely legal to dumpster dive in our state.
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Grandma Gives Three Old Fashioned Parenting Rules a FailNot all old fashioned parenting rules work. Some get a fail from this Grandma. Just because your parents or grandparents subscribed to these three rules, doesn't mean they'll work for you.
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Why Parents Should Treat Their Kids like DogsSometimes parents treat their dogs better than their kids. Admit it. You spoil them rotten. I'm not saying you should spoil your kids. Still, you could at least extend them the same courtesy as your pets.
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Catholic Groups Oppose Birth Control Coverage: Isn't Planned Parenthood the Best Kind?Should birth control be covered by insurance?
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Parents: Don't Forget Skin Protection in Winter WeatherOnce the sun stops beating down with intense fury, most parents put away the skin protection. Problem is, the sun doesn't go away in winter. It's still busy sending ultraviolet rays down to earth.
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Denver School Kids Go Without Coats for Fashion's SakeJust the other day, my daughter and I had a conversation about Denver parents who don't make their kids wear coats in winter. Believe it or not, there is an epidemic of this behavior in Denver schools.
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4 crazy parenting perksIf all we had to look forward to were poopy diapers, pacing the floor at night and fending off our teenage daughters' boyfriends, nobody would ever have children. On the lighter side, there are also some crazy parenting perks we never thought of.
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Good parenting takes time: Don't expect instant resultsIt takes time to raise a child properly. Don't expect your kids to be perfect anytime soon. Your patience pays off big when kids reach adulthood. Until then, be ready for a few setbacks.
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Teaching tweens to recognize toxic friendshipsWhat can you do to keep your tween out of toxic friendships? As usual, example is the best teacher. What else works?
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Giving Kids Choices: Good Strategy or Bad Decision?Is giving kids the right to make choices at every turn a good strategy? Is it a bad decision? Well, that depends.
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Babies read lips to learn speech earlyA new study shows babies learn to speak by watching lip movements. How else can you help your baby learn to speak correctly?
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Supermoms Don't Take the Fall for Their KidsThere's one in every friendship circle. Is she really a Supermom though? What life lessons is she teaching her kids if she's right there to solve all their problems and clean up all their messes? Real Supermoms don't take the fall for their kids.
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Kids' Valentine's Day Politics – Curing the No Card BluesIs your child the kid in class that gets no Valentine's Day cards? Is there anything you can do to make kids feel better about being less popular? How can you help them improve their social standing?
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Room Parent Tips: Unique Class Activities for Valentine's DayAre you an awesome room parent? Longing to organize a memorable Valentine's Day party for your kids class? Why not suggest one of these innovative class activities for Valentine's Day?
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Valentine's Day kids stuff at the dollar storeLooking for Valentine's Day goodies for your kids' classes at school? Kids tired of handing out the same old boring cards? Have you checked the dollar store?
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Valentine's Day romance and your tween – how to dealIt's Valentine's Day. Your tween has a little crush. How do you handle it?
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Five Ways Grandparents Bridge the Generation GapSome savvy grandparents have no trouble bridging the generation gap between themselves and their grand-kids. How do they do it?
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Five Ways for Grandparents to Build Kids' Self EsteemParents aren't the only ones capable of building kids' self esteem. Grandparents have a special bond with their grandchildren. This enables them to reinforce their sense of self worth.
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Five Reasons Grandparents Should Lighten UpI believe most grandparents would benefit from lightening up a little. Here's why.
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5 things to do on a walk with your grand-kidsIncorporate these simple activities into your walk with the grand-kids.
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5 fun free places to go with the grand-kidsGrandparents living on fixed incomes can't always afford prime attractions. That doesn't mean outings with the grand-kids have to be any less fun. There are plenty of free things you can do with them.
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Does your tween long to be a teen?Does your tween wish they were a teen? What can you do to convince your tween they have it pretty good?
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Five things you should never teach your grandkidsGrandparents have been around the parenting block. Often, they extend parenting lessons to their grandkids. There's nothing wrong with that unless they step out of bounds. Be careful about the example you set for your grandkids.
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5 ways to teach grandkids the value of moneyWhy should grandparents teach grandkids the value of money? For that matter, why should they teach them anything? Isn't that their parents' job? Well, as they say, it takes a village to raise a child.
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5 valuable lessons tweens learn from their grandparentsTweens are very susceptible to the influence of their grandparents. What are five important lessons grandparents are well-qualified to teach?
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Five Benefits of Grand-Parenting from a Savvy GrandmaThere are more than a few fun benefits to grand-parenting. Here are five right off the top of my head.
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Five Ways to Keep Up with Your Grand-kidsHere are five ways to keep up with your grand-kids that won't leave you gasping for air.
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Grandparents Fighting Parents: When is it OK to Butt In?There are certain situations where grandparents have to butt in, for the welfare of the child.
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Five Reasons Every Grandparent Should Be on FacebookWhy should every grandparent be on facebook? Well, the short answer is, that's where your grand-kids are. Of course, there's much more to it than that.
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Grandparents: Are You Still Cleaning Up After Your Kids?Grandparents, is it time to ask yourself why you're still cleaning up after your grown kids? How do you draw the line between a doing them a favor and taking on a burden?
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Ways to Help Your Kids Sell More Girl Scout CookiesWant to know how your kids can sell more Girl scout cookies? What makes me qualified? Let's just say I've sold more than my share of Trefoils, Thin Mints and Samoas.
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Teens Watching Unrated Stand Up Comedy? How to DealDo your teens love watching stand up comedy? How do you deal with the profanity and suggestive humor?
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Is Your Teen's Job Interfering with Studies?Is your teen's job getting in the way of their school work? What can you do to get them back on track?
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Unexpected Long Term Stays: Keeping Grand-Kids Entertained on the CheapMost of the time when my grand-kids come to visit, they want to stay as long as they can. Fine by me. Now, how will I entertain them? Money is tight.
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Five Things Your Grand-Kids Do Better - Just Admit ItEven old ladies like me have cell phones. Of course, we don't know how to use them to their full potential. That's why we have grand-kids. Just admit it. There are some things your grand-kids do better than you.
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Five Places Tweens Can Work Before Getting a Real JobWhen tweens are too young for a real job, there's plenty they can do to earn money. Where can they work?
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How Well Do You Know Your Kids?Parents who don't take the time to get to know their kids always regret it later. Here are some questions you can ask your kids about themselves and what those questions reveal about them.
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Kids and the after-Christmas bluesHow do you help kids deal with the after-Christmas blues?
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Talking to kids about your New Year's resolutionsAre you facing the coming New Year with resolutions for change? Do you plan to talk to your kids about it?
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Changing tweens bad health habits before they startYou've been doing a lot of thinking about your tween's health habits. You don't want them forming unhealthy habits early in life. It's so hard to break those. So put the focus where it belongs.
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Tweens partying with friends this New Year's?So your tween's been invited to a friend's New Year's party? What do you do?
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Serving a non-traditional holiday dinner: 5 tips for momsLet's face it; when it comes to holiday dinners, moms get the short end of the wishbone every year. At least they do at my house. Here are five tips and pointers for moms who want to change things up a bit.
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Kids sneaking holiday food before dinner?What kid doesn't sneak food before dinner is served on holidays? Still, that doesn't mean you want kids downing the whole thing before you can get it to the table. What's a mom to do?
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Five Things Expectant Moms Should KnowAll the parenting classes in the world can't teach you everything there is to know about being a mother. Some things you simply have to learn on your own.
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Fun, Athletic Kids' Activities for New Year's EveWhat are some fun active things kids can do at your New Year's Eve party?
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Easy Christmas Gift Wrapping Techniques for KidsI still remember my mom teaching me to wrap Christmas presents. It wasn't easy. For her, I mean. I had a ball. These days, there are easy gift wrapping alternatives for kids. Here's a few mixed with Mom's advice.
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Simplify your holiday season in five easy stepsDuring the holidays, simple seems nearly unattainable. In fact, the holidays are becoming a whole lot of hoopla with not much down time.
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Can't afford Christmas gifts for your kids?Start working on some gifts from the heart. Today's kids have been commercialized to death anyway. An old-fashioned holiday might be just what they need.
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Dollar store Christmas gift baskets kids can makeAm I really going to tell you how kids can make gift baskets from dollar store items? Yes, I am. Kids can make beautiful Christmas gift baskets using certain dollar store items.
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Tween's Christmas wish list too long?What do you do when your tween has a Christmas wish list that makes Santa shake in his boots?
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Holiday crowd control for parentsParents have enough on their mind without the added stress of dealing with all those people. Why not just escape to a nice quiet island somewhere. Can you?
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Code Adam tactic -- Keep kids close while holiday shoppingKeeping kids close while shopping for the holidays is a wise parental move. Not only that, it's serious business. No parent wants their child to become a Code Adam or Amber Alert statistic.
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Kid Maintenance Tips for the HolidaysAre your kids getting lost in the holiday hustle and bustle? Why not take a little time to reflect on the reason for the season. Most of all, don't forget to do a little kid maintenance.
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Make your New Year's party shine with or without the kidsHere's to having kids (or not) at your New Year's Eve party. Either way, you can get your shine on with these sparkling tips.
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Tween boys who cook and cleanHave you ever thought of teaching your tween boy to cook and clean, then thought better of it? Why? These days, domestic skills are just as important for boys as they are for girls.
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This New Years Eve, I Drink to My HealthWhat will be the first step of my journey? What five New Years resolutions will inspire me to drink to my health?
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Holiday Stress Busters for ParentsParents have it pretty rough during the holidays. Take a nice long nap. Then try these holiday stress busters for parents who are just a little “holidayed out”.
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Teaching Kids to Stay Safe in the StoreWhy you should put a pepper in their pocket
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Five interior decorating lessons I learned the hard wayMost interior decorating articles involve a picture of a beautiful room. This is not one of those articles. Like most amateur interior decorators, I've learned many lessons through trial and error.Also published on:
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My Five Worst Gardening MistakesNo matter how well qualified, every gardener has made mistakes. How did you think I got so savvy about gardening? Turns out, gardening experts are not immune to common gardening issues. Who knew?
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Christmas Vacation Activities for KidsBeing a stay-at-home mom or dad is never easy. Still, it's nice to have the house to yourself while kids are in school. How do you keep kids entertained during Christmas vacation and still get your work done?
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Quick cures for your holiday shopping hangoverHoliday shopping hangovers don't just hit when the shopping's done. They're with you through the whole experience. I've got some cures that will have you back on your feet in a flash.
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Choosing Christmas Gifts from Daughters to DadsIt's hard for young girls to figure out what Dad would want for Christmas. That's why they turn to the expert in everything about Dad. Unfortunately, some moms haven't a clue either. Here are several.
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Teaching Kids Through Letters to SantaThe way kids are taught to write letters to Santa can reinforce social skills, manners and much more.
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Why Believing in Santa is Good for Your KidsWhy is believing in Santa so good for your kids? He's just a fairy tale, right? Not so fast. Santa is alive and well. He exists in the minds and hearts of children all over the world.
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Sentimental Christmas gifts kids loveThere are plenty of sentimental gifts kids would love to open on Christmas.
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Tweens Christmas wish list: Why the Grinch was rightRemember how the Grinch took away all the presents? It was still a happy Christmas. Maybe he had the right idea.
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No peeking! Christmas shopping with kids in towChristmas shopping with kids is nearly impossible. How do you cope? How did I?
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Five easy holiday foods tweens can cookThese dishes can be made by kids and whisked off to Grandma's house for the big family holiday.
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Parents: Five ways to keep your Christmas gift budget in checkWhen it comes to buying Christmas gifts, parents have it harder than anyone. What can you do to give kids a good Christmas on a budget?
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Five things Santa can do to convince kids he existsPoor Santa. He has a hard time getting kids to believe in him these days. I'd like to suggest a few ways Santa can make his presence known to the kids he visits.
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Five Silly Things to Do with Kids on ThanksgivingThere are tons of silly things you can do with your kids on this day of thanks.
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Plant Flowers With Your Kids This Holiday SeasonWhy not plant flowers with your kids this year for the holidays? Wouldn't it be nice to have beautiful flowers blooming in your home during the cold winter months?
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Five Traditions Every Kid Should Experience During the HolidaysThere are some things no kid should miss out on during the holidays.
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What is a Japanese Tomato Ring?A Japanese tomato ring is a clever method of growing the healthiest tomatoes on the planet.
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Drainage for Potted Plants: Is One Hole Enough?I've seen drainage mentioned many times in reference to container gardening. What exactly is proper drainage?
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Can Tomatoes Be Grown Indoors in Winter?Growing tomatoes indoors is not only feasible, it's smart. So, what's the best way to grow tomatoes indoors in winter?
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Clever Tool Tips for Arthritic GardenersYou have arthritis. How you choose and use gardening tools matters. Be careful out there. Enjoy yourself in the garden. Don't let it cripple you for life.
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Not so Crazy Old Time Tips for Planting BulbsMy Dad taught me a lot of tricks that today's modern gardeners might find crazy or unconventional. I'm OK with that, because his tips work. So, how do I plant bulbs?
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Food Drying: Dehydrating Tips Mom and Grandma Taught MeWe call food drying dehydrating these days, but you can still use these tips my Mom and Grandma passed down to do it right.
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Seed Starting Savvy: Five Quick Easy Tips and TricksThink you know everything about starting seeds? Here's some savvy tips about starting seeds I've learned over the years. Hope you find them as helpful as I have.
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Crazy Water Conservation Tips for GardenersWe all know about rain barrels. What other water conservation tips are there for avid gardeners? Are there some unconventional ideas that save us from watering so frequently?
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Helping tweens develop a good work ethicWant to encourage your tween to be more independent? Developing a good work ethic in the tween years can make a huge difference in their adult life.Also published on:
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Helping racially-mixed tweens deal with lifeI never labeled my kids as either black, white or native. That's because they're all three. When tweens at school started asking them which they were, they had no idea how to answer.
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Fun ideas for a baby gender-reveal partyWhat's a gender-reveal party? It's a party where you reveal the sex of your baby to friends and family. Surprise the whole gang at once.
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Raising Kids Who Think Outside the BoxWhy would you want your kids to become free thinkers? Well, not everyone who thinks outside the box is crazy. In fact, it can be a very admirable quality.
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Funny Ways Moms Can Get Kids to SleepWhile watching my grandson slip peacefully off the couch onto the floor, yesterday, I started thinking about all the funny tactics I used to get my own kids to sleep.
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Teach Kids to Clean Up for CharityWhen kids clean their rooms, don't throw away usable items. Teach them to clean up for charity instead. You might not immediately think of these specific uses for kids discarded items.
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Fun and free holiday activities for kidsYou want kids to have just as much fun at your house as the grown-ups. What can you do to keep them entertained? Don't worry. There are plenty of fun free holiday activities for kids that don't involve fancy toys.
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Home for the holidaysAre you tired of having to travel for the holidays? Why not get family and friends to come to you? You don't need a huge country home to make your house a good place to gather. You just need a little know how.
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The benefits of single parentingI know. You think there are no benefits to single parenting. It's rough on your emotions, physically demanding and people do tend to judge, don't they? Yet, it has its virtues and rewards.
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Accommodating Kids at Your Holiday GatheringGot kids coming to your holiday gathering? It's good to plan ahead for where they will nap, eat and play.
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Advice from Your Grown Kids: Should You Listen?Should you listen to advice from your grown kids?
