Ruth Woodhouse
I am a stay-at-home mother. My special 9-yo daughter is in heaven. My bright, funny little boy is 8 I have been married to my soul mate for 17 yrs. I want to have a successful writing career and intend to write a book about my little girl.
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- 136,216
- Content
- 35
- Fans
- 10
- Contributor since
- 10/30/2007
Education/Experience
High school to year 11, secretarial course (college), diploma of ministry (Salvation Army Training College)
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Displaying Results 1 - 35 (of 35) for All Content
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Coping with the Death of a ChildThe loss of a child is something parents never really recover from. They must somehow keep going - but they will always carry untold sorrow deep in their hearts. Here I share the beginnings of my own grief journey for the beloved child I lost at Christmas time. -
Should Your Weight Determine If You Are Fit to Adopt?In Australia it has become increasingly difficult to adopt children. Potential adoptive parents are often discriminated against. A reality check is needed in this area for the mutual benefit of homeless kids and worthy prospective parents. -
Is it Okay to Let Your Child Cry?It's normal and healthy for kids to cry often. We shouldn't discourage them from this means of self-expression. Rather, we should always let them know we care and support them in their sad experiences.
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Reflections on Marrying YoungIn a society where so many young people put so many other things ahead of settling down and having a family, there is much to be said for committing to a life-long relationship early in life. Sadly, our throw-away society has had a detrimental impact on relationships.
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Are the Youth of Today a Lost Generation?While too many of our youth are in big trouble, there is much reason for hope. Other young people are very much on the right track. Those who are lost need to be given the direction and purpose of traditional Christian values.
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Reflections on the Death of Heath LedgerIt's now apparent that this young man's demise was the result of a deadly combination of prescribed medication. The terrible premature loss of a talented actor is surpassed though by the tragic personal loss to his family, for whom he was so much more than a movie star.
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The Top Ten Greatest Inventions of All TimeIn this, the 21st century, it can be a boggling challenge to identify the ten top greatest inventions of all time. However, I'm giving it a go here. You may not agree with them all - and there are certainly many other remarkable inventions that could vie for inclusion. -
The Case for Audio BooksAudio books are great value for people with various disabilities, opening up to them a wide world of pleasure, adventure and mental stimulation. They are also a wonderful medium of entertainment and enrichment for almost anybody in many different situations.
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My Beloved DogsOver the past 21 years I have received much joy from the companionship of four special canine friends. The first was a little black and white bitser who lived to be 17. Then there was a golden cocker who lived to be 15. The other two are also cockers, now aged 11. -
Is Lapband Surgery Appropriate for Obese Children?It is totally reprehensible that our society is resorting to such extreme measures as lapband surgery for obese children. We owe it to our vulnerable kids to work with them and their parents in solving this epidemic by the most natural, healthy means.
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Tips for New Dads: Bonding with Your NewbornBonding with a baby can begin even before birth - for both expectant parents. There are many ways in which the father can cultivate the relationship by being involved in the whole experience from the time he finds out the wonderful news. -
The Things They Don't Tell You About ChildbirthWhen I was expecting my first baby I read so much about childbirth. Yet, when it came to the big event, I felt like I knew hardly anything - and almost nothing matched my birth plan. This info from my personal experience just might be the only place you'll read it.
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Do Our Children Need to Know God?Children need to have a personal knowledge of God - and the most effective way for them to develop a relationship with Him is by their parents showing the way. God gives their lives essential meaning, direction and a solid rock foundation.
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Is Television Worth Watching?Sometimes TV deserves it's reputation as "the idiot box". There's no doubt there's some garbage served up. However, there is also an abundance of great material. In this article I discuss some of the shows I consider well worth watching.
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The Value of Boys and Girls Playing with DollsToo often parents become paranoid about their boys playing with dolls. However, in the vast majority of cases their concern is unfounded. It's totally normal for little boys as well as girls to play with dolls - and it helps their all-round social development.
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Assessing the Value of Preschoolers Using ComputersLiving in this modern age, where computers play such a major role, it seems worthwhile for children to be introduced to them from quite an early age. They are so quick to grasp technology and can benefit in many ways from learning via this media.
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Is Hindsight Good or Bad?Hindsight can be either positive or negative. It all depends on whether it's used to a person's benefit in making better future choices - or whether it's used to plague a person with regret and possibly undeserved guilt.
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How to Teach Your Preshooler to ReadIf you are enthusiastic about reading books yourself the chances are strong that your child will catch on and will develop literacy in the most natural way. There really is no need for formal reading lessons before a child starts school. But literacy can start at birth.
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My Favorite Bible StoryThe Old Testament story of Joseph shows how God can work in even the most dysfunctional families and achieve His own purposes in an individual's life no matter what others may do to hinder the fulfilment of His will.
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Poetry: DogsTribute to the unconditional and non-judgmental love and devotion of our canine friends
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What is the Difference Between an Ordinary Letter and an Email?Emails are quick, easy and convenient. However, they certainly do not have the character that a hand-written letter has and many people don't take any care with them at all. Somehow they are unlikely to have anything like the historical value that letters always have.
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Britney Spears Loses Custody of Her ChildrenHow tragic that this once phenomenally successful, idealistic young star has crashed to earth with such devastating results. In spite of her notoriety though, surely most of us would hope she can yet climb up out of the mess her life is in and redeem all that she's lost.
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Special Children in Special FamiliesParents of children with special needs are often told that these little ones are only given to special parents. This does not always hold true. However, in a significant number of families special children are cherished in spite of the pain they bear. -
Should Children Be Exposed to People with Special Needs?Exposing children to people with special needs ought to be part of their earliest social development. It builds caring, compassionate and sensitive human beings and is mutually enriching. -
Writing with a Word ProcessorFor the majority of us who have always had a passion for writing, the word processor has become a wonderful modern-day friend and colleague, allowing us so much liberation to write without so many of the frustrations we experienced just a couple of decades ago.
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Tribute to Our Brave Little AngelOur beloved little girl, Amy went to heaven just a week before Christmas. She was just a few months short of her 10th birthday. This is a tribute to her stoic life-long battle. -
Should Minors Be Allowed to Use Tanning Beds?For too long we have been led to believe that getting a tan at a solarium is safe. Now some terrifying facts are emerging about just how deadly tanning beds can be. Young people need to be protected from the horrifying risks of their obsession with a golden glow.
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Education and Health Care in AustraliaThere are many differences in terms used and educational practices in the USA and Australia. Our health system is even more different, with greater provision for the poorest members of our society. This article gives lots of information about the differences.
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Christmas in AustraliaThe fact that Christmas in Australia is in summer affects many of the ways in which we celebrate this festive occasion - though we cling to old traditions brought here by our European ancestors as well.
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The Pros and Cons of Children Watching the Daily NewsWhile we may like our children to be educated about what's happening in their world, being exposed to the daily news can fill them with anxiety and fear.
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Should We Encourage Our Children to Believe in Santa Claus?There is a place in the childhood experience of Christmas for fantasy without the true meaning being lost or tarnished. We do not lie to our children when we play along with the Santa tradition. Children need fantasy and we should not rob them of its pleasure.
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Differences Between Living in the USA and Living in Australia - Part 2While we have much in common, there are a number of sports, entertainments and foods that are unique to our respective countries - or that we enjoy more than others.
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Differences Between Living in the USA and Living in AustraliaThis article contains a great deal of information about living in Australia which will be very enlightening and hopefully of great interest to many Americans.
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Temporary Ban on Popular Toy Aqua DotsFollowing the hospitalization of two Australian children who swallowed beads from this award-winning toy, they were found to contain a toxic chemical. The resulting interim band has extended to the US.
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Australian Federal Election - November 24, 2007Prime Minister John Howard faces possibly his hottest political contest yet as Labor leader, Kevin Rudd woos voters to adopt a new team to lead the nation after eleven years with the Liberal party at the helm.