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7 Stages of Potty Training
There are seven stages of potty training. They begin with showing signs of potty training readiness and conclude with being able to use the toilet away from home.
Signs of Readiness - The first stage of potty training begins when your child...
How to Plan a Cheap Wedding
There’s no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive. The average cost of a wedding today is $20,000 – $25,000, and weddings are estimated to be a $25.3 billion industry. But don’t worry if your budget cannot stretch for the most expensive...
How Two Quarelling Kids Helped Invent the Better Behavior Wheel
When David was nine and Laura was twelve, the battles started.
Prior to that, they got along great. Laura was always protective of her little brother, and he in turn, doted on her.
Perhaps it was about needing space, asserting ...
The Science of Mother Love
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the way babies are cared for by their mothers will determine not only their emotional development, but the biological development of the child's brain and central nervous system as well. The...
Your Words Matter
Amidst much groaning and moaning, we carried one of our two kayaks from the bayside of the key to the beach—two hundred yards of sweat and hand chafing. Loaded down with paddles and life preservers, we herded the kids to water’s edge.
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The Foundation for a Happy Family
"All happy families resemble one another, but each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way" Leo Tolstoy: Anna Karenina
How do happy families resemble one another? What are the characteristics they have in common? A number of years ago, a current affairs program covered the 40th anniversary of a special couple. Organising the celebrations were their sixteen children. The couple re-enacted their bridal waltz, to the tearful applause of their large brood. They had brought up a close-knit, loving family, not without a great deal of sacrifice and hard work. Yet perhaps their greatest achievement of all, was remaining close and affectionate to one another. Their children were justifiably proud of their wonderful parents. The number one characteristic of a happy family is a loving relationship between parents. It is consistently proven through research that parental conflict and hostility causes children to experience distress and disturbance. Yet today, when our busy lives often leave us stressed and exhausted, parental relationships are usually the first to suffer. Research has also shown that marital satisfaction suffers a decline after the birth of children. The adjustment to motherhood is a huge one for women, leaving us tired, emotionally drained, and sometimes resentful. Fathers can feel the pressure of added financial responsibility, and a loss of intimacy with their exhausted wife. Unfortunately many bad habits can creep into a relationship at this time. Let's never forget the fact that parents are the glue that holds the family together. When we become unstuck, so does the family! Never before has it been so important to work at our relationships. As mothers, we are so concerned to give our children the best possible care we can. Yet we forget that the greatest gift we can give our children, is to love their father. And the greatest gift a father can give his children, is to love their mother.
While our children are growing up, they naturally absorb much of our time and energy. So much so, that the most important relationship in the family gets overlooked. Yet one day our children will grow up and leave the family home, so it is vitally important that we keep a focus on our partner, because one day they are the only ones we will see! Recently a family comedy show highlighted in hilarious fashion the fact that parents so often treat complete strangers or acquaintances with far more consideration than they do each other. We are so "nice" to other people, then short tempered, critical and
rude to one another in similar situations. In other words, we treat the ones who we love and value the most, with the least consideration. Its time to take an honest look at the way we treat our closest relative on earth. If there is room for improvement, don't waste another day before instigating a change. Remember that when we really want things to change, the first place to start is with ourselves. Start by asking yourself this question, "how would I like to be married to me?" This will very often shed light on things we can change for the better. Look at your words and the way you say them. Replace criticisms with words of encouragement and appreciation on a daily basis. Use endearing names even if they sound silly. (Studies have shown long-lasting relationships are often characterised by spouses using affectionate nick-names!) Next, be more outwardly affectionate. Don't part company without a kiss and an "I love you". Remind yourself to say "I love you" at least once every day. At dinner time, or when the family is gathered together, tell the children how much you love daddy (and watch their delighted expressions!). Make time for one another, either by going out on regular dates, or having a candle-lit dinner together after the children's bedtime on a regular basis. My husband and I will soon celebrate our 29th wedding anniversary. Never before have I loved and appreciated my husband like I love him now. Yet there have been times when we have argued, fumed, sulked, and just plain not liked each other. That is part and parcel of a normal relationship. But it is our determination to work through the problems, and weather the storms, that makes what we have now even more precious. When you work at your relationship, you are laying the foundation for a happy family life, where your children will experience security, contentment, and the priceless gift of parental love. Many people philosophise on what measures true success. For me, an example of true success was the couple dancing together after forty years of marriage and sixteen children, still very much in love.
Visit http://www.mothertime.com.au
About the Author
Terri Hardwick currently runs an Australian network of support for mums and is the author of 'Parenting Inc'. Visit www.mothertime.com.au for more information or and join the Mothertime discussion forum. This article may be freely distributed without alteration and always with an active link to the mothertime.com.au website.
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Family.org |
Offers practical help for marriage and child-rearing. Recent magazine articles, letters from Dr. James Dobson, news, and RealAudio broadcasts. |
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FamilyFun: Fun stuff for Kids, Parents - and More Family Fun |
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Family.ca |
Take polls, rant and rave on Canada's family broadcaster site. Full of shockwave games, animation and information about the shows they carry. |
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Family.com - closed beta |
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FamilySearch.org - Family History and Genealogy Records |
Search for family ancestors. Billions of free family tree, family history, ancestry, genealogy and census records. |
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Family - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
A family consists of a domestic group of people (or a number of domestic groups), ... Members of the nuclear family use descriptive kinship terms: ... |
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Family (biology) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
The concept of rank at that time was still in statu nascendi, and in the preface to the Prodromus Magnol spoke of uniting his families into larger genera, ... |
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Family Guy |
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Family Life Today |
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WorldVillage - A Family Friendly Portal for Families, Kids, Adults ... |
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Open Directory - Home: Family |
Family Check-up - Provides assessment activities and access to educational materials related to family health with respect to family life, finances, ... |
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Google Directory - Home > Family |
Many articles dealing with a wide range of topics from single parenting, family life, child development and stress management. ... |
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Family Research Council: Wednesday, December 6, 2006 |
Christian organization promoting the traditional family unit and the Judeo-Christian value system upon which it is built. Provides links, commentary, news, ... |
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Sesame Workshop - Home Page |
The non-profit educational organization behind the show and related educational outreach. |
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National Sex Offender Registry |
Free national US search for registered sex offenders. Map registered sex offenders to see who lives in your area. |
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FHI Family Health International |
Provides the highest quality research, education and services in family planning, STDs/HIV and family health to improve the health and well-being of ... |
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National Family Caregivers Association |
Caregiving advocacy organization with tips and statistics on caregiving in America. |
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