1. Be there for your kids. Your children regard your presence as a sign of caring and connectedness (even when they don’t seem to do so!) Presence provides kids with a greater sense of security than almost any other quality parents can offer.
2. Express affection, warmth and encouragement. Families with a sense of A.W.E. – as opposed to shame-based parenting – is a home where children and spouses will feel more secure.
3. Build healthy morals and values. The decisions kids make today will often affect them for the rest of their lives. Parents have significant powers of influence – through modeling and teaching – over the morals and values their kids carry into adulthood!
4. Discipline with consistency. Clearly expressed expectations and consistent follow-through produce responsible kids. Make your goal of discipline one of teaching kids responsibility not evoking obedience.
5. Ruthlessly eliminate stress. The unbalanced life will not be kind to the areas we neglect. Parents must make the difficult decisions of reducing the effect of our culture’s breathless pace on their family.
6. Communication is key. Positive communication is the language of love for our children. Parents must take the initiative to set the tone for family communication – which includes the important skill of listening.
7. Play is necessary for a close-knit family. There is nothing like play to bring about family togetherness and communication. Play builds family memories, reduces family stress and produces support and affirmation.
8. Love your spouse. A loving marriage brings hope and security to your children. At times, this means putting your spouse’s needs ahead of your children’s needs.
9. Let your life reflect the understanding that the best things in life are not things. Healthy stewardship and financial decisions produce positive family priorities.
10. Energize your family’s spiritual growth. Your greatest calling in life is to leave a spiritual legacy for your children. Pay close attention to your own spiritual health and model a healthy spirituality for your family.
Rabu, 11 November 2009
Selasa, 10 November 2009
foods your orthodontist hates
My daughter just got braces a month ago, and it has been an adjustment to say the least. The hardest part for her is remembering what she can and can’t eat now that she has braces. Her orthodontist gave her a great list. I am publishing it here for two reasons – one, so I can find the list again quickly, and two, so you can find it quickly if you have a child with braces.
The following foods can break or loosen the orthodontic appliances in your mouth, so don’t even think about eating them – your orthodontist will not be happy!
Some foods can be eaten if you use caution like:
The following foods can break or loosen the orthodontic appliances in your mouth, so don’t even think about eating them – your orthodontist will not be happy!
- Ice
- Nuts
- Beef jerky
- Slim jims
- Caramels, Rolos candy
- Frozen candy bars
- Tootsie Rolls
- Lollipops
- Candy Canes
- Gummy Bears
- Fruit Roll ups (the dentist hates these too – she calls them sugar glue)
- Nerds
- Fun Fruits
- Hard Taco shells
- Granola bars
- Bubble Gum (sugar free stick gum is okay)
- Snickers
- Twizzlers
- Butterfingers
- Taffy
- Starburst
- Skittles
- Peanut Brittle
- Now & Laters
- Jolly Ranchers
- Sugar Daddies
- Runts
- Air Heads
- Doritos
- Cheetos
Some foods can be eaten if you use caution like:
- Potato chips – break into small pieces and chew with back teeth
- Popcorn – one or two pieces at a time
- Raw fruits and veggies – cut into small pieces – don’t bite with front teeth
- Corn on the cob – cut off cob
- Chicken, steak, pork chops, ribs – cut meat off bone and then eat
- Soda – brush teeth immediately after finishing or at a minimum rinse with water
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