Playtime - A Lost Art

Written by Arleen M. Kaptur


Continued from page 1

Will problem solving, peaceful negotiations, or finding solutions that benefit both sides without any violent act be lost forever? Will today's child grow up with "beating"repparttar other guy at any expense, and showing no mercy? Are parents ready to cope withrepparttar 111321 problems that anger and violence can nurture as a child is confounded by news, television, movies, and even playthings that prove thatrepparttar 111322 most cunning, and violent victor is reallyrepparttar 111323 victor? Will a child learn reasoning, negotiation, and partnership when toys in bright packages are grotesque and chilling?

We certainly want our childen safe, but in our endeavors toward this safety, have we robbed our children of having plaything that shows, love, respect, friendship, and just plain fun? Are we, as parents, giving them a choice, or directing their feelings and emotions to victory at all costs?

Childhood, holidays, and playtime were times to "get away" for a while and enjoy being a child. We can't rightfully rob our children of this underrepparttar 111324 guise that they haverepparttar 111325 right to know what is really "out there". Yes, in time and with each appropriate age, they will find out and they will deal withrepparttar 111326 situations because they have had a solid background of knowing right from wrong, peaceful means from violent, and doingrepparttar 111327 right thing - at all costs.

Isn't thisrepparttar 111328 legacy worth aiming for - and letting toys be toys - and notrepparttar 111329 elements of bad dreams and viscious plots? Cars do not turn into laser yielding mean robots, and bugs are not taking overrepparttar 111330 world - to a child - or to an adult. There is a time and place for instructing our children to be vigilant and protect themselves, but there is also time for play and imagination. They need both

Stores sell - parents buy - that's a lot of power and say so - Enjoy! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2003 October

Arleen Kaptur has written numerous books and articles For a free newsletter - please visit http://www.arleenssite.com


Relieving Christmas Anxiety for Children

Written by Sarah Delaporte


Continued from page 1

5. Set uprepparttar Nativity and readrepparttar 111320 story of Jesus. Let your child "act outrepparttar 111321 story" withrepparttar 111322 figurines.

6. Make Christmas cookies or fudge with your child.

7. Go torepparttar 111323 store and let your child pick out a gift to give torepparttar 111324 needy.

8. Create a relaxing atmosphere. Turn off all ofrepparttar 111325 lights exceptrepparttar 111326 Chritmas tree lights. Then use candles and/or a fire inrepparttar 111327 fireplace to create a warm enviroment. Make some apple cider or hot cocoa. Then spendrepparttar 111328 evening reading stories to your child.

9. Wrap presents with your child and put them underrepparttar 111329 tree.

10. Go out to eat. Let your child choose where you plan to eat.

11. Put together a puzzle with your child.

12. Teach your child a new card game.

13. Go to a Movie Theater & Buy a big tub of buttered popcorn. (It's ok. Indulge yourself). Can't affordrepparttar 111330 Movie Theatre? Make up a pretend movie theatre at home! Make popcorn, rent a movie and use fake money & fake paper movie tickets.

14. Visit a grandparents house.

15. Make your child's favorite meal.

16. Make paper snowflakes together and hang them inrepparttar 111331 window.

17. Have each member ofrepparttar 111332 family make notes for all ofrepparttar 111333 other family members. Insiderepparttar 111334 notes, write a letter to that family member which includes what you appreciate about that family member. Then sealrepparttar 111335 envelope and decorate it with stickers. Young family members can draw pictures for each member ofrepparttar 111336 family.

18. Dust offrepparttar 111337 Christmas Carol CD and play it.

19. Remember to plan a night out with your husband to get to know each other better. Leaverepparttar 111338 children with a FUN babysitter. Allowrepparttar 111339 children to order out pizza or go see a movie.

20. Make sure all of your presents are bought and wrapped. Let your child participate in putting together all ofrepparttar 111340 last minute preparations.

21. Decorate your yard forrepparttar 111341 arrival of relatives.

22. Let your child help you bakerepparttar 111342 food.

23. Declarerepparttar 111343 day a NO VIDEO GAMES ALLOWED day. Prepare fun activities forrepparttar 111344 two of you to do all day.

24. Visit relatives or prepare a fun time together at home.

Whatever activities you plan, they will help both you and your child focus onrepparttar 111345 fun times you can enjoy in preparation forrepparttar 111346 holiday season.

Sarah Delaporte is the owner of Freebie Coupon Corner. She loves helping consumers receive free groceries with her helpful e-book publications. If you want to receive free groceries, visit Freebie Coupon Corner at: http://www.couponcorner.net


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