Here are some tips to take stress out of Holiday shopping this year:

1) Make a list of people you will be buying a gift for before you go shopping. If you have a large family or friends to buy gifts for, it can get expensive. In our family, we have made decision to buy only for children. Another way to reduce costs is to have everyone draw a name out of a hat and buy a present only for that person.

2) Think of gift ideas for people on your list and write them down. What are their hobbies and interests? What are their needs and wants? If you cannot come up with anything, ask person directly for ideas. This will save you time wandering aimlessly in mall in search of a gift and you will give a gift that your gift recipient really wants and will appreciate.

3) Buy a few extra gifts, for instance chocolates, so that you will be prepared just in case you forgot somebody or an unexpected guest arrives bearing gifts.

4) If possible, start your Holiday shopping a month or two before Christmas. It is never to early to prepare!

5) Don’t forget about online shopping! Buy your gifts over internet. You can find most gifts online, shop at your own convenience and you won’t have to step foot in a mall.

If you follow these tips you are on your way to a rewarding shopping experience and a less stressful Holiday Season.

We all must remember that Christmas is a joyful time of year. It’s not about gift you give or receive but it is about cherishing special people in your life and spending time with them. Create new traditions and memories that will be with you for a lifetime.

Interestingly, Julie says wheel lowers her stress, keeps consequences appropriate, and removes parents from "Bad Guy" label. In past, she and her husband would have to repeatedly ask David to do something, only to hear him say, "I know." This would come to a boil, and in anger they would yell and exact a punishment too harsh for infraction.

Now, wheel does all work.

"David, it's 8:15; you haven't started dishes yet. I'm afraid we'll have to spin wheel."

"But, Mom!"

"I'm sorry, Dear. It's really not up to me. Those are rules we all agreed on. Gee, I hope you don't land on a really bad consequence."

Julie says, "The amazing thing is, we're no longer bad guys. We can actually root for kids as they drag themselves up to wheel. It's no longer 'us against them'. It's wheel that they have to answer to. But greatest thing of all is that we hardly ever have to use wheel. It hangs on kitchen wall, acting as a watchdog and reminder."

What Else?

The Butlers' website, http://www.better-behavior.com , shows some parents of ADHD children have found wheel to be a wonderful program. That is great news for many! Every parent should work with their child's personality and decide if wheel is right for them, keeping in mind that every program doesn't work with every child.

There are a couple of letters on Julie's site from parents asking for help with children who are completely out of control. One mother says her five-year-old "beats (his big sister), kills animals, curses, and destroys everything in his path." Another mother said her six-year-old adopted daughter has angry outbursts and goes in cycles. She wondered what to do when her child refuses consequences and it starts another battle.

These are warning signs of something more serious than just a discipline problem. Often, young children and teenagers exhibiting these symptoms have a physical problem that can cause behavioral changes, such as infections, Lyme Disease and thyroid problems. Mental disorders such as early-onset bipolar disorder can also cause very similar symptoms and must be diagnosed and treated immediately.

In these cases, Wheel would not be appropriate and medical intervention is needed immediately. For help, contact your pediatrician and look for information on these diseases and disorders on Internet.

However, there is still a possibility that wheel will be valuable with a child who is stabilized. Again, parents will have to make decision to try wheel according to each child.

The Last Word

Parents of children with normal behavior and discipline problems are encouraged to try this wheel and have a little fun with discipline! Bringing whole family into discipline decision-making is an excellent way to work as a team and come to a peaceful solution. The wheel isn't meant to exact negative punishment on a child, but rather remind them to pick their battles and mind their parents.

Teachers and parents alike will find wheel very useful in classrooms and homes everywhere with children ages four and up!