A NAME YOU'VE ALWAYS LOVED

1. Perhaps you went to school with a Miranda who had a great personality, good looks and was an A student. Since then you've never met a Miranda you didn't like. You like sound of Miranda. You like fact that it derives from Latin mirandus which means "wonderful." There are no gender issues with name. It's exclusively feminine. And you like way it goes with your last name. No naming book is necessary for you. For your baby girl's name, it has to be Miranda. So first way -- a simple, no-fuss way -- to name a baby is simply to choose a name that appeals to you.

A NAME THAT'S BEEN IN THE FAMILY

2. There's been a Rodney or a Stan in family for generations. You'd like to preserve that continuity. Suggestion #2 as a way to name a baby is to choose a family name. Happily, you're not hampered by a strict protocol for naming your baby, way it used to be in many cultures. The Scottish naming pattern in past, for example, meant that first son was named after his father. The second son after his mother's father. The first daughter was named for her mother's mother, and second daughter named for her father's mother. Since families were much larger just a few generations ago, naming patterns could be quite elaborate. A NAME THAT REFLECTS YOUR ROOTS

3. Most of us will automatically consider ethnic names without even realizing it since they are a part of culture we live in. It's not likely that a Russian is going to choose a Japanese name and vice versa. Since most of us have ethnic pride and want to connect and preserve our ethnic roots, names common to our culture are obvious choice. Just be careful when considering an ethnic name that it compliments last name. Patrick sounds better with O'Brien than, say, Juan does. How to name a baby suggestion #3 is to explore your ethnic roots. Branch out from your family tree and learn a little history of who your people are and names they've used and loved.

A NAME BY THE NUMBERS

4. If you have a lucky number or believe that universe is guided by numerical patterns, numerology might be a method to consider in choosing a name. According to this metaphysical science, all numbers have a vibration that indicates our potential attitudes, talents and traits. Numerologists work with a "core" digit by reducing double digits to a single number. So, there are only 9 personality numbers. In one system of numerology, (There are several including Pythagorean, Chinese and Chaldean system.) for instance, say you like attributes that are associated with number 5 which are adventure, excitement and change. You would then calculate core number of your last name and choose a name that, when combined with surname, would equal 5. Of course, numerology can be much more elaborate than this, bringing in energy balances, formulas for blending harmonious and disharmonious aspects and Master Numbers that aren't reduced.

A NAME IN HARMONY WITH THE STARS

I didn't understand it. They would have their room picked up, but a few hours later, it would be messy again. Toys all over floor, blankets on floor. Toys in hallway; toys downstairs.

I definitely was getting tired of looking at mess, tired of stepping on Legos, but it was more than that. I was aggravated that they didn't appreciate what they had!

When I was growing up, we had only a few toys. I took good care of those toys - I still have my Tinker Toys in original metal can with included instruction book - and I'm 37!

My parents didn't have to nag me all time - I don't think - to pick up my toys. I know that I appreciated them because they were so few and far between.

My kids have been less fortunate in that respect - tons of toys from Grandparents and relatives for Christmas.

Toys that move, make noises, and you name it.

They definitely don't appreciate abundance of toys that they have. So, I figured that I'd teach them what it's like to appreciate them or they wouldn't get to have any!

One day I told them that every time I stepped on a toy, or had to pick up pieces of a set, or had to pick up something that was left out, it was going in trash.

And that's what I did. But it didn't work.

You see, they ended up having ALL their toys in trash. It was annoying because there wasn't anything left to play with when other kids came over.

And it still didn't solve problem of not appreciating what they had.

They didn't even have time to miss toys - they didn't have to. It was only a short while before next birthday or holiday brought in a new batch of them.

So, with my thinking cap on, I came up with my next plan of attack - a sticker and reward chart system.

They were excited, thrilled, and motivated. When they got up in morning, they'd do all things on their chart, anxious to have boxes filled up with stickers.

But, stickers and reward charts only work once a day! When "my toys are picked up" box has a sticker, rest of day went down tube.

And, it didn't work to just give stickers at bedtime. They had no motivation to pick up during day, and it became a nightmare divvying out all stickers when bedtime already dragged on longer than it should!

So, I gave up for awhile. The lecture method didn't work, "tossing toys" method didn't work, and reward chart didn't work way I wanted it too.