Family Vacations and Expectations

Written by Susan Dunn, MA, Emotional Intelligence Coach & Consultant


It’s that time of year again: Time forrepparttar family vacation. It’s a good time to rethink some things like perfectionism, expectations, andrepparttar 111094 meaning ofrepparttar 111095 word “vacation.”

First of all, we call it a “vacation,” but if you’rerepparttar 111096 parent, it isn’t going to be one for you. In fact you’re likely to work harder than you would at home, so why not call it “The Children’s Vacation.” Children don’t need a vacation for rest and relaxation; in fact they’re likely to rev up for vacations. If you’re looking for rest and relaxation, plan your own vacation for another time. Here are some things to keep in mind as you plan and takerepparttar 111097 family vacation that can keep you from unrealistic expectations which will erode your experience:

1.Because kids accelerate with new experiences and fun times, plan to GO rested; don’t plan on COMING HOME rested. 2.Consider options for help withrepparttar 111098 kids. Many resorts and cruise lines offer supervised programs for children where they can meet new friends. Or take along a mother’s helper, older niece or nephew, or grandmother. It’s more fun for all. 3.Plan ahead forrepparttar 111099 unpredictable. Use your Emotional Intelligence to relax, being flexible and creative, rather than tightening up and getting rigid. Testingrepparttar 111100 limits in each new circumstance is normal. You can handle it as long as you aren’t surprised by it.

4.Prepare forrepparttar 111101 predictable – high spirits, boredom, and fights with siblings. Deal with themrepparttar 111102 same way you do at home. Don’t blame each other forrepparttar 111103 misbehavior ofrepparttar 111104 kids. Just cope with it.

Keeping Your Kids Safe While They Are Online

Written by Tina Barraclough


The INTERNET can be a dangerous place for your kids, if you don't knowrepparttar risks that can occur while being online. It is our jobs as parents, to know what our kids are doing when they are online. It is up to us to keep them safe in everything that they do.

Thousands of children userepparttar 111093 INTERNET everyday without any problems at all, but we've all heard aboutrepparttar 111094 danger they could find themselves in. I am a mother ,and I always worry when my kids are online, that is why I pay close attention to what they do when online. Here are some tips so you can be sure that your kids are safe when they are online.

1. The most Important thing you can do to keep your children safe when they are onrepparttar 111095 INTERNET is to be right there with them while they are online. You should not let them surfrepparttar 111096 INTERNET in their bedrooms or in another room away from you. If this is not a possibilty, then make sure you are often in and out ofrepparttar 111097 room to keep an eye on what is going on. Be sure you know what your kids are doing online at all times.

2. Before allowing your children onrepparttar 111098 INTERNET ,let them know what is and what is not allowed and stick with these rules. For example, you could tell them no e-mailing, no chat rooms, or whatever guidelines you decide to set for them. Also, let them know that should they decide to break any of your rules, then they will not be allowed online anymore, until they agree to followrepparttar 111099 rules you set for them.

3. Get involved in what your kids are doing online. Ask them to show you some of their favorite sites. Have them show you what they like to do when they are online. This will help you determine if there are any problems or concerns that need to be addressed with them. Another way to keep a check on which websites they have visited, click on HISTORY in your browser window.

4. Down load some filtering software. You can find software available that can stop your child giving out personal information such as their name, address, and telephone number. Here are a couple of filtering software you can check out:

We - Blocker...........Furnishes users with free software that allows parents to monitor their children's Internet access and filter out inappropriate sites.

Internet Filtering Software..............This Internet filtering software is free. There is no obligation, and it will work with any ISP

Stress to your kids why it is important to keep such information private.

5. All kids, it does not matter how old they are, can be vulnerable when they are online. For example, teenage girls, are at risk from men who lure them into meeting them face to face after chatting online with them for awhile. Let your children know never, ever to arrange a meeting with someone they met online, no matter how safe it may seem to them.

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