Parenting using non-violent communication

How to work with the incessant "no" from a child.

Talking about MySpace generation

Is MySpace just a fad or does it represent a generational shift towards a new medium which is going to have major implications for how future generations live, learn and communicate? Flex e-News finds out… Read on ...

All In The Family

The Struggle To Keep Our Children Lean And Healthy Many parents do not identify their child as “overweight,” but will select a sketch of a heavier model when asked to choose one representative of their child, new study findings show. “Comparisons between images and sketches showed that parents’ visual perceptions of their children more clearly reflect their child’s physical appearance than words they might use to classify the child’s weight,” study author Dr. Helen J. Binns, of Northwestern University in Chicago told Reuters Health. “So parents have a correct visual perception, but don’t consider that to fit in the medical diagnostic categories,” she added. more ...

Are vitamins and Minerals for kids?

As parents we all know how important nutrition is, but are vitamins and minerals for kids to? It's a fact that nutrition is an important consideration no matter what age you are. And choosing vitamins and minerals for kids is just as important. Most children will want the supplement they recently saw advertised on television but it’s important for parents to consider the vitamin and minerals that their child needs to grow up strong and healthy. (More ...)

Self esteem

Self esteem is one of the most important ingredients for our success and happiness and yet one that we often ignore or put to one side.

This book gives you three very well structured parts that together form a road map to improve the quality of your life by enhancing your self-esteem.

The Self Esteem System

Choosing books to read aloud to children

This video has some really practical advice ....

Colour-coded diets

Based on the clever titles, it might be tempting to dismiss these programs as gimmicks, and in fact when your weekly menus are literally "color coded," it might seem that the diet book authors are just scrambling for a new hook or premise on which to base an entire eating program. I have not read any of those books you mentioned yet, so I can't comment on any of them specifically. However, as "gimmicky" as from every color in the rainbow may sound at first, there is some very legitimate and scientific evidence that this is a great idea. Read on ...

Music lessons help young child memories

Parents who spend time and money to teach their children music, take heart -- a new Canadian study shows young children who take music lessons have better memories than their nonmusical peers. Read on …

the Seven habits of Highly effective families

by Stephen R. Covey, Sandra M. Covey

From the Reviews

"What is 'effectiveness' in a family?" asks author Steven R. Covey. He promptly answers with four words: "a beautiful family culture."

Here, Covey reinterprets each of his now famous "habits" (Habit 1: Be Proactive, Habit 4: Think Win-Win, Habit 6: Synergize) to apply to parenting and family-life issues.

Covey suggests writing a family mission statement, implementing special family times and "one-on-ones," holding regular family meetings, and making the commitment to move from "me" to "we" as techniques to improve family effectiveness.

While his message is not new, it is written with sincerity and simplicity, and even the most career-driven individual should feel passionate about family after reading this book. Covey contends that all families get off track, mostly because they don't know where the track is headed. The remedy: develop a sense of destination.

The chapters in this book build upon themselves and as they grow they develop the theme of families being worth the effort. As in Effective People, each chapter here explains the significance of one of the "habits," illustrated by personal stories. Chapters conclude with practical suggestions for putting the habits into action.

Covey is a brilliant storyteller. By weaving the voices and anecdotes of his wife and children with his own inspirational and informative stories, exercises, and parables, he has created a book with something for all parents interested in enhancing the strength and beauty of their own families.

"At times hokey, at times virtuous, always thoughtful and enlightening, this book is recommended."

A child's plate: good nutrition and good taste can go hand-in-hand

ONE of the most difficult tasks for parents is to get finicky children to eat the proper foods that are necessary for their growth and development. We all know the importance of good nutrition, and if it is introduced early on, nutritionists say that increases the likelihood of lifelong good eating habits. In too many cases, children eat a diet that's high in calories and includes more than an ample amount of processed foods. But with a little planning, you can create a variety of tasty dishes that will give children the healthy boost they need. The trick sometimes is to get them to eat it. First, parents have to set a good example by making wise choices and eating healthy dishes themselves. Try new foods and new ways of preparing them, with emphasis on dark green leafy vegetables, deep-yellow vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products. Secondly, offer your children a variety of foods. When offering new foods, serve small "try me" portions, about 1 or 2 tablespoons, and encourage your child to create a new snack or sandwich from three or four healthy ingredients you provide. Read on ...

We’re all going on a summer holiday… But getting it right is crucial, says Joanna Moorhead. Here are the five key questions to ask yourself before you take the plunge and book for summer 2008. http://www.familiesonline.co.uk/article/articleview/3678/1/52/