Good Parenting Tips

• Love your children unconditionally - Express your love, consistently show it, say it, and mean it. Never assume they know you love them.

• Tell them often that you are happy to have them in your family.

• Hug them daily.

• Have regular family council - Involve your children in family conduct and responsibility decisions.

• Control your temper – Anger and contention causes broken hearts.

• Be willing to admit mistakes.

• Give them your time - Have a weekly family home evening.

• Learn how to effectively communicate with them.

• Plan one-on-one time - Invite your child to share what’s going on in their life. Don’t include any discipline during this visit! This must be a positive experience for them so they will want to share their feelings.

• Support them in their activities.

• Express love and show respect towards their mother/father - If you are a single parent, don’t be guilty of bad-mouthing the other parent in front of them.

Excellence or Perfection

Excellence is willing to be wrong,

Perfection is being right.

Excellence is risk,

Perfection is fear.

Excellence is powerful,

Perfection is anger and frustration.

Excellence is spontaneous,

Perfection is control.

Excellence is accepting,

Perfection is judgment.

Excellence is giving,

Perfection is taking.

Excellence is confident,

Perfection is doubt.

Excellence is flowing,

Perfection is pressure.

Excellence is journey,

Perfection is destination.

From Finding A Mentror, Being A Mentor

Reduce!

These three Rs are very important responsibilities each one needs to fulfill.

Here are some tips on waste management.

Let us start with REDUCE.

Reduce means use less or conserve.

We must use natural resources wisely and use less than usual in order to avoid waste.

Here are some tips on reducing!

- Buy only what you need.

- When you are through with something, make sure you pass it along to someone else who needs it.

- Start making wise packaging selections. Avoid using plastics if possible.

- Avoid single serve containers. Buy in bulk.

- Use durable goods longer.

- Say "no" to junk mail.

- Start a garden.

Steps to Building Wise Relationships

1. Share concerns and interests. Mutual desires, along with a common understanding is the necessary beginning of any relationship. Along with interests, you must invest time and effort.

2. Focus on meeting another's needs and not yours. A relationship that is motivated out of a sense of personal need, whether emotional, physical or financial will not last. A self-serving relationship drives away the other person.

3. Risk rejection and pain. Based on past experiences, you may feel that you cannot risk being hurt or misunderstood again. If you are waiting for someone who will cause you no pain or suffering, you will never know the joy of a lasting relationship.

4. Love sacrificially. This means to give and expect nothing in return.

5. Be open and transparent. Without honesty and a willingness to share your thoughts and feelings, you shut out the opportunity for a mutual, rewarding relationship.

6. Ask for forgiveness and be willing to accept forgiveness. Every person makes mistakes. What do you do when you are hurt?

7. Accept criticism and praise. When you care about someone, you encourage that person with praise and kind words. In the same way, you may see the need to confront him about something. Whether you are confronted with words or praise or criticism, accept them in the spirit they are given.

8. Allow biblical principles to govern your relationship. God's Word provides wisdom for every aspect of life. When you allow His Word to govern your words, actions, and thoughts, you will be able to build and keep relationships that are loving, loyal and devoted.

(Source: InTouch , Sept 2001)

Garden Cleaning

Here are some tips for garden cleaning!

> Turn over pails and watering cans that are not being used so that they don't store stagnant water. Keep them in a dry place.

> When working in the garden, loosen the soil in potted plants regularly. This will prevent the accumulation if stagnant water on the surface of the hardened soil.

> Check for holes in trees in which water may have accumulated.

> Keep the grass and shrubs trimmed so as not to create a home for mosquitoes.

> Kiddie pools should be deflated after use. Do not leave them out overnight with water. Once deflated, lay out in the sun to dry, then fold and store properly.

> Water tanks are also potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Once the tank is filled, shut the water immediately. Check the area beneath the tank on a regular basis; make sure it stays dry.

> Toys used outdoors, such as bikes and wagons, should be kept clean. Wipe dry after cleaning. Wagons and other similar toys should be turned over.

Kitchen Cleaning

Here are some reminders when you are cleaning your kitchen...

> Keep water storage containers closed.

> At the sink, hang sponges or store them in baskets where water can drain off. Avoid keeping them in bows with water and soap.

> Keep your electric water dispenser clean and dry at all times. Check the receptacle under the faucet; there may be stagnant water in it.

> Dish drainers often have trays to collect water. Drain and keep dry at all times.

> Check the drip tray of your refrigerator; drain water regularly and wipe dry.

> Hang wet rags to dry after every use. Wet rags left folded or crumpled are potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Tidying The Garage

Here are some reminders when you are tidying your garage!

> Canvas or tarpaulin used to cover your car or other equipments should be regularly cleaned. Dust off and wash under water. Leave to dry under the sun.

> Avoid keeping things you will have no use for, such as plastic bottles, newspapers, empty boxes, and others. These will only provide hiding places for mosquitoes. Donate them to recycling centers or dispose properly.

> Keep your garbage cans covered. This holds true for both biodegradable and non-biodegradable trash bins. Flies, mosquitoes and other insects will not be attracted to your home.

> Don't keep old tires, especially if you're not going to use them anyway. Bring them to a vulcanizing shop instead. Tires can collect rainwater and provide a home for mosquitoes.

Bedroom Cleanliness

Here are some reminders in making your bedroom mosquito free!

> Do not place any tray on top or under the air conditioning unit where water can collect.

> Always check your window screens for any tears. Replace or repair them regularly.

> Organize toys in boxes so it's easier to dust them. Without dust or nooks and crannies for mosquitoes to hide in, you won't have a problem with these insects!

> Regularly spray water-based aerosol insecticide.

Cleaning the Bath Room

Here are some reminders to making your bath room mosquito-free!

> Put down the toilet bowl lid, especially when leaving for a long vacation.

> Check the base of toilet bowl to see if water has collected around the area. Dry using an absorbent rag or mop.

> If you store water in containers, keep them closed. Regularly change the water as well.

Cleaning the Living Room

Here are some tips and reminders for cleaning your living room!

- Remove water in indoor plant pot plates daily. Wash under water and scrub plate thoroughly to remove mosquito eggs. If possible, avoid using plant pot plates.

- Install screens on windows that fit snuggly into the frame. If there are holes, sew them or replace the entire screen.

- Keep doors and windows closed. If this isn't possible add day, shut them from dusk to dawn.

Dengue

Just recently, we were invaded by Dengue here at our house. I tested positive 2 months ago while my hubby also tested positive using the NS1 Test about a month ago. Both of us were hospitalized. It is really difficult but thank God, we had health cards and that the strain we got wasn't very dangerous. In the next days, I will be sharing some tips about how to make our homes clean to minimize mosquitoes which carry the dreaded Dengue disease into our houses!

Welcome!

Welcome to Family and Home Living! Let us share about family, home issues and the likes here. It is my purpose to share with you all the I have learned, still learning and will learn about family life.

Grab your coffee and read on with me!