The 7 Dont's of Bonding with a Teen

Follow these rules to keep your signals clear and your bong strong.

1. Don't ask endless questions; you're not an inquisitor.
2. Don't sing along to your teen's music uninvited (especially in front of her friends) or use her slang. She'll be mortified.
3. Don't tease or be sarcastic.
4. Don't talk when you could be listening.
5. Don't cut your kid off when he's venting.
6. Don't exclude your teen's friends from activities even when you'd rather have one-on-one time; making room for BFFs shows respect for your kid's life outside the family too.
7. Don't use Facebook as a way to spy, nag, or scold.

Tips on Improving Your Home's Emotional Climate

There are all sorts of families. Some are noisy, others are quiet. But no matter what kind of families and parents there are, the home has to be a place of love, encouragement and acceptance for kids to feel emotionally safe and secure. It also has to be a source of boundaries and limits. Here are some suggestions to improve your home's emotional climate:

1. Watch What You Say. When parents consistently blame kids in exaggerated ways, children feel overly guilty and ashamed and withdraw emotionally. That's why criticism should be done constructively. Cite causes that are specific and temporary.

2. Provide Order and Stability. A predictable daily framework, clear and consistent rules, and an organized house make the whole family more relaxed and comfortable. This spells emotional equilibrium and gives reassuring and familiar support during times of conflicts.

3. Hold Family Meetings. Regular family meetings give each one a chance to air and resolve grievances, as well as share good news.

4. Encourage Loving Feelings. Researchers have found that parents who spend time playing, joking with and sharing their own thoughts and feelings with their kids have children who are more friendly, generous and loving.

5. Create Rituals. Setting aside special times of the day or week to come together as a family gives the children a sense of continuity. Which stays with them as they change and grow. It could be Mass and lunch as a family every Sunday, for example.

Keona's Playmate

Since Keona is only a year and 3 months old, she still doesn't have a playmate of her age. So her only playmate is all of us living at the house or the cute and cuddly toys she has.

She has a total of 10 toys, and some of that are her favorite.

From the back side starting from the left is Pooh(Pillow Pooh), Cow(Dancing Cow, battery operated),Hello Kitty. On the middle line is Oxie( well they call the toy oxie, although it is a cow), Pooh( Again but this time its not the pillow type), Mirmo (from the anime series Mirmo de pon). Front row includes red and green( they were called that way by my mom cause of their color, cause we are not sure if its a bear or a koala or something), Rabbit ( a hand puppet), and lastly Leo (Lion).

Of the ten Keona's favorite as of now is Cow (she call it tow or taw) she likes cow cause it dances to the tune of Stupid Cupid and when the cow started to dance Keona also dances and stomps her feet and screams hahahaha. Her past favorite before Cow was Oxie and Rabbit.

Websites for your Toddler and Kids

I read in a magazine an article about sites that is great for your toddlers and your kids. I check the site out and it was great, especially the site Starfall. So here are two site that you may want your child to visit.

1. Starfall.com - Both toddlers and big kids will enjoy this site. It has great phonics program, is very attractive and interactive. Beginners will enjoy the alphabet section where toddlers and preschoolers can learn about each letter of the alphabet, how it sounds, and what words start with each letter. Older kids will love the online books and plays, including fables from all around the world.

2. Whyville.net - In the age of social networking, this site provides a secure and educational platform for such an activity. This online virtual world immerses children in a video game like experience where they mist manage money, make sure they eat properly, and have the ability to communicate with others. More importantly, the sire seeks to educate its users about online safety and how to behave in an online community.

Whats in store for the Rat in the Year of the Tiger

Happy New Year to all, and what a start it was for us and keona. Keona had a scheduled ultrasound this January 4, 2010 to check her kidney. And the result was normal, there was no more trace of hydronephrosis on her kidney. Her kidney shows hydronephrosis before, because of her ureteral reflux. And since the operation last year it returned to normal. There's only one test remaining to check her kidney.

2010 is the year of the Tiger, My mom likes to buy booklets on Chinese Horoscope, so i borrowed it and read about whats in store for Keona. Keona was born under the year of the rat. Although keona is only a child, maybe you out there who is born under the sign of the rat, would appreciate this information.

The year of the Tiger for Rat people may not be considered as auspicious as last year. This is a year mixed with favorable and unfavorable fortunes. Female rat is much better than male rat in many aspects. The fortune of your ambitions in career and in love relationship is good. On the other hand, your health and your financial condition are not so meaningful. There are accomplishments in many areas of your career undertakings. Help and support from some influential friends and good Samaritans are for you to benefit. In the career point of view, best opportunities are there for you. For young rats, you are advised to exert more efforts so that dreams can easily be fulfill. However, financial fortune is not favorable especially in those unfavorable months. Try to manage your monetary activities carefully. You have a tendency to harm your finances. Stay away from sweet offer and avoid risky investments. Gambling and heavy bank borrowings should be avoided. As for your health, you will be vulnerable to sickness. Through proper medication, those sickness can be manageable. Food sanitation and safety, balance diets and regular exercise are the best remedies to maintain your good health. For your own safety, you are advised to take extra care when driving or traveling. There seems to be no problem in family relationship. Activities at home will keep you busy this year. A passionate love life with less misunderstanding awaits you this year. Enjoy the fullness of your love and romance through out the year.