Amazing World

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Tips For Great Parenting

Being a parent is a very delicate task.

You get 18 years to raise a child into a confident, healthy, contributing member of society. You get a very small and precious window of time to help set them on a course towards a brilliant future, so use your time wisely.

Be a Parent, Not a Best Friend

Your children have plenty of friends, what they need is a parent. They need structure, discipline, and guidance.

Some parents don't want to be harsh on their children and want to be seen as "cool" in their eyes. They are afraid that their children will see them differently. They need to see you differently. It is for their good that they respect you.

As mature as your children may seem, they don't yet have the life experience to make every decision on their own and they need a parental figure who will set guidelines for them.

Being a parent doesn't mean you just have to be a cold hard dictator of the family rules. Kids also need you to be warm, playful, and a shoulder to lean on, when appropriate.

Set Solid Expectations

Your children need rules and expectations. They need to know what is considered acceptable behavior and what the consequences are for poor behavior.

Setting family standards will make your family more cohesive and will cut down on nagging and repeat conversations. For instance, a rule that no child is allowed to watch R rated movies in your household, will cut down on them begging every time they want to see a movie with too much violence or provocative content. Also, there will be no sibling jealousy because one kid was allowed to watch one movie and the other was denied.

When your children have no doubt what is allowed in your household, they can creatively make their own decisions on what they think is acceptable for themselves. Setting rules grows maturity in them.

Don't Just Say No

When one of your kids asks to do something and you enforce your household boundaries, use that opportunity to teach them life lessons. Just saying no will often prompt a child to rebel and push your boundaries. Instead, help them understand the reason for why those boundaries exist. If possible, show them an example of the consequences.

Always enforce rules out of love and care for your child, not selfish reasons. For instance, don't enforce an early bedtime because you want some peace and quiet in the house. When kids see that the laws of the household are for their protection and benefit, they are more likely to joyfully comply.

Set The Example

As a parent you the leader of your household, and good leadership means setting the bar high. Kids are extremely more receptive to your actions versus your words. How you treat your spouse, your neighbors, and even your enemies will have a profound effect on your children's formation and sense of right and wrong.

One important concept is that your children are highly unlikely to set their standards higher than your own. If you make your bed everyday, your kids will see that as a normal part of living and will typically follow suit. However, don't expect their comforters to be four inches off of the ground in perfect military style, if you leave yours unkempt.

Your children need to see, through your example, what a moral, compassionate, self-reliant, self-controlled, and disciplined life looks like. Make good choices and behaviors a normal part of life.

Balance Protection and Freedom

It's a scary world out there and your responsibility is to protect your children from physical and emotional harm. That said, you need to find a balance between protecting your children and allowing them to explore the world on their own terms. Being too rigid can cause them to rebel against overly strict household rules and expectations.

Being a parent requires you to make some tough decisions like which houses your children are allowed to sleep over, at what age they are allowed to walk to the store by themselves, how late they are allowed to stay out on school nights, which dances and parties they are allowed to go to, and what movies they are allowed to watch.

There is no magic answer. Most of those questions have to be answered on a kid by kid basis. Kids mature differently, and what you might allow your son to do at age 6, you wait until 8 for your daughter.

Some dangers and mistakes can have lifelong consequences for your child, so erring on the side of caution is prudent. You can always let down your guard later but you can never give back innocence to your child.

Give them Responsibility

Giving your children responsibility is about more than just divvying up household chores. It's about giving them domains of responsibility in all areas of life. Don't make the mistake of assuming that your child is too young or incapable. Parents often missjuge their matuiry level. If you treat your children as mature little human beings, they will act like mature individuals.

Examples of Responsibilities to Give Your Children

Give each child a weekly chore.
Hold them responsible for how they upkeep their own space.
Teach them to save for big goals and let them decide how to spend their allowance.
Let them pick out their own clothes.
When camping, give them a responsibility like helping set up the tent, setting up for s'mores, or building the fire (under your guidance).
Let each child take turns picking out a weekly activity like a trip to the park, a community event, or an outdoor activity.

Teach Your Children to be World Citizens

One of the best things you can do for your children is to have them explore the world. Take them to museums, travel to other states and countries, do science projects, explore a local park, get them involved with volunteering outside of their comfort zone, take them to a recycling center, get them outdoors, teach them to appreciate nature, and expose them to other languages and cultures.

Children begin forming a worldview at a very young age, so getting them involved in world affairs and getting them out on the world's playground is important. There are a lot of messy things going on in the world, and so it's important to use discernment and wisdom when choosing family excursions. However, getting them a little outside of their comfort zone, can grow them by leaps and bounds.

How to Get Your Kids Outdoors

Reasons you should introduce your children to the outdoors sports and tips for how to ease them in gently. Go ahead, and go wild with your children, they will learn leadership skills, confidence, trust, lifelong skills, and endurance.

Help Your Child Build Their Own Identity

A child's heart is a beautiful and delicate garden that needs to be nurtured in order for it to grow. You are in an amazing position to help your child gain self-confidence, a strong sense of identity, and pursue their ambitions.

Kids need to grow up knowing that they are unconditionally loved, cared for, and valued. If they don't get this at home, they will look for it in other places, like popularity, substance abuse, and from other people. They need to know that no matter how badly they fail, you will always help guide them back on the right path.

Listening to your Children

Develop a listening ear for your children. Often they don't have the maturity to express themselves the way that adults would. If they are acting out, hiding away in a reclusive state, lack joy, or other abnormal behaviors, try to address the root of the problem and not just the behavior. Maybe a bully at school, a rocky friendship, or a personal failure is being expressed differently than you would expect.

Your child might be crying out for help and what they need is your guidance and compassion, not an iron rod. If you see abnormal behavior, it should be a trigger for you that something is wrong.

Ask Lots of Questions, Then Listen

Often they won't just come out and say that a kid at school was making fun of them, so you'll have to ask a lot of questions to pull it out of them. Make asking questions a normal part of your child's life, so it doesn't seem like you are interrogating them when a problem arises.

Take undivided time every day to check in with your child. Ask about their teachers, their friends, what they are proud of accomplishing, and what they are looking forward to.

Help Build Your Child's Confidence

One way to build your child's confidence is to verbally encourage them. They need your praise, your admiration, and your support. Knowing that there is someone who will always fight on their side immeasurably build's their confidence.

Not only will your words build their confidence, but their own actions can have equal influence. Encouraging them to pursue their strengths, and standing beside them as they obtain small victories, will help them move mountains later.

Source

Top 10 Sacred Spots Around The World

Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Australia

The Pitjantjatjara Aboriginal tribe consider this spot holy ground for the very reason that they believe (even still today) that the beautiful natural rock formations, known as sandstone monolith, were created by their ancestors.

They believe that the ancient period and the area are inhabited by the spirits of their forefathers. This breath taking site is located in the northern territory of Australia and preserved by Unesco.

Mount Kailash, Tibet

This site is considered holy ground by four religions; Bon, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. Although a beautiful site with its snowcapped mountains, its rugged terrain has hosted thousands of pilgrims at its base.

It is believed that it will bring good fortune, if you can survive the pilgrimage full of fatigue, severe weather, and acrophobia.

Mount Sinai, Egypt

Located in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, this holy site is where Moses was said to have spoken with God.

Thousands of pilgrims climb to the mountain’s summit to stand where Moses stood and numerous groups have erected places of worship. Many believe this holy site to be the home of the most pivotal religious moment in history.

Crater Lake, Oregon

The deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest in the world, this holy spot is legendary to the Native American Klamath tribe.

Formed nearly 8,000 years ago, this tribe believes that a battle between the above world chief and the below world chief led to the destruction of the once standing Mount Mazama.

The deep blue, fresh water lake is beautiful to visit and considered a spiritual spot by many.

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

This spiritual spot is home to the deepest lake in Central America. This beautiful spot is bordered by three volcanoes and many Maya villages.

The local worship of a local idol includes Mayan gods, Catholic saints, and Spanish legends. Ceremonies still take place there today.

Mahabodhi Tree, Bodh Gaya, India

According to Buddhist traditions, around 500 B.C., when the ascetic Prince Siddhartha was wandering through what's now the state of Bihar in India, he took rest under a native bodhi tree. After meditating there for three nights, the prince awoke with enlightenment, insight and the answers he had been seeking, which developed into the teachings he went on to spread to his disciples. Naturally, the place where the Buddha reached enlightenment is one of the most sacred sites for Buddhists, and has been a major pilgrimage destination for centuries. Today, a temple complex surrounds what is believed to be a direct descendant of the original majestic tree itself, which sits in the middle of a courtyard surrounded by protective carved panels. A beautiful Buddha statue under the tree marks the significant spot.

Cenote Sagrado, Mexico

The ancient Maya revered water for its life-sustaining power, and worshiped Chac, the god of rain, because of this awe of H20. Many areas of Mexico are dotted with cenotes—natural underground sinkholes—and the Maya believed that some of these sites were visited by Chac himself. As a result, some cenotes were designated as "sacred" and kept for rituals, offerings and sacrifices, while others were set aside for bathing, drinking and crop water. One of the most notable of the sacred springs is Cenote Sagrado, located near the major Mayan archeological site Chichen Itza in the Yucatan Peninsula. Created from a natural limestone cave, with steep sides stretching about 60 feet above the water line, this cenote was specifically used for ceremonies and occasional sacrifices; for the latter, men, women, and children were thrown in during drought times to appease the water gods. When archeologists dredged the spring in the 20th century, they found gold bells, masks, cups, rings, jade pieces, and more (many from the post-Spanish period) along with human bones.

Glastonbury Tor, England

Rising out of the middle of the Summerland Meadows in Somerset, England, is a hill that has long had magical connection. For centuries, Glastonbury Tor (Celtic for "hill") has been a source of myths: Some ancient Celtic civilizations considered it the entrance to the home of the Gwyn ap Nudd, alternately regarded as Lord of the Underworld and King of Fairies (a theory that resurfaced in the 19th century), while pagans may have used it for ceremonies celebrating the Goddess. Later, the site was considered a possibility for King Arthur's Avalon, since Arthur and Queen Guinevere's coffins were supposedly discovered at the top of the hill in the 12th century. And even more recently, theorists have linked the hill to the quest for the Holy Grail. To further add to all the speculation, archeologists have found remains of seven deep, symmetrical terraces on the hill's slopes, which could be anything from Middle Age crop land to a Neolithic labyrinth. Whatever the history, the hill is still thought to have spiritual energy, as visitors often report feeling more hopeful and positive after a walk on its slopes. Topped by the remains of the 15th century church of St. Michael, the hill is managed by the National Trust of the United Kingdom.

Mount Parnassus, Greece

Towering above Delphi in central Greece, this limestone mountain looms large in Greek mythology. In addition to being sacred to the god Apollo, who often visited the nearby Oracle at Delphi, the mountain was thought to be the residence of the Muses and, as a result, the home of poetry and song. The three Corycian Nymphs, each of whom was romanced by a major god, were born of springs located on Parnassus, and the mountain was also the setting for many minor myths. Today, the only sacred activity takes place on the slopes: The mountain is topped by two popular ski centers and is dotted with scenic hiking trails.

Vortexes, Arizona

Sedona, Arizona, has long drawn people interested in healing, spirituality, mysticism, and metaphysics, who come for more than just the dramatic, red-rock beauty. The area is famous for its vortexes, powerful centers of kinetic energy that can have a deep effect on those who visit them; there are four main ones spread around town, including one near the airport. The ancient Native American Yavapai people knew about these centers, and celebrated this "Great Mother" energy with petroglyph paintings and sacred dwellings.

Source:GloHoliday , Fox News

Black Magic Chocolate Cake

This cake is the best chocolate cake I have ever tasted. A moist, rich, and delicious dark chocolate cake perfect for any occasion. It’s SO!GOOD! There’s coffee in it, too!! No joke, I was ready to toss out the fork and just bury my head in it.

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 35 mins

Total time: 50 mins

Serves: Serves 12

Moist, rich, and delicious dark chocolate cake perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients

Cake:

butter for pans

2 cups sugar

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

¾ cup Cocoa Powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup brewed strong black coffee

½ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Frosting:

1 bag (12-ounces) semi sweet chocolate chips, finely chopped

1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 stick butter

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350.

Butter and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla.

Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes. You should have a thin batter.

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool 10 minutes; remove cakes from pans to wire racks.

Cool completely before frosting.

To prepare the frosting, place chopped chocolate in a medium mixing bowl; set aside.

Place whipping cream and butter in saucepan and cook over medium heat to just a boil.

Pour cream mixture over chocolate; whisk vigorously until chocolate is melted and smooth.

Cover and refrigerate for an hour.

Remove from fridge and stir; refrigerate about 1 more hour or until spreading consistency.

Spread about ¼ to ⅓ of frosting on one cake layer; top with the other cake layer and spread frosting on top and sides of cake.

Cut and Serve.

Source:Diet Hood

Modern Nursery Ideas

Well-designed kids rooms include lots of space for storage and plenty of room to play. A treehouse bed must be a dream for a kid. The Slow Life built this amazing bed and painted it orange on the outside and robin’s egg blue on the inside. This has got to be the gathering place for kids in the home. Underneath the bed are bookcases and an area to play. This helps make this bed not only fun for kids but practical. I’ve gathered a few space-saving kids bed ideas that are not only awesome but fun!

So the desk turns into a bed. Brilliant! Image via Flying Beds.

Murphy beds are the way to go in a very small room. The downside to Murphy Beds is closing it up when not in use. Might not be ideal for every day use but then again – maybe! Image via MurphyBed.