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On November 19, 2009 our Publisher and Vice President attended the premiere showing of ICE! at Gaylord National Resort.  Dressed in blue parkas, the two explored the world of ice.  The sculpted and decorated ice was beautiful and like nothing they had ever seen before. The lighting of the 60 foot Christmas tree was also a sight they will never forget.  Words can’t truly express the beauty they witnessed. So why are we telling you about this? Our contest, which features ICE! at Gaylord National Resort, is coming to an end. The last day to enter is November 30, 2009. Don’t miss this great opportunity to be apart of something so amazing!

Good Morning Maryland with Jamie Costello featured Single Parent 101 Magazine on today’s show. Check out the interview on the ABC 2 News website.

By Samantha Woods, www.divorcewisdom.com

Parental Alienation is an enormously emotional aspect of divorce. It is the mental manipulation of a child by one parent resulting in the estrangement of the other parent’s relationship with his or her child.

This is far more prevalent in contentious divorces as opposed to amicable ones. Both parents are usually capable of parenting and the sad fact is that parental alienation results in the child paying the heaviest price.

Look at this from your child’s point of view. Children of divorce, especially those 8-10 years of age or older, often remember that as when their childhood ended. The odds are that they will more than likely lose their home as the parents adjust to new living situations. They may change schools along with that move. They will have to forge new friendships just when they need the strength of old friends. They often see a lower standard of living as child support is inadequate and alimony is usually limited.

So what can we do as parents to help our children of divorce?

1. Be the Parent. Set the example for them. Reassure them, encourage them, provide for them, love them, and let them see your life of integrity. Remain the parent. Protect them. They are not your confidant or liaison.

2. Establish Boundaries. Help your child establish boundaries. Every parent should teach what types of permissible and non-permissible behaviors your child can expect from others and how to handle each appropriately. No one has the right to dominate any child for selfish reasons. If you see your ex-spouse emotionally hurting your child, you have as much responsibility to protect and guide your child as if it were physical pain.

3. Talk & Listen to Your Child. Using neutral examples, discuss life, their future and goals, your continued support, and their hurts. Ask them how they feel and validate their right to have feelings. Help them work through their pain or anger. They don’t have the right to lash out in unrestrained anger. Seek professional help for your child if necessary.

4. Our Responsibilities. Our goal as parents is to raise well-balanced, self-sufficient, faith-reliant adults who want us and love us but do not need us. Say nothing bad about your ex-spouse. It has been said many times but take this a step further. If your ex-spouse is truly a despicable character, your children will see it and you don’t need to say anything. Remember what Thumper’s mother told him… “If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all.” It is also not your responsibility to demand they love the other parent. We are each responsible for the love in our life.

If your ex-spouse is physically or emotionally abusive and your child hears you constantly proclaiming that this parent loves them or is not a bad person, they’ll grow up thinking that this must be what love really is. Or, they’ll think you’re either an idiot or a liar…because if this is love, why does it hurt so? At a minimum, their confidence in their own understandings and observations will be questioned.

If you are the alienated parent, look at your actions toward your child and make certain yours are above reproach. Do not quickly bring in new partners. Allow your child to adjust to the changes. Children of divorce typically want their parents to reunite even years after the event.

Put aside all emotions toward your ex, act professionally with them because you love your child…not with a goal to “win” this battle with your ex. Many say they’d take a bullet for their child yet withhold financial support or create conflicts that ultimately hurt their child.

We are children for about 18 years—but adults for nearly 60. Your children will see and understand the events of their lives, the divorce, the lives and integrity of their parents with the understanding of a child. But, as they grow, they will re-filter those same memories with growing maturity. Give them the freedom to ask their questions and receive age appropriate answers at each stage of growth.

What will they see in your behavior?

Copyright © 2009, Samantha Woods

If you are raising kids on your own, don’t feel like you have to rush out and find romance immediately. Some of the best relationships are those that bloom later in life. Contrary to popular opinion, you do not have a “sell by” date after which no one will be interested in you. You certainly don’t have to wait until your children are grown up to start dating again, but you can afford to take your time.

Finding the “right person” is about the quality of the people you date rather than the quantity. Be very choosy since your kids are going to end up sharing each relationship you start, even if it only lasts a few weeks. They don’t need to watch you get your heart broken over and over again. Seek out a partner who shares your values and understands that your commitment to your children comes first in your life. When you think you have found the perfect match, keep an eye on how being with that person affects the way you relate to your kids. If things get out of balance, it is time to revisit your priorities.

Here are some warning signs that something is seriously wrong:

If: you can no longer seem to find the time to help your children with homework or other important aspects of their lives. Your kids do need to learn more independence, but this should be a gradual training process. It shouldn’t be something you dump on them all at once because you are focused on getting or keeping a love interest.

If: you start losing your temper because your kids always seem to “get in the way” of interacting with your new partner. The early days of a romance are an exciting and thrilling time. It is possible to get caught up in the powerful emotions you are feeling and become oblivious to your children’s need for attention. However, you aren’t a teenager now so you do have more control over your hormones and reactions. Take a step back and look at what you are doing and why.

If: A you are considering changing jobs or moving to a different city to be close to your boyfriend/girlfriend. sk a close friend to help you keep your head on straight if you get caught up in this kind of thinking. Romantic relationships don’t necessarily last, but your kids will always be there for you. Don’t make any radical changes to please someone to whom you have no lasting ties. Keeping disruption to a minimum allows your children to adapt more easily to your dating habits.

If: you find yourself tempted to leave your pre-teen kids at home by themselves or entrust them to people you don’t know very well. You need some time alone with your significant other, but you should take the time to plan childcare carefully. You will never forgive yourself if something bad happens to your children while you were out having a good time. Don’t lower your standards out of loneliness or desperation. One more thing: if your relationship is “heating up”, be discreet but not dishonest. Your kids aren’t stupid and they will figure out what is going on.

In the hurry to manage your kids, your job, and your personal life, it only takes a few days to fall seriously behind with the housework. Piles of laundry seem to spontaneously regenerate the moment your back is turned. Dishes crust over with food, and toys wage an all-out assault on every inch of floor space. If the struggle is starting to get the better of you, it is time to regroup.

Pick your battles and remember that your home doesn’t have to be spotlessly clean. Just keeping germs, clutter, and safety hazards at bay is a big step in the right direction. Once you get your household chores under control you will have more time and less stress. Here are 5 tips that can help you whip your living space into shape:

Scheduling

Separate chores into 3 groups – daily, weekly, and monthly. Do a quick estimate of how long each one takes. Divide them up so you won’t feel overwhelmed by trying to tackle everything at once. Try to leave one day a week mostly free of chores. This day can be used to catch up on what you missed during the rest of the week. If you miraculously got everything done, you can spend that time relaxing instead!

Integrating

Try to keep stuff cleaned up as you go along. Put away ingredients and wipe down cabinets/stove tops as you cook. If something spatters all over the inside of the microwave, put a soaking wet dishcloth inside and run it for 30 seconds. Let the dishcloth cool and then use it to wipe down the interior. Use a daily cleaning spray in the shower. If you pick a non-toxic version, you can even scrub down the walls and tub while you are taking a shower.

Reducing

Consider packing away Grandma’s fine china and all your knick knacks for a few years. This will keep fragile items from getting broken when your kids are horsing around. It will also save you untold hours of dusting. While you are at it, round up everything you haven’t used in the last 12 months and stick it in storage. Extra Tip: If an item doesn’t have a specific place to be kept, get rid of it.

Streamlining

You can decrease the need for ironing by taking each load of clothing out of the dryer while it is still warm. Run loads like sheets and towels overnight since it doesn’t matter if they get wrinkled. Sort reds and whites out, but don’t worry too much about the rest. It isn’t the end of the world if you wash jeans and towels together; just turn the pants inside out so they don’t get (visible) lint on them in the dryer.

Organizing

Tubs from the dollar store are a single parent’s best friend. Use the kind with lids so you can stack them. Install a rack/shelf system in each closet to triple your storage space. Having a place to keep things out of reach is a big help when your children are still learning how to clean up after themselves (the first 18 years!). If they have a habit of dragging out too much stuff at once, you can simply reduce their access by keeping things out of reach. Organize your bedroom first then move on to the kid’s rooms. That way you will at least have one clutter free space of your own.

Keeping your children entertained doesn’t have to drain your bank account. A trip to Disney World may be out of reach, but there are plenty of other ways to build fond memories. Check with your local chamber of commerce, community paper, or the YMCA for free or cheap events that get you out of the house.

Go online to find discounts for the zoo, aquarium, and museums. Keep in mind that you can also have plenty of fun spending a quiet weekend at home. Finally, help your kids feel good about themselves by spending time making other people happy too. Browse this list to find low cost activities for every age level:

Ages 4-7

Out and About: If it is nice outside, take your little one to a walking path or park. Bring a favorite ball for a game of toss or bounce. Also bring a small cloth bag for collecting rocks of different colors, texture, and sizes. Take the rocks home and paint them afterward for a bonus activity.

At Home: Learn a new card or domino game. Find one with simple rules and feel free to adjust these so your child can easily understand them. Make an event out of this game night with a tournament and healthy Snack-a-thon.

Volunteering: Offer to be a guest reader for story hour at your local library. Your child can be your helper by setting a good example, turning pages for you, or dressing up and acting out one of the characters in the book.

Ages 8-11

Out and About: Whether you are at the zoo, the aquarium, or a local nature preserve, put your kids in charge of taking the photos. Help them learn to identify the species of every animal or plant they “capture” with the camera. Print out and frame a couple of the best shots and hang them in your living room. This will give your son or daughter something to show off to visitors.

At Home: Buy some cheap puzzle books and try working on them together. Start a word search competition using different colored pens. You will have fun dueling over the grid and seeing who can circle the most hidden words. Other, more complex puzzles will offer you a covert opportunity to teach skills like math and logic.

Volunteering: Seek out your local Meals on Wheels program and sign up to deliver food at least once a month. This will give your kids the chance to become comfortable around people of all ages. Elderly folks love to see children and will be sure to have interesting stories to share with yours.

12 and Up

Out and About: Take your older kids to cultural festivals. Family friendly events like this are often made available to the public by community colleges. Your children can be exposed to exhibitions, performances, music, and art. Treat these outings as “grownup” events to make them seem even more special.

At Home: If your child likes arts and crafts, there is no limit to the projects you can do with a few simple supplies. However, if they are more interested in Nintendo, don’t despair! Browse your local book store for used video games that you can play together. They will have fun beating you, and you can monitor the game content easily this way.

Volunteering: Taking the opportunity to do some physical work that helps other people is a great way to spend a Saturday. Find time to work together at an area food bank. After stocking the shelves, take your child out for some ice cream. Teens 16 and older can also volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

ARA) – Families today tell many different stories. Each is comprised of different cultures, ancestry and heritage and because of this, many parents today want their children to celebrate their heritage and to grow up with a natural appreciation for different cultures. But for an infant or toddler, how does a parent open the door to understanding how groups of people who are different, are also very much alike in many very important ways?

According to Dr. Karen Hill Scott, renowned child development expert, there are many ways to develop a positive awareness of culture. “We show our children pictures of family members, we sing songs, and share toys that babies enjoy. Incorporating similar content from other cultures will also be fun for baby,” she explains. Dr. Hill Scott recommends beginning with baby’s natural interests — listening to music, handling toys and clothing, and looking at pictures of people and places.

To help parents introduce their children to different cultures and to develop an appreciation for the world, Dr. Hill Scott shares the following tips.

Music Time

From Africa to Australia, music is a universal language, a common thread that ties us all together. Incorporate music from around the world into daily activities by introducing your baby to the sound of different languages, rhythms and instruments from around the globe. Whether you are putting away toys, rocking baby to sleep or even running errands, try playing a CD that exposes your little one to acoustically diverse cultural experiences specially created for a baby’s ears. Baby Einstein’s World Music CD introduces several different kinds of baby-friendly songs that incorporate culturally inspired instruments, such as bells, drums, wooden flutes or rain stick, that engage, delight, and capture a baby’s attention.

Singing and Language Time

The foundation of human language is expressed in communication by making sounds and inflections that precede actual words. Even when words are used, moms typically express themselves in a language style called “motherese” or “mom speak” that babies seem to love. Introduce your baby to a variety of musical sounds from around the world — this can make listening time more creative and interactive because you can sing new songs to your baby from a variety of cultures. If you’re a bit inhibited about singing, think of it as talking to music. Your baby wants to hear your voice and will delight in your playfulness. Whether it’s a baby coo or a smile, it’s such a warm feeling to receive a dose of your infant’s special “mommy and me” conversation.

Playtime

Aside from eating and sleeping, baby’s most important activities are watching, listening, and playing with you. To expand on this foundation, surround your baby’s world with symbols of other cultures, such as small baby dolls with different skin colors, facial features, and hair textures. You can use textured fabrics from another culture as blanket toppers when your baby is playing on the floor. And you can bring the real world images to babies by sharing books and the Baby Einstein’s World Music DVD with them. The pictures are beautiful and the music is orchestrated so it provides baby with a very pleasurable listening experience. When you watch the DVD with your baby you can express your own appreciation for the beauty found in other cultures. Your tone of voice will let baby know how wonderful it is to see what other babies see and hear in other parts of the world.

Dancing and Exercise Time

Babies enter the world making their own sounds and movement and as they grow, they not only become more mobile, but they naturally become more explorative and curious. To encourage body movement use a CD that features global sites and sounds. With diverse sounds and rhythms from a variety of cultures, you and baby can march, tap, sway or simply step around to make a dance.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – This summer, with more people spending vacation time close to home, there’s renewed interest in family activities in the great outdoors. Whether it’s hiking, biking or trying something completely new, Mother Nature can bring a family together like few other things can.

Here are some outdoor activities that are sure to get your family pumped up:

1. Hike or climb with a guide.
With a bit of Internet research it’s easy to find a local hiking trail and make a day of it, but have you ever thought about taking it to the next level and using a guide? Guides can be a great way to get to those little-known places that can be hidden gems. You’ll hit some trails you might not normally attempt and guides can provide you with plenty of information about the local fauna and flora.

Want a bit more adventure? Sign the family up to learn how to rock climb. Guides take groups out and provide climbing instruction and safety equipment. You and your family will learn about climbing techniques and then take a stab at the beginner level. This is a great way to learn teamwork and strengthen the family spirit.

2. Have a cruising adventure.
Few things get people more excited about being outdoors than zooming through the woods on a side-by-side utility vehicle. Make a day of it by packing a lunch and hitting the trails.

Side-by-sides, like the Polaris RANGER RZR, are perfect for family fun because of their ability to hold multiple passengers. Unlike ATVs where a person must straddle the seat, side-by-sides have the driver and passenger sit next to each other so it feels more like a car. The RANGER RZR is a 50-inch trail capable vehicle that holds two people and has many advantages such as automatic transmission for easy driving, independent rear suspension for a smooth ride, and four-wheel drive to conquer all types of terrain.

Check with your local and state regulations before hitting the trails with a side-by-side, be sure your driver is at least 16 years of age and passenger is 12 years old or older, and always wear appropriate safety gear including a helmet, goggles, and long sleeves and pants to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.

3. Camp the day away.
Camping is no longer a cliché summer activity. Increased interest at state and national parks could be due to the affordability of campsites for families who want a quick vacation without the expense. Never taken the family camping before? Try a one or two-day trip just to get your feet wet.

Some gear is necessary, whether you have your own or borrow it from another nature lover. Make sure you pack a tent (with assembly instructions), sleeping bags, campfire food, eating utensils and some bug spray just in case. Firewood for a bonfire should be available for purchase at the park. Many modern campsites do have running water for dishes and showering, but you’ll probably want to pack drinking water just to be safe.

4. Rent a canoe for a day trip.
Whether you’re floating along a beautiful river or exploring the different inlets of your favorite local lake, canoeing can show you nature in a new and fun way.

Canoe rentals are usually pretty affordable and often come with lifejackets for the trip. Some places will even bring you up river so you can have an easy journey downstream back to you car. Take the kids, bring a picnic lunch and pick your favorite spot along your journey for a break. It’s an easy way to spend some quality time with your family while being surrounded by our natural environment.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Health and wellness is a privilege that everyone should be able to afford even in difficult economic times. With the right experience and know-how, anyone can make smart choices about healthy living while also being wallet wise.

Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg has mastered the art of staying fit, while also being financially responsible. She is a busy mom of three, runs a private practice in New York City and serves as chief pediatric officer for RealAge.com – an informative Web site that helps people live healthier, longer lives. Through her extensive experience of balancing work, life and wellness, she has learned how to keep living a healthy lifestyle, while keeping out of the red.

Dr. Trachtenberg shares her top five tips for staying healthy on a budget:

Tip 1 – Buy Frozen for Good Nutrition
The fresh produce section at the grocery store can be a budgeter’s nightmare as pricey fresh foods can really add up. The budget-conscious can find much needed relief in the frozen food section. Frozen fruits and vegetables typically have the same levels of nutrients as their fresh counterparts, because the produce is frozen at the peak of its ripeness, locking in the maximum amount of nutrients .

Tip 2 – Get Fit in the Great Outdoors
No matter what the season, the outdoors is a great place to move your body and bond with family and friends without the confinement and encumbering expense of a gym membership. Calorie-shedding activities can be enjoyed year round:

* Winter – Ice skate at a local rink or work the biceps with some snow shoveling

* Spring – Get some friends together and form a softball league, or ride a bike on weekends

* Summer – Try to walk instead of driving short distances or take up swimming

* Fall – Get some cardio by raking leaves or challenge yourself to participate in a local road race

On rainy or chilly days, visit the local library and check out a workout video. It can be a lot of fun and doesn’t cost a thing.

Tip 3 – Let the games begin!
Lately, board games are making a major comeback with the reinvention of the traditional Family Night. Flexing your mental muscle by opting to play cards, trivia games or parlor games of yesteryear can help cut costs on expensive movie rentals and excessive cable charges. Plus, leisure time spent with friends, family and neighbors is always a healthy and fun way to de-stress.

Tip 4 – Drink to your health!
Water is a necessity and getting the recommended eight glasses a day is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Switching from bottled water to tap can save hundreds of dollars (not to mention it also eliminates the amount of plastic bottles that get discarded!). To ensure tap water is healthy and clean, consider a PUR Water Filtration System, which could save up to $600 each year in comparison to bottled water. PUR is certified to reduce many unwanted contaminants to help ensure drinking water is clean and healthy. Visit www.purwater.com for more details.

Tip 5 – Sweet Dreams
Getting much needed sleep no matter what your age is crucial to mental, emotional and physical health. You will feel better, be more productive at work, have increased levels of physical and mental alertness, and your body will get the rest it needs to fight off diseases. For these reasons, make a commitment to schedule your day so you get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep. Children, depending on age, might require more.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Ask any parent what foods kids want and what foods kids need, and they’ll tell you the two rarely meet. In most cases, hot dogs trump tomatoes and animal crackers buck broccoli, causing many parents to wonder what they can do. But with spring blooming, green thumbs coming out of hibernation and gardens glowing in a few weeks, now is the perfect time to “veg-ucate” kids to like, and even want, veggies.

Vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals such as fiber, potassium and Vitamins A and C. These nutrients are important for healthy skin, teeth and protection against infections. They will also set a good stage for future benefits such as a decreased risk of coronary artery disease and high blood pressure.

But try telling that to your kids.

“Veggies and kids usually don’t mix. But the eating habits kids have now will play out over the rest of their lives. That’s why good diet and nutrition is so important,” says Ross Kamens, executive chef at fast-casual restaurant Noodles & Company. “There’s no shortage of tips and tricks for sneaking vegetables into your son’s or daughter’s foods. The key, however, is to get them to like eating veggies so you’re not mixing and pureeing for the next 10 years.”

Keep in mind what the USDA recommends. For kids who get about 30 minutes of exercise each day, the USDA suggests 2- to 3-year-olds eat 1 cup of vegetables every day and 4- to 8-year-olds get 1 1/2 cups per day. Girls 9- to 13-years-old should have 2 cups and boys 9 to 13-years-old should have 2 1/2 cups.

So what’s a struggling parent to do?

Executive Chef Ross Kamens offers these tips and tricks for integrating a spring semester in Veg-ucation into your household.

* Plant a lesson plan: Kids feed off interaction and excitement. Encourage your children to help you plant a vegetable garden. Then, when the vegetables are ready for picking, let your child choose which ones they want to pick for evening meals. Take advantage of the process and show them how taking care of the garden will in-turn help take care of their bodies.

* Leverage those teachable moments: As your family’s self appointed ‘veg-ucator’ you’ll have to practice what you preach and set a good example. Look for subtle ways to include vegetables in your own daily routine, such as adding raw veggies to your lunch or snacking on carrots rather than chips on the weekends.

* Experiment together: Even the best lesson plans don’t score an A+ overnight, so be patient and make it fun. Include your kids in your weekly meal planning sessions and let them add the veggies to a pot or skillet during meal preparation. Perhaps let them brush on the olive oil before the eggplant hits the grill or ask them to sort the veggie platter by color.

* No cheating: No question, sneaking carrots into muffins and blending different veggies and adding them to a PB&J or bowl of oatmeal may slip vegetables past your kids. Unfortunately, all that does is cheat them out of long-term good eating habits. Besides, your blender will appreciate the break.

* Take field trips: Every family wants a night out now and again. On those occasions, look for restaurant options that shy away from french fries and onion rings. Noodles & Company has been ranked as one of the top four healthiest fast food restaurants by Health Magazine for the past two years. Its menu also offers 19 fresh veggie options.

When it comes to healthy eating in your home, remember the long-term benefits of veg-ucating your kids about the importance of eating their vegetables.

Courtesy of ARAcontent