Preparing Your Home For a New Puppy

By Eric Shannon

While excitement and anticipation will be at the top of the list when bringing home a new puppy for the first time, preparing for his arrival should rank highly on the list. Just as you would have to prepare a home when you have a toddler, pet owners also have to take certain precautions when “puppy-proofing.”

Before you begin preparing your home for a puppy, you should think about the front yard and garden. First, check fences and gates to be sure there are no holes massive enough for him to get his head stuck in or escape through. Watch for litter and trash cans, which can be knocked over, giving your new puppy the opportunity to eat things that might make him sick. Also, know where you are treating your lawn and garden with pesticides, and then don't let your puppy in that area. In addition, produce sure that all chemicals and more harmful products are put away out of your new child's reach.

Next, you will have to inspect your home as if a strange toddler is coming to live with you! Just like toddlers, puppies will think everything is new and exciting. They don’t know when something is dangerous or can’t tell if that “interesting” remote control will get them into trouble.

In addition, when restructuring your home for the new puppy, you should keep these tips in mind:

· Make sure all electrical and cable wires are either in a space your puppy will not have access to, or hide them under rugs or carpets. Don't keep wires where your puppy may gnaw or chew on them.
· Just like a toddler, your puppy will investigate each element, including low cupboards. Just when you believed having a puppy was simpler than an infant, he'll learn to pull those cupboard doors open! Think about installing locks or "child-proof" devices.

So far, so good, right? Well, that’s only if you remember that in reality your puppy has the brain of a little kid. Soon you’ll be getting ready for afternoon walks to the park, three a.m. trips to the bathroom, (more officially, outside) and lots of snuggling. So, while preparing your home for your puppy, think of him as a member of your family. Get him a bed that is chew resistant. Line it with comfortable, washable, bedding and then place it in a favorite place just for him. Be sure it's somewhere he'll be safe and comfortable.

Preparing your home for your new puppy is a lot to handle, so you can look at buying a puppy pen until everything settles down. Just like a baby’s playpen, a puppy pen will offer an area for him to play without roaming the home. By doing this, you are also saving your furniture and more objects from being chewed on. (Don’t worry—he’ll hopefully grow out of this!)

One last thing to think about when preparing your home for your puppy is any stairs that you might have in the home. If you have an open basement or even 2nd floor, utilize toddler gates to confine his run area to avoid accidents. Infants and puppies aren't aware of danger and don’t understand that they may fall down steps and get hurt.

The bottom line to think about while preparing your home for the new puppy is, just like a baby, they will require cuddling, attention and there will obviously be a lot of wet kisses!


About the author:
Eric Shannon is a freelance author who also publishes the Dog Lovers Report, which is a biweekly newsletter with a very large readership. He also runs Beds For Doggies, which carries a large selection of Dog Beds, Dog Couches, and Dog Furniture.




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The Charlotte Mason Method Increases The Effectiveness Of A Home School Reading Program

By Brent Sitton

When it comes to home schooling, parents need all of the resources they can muster. Designing curricula, scheduling field trips, and tailoring lesson plans to children in different grade levels can be challenging. Using children's literature to enrich the curriculum you teach in the home learning environment can be rewarding to both you and your children.

Charlotte Mason, a British educator whose life spanned the last quarter of the nineteenth century and the first quarter of the twentieth century, fervently advocated the use of literature in children's education. Often referred to as the founder of home schooling, Mason pioneered a liberal arts approach to children's education. In contrast to the rigid memorization required of students during her time, Mason's educational theories embraced the concept of instilling a love of learning in children and exposing them to a wide variety of subjects.

Today, many parents use the Charlotte Mason method as a home school resource. Several of Mason's key concepts relate to reading in the home learning environment. The first is the avoidance of what she termed "twaddle," or books that today could be called "junk food for the mind." You're probably familiar with the type, such as chapter books based on TV shows that use overly simplistic sentences and rely on illustrations, rather than words, to engage a child. Instead, the Mason method opts for children's literature that is well written and captivates the child's imagination with words.

Another of Mason's key concepts that relates to reading is that of "whole books." She advocated that a child read a book in its entirety, rather than simply reading book excerpts. Any parent of a child educated in the public school system knows that language arts textbooks are typically anthologies of book excerpts. Mason felt that a work should be read as it was written, as opposed to reading only a portion of the complete book.

Narration is a third concept advocated by Mason. In contrast to rote memorization and recitation, or testing that focuses on what a child doesn't know, Mason felt that children should have the opportunity to explain what they do know. After reading a book, for example, a child could talk about what he or she learned, could write about the book in a journal, or could paint or sculpt a depiction of what he or she learned.

Charlotte Mason's teaching methods are easy and inexpensive to integrate into home education. Developing an effective avoiding "twaddle," by reading the whole book, and by incorporating narration as a measure of comprehension - is an integral component to the Mason method. Utilizing children's book reviews will help in this effort, as will broadening the reading experience by incorporating related individual and family activities.

About the author:
Brent Sitton is the founder of http://www.DiscoveryJourney.com,with home school resources, including children’s book reviews containing 5 educational activities. http://www.discoveryjourney.com/homeschool.htm- http://www.discoveryjourney.com/childrensbookreviews.htm


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Baby Proof Your Home - Frequently Asked Questions

By Martin Smith

Keeping your baby safe at all times is one of your greatest concerns and responsibilities. There is so much to consider and it is very easy to overlook something that might be fairly obvious to some but escape others. Things like covering electrical outlets, putting up baby gates and turning pot handles to the rear of the stove are discussed in this article and is presented in a question and answer format.

Q. What is the best way to approach baby-proofing our home?

The best way is to see your home from the eyes of your child. It is recommended that you get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. This will enable you to see hazards you might not have recognized at your full height. Are electrical outlets in baby’s reach or are there electric cords hanging down that your baby can pull on or get tangled in? Does your furniture have sharp corners? Are there precious items at your baby’s level that should be put up out of reach?

Q. What is the most hazardous situation for my baby?

Any situation that places your baby in harm’s way is the worst situation for your baby. The most hazardous situation for your baby is choking or anything that might cause him to stop breathing. The most hazardous situation for you baby is one that caused an injury that could have been prevented.

Q. What are some things I need to consider when I am baby-proofing our home?

There are many things to consider. Your baby is a quick mover so it is never really safe to leave him unattended if at all possible. Consider putting up all valuables and breakable items out of reach of your baby’s. Anything that is small enough to fit in his mouth should be removed. If in doubt as to whether any one item is small enough to fit in your baby’s mouth and pose a choking hazard take an empty toilet paper roll. If it fits inside the tube it go in his mouth and possibly harm him.

Q. Why do I need baby safety gates?

Baby safety gates can be placed in doorways or at the top and bottom of staircases. The gates can prevent your baby from getting into the kitchen or bathroom. They can also prevent your baby from tumbling down the stairs or climbing the stairs and falling. The mesh or the holes in the gate should not be large enough for your baby to put his toes through to climb the gate. Gates now are being made to operate hands-free or one handed. There are gates being made with the bars going vertical instead of horizontal reducing the chances of your baby being able to climb the gate.

Q. What are electric outlet covers or locks?

Electric outlet covers look like plastic plugs when they are inserted and prevents your baby from sticking his fingers or something else in the outlet and getting a serious shock. Electric outlet lock plates can replace typical outlets and in order to insert anything into the outlet the plug has to be inserted and turned.

Q. It was suggested to me that I have motion alarms on our doors and windows, why would I need them?

Some kids are very active and able to do things you would be very surprise about. Children have been known to open windows and fall through screens and become seriously injured. There are many news stories where toddlers have gotten up in the night and unbeknownst to their parents open the door and go outside. Some are found wandering around and others are not so lucky. Some windows now come with a mechanism to prevent the window from being opened more than an inch or two. The alarms will alert you to the door opening and you can intervene before something tragic happens.

Q. What kind of baby-proofing products are available?

There all kinds of baby products available and most are reasonably priced. There are motion sensors, corner cushions for sharp corners on furniture. There are electric outlet covers, cabinet and drawer locks of different types and cord retractors for window blinds.

Q. Is there anything available to protect my baby from getting in between banister posts?

There is netting available that can be attached with screws that will prevent your baby from getting between the banister posts. This product is similar to the deck netting available for outdoor decks.

Q. Are there baby proofing checklists available?

Yes there are baby-proofing checklists available. You can locate them online and they are printable. Specialty stores, hospitals, and pediatricians are all possible sources for such checklists.

Q. How can I baby proof my nursery?

You can baby proof your nursery by keeping your baby’s crib away from windows and blinds cords. Put outlet protectors on all outlets. Make certain to dress your baby in sleepers rather than using blankets. When your baby begins sitting up place the mattress in the lowest position. Do not put stuffed animals or pillows in the crib with your little one, they could nestle up to them and suffocate.

Q. How can I baby proof my kitchen?

Put all cleaners or chemicals up out of reach of your baby. Make sure all drawers and cabinet doors. While cooking put all pot handles toward the rear of the stove. Do not allow electric cords to hang over counters where your baby can pull on them. Better still, if possible unless you are feeding your baby keep him out of the kitchen.

Q. How can I baby proof my car?

You can baby proof your car by making sure the car seat your baby will ride in is installed correctly and that it is the correct one for your baby. Remove all loose items that could become missiles in a crash or quick stop, and place them in the trunk.

In Conclusion

The bottom line of baby proofing your home and your car is to be mindful that the most common things can be hazardous to a baby or small child. You can obtain a checklist of things to look for when baby-proofing your home. Window blinds cords should be shortened and outlets should be covered. Look at your home and car through your baby’s eyes, you might be surprised at hazards you miss when you are looking from adult height.

About the author:
About the Author

Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of
Nursery Bedding
and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.


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Ideas For Toddler Halloween Costumes

By Jackie G. Maxwell

Depending on the age of your little ones, you may want to keep ideas for toddler Halloween costumes on the simple side. Since most of the very youngest trick or treaters are only going out to amuse the grandparents and immediate neighbors, it needn't be terribly complicated to still bring a lot of smiles.

For infants, and those who get tired of walking, animal costumes work very well, can be done in minutes, and don't require great sewing skills.

Turn your toddler into a cow, with a white hooded shirt, white sweat pants, black wool and some black felt. Cut cow-type “splotches” out of the felt, and either use double-sided tape or easily removed basting stitches to attach to the shirt and pants. Remember to keep two triangular pieces of felt to tack ears onto the hood. A dozen pieces of wool, cut to about 18”, can be braided to make a tail for pinning to the seat of their pants. If the toddler is slightly older, and not likely to “bust your balloon”, buy one disposable glove at the drug store, tie off the thumb so no air can get in it, then inflate the glove, tie it off at the wrist, and pin to the belly of their shirt.

Cats and dogs are equally as simple, using the same matching shirt and pants combo, with a few accessories. For the dog, you can buy rubber/vinyl noses, or you can create your own hound dog face with a little makeup to match the shirt, and then draw on a black nose, and a black ring around one eye. Use felt to make a couple of oval-shaped ears, cutting one round end off, and tacking them to the hood of the shirt. The tail can be as easy as a piece of rope or cord, or you can sew a tube of felt and stuff it with quilt batting or lint from the dryer! For the finishing touch, cut down an old belt to create a “collar” and glue on some rhinestones.

Black cats are not only easy, they are delightfully charming ideas for toddler Halloween costumes. Get a matching black sweat pant and hooded shirt, plus black felt for the ears. Make sure you have a little pink felt as well, to glue to the inside of the black ear, to make it more realistic. Use make-up to draw on the nose and whiskers, and give your toddler black mittens, and black socks to wear over their shoes. You're at the end of the job when you make a matching tail out of black felt, or a length of black cord from the curtain shop. A narrow black dress belt with rhinestones glued on, and a tiny bell, makes your kitten, purrrrrfectly divine.

About the author:
Visit and sign up for free weekly tips that will
take the mystery and fear out of parenting your precious little one.



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Wedding Ceremonies – It’s all down to detail!

By Elsie Gilbert

Wedding ceremonies are simply not what they used to be. Set patterns and traditional format ceremonies are making way for unique, well thought out wedding ceremonies that are tailored to the individual needs of the bride and groom. However, whatever type of wedding ceremony you chose, there are still some important considerations when planning picture-perfect wedding ceremonies.

Wedding Ceremonies – The Timing

Time of year is fundamental. Not everyone wants a summer wedding, although most brides and grooms tend to favor summertime wedding ceremonies, which means that popular venues are likely to be booked up, well in advance. If you are prepared to take a less traditional approach, in terms of dates and times, you may find that you have a much wider choice of venues.

These days, many wedding ceremonies take place in non-traditional locations such as beaches or even underwater! Whilst it may be easier to find availability for a more unusual venue, these specialist ceremonies are likely to be more expensive.

Another great way of securing the venue that you really want, at a cheap price, is to be flexible. Many locations now offer evening or mid-week wedding ceremonies, at a reduced price. Getting married at a non-traditional time is also likely to mean that other costs such as transport, accommodation and photography are cheaper. Overall, you can make substantial savings.

Wedding Vows

No two wedding ceremonies are the same and one of the best ways to add an individual touch, without going overboard, is to create your own vows. These need not be religious, and can often be more meaningful and a truer expression of love than a traditional, formulaic vow. Always check with the person conducting the ceremony, as there are still basic requirements in terms of what must be said and carried out to make the wedding legal.

Flowers and Music

It is the little touches that make wedding ceremonies special to the individuals involved. Never underestimate the effect that a few well chosen songs or unusual flower arrangements can have on your guests.

Try not to have a rigid idea about the type of flowers that you want. Remember, flowers are very seasonal, so it is always best to ask your florist for professional advice. Also bear in mind that the flowers you chose should complement whatever theme you are following. So, for example, if you are going for simplicity, stick to simple flowers that are classic and understated.

Always check with venues for wedding ceremonies what sorts of floral arrangements they can accommodate. Some venues will have limited space and may need to re-use the area very quickly, so will be unable to cope with large amounts of flowers. If flowers are important to you, remember to check with the wedding ceremonies’ venues BEFORE you book or, failing that, request that you are the last wedding of the day.

Thinking about the small things early on will make the big things happen, on the day!

About the author:
Elsie Gilbert offers great insights to all different types of wedding ceremonies, wedding styles, wedding accessories. From traditional to the exotic she makes it easy for the bride and groom to review and choose. For more details on all types of wedding ideas visit this site now www.weddingceremonyhelp.com


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Wedding Ceremonies – Ideas for Non-Religious Ceremonies

By Elsie Gilbert

Gone are the days when all wedding ceremonies were conducted in religious surroundings and required the blessing of God. Whilst the majority of people still opt for a traditional ceremony, more and more people are looking at new and innovative ways to get married.

When planning wedding ceremonies, it is important to think carefully about what you hope to achieve, what sort of atmosphere are you going to create and, indeed, what your guests would enjoy. The wedding day, itself, should be planned with the bride and groom in mind; however, it is always wise to consider your guests. Just think about it, getting married whilst descending white water rapids may not be such a good idea if few of your guests can swim!

Although wedding ceremonies can take place in almost any type of environment, you should ensure that the individual conducting your ceremony is licensed, so that you can be certain that your wedding is legally valid.

People are becoming more and more imaginative when it comes to wedding ceremonies, in an attempt to be different from the rest. Of course, if both bride and groom enjoy a similar hobby, a theme may be very obvious. For example, if you are both divers, getting married under water or maybe bungee jumping if you both enjoy throwing yourselves off bridges!

Not all wedding ceremonies are as dramatic as these, non-religious options; but simple ceremonies, in general, are becoming increasingly popular. Not only are people opting for simplicity, because it tends to work out cheaper, but also because of the increase in the number of second weddings taking place. Couples, especially second time round, are generally keen to ensure that they opt for smaller, elite gatherings of close friends and family, with a stronger emphasis on quality rather than quantity.

Many venues now offer the complete service and it is well worth looking at your favorite hotels to see if they have a license to perform wedding ceremonies. By keeping everything in one venue it will be easier to control the flow of the day and to ensure that guests are not concerned with transport, throughout the day.

Even the vows taken during wedding ceremonies are becoming more modern and tailored to an individual’s desire. Those getting married can now write their own vows so that they really mean something special for their individual circumstances.

Arguably, the trend towards creating your own wedding ceremonies allows individuals to really put their own stamp on their special day. After all, it is your day so why shouldn’t you have it all your own way?

About the author:
Elsie Gilbert offers great insights to all different types of wedding ceremonies, wedding styles, wedding accessories. From traditional to the exotic she makes it easy for the bride and groom to review and choose. For more details on all types of wedding ideas visit this site now www.weddingceremonyhelp.com


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Finding Unique Birthday Gifts

By Mike Hamilton

Finding a unique birthday gift can be one of the most challenging, frustrating and rewarding things you will ever do. When your loved one’s eyes light up with that expression that tells you “I never even knew I wanted this but now I wouldn’t trade it for all the money in the world.”

If you haven’t had that experience then it is hard to put into words how wonderful it makes you feel. If you approach it as a chore or something you need to do then you will never find the perfect and unique birthday gift.

One mistake that a lot of people make is trying to find a unique gift and then deciding if it is something the person will like. This sometimes ends up being akin to trying to fit a round peg in a square hole.

Think about what you are celebrating then find something that honors that celebration. If you are celebrating the friendship you share with that person then shop with that in mind. Think about the things you have shared with each other.

If you have been on fishing trips together then contemplate those trips and what made them enjoyable. If it is simply the quite times sharing ideas and thoughts over coffee then let those memories come flooding back.

The best gifts are the most personal. What makes the gift unique is the uniqueness of the person you are shopping for and not the gift itself.

If this method of choosing a gift seems like it takes more effort then it seems it is worth then maybe the problem is that you need to examine why you are concerned that you find a perfect and unique birthday present.

If the motive is that you really want them to open it and just share the joy they are going to feel then it should be a pretty easy exercise. If the motive is what you can get out of it besides joy then it is a chore that is could very well be among the toughest you have ever tackled.

Ralph Parlette, the author of “The University of Hard Knocks”, is quoted as saying, “Real birthdays are not annual affairs. Real birthdays are the days when we have a new birth.”

The wise words of Parlette say what I am saying much more eloquently than I can. If you choose to celebrate the birth of your relationship in addition to the annual affair you will find that you have taken the first and most important step in finding a the perfect and unique birthday gift.

Make the day, a day that you share in and are a part of and you will find that the search will be much easier. Become a participant, not a spectator and your search is just about over and a fruitful search it will be.

At our website we offer a mini-website for honoring birthdays where you can post pictures, poems, or memories. After all memories are what they are celebrating, shouldn’t that be your celebration as well.

About the author:
About the author: Mike Hamilton is an author and has been writing about
various subjects for many years. His latest website is Itsurbirthday.com
where you can find information and tip on birthdays of all kinds.


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