Notepad Corner

Parenting is a twenty-four-hour, seven-days-a-week job that requires endless patience. If you are a first time mom, it is best to talk to your husband on how you would like to discipline, build and hone your children to become a strong and resilient adult. Parenting is a team effort between the parents.   It is best to work together to plan strategies, share duties and decide on rules. Suggested tips and strategies on how to build emotionally stable and strong children are as follows: First of all , we should learn to accept our children’s inborn personality and temperament. As I already mentioned in one of my previous post that no two siblings are alike. However, when your child feels he belongs and feels competent, he is more likely to become expressively strong. Second , help them develop a sense of responsibility for their actions. Teach them how to accept and handle mistakes and defeats as challenges.

If several people live in close proximity to each other, they more than likely share many of the same community interests. Often, they will come together to change issues important to them. Unfortunately, organized communities get confused with other groups, and there are several myths that need to be dispelled. Myth #1: Community Organizing is Activism Both community organization and activism are responsible for many social changes in history. However, the two deviate when you look at their general focus. Community organization often has a specific purpose in mind for starting a domino effect of changes. While members of the organized community can be classified as activists, they receive the empowerment that builds within the community, allowing members to stand up and take charge. Activists, while concerned with many of the same issues as an organized community, don't provide the individual empowerment that comes from within an organized community. 

As much as possible, we want to provide all our children to have their own single bed. However, if the room space that we have in our home is limited and could not accommodate it, then bunk beds are the best option to have. It is indeed a great space saver but it also comes with great risks most especially in the aspect of safety. There have been incidents of fall, strangulation, head injuries and a whole lot more related to bunk bed utilization.   The one sleeping on top of the bed would most likely experience it.  If you decide to buy one, be extra cautious. Keenly inspect how it has been made, its sturdiness and the quality of materials used before purchasing. 

We toss, turn, snore, gurgle, talk and sometimes walk around when we are asleep; it’s just something we do that we can’t prevent. We all also have a favourite sleeping position. It might be on your side, on your back or curled up into a ball. But did you know the way you lie can affect how well you sleep? Read on and discover the many sleeping positions that’ll give you the best night’s sleep. On your back A common sleeping position and the one that doctors suggest is the best one for your body. The benefits of sleeping this way is that the back is straight, allowing the mattress to do its job most effectively. For all of you that live in fear of dreaded wrinkles, the Academy of Dermatology in the US advises sleeping on your back to avoid those pesky crow’s feet, as sleeping on your side causes wrinkles in the skin that become permanent over time. 

The main purpose of most charities is to raise awareness about a particular issue. Unfortunately, simply raising awareness isn't always enough. Everyone can be aware of the problem, but the problem still exists. In response, many charities look to solve the problem they specialize in. That or at least make a sizable impact. This is much easier said than done. To create a serious impact takes serious resources. Serious resources are contingent on serious supplies of cash and capital. Charitable trusts  soon realized the best way to accomplish this goal: Merchandise. Everyone loves stuff and they love buying it-- especially if they know they're helping people with a cause. In this spirit of tenacity and ingenuity, here are five of the most popular charity merchandise campaigns. Save the Tatas- Breast Cancer Breast Cancer is a serious issue for women. Annually, it's a disease that manages to kill thousands if not millions per year. In an effort to combat this, the candidly ...

Strong and intense hair colour is nice and lovely when you are in your 20s, yet will make you look older when you are in the middle age. Beauty experts say that as we mature, we lose the pigment in our skin thus our skin color changes. To take years off, the key is to lighten up your hair color   It is wise to determine the right shade for you. If you like it red, do not pick a fiery red, go for a more auburn tone instead. A chocolate brown can make you look younger too. For women who likes it blonde, a honey blond is advised and never a platinum blonde. If you would like to maintain the hair colour when you were younger, low lights or highlights can do wonders. According to beauty specialists, blonde is the most youthful colour you can go as it fits and sits well to any skin for as long as it is applied correctly. To get the right hair tone next to your skin will definitely knock years off your age.  When covering up grey hair, it is necessary to keep...

The Honda Motor Company is a Japanese corporation who mainly deals in the manufacturing of automobiles and  Honda motorcycles . Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle producer since 1959. Sometime in 1985, Honda become the first motorcycle company to manufacture a luxury brand called Acura. They also are the leaders in manufacturing combustion engines by volume. In 2008, Honda had officially surpassed Chrysler as the fourth largest automobile manufacturer in the United States. As well as automobile development, Honda also is involved with aerospace research and development.

Why not make your mum feel uber-special this Mother's Day with something personalised? Here are a few Mothers Day gifts any mum is sure to love, from engraved jewellery to fragrant candles... 10. Personalised Cup & Saucer Set How cute is this cup and saucer set? Made from bone china and decorated with pretty pink pansies, this is a great gift for any tea-loving mum. It’s even got the words, “Friends are flowers that never fade.” 9. Trinket Box This is the perfect place for your mum to store her jewellery in style. Adorned in beautiful hearts and roses in a Mackintosh-type style, this trinket box is a lovely way to declare your love and affection to Mum.

With the ever changing world, it was not only babies and children who need vaccines; even we adults need them to help our immune system produce certain anti-bodies to combat diseases. Why is a vaccine important? A person is given a vaccine containing a weakened form of a disease, so when the real disease comes in, the body can easily beat the invader illness for without the immunization you will be prone to get the disease and may succumb to its complications. According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the vaccines recommended for adults are: HPV vaccine or Human Papilloma Virus vaccine This vaccine can reduce the transmission of viruses that may lead cervical cancer to women and can help prevent genital warts.

We may be starting a home with a few possessions but over time our personal and home stuffs increase and we usually dispose the older ones to give space for the newer ones, however there are times when we want to hold on to certain older belongings because of sentimental value. If your place is small and do not have a storage room, you can avail the services of safe storage to keep your precious personal effects. Storage facilities come in handy for a person or a family needing a store room. From a simple de-cluttering of things to other reasons such as: Home renovations, there may be a need to move things out while renovating a home. For students studying in Universities far from home, it would be easier to just put a student’s luggage in safe storage, instead of taking the luggage back and forth from university to home during school breaks. Moving a house Secure the whole houseful of furniture, appliances and other things while your family move abroad or live elsewhere out ...

Due to the high cost electricity, most of us use an electric fan instead of an air-conditioning system to save on electric usage. Now that the hot summer months are fast approaching, this cooling device will definitely be working double time. However, as it helps air to circulate it also acquires dust along the way. Regular cleaning will make it work efficiently and at the same time extend its lifespan. It is recommended to clean it on a weekly basis. Here are suggested ways on how to clean an electric fan. 

A Carbon Monoxide alarm is one of the most important devices needed to be installed in every home. This detector is intended to protect the family’s health against gas leakage by sensing what our eyes and nose can’t. Nevertheless, do not assume that your family is safe just because you have a detector installed. It is important to assess its effectiveness, thus before buying and installing one you should learn about co detector information beforehand to understand how it works, what their limitations are and how to operate in order to get the best protection. Carbon monoxide is referred to as the silent killer because it is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas, the leading cause of accidental poisoning and fire in dwellings. It is formed from the incomplete combustion of fuels, such as wood, kerosene or charcoal used in fireplaces and grills, the natural or propane gas in kitchen ovens, kerosene or gasoline used in clothes dryers, heaters and vehicles and other fuel-flam...

Internship is a pre-requisite and a part of the college curriculum.   Most students enter the on-the-job-training on their last year in college. Some schools provide company internships while for others they let their students search on their own and just provide recommendation letters for a possible placement. Career advisers say that is wise to choose the best internship as possible. It is recommended to first know your long-term career goals – what do you love to do and how do you see yourself doing in three or more years from now. It is recommended for students eyeing for a good job not to jump into OJT right away. Identify companies that offer workshop that will support your goals, better if you can enter a multi-national company wherein you can have the chances of being absorbed and hired after you graduate.

Ideally, the family would get out of the house at least once a fortnight and have a day out together. Money isn’t always abundant however, and the stress that often comes along with bundling the children into the car, puts a dampener on the day. With enough forward planning, you can create fun memories together, without going grey-haired overnight. Take A Picnic More often than not, restaurants are an awkward and expensive way to get lunch. If the weather is nice enough, take a special picnic for the day. Not only do you not have to worry about where you’re going to find a suitable café, but you don’t have to queue for nosh either. Besides, a few extra snacks never went amiss. Child-Proof The Car Journey Squabbling in the backseat can set even the most Zen parent on edge. Make sure they have enough activities to keep them occupied. If it doesn’t make your little ones feel poorly, give them books to read or drawing to do. Story tapes are always a great way to keep everyone quiet...

Aside from pulling the sweaters and mittens out at the bottom of the coat closet, we also make a to-do-list to prepare and equip our homes for the cold weather. Shielding ourselves and our homes to keep us warm and comfortable for the cold season is a must to keep our family and homes protected. Our homes require maintenance to keep it in a tip-top shape all throughout the winter season. Here are important things to look over, inspect and clean before the wintertime begins. Inspect the furnace and clean the ducts   Clean the roofs, gutters and downspouts   Check for crevice cracks on exterior doors and windows and seal them.   Check smoke detectors and alarms, replace batteries if needed.   Check on your first aid supplies, flashlights and food supplies.   Do not forget to make the fireplace ready, buy enough wood, clean the chimney and cap the top to keep out birds.   Take out those winter equipment from the storage such...

Every day, we’re faced with a thousand and one decisions:  from what color of shoes to wear, to which turn to take at the intersection.  Some are big, life-altering decisions, while others are less critical.  The thing is, whatever decision we choose to make, we have to stick to it and follow through. If going green is one decision you’ve just recently made, then good for you.  Remember that it doesn’t end there.  You have to take action in order to make that decision worthwhile.  You don’t have to go all out and start a campaign to save the environment.  It always helps to start small.  There are so many things you can do around the house to start living that green lifestyle.  For starters, you can make it a habit to segregate your garbage.  Keep all recyclable materials together, and the perishables in a separate container. Photo credits: valenzuela.olx.com.ph Instead of the usual run-of-the-mill industrial clean...

I can still vividly remember my first day as a college freshman.  I was an impressionable sixteen-year old with no clue as to what to expect from university life.  Despite the uncertainty, I knew deep inside that I was beginning to enter the doors of womanhood. I wasn’t exactly an adult yet, as it was only weeks ago when I was looking around for sweet sixteen party themes for my birthday.  But I felt that I was gradually being exposed to the harsh realities of life.  I was cautiously flirting with the idea of adulthood at that time. Going to college made me realize that I was no longer the kid I used to be.  I was slowly asserting my independence, simply because I had to.  Circumstances led me to rely on myself as I trudged my way through early adulthood. Fast forward to today, I am a full grown woman with a better grasp of life and its intricacies - at least I think so!  I have been through more trials than Kim Kardashian has had b...

Most of the kids these days are lured to play video games and online games. Most often, some are even willing to skip meals just to eliminate that monstrous creature or get that precious weapon to clear the level. Parents might not be able to understand their language and most of the time they end up raising their hands and say “whatever!”  every time they convince their kiddos to stop and get some sleep. Being able to raise a computer savvy kid is something to be proud of, but when it becomes addicting thereby compromising their health and their education, then it’s another story. Your kid can no longer improve his potential to other things if right at the very beginning he cannot discern the difference between real and virtual happenings. Convincing them to go to bed early is one of the most challenging quests, especially during the holidays or during weekends. They would immediately reason out that they don’t have any school homework and sleeping late is just alright. ...

A beautiful staircase enhances the home pattern and design, ornamental handrails not only add beauty but serves as guide and guard for you and your children’s safety and elders as well. Indoor or outdoor hand railings can rust over time and when paint or metal primer can no longer protect it against corrosion then it’s about time for a replacement. Changing handrails and other railing parts can be a do-it-yourself project as wrought iron railing parts are available in most home furnishing outlets and can be ordered online too. However, for more creativity and decorative work, you may hire the services of handrail and staircase builders.

The task of helping people within a specified group or demographic area to liberate themselves and to hold their own in a demanding society is best approached from a community level. Social work is a long standing profession which has been mainly aimed at empowering the weaker and more vulnerable members of our society. We live in a capitalist economy where opportunities are not evenly divided and people must compete to succeed. The society itself usually creates the very community problems that social work seeks to address. Macro Practice Effecting the desired change within a community requires several modes of guided interventions. These interventions fall under a new branch in the field of social work - Macro Practice. This practice deals specifically with the larger social systems interventions which are essentially a mix of several areas of the social sciences, and are meant to bring about a positive impact on society. These include economic development, urban planning, pu...

We as parents are responsible to lay the ultimate foundation for the bright future of our children. Instilling values is one of the most important aspects of parenting that we should not forget. It has been proven that children learn by example. If you will set a high priority on showing and teaching on your values, your children will practically learn to do the same. Infusing values to our children can be done in several ways. Discuss among your children about your beliefs; tell stories that support your principles in life. It is important to monitor your child's behavior in school or when they are outside of your home with their peers as it can weaken parental influence and the development of moral values for behavior.

Although technology has made our lives a lot more convenient and comfortable, it is also sad that many kids these days are too “wired” that they forget to explore the outdoors and have healthy social lives.     To let our children be a couch potato is definitely not healthy, so it is advised for parents to divert their attention by doing other activities in between such as sports, playing outdoors with other kids or enrolling them in summer camps during summertime.  Make a time schedule on when they can use their computer and gaming gadgets so they will also learn how to manage their time for studying, doing their school homework and helping in some house chores. Moreover,bringing them on cool road trips, exploring the beauty of nature such as trekking, or overnight campings can provide family fun and enjoyment. Family getaways that can be also educational not only for the young but for the adult as well. Taking a break from work to spend time with kid...

Let’s face it, hair removal is a chore! Keeping stubborn stubble at bay isn’t easy, but there are ways to de-fuzz effectively in time for summer – check out these five tips. Laser hair removal The barbeque season seems to be drawing to an end but that’s no reason to shy away from being gorgeous, so book a course of laser hair removal and feel glamorous for the rest of the warmer months. This non-surgical procedure destroys the base of each hair follicle and can prevent hair from growing back. It’s relatively pain-free and requires little to no downtime (making it a highly convenient treatment). The laser works best if you have pale skin and dark hair, but new technology is being introduced all the time. A number of sessions are usually recommended, so arrange a consultation now ready for the warm weather. Threading If you’re heading abroad this year, why not get your eyebrows threaded? Many reputable beauty stores offer a hair removal service of this kind, so it’s wor...

Imagine that you live in your grandmothers’ time. In the 1940s, you would have worn a knee length skirt, hat, gloves and court shoes. The Depression and the war may have pushed you into the workforce, but government pronouncements and policies reinforced the ideology of the traditional family. If you were married and worked outside the home, you would have faced job discrimination . Only two generations later, have you noticed that opinion seems to have turned against stay at home moms? Yet, 23 percent of married-couple families with children under 15 have a stay-at-home mother. Five million women and 154,000 dads stayed home to raise their children. The roles of stay-at-home moms have even been measured in dollars. Imagine paying for nannies, cooks, cleaners, drivers, psychologists, laundry maids and others who would need to be hired to replace the jobs that stay at home moms do. Salary.com say that a stay at home mom's work is worth USD $112,962 a year and estimate th...

In the United States, Electric Choice Programs are available in the District of Columbia and seventeen states. These programs allow customers to choose their electricity supplier. The power of choice gives customers the opportunity to compare rates, which encourages electric retail suppliers to offer competitive rates. Overview of Electric Choice Programs When you choose an Electric Choice Program to deliver your electricity, many things do not change. For instance, the way your electricity is delivered, who you call regarding problems or electric emergencies and the way you receive your bill will all remain the same. Benefits of Choosing an Electric Choice Program The benefits of choosing an Electric Choice Program is that it allows you to compare rates of licensed electric generation suppliers in your area. With this information, customers can do their research and find the supplier that is offering the best price in their area. Where to Find a List of Licensed ...

Birthdays are considered to be one of the most important events in a person’s life and more often than not, we celebrate it with our family and closest friends by throwing a party. Customarily, we throw a party and rejoice the merriest birthday at age 1, 7, 13, 18 for a female debutante and 21 for the male counterpart. Since your one year old child cannot remember how his or her first birthday party turned out, taking pictures of the activities for the first birthday party of your kid can preserve memories, something that you can reminisce over and over again.  

Fancy a quick makeover of your bathroom? Here are some ideas that can be done in a weekend to give a real lift and freshen it up without having to completely remodeling . photo credits:  denoxa.com Clear out the clutter First place to start if you are looking to jazz up the look of your bathroom and better still, a clear out won’t cost you anything but you will notice a great improvement instantly. Start by clearing everything that you possibly can out of the bathroom by removing all the items from your cupboards and vanity unit so that you end up with as much empty space as possible, just as though you were moving in rather than clearing up. Try to be ruthless when you start putting items back by getting rid of what you don’t really need or use anymore and sort out the medicine cabinet into organized sections. Even if you end up putting a fair amount of your stuff back, at least you will have freshened it all up and created a neater and tidier look than before you...

Cars not only provide travel comfort but significant and wise investments as well. Owning a car offers a convenient way to move around especially when you have children or during family emergencies. While it gives convenience, buying one can seem to be a daunting task. To extend its life and preserve its value, proper maintenance is needed. Its acquisition cost, insurance need and with the never-ending gasoline price increase, it is really important to keep it in a good running condition. It is also necessary to know where to find the best car care facilities in your community that offers a one-stop shop for your car care needs. A well maintained car will help you avoid untimely and expensive repairs down the road. A regular check-up will optimize your car’s performance, especially fuel efficiency and your safety.

Have you been spanking your kids as a form of discipline? What made you think that it is an effective approach? Parents doing it most likely experienced spanking during their younger years and they are just continuing the cycle as it has been a known norm in disciplining children. Studies were conducted and shown that 2 to 7 percent of cases of mental disorders including paranoia, major depression and anxiety disorders were attributed to physical punishment during the person’s childhood years. Even though the percentage isn't that significant, it is still something to think about. Spanking kids isn't illegal provided that you hit them not too hard that will hurt so much to cause trauma. May I reiterate that spanking to discipline a child is totally different from child abuse wherein the purpose is just to hurt the child physically and make his or her life miserable. Aside from spanking, there are still other disciplinary actions that are equally effec...