What are some songs for kids to dance ballet folklorico to ages 3 to 14?

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TatianaM

I need to know some songs for the kids to dance ballet folklorico to ages 3 to 14 o easy songs

Answer
Kidâs Songs (Disney & More)

Jem & the Holograms--When Itâs only me & the music, I Got my eye on you, Universal Appeal, Depends on the mood Iâm in, People who care
Disco Mickey Mouse Album- Disco Mickey Mouse, Mousetrap, Macho Duck , Watch out for Goofy, Welcome to Rio
AnimanaicsâThere is only 1 of you, U.N. Me, Iâm Cute, Iâll take an island, Quake! A Quake!, Monkey song
Will Smith-- Wild wild west, Summertime, Men in Black, parents just donât understand
Bill Haley & the Comets--ABC Boogie, See you later alligator
They Might be GiantsâIstanbul, particle man, birdhouse in your soul
Rockin RobinâBobby Day
Whoâs Johnny-El Debarge
Inspector Gadget theme (ska verison)âSka king Crab
The Bumblebee tuna song (ska verison)âMephiskapheles
Head to toeâLisa Lisa & the Cult Jam
Labyrinth--Chilly Down, Magic dance
Rainbow ConnectionâKermit the frog
Annie-- Dumb Dog, Letâs go to the movies, Hard knock life
Muppet show theme
Purple people eaterâSheb Wooley
Happy trailsâSons of the pioneers
Who put the bopâThe Big Bopper
Baby Bumblebee
Fraggle Rock theme
Farmer in the dell
Hokey pokey
Puff the magic dragonâPeter, Paul & Mary
Yankee Doodle DandyâJames Cagney
My bonnie lies over the ocean
Monster mash
Yellow polka dot bikini
Witch doctor
I have the powerâShe-ra: Secret of the sword
Raining Sunshine - Miranda Cosgrove (cloudy w/ a chance of meatballs)
Let's Get Together (The Parent Trap)
The Ugly Bug Ball (Summer Magic)
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (Song of the South)
Are We Dancing (The Happiest Millionaire)
Oogie Boogie's Song (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
Heffalumps and Woozles (Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day)
Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)-- (So Dear to My Heart)
Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians)
Some Day My Prince Will Come (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
You've Got a Friend in Me (Toy Story)
The Siamese Cat Song (Lady and the Tramp)
Space Jamâtheme song, Hit âEm High (Monstars theme)
Batman-Partyman-Prince, Batdance-Prince
Fern Gully--Toxic LoveâTim Curry, If Iâm gonna eat somebody it might as well be youâTone Loc, A dream worth keepingâSheena E
Oliver & Co-- Once Upon a time in NYC-Billy Joel, Perfect isnât easy-Bette Midler
Aladdin--A Whole New World, One Jump Ahead
Little Mermaid--Under the Sea, Kiss the Girl, Poor Unfortunate Souls, Part of Your World
Lion King--Circle of Life, Hakuna Matata, I Just Can't Wait to Be King, Be Prepared, Can you feel the love tonight
Beauty and the Beast--Beauty and the Beast, Be Our Guest, Something There, Belle
Mary Poppins--Jolly Holiday, A Spoonful of Sugar, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Feed the Birds (Tuppence a Bag), Let's Go Fly a Kite, Stay Awake
Pete's Dragon--Candle on the Water, Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You, Too), I swear I saw a dragon
Bambi-- Love Is a Song, Little April Shower
Disneyland--Main Street Electrical Parade, It's a Small World (After All), The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room
Bedknobs & Broomsticks--The Age of Not Believing, Portobello Road, Substitutiary Locomotion, A Step in the Right Direction
Cinderella--Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, Oh Sing Sweet Nightingale, A dream is a wish your heart makes, So this is love
The Jungle Book--The Bare Necessities, I Wanna Be like You, That's What Friends Are For
Pinocchio--When You Wish upon a Star, I've Got No Strings
The Hunchback of Notre Dame-- Out There, God help the outcasts
Pocahontas--Colors of the Wind, Just Around the Riverbend, Steady As the Beating Drum"
Sleeping Beauty-- Once Upon a Dream, I Wonder
Dumbo--Pink Elephants on Parade, Baby Mine, When I See an Elephant Fly
Robin Hood--Oo-De-Lally, Love
The Aristocats--Thomas O'Malley Cat, Everybody Wants to Be a Cat

What was the best invention for kids that made one crazy inventor and investor a millionare?

Q. Remember those animal rubber bands? The guy probably is at home in retirement on his pool,exercising,young, and living the dream life selling those animal rubber bands. I'm doing a project for Economics about the best product made for children because kids are particulary suckers somewhere at age 3-5 years old.

That woman who made a book for kids who are in stress I know its kinda funny but she made millions of dollars probably at home same as that animal rubber band guy. LOL

Answer
It has to be LEGO. A small Danish toy company with only seven or eight employees bought a plastic injection moulding machine and invented a 'self binding brick'. In less than twenty years, by the 1960s, the company was worth millions. No other invention: doll, clay, game, construction set or gadget, comes close to it.

Kids love it: they buy a few bricks and play for weeks on end. They start at 4 or 5 years old, and are still playing and collecting at 12.

There are compatible bricks, (such as Canadian Mega Bloks) but parents prefer the original brand, so it still sells like hot cakes. LEGO fans always seem to need the latest set.

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Moms who have taken toddlers on cruises please help?

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J&M

We booked a carnival cruise today for next month. We are leaving a day early so we won't be rushed traveling all day any worrying about having to get on the ship right away. Our son will be 18 months this is our first family vacation, first time flying with a toddler.
Any tips? What to bring? Need all the advice we can get for a smooth vacation!

Answer
People have NO idea what they are talking about, lol. Most cruises have daycares for children. You need to call and find out the information and set anything up beforehand if necessary. You also need to call and make arrangements for a playpen for her to sleep in. The ones I have been on (multiple with my two children by the way who are 3 and 4 years old now) the cruise ships say the children have to be potty trained to be in the playcenters but some will take a non-potty trained child for a fee ($50 a day) Every ship has their own polocies so it is vital to call now! Make sure you bring sunblock, a lifevest for swimming, a lovey from home and a camera. You dont really need toys because every ship has areas designed for young children and she will be amused by the pool or in the playcenters with other children/staff. Have fun because this will be an experience to remember!!

FYI: What is the difference then on a cruise ship or a crowded grocery store? You will be holding her anyways so she will be fine, lol My kids are still alive and kicking!

What are some good activities to do with a 14 month old?

Milla

I nanny for a 14 month old little boy and we are starting to run out of stuff to do that is fun and exciting. We go to the park and for walks quite often and I do not let him watch television during the day, but we are just running out of stuff to do. It is spring now so outdoor activities are welcome. He has plenty of toys that we play with but as all you parents and other nannies know, they seem to get boring after a while. Any advice will help! Thanks everyone!

Answer
It is hard to have just one young toddler/baby, because you feel that, as the nanny, you should do more active things with the child than a parent would do, yet there really is a limit to the ideas that are possible. It's easier with multiple children, who can entertain each other.

Some ideas include:

Filling a box (outdoors) with sand, and putting various toys/objects inside. You can include small buckets and shovels if you can find any. Check out the family's beach/pool supplies for these items.

Going for long walks with him in the stroller. This is good exercise for you.

Pushing him in a baby swing at the park.

Finding other nannies to have play dates with. Social interaction is good for children, and it will give you an adult to talk to, as well.

The library, mentioned by someone else, is a great idea. You can read books to the baby, and pick up one for yourself while you're there.

Building with blocks. If there is a large supply of blocks in the home, you both can play with them. I don't know why, but I enjoy building with blocks a lot more than I enjoy some other forms of kid play. It feels a lot less ridiculous than pretending to be Winnie the Pooh. (He'll ask you to do that when he's three or four!) Let him build what he likes, and you can have (okay, a little) fun building interesting temples, houses, etc. You can talk about what you're building, too, and act impressed by his work.

Dancing. The family I work for has Sirius radio, and when the youngest was a baby, I danced with him all the time. His older sister actually napped longer than he did, so when the baby got up, one of the things we did was put on the 80s channel (my favorite) and dance with him in my arms. We both liked it! Later, when he was three, he danced with me at my wedding.

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Is there a group or club for Toy collectors?

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John Arkan

I have old vintage toys, Japanese robots; Sideshow collectibles; action figures.,etc. I wanted to trade, buy or sell with other collectors.

Answer
Howdy John, I'm a fellow toy collector and I have had no luck with any clubs, well none that are active anyway. I collect anything from Japan plus Legos , action figures (any) Pokemon (for the kids) , mostly 70's and 80's toys. Send me an email. I'd like to know what you have.

What should I buy the kids for Christmas?

Country Ch

My fiancé and I will be doing our Christmas shopping next week and I could use some help with ideas for his kids. His daughter is the easy one but his son isn't. He's 15, plays videogames, plays football, rides his bike even when it's cold and raining. I was thinking just get him a gift card of some kind but that's not all I want to give him. Any ideas would be very helpful.

Answer
when i was 15 i really did prefer gift cards. then i could get what i wanted. if he likes football, maybe you can get some tickets for a football game. doesnt necessarily have to be NFL but maybe a college game, or even a good highschool game. if he likes to ride his bike alot, you can get him some bike accessory to encourage him to keep using it and stay active. maybe like, i dunno, a trailor thing for the bike so he can go shopping with it, they have these weird covering things you put over your bike, and its like a kind of a shelter thing lol sounds weird but if he likes to bike in the rain its something to look into. i suppose you can get him a new video game but it might be better to get him a gift certificate for one, for an electronics store, or if he plays a certain game you can sometimes buy cards for the game itself so they can buy weapons and stuff for their characters. there are also all kinds of collectors items related to video games out there. toys and stuff related to the game. you can also try to find a vintage video game set, like an old original nintendo system or atari or something like that, with some games. you can try on ebay, or other local trading posts. if it works and has all the proper cords and paddles, they can be alot of fun for a video game fan. some of those old games are harder than new ones. so theres original Nintendo. called Nintendo entertainment system, or NES for short, then there is Super Nintendo System, SNES, and there are other brands, like Sega, You can get Sega Genisis, or Sega Saturn, Or SegaMegaDrive. There are older ones still, like Atari (remember Pong?) or a brand called Coleco. there are others still. you can check out http://www.old-computers.com/ for more information on those games and other old computer systems. they also sometimes feature items for sale on there. but at least it can give you brand names and games to look up. personally, if i was a 15 year old video game fan, i would want one of those old systems, because vintage is the cool thing these days. prices range from very cheap, like 20 dollars for the system with some games, to a hundred dollars or more, depending on the system, and how many games the person has to sell with them. you can also try to find some at pawn shops. some of those old systems also had alot of extra things you could purchase seperately. like the duck hunt gun for NES, Nes also had a glove controller, allowing you to control your man with your hand rather than a paddle, and there are those dance step mat thingies as well. NES was the most successful home arcade system in its day, and had the most extra features, which you can still find online sometimes, though they can be pricey sometimes because they are collectors items but hey you can tell him, i got ya the system if you want the added extra things do some housework and save your allowance. he can do his own hunting for them and learn how to make online purchases and go to yardsales etc

I've played a variety of different systems, and my personal favourites were my original Nintendo NES, and also sega genesis.they are probably the easiest ones to find these days as well, and had the most games which you can still find. one thing to beware of however, is that these old games are not on cd's like today, but old style cartridges that look kind of like an old 8track thing. and they can get dusty inside the game cartridge. if its dusty, it wont work right in the machine. you can sometimes fix this by blowing and blowing and blowing into the cartridge to get the dust out. you can also try those air can duster things you buy at walmart. the machines themselves can get dusty as well, and if it is, it wont load the game. i used to have to open the door of the machine and blow into it until my lungs fell out. but that usually did fix the problem. you can also use those air cans in the machine too. so if you purchase an old system like NES or any of those, make sure its not dirty and dusty, and i would ask the seller to plug in the machine and load a game up for you to see, to verify it works. .

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What are some appropriate toys for a 3 year old?

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fmmerritt

Well hell be 3 jan 31st.I need help figuring out what to get my son for christmas..No learning toys..I already know what im getting when it comes to that..I am at a loss as to what to get him this year..Any suggestions..What does everyone's 3 yr old's play with? Thanks in advance..
He has a ton of play-doh and crafts stuff.Im looking for just toys right now.

Answer
If you haven't already, introduce him to T-Ball. Buy him a t-ball set with bases, ball and bat, the works. Boys love that. Then help him to learn to play and enroll him in the sport when he's a little older. Also a v-smile could work. Kids love video games, and they're made for children. You can buy diego games, spider-man, etc. Also things like, power wheels, roller blades, other sports things, etc. Hope this helps... Good luck!

Is there a free version of Turbo Tax? What are some things we can claim that aren't obvious?

IloveMaryK

I did our taxes last year with the free version of H&R block. It was okay, but I heard of ALL these things you can claim that they didn't give me the option of claiming with the H&R block one. I want to use Turbo Tax. Has anyone used that, the free version? Is it any good? We have 3 kids- is it really possible to claim learning toys we buy for them?

Answer
We use Tax Act. It's taxact.com. They found us a TON of deductions we didn't know we could take. They just ask very detailed questions about your life and money. Make sure you have a receipt for everything you're going to deduct, though!!!

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What is a good gift to get for a 3 year old girl who has everything?

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Q. Any hot toys or new stuff that every kid has to have? Lol.
Ok, I guess I forgot to mention she's not my child? I wouldn't be asking for anyone's advice if it was for my own kid. -_-

Answer
I went to this site. It has the top ten toys for this year:
http://thetoylocator.com/Toys-and-Hobbies/Top-ten-toys-for-Christmas-2010

Where can I find the most popular gifts in other countries?

Bookworm74

I need to find out the most popular Christmas gifts in the following countries: Japan, China, Mexico and Russia. Any help will be appreciated. I need the most popular gifts of 2010. Websites will be most helpful. If the countries I have listed don't celebrate Christmas, please say what they do celebrate. Thanks!

Answer
I'm not sure I can answer the whole of your question, but I did find some interesting information that may help you. I did a google search for a better understanding of the holidays in the various counties. There is a site in the U.S. which shows the 'Dream Toys' - this originates in the U.K., and where people reside in a large city, you can expect that what is popular in the U.K. (for kids) would be popular in other countries in Europe. The site also has the most popular Christmas presents for the U.S., which would also likely translate to Mexico, again in the big cities. All sites I referenced are listed in the sources below.

Japan: The major religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shinto, so Christmas is more a commercial event. The main celebration revolves around Christmas eve and not Christmas day. In Japan it is common to give Christmas presents.

China: Only about one percent of people are Christians, so most people only know a few things about Christmas. Because of this, Christmas is only often celebrated in major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing. In these big cities there are Christmas Trees, lights and other decorations on the streets and in department stores. Santa Claus is called 'Shen Dan Lao Ren' and has grottos in shops like is Europe and America.

Mexico: Mexicans share many traditions with the Spanish. Their main Christmas celebration is called La Posada, which is a religious procession that reenacts the search for shelter by Joseph and Mary before the birth of Jesus. Mexican children receive gifts. On Christmas day they are blindfolded and taken to try and break a decorated clay piñata that dangles and swings at the end of a rope. Once the piñata has been broken, the children clamber to recover the candy that was inside the piñata. Those children who have been good also on January 6th receive a gift from the Three Wise Men. Mexicans attend a midnight mass service which is called la Misa Del Gallo or "the rooster's mass," and at the mass they sing lullabies to Jesus.

Russia: Russian Orthodox Christmas takes place on January 7th (following the Old Calendar this is the 25th of December) and the celebration lasts for six days. In the Orthodox tradition nothing is eaten or drunk on Christmas Eve until the first star appears in the sky. The star is symbolic of the great star that led the Magi to the newly born Christ. Once the first star has appeared in the sky, the festivities begin. Grandfather Frost is the Russian Santa Claus. He brings gifts to the children at New Year's, which is the most popular Russian holiday celebration. His grand-daughter, the "Snowmaiden," accompanies him to help distribute the gifts. They bring bags of candy for the children and Grandfather Frost listens to the girls and boys sing songs and recite poems. After this, he gives small Christmas gifts to the children.

I hope this helps!

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♂ What would you name 4 boys using these names?

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Vanill

These are my all-time favorite boy names.

Adam, Alexander, Andrew, Christopher, Connor, Daniel, David, Evan, Gregory, Jack, Jacob, James, John, Jonathan, Joshua, Kevin, Logan, Matthew, Michael, Nicholas, Robert, Samuel, Scott, Sean, William, Zachary.

For a better chance at best answer, please describe each of the 4 boys. You can tell me their personalities, hobbies, interests, ages, birthdays, looks, basically whahtever you want. Have fun, and star if you want more games like this. =)

Answer
You have really nice boy names! Nothing to crazy, which I'm thankful for! They're all very handsome names. By the way, I love doing these little games. Making up my own little family, how they look and everything. I love it!

Joshua James: Born on November 21st, 2010. Joshua has blonde hair, and the brightest blue eyes you could imagine. He is a momma's boy and loves helping mom with daily chores. He is the sweetest little boy you'll ever meet. Josh is very outgoing, and sweet. He loves making people he doesn't know laugh. He likes cheering people up, and gives the best bear hugs. Josh loves playing hide and go seek, and playing in the pool. He likes coloring picture for his grandma. Josh likes to watch mickey mouse, and play with his toy dinosaurs. http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-19089082-curious-boy.php?st=8778522

Matthew Alexander: Born on April 23rd, 2009. An adorable 3 year old boy. He likes impressing his mommy and daddy and showing off. He has sandy blonde hair, and blue eyes. He likes getting dirty, playing outside, and helping daddy work on the car. He's more of a daddy's boy, but loves when his mom reads him a book at night and tucks him in. He likes playing soccer, and petting the family dog. He likes banging on pots and pans, when his mom allows him. He likes playing with his leap frog, and going fishing. http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-19738018-toddler.php?st=8778522

Michael Scott: Born on June 29th, 2007. You'll never meet a more outgoing, funny guy! He loves running around, and being crazy. He likes having tickle fights with his mommy. He loves going to school. He likes doing his own thing. He' more independent, but is more of a daddy's boy. He likes watching funny movies like Dr. Doolittle. One day, he's going to be the class clown. He likes taking care of his little brothers. He had brown hair, and blue eyes. http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-17363866-small-boy.php?st=f03c620

Connor William: Born on August 4th, 2002. He loves being the boss of three younger boys! He is a very responsible but bossy little boy. He likes being the first born, but sometimes he doesn't like doing his chores. He loves watching Spongebob and playing football with his daddy. He likes having water balloon fights with neighborhood friends. He likes having a good time. He has dark brown hair and dark brown eyes He has the cutest freckles ever.http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-14244416-close-up-of-a-boy.php?st=ffb7515

This was really fun!

Feedback on my short essay about animal abuse?

VegasGirl

Hey! This is my second, revised copy. I included references, but I still need to add them for the quotes. Let me know if there is anything else I should change. I also added an additional paragraph. Let me know which paragraph is the weakest.

PROMT: In 500 words or less, please explain the necessity for moral and ethical behavior towards animals.

Remember... you are looking at the content. I still have to go over and phrase everything so it sounds better. (So not all my sentences begin in "it is...") and I need to fix my verbs so they are not all the same. No this is not for school. It is an essay for Reber Ranch.


âHumanity's true moral test, its fundamental testâ¦consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals.â As J.K. Rowling once wrote, âIf you want to know what a man's really like take a look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equalsâ. Animals are considered inferior to man, and therefore have no expectations to help us. Moral and ethical behavior towards animals is necessary because animals suffer from fear and pain, neglect causes harm which is abuse, and unnecessary medical testing often tortures animals beyond imagination, which is wrong because we should treat others as we would like to be treated.

âThe question is not, âCan they reason?â nor, âCan they talk?â but rather, âCan they suffer?â" Dr. Temple Grandin, an associate professor, insisted that the basic function of the nervous system that processes fear and pain is basically the same in humans and other mammals. They feel the same pain that we do. Thereâs a portion of the brain the reacts because of emotion. This reaction is seen in both people and animals. Some scientists use this as proof that animals have emotions too. Many animals such as elephants and bears often appear to be sad when a loved one has died. Our pets know when we are having a tough day, or when we are mad at them. This can cause the pet to feel confused and unloved. They sense when they are getting harsh treatment from their owner. Often, they may feel trapped and depressed. It is necessary to understand this for us to stop taking out rage on our pets. They may not be able to talk, and they surely arenât human, but they can definitely suffer, making it immoral of us to not lightly scold, but yell at and blame pets.

Extremely brutal cases of animal abuse are not as common as less severe abuse. You can still be harming you pets unintentionally. When neglect causes harm to the animal, it is abuse. Have you ever forgotten to give the cat water? Or leave the dog in the car on a hot day locked up while you run to the food market? Would you ever leave a toddler in the hot car alone? Or forget to give it the milk it needs? Most people who abuse animals donât do it intentionally, and this is what is truly scary. For example, in 2010, a woman left her dog in an overheated vehicle for about an hour and fifteen minutes. The dog died soon after its owner returned. Animals have fallen to the back of our minds. They are second thoughts, and treated as living toys. If we take them in as our own, then it is our responsibility to meet their needs.

Another controversial topic in our world today is animal testing. It is necessary to test on animals in order to meet the needs of humans and animals. However, testing should only take place for information that will result in the progress of medicine. According to Jonathan Balcolmbe, author of The Use of Animals in Higher Education, some tests like breaking the bones of animals to imitate the fracture of humansâ bones in car accidents, should not be done at all. These animals are not even sedated. The animals, natural creatures on this earth, have done nothing to deserve this pain. There are other ways to study this without breaking bones of ani

Is it possible to have EXTREME psychological disorders but still be a functioning member of society?

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Barack McC

Could I be a real mentally messed up person who some how manages to pass in college?

If I eventually collapse and become a real nut, is there a way I could put it off until after college so I can at least make a living?
I fit many criteria for numerous disorders

(schizotypal, others)
Oh yes I shall refuse help until my last dying breath (stubborn)

Answer
Hey, not a problem....

Just join a far left Liberal Group then:

A. Talk about things that will get our kids killed fighting a foreign war by making the enemy think that by bad mouthing our politicians, all they have to do is kill a few more Americans and we will cut and run. So far it is working.

B. Claim that a "three eyed furry ice toad" is endangered in a place they "May" find oil on American soil. That way we can buy oil from those that truly want to kill us and fill their bank accounts up so they can buy really neat "Bad ***" toys to kick our butts.

C. Scream that President Bush flew planes into the twin towers and placed explosives all over the buildings to ensure they would fall down to start "Fake" wars.

Yep, you scream and claim all that really goofy type of stuff, and you can be crazier than a loon, and 50% of the American population will believe YOU are totally sane...... Not to mention you can probibley get some kind of grant to get a free college education to boot! Then you could get a really top rated TV talk show.... like Rosie's.....

The fact that you are worried about your "Phychological being", means that there is great hope that you are not as bad as you feel, and close to being as normal as the other 50% of us. Go talk with a Priest, Doctor or close friend may be the boost that you need.

Good Luck

What kind of home do you have - house, bungalow, flat, apartment, mansion?

HELEN D

Answer
This is our 3rd Home: 1st was 4 Bedroom, 1 1/2 Bath Split Foyer. Wife thought too far to commute so we moved closer in 2nd Home was Rambler: 4 Bedrooms,3 Baths and Garage became too small with 2 kids leaving trail of toys everywhere...in fact my daughter's nickname is BEA <= Hurricane Bea and we were fortunate to buy a large oversized colonial about 2 miles away still close in with double car garage, main floor library. Oversized Kitchen is center of our home with high ceilings etc and Family Room sits behind garage. 3 Levels all together and huge master bedroom behind garage with 2 attics. Actually house is so big we had to pay to have 2nd HVAC unit installed in attic bec upstairs level was too uncomfortable and wife couldn't see us suffering considering value of our monster home.

We live in cluster of 25 colonials between Top rated High School and Public Library right on the bus line and within walking distance to shopping center and bank..

Just Blessed and Enjoy Helping Others!

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Any tips on travelling with a toddler on long flights?

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Socrates

I have a long journey planned on my next vacation with my 1.5 year old. A fourteen hour flight followed by layover and then a 6-7 hour. We did not opt for an exclusive seat for him either. Any tips?

Answer
Here are a couple of tips from our own experience:

1. most importantly: call the airline and try to get a bassinette, and at least one seat next to it(that's the crib that attaches to the wall in front of the bulk head seats). the bassinette itself will probably be too small for your child to actually sleep in, but will hold all the extra stuff that comes along with a toddler. moreover, the extra leg room will give your toddler more space to play that is NOT your lap or the aisle...
note: bulk head seats are usually booked first because there's more leg room there, but parents with infants on-lap (younger than 2 years) have priority to these seats on most airlines. if you can't book the seat in advance, don't dispair - you can still get it upon check in: come in early and insist on it!
2. try to keep the child's routine as close to normal as possible. keep meal times and nap times as close as you can to your "home time". bring small packs of favorite foods and snacks with you, as plane food is not likely to top your kids list... you can heat up baby food by putting the container in a small cup filled with a half-inch to an inch of boiling water and stirring the contents. "Gerber" containers fit perfectly, or you could use the small, round, 4-oz disposable plastic containers (like "Glad" or such) which also fit in the coffee cups provided on airplanes.
3. of course, if your child has a favorite toy, stuffed animal, blankie etc., have it with you on board.
4. get a bunch of new, real-cheap little toys that you wouldn't mind losing / throwing away by the end of the trip. introduce a new one every hour or so -- it'll buy you precious time! i'd put under this category also some little arts & crafts items, like stickers and crayons.
5. have at least two full changes of baby clothes and lots of extra diapers with you, as well as a small "baby-bath travel kit", just in case your layover gets extended, your suitecases go astray, and so on... i'd also take an extra shirt for mom and dad, for any unfortunate accidents.
6. on the plane, don't be shy - let baby run up and down the isles. fighting it won't help anyway, and the excersize is good for you both ;-) plus, the more energy they spend, the more likely they are to fall asleep at some point...
7. talk to your pediatritian about baby-safe antihistamines - a small dosage may be all the help baby needs to get drowsy and sleep better when they're already over-tired, but the strange environment won't let them fall asleep...
8. take a deep breath, and remind yourself that, as hard as this one day may be, it's only one day of travel, and it, too, shall pass!

good luck! :)

How do I keep my house clean if my kids are home all day long?

Nasrah

I have 4 children and it is hard to keep my house clean when they are home I work nights ,and i dont have a babysitter my mother and the rest of my family live in another state my children are 7,5 year old twins and a 3 year old.Only one child goes to school the rest stay home and my husband works during the day he's home when i'm at work and yes its really hard for me to keep the house clean during the day.Does anyone have any advice for me????

Answer
I would try to get into the habit of having the kids spend about 15 mins every evening picking up everything that belongs to them and putting it away. That will def. cut down on clutter. The 7 year olds are def old enough to put dishes in the sink, laundry in the hamper, wipe down counter tops, etc. Even the three year old is big enough to put toys away, and getting them started young will create good habits. We use a chore chart for my 4 and 5 year old. They get to put stickers on the chores they complete, and then at the end of the week they get to pick a special desert, rent a movie, get more time in the pool, etc.

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What are good outside toys for little boys?

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Parentof1

My son is 8 months we are getting ready to buy our first home we have always lived in apartments and never had a yard , what are good toys that a 1 year old will love to play outside with? He will be one in may his dad is building him a big wooden swing set for his birthday , what else ? We are thinking of getting a pool since he loves water. What about a sprinkler? Any personal experiences will be very much appreciated

Answer
Small trampeline, bounce house, pools. I think little tikes has a mud pie table which the kids like. Outdoor kitchens and grill, sandbox, and of course the swing set will be a lot of fun. Sidewalk chalk, bubbles, if you get a dog playing with the baby and dog in the yard. Tball (little tikes set comes with stand and ball), the other big bouncy balls at Wal Mart. Basketball hoop and ball (once again, little tikes I believe). I have also seen lawnmowers that blow bubbles and kids gardening tool sets. See saw, tricycles (radio flyer has some nice ones for the younger ones), battery powered ride on toys, slides, clubhouse. The list goes on and on.

My daughter probably likes the sidewalk chalk, pool, and sandbox the best. She loves playing with her dog inside/outside no matter what the season is.

What was your favorite toy or gift you received as a child for Christmas?

Shana

OK. It's not even October yet and I am super excited about Christmas. I am 25 and my favorite gift as a child was a pink Barbie power wheels corvette. I remember riding it around the block believing I can drive a real car, letting other kids play with it and my mother yelling at me because I would let the other kids play with it more than I did. So what was your favorite toy or gift you recieved for Christmas as a child?

Answer
Also in the 70s for me, I loved the Hot Wheels track set I recieved - those orange stips of track that you could join together to make loops, hairpin curves, jumps, and such. I spent YEARS playing with that, and now my son is passing it down to my grandson. Some things just don't leave the family!

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How can I keep my 1 year old occupied during a long car ride?

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Wifey21

We are going to be taking an eight hour trip and our son does not do well on long trips. He sleeps during his usual nap time but that still leaves about five hours of time he will be awake. Toys don't work because all he eve wants to do is get out. Anyone have any ideas to keep him happy?

Answer
Traveling at night is an option, but I would agree with the portable DVD player. I drive 45 minutes to and from work everyday and my son goes to daycare in the same place. He was always a terror in the car so we purchased a portable DVD player for the car and we play the wiggles. They are colorful and sing and dance so it keep him occupied. We went to target.com and found an inexpensive portable DVD player for around 89.00 it is made for kids as it is thick and sturdy and the buttons are on the tops so he cannot get to the buttons. It has been a life saver! Of course I know several Wiggle DVDs by heart, but that is okay. I tried other things like toys and stuff to draw, but all he does is throw them.

Also, we had to fly on a long flight when my son was 9 months old and our pediatrician (who is very strict with medication) told us we could give him a small dose of children's benadryl for the trip. It worked on the way there, but on the way back he was just overly tired and cranky. The dosage depends on your son's age and weight.

what to bring on the plane for my 9 month old?

xoxo2u

I am flying overseas and ill be with my 9 month old daughter...

I need some advice on what to bring on the plane to keep her occupied...
Can i bring jarred fruit or will i have to take it in a tuperware container. She is eating solids not so much formula...

ahhhh i need help!!
It is a 9 hour flight.

Answer
I've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were 2 months (now 8, 6, and 3 months). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. In addition to that, we do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I have never had any problems with my children on any of the flights. Here are a few tips and suggestions:


1.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your child, such as a few books, toys, a portable DVD player (be sure to bring extra batteries) or let her use your laptop (make sure it's fully charged) with a few movies, and one or two comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal. I always bring a small pillow and blanket from home for my children (even now) because I know 100% that they are clean, and my children are accustomed to them.

My children like to bring along their own coloring books, a Doodle Pad, their Leap Pads (with a few booklets), and scrap paper that they can make their own drawings with and play games such as tic-tac-toe. My daughter used to like to bring along a doodle bear when she was younger so that she could draw on that as well, and my son likes to bring along some action figures to play with. I found that buying a Rose Art kit is great! It has crayons, markers, coloring books, coloring sheets, and stickers that they can color. It definitely keeps them entertained!

You can also play games like pat-a-cake, or I-spy, and tell stories to your child as well. If you tell a story, try to make it an interactive one where she has a part in it so she stays interested.

You might also consider going to the store and letting your child (I let my children start this at the age of one) pick out her own carry on bag and a few inexpensive toys that will be used only once you are on the plane. Be sure to pick out a few toys without her seeing so that she has an extra surprise when she opens her carry on.

2.) Bring Snacks! just add water packets of food, cheerios, goldfish, animal crackers, dried fruit, etc. are great. New regulations also allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz (100ml), -OR- beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food, yogurt, cheese, puddings, etc. with you also as long as they are in containers less than 3oz (100ml)
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10

As long as your child is with you, you are able to take as much formula, breast milk, or regular milk that you will need for you child for the duration of the time you will spend in the airport and on the flight (as long as it is within reason).And no, you will NOT have to taste it - no matter what form you bring it in.

All that you must do is:

1. Separate the milk from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size (1 liter) zip-top bag.
2. Declare you have the items to one of the Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers//children/formula.shtm

Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the Flight Attendants will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.

3.) Keep your diaper bag well stocked with plenty of wipes, ointments and other essential things. Just remember the new law regulating liquids, gels, and such and pack accordingly. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm You can usually find travel size baby products in stores and they are wonderful for plane use. One thing I always like to carry with me is hand sanitizer! I always wipe the trays down with that (followed by a baby wipe) and use it for my kids after taking them to the bathroom (even though they wash their hands). I know that airplane bathrooms are not the cleanest, so that is why I try to be vigilant.

Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child. You will need this in case she gets sick, spills something on herself, or in case your luggage gets lost.

Bring any medications that you might need for your child should she get sick or that she takes regularly. Remember that if they are not prescription medications, the 3oz (100ml) rule applies to them and they must be kept in a clear plastic bag.
http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

Do NOT give your child medicine with the hopes of it making her sleep. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well. I have also seen where it backfires; a parent gives their child a dose of Benedryl to make them sleep, but instead it gets the child more hyper and the parents get absolutely no rest on the flight (and neither does anyone else).

Try to change your childs diaper as close to boarding as possible. This will help to make your child feel fresh and more comfortable for take-off (which could also mean less problems).

4.) Not all children have a problem with the pressure changes in their ears. If yours does however you'll want to know how to help. For take-offs and landings (the WHOLE way up, and starting from the BEGINNING, or TOP of descent), the best ways to alleviate ear pressure are to:

*Give her something to drink (milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter)
*Give her a pacifier to suck on
*Pinch her nostrils shut, have her take a deep breath in through the mouth, then tell /her to (gently) blow as if trying to blow her nose
*Place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with - just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out, at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears
*Gently but with some pressure, rub her neck repeatedly from the chin to the base of the neck. This will cause a swallowing motion that will relieve pressure build-up in the ears.

5.) If you hold your child a a "lap child" you do not have to pay for her. If you buy her a seat, then you will have to pay for her.
Try to book a bulkhead (front) seat where you will have more room, and a bassinet. Bassinets are limited, and not available on every flight. If the bassinet is available (they can only be used in bulkhead seats) it will attach to the front wall for you to put your child in (however you can not use this during taxi, take-offs, landings, or turbulence). This is not the safest way for a child to fly and although a car seat is not mandatory, the airlines recommend children under 40lbs to have their own seat with a child safety device.

If you haven't booked a separate seat for your child, be nice on check-in and see if they can "block" the seat next to you. They will then only use it if they absolutely need it, and you get a seat for free!

In order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use. Almost all car seats pass this requirement. Booster seats are NOT approved for use in airplanes.

If you choose not to use your childs car seat for the plane ride, you will be allowed to gate check it (along with a stroller). It will not count towards your checked luggage. This means that you will need to take it with you to your boarding gate, and one of the handlers will take it from you before you depart, tag it, and put it in a special compartment for you. When you exit the plane, it will be waiting for you at the door as well.

There are many products out there designed to help the traveling family. Here's a product that can attach to most car seats so that you can use it as a stroller and get it through the airport more easily. http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html



I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives security rules and regulations for the US, EU, UK, and Australia, offers tips and tricks for the travel, etc. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.

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Where does financial aid money for students come from?

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Mary

I work very hard at my job to pay for bills, school, and life's daily needs. Although I understand why my jobless friend should get a large check from financial aid, it bothers me that instead of saving their money for future educational purposes, they choose to spend the money on impulse buys and pretty electronic gadgets. So then it got me wondering, where exactly does financial aid money comes from?

So if financial aid money comes from the government, and taxpayers are the ones funding the government, does that mean that I'm paying for my classmate's spending on iPods, macbooks, and Disney passes?
@ Mr. A$$: I DO ACTUALLY have to pay taxes and do not NOT get funds returned to me on my tax return (like most people). I guess I am paying for financial aid. I think I'll stay on my soapbox a while longer.

Answer
Mary, yes we all are paying for them to buy all sorts of nifty gadgets with our tax dollars just like our tax dollars go to fund and pay for some many things that in my mind is ridiculous (i.e: lining politicians pockets for their own benefits, funding various agencies that are there to help U.S. citizens but help illegals instead, big old jet airliner rides and overly price vacations for the overly paid and useless politicians, etc.).

Sadly students (and I'm not talking just young students, I'm talking all ages) seem to think that if they have money left over from scholarships, grants and other financial aid that it's free reign to spend, spend, spend instead of save as they may not get that "free" money the next school year. My daughter has gotten some scholarships and grants and has money left over but it is set aside for the 2012-2013 school year as according to the FAFSA application she does not qualify for anything other than a loan even though my income went down and nothing has really changed for us from last year other than about being $2000 less. Not sure why it's changed but she at least has the extra funds from her current school years financial aid to pay for the next school year (she attends a local community college).

BTW....though Kyle seems to think most everyone gets an income tax refund he is wrong. I know from experience and I'm a single parent with a single income (very minimal) and a kid in college you'd think I'd get one but it's not always so.


So though it may frustrate you, there is not much you can do. So I say stay on that soapbox because I'm right there with you!

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What games were there during the Great Depression?

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Myles Garc

I'm trying to make a power point for a class, and one of the slides include info on "Games of the Great Depression". Were there even games played during that era? If so, then was there some popular ones. What was their appeal then, and are any of those games still played today?
If anyone could answer at least one of these, possibly all of them, that would be super!

Answer
Since times were very tough and many kids also worked to help their families, games were "low cost games". Mostly played out on the sidewalk or streets; stickball with sewer covers as bases, etc; marbles played out in dirt, sidewalks, etc; anything with homemade balls and homemade toys dolls, trucks,etc.. Remember hardly anyone had cars so you really didn't have to worry about cars on side streets.
Played hide and seek; Ring- A -Lario; Jump the "Donkey, Horse or whatever". 2 or 3 kids started at the bottom bracing themselves against a wall,. Hands out against the wall, slightly bent over to form the base. Then one by one, other kids tried to get a head start and then jump on top, then another next to him/her. Then a kid would try to get on top of them. It was making a human pyramid & you couldn't really stay that way for long, with kids on top of you & then someone else jumping & shaking everyone not steady. Usually, you started falling over & then joined by the others. There was no sense to the game, really, but the laughter was continuous & contagious.
I learned about a lot of these street games when I was in college & did a paper on the depression & interviewed people. Also, some kids had junky, old bikes & bike riding was not only a delivery job for most but also a great sport as was running together through parks. Simple stuff mostly, thought up by kids. They went swimming locally in rivers, bays & some in lakes & oceans. Also, pollution was really not an issue then because testing & knowledge and money didn't exist for it to be an issue.
There were paper dolls with wardrobes where girls would cut out the dolls & clothing very carefully. they had little tabs that the kids had to cut around and then fold over the paper doll so the "clothing" would stay on. Kids took really good care of these paper people/ dolls. They would store them in boxes when not playing with them to keep them safe & in good condition. There were also a limited amount of crayons & coloring books that were cheap but mostly in cities & not available everywhere.
Games of "Jacks" played with small metal pieces and a small ball, You would place the jacks apart but close, bounce the ball & attempt to snatch a jack before the ball came back. Really, just doing the same thing over & over. If you were lucky enough to be around someone who played the piano, accordian, etc you would sing together for hours; sometimes just with other kids and other times with family members.
People in industrial areas got pieces of chalk used for other purposes but chunks were taken home & given to kids who drew on sidewalks and streets.
The appeal of playing games was of being together and having fun. No structured rules, teams or adults acting as coaches or judging. The games were played & thought up by other kids & passed on down. Kids played outside all day long. Times were different, very safe & kids looked out for each other. There wasn't any TV ( most homes did have small radios) Most homes didn't have telephones either & if they did, they were in the minority & didn't have private lines; they had "party lines". There were libraries, books and kids did a lot of reading alone & together with one older kid reading to the younger ones. Books were passed around. At night, friends got together and told stories to each other about all kinds of things; legends, tales, made up stories.
Boys with their dad's help made wooden "cars" that were made of scrap wood, old, used carriage wheels & nails. You'd go up a hill and just get in & ride down inside your "car". Later crude "steering wheels" would be attached & if lucky you had someone push you back and forth.
There were many, many other games, I'm sure. These are just some of the ones that have come to mind

What is this spin around riding toy from the 50's 60's called?

audrey

It is made of metal ,is about 5 feet wide or long as it were,has 4 criss cross seats ( like this--- X ) one child on each end. The little kids would sit astride each and hold on to their hand rail and push with their feet to make this ride spin around.

Answer
hmm could possibly be a kinetic energy machine...
although i doubt using little kids to power it would be legal...

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How does your 3 year old act with other children and how do you handle disciplining in public?

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meow

-How does your 2-3 year old act around other kids?
-Are they good sharers or grab toys a lot?
-Do they get loud or hyper or stay calm and play quietly?
-Do you notice they change around other children in any way?
-When do you interfere with toddler spats, and what do you do when you have to discipline your child around other children and parents?

Answer
My daughter was initially very shy around kids. She had a problem with sharing and getting along with them too because she is used to being alone. When I started her with preschool, she began to loosen up and got along with other kids. She has a constant playmate and she's really very hyper when she's around her. But with other kids, she gets really shy and tends to behave.

I don't usually interfere with their spats for as long as they are not hurting each other. But if my daughter misbehaves, I don't get angry at her when there's a lot of people around because it will embarrass her. I give out warnings and set limits in public but I usually do the disciplining when it's just the two of us.

What are the most educational games for a 3 year old?

Bella Vita

Also, what are the funnest board games and/or toys for a 3 year old? I wanted to buy my little girl some news toys and games. I am looking for input on what your toddler thought was the most fun and what you thought was the most educational.

Answer
Just about everything. I allow my one and two year old to "help" me with the housework and then I tell them the names of things.

I made a list of five minute activities for busy days, containing simple activities like: throwing and catching a ball, singing and dancing to a nursery rhyme.

I looove this channel from youtube: EC0urbanGeNiUs713
which tells you how to make flashcards, which really work trust me :)

There is also the site Brillkids and Brillbaby, with a forum, but I think that is for people with a bigger wallet (containing Your Baby Can Read-stuff) :P

Then finally, if possible or if you have a satellite: cbeebies. The channel from bbc for children aged 0-7. My favourite show: show me show me, featuring two words each episode and focused on playing and being creative (avoiding to spend it all on toys haha).

I also like their show Let's get squiggling, which teaches kids (and parents, I suppose) how to draw.

They have a nice site with lots of things also a grownup part for the parents.

I hope some of this can be useful to you, enjoy!

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How can I stop my 10 month old Golden Retreiver from jumping on & basically pestering my 16 mo. old daughter?

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sirvoss

I have a 4 year old son too that gets so frustrated by the puppy ( and quite a large one at that) constantly jumping all the time as well. Sometimes I feel like all I do is yell at the poor thing - I'm sure there has to be a better way.

Answer
I have 2 older puppies and 2 toddlers. You can get the dog to behave around your children. My dogs NEVER jump on or pester my toddlers.

Your dog needs to know you're in charge and they need to be submissive. For this to work, you have to act and carry yourself in a way that says "I'm the pack leader". When your dog does something - anything you don't want him to do: Make eye contact, point to him, lean toward him, stand up if you have to and either say "no" or make a "tsh" sound using a low, steady, loud voice. They really understand this body language and will stop whatever it was. If it doesn't work do that, but also go over to him and tap him (don't hit, more like poke) on the top of his neck. If that still doesn't work grab him firmly, but without hurting him, by the back of the neck and push him onto the ground until he calms down.

He needs to know that jumping is never okay - not on you, your kids, strangers - anyone. Every time you see him jump react immediately. Until he learns not to jump don't leave him alone in the same room as your toddler. If he gets away with it, he will never learn.

Another way to stop a dog that jumps a lot is to put him on a leash and make him follow you around all day. If he jumps, yank on the leash. I like the first method I mentioned - this works every time for me. My dogs don't jump on the furniture, the kids, they won't take food from my kids (not even if they drop it), they don't take my kids toys, they don't lick my kids or anything. But the dogs are happy, they aren't scared of me or my kids, they let the girls pet them and they are playful. They even play fetch with my 2 year old.

What are some toys that kids of all ages can play with?

B

What are some toys that kids ages 6-12 can play with together? There is also a 1 1/2 year old. Preferably something that can be played with outside and at least 4 or 5 kids can play with at a time or take turns playing. Something the 1 1/2 year old would enjoy too if you can possibly think of anything to fit with that age. We are already buying a slipping slide and sand toys. Does anyone else have any suggestions? Something that isn't very expensive either. Thanks.

Answer
these are things my kids play with and they are a girl 6 and boy 3.

soccer ball

jr football or foam one might be better

Frisbee

a rubber ball for playing kick ball with bases. you can make ur own bases and the dollar tree did carry them

jump ropes

kid size rakes

plastic t ball

paint, lots of paint and boxes or posters are 2 for a dollar at $ tree
Spray paint a big huge box, let them i mean, and make a play house outta it.

How bout a tent? If not that, they could make a fort using kit chairs and blankets and sheets and stuff

if you have a table, uno and other games without tiny pieces might be good. My daughter loves uno!

horse shoes is fun too, they make them mobile kinds so you can bring them in when your done with them

kites are a $ at the $ tree too

who doesnt like bubbles or bubble blowers? You can get an awesome bubble blower at wal mart for not too much like 10 or 15 dollars and its GREAT LOADS OF FUN

potting soil and seeds is fun too

dont forget the boom box, gotta have tunes outside right?

I hope this helps it was just off the top of my head!

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Does anyone know any children's homes in Chicago where I can donate toys for Christmas?

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starask

I want to hand out toys to kids and gifts to teens on Christmas, but I don't know any homes in Chicago.

Answer
There are no longer orphanages. The foster system is where children end up Call Social Services and ask how to donate your items.
Strangers are never given the information about children so you personally handing them out may never happen

What size clothes would a 1 year old girl wear in general?

TAY

I got an angel tree name (its for charity, giving the kids gifts for christmas whose parents cant afford to)... and I want to get Jacquleline, a 1 year old girl a toy and an outfit. What size should I get her for the outfit?

Answer
18 months or 2T.

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How can I keep a 4 year old busy?

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cardo11

My 4 year old has way more energy than I can handle in 1 day. She is out of school now and the toys are not enough. I need some activities that can keep her busy for a really long time.

Answer
Kids today are growing up in an accellerated environment, critics call "the fast lane." From computing to comuting to communicating, everything is turned on and connected and previous generations are often not trained to that level.

The common response to this dialemma is to let kids have their superpowerful electronics, sit an the computer or TV for hours, and everyone's happy. It doesn't work that way.

I grew up in that sort of environment. My parents treated me that way, and I spent the majority of my childhood and teenage years alone with the boxes. I fel like I understood them and they understood me, and human beings were too damn complicated, unpredictable and malicious. I was also obese, loved fast food, started drinking alcohol heavily, smoked cigarettes, dropped out of school, parents divorced, and I stayed unemployed for years.

I now have my life on track, but ONLY because I realised what I was doing to myself and chose differently. Not even 1 of the failures in my past continues to exist. For most of my generation that is not true. If you won, you kept on winning; if you lost, your probably dead by now.

Technological saturation may be the easy way out for parents, but it's the hardest road a kid can possibly be led down.

It seems the only other alternative is competitive sports, where kids are bashed and beaten, come home covered in mud, blood and who knows what else, angry and ashamed about losing their game, and the parents wonder why they're spending so much on an activity their kid obviously hates, or loves to hate, or hates to love.

At the age of four, you kid has this choice to make, you have this choice to make for your kid, and I bet you don't like the sound of either. It's like people say about politics: which is the lesser of 2 evils?

It doesn't have to be that way. You can have your cake and eat it to, except it's a far more expensive option.

The key words are "balance", agreement" and "cooperation".

Balance: In this digital age, a person is damn near unable to exist without basic knowledge of the operation of electronics. But if a person immerses themself in mental digitalis, they are wasting the potential of the physical, and a person get's larger. If you teach your child to incorporate both in her life, and to keep those scales balanced, it will help both of you immensely.

Agreement: You must learn to nurture the natural talents and tendancies of your child's abilities. These abilities will become her greatest assets in later life, but she will only develop them if she knows she has your support. This means financial as well as saying "I support you."

Cooperation: Competitive sports teach kids to fight. While this may be good business for the defence forces of your country, it's not good for the psyche of your child to grow up feeling hateful, angry, frustrated, depressed, embarressed, or any of the other emotions that both winning and losing can foster.

To cooperate with others on a joint project that everyone benefits from is possibly the most vital lesson every child must be taught and regularly reminded of. However many schools have their priorities mixed up.

The things our kids are taught today will develop into beliefs our kids will live by when we are dead and gone. If we teach competition, they will play wargames, if we teach cooperation they will become the Mother Theresa's, Gandhi's and Martin Luthor King's of the new world.

So here's my question to you ...
Are you going to place your child infront of a TV, send her to play hide and seek or chasey with friends, or take the third option? it is at this fragile age where your decision makes the most impact!

So what are some third options?
Firstly, given that it's about sharing, there should be other 4 year olds around her most of the time. sleep overs, camping and overnight functions are excellent atmospheres for your kids. When I was young I was almost never refused the chance to sleep over at a friends house, and if the balance of being over there was similar to having friends over my place, I was almost never refused that either. At age 4, parents may need to suggest sleep overs to kids more often then they do to keep them interested in knowing other people, but make it clear that your not trying to get rid of them.

Secondly, it is best to keep them productive and creative. Art, cooking, studying, music, puzzles, reading, writing, travelling (cycling, pony riding, walking, exploring, sightseeing), playing with pets and other animals, and most of all talking are all great suggestions for activities for a 4 year old. Some may need parental supervision, but it doesn't have to be you (cooperate and take turns with other parents, or pay professionals to take the responsibility). Other excellent people your child can be left with for long periods safely are family, especially grand parents. They will more often than not jump at the opportunity to spend a few days with the young one, knowing they are also giving you a break and the child a change in environment. Again, everyone wins.

Lastly, kids will more often than not mirror and copy their parents actions, so if they see you alone a lot, or just you and your partner, they will deduce there is something undesirable about being in the company of others. If you are dead tired after work, explain it to them so they know your not just brushing your friends off, and make being "dead tired" a rare occurance, because they will want your attention too, and you are more likely to give them and yourself an instant meal like fast food, which teaches them "do as I say, not as I do." A hipocritical phrase I find deplorable and far too commonplace. "Eat proper, nutritional food all the time. Now here's your happy meal."

If you are going to sit them infront of a box, play something educational, relative to their age. Documentaries, such as nature documentaries, as excellent stimulus for learning about status and authority, which is important for a child. It is equally important to give some explanation for the orders you give, so they understand the first few times, and then whenever they hear that order they will be able deduce why the order was given.

It is natural instinct for a young child to love their parents unconditionally, but as they grow up that love can become very conditional, and if parents don't comply they can learn to hate. Other kids grow up to develop very few conditions on their love for their parents, but very, very few grow up with no conditions at all. How do you want your kid to think of you in 30 years?? Are you really "Just doing the best you can"?

What would you put in a prize bag for a 4 year olds birthday party?

chicken200

I am giving my son a birthday party he will be four. I am just getting some ideas what kind of prizes I can give the kids. I plan on having some games. I do plan on at the end giving all the kids a prize so nobody is left out. I am thinking of little things from the dollar store. Like cars and dolls. I got these little bags from target that were in the clearance section. The kids are in pre-K. 3-4 year olds.

Answer
Any of the following:
Small canisters of play-dough
Hot Wheels cars (popular with both boys and girls at this age)
Mini slinkies or Silly Putty
Glow sticks - available inexpensively around Halloween
Mini bottles of bubbles
Party blowers (preschoolers LOVE these!)
Punch balloons
Toy "treasure" - coins or jewels
Stickers
Kazoos or train whistles
Prism scopes
Sunglasses
Larger bouncy balls or light-up balls
Plastic bugs, frogs, or dinosaurs
Fingerpuppets
Shaped erasers or fun pencils
Wind-up toys
Parachute toys
Tops
Play money
A single, fun candy item such as Pop Rocks, small pack of M& Ms, ring pop, or candy necklace

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What is the coolest kids game you played with when you were a kid?

top kids summer toys image

darcyaf1

Was the game yours or was it a neighbors game / toy?

Answer
Pogo-ball...it was mine. I was the first to take it to school and did till they banned them when kids were breaking their wrists left and right (no pun intended).
I also lived to roller skate. I wouldn't take them off at night, I'd poke them out the bottom of my bed so I could just wake up and go!
I have to admit, one of my favorite summer activities was searching for bugs then keeping them as pets for a couple of days. Back then I had to find some sort of a box or cup and fashion it with saran wrap over the top, poke holes in it and add water-soaked cotton balls, some leaves and twigs, etc to make the bug happy and able to live.
Something like the 'bugnoculars' I just found would have been perfect!

How do you stop the housework getting overwhelming?

Q. The chores seem to be piling up non-stop!! i have 4 kids and a busy lifestyle, which I love and wouldn't trade for anything - but just cannot seem to get on top of all my housework! The washing is all clean - but the pile is HUGE to fold and put away (6 people, 6 pairs of socks per day x 7 = 42 pairs of socks a week!!! - not to mention all the underwear and other clothes).
Besides that - the general cooking, cleaning, tidying up, and I want to help the kids with homework, do some baking and have some fun and spend time with others...
What ideas for organising the cleaning better? Any tips of perfect chores for kids? (ages 12, 9, 4 and baby). They only make their beds, lay the table, clear the table and pick up their toys is really all they do at the moment... they are good kids and will gladly help out - but how to structure it?
Any ideas of storage or tips on how to keep the toys tidy in the family room? Help, I'm really getting overwhelmed

Answer
I know how you feel. This past summer I had 7 kids plus myself and my husband in our home. One of them was terminally ill on a vent that required alot of care (my daughter may she rest in peace 9-3-07) The ages of the kids were at the time 17-15-14-13-12-7-1(the 14yr old and 1 yr old are here full time, 17-15-13yr old my sisters kids, 12yr old my husbands ex gf's son, 7yr old is my sd)

Anyhow the older ones basically cleaned up after themselves. Rule in my house you arent playing with it or using it and its on the floor it goes in the trash. Took my SD 2 times of having her things thrown away before she knew I ment business. I did NOT ask any of them to help me with my son (1) They all put away their own clothing and my SD has been doing this since she turned 5. They all had to maintain their rooms and that includes DUSTING and Vacuuming. As for the main living area as with most moms before I went to bed it was picked up, twice a week doesnt take me no time to go through and dust. The bathrooms maintained daily after my own shower and they ALL knew to clean up after themselves.

As for laundry..Holy buckets! At first I was going to stick with the "one day a week" which I did when all the other kids were not here and it was just myself, my husband, daughter and son. Well that didnt work I was doing laundry all day. And I folded as they came out of the dryer. So instead I did a load a day and it wasnt so bad on me. We also had baskets in each room and in some rooms we had 2 baskets one for socks/underware the other clothing. Even now my husband and I have 2 baskets in our room and one in the laundry room and my sons room.I'll be honest though I was so glad when everyone left I could finally relax!

The meal prep was also something else as i was use to cooking for 3 I was now cooking for 10! Dinner was at a set time they were to be here for it (17yr old and husband worked so came in later) if they were not here they were to fend for themselves when they came in. Dinner dishes was the LAST dishes I did for the day, again anything used after dinner they had to wash and put up themselves. When it came to grocery shopping and putting stuff away my husband said "if you plan on eating any of this help put it away" even at age 5 my SD could put up the fruits, carry cans to the pantry, knew where everything went so she could help sort. And she'd always say "I did such a good job didnt I" and I'd respond "Yes you did ty for your help" and she was proud of herself

My SD's mom thought it was a bit "concentration camp" but then again her house is a mess. But it worked for us and next summer when everyone is here again and a yr older they will help again. I started doing my own laundry at age 9 I remember it fondly made me feel "grown up" your oldest is 12 and I think with a little time devoted by you he/she can do their own laundry as well as help with the meals. Dust the living room and vacuum.

Also where is your husband in all this? Mine works 60 hrs a week but is more then willing to help out when we have the "herd" here and now that its just down to the 3 of us he still helps me out. As for storage my sons toys and he has a TON of them are in baskets large wicker baskets or a Toybox with sliding doors. They are thrown all over within 20 minutes of him being awake at naptime I pick them up, when he wakes they are again all over, at bedtime he helps me pick them up and he's only 16 months old! My SD who is now 7 does the same thing so I started to "rotate" her toys she doesnt miss them she hardly played with any of them just the same ones over and over and thats helped with the mess up in her room. With my son if he doesnt play with something "out of sight is out of mind" get the idea?

All I can say is do not try to do it all in one or two days. Do a little every day and it wont be so overwhelming

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Teens/College Students are jumping my backyard fence?

best kids backyard toys image

.

Some kids have been jumping over my fence to get to my street from outside the subdivision. Is there something I can add to the top of my fence to make it taller or harder to climb over? It's really annoying me because some of our backyard toys have been stolen too. Thanks in advance!

Answer
Just get a jar of peanut butter, a jar of strawberry jam and some corn starch, and mix it all together. Rub that all over the top of the fence here and there. That should do it.

Any suggestions as to where to buy toys NOT made in China?

Dewayne

Hello,
We've often thought of seeking out toys not made in China, and it would sure be nice (that is, easier) if there was a particular maker or store or website that sells such toys. Any suggestions?

Answer
Products Made in USA
Made in USA Products
BuyAmerican.com
Justice Clothing
Still Made in USA
The Union Shop Online
The Union Mall
U.S. Stuff


Non-MIC Toy Stores StoryBoards
ImagePlay
U.S. Made Toys

Roy Toy Manufacturing, Maine, USA




Non-MIC Toy Brands Ajafield
Bear Creek Toys
Gardenkids
Kathy's Kreations
KNEX (construction sets)
Lauri
"POOF" (foam Products)
Smethport
Toys N Things
Turner Toys
Woodlinks

Non-MIC Toys Aaron's Balloon Animals
Amazen Marbles
Anadex Bead Roller Coaster
Antlantis
Bimini Ring Game
Berlin Flyer Wagons
Blues Clues Coloring Books
BoNZ Wooden 3D Dinosaurs
Breyer Horses
Briarpatch Games
Bubble Party
Bubble Tumbler
Bubble-Go-Around
Claytoon
Colorforms
Crayola Crayons
Creativity for Kids
Curiosity Kits
Dino Works
Easel Paper
Eye Witness Kits
Fabulous Fiddlestix
Fun Ride
Francis Family Toys
Great American Puzzle Factory Jig Saw Puzzles
Holdale Baby Bingo Bed
Holdale Big Wooden Beads
Hug-A-Planet
Lauri Travel Packs
Magic Cloth Toy Collection
Magic Science
Marshall Brodien Magic kits
Monster Puppets
Nature Net
Paint-A-Tyra-Dino and Wooden T-Rex kit
Perler Beads
Pipsqueak Playhouse
Playground balls
Play Doh (the original by Hasbro)
Radio Flyer wagons and vehicles. (not Flexible Flyer sleds)
Remo Brand Drums
Replogle Globes
Rock Tumbler
Sand Castle Creations, doll clothes from soggy Newport, Oregon
Scientific Explorer Kits
Sculpy Brand Clay
Simplex Play Board Wooden Puzzles
Slinky
Sportsfun Hi Walker Stilts
Sportsfun Hop-A-Roo Hoppy Ball
Sportsfun Scooteroo (skateboard/scooter)
Sportsfun Pogo-A-Roo (pogo stick)
State to State Game
Stomp rocket
Toobers and Zots
Tweber Backyard exploring gear, Children's nature products.
University Games
Visible Man or Woman Anatomy Models
Volcano Kit
Wild Goose Science Kits
Wild Wood of West Virginia (wooden figures on rockers)
Wonder Board Magnetic Set
WoodKrafter Kits

Non-MIC Shoes Vegatarian Shoes, UK

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