Welcome to the February 11, 2008, edition of the Carnival of Family Life! I am honored to have been asked to be the host for this week’s Carnival. I was impressed with the quality and variety of the posted articles on a wide range of topics including education, family humor, family finance, parenting tips, family health and wellness, and even the family pet.
As you read through these excellent articles, you will find helpful tips and ideas which will definitely benefit your family life. Remember that a strong family life is essential to your health and well being.
Education
Summer presents Gender and Education posted at Mom Is Teaching.
Alvaro Fernandez presents Musical Training as Mental Exercise for Cognitive Pperformance posted at SharpBrains which he describes as "a great essay by Megan, a high school student, as part of her Psychology class at Red Land High School (West Shore School District, PA)."
HowToMe presents How To Make a Quiet Book posted at HowToMe, saying, "When I was little, my grandmother made and gave each of her little ones their very own 'My Quiet Book.' Finding patterns for those has become hard to do. With many modifications, this is a fun (time consuming) and easy way to make a quiet book."
Kelsey presents Is Homeschooling in Your Future? posted at Vanilla Joy - Family Fun and Education.
pickel presents Dysfunction or ADHD? posted at My Two Boys.
Alvaro Fernandez presents Musical Training as Mental Exercise for Cognitive Pperformance posted at SharpBrains which he describes as "a great essay by Megan, a high school student, as part of her Psychology class at Red Land High School (West Shore School District, PA)."
HowToMe presents How To Make a Quiet Book posted at HowToMe, saying, "When I was little, my grandmother made and gave each of her little ones their very own 'My Quiet Book.' Finding patterns for those has become hard to do. With many modifications, this is a fun (time consuming) and easy way to make a quiet book."
Kelsey presents Is Homeschooling in Your Future? posted at Vanilla Joy - Family Fun and Education.
pickel presents Dysfunction or ADHD? posted at My Two Boys.
Family Finance
DotLobby presents What is a Recession? 4 Signs and Symptoms posted at DotMakeMoney, saying, "Of course, you probably could have looked that up yourself, so let’s look at the subject in a more 'How does this affect me?' way . . ."
Melissa presents Get Your Doctors To Give You The Goods! posted at A Penny Closer.
Stephanie presents Beating the Winter Doldrums Cheaply posted at Unclaimed Money, saying, "Got cabin fever? Get out and do something with out spending a lot of money!"
Matthew Paulson presents Go on a Mini-Vacation: Take a Weekend Roadtrip Without Breaking the Bank posted at American Consumer News.
paidtwice presents Assumptions and Expectations posted at I've Paid For This Twice Already..., saying, "Communication with your spouse is important in all aspects of your relationship."
Silicon Valley Blogger presents Teaching Our Kids How To Handle Debt and Credit posted at The Digerati Life.
Super Saver presents How Children Can Cause Taxes To Increase Sharply posted at My Wealth Builder, saying, "Watch out when a child no longer qualifies for a tax deduction or credit anymore."
Melissa presents Get Your Doctors To Give You The Goods! posted at A Penny Closer.
Stephanie presents Beating the Winter Doldrums Cheaply posted at Unclaimed Money, saying, "Got cabin fever? Get out and do something with out spending a lot of money!"
Matthew Paulson presents Go on a Mini-Vacation: Take a Weekend Roadtrip Without Breaking the Bank posted at American Consumer News.
paidtwice presents Assumptions and Expectations posted at I've Paid For This Twice Already..., saying, "Communication with your spouse is important in all aspects of your relationship."
Silicon Valley Blogger presents Teaching Our Kids How To Handle Debt and Credit posted at The Digerati Life.
Super Saver presents How Children Can Cause Taxes To Increase Sharply posted at My Wealth Builder, saying, "Watch out when a child no longer qualifies for a tax deduction or credit anymore."
Family Health and Wellness
Tupelo Kenyon presents Finally the Truth About Diet – The China Study Review posted at Tupelo Kenyon, saying, "Finally, here’s an authoritative diet and nutrition book based on hard science and exhaustive research, written by one of the world’s most respected authorities in the field of nutrition. There is so much useful information in this book. Change your diet and change the quality of your life."
Jennifer in OR presents Valentine's Day: What Not To Do posted at Diary of 1, saying, "What not to do for a Happy Valentine's Day: Top 10 List!"
Aparna presents Swimming in over-chlorinated pools can have adverse effects on your skin, hair and teeth posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming, saying, "If wading in the cool waters of a swimming pool during weekends is your idea of breaking from the monotony and humdrum of daily activities, then you are indeed a wise fitness freak, who combines leisure, hobby and exercise in an amazing way. And why not - swimming is one of the best aerobic exercises around with tremendous health benefits. However there are certain tribulations that have to be faced."
Warren Wong presents What Committing to Something Means and Why You Should Do It posted at Personal Development for INTJs, saying, "Here are good reasons why you shouldn't be afraid of commitment."
changeyourtree presents Newsflash: You Teach Others How to Treat You posted at Change Your Tree, saying, "There is a huge misunderstanding that other people get to decide how they treat you. If you don't want this to be the case, this article will empower you to take that control back."
Chief Family Officer presents How to keep your baby warm at night posted at Chief Family Officer.
I (Helene) present Finding an Affordable Dental Plan - Questions to Ask posted at Health Plans Plus, saying, "Here are some questions to ask when searching for an affordable dental plan for your family."
Jennifer in OR presents Valentine's Day: What Not To Do posted at Diary of 1, saying, "What not to do for a Happy Valentine's Day: Top 10 List!"
Aparna presents Swimming in over-chlorinated pools can have adverse effects on your skin, hair and teeth posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming, saying, "If wading in the cool waters of a swimming pool during weekends is your idea of breaking from the monotony and humdrum of daily activities, then you are indeed a wise fitness freak, who combines leisure, hobby and exercise in an amazing way. And why not - swimming is one of the best aerobic exercises around with tremendous health benefits. However there are certain tribulations that have to be faced."
Warren Wong presents What Committing to Something Means and Why You Should Do It posted at Personal Development for INTJs, saying, "Here are good reasons why you shouldn't be afraid of commitment."
changeyourtree presents Newsflash: You Teach Others How to Treat You posted at Change Your Tree, saying, "There is a huge misunderstanding that other people get to decide how they treat you. If you don't want this to be the case, this article will empower you to take that control back."
Chief Family Officer presents How to keep your baby warm at night posted at Chief Family Officer.
I (Helene) present Finding an Affordable Dental Plan - Questions to Ask posted at Health Plans Plus, saying, "Here are some questions to ask when searching for an affordable dental plan for your family."
Family Pets
Family Humor
Sutocu presents Home Theater for the Family posted at Home Theater Point, saying, "The natural place for a home theater is often the living room. The problem with it is that everyone in a family loves to watch television. In fact, in many homes it is the one room that is most often used by the family. However, it is likewise obvious that everyone doesn’t always agree on what is it that should be played."
Holly Ord presents Moving Tip: Avoid Moving in an Ice Storm posted at Menstrual Poetry.
Nathaniel Scott presents Don't Blink Or You'll Miss It posted at A Beautiful Collision.
WhatWorksForUs presents Purge-atory posted at What Works For Us.
Lill Hawkins presents Icicles and Undies posted at News from Hawkhill Acres.
Robert Bach presents Super Sunday Daddy Day posted at Kintropy In Action, saying, "Celebrating Super Bowl Sunday with the kids."
Holly Ord presents Moving Tip: Avoid Moving in an Ice Storm posted at Menstrual Poetry.
Nathaniel Scott presents Don't Blink Or You'll Miss It posted at A Beautiful Collision.
WhatWorksForUs presents Purge-atory posted at What Works For Us.
Lill Hawkins presents Icicles and Undies posted at News from Hawkhill Acres.
Robert Bach presents Super Sunday Daddy Day posted at Kintropy In Action, saying, "Celebrating Super Bowl Sunday with the kids."
Miscellaneous
Tiffany Washko presents Organic and Natural Home Cleaning Products! posted at Natural Family Living Blog.
Rob Moshe presents Live Your Best Life By Serving Others posted at Rob Schaumer, saying, "Once the project starts, each day I will recognize a fellow blogger who helped."
Joshua Wagner presents Instant Gratification Doesn’t Always Mean Instant Success posted at Total Possibility, saying, "In a world of million dollar prizes, and surgeries that can make us skinny in a few months, we have gotten used to the idea of instant gratification. The problem with instant gratification is that it often has consequences down the line that are not always foreseeable, nor is instant gratification as fulfilling as actually doing the work necessary to achieve true success. It is the difference between robbing a bank and earning a paycheck- one comes with potentially dire consequences, and the other, while taking a bit longer, achieves the same ends through a meaningful expression of our abilities."
Hopeful Spirit presents God-Reality, God-Initiative and God-Provisions posted at On the Horizon, saying "We cannot see what the future holds for us, nor are we meant to. Rather, we are meant to be faithful, trust and enjoy our families and neighbors in the 'here and now.' Everything will fall into place as it is meant to."
Micellaneous Mum presents Premenstrual Syndrome for (ex)beginners posted at Miscellaneous Adventures of an Aussie Mum, saying, "PMS is confusing and stressful for everyone!"
Lisa Mitchell presents Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for A New Mom posted at Let's Talk Babies.
GP presents Innside Montana-Your Home at the Range, saying, "How much do we really need? Have you ever noticed how much stuff we collect? How many times have you bought something, only to discover later, that you don’t really use it?"
Laurie Bluedorn presents Pie Auction Benefit Pictures posted at Truvium Pursuit.
Freddie L. Sirmans, Sr. presents Cold Steel Raw Buck Naked Economocis 101. posted at Can U.S. Economy Survive Doomsday?.
Christine presents Our Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale) Travel Plans posted at Me, My Kid and Life: An American Single Mom Living in France.
Jenny presents The New Mom Blog Network On The Block posted at the so called me.
Renae presents Preserving Sanity posted at Life Nurturing Education.
Laura Scarborough presents leftovers posted at Adventures in Juggling.
Alex Blackwell presents How to Love Consciously posted at The Next 45 Years.
the simple nickle presents Cheap Eats: Recipes for Around $1 Per Serving: Dark Molten Chocolate Cakes posted at the simple nickle, saying, "These individual chocolates cakes are perfect for Valentine's Day or another special occasion: simple, delicious, and always impressive."
Terri Mauro presents Two Steps Forward, One Step Back posted at About Parenting Special Needs.
pickel presents Valentine, You Drive Me Crazy! posted at A Child Chosen, saying, "Valentine fun without candy! It really will drive you crazy!"
Rob Moshe presents Live Your Best Life By Serving Others posted at Rob Schaumer, saying, "Once the project starts, each day I will recognize a fellow blogger who helped."
Joshua Wagner presents Instant Gratification Doesn’t Always Mean Instant Success posted at Total Possibility, saying, "In a world of million dollar prizes, and surgeries that can make us skinny in a few months, we have gotten used to the idea of instant gratification. The problem with instant gratification is that it often has consequences down the line that are not always foreseeable, nor is instant gratification as fulfilling as actually doing the work necessary to achieve true success. It is the difference between robbing a bank and earning a paycheck- one comes with potentially dire consequences, and the other, while taking a bit longer, achieves the same ends through a meaningful expression of our abilities."
Hopeful Spirit presents God-Reality, God-Initiative and God-Provisions posted at On the Horizon, saying "We cannot see what the future holds for us, nor are we meant to. Rather, we are meant to be faithful, trust and enjoy our families and neighbors in the 'here and now.' Everything will fall into place as it is meant to."
Micellaneous Mum presents Premenstrual Syndrome for (ex)beginners posted at Miscellaneous Adventures of an Aussie Mum, saying, "PMS is confusing and stressful for everyone!"
Lisa Mitchell presents Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for A New Mom posted at Let's Talk Babies.
GP presents Innside Montana-Your Home at the Range, saying, "How much do we really need? Have you ever noticed how much stuff we collect? How many times have you bought something, only to discover later, that you don’t really use it?"
Laurie Bluedorn presents Pie Auction Benefit Pictures posted at Truvium Pursuit.
Freddie L. Sirmans, Sr. presents Cold Steel Raw Buck Naked Economocis 101. posted at Can U.S. Economy Survive Doomsday?.
Christine presents Our Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale) Travel Plans posted at Me, My Kid and Life: An American Single Mom Living in France.
Jenny presents The New Mom Blog Network On The Block posted at the so called me.
Renae presents Preserving Sanity posted at Life Nurturing Education.
Laura Scarborough presents leftovers posted at Adventures in Juggling.
Alex Blackwell presents How to Love Consciously posted at The Next 45 Years.
the simple nickle presents Cheap Eats: Recipes for Around $1 Per Serving: Dark Molten Chocolate Cakes posted at the simple nickle, saying, "These individual chocolates cakes are perfect for Valentine's Day or another special occasion: simple, delicious, and always impressive."
Terri Mauro presents Two Steps Forward, One Step Back posted at About Parenting Special Needs.
pickel presents Valentine, You Drive Me Crazy! posted at A Child Chosen, saying, "Valentine fun without candy! It really will drive you crazy!"
Parenting Tips and Advice
Tea Party Girl presents How Often Do You Set the Table? posted at Tea Party Girl.
Melitsa presents The Parent's Journal posted at Play-Activities.com.
PlanningQueen presents Children's Jobs and Our Family Meetings posted at Planning with Kids.
Joanne presents 10 Adoption Profile Tips posted at Forever Parents.
Stephanie presents Another Boy-Friendly Valentine posted at Stop the Ride!, saying, "Valentine even your boys will like!"
MamaArcher presents MamaArcher's Blog posted at MamaArcher's Blog, saying, "Teach your children how to forgive."
OurBlogs presents Raising Boys and Protecting Their Feelings posted at A Guide to Raising Great Kids.
Kevin Heath presents Harnessing the Power of Positive Peer Pressure posted at More4kids.
Submit your blog article for next week's edition of the Carnival of Family Life using this submission form. Past editions and the hosting schedule can be found here!
Melitsa presents The Parent's Journal posted at Play-Activities.com.
PlanningQueen presents Children's Jobs and Our Family Meetings posted at Planning with Kids.
Joanne presents 10 Adoption Profile Tips posted at Forever Parents.
Stephanie presents Another Boy-Friendly Valentine posted at Stop the Ride!, saying, "Valentine even your boys will like!"
MamaArcher presents MamaArcher's Blog posted at MamaArcher's Blog, saying, "Teach your children how to forgive."
OurBlogs presents Raising Boys and Protecting Their Feelings posted at A Guide to Raising Great Kids.
Kevin Heath presents Harnessing the Power of Positive Peer Pressure posted at More4kids.
Submit your blog article for next week's edition of the Carnival of Family Life using this submission form. Past editions and the hosting schedule can be found here!