Parent's Time Out 
August 24, 2001

This weekly feature of the Online Exchange is committed to helping parents take back quality time and devote it more fully to spending it with their children. Here is where you can start to take a Time Out from the TV, computer, housework, and bills. It only takes a few minutes to do fun and memorable things with your children and we will lend a hand each week to get you started. Tune in here for encouragement, fun and easy things to do, and other tidbits, all geared just for you and your precious ones.

~ Time Out for the Week

Get out of the House!

You are sitting at your computer, concentrating on writing a new ad to place in the OnLine Exchange and the kids are running everywhere, making so much noise you can't think. They are bored with the TV, tired of terrorizing the dog, sick of seeing the same 4 walls of each room... What do you do? You will want to get everyone out of the house. But where to go? Here are a few suggestions:

Libraries have a set schedule for some kind of kid's craft time, or story time. Why not check into that. Find out what day or days they do the kids thing. Better yet, GO down there, let the kids get a few books each and when it is time to go, be sure to get the flyer telling about the activities they have. Then put it on your fridge and make a goal to do it. It will be a great thing for the kids, and you will enjoy it too. You can chill in the back of the room while they are being entertained for FREE, then you can help them when they start the craft portion. You will be spending time with them, getting them out of the house, encouraging reading, AND they will have great stuff to bring home. Very important: Don't forget to read their newly checked out books to them. Kids NEED that!

Another thing you need to check into, if you haven't already, is the zoo? How far is one from your house? This is a relatively CHEAP activity that everyone can enjoy. We live an hour from the closest one, and then our favorite zoo involves a hour and a half drive. So, we don't go every week, but it is nice to do like once a month or so. Think about the educational value of taking your kids to the zoo, the exercise they will get walking and running around, and the QUALITY time you will have spent with them. You can go when you hear of a new exhibit or when new baby animals have arrived. They also try to plan activities throughout the year. My suggestion is to buy a zoo membership for you and your family, use it, and keep renewing it each year. That is what we do. You get in free, so it pays for itself after you go just a couple of times, you get discounts on gift items, food and other things, and there is always something going on. We always spurge on one of those huge ice cream cones, so that is something for them to look forward to right there. Give your child one or two animals to remember each visit and talk about them afterward. Zoos will name the animals, so read the signs and tell your kids what they are. They will remember it, because it is something they WANT to remember, and then when you go back, they will feel right at home. Make it fun and you will be glad you did.

If you have any ideas for getting out of the house, please email them to me at admin@marketingtrendz.com.
Have fun!

~ What's for Dinner?

Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs
- Tasty and fun Kabobs that even the KIDS will LOVE

Ingredients:

2 lbs. Boneless Breast of Chicken
1 can of Fun Shaped Pineapple Chunks
6 oz of Teriyaki Sauce
12 Cherry Tomatoes
6 Skewers


Procedure:

~Cut Breast of Chicken into small chunks.
~Place in a Bowl. 
~Open can of Pineapple Chunks and pour juice over chicken.
~Save pineapple chunks in a separate bowl
~Pour Teriyaki Sauce of Chicken
~Stir and marinate for One Hour

Time to make the kabobs
(If skewers are wooden, please soak them for 5 minutes in water.)

~Take one skewer, and start with a cherry tomato, then 2 pieces of chicken, then one pineapple chunk. Repeat 2 pieces of chicken and one pineapple chunk until you get near the top.  Add a cherry tomato on the very top.

~Repeat process with all the skewers, until all the chicken and pineapple are used.  Save marinade for basting.

~Rub a little bit of oil on grill to avoid sticking
~Heat Grill to Low
~Place Kabobs on grill and cook for 15 minutes turning frequently and basting with marinade.

Eat and ENJOY!
makes 6 kabobs

~ Just for You

With everything getting into the swing of things by school starting, why not take advantage of a chance you may have to get out of the house, this time by yourself. Go shopping, even if you don't buy anything, and I don't mean for groceries. Or make a trip to the library just for you and find a book you would like to try to read to escape reality. Go to a restaurant or a coffee shop, and just take your time and watch people and relax. Everything at home will just have to wait. 

~ Recommended Site of the Week

Check out www.coolplays.com. Here you will find coloring pages, stories, preschool learning games, and much more!

Thank you for joining us for this weeks Time Out! Now the rest is up to you. Take the time to do the things suggested, or think of your own ways to spend precious time with your family. But most importantly, HAVE FUN!!  

Be sure to tell your friends about us! Highlight the parts of the page you like the best and print it. Then keep a folder of ideas and recipes.

We would like to hear from you! If you have a favorite family site or craft, send it to us and we might share it with our readers. Or, just let us know what you think about new feature. 
Contact Sara.


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Giving Credit were Credit is Due...
We search all over for great tips, ideas and recipes and don't want to forget to let you know where it all comes from. This week we would like to thank the following:
www.coolplays.com