Parent's Time Out 
November 23, 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

What children want

Are you aware of the first Law of Parenthood? It states that nobody really wants your job, but everybody thinks they can do it better.

I appreciate the honesty of parents who sometimes feel overwhelmed by the task of parenthood. One man candidly said, "Before I got married I had three theories on raising children. Now I have three children and no theories!"

Quote Magazine (September 1, 1985) published ten behaviors children ages 8 to 14 identified as qualities they wanted in parents. These young people, from 24 countries, agreed on ten traits they believed were important for all parents to possess. Here they are:

1. They want harmony. They do not want their parents to have unresolved and destructive conflict in front of them.

2. They want love. They wish to be treated with the same affection as other children in the family.

3. They want honesty. And to be told the truth.

4. They want acceptance. They desire mutual tolerance from both parents.

5. They want their parents to like their friends. They want their friends to be welcomed in the home.

6. They want closeness. They desire comradeship with their parents.

7. They want their parents to pay attention to them and answer their questions.

8. They want consideration from their parents. They do not want to be embarrassed or punished in front of friends.

9. They want positive support. They wish for their parents to concentrate on their good points rather than their weaknesses.

10. They want consistency. They desire parents to be constant in their affections and moods.

 It appears that these children want what all of us want - respect, consideration and love. In fact, these work well with "children" of all ages!

 -- From RICHES OF THE HEART by Steve Goodier
    Publisher of Your Life Support System
    Write Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com
    http://store.yahoo.com/lifesupportsystem/html

~ What's for Dinner?

Creamy beef and macaroni

You need:
1 lb. ground beef
20 oz. spaghetti sauce
7 oz. package elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
1/2 cup Miracle Whip
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Brown ground beef, drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, macaroni, and Miracle whip. Heat thoroughly, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve. 

~ Just for You
and your family- Part 3

Environmentally Safe (and kid safe)
products to clean your home:

Five basic nontoxic ingredients that can be used as cleansing agents: 

These ingredients, supplemented with vegetable-oil- based soaps, lemon juice, herbs or toothpaste, can be mixed together and used to bring a natural, economical and safe shine to your home.

baking soda             washing soda 
borax                       salt 
white vinegar 

Here are some of the compounds you can make:

Removing crayon, pencil or ink from walls 
To remove crayon, pencil or ink marks from the walls (without removing paint), take about 2 tablespoons of baking soda and mix in water. Dip a white wash rag in the solution and rub the marks away. Wipe away excess baking soda with the same cloth. 

Furniture Polish
Make your own furniture polish by combining one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with one- half cup of olive or vegetable oil. Take a soft cloth and polish. 

Removing crayon, pencil or ink from upholstery
To remove pencil, crayon or ink marks from upholstery, use dry baking soda. Use a hairbrush or similar brush to rub baking soda and remove the marks. 

Blood stains
To remove blood stains, combine one quart of Borax cleaning detergent with two cups of cold water. Rinse stained clothing item in cold water, and scrub in warm water with your hands. Then dip in solution and wash by hand. 

Coffee and chocolate stains
To remove coffee and chocolate stains, mix one teaspoon of white vinegar in one quart of cold water. Sponge on stain and wipe clean.

Look for more next week!

~ Recommended Site of the Week

Carmen Sandiego

From the ACME Virtual Detective Agency. Carmen challenges kids to discover the world around them!
http://www.carmensandiego.com/

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 of our 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:
http://store.yahoo.com/lifesupportsystem/html
www.pinksunrise.com 
www.carmensandiego.com