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Keeping Children Motivated in Their Extra-Curricular Activities

Initial enthusiasm in after school activities tends to wane after the first excitement is over. This is but natural. The trick is to keep up the hard work even after this. How do you keep your child motivated? This is of particular importance when the child goes in for educational after school programs.

Make the career-academics connection early on:

Let your child understand how important studies are. Let him know that an excellent career is wholly dependent on wholesome learning. To develop his interest in studies, plan family activities that are connected with his studies. Emphasize the real-world connection to academics whenever possible.

Set goals:

Let your child know, through example, that hard work will be rewarded. If your child believes that achievement is a natural by-product of effort, he is more likely to put in hard work. Such children are also less likely to drop out of programs and college at a later stage.

Reward success:

When a child achieves something, it is necessary to praise his hard work. Positive reinforcements enhance confidence and increase self-esteem. Conversely, beware of criticism. It can ruin the frail ego of children and play havoc with their minds.

Pick up your Mom’s Talk Guide to Raising Happy & Healthy Kids – Tips and resources address nutrition, exercise, sleep, routines, and much more.

Burning Out on Extra-Curricular Activities

For millions of parents around the world, the day does not end with the school bell. There are still pictures to be painted, songs to be sung and games to be played. This all adds up to keeping children happy, safe and out of trouble. But, parents have to steer away from going overboard.

After school is not baby-sitting:

After school activities thrive only if it is backed by sufficient parental involvement. What would a soccer match be without parents cheering their little heroes from the sidelines?

Research and choose:

Instead of convenience being the decisive factor, find out things that will interest your child. Once you select a program, get the fine print and find out what you have to contribute.

Free time:

Many children attend piano classes, followed by ballet and squeeze in some time for play dates in between just before they rush home in time for bed. This rigor is too much for a child. So, go slow.

When to quit:

Often, parents enroll their child in an activity to discover that he may not be the prodigy they thought he would be. This is the time to let go. Your child may not become the next wonder-kid. But, let him cultivate an interest that he enjoys. Remember, happiness and fulfillment are all that matter.

To learn more check out the Mom’s Talk Guide to Raising Happy & Healthy Kids – Tips and resources address nutrition, exercise, sleep, routines, and much more.

What is a Bride’s Friendship Bag?

An old English tradition known as friendship balls has taken root in new form – the Bride’s Friendship Bag. Friendship balls were passed from mother to daughter, friend to friend – on special occasions. These balls were filled with a favor and were only passed to someone very special.

This has been a great tradition passed down through time. A Bride’s Friendship Bag is great spin-off on the way a bride can show appreciation to her wedding party members.

Many countries have different ways of giving favors – like Bulgaria, where they give a little basket with wheat and sweets or England where they give sugared almonds wrapped in a little material pouch. A Bride’s Friendship Bag can be used in any country, regardless of its origins.

Fast forward to today - many brides still carry on this tradition by giving gifts in a Bride’s Friendship Bag to their maid of honor, bridesmaids and close friends. The reason stands the same – showing appreciation and thanks for the person participating in your special day.

All maids of honor and bridesmaids love to receive a Brides Friendship Bag because it’s not only a great gift for them, but they also see it as a big thank you for the part they played in your wedding day.

Many of those who receive the gifts tend to keep them as a keepsake to remind them of your special day, something to look back on and think of the wonderful memories your day brought to you and your guests.

You can put anything you want in your Bride’s Friendship Bag. It can be as extravagant or as small as you wish. Maybe you want to put cosmetics or something small like chocolates and a card. In the end you know the people who will be receiving the bags so you know what they will like.

Although you don’t have to give a Bride’s Friendship Bag, it’s a unique way to deliver your traditional wedding favors in a keepsake that stands apart from what brides do and most couples seek out ways that they can shine – whether it’s through a unique wedding gown or the container in which they deliver their wedding favors.

Keep up with what’s happening at the Mom’s Talk Network, by clicking here.

How to Decide on a Honeymoon When You Don’t Agree

How do you agree on a honeymoon if you want different things? You want to snorkel and jet ski and he wants to camp out. Let’s face it – today’s bride isn’t shy about making it all about her on the wedding day – but when it comes to the honeymoon, does your man have any input – or are you dictating whether you swim in the big blue ocean or hike to the top of Mount Everest?

A honeymoon is often the only vacation many couples take together – because once kids are in the picture, it’s difficult for some couples to find time for a romantic rendezvous. Or, if you’re a couple always on the go, you may find it difficult to find a honeymoon destination that’s unique and special.

Many couples find they’re polar opposites when it comes to what they want out of their honeymoon vacation. Some guys want hiking and lots of sun and sports while their brides just want to relax and soak up the sun – or vice versa!

Believe it or not, there are ways to make sure both of you get what you want out of your honeymoon, but you have to be willing to compromise a bit. For instance, if the two of you go on a cruise, you will probably be docking at various ports.

During the time you’re docked, you and your new husband can participate in the activities offered by the locals – such as hiking tours or extreme sports. While the ship is at sea, he can agree to lounge by the pool with you or enjoy the fine dining that makes your honeymoon romantic.

Even if you’re honeymooning in the snow-frosted mountains, it’s possible for one of you to participate in the activities while the other relaxes. Or, take turns doing what the other person wants.

Marriage is all about compromise. The world is too big for any couple to disagree about where to honeymoon. Out of all of the exotic and affordable places on earth, you’re bound to find at least one spot that offers something both of you want to experience.

If you can’t figure it out yourself, find a travel agent who isn’t pushy and who will listen to each of your needs and then create the perfect honeymoon package that excites both of you.

Keep up with what’s happening at the Mom’s Talk Network, by clicking here.

Knock Off Wedding Gowns – More Bang for Your Buck?

What’s wrong with buying a knock off wedding dress replica with a slight change to suit your needs? You may pay a few thousand dollars for the gown of your dreams, but why pay this when you can get the same gown, with a few slight additions you may want for a tenth of the price?

Where Can I Find Knock-Off Wedding Dresses?

You can find many websites and auctions sites that offer knock-off wedding dresses like these. Normally you have to submit your measurements and wait about 30 days to receive the dress since they are made to order, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality.

How Can They Make a Knock-Off Wedding Dress So Cheap?

Normally these gowns are made in countries where the price to make a gown is a lot cheaper – places like China, India and some countries in Eastern Europe.

How Can I Be Sire of the Seller and the Quality?

Like anything in life, no you can’t be 100% sure you’re going to like your knock-off wedding dress – no more than you can be sure you’d love a designer original. You need to research the seller, see if they have any testimonials, and if you’re buying off an auction site – check their feedback.

What Is the Average Price of a Knock-Off Wedding Dress?

Prices do vary, but you can normally pick out a gown for between one hundred and two hundred dollars. Not everyone can afford a really expensive gown, so the next best thing is a knock off wedding dress that’s a replica of the original designer you admired.

Yes, they look the same, but normally the knock off wedding dress has slight variations so they don’t affect the copyright of the designer. After all, this is your big day, so why should you go without the design you want when you can get a gown made to your liking, with any additions you want, at a fraction of the price you would expect to see in your local store?

More Mom Resources:

To learn more, check out the Mom’s Talk eBook’s Guide to Family Budgeting – Step-by-step guide to help you establish a workable budget.

Keep up with what’s happening at the Mom’s Talk Network, by clicking here.

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