GR8TR Today Magazine

Living a GR8TR Life Every Day

Living

Becoming a Work at Home Parent

Are you a full time working parent working the 40 hour week? Would you like more time with your kids and a more flexible schedule? Have you ever thought about a work from home company? It is possible as more and more moms are turning to working from home. It might be time for you to find that work from home business income opportunity that will fit you.
All you have to do is type in work at home and a whole list of opportunities pops up on the screen. You have a choice in almost any field of your choice. There are many companies and businesses out there that are looking for people who want to own their own work from home company. There is much to be researched before jumping into the first one that grabs your attention.

You need to first start out by getting information on each and every company that you are interested in. If possible start a business in something that you find interesting. You will have more success if you enjoy what you are doing. Wanting to start your own? Write some ideas out and just as you prepared for your baby, you need to prepare for your business. Get some money saved or at least get used to dining in more often than out. It takes money to make money.

Being a work at home parent can be very rewarding. You can have the freedom to work when you want and still be with your children. Many moms and even fathers are choosing to stay at home and work from home as the economy is tight. There are many different things you should look into before starting and be sure to do your research thoroughly. As with many businesses, you will have to invest some money but as far as how much, that all depends on what type you decided to do. They can all range from less than $100 to several hundred to start.

One option if you enjoy it is writing.  Maybe even publishing your own local magazine.  Many companies need writers to help with websites and social media.

Make sure you stay organized, find some good marketing and advertising that will get your name out there, and be sure you have a home office set up so that you can concentrate on the task at hand. Lastly, be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day and your business will take some time to become established and to get going. It will all be worth it in the end.

Protect Your Family – Home Dangers

Carbon Monoxide – The silent killer

During the winter months, doors and windows remain closed at all times and the chance of fresh air circling in your home in great quantities is null. Not only is fresh air a problem during the winter months, but the furnace in constant use makes Carbon  Monoxide gas in your home a bit more likely.

A very inexpensive carbon monoxide detector can cost you less than $10 dollars at your local Target, Walmart, Lowe’s or Home Depot store. You can purchase a  battery operated detector or an electric one, but either choice is an inexpensive safety choice that can be a lifesaver for you.

Smoke Detectors

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends testing your smoke detectors monthly to make sure they are working properly. They also recommend changing the batteries in your smoke detectors yearly.  Keeping a regular schedule-say every October, or every thanksgiving-to change the batteries in the smoke detectors of your home should make it an easy thing to do every year.

Every ten years, the National Fire Protection Agency recommends changing the smoke detectors in your home.  Every floor in your home should have a smoke detector, including the basement and the attic.  The smoke detectors should be installed in the hallways, and outside and inside the bedrooms. Make sure to place a smoke detector close to the kitchen as well. For more information about fire prevention, check your local Fire department website.

Poisoning

According to National Council Safety’s website, unintentional poisoning is one of the leading causes of deaths in the adult population in the United States. Gases, households chemicals, lead poisoning and button batteries are some of the dangers lurking in your home that can be fatal for your young kids. Have you childproofed your home lately? Household cleaning products pose a risk to small children if they are not kept safely away from them.  Some of the products that experts recommend you check are laundry packets, paints, drain and toilet cleaners, and all cleaners you use in and around the home and keep in the house or garage.

Medicine kept in the bathroom cabinets are easily available to your child and can be abused. A Scholastic study found that children self-medicate as early as 11 years old. And according to the study, more than 10,000 minors are admitted into hospitals for overdosing on over the counter medications.  Keeping an eye on what you have and making sure you talk to your kids about the dangers of self-medicating can go a long way in preventing an overdose.

Keep your family safe by being proactive.

Suzuki Music Instruction

If you have children and you are interested in having them learn music, the best way to be successful is to take it seriously, at a young age, with Suzuki.

The disadvantage is that it costs more and requires more parental involvement, but for people that are serious about music development, this program also has a high degree of success and a much higher level of mastery than traditional musical instruction.

How To Keep Germs Away This Flu Season

During a school flu outbreak, it is very likely your child will come home sick and will get the other members of your home sick as well. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/everyday_preventive.pdf offers some guidelines to help you deal with a flu outbreak at school or at work, and here are 7 concise easy steps to follow if you are home with a sick child or spouse.

  1. Wash your hands and your children’s hands with soap and water every time you enter your home. Keeping germs away from the outside world is a good tip for anyone dealing with small and school age children.
  2. Change linens and bathroom towels daily when you are sick. Contaminating each other by using the same towels or sharing a pillow will ensure that everyone gets sick, and stay sick for a longer period of time.
  3. Disinfecting kitchen and bathroom counters thorough out the day will ensure that you’ll encounter less germs going forward.
  4. Believe it or not, feeding your children chicken noodle soup will get them through their illness a bit faster
  5. Covering their mouths on their sleeves instead of their hands should decrease the number of germs they spread around the home.
  6. Cleaning door knobs around the home will greatly decrease the germs that get passed around.
  7. A diet full of fruits and vegetables can do a lot of good to your child. The old saying of “An apple a day will keep the doctor away” hasn’t survived this long for no reason.

Whether you are in a warm climate or cold, this is great advice.

For more about flu outbreaks and what to do about them, check the CDC for more information.

Better Parenting for Great Results

Let’s forget that your kids are your “kids” for a moment. Instead, what if they are long term projects that combine some art, a pinch of science and lots of planning and effort from you? What you would get is a sensible method of raising excellent humans. This is not to say you should not have a strong connection as well, but those emotions should be one of several driving forces to carry out a terrific long term job bringing them up.

The most difficult part of this is letting go of the ego a bit. You need to commit to getting better and being in charge of the outcomes, even if they are not always what you want.

Nobody will argue that a first time mother or father is likely to make some goof ups but with each child, a parent becomes much better at managing situations and focusing on things that are definitely more crucial. Yet, the first kids often turn out fine anyway, because humans are adaptive and resilient.

Tips For Better Parenting

Sign up for an online group of parents focused on high achievement kids. This will be parents who are serious and trying to enhance outcomes from an early age. You can learn a whole lot and draw motivation from groups like this.

Get instruction on what is possible. For example, AllProParent.com offers free training on the way to go to college or university ahead of time and complete a full bachelor’s degree at no cost. In addition, it has got the step by step system to how top level athletes are created.

Never get stressed about a single day. You will have great days and terrible days. Take a low stress day and return the following day much better than even. One day relaxing is just not going to undo your efforts.

Remember to have a real reason, not just “because I said so” – “Because I said so” is what people with no parenting plan say. It really is grasping at straws and using the excuse that you must demand respect without earning it. Earned respect is far more powerful.

Whether you use on-line groups, on-line parent education, YouTube or local in person organizations, make sure you keep learning and getting better. And have a genuine approach and end result you are trying for, as exceptional is less common by accident.

The best advice is to begin early and keep driving towards your objectives in a calm, constant and intentional way. When your children grow up in this way, they are used to it and they expect to have nothing less than excellence from themselves, and your job is much easier.

Holiday Gifts That Keep Your Loved Ones Warm

Winter is here. For most of us, this means that the busiest time of the year has come. After they have consumed all their Thanksgiving turkey and polished off their great grandmother’s famous pie, most people face the month-long preparation for Christmas and New Year. For me, it signals the beginning of holiday decorations, the endless hunt for the perfect gift for my friends and the seemingly growing list of nieces and nephews, followed by the gift-wrapping sessions, which I actually enjoy.

Having done this for many years, I can say that I’m quite knowledgeable when it comes to brainstorming and ultimately choosing the ideal gift for a loved one. I’m saying that on the premise that I have not received complaints so far in that department, but still, I have been able to shop (and make) holiday gifts for the people closest to me without having to argue with another shopper on who should get the last toy truck available, so I feel that I can at least share with you some ideas when it comes to these things. In this article, I shall list three holiday gift ideas that keep your loved ones warm and comfy during the holidays.

  1. Hot cocoa mix in a jar – This one is pretty simple, yet the thought counts. And yes, I do mean it counts. Afterall, there’s nothing like the all chocolaty goodness of hot cocoa to melt the chill in your bones this season. Look for a hot cocoa mix recipe as well as a cute printable gift tag online, find a jar to put the mix into and get a cherry red (or whatever color you prefer) ribbon. Adding chocolate chips with your marshmallows is absolutely decadent. To keep it pretty, layer the milk, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, marshmallows and chocolate chips carefully – it’s really nice to look at inside a clear jar. Close the lid well, tie the ribbon, attach the gift tag and you have a sweet and thoughtful gift for your friends.
  2. Sweaters and scarves – Okay, I will admit this is kind of old as far as gift ideas are concerned and I certainly don’t want to you, dear readers, to end up like Molly Weasley who could only afford to gift sweaters, but I still find a certain warmth when I open the box and see a lovely scarf or sweater inside. It is classic and rather timeless and I have to admit, it’s still a favorite of mine.
  3. Quilts / Quilted blanket – When I think of quilted blankets, my mind immediately thinks of the patchwork quilts that I have adored when I was a child. There is something so adorable and homey about patchwork quilts that it brings back a much simpler time. However, you can always spice up your patchwork quilt by using band shirts of your loved ones favorite bands or just like Bella Swan’s mom in Twilight, use the shirts from the places you have visited with that person. You have to admit, the memories that one blanket can bring you are priceless.

There you have it dear readers – three gift ideas that literally keep your loved ones warm during the season. Whether you choose to stick with the classics when you give a scarf or you prefer to give a laptop or tablet, do remember that the real meaning of giving is more than just in its price tag, but your willingness and desire to provide some cheer into your loved ones this holiday season.

Raising High Acheivement Kids – Interview with All Pro Parent

All Pro Parent is a community of parents serious about raising high achievement kids.  Starting early and following a steady plan, parents can expect their kids to grow up better in both academics, athletics and having a variety of added skills that give the kids an advantage.  This can often result in free college and better jobs, as well as a higher probability of becoming a pro athlete.  The below interview is with Ron McDaniel, founder of All Pro Parent.

Why did you start AllProParent.com?

I found myself always talking to other parents about how we managed to have kids who were very good athletes as well as high achievers in academics.  And we did so much better with the second child that I wanted to help people avoid all the trial and error and start out with a ton of knowledge from the beginning.  There is a huge learning curve raising kids, and the more you know and the earlier you start, the better your results will be. 

What makes you qualified to run All Pro Parent?

As I mentioned, we are very active with your kids and did a combination of home schooling and public school.  The result with our youngest is she got into college at 13 and started taking classes full time at 14.  She is also still planning to be a professional athlete and that seems on course based on our plan of finishing college at 18 and going on the WTA tennis tour.

Why Did You Name Your Site “All Pro Parent?”

The name is a play on the idea of raising pro athlete kids (aka high performers.) Unless a kid has ridiculous levels of natural talent, the reality is it takes an All Pro Parent to raise a high achiever kid.  Especially if you want academics and athletics.

What kinds of things do members of All Pro Parent have access to?

One of the most important things to me is to make it free to anyone who wants to go down this path.  But of course, we need to have revenue to fund development of content.  So, we are using a freemium model where anyone can say they need free access and join without a cost.  However, people who are willing to pay .63¢ per day ($19 per month) get access to all the archives, while the free accounts only have access to the base training and new stuff for a short period of time.  I think it is the best way for us to have a model that can help everyone but still be a real business with resources.

What kind of outcomes can people expect?

I would love to see people go all in and do an incredible level of development with their kids.  The outcome can be fantastic.  However, many people have both parents working or limited time for other reasons, and it is hard.  Here is a better way of thinking about it.  If you start at birth and until the age of 14 you do 30 extra academic minutes with them 150 days out of the year (3 or 4 days a week) then at 14 they will be at least a grade level above where they are supposed to be.  That could be worth many thousands of dollars in free college and scholarships and can get them into better schools.

Likewise, 3 hours of athletic development per week from age 3 to 14 results in 1,716 hours of built up training and athletic practice.  Compare that to someone who decides to go out for a sport in High School but has not been preparing, and the difference is embarrassing. 

It is this steadiness over time that we stress.  There is a buildup of knowledge and ability, which also compounds and adds things like confidence, assertiveness and mastery.  Parents will get out of it what they put into it, but it does not have to be too much in any given week.  Parents succeed when they play the long game.

What if a kid is not athletic or is of average intelligence?

Our program is about maximizing talent over time.  No one can promise a specific outcome but by doing more over a long period of time you can feel confident that you will get better results.  Someone who is not physically gifted athletically can still play high level high school sports, and benefit from competition, physical fitness and a team environment.  Average academic ability can turn into top 10% when you apply extra effort from a young age.  Being in the 10% instead of 50% might not get you into Harvard or Yale, but there are still many more opportunities of better schools, scholarships and job opportunities.

In the long run, we want people to have a strong family work ethic towards being better.  It pays off.  Being part of a community where other parents have the same attitude and goals helps keep people on track.

How do people find out more about AllProParent.com?

Just visit www.AllProParent.com and sign up for the free email.  Then join the members area for more training as well as the Facebook group to interact with me and other parents.  Anyone who is not afraid of doing some extra to produce high achieving kids is welcome.

Do You Have What It Takes To Volunteer This Year?

For a high schooler thinking about going to college, the process of applying to colleges, visiting those colleges, getting the last SAT or ACT test under their belt, and writing those essays to send to prospective colleges can be daunting, especially if this is the first time for them and their parents. 

To attend some colleges and/or universities, the SAT or ACT scores matter.  School grades do matter as well.  The scores they get reflect whether they are capable students, able to meet deadlines and able to work with other peers.  The extracurricular activities show the college admissions office who they are and what they are interested in pursuing.  That’s why it is so important to choose extracurricular activities that really speak to them.

If you are thinking about signing your freshmen son or daughter in every extracurricular activity you can think of, think again.  An undergraduate admissions officer at Yale University, warns parents that your son and daughter should do the extracurricular activities they enjoy, NOT what they think looks good on paper.

Five factors to consider when signing up for an extracurricular activity at their school or in their community:

  1. Do an extracurricular activity they enjoy
  2. Do NOT choose an activity because everyone else is doing it
  3. Do an activity that they can be good at or have a talent to do
  4. Do NOT try to outguessed the college admissions office  to see what activities they are looking for
  5. Sign for an activity that will teach them about the person they are, or at least try to find out what it is they are good at

If your son or daughter enjoys volunteering, this Christmas season is a great time to start.  Volunteering at your church, at a homeless shelter, or volunteering for the Red Cross is a great first step.

Volunteering at their local animal shelter can bring them many enjoyable surprises.  Working with animals can teach them responsibility, and hopefully a work ethic they may not get anywhere else.

How can you get started?  Depending on what kind of activities you prefer, the school bulletin board or announcements board at your school can be a great start. Check your local Girl or Boy Scouts of America, your local community theatre, animal shelter, Red Cross or YMCA.

Some local libraries can use the help of young volunteers for after-school reading programs to help small kids, check with them and find out if they are in need of more volunteers. 

How about volunteering in retirement homes? There are many senior citizens that enjoy having a young person help them with their electronics or just enjoy a conversation. Talk about the latest book you read or what you did at school.  Conversation is sometimes all they need to have a good day.

Need any more ideas?  Why don’t you check this link to find out whether you want to do some volunteering this year? I hope you think about it and decide you do have the time and willingness to do something.

Does Your Cat Need To See The Vet?

Cats can be great pets.  Less fuss and often fairly hands off.  But how do you know when they need to go to a veterinarian if they are not obviously sick?  We went to a local Medina, Ohio veterinarian Steve Hicks to find out what to look for.  Here is what he had to say.

These are the signs your cat needs to go to the vet:

1. If your cat is experiencing chronic weight loss. (in older cats, could be a sign of kidney disease or thyroid disease)

2. No longer grooming itself.

3. Hiding, sleeping in strange places

4. Not using the litter box

5. Increased amounts of urine in litter box (occurs with diabetes and kidney disease)

6. Increase in vomiting (most cats vomit occasionally, especially hairballs, but an increase in the pattern could be a sign of a bigger problem)

7. Decreased appetite

8. Drooling, rubbing face (could be a sign of dental disease)

Our cat has done some of these things for years and it is often not a sign to panic.  For example, our cat stopped using the litter box for a bit, we took it to a vet in Kent and it turned out to be because we changed which litter we use.  I learned that cats are very picky about changes and something as small as changing brands can cause this.  We switched back and the problem was solved.

Our cat also has always liked to go up in the basement ceiling when it gets sick of us and wants to get away.  Now that she is older she has stopped, but it was an issue for years but never meant we needed to take her to the vet.  Just her personal space I guess.

The key is being aware of the signs and not hesitating to take your cat to a veterinarian if you notice these kinds of issues arising and worrying you because they are not a one-time thing.

Literacy in the United States

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a division of the U.S. Department of Education states that children that are read by a parent or guardian develop stronger reading skills than those whose parents do not read to them.  The advantages these children develop over the course of their lives are significant.

The children that are engaged by their parents in any literacy activity, are better prepared when they enter kindergarten, and are able to cope with the academic rigors that have become standard in the United States.

Many of the literacy activities are easily done by a parent, guardian, or older sibling.  Reading or telling stories, teaching letters and words, and recognizing numbers are some of the most  basic activities that these children can be engaged  in to become proficient readers.

Some studies suggest that the literacy rate in the United States hasn’t changed in the last ten years, while other studies have shown that among the 20 “high Income” countries, the United States ranks 12th. 

Literacy in the United States is a serious problem that is easily overlooked during these uncertain times. In this country, there are 44 million adults unable to read a simple book or story to their children, and  60% of households in the United States do not or cannot buy a single book in a year. With these grim statistics, literacy in this country have to begin at home regardless.

Children of families that lack the means necessary to foster a love for reading or books, should not be an excuse to let these children fall thru the crack of  an educational system that is failing them.  By helping these families find other means to help their children to read, we can do a lot of good for our society as a whole.

Libraries across the country, offer programs that help introduce children to story time sessions and by doing so, helping them get involved in books. By the time these five year olds go to kindergarten, an emphasis should be put in reading to them and with them.

The statistics of school youth unable to read the most basic books and still graduating from high school are appalling. We need to expect more from them, and as a society, we need to help them achieve the most basic of skills of all. Reading is obviously not for everyone.