Declutter For The School Year 2011-1012: Part 1

There is nothing more frustrating then clutter.  As the new school year begins you and your children can get started on organizing your lives.  Clutter can cause tardiness, anger, frustration, and depression. Why not get on a program to declutter you and your family's life by taking tips from the experts.  Below are the first 5 tips from an article in the January 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, submitted by Berit Thorkelson.  

1.  Every three months or so, reserve one Saturday morning for a family clean out.  Set a timer for 30 minutes and have each person find things in his or her own space to donate or throw away.  Box up the donations and drop them off right away, then reward yourselves with lunch out.  Meredith Schwartz, penelopelovelists.com

2. Avoid zigzag organizing.  Scattering your efforts over multiple rooms prevents you from seeing progress.  For visible, dramatic results, work one room at a time, one section at a time, completing each area before your move on the next.   Julie Morgenstern, author of Organizing from the Inside Out

3. When you're trying to decide whether to keep something, ask yourself three questions: Do I love it? So I use it? Could someone else use it? Claire Kurtz, thewellorganizedwoman.com

4. A system that's a natural extension of your habits is easier to stick with than one that forces dramatic change.  So set up solutions right where clutter collects, such as a labeled pail for each family member's shoes and other equipment, in a bookshelf right by the front door. Aby Garvey, simplify101.com

5. Give frequently accessed paper (take-out menus, sports schedules, phone directories) a dedicated spot, rather than in a pile on the counter or stuck to the fridge.  Three-hole-punch all that paper, and store it in a pretty binder with labeled tabs. Aby Garvey, simplify101.com

How To Get The Best Education Possible: Tip #49

When we think about being healthy, how many people think of their dental health? It has come to light that many of the health problems people experience started with poor dental hygiene and dental care. That brings us to tip #49.

Tip #49:  Make sure you take your children to the dentist.

Parents should try to take their children to the dentist when they are between the ages of 2-4 years old to make sure their baby teeth are healthy and developing properly. Also, it will help the child have a positive attitude early on with the dentist. Children should brush their teeth in the morning and before going to bed, but someone must show them the proper way to clean their teeth. Flossing and getting fluoride treatments should be a routine part of your child's dental care. Dentist are very expensive, but very necessary in our overall health plan. This country must come to terms and make sure every child is receiving proper medical and dental health care, but we as parents must teach them the routine of caring for their teeth, so that they can smile without hesitation.

Ages and Stages 0 to 2 Years

According to Tiffany Forte, if you have a 1-year old, he/she may be happy rocking out on their piano when your preschool-age brother calls for you. All too soon, the baby's happy tunes turn to whines, then to wails, as he/she sees you dote on the other sibling. They are fed, dry, and was happy moments ago. So what is this?

Perhaps the green-eyed monster. Research shows that babies as young as 6 months get jealous and may squirm or cry to gain back Mom or Dad's attention when they engage with other siblings, spouse, or pets. Below are jealousy soothers to handle your baby's envy distress, according to Dr. Sybil Hart, Ph.D., professor of human development and family studies at Texas Tech University in Lobbock:

1. Foster friendliness. Establish a social atmosphere by having family and friends around. Your infant will see that sharing and spending time with others is a good thing.

2. Try to multitask. Hold your toddler while communication with others, or offer the child a simple task (such as spying where the bananas are hiding) when you, say, run into a friend at the supermarket.

3. Consider other causes. Your baby may seek your attention when he/she is hungry or tired. If you think they are overstimulated, remove them from the stressful environment.

Remember jealousy in little ones, though sometimes trying, is not a bad thing. "It shows your baby is mature and high-functioning," says Dr. Hart

Thank You Veterans

Today is Veteran's Day 2009. In 1918, on the 11Th hour on the 11Th day in the 11Th month, World War I fighting officially ended. Today on November 11Th we remember all the men and women who serve and served in any of the Armed Services for our country.

This year holds significant meaning because of all the men and women currently serving overseas and those serving here at home protecting our freedoms. Also, this year is significant because of the events at Fort Hood, TX, the needless attack that killed 13 men and women. Our country grieves over the lost of these faithful soldiers. Let's remember all of our brave men and woman and keep them in our prayers. Remember to keep their families in your thoughts and prayers. We will continue to stand strong together! Teach your children about those that serve and risk their lives for us. God Bless Our Troops and God Bless America!!

Moms In Touch International

I just found out about a parent group that meet once a week to pray, and they call themselves Moms In Touch International. This group of moms meets for 1 hour and prays for the children, the schools, teachers, and staff. We have a group in Northwest Huntsville City Schools that meets on Tuesdays at Union Hill Primitive Baptist Church from 8:30 to 9:30. Wouldn't it be powerful for a group of parents from every school district in this country to take 1 hour a week and pray for the success of our schools. I believe that prayer changes things and to have a group of spiritually concerned moms praying for us as we work and guide their children is a comforting thought. We may not be able to pray openly in public schools, but there is nothing stopping parents from praying for us as we try to go about educating and directing their children. Let's come up with more supportive ideas to advance our schools so that every child receives the "Best Education Possible". There are more ideas and things to do for your schools in my book, "A Parent's Handbook: How to Get the Best Education Possible for Your Child K-6 Grade". Purchase a copy today at besteducationpossible.com and get involved.

Remembering 911

America will never forget 911! I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember watching the horror on TV with disbelief. We must remember the brave men and women without thought for their own safety risking their lives to save others. People experiencing fear we can only image. This day should remind us that there are men and women protecting us all over the world. We need to pray for the families that lost loved ones and for the troops serving to protect our freedom.

America needs to unite in the name of these brave individuals and come up with real solutions and not petty differences. Our children need to understand the sacrifices people have made for them to go to school and get an education, have freedom of speech, practice religious freedoms, and endless opportunities for them to become whatever they are willing to work hard toward achieving. We should unite because we are one nation under God and we should represent that statement in everything we do. May we never forget what happened on 911. Decide as a family to do some type of service for others. Decide to do something that will make this country a better place. You will be blessed in helping others. God bless you and your family this day, and God bless the United States of America!

Author and Educator Debra E. West answers President Obama's call to action, shares Citizen's Education Idea Initiative

View more presentations from Debra e. West, m.ed..

Best Education Possible is now available on facebook, LinkedIn & Plaxo

To make it easier for everyone to participate in our Best Education Possible Citizen's Initiative, we have established groups on facebook, LinkedIn and Plaxo. If you are a participant on any of these social networks, please join our Initiative there too.

Best Education Possible on facebook
facebook group URL: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43176187590&ref=ts


Best Education Possible on LinkIn
LinkedIn group URL:http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1781681


Best Education Possible on Plaxo
Plaxo group URL: http://besteducationpossible.plaxogroups.com

BestEducationPossible.net prepares to send a comprehensive report to President Obama, et. al.

In response to the President's call for ordinary citizens to band together and make suggestions and offer ideas, we have decided to launch the Best Education Possible Citizen's Initiative.

Initiative Parameters: During the first quarter of 2009, ending March 31, 2009, BestEducationPossible.net will seek to harness the collective genius of parents and educators who serve in the trenches of our nation's educational system. The Initiative follows the lead of the President's transition team and their "Citizen's Briefing Book" launched on their Change.gov website, but closed to public contribution prior to the Inauguration.

Like the Citizen's Briefing Book, the Best Education Possible Citizen's Initiative will develop a white paper compiling ideas and thoughts in a Web 2.0 environment. The goal is to have mass citizen and global participation in the generation of ideas for improving our youth's education with the ultimate work product being delivered to President Obama, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, as well as, all fifty Governor's mansions.

This online tool and others are opening up the process by which the public obtains access to a presidential administration. They are also changing the dynamics of how a presidential administration interacts with the public.

Are you a proactive parent, teacher or concerned thinker? Pass the word, join a Best Education Possible Forum on this site and begin to contribute. It is that simple. This a people driven grass roots initiative for educational change. It is a meme. Best Education Possible Citizen's Initiative Team will be making regular updates as the Initiative moves forward.