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With leaves crunching underfoot and gorgeous colors overhead, October is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Here are more than 20 simple ways you can celebrate the simple life with your children this month.

Take your children to a football game of your alma mater. Have an old-fashioned tailgate party.

Make an apple pie or, if you are feeling less inspired, a simple apple crisp.

Treat yourself to takeout tonight: a rich soup and fresh crusty bread.

Make a Halloween costume for your pet.

Savor the fruits of the harvest this time of year. Make some pumpkin bread or zucchini bread.

Roast pumpkin seeds.

Plan a neighborhood Halloween party, or (if your kids are a little older) recruit them to create a spooky haunted house through part of your home or yard.

Take a drive as a family to see the gorgeous autumn foliage. Stop for apple pie ala mode midway.

Treat yourself and your kids to cute matching socks in an autumn or Halloween theme.

Make popcorn and watch a Halloween themed movie as a family. Depending on the ages of your kids, you may choose something scary or something a little more benign, such as ET or a Halloween special featuring their favorite cartoon characters.

Bring home a festive fall flower arrangement that you can enjoy all week.

Make caramel apples. While still warm, roll them in nuts or chocolate.

Invite the neighbors over for mulled apple cider.

Rake the leaves into an enormous pile and have all the kids jump into them.

Stop at a local craft fair and pick up a locally made or handmade item to give someone for the holidays.

Make a gooey batch of caramel corn.

Visit a pumpkin patch and handpick a few of the best to take home.

Take the kids out to gather leaves and ask each to make a fall collage, using only the items found in your backyard.

Make a recording of scary Halloween noises to play on your front porch on Halloween night. Kids love to come up with scary ideas: screams, creaking doors, sinister laughter.

Make some stew in the slow cooker for dinner.

Give each of the kids a disposable camera, and take a drive, a hike, or a walk through the
neighborhood. Ask each child to document the signs of fall in whatever creative way they choose.

Share the bounty of the harvest with people who are less fortunate. Talk to children about what it means to be thankful - to have an abundant harvest. In what ways is your family enjoying an abundant harvest? Talk about abundance in all facets of family life, as well as life at school and in the neighborhood. In what ways do your children see abundance all around them? Finish off the discussion by determining, as a family, how you can share your abundance with those less fortunate.

Susie Cortright is the founder of Momscape.com - http://www.momscape.com , Susies-Coupons.com - http://www.susies-coupons.com and http://www.susies-travel-coupons.com where you’ll find hand-selected online coupons, coupon codes, and travel discounts.

As children grow up and interact with other children and other adults they learn problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, and language skills.

This is the learning process simplified: Attention makes us receptive to information, which we process together with prior knowledge, until we arrive at conclusions and understanding, which we then apply and test for confirmation. (How do people learn, Don Elkington)

We start off by looking around and noticing things, paying attention to our our surroundings and by paying attention we are receptive to information. Using prior experience and prior knowledge we reach conclusions. By processing all of this together we develop understaning.

In teaching we need to use these 5 processes to help children learn.

Attention - We need to get the child’s attention before we start so that they are receptive to the information we are going to give them. We need to explain why the information is important to them and why it would be a good thing for them to learn this. We need to get the children excited about learning.

Information - Everyone learns in different way so we need to be able to teach in different ways too. We need to present our information in different formats so we cater for all the learning methods; written words, visuals, audio, live action, practice etc.

Prior Experience - It is quite natural to compare what we are doing/learning with other ways we have learnt in the past. Discussions about why one way is better than another way and talking about how different ideas work for different things will help us understand.

Conclusion and Understanding - We need to help the children come to their own conclusions about what has been learnt and work throught the stages they went through to come to this conclusion.

We have to remember that children have a short attention span so we need to get them involved in the learning process as much as possible to keep their minds engaged. It is also a good idea to check how much they have learnt by giving them exercises to complete on their own or with family at home to see check their knowledge and level of understanding.

A worksheet is a piece of paper, designed to help organize material for learning or clear understanding used by teachers to review what has been taught in class. Worksheets are meant to provide extra skills practice using problems to solve and fill in the blanks in the crosswords and puzzles to make learning more fun. Worksheets exist in many different subjects and give students as much practise as possible both in class and at home. Parents often download worksheets from the internet to help their children and give them some extra practise.

Worksheets are organised by key stage and subject so it is easy to find something that will be at the right level for your child. Many websites offer a wide range of downloadable worksheets to meet your child’s needs.

John McE writes for Edplace offering a comprehensive online source of colourful automated worksheets in Maths, English and Science. http://www.edplace.co.uk/

My daughter is called Rebekah and she is nine years old. She has always been good at losing things. I really don’t know what she does with stuff - there must be some monster that comes into her room at night and eats things.

Anyhow, Becky lost a DVD that belonged to the library. Now this wasn’t the first time she had lost something from the library, it was the second time. And mum was getting a little bit frustrated, not to mention embarrassed about going to the library and saying once again “my daughter has lost this DVD”.

I decided that Becky would have to have some consequence of losing this DVD so I decided to enforce some rules for her. The first rule was that she couldn’t borrow any more books or DVDs from the library until we had found or replaced the lost DVD. This encouraged her to think harder and look more frantically to find it.

When we decided that it wasn’t going to mysteriously appear I decided we had no option but to pay the fine. So I devised a plan that I shared with Becky, much to her dismay. It went something like this:

“OK, Rebekah, I had to pay a $40 fine because you were careless with the DVD. So now you need to find a way to pay me back the money. So here’s what I am prepared to do: you can do some extra chores around the house to earn the money you need to pay me back. I will give you $8 per hour and you can do five hours of extra chores to pay me back for the money I had to spend”.

Becky was not impressed, nevertheless she understood the principle and went ahead and did the chores without arguing. I was happy, not because I had some extra help, but for the fact that she understood the concept of having to do something to “make it right”.

I have no doubt that next time, if there is a next time, she will be more careful with things that don’t belong to her. And that is the result that I am hoping for. That is the best possible outcome for both of us. It may seem a bit cruel or harsh but let me tell you something. The cruellest thing would be to not prepare your child adequately for the world they are going to be living in when they grow up.

Remember that as parents it is our responsibility to prepare our kids for the future. So always keep in mind the long term goal when parenting. Your kids will not always like it at the time but they will thank you for it down the track.

Kim Patrick is a single mother with four children, living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. She is author of the book, “Get Your Child To Behave In 30 Days Or Less”. Her web site is:
http://www.mychildcanbehave.com

I’m sure that you have all had to deal with angry child before. At my house it is a farily common occurence. This morning Kieren, my 14 year old son, was up and all ready for school before 7am. When I woke up he said to me, “Mum, I have done all of my chores, I am ready for school and I would like to go on the computer please”. Of course my answer was “yes”.

Kieren jumped straight on the computer.Five minutes later his younger brother came out and decided that he should also have a turn on the computer before school. Trouble was, he hadn’t done any chores and wasn’t ready for school. Nevertheless he took things into his own hands and said to Kieren, “you have to give me a go too”.

Needless to say his brother wasn’t impressed.
I explained to Sam that Kieren was allowed his turn because of what he had already done but it didn’t seem to sink in. Sam was thinking about how he could make it happen.

I was washing up and listening to the heated debate. after a while I felt the need to interrupt. I told Sam that if he kept on complaining and arguing that he would miss out an his turn altogether that day. By this stage tears were flowing and he was very upset. By now Kieren had left for school. smart kid.

Sam sat down and tried to start the computer, ignoring my requests to stay away from it. I actually had to usher him to the doorway to leave for school. This was quite simply not the right time to be talking to Sam about the incident.

Now here’s the thing: as parents we need to understand that when a child gets angry and on a roll, they aren’t capable of thinking clearly and making rational decisions. When your kids are angry and emotional they need time to cool down before they can talk about it.

The outcome? Well, I won’t know that until this afternoon when Sam comes home from school. My hope is that he will have calmed down enough to give me an apology. And you can be sure that he will be missing his computer time this afternoon.

We can’t always control how our children behave. But we can control our reactions to it. By giving Sam a ban on the computer today that will speak volumes to him about the inappropriateness of his behavior. And I have also decided to ring the school counsellor to see if there are any special courses or training opportunitues for Sam to help him learn to deal with his anger in a constructive way.

It is not a bad thing to have problems with your children. Believe me. I have four children and the dramas are neverending. The key is in HOW you choose to deal with them.

Kim Patrick is a single mother with four children, living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. She is author of the book, “Get Your Child To Behave In 30 Days Or Less”. Her web site is:
http://www.mychildcanbehave.com

We knwow that certain things, confidence, empowerment, positive praise (what we call ‘catch them being good’) and listening skills are four important elements in teaching your child to keep themselves safe.

“Repetition” is the fifth and final secret to teaching kids to keep themselves safe. This last Secret is probably the most important of all. We can teach your kids in the classroom. We can put all of our information into a book for you to read. However, it is all useless unless you use it and apply it, day in and day out at home.

Especially in younger children, where there is no mental capacity to create and build on memories, repetition is a crucial learning tool. True learning for your child, no matter what their age, however, comes with repetition. That is your job. You need to do it at home.

Repetition does not need to be boring, either. Make games out of things you want to teach. Use fun words and phrases your child uses when talking about safety. Fold in your child’s favorite toys, cartoon characters or things they like into activities you do several times a week. These are simple yet exciting skills for
reinforcement activities. It’s repetition with excitement. What a great way to learn for any child!

Working with our techniques is also something to do a few times a week. Stay away from daily practice routines as if this was a sport as this is the surest way to bore your child and lose their attention. Make learning safety fun. Make it exciting. Fold in the whole family and enjoy learning about true safety for a lifetime together. Below are the five elements of safe kids.

1. Build confidence.
Confidence and a positive self image are crucial in good child safety. Confident kids are less of a target for sexual predators. Not only do they stand taller and keep their heads up higher, they represent a problem, a less than easy victim for sexual predators.

Confident kids project “struggle” for any predator trolling for kids and more often than not, predators will pass them by. More often, predators will choose kids that appear weak and sad, a child in need of a friend. These are the kids that hang their heads, shuffle down the street and have a hard time looking anyone in the eye when they talk to them.

2. Empowerment.
Empowering your child to take care of themselves is one of the most powerful Safety Secret we can offer you.

Empowerment means you teach them to make choices, good choices, for themselves. When you mentor them as a parent you actually guide them into learning to make good, positive choices for themselves on their own. When they can do this, they will truly be safe for a lifetime.

3. Catch Them Being Good.
Building confidence, building a solid self image in your child, builds safety. Capitalize on this and highlight the good things they do more often than the bad things. As a matter of fact, focus on highlighting as many good things as you can rather than making a big deal about the bad things they may do.

4. Listen.
Listening to your child goes beyond the standard, “Yep. Un huh. Sure.” These kinds of responses they get daily. True listening, the kind that allows your child to feel like they are really being heard and understood, is a special parenting skill.

5. Repetition.
Especially in younger children, where there is no mental capacity to create and build on memories, repetition is a crucial learning tool. True learning for your child, no matter what their age, however, comes with repetition. That is your job. You need to do it at home.

Any one of these safety secrets will allows your child a higher measure of safety. Together, they are very powerful and can help teach your child to be safe for their entire lifetime.

Joyce Jackson is a child safety expert, #1 bestselling author, consultant and speaker. For her extensive website and information see http://www.KeepingKidsSafeToday.com.

As a parent, your child’s safety from sexual predators depends on you. Your know that, especially when they are young, you are always there to protect them.

As your child grows, they need to learn various safety techniques so they can begin to keep themselves safe. Even the youngest of children need to begin to learn these skills, kids as young as four years old.

You can put your child into safety classes or have them watch a video about safety techniques. The most important thing, however, the crucial piece, in making it work, are you, the parents, taking the responsibility for insuring it is all put into place.

You must own the responsibility for keeping your child safe. Its not enough anymore to yell as they walk out the door, “Don’t talk to strangers!” You must make sure they learn how to keep themselves safe from all kinds of potentially dangerous situations when you are not around.

When you’re out with your youngest children you hold their hands, talk to them and make sure your family group stays together as you scour the mall, trot through the zoo or head to your table at the restaurant.

What happens when your child is playing in the yard when you’re inside, at school when you’re at home, walking the dog down the street or walking home from the store, is what really matters. Your child must have the ability to keep themselves safe in today’ss world prowled by sexual predators, when you are not around. And, Mom and Dad, it is your responsibility to make sure they have this “keep themselves safe” ability.

It means you must stand up and grab hold of an incredible power waiting for you to command and control. It is called the “Power To Keep Your Child Safe.” Sometimes we call it mentoring.

Mentoring your child goes beyond parenting. It gets into making a positive difference by influencing your child to be the best they can be as a person. Mentoring means you maximize your commitment. It means doing what needs to be done. It means when you’re tired, sick or fed up you still take the time and patience to insure your child is safe for their entire lifetime. Being responsible means teaching your child to be safe in a constant and consistent series of small steps everyday.

Is it easy to do? That depends on you. What is your commitment to your child? What is your commitment to your child’s safety? If you answered resoundingly, “100%!” then it will be easy for you.

Your child’s safety for an entire lifetime can be simple and easy with a few tips to added to the mentoring skills you already possess.

If you have not gone beyond basic parenting then we’ll help you make the jump into true mentoring. It is one thing to understand responsibility. It is another to own it. Owning it is harnessing its power. Simply put, you own your child’s safety. You make it work. Show and guide your child every step of the way in what to do and how to do it. Own the responsibility in making sure they understand it and learn it. Help them learn for a lifetime how to keep themselves safe from sexual predators when you are not around.

Joyce Jackson is a child safety expert, #1 International bestselling author, speaker, consultant and trainer. For her extensive website and information see http://www.KeepingKidsSafeToday.com.

Most kids look forward to three months of nothing but fun and games, but, as a parent, you know that learning should take place year round.

And while it can be hard to get your child’s attention among all the swimming pools, video games and television shows that they’d rather be spending their time on, it’s important that you keep the learning going (at least at some level) during the summertime. That way, when they return to school in the fall, they’ll be enriched and ready to learn.

Here are eight fun ways to keep your kids learning all summer long, including some educational websites your kids will love.

1. Start your summer learning adventure by heading to your local library. Most libraries offer reading programs each summer that challenge your child to read. They may have flyers to help your child stay on track and reading suggestions divided by age group. Taking a weekly trip to the local library will be a great family activity to look forward to each week.

2. Instead of letting your child sit in front of video games all summer long, why not make the process educational? There are many educational computer games and games for video game systems that allow your child to have fun and can help them keep up to date with their basic skills at the same time. Keep in mind though that too many computer games, educational or not, will reduce your child’s activity level, so make sure to use the video games in moderation.

3. Check out some free learning websites for kids. Three to try: Funbrain.com, math.com and abcteach.com (which has printable worksheets). If your kids prefer online communities, try Webkinz.com, which requires the purchase of a webkinz toy; ClubPenguin.com, which is geared for 6 to 14 year olds and is free to play but also has activities that required a paid membership; and WhyVille.net, a free online community for pre-teen and teen boys and girls.

4. Summer is a perfect time to discover, or re-discover, the unique learning opportunities in your neighborhood. If you haven’t been to the local museum or other historic location within driving distance of your home, now is the time to do it. Make sure to talk about the history, science or other subject you’ll be learning about so your kids can get the most out of the experience. Big metropolitan museums, zoos or landmarks are also great destinations during the summer. Even though gas is expensive, a road trip every now and then may be just what the teacher ordered.

5. Allow each of your children to choose a comprehensive workbook that they can work on a bit each day. Some workbooks cover math, reading, social studies and science. You might want to work out an incentive program to make sure they get their worksheets done each day. For example, each worksheet equals one ticket. Once they reach five tickets, everyone is rewarded with a few hours at the pool or a run through the sprinklers.

6. Play some educational, age-appropriate games, such as Scrabble, Boggle or chess. Purchase some family favorites in travel editions so the kids can play them on car rides and on vacation.

7. Learning during summer vacation can also take a more formal role in your child’s life. If there was a subject your kids struggled with during the school year, now is the time to get tutoring or enroll them in a program to help them catch up. Make the experience fun by balancing their study time with some good old-fashioned family fun.

8. Vacation is the perfect time for sharing non-traditional lessons with your child that expose them to concepts they won’t find in regular school. If they learned about plants this year in school, help them plant their own garden so they can see the concepts in action. Reinforce their knowledge of fractions and measurements by having daily or weekly cooking lessons with you in your kitchen. Many schools have had to cut back on arts and music, so summer gives you the perfect opportunity to let your child’s creative side flourish.

If you tried to pack all of these ideas into one summer, you’d have a tired kid on your hands! Pick a few to try and keep the learning going throughout summer. By making learning fun, your child won’t realize they are learning at all.

Jamie Jefferson writes for www.momscape.com and www.susies-coupons.com, where she shares book warehouse coupons: http://www.susies-coupons.com/schol.htm - and Limited Too coupons: http://www.susies-coupons.com/girls.htm

Becoming an au pair is a wonderful way for a young adult to get to know a new city or area. An au pair has the opportunity to submerse him or herself in this new place and can learn the language, customs and the resident’s way of life, naturally.

An au pair is typically a young person, who lives with a family in a different country to help with childcare. The length of stay is pre-determined as are the available work hours so there is always time to explore, while still honoring the host family’s schedule.

Making a Difference with Young Children

While coming to a new country to work is exciting, one of the most rewarding things about choosing to become an au pair is being able to make a difference in a child’s life. Because an au pair is there for a child in their home as a part of the family, she/he is able to form a unique bond with the child(ren) and truly make a difference in their life.

An Opportunity for New Experiences

While an au pair is expected to work hard and give their all to the families with whom they live, they are also expected to broaden their understanding of the new environment they are in. Families hiring an au pair understand that they are coming to learn and to grow, and that it is essential for their au pair to have time to take classes, visit new places, meet new people and to fully experience their new (although temporary) home.

Travel and Get Paid

Traveling to new places is one of the best ways to learn about the world. Unfortunately though, traveling is expensive. By choosing to become an au pair, these travel expenses are paid. Of course there is the work of caring for the children, but there is also the weekly wages that an au pair receives. Working as an au pair is a great way to travel, without going into debt!

Helping a Family

Many families struggle with the demands of work, life and the need to care for their children. While day care has become the traditional option, others look for alternatives in an attempt to allow the child to remain home, where they are most comfortable. An au pair can help a family find a way to make it all work.

Because an au pair lives in the family home, they become a trusted support system for both children and parents alike. This helps the parents to be able to meet their career demands while also knowing that their children are being well cared for with the consistency and familiarity only an au pair can provide.

Becoming an au pair can be a truly amazing experience. One in which long lasting connections are made with the host family, as well as new friends met while living abroad. Living in a new country as an au pair will also create opportunities to broaden world views and understanding while also participating in the meaningful work of caring for children. And, most importantly, the children will always remember their fun, playful, and very special au pair!

Summary: Becoming an au pair is a great way to see the world, make new connections and help children and their families. Working as an au pair creates an opportunity for a young adult to explore a new place for an extended period of time affordably, while also forging a special bond with the host family.

Author is a freelance writer. For more information on an au pair please visit http://www.euraupair.com

It is a big decision to add an au pair to the family. Most people choose to hire an au pair because they wish to have consistent and reliable child care for their family. Because this person will be living in the home, however, it is important to thoroughly research the au pair agency before committing to a working relationship.

Because there are so many agencies offering au pair services, it makes a difference to research which ones in particular are best suited to address individual family needs. By following these simple steps, a family will ensure that the agency they choose will be the best fit for their family and situation.

Background

It almost goes without saying that every reputable au pair agency will run background checks on their au pairs. Most families treat their au pairs like part of the family and there is an underlying layer of trust that goes with that feeling. These young girls (and sometimes boys) are entrusted with children, most family’s prized possessions. Choosing an au pair agency that conducts extensive background checks is essential.

Don’t rely on the au pair agency to do all the work, however. Take advantage of the pre-contractual phone calls to get to know the selected au pair. Most people have good gut instincts. If something seems off, choose to get to know a different au pair.

Hours Available

Choosing an au pair agency that matches a family’s hourly needs is essential. Au pair agencies typically dictate how many hours their au pairs can work in a week. Sometimes they are only required to have two consecutive days off and other agencies require that their au pairs have at least one weekend day off. That is why it is important for a family to sit down and map out their childcare needs before choosing an au pair agency.

Money

As with any business arrangement, money is a factor. Au pair agencies have different combinations of registration fees, enrollment fees and au pair pocket money requirements. Choosing to hire an au pair can be an expensive decision. It is important to determine if a family has the discretionary income available to honor the contract before beginning. Be sure to check on the exact fees and monthly obligations each au pair agency requires. Work these into a budget, keeping in mind the additional expenses of food, transportation, etc, that also come with hiring an au pair.

English As A Second Language

Different au pair agencies have available au pairs from different countries. Most of these girls take the position of au pair as an opportunity to live with an American family for at least a year and learn the language. Most au pair agencies will advertise that their au pairs speak English. It is important to have a realistic expectation when it comes to language, however. These girls are almost always in the process of learning English as a second language. If a family has a particular knowledge of a second language such as Spanish or German, it may prove beneficial to work with an au pair agency that places girls who speak these languages.

Guarantee

Sometimes even with the best planning things do not work out. Before hiring an au pair agency, it is important to confirm the process for selecting a new au pair. Are there any charges associated with an au pair change? Can a change be made with no direct cause or do only particular situations warrant an au pair change? Is there a minimum amount of time an au pair must live with a family before making a change? These are all questions to ask before signing a contract with an au pair agency.

Hiring an au pair is an enriching and enlightening experience for most families. Some au pairs and families keep in touch long after they have returned to their home countries. When done correctly, it can be an amazing and rewarding relationship.

Author is a freelance writer. For more information on an au pair please visit http://www.euraupair.com

Choosing an au pair is a huge decision for any family. Introducing her into an already established family routine may seem a bit awkward at first. However, there are a few things that a family can do ahead of time to make an au pair’s transition easier for everyone.

Talk To Older Kids

Statistically, most families who hire an au pair do so in order to have extra help rearing their small children. If any of the kids are over the age of two, it can be extremely beneficial to talk to them ahead of time about the au pair’s arrival. Kids have a tendency to resist changes to their routine and the idea of having someone different take them to preschool or dance class should be brought up before it actually happens. If possible, allow a few days for an au pair to bond with the children and family before she takes on family responsibilities alone. This is the best way to ensure a smooth transition of duties.

Auto Insurance

Most likely, a family’s au pair will be driving the children to different activities, going grocery shopping or running other necessary errands. Most auto insurances require notification when another driver is added to a policy. It is important to officially add an au pair simply because of the amount of driving she will be doing for the family. Auto insurance is one of those things most people don’t really think about until they really need it! The small increase in premium that may occur due to adding another driver is well worth the piece of mind.

Prepare Room

Most au pair agencies require that an au pair have her own private room within the household. Before she arrives, it is a nice gesture to have this room prepared with a clean bed and appropriate places to store her clothes and belongings. Remember, she is going to be living in this room for at least a year. Any extra items of comfort that a family can afford to add (like a mirror, radio alarm clock, etc) are much appreciated!

Finalize Schedule

Schedules are always subject to changes and revisions, but it is helpful to have a working schedule established before an au pair arrives. Most agencies limit the maximum number of hours an au pair can work in a week. Sitting down and mapping out what an au pair’s work week will look like and the duties for which she is responsible will go a long way towards preventing mistakes and miscommunications. When an au pair knows exactly what is expected, it is easier to do her job and do it well.

Foreign Language Skills

Most au pairs take the position in order to experience life in America for a year and brush up on their English language skills. This means that when an au pair first arrives, she most likely will not be completely fluent in English. Once a family has chosen an au pair and is aware of her native language, it can help to learn a few important phrases or vocabulary words. Not only will the au pair appreciate the effort, but it will help with translating important messages and making her feel comfortable.

It is important to note that oftentimes when a person is learning a second language they understand a lot more than they are able to communicate themselves. Comprehension of verbal and written language comes before being able to speak fluently.

By following these few tips, the transition of welcoming an au pair into the home can be an easy process. Families who host an au pair often say it was one of the best decisions they made for their children and the health of their family.

Author is a freelance writer. For more information on an au pair please visit http://www.euraupair.com