Marshmallow blow guns are safe and fun for boys and girls of all ages. Even dads will enjoy this toy. A marshmallow gun or shooter is a terrific Christmas, birthday, or anytime gift.
The first marshmallow blow gun I ever received was at a birthday party. We played “Capture the Flag” with marshmallow guns. After the party, we all received a marshmallow gun for a party favor.
If you want to know how to build and shoot a marshmallow gun, the plans are below. Learning how to build and shoot a Marshmallow Gun without plans can be
tricky, so we are giving the Marshmallow Gun-Shooter Plans to you for free!
Building the Marshmallow Gun
1. Buy 1/2 inch PVC pipe, 2 PVC elbows, 2 PVC T’s, 2 PVC end caps, spray paint, marshmallows (ammo)
2. Cut your PVC pipe however long you want the barrel.
3. Cut four pieces of PVC pipe 1/3 of the barrel, two for the handles and two for connecting pieces of PVC pipe together. Cut one piece 1/3 of your handles. Cut tne more piece of PVC pipe 1/2 of your barrel.
3. Get two T’s, two elbows, and two caps. Place the smallest piece of PVC pipe in between the two T’s. Now put two of the PVC pipe (1/3 size of the barrel) on top and bottom of the T’s. Place a cap on the bottom PVC pipe and an elbow on
the top PVC pipe. Put the barrel in the t that’s PVC pipe has a cap on the end of it.
4. Now, place the PVC pipe that is 1/2 of the barrel on your elbow. Put a PVC pipe (1/3 size of the barrel) in the other t. Place an elbow on the end of your PVC pipe that is 1/3 size of your barrel.
5. Place the last PVC pipe (that is 1/3 the size of the barrel) on the T. Place the last cap on the PVC pipe that is a 1/3 size of the barrel.
6. Now that the pieces are all put together start spray painting the marshmellow
gun. The marshmallow gun can have designs. If you want designs, cut shapes out on a piece of paper, and spray paint through the paper on to the marshmallow gun.
7. Let dry overnight.
As a side note, you will have leftover materials since PVC only comes in ten foot lengths. Cutting the PVC may be a hassle, as well as painting the gun which
takes awhile. Some people choose to buy these guns completely made since you can find them online at inexpensive prices.
Shooting the Marshallow Gun
First, put a marshmallow in the beginning of the nozzle, the top piece. Do not put it in the barrel. Then blow one big breath of air, not a long weak breath. The bigger and harder the breath, the farther the marshmallow will go. To have even more fun, meet your friends at the park and have a really big marshmallow gun war.
Since you know how to build and shoot a marshmallow gun or shooter, run out to the store and buy your supplies. Before you know it, you will be shooting marshmallows with your own gun.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
How To Breastfeed
When my first baby was handed to me I wasn't sure what to do. Of course I was thrilled, overwhelmed, ecstatic and emotional but I had told everyone I was going to breastfeed. Now she was here and I was expected to get on with it, put her to my breast and nourish her... Well to be quite honest I was a little bit afraid. I was lying in a room full of medical equipment and strangers and my husband had just witnessed me in a state of distress and undress such as never before. All I really wanted to do was get washed, dressed and go for a sleep. But, there was a little tiny girl in my arms looking a bit hungry and everyone was watching and waiting.
Tentatively I showed her my breast and waited. She waited. I poked at her mouth, then at her nose with my nipple. She opened her tiny mouth wide and dived forward. Amazed at this tiny wonder of nature I gazed at her as she began to suckle. I marvelled as she guzzled and swallowed... I was breastfeeding!
As the days went by it wasn't all that I expected. It was painful and burned every time she latched on. But I persevered and we made it. Sixteen months later she decided she had had enough of mummy's milk and with tears in my eyes I concluded that breastfeeding had been a wonderful experience and one which I hoped to repeat.
So how do you breastfeed? Here are some tips...
Try to have skin-to-skin contact immediately after the birth, preferably before the baby has been cleaned up.
Get comfortable and hold the baby in a way that suits you both.
Gently place your nipple under baby's nose, and above her top lip. The baby should instinctively begin to root about for it.
Wait until baby opens her mouth really wide. Then put her on the breast ensuring she has as much of the areola(the area around your nipple)as possible in her mouth. In other words she should have a good mouthful of breast.
Baby will begin to suckle very quickly at first. As colostrum (pre-milk rich with antibodies) begins to flow the sucking will become much slower and you may even notice baby gulping as she swallows this pre-milk.
When baby has had enough she will let go of the breast and may even fall asleep.
Within about three days the colostrum will be replaced by mature milk.
The first feeds may last a long time or they may occur very frequently for short periods of time. Just as mum is learning how to breastfeed so too is baby. Within a few weeks a routine of sorts will have become established!
Breastfeeding is by no means easy but it does get easier after the first four weeks or so. At times it is painful but always satisfying. It's always convenient and requires no advance preparation or sterilising of bottles! Most problems occur as a result of incorrect positioning of baby at the breast. Don't let the baby suck at your nipple - she must have lots of the areola as well, otherwise you will get sore and this is when many new mums give up.
By breastfeeding your baby she will benefit tremendously and there are numerous health benefits for mum too. Persevere - it's worth every minute of it.
Tentatively I showed her my breast and waited. She waited. I poked at her mouth, then at her nose with my nipple. She opened her tiny mouth wide and dived forward. Amazed at this tiny wonder of nature I gazed at her as she began to suckle. I marvelled as she guzzled and swallowed... I was breastfeeding!
As the days went by it wasn't all that I expected. It was painful and burned every time she latched on. But I persevered and we made it. Sixteen months later she decided she had had enough of mummy's milk and with tears in my eyes I concluded that breastfeeding had been a wonderful experience and one which I hoped to repeat.
So how do you breastfeed? Here are some tips...
Try to have skin-to-skin contact immediately after the birth, preferably before the baby has been cleaned up.
Get comfortable and hold the baby in a way that suits you both.
Gently place your nipple under baby's nose, and above her top lip. The baby should instinctively begin to root about for it.
Wait until baby opens her mouth really wide. Then put her on the breast ensuring she has as much of the areola(the area around your nipple)as possible in her mouth. In other words she should have a good mouthful of breast.
Baby will begin to suckle very quickly at first. As colostrum (pre-milk rich with antibodies) begins to flow the sucking will become much slower and you may even notice baby gulping as she swallows this pre-milk.
When baby has had enough she will let go of the breast and may even fall asleep.
Within about three days the colostrum will be replaced by mature milk.
The first feeds may last a long time or they may occur very frequently for short periods of time. Just as mum is learning how to breastfeed so too is baby. Within a few weeks a routine of sorts will have become established!
Breastfeeding is by no means easy but it does get easier after the first four weeks or so. At times it is painful but always satisfying. It's always convenient and requires no advance preparation or sterilising of bottles! Most problems occur as a result of incorrect positioning of baby at the breast. Don't let the baby suck at your nipple - she must have lots of the areola as well, otherwise you will get sore and this is when many new mums give up.
By breastfeeding your baby she will benefit tremendously and there are numerous health benefits for mum too. Persevere - it's worth every minute of it.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
How to bet on the SuperBowl
Since the SuperBowl is the last game of the season you have an advantage that you do not have during the beginning of the season.
With 2 weeks to go till the SuperBowl we know that the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears will be the ones representing their divisions in the biggest game of the year.
Many people like to bet on sports to make them more exciting, and the SuperBowl is no exception. It is common for many offices to have a SuperBowl Pool, and it is very common for friends to bet on the outcome of the game with each other, it just increases the fun of watching the game, but how do you know who to bet your money on?
There is no guaranteed way to know who will win without cheating, but comparing the states can help in making an informed decision.
There are many things to take into account:
Some teams have a great passing game; some teams are strongest on the run, so you have to look at whom are they playing and what is there defense best against. If you have a team that has a great running back, and the defense is weak against the run then that is a definite advantage to the team that likes to run the football.
The location of the game is also important the SuperBowl is always played in a Domed stadium so the weather is not usually a major factor in the SuperBowl but, if the stadium has Astroturf as apposed to real grass then that can effect a team, lets say one team has turf in their home stadium and he other team has grass, then this can be an advantage to the team who has turf.
The physical and mental state of the players must also be taken into account before placing a bet on the SuperBowl or any sporting event. Come the playoffs many teams have players on the injured list, but many players will try to come back for the playoffs to help their team, but often this backfires because they may not be playing at 100% and can re-injure themselves so that they are playing hurt during the big game. This means they will not be playing at their best, and this gives an advantage to the opposite team.
The mental state of the players can affect a players even more then an injury can. If a player is playing hurt he still has his head in the game, but a player with marriage or financial problems is not concentrating on the game, they may be thinking of their own problems. This can cause a player to drop balls or make stupid mistakes.
After researching all these issues you will start to form a picture in your head of who is the better team going into the SuperBowl, and this will allow you to make an educated guess as to who will win. Remember this guide will only help improve your odds of winning they are not a guarantee that you will pick all the winners.
With 2 weeks to go till the SuperBowl we know that the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears will be the ones representing their divisions in the biggest game of the year.
Many people like to bet on sports to make them more exciting, and the SuperBowl is no exception. It is common for many offices to have a SuperBowl Pool, and it is very common for friends to bet on the outcome of the game with each other, it just increases the fun of watching the game, but how do you know who to bet your money on?
There is no guaranteed way to know who will win without cheating, but comparing the states can help in making an informed decision.
There are many things to take into account:
Some teams have a great passing game; some teams are strongest on the run, so you have to look at whom are they playing and what is there defense best against. If you have a team that has a great running back, and the defense is weak against the run then that is a definite advantage to the team that likes to run the football.
The location of the game is also important the SuperBowl is always played in a Domed stadium so the weather is not usually a major factor in the SuperBowl but, if the stadium has Astroturf as apposed to real grass then that can effect a team, lets say one team has turf in their home stadium and he other team has grass, then this can be an advantage to the team who has turf.
The physical and mental state of the players must also be taken into account before placing a bet on the SuperBowl or any sporting event. Come the playoffs many teams have players on the injured list, but many players will try to come back for the playoffs to help their team, but often this backfires because they may not be playing at 100% and can re-injure themselves so that they are playing hurt during the big game. This means they will not be playing at their best, and this gives an advantage to the opposite team.
The mental state of the players can affect a players even more then an injury can. If a player is playing hurt he still has his head in the game, but a player with marriage or financial problems is not concentrating on the game, they may be thinking of their own problems. This can cause a player to drop balls or make stupid mistakes.
After researching all these issues you will start to form a picture in your head of who is the better team going into the SuperBowl, and this will allow you to make an educated guess as to who will win. Remember this guide will only help improve your odds of winning they are not a guarantee that you will pick all the winners.
Monday, July 11, 2011
How to become a Vegas Showgirl
All of the big Las Vegas casinos put on shows to attract crowds to the casino, and instead of hiring new dancers every time the change the show, they hire full time dancers and these girls are called Showgirls.
If you have ever thought about putting elaborate costumes and dancing in front of crowds every night, then becoming a Vegas Showgirl may be the job for you.
Being a Vegas Showgirl is not an easy job. You must be in top physical condition if you expect to be a professional dancer, and it is important to remember that not everyone will make it, becoming a professional dancer is a roll of the dice, you have better odds of winning an
Online Craps game then making it as a dancer.
There are several things you can do to help improve your chances of getting your carrier as a Las Vegas Casino dancer started:
Dance lessons, if you want to be a professional dancer you have to learn several different styles of dance, and dance them all well. This may be the hardest part to becoming a dancer. This part will take many years and require you to spend several hours a day every day taking dancing lessons.
Physical Conditioning, dancing requires lots of endurance and stamina. Besides the workouts you will get from all the dancing lessons you will take you will also need to work out on your own regularly. These workouts should include aerobic and some weight training.
Weight training should not be done to build muscle mass only for building strength and muscle toning. The best way to do this is by doing high repetition counts of low weights. This method will make the existing muscles stronger but will not bulk you up.
To pursue a carrier in dancing in a Vegas Casinos it is important to target the leg, stomach and back muscle groups. It is from these muscle groups that a dancer moves.
Diet, Dancers are required to be tossed around and lifted into the air, not to mention the fact that most dancers are skin tight and for these reasons dancers must always watch their weight.
Many Las Vegas Showgirls have to get on the scale every week and if they gain weight they could get thrown out of the show. Always remember there are many people that dream of dancing professionally, and the casinos will not hesitate to throw a girl out and replace her for the slightest reason.
Once you feel you are good enough you can start sending in resumes. A resume should include each different style of dance that you know and how long you have been doing it, and it should also include all prior dance experience.
A good way to get experience is to get yourself in as many different things you can. Local theater groups are a great way to gain experience. Getting a job as a dance instructor Is also a good way to gain experience and practice at the same time.
By sending your resume to all the different casinos you can greatly increase your chances of getting at least one audition. Do not expect to get hired at the more popular casinos on your first audition. The bigger Las Vegas casinos usually like to hire girls with more experience, so you will probably have to work as a showgirl at a smaller casino first.
If you have ever thought about putting elaborate costumes and dancing in front of crowds every night, then becoming a Vegas Showgirl may be the job for you.
Being a Vegas Showgirl is not an easy job. You must be in top physical condition if you expect to be a professional dancer, and it is important to remember that not everyone will make it, becoming a professional dancer is a roll of the dice, you have better odds of winning an
Online Craps game then making it as a dancer.
There are several things you can do to help improve your chances of getting your carrier as a Las Vegas Casino dancer started:
Dance lessons, if you want to be a professional dancer you have to learn several different styles of dance, and dance them all well. This may be the hardest part to becoming a dancer. This part will take many years and require you to spend several hours a day every day taking dancing lessons.
Physical Conditioning, dancing requires lots of endurance and stamina. Besides the workouts you will get from all the dancing lessons you will take you will also need to work out on your own regularly. These workouts should include aerobic and some weight training.
Weight training should not be done to build muscle mass only for building strength and muscle toning. The best way to do this is by doing high repetition counts of low weights. This method will make the existing muscles stronger but will not bulk you up.
To pursue a carrier in dancing in a Vegas Casinos it is important to target the leg, stomach and back muscle groups. It is from these muscle groups that a dancer moves.
Diet, Dancers are required to be tossed around and lifted into the air, not to mention the fact that most dancers are skin tight and for these reasons dancers must always watch their weight.
Many Las Vegas Showgirls have to get on the scale every week and if they gain weight they could get thrown out of the show. Always remember there are many people that dream of dancing professionally, and the casinos will not hesitate to throw a girl out and replace her for the slightest reason.
Once you feel you are good enough you can start sending in resumes. A resume should include each different style of dance that you know and how long you have been doing it, and it should also include all prior dance experience.
A good way to get experience is to get yourself in as many different things you can. Local theater groups are a great way to gain experience. Getting a job as a dance instructor Is also a good way to gain experience and practice at the same time.
By sending your resume to all the different casinos you can greatly increase your chances of getting at least one audition. Do not expect to get hired at the more popular casinos on your first audition. The bigger Las Vegas casinos usually like to hire girls with more experience, so you will probably have to work as a showgirl at a smaller casino first.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
How to be a Coupon Queen
So you want to be a Coupon Queen ? Well to be a Coupon Queen you first have to have the right attitude. You have to learn how to think like a Coupon Queen. You have to be willing to work hard and think outside the box. "It's not Impossible to save 75 to 80% off you grocery bill "
For starters you cannot be brand loyal. Be open to try new things.You will find that you can get alot of the top name brands for free or almost free by just simply watching for sales and clipping your coupons. Store brands are not always cheaper than name brands when you are using coupons. .Also buying in bulk is not always cheaper especially when you can catch a sale Now that you have the right mind set lets tell you how to get started!!!
Where To get coupons:
You need to start by subscribing to your local newspaper!
Ask friends and neighbors for their coupons.
Check local coffee shops and book stores for newspapers that people leave.
Check local recycle bins for papers there too!! Look for coupons in your grocery store! Email companies tell them how you like or dislike products and they will send you coupons! We have a page provided for you with a list of companies to write to on my website at http://www.morestealsanddeals.com .
Organizing your coupons:
Start with a small $1 coupon organizer until you've mastered your own system and you want to get serious then you can go to a 3 ring binder with divders and clear baseball card sheets! Label your dividers like:
Canned/Frozen
Dairy/Meat
Produce
Breakfast/Breads
Baking
Pasta/Rice
Boxed helpers
Condiments
Snacks/Drinks
Cleaning
Hba
Baby/kids
Pets
Household
*You can even divide them out further the more coupons you get!!
For multiple inserts:
Start by tearing out pages from your coupon inserts and laying them out on the floor. Continue doing this and matching up identical pages from the rest of your inserts. then staple each stack of like coupons together so you can cut them all out at once and that also keeps your coupons together as well! Invest in an electric stapler and good pair of kitchen sheers!!
Don't forget to save money on gas ,you can take competitors ads and price match at some stores! You can also get extra discounts by shopping at a store that offers a club card or catalina coupons! What is a "Catalina Coupon" you may ask? A catalina coupon is a coupon that spits out at the register when you buy certain items. Sometimes they will apit out for buying certain products.These coupons say manufacturer coupon on them BUT..... Most people have no problems using them with the coupons you get from the sunday paper etc. So more savings for you!!!!
Don't forget about online coupons as well! Many sites like ours offer coupons that you can print out online and take to the store to maximize your savings! Check out at http://www.morestealsanddeals.com
For starters you cannot be brand loyal. Be open to try new things.You will find that you can get alot of the top name brands for free or almost free by just simply watching for sales and clipping your coupons. Store brands are not always cheaper than name brands when you are using coupons. .Also buying in bulk is not always cheaper especially when you can catch a sale Now that you have the right mind set lets tell you how to get started!!!
Where To get coupons:
You need to start by subscribing to your local newspaper!
Ask friends and neighbors for their coupons.
Check local coffee shops and book stores for newspapers that people leave.
Check local recycle bins for papers there too!! Look for coupons in your grocery store! Email companies tell them how you like or dislike products and they will send you coupons! We have a page provided for you with a list of companies to write to on my website at http://www.morestealsanddeals.com .
Organizing your coupons:
Start with a small $1 coupon organizer until you've mastered your own system and you want to get serious then you can go to a 3 ring binder with divders and clear baseball card sheets! Label your dividers like:
Canned/Frozen
Dairy/Meat
Produce
Breakfast/Breads
Baking
Pasta/Rice
Boxed helpers
Condiments
Snacks/Drinks
Cleaning
Hba
Baby/kids
Pets
Household
*You can even divide them out further the more coupons you get!!
For multiple inserts:
Start by tearing out pages from your coupon inserts and laying them out on the floor. Continue doing this and matching up identical pages from the rest of your inserts. then staple each stack of like coupons together so you can cut them all out at once and that also keeps your coupons together as well! Invest in an electric stapler and good pair of kitchen sheers!!
Don't forget to save money on gas ,you can take competitors ads and price match at some stores! You can also get extra discounts by shopping at a store that offers a club card or catalina coupons! What is a "Catalina Coupon" you may ask? A catalina coupon is a coupon that spits out at the register when you buy certain items. Sometimes they will apit out for buying certain products.These coupons say manufacturer coupon on them BUT..... Most people have no problems using them with the coupons you get from the sunday paper etc. So more savings for you!!!!
Don't forget about online coupons as well! Many sites like ours offer coupons that you can print out online and take to the store to maximize your savings! Check out at http://www.morestealsanddeals.com
Saturday, July 9, 2011
How To Be A Closer Family
Family should always be first, but it's easy to forget what matters most in today's hectic world. The greatest gift we can give our children is being part of a healthy, loving family as it is their foundation and security especially in times of need. Children will always need a safe haven and the home should provide that for them. Creating a happy and safe environment is easier than most people think. I hope the following will help get you started.
Give your children the opportunity to speak openly and freely about their concerns and troubles. This is a sure-fire way to increase your family's closeness. Maintain honesty and you will find that problems get solved quickly and easily. Instilling open communication in your children will also help them in all aspects of their lives later on. "Listen" with an open heart and a willing spirit. Don't judge the thoughts and feelings of other family members. Instead, try to understand where they are coming from and figure out solutions to ease their problems.
Spend quality time together each week. Many parents have full-time jobs and it's difficult to fit in time for relaxation and leisure, however, it's very important you make time for your family. Discuss what things the family would like to do together. Try to pick activities that encourage talking and interaction like bowling for example will enhance relations better than silently watching a movie in a theater. Try to keep the activity lighthearted and fun. Laughter bonds better than anything and its affects will ripple throughout your life.
Chores doesn't sound like it will bring a family closer, but one would be amazed to see what it can do. Having a clearly defined list of responsibilities for each member of the family will ease frustration and resentment. It will also encourage family members to get involved with household responsibilities and teach them that teamwork is important. Be sure to put the list up in a place that everyone will see easily and make a point of congratulating people when they do something well.
There are many ways to gain closeness within your family. These three steps are designed to give you a head start and help you create the family life you have always wanted. Initiate conversation with your family and get their ideas and suggestions for gaining a closer relationship. Always be open and willing to listen and work together. It won't always be easy, but it will always be worth it.
Give your children the opportunity to speak openly and freely about their concerns and troubles. This is a sure-fire way to increase your family's closeness. Maintain honesty and you will find that problems get solved quickly and easily. Instilling open communication in your children will also help them in all aspects of their lives later on. "Listen" with an open heart and a willing spirit. Don't judge the thoughts and feelings of other family members. Instead, try to understand where they are coming from and figure out solutions to ease their problems.
Spend quality time together each week. Many parents have full-time jobs and it's difficult to fit in time for relaxation and leisure, however, it's very important you make time for your family. Discuss what things the family would like to do together. Try to pick activities that encourage talking and interaction like bowling for example will enhance relations better than silently watching a movie in a theater. Try to keep the activity lighthearted and fun. Laughter bonds better than anything and its affects will ripple throughout your life.
Chores doesn't sound like it will bring a family closer, but one would be amazed to see what it can do. Having a clearly defined list of responsibilities for each member of the family will ease frustration and resentment. It will also encourage family members to get involved with household responsibilities and teach them that teamwork is important. Be sure to put the list up in a place that everyone will see easily and make a point of congratulating people when they do something well.
There are many ways to gain closeness within your family. These three steps are designed to give you a head start and help you create the family life you have always wanted. Initiate conversation with your family and get their ideas and suggestions for gaining a closer relationship. Always be open and willing to listen and work together. It won't always be easy, but it will always be worth it.
Friday, July 8, 2011
How to Avoid Tantrums in Kids of All Ages
Let’s face it, kids will be kids and they can’t possibly always be happy with every single decision that is made for them. Even from a very young age a child realizes that he/she is, in fact, a REAL person, with feelings, thoughts and emotions. This often leads to them wanting to do things their own way, making their own choices, or just not wanting to do as they’re told.
Here’s a scenario: your child is sitting happily playing with building bricks, or maybe playing on a games console, totally engulfed in his or her own world, and it’s time for dinner. You ask your child to drop what they’re doing there and then, to tidy up quickly, to leave their ‘happy place’ and come eat. Your child refuses to do as asked, wondering within why on earth you’re being mean and spoiling their fun.
You, on the other hand may think the child is being naughty or obstinate. You remove the toys/games abruptly and the volcano erupts! Your child is throwing a full-blown tantrum!
Now, let’s re-create the scenario: As before, your child is sitting happily playing and you’re about to start making dinner. You give the child fair warning that playtime will be ending soon, in say 5-10 minutes, and that they will then need to put their things away so that they can help you make dinner.
Stick to your time-frame and get the things put away (help if you’re needed), and involve your child in the dinner-making. Depending on your child’s age this could be anything from wiping the table to boiling potatoes or even carving the meat. (Ok, so we may not have huge set meals every day, but you get the idea).
Wow! You just avoided a MAJOR tantrum! Your child is involved and happy, you are happy and non-stressed! Well Done You!
You can do this sort of thing with just about any scenario. Turn it around from something negative i.e. removing child from ‘happy place’ and replacing in ‘upset place’, to moving child from one happy place to another. You just have to make sure that your child knows beforehand that something other than what they are doing at the moment will soon be happening.
Let your child get involved and make sure you tell him/her how much you appreciate their help and co-operation. This way you will avoid the horrid confusion that ultimately leads to those dreadful tantrums.
Here’s a scenario: your child is sitting happily playing with building bricks, or maybe playing on a games console, totally engulfed in his or her own world, and it’s time for dinner. You ask your child to drop what they’re doing there and then, to tidy up quickly, to leave their ‘happy place’ and come eat. Your child refuses to do as asked, wondering within why on earth you’re being mean and spoiling their fun.
You, on the other hand may think the child is being naughty or obstinate. You remove the toys/games abruptly and the volcano erupts! Your child is throwing a full-blown tantrum!
Now, let’s re-create the scenario: As before, your child is sitting happily playing and you’re about to start making dinner. You give the child fair warning that playtime will be ending soon, in say 5-10 minutes, and that they will then need to put their things away so that they can help you make dinner.
Stick to your time-frame and get the things put away (help if you’re needed), and involve your child in the dinner-making. Depending on your child’s age this could be anything from wiping the table to boiling potatoes or even carving the meat. (Ok, so we may not have huge set meals every day, but you get the idea).
Wow! You just avoided a MAJOR tantrum! Your child is involved and happy, you are happy and non-stressed! Well Done You!
You can do this sort of thing with just about any scenario. Turn it around from something negative i.e. removing child from ‘happy place’ and replacing in ‘upset place’, to moving child from one happy place to another. You just have to make sure that your child knows beforehand that something other than what they are doing at the moment will soon be happening.
Let your child get involved and make sure you tell him/her how much you appreciate their help and co-operation. This way you will avoid the horrid confusion that ultimately leads to those dreadful tantrums.
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