It's easy to resort to punitive methods when your child breaks the rules or otherwise causes frustration. But many parents don't like to punish their children; they simply do so because they don't know any other way. There are alternatives to punishment, however. Next time your child causes a problem, keep a level head and consider some of these ideas. 1. Meet the Need This is probably the number one thing you can do to stop or prevent unwanted behavior. It is vital that the underlying cause of a behavior be addressed. Often, meeting the need stops the behavior and no correction is even needed. For instance, if your child tends to have meltdowns half an hour before lunch, don't send her to her room or to a chair for punishment. Think a moment - right before lunch probably means her blood sugar is low, or she's just hungry. Give her a light snack that won't spoil lunch instead. And next time, plan a mid-morning snack and watch the pre-lunchtime meltdowns melt away. Some children act "bad" because they have needs for attention, approval, or affection. Your child is not "manipulating" you to get what he wants; he is communicating with you to express ...

When you determine to make a change for your family toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle, you may set out on your first eco-friendly shopping trip at your local health food store. And then you see the prices. And then you may question your decision! But don't worry - there are ways to be an eco-friendly parent without breaking the bank. Here are some tips. 1. Local Food Not to disparage the health food store, but it is often not the cheapest source of healthy food. Head to your local farmer's market and buy fresh produce. Because the food is from local farms, you won't be paying for long transport or sprayed-on preservatives. 2. Grow Your Own Food You can save money and teach your children about nature's provision by growing your own food. Raised beds, vegetable planting boxes, and containers make it possible for just about everyone to grow some of their own food. Tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and squash are good vegetables to begin with, as they grow easily. Blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries are good fruits for beginners. 3. Preserve the Harvest Learn to can and/or freeze the extra produce from summer's bounty, when the produce is so much less expensive. You can use the ...

Whether it's for emotional, economic, or practical reasons, there are pros and cons to continuing to drive your old car. Let's take a look at some of them. Pros 1. Landfills - If you continue to drive your old car, you will prevent the additional cluttering of the landfill. In other words, the longer you drive it, the longer it stays out of the junk yard or landfill. 2. No car payment - You won't have to make a car payment if you keep driving your old car. Once the loan is paid off (if you had one), you are over the hurdle and are no longer paying for something that is depreciating. And, as noted below, repairs rarely cost as much as a car payment. 3. Familiarity - There is something to be said for driving a car with which you are familiar. You know the blind spots, the quirks, and how best to maintain it. Being familiar with your car can make your driving safer. Cons 1. Repairs - Repairs are probably the first thing people think of when they consider various reasons not to drive an old car. A simple formula can help in this regard. Calculate how much you would pay for a ...

Diaper rash can be miserable for a baby. And when your baby is miserable, so are you! There are a great many diaper rash remedies on the market, many of them quite expensive. In addition, some of them are ineffective. There are, however, some solutions to the diaper rash problem that you can fix at home. 1. Air Time Lack of circulation is a major contributor to diaper rash. After the morning diaper change, wash baby's bottom with lukewarm water and pat dry with a very soft towel. Then, let baby be diaper-free for as long as possible. For young infants who can't move around, lay them on an absorbent towel or hospital-style "chuck" (absorbent pads with plastic backing). If baby is mobile, let him run around outside if weather permits. If weather does not permit, try some diaper-free time on a tile floor (watching carefully for falls!). Or you can give your mobile baby short, frequent air-out times throughout the day, always right after changing. 2. Frequent Changes Make sure to change baby's diaper often, at least every three hours. Middle-of-the-night changes may have to happen until the rash clears up. 3. Breast milk If you are nursing or know someone who is and might have ...

Deer are beautiful animals, and many people enjoy watching them. However, deer can wreak havoc on your garden, and they carry ticks. It can be very frustrating to have your gardening efforts sabotaged by a hungry deer, but you need not resort to synthetic chemicals or violence (tempting though it may be!). Here are some tips for keeping deer out of your garden naturally. 1. Build a fence. Yes, this is somewhat obvious but it is one of the most effective solutions for keeping deer out of your prized plants. Inexpensive fencing can be erected within hours, and there are almost-invisible options (netting or vinyl fencing) so your view and the sunlight aren't blocked. The recommended height for keeping deer out is 8 feet, but gardeners have had effective results with 5-foot fencing as well. Anything under 5 feet, however, and the deer can jump it. 2. Fabric softener is reputed to repel deer. They dislike the strong scent. Try pinning some scented dryer sheets around the area you want to protect. 3. Since deer dislike strong, soapy scents, some gardeners have found grated bar soap to be an effective barrier. Try Fels Naptha or strong deodorant soap. Some people recommend bars of ...