The Real Deal Family and Relationship Guide

Image via Wikipedia 1. Are we there yet?  I don't know about many but after hearing these famous words over and over again on a  family vacation  will drive even the best parent crazy. I guess the best way to deal with it is with a little humor, like replying "how can we be there, when we're here?"..that should shut them up..for a minute.. 2. The smell from the backseat-  Lets face it, kids have accidents. Not just the fact they spill every drink you give them, or the fact that the snacks you lovingly prepared ended up some how squished into the carpet, but there's the other dreaded accident that occurs too. The "oops I went in my pants" accident. Home looks better with every mile you travel, doesn't it? 3. "Roy keeps touching me"- Ah how nice to know that while you are coping with the constant requests, the smells and the endless questions you also get to settle the most horrid offense known to youngsters, the unsolicited "touch&qu

The "Choking game", a fatal high Image via Wikipedia Nothing could have been more terrifying for parents Jill and Paul Fung of Lexington,SC than to hear the news that their 11 year old son was dead.  What makes it more disturbing is how their son Spencer Fung died. The latest rage on Youtube and elsewhere for those seeking a quick "high" drug free is called the "choking game".  His death was less than 3 months ago and his story needs to be told to the public. For more on his story see:  Parents have a warning after son dies playing the "choking game"   The game involves various forms of asphyxiation whereas the participant chokes themselves just short of passing out. The effect of cutting off blood flow to the brain results in a temporary "high". What is not temporary however, is when it results in death. A disturbing fact that needs to change as there are no public health agencies tracking the number of deaths

                                                Dawn Gagnon Photography ©2023 As more of our children grow up in single parent homes, they are quick to assume that child rearing is a way to gain more love from another human being. Raising children is a difficult job for any parent of any age. More and more teens are entering this life changing decision only to realize too late how hard it is and how ill prepared they are for the undertaking. Recognizing an artistically gifted child Children are often born with a creative instinct of one type of another. Paying attention to the signals they give at a young age will help you, help them find their outlet and medium. A lifelong love and talent may be just within reach for your youngster. To read more on how to do this click here:   Recognizing an artistically gifted child Talking and connecting with your teen Parenting is one of the single most rewarding, yet difficult jobs there are. When they are young, you spend your time teachin

Image by SeeMidTN.com (aka Brent) via Flickr With everyone running out buying special gifts for their loved ones, they should not neglect one or more of their extended family . If you are the type of person who considers your pets as part of the family, you need to remember that they should be treated just as nice at Christmas as everyone else. Whether you are ordering gifts online or going out to brave the busy stores, you can surely find something special for your little children. Read more here: Don't forget your pets this Christmas     Related articles Great deals on Christmas gifts (examiner.com) Christmas tips and fun ideas (examiner.com) Best Christmas party beverages (examiner.com)

Image via Wikipedia During the Holidays a lot of people become depressed. It is easy to forget family and those in your family who may not be having the best of times. If they live alone, it is even worse. We must remind ourselves that they should be able to celebrate as family, too. If you have children, and they have grandparents that are active in their lives, you should give them every opportunity to spend as much time with them this time of year as possible. Read more here: Spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren Related articles Inexpensive holiday decorating ideas (examiner.com) Must have Thanksgiving side dishes (examiner.com) Great deals on Christmas gifts (examiner.com)

Image via Wikipedia What happens to our bundles of joy? In the beginning, these little delights gave our lives meaning, then suddenly in the blink of an eye they change.  Mom and dad become old and geeky and oblivious to everything relevant in a teens eyes. How did that happen? Moreover, when did we, become our parents ? Teenagers are a strange brood. They vacillate between happy and joyful and moody and obstinate. I do believe, in my experience as a parent for 23 plus years, and I'm not done yet...that the minute puberty sets in..the worm turns for our little former bundles of joy. My kids use odd terms that cover a wide variety of emotional expression. For instance, if I tell DJ , "my 12 year old version of Little Man Tate " to take out the garbage, I hear "taking out the garbage is gay ". Now, because I am no perfect, politically correct  parent, I usually retort by saying "Well then I picked the right person for the job then". Yes, I know..I

Image via Wikipedia I don't care whether you go to all your kids baseball games, volunteer to go on every field trip or let your kids and their friends have parties at your house. You will never be a "cool" parent. Well, not cool in their eyes . So if your motivation behind everything you do is for that title, you are wasting your time. Children have a code in their DNA , that will not allow for you to be acknowledged as anything other than someone they must put up with. In their case, DNA means Do not allow. They will not allow us to be so cool and while we are trying to very hard to be the cool parent they will inevitably do something to make us change our hat and have to be the authority figure we are supposed to be. Forever, we as parents are losing "cool points". No matter what your definition of "cool" is, it will not be theirs. In fact most acts we deem as "cool" are really considered embarrassing to your kids. Doubt me? Pick up y