My Precious Kid® - Precious Kids Newsletter
April 2005

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Subjects: Homeschool / Adoption / Parenting / Work at Home
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My Precious Kid - Is your child protected? In an emergency there may not be time to wait for information. An identification card with medical and contact information attached to a car seat or backpack may be the difference between life and death! Protect that which is most precious to you...Your Child. Order an ID KIT Today and feel SAFER and more secure tomorrow. Make sure your kids are safe at home, in the car, at day care, at the zoo and so much more. You’ll also need first aid kits ID scopes, Travel Totes, Sport Safety Kits, Pet ID product. Baby Slings, Shopping Cart Covers, Taggies, Allergy labels and more. "The child you save could be your own!" http://www.MyPreciousKid.com

ANNOUNCEMENT

May 2005 Newsletter will be our first ANNUAL Baby Product Review Edition.

Kay Green will be personally reviewing the best in baby and pregnancy products.
Many of them have been created by parents. You will not want to miss this edition!!
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SPONSORS

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PARENTING

Car Seat Crying

By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Gentle Baby Care

Some babies fall asleep almost before you’re out of the driveway, but others won’t spend five happy minutes in their car seats. Usually, this is because your baby is used to more freedom of movement and more physical attention than you can provide when she’s belted into her seat.


Hearing your baby cry while you are trying to drive is challenging. Even though it’s difficult to deal with, remember that you and your baby’s safety are most important. Parents sometimes take a crying baby out of the car seat, which is extremely dangerous and makes it even more difficult for the baby to get used to riding in the car seat. Some parents make poor driving decisions when their babies are crying, which puts everyone in the car at risk. Either pull over and calm your baby down, or focus on your driving. Don’t try to do both.

The good news is that a few new ideas and a little time and maturity will help your baby become a happy traveler. (I know, because three of my babies were car-seat-haters!)

The trip to car seat happiness
Any one (or more) of the following strategies may help solve your car seat
dilemma. If the first one you try fails, choose another one, then another; eventually, you’ll hit upon the right solution for your baby.

Make sure that your baby is healthy.
If car seat crying is something new, and your baby has been particularly fussy at home, too, your baby may have an ear infection or other illness. A visit to the doctor is in order.
Bring the car seat in the house and let your baby sit and play in it.
Once it becomes more familiar in the house, she may be happier to sit there in the car.
Keep a special box of soft, safe car toys that you’ll use only in the car. If these are interesting enough, they may hold her attention. (Avoid hard toys because they could cause injury in a quick stop.)

Tape or hang toys for viewing.
You can do this on the back of the seat that your baby is facing or string an array of lightweight toys from the ceiling using heavy tape and yarn. Place them just at arm’s reach so that your baby can bat at them from her seat. (Don’t use hard toys that could hurt your baby if they come loose in a quick stop.)

Make a car mobile.
Link a long row of plastic baby chains from one side of the backseat to the other. Clip soft, lightweight new toys onto the chain for each trip. Make sure they are secure and keep on eye on these so that they don’t become loose while you are driving.
Hang a made-for-baby poster on the back of the seat that faces your baby.
These are usually black, white, red and bold primary colors; some even have pockets so you can change the pictures. (Remember to do this, since changing the scenery is very helpful.)
Experiment with different types of music in the car.
Some babies enjoy lullabies or music tapes made especially for young children; others surprise you by calming down as soon as you play one of your favorites. Some babies enjoy hearing Mom or Dad sing, more than anything else! (For some reason, a rousing chorus of “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer” has always been a good choice for us, even out of season!)

Try “white noise” in the car.
You can purchase CDs of soothing nature sounds or you can make a recording of your vacuum cleaner!

Practice with short, pleasant trips when your baby is in a good mood.
It helps if someone can sit near her and keep her entertained. A few good experiences may help set a new pattern.

Try a pacifier or teething toy.
When your baby has something to suck or chew on he may be happier. Just make sure it doesn’t present a choking hazard, and keep to small, soft toys.

Hang a mirror.
That way your baby can see you (and you can see your baby) while you are driving. Baby stores offer specialty mirrors made especially for this purpose. When in her seat, she may think that you’re not there, and just seeing your face will help her feel better.

Put up a sunshade in the window.
This can be helpful if you suspect that sunshine in your baby’s face may be a problem. Use the window-stick-on types, and avoid any with hard pieces that could become dislodged in a quick stop.

Try to consolidate trips.
Trip-chaining is effective, especially if you avoid being in the car for long periods of time, and you don’t have many ins-and-outs.

Make sure your baby hasn’t outgrown her car seat.
If her legs are confined, or her belts are too tight, she my find her seat to be uncomfortable.
Try opening a window.
Fresh air and a nice breeze can be soothing.
If all else fails . . . take the bus!

This article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

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ADOPTION

A Memorable Day in My Life: My Little Sister Haley

by Allison Green Copyright 2000-2005

It all began when my mom began an adoption registry. She created a web page where people wanting to adopt could post their information for birth moms to read. My mom spent a lot of time setting up the registry because it was important to her. She herself wanted to adopt. I had no idea that this would change my life.

One day, a young woman called my mother. This was not uncommon so I was not surprised. Her name was Connie and she was a pregnant high school senior. She had decided on adoption and wanted to find a family to place her child with. My mom gave her information to help her and mentioned that she was also looking to adopt. Connie asked her some questions and decided to consider our family as an option.

After many weeks of talking and e-mailing, my mother and Connie became very close. During Christmas break, Connie told us that she had chosen our family to take her child. She and her boyfriend had prayed for many months and knew this was what God wanted. We, of course, were overjoyed but my father had the last say. On Christmas day, my father announced that after much praying, we were going to take Connie’s child. My mom, sister, and I all cried with happiness. This was the best present that any of us had received. I was the youngest at 12 years old so we were starting all over again

Now came the weeks of waiting. The baby was due on March 6th so we had over three months to wait. We filled the time with shopping for all the necessities and soon the three months ended and the call came. On March 5th, Connie’s parents called us and told us that the baby was on the way. My brother, sister, and I went to friends’ houses and my parents left for Nebraska. The next day, Haley Elizabeth entered the world, and two weeks later after the papers were signed Haley came home.

She was wrapped in a little pink blanket, her red face peaceful. She opened her eyes and looked around to find 5 very curious people watching her every move. She was absolutely perfect. I loved her then and now at two I love her even more.

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RECIPE

Slow Cooker Tex Mex Chili - 3 pts 8 servings

1 lb ground lean beef
1 cup celery, sliced
1 cup onions, chopped
1/2 cup bell peppers, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
15-1/2 ozs canned dark red kidney beans, drained 16 ozs stewed tomatoes,
cut up and undrained 10 ozs tomatoes with green chilis, undrained 1 cup
canned tomato juice
6 ozs no-salt-added tomato paste

In a large saucepan, cook beef, celery, onions, bell peppers, and garlic
until beef is no longer pink. Stir in chili powder and salt. Transfer
mixture to a 3 1/2-quart cooker. Add beans, stewed tomatoes, tomatoes
with green chilis, tomato juice, and tomato paste. Mix well. Cover and
cook on high for two hrs or until bubbling.

Cals 176;Fat 1g;Chol 28mg;Protein 17g;Sod 754mg;Carbs 25g;Fiber 5.9g

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HOMESCHOOL

HOMESCHOOL-Where Do I Begin?
by Kay Green, www.PreciousKids.org  
Copyright 2001

You have decided to home school your children. You have been thinking and praying about it for some time. As September approaches you know it is time. Where to start? The choices seem overwhelming.

How well I remember those days. My children had spent the previous year in a new rural public school. They had completed 1st, 3rd, and 6th grades. They were unhappy with school. I was unhappy with school. I knew there had to be a better way. I asked questions of everyone I could find who had home schooled. I read every book in the library on the subject. I prayed without ceasing. I ordered curriculum catalogs. I went to the home school fair. I read even more.

Once my husband and I made the decision there was peace. I knew that I would be stretched tremendously, but I knew it was the answer. God was faithful to encourage us over and over. Now the decision was made, but where to begin.

I felt we needed a structured program with accountability for the first year. I needed to know what to teach and how to teach. We selected a complete program from Christian Liberty Academy. This program provided diagnostic testing, all books and manuals, and the record keeping. It made me feel secure.

The curriculum choices are staggering. I really suggest you pick one provider for the first year. At the end of the year re-evaluate what worked and what didn’t. I really believe that all curriculum works if you use it. They differences are mostly about style and design. As you grow in confidence you will feel more secure about choosing curriculum

I read about learning styles. I realized that my children did not all learn the same way. My girls were both visual learners. They were also very self motivated. They were excited about home school. My son was a busy, wiggly, distracted, hands-on kinesthetic learner. I understood that could be a challenge to both of us.

The first year proved to be a time of adjustments for everyone. I learned how to teach to all three learning styles. The visual learners loved books, posters, charts, and lists. The kinesthetic learner wanted hands-on projects, manipulatives, and artwork. Auditory learners need to talk about what they are learning. This meant teaching concepts several ways. I learned when I taught to all three styles all the children learned more.

I read about school style and goals. I begin to understand there was not one perfect way to home school. What did we want for our family? We could choose Charlotte Mason method, unit studies, the principle approach, classical education, independent learning, textbook based, history emphasis, accelerated education, or unschooling. So many choices! How to choose what was best for our children?

After reading about each I felt pulled toward independent accelerated education. It was suggested that I home school my youngest because at first grade (age 5) she was already well ahead of all her classmates. She began reading at age 4 and scored 2 years ahead of her classmates. My oldest daughter was also ahead of her age mates by 1-1/2 years. It seemed to fit these children to teach them to work at their own pace . I wanted them to learn how to learn.

I developed a weekly goal chart, which showed the minimum work to be accomplished each day. They were to cross off each assignment as completed. They enjoyed the control this gave them. They could choose to do the minimum or work ahead.

They first year also was used to undo the attitudes and expectations of public school. We worked on attitudes and character traits. I set up an incentive program to reinforce the behaviors I wanted to see. I assigned scripture memorization. The children were allowed to earn points for prizes. They really enjoy this. The younger children especially respond to this method. The prizes were all school related.

Scheduling was also import to our school. I wanted to be sure that all the important things were accomplished each day. We set a starting time and the order for subjects. We also scheduled regular breaks and lunch times. The children were finished for the day when the minimum was completed.

Above everything else my attitude played the most important role. If I was grouchy or insecure or rushed or out of control everything else was effected. If I relied on the Lord and have my attitude and heart right everything ran smoother. I must constantly seek Him, be in the Word, submit my will, and be teachable. When I do that He is able to guide me on the right path.

What are the results? My youngest daughter Allison is 13 She is happy and challenged. She will complete the last part of 9th grade this year. She is taking piano lesson. She loves reading historical fiction and biographies. She loves the Lord and is thinking about becoming a pastor. She wants to use her musical gift for the Lord.

My son Jordan is 16. He started as an unmotivated average student. He scored his highest ever on achievement scores this spring (98th%). He loves the Lord. He witnesses to kids at the park. He loves to roller blade and is playing the bass guitar for adult and youth worship services.

My oldest daughter Melissa is 18. She graduated from American School (an accredited correspondence high school program) in June 1999 at age 16. She went on a mission trip to Mexico in August. She is active in a discipleship youth group. She is in her 2nd year of college to become a preschool teacher.

As you can see, 7 years of home school has brought many dividends. I urge you to seek the Lord, become friends with other home school families, and get involved in your church. If we can do it, so can you.

Take one day at a time and pray every step of the way. Enjoy watching your children learn about this world in which they live.

Kay Green and her family live in rural Oregon. They have home schooled for the past 7 years. She loves helping new families start the journey of home school. She has a web page at http://www.preciouskids.org  

She has also written the book: HOMESCHOOL-A New Beginning! http://www.preciouskids.org/hs/book.html  

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BOOK REVIEW
I just finished a wonderful book called "The No Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley.

It is filled with ideas and techniques to help you lovingly assist your baby in learning to sleep at night. I  love that this method does not require you to leave your child to cry it out.

Historically, there have been two ways to deal with getting a baby to sleep through the night: the hotly debated technique of letting the baby "cry it out," or "wait and be patient" until the baby begins to sleep on his own. For parents who don't believe in letting their baby cry it out but who desperately want to sleep now, there is finally a third option, presented in Elizabeth Pantley's sanity-saving book The No-Cry Sleep Solution. Pantley's successful solution has been tested and proven effective by scores of parents and their babies from across the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Get your copy on SALE at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071381392/homeschoolanewbe

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HOME BUSINESS

8 Ways to Bring Your Customers Back Again
By Kay Green, www.MyPreciousKid.com
Copyright 2000-2005

Getting the customer to buy the first time is the hard part. Keeping the customer is the necessary part. Once you have a customer buy from you it if vitally important to present your best image as a business. Whether this is a purchase, a barter or a donation for some cause, how you appear as a business is important to the future of your business.

1. USE NEW SHIPPING MATERIALS ONLY - Use new shipping materials for your packages. Do not rely on re-used shipping materials that may contain cigarette smell, or the smells/residues of other products. You want to package they receive to look and smell clean.

www.USPS.com  offers free shipping boxes for priority mail.
Www.Uline.com  offers boxes and shipping materials at a great price

2. SEND PROFESSIONAL PACKAGES - Package your products in a way that looks professional. Cloth items should be clean and smell good. Wrap them in tissue paper or poly bags for shipping. Paper items should be enclosed in poly bags to prevent wrinkles and tears. Breakable items should have protective shipping supplies surrounding them. Create business labels on your computer for the boxes.

www.Associatedbag.com  self seal poly bags to put products in for shipping

3. ADD CONTACT INFORMATION - Add your contact information to every package. Make it easy for the customer to order again. Include a catalog, business card, information sheet, magnet and other items related to your product. Have "Re-order at 555-444-3333" stickers on every products that goes out.

4. GIVE A REASON TO ORDER - Give them a reason to order again SOON. Add a coupon offer free shipping or a percent off if they order again with in 30 days. Make is a dated track-able code number so you can tell how many customers are using it. The new scratch off stickers are awesome for this purpose. Hide the code under the scratch off sticker to give an incentive to "Scratch and Win"

5. GET TESTIMONIALS - Ask for testimonials and photos of their family using the products. Ask permission to use these on your web site. Happy customer testimonials give you credibility with customers.

6. SHARE WITH A FRIEND - Invite them to share your business URL with a friend or family member. Maybe include a "Share Package" that they can give away.

7. AVOID CIGARETTE SMELL - this smell can turn away a customer very quickly. Many people are even allergic to this odor. If you smoke, make your products storage and work area a "smoke free zone" Store you finished items in zip lock bags with a dryer sheet.

8. AVOID OTHER SMELLS - The only smells that should accompany your products are the ones your products make (such as candles and bath product fragrances). Be sure to label your site with the fragrances that will come on your products. Many people are allergic to all fragrances so be certain your customers know what fragrances are coming with their order.

You have a fantastic product. Your customers are buying. Be certain they return to buy again very soon. Give more than expected so they are always thrilled that they have bought from you. Invite them back to your web site by offering something free on your site (information, downloads, e-books, coupons). Your professional looking package will help invite your customers to come back again and again.

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