About Me

Australia
I'm a Mum who has struggled with weight since having my daughter 24 years ago. Forever trying to find that one thing that helps to make weight loss easier.
Mind Power Series

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Kids Riddles

School holidays are nearly upon us. Holidays show up fast and we all say that we are going to be more prepared.
Have the kids organised with some great activites so bordom doesn't even enter their little minds, but wait, you don't. Just been too busy to even think about school holidays. "What, their here already?"

I found this great product called Riddle Me
It has some really great riddles, over 5000, age related, Scavenger hunts and Treasure hunts.
Design your own invitations for parties and create great looking thankyou cards.
Build up your very own unique riddles and hunts with objects from your own home without it costing heaps of cash. Travelling can also become a nightmare, screaming, fighting kids in the backseat is not a happy holiday, been there, done that, so create some games for those long car trips with this product, Riddle Me.

Kids get bored easily but this is something new to try, something a little different and gets them away from that tv or computer screen. Kids spend way to much time inside watching television or playing games on the computer. Doing riddles and solving puzzles developes children's cognitive skills.

Sounds good, anything to keep the Peace I say.

Kids Riddles FOR MORE INFO


Monday, June 20, 2011

Surrogacy, Production Gone Mad

Take a look at this program about surrogacy http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s3233604.htm .

I know there are a lot of people out there that cannot have children, I was one of them, although blessed with a child now, I found this program a little disturbing.
It was like a production line, surrogant mothers lining up to be implanted because they wanted a better life, you cannot begrudge them of that.

A lot of these women were very poor and this was a way to get a better home, food for their children. I can understand why they choose to be a surrogant mother although I feel some are pushed into it by their husbands.
You could see it in their eyes that they were concerned about how the baby was after the birth and that letting go was difficult.
I truly wonder what these women will be like in another 10 years or so, emotionally. I am not sure that they understand what the full effects will be.

The thing that gets me is that if these people want to be parents so bad and want to pay, why not adopt. There are so many children in the world who have nobody, nobody to love them or to feed them. The world is already over populated and creating babies in a farm type way is wrong.

Do these couples really know or even care how it can effect these surrogant mothers.

Just my opinion, let me know what you think.

























Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Top 7 Dog Breeds For Your Child

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Choosing a pet for your family can be difficult. Choosing a dog can even be harder, there are so many different breeds, large and small.
Many questions should be asked before considering a dog. "Can we afford a dog?" "Do we have time for a dog, can we play and exercise him when he needs it?"  and the main question that must be asked is "will he be good with children?"

Personally, I never trust any dog around children, so never leave your child unsupervised. No dog is 100% safe.
I think it is good to be weary of all breeds because for no apparent reason your best buddy has just attacked your child in the backyard. This is on the news a lot, "family dog attacks child."

Dogs have personalities just like humans, getting the right one to fit in with the family is tough.

Take a look at these 7 breeds-:

Whippet- medium size weighing up to 14kg. Considered an indoor animal because of short hair cannot handle too much cold. Very loyal to their owners but also friendly towards visitors. Very affectionate, loving and easy-going dog. Suggested to be good for the family. My daughter has a whippet, would have to be the most friendliest dog I have ever seen. Very loyal and affectionate, playful and a real character, very energetic, has times of absolute speed and chaos then exhaustion. Always has to be touching you, either with a paw or it's nose. Needs a good run every day so needs plenty of space. Highly recommend a whippet for the family. Very inquisitive. Healthy.(Burke's Backyard)
View my daughters Whippet with my little fox terrier Bailey.

Golden Retriever-   Medium size breed with long, waterproof coat. Golden Retrievers were used for retrieving water fowls. They are considered not to be good as watch dogs as they are very friendly towards strangers and anyone familiar to them. Breeds should not show agression of any kind, this is considered not acceptable within the bred.
Retrievers are gentle, intelligent, friendly and show a willingness to please their owners. Being very trainable, they are used as guide dogs, because of their easy going and friendliness manner towards other animals and people. This is why they are recommended for families with children. Love to work and rest, so will need some daily exercise and plenty of room to explore.
Health:   Hip Dysplasia and cancer are common, so ask your vet for more information regarding the breed.



Irish Wolfhound Pictures, Images and PhotosIrish Wolfhound- Not the best looking dog but a true friend for life. Large breed, tallest, with loving nature, needs grooming and a large backyard. Friendly, good with kids, playful. Calm and very tolerant.
I once had a wolfhound, the most friendliest dog I have ever owned, cuddly, needing to be near you or touching you. It would jump on your lap when you pulled up in the car. Lay on you, it had to be close to you all the time. He probably was not the brightest dog, but then he wasn't a pure bred either. Cody, that was his name, would chase flying birds and wouldn't watch where he was going. Ran straight into a tree, picked himself up and went again.
Health- may have heart problems and other conditions but generally good, check out first.



Collies-
Light framed dog, medium size. Longish hair and have a long nose. Two types-working breed and show, pet breed. You should be looking at the show breed because you don't want to have to spend hours after work exercising your pet. Although the show breed will still need a little exercise.
Considered very trainable, remember lassie. Collies are very intelligent, friendly, loyal and gentle, that is why they are deemed to be good with children. Because Collies are natural herders they sometimes will roundup the children, get this out of them early, don't encourage it. Needs grooming regularly.
Health: genetic disorders, seek vetinary assistance when choosing this breed.


Poodles-  Considered to be a very intelligent dog. Breed comes in three sizes, toy, miniature and standard size.
Bred as a retriever dog or water dog, originating from Germany. Come in an array of colours with hair that will need regular combing to keep it maintained.
The standard size is reguarded to be best for family with children. Poodles, if spoilt can become demanding. They tend to go to one person more than another, so need to be firm with demands and intructions.
Exercise is essential as they can get bored easily, taking them on regular walks and jogs in the local park should become a daily routine for your family.
Health: Can have eye problems, Hip Dysplasia but are considered a very healthy breed. (Burkes Backyard)
Check with breeder and consult your vet.



Pugs-  
Low maintenance, small breed. Kind of cuteness about it, with a pushed in snout and curled up tail.
Considered to be great with children and the elderly, affectionate and loyal to their owners. Tend to shed coat twice a year so regular grooming is best but not necessary. (Burkes Backyard)
Do like the company of other dogs, so having two might be good. Colours are fawn, apricot/fawn, black or silver.
Can be a good watchdog but also can get a bit yappy. The breed can be quiet and docile but are known to be quite active. Regular exercise is needed to help keep weight at bay.
Health: Breathing difficulties, prone to obesity,  NME an inflammation of the brain. (Wikipedia)
Please talk to your vet before considering.


King Charles Cavalier Spaniel- A small dog, around 33 cm. All round cuteness.
The eyes will draw you in first, floppy ears and beautiful colours, highly recommend by vets for families with children. Temperament is loving, affectionate, friendly. Likes attention. (Burkes Backyard)
Long hair, so maintaining coat with regular baths and brushing.
Health-can be some issues, so check first before considering.









These are just a few breeds that I did some research on. Some I have owned and others I have been around. Please check with your vet when considering a breed.
As I said at the beginning, dogs all have their own personalities just like us humans and as we know, with humans, some can be unpleasant.

Happy Hunting.........

Monday, June 13, 2011

Some Children Quotes

I've noticed that one thing about parents is that no matter what stage your child is in, the parents who have older children always tell you the next stage is worse. ~ DAVE BARRY


What is a home without children? Quiet. ~Henny Youngman


Always kiss your children goodnight - even if they're already asleep. ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.




It is amazing how quickly the kids learn the operation of the DVD, yet are unable to understand the vacuum cleaner. - Etienne Marchal




When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out - Erma Bombeck




Small children almost never misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said - Etienne Marchal



























Thursday, June 2, 2011

Engaging In a Conversation With a Teenager.

I have just returned from a great holiday, Queensland again.
Did a lot more travelling this time round, headed for the outback, away from city noises and  traffic chaos.

Visited family. On this particular day my husband and myself decided to take a walk out to this island for a little exercise (When the tide goes out you can walk across, it takes about half an hour.)
My brother-in-law said he would come and take the dogs for a walk, he also told his 14 year old son to come along. (Hardly gets any exercise.)
Now this teen sits at his computer playing games and talking with people all over the world for hours, I mean well over six hours a day, especially on the weekends. I was surprised he said yes.

As we drove to the island his father asked "How was school?"
The response, "good," usual answer, nothing else.

Before I had really thought about it I replied "Now, we're not suppose to ask that, what we should really ask is "Ohh, let me think, what did you learn in maths today?"

Do you know he did not stop talking for the whole trip to the island. He went on to tell me that he learnt algebra, not my forte, maths never was. Explained how they had a problem that had to be solved and how he went about it.

When we got home I asked my husband about what had happened. He said he was amazed how much his nephew talked and how much detail he went into. He is a teen who is very hard to get a conversation out of, usually a grunt and sometimes never even acknowledges that you are there.

Perhaps I was just lucky or maybe it really works. Thinking about the way we talk to our children, how we can engage them into a conversation without trying real hard and when we do sound enthusiastic.
Try not to use the same old questions everyday because you will get the same old response. If you think its boring no doubt your children will to.

Try this with you teenager and if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.