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Posts Tagged ‘families’

Helicopter Parenting: A Damaging Trend

February 10th, 2010 No comments

How involved is too involved? Do you helicopter parent your children? You think you’re being a good parent but you may have crossed the line from being interested to becoming a helicopter parent…being too involved in all aspects of your child’s routine.

Helicopter parenting is a relatively new term coined and applied to those parents who are involved in every aspect of their children’s lives but who take what is deemed “too deep” of an involvement. Some college professionals now even call these parents, “lawnmower parents” because they try to step in and mow down all obstacles in their child’s place. “Blackhawk parenting” is a term in use now for parents who cross the line in what they do to help their children sometimes even writing their child’s college essays.

While it may be tempting to smooth the path for your child, and while you certainly do need to take an interest in his or her life and remain involved, there are lines that need to be drawn or your child may never learn to stand on his or her own feet. Are you a helicopter or lawnmower parent? Here are some clues:

Are the paths in front of your child free of obstacles? Have you done your best to make certain risks are mitigated? Does your child skate through all events smoothly with no chance of failure? Your child needs to fail and to struggle in order to be able to savor achievements and rewards for a job well done.

Your child has a cell phone and you expect them to use it daily to keep in touch. Y ou demand a phone call prior to, and following, all activities. Does your child set an alarm to wake up for classes or do you call him or her every day to make certain they make it to class on time. Let your child learn independence…he or she will need it when entering the workforce.

A failing score on a paper or a grade not as high as you anticipated on a test was handed down to your child. Do you pick up the phone or dash off an email to the professor demanding an explanation as to the grade? Do you think it’s the professor’s fault that your child didn’t excel? Do you forget that your child’s grades should be based on his or her own dedication to studying, not your interference in the grading system?

Wanting your child to succeed is natural and wanting to know their friends and wanting to be involved in their day to day life, is not a bad thing. As parents, you should be involved. You just need to know when you’re crossing the line and when to let your child pass or fail on his or her own merits. The sooner you become aware, the sooner your child will mature.

Myra Lee is a middle school teacher. Like other teachers and administrators in her school, she earned an online degree and strongly believes in online education for working professionals.

Religion and Candles

February 9th, 2010 No comments

Slate and Artsmith – The candle is a very powerful symbol in human consciousness. There is something about that tiny point of light, flickering, existing and resisting a world that is dark and empty, which speaks to the deepest part of the human soul. This is one of the reasons that candles have such a profound significance in so many disparate religions throughout the world.

Judaism

The candle is a powerful symbol in Judaism, and one is lit every Friday night to celebrate the beginning of the weekly Sabbath. On Saturday evening, a Havdalah candle is lit to mark the end of the Sabbath. Candles are also used in the Chanukah ceremony, where a candle is lit every evening for eight nights, to commemorate the candle which miraculously burned for eight days, when the Jews recovered their temple from the Greek / Persian Invaders. For the Jewish people, the candles flame represents the ever burning flame of the divine being.

In Judaism a candle is also used to commemorate those who have passed away, and they are often lit to commemorate a loved one, or those who died tragically, such as in the holocaust.

Christianity

In Christianity the candle is used for both religious and decorative purposes. In its decorative function, it is a representation of the Creators light, or specifically the light of Jesus. For this reason you will often find a candle lit and placed on an alter. Ritually, candles are often lit and placed in front of pictures of icons in the orthodox tradition. A votive candle may also be lit to accompany prayer. Some churches also use a Paschal candle which represents Jesus, and is only lit on Easter and other very special occasions.

Buddhism

In Buddhism, candles are often placed in front of statues of the Buddah along with food or drink as a sign of respect. Symbolically they represent the light of the Buddah’s teaching and the enlightenment they added to the world.

Hinduism

In the Hindu tradition a diya, or clay lamp, is a very important part of any religious ritual. The lamp holds the candle during the ceremony, and acts as a symbol of prosperity and enlightenment. Every year they also celebrate Diwalli which is also known as the festival of light. On this holiday lamps are lit to symbolize life and hope and the conquest of good over evil.

The symbolic nature of a candle gives it significance in many of the world’s major religions. Whether it symbolizes the supreme creator, or the hope of mankind, its flickering light is an inspiration to many who behold its glow.

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Come Experience Australia’s Best Adventures: Dreamworld And Seaworld

February 3rd, 2010 No comments

The Gold Coast of Australia is known as the theme park capital of Australia. Located in Queensland, this region offers a beautiful sunny and mild climate year round. There is such a host of activities available here to interest any individual of any age and is known as a famous tourist destination for those looking for an Aussie adventure with thrills and spills. These theme parks are the Disney Land of Australia. Millions of people come to visit this city every year with high hopes and expectations, and those same people return again and again with enthusiasm and excitement for what is to come. In this area there are four theme parks to choose from, the most well-known being Dreamworld and Seaworld.

Whether you are a thrill-seeking youngster who enjoys the most incredible adrenaline-rushing rides available, a child seeking simple pleasures, or older folk looking for new experiences and a good time, you will find something that you will enjoy. Dreamworld offers the newest technologies in thrill rides, and also has many new and exciting shows and experiences such as Tiger Island or the water park for children that is themed from Nickelodeon’s most famous characters.

Dreamworld has taken advantage of new technologies to make their park more attractive to visitors. One system they have employed that tourists are raving about is the Q4U system where visitors can sign in to a popular ride virtually. This eliminates the need to stand in line physically when there is going to be a long wait. This allows people to enjoy other rides and entertainment instead of standing in line for hours to enjoy a single attraction.

A newer and more popular world in Dreamworld is WhiteWater world, a water park offering incredible new rides for water lovers. Here you will find the most extreme water rides of any water park in the world.

Dreamworld is also home to one of the most amazing zoo experiences you will ever enjoy. Australian Wildlife Experience is home to more than 800 animals. The Daintree Rainforest is a popular attraction that features many elusive rain forest animals.

Seaworld is an amazing experience where you can interact with marine life wonders and enjoy other exciting shows, rides, and attractions. Here you will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of polar bears or visit Shark’s Bay which is home to the world’s largest man-made lagoon for sharks.

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