The game itself is a great tool for helping children with math. The fact that there is a free version to download helps out the parents. Although the free version is limited in how far it goes, it will still offer a strong foundation for learning multiplication tables.

The free version follows the green hero through levels of a dungeon where he takes on ogres. There are also snails to capture along the way that will help the child discover the answer to the multiplication table that he or she faces.

In the paid version of the game, there are multiple levels with robots, ogres and other creatures. The basic idea behind the game is carried through out both versions.

Not only is “Timez Attack” fun for the kids and easy on the pocket book, but the creators feel so strongly about the educational tool that they back it up with a full money back guarantee.

There is no excuse for trying out this great mathematical tool. Whether you are a homeschooling parent, a parent who wants to offer educational alternatives for the computer or even a grandparent who wants to give something with more meaning next Christmas, the “Timez Attack” game could be the perfect choice for you.

It is also no surprise that the teacher’s unions were thrilled with the ruling.

There are plenty of teachers that I have encountered over the years that I would trust to educate my children. There are also many more that I wouldn’t trust to watch my children much less teach them anything. As long as the bad teachers are protected there will be a problem with the education system and now the families in California have no remedy for that problem.

There is no perfect resolution as to who is best equipped to teach the children. There will always be some parents who choose homeschooling because they don’t want to have to do anything. There will also always be teachers who don’t know or don’t care about what they are teaching (at least as long as the government and unions are involved).

There is no easy answer to who should educate the children, but something has to be done. The educational level in America is going down hill quickly and the government seems determined to keep it that way.

1. Fish – most people think of fish as a simple first pet. It doesn’t take much to keep the goldfish and there is no real walking or clean up, but this is a MYTH. Fish need lots care and special equipment. Even goldfish need a tank that will hold 20 gallons and that has a pump. Plus, fish that are taken care of properly will live a surprisingly long time.

2. Birds – just pass over these for your children. These are long term pets with some species living up to 70 years!

3. Hamsters and gerbils – these are probably some of the best first pets that you can get for your children. They take up a relatively small space, require minimum maintenance and they have short life spans (around three to five years).

4. Dogs – long term commitments (up to 20 years) with lots of maintenance.

5. Cats – long term commitments (up to 15 years) with lots of maintenance.

If you HAVE to get your child his or her first pet, then start with the child’s own age as a determining factor. How responsible is she about doing other chores around the house without being told. If she isn’t doing any chores, then start with that. After a full month of doing chores WITHOUT being reminded then you can start with a small pet (like a gerbil or a hamster).

What ever you do, don’t get a first pet on a whim. Research the animal AND the breed to determine if its needs will fit in well with your family.

Words have power especially on children which will sponge up all the information around them. If a child hears they are worthless it is likely they will grow up and accomplish nothing. When a child hears they can conquer the world then it is likely they will do just that.

To make sure you are filling the sponge in your home with strong building blocks for the future use these ideas:

1. Tell others about the child’s accomplishments. Stay focused on the good things that he does. Let the child hear your praises.

2. Compliment the child on a job well done. It doesn’t have to have been the best over everyone else as long as it is HER best. She needs and wants to hear that you are proud of her accomplishments – no matter how minor those accomplishments may appear.

3. Avoid words that condemn a child’s personality traits even if you are just playing around. Your child will remember what you said about him and may even start to repeat it about himself. If you want to play around then get out a board game.

4. Keep comparisons to the very minimum (or take them out of the equation completely). The only person that the child is competing against is himself. Remind him that he is getting better than last time.

5. Help her see her own potential. Tell her the things that you see she is good at or personal traits where she is strong (“You are so good at organizing your toys” or “You are very good at helping me watch your brother”). Finding encouragement in one place will help her stretch out in others.

Raising up a child to be successful requires building blocks of positive attitude and motivation. Speak words of encouragement to them and about them and your children will reach for the stars.

Bad parents don’t mean dangerous parents. 

There is a foster child that the government is threatening to send to his grandmother in Mexico because he needs to be “brought up in his own culture” (his dad is from Mexico).  The foster family wanted to adopt the boy (whom they have had for almost his entire life).  What’s even more disturbing is that the father (imprisoned for child molestation) will be living with the grandmother as well.

All children deserve a safe home.  Odds are pretty good that with as many people as surround the “stars” their kids will get protection.  Taking custody away from one bad parent and giving it to the other bad parent is only trauma for the children.  Besides, there is not law against being a “bad” parent; it’s the dangerous ones that we need to be concerned about.

Starting a garden requires a basic knowledge of how things grow.  The child can research the plants that are best for his region and the time of year.  He can use science and math to pick the best location for the garden.  Geography can be used to lay out the garden (especially if you choose to do a space saving garden like a “square foot” garden.

Determining the location and the best plants is just the beginning.  Each plant requires a different planting method.  Each plant must be watered and weeded regularly.  Each plant must be watched for pests and diseases.  And finally, the harvest must be taken in.

Planting a garden gives a child the chance to grow things they might otherwise never try.  It lets him use hands on experience to learn about science and math and geography.  And more importantly, it will give you and your child time together that you might never had any other way.

It would make sense that chess would improve the intelligence of the players.  There is a lot that goes into playing the game.  Not only do you have to remember how each different piece works, but you have to keep up with where your opponent is and where they might go in the future.  It takes forethought and planning to survive a good game of chess.

There is also a lot of discipline to playing chess.  It is not a game that is over quickly.  It will take patience and endurance.  Both of these are great skills for kids of all ages to develop.

Chess is a fun (and quite) activity that every person should be able to participate in at one lever or another.  It may not make them smarter, but it is likely to help them understand that actions have consequences - even if it is just a game.

I was tickled that these women didn’t think they had it in them to homeschool their children.  Since they already spend almost three hours a night working on home work, they were already doing just that.  In fact, this is one of the reasons that so many people are turning to homeschool as an alternative.  They figure they are already putting in the hours.

The great thing about educating the children in my own home is that I can let them each learn in their own way.  My oldest son thrived with “Hooked On Phonics” and was reading by five.  My middle son just wasn’t that intrigued with reading.  Looking back now, I think he preferred to be read to by mom or dad because he got alone time that way.  Now he wants to read to us instead.

Each child learns in individual way, patterns, and timing.  Home educating gives the parent’s the flexibility and the time to work with them one on one.  Besides, if you are going to spend the time doing school work anyway, you might as well do the work you want to do in a way that your child will thrive.

My husband had a mother who was meticulous about cleaning.  He was use to the “woman of the house” keeping things right. We made a very interesting pair at first. We’ve both had to grow and give and change - but I would say that I had done the most (he would probably disagree).Over the last few years, I have learned how to clean and how to organize.  The best thing I have learned to do is let go of clutter. 

I’m doing everything in my power to teach my kids good habits for a clean and healthy home and life.  Do you love, will you use it, and can you find it a home are all things that my children are becoming intimately familiar with when it comes to toys or trinkets they want to bring into the home.  The good news is that it seems to be catching.  This morning, the 21 month old was picking up the floor and putting things in the garbage (fortunately the things belonged in the garbage).

The moral is that it is never to late or too early to de-clutter your life.

So far, we have had a book party (held at the local library with books as the favors), a pirate party (where the kids went on a treasure hunt and made their own treasure chests), a Viking party (where they made shields and swords from card board), a Robin Hood party (this time mom did the craft with hand made felt “robin” hats), an Indian party (where a friend showed them how to play a native flute and they made spears and head bands), a safari party (where we put animal cut outs around the yard and they went on an “adventure”), and a 3-2-1 Penguins party (where they watched the latest release and mom made a replica of the spaceship for a cake).

Gift bags are a major no-no.  I hate finding all the little trinkets around our house after the boys have gone to a party.  Instead, we give them one nice thing or let them do a craft that they can take home.  We have yet to have a mother say “what, no little whistle and top?”

The best thing is that the kids enjoy preparing for their party (down to making their own invitations) as much as they enjoy the party.  They are also learning to stretch their imagination and a dollar.  I hope that we can continue our unique birthday tradition for years to come.