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<title>Latest Articles by mcalhoun</title>
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<title>A Father's Impact</title>
<link>http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/a-fathers-impact.html</link>
<guid>http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/a-fathers-impact.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Most people will agree that having an involved father has obvious benefits to children. Many of us have read newspapers and seen TV programs about the benefits of fathers taking part in raising their child by providing love, support, and guidance.<br><br>We can also agree that fathers are important because they help to teach children values. Fathers also serve as role models in their children’s lives that affect how well they relate to friends and others outside the home.<br><br>The impact of a father starts at a very young age. Even three-month old babies are able to tell the difference between their mother and father. They can differentiate the two by the way each speaks to them, holds them, and by each parent’s particular body odor.<br><br>The father can play many roles in the household. The father can be the financial backbone and/or the stay at home dad. The father can be the playmate for the children and the best friend to a spouse.  <br><br>No matter what hat the father may be wearing, the impact a father can have in the household has staggering implications. Fathers are critical to the development of their sons and daughters and can influence their children in profound ways. <br><br>With the divorce rate in America at fifty percent, it is more important today for the father to have a positive impact than ever before. Children who are raised by both parents are more likely to do better in school, and are less likely to use drugs and have sex before marriage.<br><br>Growing up, the positive impact my father had on my siblings and I have made us into the adults we are today. Shari, Derrick, and I would never disobey when my father was around. Just the mere fact he was in the house would keep us obedient. We weren’t afraid of our father, but we respected him as head of the household, and that’s what kept us in line.  <br><br>The influence a father can have seems to be an endless list. Research has shown that children whose fathers are involved in their schooling and academics increase the chances their child will graduate from high school and even attend college.<br><br>An involved father lowers the rates of teen violence and other problems with the law. It also is associated with positive child characteristics such as self-esteem, self-control and life skills. <br><br>Children who grow up in homes with involved fathers are more likely to take an active role in raising their own families. Fathers who recall a loving relationship with both parents provide a role model for positive parenting, healthy care giving, and a commitment to his own family. <br><br>We all want a better society and world to live in.  <br><br>As our pastor would say, In order to have a better world, we first must have a better country. In order to have a better country, we must have a better state. To have a better state, we need a better city. The way to a better city is to have a better community.  The steps to a better community are to have a better home. <br><br>It all starts at home, with the father leading the way.<br><br /><br />--<br />Muri enjoys being a full time father to his son, Jordan and spending time with loved ones. He also enjoys sports and working from home with his wife, Nicole. Please contact Muri if you would like to find out how you can spend more time with your family. <br><br><a href="http://www.fulltimefamily.com">http://www.fulltimefamily.com</a><br><br><br><br>Source: <a href="http://www.articletrader.com/">http://www.articletrader.com</a> ]]></description>
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<title>The Importance of Family Dinner Time</title>
<link>http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/the-importance-of-family-dinner-time.html</link>
<guid>http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/the-importance-of-family-dinner-time.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ What is meal time like around your house? Does everyone get their plate and head to their own room? Or does popping a dinner in the old microwave, sitting down in front of the TV, computer or video game and no one gets the opportunity to speak to one another sound more familiar? Given the hectic schedules many families have today, family dinner time has become a lost art. <br><br>Years ago, it was unheard of for a family to not have dinner together. Even during biblical times, the fathers of the household would rule the entire family from the dinner table. <br><br>They understood dinner time was more than just a time to eat, but it was a time influence the family. They realized this had a profound impact on their family. Many studies have shown the positive force eating as a family can have on a child.  <br><br>Children who do not eat dinner with their families are sixty percent more likely to use alcohol, tobacco and/or illegal drugs. On the other end of that spectrum, children who eat dinner with their families are twenty percent less likely to drink, smoke or use illegal drugs. <br><br>Teens that eat frequent family dinners are less likely than other teens to have sex, get into fights, as well as have a lower risk of suicidal thoughts. <br><br>There is a whole list of positive things that can happen when a family carves out time to eat dinner as a family.  This is a great time to be involved in your child’s life. Eating together encourages communication!  <br><br>Allow each member of the family to discuss any problems and/or achievements they may have encountered during the day. This is also a great time to plan family trips, church activities and upcoming events. Engage the children in conversations that lead them to discuss school work, sports and other things that get them to open up and share the details of their life. The most important thing is to keep an open line of communication for each member to share ideas, stories, etc.   <br><br>Sitting down for a family meal can provide real quality family time and be just plain fun!   <br>Pull up the chairs, serve the casserole and have a laugh with everyone. Make dinner time fun and everyone will be looking forward to eating with the family. <br><br>Mix it up, have a picnic in the family room on the floor. When the weather is nice outside, have a family dinner on the patio. Neither you nor your family will regret the memories or the positive impact your family will enjoy around your dinner table…wherever it may be. <br><br>Bon appetite!<br><br /><br />--<br />Muri enjoys spending time with his wife, Nicole and his son Jordan. He also enjoys traveling and working his home-based business. If you would like to work from home and spend more time with your family please contact Muri.<br><br><a href="http://www.fulltimefamily.com">http://www.fulltimefamily.com</a><br><br><br><br>Source: <a href="http://www.articletrader.com/">http://www.articletrader.com</a> ]]></description>
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<title>Helping Your Child Get Organized</title>
<link>http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/helping-your-child-get-organized.html</link>
<guid>http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/helping-your-child-get-organized.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ One of the best things we can teach our children is to be organized. This will help them learn to take care of the important things first, get in a routine and make good use of their time. As a family you can sit down and look at the areas of life that cause you the most stress. Often this can be fixed with a little communication and a plan of action. <br><br>This will reduce the stress levels around the home. Your child may not need every area of their life on a detailed schedule, but some of the bigger things such as homework, sports and helping out around the house would greatly benefit from a schedule. <br><br>One way to help your child get organized is to decide what areas should be addressed first. This will teach your child the value of time and that work comes before play. <br><br>Create a routine and stick to it. Teach your child to create a routine such as what he/she should do once they are up and getting dressed for school. <br><br>For example, my son’s daily routine during the school week is:<br><br>1.	Make his bed<br>2.	Brush his teeth and wash his face.<br>3.	Get dressed for school.<br>4.	Eat breakfast.<br>5.	Grab his backpack, give mom and dad a hug and off to school he goes.   <br><br>This routine has helped us ensure he is out the door and will arrive at school on time.<br><br>It is very significant that once you have established a daily set of activities that you and your child stick to them. While there are times when you will need to be flexible, you should always stick to the routine whenever possible. Over time, your child will be able to see and understand how this keeps everyone’s life running a little smoother. <br><br>A big key to keep your child encouraged in their daily routine is to discuss their success. Pat them on the back for a job well done. This will keep them focused and interested in doing a good job when they realize mommy and daddy notice their efforts. <br><br>Keep the lines of communication open with your child, as it is vital, that your child can talk to you about their daily routine. Stay involved with your child as they will still need your help and support along the way. Find out what is working well and what can be done better as a family. Make adjustments as needed to ensure no one person is being overloaded. <br><br /><br />--<br />Muri enjoys spending time with his wife, Nicole and his son Jordan. He also enjoys traveling and working his home-based business. If you would like to spend more time with your family, please contact Muri.<br><br><a href="http://www.fulltimefamily.com">http://www.fulltimefamily.com</a><br><br><br><br>Source: <a href="http://www.articletrader.com/">http://www.articletrader.com</a> ]]></description>
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<title>Summer Memories</title>
<link>http://www.articletrader.com/sports/fishing/summer-memories.html</link>
<guid>http://www.articletrader.com/sports/fishing/summer-memories.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ My fondest memories growing up revolved around the summer fishing trips I took as a youth with my uncle and cousins. Those fishing excursions became the highlight of our summer. We would all get up really early, before the sun even came up, and we would pile in the truck and head to the lake for the weekend.<br><br>The drive seemed like it took forever to my eight-year old heart, even though we were only about an hour away from our home in Dallas, Texas. I am sure we just about drove my uncle crazy constantly asking, “Are we there yet”? <br><br>As we got closer to the lake, my cousins and I could hardly wait until the truck stopped before we were off and running towards the water. I can still hear my uncle saying in a cautious tone, “Boys, slow down. We have all weekend long to fish.” Our eyes would get as big as the lake as the water drew closer and closer with each step.<br><br>Rods and reels bounced in every direction as we ran down the hill to the dock. “First person to catch a fish wins five whole dollars!” my uncle would announce. This would always get a really good conversation going amongst us boys. “I’m going to buy me a new toy when I win the five dollars.” I would always say.<br><br>One summer, I got lucky! I was the first to get a bite. “I got one!” I yelled. Only to reel in a turtle that had fooled me into thinking I was going to set the lake record for the biggest catch. My older cousins laughed as I tried to figure out how in the world I was going to get the turtle off my hook, which conveniently gave them the edge they needed to win the prize money awaiting the first to make a catch!<br><br>After freeing my line of the very unwelcome visitor, I hurriedly cast my line only to see my cousin pull a bass from the water, dashing my hope of buying myself a new toy. Being the youngest of the bunch, my uncle would pat me on the back, as if to say, you’ll get them next time. <br><br>As the five of us would sit by the dock with the sun shining right over us, there was something special that would happen. Even at a young age, my cousins and I could always feel the love my uncle had for “his boys,” as he lovingly called us. <br><br>As the sun would set just over the hills, that signaled it was time to pack up for the night. “Uncle, can we please fish tomorrow?” I would always ask. In his deep voice, he answered with the sweetest words my ears waited to hear, “Yes son, we will start bright and early.” And the next day, I did make the first catch! <br><br>Now, as a grown man, I have my own son. And whenever I feel the need to bond with my boy, we pick up a pool, find us a hole, and fishing is always just what the doctored ordered. <br><br>Start your fishing tradition, today. The memories of the time you share with those you love will last a lifetime.<br><br /><br />--<br />Muri loves spending time with his wife, Nicole and son Jordan. He also enjoys meeting new people and working from home. If you would like to spend more time with your family, contact Muri. <br> <br><a href="http://www.fulltimefamily.com">http://www.fulltimefamily.com</a><br><br><br>Source: <a href="http://www.articletrader.com/">http://www.articletrader.com</a> ]]></description>
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