Shooting Star

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by: James Kronefield

To Get What You Expect

Your parenting style is the most likely way you will impact how your child grows up. In being responsive to your children, you are simultaneously setting clear rules and limits for your children. This is crucial for you as a parent. You have likely based on this, identified the four main styles of parenting. There is no "right" or "wrong" parenting style and more to the point, there is more than one right way, though we all have prejudices on what we think works best based on our own life experience and values. Research, however, has charted the effects of the various parenting styles on children:

Just do it or else!

Many parents adopt a highly authoritarian, dictatorial style of parenting. They expect children to simply obey orders with no questions. Rules typically are well defined in such households and breaking those rules ultimately invites punishment. This type of system is highly typical in societies where little to no change is expected and deviance from this normal behaviour can be quite costly such as in rural or agrarian society.

Children that have grown up in this type of emotional environment tend to show average performance in school but lack spontaneity, effective social skills, and self-confidence.

A no means a no

Other parents are firm, assertive, and authoritative without being overly authoritarian. They set very clear rules, and are firm about the discipline without using any harsh punishment. Children in such homes are expected to be are typically are, socially responsible.

Children, who are brought up in this type of emotional environment tend to become more responsible. They highly capable and easily adjust to situations that demand cooperation.

Do anything you want

Parents engaging in this style of parenting believe in the permissive or indulgent approach. They demand very little responsible behaviour and frequently avoid confrontation with their children. This style was more popular with parents in the 50s and 60s.

Children who are brought up in this type of emotional environment tend to be more creative but some research indicates they may develop behavioural problems as they grow up because they tend not to accept responsibility.

I don't care what you do

Very rarely parents remain uninvolved in their children's lives, which can in many cases, border on neglect.

Children who are brought up in this type of emotional environment tend to perform poorly at school and frequently engage in criminal behaviour.

Jim Corbett

About The Author
James Kronefield

Do you need family and parenting advices? Get them at http://modernsocietyissues.com/

Events: Distance
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155
PRs: 3000i: 7:58.73 (2002); 5000: 13:35.08 (2002);
10,000: 28:26.91 (2000); Marathon: 2:14:29 (2003)
Born: May 4, 1979 in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Current Residence: East Jordan, Mich.
High School: Central Lake '97
College: University of Notre Dame '02
Coach: Joe Vigil
Agent: Ray Flynn
Club: Team USA California

Career Highlights: 2003 USA Marathon champion; 2003 & 2004 USA Half-Marathon champion; 2001 NCAA 10,000m champion; 2004 USA 20 km champion; 9-time NCAA All-American

Shay had another strong year in the marathon in 2005 highlighted by top 20 finishes at the Boston and ING New York City Marathons. After a tremendous 2003 campaign that saw him win the USARC road racing series in 2004, overzealous training caused a hamstring strain that hampered Shay throughout that season, he placed 23^rd at the Olympic Marathon Trials and 10^th in the 10,000m at the Olympic Trials later that summer in Sacramento. Earlier he successfully defended his USA Half-Marathon title and won the USA 20 km championship, in addition to setting personal bests in the 10,000 meters and marathon. One of eight children, Shay grew up amongst the blood of champions: eldest sister, Jodi Shay, still holds the 25 km national record for a 14-year oldolder brother, Cody, was the 97 NAIA national champ in 3000m steeplechase. Striving to take his own professional career toward the Olympic level, Shays post-collegiate competition began at the 2002 USA Track & Field Championships where he placed 7^th in the 10,000mhis success continued, winning the 2003 USA Marathon Championship in Birmingham, Ala. in 2:14:29 and the 2003 USA Half-Marathon Championship on June 7 in 1:04:13In his final collegiate season in 2002, Shay finished 2^nd in the 10,000m to 2001 cross country champion Boaz Cheboiywo to receive his 9^th All-American honorAt Notre Dame, the 9-time All-American (2 in cross country, 7 in track) had four consecutive top-10 finishes in the 10,000m at NCAA Championshipswas the schools first NCAA individual champion and the first BIG EAST cross country championholds the indoor and outdoor 5,000m and 10,000m school recordsindividually won four National Catholic cross country meet titlesAfter college, Shay joined Team USA California, an elite training group which includes Meb Keflezighi and Deena Drossin, and he currently lives in Alamosa, Colo. with Peter De La Cerda and his family to prepare for the World Championships Marathon in Parishe was a double major of economics and computer applications in collegehas future plans to attend chiropractic schoolis an avid fisherman.

2007: 15^th at USA Half-Marathon Champs (1:04:23)
2006: 3^rd at USA Marathon Champs (2:14:58)…6^th at USA 15 km Champs (44:42)…8^th at USA 20 km Champs (1:00:48)…best of 2:14:58.
2005: 11th at Boston Marathon (2:18:17)...18th at New York Marathon (2:17:14)...ranked #8 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 2:17:14.
2004: 23^rd at Olympic Marathon Trials (2:19:20)10^th at Olympic Trials 10,000m (28:49.95)USA Half-Marathon champion (1:05:04)USA 20 km champion (59:53)3^rd at USATF 10-Mile Championships (47:11)9^th at New York City Marathon (2:14:08PR)20^th at Stanford 10 km (28:18.81PR)runner-up at USA 5 km road championships (14:02)bests of 28:18.81PR & 2:14:08PR.
2003: USA Marathon champion (2:14:29PR)USA Half-Marathon champion (1:04:13)USARC series champion3^rd at USA 5 km championship (14:06)3^rd at USA 25 km championship (1:17:44)8^th at USA 15 km championship (45:22) did not finish World Outdoor Championships marathonranked #2 at marathon in U.S. by T&FNbests of 2:14:29 & 1:04.13.
2002: 6th at NCAA Indoor 5,000m (14:02.97); named All-American2^nd at NCAA Outdoor 10,000m (29:02.92)15^th at LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon (2:14:30)7^th in 10,000m at USA Outdoors (28:40.66)bests of 13:35.08, 28:39.43 & 2:14:30.
2001: 1^st at NCAA Outdoor 10,000m (29:05.44)6^th in 5,000m NCAA Outdoor (13:52.45)4^th at Stanford Invite (28:40.03)10,000m BIG EAST Outdoor champ (29:17.61)5,000m BIG EAST Indoor champ (14:10.00); 2^nd in 3,000mbests of 13:52.45 & 28:40.03
2000: 7^th in 10,000m NCAA outdoor (29:55.78)... BIG EAST Outdoor 5,000m champ (14:42.91); 10,000m BIG EAST Outdoor champ (29:17.61)finished 10^th at Olympic Trials (28:52.74)bests of 14:08.31 & 28:26.91.
1999: Cross country All-American at NCAA Championships with 12^th (30:46.10)7^th in 10,000m at NCAA Outdoor Championships (29:55.78)bests of 14:02.35 & 29:01.59.
1998: Qualified for NCAA Cross Country Championships (34:16.80)1^st at National Catholic Championshipsqualified for NCAA Championshipscompeted for Team USA at World Junior Cross Country Championships (20^th of 200) to post highest finish by an American since 1992.

from : http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/oldBios/2006/Shay_Ryan.asp

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But Still it's cool stuff thoo.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Odyssey 5 is a Canadian science fiction series that first ran in 2002 on Showtime in the United States and on SPACE in Canada.

In the United States, the initial run of the series ran for 14 of the 20 episodes, leaving the six remaining episodes unaired for a period of roughly two years. (They were aired in 2004 on Showtime as "missing" episodes, which ostensibly included the open-ended series finale.) This unnatural pause and the summary cancellation were done due to Showtime's desire to move away from science fiction television, likely in an attempt to match the programming brought forth by rival HBO. This is despite the fact that the series was one of Showtime's highest rated original series.

The series made a full run of all 20 episodes in the United Kingdom on Sky One and on SciFiUK and in Canada. In 2004, the series aired in Finland on Nelonen and thus could also be seen in Estonia; In 2005, it aired in the Netherlands on NET 5 after midnight. In addition, Odyssey 5 is being or has been aired on RTL Klub in Hungary[2], and premiered in Australia on the Sci Fi Channel in December 2006. Currently the series aired on Cadena 3 (channel 28) in Mexico and the Sci Fi Channel in the United States.

Odyssey 5 is the brainchild of Manny Coto, who served as a script-writer and executive producer during the series run. Through his website and in interviews, Coto has expressed his interest in returning to the series at some point, either continuing it or giving it a conclusion.

The series was produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

by: Kelly Nault Matzen

Over 200 pairs of eyes are glued to me as a spirited child screams, "ORDER ME MY MEAL NOW!"

This child has refused to order his own hamburger (as he has done many times before) and when I calmly tell him he can either order it himself, or go home without his burger, he goes completely berserk. Yes, I have entered into a "food fare nightmare"-with my formidable opponent, an eight year old child.

I feel my cheeks flush as public onlookers wait in complete stunned silence to see who will win-the big one or the little one?

The Four Parenting Keys to Taming Your Spirited Child

Surprisingly, over my years as a family counselor, I have come to love working with spirited children. These children have a fire in their belly, a spark in their eye and a feisty attitude that assures their future in walking to the beat of their own drum instead of blindly following the crowd-a trait many parents hope for during the teen years. Yet that day in the food fare I was worn out, embarrassed and on the verge of saying "I quit!"

Raising your spirited child can be exhausting. Fortunately for me, I learned some commonsense parenting tools that eliminated nearly all future fights. Allow me to share some of these parenting tips that can support your efforts in taming your spirited child.

Raising your spirited child with these four parenting tips can help you navigate the emotional mine field successfully:

1. Use consistency. Follow through on EVERYTHING you say. Spirited children are gifted at manipulating "chances" and finding loopholes to obtaining exactly what they want. Hold your ground as calmly and firmly as possible-whatever you do, don't back down.

2. Talk less and act more. This works well, because when you get into a debate with a spirited child you are certain to lose! This is why in my "food fare nightmare" example above I gave two simple options; to order the hamburger or go home without it (the talking less part); and then silently waited (the action part).

3. Develop patience. Waiting out a fight without saying anything (especially if a temper tantrum erupts in public) can be one of the most difficult, yet important, things you ever do as a parent. Spirited children are bright-they know that the biggest weapon in their arsenal is to push your embarrassment button. Swallow your pride-do not cave in just because you think you look bad in public. Remember if you cave in, your child will learn to use this trump card every time they want their way in a public setting.

4. Take time out for yourself. Parenting children is exhausting (especially a feisty child). Find little ways to take time out yourself (share child care with a friend, hire a babysitter more, use extra hours at daycare) so you will have more energy and patience to draw from during the trying situations.

What Does the Future Hold for Your Spirited Child?

These commonsense parenting tools tame the negative opposition, but let their beautiful spirit flourish. If you attempt to use traditional discipline practices and make your child do what you want, you face an un-winnable uphill battle.

Fortunately, commonsense parenting does not mean letting your child get away with murder! A commonsense approach uses firm boundaries, mutual respect and discipline-teaching a child to naturally learn and grow from their mistakes rather than fight you every step of the way.

In the midst of your next fight, you may wonder if there will be an end to the madness. I am here to tell you that there will be a resolution to your current dramas. In my case, these tips allowed me to triumph and actually enjoy raising a spirited child.

This same child who gave award-winning temper tantrum performances in public and could bring me to my knees is now a responsible, respectful and enjoyable 17 year old college student whose year ahead is completely paid by scholarships won. For me and him, we both won in the end. May it also be the same for you.

When taming your spirited child remember to keep the faith, learn commonsense parenting tips and know that eventually if you follow the basic principles above "this too shall pass."

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by: Jackie Durnin

Baby sign language has been shown to very beneficial to a baby's language development. So much so, that the typical language parameters of children are changing thanks to a child's ability to express themselves through baby sign from as early as 6 months of age.

So how can a parent know if their child's language, listening and speech skills are developing normally? All children develop their language, listening and speech skills at different rates. Below you will find a chart based on a non-signing child's typical language development but this does not take into consideration the use of baby sign language with children. Please note that this table is a guide only.

Your Child's Age

Typical Language Development:-

By Age One:

Turns head toward the source of the sound.

Watches your face when you speak.

Responds to familiar sounds such as the car in the driveway, the dog barking, the door bell ringing, the telephone ringing etc.

Responds to their name.

Understands simple instructions such as "no".

Tries to repeat your sounds or familiar sounds from their environment.

Uses one or more word with meaning.

Babbles (says "ba-ba" or "ma-ma").

____________________________________________

By 17 Months:

Points to objects, pictures & people.

Most vocabulary is mainly nouns ie. People, place, animal or thing.

Tries to imitate easy words.

By The Age of Two Points and says the name to simple body parts such as "nose".

Starts to combine words such as "more milk".

Can name a number of objects in their environment.

Can use some pronouns such as "He", "My" or "I". However "My" & "I" often get confused.

Understands simple sentences such as "show me your eyes (nose, mouth, hair)".

____________________________________________

By Age Three:

Speech is more accurate and they can be understood by familiar adults.

Uses three to four word sentences.

Is using some past tense such as "jumped".

Uses pronouns I, you, me correctly.

Recognises their own needs such as hunger or thirst.

Have favourite books and television shows.

Knows around three prepositions such as "in", "on" or "under".

Is using some plurals such as "socks" or "shoes".

So how does baby sign language change the above milestones?

The main difference is your baby's ability to begin communicating through sign earlier than their vocal skills will allow them. By the age of two, while non-signing babies are combining words such as "more milk", parents of signing babies have experienced two-word communication through baby sign language as early as 14 months of age. This is a 10-month gap in communication. Dr Acredolo & Dr Goodwyn further highlighted these benefits in a study where three-year-old signing children had developed the language and vocabulary skills to a four-year-old.

This does not mean that a signing baby will necessarily speak earlier than a non signing baby but that they will have the ability to communicate their thoughts, wants and needs through sign while being pre-verbal.

This ability for children to communicate their needs and wants causes children to be less frustrated and research has shown that it has great language development and vocabulary building benefits.

Give your child a head start in language development with Australian baby sign language.

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