Family Bond Paper™

For many marriages, the holidays can be a burden to dysfunctional marital relationships. Did you know that most dysfunctional married-couples separate, during this time of year? Such data reveals that these couples tend to follow through with the formal divorce actions.  There are many reasons as to why it is believed that couples struggle to remain married--just before and during traditional holidays. I have spoken to "many" straight married women who, let's blame it on the traditional holidays, complain of declines of spousal-bonding and productive emotions. Out of such discussions, these women truly believe the following actions are sure signs that believed straight-husbands may actually be gay or bisexual: Such men refuse to take time out of their plans to be with their wife or immediate family or wife and child(ren).  Such men plan quality time with their male friends instead of with the above mentioned. Such men whine that their wives spend too much time wit...

Have you ever considered opening a business? a family business? I have often asked my maternal family "why should we not try?"  Are these some of the answers that you have received when exploring entrepreneurship as a family? Who is reliable enough to do all that is necessary to maintain the everyday activities of running a business? It's too much work, and I'd rather we not. What about retirement?  A full-time job provides a steady paycheck, and there is too much of a risk in running a business. Where is the start-up money going to come from? The sky? Why should I put in more of the start-up money, if I earn more at my job than her/him or you? Being a family member is enough, we don't need to be in business together. Oh no, I am always the one that pays for most family-oriented gatherings now.  Sounds like a business plan, now you go try it if you want to and when you fail or achieve I'll be ---.  (encouraging realizing it takes a lot to run a b...

On October 1, 2016, my grandmother passed away.  So my immediate maternal family decided we should all give up our own planned goals for Christmas to unite to have one memorial dinner to celebrate and remember mother and grandmother, and to be with stepfather or step grandfather (grandchildren, great grandchildren) on Christmas day.  As many of you know I am a biological co-parent of four kids (3 daughters and 1 son): it ain't easy.  In fact, as the years go along, it has been a little more challenging then we thought it would be in dividing time with all the maternal and parternal family sets. Both family sets are active in family gatherings for birthdays, holidays, etc.  My children have now learned how to label and identify the fun habits or traditions of both maternal and paternal sets.  As they become older, they are making choices to do or not to do...  As we sacrificed our time--a memorial dinner--I noticed that There were no arguments...

Source: Hyde, M. Does anyone know the proper name of the phobia of having a woman as President? Woman President of color? Proper Name of Phobia                                        Fear Description Acrophobia                                                        height Agoraphobia                                                      open spaces, market place, etc. Ailurophobia                                                      cats Anthropophobia       ...

Tweet Summary for September "And You, Your Point of View Is__?"  is an opportunity for an online, open class-style audience, to ponder of topic tweets which may or may not be factual. Tweets Contributor: Families, general public. Sponsor Associate: A Time To Learn Academy. Food Safety Tips during Weather-Related Events How long, America, are we going to socially focus on race, and Kloran (KKK) or Koran (Islamic faith)? Black Lives Matter topic. "Be like us KKK social group; take off the sheets and discard your current brand logo." So what are faith-based businesses? When answering exclude churches, non-profits or large corporations (businesses). Humanity topic. "I know what it's like to be __." "I've always wanted to work with someone who knows a lot about __." There is a silent expression of excitement when we must struggle, or face death and destruction. "One's group's strengths is considered another g...

Island Hideaways highlighted by Ebony ,  July, 2015 Appropriate for our annual July hosted theme, Islands Month. Ranguana Caye in Belize; Kaihalulu Beach in Maui, Hawaii;  Playalinda Beach in Canaveral Ntl Seashore, Florida; Orient Beach in State Park, New York;  Little St. in Simons Island, Georgia; Caribbean Sea at Coup les San Souci Resort, Jamaica; St. Joseph Peninsula in State Park, Florida;  Islamorada in Florida Keys, Florida;  Playa Rincon in the Dominican Republic; and, Sandbridge Beach, Virginia.

Tweet Summary for May "And You, Your Point of View Is__?"  is an opportunity for an online, open class-style audience, to ponder of topic tweets which may or may not be factual. Host: Sherlene Stevens. Sponsor Associate: A Time To Learn Academy. Tweet Show, follow @atimetolearn   Daily Tweet Show Eight out of ten moms work in the U.S. Not all females want to own a business or work at all, and that's okay. No one says, "Okay, God, I want to be born into a generational-cursed family." Four out of ten moms are the earners in the household. There are preachers, in other countries, whose sermons are prepared for them--by their country leader or president. Cubans [females] are learning how to hold baby showers at their dwellings. Ladies we must practice discretion; "Saying and doing the right thing in the right way at the right time." How many, Ladies, have the same number of kids that your mothers had? Or do you have more? Some count...

Source:  Boothman, N. 2008. Attitudes are natural responses; here are a few attitudes that Boothman (2008) comments that are useless and should be avoided at work, home, and in relationships: angry sarcastic impatient bored disrespectful conceited pessimistic anxious rude suspicious vengeful afraid self-conscious mocking dutiful embarrassed

Source: Author Unknown. nd.  Reprinted without comment. Materials: Baking Soda  Cornstarch  Water Wax Paper Rolling Pin Measuring Cup Cookie Cutters Spoon  Pan In a pan put 1 cup of cornstarch and 2 cups (1 lb. pkg) baking soda. Mix them thoroughly. Add one and one-fourth cups of cold water. Place on heat and boil one minute to consistency of moist mashed potatoes. Stir constantly, and be careful as to not over cook. Turn out of pan onto a plate. Cover with a damp cloth until the mixture cools enough to handle. When cool, knead as you would bread or cookie dough.  DO NOT FLOUR BOARD! Roll out on wax paper to depth of 1/4". Cut with cookie cutters to make decorative patterns. Insert a small stick (wider than a toothpick) into each ornament.  You have just created holes for hanging ornaments. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes at 350F. They may also dry by laying them on paper over night. [Baking them is much faste...

THIS IS A MUST-READ. Print a copy for self, friends, etc.! I would like to share with you a few main laws that are known by faith believers and leaders. These laws may exist in your community. They are especially important to know if  you do not attend a church or religious building on a consistent basis. They set you up ... They know or make our real laws ... They will comment that you are doing a great job or service ... All the while ... They create or inform of fictitious criminal activity but in reality, read the following: What Not To Do In Your Community To Avoid Being An Uninvited Citizen or Family Do Not Females, do not dress like "real" girls; Allow your teens to date; Allow females to drive a vehicle of any kind; Allow your teen to earn more than the adults in your community; Allow teens or adults to participate in secular entertainment or fine art activities; Allow kids and students with good grades or higher GPA than expected of in your comm...

Source: Erickson, T. (March/April 2014). What Hispanics Want at Work. Diversity Executive, 12 .   Diversity Reading List for Hispanic Heritage Month Latino Facts In 2002, Hispanics moved past African - Americans to become our country's largest minority. Today, the return to native lands has been more economically productive due to our slow economy. In New Mexico, and Texas, Hispanics are expected to become the majority population by 2020. The U.S. Hispanic population is expected to more than double by 2050, from 44 million to 100 million. Hispanic high-school dropout rates are declining: College enrollment is excelling whites and blacks. Hispanics like jobs that provide training, flexible scheduling, and have long-term stability in its industry.

Emotional development, like other learning, takes time. And children, being the excellent imitators they are, will follow adult examples. If we yell at children, they will yell; if we hit them, they will hit; if we teach them how to fight--verbally or physically, they will imitate the same behavior.  Or, the opposite may occur where--child or adult--you may become the perpetual victim of other's aggression.  We get better results when we discipline children calmly. Efforts should be made to teach socially how to communicate productively personal points of views such as: Be clear and consistent. Set and discuss rules and consequences. Rules should be clear, simple, and few. Some adults have only one basic rule: "You may not hurt yourself, others, or things" . For example, to stop a child from hitting another child, kneel and calmly state, "You may not hit Tanisha. People are not for hitting." Then add, "I know you are angry. Can you tell me why?  ......

An illustrator is the person who provides their artwork skills to enhance the value of reading a good story. Who doesn't like to see pictures of what an author is trying to express to the reader? Allow your child to verbally explain to you what he/she thinks is happening. Give them a few seconds to view all of the delightful colors and expressions. Read the illustrator's name aloud just like you would the author's. You don't have to go to art galleries to appreciate beautiful artwork.  Watercolor, oil painting, pen and ink, collage, and other forms of artwork can be found in quality children's literature. Take time to tell the story of the artwork, too. Why do you think that color was used? Is it day or night? Inside or outside? What is the season? Many illustrators have distinct artistic styles that even young children can learn to recognize with very little adult assistance. --Oh, that's illustration from Eric Carle, Tomie de Paola, Don Tate, Cheryl Willis...

   "  Be Consistent" --                                                "Explain Any Change of Routines"--         Children develop best in an environment of order and consistency--even during summer and holiday school breaks.  They are happier when they know what to expect. To a young child, a predictable world is a safe world.      By setting up regular, reliable times and procedures for daily events, parents and guardians or child care provider provide a dependable environment.  Routines also help avoid the power struggles that so often occur between adults and children.      You'll find life with your child goes more smoothly if you set up and consistently carry out regular routines such as bedtime, wake-up time, mealtimes, chore times, play times, and homework times. You will find tha...

Source: S. Yager, "How Women Change Men." ( The Atlantic,  December 2013) See article for studies analysis. Most interesting points from the article, Did you know that Male CEOs, with firstborn daughters, actually pay their employees more, giving female employees the biggest raises? Male CEOs typically pay their employees less and themselves more after having sons? Men who have daughters also grow less attached to traditional gender roles? Having a sister, makes most men more supportive of traditional gender roles, more conservative politically, and less likely to perform housework? Men with stay-at-home wives tend to disapprove of women in the workplace, judge organizations with more female employees to be operating less smoothly, and show less interest in applying to companies led by female executives. They also, more frequently, deny promotions to qualified women? Working with women, on the other hand, can encourage egalitarianism (belief in human equality in mos...

May is my hosted theme of Women Appreciation Month. Ladies, I welcome you to participate and know that I "appreciate" each one of you. For more info, sherleneonline.com We all know that we should have out a little shopping list when visiting our local stores.  You can also create a future shopping list for meals, holidays, sales, etc.  Do you have a store card where you shop the most? A store card normally offers special deals whether you shop at your local store or online.  Do you purchase your weekly newspaper? Often your local paper will have coupons and weekly sale flyers to prepare you shopping list. Shop around or review several sale flyers before making your buying decisions. Sample generic products when they are on sale. They tend to be 20% cheaper than popular brands. If you like, you just found a cheaper product that will save you money to spend on something else for your unique household. Just make sure that you are not dropping a popular brand that you...

Spring Cleaning Ok, those participating, we have finished the normal spring cleaning. Source S. Getzkin. (March 21-23, 2014). Hoarders: Buried Alive . USA Weekend. Have you cleaned? Clean and store winter tools and sports gear. Bring out spring gear. Clean and store winter clothes in pest-proof bags and containers. Toss in a cedar bar if possible. Bring out spring and summer items. Donate any items not using, consignment, or have a yard sale. Wash winter sheets, blankets and comforters. Make certain that you have reviewed all food expiration labels. Donate any canned goods not using to a local food pantry. Throw away freezer food items that are more than six months old. Donate any magazines and books you've read to your local library, senior center, or hospital waiting area. Remove the address label of each item donated. Use a basket to hold traveling items in your vehicle trunk. Take an inventory of gardening supplies and plants that survived winter. Create a nurse...

It's my hosted event theme of U.S. Mixed Race Identity Month and Online Quotes Month (April, yearly). It is Spring Cleaning Month, too. I read an interesting article, from another blogger, of what not to say to parents of biracial kids, accessed April 8, 2014, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-stir/15-things-never-to-say-to-parents-of-biracial-kids_b_3109408.html Can you imagine someone commenting "Aww, look at the cute zebra baby" as implied by the blogger. By definition, mixed race individuals include people of two or more racial identities.  Most U.S. minorities could be considered a part of this definition. Is race still a factor in America? In my opinion, it is never possible for a mixed-race individual to fully avoid their racial identities. I believe that there is more cultural awareness that takes place by mixed individuals --attempts to fully understand American racial identity and personal behaviors. Some individuals may consider too much attention to racial...

Men, think you're having a hellish week? From an African tribe in the Thonga of southern Africa, there is a cultural tradition that has been adopted by men and college societies and religious leaders all over the world--in one behavior or another: aka Hell Week.      When a boy is somewhere between 10 and 11 years of age, he is sent by his parents to "circumcision school", which is held every four or five years.  In company with his age-mates he undergoes severe hazing by the adult males of the society.  The initiation begins when each boy runs the gauntlet between two rows of men who beat him with clubs. At the end of this experience, he is stripped of his clothes and his hair is cut.  He is next met by a man covered with lion manes and is seated upon a stone facing this "lion man." Someone then strikes him from behind and when he turns his head to see who has struck him his foreskin is seized and in two movements is cut off by the "lion man." Aft...

Read every day, lead a better life: Every child has the right to read, www.scholastic.com/ReadEveryDay Make certain that your child understand what he/she is reading: homework directions, in-class assignments, etc.  In order to complete math assignments, you must first read the directions, and, then, solve the math problem by reading it. Teach your child(ren) to read a math problem; it's just like reading a good mystery story. Five Reasons Kids--and Parent--Embrace E-Books They're instantly engaging. An interactive experience. They motivate reluctant readers. They're easy to take traveling, especially during family-bonding time. They save a trip to the bookstore. They save money. E-books tend to be cheaper than printed books.  Source:  Scholastic Instructor (2013, Summer) Have you read a book to your child this week?