Spare the Sticker, Spoil the Child

Four weeks ago, I was looking around my living room, disgusted.

I had just come downstairs from spending an almost solid 4 days in bed from being sick.

I was looking at a pig-pen. I couldn't believe my eyes.

I immediately went back upstairs and crawled in bed. At that point, I couldn't even deal with looking at it. I had no energy.

Obviously, my children weren't learning the neatness I was trying to teach them. And I needed to come up with a solution.

A solution without work. A solution without yelling and nagging at the kids.

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COOKING TIP: Easiest Glaze on Earth

Making frosting is pretty easy, but a little messy. Here's a way to get the easy without the messy. Buy a can of prepared buttercream or creamcheese flavored frosting. Microwave it for 20-30 seconds and stir until it is melted enough to pour. Drizzle it over your bundt cake. You can also take some chopped nuts and sprinkle on top or sprinkle on some cinnamon or whatever fits the flavor of your cake.
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So, after much thought - and now 4 weeks of experimentation - I have found the key....mostly stickers, a chart, and a weekly event to look forward to.

I made my little charts and taped them to their bedroom door. Instantaneously, I had three children running around the house to get a sticker.

Amazing, the power of stickers!

If you're a member, you can download your charts at http://www.kidsrecipeclub.com

Now, on to some Q&A;:

Hello,
I would like information on how I can obtain your cooking with kids curriculum. I am currently a teacher in Chicago, I have been teaching 1st-5th graders for the last seven years. I also love to cook and I am in process of opening up a business that would combine my two passions. Thank you. Sincerely, ~Lucia

L.B.: Hi, Lucia. You can purchase online, you can print and mail in or fax the order form, or you can call in your order information to 907-334-8164.

Hi Laura, I'm looking for pages for a 9 year old girl, thank you for replying so quickly. THANKS, Nancy

L.B.: Hi, Nancy. You know, that's the beauty about coloring. It can be enjoyed by so many ages. From a 2 year old scribbles, to the gorgeous entries that we get for the coloring contest. Most of the free coloring pages that are available on my homeschooling library site are for younger children, but there are older pages included on the coloring page e-list. For Christmas, your daughter would enjoy the Giant Coloring Page I had designed by a professional for my children.

I NEED SOME BLANK LESSON PLANS I JUST STARTED MY DAYCARE AND I NEED A FEW DIFF LESSON PLANS IDEAS THANKYOU, TAMI

L.B.: Hi, Tami, congratulations on starting your business! That is really exciting. In our family carpet cleaning business, I have found the most profitable time to be spent in developing systems and products unique to my business - and helped me grow in the process. For new things that come up in my business that I don't know about, I usually hire out to get it done right. Not knowing what you need, here are a few choices:

• A few free samples
• A complete pre-made kit
• A weekly subscription or one time custom request

Hi, I'm trying to find some receipes or ideas of things that I can make for main meals without milk, cheese and eggs because I want to prepare things we all can eat. Most of the receipes I've seen are full of milk and eggs. Any suggestions?? Thanks, Melanie

L.B.: Hi, Melanie. I've not been able to tolerate dairy very well. My Mom says she couldnt' even give it to me as a baby - mayber that's what's wrong with me ;-). No, I'm very sensitive to those like myself that have to select special recipes, so in the members section, I've already placed some free dairy-free recipes and diabetic recipes - check those out at the Kids Recipe Club.

Laura,
I wanted to share this funny comment my 8 year old said today. We were preparing to make a cake from a mix to use as a science project to illustrate how mountains form when the earths plates push together. My toddler woke up early from his nap, so I handed the mix to Jenny and told her to read the directions. She read them outloud to me. We discussed the fraction measurements a little. Then she was quiet for a while. She then asked "What are these high altitude directions for??" I asked "Do you know what high altitude means??" She responded, "Is that when you want to make a really tall cake?!" She was so serious and I was about to burst out laughing. It was such a precious comment...Marianne

L.B. Marianne! That is soooo precious! I just love it. I can just picture that fun and the great laugh the two of you had together. She'll never forget that moment! Way to go!!

Well, there are tons of more emails that there is just not time enough to answer. But, as you may well expect, there were quite a few responses to the "unpatirotic homeschooler" article.

Here are a few:

"Amen girl, I agree with you 100 %. With responsibility comes privilege. Serve God and country, with joy. Wave that banner, our beautiful flag. Never be ashamed of her!!!!!" Nora Shepherd

"Well, then I'm unpatriotic, because as a history teacher and a PhD candidate, I can tell you that the only war in my opinion that was justified in the last 100 years was WW2, so if a draft comes about, I will be moving out of the country with all of my children....GLADLY" (Anonymous)

To read the other positive - and negative - feedback, click here

Well, I hope you are having a blessed Lord's day.

Sincerely,

Laura Banskton

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

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