Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts

Funny Christmas Songs

 
It may only be November, but it seems like people are already getting ready for Christmas. The decorations are out in the stores, and some radio stations have already started to play classic Christmas songs. As good as 'Silent Night' and 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' are, sometimes you want to hear something a little more...shall I say, spirited? For times like those, here are a few funny Christmas songs. Even if you don't celebrate the holiday, you can still get a laugh.

For starters, I can't think of anyone who doesn't get a kick out of Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer!

For those errant kids, here's a 'warning'-

I'm getting' nuttin' for Christmas
Mommy and Daddy Are Mad
I'm getting' nuttin' for Christmas
'Cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad.

The kid singing goes on to describe such dastardly deeds as making his little brother eat a bug and tying a knot in his sister's hair. Here's a link to the lyrics along with a quiet rendition of the song.


One 'environmentally-conscious' version of the song puts this spoken-word verse at the end:
I'm getting' nuttin' for Christmas because I contributed to
The Greenhouse Effect which is melting polar ice caps.
We're melting the North Pole where Santa Claus lives-
He's mad.

Cute.
 
Of course, there's the classic '12 Days of Christmas'. A lot of people don't remember the original, but that could be because there are so many parody versions out there. Consider this one from comedian Jeff Foxworthy:

The song is funny on its own, but the video just adds to it.

Here's another one that has been played on radio stations around the country. You can ignore the video, but you have to hear the voices!
12 Pains of Christmas


I don't know if you're a fan of country music, but this one from Ray Stevens can make anyone laugh.

Santa Claus Is Watching You:

And, well, here's a snarky one that you might not want your kids to sing but that they've probably already heard from their friends.

Deck the halls with gasoline, Fa la la la la, la la la la
Light a match and watch it gleam, fa la la la la, la la la la
Watch the school burn down to ashes, fa la la, la la la, la la la
Aren't you glad you played with matches, fa la la la la, la la la (blow)

I hope I've managed to give you a laugh. What are some funny Christmas songs you've heard?

Teaching Your Children About The Goodness of Donating


In a struggling economic time when money is tighter then ever, you may find yourself starting to take a harder look at your own finances to see where you may be able to cut costs. Difficult fiscal decisions and certain sacrifices may need to be made in order to help you survive in this economy. When reconsidering where your funds are going, you may think about halting your donations to your favorite nonprofit organization in an effort to reduce your spending. Before you make that assessment, consider the following reasons why donating can be both mutually beneficial to the organization that you are supporting and also to your own welfare.

One of the biggest benefits for the individual to donate to a nonprofit organization is the level of self worth that you achieve through this process. Donation gives you the opportunity to select a problem that you feel strongly about and help to implement a way to embark upon solving it. The organization that you are donating to should provide you with a continuous influx of information on how your funds are making an impact inside the organization and for those that are receiving help. Knowing that you are improving the situation for someone that is less fortunate then you can be a very rewarding and irreplaceable experience.

By choosing to donate, you also get the chance to express your personal values. The organization that you donate to is a direct reflection of what you believe in. When choosing an organization to donate to, you need to understand what your goals are. Once you understand your goals, you have the opportunity to work with the organization that goes about achieving these goals with the strategy that you see most fitting. Donating to an organization that you have researched and believe in can help you to strengthen your core as a person by aligning your beliefs with actions.

Perhaps the most obvious, but important reason to continue your donations is that in this economic time, the nonprofit organizations need it more then ever to survive. If you choose to discontinue your donation, the organization may have several individuals that choose to take the same action and they may not end up with enough funds to continue the service that they have been providing to the community. Removing these imperative funds has much more of an impact then just a disappearing organization. There are people that are going to be affected in your local community and will not be able to receive the services that they need to survive and prosper.

Viewing your own financial situation as more then just numbers is a vital message that should be taken into consideration when you are trying to reduce your spending. Remember why you began donating in the first place and think about the feelings of pleasure that it has brought to you. Having a strong self worth, supporting your values, and knowing that you are bettering your community are feelings that cannot be replaced by anything.

10 Points To Get You A Job As A Nanny


Working with someone else’s children is a very important career, you would essentially be solely responsible for the lives of little ones, and they are the most important people in your new employer’s life! Upon embarking on a interview for a local nanny work opening, preparation is key to landing successful nanny jobs. Before you even leave for your interview ensure you are dressed appropriately for nanny work by wearing business casual attire and easy on the makeup application as well. Give your self ample time to get tot eh interview, as being tardy will greatly work against you.

Nanny work tip number one is to always greet the child or children in the room in a friendly and engaging manner. If you fail to make contact with the children the parent will automatically assume you are not comfortable around little ones or do not have the personality that they are seeking in a nanny. Tip number two to land nanny jobs is to never use foul language of any sort during the interview, it is inappropriate and classless. Tip number three is good old fashion etiquette, do not chew gum or have your cellular device on making noise every few minutes as it is unprofessional and distracting.

Number four is one of the most vital steps when seeking nanny work, and that is anytime a client hands you an infant or young child to hold you must ask the parent where to wash your hands at first. Infants and young children are more prone to getting illnesses by germs and you should always clean your hands prior to holding a baby to prevent passing any germs. The parents will notice this and appreciate it greatly as well.

Tip number five is one that should be followed in any interview, nanny jobs included and that is to never speak poorly of your previous employers. It speaks volume of your own character and turns off potential employers instantly. Nanny work interview tip number six is to be inquisitive about the children you may be taking care of. Ask the parents which activities they are involved in and what an example of their daily routine may be. This benefits your interview by taking interest in the little ones and you should always be eager to learn about them as you will be spending a lot of time with these children.

Tip number seven is to utilize the children’s names during the interview, this not only helps you remember their names but the parents will find that impressive that you are already addressing their children during the conversation with interest. Nanny work tip number eight is to inquire about pet responsibilities. If the client has a pet to pets it is equally as important to address them in a friendly manner as well by petting a dog or cat that may come your way.

Tip number nine is to never inquire about what the potential salary may be for the position as there will be a time at a later date when all that will be addressed. Finally, tip number ten is to follow up your interview with a letter of thanks for the following day. This can be sent via email or regular mail as a brief thank you for the consideration and that you would enjoy helping the children (address them by name in the letter) grow on a daily basis. Nanny jobs are a great way to make an impact on a child’s life and the parents are going to be very selective when choosing the ideal candidate to tend to their little ones everyday.

Can You Pass A Nanny Background Check?


Obtaining a nanny work career is a very important job. You are responsible for someone else’s life, their well being and guiding them through daily activities. Anytime caring for children is involved, the employers which in this case would be the parents are entitled to run a many background check to ensure they are hiring the ideal candidate. This process can be done on the internet with the parents collecting a few pieces of information on you and in minutes they will have their results displayed.

The employer will need to retrieve your social security or tax identification number, your date of birth, your drivers license identification number and your mailing address to complete their nanny background check. Some security companies that provide these background checks require less information and some obviously require more, but be sure to have this information available when visiting the potential employer or going for the interview so you are prepared.

You may be concerned as to what activities or blemishes on your past record will effect your nanny background check and that is completely understandable. Many people have incidents in their youth and unfortunately have them on their records for years before they are released from their own identities. Some things that will without a doubt prevent you from obtaining any nanny work position are typically those that are felony charges and any charges that involved any incidents with children whatsoever. Minor violations such as traffic citations with a motor vehicle are rarely an issue and typically do not show up on any nanny background check.

In the event you do possess any blemishes on your record that you feel might effect your chances of being hired, you can certainly opt to speak with the potential employer regarding those concerns. Sometimes there are situations that were out of one’s control or as previously mentioned something that happened many years prior and with some form of explanation you are giving the employer some way to form their own opinion instead of gaining a judgment from a piece of paper with prior indiscretions on it.

For an Au pair situation the requirement may be more detailed to complete a nanny background check as you would be living in a foreign country. This type of nanny work should be screened and considering you would not only be caring for the children of your new employer, but you would also be residing in their home as well making safety a first priority. To view all the needed documentation you may need to qualify for an Au pair arrangement or for a regular nanny background check you can typically on various online background check websites to ensure you have all of those documents. If you have encountered a discrepancy of any kind as a result of a nanny background check that is on your record under false pretenses, make sure you speak with the proper court systems to have those erased and following those actions bring that documentation to your new employer to clear up any issues.

How To Love And Parent Step Children

Parenting step-children is a whole different deal from actually raising your step-children on a full-time basis. Typically, when you are parenting step-children, there is a shared custody agreement so that they are not actually at your home full time. There is usually an agreed upon schedule for both sides. The best way to step-parent is to allow the natural parents to do there job and to become an assistant to them. After all, they are their children, not yours. You need to respect their position and try your best to follow their lead while parenting.


You should not become the child’s friend because you are still a parent, just not a natural one. They will need to respect you and to listen to you for their own safety. Do not play games between the children and the other parent. Don’t get involved in their small arguments and try not to take sides. A good position to attempt is that of the peacemaker. That you just want everyone to get along. Do not go against the other parents rules and allow the children to do things that they have told them they are not allowed to do. You should attempt to keep the same kind of rules at your house as the other home involved. It’s not always 100% possible, but you can at least attempt it.


It’s a good idea to find out what the children like and don’t like and what a typical day at their other home is really like. This way you will know what the children are accustomed to at the other parents home. A really nice touch is to make sure they have their own drawers, space and/or bedroom at your house. So that they know they are welcome and not just some guest that dropped by. You can also find out their favorite foods, type of DVDs, and even buy shampoos and soaps that they use regularly. Taking a few minutes to learn what their favorite treats and items that make them feel at home will go a long way in showing them how much you care about them and their needs.


Do not hesitate to call their other parent should you need advice or a situation comes up that you are having difficulty in making the decision about. Allow them to actually make the decision in this case and then you are totally in the clear. Plus you look much better in their eyes because you have shown them that you are putting the children’s needs first just by calling them about it. Always consult with your spouse prior to any serious conversations you may need to have with your step-children as you do not want to overstep any boundaries ever. This could save you from several arguments between yourself and your spouse in the near future. It can also show your step children that you do not wish to cause any issues, but to instead help create a healthy environment for the whole family to reside in.

Single Mom Mentoring


Finding a Mentor May Be the Best Thing You Ever Do For Yourself

The act of mentoring comes from the desire of one to move from a current state to a better and improved position. Mentoring can be applied in a variety of fields and can be used by different people of different ages. Single mom mentoring is a very important activity that most moms overlook. It is amongst the best ways to help you cope with the job of raising a child or children on your own.

Community Programs Are a Great Place to Start Seeking a Mommy Mentor

Mentors help single mothers in many ways such as helping them understand the challenges faced when raising a child on your own and offer friendships which incorporate the value of respect and love for one another daily.

The best mentors that offer single mom assistance are ones that have had the experience of being moms themselves. Not saying that other mentors aren’t good enough but it would be better to hear from a person who’s had firsthand experience. The benefits of having a mom mentor is that she will be able to teach you the right parenting skills in order for you to bring up your child with good morals and a high self esteem despite the fact that they will be missing a father figure in their lives.

Single mom mentors encourage you to enroll in courses that offer basic first aid training. This is because most of the time it will only be you and your child and if any accident were to happen, you will be the one to be responsible for your child’s safety.

Part of a single mom mentoring program will include going for retreats where you can mingle with other single moms and get to learn and share from one another’s experiences. Such a single mom boot camp will be of great benefit in that it will improve the way single moms perceive themselves. It helps give them a sense of power and fulfillment in their children.

The encounters a single mom will have at such a retreat will help her reshape her mind and help her achieve a more positive mindset. These programs will help increase her self-analysis and self awareness levels. One of the main objectives of a boot camp is to raise a single mom’s self esteem.

Single mom mentoring is very involving and because of this a mother needs to be careful as to how she chooses her mentor. The first thing you will need to do is to make a list of all your prospective mentors. This should include people you know and interact with often. After this you can go ahead and ask. You may approach all of them and if most give you a positive answer then you can choose your favorite or the person you think will help you the most.

Also it would be advisable to choose someone who is living the life you want to live. By constantly interacting with this person you will always have the drive to want to be where they are. Above all else your mentor should be your friend, a friend who is always willing to lend a helping hand.