Might as well know some facts, just in case.

Be safe and healthy,

The Cackleberries Team

The How-To Series

Back with our weekly initiative to answer questions parents may have, may not realize they have, or simply to provide further insight into a topic they are well aware of, we provide another installment of our “How-To Series”

Here Are My 5 Expert Tips For Parenting and Coping During Tough Economic Times
By Gareth A Williams

As we all know, parenting can be extremely difficult during the best of times and circumstances. But with the world economy in dire straits, many families are being hit hard, which can put added stress and strain on them.

If this situation has negatively impacted you and your children, there are some simple things you can do to cope with it.

First of all, as difficult as it may seem some days, try your best to reassure your children and continue showing love to them and to your partner. The stress and strain of financial difficulties often leads to dour moods, short tempers and more disagreements and arguments than normal, which lead to even more stress and strain.

Remember that your family needs to stay together and be even more supportive and understanding during difficult times, rather than the opposite. Instead of withdrawing, or allowing another family member to withdraw, try to stay engaged and be even more loving and reassuring than normal.

Two, connect with other parents in similar circumstances. Sometimes, just talking to someone who’s going through similarly difficult times makes all the difference in the attitude you bring home with you. And you may even discover some resources and coping mechanisms that are working for others that you hadn’t considered.

Three, be aware that many organizations and churches are ramping up resources to help families cope with such challenging times. Though charitable giving has suffered, too, there are often low-cost programs that are now available to help find a job, to learn about needed resources and care, etc. So do take advantage of them.

Four, there are also numerous resources on the Internet to give you ideas about saving money, while still maintaining family unity and some fun. Spend ten to fifteen minutes searching the major search engines and you’ll be surprised by the amount of information that is available for you.

Lastly, remember that you’re not alone. You have each other, and that’s something pretty important to hang onto.

Gareth Williams has been an expert in the field of parenting for well over 25 years and is the author of the highly acclaimed ebook ‘Harmony at Home – A Parent’s Companion’. If you’re interested in learning the close guarded secrets of the ‘Whole Child Aprroach’ which will sky rocket your parenting skills to unparalleled success in record time then please visit-http://www.instantparentsuccess.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gareth_A_Williams
http://EzineArticles.com/?Here-Are-My-5-Expert-Tips-For-Parenting-and-Coping-During-Tough-Economic-Times&id=2278462

Potty Training – The Dreaded Task
By Tina Lovell

Does the thought of potty training your child both excite and exhaust you at the same time? It did me! I was very ready to move out of the diaper stage. Let’s face it, disposable diapers are expensive, messy, and not good for the environment. Yet the thought of potty training my first son was a bit overwhelming. I believed it would require a lot of time, patience, being attentive to the clock and so fourth and so on. That was overwhelming. After all, potty training is a difficult task to master…or at least that’s what I thought. I am here to tell you it really doesn’t have to be all that bad. Let’s explore that idea and talk about potty training in general.

Before you begin potty training, you will want to look for signs that your child is ready. These include:

1. Your child is able to keep their diaper dry for two hours at a time or more.

2. Can pull their pants up and down.

3. Can follow simple instructions.

4. Understands when they are urinating or “going potty.”

5. Can sit still for a couple of minutes without being upset by it.

6. Can walk or run fairly well- sometimes a quick trip to the bathroom is necessary.

7. Shows an interest in potty training, the toilet, “big kid underwear” or what you are doing when you go potty. You can help peak their interest by talking about it or pointing certain things out- like the potty, underwear, using the toilet.

If your child is showing these signs, then its time to begin the process. If you have already begun and are not having success, or have never potty trained a child before and don’t know where to begin, then the next step is to begin educating yourself as to the best way to go about this. That is exactly what I did and was able to potty train three of my sons in 3 days. I have one more to potty train, but he’s not quite ready yet. However, I now face the task with great confidence because I know it is easier than I thought.

Tina is a happily married WAHM of 4 boys, a freelance writer and advocate for families and parents. She enjoys encouraging others in everyday family life and is willing to share what she has learned along the way. She has a lot of experience when it comes to raising children, especially boys.

For more tips in parenting in general or for helping to potty train your child, visit here here at: http://www.squidoo.com/Potty-Training-That-works or at http://www.Parenting-Toddlers-Children-Teenagers.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tina_Lovell
http://EzineArticles.com/?Potty-Training—The-Dreaded-Task&id=2265720

Cackleberry Recipes

In our ongoing efforts to make life easier for you, the under-appreciated and over-worked parents of the kids we cater to, we offer our regular Monday initiative in our blogging repertoire to help you be the best parent you can be! We welcome you back to our snack-tastic feature where we showcase easy kids snack recipes right here in this very place on this very day, every week.  We welcome you back to the Monday Munchies presented by Cackleberries.com

With Cinco De Mayo now right around the corner, today, we will showcase recipe 3 of a 4 part offering in our Mexican themed snack recipes, courtesy of our Cackleberry friend, Quevo! Following the last two weeks offerings of Quevo’s Crunchy Corn Chips and Quevo’s Stupendous Salsa, we will again treat you to a fitting follow-up recipe, this time courtesy of Quevo’s alter ego, The Lone H’uevo! So what does the Lone H’uevo have up his sleeve?  Why, the perfect accompaniment to salsa of course;  Guacamole!  So how do you make the Lone H’uevos Great Guacamole? Check it out below!

The Lone H’uevos Great Guacamole

Ingredients

The Lone H'uevo

• An Avocado
• The Juice from 1/2 a Lime
• 1/2 of a Tomato (diced)
• 1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder (to taste)
• 1 Teaspoon of Salt
• A Small bunch of Cilantro (if you have it)

Directions

1. Cut an avocado in half and remove the pit
2. Spoon out contents of Avocado into a bowl
3. Mash up the Avocado with the back of a spoon until creamy
4. Dice half a Tomato and add to bowl
5. Add Garlic, Lime, Salt, and Cilantro
6. Taste and add more flavouring if desired
7. Serve with Quevo’s Crunchy Corn Chips and Quevo’s Stupendous Salsa and Enjoy!

Until Next week and our last Cinco De Mayo Recipe

The Cackleberries Team

Every week, Cackleberries.com offers a brand new children’s story for you and your family’s entertainment and enjoyment.  For our full collection of released children’s stories, click on the children’s stories button in the categories listing, and as always, stay tuned for new stories, each and every week!

If you missed last week’s story, click here and we’ll take you straight to it!

This week, we offer a wonderful rhyming poem of a story as Cackleberries.com is proud to present……

10 little Cackleberries

10

little Cackleberries

Standing in a line

One got bumped

Then there were nine

9

little Cackleberries

Swinging on a gate

One fell off

Then there were eight

8

little Cackleberries

Looking for a haven

One got lost

Then there were seven

7

little Cackleberries

Doing magic tricks

One disappeared

Then there were six

6

little Cackleberries

Playing with a hive

One got stung

Then there were five

5

little Cackleberries

Dancing on the floor

One had no partner

Then there were four

4

little Cackleberries

Sipping on some tea

One spilled his

Then there were three

3

little Cackleberries

Making spicy brew

One got sick

Then there were two

2

little Cackleberries

Going for a run

One got tired

Then there was one

1

little Cackleberry

Sitting in the sun

He made it to the very end

And now this rhyme is done!!

Hope you Enjoyed the latest in our Children’s Stories Offerings!

The Cackleberries Team