Computer slowing down? 5 ways to improve performance

If your computer seems slower than it used to be, it probably is. Over time, computers get slower because files become disorganized and resources are consumed by unnecessary software. Fortunately, Microsoft Windows XP includes tools to clean up your computer and restore its performance. The five steps in this article will walk you through the use of these tools to tune up your computer.

Before you do anything, back up your computer Some of the steps in this article can cause pre-existing but hidden problems to surface, which may keep your computer from starting. A backup allows you to restore your important files in the unlikely event that something does go wrong.

Complete info is found on this article, take a printout and follow the steps to get the best results.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/maintain/improveperf.mspx

How Parents can Help with their Children's Homework

There are things you can do that will help your child do assigned homework and that result in learning, which, after all, is the reason for being in school.
Communicate with your child about school. This includes talking to him about his friends, activities, teachers, and assignments.

Help your child get organized. Break down assignments into smaller, more manageable parts. Set out needed items (clothes, homework, permission slips, etc.) the night before to avoid last-minute rushing around in the morning.

Provide a quiet study corner in your home complete with paper, markers, a ruler, pencils and a dictionary.Never do your child's homework!

Check with your child's teacher about correcting homework.

Expect, and praise genuine progress and effort. An opinion: don't praise or otherwise reward your child for doing what you and he know is expected. This practice leads you down a slippery slope, often with really bad consequences for you and your child.

Be specific when you do praise something.Focus on your child's strengths in school.Build associations between what is taught and what your child already knows and understands.

Incorporate concrete materials and examples whenever possible, especially with younger children.

Try to help your child learn about the subject in more than one way, using as many senses as possible.Separate your child's school weaknesses from your child.

If your child fails a test, that is all the child fails. He or she is not a failure.One more thing: Never do your child's homework! (deliberately repeated)

Five tips for becoming a new parent.

Five tips for becoming a new parent. Covers stroller, diaper bag, organizing, getting sleep, relaxing and enjoying the new baby. Please exchange your tips.......

Top baby bottle brands fail latest BPA test

MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT
February 8, 2008

ENVIRONMENT REPORTER -- Three brands of polycarbonate baby bottles sold in Canada leached detectible amounts of bisphenol A, a controversial compound that mimics the hormone estrogen.
Testing was conducted by Environmental Defence, a Toronto-based environmental group that issued its findings yesterday, offering the first publicly available information on the seepage of BPA from polycarbonate baby bottles sold in the country
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080208.TESTS08/TPStory/National

Teaching Manners

Teaching manners is not as easy as it sounds especially when you need to teach your toddler proper conduct. Kids are not that hard to teach since they will always listen to what you have to say. Here are a few tips on how to teach good manners to your kids.
Teach them that whatever it is that they do, it will always affect others. Show them how happy your neighbor will be if you help them clean the garage or throw garbage. Being kind to others helps them absorb good manners.
Keep your rules plain and simple. Make sure that it is always understandable for them. Simple instructions like, “No talking while your mouth is full” is fairly easy to understand and repeating this will help them absorb proper conduct. Please add your more comments and ideas...

Office Parent

There will come a time that you would have to bring your child to the office for any particular reason. Your officemates may want to get to know him or simply because your wife has something important to attend to and nobody will be at home with your kid. If you decide to do this, then here are some things that you should do:
Let your co-workers know ahead of time that you will be bringing your child. Do not just surprise them since it may give them a negative impression about you.
Give your child something to do so that he would not play around with important documents or equipments.
Do not take him in for quite a long time because chances are, he might get into someone’s way.
Please add more comments.......

Fun Things To Do With Your Kids For Valentines Day

With Valentines Day approaching, many are wondering what fun things they can do with the kids. Please share some great Valentines Day ideas for crafts, games, and recipes.