Keep the flame burning

By Dr Bill Maier

It is not easy to keep the flames of romance burning when your house is looking like a disaster zone but it can be done.

If you cannot remember the last time you and your spouse went on a date, I have one important word for you — “babysitter”. Or is that two words? Whatever it is, make sure you get one… and use them on a weekly basis.

A regular date night is critical to keeping couples in touch.

Or how about a romantic weekend away — and I do not mean to Disneyworld.

Leave the children with a trusted friend or relative and take a short trip to your favourite spot.

If you really want to thrill your wife, try taking gifts or flowers home for no particular reason.

And call during the day to tell her how much you love her.

Romantic times are great but it is the little sparks each day that keep a fire burning hot.


From TODAY, Voices - Friday, 30-July-2010
-----

Related articles by Zemanta

• Spice Up Your Passionless Marriage - Part One (lifescript.com)
• Book Review: Intimacy Ignited: Conversations Couple to Couple by Drs. Dillow and Pintus (seattlepi.com)
• Put the Spark Back Into Your Boring Relationship (urbanbellemag.com)
• Projects ≫ How-To's ≫ How To Make Chiffon Flowers (cutoutandkeep.net)

Planning Your Family

By Dr Bill Maier
There’s nothing wrong with waiting to have kids – as long as your biological clock keeps ticking.

Today the average age of a first-time mum is 25 – about three years later than it was a generation ago.

The main reason for this is that couples are getting married later in life – which is a good thing – but that’s not the only factor.

Many women are choosing to put off motherhood in order to further their education or career.

Others are waiting until they’re more financially secure.

It’s important to understand the risks of women who have children after the age of 35. They are twice as likely to develop problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.

Chances of miscarriage or stillbirth are also much greater. The longer women wait, the higher the risk.

It’s good to plan your family wisely; just make sure you’re making informed decisions.


From TODAY, Voices - Thursday, 29-July-2010
-----

Related articles by Zemanta

• Indigestion or Heart Attack? (lifescript.com)
• Recurrent miscarriage deccan ivf (slideshare.net)
• Study: Anger Can Harm the Heart (webmd.com)
• The Low-Down on Keeping Cholesterol Low (lifescript.com)
• Your Top Heart-Health Questions - Answered (lifescript.com)
• Science & the Public: The high cost of diabetes (sciencenews.org)
• You: Some painkillers raise risk of miscarriage: Study (nation.com.pk)

Electrical safety tips

By Dr Bill Maier
Most people don’t think much about fire safety until they see their house burning down on the evening news.

But most electrical fires can be prevented with a little common sense and diligence.

Before plugging something in, or turning something on, make sure the circuit isn’t overloaded.

Too many plugs in one outlet is a major hazard.

If you need more outlets, always use a power strip with a built in surge protector.

It’s also good to check appliance cords regularly, to make sure they’re not getting hot. If they are, have the appliance serviced immediately.

And when fuses or circuit breakers trip, don’t just flip them back on.

It could be a sign of serious trouble, so have it checked right away.

Finally, never use something with a frayed or broken cord. Throw it away or get it fixed.


From TODAY, Voices - Wednesday, 28-July-2010
-----

Related articles by Zemanta

• How to Trace a Short Circuit (home-electrical.suite101.com)
• Electricity Can be a Shocking Safety Risk at Home and at Work (homesecuritysource.com)
• Tips to Avoid Common Wiring Mistakes as a Do It Yourselfer (home-electrical.suite101.com)
• Electrical Fires - The Statistics Might Shock You (homesecuritysource.com)
• [How] Can I safely repair the nick in this electric cord? (ask.metafilter.com)
• Tip for Construction Equipment Rental Jobs: FREQUENT OSHA VIOLATIONS (itstrulyrandom.com)
• Sola Williams: Electrical Safety Hazards in Nevada and Placer County (yubanet.com)
• Uninterruptible Power Supplies and Electrical Wiring Concerns (brighthub.com)
• Steps to Avoid Arc Flash Accidents (brighthub.com)

Blessing Your Children

By Dr Bill Maier
It’s the little things that make children feel special. Things that take almost no time and effort but add up to great memories for their future.

Give thanks for every member of the family, for each child by name. Say something like, “Thank you Jinghui, for the way you light up a room when you walk in. We’re so blessed to have such a bright and joyful child.”

Speak blessings into your children’s lives through your words and see how it affects their self-worth.

The next time you take a trip in the car or walk to the MRT station, ask each child to share their favourite things about their brothers or sisters. Take turns talking about what makes each child unique and special.

You’ll be doing more than building your children’s self-image; you’ll be teaching your children how to love and appreciate each other.

It isn’t difficult to make children feel special. It just takes a little extra creativity.


From TODAY, Voices - Tuesday, 27-July-2010
-----

Related articles by Zemanta

• Praise You In This Storm (justsomethingimade.blogspot.com)
• Blended Families (lifescript.com)
• Parents' mental health more likely to suffer when a grown child struggles (eurekalert.org)
• Only children not so lonely (scientificamerican.com)