How to stay connected to relatives who live far away and encourage your children to build relationships!

1. Skype video chat

2. Photo flip books for kids to look at

3. Snail Mail letters, pictures, drawings

4. Facebook

5. Blogging

6. Phonecalls, texts and picture messages from phones

7. http://ezinearticles.com/?Staying-Connected-With-Long-Distance-Relatives&id=3791108

8. http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2009/12/14/faraway-family/

9. http://theohanamama.com/2009/01/living-far-away-from-family-how-do-you-stay-connected/

10. http://www.ehow.com/how_5517553_stay-family-live-miles-apart.html

11. http://www.highlightsparents.com/polls_and_your_opinions/parents_poll_staying_connected_with_extended_family.html

12. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/445072/5_ways_to_stay_connected_with_family.html

13. http://www.urbanmoms.ca/moms_the_word/2010/07/technology-keeps-me-close-and-a-contest.html

Ways to Show Gratitude

Click here to see what ideas TMG brainstormed last year to help show gratitude.

A Thanksgiving Article Worth Reading

Click here to read a very touching article that might resonate with you this holiday season as it is with me right now ( its posted on our old blog)

What to do to help make your morning routine meltdown and tear-free!

1. HAVE A ROUTINE- stick with it! No matter what it is, do the same thing everyday

2. Make a chart with pictures and words for each thing that needs to be accomplished in the morning. Allow the child to checkoff as they go.

3. Set goals for what needs to be done. Perhaps, get dressed, brush hair, and feed the dog before breakfast. Brush teeth, pack backpack, and read a book after breakfast.

4. Bribery! A donut if you get your stuff done!

5. Allowance...have them earn some money while they show they can be responsible for themselves in the morning.

6. No TV

7. Wake up even 10 minutes early

8. Lay out clothes, make lunches, and pack backpacks the night before

9. http://specialchildren.about.com/od/familyissues/tp/morningroutine.htm

10. http://childcare.about.com/od/behaviors/tp/gettingkidsup.htm

11. http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/24-ways-to-brighten-your-morning/article15916.html

12. http://babyfit.sparkpeople.com/articles.asp?id=1010

13. http://hubpages.com/hub/Parenting-Tips-De-Stress-the-Morning-Routine

14. http://dailyparentdrivethru.thinkitthroughparenting.com/wordpress/?tag=morning-routine-charts

15. http://shine.yahoo.com/event/backtoschool/back-to-school-how-to-ease-the-morning-routine-2384664

16. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1199201/effective_ways_to_create_a_stress_free.html

17. http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/2536.html