Top 5 Tips Fraudulent Adoption Schemes

When couples are hoping and waiting to adopt, they may be presented with a variety of situations to consider, especially when they are screening the situations themselves. Unfortunately, they are often easy prey for unscrupulous people eager to take advantage of the couples' hopefulness in adoption.
The best way to protect yourself from fraudulent adoption schemes is to work with an adoption professional who can screen potential adoption situations with a level head and without the same hopeful emotions that "this may be the one" that is common in adoption. This is valuable because a professional can ask questions as a third party and will be better able to probe further into questionable answers without fear of making the birth parent hang up the phone.
For families who may not have a professional who can do this, learning about the most common fraudulent adoption situations offered and the motivation behind them is a vital key to keeping themselves safe. The top 5 adoption frauds I have seen firsthand are:

• Adoption Situations from Cameroon or Other African Nation. Often these will come via email and will appear to be from a priest or pastor, a family member, or even an orphanage. They involve a young child who's mother has reportedly perished. Like other internet scams, the English is usually not American English and the situation is dire and heartbreaking.
• Twins, Triplets, or More! For most couples hoping to adopt, multiples are very attractive. Families think that they will just have to do this one adoption and they will be done building their family. That fact is what renders this a common and effective adoption fraud. Couples might think that it is "worth the risk" because it just may work out. Twin adoptions do happen, but it is not worth overlooking potential red flags just because of the hope.
• Needing Money NOW. This fraud involves a caller usually who needs money for immediate needs, like a hotel, an airplane or bus ticket, or any other type of expense. The underlying threat is that if you don't pay it, she will call a different family to adopt her baby.
• A Very Attractive Situation for a Specific Price. Sometimes adoption situations will be advertised with a price tag, and usually these situations are what many consider attractive. Beware! While these may go through, often they are a result of "stacked fees", where various advertisers, agencies, attorneys, and others may add their own fee to market a situation. The concern is that if the situation doesn't go through or is awarded to a different family, a portion of your money will not be refunded and you will not have any further hope of adopting via these professionals because your fee was for the specific situation. If the professional will continue to work with you, that's great but keep in mind that you likely will be working with an adoption professional that you didn't choose thoughtfully but are "stuck with" because they have your money for the failed situation.
• Low Fee to Present You to a Specific Birth Parent. This used to be quite common... A number of families pay $50 to $500 to someone to present them, along with other families, to a birth parent. Whether or not the birth parent picks them doesn't really matter, the person collecting the money has made a tidy sum of money! Avoid these situations.

Adoption happens every day in the U.S., but it is vital to protect your heart, your wallet, and your family while in the process. If you have any of these "opportunities" come your way, proceed with extreme caution and ask an adoption professional to assist you in exploring whether or not the situation is truly a good potential for a successful adoption.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6372023

Home Study Questions for Foster Care

You decide you want to be a foster parent. You attend classes. You do the background check. Then comes the home study process. The home study process for foster care can be long and very intrusive. Keep in mind there is a good reason for the extensive background check and home study. If you do so, you will be less stressed by it. It depends upon the agency, but you can expect your home study interview to last several hours over the course of several days. The following are some topics and questions which will likely be raised of you and your significant other:
Topic Number One: Your Background
You will have an extensive background check including, but not limited to:

1. FBI fingerprints
2. Employment background for at least 10 years
3. A letter from your employer and possibly past employers
4. Letters of recommendation
5. Credit check
6. Physical and prior medical history including hospitalizations and mental health counseling
7. Statement of financial responsibility which can include pay stubs, IRS records, bank account statements and budget planning. You don't have to be wealthy but you have to prove that you can be financially responsible for a child independent of foster care payments.

Topic Number Two: Why do you want to be a foster parent and are you prepared for the implications of foster care?
Possible Questions include:

1. Why do you want to adopt?
2. Fertility, if applicable: have you resolved any infertility issues? Have you grieved sufficiently over your ability to conceive? What will happen if you are in the middle of fostering a child (or possibly adopting) and you conceive?
3. How do you see being a foster parent changing your life? Are you prepared for those changes?
4. Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses.
5. What would other people say about your ability to parent?
6. What sort of support system do you have in place? Are they open to the foster care process?
7. Are you willing to foster children with special needs or placement considerations? Examples include: minority race, drug-exposed or addicted children, sibling groups, older children, and children with autism or mental retardation.

Topic Number Three: Your Childhood
Possible questions include:

1. Tell me about your childhood.
2. Describe your parents' relationship.
3. How did your parents discipline you and your siblings? What would you do the same as your parents and what would you do differently?
4. If you had trauma in your childhood, how did you overcome it or is it still affecting your life today?

Topic Number Four: Your Current and Past Relationships, including your own children, if applicable.
Tell us about your current (and past) relationships. On the home study application you can expect you will need to list all previous significant relationships, what they were like and how they dissolved. In the interview you might be asked further questions for clarification. You will be asked about your own children and how they will react to you becoming a foster parent. They might even interview your children.
Topic Number Five: You're Parenting Practices

1. Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses.
2. What would other people say about your ability to parent?
3. How will you bond with a foster child?
4. How will you deal with visits?
5. Do you plan to use a Life Book with your foster placements? How do you see yourself involved in this process?
6. When the child leaves your home and is reunited, how will you feel?
7. How will you discipline your children?

This is your opportunity to stress that you will care about the child unconditionally. Stress that if you encounter problems you are willing to seek professional help to resolve them. The most important thing is that you be honest. Intentionally withholding or falsifying information on a home study is grounds for prosecution. Home study worker(s) are most concerned about your ability to parent, not whether have a "perfect" life. They want to see that you have had problems and can overcome them.

Kristin Whiting is an adoptive Mom, Special Needs Preschool Teacher, and a regular contributor to Associated Content, Ezine, Squidoo and Hubpages. She has varied interests in such topics as family life, domestic adoption, foster parenting, healthcare, education, working with children who have special needs, social issues and parenting.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6379696

Common Problems Adopted Children Face

The day you bring home your child, after all adoption procedures are finalized, is sure to be one of the happiest in your life. The day represents a completion and growth in your family, but you will also find it a period of adjustment, too. Regardless of whether your child has come to you as an infant or long out of diapers, you are likely to experience a variety of behavioral and environmental issues. This is to be expected - parenthood isn't easy. If you are a first-time parent of an adoptive child, though, it will benefit you to keep an eye out for the more common conflicts.
1) Questioning Parental Authority - As your child grows, he/she will naturally test wings and push envelopes. During the course of a disagreement you may hear something along the lines of "You're not my real mother/father, who are you to tell me what to do?" Hurtful words, yes, though what parent hasn't had to deal with this level of rebellion at one point in our lives. Certainly we didn't make it easy for our parents back in the day!
To challenge the "you're not my parent assertion, it is important to let your child know that you are indeed his/her mother or father, and that although your child was not born into the family, he/she is nonetheless a very important part of it.
2) Taking Advantage of Lax Discipline - If the child you've brought into your home is your only child, and you are physically unable to conceive, you may risk a mindset that makes you reluctant to be firm when your son or daughter misbehaves. You don't want to "jinx things," perhaps, but if you remain lax as a parent your child is likely to take advantage of the situation.
Know this: your child is your child, whether adopted or born to you. Don't be afraid to put your foot down and be a true parent who knows what is best.
3) Social Stigmas - Once in school, your child may experience social conflicts with others who make light of his/her adoption. There is a chance, too, that your son or daughter may feel jealous of friends who live with their birth parents, or have blood siblings. It's important during this time to let your child know he/she is always loved at home, and that there are many ways to define a family.
Problems adopted children face as they grow aren't always different from those of other kids, but as a parent it's important to watch for signs that your child is bothered or perceptive of issues around the home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6389247

Birthmom Question and Answer

Have you ever wondered how a birthmother gets to be a birthmom? I mean, it's not like she plans from her early childhood to be one when she grows up. This is certainly not something a young woman strives to be. What is it like? How does she live with herself? Here are answers to five of the most commonly asked questions.
First of all, yes. Placing a child that you carried and birthed with someone else to raise is sad and hard and difficult and forever. This isn't one of those decisions that you can go back and change your mind on in two months or five years. It's forever. In my case of closed adoption, that meant I would possibly go through the rest of my life never knowing anything about my daughter, never knowing what she looked like or thought about or anything.
Secondly, no, I never forgot about her. Adoption is final, yes. But it's not like I just turned the page and went on with my life. Life forced me to move on due to its linear nature, but I carried that grief and pain and shame and guilt and whatever else there was with me with every move I made. For so long I beat myself up over my poor decisions. I hated myself for my inability to care for my own child. But God poked through the clouds and showed me that He didn't hate me. He didn't blame me. In fact, He knew all along what I was going to do and He loved me anyway.
Now this next one is getting better, but I still occasionally hear people say that so-and-so 'gave her baby away'. Ok. That's not how it happened then, and that's not how it happens now. I placed my beautiful daughter with a family of my choosing. They were married, educated and had a dog. Whether or not they stayed married is not something I could control. I could only do the best I could do on the front end.
I've counseled a lot of women who have told me, to my face, that they would rather abort the child they are carrying then place him/her with a family. "How could you do that?" they will ask me. How indeed. I've had to rely on God a lot. A lot more than I thought I would. I'm strong, but there's a limit.
Finally, the question "Does it ever get easier?" The answer is an emphatic no. It never gets easier. In fact, it seems like for me the opposite has been true. It seems as the years slipped by, it got harder. My daughter's 17th birthday was incredibly difficult for me, which doesn't really make any sense since it was so far down the line. But there it was. And I was a wreck.
And after our first child was born. That was a hard time, too, because I kept thinking "I totally could have handled being a mother".
So there is some food for thought. Next time you encounter a birthmother, have some compassion on her. Even if her exterior is hardened remember she is most likely hurting on the inside.

Birthmother and family therapist Terri Gake has been sharing her story of unplanned pregnancy and adoption for over 10 years. Formerly on staff at two different pregnancy resource centers, she has written articles for their newsletters as well as At the Center magazine and AAMFT's Family Therapy Magazine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6392087

Adoption: There's Rarely a Perfect Time

Everyone has high hopes for a perfect life... From landing the perfect job to finding and marrying the perfect mate to choosing the perfect time to have a child. Everyone has "their perfect plan." However, real life rarely matches our expectations of perfection. Sometimes things do go just as we hoped, but when they don't, we need to be prepared to alter not only our perfect plan, but also our expectations of what a perfect life means to us. Living life to the fullest means making adjustments along the way as we follow God's plans. I see this often in regards couples and their plans to build a family.
Couples often realize at some point in their lives they want to share their love with a child, however they often seem to desire to hold off until the "perfect time." They decide to begin their family after careers are established, bills paid off, the purchase of a dream home, or other conditions met or goals achieved. They work diligently to create the life they see as ideal, with no thought that each day they put off starting a family, they are getting a little older and conceiving may be a little more difficult. Often the "perfect time" arrives after days turn into months, and months into years, and they are beginning to feel the pressure of age in addition to the desire to become parents.
For many couples, one of the biggest blows to their "plan" happens when they find out that they cannot conceive a child naturally. They may explore fertility treatments, cry out to God, and explore their lives to confirm that a family is truly what they want. This is often when adoption becomes a real option for them. However, the issue that many face is when to make that adoption happen.
Adopting a child should not be dictated by some magical formula or moment. It should be directed by your desire to build your family because for many, that's what life is about...personal growth for themselves and those that they love. This is especially true when it comes to the challenges and rewards of raising a child.
If you are at a point in your life when you no longer want to miss out on the many amazing opportunities that you could be having with a child of your own, you should begin the adoption process. You have so much to offer a child and that child, no doubt, will have just as much to offer you. Even though the time may not be absolutely perfect or your home may not be absolutely perfect, none of that will matter once your child is home.
To learn more about adoption, contact an adoption counselor to discuss your options and to get the process started today! Life is about living, learning, an experiencing. It's also about love and sharing it. The lifetime that you will share with that child will be full of absolutely perfect moments and perfect love.

Mardie Caldwell is a Certified Open Adoption Practitioner, an award winning author of 5 adoption books including Called to Adoption. Mardie is also the founder of Lifetime Adoption Center. She travels and speaks nationwide on adoption topics, family topics, infertility and writing. She has been quoted in and consulted for Parenting and Adoption magazines and has appeared on CNN, CBS, ABC, BBC, NBC, and Fox.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6390521

Child Care

Finding the right child care provider for your child or children can be a tough situation. You want the best for your children and a care provider that can offer a safe, loving and nurturing environment for your family. Sending your child to a day care can be a stressful situation because you want to know that your child is safe, and in an environment that fosters learning and positive growth. A professional child care service will provide safety for your child, a learning environment to nurture their young minds, and a clean facility to minimize the chances injuries and illnesses. There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to the well being of your children so it is important to make sure you are making the most informed decisions about the well being of your child.
When selecting a day care for your family you want to choose the facility that has the most to offer. You want to select a place that a productive and healthy atmosphere to nurture creativity, growth and knowledge in your child. The best schools will offer a list of programs that will engage your child and provide a fun learning environment. Also you want to be sure that the best educators are hired and accredited. Whether your child is an infant, toddler, preschooler or school age there should be a program and facility for whatever your child's needs are.
If you have questions or concerns about where to send your children for child care you are not alone. It is a big step for both parents and children and not one that should be considered lightly. You need to know that your children are safe and that all of their needs are being met. A child care provider or day care should ensure safety, cleanliness, foster learning and creativity, and successfully provide care for your children. When you know your child is being taken care of you can relax and know that your child is happy and safe. Finding reviews online from other parents or talking to friends and neighbors is a great way to search out a great facility. You also may want to take a tour of the facility and meet with program directors and teachers to discuss all of your needs. You also want to be sure the facility or center you are choosing is insured and accredited.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6373095

Engaging Young People in Family Planning

To engage young people in family planning requires thought. When hormones are running high and the transition from child to adult is taking place many young people are looking for someone to love and to love them. They are entering a world without understanding the rules if they have not been given the tools necessary to deal with it. How this is done depends on whereabouts in the world you are trying to achieve this. Levels of education vary and local culture has a powerful control on what children can be taught.
The education of girls and women invariably improves the lot of any community. This happens because females share knowledge, invest in their families and teach their children. Knowledge is power and when the girls and women understand how to practice family planning they will use it. Sometimes this necessary information must be cleared by the village elders before the young women can be approached.
In the past, when people lived in the country, sex and reproduction was understood because it was freely demonstrated by the animals they kept. In the modern world when most families have no contact with agriculture this is more difficult. Early teaching, at an appropriate level for the age and development of the child, can counter this. Simple things like the physical differences between boys and girls and an openness about the human body and it's functions is a way to start. Some children in the West grow up so protected they have no idea about the other gender. Boys do not learn about periods and girls do not realize how strong the sex drive is with most males. All of these details are important elements in teaching young people about reproduction and it's prevention.
Many young men do not consider the implications of their sexual actions because of the power of the reproductive drive. To approach them with this subject, an appeal to their selfishness might work. When they recognize the need for condoms, and protective sex to avoid AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases they will have a better idea of protecting themselves. Also replacing the myths that many young men grow up with, because they get their information from friends rather than someone who knows, is important. The South African myth that sex with a virgin cures AIDS is one.
A difficulty in engaging young people in family planning is the embarrassment many adults have about explaining the subject. Because it is an intensely private activity and evokes very strong responses it is tricky trying to discuss this with a youngster who thinks you are over the hill and don't understand anything. Again, if the adult has not had positive experiences with sex it can be hard not to be negative about the information they offer.
Family planning is in the interests of everyone. It can only work when we inform young people.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6371471

What Can I Do to Communicate Better With My Teenager?

At its core connecting with a teenager isn't much different than connecting with an adult with a few exceptions. Adolescents want what anyone else would want, someone to listen, really listen. So what can you do to communicate better with your teenager? First, you need to know that listening is primarily a non-verbal task the experts say about 65% of what you "say" is conveyed with your non-verbals (Birdwhistell, 1970 as cited by Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2003). Second, when your non-verbal communication doesn't match your words people will usually go with what your non-verbals said!
So how are you at "communicating" with your teenager?
Eye Contact
Let's take a look at your non-verbals. First; eye contact. Teenagers are notorious for their use of eye contact in communicating and generally speaking its not rocket science. Teenagers, like most folks in the Western world, will avoid eye contact when they are uncomfortable. As parents this can be really uncomfortable because we are used to our kids looking at us when we talk simply because when they were a kid we demanded it and they gave it to us at times out of sheer terror. However, during adolescence you may have to spend some time earning the eye contact. Once obtained you can communicate just how important they are to you by maintaining good eye contact. It is one of the simplest ways you can tell them you love them, that they truly do matter to you, and that you genuinely care about what is about to come out of their mouth!
Body Language
Next, let's consider your body language. For many families today communication is done on the fly; in the car, on the way to an event, and even now through text massaging (a topic for another day). However, no matter the context, body language counts. In speaking with your teenager you will want to let them know that you care by leaning forward, maintaining a relaxed comfortable position, sitting still, removing as many obstacles as you can, and when possible move towards them. Nothing says "I don't really care" like person who is constantly moving, not making good eye contact, and doesn't take the time to stop doing whatever activity they are engaged in at the time and focus on what the other person is saying. Of course everyone is guilty of this from time to time and Lord knows your adolescent will do it at least 3 times before breakfast, however taking the time stop and physically listen can may a world of difference.
Voice
Vocal qualities also play a significant role in how you communicate with your teen. I often hear teenagers say "its not what you said but how you said it." The experts say that voice volume, pitch, rate, and fluency all make a difference in communication (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2003). Parents who wish to connect with their teens will need to be very aware of "how" they communicate. A harsh tone, a short answer, or escalating volume can lead to mis-communication and damaged relationships. Your teenager is very aware of your vocal qualities as a parent because they have been with you now for a very long time. They can tell when you are upset and know that many times when you say "I understand" that you really don't based on "how" you said it. Using a soft tone when speaking with your teen may encourage them to become more relaxed and vulnerable where as speaking fast and louder can help to communicate credibility (Cialdini, 1991, as cited by Sommers-Flanagan & Sommer-Flanagan, 2003). Your voice qualities matter and can play a big part in your teen feeling like you are listening and can be trusted.
Reflective Statements
Finally, it is vitally important as a parent of an teenager that you learn how to reflect what your adolescent is saying to you. Nothing does more to develop a sense of trust and communicate that you heard what they said than a good ol' fashioned reflective statement. Restating or attempting to summarize what your adolescent just said can be as easy as saying "Son, what I heard you say was..." or "sounds like you are really feeling..." and leave it at that. Effectively listening does not include stories from when you were a child, advice or long drawn out monologues about why they shouldn't feel that way. You wouldn't want someone doing that to you, would you?
There will be time for advice and instruction, but only after you listen. Listening is how you earn the right to advise and instruct. This may be one of the single greatest hurdles for parents with children moving into adolescents. When your child was little, you barked out orders and they followed, you were allowed (as I so often do) to pontificate about my personal interest and ideas. Listening often wasn't required nor necessary, however it is vital to your relationship with your teen and the use of a reflective statement will go along way in developing trust and helping you connect with your teenager.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6349264

What Can I Do to Communicate Better With My Teenager?

At its core connecting with a teenager isn't much different than connecting with an adult with a few exceptions. Adolescents want what anyone else would want, someone to listen, really listen. So what can you do to communicate better with your teenager? First, you need to know that listening is primarily a non-verbal task the experts say about 65% of what you "say" is conveyed with your non-verbals (Birdwhistell, 1970 as cited by Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2003). Second, when your non-verbal communication doesn't match your words people will usually go with what your non-verbals said!
So how are you at "communicating" with your teenager?
Eye Contact
Let's take a look at your non-verbals. First; eye contact. Teenagers are notorious for their use of eye contact in communicating and generally speaking its not rocket science. Teenagers, like most folks in the Western world, will avoid eye contact when they are uncomfortable. As parents this can be really uncomfortable because we are used to our kids looking at us when we talk simply because when they were a kid we demanded it and they gave it to us at times out of sheer terror. However, during adolescence you may have to spend some time earning the eye contact. Once obtained you can communicate just how important they are to you by maintaining good eye contact. It is one of the simplest ways you can tell them you love them, that they truly do matter to you, and that you genuinely care about what is about to come out of their mouth!
Body Language
Next, let's consider your body language. For many families today communication is done on the fly; in the car, on the way to an event, and even now through text massaging (a topic for another day). However, no matter the context, body language counts. In speaking with your teenager you will want to let them know that you care by leaning forward, maintaining a relaxed comfortable position, sitting still, removing as many obstacles as you can, and when possible move towards them. Nothing says "I don't really care" like person who is constantly moving, not making good eye contact, and doesn't take the time to stop doing whatever activity they are engaged in at the time and focus on what the other person is saying. Of course everyone is guilty of this from time to time and Lord knows your adolescent will do it at least 3 times before breakfast, however taking the time stop and physically listen can may a world of difference.
Voice
Vocal qualities also play a significant role in how you communicate with your teen. I often hear teenagers say "its not what you said but how you said it." The experts say that voice volume, pitch, rate, and fluency all make a difference in communication (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2003). Parents who wish to connect with their teens will need to be very aware of "how" they communicate. A harsh tone, a short answer, or escalating volume can lead to mis-communication and damaged relationships. Your teenager is very aware of your vocal qualities as a parent because they have been with you now for a very long time. They can tell when you are upset and know that many times when you say "I understand" that you really don't based on "how" you said it. Using a soft tone when speaking with your teen may encourage them to become more relaxed and vulnerable where as speaking fast and louder can help to communicate credibility (Cialdini, 1991, as cited by Sommers-Flanagan & Sommer-Flanagan, 2003). Your voice qualities matter and can play a big part in your teen feeling like you are listening and can be trusted.
Reflective Statements
Finally, it is vitally important as a parent of an teenager that you learn how to reflect what your adolescent is saying to you. Nothing does more to develop a sense of trust and communicate that you heard what they said than a good ol' fashioned reflective statement. Restating or attempting to summarize what your adolescent just said can be as easy as saying "Son, what I heard you say was..." or "sounds like you are really feeling..." and leave it at that. Effectively listening does not include stories from when you were a child, advice or long drawn out monologues about why they shouldn't feel that way. You wouldn't want someone doing that to you, would you?
There will be time for advice and instruction, but only after you listen. Listening is how you earn the right to advise and instruct. This may be one of the single greatest hurdles for parents with children moving into adolescents. When your child was little, you barked out orders and they followed, you were allowed (as I so often do) to pontificate about my personal interest and ideas. Listening often wasn't required nor necessary, however it is vital to your relationship with your teen and the use of a reflective statement will go along way in developing trust and helping you connect with your teenager.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6349264

Factors That Influence Teen's First Sexual Intercourse Experience

According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute (1988), 22% of females and 27% of females have had sexual intercourse by age fifteen, and 76% of females and 85% of males by age nineteen. My more recent (2008) surveys of teens, for my published book, indicated a lower percentage rate for first intercourse experience for both males and females, in spite of the prevailing opinion that today's teens are out of control. It is also noted that there are decreased rates of teen pregnancies over the last twenty years. The National Center for Health Statistics (2005), reported that the teen birth rate in 1991 was 39 births per 1,000 teens and the current report down to 21 per 1,000 teens, with a 63% increase of teens using condoms.
There are many factors linked to when teens will have a first intercourse experience: peer influences, gender, race, drug and alcohol involvement, parental influence, socio-economic status, level of educational achievement and educational aspirations, and community standards, to name a few. Below are some findings that relate to this occurence.

• Poor academic performance by grade four predicted sexual activity by grade nine.
• When parents know where their teens were and who they were with (parental monitoring), it appeared effective in delaying sex, especially for younger teens.
• Dropping out of school significantly increased the likelihood of first time intercourse for both males and females.
• Females with increasing years of educational attainment, delay the age of first sexual intercourse, with an estimate that for each additional year of school achievement, sexual activity is delayed by.75 years.
• Teens, of both sexes, who aspired to high educational goals, as opposed to those with low educational goals, delayed sex. Perhaps having goals assists the goal seeker to pause and consider the potential risks that sexual acting-out may cause, and sabotage their goals.
• Studies indicate that parents with higher educational levels had children who demonstrate lower levels of sexual activity, and those children aspire to higher educational goals, and as indicated above, they tend to delay sexual activity.
• Researchers found that 50% of teens with no reported college plans were sexually active, compared to 29% among those with college plans and 13% who desire graduate school.
• Teens who engage in problem behaviors (drugs, alcohol, and delinquency) develop a mind-set that reduces the restraints from violating community standards and norms. This mind-set decreases the value of educational goals and leads to earlier sexual activity.
• Lastly, race consistently has been identified as a prominent variable in teen sexual activity. Black females were four times more likely white females to engage in sexual intercourse and black males twice as likely as white males to have sexual activity. The possible explanation offered by researchers is that blacks view fewer employment and educational opportunities and, thus, perceive the loss of those opportunities less. Therefore, unplanned pregnancies may be perceived as less serious, because educational and employment goals are viewed as restricted.
• These are just some of the variables that may influence teen sexual behaviors. There are other factors such as intelligence levels, going steady, religious beliefs and involvement in school activities that are indicators for teens.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6380085

Seatbelt Safety for Family and Children

Everyone knows that seat belts save lives, and the "Click It or Ticket" campaign has helped to decrease unrestrained (without the use of a seat belt) fatalities since 2005 by raising awareness about the importance of seat belt use. But are you getting the most available protection from your seat belt, and are you sure that you're using your children's car seats and booster seats correctly?
How important is seat belt use?
The statistics tell the tale: Lap and shoulder belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent for occupants of the front seat - the most dangerous place to be in a passenger vehicle, as most accidents are head-on. For light trucks, lap and shoulder belts reduce the risk of fatal injury even more, by 60 percent.
Physics are the reason that seat belts are so effective: When you wear your seat belt, you're effectively attached to the car - so when the car stops, you stop. Without that restraint, your body stays in motion until something stops it, namely the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield. That's why injuries are so much worse in unrestrained accidents: At speeds as low as 35 mph, knees or wrists can break easily - even if the airbag deploys.
How to wear a seat belt - the right way:

• Move the seat as far back from the steering wheel as possible.
• Make sure the belt lies flat - a twisted belt means much less surface area to absorb the force of the crash.
• Fit the belt across your hips, not your belly.
• Ensure that the shoulder strap crosses your collarbone.
• Tighten the belt after it is buckled.

Pregnant women often receive mixed messages about whether to use seat belts because of the harm that they might do to an unborn baby in a crash. But pregnant women who are involved in unrestrained car accidents are much more likely to lose their babies than those who are strapped in correctly. When you are pregnant:

• Wear the seat belt across the top of your thighs, not across your belly.
• Move the seat back from the steering wheel as much as possible, with the steering wheel at least 10 inches from your chest.
• The shoulder belt should still be worn correctly over your shoulder as usual.

Infant seats and booster seats
Using the proper restraints with infants and children is crucial for their survival in an accident:

• Children ages 12 and under should always ride in the back seat - especially babies: An airbag can kill a baby in a rear-facing car seat.
• Babies should ride in rear-facing infant seats until they reach age one and weigh at least 20 pounds. After that, they can ride forward-facing in a convertible car seat with a five-point harness until they weigh 40 pounds (around age 2 or 3).
• Toddlers and children weighing between 40 and 80 pounds should use a belt-positioning booster seat along with the regular shoulder and lap belt.
• Use your baby's car seat correctly! Read the manual, pull up on the belt to tighten it once it is strapped in, and make sure the seat doesn't move. For a free car seat inspection, call your local hospital or police station.

Even if you find yourself without a booster seat for your child, still use the seat belt - it's much better than nothing. But never use one seat belt for two children, which can injure both; and never buckle yourself in and hold your baby on your lap - a crash will make the baby fly out of your hands.
Seat belt use on the rise
The Click it or Ticket campaign reports that since the program began in 2005:

• 20 percent fewer children die each year from car accidents.
• Child restraint use has risen from 88 percent to 99 percent.
• Toddler restraint use has risen from 60 percent to 94 percent - an amazing increase.
• Adult seat belt use is at an all-time high of 79 percent.

And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports a slight decrease in unrestrained fatalities, from 59 percent in 2002 to 55 percent in 2006. But just one unrestrained fatality is one too many. Make sure that you, your relatives, friends and passengers always buckle up!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6383244

Three Reasons to Attend the Circus

Are you thinking about attending the circus the next time it comes to town? If so, you are joining millions of others. Every year, people just like you take in a show and enjoy every minute of it. Although there are several great reasons to attend the circus, three of them stand out above the crowd. Do you know what they are?
1. Entertainment and fun. Let's face it: it is not every day that you get to take in a show like this. From clowns to animals and much more, when the circus comes to town you want to be in attendance for all the action.
2. Inexpensive event. In today's day and age it seems as if everything is overly expensive. Fortunately, this is not the case with most circus events. Instead, you can attend a show for a discounted price. This is particularly true if you have a coupon.
3. Take the family or go with friends. No matter what, make sure you go to the circus with at least one other person. This makes the entire experience much more enjoyable. The bigger the group you go with the better off you will be. After all, you do not want to be the only person who gets to take advantage of all the fun.
These are three of the best reasons to attend the circus. Can you think of any others? Believe it or not, some people love these shows so much that they travel out of town to attend. This is not something you have to do, but is a definite option. If you are lucky, though, one of the bigger circus companies, such as Ringling Bros., will be coming to your hometown in the near future. This allows you to take in a show without having to leave your city.
It is easy to see why so many people have been attending the circus, year after year, for their entire life. The fun that you have with your family and friends is a time that you will cherish forever.
You can make memories at the circus. This is great fun at an affordable price. On top of this, it is one of the better ways to spend time with those that you love. When you add up all these benefits it is easy to see why attending the circus has become such a great idea for many people all over the world.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6411128

Alternatives to Wooden Dollhouses

Before suggesting some alternatives to wooden dollhouses it is important to recognize the reason for the renewed interest in wooden dollhouses. In addition to being incredibly versatile for collectors and hobbyists there is an important new emphasis. Recyclable wooden materials are environmentally friendly. In light of the times in which we live this is a particularly attractive option.
I can't promise that the alternatives are eco-friendly. In fact, some of the materials that we will look at are far from it. Nonetheless, there are some interesting options worthy of our attention.
To be sure, there are many variations on what could be classified as wood. Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is a popular construction material, but since we are looking at alternatives to wood we will leave MDF under the heading of "wood."
There are composite materials made from 50% plastic and 50% organic wood material, such as sawdust or other recycled wood fibers. PVC has been infrequently used in the construction of dollhouses. A more common manufactured material is plastic. Plastic is most often used by manufacturers but some hobbyists prefer to work with plastic for dollhouse construction.
Not surprising is that cardboard has been used for many years. It certainly has limitations in regard to durability but it is easy to work with and very cost-effective. As a hobbyist it is quite possible that your introduction to dollhouses was in the form of a simple structure made from a shoe box. In my research for this article I also came across a detailed on how to build a dollhouse from milk cartons.
Another material that is occasionally used in dollhouse construction is metal. There was a time shortly after WWII when metal was used with some regularity. Companies like Marx, Cohn, Mettoy, and others manufactured lithographed steel houses.
Some hobbyists have utilized bamboo, cork, and even eucalyptus as construction materials. There are also dollhouses built from glass, rubber, polymer clay, paper, ceramic, rocks, cement, fabric, and paper mache. In fact, some of these houses are remarkably intricate and quite lovely.
The bottom line on alternative materials is that dollhouses can be made out of numerous craft materials. Obviously, some are easier to work with than others but, if there is a material that you are particularly skilled at working with, then don't be afraid to use it for building a dollhouse.
Some of the more remarkable and unique dollhouses have been built out of alternative materials. They reflect exceptional creativity, imagination, and craftsmanship.
The use of alternative materials negates the restrictions required for working from traditional prefabricated kits. In fact, working with alternative materials can stimulate greater creativity and ultimately result in a one of a kind masterpiece.
If you are new to dollhouses as a hobby…there are so many directions that you can take. The options for how you get involved in the craft are numerous. You can take a more conventional route and stick with wooden dollhouses that have been designed by others. Or…you can apply a little extra imagination and pave the way for something that has never been done before.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6412422

Bed Bugs: Four Easy-To-Follow Steps to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

"How do I know if I have bed bugs?"
1- Bed bug bites look very similar to mosquito bites. If you start finding them on your body, mostly on skin that's exposed while you sleep, you may have bed bugs.
2- If you suspect bed bugs, inspect your bed and the area around your bed. Consider using a flashlight. Look in every little nook and cranny (bed bugs love to hide in dark little places), like the seams of your mattress, along the floor boards, around your nightstand, sheets, mattress, and bed. Look for tiny small dark insects about the size of an apple seed, very tiny black specks (fecal matter) or dark red stains, (dried blood) and/or black smudges that may look like mold.
"How do I get rid of bed bugs?"
If prevention didn't work for you and you suspect you may have bed bugs, here's what to do:
1- REMOVE AND CLEAN YOUR BED CLOTHES THOROUGHLY.
Remove all sheets and pillows from your bed and launder them in very high heat. Dry cleaning will work. Because of the chemicals in dry cleaning fluid, consider dry cleaning your linens and then laundering washable items in your washing machine to remove any remaining chemicals. If you have a washing machine that heats up to very high temperatures, use it. If you are not able to use a drycleaner to clean your bed clothes, launder yourself in bleach if possible, and then heat it very thoroughly in as high heat as the items will tolerate. Even heat will KILL the bugs.
2- VACUUM THOROUGHLY. Vacuum your mattress completely and thoroughly, including in all the seams. Vacuum everywhere around your bed room. When you're done, throw away the vacuum cleaner bag.
3- APPLY FOOD GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH.
Food grade diatomaceous earth is a safe, natural powder made from powderized fossils. When bed bugs and many other insects, including fleas and cockroaches, come into contact with the powder, they dehydrate and die. Apply the powder as directed on the package to the perimeter of your rooms, all over your mattress, around the base of furniture, and on all rugs. Leave the powder there at least 24 hours. If you have pets, the powder will also kill fleas as a bonus. Diatomaceous earth can also be used in your garden to kill garden pests.
4- VACUUM THOROUGHLY AGAIN. Vacuum everything thoroughly to remove the powder, dead or dying bugs, and their tiny little almost invisible eggs and larvae. Again, immediately discard the vacuum bag.
If you wish, you can re-apply the diatomaceous earth to continue to kill any remaining insects that may hatch.
Other considerations: Since mattresses are difficult to clean thoroughly, many recommend discarding the mattress completely rather than cleaning it. Of course, this can be a consideration. If you do discard your mattress, please be a good human and don't pass on the problem to someone else.
Never use diatomaceous earth that is NOT food grade. It is quite different than food grade DE and is harmful to people and pets to breathe. FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth is safe to breathe in small amounts (use as directed) and even ingest.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6411206

How To Use A Reverse Email Search To Locate Someone

Are you in a situation where you are desperately trying to locate someone. It could be an estranged lover, a run away teenager or even a dangerous bail jumper. But you need to find this person ASAP and you have tried every trick known to man. One thing you may not have considered is a reverse email search. This is where you investigate an email address to locate and or identify the person behind that email address.
A private investigator trained in email tracing can use an email address to locate someone. Don't be confused about this. many times when you read up about email tracing you'll get instructions on examining email headers and tracing an IP address back to an ISP.That would only return general information about where an email was sent from. That';s not going to help you locate someone from an email address.
Also don't try to use a free or instant data base search to reverse email search your email address. That may only return a recent or past address or even fake information used when they opened up the email account. What you want is a reverse email search investigation. This kind of thorough investigation will not be free or instant but it will return information you can use to locate the person you're seeking.
Although this investigation will include an examination of available headers and even data base searches it will also include limited anonymous email contact with the suspect. This kind of contact is often described as pretexting. That's where you trick the subject of the investigation into revealing their location. A pretext can be as simple as asking where they are. But it can also be much more elaborate sting to pin point their exact location with the suspect realizing they're being traced.
If a subject is emailed and the email contains what's known as a web bug the sender can know general geographic information about the subject just by them opening the email. If they reply you'll get even more information. The investigator may also include a link inside the pretext email. Once the subject clicks on that link even more identifying information is revealed.
Remember a seasoned investigator has been locating and tracking people down long before email or the Internet came into popular usage. They have the skills to locate people with very little identifying information. Having contact information like an email address makes this kind of reverse email search investigation very easy.
The investigator may use a ruse of inserting personal contact information in the email. As the reader tries to check out that information they will find themselves falling into numerous traps that the investigator has set for them. This is often how an email address can be used to locate a runaway teenager or danger bail jumper.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5823969

Why Organic Bedding Is Superior To Conventional Cotton Bedding

We love our cotton - whether we're looking for organic bedding or a new natural T-shirt. But if you haven't heard yet about the incredible impact conventional cotton has on the environment, you'll be interested to read these facts and figures about how cotton is grown and processed, and why organic cotton is so superior to traditional options.
Hands-down, organic bedding is better for the planet. This is especially true when you compare organic bedding options like organic cotton, bamboo, and wool, to conventional wool production. There are many reasons conventional cotton is detrimental to the planet:
Though cotton only uses 2.5% of the world's agricultural land, it consumes 11% of the world's pesticides and, 24% of the world's insecticides making it the dirtiest and most toxic crop humans cultivate.
Three of the most commonly used insecticides for cotton crops are considered hazardous by the World Health Organization.
Up to one-third pound of fertilizers (made from fossil fuel byproducts) is used to grow one pound of cotton, so your T-shirt is more chemical than cotton. Nitrogen-based synthetic fertilizers pollute waterways and leech nutrients from the soil.
Most cotton is farmed in developing countries where farmers use chemical fertilizers and pesticides without wearing protective clothing because of lax or non-existent safety standards.
To finish conventional cotton, hazardous chemicals like silicone waxes, toxic softeners, heavy metals, ammonia, and formaldehyde are used, many of which flow freely into streams and lakes without treatment, killing aquatic ecosystems.
By contrast, organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides. Instead, farmers who grow organic cotton use things like manure and cover crops to add nutrients, which also help to increase the biological ecosystem in soil. Finishing organic cotton is also more eco-friendly as the processing standards prohibit the use of harsh chemicals.
Despite the fact that the World Trade Organization declared US farming subsidies illegal in 2005, including those offered to cotton farmers, they continue today, causing harm to small farmers. Here's why:
Ten percent of the conventional cotton farmers in the US receive 78% of the subsidies. Some big farms receive in excess of $1 million each.
Sixty-eight percent of US non-organic cotton is then exported well below production costs.
Small-scale farmers in Africa are not able to sell their cotton at reasonable prices because of how America dumps its cotton on the market, sometimes making as little as $400 per year for their crops.
Choosing natural alternatives to conventional sleep systems by looking for organic cotton in your organic mattresses and organic bedding therefore helps small farmers, protects ecosystems, and results in a healthier finished product for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6416942