Managing a Toddler Tantrum

If you have ever had a slumber party for little girls at your home then you know that the most of these end up being a very crabby affair. This is because there is always lots of whispering, giggling and telling ghost stories late into the night. Sometimes there is also a great deal of fighting, crying and tickling and pinching and you name it …
To make sure there’s actually slumber at your child’s next slumber party for you and the kids there are certain tacts you can take.
Shorten the guest list. Handling four kids at night is easier than ten kids. Tell your child that she can invite fewer friends than for a daytime party and then just make the most of it.
Make sure the house rules are laid out clearly and with great confidence. They may test you, but children feel insecure if the adult isn’t in charge — and the more secure kids feel, the more easily they’ll sleep at night.
You should also create a quiet zone in the house that is set up far way from the sleeping area with snacks. Put cereal, muffins and other foods on the table for early risers. This means that kids can sneak downstairs and eat without waking up anyone to be fed (and that includes you…
Make a firm rule that there should “lights-out” at the outset. I let the kids talk after that as long as they don’t make noise or get out of bed. Once they’re in their sleeping bags and it is really dark they tend to stop talking. You can leave a night light on if you have a kid in the crowd who is a bit squeamish.
It is also very important to make sure that each and every one of your young visitors knows where the bathroom is so nobody is stumbling around waking up everyone at night with noise. It might also be a very good idea to not to serve kids a lot of liquids just before bedtime to prevent frequent bathroom visits and even possible night time accidents.
It also helps if you slow down. Even after the best sleepover, everyone’s tired the next day. Plan a quiet afternoon so both you and your child can relax. You can also expect your kid to be a bit out of sorts the next day.

Parenting Tips
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The Lost Art of Bargaining

One way to get more for your money in these hard times is to simply remember how to bargain for it.
In an uncertain economy, it pays to shop smart. In fact, hardest part of negotiating is simply getting past the idea of paying the full sticker price. Keep in mind that in these hard times, people are increasingly willing to strike up a deal.
Just ask the sales clerk – 'Can we get a better price? ' It is especially good to do this if you think that it is not just a sales clerk you are talking to and that it is the owner you are talking to…
It also helps simply to look around for a deal. Do your price checks. Stores are often eager to match or beat the prices of their competitors, so check flyers, newspaper ads, internet auction and shopping sites (including eBay, Amazon and Yahoo) and bargain websites for comparisons. Print or cut out the information and take it on your shopping trip; sometimes if you can show you got a lower deal on the internet you do not have to pay as much.
Negotiating the price of a house or car seems obvious, but you do the same tactics to try and get deals department stores, travel centers, home contractors and cell phone providers. Haggling can work almost anywhere.
Try bargaining in person rather than over the telephone. To give yourself a lot of time to strike a deal, shop when a store is less busy and make sure that you are friendly, patient and polite.
You can also look out for damage on items. If you find a flaw on an item that you can live with or fix – such as a missing button on a jacket or a scratch on a table – ask for a better price.
Offering to pay cash in return for a discount doesn't mean you're helping someone skirt taxation; there's no need to put down $20 for dishware and make a run for the nearest border. Many retailers prefer cash payments because they pay a fee for credit- or debit-card transactions.
It is also a good idea to simply keep an eye out for sales. Ask when an item will be marked down and when new models are coming. They might be prepared to wait a bit and then give you a deal. I got a really great baby carriage that way.

Parenting Tips
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