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Have you ever considered what it means to be an intentional parent? Have you thought about what hangs in the balance? Fourteen years of parenting, reading countless books and listening to the sage of advice of many who walked the parenting path before me has taught me much. Ironically, what stands out the most is how much there is left to learn about being an effective parent and how often I still miss the mark. Hitting the mark is tough even in the best of circumstances; with work, after-school activities, help with homework and other personal demands the bulls eye looks awfully small and so far away. Maybe you can relate. One thing is clear to me - effective parenting is not something that easily comes. It takes great effort and it takes intentionality. The effort part is for another discussion, but what about intentionality?

An intentional parent is not a perfect parent (none of us fall into that category); rather, it is a parent who has “mentally determined upon some action or result related to parenting.” The key is “mentally determined” since every good habit starts with a mental decision. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a single good habit I have that just happened. An intentional parent is an “on purpose” parent.

As parents, our greatest tendency is to react to our children rather than plan in advance. To complicate it even further, we acknowledge this tendency yet do little about it. What does this say about us as parents? The question we need to grapple with is why do we tend to continue down the same unintentional path? There are at least three practical reasons I have identified in my own life that make it difficult for me to be an intentional parent: vision, know-how and accountability. See if you can identify with any of them.

Our biggest obstacle starts in the mind - we simply don’t take the time to contemplate what hangs in the balance. To state it another way, we really have not taken the time to understand and embrace what is gained and what is lost by investing in our children as intentional parents. Most of us would agree, upon reflection, more is to be gained by taking an intentional approach to parenting our children. So, action step number one for becoming an intentional parent is to imagine what you want your relationship to be like with your child and what his or her relationships will be like with others once your child has reached adulthood. Add to that the legacy you want to leave and you start to catch a glimpse of what hangs in the balance.

I imagine my children growing up one day and investing their lives in their own family and those around them. Can that happen if I never invest time with them? Of course, but chances are they will be more apt to do it and more effective at it if I invest in them as young children. When Emily, our now 11 year old, was younger and wanted to play Old Maid when the football game was on, my first thought was “not during the game.” As I look back now, I can say some of my funniest and fondest memories were playing a simple card game like Old Maid with our girls. It is amazing what you can teach a child about life during a basic game of Old Maid.

Our next challenge is lack of know-how. We have very little idea of what an intentional parent looks or acts like. In short, we are missing a plan. It is a bit like driving in a foreign country without a map or directions of any sort. You may eventually reach the destination but the frustration and loss of time makes the journey miserable and it is rarely worth the price. The solution is easy but it takes time. Research, read, utilize resources like Focus on the Family and survey your friends, especially those with grown children. One good resource can launch your journey to becoming an intentional parent. For me, it was a book by Tim Kimmel entitled Legacy of Love.

Being an intentional parent requires changing your strategy and approach as your child changes. If you are like I was early in my parenting I wanted to discover the know-how or “program” that worked, implement it and expect everything to fall neatly into place. I soon discovered the “neatly into place” part was a hurdle. I remember one particular airplane ride before we had our first daughter, Nicole. I was stuck next to a screaming child; you know, the one who never stops screaming the entire flight. I still hear myself saying, “I can’t believe they are not able to control their child. My child will never act like that in public.” Famous last words, right? Fast forward to my first airplane ride with Nicole when she was about six months old. It was a piece of cake - not a peep out of her the entire time. Everyone was so complimentary and a proud Dad I was. I had the program figured out or so I thought until my second airplane ride with Nicole near her one year birthday. To say it was miserable and embarrassing would be an understatement. From the time the plane took off she started screaming and I was reduced to a helpless Dad - duped by a one year old. Some program on “how you should act in public” I had! My child had changed - it was time for a new strategy.

Once you have your vision and plan in place you are faced with implementation. Every parent understands the daily challenges of raising a child as life speeds by us like a NASCAR race. In my own life it is here in the daily battle that I have discovered the importance of accountability. My wife is the best intentional parent I know. She made a decision early in the lives of our children (Nicole is 14 and Emily is 11) to empower her friends to hold her accountable in her role as an intentional mother. As a result, when inertia begins to pull her away from intentional parenting her friends remind her of the vision, the plan and of what hangs in the balance. This accountability enables her to course correct and to escape falling “out of the habit” of intentional parenting. Who have you allowed into the center of your life to ask you the difficult questions and to challenge you to be an intentional parent?

Having a vision with know-how and even accountability means nothing unless and until we act. Actions require energy and time which, for busy people, always feels in short supply. If you are like me, fear and self-centeredness are oftentimes a big hindrance to being an intentional parent. A sense of scarcity and the lack of understanding of the consequences of inaction allow fear and self-centeredness to rule and block our otherwise good intentions. What will I need to give up in the way of time and energy to deliver in this area of my life? What will it cost me personally? It takes courage to be an intentional parent. So, what do you think - is it worth your child’s future and your legacy to become an intentional parent? Will you muster the courage it takes to impact a life?

I know what you are thinking - where are all of the action steps, the secrets, the plan? Well, right now Emily needs help with her homework so more on the know-how will need to wait. Keep your eye out for the next article at www.CourageTheMonkey.com. Intentional parenting calls.

Mark Jordan is the author of several books including his most recent children’s book Courage The Monkey. Jordan brings a unique writing style to his books for children. In drawing from his personal experiences as the father of two daughters, he strives to impact children’s lives with inspirational stories. He holds an MBA from Baylor University and a BSBA from the University of Arkansas. He resides in Atlanta, Ga., with his wife, Michelle, and two daughters, Nicole and Emily. Jordan can be reached at mark@CourageTheMonkey.com.

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World Cup 2007 dover nascar tickets international speedway just round Mexico City Tickets corner and all cricket fans can think of is how to be in constant touch with the latest world cup score of all the matches. World cup is one cricketing event that every cricket fan looks forward to. Once every four years during the cricket world cup, fans put a hold to all their schedules just to be able to catch up with live and latest updated world cup score. Australia had won the last two world cup and they will for sure want to score a hatrick by winning it in 2007 as well. So need one say that this is going to be a very competitive world cup?

Making prior arrangements is good if you want to be in touch with all the matches that will be played during the world cup. These days, time constraint is a common factor for all people and this makes it difficult for cricket fans to catch up with all the ongoing action in a tournament. But thanks to technology that keeping track of any tournament has become very easy these days, no matter in which corner of the world the event is taking place. So when your team will sweat it out in the West Indies in 2007, you will be well aware of what is happening there.

The internet has revolutionized the way we see and come to know about events. So simply by sitting in the comfort of your bedroom, you can easily know the latest that is happening anywhere in the world as far as the cricket field is concerned. There are several online sites which work dedicatedly towards providing information about world cup score and all other information related to the event. In fact, such websites can become a one stop source for all world cup cricket related information.

That is not all, most of these online sites run several games where visitors can participate and win great prizes. So it is a great way for cricket fans to keep their cricket knowledge updated and also win great prizes. Records about all the past world cup events can be found in these sites. Well it is very much possible that fans know who the higher century dover nascar tickets is and who is the highest wicket taker in the world, but how many of us actually know who the highest run scorer in the world cup is. So all these sites have information on everything you want to know about the world cup.

In this World Cup, sixteen teams will be vying for the title and there is bound to be some great matches there. We will all have to wait and see what action unfolds in the ground and who actually goes about winning the tournament this time. Being informed about the world cup will surely help fans in understanding the game much better. After all, we would all love to know what things will be at stake when our favorite teams and players take the field in World Cup 2007 in the West Indies.

Ella Wilson is a cricket fanatic. She simply loves the game and tries to catch live action no matter where she is.At Stickiewicket she works on online cricket score, Fantasy cricket and Cricket News among other things.You can see her works at http://www.stickiewicket.com.

You won’t be after reading the scoop on those vacuum steam cleaners.

One thing nascar race tickets classifieds needs to be cleared Homestead Tickets is that a vacuum steam cleaner really isn’t based on actual steam. These machines, no matter if they’re the cost effective Dirt Devil steam cleaners or big commercial steam vacuum cleaners, they all work basically the same.

Steam cleaners work using hot water and usually a detergent with most adding some mechanical action to loosing dirt. Once the dirt is suspended in the water/detergent solution, it’s then vacuumed up with the carpet rinsed with clear water. Understand that STEAM is water vapor at a temperature over 212 degrees f.

That said, commercial steam vacuum cleaners do have a greater capacity to heat and maintain water temperature thereby increasing the Texas Tickets capacity of their equipment. It stands to reason then that any machine that heats the water before the actual carpet cleaning would naturally clean more effectively than one that didn’t have the heating capacity.

Several upright carpet steam cleaners are now available that have a water heating feature. The new Bissel upright units claim that their heating process can increase water temperature by as much as 25 degrees. This is a great feature as the hotter the water, the better the cleaning result.

Vacuum steam cleaner reviews to find the best steam vacuum should rate all of the following:

1. A mechanical or powered brushing system to loosing dirt.

2. A clean water heat booster to increase temperature for better cleaning.

3. Good suction and vacuum for quick drying ability.

4. A large enough water container to do a good sized room without the need to stop and refill the unit. About a gallon or so would be great.

5. A long cord that could be plugged into another room away from the damp carpet and water in the steam cleaner.

These features should be considered the basic minimum for any able whole carpet vacuum cleaner with steam capability. Just remember that although there really isn’t any steam cleaning, the hotter the water the better the clean. Carpet cleaners that use an electric heat booster will generally deliver better results if only because of the hotter water.

There are a number of great little machines on the market today that can keep your carpets looking great between commercial or professional cleanings. Some do such a good job that you may want to buy a carpet steamer with the money you’ll save from not using the commercial cleaning companies.

Abigail Franks writes on a variety of subjects which include family, health, and Home. For More information on Steam vacuum cleaners check out the site at http://www.best-vacuumcleaner.com/vacuum-steam-cleaner-reviews.html and http://www.best-vacuumcleaner.com/eureka-vacuum-cleaner.html

With more than 4,200 hotels in 80 countries, out of these, 2,000 hotels are concentrated in North America alone, Best Western is the world’s largest hotel company, operating under a single brand name. Throughout its history, the dover nascar tickets international speedway has established a reputation of a leading brand name in the travel industry, providing high quality service and accommodations to leisure and business travelers. The origins of Best Western hotels can be traced back to 1946, when the first chain of Best Western Motels was started by hotelier M.K. Guertin. At the time, the majority of hotels were either small family owned inns or large urban properties. Best Western hotels were started as a network of independent hotel operators in California, which succeeded in growing to the most significant hotel chain.

As of 1963, it was the largest hotel chain in the industry, due to 699 member properties. The year 1966 witnessed a number of major changes when the organization’s headquarters moved from Long Beach, California to Phoenix, Arizona, with the aim of further expanding the chain. The expansion entailed establishment of the new reservation center, offering free service for travel agents, vacationers, and business travelers. Other major changes included expanding to the Caribbean, the Pacific, and into Europe, and increasing membership standards.

Sales offices were opened in Seattle, Phoenix, Montreal, and Washington D.C. In 1974, the word “motel” was eliminated from the company’s name, marking the new stage of its development. Foreign expansion has resulted in agreements with 410 properties of Australia and New Zealand.

In 1977, the Best Western Headquarters complex was constructed in northeast Phoenix, which contributed significantly to the company’s status of the world’s largest lodging chain. In the early 1980s, agreements were signed, bringing numerous properties of France, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Switzerland, and Sweden into the chain. By this time, 900 international affiliates of the company comprised 34% of its total membership.

In September 1988, the chain launched the Gold Crown Club International Program for frequent travelers, which reported nearly 200,000 members within a year. In 1998, Best Western chain adopted a new logo and identity.

As Best Western doesn’t have franchises, the chain is operated as a non-profit association, with each hotel owned and operated independently.

Best Western hotels can be found in nearly every country of the world, including the original hotel in Phoenix. The company charges a rate which is based on initial cost, in addition to a fee for each room. Each hotel has a list of standards, compiled and to purchase nascar race tickets by Best Western International. Despite the fact that all hotels act as members of Western Hotels association, they are allowed to use an independent name, seen as part of nextel race tickets identity.

As of 2004, all Best Western hotels in the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States offered high-speed Internet access to their visitors. The same year, Best Western became the first Official Hotel of NASCAR, entering in a three year partnership.

Currently, the consolidated reservation centers are operated in Phoenix, Arizona; Manila, Philippines; and Milan, Italy. Best Western’s offices can be found in Chicago, Atlanta, Buenos Aires, Dallas, London, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New Delhi, Mexico City, New York City, Rio de Janeiro, Seattle, Toronto, Tokyo, Seoul, and Washington D.C. More than 90% of all member hotels in Canada and the United States are rated by AAA, with nearly 1,000 of them receiving a three diamond rating.

David Brights writes for http://www.showcheaphotels.info where you can find out more about cheap hotels and other topics.

If you are planning cheap nascar tickets tailgate party you need a few things, good people, good drinks, win nascar tickets drivers a good grill. There are a few things that you need to consider before choosing a grill for your next tailgate party.

Camp Stoves:

Camp Stoves are a great addition to Tailgaters due to its ability to do many different things. First off Camp Stoves are not grills. It is just a way to have an open flame that is regulated and controlled. Camp Stoves are not meant to grill burgers and hotdogs by themselves. There are some accessories that must be bought before this can happen. If you are looking for a grill to make hamburgers, hotdogs, or anything else that can be grilled directly on the grill check out our Table Top Grills, or Portable Grills.

Camp Stoves are meant to be used at if it were an outdoor kitchen stove. tickets to nascar at watkins glen can use pots and pans, skittles, dutch ovens, or anything else that you usually use on a regular stove. Of course you can purchase grill attachments for direct grilling. Camp Stoves can make a simple hamburger and hotdog tailgate into a gourmet tailgate with stews, chili, boiled shrimp, or lobster (yes lobster check out Gillette stadium tailgaters), and anything else you can cook up, imagine, and feast upon.

Table Top Grills:

Tabletop grills are great for a quick set up with a picnic table, setting on the ground, or tailgate. These are small and portable which makes them very diverse and useable. Some are designed more for grilling, some more for using with pots and pans. Either way these are great for setting up quickly, getting the food cooked, cooling off quickly and stowing, so that you can get into your event quickly. They are also for those who are looking for the least amount of cleanup, and work to be done.

Portable Grills:

Portable grills are for the serious tailgater. Portable grills offer a wide range of uses, from skillet cooking to grilling burgers, and hot dogs, to dutch oven use; to anything that can be fried, cooked, grilled, and ate. Portable grills are easy to set up, and easy to take down. Pull the grill out of the trunk or back of the truck, set up quickly, get your food, and get going. Have fun, eat well, and be happy.

Backpack Grills:

Backpack grills are our most highly portable grills we have found. Most are simply single burner stoves meant to head up a pot, pan or skillet. These are great little grills for a quick small tailgate party, or to just pull over on the side of the road on a long trip and have an impromptu tailgate lunch party. You never know when a tailgating mood will hit, and these ultra portable grills will let you tailgate in any spot.

So what we have found is that you have to first decide what kind of party you are going to have. Then you will be able to quickly and easily decide what kind of grill is best for you.

Have fun, Cook Well, and Tailgate the right way

Staff
TailgatingDoneRight.com
http://www.tailgatingdoneright.com

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A fantastic place to find cool broadband quality sports video and audio clips to view online for free is the BBC sports website Dover Tickets you can find at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport They also have lots of great sports content for you to enjoy including the latest sports news, the latest sports results, photo galleries, scores & fixtures information and lots more besides. The BBC sports website also has dedicated sections on their website for football, cricket, tennis, golf, rugby union, rugby league, motorsport, boxing, athletics, cycling, snooker and horse racing.

Eurosport.com is another great place to find free sports clips to watch online and they have excellent sports news coverage of a range of sports including football, cycling, motorsports, basketball, athletics, golf, winter sports, boxing, baseball, cricket, field hockey, handball, ebay nascar tickets Olympics, Rugby, Rowing, Sailing, Snooker and Swimming. One thing I really like about the Eurosport.com website is the “Live Score” feature which you will find on the homepage and shows you the live current scores on a range of different sports including football, tennis, cycling, motorsports, field hockey, basketball, rugby, athletics, snooker and winter sports. This site is very well designed, is constantly updated and is easy to navigate. It will definitely keep sports buffs busy for days!

SportsNews.com has a huge range of detailed and up to date sports news coverage from around the world. It is a very well laid out website which as well as having all the sports news you can handle, it also has extensive entertainment news, regional news, business news and science news.

A quality sports site which is especially good for American sports fans is Fox Sports which can be found at http://msn.foxsports.com It has detailed extensive sports news coverage of NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, golf, tennis, football, NCAA FB, Winter Olympics, Boxing, Horse Racing, F1, WNBA and beach volleyball.

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Well that’s all the sites I think you sports fans will need to feed your hunger for more info on your favourite sports and teams, I hope you like them and have lots of fun on them!

Miguel Poza runs a website about broadband & broadband service providers with many reviews of UK and US broadband services, a guide to broadband technology, computer security and links to cool broadband content. Please check it out at http://www.broadbandassistant.com.

Generally people begin surfing on long ultra buoyant boards that are easy to paddle and easy to balance on after the take off. If you don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars to try a sport your not sure you will like I would recommend you find a close surf shop and rent a board and wetsuit if you need it. If you have balance and can surf than the only difference between you and I is time in the water! I try to surf as much as I can to hone my skills, you must commit yourself if you are going to be a surfer. I have taught dozens of friends to surf and get immense joy in seeing surfers having such a good time during a session.

I recommend a long board if you’re learning the basics and are always going to beginner breaks. A shorter board will give you more speed and more maneuverability on the wave. Manipulating the barrel and hitting the lip are extremely important and the shape and design of each board has different results on different waves. A pin tail helps in the barrel so you can sit your back foot right on the foam ball…but that comes in years and years of surfing. I have a grave yard of short board because I buy boards used…usually. For $100-$250 you can find a decent short board to start learning to RIPP!

I don’t know much about long boards but I know they are very unique in their own way. I hope some one that has something to contribute about long boards would post a similar article.

If you are intimidated about going out to a surf spot just go to ANY surf shop and they will tell you of a beginner beach that you can go to a get used to swimming in the surf and taking a pounding or two by a clean up set. Don’t worry I was a kook not to long ago but 5 years ago I decided to put in TIME and really get to learn about the culture and sport. I love everything about it and it has changed my life around. I hope you can surf and have fun as often as you can because it means so much too so many people around the world. For some people I know good waves are the only thing that truly matters in life.

Curtis Ashfort

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