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December 2008, Issue #057

1. Hello from Shirley

I was at a kid's party on Saturday and someone said that 2009 is predicted to be tougher economically than 2008 was!

I don't want to focus on prophecies of doom and gloom, but neither do I want to be an ostrich with my head in the sand, ignoring circumstances, if I have the power to change them!

Did you know, that you can share your knowledge and expertise on the internet and use it to generate additional income? You don't even have to have a product to sell - just INFO!

As you probably know by now, I am a homeschooling mom of 5 kids.

My site just turned 3 years old and already it earns me on average, between $1 200 -$2 000 per month on average. (In our currency that’s about R12 000 –R20 000) and generally, all I do on it nowadays is send out a monthly newsletter and do a little tweaking here and there.

Its a great source of passive income that allows me to be a stay-at-home mom and yet still survive in this tough economy.

I knew nothing about the Net or site building when I began, but I bought a package that guided me through the milestones, one baby step at a time.

It is ideal for people that are beginners in the realm of online business, but for those that have some technical savvy, its awesome too! The tools are amazing.

Anyway, Site Build It, (the company whose package I use) is offering a BUY-ONE-GET-ONE-FREE deal until Christmas and so I thought there might be others out there, that need to look at new income options for their families.

This is ideal as you can work at it in your own time and can still be there for your family.

Even if you don't have a clue what you'd create your site about at the moment, Site Build It has a brainstorming tool to help you choose a niche -

As they say, "We all know something about something".

I know that you probably need a bit more information and some time to think about this, so I'll give you some useful links that I hope will inspire you.

Quick Tour Slide Show

Case Studies - even a teenaged girl built a site that pays for her college education today!

Work-at-Home-Moms

If you have questions, feel free to ask me. I hope this might be the opportunity you are (or someone you know is) looking for in 2009.

My site been such a blessing to our family, I wonder how we'd have survived 2008 without it!

Don’t wait too long. This offer is only until Christmas! Click on the Banner Below to find out more!

2. Take a look at Shirley’s Preschool Activities

Being school holidays, I have been tweaking my site and blowing some cobwebs out of the corners. I thought it would be a great time to remind you of the importance of Preschool Reading Activities…for toddlers, preschoolers and kids that are ready to learn to read themselves. I also made a list of over 20 Benefits of Reading with Children. Pass them on to parents you know!

I also made a list of Printable Crafts, and added some Lapbooks to that list. Lapbooking is a fun way to get more out of the story books you read.

3. Quote

"A house without books is like a room without windows." ~Heinreich Mann

4. Tips

Writing
Provide a range of materials to encourage writing and drawing. They don't have to be new, for example, used envelopes from your mail, deposit slips from the bank, store catalogs for cutting and pasting pictures.

Write together. When you write cards, letters, encourage your child to make her own or at least sign her name.

Write signs and labels for things around the house with your child. A sign for their door is a good place to start.

5. Book & Toy Reviews

As the season of giving is here, I have just added some more of our family’s favourite books and toys to page 4 on the list on the Amazon Store page of my site.

Sh-sh-sh – don’t tell my kids – some of those items are gifts they’ll be getting soon!

I decided that after 10 years, it is time to invest in some new good-quality toys for my little ones. The cheapies just don’t last!

The wooden toys by Melissa and Doug are good investments. I have added an assortment that I recommend.

A ride on bike is a must for small kids - gets them going!! My kids have plastic Y-bikes and they are great in many ways.

Here is a list of toys I recommend:

Outdoor play equipment
If at all possible, get one or some of the following:
• Jungle gym / climbing frame
• Slide
• Swing
• Sand pit with spades, buckets and sand toys
• Trampoline
• Hanging rings
Alternatively – visit a children’s play park as often as you can.

Under 2’s
• Rocking horse
• Ride on
• Push scooter/motor bike
• Wheelbarrow or doll’s pram to push
• Wagon to pull
• Balls of various sizes and textures
• Wooden blocks or smooth-sanded wood off-cuts
• Construction blocks like Duplo, Lego or similar
• Wooden knob-puzzles
• Shape-sorter
• Geometric stackers
• Stacking cups
• Bath toys – even plastic cups
• Toy telephone – for conversational practice!

Age 2-4
All of the above plus the following:
• Play dough
• Chalkboard and chalks or
• Dry erase boards and markers
• Paints, crayons and craft materials, safety scissors
• Puzzles
• Large lacing beads
• Dolls or soft toys
• Hand puppets – great for developing speech and imagination
• Dress up clothes
• Cars and trucks – buy the best quality you can- cheapies don’t last!
• Tea set and/or kitchen toys
• Small chairs and table
• Gardening tools if you have a garden for them
• Construction toys – zoobs, train sets, car tracks, etc
• Xylophone – with accurate pitch and good sound quality (not a cheapie)
• Tambourine
• Drums
• Good quality/classic story books
• Tricycle or bicycle with side-wheels

Age 5-7
Any of the above plus:
• Skipping rope
• Crayons
• Finger paints
• Lacing toys
• Matching games
• Dominoes
• Pegboard
• Puzzles
• Easy board games – snakes & ladders, ludo, Chinese checkers etc
• Drafts/Chess
• Origami
• Sport toys – golf set, cricket set, bat and ball sets

If you are South African, you can buy books and CD's online at www.kalahari.net and www.loot.co.za

5. Readiness Activities

Since it is holidays, I am taking a break from preschool readiness activities, so I suggest you focus on giving your children lots of time, lots of hugs and affirmation.

Things tend to get a bit hectic over the festive season and often because of a lack of routine and too many late nights, children get irritable. Try to be sensitive to their needs and make this a joyous time for them too! ~~

Greetings until next month
Shirley
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