SAGINAW VALLEY FAMILY MAGAZINE

Helpful hints for family life: Health, recipes, finances and events

Award-Winning gifts for the Holidays

by Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Monday December 01, 2008, 10:08 PM

Just in time for holiday giving, the National Parenting Publications Awards bring you the best gift ideas for children. For the past 18 years, NAPPA has set the gold standard in evaluating children's products, with its team of expert judges and family testers highlighting the cream of the crop in children's entertainment and learning.

Check out the gift ideas by using this link: Download Award-Winning gifts for the Holidays

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Family Fun December calendar

by Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Monday December 01, 2008, 11:33 AM

Have a look at our December calendar to find exciting things to do this month.

Download the calendar

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Turn the Page: Passing along family stories one page at a time

by Abby McGuire | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Monday December 01, 2008, 11:20 AM

Quita Shier of Midland is writing her family's story as a memento and as a labor of love for her children and grandchildren.

She began her family's story as far back as she could remember, writing a narrative version of events from her grandparents, then her parents' lives to preserve the family's unique history. She tells the story of each husband and wife couple in the family so that future generations will one day know the background of their grandparents and great grandparents.

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Page by Page: How to tell your family's story

by Abby McGuire | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Monday December 01, 2008, 11:17 AM

The only wrong way to write your family's story is to not write it at all.

The most important thing is that you sit down and do it, says Quita Shier of Midland.

At one time, Shier, wasn't especially interested in her family's history or genealogy. Now when she thinks of stories she once heard relatives tell, she wonders, "Why didn't I sit down and take notes? Why didn't I record this?"

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Get started writing about your family - Questions to ask

by Quita Shier | Midland Genealogical Society

Monday December 01, 2008, 11:10 AM

What's your earliest memory?
What kinds of music did you listen to when you were growing up?
What world events did you live through? What were they like?
How many siblings did you have? What were they like?
When did you start school?
Tell about a time you got in trouble at school.
Who was your first boyfriend?
What do you remember about your first job?
How did you meet your husband/wife?

Online sources for journal questions
www.engl.niu.edu/wac/journal_starters.html
http://www.geocities.com/papabear1701/prompt_library.html
http://www.squidoo.com/writeprompts

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Online Kid Tips

by Tom McMahon | King Features Syndicate

Monday December 01, 2008, 11:00 AM

Eric Erickson, the renowned developmental psychologist, proposed that every stage of life offers a challenge. The last stage -- late adulthood -- is about reconciling with our past. There are two possible results: The positive outcome is feeling content with the choices of the past, and the negative outcome is having major regrets about one's life. The first group is where we hope to be later in life, but it takes time and effort.

The haunting words in the song "Cat's in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin remind us that "intention" does not always lead to action. "When you coming home, Dad?" the song asks. "I'm gonna be like you, Dad ... You know we'll have a good time then." But they never do.

Time spent together, parent and child, is all we need to make memories. The effort expended on your young children and teens will reap benefits for decades and beyond. Don't sweat the small regrets; we all make mistakes, but avoid the major regrets that have a lasting impact.

Send in your favorite parenting tip. Thanks to the parents who sent in a tip this week.

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December Family Album: Holidays and Kids with Grandparents

by Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Monday December 01, 2008, 10:55 AM

Enjoy these photos, then send us your own!

December Family Album: Holidays and Kids with Grandparents

We want to include your favorite family photos in our Family Album! Please provide your name, address and phone, along with the first names and ages (optional) of the people in the photo and where they are from. We will accept original photos (no ink-jet prints) and electronic JPEG files (at least 300 dpi.)

You can bring in original photos or send them to Lori Robinson, Saginaw Valley Family Magazine, 203 S. Washington, Saginaw, MI 48607-1283. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you would like your photo returned.

Send electronic, JPEG files, to lrobinson@svfamilymagazine.com

Send your photos in anytime before deadline. We will copy and hold until the appropriate issue and return your originals ASAP!

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