10 Low-Cost Activities To Do With The Kids

By Single Parent Central
Go to the library - Most libraries have story times for children once a week. Take advantage of their free events like concerts, art and crafts classes and science shows. Most libraries also have computers available so the kids can try out different software. Call your local library for a list of events.

2)Walk, Walk, Walk - Load the babies in the stroller, put the little kids on the bikes , get the teenagers off the couch and go out and walk. Not only will you and your children be getting exercise but also it is a good way for the kids to relax and talk to you about what's going on in their lives. A great stress reliever.

3)Check out the local Community Center- Community centers offer a wide variety of classes from swimming to karate, from dance to calligraphy. Community centers offer classes at an already low price but most have "scholarships" for families and students which will reduce or eliminate class fees.

4)Picnic in the Park- Pack a picnic lunch and head for a park with a playground. The smaller kids will keep busy on the swings and ladders while the older kids can bring a Frisbee or soccer ball to play with. Plop down a blanket for the kids, bring a lawn chair and book for yourself, and let the kids wear themselves out.

5)Community events- Zoos and children's museums usually have reduced and/or free days for children. Plays and symphonies often have free performances during dress rehearsals. Pick up a free parenting "throw away" paper usually found at libraries, community centers and schools. These papers are a good source of free events in your community.

6)Movie night - Rent a couple of movies or, better yet, most libraries will let you check out videos for free. Have everyone put on their pajamas, pop popcorn and bring out the blankets to cozy up with.

7)Game night - Turn off the TV, turn on the radio and bring out the games from the closet. Play a different game each week. Check out a card game book at the library and learn to play different card games.

8)Go to church- Find a church that fits your philosophy and beliefs. When you find a good match for your family look into the events that they have. Some of the larger churches have support groups, camps for the kids (often offering scholarships), picnics and other events. A nice tradition to start in your family.

9)Garden - From the littlest to the teenagers everyone can help with the garden. Have the kids decide on their own flowers and vegetables to plant. Easy to grow plants include sunflowers and geraniums. If you don't have room for a garden grow container plants on your deck or start an herb garden on your windowsill. Have the kids water and fertilize their plants regularly. Not only will this teach them responsibility but they'll take pride in watching their plant grow from seed to flower.

10)Volunteer- Check out your local nonprofits to see what would be a good fit for you and your family. Neighborhood clean-up projects are good for all ages to participate in. Delivering meals to seniors is another good project for all age groups The benefits of volunteering are immense for families. Giving back to the community will be installed in your kids at a young age while giving your family a nice tradition.



About the author:
The article is free to reprint in any format provided the information at the bottom, including this, remains intact. Reprinted from Single Parent Central, www.singleparentcentral.com, which offers information and resources to single parent families. ©2000 SingleParentCentral.com

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

What to Expect from a Family Law Attorney

By Single Parent Central
Many single parents will need the services of a family law attorney at some point. Separation, divorce, death of a partner, modifying a visitation agreement or child support order are just a few of the times to seek out a family law attorney. However, many of us have little experience with attorneys. The following will give you some general information on how to select and what to expect from a family law attorney.

Where Do I Find an Attorney?

1)The phone book – Look under the Family Law section in the yellow pages. Here you will find a wide selection of attorneys. There are attorneys who specialize in the representation of men or the representation of women. Some attorneys specialize in a particular component of family law, for instance custody. There are attorneys that are Christian focused, and some that offer payment plans. Many offices will give you a free phone consultation.

2)The library – Ask to see the Martindale & Hubbell Law Directory. This directory lists most lawyers and areas of practices within the United States.

3) State or Local Bar Association - Most operate a Lawyer Referral Service. After asking you to briefly describe the facts of your case, they will refer you to attorneys in your area. Tell the attorney you were referred from the State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service and you will often get a half-hour consultation at no charge. The referral service does not give legal advice.

4)Network - Ask friends, family, and co-workers for names of attorneys they would recommend. Ask friends who have used a family law attorney if their attorney did a good job and if they would hire him/her again.

5) Legal Aid Offices – If lack of money is a problem call your local legal aid office to determine if you qualify for representation. Your income has to be below a certain point to qualify for most services. Legal aid organizations often have restrictions on case acceptance. For instance, they may only take domestic violence cases. If they are not accepting your type of case ask them to refer you to pro bono attorney programs. These are local attorneys who have agreed to provide free legal representation to eligible persons, usually lower income. Like legal aid, some have restrictions on case acceptance.

Shop around for an attorney just as you would a doctor. You want them to be knowledgeable in family law but you also want to feel comfortable working with them. Some things to consider besides their expertise in family law:

-Do they have weekend or evening appointments? This is important when you work full-time.

-Are their offices fairly close to where you live or work? Single parent time is stretched to the limit. You want one located in a convenient location.

The Initial Consultation:

Many attorneys offer a free initial consultation. This is usually half-hour to listen to an overview of your case and give you options on how to proceed.

-Create a "cheat sheet" – Write down the main facts of your case and put them in chronological order. Also, list the questions you have about your case. Bring it to your initial consultation. Refer to your sheet when speaking with the attorney. It will ensure that you don’t forget to tell the attorney something important.

-Some Questions to Ask in the Initial Consultation:

How long have you practiced family law?

Do you have experience dealing with cases similar to mine?

If all goes well, how long will it take for my case to be resolved?

What should I expect? What will be happening step-by-step?

How can I be sure I get my child support, visitation, etc?

What are the best case and worst case scenarios in regards to the outcome of my case?

How much will this cost?

How do you bill?

How Do Attorney’s Charge?

Some attorney’s charge by the hour and some will charge you one lump sum when your case is completed. Some of the common ways lawyers bill for their services:

Retainer Fee: advance payment to the lawyer for a portion of their fee.

Contingency Fee: an agreed upon percentage of any money obtained through settlement, trial or negotiation.

Hourly Fee: the lawyer’s hourly rate. They will take their hourly rate and multiply the number of hours worked on your case.

Fixed Fee: a specific amount of money charged for a specific service.

Cost advance: reoccurring advance payment for on-going expenses related to the case.

Mixed fee: A combination of contingency and hourly fees.

How Will the Attorney Bill Me?

If the attorney charges an hourly fee ask how often they bill. A monthly invoice is common. Ask for a detailed monthly billing statement that specifies what services the attorney provided and how much time they spent on each service. Do not accept a bill that says: " service rendered." This doesn’t tell you what you are being charged for. Be assertive. If you don’t understand your bill ask the attorney to explain If the attorney charges a fixed fee ask if they have payment plans. Paying a little each month is easier to budget than paying one lump sum.

Hiring the Attorney:

When you decide to hire an attorney you will sign a retainer agreement. This is a document that states what services the attorney will perform and what the fees for the service will be.

If you accept the fees and understand the services to be performed then, and only then, should you sign the retainer. Find out if the quoted fee includes court costs, copying costs, and filing fees or if these services will be extra charges.

Do not sign the retainer unless you understand all the terms of the agreement!

After You Have Hired the Attorney:

-Be prepared and organized for each appointment.

-Obtain the documentation your attorney has asked for.

-Put in writing what you want out of the case. For instance, what property you want, how much child support, etc. Give this to your attorney. Ask what problems you face in getting what you want.

-Create a folder labeled "Attorney". Keep all correspondence and documentation relating to your case in the file so it will be easily accessible.

-Write down what you want to ask your attorney before you call him. This will ensure you don’t forget anything. It will also help you stay on track since most attorneys will charge for time spent on the phone.

-Listen carefully to what the attorney says and make notes if necessary so you can review them later.

Hint: Remember, your attorney is not your therapist. Don’t pour your heart out to him about your personal problems each time you meet. He is only interested in the facts of the case - besides he will probably charge you for listening.

Selecting and hiring an attorney is an important decision. You should research your selections carefully. He should be receptive to your questions and keep you informed about each step in the proceedings. If you do not feel that your attorney is representing you in the best possible manner than dismiss his services and find another attorney. Remember, the attorney works for you!



About the author:
The article is free to reprint provided the information at the bottom, including this, remains intact. Reprinted from singleparentcentral, which offers information and resources to single parent families. ©2000 SingleParentCentral.com



Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Power Persuasion Techniques Using the Persuasion Law of Expectation

By Michael Lee
In this eye-opening article, I’ll reveal some astonishing power persuasion techniques to help you persuade and influence people to do what you want.

Ever heard of the expression “You get what you expect?” It’s a fact supported by a persuasion law known as expectation, and written below are 4 power persuasion techniques utilizing this principle.

Power Persuasion Technique # 1 - Use Parkinson’s Law

Want to know how to use expectation to persuade others to accomplish tasks 2 times, 3 times, or even many times faster? If the task requires 3 months to finish, tell them it has to be done within 3 weeks. The magic in this is that the work will be completed in a span of time based on a person’s expectation of how much time is required to do it. Parkinson's Law states "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion."

If they cannot absolutely do it in that span of time, use another power persuasion technique – the principle of comparison. Tell them that if they can produce excellent results, they will be given, let’s say, a 2-week extension. They will compare the 2 time frames and may even thank you for giving them enough time! You gave them the impression that they are given a lot of time (because you’ve added 2 weeks to the original 3-week deadline), even when the task can take up to 3 months to finish.

Power Persuasion Technique # 2 – Be Specific.

Another great tip to maximize the power of expectation is to be as specific as possible. If you can say, “I know you’re a fast writer who can turn out at least 7 quality articles within 5 hours” instead of “I know you to be a fast and efficient writer,” then the results will be better and more accurate.

Power Persuasion Technique # 3 - Find Similarities and Point That Out.

To successfully influence people, find any point of similarity between you and the person you're persuading.

For example, both of you are members of a reputable association. You can say something like, "As a fellow member of 'Justice for All Inc.,' I know you want justice to be served at all times. I respect you and regard you as one of my heroes. I'm sure many people treat you the same. Just want to thank you in advance for continuing the fight to give justice to Mr. Jones.”

Power Persuasion Technique # 4 – Expect To Be Expected.

Keep in mind also that people base their expectations on various aspects such as your physical qualities, your surroundings, etc. Everyone will expect a neatly dressed and well-groomed person to be wealthy and successful; that’s why it pays to look good when you’re persuading others. If you wear dirty clothes and have unkempt hair, you’ll be treated as someone who has bad manners, and they won’t expect good outcome from you. The same goes if you have an orderly and tidy home. People will expect you to be an organized person.

These 4 power persuasion techniques can be applied in almost any situation. Just remember to communicate your expectation well and you’ll see great results.

About the author:
If you want to know how to influence people win more friends, explode your income, and easily persuade anyone to willingly do what you want, then you need to apply the psychology of persuasion and influence Grab a FREE course that reveals 10 groundbreaking persuasion secrets at: http://www.20daypersuasion.com/secrets.htm

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Persuasion and Influence – The Remarkable Law of Expectation

By Michael Lee
This article reveals a powerful law in the realm of persuasion and influence – the law of expectation.

When you expect someone to do what you want, and that person treats you with respect or admires/looks up to you, you have already increased your chances of success higher.

The magic word here is "expect". You expect your child to get high grades in school and he will get high grades. You tell your son that he's a bright student, you really expect that to happen, and your son will meet or exceed your expectations.

Why is this persuasion and influence principle so effective?

We aim to meet, if not exceed, others' expectations of us, especially if we stand to gain benefits like getting rewards, earning trust, or being regarded highly.

There have been cases where the law of expectation has produced miraculous results.

Take the case of some cancer patients who were given placebo pills. These are just plain pills that have no healing capabilities. So how did they get well?

They were told that these pills contain tremendous amounts of cancer-busting ingredients that can effectively heal their sickness quickly. They believed and “expected” to be cured, and so that’s what happened. The power of the subconscious mind is truly extraordinary.

They say that people act or behave according to how you treat them. When we assign a person certain positive qualities or attributes, that person will allow us to believe that what we said is true.

So if you treat, let's say, an average student as a genius, and tell him that his performance exhibits that of a highly intellectual person, he will allow us to believe it and indeed become a very smart person. Try it; you'll be tremendously surprised.

If you're a parent, assign positive qualities to your children, even if they don't have those qualities yet. Tell them they're smart, and they will indeed become smart. That's the power of persuasion and influence.

We can use this to our advantage by adding certain words such as "You probably already know" or "You probably realize" in our statements. This is powerful because you are assuming yet unconsciously suggesting at the same time.

Example:
"You probably already know that this is the best deal you can ever find."

Some people assume that they are being perceived in a particular way, and they will act according to their own perceptions.

An employee, who assumes that his co-workers perceive him as incompetent, will probably be unable to fulfill his job well. On the contrary, if that employee thinks that others are praising him for his good work, he will probably produce good results with his job.

This persuasion and influence phenomenon has a lot to do with their beliefs. What you believe will happen, can actually manifest into reality.

About the author:
Discover the power of persuasion and conversational hypnosis to superboost your income, win more friends, attract the opposite sex, and change anyone's way of thinking. For details, go to: http://www.20daypersuasion.com

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com