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EPnews -- from The Entrepreneurial Parent
a work-family resource for home-based entrepreneurs
@ http://www.en-parent.com
November 14, 2000
Lisa Roberts, Editor:
epideas@en-parent.com
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_______________CONTENTS_______________
EP of the Month -- Craig Campana
EP Times -- "Election 2000 & King Kong Dreams"
EP Q&A's -- How to handle a 4-yo's anger
What's Happening at EP -- Deadline for EP Survey Approaches!
_________________________________________
Editorial Note: EPnews is distributed
the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every
month, except during the summer. The Entrepreneurial Parent web
site is
updated on an ongoing basis throughout each month (en-parent.com).
Welcome
all new subscribers!
======================================================================
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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http://www.womenent.com
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
=====================================================================
=====================================================================
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N
The Practical Dreamer's Handbook
by Paul & Sarah Edwards (September, 2000)
Ever wonder how some people can
make their dreams come true while others live
all their life long with just a pipe dream? In this eloquently-written
book,
Sarah and Paul Edwards encourage their readers to "get practical"
and make
their dreams come true, whatever they may be. This book is a
jewel, and
clearly written from the heart. Enjoy!!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1585420557/theentrepreneuri
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N
===================================================================
___________________________________
THE FUNNY THINGS EP KIDS SAY & DO!
Submitted by EPnews Subscriber,
Rosanne Kupiec
(mailto:rkupiec@professionalva.com),
who is the grandmother to 9 and is
helping us put together an "EP Grandparents Center"
for our site. (If you're
a grandparent and would like to help her, please contact us at
"epideas@en-parent.com"
-- thanks!!):
We were watching television and
President Clinton was in the news. Gabriel,
our 2 1/2 year old grandson, broke out in song with "From
the Halls of
Montezuma." He knew all the lyrics and was singing at the
top of his lungs.
In our amazement, we asked how he knew that song. He said, "Poppy
Pete taught
me." Poppy Pete is his great-grandfather, a proud WW II
Marine Veteran, who
has told Gabriel about this great country of ours, and how lucky
we are to be
American. However each of us feels about the current administration,
the
simple truth from a child's point of view is that we do live
in quite an
amazing country. I guess little Gabriel was paying attention
to something
most of us take for granted!
=========
Why work at home? So you can
hear the funny things your EP Kids say
throughout the day. Share with the EP Community something your
child said or
did recently that made you smirk, giggle, or LOL. Send your submission
via
e-mail to:epideas@en-parent.com.
And if you need a stockpile of
smiles to get you through your EP day, check
out Grace Housholder's heartwarming "The Funny Kids Project"
at
www.funnykids.com. On
those stressed-out EP days, you'll be glad you did!
Grace's coffee table book is
also available at:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0963871536/theentrepreneuri
___________________________________
EP OF THE MONTH
Craig Campana
http://en-parent.com/Profiles/Campana.htm
Every month we (try!) to highlight
the achievements of one of our newly
registered members by selecting them as our "EP of the Month."
As we review
our new member forms, we take a look at business names, niche
markets,
special PR or advertising techniques, innovative products or
services, and other types of unique business practices.
This month we chose Craig Campana,
EP to 2 children, ages 9 and 6. His
company, Business Networking International - Wisconsin, at www.bniwis.com,
is
a networking organization designed to help members increase their
business
through a structured, positive, and professional "word-of-mouth"
program. We
think they have a smart networking model where only one member
from a certain
profession or industry joins each local chapter. We're very pleased
to have
Craig as a new member of our EP Community.
<begin round of applause>
Please welcome Craig Campana
by viewing his Profile Page at:
http://en-parent.com/Profiles/Campana.htm
and/or sending him a welcome
message at:
mailto:referrals@bniwis.com
</end round of applause>
To All -- Please Note: We now
hand out an "award" graphic to our EPs of the
Month, which can be prominently displayed on the winner's home
page or "press
room" page. We also continue to offer our selected EPs a
FREE Profile Page at
the EP Showcase and a photo link from our home page all month.
So please
spread the word among your friends, colleagues and email loops
-- invite the
EPs in your life to join en-parent.com as a registered member,
and let's
build the EP Community together!
__________________________________
EP TIMES -- AN EDITORIAL
"Election 2000 & King
Kong Dreams"
© 2000, Lisa M. Roberts
There are six days in my life
that I will always remember. The day my husband
and I were married. Each of the days our four children were born.
And
Election Day, 2000.
Last Tuesday, like any other
Election Day, I was debating whether or not to
take my kids to their school's annual "Ice Skating Party"
to pass their day
off. While skating around an ice rink with all their classmates
may sound
like a blast, I knew it would be high stress for me trying to
keep a close
eye on all three boys in a crowded, tight space. By noon, a much
better idea
hit me...
I told everyone to pack the mini-van
with whatever items they might want to
take on a day out -- sand toys; soccer, basketball and baseballs;
waterbottles and snacks; books, CDs and gameboys for the car
trip -- but
wouldn't reveal where we were going. When the four of them had
done all that,
piled into the car and were settled in their seat belts/car seats,
I pulled
open the sliding door and gave a little speech. I explained that
we lived in
a free country, and on Election Day every American of voting
age has an
opportunity to have a say on who will be the leaders of our nation
-- which "from sea to shining sea" was one of the most
beautiful places in all the Earth. So to celebrate our freedom...and
our right to vote...we were going on a family adventure to explore
some place in our own state that we had never been before. Then
I opened up a map of Connecticut, put it in the laps of William
and Jessica who were seated next to each other, and asked them
to pick any spot on the map that looked interesting as I drove
over to the Post Office to pick up my business mail.
So began our trip to Mystic,
Connecticut. For over two hours we drove in the
sun and through a winding road lined with red and golden trees
in peaceful
anticipation of the day ahead. When we pulled into town we checked
in at
Tourist Information to review our options. With little discussion,
we decided
to stretch our legs and play with some of the kid stuff they
had so carefully
packed at a small beach/playground called (rather appropriately!)
"William's
Beach." After that, we spent the rest of the afternoon at
the Mystic
Aquarium -- watching dolphins jump and dive, listening to land
seals squawk,
and exploring the special "Challenge of the Deep" exhibit
hosted by Dr.
Robert D. Ballard.
While all this was going on,
I was acutely aware that the nation was electing
our next president and, like everyone else, really hadn't a clue
who that
would be. All afternoon I resisted listening to the news radio
to find out
what was happening, and by dinner time I finally spoke my mind
out loud. Over
Friendly's ice cream, I told the kids, "Listen, I want you
each to know
something. Right now, as we eat, the next President of the United
States is
being elected. I want you to know that no matter who it is, everything
is going to be just fine. We are going to be just fine."
Of course, I was trying to convince myself more than anyone,
but in all honesty I did watch a PBS special on the major candidates
the night before and learned quite a bit more about each of them,
and the lines of my loyalty blurred ever so slightly.
After dinner, I was hooked to
the news reports for the rest of the night --
first on the car ride home and then on TV election coverage.
Ron came home,
the kids got ready for bed, and we promised to wake Jessica and
William as
soon as we heard anything definite, as they requested, no matter
what time it
was. Then the midnight hour came and Ron and I drifted from the
living room
to our bedroom, leaving the bedroom TV on as we hesitantly drifted
into sleep.
The next thing I remember was
hearing a soft knock on our door, and a little
head bopping through the room groggily mumbling about having
a "King Kong
Dream." I never heard Thomas talk about King Kong before,
but apparently the
big ape visited him in the middle of the night and knocked him
right out of
his slumber -- right out of his bed and into ours. Now awake,
I tuned into
Dan Rather's voice to hear whether our new President had been
elected and was
shocked to find out how tight the race had played out, and how
it was down to
one state now....Florida. I woke Ron up. We watched Dan Rather
declare Bush
the next President Elect. We waited...for a long time...to hear
Gore's
concession speech. And then the bells of history rang as Rather
exclaimed in
disbelief, "It's cardiac arrest time in the presidential
campaign!"
"Go wake Jessica up,"
I told Ron, wanting her to witness history taking
place. Jessica joined us within minutes. "You better wake
William too," I
said, after my husband settled back under the sheets. He eagerly
jumped up
and got William too. When I noticed that everyone was in the
bed -- Ron, me,
Jessica, William and Thomas (fast asleep now) -- except Jimmy,
I told Jessica
to get him too. For the next hour the whole family continued
to "celebrate
Election Day" right in our bed -- with laughter, curiosity,
disbelief and
wonder. Questions poured out of the kids and Ron's eyes were
sparkling with
the excitement all around. I had a "V8 Moment" when
I realized the story line
felt very familiar -- in fact, it was written long ago by Dr.
Seuss! Gore and
the Democratic Party had decided to embark on a quest to make
sure every Who
in Whoville (no matter how small) had had their voices heard
(was ANYBODY
shirking??). The kids grasped onto the Whoville concept instantly
and a new
wave of conversation, commentary and questions came over us all.
Now, a week later, all the Who's
in Whoville are up in arms. The "All
Recount, All the Time" news coverage has the nation talking
emphatically, one
way or another. The kids -- at least mine -- have long moved
on with the rest
of *their* lives, while the adults -- at least in this house
-- are still
tuned in nightly. But what I told the kids over ice cream that
night still
stands. No matter who wins the election, I know more than ever
before that
we, the American people, will be just fine. In fact in my eyes,
the "winner"
has already been elected -- for the winner is our country's forefathers,
who
wrote the Constitution and had the foresight to design the Electoral
College
system -- and the American people, who passionately fight out
our differences
with words and laws instead of tanks and guns. As this national
drama
unfolds, day after night after day, the final victor of this
election is
growing less and less relevant. The people, and our legal system
of checks
and balances, have won, hands down.
Not since Election Night has
Thomas been pushed out of his bed and into ours
with a bad dream. I can't help but wonder if it was really King
Kong waking
him up that night, or a very big angel with broad shoulders and
strong arms.
But I'm convinced whoever it was knew exactly what was happening
in Florida.
For he couldn't have chosen a better moment to send Thomas to
us, so we as a
family could cap an Election Day so rich in family -- and national
-- lore.
=========What were *you* doing on Election Day, 2000? Let's hear
it. Email
"editor@en-parent.com"
and we may share your thoughts and experiences in our
next EPnews issue.
=========
Lisa Roberts is the mother of
four, Site Producer of The Entrepreneurial
Parent and author of "How to Raise A Family & A Career
Under One Roof: A
Parent's Guide to Home Business" (Bookhaven Press, 1997).
"EP Times" is a
continuation of the "Home Business Diary" essays originally
created for her
book, which is available for purchase at:
http://en-parent.com/order.htm
and through Amazon, at:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0943641179/theentrepreneuri
____________________________________
EP Q&As
Have a question? Our EP Expert
Panel is available to all EPnews Subscribers.
Visit them at http://en-parent.com/experts.com
(follow the "Q&A" links). If
your question isn't answered there, then send it to: experts@en-parent.com.
They'll be glad to help you out if they can!
Q. Dear Jodie,
We only have one son, and he is the greatest birth control there
is. From
the moment he was born, he has been a very "spirited child."
Very high to
maintain and whines about everything. The past six months has
been very
rocky for my husband and I. I thought I understood my son's anger
(demonstrates it very often and very clearly). I attributed his
outburst to
the animosity between my husband and myself. However, my husband
and I have
seeked counseling and our relationship has been restored (obviously
we have a
ways to go, but we're a hundred times better). My son's behavior
has
worsened since the positive change in our home. He attends daycare
and has
since he was one year old. The "unhappy" remarks from
his teacher grow each
day. At home, he fusses about everything and has one temper tantrum
after
another. Could his behavior stem from his father and I getting
closer and
perhaps he no longer feels the center of attention? I truly don't
think that
the quality of our time has weakened (except for the increase
of tantrums).
Any advice or help you could send my way would be so appreciated,
I feel like
I'm failing my son. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Melissa Baikauskas
Dear Melissa:
Wait! Someone else could very
well be attributing to your son's behavior!
I'm going to be abrupt here -- as this is a very common but serious
challenge. He is acting the way the daycare expects him to behave
and
carrying it over to home. Woe to all, the teachers and child
care providers
probably have already "branded and labeled" him as
a troublemaker and very
much a "handful." Once this happens, he accepts this
title and demonstrates
everything he can to live up to it. Why not? It is what they
expect on a
daily basis.
You might need to consider switching
facilities. It's basically the same
thing that happens in school. Once the child becomes a challenge
for a
teacher, she writes it in his file. Many times, that just about
does it for
his future. (Each teacher has a presumed mental attitude for
him before the
school year begins.) :(
I try to emphasize to parents
to not label children -- even when they're
"good." It is all in my book, "Mommy-CEO,"
and to be honest, I could write
another whole book on this very topic. When your son is doing
what you'd
like and acting the way you want, be sure to let him know. Put
yourself in
his shoes: He simply doesn't know how to act differently than
what his
environment has thrown his way up to now. In fact, he is probably
not too
sure you and your husband have really stopped having difficulties.
This is
also making him uncomfortable.
Tell and show him when he is
displaying "acceptable" behavior followed with a
sincere hug and pat on the back. And, if he accepts kisses, lay
one on him!
Do not use the words: good or bad! It's "acceptable"
behavior or "not
acceptable." He is probably mixed up and doesn't figure
anyone will treat
him any differently than before -- so the old ways feel more
comfortable.
(And, yes, even if it gets him into trouble.) Even his buddies
at school
expect him to act like himself.
You and your husband will discover
a new child by taking turns going out on a
date with your son one at a time. One on one attention does a
lot to tear
down labels and walls. It will build up self-esteem and happy
memories. It
doesn't have to be something spectacular and expensive. If it's
too
elaborate -- you'll only be adding noise and confusion to the
situation. Get
to know him by going to the zoo, story time on Saturdays, flying
a kite,
having a picnic in a park and playing on the playground together.
Keep it
simple and don't force conversation.
If you and your hubby have anything
negative to say to each other -- keep it
distant from little ears -- and hearts. Remember, don't talk
about him to
your husband in front of him -- all kids hate this (as you and
I did when it
was done to us). Last but not least, don't be reserved in setting
guidelines
and following through with consequences if not met. I don't mean
spankings
but, time out, no TV, computer, play dates, etc. Set up household
rules and
expectations inside and outside the home for acceptable behavior.
It will
take time and patience to break old habits -- but well worth
it in the end.
Best of luck!
Jodie Lynn, Mommy-CEO and chief
bottle washer!
=======
Jodie Lynn is a nationally syndicated
parenting columnist and author of
Parent to Parent & Other Stuff. Her latest book, Mommy -
CEO (Constantly
Evaluating Others), Five Golden Rules will show you how to have
a successful
family team and keep your wits for humor as well. For more advice
from and
info on Jodie, visit her web site at: www.parenttoparent.com
or her EP Expert
page at: http://en-parent.com/Experts/exp-lynn.htm
__________________________
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT EP
---> Deadline for EP Survey
Approaches!
Thursday, November 30, 2000 --
the deadline for accepting survey responses
for "The National Survey of Entrepreneurial Parents"
-- is fast-approaching!
If you haven't done so already, fill out our questionnaire today.
The short story:
http://en-parent.com/survey.htm
OR email "survey@en-parent.com"
to receive the questionnaire by email.
The details (and please feel
free to copy & paste the following & use as
needed with your email loops and ezine subscribers):
PUBLICITY OPPORTUNITY FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL
PARENTS
If you work at home and are also in the throes of parenthood,
we have a
publicity opportunity for you! Paul and Sarah Edwards, best-selling
authors,
columnists and speakers on new and better ways to live and work,
have teamed
up with the founder of en-parent.com, Lisa Roberts, to write
"The
Entrepreneurial Parent: How to Earn Your Living at Home in the
Internet Age
and Still Enjoy Your Family, Your Life and Your Work," to
be published by
Tarcher/Putnam in 2002. They are currently conducting research
for their book
and are looking for parents -- Dads, Moms and Parenting Couples
-- who are
juggling working at home with parenting issues.
If that's you, stand up and be counted! Just email <survey@en-parent.com>
to
receive a full questionnaire by email, or go to:
<http://en-parent.com/survey.htm> to take their "Short"
and "Extended"
surveys online.
All survey respondents will be immediately eligible for the two
"Survey
Prize" drawings, to be held in early December.
FIRST PRIZE: A Bundle of Books by Paul & Sarah Edwards, including:
** Working from Home: Everything You Need to Know About Living
and Working
Under the Same Roof (1999)
** Making Money in Cyberspace (1998)
** Getting Business to Come to You: A Complete Do-It-Yourself
Guide to
Attracting All the Business You Can Enjoy (1998)
** Teaming Up: The Small Business Guide to Collaborating With
Others to Boost
Your Earnings and Expand Your Horizons (1997)
** Finding Your Perfect Work: The New Career Guide to Making
a Living,
Creating a Life (1996)
SECOND PRIZE: A $100 EP Gift Basket, filled with:
** Items from the "EP Gift Shop," a specialty online
gift shop stocked with
unique and original inventory created and/or designed by parents
who work at
home
The Survey will run from September 1 - November 30, 2000, so
if you're an
"EP," stand up and be counted today!
Good luck to all!
_____________________________
CONTACT/SUBSCRIPTION INFO
The Entrepreneurial Parent, LLC
is not engaged in rendering legal or
financial advice. If expert assistance is required, the services
of a
licensed professional should be sought.
This newsletter may be redistributed
freely via the Internet. Re-publishing
of separate articles for your print publication needs approval
first; write
to: Roberts@en-parent.com
for permission.
© 2000, The Entrepreneurial
Parent, LLC
Editor: Lisa M. Roberts
POB 320722, Fairfield, CT 06432; http://en-parent.com
Ph/Fax: (203) 371-6212, Email: office@en-parent.com
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