Tag Archives: rules

The Do’s of Swap Participation

Swaps are so much fun to be a part of. They let you be creative, have fun, make new friends and get really neat things back. However, there are definitely some rules when participating in swaps. It is simply called Swap Etiquette and almost any swap you participate in, is going to be the same as far as etiquette goes. Here are some do’s of participating in swaps. Do: Read all of the rules or guidelines for that swap. Pay attention to all details and be sure and follow what the swap hostess has asked. Save the original swap guidelines … Continue reading →

Breaking the Rules of Scrapbooking

In an earlier article I touched on there being no rules in scrapbooking. I suppose that isn’t exactly true, because there are certainly some thing you should or shouldn’t do. However, it depends on what your reasoning is behind the creation of that layout. You might make layouts because it is an awesome outlet for your creativity. You might like the ability to express yourself through art, and maybe photography and the freedom to do what you want on your layouts leaves you feeling exuberant. Theres is nothing like the feeling of a masterpiece complete when we have finished a … Continue reading →

Rule Number 4: One Size Doesn’t Fit All

As Valentine’s Day approaches, and as I contemplate ways in which to fulfill my New Year’s Marriage Blog goals, I’ve been digesting some food for thought provided by a discussion in the forums. I had posted a thread asking readers what kind of articles they’d like to see more of in ’08. It led to a sub-discussion within the thread about making marriages work and keeping them healthy and strong. Two people, MissyChrissy and QueenAngie, raised excellent points about what it takes to make marriages work. They both pointed out how key communication is, as is respect. But as far … Continue reading →

Rule Number 3: Change is a Catch-22

Change is one thing every relationship is going to encounter. Perhaps my fellow blogger Heather Long summed it up best when she answered a reader’s question with the sage words: change is inevitable. What is Change? The word “change” has a lot of meanings. I never realized that until I started writing this and looked it up in my Webster’s. It can mean change as in currency. Or an action, like changing your clothes or types of transportation (like changing from a subway train to a bus). But change as it applies to a relationship can have utterly different meanings. … Continue reading →

Changing Rules and Expectations–Expect Initial Resistance

When there is a problem with your child that needs addressing, or a phase that pops up that you need to deal with as a parent, it may seem like just figuring out what to do is the hard part. I think, however, that the hardest part is those first few days of balking and resistance that come from the child! Just because you have come up with a grand and logical solution, doesn’t mean that the child will be thrilled to welcome the limits and boundaries. As a parent, you should expect that the first couple days will be … Continue reading →

Rule Number 2: You Get What You Give

Last week I covered Rule Number 1, which was there’s no such thing as a perfect marriage. This week I’m going to examine another rule, the “get what you give” principle. ”This one sounds familiar…” It should. I preach “get what you give” every chance I get. Why? Because I know it’s one hundred percent effective. Take an article I wrote last October: How a Positive Attitude Affects Your Relationship. I dared you to practice harnessing the power of a positive attitude the next time your relationship was in need of a mood shift. Did you try it? If not, … Continue reading →

Rule Number 1: No Such Thing as a Perfect Marriage

Since I decided my focus for 2008 would be resolving to make the best of marriage, I have to start somewhere. Setting rules seems like a logical place. Perhaps the most important, fundamental rule is realizing perfection is a myth. Nobody, and No Marriage, Is Perfect I don’t believe in such a thing as the perfect marriage. Everyone has flaws, therefore every marriage will have flaws. That’s not to say you can’t enjoy an incredible marriage though. That’s always something you can strive for. As long as you do the following: (a) Accept It, Flaws are Inevitable If you accept … Continue reading →

Are you prepared to say ‘No?’

Sometimes being a good parent means saying ‘no,’ sometimes it means disciplining a child. But as a columnist, Jo Boole, in our local paper pointed out on Friday it seems parents have forgotten how, or are frightened of, saying ‘no.’ As Christians we should realize that saying ‘no’ is part of being a good parent. Look at the example we have of our Heavenly Father. Sometimes God says ‘no’ to us, because what we ask for is not in our best interests. Sometimes God has to draw us aside and discipline us, Hebrews 12:7-11. Should we treat our children any … Continue reading →

Changing the Rules

There are business rules, right? There is a correct way to do things, definite techniques and protocol that work, there are ways we should be going about this home business endeavor. Or are there? What is so wrong with shaking things up and changing the rules—especially if it helps us grow and energize our home-based businesses? Okay, there are definitely “best practices” for most industries and for business as a whole. There are also laws and things we HAVE to do—like pay taxes and apply for any pertinent licenses and such. But do we always have to follow the “experts” … Continue reading →

Nothing is Written in Stone

I know that with all the parenting books and expert advice out there, it can definitely seem like there is a “right way” and a “wrong way” to go about things. When I chat with other single parent friends, I notice that we often seem to be obsessed with doing “parenting” the “right’ way—it is as if we are trying to prove that we can be just as good of parents even if we are solo. Unfortunately, this can often make us rigid and we may be carrying around standards and restrictions that don’t really fit our families or our … Continue reading →