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Celebrity Baby Names
by: Sarah Mitchell
It seems that the days of naming your son or daughter with your own name and adding a second, third or a fourth sign in roman numerals at the end are fading away. This seems to be especially the case with celebrities. The more unique, the better! As to whether celebrities are simply a little loopy, or whether they simply like the attention that a unique baby name will bring, we do not know. What we do know is that the names just keep getting crazier and crazier. Below is a list of some of our favorite celebrity baby names over the years.
Banjo - Patrick & Rachel Griffiths
This choice of name was based on the main character from 'The man who came to dinner'.
Apple - Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris Martin
We don't even think the parents understand why they chose this name!
Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lilly, Fifi Trixibelle, Peaches Honeyblossom - Paula Yates
Definetely three of the most 'out there' names in the history of baby names!
Jett - John Travolta & Kelly Preston
Well, John has always loved airplanes, so we'll let them get away with this one.
Zowie - David Bowie
Doesn't seem that bad, until you realise that with the last name it makes "Zowie Bowie".
Rumer Glenn, Tallulah Belle, Scott LaRue - Bruce Willis & Demi Moore
At least there are some normal names mixed in there, but still among our craziest!
Daisey Boo - Jamie Oliver
Typical celebrity, had to chuck in the "Boo" at the end.
Pilot Inspektor - Scott Lee & Beth Riesgrat
This kid is going to have a hard time at school.
Milo - Ricky Lake
This is okay, just so long as she doesn't name her second child "Otis".
Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q - Bono
Bono had definetely put some thought into this one!
Prince Michael, Prince Michael II, Paris Michael - Michael Jackson
We think this is just too many Michaels for one house hold.
Dexter, Diane Keaton
Only just acceptable for a boy, but would you believe this is her daughters name?
Moon Unit, Ahmet Emuukha Roden, Dreezil, Diva - Frank Zappa
Once again, among the craziest baby names in history.
Ocean, True, Sonnet - Forest Whitaker
We dont't mind the name Sonnet, but you can make your own mind up on the other two.
Betty Kitten, Honey Kinney, Harvey Kirby - Jane Goldman & Jonathan Ross
We wouldn't name our kids these names, but they do have a nice ring to them.
For more celebrity baby names visit, http://www.namestobe.com/celebritybabynames.php
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Do your kids have a Safety Telephone Number? If not, you should get one for FREE!
by: Chris Landry
What is a Safety Number?
A Safety Number is a toll free number (i.e. an 800, 877, 888, 866 number) that parents can obtain so children can call home for FREE from any telephone in the United States. If your child needs to get a hold of you because they are lost, scared, hurt, or in trouble, they can pick up any phone (even a payphone) and call home even if they dont have any money on them.
Most people think a Toll-Free number is primarily used for businesses. There are some famous Toll-Free numbers like 1 800 CONTACTS, 1 800 FLOWERS, and 1 800 MATRESS for instance. They have been very effective for businesses for a while. Now they are starting to grow in popularity among parents. Since the FCC mandated that the numbers be portable (meaning a customer can keep the same Toll-Free number when they switch Toll-Free carriers), competition has driven the price of Toll-Free numbers down. The cost of having a Toll-Free number is next to nothing. Toll-Free numbers can be acquired for free, have no monthly fees, and parents only pay 4.5 cents per minute when their children call home. If the call is made from a payphone, there will be a one-time fee of 35 cents plus the 4.5 cents per minute for the call. Considering that a collect call will cost around two dollars, it is a small price to pay for the security that a Toll-Free number provides.
It is recommended that you write down your Safety Number and attach it to your childs backpack or write it on the inside of their belt with a marker. You should teach your children how to dial the Safety Number and practice dialing the number periodically. It is recommended that your children practice dialing your Safety Number every time you change your clock at Daylight Savings Time.
What is a Toll-Free Number and how does it work?
Toll-free numbers are numbers that begin with one of the following three-digit codes: 800, 888, 866, or 877. Toll-free numbers allow callers to reach businesses and/or individuals without being charged for the call. When Toll-free numbers are dialed, the call rings directly to either your home or work telephone line in which you choose. The charge for using toll-free numbers is paid by the called party instead of the calling party. You may change the ring to number at anytime by calling the customer service department of your Toll-Free carrier.
How can I get a FREE Safety Number
When choosing a Toll-Free service provider you should look for a company that will provide you with not only great rates but outstanding customer service.
We recommend Powernet Global (PNG) for a Toll-Free service provider because they offer no monthly fees, no minimums, 4.5 cents per minute, and World Class customer service.
- Call in your order at 866-706-0007. A PNG sales staff member will answer the phone to take your order. Ask for a Stand Alone Toll-Free number and give identification number 0012653
- Give them your phone number that you would like to ring when your Toll-Free number is dialed.
- 5 working days later, you will receive your new toll free number via email.
- Give your new toll free number to your kids or whomever you choose to be able to call you for free.
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Renees Mommy is Here
by: Kimberly Chastain
I still remember the scene vividly. I was getting out of my car at the baby-sitters house and a little boy comes running out the door. The little boys begins to yell - Renees Mommy is here! I remember stopping in my tracks and thinking - Oh, that is who I am now - Renees Mommy. My whole identity is now Renees Mommy - or is it?
As a Christian Working Mom I have multiple roles, I am Renees Mommy and Zacharys Mommy as well. I am Johns wife, Betty and Eldreds daughter, Karens sister, church worker, school helper, a therapist, professional coach, and a child of God. Do you often wonder who you are? Where do you fit in with all your roles?
Women have had many roles since time began. The Proverbs 31 woman is a: wife, mother, businesswoman, charity worker, and many other roles. You will recognize in here some of the stresses we modern women face. Proverbs 31:15, 18 states she gets up while it is still dark and her lamp does not go out at night. Does that sound familiar? We are often burning the candle at both ends.
Although are many roles can be stressful there can be great joy in all our many identities. I love being Renee and Zacharys Mom. There is great joy in watching them grow and learn about God and His world. I also thoroughly enjoy my work as a professional coach and therapist. Work provides me great satisfaction. Christian Working Moms often receive a lot of support and encouragement from co-workers. As Christian wives we give and receive companionship, support, and passion (when we pencil it in) with our husbands. Our work at church and school also gives care and comfort for others. We often receive the greater blessing when we work at church or at our childrens school.
As a fellow Christian Working Mom I celebrate and applaud all our different roles. Variety in our roles often allows us to manage turmoil in any one area of our lives. The other parts of our lives seem to compensate for the difficult times and help us to maintain balance. I encourage you to rejoice in all God has given you and your many different roles.
Oh, by the way if we meet virtually or in person Ill answer to Kimberly, Renees Mommy, Zacharys Mommy ..........
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Mindfulness: You're Soaking In It!
by: Maya Talisman Frost
Looking for a bit more mindfulness in your daily life? Relax. You're soaking in it!
Perhaps you remember Madge the Manicurist, a television commercial character who commiserates with her clients about their chapped hands. While she is filing the nails of one hand, she conspiratorially confides that her client is actually soaking her other hand in Palmolive dishwashing liquid. After all, "It softens hands while you do the dishes."
It was a memorable pitch--good visual, element of surprise, great what-it-will-do-for-you line. That commercial, in several variations, ran for nearly thirty years. Jan Miner, the actress who played Madge, died earlier this year at the age of 86, but her persona lives on.
Softening hands is nice, but here's a better idea. How about softening our hearts while we do the dishes?
Seriously. There's not a lot of multitasking you can do when you're elbow-deep in suds. Singing works, though your dance moves are a bit limited. You could talk on your hands-free wireless phone, but let's hope you can disconnect for the few minutes it takes to clean up after a meal.
Given free rein, our minds tend to go into worry mode. We're likely to spin our stories, get locked into our beliefs, or ponder our personal list of things to do.
What if we got intentional about that time spent at the sink? Take advantage of the task and use those soapy bubbles as a trigger to be mindful.
Here's how to do it:
1) Whenever you touch your bottle of Palmolive (or any other brand) dishwashing liquid, simply say to yourself, "Soften your heart."
2) Before you can soften your heart, you've got to cleanse it of anger, frustration, or resistance. So, when you squirt that first blob of colorful liquid soap, say "Cleanse."
3) As you wipe your dishes, swab your glasses, and scrub your pans, focus on the act of each stroke, every circular caress, and the repetitive and rhythmic series of motions. Scrub, rinse, drain, repeat.
4) Visualize the scouring of your heart, scrubbing the crusty residue of your overcooked stew of negative emotions and thoughts. Watch as your heart becomes pure again, sparkling clean and ready for the world.
We often get stuck in thinking that mindfulness is something we can develop only if we sit in meditation on a regular basis. Meditation is powerful, but so is the purposeful awareness cultivated in the most mundane moments throughout the day.
You won't miss the thoughts you would've had while doing dishes, but you will definitely benefit from the focused attention on your heart and this remarkably simple way to restore equilibrium.
Madge the Manicurist encouraged us to soak in order to soften. By taking it one step further, you can ease into your dishwashing task with intention and emerge with a sense of lightness--as well as gleaming dishes.
Think of it as mindful multitasking, and scrub your way to a more balanced day.
Pass the sponge.
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Cyber Parenting 101
by: Judith Kallos
Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit they are not. They seem to use that as an excuse to not be informed and "trust" their children to do what is right in an environment that is clearly risky. When it comes to underage children being online, there should be a set of household rules that are in place and followed or no online connections are allowed.
Parenting:
n: The rearing of a child or children, especially the care, love, and guidance given by a parent. One who begets, gives birth to, or nurtures and raises a child.
Nothing there about "except when they are online." ;-) Here are my suggestions for technochallenged parental units:
- Keep your computer in an open place such as the family room or rec room. No negotiation here! Online activities are only allowed in this public area - when you are home. Allow a computer connected to the Internet behind a teenager's closed bedroom door and you are asking for trouble!
- Keep your computer and online connection password protected. Use passwords that cannot be guessed by ingenious teenagers. This way, if you are preoccupied or not home, online access is not possible. Change your password on a regular basis when they are not around. Better safe than sorry.
- Advise your children that they are not to give out their full name, address, city, state, phone to ANYONE. Those who they know in their off-line world get this info through traditional means. No reason whatsoever to give out this type of personally identifiable information online to anyone without your knowledge and supervision.
- Learn as much as you can about the Internet, how it really works including how to use your computer and browser so that you are aware of the potential problems your kids can run into. (After they are online, use the drop down bar in your browser's location bar to get a hint of what they have been up to.)
- Be sure to install any one of the many filtering software packages that help prevent your children from being exposed to topics that would make you cringe. Such as:
Software is only a tool - not a replacement for your involvement. Here are several of the many publications I have reviewed and offer on one of my other sites (http://www.TechnoChallenged.com) to get you up to speed:
- Dummies Series "Internet for Dummies"
- CliffsNotes Fast Guides: "Getting on the Internet"
- Computer Basics/2 Panel Laminated Tutorial
Use promo code eArticle and get 10% off your order at checkout! ;-)
You hear stories in the news all the time about police stings, pedophiles making contact with children or wacky teenagers running away to hook up with their newly discovered online love. We all know that as teenagers we didn't know squat in regard to communicating with strangers or what "love" is. Heck, I thought I was in love with Bobby Sherman! Just dated myself didn't I?
Your child's life experience simply is not in place yet to make mature decisions. That's part of life and your children need you to be their guide as they use technology. Watching over your children's online sessions is not an invasion of privacy. In my not so humble opinion, off-spring do not have privacy until they are 18 and move out! (Or is that around 30 now-a-days?) ;-)
Online monitoring is a sign of a caring parent who is involved in the activities and information their children will be exposed to online. Yes, it may be frustrating and require parents to learn some new things along the way. A computer with an online connection is not a babysitter or because we didn't have computers as children an excuse to not be involved.
Learn, get involved and be part of your children's online experiences. Look at it as another activity you can share together!
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