Four Steps to Disciplining Your Kids

1. Commit Yourself.
It's crucial that your child knows that you're going to do what you say you will. If you explain what a punishment will be, and then don't act on it, you will have less credibility the next time. Make a commitment to your child's discipline, and be consistent in your behavior toward them.

2. Be Realistic in Your Expectations of Your Child.
Don't ask your child to do anything he/she cannot do. Make sure that what you are asking of your child is a behavior within his or her reach — if it's not, your child will get frustrated and be less likely to listen to you in the future.

3. Define Your Child's Currency.
Find out what your child values — it could be a toy, a particular activity, or even a privilege like getting to stay awake to a particular hour. Dr Phil explains: "If you control the currency, you control the behavior that currency depends on." Once you understand what your child values, you can withdraw positive things (taking away the toy) or introduce negative things (making them take a time-out) as a form of discipline.

4. Give Your Children Predictable Consequences.
It's important for your child to understand that the same result will come from the same behavior. Make your child feel like he/she has control over their life: If your child behaves in "Way A," they need to be sure that they will always get "Consequence B." If he/she can count on the rules staying the same, they're more likely to abide by them.

Children and self-confidence

Self-esteem fluctuates as kids grow. It's frequently changed and fine-tuned, because it is affected by a child's experiences and new perceptions. So it helps to be aware of the signs of both healthy and unhealthy self-esteem. Kids with low self-esteem may not want to try new things and may speak negatively about themselves: "I'm stupid," "I'll never learn how to do this," or "What's the point? Nobody cares about me anyway." They may exhibit a low tolerance for frustration, giving up easily or waiting for somebody else to take over. They tend to be overly critical of and easily disappointed in themselves. Kids with low self-esteem see temporary setbacks as permanent, intolerable conditions, and a sense of pessimism prevails. This can place kids at risk for stress and mental health problems, as well as real difficulties solving different kinds of problems and challenges they encounter.

Kids with healthy self-esteem tend to enjoy interacting with others. They're comfortable in social settings and enjoys group activities as well as independent pursuits. When challenges arise, they can work toward finding solutions and voice discontent without belittling themselves or others. For example, rather than saying, "I'm an idiot," a child with healthy self-esteem says, "I don't understand this." They know their strengths and weaknesses, and accept them. A sense of optimism prevails.Self-esteem fluctuates as kids grow. It's frequently changed and fine-tuned, because it is affected by a child's experiences and new perceptions. So it helps to be aware of the signs of both healthy and unhealthy self-esteem.

New: Baby Playgroup

The New Baby Playgroup welcomes mums and their babies under 1 year old or before walking. Moms can share ideas, experiences and advice with one another. This is a great way to get out of the house and create a social circle. Join for a unique and fun group experience that offers support and advice regarding the first months with your baby.
Group meets at Monday mornings 9.45 - 11.15 Costs: €6,00, including a Nespresso coffee or tea. For more information or to book your place, please call Tina at 24 822 441 or 99 30 46 60.

Theatre: Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk is a British fairy tale.  The earliest known appearance in print is Benjamin Tabart's moralized version of 1807 . 'Felix Summerly (Henry Role) popularized in the Home Treasury (1842) , and Joseph Jacobs rewrote it in English fairy tales (1890). Jacob's version is most commonly reprinted today and it is believed to be closer to the oral versions than Tabart's because it lacks the moralizing.

Plot: Jack , a young lad living with his widowed mother and a milk cow who their only source of income. When the cow stops giving milk , Jack's mother has him take her to market for sale. On the way he meets an old man who offers magic beans in exchange for the cow , and Jack makes the trade. When he arrives home without any money , his mother becomes furious throws the beans to the ground and sends Jack to bed without supper. A gigantic beanstalk grows overnight which Jack climbs to a land high in the sky. There he comes to a house (or, in some cases, a castle) that is the home of a giant.

Day: From Saturday , March 22 2014
        Until Sunday , March 23 2014
Time: Saturday at 3pm, and Sunday at 11am
Where: Larnaca Municipal Theatre
Phone: 24665795
Price: 8 euro
Contact phone: 70001910

Spirit of Easter Fair