1. Create a relaxing environment. If you get stressed, so will your child. Instead, dim the lights or use nightlights, and play relaxation music designed for the age group of your child. If possible only place the speakers in the child’s room, with the player in a hall closet. This will prevent the child from wanting to tinker with the volume and other buttons. This product is popular with parents: Indigo Ocean Dreams: 4 Children’s Stories Designed to Decrease Stress, Anger and Anxiety while Increasing Self-Esteem and Self-Awareness

2. Use visual distractions. Purchase a nightlight projector that displays the stars, fish or other objects on the ceiling. Most range from $8 up. In conjunction with relaxation music, this can be very effective. Here is a popular product: LED Projectables Nightlight with Globe Projector

3. Forcing horizontal. Most parents say to relieve the child of game controllers, phones and electronics before bedtime. This is probably wise. At the same time, getting the kid horizontal is the goal. Place a small TV or iPad at 90 degrees (on an arm) next to the bed.

Play short, bedtime stories such as: Treasury of Classic Bedtime Stories read by James Earl Jones

Here is a durable, kid-friendly arm: ERGOTRON LCD ARM

4. BRB – Periodic check ins. If your child is afraid of being alone, set a timer in a nearby room. Tell them that when the timer goes off you will come check on them and their eyes must be closed. Make sure the timer sound isn’t loud enough to wake them but near enough that they can listen for it (optional). Choose realistic intervals and keep the check ins to a minimum. Important! Do not say a word during check ins. Engaging in conversation is a delay tactic which will work against you. A cheap kitchen timer should be perfect for this tactic: Lux Classic Timer

5. Nix the noon naps. I included this one because some parents say it worked for them. However, doctors warn that once a child is overtired, a stress hormone called cortisol is released, making it difficult for the child to settle down.

6. Stock the nightstand. Before bed, gather all the things they will want after the lights go out, and place them on or near the nightstand. One optional thing to place on the table is a coin with which they may use to trade for ONE last thing to be added to the table ‘right now’ or else it can go in the piggy bank. Explain that everything they may want is sitting right here on the table and they are not to get up or ask for anything else.

7. Make it dark. If it’s still light at bedtime where you live, make sure you have blackout curtains or shades so the room can be dark. If your child is afraid of the dark, at least block the natural light from the windows first, then turn on a night light. Don’t sacrifice the drapes you have now. Try a blackout liner instead: Redmon Nighttime Blackout Drapery Liner

If you have fought and won this battle with your children, please help those reading this article today by telling us your solution using the comment section below. Many parents will be grateful. Trust me.

One of the chapters had listed the numbers one to ten in several languages. So over the course of a week my brother and I decided we would learn a few of our favorites. And we did. And our parents were amazed. And do you know what? To this day, I still remember one to ten in each of the languages we learned that week. Eventually, it even paid off when I visited Japan and Germany as an adult.

Today I asked my brother if he remembered that week of learning to count to ten in all those languages. He instantly rattled off, “Ichi Ni San Shi Go Roku Shichi Hachi Ku Ju.” as if it were yesterday. I believe in exercising the brain daily whether it’s learning a new word, doing a crossword puzzle or even playing some types of games. As long as you are putting in something new each and every day, you are exercising your brain.

So the 10 steps to which I am referring in the headline of this article is actually learning to count to ten in another language. It’s really not that difficult. If you can learn just one number per day for the next ten days, you could actually learn to count to ten in three languages in a month…or 36 languages in a year. Imagine the amazed looks on your friends’ faces at that bbq party.

Let’s get to it, shall we? Below is a table of ten languages. Bookmark this page now. Each day when you get to work, open this article and learn ONE new number. Within two weeks you will have learned to count to ten in a new language. Continue on, and within a month you will have learned three new languages. Continue until you have learned all ten languages. Your brain will thank you and your friends will be amazed.

Have fun with this and be sure to leave me comments below about how you’re doing with the numbers. If you would like to add more languages in the comments, please do so. I’m up for the challenge!

As an adult I’ve been around the world. But no real life visit to a foreign land has ever held a candle to those magnificent adventures I experienced in my imagination as a ten year old boy. And if you stop me on the street today and ask me to count to ten in Hindi, I just might amaze you.

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Add sugar and cinnamon to rice. Mix well. Serve hot with Chamomile tea.

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Thank you for your interest in writing for American Family Magazine.

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In conjunction with this special day, I am writing to tell you about a new publication called Amazing Mothers, featuring the lives of five amazing mothers  - Anne Burras, Marie Curie, Lillian Gilbreth, Queen Victoria and Susannah Holmes. This is available in ebook or audio format and their inspirational stories of motherhood are told through BioViews®, which are short biographical narratives similar to interviews, told in the first person.  A very up-close and personal experience and an easy way of learning about amazing people who made major contributions and changed our world.

America celebrates Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Amelia Earhart and many others who have contributed to building the nation. They have monuments and memorabilia named after them.

So, why has Anne Burras been ignored? She is one of the most important women in American history. At the age of 14, she arrived in Jamestown in 1608, as the maid of Mrs Forrest. They were the only two women amongst 200 men. Mrs Forrest died, soon after arrival, and teenager Anne had to fend for herself.

Not for long however, as John Leyden befriended her and they were the first couple to be married in the Jamestown colony. Anne gave birth to four daughters and raised the first colonial family in America. Therefore, Anne Burras, or Mrs Leyden as she became known, has the right to be called the founding European Mother of America.

It is time that Anne Burras, the maidservant who became the founding colonial mother, is recognized.
- Why not build a statue to her memory?
- Why not have a national holiday in her name, representing what women have done to develop America?
- Why not make her a folk heroine whose story is told in every school?
Indeed, why is Anne Burras not already famous? Read Her Story in AMAZING MOTHERS and other titles in our series.

You may also enjoy our ‘Amazing Women’ title,  which celebrates the lives of iconic women including Coco Chanel, Sojourner Truth, and Helen Keller, to mention but a few.  Gain an understanding of their real lives and challenges and be inspired by what they did and how they achieved it.  This is a must-read for every woman seeking inspiration.

Special Offer: FREE Harriet Tubman Audio/eBook.

Harriet Tubman, mother to adopted daughter Gertie, was an amazing mother in many other ways also.  We believe that it is worth remembering this courageous woman, who protected so many unfortunate people, caring for them just like a mother would care for her children, with a loving heart.  It is our pleasure to make this inspirational life story available to our members for the month of May 2012.  Become a free member. Join The Amazing People Club today.