Try these 10 tips to get your toddler ready for preschool:

1. Work on potty training. Many preschools require you to bring your child already potty trained. The earlier you plan on starting preschool, the more important it is to begin potty training early.

2. Start with a shorter day or shorter week. Many preschool programs allow your child to attend shorter school sessions. Consider a program that only meets two or three days per week initially. You can also opt for half-day sessions at some preschools.

3. Bring your toddler to play groups. If your child has many experiences in playgroups with other kids, he will be used to interacting with other children. Offer opportunities for your child to become as comfortable as possible in social situations.

4. Work on discipline early. Establish a consistent discipline routine with your toddler. Get your child used to consistent consequences for misbehavior, and try to make those consequences similar to the ones he'll face in preschool.

5. Give your toddler art supplies. Get your toddler used to using art supplies like paper, crayons, and chalk. Many preschool days feature a time of arts and crafts, and you can ease your child's transition to school life by introducing art to him early.

6. Read to your toddler every day. When you read to your child every day, you help them to think and learn about the world around him. Pick new books to read every once in awhile, but keep returning to your toddler's favorites also. If you encourage them to read while they're young, they'll be excited about learning for a lifetime.

7. Start naming letters and numbers. Introduce your child to letters and numbers whenever you have the opportunity. Numbers and letters are often taught in preschool, but your everyday routine offers many opportunities to introduce these concepts in a fun, engaging way.

8. Identify colors and shapes. The same goes for naming colors and shapes. It's a good idea to just point these things out to your child as you go about exploring life. Ask your child about different colors and shapes when you see them.

9. Take your toddler to all checkups. Regular checkups are important for ensuring that your child is healthy. Your child may require certain immunizations in order to enter school. During your visits, your child's doctor will verify that his physical development is on track.

10. Let him go. It's tough to watch your little baby grow up right in front of your eyes. Getting ready to start school can be a big change in your toddler's life, but it's a big change in yours as well. Prepare yourself emotionally for the big day, and remember that preschool is simply the beginning of a new, exciting stage in both of your lives.

Preschool brings with it a set of challenges that you may have never faced before. As you adjust to the new routines together, remember that anything new brings special opportunities and experiences. Embrace those experiences together, and make the most of this new season of life.

After a while, however, it can be difficult to maintain the same high level of motivation you need to keep going. When the motivation of an upcoming vacation or looking your best in a swimsuit is no longer in front of you, you can easily get discouraged and fall back into old habits.

Instead of giving up, choose success.

Stick to your weight loss and fitness goals even after the swimsuit season with these tips and tricks:

1. Take baby steps. After you've been on a diet for a long time, you might feel like giving up if your ideal weight still seems far off. Instead, break your large goal up into tiny pieces. Seek to attain small objectives every few weeks or so. This way, you can reward yourself along the way and stay on track.

2. Work on maintaining weight. Instead of thinking in terms of dieting and weight loss, seek to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you've been dieting for a long time, give yourself a break and try to focus on nutritional changes that you can maintain for the rest of your life.

* Weight maintenance is an excellent alternative to "giving up" because you maintain the progress you've already made instead of yo-yo dieting. You'll still feel like a success every day when you look at yourself in the mirror.

3. Splurge. Even when you're on a strict diet, allow yourself to indulge in a moderate amount of your favorite foods every now and then. You'll experience fewer cravings and stay on track that way.

4. Control your portions. You can eat healthy, but if you're eating too much you can sabotage your chances of losing weight. Just watch the amounts you're eating. If you're still hungry after a small portion, wait 15 minutes and see if you're still hungry afterwards. Often, you'll feel full after that time has passed.

5. Watch what you drink. Pay attention to how many calories are in the drinks that you consume. If you're drinking lots of soda, coffee, or other sugary drinks, these calories can add up quickly. If you drink lots of water, you'll be less hungry and have more energy. You'll also avoid the crash that comes from those sugary drinks.

Weekly Weigh In

If you've become accustomed to weighing yourself every day, consider stepping on the scale less often. When you shift your focus from the number on the scale to your level of physical fitness, you'll make wise decisions without the added stress that the scale provides.

Remember that if you're working out, muscle weighs more than fat. The scale is only one indicator of how you're progressing on your fitness journey. Do your clothes fit better? Do you have more energy? Are you receiving compliments about your appearance? Focus on those things and weigh yourself less often.

Above all, be kind to yourself. Set yourself up for success by focusing on the reasons why a fit body brings you joy. A compelling reason will drive you forward, and small steps will keep you moving forward. Small steps and healthy decisions will help you to maintain or regain the motivation you had at the beginning of summer.

Never before has there been more of an incentive to make a conscious effort to save the planet from pollution.

By following the tips below, you can also save some cash while living green:

1. Go shopping. Continuing to use dated appliances without an Energy Star seal costs you money each month. Substantially reduce your yearly utility bill by purchasing energy efficient appliances. Even though you may spend more money upfront, you'll make back your investment many times over the long run.

* The United States government offers tax incentives to homeowners that purchase appliances equipped with the Energy Star seal.

* Minimize the upfront costs by selling your old appliances. You may be able to pocket $1,000 to $4,000 depending on the condition of your used appliances and how many you have.

2. Accept paperless billing. Many companies, such as cable television providers and insurance companies, offer discounts for paperless billing. The reward can be as little as a $1 credit on your bill each month, or as much as 5% of your auto insurance policy.

* Although a $1 deduction may seem worthless, it certainly adds up. If 12 of your service providers grant you a $1 deduction on your bills each month, you can save up to $144 each year and up to $720 within five years.

3. Bring your own bag. By bringing your own reusable shopping tote, you can save green while going green. Some chain grocery stores now encourage you to go green by charging a fee per paper or plastic bag used to bag your groceries. The fee ranges from $0.04 to $0.10 per bag.

* If you forgo 15 plastic bags in one shopping trip, you can save up to $1.50 per order. Assuming you shop for groceries every week, you're able to save $78 per year, or $390 over five years.

* You'll also save yourself from forming an ever-growing pile of plastic bags in your kitchen's broom closet.

4. Recycle. Some retailers offer freebies and discounts to customers that recycle used containers. For example, Mac Cosmetic offers a free lipstick for every six containers returned to the company. Staples offers a $3 store credit for ink cartridges that are returned to the store.

5. Switch to CFL. Did you know that most of the energy emitted by incandescent light bulbs is heat? Only a small portion of the energy used actually goes into lighting your home. Switching to CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) bulbs saves both energy and money.

* CFLs last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs. They produce significantly less heat and use only a third of the energy.

* It's true that CFL bulbs can cost more money upfront than incandescent bulbs. But in a matter of a couple months, you'll recoup your initial investment and then some with the money you save on your energy bill.

By following these small steps, you can do your part to preserve and protect the health of our planet while saving money at the same time. As you can see, many of the small things you can do require little to no decrease in your quality of life. Choose one or more of these ideas to implement today, and you'll save green while going green!

Clutter can take over your home in a flash. Plus, it drains your mental energy and causes chaos to replace the peace that once filled your home. Instead of packing everything up and into storage, concentrate on freeing yourself from unwanted items that drain your energy.

Periodically, get rid of less important things you own so that you can more easily enjoy the things that mean the most to you.

Try these ideas for getting rid of household items:

1. Ask family members if they need anything. Your close family should get first dibs on the things you want to give away.

* Announce the items that you're giving away to your family and give them a time limit for getting back to you on whether or not they want them.

2. Check to see if a thrift store or charity has any pick up times slated for your area. Sometimes the only thing you have to do is place your items in a box or bag. Thrift stores look for new items for their stores all the time. Many of them will come out to pick up your donation.

3. Drive items to a Goodwill station. Just driving out to your local goodwill might be the best bet, especially if you're in a hurry to regain control of your home. And, you'll be doing something good by choosing to donate. This is a good alternative if you're not getting rid of much or you're not getting rid of bulky, heavy items.

* Remember to pick up a tax receipt so you can deduct the value of your donated items from your income on your income tax forms.

4. Sell your items on eBay. eBay is a great place to hold online auctions for your unwanted items. You might be surprised at how much money you receive for them. After all, one man's trash is another man's treasure!

5. List your items on Craigslist. Craigslist is another excellent place to get rid of clutter. List your item, price, and contact information in your initial listing. Then people can call you to arrange a pick up.

6. Join a website like Freecycle. Freecycle is a network you can join to give items away locally for free. You never know when someone else around you needs an item that you're giving away. It's also a great place to find items that you might need.

7. Toss items that are in poor condition. Certain items should just be thrown into the trash. A large trash bin can often be your best friend in gaining control over your clutter. The more you throw away, the quicker you'll experience the peaceful home that you crave.

8. Advertise your items on social networking websites. Let people know about the items you're giving away or selling on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. Your friends will instantly know about your items and you'll save time by announcing your offer to everyone at once.

While clutter can be overwhelming, there really are only four things you can do with any item or piece of paper. You can keep it, sell it, give it away, or toss it. Get started today, and you'll experience a peaceful, clutter free home before you know it.

Although most students resort to caffeine to remedy their lack of energy, there are viable alternatives.

Use these strategies to boost your energy without having to step into a coffee shop:

1. Exercise. When you need a fast energy boost, exercise is the best fix. Take a brisk walk, hop on an elliptical machine or bike around campus for 20 minutes. The energy boosting effects are nearly instant and can last up to two hours.

* Exercise, especially running, increases your alertness and the level of endorphins. Endorphins are known mood boosters. So, you'll have more brainpower to completing your paper, and you'll also be happy to do it!

2. Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Partying at all hours of the night can destroy your energy level and jeopardize your chances of academic success. Maintain a regular sleep schedule and ensure your body gets enough rest to function efficiently.

* A lack of sleep has can cause early physical signs of aging, such as hyper-pigmentation on eyelids, puffy under-eye circles, and wrinkles.

3. Indulge in a power nap. A 30-minute power nap can provide you with an instant boost of energy. If you don't have a half hour to spare, a 10 or 15-minute snooze may provide enough energy to power you through the rest of your day.

* You may be tempted to just forge on through your tight deadlines instead of taking a nap. However, after arising from your power nap, you'll be able to accomplish double the results you would attain if you were to keep working without a break.

* In addition to immediately boosting energy levels, power napping also increases your ability to retain information.

4. Minimize the junk. Avoid unhealthy foods that are laden with fat, sugar, and preservatives. These foods widen your waistline and make you feel groggy after each meal.

* Maintain a balanced diet. It's okay to indulge in a piece of chocolate every now and then. But eating microwavable macaroni and cheese and cinnamon buns every night adversely affect your energy and school performance.

5. Eat often. Eat five small meals throughout the day to keep both your metabolism and your energy functioning at optimum capacity. Avoid skipping meals.

* If you're short on time, eat three medium-sized meals throughout the day. Carry fruit and granola bars in your bag to eat between meals.

* It's healthier to eat five small meals scattered throughout the day, rather than three large meals. Eating heavy meals depletes your energy faster than you can put the fork down.

6. Smell peppermint. Peppermint has a strong, refreshing scent that can wake up even the drowsiest student. Peppermint candles, peppermint oil, or peppermint scented air freshener sprayed throughout your dorm room contain the power to invigorate your senses.

7. Eat carbohydrates. Fuel your body with smart carbohydrates. Make smart food choices such as wheat bread, beans, and healthy bran cereals.

Combine several of these tips to supercharge your energy level in a very short time. Say goodbye to the days of coffee highs and crashes. Small changes you make today can make a huge difference in how you feel and your performance in the classroom.

Every summer vacation, though, must come to an end. You can avoid an abrupt ending and a house full of cranky children if you start the back-to-school preparation process a few weeks before class starts.

Utilize the tips below to minimize the sting of going back to school on your children.

1. Adjust their sleep schedule. Wean your kids into a school-ready sleeping schedule by making them fall asleep an hour earlier each week. Continue cutting back their bedtime until their sleeping patterns match those they'll maintain throughout the school year.

2. Assign homework. It's true that kids dislike homework. But it's important to keep their minds sharp.

* On the Internet, you can find many places that offer free downloadable worksheets for children of all ages to complete outside of school. Websites like www.teach-nology.com, www.abcteach.com, and www.lessonplanet.com provide a wide variety of options.

* Keep it lighthearted. Try to assign fun homework assignments and be lenient in deadlines. After all, it is summer vacation and your kids deserve to spend some of their time relaxing. One assignment per subject that is due at the end of the week is plenty.

3. Tighten curfews. If you're like most parents, you likely extend your children's curfews throughout the summer. A few weeks before classes begin, be stricter about the time your children need to be home and which days they can go out with their friends.

* Allow your children to keep their summer curfew active on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday through Thursday, implement a "school-ready" curfew. This will mentally prepare your children for the new set of rules that will be in effect during the school year.

4. Make the change exciting. To your children, August is just the beginning of another boring school year. However, as a parent, you can't help but marvel at the speed your babies are maturing! Help them see what you see by reminding them of all of the opportunities that will soon be available to them in the new school year.

Be firm about your decisions when preparing your kids for the change of going back to school. Most children are resistant when you first begin to implement these changes. However, after about a week or so, most children begin to accept the new routines.

Remember to take your children's feelings and desires into account when designing your routine for getting ready to return to school. Kids have unique needs, and it's important to let them know that their opinions are valuable. Be willing to give in a little and you'll often receive a great deal of cooperation in return.

By implementing these changes, you'll prepare your children well for going back to school. When school begins, it will be less of a shock to your children and the transition to a new daily routine will be an easier one for all.

Try these nine tips to properly prepare and organize the beginning of your school year:

1. Use folders and binders. It helps have a way to keep all of your school paperwork sorted for easy access. Sometimes, your child's teacher will require a specific set folders or binders, so check to see if the school or teacher has provided a list of specific supplies before you go shopping.

2. Have a place for everything. Decide on a set spot for all of your school things. Designate specific slots or pouches for everything from papers and notebooks to pencils and pens. If you know exactly where something is, you save time spent on looking for it later.

3. Make a to-do list. A to-do list is essential for staying on top of everything going on with school. If you try to keep everything you need to do in your head, you're bound to forget something. A to-do list right in front of you will help you see exactly what should be done and when. It's a great time saver.

4. Have your things ready the night before school. Gather your things before you go to sleep at night. This method will be a lifesaver for you if you're not a morning person. In the morning, you can get out of bed and know that your bags are packed and ready to go.

* To save even more time in the mornings, lay out each child's clothes the night before. Trying to figure out what to wear in the midst of the morning rush sets you up for a stressful day. However, a little advance planning can help you feel in control and set the stage for a productive day instead.

5. Plan your meals. If you're busy, you might be tempted to skip a meal. To maintain your health and energy, ensure that you're eating nutritiously. Plan enough time in advance for breakfast in the morning and pack a healthy lunch.

6. Have a place for homework. Have a set place and time to do homework. If they stay organized with a specific homework flow, the whole process can go quickly and the kids will be done before you know it.

7. Keep lines of communication open. In order to have an efficient and organized life, discuss important issues with your family members on a regular basis. Keep the lines of communication open and let your children know that you value their input and concerns.

8. Line up transportation. Decide on school transportation plans early. Will your kids take the bus, or do you need to take them to school? Plan for back up transportation whenever possible for the times that things don't go according to plan.

9. Have the right attitude. Remember that a positive attitude can make things run smoothly. Your attitude can be the difference between success and failure in keeping things organized. Your attitude determines whether your household is one of peace or chaos. Choose peace!

Remember to enjoy the process of preparing for school. Try new things, and keep the goal in mind. A little advance planning can go a long way towards relieving much of the stress that the beginning of school brings.

Try these nine family activities for an exciting end to your summer:

1. Make a memory book. Have everyone in the family get together and make a memory book or scrapbook. Collect photos from your summer or other scraps and artwork that would fit into a book of memories. This will give you a lasting memento of the good times you had over the summer.

2. Have a splashing good time. The summer usually means a good time around water. Throw a pool party or play around in the sprinklers. Have a water balloon fight with your family. Involve water while you still can, before the cold days of winter arrive.

3. Make summertime recipes. Pick out your favorite summertime recipes and make food and drinks with your family. Start with drinks like iced tea and lemonade, or pick another family favorite that you associate with summer. Then, make summer treats or throw a barbeque.

4. Throw a summer party. Get together with your family and throw an end of the summer bash for all of your friends. Your family can plan the party together, cook the food and make decorations. Take lots of photos of your party so you can remember the good time you had.

5. Go to the zoo. Summer is a great time to enjoy the zoo during your free time. Go to the zoo with your family one last time before school takes away much of that free time. It's also a great way to learn about many different kinds of animals.

6. Play video games. Video games can be fun for the whole family. Some game consoles even have games that'll get the whole family active. Choose a sports game, a family board game or a racing game and compete against your family for an exciting time together.

7. Go to the beach. The end of the summer might be one of your last opportunities to hit the beach this year. Wear sunscreen to protect your skin. Bring plenty of towels and beach toys. Build a sand castle with your kids. Bury one of your family members in the sand.

8. Get ready for school. Enjoy getting ready for the school year with your family. Find the fun in shopping for clothing and school supplies. Get the whole family involved. Allow your kids to make some of the clothing decisions and to pick out some of their favorite school supplies.

9. Relax at home. Enjoy some quiet time at home before the craziness of the school year starts. Order takeout and talk around the dinner table. Rent some family friendly movies to enjoy while you beat the heat together.

Pick one of these, or come up with your own end of summer activity ideas. The most important thing is that you take the time to enjoy your family. The end of summer can be an exciting time for your family to bond and experience priceless memories.

This doesn't have to be the case! There are ways to create your own memory books with ease, no matter what your level of creativity happens to be. The only things you need are your family photos and the will to succeed.

Use these eight strategies to make your own scrapbooks and memory books:

1. Work on one page at a time. Sometimes, the task of a scrapbook seems like a huge amount of work. Instead of thinking about the project as a whole, break it into small, manageable pieces. Work on one page at a time and enjoy the process until your memories are organized and your scrapbook is complete.

2. Collect embellishments. The embellishments are the parts of the book that aren't your actual photos. You can use other paper type memories and other designs to mount in your book of memories. Scrapbook and craft stores offer specific embellishments in all sorts of colors and themes.

* You can also save money by designing your own. Use construction paper to come up with your own designs. You can even print embellishments from your home computer.

3. Decide on a theme or motif. Pick a theme that you'll carry out throughout your book. For example, you might want to do a book that represents the last year. Or you might choose to create a scrapbook of your summer vacation. This will help you to focus and narrow down your ideas.

4. Choose a color scheme. Pick a color scheme that you like and stick to it. You can make a wacky book with all different kinds of pages, but better results usually come from sticking with a certain color choice just to keep things looking neat.

5. Design a cover. Your cover can also be a nice place to get creative with your book. You might want to include a picture and some kind of description of the book's theme.

6. Decide on a size. You can make scrapbooks of all different sizes. You may want one that's small so you can carry it around. A larger scrapbook can hold more photos and provide longer, more fulfilling trips down memory lane later.

7. Learn an online graphic design program. Computer graphics programs offer many customization options for your photos and embellishments. Once you get the hang of it, you'll love expressing yourself and creating a special memory book you can be proud of.

8. Digitize your scrapbook. If you familiarize yourself with a computer graphics program, you can create all of your memory books on your computer and have them printed like regular press printed photo books. All you have to do is submit your final design pages and cover to the print company of your choice.

Scrapbooking is a special way to ensure that the most treasured moments of your past are always easy to recall. Instead of allowing the process of creating a scrapbook to overwhelm you, take small steps and enjoy the journey as you relive the most treasured moments of your life.

You can enjoy a romantic weekend in "Hawaii" or even stay at a luxurious "New York City" hotel. The choice is yours! And the best part is that there are no reservations required! Implement some of the ideas below to make your home feel like a pricey destination hotel.

1. Pack away! It won't feel like a Staycation if you're pulling your everyday clothing out of your own dresser. Pack your suitcases like you would if you were leaving for vacation and wear a fun outfit. Pack sunscreen if you have a backyard or patio at home.

* Be sure to keep your "vacation outfit" in line with the theme of your staycation "destination." If your theme is the Bahamas, avoid Hawaiian print shirts and khaki shorts. However, a maxi tube dress is suitable.

2. Give your guestroom a makeover. The excitement of your staycation will fade within seconds if you're waking up in familiar surroundings. Throughout your staycation, make your guestroom your destination of choice. And give it a makeover to stay within your staycation theme.

* If you're going for a beach theme, purchase a mosquito net canopy and hang it over your bed. Place string lighting overhead to make it feel as if you're sleeping under the stars. And finally, scatter candles and seashells throughout the room to finish the look.

* Consider purchasing new bedding for your guestroom to make it feel as if you're in a luxury hotel suite.

3. Create a romantic environment. Nothing brings a couple together like a romantic getaway. Make your home feel like a romantic hotel suite by scattering fresh red rose petals throughout the stairway of your home and throughout your sleeping quarters.

* Make the most of candles. Dine by candlelight. Watch a movie in a room lit solely by candles. And soak in a bubble bath surrounded by slowly burning scented candles.

4. Tropical drinks. It's no secret that most people like to have a little more than wine while on vacation. Daiquiris, pina coladas, Hawaii Kai swizzles and Bahama mamas are popular tropical drinks that just scream, "Island retreat!"

* Use a cocktail shaker rather than a standard kitchen blender to mix your tropical drinks. It's a small detail that will add a sense of authenticity to your little vacation.

5. Utilize your outdoor space. Transform your backyard into an oasis. If the weather allows, spend most of your staycation outdoors. Purchase patio chaise loungers for relaxing. Alternatively, if you're on a super tight budget, borrow a set of beach chairs from a friend.

* Fire up the grill! Try a new tropical grilling recipe and dine outdoors. Remember to maximize your outdoor table setting by using candles, rose petals and a tablecloth to set the mood.

* Splurge on a masseuse. You and your spouse will feel like celebrities when you receive professional massages in the outdoors. An outdoor massage in a private patio or fenced in backyard is ideal. Masseuse rates vary. However, you can expect to pay $150 to $200 per hour for an on-location couple's session.

Maximizing your Staycation is all in the details. Small finishing touches like candlelight, changing your sleeping quarters and enjoying tropical cocktails in the moonlight can make all of the difference. With some ingenuity, you can feel like you're on a cruise to the Bahamas.
And, the best part of a staycation is the financial savings over expensive travel.

Why spend thousands of dollars on an elaborate vacation when you can experience enjoyment and pleasure right in your own backyard? With a little planning, creativity, and an open mind, you can create an inexpensive staycation full of memories that will last a lifetime.