1. CONFRONT PROBLEMS as soon as possible after they arise. Don’t allow them to fester and cause bitterness.

2. MASTER THE ART OF LISTENING. If we fail to show others respect by listening to them, we shouldn’t be surprised if they show us the same discourtesy. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand.

3. LIMIT THE DISCUSSION of the conflict to the here and now issue. Don’t drag out yesterday’s (or last year’s!) dirty laundry.

4. USE “I” MESSAGES in making your point and expressing your emotions. This not only allows you to take responsibility for your feelings, but also it allows the other person to hear about your feelings without feeling defensive. “You” messages tend to be perceived as attacks and criticism.

5. AVOID EXAGGERATIONS such as “always”, “never”, etc. Such statements are very seldom true, simply because as inconsistent human beings we very seldom “always” or “never” do anything.

6. AVOID CHARACTER ASSASSINATION (name calling and put-downs) Pointing out character flaws or demeaning another person will do nothing but stir up greater disharmony.

7. USE APPROPRIATE WORDS AND ACTIONS for the matter at hand. Not all arguments are with fighting at peak volume.

8. DON’T BE CONCERNED ABOUT WINNING OR LOSING the argument. It’s better if both parties can be more concerned about resolving the conflict rather than who “wins” or “loses”.

9. DETERMINE LIMITS. Comments which are hurtful or damaging must be avoided.

10. CHOOSE TO FORGIVE. All people fail. If we don’t give others a chance to start over after failure, our relationships will suffer. Complete forgiveness may take time, depending on the degree of hurt caused by the other person. However, it’s important to have an attitude of forgiveness and keep asking God to help you get to the point where you can truly forgive.

Now It’s Your Turn – Drop a Tip in the Tip Jar!

Today’s Tuesday Tip Jar is brought to you by I Am Pooped: 10 Tips on Fighting Fair

If you have a post on your blog that you would like to donate to the Blog Momma’s Tip Jar all you have to do is write this at the bottom of your post: I am donating this post to the Tuesday Tip Jar over on Blog Mommas.

Use the Contact Form to let me know of your interest in contributing to Tuesday’s Tip Jar and we will get your post featured ASAP. Please note that your post will be featured in the order that it is recieved.

What a Great way to show off your blog!

There are a few steps to remember when meeting and greeting a dog. Always ask permission to pet a dog when it is on a leash and with its owner. Never greet a loose dog without an owner.

Even if you know the dog and are friends with its owner, it’s important to remember and follow this plan.

1. Always walk slowly to the dog’s owner to ask if you can pet the dog.
2. It’s important to receive permission before petting the dog. If the owner says “no,” politely accept the answer, and don’t pet the dog.
3. If the owner says “yes,” curl your hand into a closed fist with the back of your hand facing upward. Extend your hand slowly to the dog.
4. Allow the dog to sniff the back of your hand. We recognize people on sight; dogs recognize people by their scent. Dog’s sniff people to learn their scent.
5. After the dog has sniffed your hand and become familiar with you, pet it gently under the chin or on the chest.

Now It’s Your Turn – Drop a Tip in the Jar!

Please review the following safety tips with your children.

Students:

• Refuse anything from strangers, including money, gifts or rides.
• Keep a safe distance from strangers and don’t give a stranger directions or help. Adults need to get assistance from other adults.
• Take the same route to and from school everyday and be able to identify houses along the way of people you know and that are home during the time you’re walking to and from school.
• Be able to identify “McGruff” houses in the event there’s not a house nearby of anyone you know.
• Report to an adult, any suspicious or threatening behavior. The first priority should be your safety. If possible try to remember details about what the person looked like.
• If someone approaches you, run away and yell loudly to get the attention of others.
• If you are close to school and feel unsafe, you should return to the main doors of the school.

Parents:

• Know where your child is at all times.
• Know your child’s friends’ phone numbers and addresses.
• Teach your child “code” words to use if someone else is picking them up.
• Talk with your child about “good touch, bad touch.”
• Closely monitor your child if they use a public restroom.
• Know were sex offenders live in your neighborhood.
• Obtain a DNA kit from the Sheriff’s office or have a sample of hair stored somewhere.
• Talk with your child about predators and the tricks they may use.

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I don’t know about you but for me mosquitoes have always been a problem. Ever since I was a little girl they used to come after me – A LOT. Mosquito bites itch like no other and because I’m allergic to them they blow up like no other too.

One thing I learned while up visiting family in Minnesota is that you can put on long sleeved shirts and blue jeans to keep them off you. For added protection you can spray a good mosquito repellent directly on your clothes to keep these pesky bugs off you.

The hardest part for me when it comes to mosquito bites is getting over the itch that comes after you’ve been bitten. What I like to do to keep things under control is to take some clear nail polish and cover up the bite with two coats. Clear nail polish cuts off the oxygen needed to make the bite sting and itch.

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An estimated 260 children under the age of five drown each year in residential swimming pools. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommend to NEVER:

• Leave children unattended for ANY reason–not even for a second.
• Rely on swimming lessons or flotation devices to protect children.
• Leave steps or ladders that allow access to above-ground pools when unsupervised.
• Swim with the pool cover partially in place.
• Swim when the drain cover is broken or missing.
• Allow access to an unsupervised pool. Fence in the pool completely and install self-closing, self-latching gates. Follow all local ordinances about fencing. Consider adding a door alarm if your home provides one side of the pool barrier.

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I don’t know about you but every once in awhile I can feel a Charlie Horse coming on. Charlie Horses are when your legs cramp up and it hurts like hell. Over the years it’s to the point where I can catch that Charlie Horse and keep them from creeping up on me.

What I do is when I feel the Charlie Horse is about to happen I flex my foot right away. That’s it! As soon as I flex my foot the cramp goes away. Many times I can flex my foot and prevent the cramp from developing to the point of no return. Because as you know, once the cramp is in progress it’s really hard to work that sucker out.

So… the next time you feel your legs are about to cramp up FLEX YOUR FEET. You might be able to prevent the painful cramps altogether. That’s my Tuesday Tip for Today!!

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Kinsley has been having a lot of nose bleeds lately. Normally when she gets blood on pillows, pillow cases and sheets, I have to wash them two or three times even if I apply a regular stain stick to the blood.

My brother and sister-in-law were visiting this week and noticed my dilemma so they told me about Oxi Clean Spray that you can pick up in most grocery store laundry detergent isles. I was so pumped about picking this stuff up and trying it that Heather and I hopped in our vehicle right away to pick this stuff up.

When we got home I sprayed a small amount on a blood stain I was previously trying to take out with bleach and right away it started eating up the stain even before I could put it in the washer to be laundered again.

I am sold on this stuff and no – the company did not contact me and ask me to review their product. It is what it is and now it’s time to pass this information on to you. I know a lot of you probably already know about this stuff but I thought it would still be cool to figure for Tuesday’s Tip Jar because there has to be someone out there, like me, who did not know about Oxi Clean Spray.

I can’t wait to see what this stuff will do with a grass stain!!

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Our church is sending a team to help the people in Haiti. One of the things they are taking to Haiti are Flips Flops for the children. Our family thought it would be fun to decorate our flip flops. All you do is pick up some ribbon. It can be fabric, gift wrap ribbon or a combination of both. Cut out your strips and double knot them all through the flip flops. You might have to take your scissors and do a little trimming at the end. I thought it would be fun to share this craft with you for Tuesday’s Tip Jar. Enjoy!!

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Different dogs have different personalities – just like people. Some are friendly, some are not. It is important to know that while MOST dogs will never bite, even the cutest and most cuddly CAN.

It is estimated that more than 4 million dog bites occur in the United States each and every year. Over 500,000 of these bites require medical attention. Approximately 60% of all bite victims are children.

Fortunately, most dog bites can be prevented. Here are some safety tips for you to remember. This is a refresher of what we have been discussing for the last couple of weeks. Be sure and read both pages, ok?

Tips to keep your dog from biting.
Tips to keep your dog from biting you.

Now it’s your turn – drop a tip in the jar!
Linked up with Random Tuesday Thoughts

NEVER ride your bike or run past a dog. Dogs love to chase and catch things.

NEVER disturb a dog that’s eating, sleeping or caring for puppies.

NEVER tease a dog. If a dog snarls or growls, he is warning you to stay away. Step back!

ALWAYS ask permission from a dog’s owner before petting a dog. NEVER approach a dog you don’t know.

NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with ANY dog.

REMEMBER, if you are threatened by a dog, REMAIN CALM. DON’T SCREAM. DON’T RUN. Speak softly but firmly to the dog, saying things like “good boy.” Avoid eye contact and stay still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.

AND, if a dog attacks you and you are knocked to the ground, curl up into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face.

Last week we talked about tips to keep your dog from biting.

Now it’s your turn – drop a tip in the jar!
Linked up with Random Tuesday Thoughts