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Travel Protection

It may be months away from spring and summer but now is the time to plan the adventure of a lifetime with your partner. First, did you know that there are tours, cruises and adventures all over the world that are tailored for the LGBT? Second, planning strategies are suggested that can make your vacation stress free and give you the peace of mind you need. Lastly, a variety of travel destinations, events and research strategies are mentioned to help you plan that perfect vacation with your partner. By the way, some of what I offer here is sound advice for preparation in business travel too.

FACTOIDS:  American LGBT persons spent 54 billion dollars in travel in 2004; UK LGBT persons spent nearly 44.8 billion dollars on travel in 2004 (These estimates include travel within and outside their respective countries, what part of the UK’s $$ are coming to America or vice-versa is not reported.).  Travel Protection

A Florist’s World - Buying Flowers Online is Easier Today than Ever

How pleasant it is to enjoy the aesthetics of a vase full of colorful and aromatic flowers.  Flowers are known to have positive effects on our moods, perhaps due to the fact that they are a living creation of art, and thus the bilateral relationship developed with their owner -- flowers offer their beauty in return for their owner’s attention and watering.  This living relationship is not the flowers’ sole relationship. 

Don’t be alarmed, your darling flowers aren’t cheating on you!  But your flowers have already shared a vital relationship with the florist, who decides which flowers to buy and where to buy them from, who takes care of the flowers even before they are in her possession, and who certainly leaves a personal touch on the flowers, using the talents of artistry and style to create a bouquet you won’t want to take your eyes off.  Thus, it is the florist who prepares your flowers for you -- not only in the beauty of a bouquet, but also in the care that the flowers will expect us to continue giving them.  A Florist’s World - Buying Flowers Online is Easier Today than Ever

A Brief History of DIRECTV

Perhaps the most popular satellite provider in the United States, DIRECTV® has a long and impressive history under its belt. So, just who is DIRECTV? And how did they get to where they are today?

DIRECTV - The Early Years

Satellite as we know it today actually started back in 1984, when Hughes Electronics gained FCC approval to build and operate a direct broadcast satellite system, or DBS. The satellite DIRECTV-1 was launched on December 17, 1993 and in 1994, Hughes Electronics founded DIRECTV and premiered the first North American offering of DBS service. Often called the "minidish", this new satellite dish was considerably smaller than what consumers were used to - approximately 18 inches in diameter - and much more manageable than those large, cumbersome TVRO satellite dishes from our past.  A Brief History of DIRECTV

How to qualify for your first Home Loan

There are a few things that you need to have accomplished before searching for you new home.  Usually a real estate agent wants to have a letter of pre-qualification for a home loan to start shopping for a home.  In order to qualify for a home loan you need to meet certain requirements.

Before you apply for any home loan you should get a copy of your credit report from the credit reporting agencies.  You can either sign up for a yearly monitoring service that will send you a report once a year with quarterly updates for credit changes, or you can contact each of the agencies directly for a copy of the report.  Try to get your credit report cleaned up and improve your credit score.  If there are any errors contact the reporting agency to get the information corrected.  How to qualify for your first Home Loan

Refinancing your Home Loan to Consolidate Debt

With the hints of higher interest rates, it may be time to lock in all your credit card debt by refinancing your Home Loan.  Not only are higher interest rates looming, you also have to worry about new laws that have doubled the credit cards minimum payments.

If you only have $10,000 in credit card debt you are probably better off paying the debt or getting a second on your home.  The reason for this is because the cost to refinance a home loan is usually not a free service.  If you shop around you should be able to avoid some loan fees.  Refinancing your Home Loan to Consolidate Debt

Hybrid Car Advantages – How to Save Money with Easy and Less Frequent Fill Ups

There are many advantages to the hybrid car. This year the US Treasury has offered a tax credit when drivers purchase a hybrid car.  Last year, only a tax deduction was available.  Hybrid cars will save you money on gas, compared to conventional models.  Also, the hybrid car provides fewer emissions, improving the air quality.

Unlike hydrogen or natural gas cars, the hybrid can be filled-up at any gas station.  They use regular gasoline.  You don’t have to charge the batteries every night like electric cars.  In fact they operate almost identical to conventional gas powered cars.

Hybrid Car Tax Credit Breakdown by Model - Chart Shows What Cars will Save You Most

With gas prices and insurance costs on the rise, many Americans are looking for ways to save money. Credit cards minimum payments have doubled and credit card interest rates are on the rise adding to the burden.  There is a lot of talk about the hybrid car tax credit, but can these cars really save you money?

Some buyers have complained that the cars do not get the mileage that the sticker claims.  These mileage numbers are calculated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) using a standard dynometer (dyno) test. Recently Consumer Reports found that all cars may not get the mileage claimed on the sticker.  Most drivers use their air conditioner and heater and may travel up and down hills.

Hybrids will give you better gas mileage than standard non-hybrids in the same class.  Power is conserved in the breaking system and new drive-train technology has added to their efficiency.  Hybrid Car Tax Credit Breakdown by Model - Chart Shows What Cars will Save You Most

Online Schools are popular way to get a Degree

Many people that either did not complete college, or go onto get an advanced degree find that it is becoming easier than ever to get their degree by attending a university online.  It can be next to impossible to go to school if you are juggling work and family.  The best part about going to school online it helps anyone to get an advanced degree.

New Tax Credit Numbers for Hybrid Vehicles - Savings Breakdown by the Car and How much you will save

Tax credits for hybrid cars and other fuel-efficient cars took effect January 1st.  The tax credits will vary according to the car you buy, and this can cause some confusion, but it can benefit you to figure it out.  The goal of the federal government is to encourage the purchase of fuel efficient (green) vehicles.

If you purchased a hybrid vehicle last year you should check with your tax man to see if you qualify for a tax deduction.  But if you buy a hybrid car this year you will receive a tax “credit” that will likely save you much more money.  The credit is deducted directly from your tax bill and not just from your income.

There are two elements that the new tax credit is based on.  The first element considers the fuel savings of the hybrid compared to the same style non-hybrid vehicle.  The second element is based on the estimated lifetime fuel savings. New Tax Credit Numbers for Hybrid Vehicles - Savings Breakdown by the Car and How much you will save

Recreational Vehicles RVs - What to Look For in a Motor Home How to Compare

Using a Recreational Vehicle (RV) can make a vacation extremely enjoyable.  The choices seem endless, but you should first decide if you want a trailer, camper or motor home.  There are advantages to all of these.

Trailers and fifth wheels can be parked and left.  You will be able to leave the trailer and view the local sites in your motorized car.  Of course you can tow a vehicle behind your motor home.  Some of the new newer trailers include a space in the rear for carrying dirt bikes and other toys.  The space can sometimes be converted into a living area.

Motorhomes (motorized RVs) are divided into three categories.  The first is type A that includes the standard motor home or coach.  These are the size of busses and are generally the roomiest of all RVs.  They include luxury amenities and can sleep up to six usually.  They start at abound $58,000 and can go up to $400,000 or more.  Recreational Vehicles RVs - What to Look For in a Motor Home How to Compare

Which is better Full-Day or Half-day Kindergarten

Enrolling your child in kindergarten next year?  A recent study comparing full-day and half-day kindergarten may help you in making this decision.  There are two types of Kindergarten classes, full length day and a half-day.  You may not have an option of full-day or half-day but you might consider supplementing your half day student at home.

A study that is going to be published in the upcoming February issue of the American Journal of Education looked at full-day and half-day programs to see which one was better.  They studied more than 8,000 kindergarteners in 500 U.S. public schools.  Which is better Full-Day or Half-day Kindergarten

Hybrid Cars – new designs on display at Auto Shows

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit had Toyota Motor Sales and General Motors Corporation (GM) and other manufacturers showing off their new hybrid automobiles. 

Toyota showed off its 2007 design of the Camry Hybrid car which has an estimated 43 mpg city driving and 37 mpg highway.  Hybrid Cars – new designs on display at Auto Shows

Digital Camera Accessories for Macro Photography

Macro photography, or extreme close-up photography, is often easier to accomplish using digital SLR cameras with smaller sensor sizes that effectively magnify the image. The best way to get these close-up images is with some special digital camera accessories.

Digital cameras are great for photographing small stuff for any reason—from pure artistic expression to insurance records. If you have a collection of jewelry, stamps or butterflies, or you're just fascinated by the frost pattern on your windows, macro photography is for you.  Digital Camera Accessories for Macro Photography

Organize your Home One Room at a Time

Now that a new year is here, many of us have decided to get organized.  If you find that your house is in a constant state of chaos, and you cannot find what you need easily, it is time to organize. 

Sometimes it is a clutter problem that is afflicting us.  We held on to everything and we now literally have piles of stuff without a place to put them.  This is a daunting task and it is hard for us to be motivated about cleaning it up.  It just isn’t fun.  It was more fun getting the stuff.  But unfortunately if that pile looms, it will bother you day after day.  It is unused living space that has become the black hole in our house sucking up even more things that we can’t find any more. Organize your Home One Room at a Time

10 Tips to Choose the Perfect Summer Camp

Baltimore MD ­ Choosing the perfect children’s summer camp causes busy parents tremendous anxiety.

As the wife of a pediatrician and mother of eight kids—four of them adopted and several with ADHD—I founded Best-Summer-Camps.com to make choosing the perfect camp as enjoyable as eating S’mores.

Camps have provided our kids with confidence, lasting memories and experiences they can't always get with a gaggle of brothers and sisters around. We have attended over sixty different camps, consulted with hundreds of parents and spent thousands of hours researching programs to create this list.  10 Tips to Choose the Perfect Summer Camp

How to get Lower interest rates on Credit Cards

In order to make your credit card payments count as much as possible and to get out of debt sooner, you can try to get lower interest rates.  Sometimes card companies will offer a promotional balance transfer that is 1.99% for a six month period of time. Duration of the promotion and interest rates can vary greatly.

Don’t assume that every offer from the same credit card company is the same deal.  The card companies will mail you an offer with different rates on the same advertisement.  Some at full interest rates, mixed in with the lower rates.  If you decide to use the checks that they mail you, you might use the wrong one and get the higher interest rates.  If you call in for a promotional offer make sure you take notes of the day you called the rate, duration of the promotion, and who you helped you on the phone.  It is extremely important to read the fine print and ask questions about the balance transfer fees and time limits.  How to get Lower interest rates on Credit Cards

2006 Honda Ridgeline Truck and 2006 Honda Civic wins Best of the Year

This is the first time that an automobile manufacturer has won both the best car and truck of the year awards in the same year.  Motor Trend magazine’s 2006 Truck of the Year award was given to Honda’s Ridgeline Truck.  The Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award for 2006 was the Honda Civic.

The Ridgeline truck was first introduced in March of 2005, and is a mid-size truck. It is a 4 door pickup that has received the 5 star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  This is the first time a 4 door truck has been given this safety recognition.   It also is has the recognition of having the best rating for a rollover resistance of any pickup ever tested by the NHTSA.  2006 Honda Ridgeline Truck and 2006 Honda Civic wins Best of the Year

Planning a Trip or Vacation? How To Plan For The Unexpected

Have you ever taken a trip where it seemed that everything went wrong? What should have been a care free, relaxing vacation or an efficient business trip quickly turns into a stress-filled nightmare. No one likes to dwell on the negative, but the old saying “hope for the best, and plan for the worst” has a lot of truth to it. Many things can go wrong and planning ahead will help you avoid unwanted drama, stress and hassles.

Travel delays or accidents, hidden fees and costs, lost or delayed luggage, medical or dental emergencies, travel accidents, rental car damage, potential terrorist attack alerts, emergency assistance problems, identity theft and more are common problems that can, and most likely, will occur on some occasion during trip taking. In hindsight could most of the hassles on that trip have been prevented or made more bearable by planning for the unexpected? Here are some tips for doing just that.  Planning a Trip or Vacation? How To Plan For The Unexpected

I-Sold It stores will sell your stuff for you on Ebay

Have you ever thought about selling some of your items on ebay, but found that you just don’t have the time to do it?  You might want to consider selling them through a drop off store and have them list, sell, and ship your items for you on Ebay.  One franchise called I-Sold-It offers these services. There are currently 164 stores open across the country with 600 more signed contracts to open soon. 

You drop of the items you want to sell at the local I-Sold It store, and then you wait for them to list and sell your item.  They get a commission on the sale of the item.  You need to have an auction that is valued at least $30 and has to weigh less than 150 pounds, and the Length + the Girth of the item does not exceed 130 inches.  I-Sold It stores will sell your stuff for you on Ebay

Last Minute Christmas Presents ­ FREE from Christian Work at Home Moms

If you’re still searching for that special last minute Christmas gift or just want something extra for yourself, look no further. Christian Work-At-Home Moms is having a Christmas Give Away with free gifts and prizes including a 22-page ebook and audio download from best-selling author Susan Harrow.  Co hosts Jill Hart of Christian Work at Home Moms and Diana Ennen of Virtual Word Publishing, Inc. have teamed up to make this the best Christmas ever for the listeners of their radio show and those who stop by the CWAHM site.

Here are just some of the prizes and free gifts you can receive. 

Hybrid Cars up to 90 Percent less Pollution

Hybrid cars still have better fuel mileage than a regular gas powered car.  The miles-per-gallon as reported by Consumers Report says that you can expect around 35 miles per gallon versus the sticker that claims 60 miles per gallon. An SUV will use around 15 – 20 miles per gallon.

The interesting thing to remember about Hybrid cars is that they are up to 90 percent more efficient on emissions.  That adds up to a lot of pollution.  A website called travelmatters.org has a calculator to figure out how much emissions your vehicle is putting out.  It was very interesting to see the difference in the amount of emissions of a large family vehicle verses a hybrid car.  This website offers a lot of insight into the pollution factor of driving a vehicle.  Hybrid Cars up to 90 Percent less Pollution

A single day maneuvering through London’s museums will prove to be very enlightening and educational.  With perhaps the world’s highest concentration of museums per square mile, the choices are as varied as the tastes of the visitors.  An itinerary of one day, depending on energy levels, can prove to be absolutely packed to the brim with not a moment to spare. 

This one-day guide will provide the most interesting options for a packed itinerary, and for those who want a calmer day, pick and choose what sounds best for your energy and speed levels.  As everyone knows, London can be expensive; as not everyone knows, some of London’s best museums, like the British Museum, are free of charge.  Thus, an itinerary is provided for those who want to spend the minimum of money seeing the maximum of London’s culture. 

On the other hand, some of the best museums, like the Tower of London, are quite pricey.  The London Pass can be an economical solution, giving free entry to countless London attractions for a set fee.  Tourist-oriented museums, like Madame Tussauds wax museum, are a category in themselves, perfect for the day when the visitor seeks entertaining education rather than analytical thought in a museum visit.  Things to do While in London Including Museums and Collections

The loss of a loved one is a very sensitive time for family and friends. On these occasions, nothing is more appropriate than sending a funeral floral arrangement that offers a physical presence of love and thoughtfulness. The beauty of a flower arrangement provides a unique opportunity to express love, sympathy, and comfort to the family as well as respect for the deceased. Here are some questions to ask yourself when selecting the perfect funeral floral arrangement.

What type of funeral floral arrangement is most appropriate? The type of floral arrangement you choose to send depends on your relationship with the deceased and the type of funeral being held.  How to Choose a Flower Arrangement for the Death of a Loved One

With higher insurance costs and gas prices many consumers are looking for ways to save money.  Budding automobile purchasers are considering hybrid cars as a way to achieve that goal.  But are the hybrids really worth it?

It depends on who you talk to.  Some buyers complain that they are not getting the advertised gas mileage.  On an ABC World News Tonight story buyers are seen grumbling over what they perceive as a misrepresentation. 

The cars are put through a standardized Dyno-test that other cars go through to get the gas mileage figures.  The EPA has been doing this for years, but now that gas mileage has become an ever increasing factor for buying a hybrid, the numbers are being heavily scrutinized.  New Consumer Reports Tests Question EPA Mileage Numbers

For visiting London, proximity to King’s Cross is the perfect location.  An intersection of six tube lines, including the Northern, Picadilly, and Circle Lines, to name a few, can get you virtually anywhere from King’s Cross. King’s Cross is also a train terminal, in the case that you are planning to visit the north of the UK.

But let’s not get off track and get back to seeing London via King’s Cross.  London, the cultural melting pot that it is, offers amazing and varied shops of anything you could desire. Located near the major shopping zones of London, both commercial and artisan.

King’s Cross is a convenient place for a shopping tour in London.  The city is also a magnet for great and creative minds, as is well known by all the thinkers, writers and artists who both came to and from London.  The wide range of museums and galleries reflects this intellectual breeding ground, and again, King’s Cross is a skip, hop and a jump away from many of these world-class museums.  A Guide to Traveling London through King’s Cross Station

Gourmet Natural Dessert Sauces

In cooking school, making homemade caramel sauce was the most challenging technique learned by Pen’z Pantry’s owner Penny "Penz" Selzer. Learning to cook from an early age, Penny become enamored by challenging recipes and over the years perfected her caramel sauce recipes.

New Survey shows 17% Americans sells their Used stuff Online

A survey conducted by The Pew Internet and American Life Project discovered that 17% of Americans have sold something online.  That is about one in six American adults that have sold online.  At any given time there are 25 million people or 2% are selling something online.

Ebay and online classified ads have become a way of life for many people.  It has brought the yard sale to a new level when people can bring their used items for the world to buy.  Everything from used children's clothes, to used books and DVD movies.  If you can’t use it why not sell it online? 

Ebay is one of the more known auction sites, but there is also Yahoo Auctions, Overstock Auctions and Ubid.   There is also traditional classified papers online as well, such as The Recycler, The Penny Saver.  There are a lot of ways to sell your used stuff online.  New Survey shows 17% Americans sells their Used stuff Online

The Best Way to Shop Online Safely

Now that the shopping season is under way many shoppers are considering alternative shopping methods.  Online shopping has become very popular and many shoppers are shopping while at work.  Although shopping online is relatively safe compared with shopping at the malls there are a few caveats. 

Recent studies found that your credit card information is safer with online retailers than with brick and mortar retailers.  Amazon, Yahoo and eBay all go to great lengths to ensure that your shopping experience is safe. 

At these three sites you can pay for items with your credit card without ever having to reveal your credit card number to the actual seller (you still give it to Paypal, Yahoo or Amazon, but not the seller using their site).  So if you find an item at one of their retailers check to see if the seller accepts the eBay Paypal or the Yahoo Wallet. The Best Way to Shop Online Safely

How to make your Front Yard sparkle with Outdoor Holiday Decor

One of the popular trends today, is to decorate your front yard and your house for the holidays.  It has gone beyond just the lights on the roof gable, but now it extends to lighted figures, air filled snowman, and giant candy canes.

If you taste has to be more conservative, Pottery Barn will have the décor to fit with traditional wreaths, and topiary.  You can find winter wonderland bird nests online.

Hanging icicle lights are easy to install, are light weight and looks dramatic.  They dangle down in an icicle pattern; you can get in white, multi-color, purple, orange, green, and red.  The color lights usually cost quite a bit more.  These lights are relatively inexpensive to buy compared to LED rope light. How to make your Front Yard sparkle with Outdoor Holiday Decor

Honda Insight Hybrid car most Fuel Efficient car

The Honda Insight Hybrid car as rated by the EPA, rates at up to 66 miles per gallon.  Insight was the first gas-electric hybrid offered in the US and has been in production for over 6 years.

The Honda Insight Hybrid car has options available.  You can choose from four colors, Silverstone Metallic, New Formula Red, Navy Blue Pearl, and Interior/Beige.  You can also decide if you want a 5 speed stick shift or an automatic CVT transmission.  Honda Insight Hybrid car most Fuel Efficient car

Hot Toys for Christmas 2005

Here is a list of toys that promise to be popular among kids this season.  We divided them up by the age range just to give you an idea.  If you don’t feel like going to the stores this year you can buy online.  Make sure to get your order in soon so that you will receive your orders well before Christmas.

When ordering by mail order, allow 7 days for shipping time, plus up to a week for the order to process.  It can take 2 weeks to arrive during the busy holiday shopping season.  It is a big mistake to not allow for the extra time for the order to process.  If it is a sell out item, it may even take a month or two to receive the order.  If you order soon, you will know if you have to get a back up present before Christmas.  Hot Toys for Christmas 2005

Online Dating is like going on a Blind Date

Is that person that you met on the dating website really that good looking, tall, skinny, with a full head of hair?  It can be a lot of fun meeting other single people that are available out there, however there are sometimes people that fudge a little bit in their description and they end up not to be who they say they are.

This is a reality of the online dating world.  It is a lot like going on a blind date, except you have talked with the person a bit first.  The photo they have online may be what they looked like 10 years ago.  They may be married.  But at the same time there are a lot of legitimate singles out there.  Online Dating is like going on a Blind Date

Hybrid Cars cost effective solution Environmentally Friendly

Hybrid cars are becoming more popular as an alternative power source for cars.  They are environmental friendly alternatives that are further given a boost with government perks.

A hybrid does not need to be plugged in to charge the battery.  The battery is charged when you put on the brakes.  The hybrid cars use both gas as well as batteries to work.  The hybrid method is using the best of both the electric powered cars and gas powered cars.  Hybrid Cars cost effective solution Environmentally Friendly

Online Dating websites are Most Popular

Online Dating has become one of the most popular paid subscription sites around.  They make more sales than the online adult sites do and have done so three years in a row. 

The reason that the online dating services have become so popular is because of the ease of meeting singles with like minded interests.  No longer is the bar scene the popular meeting method of days gone by.  You can increase your chances of meeting that compatible person instead of waiting for the chance of an opportunity to come to you. Online Dating websites are Most Popular

Consumers Beware of Credit Counseling Debt Consolidation Agency

With the onset of a double minimum payment on credit cards, many people may be feeling the squeeze to make the payments.  Instead of not paying your credit card bills, take the time to consolidate your debt to a more manageable lump sum with lower interest rates.  Some people may consider the credit counseling debt consolidation services for the answer.  This might not be the best solution. Consumers Beware of Credit Counseling Debt Consolidation Agency

When and How to Discipline Children with Spankings

Spanking depends on the child, the offense, the intended result and how consistently it is given.

I do believe in spanking, but I know the type of parent that I am. I know that the spanking is one of many tools that we use to train behavior. That is my end result; training. What makes it easy for me is that obedience was established immediately; from the cradle. That is something I could spend pages explaining and still not do it justice. Suffice it to say, my kids respond easily to discipline.

As for how to spank, I only know what worked for me.

1. A casual swat is a waste of time. If you are just trying to get their attention, a clap, snap or word can accomplish the same thing just as easily. By the time spanking is NECESSARY, getting their attention is moot. When and How to Discipline Children with Spankings

Deep Fat Fried Turkey for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Holiday is just around the corner.   There is more than one way to cook a turkey.  Possibly this year you will consider a new cooking method.  Deep fat frying a turkey originally became popular in the South.

The whole turkey is deep fat fried; it does not come out greasy and juicy moist meat.  It is a dangerous method of cooking due to the hot oil and the large cooking pots.  Extreme care must be taken to insure the safety of all around when cooking with this method.  After looking around at the pots size needed for this we noticed that kits are available just for deep fat frying the turkey.  Deep Fat Fried Turkey for Thanksgiving

“We have a science project due in two days and I don’t know when I’m going to get the time to finish it.”

“I did research on the internet for the social studies report until midnight last night.”

“We wrote the spelling words ten times before they were finally right.”

“I made flashcards for all of the multiplication and division facts in preparation for the big math test.”

Do you think the above comments are from students, committed to working hard to get good grades? Unfortunately, not. These are just some of the things I hear from parents who enable their children to take short cuts in school or who are too heavily invested in their kids’ homework and school assignments. Essential Parenting Lessons for Enriching Your Child’s Education

Paraquedismo – Brazil’s Parachuting

Ready. Set. And you don’t even wait for go. In this high speed sport, your adrenaline is pumping at equally high speed, and the thrill of free falling just can’t wait. From your vantage point, you’re flying towards a mapped-out Earth below, which is smiling wide at you. You can scream any profanity, sing an aria from your favorite opera, enjoy the view in Zen peace and quiet – you are anything you imagine at this height, where you own the world below, and the only thing that world below knows about you is that you’re a tumbling speck high up in the sky. Suddenly, it feels as though mom (because in this state, you are as carefree as any happy 5 year old) has grabbed you by your collar and brought your wild freedom to a sudden halt. Then you realize that your parachute has opened, and in your newfound comfort zone, you enjoy the rest of the ride and the view. Paraquedismo – Brazil’s Parachuting

How to teach your Kindergartener Math with Games

Math can become a difficult task to teach a child at any age, including kindergarteners.  One way to take the stress out of learning and put the fun back in is to play games with the child.