Mediation and Arbitration

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) serves an important role in our society. It assists individuals and corporations to resolve disputes without going to court. It also provides education and training services regarding alternative methods of dispute resolution.

The role of the AAA is to administer cases. It provides a variety of services, including appointing mediators and arbitrators, setting hearing dates, and giving users information about alternative methods to resolve their disputes. According to the AAA website, the organization can help resolve disputes over “employment, intellectual property, consumer, technology, health care, financial services, construction, and international trade conflicts” (www.adr.org).

The American Arbitration Association uses a multi-step process to resolve disputes. The first step is filing the necessary paperwork, and initiating the process. The second step is to choose an arbitrator or mediator. Both parties need to be able to agree to the arbitration, as well as the arbitrator. Next, the arbitrator holds a preliminary hearing where those involved can exchange information and discuss the issues of the case. The arbitrator needs to gather all relevant information. Hearings are then held, where both parties can present their sides. The parties each have the opportunity to present any additional evidence, then the arbitrator must make a decision about the settlement.

Mediation works a little differently, because the mediator can not make the final decision. The participants resolve their own problems, assisted by the mediator. The mediator sets forth rules that the participants must follow, and guides them as they communicate and work together. This can be both a benefit and a drawback, as the involved parties are responsible for their own satisfactory resolution. One benefit of mediation is that both parties should arrive at an acceptable solution, rather than having someone else decide for them. Mediation may also teach the participants how to solve future problems, by setting aside personal feelings and opening up the paths of communication. Mediation is also extremely effective, with an estimated success rate of at least 80% (Cahn & Abigail, 2007, pg. 252).

Hopefully I will never need to use the services that AAA provides. But it might be useful in many different situations. If I had a problem that might end up in court, arbitration would be one way to resolve it without going to court. This solution could save a lot of money in lawyer's fees. It could also save time, because I wouldn't have to spend time in court, consulting with lawyers, or waiting for court dates.

As a tax preparer, I deal with many customers throughout the tax season. We prepare their federal and state income tax returns, and tell them the amount of their additional taxes or refunds. We also sell gold guarantees that insure that the customer will not owe additional tax or have a smaller refund, if we make an error in processing the return. If we make an error, we will cover the additional costs or make up the difference in the refund. Despite the best efforts of both the company and the tax preparers, customers could easily become upset because they didn't feel that their tax returns were properly prepared. Perhaps someone might feel that his return should have been covered by the gold guarantee, but was told otherwise. In this case, the customer might decide to sue the company. In this situation, the company would not want to spend thousands of dollars to hire lawyers and weeks in court. In particular, the company would not want the negative publicity from the lawsuit. Arbitration might be useful in such a situation, so that the company and the customer can reach a satisfactory settlement.

Another case where arbitration might be useful is in intellectual property cases. A publishing company might find itself in one of these if it published a book that someone else claimed had been stolen. Or the publisher might want to sue someone who wrote a book using characters or ideas stolen from one of their authors.

Arbitration and mediation are most useful when two parties have a dispute that doesn't need to be settled in court. Unnecessary lawsuits waste time and money, and may bring unwanted negative publicity. Another advantage of mediation and arbitration is that they can help preserve relationships between the disputing parties.

As previously mentioned, mediation does have drawbacks. One is that the mediator can not make a decision. Rather, the participants must work together to resolve their problems. The problem is one that the participants can not handle by themselves, and yet they must ultimately make their own resolution. Therefore, the mediator needs to be skillful and well trained in order to be able to assist in such a resolution. If both parties are not willing to work together, mediation will not work, and an alternative method, such as arbitration or litigation must be used.

The American Arbitration Association provides a useful and necessary service. Arbitration and mediation are helpful in resolving disputes fairly and satisfactorily. Participants are more satisfied with the results, because they have more control over the outcome. The people involved are also more likely to leave with a stronger, healthier relationship, because they have learned how to communicate with other.

References

Cahn, D., and Abigail, R., (2007). Managing conflict through communication. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle: Position Paper

Stay-at-home-mothers (SAHM's) play an important and irreplaceable role in a child's life. Children who are primarily raised by a parent are generally happier, more secure and more independent than children who are in daycare full-time. They are less likely to have behavior and learning problems, since Mom is at home to teach her children what she wants them to learn. Children benefit more from having a mother at home than from being in a day-care center or being a “latch-key” kid.

Parenting is never easy. Any parent can testify to this. For a mother, the decision to stay home with her children can be a difficult one. Society continuously tells us that in order to have value, a woman needs a career, needs to be bringing in an income, needs to have some fulfillment outside of her husband, her children and her home. Yet many women choose to stay home and raise their children, believing that this is the most important job they can have. A study done in 2005 shows that working women spent an average of 3 hours, 29 minutes per day with their families. Of that time, only 2.5 hours were spent caring for children, while 8.5 hours were spent on paid work (Kaye, 2009). How can we expect to teach our children good values when they spend less time with their parents than they do watching television? Interestingly, the value of an at-home mom's work was estimated at $116,805. It's time we stopped thinking of at-home moms as not contributing to the family.

I was blessed in my childhood to have a mother who stayed home to raise my brothers and me. Childhood and adolescence were not easy for me; I doubt they are for anyone. I found plenty of reasons to be angry with my mother, or to blame her for whatever problems I had. I could do that because I knew that no matter how badly I behaved, she would still love me. I knew she would always love me, and would always be there for me, because she was there, every day, to prove it. She did take a job once, working in a day-care center, to help out with the bills. She and my father quickly realized that the little bit she was making was not enough to help our finances. They further discovered that not having Mom's time and attention caused us to have more behavior problems. We were more aggressive and less cooperative and obedient, even though we were only spending the afternoons with someone else.

No one can love a child like a mother. No matter how carefully parents choose a day-care provider or a nanny, there is a connection between a mother and child that can't be purchased. Children bond with the person who is there with them, kissing their boo-boos, cuddling and playing and listening to their problems. Several years ago, my roommate and best friend was the single mother of a one-year-old. Out of necessity, she had to put Tyler in daycare, so she could work. For several weeks, he would cry whenever she took him home from daycare, because he didn't want to leave. He called her Susan, which was the name of the daycare provider, and called me Sarah, the name of one of his daycare friends. Susan was a wonderful, caring woman who did an excellent job of taking care of Tyler, but he bonded with her instead of his mother, because he spent so much of his waking time away from his own mother. My friend felt horribly guilty at leaving him behind, and heart-broken when he didn't want to be with her.


Parents have a responsibility to teach their children. Children are still growing, and learning new things everyday. They learn values and skills from the people around them. If they spend most of their time with a stranger, they will learn the values of that care-giver. Teaching moments arise throughout the day, without warning and without planning. Sometimes they arrive as casual comments or simple questions. As a nanny, I went for a walk one day with Amber, an eleven-year girl. As we walked up a steep hill near her house, she made a casual comment that she wished someone would come along and give us a ride up the hill. Because I was there to hear that comment, we had a conversation about why you never get into a car with a stranger, and why just knowing that someone lives up the street isn't a good reason to get into his car. I was uncomfortable with the topic, since I wasn't her mother, and I didn't feel it was my place to introduce topics like rape to a child. But I also knew that she needed to know the potential consequences of her actions. Fortunately, when her mother arrived home and I told her we'd had that conversation, she fully supported my decision. There were several other occasions where similar teaching moments arose, about such topics as what to do when a friend shoplifts, or when touching is inappropriate. Many of Amber's friends stayed home alone after school, or with an older sibling who had his/her own concerns. If Amber had been among that number, no one would have been there to discuss these situations and give her answers. By the time her mother arrived home from work, that thought of hers would have been gone and forgotten. Those conversations would never have occurred.

Children need individual attention. Left home alone, or in a daycare center with a dozen other kids, it's difficult for them to receive that focused attention. The troublemakers, the screamers and the most needy get most of the attention from the available adults. Unless children know how to speak up and ask for what they need, it is far too easy to overlook them. But when a child is home with mother, she can make her child the main focus of her attention. She can spend time with him or her playing, talking and teaching. The child will benefit from knowing that he or she is the most important person in Mom's life. Even if there are other children, they will usually not be the same age. So when the baby is down for her nap, an older child may now have some alone time with Mom. This attention from her will increase and reinforce the child's sense of self-worth as well as self-confidence and security.

One of the main arguments for putting a child in daycare is that children need daycare for proper socialization and to learn independence. Tina, a former preschool teacher, suggests that this is not the case. In her experience, the children who came only for a few hours for preschool were more secure and independent than those who were staying all day for daycare. Tina said that the preschool-only children were happy to be there, because they knew that Mom would be back for them soon. It was more like a playdate for them. The children who were there all day were whiny and clingy. In some cases, they even purposely behaved badly enough that the daycare had to call their mothers to come for them. This example suggests that full-time daycare actually teaches young children to be insecure and dependent, and that they need the security of knowing that mom or dad is there most of the time.

A study was done recently to evaluate the effects of parental employment on children's cognitive ability. The results indicate that having the mother work, while the children are in daycare causes results to the children that are “negative and sizeable. Having a mother that works full-time and uses childcare during one year is associated with a reduction in ability test scores of approximately 1.8%” (Bernal, 2008).

Hiring a nanny may be better for the children than a daycare center, but only if the parents are fortunate enough to find a nanny who is caring, knowledgeable about children, and committed to their well-being. Most nannies are young women, many of whom know next to nothing about children. Switching caregivers frequently can damage a child's self-esteem and sense of self-worth, but young adults are not known for their staying power. In many cases, six months in one job is a lot for them. It can be hard on children when they bond with someone, only to lose them a few months later, and have to adjust to a new caregiver. And when children are being watched by someone who is preoccupied with school work, boyfriends, and the next party, they may not be receiving the full benefit of having that one-on-one time with an adult. Another drawback of choosing a nanny over a daycare center is that the nanny is unsupervised. When hiring a nanny, it is extremely important to choose the right one. Even when the nanny is fully committed to her job, it is still a job to her. In her book, Dr. Laura mentioned a letter from a former preschool teacher in a daycare center. This woman said she thought she loved all the kids as though they were her own, until she became a mother herself. Then she realized that as much as she liked the kids she had cared for, she loved her own child so much more, and that no one could ever love her child the way she did (Schlessinger, 2009, p. 107).

Being a full-time homemaker means that a mother has more time to take care of the house, and take care of the children than if she were trying to juggle that with a full-time job. That can equate to less stress, and less hurry. As a result of having a calmer life, the children feel happier and more secure, and the husband is more likely to enjoy coming home after work. There may be less money, but there is more time for fun family activities, like game night or driving to the beach on the weekend. Children will benefit from having stronger relationships with both parents, since there is more time for fun.

Making the decision to give up a career and stay home can be difficult and require sacrifice. Many mothers don't feel they can afford not to work. Obviously, there are families for whom this is true. Sometimes there is no father to provide for the family, or because of circumstances, he is unable to for all their needs. Before making the claim that “I can't afford not to work,” it is important to carefully examine the financial costs and benefits of the second income. Amy Dacyczyn (pronounced decision), author of The Tightwad Gazette, set out to prove that she and her husband could raise a large family without two full-time incomes. One of her newsletters contained an article on how to calculate the value of the second income. She points out that the traditional two-income lifestyle can be inefficient. Once the costs for daycare, transportation, increased taxes, work wardrobes and fast food or quick-to-prepare meals are calculated, that second income may not pay more than a few dollars per hour. Many of the products and services that we pay for can be eliminated or cut down when someone is home to garden, sew, cook meals instead of buying convenience foods, clean the house, tutor the children, etc. (Dacyczyn, 1992, p. 24). As further proof of her theory, the Dacyczyns managed to raise six children and become financially independent, without having a second income. This feat required commitment, sacrifice and creativity, but more than paid them back in family fun and closeness.

Monica Resinger, in a recent article, backed up Amy Dacyczyn's theory. She was a working mother who had to choose between meeting the needs of her boss and her young son. She followed her instincts and chose her son, which led to her decision to quit working and stay home with him. She found that her spending habits were the main reason they couldn't live on her husband's salary. She began to look at what she was really spending her money on, and found ways to cut back on unnecessary items. She says, “I found that nothing was more important to me than being home raising my son” (2000).

Many mothers work because they think they need to. In reality, some of these mothers are working to maintain a certain kind of lifestyle. New cars, name brand clothing, gadgets and toys of all kinds, credit card payments, boats, are where the money actually goes. Does an eleven-year old really need to have a laptop computer, a cell phone, an IPOD, and a digital camera of her own? Does a nine year old boy need to have an X-Box, a PlayStation 2, a Wii, five different hand-held video games systems and more games than he'll ever play? Do they benefit more from having cable television in every room than they do from being able to spend time with their mother? When all is said and done, these things are just that. . . things. Things are nice to have, but no amount of “things” can replace a mother's time, attention and affection.

Another reason women give for needing to work outside the home is that they don't have the patience and tolerance to stay home with their children. Some of them say that their kids would drive them crazy. How would make a child feel, to hear that her mother can't stand to be around her? No one would ever say that to or in front of an adult. Children need to know that they are loved, that they are more important than anybody or anything else. One friend said that she doesn't have the patience her mother did. She prefers to work, but she feels guilty leaving her children, and she thinks she was luckier (with a stay-at-home mom) than her kids are. “Patience is not a virtue that people are born with; it's an ability one develops with practice” (Schlessinger, 2009, p. 139). I have never considered myself a patient person. My mother is a patient woman. After all, she put up with everything my brothers and I could think of, and continued to love us anyway. Even in two years of working as a nanny, and volunteering as a nursery worker at my church, I developed a lot more patience with children than I would have believed possible. Just having the children in the car helped me to keep my temper when dealing with heavy traffic, because I knew they were watching and learning from my example.

Sometimes that second income is necessary. In these cases, a little creativity can help. One friend has a wife and three children. She stayed home with the first two, but decided to go back to work when the third was still young. Thanks to having family nearby and flexible scheduling, they were able to make certain that he always had a family member to care for him.

Another friend raised three children while staying home with each of them. She and her husband run a business, and Kim can do much of the office work from her home office. Once her children were in school, she began cleaning houses, because she can do it during the day when her children are in school. When there was no school, or she had a sick child, she could cancel or reschedule her jobs, because she worked for herself. Her income supplements her husband's, but she has found that putting her main focus on her children is worth the financial sacrifice. Her daughter's best friend comes from a family with similar values, where both parents work outside the home. Because Kim is home, she spends time with both her children, and their friends. Her daughter, Kelly, now in high school, is more connected, more secure, and indulges in less problematic experimentation than her friend Payton. Kim has been there to teach her values to her daughter, to pick her up when she needs a ride home, to advise her in the little problems that crop up in every day life. Payton has loving parents, but they aren't there when she needs help or attention. As a result, she turns to her boyfriend for the affection she's missing, which brings up a whole different set of problems for a sixteen year old girl.

Women feel the need to contribute, to their families and to the world. There have been and continue to be many wonderful women who contribute as teachers, doctors, emergency responders, librarians, etc. Mothers who stay at home to care for their children are frequently made to feel that they are not doing anything worthwhile. Our society values money and a career more than “just” being a mother. What we too often fail to realize is that “the woman is the center of the universe, the very breath of a family” (Schlessinger, 2009, p. 137.)


One friend expressed an opinion that education is wasted on the woman who stays home to raise children. I disagree. Mothers help their children with homework, and teach them about the world in which they live. The more education a woman has, the more she can teach her children. The woman who plays the piano or paints has no need to send her children to someone else to learn these skills. The woman who has taken biology in college is better prepared to explain to her young son the many questions he may ask while playing in the yard or taking a nature walk. Women with more education have a higher self-esteem, and are less likely to stay in an abusive relationship. Children of women with a strong, healthy sense of self-worth will also have a healthy sense of self-worth. Children benefit from having intelligent, well-educated mothers, because most of what a child learns in his or her early years comes from the primary caregiver.

Yes, parenting is hard work. Yes, giving up a career to stay home requires sacrifice, commitment, patience, and a willingness to put children first. But the best argument from staying home with children is the incredible feeling that comes when a small child puts his arms around your neck and says “I love you,” without being prompted. No facts, statistics or studies can measure the pleasure a mother derives from being there with her children, watching and participating in their “firsts”. The first smile, first word, first step, first day of school, first boyfriend, first job only come once. Being a mother is not an imposition, or a degradation. To mothers all over the world, it is a special, unique experience that is worth more than college degrees or promotions. As one mother wrote, “living the simple life to be home raising your babies is priceless. . . for everything else, there is a credit card debit!” (Schlessinger, 2009, p. 171).

References

Bernal, Raquel, (2008, November). The effect of maternal employment and child care on children's cognitive development. International Economic Review, 49(4) 1173. Abstract retrieved August 25, 2009 from ProQuest.

Dacyczyn, A. (1992). The tightwad gazette: Promoting thrift as a viable alternative lifestyle. New York: Villard Books.

Kaye, M., (2009, May). Women's Work. Today's Parent, 26(5), 83-84, 86, 88. Retrieved August 14, 2009, from Research Library. (Document ID: 1699561891).

Resinger, Monica (2000). A decision to stay at home. Mommytips.com. Retrieved September 7, 2009 from http://mommytips.com/article/Parenting/SAHM/ decisiontostayhome.htm.

Schlessinger, L. (2009). In praise of stay-at-home moms. New York: HarperCollins.

Process Description: How to Poach Eggs

Introduction

A poached egg is an egg that has been cooked in a hot liquid, such as water, milk or broth. Eggs that are fried or scrambled are frequently cooked in oil or butter. This process adds additional fat and calories to the egg. Poaching an egg in water adds no additional calories or fat, and is an excellent way to vary the breakfast routine.

To poach an egg, choose a pan that is large enough to hold all the eggs. The pan also should have sides at least 3 inches high. If the pan is not large enough for all the eggs, either use two pans or poach the eggs in batches. It is extremely important that the eggs should not touch each other while cooking. Additional tools needed include a slotted spatula or spoon, small cup for each egg, and a timer.

Familiarity with cooking terms such as “boil” and “simmer” will help. Boiling water has large bubbles that rise to the surface of the water. Simmering water is just below the boiling point.

The Process

In saucepan or skillet, heat 2 to 3 inches of water to boiling over high heat. The water will need to cover the eggs. A tablespoon of vinegar, added to the water, can help the egg whites congeal faster and retain their shape better. Reduce heat until water goes from a boil to a simmer. Break an egg into a measuring cup or saucer. Hold the cup close to the surface of the water, and slip the egg into the water. Repeat for each egg.

Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until eggs appear to be done. The egg white should be firm, not runny. Using a slotted spatula or slotted spoon, lift each egg carefully from the water, and let the water drain off. If vinegar was added to the water, you may prefer to rinse the eggs in cold water. Place the eggs on a plate or a slice of toast. If desired, sprinkle salt or pepper on eggs as seasoning (Betty Crocker's, pg 207).

Summary

To poach an egg, simply immerse it gently in simmering water for 3 to 5 minutes, until cooked. Poached eggs are versatile. They can be eaten alone, or as part of a recipe such as Eggs Benedict. Cooled, poached eggs can be added to salads. Poaching eggs is a simple, healthy way to eat this basic food, without adding fat or calories.

References

Betty Crocker's cookbook (28th ed.). (1976). New York: Golden Press.

How to Bottle-feed an Infant

Decision Time

Feeding a baby is not quite the simple task an experienced parent makes it appear. As a new parent, you may find the process a little intimidating. Before your baby arrives, you will want to make a few decisions.

How do you intend to feed the baby? Will you nurse the baby on breast milk? Will you pump your breast milk and feed the baby from a bottle? Will you feed the baby on formula? Or will you use a combination of these methods? You will want to make a choice that best fits your lifestyle.

If you choose to bottle feed, you will need to choose a bottle and a nipple. There are many different kinds available. Try a few different ones until you find out what type works best for your baby.

If you choose formula, you may have try different kinds as well. Some babies are allergic to certain ingredients. Decide whether you want to try the baby on a milk-based, soy-based, or a specialty formula, such as a lactose-free kind.

Now What?

You've read the books and articles by all the experts, made the decision to feed your baby formula, and bought all the tools.

Start with a clean, sterile bottle
Add formula. A newborn may only want ½ to 1 ½ ounces for each feeding. Dump leftover formula or store in refrigerator until the next feeding. An older infant may want 4 ounces or more. For powdered formulas, this equals two scoops.
Add water. It should be lukewarm and chlorine-free.
Screw on the ring with the rubber nipple.
Shake until formula is dissolved. It helps to cover the hole in the nipple to avoid spraying formula all over.
Test the temperature on a sensitive area of your skin. The inside of the wrist is a popular and easy place. Remember that baby is more sensitive to temperature. You don't want to burn a little mouth.

Feeding

You've got the formula ready. Now you have to get the formula into the baby.
Position the baby in a reclined position, supporting the back of the head and neck.
Insert the nipple into the baby's mouth. If the baby's mouth is not open already, try stroking the nipple against his cheek. This activates the rooting reflex, which causes the baby to open his mouth in search of food (Jana & Shu, 2005, pg 17).
Hold the bottle at an angle so that the nipple is completely filled with formula. As the bottle empties, you may find yourself holding the bottle nearly upright. This helps prevent the baby from sucking in too much air as he drinks.

Burping

Some babies suck in a lot of air while they drink, or even while they are crying for food. Burping helps the air come out so it doesn't hurt a tiny stomach.

Position the baby. The traditional position is to hold the baby facing your chest, with his head on your shoulder. You may also choose to place the baby face down on your lap, or sitting upright on your lap. However you choose to hold the baby, be sure to support the head and neck. It's also a good idea to place a burp cloth under the baby's mouth, to catch any spit-up.
Pat or rub the baby's back. This motion should be somewhere between a clap and a gentle touch.
Not all infants need to be burped after every feeding. If yours doesn't burp within the first couple of minutes, don't panic. If he doesn't seem to be in pain, then he may not have swallowed enough air to need to burp.

For More Help

The good news is that caring for an infant becomes easier with experience. Since bottle-fed infants generally eat every three to four hours, you will quickly become an expert. You will be able to grab a clean bottle, measure the formula, add water, put on the top, and shake until the formula dissolves, all while holding a hungry baby in the other arm. You won't have to think about the best way to hold the baby while feeding or burping her.

Remember that every baby is different, with different needs and preferences. Every mother has her own ideas about the best way to care for her child. Be prepared to try different types of formulas, and different nipple/bottle combinations until you find one that works best for your baby.

If you need additional help, there are numerous resources available.

Ask an experienced mom or grandma. Most women love babies, and love to help other women with their babies. If your own mother isn't around to help get you started, ask a neighbor or a friend to help you out until you're more sure of yourself.
Ask your pediatrician. If you're worried about whether you're doing all the right things, your doctor is the perfect expert to consult.
Check out your local library or bookstore. There are many books written by mothers, doctors, and mothers who are themselves doctors. These can help you with many of the day-to-day questions you may have about caring for your infant. However, if you're worried or think there's something wrong, consult your pediatrician.

References

Jana, L., and Shu, J. (2005). Heading home with your newborn: From birth to reality. USA: American Academy of Pediatrics.

Letters: Don't forget to breast-feed. (2010, January 5). The Jakarta Post, pg 8. Retrieved March 1, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 1933431431).

News Release

WATERLESS WASHING MACHINE

Seattle, WA: April 4, 2010 -Xeros, Ltd has created a washing machine that benefits both the environment and the budget. This new technology cleans clothing using nylon beads instead of water, using 90% less water than a traditional washing machine. Bill Westwater, Chief Executive of Xeros, estimates that the polymer cleaning process will save up to 30% of the direct costs of operating a conventional washing machine. Xeros' first project is intended for commercial laundries, and is expected to be completed by the end of next year. The consumer version will follow shortly afterwards.

Cost benefits of the Xeros cleaning process include savings in water, electricity and detergent. The washing machine will use just enough water to dampen the clothing. The polymer beads do the work of removing dirt and stains, and then drain out of the machine, just as water drains from a conventional machine. Less detergent is needed for this process. Shorter washing cycles and the eliminated need to tumble-dry use less electricity. The estimated cost savings will be confirmed once the machine is available for commercial laundries.

The Xeros cleaning system is also better for the environment. Xeros commissioned a study by URS Corp. that estimates up to a 40% reduction of the carbon footprint. This includes recycling the polymer beads rather than discarding them when they are no longer able to clean clothes. Eventually Xeros intends to create a recycling system for the beads which refreshes them and allows them to be reused.

Stephen Burkinshaw, Professor at Leeds University, spent 30 years trying to improve dyeing techniques. Under normal conditions, nylon attracts dirt. However, Professor Burkinshaw discovered that in humid conditions, nylon polymer changes and becomes highly absorbent. Since nylon is extremely resilient, it can also be repeatedly re-used without breaking down. After realizing that dyes are just like stains, he discovered that the process can also be reversed to remove stains.

Safeguard Your Security Deposit: A Guide for Renters

Over twenty years ago, Stuart and Kim M. rented an apartment. When they left after living there for one month, the landlord kept the entire deposit. His reason for keeping it? He claimed that when he moved the stove, he found Cheerios on the floor underneath. Kim, now a professional house cleaner and co-owner of M&R Homecare in Bainbridge Island, Washington, has learned a lot about moving into an apartment.

As any experienced renter can agree, some landlords are a pleasure to rent from. I've rented from some great people. They are easily accessible to report problems, and can be counted on to make repairs promptly. I've also rented from a few landlords who can rarely be bothered to repair anything themselves. One of my previous landlords never even bothered to tell anyone when he was turning off the water to make a repair. I found out when I needed to wash my hands, but had no water. However, even a great landlord can't be expected to remember everything about a rental property. And for the rest, it is even more essential to know your rights as a renter.

By law, tenants must leave the property in the same condition as when they moved into it. Each state's Landlord/Tenant Law may differ slightly, so it is a good idea to look up your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in your state. In Washington state, “under the law, the rental unit must be restored to the same condition as when the tenant moved in, except for normal wear and tear.” Also under this law, landlords must provide a written statement explaining why all or part of the deposit was retained (RCW Chapter 59).

Landlords collect a security deposit in case the renters don't pay their rent, break their lease, or leave a mess behind. Landlords may legitimately keep a portion of the security deposit to cover the cost of any cleaning or repairs necessary before renting the property to a new tenant. Unfortunately, there are also landlords who try not to return any of their tenants' deposits, regardless of the condition of the rental property. In any case, tenants have the burden of proving what condition the rental was in when they moved in.

When you sign the lease, your landlord should give you a checklist to fill out and return to him within a few days. This where you should make notes of anything that is damaged or missing in the rental unit. If your landlord doesn't give you a list, you need to take the initiative to create your own. After all, it's your deposit, and you want to make sure you get back as much as possible. Sign and date it, and give him a copy. It's also a good idea to take pictures, especially if there are any major problems. Use the date stamp on your camera, if you have one. That way, if you do end up in small claims court, you'll have proof. The problem is, what do you look for? Here's what Kim has learned over the years.

Kitchen
Make sure that all the appliances are clean and functional. Lift up the burners to see if the stove is clean underneath. Pull out the bottom drawer of the stove, so you can see if the floor under it is clean. The oven and every burner on the stove should be working. If not, you need to write it on your checklist. This ensures that when you move out, you are not held responsible for the cost of repairing the stove.

Open the cupboards and drawers to make sure they are also functional and clean. Make sure all drawer pulls and door handles are intact, and that the hinges and latches work. Make sure drawers don't stick. Check the faucets to make sure they work, but don't drip.

Bathrooms
Look for mold, mildew, rust and leaks.
Flush the toilet. Make sure it doesn't run.
Check the faucets on both the sink and bathtub to make they work, but do not drip. Look for broken handles.
Check the caulking around the bathtub.
Check the cabinet under the sink. Look for leaky pipes, rotting wood or rusted metal.

Floors, Walls and Ceilings
Look for holes and stains. They don't have to be large or even obvious for your landlord to blame them on you. Even a small hole or minor discoloration needs to be noted on your checklist.
Don't forget to check the baseboards for damage.

Windows
Make sure the windows open, close and lock.
Check the seals around the windows for leaks, mold, or other damage.
If there are blinds, raise and lower them, then open and close them to make sure they are fully functional. Look for cracks, broken slats or missing pieces.
Note the condition of any window screens.

Lights
Try all the lights to make sure they work. Kitchens frequently use fluorescent lights, and a light that doesn't work may be more complicated than changing a bulb. If you have fluorescent lights, ask your landlord who is responsible for replacing them. Many landlords expect to replace these tubes themselves.
Check the light switch covers and electrical outlet covers for missing screws and cracks.

As you go through your checklist, write down everything you find that is missing or in need of repair. Your landlord may give you a strange look when you report that the mini-blind in the living room has a small piece missing. But when you move out, you'll be grateful you didn't have to pay the cost of replacing the whole blind.

Most Forgotten Areas
Blinds
If you dust your blinds at least weekly or bi-weekly, they will be clean when you move out.
Window Tracks
Suck out what you can with the vacuum cleaner attachment. Wrap a damp cloth around a flat-headed screwdriver to clean out the rest.
Baseboards
These gather dust too. Wipe with a damp cloth when you mop the floors, or vacuum with the hose attachment.


References

Attorney General of Washington, Consumer Protection Division. Residential Landlord/Tenant Act (RCW 59.18). Retrieved October 12, 2009 from http://www.wallawalla.org/documents/pdg/landlord_handbook/Landlord-Tenant%20Law.htm.

Homeschool or Traditional School?

Homeschooling is not for everyone. Homeschooling requires a much greater commitment of time, energy, and planning than public school does. Most homeschooling families have one or both parents who either stay home or work from home. Homeschooling can only be a success when the parents are willing to take on the role of teacher, guiding children's learning and checking on them as they go. However, when parents have the time, energy and commitment to devote to their children's education, homeschooled children receive a better education than children in traditional schools.

There are numerous benefits to homeschooling. Perhaps the greatest motivation for homeschooling is that parents have a greater opportunity to pass their own values on to their children, rather than the values of the school teachers and administrators. Many Christian and/or conservative parents are wary of how the curriculum is changing. It wasn't that long ago that evolution was not allowed to be taught, even as a theory. Now evolution is taught as a fact, and no other options are even considered. Sex education frequently safe sex, without a mention of abstinence. Parents don't have the right to opt their children out of certain classes, and in some cases, are not even allowed to know what their children are being taught. For parents who are used to keeping an eye on their children's education, this course of events is a cause of deep concern. Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, stated “In the state of California, if I had a child there, I wouldn't put the youngster in a public school. . . I think it's time to get our kids out.” Other notable Christian leaders, such as Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries and General T. C. Pinckney, Second Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention, as also expressed concern that “public schools are too dangerous for Christians” (“Dr. Dobson Tells,” 2002). How can it be right to claim that parents are capable of guiding their own children only when the parents' beliefs coincide with those of the teachers?

Another advantage of homeschooling is that the closer interaction with children allows parents to be more aware of a child's bad actions and bad attitudes. This allows the parent to deal with a problem immediately, rather than waiting until the bad actions become habits, or the bad attitude becomes worse. Debra Bell (2001) calls this “Character First.” She states that “closely tied to passing on our faith is our responsibility as parents to shape our children's character” (p. 17). Honesty, integrity, kindness to others, a love of learning, a strong work ethic are all character traits that most parents would love to foster in their children. However when children spend the majority of their waking hours away from their parents almost from the moment of their birth, how can parents instill their own values and beliefs in these impressionable young minds? A study of the freshman class of a private interdenominational Christian college revealed that students who had been homeschooled had a stronger sense of communal potential, institutional integrety, and a greater commitment to higher education than their traditionally schooled classmates. As a result of institutional commitment, homeschooled students had a higher rate of persisting into their sophomore year (Saunders, 2009). Bell (2001) sets four goals for her children's education. She wants her children to love learning, have a marketable set of skills, understand and practice the Christian faith, and share their faith with the world in a way that is culturally relevant and persuasive (p. 11).

Children benefit from having a curriculum that is tailored to their needs, interests and abilities. In a traditional school setting, this would be far too expensive and time-consuming. In a homeschool setting, a tailor-made education allows children to study things they are interested in while they are motivated to learn about them. For example, a young boy who is interested in rocks can learn about geology in a variety of fun and interesting ways, rather than waiting until that class is scheduled. By the time a child in a traditional school gets around to geology, his interest may have changed to airplanes or astronomy.

Homeschooling allows flexibility and choice for both parents and children. Field trips are rare in a public school, due to lack of funds, and the difficulties of scheduling transportation, finding chaperones, and keeping track of so many children. One field trip per year is a lot to manage, because it's such a nightmare to arrange and execute. Because homeschooled students are fewer in number, and are home all day, they can go on more field trips. They can visit battlefields, museums, parks and aquariums, theater productions and butterfly gardens. Bryan Crosby(2008) advocates more field trips in public schools. He says that field trips “broaden a child's knowledge,” and are fun, positive, memorable experiences for kids (p. 136). Because they can go places during the school day, the kids don't have to wait in line. They also receive more attention from adults, which can mean acquiring more information.

Fiona Moon Pearl (2009) is a twelve year old girl who is being homeschooled. Her family uses an eclectic, wide-ranging style of education. Fiona gets to choose her math and vocabulary books with her mother. When she wanted to learn French, they bought a French book that she reads every day. Fiona says, “I really enjoy being homeschooled this way, because I get to school some of what I learn and do – and my parents also choose and guide my learning.” She added that it's “amazing to have my parents be my lifelong teachers! It feels really good to know that they support and encourage me to grow so much” (p. 16).

Children with special needs require more attention and a more individualized course of study. Lynette Criddle felt that her dyslexic daughter desperately needed one-on-one help. Criddle said, “after testing, we didn't want to put her in a place where she was going to fail, or always need special help” (Koemer, 2009, p. BN1).

Traditional schools are designed to fit the average child. It would be ridiculous to do otherwise, when a teacher has anywhere from 20 to 40 students per class. Students who fit into the “normal” category may do quite well in a traditional school environment. Students who require extra help or an alternative method of learning have special education classes. They get the extra help they need, but they are also labeled as “Special Ed” or sometimes as “retarded” by unsympathetic classmates. Such labels can damage a child's sense of self-worth, and convince him that he is stupid or incapable of learning. In fact, the opposite may be true. Children with “learning disabilities” are frequently very bright children who only need the right teacher and the right type of learning in order to succeed. How sad it is that five and six year olds are already convinced of their own limitations at an age when they should be eager and excited about all the world has to offer them. The other group of students who “don't fit” are the gifted ones, the students who catch on the first time, do their work, and spend half the class being bored. As an elementary school student, the only provision made for “gifted” students in my school was a special reading class. What about students who are gifted in math or science? They also need to be challenged in those areas. In many schools, particularly smaller ones, Gifted and Talented classes are just an excuse for students to socialize instead of being in their regular class. Clearly schools recognize the need to help these exceptional students, but don't know how to challenge them.

Homeschooling also allows parents to focus on specific areas of study, such as music. Because homeschooling is more efficient, schoolwork can be finished in a shorter amount of time. According to Bell (2009), 30 minutes per day is sufficient to cover the basics of kindergarten learning. As the children get older, the amount of time needed for learning goes from 1 to 2 hours per day for first through third grades, up to three to four hours for grades four and five. After that, lessons and activities may take a longer time, more consistent with a typical school schedule. But she says, if parents have properly taught their children to take iniative, the kids will be doing much of their work at this level without requiring much oversight (p. 42). Compared to the number of hours most children spend in school, added to the number of additional hours spent doing homework, it becomes clear that a tailored education is more efficient. Students who want to spend time on large projects or practicing music or sports have the time to do so.

Academic excellence is a lesser concern of homeschooling parents, but seems to be a natural result of homeschooling. A recent study of homeschooling found that homeschooled students, on average, perform exceptionally high compared to public school students. On average, homeschoolers scored 37% higher than public school students on standardized achievement tests (Anonymous, 2009).

Of course, homeschooling, like anything else, is a trade-off. It comes with its own set of challenges and limitations. The biggest challenge to parents is one of time. Homeschooling simply requires more time, commitment, planning and patience than sending a child off to school for five days every week. Parents who can't stay home to oversee their children's education are better off sending children to a traditional school. Most homeschooling families have one or both parents who either stay home with the children, or work from home. It takes time to get through the lessons, particularly with younger students who need more guidance. In addition, parents also need to spend time preparing and planning lessons, just as traditional teachers do. Homeschooling requires parents to give up some of their personal time so they can devote that time to their children's education. Still, most homeschooling parents seem to feel that is an acceptable sacrifice. Susan Mills homeschooled all four of her children. She said, “I loved being home with my kids, and have a wonderful husband who always seems to know the time I need a little getaway” (Koemer, 2009).

Parents need to be self-motivated and provide daily accountability, direction and tutoring. Homeschooled students can learn self-motivation and self-discipline from their parents. But if the parents don't possess these qualities, they won't be able to teach them to their children. It would be unreasonable to expect to hand a six year old child several assignments, then leave him on his own to complete them. Just as young children need a teacher in a traditional school, so they also need a dedicated, motivated teacher to learn at home.

Learning is limited by the teacher's abilities. In a traditional high school, the teachers specialize in certain classes. However, what most parents don't realize is that frequently these teachers are teaching whichever classes need a teacher. They don't necessarily correlate to the teacher's own specialized area of study. But because the teacher routinely teaches these same subjects, they become more familiar with the curriculum. I suggest that parents can do the same thing. The benefit to the teachers is that someone else has determined a curriculum for them to follow. The parents must decide on their own curriculum. But having chosen the curriculum, they can study it themselves so they know how to teach it to their students. Homeschooling groups sometimes have shared classes. This allows children to benefit from the knowledge of another parent besides their own, while still giving parents some say over what their children are being taught.

My mother unsuccessfully attempted to homeschool three of my brothers. Unfortunately, her mild-mannered personality, combined with a lack of planning and failure to properly oversee their studies, quickly led her to conclude that they were better off in a normal school environment. My aunt, who has a much more forceful personality, homeschooled her kids until they decided to attend high school so they could participate in organized sports activities. Socialization is one of the greatest concerns parents have about homeschooling children. Ironically, my cousins, who were homeschooled, were much better socialized than my brothers, who attended public school for most of their education. Susan Mills also disagrees that home-schooled children lack social skills. “I find that idea comical because our kids are probably overly social,” she said (Koemer, 2009, p. BN1). Homeschooled kids have plenty of opportunity to socialize with their peers, unless they live in a completely isolated area. Homeschooling groups offer opportunities for shared classes, group trips, and even some organized sports teams. Children can socialize with their homeschooled peers through these events, and with their other friends after school. After all, there's really little time for socializing during class. Most socializing takes place during lunch and recess, or after school.

Healthy family relationships are essential to successful homeschooling. Both parents need to have a common vision and goals. For this reason, Bell recommends setting family goals before parents start homeschooling (2001, p. 55). Parents need to be able to resolve conflicts quickly. Attitude matters. The parent who is teaching needs to enjoy it, and the non-teaching parent needs to be supportive. They need to work together, and the kids need to have a strong relationship with the parents.

The decision to homeschool a child is a big one, with many things to consider. Time, the teaching parent(s) abilities, students' learning styles and availability of learning opportunities and materials are all factors in this decision. But parents who have decided to take that step have found that the rewards are amazing and worthwhile. The children perform better academically, have stronger values and a greater sense of self-worth, love to learn and have strong family relationships. They are better prepared for college, more self-disciplined, and better prepared for adulthood. While homeschooling doesn't meet the needs of every family, most home-schooled students end up with a better education than they could have received from a traditional school.

References
Anonymous (2009, August 12). Homeschooling a success story. Herald Sun with Chapel Hill Herald, p. Ch2. Retrieved November 13, 2009, from ProQuest Database.

Bell, D. (2001). The ultimate guide to homeschooling. Nashville, TN: Tommy Nelson.

Crosby, B. (2008). Smart kids, bad schools: 38 ways to save America's future. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Dr. Dobson tells Christians to get kids out of California public schools. (2002). The School Liberator. Retrieved November 13, 2009 from http://www.home-school.com.

Koemer, M. (2009, November 5). Home-schooling meets special needs. San Antonio Express-News p. BN1. Retrieved November 13, 2009, from ProQuest database.
Moon, F. M. (2009). Living room school: The real deal on homeschooling! New Moon Girls, 17(1), 16-18. Retrieved November 13, 2009, from ProQuest database.

Saunders, M. K. (2009/2010). Previously homeschooled college freshmen: Their first year experiences and persistence rates. Journal of College Student Retention, 11(1), 77-101. Abstract retrieved November 13, 2009, from ProQuest database.