The Only Child Option

Beaded Royalty is having a FLASH PRIZE event on Monday 11/01/10! Go to the Discussions tab at
http://www.facebook.com/BeadedRoyalty.

1. Want to win a cool prize? Go to the Event Rules thread.

2. Want to sponsor a prize and get tons of new traffic to your business Facebook page? Go to the How to be a Sponsor thread.

3. Want to see who has already signed up to be a Sponsor? Go to the Sponsors and Prizes thread.

New prizes are being added daily!

Times are a-changing. Take a moment and mentally take a walk through your child’s class (if they are in school). You may not know each of them personally, but try to list the ones who are only children. I think you will be surprised. If you can’t do it yourself, ask the teacher. I went through my son’s class a couple weeks ago. In a class of 15, there are 9 only children! Granted, he is in a private school where only children are a bit more prevalent, but that is amazing to me. Also, he is in Kindergarten, so some of them may still end up with siblings. However, at this point unless there are extenuating circumstances, siblings aren’t generally planned to be 6+ years apart.

This is just my personal experience, but I think it is telling. Even if you assume that the ratio overall is half that of a private school, you would still come up with 1 in 3 being only children. We are just one step closer to achieving “normal” status for the only child. Very cool!

Beaded Royalty Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer that affects 1 out of every 8 women. This year alone, more than 200,000 women and 1,500 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Beaded Royalty is partnering with the American Cancer Society (ACS) to help increase breast cancer awareness, formulate early diagnostic treatment programs and put an end to this terrible disease.

From now until October 31st, Beaded Royalty will donate 100% of the profits for each Breast Cancer Jewelry item purchased. Breast cancer jewelry can be viewed and purchased online. On November 1, 2010, Beaded Royalty will write a check to the American Cancer Society for the total amount collected.

Breast Cancer Bracelet	Beaded Badge Lanyard	Cancer Survivor Bracelet

Gemstone Breast Cancer Bracelet	Breast Cancer Earrings

“This fundraiser is in honor of a close friend who is currently fighting breast cancer,” said Alicia Staz, owner of Beaded Royalty. “She lives outside Harrisburg, PA where she works as an engineer. She is married to her high school sweetheart and they have a 5-year old daughter.”

Classic symptoms of breast cancer include a new lump that does not go away, spontaneous discharge from the nipple, a change in the contours of the breast, redness or pitting of the skin. The best form of prevention is regular screenings for breast cancer before symptoms are exhibited.  All women should do a Breast Self-Exam on a monthly basis.  In women younger than 40, a breast exam should be part of their routine annual physical.  In women older than 40, a mammogram should be performed on a yearly basis.

You are invited to talk with a representative from Beaded Royalty to discuss the Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser.

Alicia E. Staz
Owner, Beaded Royalty
1-888-876-0784
alicia@beadedroyalty.com

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When I was a kid, I had a Holly Hobby pillowcase that said “Start each day in a happy way.”  It actually worked most mornings – don’t tell my mom! : )

Recently I was feeling a little sorry for myself because I had to get up after only 5 hours of sleep and I wanted to stay in bed.  I don’t even get to see Joshua in the morning because of how early I leave.  I came around a bend in the highway and this is what popped into view:

Wow! Now I look forward to the sunrise in my drive.  This is my happy start to the day.  What is yours?

…people ask “aren’t you going to have another child?”

First of all, a more important question – why do people feel they can ask such a personal question and then press their less-than-subtle opinion on us?   If you are the parent of an only child, you have heard the question before.  It is easier for those of us who have an only child by choice.  However, if your only child is not by choice, it can be especially painful.  When it comes to the subject of only children some people are just stuck in the dark ages – they check their reason and manners at the door.

It seems the older my son gets (he’s 5 1/2), the less I am asked.  Maybe they figure at this point I have made up my mind. Those of you with just one baby – look out – you are in their sights! Good grief!  It’s like asking a bald guy if he has ever considered hair replacement therapy. It just isn’t any of their business.

I digress.  Here are some cute quips and responses from the BabyCenter forum for Parents of Only Children*:

1. I’ll have one just for you. How would you like to pay, cash or charge?
2. You can have “just one.” They aren’t potato chips.
3. I don’t need to have more, you (or the Duggers) had extras.
4. Nope – your kids are my birth control.
5. The factory is closed and has been converted to an amusement park.
6. What’s wrong with the one I already have?
7. My first was perfect – why press my luck?
8. At my age, no way.
9. I had 4 kids, but I ate the others. (Dumb question begets a dumb response.)
10. We were planning to have more, but after spending time with yours we’ve changed our minds.
11. We’re good with one. We want to have the time and money for leisure, travel, and to spend one-on-one time with our child.
12. Will you be paying for diapers, daycare and college for the second child?
13. This isn’t the 1600′s. We don’t need to breed farm hands.
14. No…because having multiple children isn’t the only choice. : )

If you have additional suggestions or comments, please share!  : )

* Printed with permission.