Translated and adapted by Anders Peterson from the original article "La epidemia de "los ninis" amenaza a todos los hogares. Pon el tuyo en cuarentena", by Emma Sanchez

The virus

The concept known as "NEET" (not in employment, education or training describes youth between the ages of 14 and 29 who, out of frustration, have decided not to study or work. Some parents may be OK with the "NEET" effect; however it causes a series of difficulties that are affecting modern families as well as the economic aspects of different countries.

The origins of the epidemic

During the last 30 years there have been worldwide consequences that have been results of economic crises, unemployment, and the government's lack of ability to respond to the population's needs. The social phenomenon known as "NEET" takes place mainly in middle and upper classes because these youth have food, a roof over their heads, clothing and fun activities. Since their parents support their lifestyle these youth's efforts lack purpose. Although it is very common in middle and upper classes, the truth is that the "NEET" effect threatens every household.

What causes this phenomenon? Although there are many factors, there are three consistent reasons: the youth's frustration, the parent's lack of expectations, and the parent's unspoken approval.

The symptoms

The following are symptoms that youth demonstrate when they are likely to turn into a member of the "NEET" population:

• Youth who do not have a vocational inclination and do not know which career to pursue.

• Youth who have been suspended from educational institutions or drop out of school.

• Youth who abandon their career for no apparent reason.

• Youth whose parents have a professional career believe their future is secure, therefore, they think that there is no need to study and work.

• University graduate students who don't find employment opportunities right away and give up on pursuing jobs or furthering their education.

• Women whose education and goals have been delayed because they are "waiting to get married."

The vaccine

It's free, it's called MOTEX (Motivation and Expectation.) It is administered in large doses from birth to adulthood. You can begin administering this vaccine with the following instructions.

Do not reward your children with expensive gifts just for studying, which is not only a privilege but also a responsibility.

If you promise a tablet to your children for doing homework, how are you going to bribe them to finish high school? They are not doing you a favor by going to school. Their rewards should be: self-fulfillment, your words of encouragement, letters written by you that come from the heart, your dedication to helping them do homework. Nowadays we find more parents who give their children sophisticated electronic devices, which are complex and certainly not appreciated by kids. In summary, rewards should never be expensive gifts.

Talk to them about getting a career, finding a job, how to bless the lives of others with effort and hard work

Starting from the early years, it would be a great idea to talk to your children about life, dreams and goals. You may want to talk with them about getting a career, finding a job and blessing others with hard work. Talk to them about their grandparents or your own struggles so that they can feel inspired and motivated. Help them reach their short-term goals and teach them to identify how they feel when they obtain things by their own efforts.

Our youth should seek to work and earn "money" on their own and for their personal benefit. We should teach them to never give up on their duties, to fulfill their commitments and to avoid running away from problems.

Motivate them to work, to be good employees, and to be punctual. Many young people may not even know how to fill out a job application, what they should wear for a job interview, how to dress properly for a job, or how to be punctual and responsible. These are some of the reasons why they may not be employed, and these are skills that must be learned in the home.

If we, as parents, don't set high standards for our children, they will not be able to discover their wonderful potential.

When my daughters started high school, my husband and I announced the new rules for the next stage in our lives. For example, we let them know that as soon as they finished high school they would have to find a job and enroll in a university or community college. We also let them know that we would not pay for university studies and that if they did not make any effort to fulfill their obligations, they would not be able to live in our home. In addition, we let them know that as soon as they started working, they would have to share the household expenses. Would you consider these new rules as extreme actions? It was not the case in our family. They were able to overcome their challenges and fulfill their dreams. There is no greater satisfaction for parents than knowing their children are good, useful, hardworking people.

You, more than anyone, know how to motivate rather than bribe your children. You also know what to expect from them and how to set high standards. If you allow your children to have all the comforts they desire, you may have to deal with a child that does not desire to work, (even in adulthood), who might even fall in other dangerous paths such as criminal behavior. You can avoid unnecessary suffering with the following motto: "Prevention is better than cure."

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Nowadays, the title "friend" is used in a less meaningful way, to the point that many people forget the real meaning of the word. A true friend is a trustworthy person who knows you deeply, who helps you when you need it most and with whom you are compatible. A friend helps you find the light when you only see darkness and believes in you and motivates you to believe in yourself. It is a person who loves you for who you are. Are you a true friend, as well? Are you friendly to your spouse and other family members? I invite you to read these ideas in order to conduct a self-evaluation.

A true friend has genuine concerns

Friends who really want what's best for you do not expect anything in return. Moreover, they give you their friendship, they worry about your well-being and your happiness makes them happy.

A true friend shows you true love

Whether it is through small gestures or courteous actions, a friend shows you the best feelings.

A true friend listens to you

When friends care about you, they are willing to listen to you and will help find solutions together.

A true friend is sincere, honest and loyal

True friends always keep their promises, they never lie, they do not talk behind your back or share confidential information that you have entrusted with them.

A true friend loves you unconditionally

True friends do not place conditions on your friendship.

A true friend inspires you to see the best in yourself

Good friends enjoy spending time with you and they motivate you to reach your goals.

A true friend asks for forgiveness and forgives

True friends are not resentful for past events. True friends do not reproach things that have happened in the past. They forgive and seek forgiveness.

A true friend always gives you good advice

When friends seek after your well-being, they always try to advise you for good. In the same spirit, if they see you making wrong choices, they will let you know.

A true friend always helps you even though you may not ask for it

True friends do not have a set schedule to help you. They are always available to help you.

A true friend respects you: True friends respect your beliefs and principles

Even though they may not share your values and principles, they will encourage you to honor them.

A true friend motivates you and makes you laugh when it is appropriate

True friends help you find strength to overcome your emotional burdens, to be uplifted and carry on.

A true friend endures

Even though you may go through difficult moments, your friend can help you to go through any challenge.

A true friend cries with you and laughs with you

True friends share your laughter and your tears.

If you have friends that do all of the above, congratulations! It would be a good idea to treasure their friendship because these types of friends are rare. If you would like to have good friends, then you may start by being the kind of friend you would like them to be.

*Translated and adapted by Anders Peterson from the original article "SΓ© un amigo de verdad" by Miriam Aguirre

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Published in Vida en el Hogar by Andrea Echeverri Gutierrez on November 1, 2013

Translated and adapted by Anders Peterson from the original article "Dar y recibir amor en familia con estos cinco hΓ‘bitos" by Andrea Echeverri Gutierrez

Family life has its challenges because each member possesses different likes and interests. Nevertheless, each household can develop similar values in order to enjoy unity and harmony within family relationships. In family life, the most important principle is love which implies having a personal encounter with each other, accepting each family member for their strengths and weaknesses and loving them for who they are and not for who we would like them to be.

Moreover, love encompasses having an open mind and sharing opinions without fearing judgment. Just like the family needs to be structured love must also be established. It requires sharing a life together and spending time together by participating in family activities of mutual interest. Therefore, cultivating love is essential to establishing a successful family. In order to make this possible, I would like to share with you five habits that will allow you to share and receive love in a wholesome way.

1. Set aside time to be together.

Personal relationships are strengthened through family reunions. It is good for any family to set aside a daily time, on a weekly or even monthly basis to share time together and participate in recreational activities. In addition, we can share concerns, plans, or any positive thing that happens within the family.

2. Express feelings.

It is always good to share our feelings with individuals close to us. When these feelings are positive, they must be expressed frequently, such as saying "I love you," "I admire you," or "I miss you." On the other hand, if the feelings are negative, you may need to take some time to reflect on them and express them clearly, directly with respect and tenderness.

3. Conduct a self-evaluation.

In many cases, we may think that we are right about having a disagreement with some family members. Nevertheless, leading a loving life requires casting aside the weaknesses we tend to see in other people and focusing on our own mistakes in order to change and become better people. A good idea to put this into practice is conducting a self-evaluation at least once a month in order to improve our attitude.

4. Put ourselves in the other person's place.

Whether the family circumstances are positive or negative, we must always think of the other person and how he or she is feeling in order to comprehend what they are going through and why they are acting in a certain way. Here are some ways to develop closeness in your family.

5. Find the good in everyone.

Developing love for others leads us to find love for ourselves, as well. This is one of the main reasons why we must demonstrate love toward our family members. Regardless the differences that set us apart, we can find the good in our relatives and show them kindness through our actions.

As you try to develop these habits in order to cultivate love in your family, you will see that it is worth it.

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Oftentimes, I have been asked the following question, "Who is the boss in your home?" In my opinion, there is a simple answer: Each spouse is a boss. The bottom line is that we should ask this question, "Is the couple's relationship based on power, authority or shared responsibility focused on providing direction to all members of the family?"

In order to be successful and stable, a couple must share an equal level of authority. Opinions and desires must be equally accounted for. Although it is not easy, I would like to discuss some ideas on how to share equal responsibility in the marriage. For example, nowadays, some couples discuss important matters in order to make serious decisions. They treat each other with respect, firmly believing that both of them have a common right to share their opinions and make decisions that affect the home.

The beauty of this is that having the same level of responsibility enables each spouse to feel valued, loved and respected. Both spouses are equally grounded, and they go hand in hand as they walk through the pathway of life. The following are some advantages of sharing the same responsibilities and authority in the home:

• Both spouses can make decisions; therefore, both spouses share equal responsibility.

• Both spouses feel appreciated.

• Their communication is enhanced.

• Love grows and deepens within the marriage as each spouse takes into consideration the opinions, desires and thoughts from each other.

• Self-esteem within the couple also increases.

Both parents set a good example for their children as they share responsibilities.

• Children see their parents talking instead of arguing when they need to make a decision

• Parents can teach their daughters that their voice is important in a relationship.

• It teaches boys to respect girls so that they can do the same in their marriage when they grow up.

If you would like to see this in your home, the following are some ideas that you could apply:

• Having open and sincere conversations with each other allows a couple to communicate their opinions and thoughts.

• When there seems to be a lack of understanding, it is a good idea to look for articles or books that address the topic on how to communicate your feelings.

• Role-playing is a great way to practice how to put these ideas into perspective. For example, discuss whether to buy a puppy or not. Counsel together to discuss your decision and reflect on your choices.

• Learning to yield is an excellent way to develop maturity as we share responsibilities. For instance, in a marriage we need to have the attitude of thinking "win-win" in order to decide what is best for the family.

Remember that when a man shares responsibilities with his wife, he is indeed demonstrating self-confidence and how much he loves his wife. Husbands and wives that do this demonstrate humility and maturity and this will strengthen their family.

The post How to share marriage responsibilities appeared first on FamilyToday.

At the present time, dyslexia has become very common in children. This may represent a challenge for any family. Dyslexia encompasses difficulty in reading and word-recognition skills. For this reason, parents can support their children in order to help them manage this challenge.I would like to share some useful strategies and perspectives that can be done in the home:

1. If your child is diagnosed with dyslexia, your support will be crucial in order to begin identifying resources that will help him or her.

2. It is a good idea to talk with your child about his or her difficulty so that they feel loved and supported. Kind and loving words can help develop self-esteem and confidence.

3. Begin exploring to see if different strategies such as games with color-coded words can help your child recognize words.

4. Since your son or daughter is very familiar with the objects in the home (such as chairs, tables, TV, toys, etc.) you can label these items in order to help him or her recognize the letters of these words. It may be a great idea to begin learning word recognition for these "familiar" objects before trying to learn word recognition for abstract objects or ideas.

5. Another good strategy is helping your child visualize the words before trying to sound them out.

6. There are several fun games such as Scrabble or word searches that can help your child recognize new and familiar words.

7. Since learning words can be tricky, it is a good idea to not only help your child learn the structure of each syllable, but also learn how to separate words while writing them. This can be done by showing a "finger space" between each written word or helping your child practice separating the typed words with the space bar on the keyboard.

8. Before you start any reading activity, you can show pictures in order to stimulate the child's comprehension and support his reading skills. This may be essential especially if the story talks about abstract or hypothetical topics.

9. If your child enjoys listening to music, you can provide him or her with the lyrics of any favorite song to help him learn the words and their spelling. Music may help stimulate word recognition since it is involving more than one sense.

10. Hands-on activities are also ideal to foster your child's fine motor skills, as well as improving his or her pencil grip and handwriting abilities.

These strategies can easily be practiced in the home, and they will help your child feel confident in coping with their reading challenge. Parents, you are not alone. You can involve teachers and other professionals in creating a support team for your child. Here are some other tips on dealing with dyslexia.Published in Vida sana by Millerlandy Medina on November 6, 2013 Translated and adapted by Anders Peterson from the original article "Ayuda a tu hijo a superar la dislexia con 10 actividades" by Millerlandy Medina

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