Personals' Ads- Friend or Foe?

Ask someone what they think about using a 'personals' ad and you are likely to get into as big a discussion as religion or politics. Perhaps because it is viewed as anything from tampering with fate to a practical way of meeting that elusive mister or missus 'Right'.

Let's begin with what's out there. Before cyber-space became publicly available the penpal, or 'lonely hearts' clubs have been around since the 1950's. With the proliferation of the newspaper into society it was now possible to centralize ads from a variety of places into one location where anyone could easily and anonymously make known their search for companionship. Since then the idea has been refined into a business in itself which has taken advantage of each new media to come along. Now there are companies providing essentially the same service using voice-mail, video-tape indexing, brochures and of course.. Internet on-line personals with specific parameter filtering. Placing a personals ad has not only become easier, it has become global with lightning speed accuracy.

But all these advances in the technology of the method still leave us with the same basic questions; 'Does it work?', 'Is it safe?', 'Is it moral?', 'Is it only a last resort?'. Anyone who has placed or considered an ad posting has undoubtedly asked themselves several of these questions.

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Step Parenting: A Job for Two!

Step parenting ultimately means being a step away from being a parent. Even if you have no intention of parenting, at the very least you are expected to step in when the real parent is absent. Like it or not, in a blended family you will do some parenting.

Step parenting takes both, you and the biological parent. This relationship has to be solid unit. While it may take time to earn the respect of stepchildren, you nevertheless need the complete support of the biological parent. Your relationship will be on the display table and stepchildren take their cues from the strength of this relationship. If this relationship is weak and characterized by arguments, you the stepparent will be viewed as the weak link in this household. Not only do you and the real parent need to be a unified front, you also need to make your relationship a priority. When it comes down to the wire, real parents tend to side with their children, if the romantic relationship is unstable. This leads to power struggles, manipulation and disrespect. When stepchildren learn early on, that they cannot interfere with your relationship with their parent, they refrain from playing one against the other. They have no other choice, but to gradually accept you.

Make sure that you and the real parent agree on rules and expectations and let the stepchildren know what they are. Don't try to be an overnight parent. Remember, your stepchildren most likely didn't ask for you. While you can expect a civil treatment, which should be reinforced by the real parent, your stepchildren may remain distant and reserved for a while. They fear loosing their parent to you and it may take some time until you cease to be a threat. Here are a few tips on being a good stepparent:

• Be patient and allow for adjustment time
• Get involved with your stepchildren and show sincere interest.
• Don't sit on the fence waiting for their reaction - it makes them more suspicious
• Be yourself and do not play a role in the presence of your stepchildren
• Enforce the rules that have been established for them
• Offer your help and ask them to help you with tasks
• Be a united front with the real parent
• Make your romantic relationship a priority
• Have an identity as a couple independent of the children
• Do things with the children and alone as a couple
• Insist on couple privacy
• Never say anything negative about any of their family members
• Allow them to love their other real parent, who is not living with them
• Be kind and be fair
• If they are old enough, let them know that they too are responsible for harmony

Being a stepparent comes with rewards and punishment. Be prepared for the ups and downs. However, if you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, the rewards may be well worth the effort.

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The Single BIGGEST Sex Mistake Men Make

Lack of foreplay is one of the biggest turn-offs in the world of SEX.

Foreplay is often understood as the set of activities done before actual intercourse. The typical menu includes kissing, caressing, getting & giving head, touching, groping, hugging, fingering etc. Men feel like dogs if they don;t engage in it, and theyve heard or read somewhere that plenty of it makes them a great lay - so they sign up. Foreplay makes gentlemen out of horny boys.

Doesn't matter if you're a newbie or an expert, foreplay works like a charm - definitely gets Eve going.

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