About fifteen years ago I read a book by Alice Miller, For Your Own Good: Hidden cruelty in Child-Rearing and the Roots of Violence, a book that left a lasting impression on me. Miller was a psychoanalyst who, after twenty years of practicing psychoanalysis came to the realization that she could do more good by writing about the parent-child relationship for the general public. Her earlier work had led her to the conclusion that parents and teachers can harm children even when they believe they are acting in the best interest of the child.
I was particularly struck by her descriptions of child-rearing in Germany a century ago. Miller cited the work of Dr. Daniel Gottlieb Schreber, the inventor of the Schrebergärten (the German word for "small allotments") and whose widely read books had an enormous influence of the way parents treated their parents.
One of Schreber's convictions was that when babies cry they should be stopped by the use of spanking, assuring his readers that "such a procedure is only necessary once, or at the most twice, and then one is master of the child for all time. From then on, one look, one single gesture will suffice."
In effect, the experts of that period were saying that children were essentially little savages who needed to be tamed for their own good. Moreover, the abuse required for this taming process would simply fade from their minds once they matured into “civilized” adulthood; childhood experiences mattered only as a means to that end.
As Miller writes, “Many people - motivated by what they thought to be the best of intentions - complied with the advice given them by Schreber and other authors about how best to raise their children. Today we would call it a systematic instruction in child persecution and maltreatment.” Indeed physical punishment of children was officially condemned the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1998.
But there is absolutely no reason to think that German parents a hundred years ago loved their children any less that parents do now. They certainly did not set out to harm their children. They were simply using “approved” methods in much the same way that parents today rely on the advice available to them.
Intellectual honesty requires that we be open to the possibility that a century from now, some of our own parenting practices will be seen as having been as harmful as we today view those of 19th century Germany.
My own personal candidate for such a negative “look back” lies in field of posture - specifically the factors influencing postural development in our children and the ways in which parents and our schools attempt to promote good posture.
Most parents of school-aged children have become aware in recent years of the increasing weights their children are expected to carry to and from school in their backpacks. There has even been some discussion in the popular press about the harmful effects these packs have on the development of childrens' posture.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Keep your Wooden Furniture
Despite extreme care, accidents with your wooden furniture are bound to occur, especially when there are kids around the house. They invariably tend to spill something on or drag something across your wooden tables or your precious Amish Furniture causing stains and scratches which soon become eyesores.
But there is a lot you can do amend all that. A kind of wooden furniture first aid. Below is a ready guide for the most common stains and problems that may arise with your precious wooden or Amish Furniture.
Wax or Dirt:
To clean wooden furniture of wax or dirt, dampen a clean rag with some mineral spirit and wipe across the wooden surface. Do this until all the dirt is picked up into the rag. To remove the dirt that collects in the grooves and crevices of carved areas use a cotton swab dipped in spirit.
Water Stains:
For recent and mild stains, cover the stain with a clean, thick blotter and press down hard for a few minutes. If that doesn’t work, rub with salad oil, mayonnaise or white toothpaste and leave it on for about 15 minutes. For older or tougher stains leave it for more time, even overnight if required. Then wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Milk or Alcohol:
For milk or alcohol stains rub it with a paste of boiled linseed oil and rottenstone with the grain. Substitute pumice instead of rottenstone for dull finishes. Or rub with a cloth dampened with some ammonia. Wipe the surface dry and wax or polish.
White Marks:
Rub the stain with a clean cloth dipped in a mixture of cigarette ash with salad oil or lemon juice. Once the stain has been removed, wipe the surface dry and wax or polish.
Light Cigarette Burns:
Rub the stained surface with scratch-concealing polish. If that does not work you could try rubbing it with a paste of linseed oil and rottenstone with the grain until the burn mark is completely gone.
Nail Polish:
Try to blot the spilled nail polish as soon as possible while it is still wet. If it has become dry, rub it with fine steel wool dipped in wax. Wipe the surface dry and wax or polish.
Heat Marks:
This may be slightly tricky. Rub gently with dry steel wool soap pad or a cloth dampened with camphorated oil or mineral spirits. Be careful not to cause scratches. Use the finest steel wool available. Wipe the surface clean and wax or polish.
Paint Marks:
If the paint is still wet, it can be removed with water or oil-based paint solvents with mineral spirits. If it has become dry, put some boiled linseed oil on the stain and wait until the paint softens and scrape carefully with a knife or wipe with cloth dampened with boiled linseed oil. Wipe the surface dry and wax or polish.
But there is a lot you can do amend all that. A kind of wooden furniture first aid. Below is a ready guide for the most common stains and problems that may arise with your precious wooden or Amish Furniture.
Wax or Dirt:
To clean wooden furniture of wax or dirt, dampen a clean rag with some mineral spirit and wipe across the wooden surface. Do this until all the dirt is picked up into the rag. To remove the dirt that collects in the grooves and crevices of carved areas use a cotton swab dipped in spirit.
Water Stains:
For recent and mild stains, cover the stain with a clean, thick blotter and press down hard for a few minutes. If that doesn’t work, rub with salad oil, mayonnaise or white toothpaste and leave it on for about 15 minutes. For older or tougher stains leave it for more time, even overnight if required. Then wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Milk or Alcohol:
For milk or alcohol stains rub it with a paste of boiled linseed oil and rottenstone with the grain. Substitute pumice instead of rottenstone for dull finishes. Or rub with a cloth dampened with some ammonia. Wipe the surface dry and wax or polish.
White Marks:
Rub the stain with a clean cloth dipped in a mixture of cigarette ash with salad oil or lemon juice. Once the stain has been removed, wipe the surface dry and wax or polish.
Light Cigarette Burns:
Rub the stained surface with scratch-concealing polish. If that does not work you could try rubbing it with a paste of linseed oil and rottenstone with the grain until the burn mark is completely gone.
Nail Polish:
Try to blot the spilled nail polish as soon as possible while it is still wet. If it has become dry, rub it with fine steel wool dipped in wax. Wipe the surface dry and wax or polish.
Heat Marks:
This may be slightly tricky. Rub gently with dry steel wool soap pad or a cloth dampened with camphorated oil or mineral spirits. Be careful not to cause scratches. Use the finest steel wool available. Wipe the surface clean and wax or polish.
Paint Marks:
If the paint is still wet, it can be removed with water or oil-based paint solvents with mineral spirits. If it has become dry, put some boiled linseed oil on the stain and wait until the paint softens and scrape carefully with a knife or wipe with cloth dampened with boiled linseed oil. Wipe the surface dry and wax or polish.
Adirondack Furniture
When it comes to your outdoor space, you need to make sure that it’s a comfortable spot, otherwise you won’t end up using it as much as you should. And, that would be a shame if you let the summer fly by without enjoying in. So, have some nice furnishings in place and Adirondack furniture is one of the best options around when it comes to creating a relaxed outdoor environment.
The guise behind the high level of comfort offered by Adirondack furniture is simply its design, which is based on the traditional Adirondack chair. This chair is made from slated wood and will have a sloped, spacious seat, angled backrest, oversized armrests, and usually sits lower to the ground. Now, all the other furniture in this family will have that same type of design, providing you with selections that are both relaxing and sturdy.
In addition to the chair itself, there are many other Adirondack furniture options available. For example, one great complement to the chair is an ottoman. Really, nothing is better than kicking up your feet and just taking it easy. Another great furnishing that can complement your chair is a side table, offering you a nice spot to set down a beverage, snack, or maybe that book your reading.
The thing is, those are just some of the Adirondack furniture selections that are out there, and there are so many that it would be silly to list them all. What’s great about the choices is how you can build any type of outdoor space that you want. Like, if you want just a place to go where you can collect your thoughts, then the traditional chair would be the way to go along with that ottoman and side table. Or, if you want to have a space where you can through fun parties, then the way to go for you would be to get an Adirondack patio table and chair set. Really, the possibilities are endless. You can even get tete-A-tetes and settees, perfect for providing you and the one you love to a nice spot where you can just go and enjoy each other’s company.
One of the main things you need to keep in mind when purchasing Adirondack furniture is to get some that is built using top quality materials. This is important because if you go with something that is cheap, you are going to be out of luck when it breaks down and needs to replaced after two, even one season. Some of the better options include sturdier woods like Redwood, Southern Yellow Pine, and Teak along with manmade materials that include thicker plastics and recycled polymer.
For a great way to check out all the Adirondack furniture choices and the materials they can be crafted from, just go online and do some comparison shopping. You can find what you want in no time at all and it will generally be at the best prices possible.
So, if you want to have a comfortable outdoor space, you need to have the right furnishings in place and one of the nicest options around is Adirondack furniture. Perfect for any porch, deck, or patio, it will be sure to please.
The guise behind the high level of comfort offered by Adirondack furniture is simply its design, which is based on the traditional Adirondack chair. This chair is made from slated wood and will have a sloped, spacious seat, angled backrest, oversized armrests, and usually sits lower to the ground. Now, all the other furniture in this family will have that same type of design, providing you with selections that are both relaxing and sturdy.
In addition to the chair itself, there are many other Adirondack furniture options available. For example, one great complement to the chair is an ottoman. Really, nothing is better than kicking up your feet and just taking it easy. Another great furnishing that can complement your chair is a side table, offering you a nice spot to set down a beverage, snack, or maybe that book your reading.
The thing is, those are just some of the Adirondack furniture selections that are out there, and there are so many that it would be silly to list them all. What’s great about the choices is how you can build any type of outdoor space that you want. Like, if you want just a place to go where you can collect your thoughts, then the traditional chair would be the way to go along with that ottoman and side table. Or, if you want to have a space where you can through fun parties, then the way to go for you would be to get an Adirondack patio table and chair set. Really, the possibilities are endless. You can even get tete-A-tetes and settees, perfect for providing you and the one you love to a nice spot where you can just go and enjoy each other’s company.
One of the main things you need to keep in mind when purchasing Adirondack furniture is to get some that is built using top quality materials. This is important because if you go with something that is cheap, you are going to be out of luck when it breaks down and needs to replaced after two, even one season. Some of the better options include sturdier woods like Redwood, Southern Yellow Pine, and Teak along with manmade materials that include thicker plastics and recycled polymer.
For a great way to check out all the Adirondack furniture choices and the materials they can be crafted from, just go online and do some comparison shopping. You can find what you want in no time at all and it will generally be at the best prices possible.
So, if you want to have a comfortable outdoor space, you need to have the right furnishings in place and one of the nicest options around is Adirondack furniture. Perfect for any porch, deck, or patio, it will be sure to please.
Cat Furniture
You have a true friend if you own a cat. Your kitty will love you know matter what you might do to him. Even so, a cat is dependant on you for each and every thing he needs. Sometimes a cat can seem pretty independent but at the end of the day, they will always come purring back to you.
It is very satisfying to know that we can do so much for our little friends. Why it is only fair, they do so much to make us happy. Cat furniture is one way we can show our appreciation to our cats. Cat Furniture is made to make a kitty comfortable.
Just as each cat is unique there is a piece of unique cat furniture to suit his needs.
The cat litter box is on of the most important items you can get for your cat. Cat boxes are made in several varieties of shapes and have many colors. Because of the private nature of you cat, cat boxes often have a lid and a door to go in and out of. The best litter box you can get your kitty is a cat litter cabinet.
This cat litter furniture is a cat box hidden in a cabinet. It looks just like an end table so no one knows it realy for your cat!
Another critical piece of cat furniture is the cat tree with scratching sisal. Instead of ripping apart you couch the cat can do his instinctive scratching on the posts. Even a de-clawed cat will be drawn to the tree to perform this ritual.
These types of cat furniture are usually constructed out of wood that is covered with carpet and cats of all shapes and sizes go wild playing on them. A scratching post can be horizontal or vertical and if you are really creative, you can design one for yourself.
Another function of a cat tree is to provide a cat or kitten with a place to play. This is great for people who go to work everyday and leave their cat home alone. A cat gym is a piece of cat furniture that is similar to a cat tree, only is has more for a cat to play with. It has multiple tiers for your cat to frolicking on and often has toys or feathers to play with.
It is very satisfying to know that we can do so much for our little friends. Why it is only fair, they do so much to make us happy. Cat furniture is one way we can show our appreciation to our cats. Cat Furniture is made to make a kitty comfortable.
Just as each cat is unique there is a piece of unique cat furniture to suit his needs.
The cat litter box is on of the most important items you can get for your cat. Cat boxes are made in several varieties of shapes and have many colors. Because of the private nature of you cat, cat boxes often have a lid and a door to go in and out of. The best litter box you can get your kitty is a cat litter cabinet.
This cat litter furniture is a cat box hidden in a cabinet. It looks just like an end table so no one knows it realy for your cat!
Another critical piece of cat furniture is the cat tree with scratching sisal. Instead of ripping apart you couch the cat can do his instinctive scratching on the posts. Even a de-clawed cat will be drawn to the tree to perform this ritual.
These types of cat furniture are usually constructed out of wood that is covered with carpet and cats of all shapes and sizes go wild playing on them. A scratching post can be horizontal or vertical and if you are really creative, you can design one for yourself.
Another function of a cat tree is to provide a cat or kitten with a place to play. This is great for people who go to work everyday and leave their cat home alone. A cat gym is a piece of cat furniture that is similar to a cat tree, only is has more for a cat to play with. It has multiple tiers for your cat to frolicking on and often has toys or feathers to play with.
Wood Furniture Care
It is important to look at the instructions for any products that you use as part of your wooden furniture care routine. That way you will help to keep the furniture safe as well as keeping it clean.
It can be an exciting time getting wooden furniture for the house as it can help to add charisma and personality to any room. There are so many great benefits to using wooden furniture in the house as it really does add something special. The best part is that there is such a wide range of different wooden products to choose from too.
Do you know About Proper Wood Furniture Care?
The furniture can be an expensive thing to get in the first place so you are ideally going to want it to last as long as possible. To ensure that this happens you need to know exactly how to look after it properly and one thing that needs careful consideration is the type of products that you use on the wooden furniture in order to help care for it. Also, it is worth keeping in mind that some products may be harmful to your health, so you should always do your research.
There is a lot more to caring for your wooden furniture than just cleaning it with any old cloth. You need to take the time and effort to get all of the right equipment to make sure that you do not cause any damage and that you help to protect the furniture for as long as possible. The wrong use of products and using things such as rough cloths etc could scratch or damage the wooden furniture in the long run.
Another method that you can use is to quickly clear up any spills with a cloth or anything else that may be of use. This prevents the spill or leak from soaking into the wood and causing water damage. Water on laminate flooring can cause it to expand and it can make it start to rise up. If you have a wooden table then you can use things to prevent spills and leaks such as using place mats and pads for plates and cups to stop things from getting on there. If you use candles then use something to put underneath such as a plate, tray or anything that you want in order to stop wax from getting onto your furniture.
It can be an exciting time getting wooden furniture for the house as it can help to add charisma and personality to any room. There are so many great benefits to using wooden furniture in the house as it really does add something special. The best part is that there is such a wide range of different wooden products to choose from too.
Do you know About Proper Wood Furniture Care?
The furniture can be an expensive thing to get in the first place so you are ideally going to want it to last as long as possible. To ensure that this happens you need to know exactly how to look after it properly and one thing that needs careful consideration is the type of products that you use on the wooden furniture in order to help care for it. Also, it is worth keeping in mind that some products may be harmful to your health, so you should always do your research.
There is a lot more to caring for your wooden furniture than just cleaning it with any old cloth. You need to take the time and effort to get all of the right equipment to make sure that you do not cause any damage and that you help to protect the furniture for as long as possible. The wrong use of products and using things such as rough cloths etc could scratch or damage the wooden furniture in the long run.
Another method that you can use is to quickly clear up any spills with a cloth or anything else that may be of use. This prevents the spill or leak from soaking into the wood and causing water damage. Water on laminate flooring can cause it to expand and it can make it start to rise up. If you have a wooden table then you can use things to prevent spills and leaks such as using place mats and pads for plates and cups to stop things from getting on there. If you use candles then use something to put underneath such as a plate, tray or anything that you want in order to stop wax from getting onto your furniture.
What’s Your Furniture Style
Tracking down the sofa (or any piece of furniture for that matter) that’s right for you is an important endeavor. You’re probably going to spend a decent amount of money on the purchase and will have to live with the choice you make for a long time. To make the right decision, you need to discover your own personal style so that the sofa you ultimately select matches well with the design you plan on creating for your home or apartment.
Often, people get too caught up in looking for pieces that follow the latest color and design trends, instead of trying to find furniture that they genuinely like and are drawn to. Personal style is just that – personal. It’s not a good idea to scour the furniture stores in search of popular items when you could be spending your time seeking out pieces that you love. When shopping for your home, purchase a sofa that reflects your personality. The only tricky part is figuring out what styles you’re attracted to.
Here are some things you can do to discover the style that appeals to you the most:
Pay attention to your surroundings. Keep yourself open to new things, but always let your own style preferences guide you along the way. Also, as you shop, take mental note of everything you come across even if it may not seem important right at the moment. It might come in handy later on, as you narrow down your preferences to a few styles and start to uncover your design sensibilities.
Take into account the environments you enjoy being in. What is the overall feel of your home right now, and what feelings are you looking to build upon? In order to feel comfortable in a space, it’s important to take into account what makes you feel good.
Visit museums, model homes, art galleries, show rooms, and skim furniture catalogues, magazines, books, films, and TV programs for inspiration. You can even investigate nature to gain some insight. You may not know what your personal style is when you begin the process, but if you look at examples in the real world you will soon realize that certain looks interest you, while others turn you off. Everyone is different – go with your gut and you’ll find your way eventually. Seeing various design examples in person can really fire up the engine of creativity and lead you in the right direction. We usually only understand what we like after being presented with an example.
Maybe you want to recreate a particular emotion or memory in your personal space? If this is the case, review old photos from holidays abroad or special moments with family to help you pinpoint the feeling you want to express at home.
Get organized. Create a file in which to save magazine cuttings, photos, postcards, furniture samples, or anything that attracts you along the way. This is the best way to keep the creative process from becoming a confused mess.
Often, people get too caught up in looking for pieces that follow the latest color and design trends, instead of trying to find furniture that they genuinely like and are drawn to. Personal style is just that – personal. It’s not a good idea to scour the furniture stores in search of popular items when you could be spending your time seeking out pieces that you love. When shopping for your home, purchase a sofa that reflects your personality. The only tricky part is figuring out what styles you’re attracted to.
Here are some things you can do to discover the style that appeals to you the most:
Pay attention to your surroundings. Keep yourself open to new things, but always let your own style preferences guide you along the way. Also, as you shop, take mental note of everything you come across even if it may not seem important right at the moment. It might come in handy later on, as you narrow down your preferences to a few styles and start to uncover your design sensibilities.
Take into account the environments you enjoy being in. What is the overall feel of your home right now, and what feelings are you looking to build upon? In order to feel comfortable in a space, it’s important to take into account what makes you feel good.
Visit museums, model homes, art galleries, show rooms, and skim furniture catalogues, magazines, books, films, and TV programs for inspiration. You can even investigate nature to gain some insight. You may not know what your personal style is when you begin the process, but if you look at examples in the real world you will soon realize that certain looks interest you, while others turn you off. Everyone is different – go with your gut and you’ll find your way eventually. Seeing various design examples in person can really fire up the engine of creativity and lead you in the right direction. We usually only understand what we like after being presented with an example.
Maybe you want to recreate a particular emotion or memory in your personal space? If this is the case, review old photos from holidays abroad or special moments with family to help you pinpoint the feeling you want to express at home.
Get organized. Create a file in which to save magazine cuttings, photos, postcards, furniture samples, or anything that attracts you along the way. This is the best way to keep the creative process from becoming a confused mess.
Office Furniture Buyer's Guide
What’s the first thought in your mind when you consider buying furniture ware for your office?
- Where from would I get it, local store? Or trip online?
- How much relatively cheaper would this be than that?
- Should I own them or get them on lease?
- Will it suit my office environment & the working conditions?
Interestingly, you might have popped-up all of these, one just besides the other. Your answer! Let’s answer each of them right away.
Where Would I Get It?
Depending on your proximity and access to the local/regional furniture stores & the range they serve, you ought to be clear whether offline shopping really worked for you. Alternatively, the www or the dot.com space might just land you at the doorstep of your imagination.
How Much Cheaper Would This Be Than That?
Subject to whether you had a home-office or a corporate zone, shelf your coins accordingly. You needn’t break a nut just to compute the cheapest quote you got for your home-office. Conversely, you could browse through related sites on the web and get your eyes fixed on. You get a clear comparison & thereby you can decide strategically.
Should I Own Them Or Lease Them?
If it’s for a newly sprung office, the bottom line is -‘obtain them on lease’. Further ahead, the same could be purchased outright once your business expands. If you are a developed firm, direct purchasing could keep your asset value intact.
Will It Suit My Office Environs And The Working Conditions?
As, if the extent of operations and area of functioning are pre-monitored, you could finally decide on the ergonomics and their impact upon the employees, their work habits, work culture prevailing, extremity of the work schedules and their timely completion.
Now that you are signed on, go get it.
- Where from would I get it, local store? Or trip online?
- How much relatively cheaper would this be than that?
- Should I own them or get them on lease?
- Will it suit my office environment & the working conditions?
Interestingly, you might have popped-up all of these, one just besides the other. Your answer! Let’s answer each of them right away.
Where Would I Get It?
Depending on your proximity and access to the local/regional furniture stores & the range they serve, you ought to be clear whether offline shopping really worked for you. Alternatively, the www or the dot.com space might just land you at the doorstep of your imagination.
How Much Cheaper Would This Be Than That?
Subject to whether you had a home-office or a corporate zone, shelf your coins accordingly. You needn’t break a nut just to compute the cheapest quote you got for your home-office. Conversely, you could browse through related sites on the web and get your eyes fixed on. You get a clear comparison & thereby you can decide strategically.
Should I Own Them Or Lease Them?
If it’s for a newly sprung office, the bottom line is -‘obtain them on lease’. Further ahead, the same could be purchased outright once your business expands. If you are a developed firm, direct purchasing could keep your asset value intact.
Will It Suit My Office Environs And The Working Conditions?
As, if the extent of operations and area of functioning are pre-monitored, you could finally decide on the ergonomics and their impact upon the employees, their work habits, work culture prevailing, extremity of the work schedules and their timely completion.
Now that you are signed on, go get it.
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