Articles written by Mel Bergen

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About me - Mel Bergen

I began writing for the web in January, 2007, although I have been writing for myself since I could hold a pencil. I've finally discovered the joys of not only getting my work read (and getting paid for my efforts) but receiving feedback from readers so that

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Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenthood Are parents always parents or should they learn to let go as their children age?: 2 of 39

Being a parent involves more than discipline and allowances. Parenting requires that you provide love and guidance, as well. There is no reason to stop giving these things to your child just because they pass a certain age or reach a certain stage in life. You will always be older and wiser than your children. You will forev...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Child Discipline Strategies Should parents use rewards to motivate their child's behavior?: 1 of 19

Rewarding children for desired behavior is not, or should not be, the same thing as bribing them. Should you use rewards for good behavior? The answer is a resounding yes. It is important to keep in mind that you are rewarding the behavior after the fact, not bribing your child to behave or giving them candy in the hopes tha...
Relationships & Family > Family Bonding Family bonding: The best road trips are the unplanned ones: 1 of 12

Being spontaneous is a great way to create a strong bond with your family. The sense of adventure always present in a road trip is heightened by dropping everything and just going. Our family's favorite way to do this is simply to call the children's attention to a sign or an ad for an event happening that day in another tow...
Style & Beauty > Tattoos & Piercings How to choose a tattoo design: 2 of 21

Getting a tattoo is an expensive, painful procedure, and a permanent one. You can cover them up or get them removed, but you can never have that blank, smooth skin back again. For these reasons, choosing a design for your ink requires a lot of thought and even more time. Start by thinking about where on your body you would l...
Entertainment > Musicians & Bands Music reviews: Punk rock: 2 of 15

Punk at its inception was all about free love and mosh pits. They promoted sex, drugs, and screaming at each other. Lyrics were about bucking the system and beating people (often yourself) up. But it was all high-energy and very often done in satirical and funny ways, if you could get past the squealing guitars and eardrum-b...
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes A guide to buying '80s music: 2 of 11

Music in the 1980s was all about style. Your first consideration when buying 80s music should what type of music you enjoy. Are you considering hair-band power ballads, down-and-dirty punk, New Wave synth-pop, or the roots of rap? What you like now can guide help you decide where to start. If you were around in the 80s, you ...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Teens Why do people assume teenagers won't make good parents?: 2 of 11

People assume that teens will not be good parents for many reasons. Unfortunately, one of those reasons is the assumption that the teens became parents by being "loose" or "easy" and by neglecting to take responsibility for birth control. This stereotype leads to a belief that teen parents are only having children because th...
Relationships & Family > The Single Life Top 10 reasons to savor the single life: 10 of 49

Why worry about finding a new relationship when there are so many benefits to being single? Here are the top ten reasons why living on your own is better than being hooked up. 1. Your time is your own. You have no obligations to a significant other or to his or her friends, family, and work schedule. You can come and go as y...
Computers & Technology > Internet Issues Are all websites that offer free products a scam?: 4 of 18

Scams do not lurk behind all free on-line offers . Not all websites that offer free products are waiting, rubbing their virtual hands together, to fleece you. You can find ways to obtain free products and programs legally, if you do your research and exercise some caution. Your first clue that an offer of expensive items, fo...
Education > College Life Guide to essential electronic gadgets every college and university student must have: 2 of 8

There are a few electronic devices that are essential to college students no matter what their major. These gadgets will make both classes and relaxation easier. The first crucial investment for a college student is a good laptop. How much you need to spend will depend on what you will do with it, but you will need one that ...