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 > Child Discipline Strategies Should parents use rewards to motivate their child's behavior?: 2 of 30
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 that ... More..
Relationships & Family > Family Bonding Family bonding: The best road trips are the unplanned ones: 1 of 15
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 town ... More..
Relationships & Family > Successful Dating Do live-in-relationships work?: 2 of 25
Live-in relationships can work, yes, but they often do not. It's a question of the stability of the relationship and the commitment of the partners.Leaping into a live-in situation is never a good idea. You should be close to your significant other and should know each other well. Take a look at where they live now - do they ... More..
Relationships & Family > The Single Life Top 10 reasons to savor the single life: 5 of 58
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 you... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes A guide to buying '80s music: 2 of 22
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 pr... More..
Computers & Technology > Internet Trends Are all websites that offer free products a scam?: 2 of 20
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, for ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Childhood Development How to get your child to eat vegetables: 2 of 18
Getting your child to love vegetables is not a one-step process, no is there any way to force him or her to change the way taste buds report flavors. But there are some good ways to set the stage for kids to like vegetables, and other ways to "sneak" the healthy stuff into the little dickens when they're being ornery.First, w... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenthood Are parents always parents or should they learn to let go as their children age?: 6 of 49
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 forever... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Expand your taste in music: 4 of 31
Music files, or mp3s, are widely available on the Internet for nearly nothing. To expand your taste in music, invest time listening to samples and follow breadcrumb trails from a song or artist that you know you like to something upon which you'd never have stumbled on your own.Start at a site that sells mp3s, such as Amazon.... More..
Relationships & Family > Love & Lust Exploring the truth in "first love never dies": 3 of 22
The word love gets bandied about an awful lot, and by none more than those young people experiencing those grown-up feelings for the first time. It's powerful and heady stuff to realize that you've finally discovered what all of those songs and movies are about. The first time you tell someone to whom you aren't related that ... More..