Kenney Myers

How to Survive Sharing a Vacation Home With Another Family

November 3, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Vacation: a chance to get away, let your hair down and relax for a few days while your kids play. Sharing that vacation with another family can be a great way to cut costs and share babysitting duties so that every set of parents gets a real break. However, that also means a greater chance of butting heads with someone if you aren’t prepared for new situations. Spending time with your friends is a lot different than living with them, even on a short-term basis in a vacation home. If you want to survive sharing a vacation home with another family — and more than that, actually have a good time — there are a few things to keep in mind:

Set Ground Rules

This is probably one of the biggest ways to make sure everybody has fun and nobody steps on anybody’s toes. For example: What kind of schedule do you like to keep? Even on vacation, you’ll probably follow a daily pattern that looks like the one from your normal life. If you like to hang out or party into the night, or just stay up late watching TV, that’s fine, but don’t ask the members of the other family to join you if they don’t want to. If they want to hit the sack, respect their wishes and keep your volume at a reasonable level. By the same token, if you’re the early riser, give the other family a heads-up and ask for an understandable curfew for parties or dinners. And when you get up before them in the morning, don’t do anything that’ll make too much noise. That means organizing quieter playtime with your kids or heading out of the vacation home until everybody’s up and running.

It’s not about imposing your will on others, but about making room for everybody’s routines. Nobody should feel pressured or left out.

Count Your Cash

In other words, figure out costs ahead of time. Some costs will naturally be yours because they’re for items just for you and your family: food and snacks, fuel, clothing, etc. Other costs, though, might make sense to share because they’re going toward things that benefit everyone, like house supplies, food for a group meal and so on. The best (really, the only) way to deal with this is to establish going in who will pay for what. If you want to tally every cent or just assume that everything will come out fine based on a division of labor, it’s your call. But there’s nothing worse than the tension that comes from being on vacation and feeling like you’re being taken advantage of by your fellow travelers. Clear, honest communication before you travel is key.

Know How You Like to Vacation

Are you an itinerary-driven person who uses vacations as a chance to really explore and get out? Or are you more inclined to lie about the house and rest? Or would you rather just play it by ear? Guess what: If you expect everybody else to meet your needs and vacation like you do, you could be in for a really tense few days.

The solution: Do a little light soul-searching before you go. Maybe you’re a go-getter and so is one of the other parents; great, you two can hit the town and see the sights. Maybe you’d rather sit by the pool or take a nap; great, don’t be afraid to stay in and tell people you just want to relax. Vacation, weirdly, can take a lot of effort to do well, and it’s possible to mess up everyone’s chance at fun if you don’t know what you really like to do.

Share the Kids

This is why you’re really sharing a vacation home: to have another set of parents to watch your kids. Don’t get greedy, though. It’s not fair to expect the other family to watch your kids while you relax or sight-see if you don’t offer to return the favor. Vacation is a chance to recuperate from the working world and get a change of scenery, and part of that means helping out the other family. Chat before the trip about equitable ways to split responsibility for the kids; maybe you and your partner could get a date night to yourselves, then reciprocate for the other parents. Maybe afternoons are trade-offs. There are plenty of ways to work it. The point is just to remember that everyone’s there to have a good time, and it’s up to you (and everybody else) to help make that happen.

Reasons Kids Benefit from Playing Team Sports

November 2, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Team sports can be traced all the way back to the Native Americans, with the first organized collegiate sport between young men starting in the 1850s between Harvard and Yale. Since then, athletics have become a way of life and an integral part of growing up. Sports in adolescence is becoming more prevalent, and parents are entering kids into sports at younger ages, wanting their kids to experience the many advantages from playing on an organized team.

There are, in fact, myriad benefits a child can receive from playing team sports, ones that can be parlayed into adolescence and adulthood, into relationships and the workplace. Sports are a place where a child can excel and receive scholarships and honors; but they are also a place where a young one can learn many skills that extend far beyond the physical benefits. These skills and benefits range from mental health betterment to learning to work with others, as well as basic life readiness.

Physical Health

The topic of obesity is a prominent one in today’s society, and the importance of exercise is touted more than ever. The health benefits of a child playing sports are far-reaching. Not only does he have fun exercising, but he also has a structured form of activity where he can learn skills such as coordination and agility, and he is able to hone these skills by doing repetitive drills. The physical aspect of sports helps children build muscle and improve motor skills. Research has shown that kids who play team sports are stronger and all-around healthier.

Mental Health

The mental health benefits go hand-in-hand with the physical rewards earned from playing team sports. Athletics promote self-esteem, self-confidence and courage. Children learn what it takes to reach a goal and about their own strengths and abilities. They learn how to deal with the losses in appropriate ways, which can lead to better emotional control off the field. Team sports have been found to enhance a child’s brain development and possibly raise IQ.

Team sports are significantly important to young girls entering adolescence. A very self-conscious time for girls, they are often bombarded with unattainable physical images in magazines, on television and on the Internet. Sports can help young girls realize self-worth outside their appearance and direct their focus toward goals that are more rewarding on the inside.

Working with Others

Team sports teach children how to work well with others. While on a team, children must think of a group as a whole instead of just as themselves as individuals. They learn to be happy for their teammates’ successes in addition to their own, because every person’s success benefits the team. They learn to interact with peers and respect their fellow teammates and coaches. They are able to learn empathy for others.

Playing sports is a way for kids to learn from positive mentors other than parents. On a team, a child learns to respect the coach and honor his final decisions. That sense of organization, teamwork and following a skilled leader will help him in the classroom and the workplace as he grows.

Life Skills

A child or adolescent playing a team sport has the ability to learn essential life skills that he will carry throughout adulthood. Sports often provide valuable learning experiences and teach hard work, patience, persistence, focus and discipline. Children are taught how to respond appropriately to setbacks and failure. They realize that having a strong work ethic toward the sport will bring about good results. They have to learn how to balance school and athletics and, as they get older, part-time jobs as well. In fact, it has been shown that kids who participate in team sports are more likely to be hard-working students and better future workers as adults.

Tips for Parents

It is important for parents to be involved from the beginning to ensure their children are having a positive experience playing sports. While the benefits are numerous, there is still the possibility that a zealous coach or bully can sour the experience for the child. Also, it may take many tries to find the right sport, but knowing why a child wants to play helps guide the child toward the activity that makes the most of his talents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends age six as the earliest to enter a child into sports, as free play is most important before then. After age six, the child will likely want to have fun and make new friends in a sport.

Team sports can develop a large range of skills and give a child confidence, self-esteem and independence. With the right focus of both parents and coaches, athletics give children a way to discover their talents in a healthy environment. With the social, physical and mental health benefits, as well as life experience, team sports can lay the foundation outside of school to ensure a child is on his way to becoming a well-rounded, self-assured adult.

10 Ways to Avoid a Fight When You Encounter an Idiot

November 1, 2015 by Kenney Myers

For most people, a physical altercation is something to be avoided at all costs. There are those, however, who love nothing more than starting a fight when they’re angry. While it can be tempting to knock some sense into a loudmouth who just won’t quit, a fight will introduce far more complications than it solves. The next time you’re faced with a person of questionable intelligence who just won’t back down, try these ten methods of avoiding a fight.

Don’t Give Them What They Want – More than a bloody nose or a round in the dirt, most violent and angry people want attention. The best way to avoid a fight with an attention-driven opponent, therefore, is to simply deny them the attention they’re seeking.
Keep Your Own Emotions in Check – It’s easy to avoid a fight when you’re calm and collected, but it’s a much bigger challenge when you’re also struggling with your own temper. If you let your emotions get the better of you, you’re less equipped to diffuse the situation. Even if you’re offended or furious, try to stay sane and rational until you can put some distance between you and your antagonist.
Give Up On Being Right – There are few things more infuriating than trying to get a point across to someone whose intellectual capacity just won’t allow them to see the light. You can shout them down until you’re hoarse, but you’re not likely to change their opinion. You know the person you’re arguing with isn’t so bright, so leave it at that. You don’t have to be formally acknowledged to be correct.
Get Some Space – There’s usually no good reason for staying put when you’re trying to avoid a fight. Even if you’re able to diffuse the situation and talk your opponent down for the moment, you’re still standing next to a powder keg until you leave the area. Since you’re going to need to put some distance between you and your opponent anyway, why wait? Walk away and save yourself some headache.
Apologize – Even if you’re in the right, what will you actually lose by dishing out an apology to smooth things over to avoid a fight? In these situations, you can be right, or you can avoid getting punched. The latter is usually the way to go.
Step Back – If you’re committed to solving the argument without resorting to violence, keep a few feet of distance between yourself and a not-so-bright combatant while you try to talk it out. You’re less likely to see an attack coming, or avoid a punch, if your opponent is in your face.
Watch Your Language – While you want to avoid cursing at someone when you’re trying not to fight, this isn’t the only kind of language of which you need to be aware. Using phrases like “calm down” or “you’re being ridiculous” are counterproductive to your aims. Instead of using accusatory language to bring things down a notch, use phrases which imply mutual culpability. “Let’s talk this over” or “we should take it easy” includes both of you, and can be more effective.
(Don’t) Put Up Your Dukes – Make a conscious effort to mind your body language, keeping your hands in a non-threatening, palms-out pose. Be sure you’re not making a fist without thinking, because this sends the signal that you’re ready to throw down.
Watch Your Back – If you’re going to walk away and the situation is still tense, be careful about turning your back to your opponent. This gives them an opportunity to attack from behind, and you less of a chance to defend yourself. Back away until you have plenty of room.
Assume Your Opponent is Armed or Trained – If you’re having a tough time convincing yourself that violence isn’t the answer, remember this: you have no idea if the idiot with whom you’re arguing is carrying a weapon. Assuming everyone in a potential altercation is armed is a great way to get your priorities back in line, so you can talk your way out of a sticky situation. Also, keep in mind you don’t know how much combative training this idiot has had. He could be a black belt in jiu jitsu and you could find yourself in a bad position very quickly.

At best, you’ll be walking away from a situation with the potential to end in stitches or criminal charges. A worst-case scenario can have far more permanent implications. While it may hurt your pride a bit to let your opponent “get away” with causing a scene, your pride will recover and you’ll experience no lasting effects from choosing not to fight.

10 Kens Famous for Their Inventions and This Ken Too

October 31, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Without the genius and innovation of the world’s inventors, life on Earth would probably still be stuck in the dark ages. Some inventions have saved lives, others changed the scope of technology and design and others still were just plain fun. No matter what the invention, the work that these great men and women put into their creations deserves praise and recognition. All ten of the inventors on this list are named Ken, and each one has changed the world to some degree with their incredible products and inventions.

Ken Richardson – This inventor holds the honor of being a famous fighter of fungus, with the development of fluconazole. While it may not sound like much, Ken Richardson’s work on the prevention of fungal infections has saved lives. Fluconazole has been used in the treatment of transplants, AIDs and burn patients. The discovery of fluconazole is considered the most significant advancement in the fight against fungal infections to this day.
Ken Olsen – Olsen is perhaps most famous for his work on coincident current systems, a component of computer memory which makes it smaller. His work was instrumental in the development of core memory models, which can retain memory without the need of power. Ken Olsen’s work revolutionized how computers and processors were designed, making him a significant figure in the industry.
Kenneth E. Manchester– By developing ion implantation, Kenneth E. Manchester changed the way all electronic devices were created. His invention allowed for the first Effect Transistor with Controlled Threshold Voltage, which is used in all integrated circuits today. Kenneth received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1955, before going on to work on ion implantation in 1962.
Ken Ahroni – This is the invention that just keeps on giving. Ken Ahroni had a wish, but he had run out of Turkey wishbones. Lucky Break Wishbones are just like the real thing; they look the same, break the same and have the same chance of actually making your wish come true. Besides which, they’re a fun novelty idea for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner parties.
Ken Butler – Some of Ken Butler’s best inventions are yet to be realized. The crafter of hybrid instruments is world famous for turning every day, household items into playable instruments. Ken began his labor of love with hybrid instruments in 1978, when he created a hatchet violin by adding a adding a fingerboard, tailpiece, tuning pegs and bridge to an ordinary hatchet.
Ken Thompson – The UNIX operating system is regarded as one of the best operating systems ever conceived, and it is all thanks to the work of Ken Thompson. The system was developed in 1969, the same year that man went to the moon. Thompson was also the creator of the game “Space Travel,” which is considered the first PC game and the precursor to the development of console game play.
Ken Hakuta – If you have ever had the pleasure of owning a “Wacky Wall Walker,” then you can thank Ken Kakuta. The toy, which usually took the shape of an Octopus or other creature, used a combination of gravity and adhesive suckers to walk down walls, providing hours of fun for kids in the 1980s. Ken Hakuta is also featured in the game “Trivial Pursuit” under the question; “Who is the inventor of the Wacky Wall Walker?”
Ken Tarlow – Ken Tarlow is a world renowned product developer, with over 400 products under his belt. Tarlow now lends his talents to the “Make Money Expo,” helping other would-be inventors get their products and patents off the ground. As well as creating his own inventions, Ken is the author of “Mind to Money,” a successful how-to guide for creating and launching a product from inception to sale.
Kenneth Dunkley– Everyone loves Three Dimensional Viewing Glasses, which is one reason why Kenneth Dunkley is a world famous and much loved inventor. Kenneth also lends his talents to the Museum of Scientific Discovery in Harrisburg, PA, where he delivers workshops on visual effects. Dunkley’s work is considered the most innovative advancement in 3D technology, which will only lead to further developments in the future. Kenneth Dunkley has literally changed the way that humans see the world around them.
Ken Howard – This inventor first made his name with the popular board-game, “The Parliament Game.” He has since gone on to develop over 700 products, ranging from games to television shows. Howard now acts as an expert consultant to other inventors and product developers who are looking to break into the industry.

Lastly, I promised that in the title that I (Ken Myers) would discuss my own inventions. I am listed as an inventor on a couple of patents with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. The first invention was for an application with a GUI wizard and technology for using XSLT to transform text files from one format to another (from delimited to fixed length or XML to CSV, etc.). My second invention was a business method patent for selling a plurality of home services based upon a person’s address (see WhiteFence.com). These are both very meaningful to me and it was interesting to go through the process of filing and eventually earning the patents. My guess is that several of the inventors in the list above feel the same way.

10 Kens With Famous Faces You’d Recognize

October 30, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Everyone has those moments where they see a famous face but can’t quite place the name. These are the actors, singers and players that seem to always be part of the cultural landscape, yet have the ability to leave you stumped as to who they are. See if you can recognize some of these famous Kens before reading the descriptions.

Kenneth Branagh – Yes, he is a world famous actor, so it should come as no surprise that you recognize him. However, Branagh is one of the most accomplished character actors in the world, meaning that he can pull off most any role. If you happened to watch the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, specifically the short movie “Isles of Wonder,” you would have seen Kenneth take on the role of famed engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Ken Shamrock – As one of the most well-known hall of famers in mixed martial arts, Ken Shamrock is instantly recognizable to fans of the sport. He also is featured heavily in professional wrestling, and is credited with opening the door for future cross-overs between the two franchises. Shamrock has a very distinct look, and although you may not follow wrestling or MMA, you are sure to recognize this iconic figure.
Ken Starr – Starr’s claim to fame was his role in the investigation of the Whitewater real estate investments of Bill Clinton. His name was all over the media at the time, however, many will recognize his face without being able to place the name. Ironically, it is the face of Monica Lewinski, whose affair with Bill Clinton was exposed by Starr, which most people will automatically associate with the investigation.
Kenneth Hutchinson – Let that name swirl around in your brain for a second. Okay, have you figured it out yet? If not, maybe the name “David Soul” will give you a clue. Yes, this Ken is better known as one half of the duo Starsky and Hutch. As his full name was rarely mentioned in the show, it is understandable that most people will recognize the face but not the name.
Ken Kirzinger – This is one face you definitely would not have wanted to see in a dark alley in 2003. Ken Kirzinger played the masked psycho-killer Jason Voorhees in “Freddie Versus Jason.” An accomplished stuntman, Kirzinger insisted on doing all his own stunts for the movie, despite protests from the director. Other roles included playing Jared Bender in the popular television series, “Supernatural.”
Ken Jenkins – As actors go, Ken Jenkins has had a long and colourful career. However, he really came into his own when he took on the role of Dr. Bob Kelso in the hit comedy series Scrubs. Kelso was the head of medicine at Sacred Heart, and was also notorious for being cheap, uncaring and abusive to both hospital staff and his long-suffering wife.
Kenneth Wolstenholme – “They think it’s all over… it is now” – a phrase any soccer fan of worth will instantly recognize. Kenneth Wolstenholme uttered his most recognized catchphrase in the closing minutes of the 1966 FIFA World Cup between England and Germany. The phrase was born from supporters invading the pitch, just before Geoff Hurst scored a fourth goal for the England side.
Ken Venturi – Even if you’re not a fan of golf, after 35 years as an analyst of the sport for CBS, Ken Venturi had a face that was instantly recognizable. Ken was also a pro in the early years of the PGA and just missed out on winning the Masters against Arnold Palmer on two occasions. Venturi passed away on May 17, 2013 at the age of 82. He had retired from CBS back in 2002 and was living with his third wife, Kathleen, at the time of his death.
Reginald Kenneth Dwight – Take note of this name – it’s a frequent quiz master favourite. Reginald Kenneth Dwight is none other than Elton John. It’s not a name that the singer has used for a long time, and Elton John does sound much better. The name “Elton John” was created by amalgamating the first names of his idols, Elton Dean and Long John Baldry.
Ken Robinson – If you’ve been paying attention to the Internet, and especially the “Ted Talks” channel, you may have spotted Sir Ken Robinson’s meteoric rise to fame. Robinson hosted a Ted Talk on creativity and how educators are stifling children, rather than nurturing them. The talk captured the imaginations of people from all over the world, and soon Sir Ken Robinson was declared the number one authority on creative thinking.

Things to Know About Raising Your Middle Child

October 29, 2015 by Kenney Myers

In families with more than two children, middle child syndrome is a common occurrence. Characterized by a middle child’s feelings of inadequacy and neglect, this phenomenon can lead to serious problems concerning behavior and psychological health. And while many parents write off middle child syndrome as a non-issue, the fact remains that birth order has been shown to strongly influence an individual’s character and emotional development. Thankfully, this influence doesn’t always have to be negative. Tips like the following, for example, will help parents promote good self-esteem and emotional health in their middle children.

Encourage Your Middle Child’s Uniqueness

All children are different. Instead of making comparisons between a middle child and her siblings, celebrate those differences and encourage your child’s individuality. For example, if an older sibling is a math whiz, never say things like, “If you study harder, you could be great at math, too!” While these types of comments may seem supportive and positive, they may lead to feelings of inadequacy. Instead, praise your middle child for her own accomplishments. Focus on her interests and activities, foster her creativity, and always encourage her to be her absolute best.

Make Special Time for Your Middle Child

Middle children often get lost in the shuffle. A good way to prevent this is by setting aside separate alone time for each of your children. For example, once a month, schedule a date with your middle child. Choose an activity that interests your child and give her your undivided attention. These dates will show your middle child that she’s special and that you genuinely enjoy spending time with her.

Dote on Your Middle Child

In many families, first and last children get most of the attention. For example, new parents take countless photos of their firstborn and spend an inordinate amount of time doting on the baby of the family. This can make the middle child feel excluded, which can lead to major problems down the road. Children who feel left out often resort to behavioral problems as a means of getting the attention they need. However, this can be easily avoided by making sure your middle child gets all the positive attention she deserves. A few great ways to do this include recognizing and celebrating each of her achievements, giving her genuine (not comparative) praise, showing up for all of her extracurricular events, and capturing tons of memories via photo and video.

Give Your Middle Child a Voice

Because middle children can be more quiet and reserved than their siblings, their voices and opinions can go unheard. To avoid leaving your middle child feeling like the odd man out, encourage her to take part in family decisions and activities. When it’s time for a night of family fun, for example, make sure your middle child has a say in decisions such as dinner, games, movies, etc. This will let her know her thoughts and opinions matter and that she’s just as much a part of the family as everyone else.

Stand Up for Your Middle Child

Being the quiet ones in the family, middle children often get overruled by their siblings when it comes to things like toys, bedrooms, activities and more. Many parents chalk this up to their middle child’s desire to avoid conflict; however, constantly taking a backseat isn’t healthy for anyone. To ensure equality among siblings, parents may need to step in and stand up for middle children. When older and younger siblings see that bullying or overpowering middle children will not be tolerated, they often curb these behaviors in favor of getting along. Thankfully, while these types of interventions may not always be pleasant, they are usually advantageous for the family as a whole and not just for the middle child.

Get to Know Your Middle Child

As parents, we often focus on our children’s safety, health and happiness. It happens too often that parents, even those with the very best of intentions, never really get to know their children on a personal level. With middle children, this is even more common. To avoid this, make a real attempt to get to know your middle child. Ask about her hobbies and her friends and the type of music, movies and books she likes. Encourage her to open up about her hopes, dreams and plans for the future. By making an effort to know and understand your middle child, you can forge a closer bond and make her feel special and appreciated.