| How to Make an Origami Chair Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:00 PM PDT Do you know how to make an origami chair? No? Read on to learn how. - Start with a six inch square piece of paper. Lay it with the colored side facing down.
- Fold it in half and crease well.
- Fold the right and left side so they meet at the middle crease and crease them well.
- The paper should be divided into four equal parts. Cut off one of them.
- Fold the paper the other way, and crease well.
- Fold the top right corner to meet the first vertical line and crease well.
- Repeat the previous step for the left corner.
- Do a squash fold. Starting with the right corner, unfold the crease you just made. Open it slightly and then squash it down to form a triangle.
- Repeat the last step for the left corner.
- Fold the center flap up to meet the top edge.
- Fold the right side to the left. Crease well and unfold.
- Fold the left side to the right, crease and unfold.
- Bring the top flap down. Tape or glue it.
- And that's it! Enjoy your origami chair.
- You can make it into a furniture piece for a doll, but if you do, make it a comfy one! Add a small pillow, some chair covers and put it in your doll's bedroom or living room or patio! A possible idea would be to add your chair to the mini swimming pool area.
- Fold the seat to meet the bottom edge of the seat and than fold it again to meet the middle crease to transform it into a desk with a back wall. Add a mirror to transform it into a vanity!
- To make it into a furniture piece for a doll, just put some cardboard on it and paint it so it's sturdy.
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| How to Stop Apologizing Posted: 27 Apr 2016 09:00 AM PDT When we are constantly apologizing, we send everyone around us the message that we are in a "sorry" state. While there are many circumstances for which apologies are appropriate, over-apologizing causes us to internalize feelings of guilt for simply being who we are. We may begin with good intentions; it is important to be kind, caring, and sensitive. Ironically, though, excessive apologies can isolate and confuse others around us. Once you understand what underlies habitual apologizing, you can take steps to change. EditUnderstanding Habitual Apologizing - Recognize how over-apologizing reflects on you. Apologizing too much signals to ourselves and others that we are ashamed or regretful of something about our very presence. This is best seen in situations where you clearly did nothing wrong in the moment (e.g., bumping into a chair and apologizing to it). If there is nothing to take the blame for, why do you apologize?
- Emotionally sensitive people who care about the feelings and experiences of others more than their own may over-apologize. This can result in a steady but hard to recognize disrespect or denial of one's own value.[1]
- Studies have shown that apologies more frequently reflect shame than a belief that a wrong has been committed.[2]
- Acknowledge gender differences. Men tend to apologize much less frequently than women, and research suggests that this is because women tend to have a wider sense of what constitutes offensive behavior.[3] Men often have a very limited sense of what might be seen as offensive. Because more possible offenses exist in women's perceptions, they are likely to feel responsible more often than men do.
- Excessive apologizing in women is partly an issue of social conditioning for which you are not at fault. While changing this habit requires effort, it can be comforting to know that it is not necessarily something "wrong" with you.
- Examine the effects on others. How are others in your life affected when you apologize too often? Not only are you likely to be discounted as inadequate or incompetent, but people close to you may begin to suffer, too.[4] Apologizing may cause others to feel isolated for not understanding the offense or as if they are so threatening and harsh that their behavior is causing you to apologize frequently.
- For example, if you say "sorry, I arrived a few minutes early" the other person may wonder what is causing you to walk on eggshells with her. Perhaps she will also feel that her big smile when you walked in early was ignored or unappreciated.
EditTracking and Changing your Apologies - Be aware. How much apologizing is too much? If the following sound familiar, you may be going overboard. Note how all of these apologies are all excuses for normal, non-harmful actions and states.[5]
- "I'm sorry, I don't want to bother you."
- "I'm sorry, I just went for a jog and now I'm all sweaty."
- "I'm sorry, my house is a mess right now."
- "I'm sorry, I think I forgot to put salt on the popcorn."
- Track your apologies.[6] Make a mental or written note of all the things you apologize for and take a good look at them. Ask yourself whether or not what you did was either intentional or harmful. After all, these are the conditions that really require apologies.
- Try tracking your apologies in this way for a week.
- You might find that many of your apologies seem to be aimed at avoiding confrontation or maybe appearing more humble and sweet.
- Re-learn when apologies are in order.[7] Notice whether or not the apology feels as if you have cleared up something that offended another person or your standards for yourself. Try to get a sense for when it feels perfunctory, as if you have to cover your bases to make room or subtly ask permission for your actions and opinions.
- If you feel lost, start by drawing the line at your role in an event and leave it at that. This can be particularly difficult if you are someone who apologizes on behalf of others in order to nip conflict in the bud. However, apologizing on others' behalf often leads to feelings of resentment, as you are taking on others' responsibilities in addition to your own.[8]
- When to apologize is always a judgment call; it won't be the same for everyone.
- Swap apologies for a silly word. As you begin to notice the unnecessary apologies, swap it for a word like "humdinger" or "beep-bop". This pairs unnecessary apologies with a feeling of ridiculousness that comes with the silly word and improves your ability to keep tracking your apologies [9]
- Without replacing frequent apologizing with other qualifiers, you run the risk of slipping back into apology land.
- Use this trick while you are tracking your apologies. Then you can begin replacing apologies with more meaningful expressions of care.
- Show gratitude. In some situations, it may be more appropriate to simply say "thank you". For instance, say your friend goes to take out the trash before you get to it. In lieu of apologizing for not having done the chore fast enough, give credit where it is due. Focus on your friend having stepped up rather than what you think you should have done.[10]
- This unburdens you from feeling responsible and creating guilt where it is not, and unburdens your friend from having to reassure you that taking out the trash wasn't a bother.
- Try using empathy as an alternative. Empathy is the ability to put yourself in others' shoes, and you can use it to build solidarity (as you may have been trying to do through apologizing).[11] Empathy will be more highly valued to your loved ones than showing guilt because you are showing concern without effacing yourself in the process.
- Instead of making those in your life feel that you are indebted to them, make them feel heard and understood.[12]
- You could try talking about how they may feel about a situation. For example, if a person has had a bad day at work, try saying something like, "That sounds like it was rough" instead of "I'm sorry." This allows the other person to know that you're paying attention to how she feels.
- Laugh at yourself instead. There are many instances where we want to express an awareness of our own goofiness, and this can be done without apologizing. Say you accidentally spill some coffee or suggest a restaurant that you then find is closed. Instead of presenting your awareness of the accident with an apology, present it with laughter. Humor is a good way to soften tension in situations and help others feel at ease.[13]
- If you laugh at mistakes instead of apologize, you and everyone around you will see that you have acknowledged a misstep. Laughing makes the best of this misstep by helping you take it a little less seriously.
EditAddressing Root Issues for Long-Term Change - Question yourself.[14] What is it that you are doing with your apologies? Trying to minimize yourself or come off differently? Maybe you are trying to avoid conflict or seek approval. Explore these questions thoroughly. Try free-writing your answers to see your knee jerk opinions about the issue.
- Also consider who you apologize to most often. Your significant other? Your boss? Examine these relationships and what your apologies are accomplishing with those specific people.
- Explore your feelings. When you apologize too often, you may end up with a stifled internal sense of your feelings. The apology may become about the end result of being seen differently by someone else and less about your your own feelings of the situation. Dig into your feelings when you are tempted to apologize and notice what you find.
- Oftentimes apologies correspond to feelings of inadequacy which can be resolved through acceptance of oneself and a renewed look at your power and worth.[15]
- When working on adjusting longstanding habits tied to self-esteem, the assistance of a therapist or other mental health professional can be useful.[16]
- Accept your mistakes. As we know, everyone makes mistakes. This means you don't need to apologize for having a stain on your shirt or needing three tries to get your parallel parking just right.[17] These mistakes may be silly or embarrassing, but knowing that everyone is fallible will help you realize that making mistakes is not a big deal, and we don't need to be hyper-focused on our errors. This focus holds us back from growth and change.
- Recognize that your mistakes are what help you grow. If a mistake causes you inconvenience or even pain, there is always the opportunity to learn from the experience and grow from it.
- Eliminate residual guilt. Endless apologies and self-recrimination are an indication that you have become a guilty person rather than just feeling guilty for wrongdoings.[18] Start working through your guilt by making efforts to be more compassionate toward yourself, adjusting unrealistic standards, and recognizing that which you cannot control.
- For example, you may believe that you "should" be a cheerful person all the time, and feel guilty when you are not. However, this is an unrealistic standard for yourself. Instead, show yourself a little compassion when you're not feeling like your usual cheerful self. Tell yourself, "Today I'm having a hard day, and that's okay."
- Remember that you can only control your own actions and responses. So, for example, if you leave in plenty of time to get to a meeting and still end up arriving late because of an unforeseen traffic accident, this is not your fault. It was not within your control. You can explain what happened, but you don't have to feel guilty for it.
- Develop your values.[19] An overly apologetic style sometimes shows a lack of defined values. This is because apologizing focuses on others' reactions to know what is right and wrong. Instead of basing your value system on others' approval, take steps to develop your own values.
- Defining your values will give you a clear sense for how to handle different situations and make decisions that come from your own internal compass.
- For example, consider a few people whom you admire. What do you respect about them? How can you implement these values in your own life?[20]
- Move relationships forward. Frequent apologizing can have many detrimental effects on relationships. As you are changing your speech away from frequent apologies, let people close to you know what you are doing and why. Without apologizing for your past behavior, tell loved ones that you are making a change that you hope will positively impact you and hopefully them too.
- You could say something like, "I've realized that I apologize too much, and that this can make my loved ones feel uneasy around me. I'm working on becoming less apologetic for things that don't require it."
- Share any part of what you've learned about over-apologizing or about yourself that you think is relevant to the person. Make it clear that as you gain confidence in yourself, they may see changes in you that you would like to see accepted.
- If any of your relationships depend on your being apologetic or having committed some wrong, this is unhealthy and should be addressed.
- Embrace your power. Saying "sorry" is also used as a way to make a direct statement, or to speak your mind, without coming across as bossy or aggressive. So, chances are good that over-apologizing downplays your power and softens what you do.[21] Embrace your power by realizing that power does not mean that you are violent or selfish deep down.
- On the contrary, your power gives you the ability to impact others just by being who you really are. This is the power to have the influence you want to see in the world around you.[22]
- Notice and appreciate that you have skills and qualities that people recognize, and that that is something to cherish--not to deny.
- Next time you have an idea you want to share, don't start off with something like "I'm sorry to bother you, but...." Simply be direct, confident and respectful. For example: "I have some ideas I'd like to share with you about our new direction. When would you have a few minutes to talk?" This is not pushy or aggressive, but it is also not apologetic when there is no need to be.
- Find other sources of reassurance. Apologies are often requests for reassurance from those we care about. When we hear friends, family, or others we respect say "it's okay" or "don't worry about it", we understand that we will still be loved and accepted by them despite perceived shortcomings. The following are some tools for reassuring yourself so that you don't need to seek it through apologizing to others:
- Affirmations are personalized mantras that help you gain confidence in yourself and use this confidence to create positive change, for example, "I am good enough, just as I am."
- Positive self-talk gives you a way to turn the negative thoughts that feed insecurities into encouraging and helpful thoughts. For example, next time you hear your inner critic say something unhelpful, challenge it with a positive statement: "I have good ideas, and people believe they are worth hearing."
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| How to Do a Private Adoption Posted: 27 Apr 2016 01:00 AM PDT Families come in all shapes and sizes and in the words of the National Adoption Center, "There are no unwanted children. Just unfound families."[1] Private adoption, where a lawyer acts as the go-between with the birth parents and the adoptive parents, is one way to make your way through the often confusing adoption legal framework. EditPlanning a Private Adoption - Explore your eligibility to adopt a child. There is not constitutional right to adopt a child.[2] As a result, all adoption rights, procedures, and requirements are governed by state statutes with some guidance from the federal government. In general, under current state laws, any single adult or heterosexual married couple is eligible to adopt if they meet certain criteria.
- With the legalization of same sex marriage, adoption laws are in flux. Most states statutes are silent on this issue. In Florida, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Virginia, Utah, and Connecticut, the state laws either explicitly forbid adoption by, or place roadblocks in the path of, same sex couples. Until the lawmakers act, LGBT married couples should consult with an attorney skilled in adoption law to discuss the specific laws of your state.[3]
- Age requirements of prospective parents, if listed in the statute, range from 18 to 25. Six states, California, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Utah, require that the adoptive parent be at least ten years older than the adoptee. In Idaho, it is 15 years.[4]
- Consult the laws of your state for the specific eligibility requirements.[5]
- Determine the residency requirement. Seventeen states require that you be a resident of the state with periods ranging from 60 days to one year.[6] Your residency can be proved through your driver's license, mortgage receipts, tax records, utility receipts, and car registration information.
- If you are unsure, consult with an adoption attorney or agency. In general, the states that require you to be a resident are Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- If you or your spouse are members of the military, there may be exceptions to the residency requirements. Consult with a local JAG attorney, family law attorney, or adoption agency to see if the residency requirement can be waived.
- Consider an adoption facilitator. Facilitators are unlicensed individuals and organizations who match birth mothers with prospective adoptive parents.[7] Facilitators range from non-profit organizations to businesses that charge a very large fee for the introduction.
- Adoption facilitators operate outside the legal framework and are not held to any of the same licensing and competency requirements of the professional agencies.
- Adoption facilitators are not legal in all states. Check state laws in both the state of your residence and the state where the child may reside and verify that using a facilitator is allowed.
- Some facilitators have good reputations and have a vast network of community contacts for finding birth mothers who want to put babies up for adoption.[8]
- If you want to consider using a facilitator, you must research them carefully. You want a reputable organization with a track record of successful placements. Ask for references and check them carefully. Ask about fees and request they be put in writing.[9]
- Decide who you want to handle the legal side of your adoption. In a private adoption, the birth parents transfer their rights directly to the adoptive parents rather than the state or an adoption agency.[10] However, the adoption is still governed by state law and there are many legal procedures and requirements you must meet for the adoption to be granted. Most adoptive parents work with an attorney to guide them through the process.
 - Choose an attorney with experience in private adoptions. When you interview attorneys, ask if they are a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys or an equivalent state accreditation.[11] If your attorney is not accredited, question her about her specific experience handling private adoptions. The AAAA maintains a directory of accredited adoption attorneys in the United States.[12]
- A private adoption where the adoptive parents and the birth mother have not agreed beforehand can cost over $20,000.[13] Before you make the financial and emotional investment in the adoption, you want an attorney who is familiar with all federal, state, and local laws and procedures. Depending on your location, expect to pay $100 to $200 per hour for skilled legal assistance.
- Because of the complexities of the adoption process and the potential for negative consequences, it is not recommended that you attempt to do an adoption pro se. Even a consent adoption within the family, for example, an aunt and uncle adopting a nephew with full consent of the birth parents, should still be prepared and shepherded through the court by an attorney.
EditCompleting an Adoption Home Study - Prepare for the Home Study. All states require that prospective adoptive parents participate in a home study. There are no exceptions for private adoptions. While a source of stress for many, the home study is intended to educate you about the process and evaluate your home life and capability to be an adoptive parent.[14]
- Home studies vary by state. Some require you attend an orientation and training class. Others will be conducted strictly at your home. Your attorney can familiarize you on the procedure in your state.
- State law determines who can conduct a home study. In a private adoption, it will most likely be done by a private agency licensed by the state. Expect to pay up to $1,000 for your home study.
- Your home study may take three to six months to complete. Many prospective parents do the home study while waiting to be matched with a birth mother.
- Participate in the Home Study. The interviews and inspections may be long and feel very invasive. However, it is critical that you participate openly and enthusiastically. Questions will vary by state requirements, but there are some common themes.
 - You will be asked about the family background of everyone living in the home. Be prepared to discuss your childhood and how you were parented, including feelings on discipline. Be prepared to submit to a criminal background check.
- The interviewer will ask about your education and employment, including future plans. If asked, be ready to produce income and expense information.
- Be ready to talk about your daily routines. If you have other children, what schedules and routines do you keep. If you and your partner work, the interview will ask how you intend to integrate the needs of the child into your schedule. You should be ready to discuss how you will handle child care.
- Your home will be inspected for safety and suitability. You do not have to own your own home or have a separate bedroom for each child. If you have concerns about where you live, discuss it with your adoption attorney.[15]
- The Home Study will probe the state of your relationship and your support system. Single parents will be asked about dating and romantic relationships. Married parents will be encouraged to talk about the relationship and how a child might affect the marriage. [16]
- Keep you Home Study current. You do not have to have located an adoptive child before the Home Study. However, most states require that if a certain amount of time, usually 6 months, elapses, the process must be repeated and an updated report prepared. Discuss your concerns with the Home Study agency and your attorney.[17]
EditCompleting the Adoption - File the adoption petition. Once a child has been identified and the Home Study completed, your attorney will prepare and file the adoption petition with the court. The petition will identify you and your partner, the birth parents, consent to the adoption, and ask the court to grant the adoption. When the petition is filed, the court clerk will set it on the judge's calendar for an initial review.
- Serve the petition on the birth parents. Your lawyer will have the adoption papers delivered to the birth parents. In a private adoption where there is not an issue of consent, your lawyer will likely meet with the birth parents and have them sign the documents.
- No consent to the adoption is binding until the child is born.[18] Your attorney will explain to you whether the birth parents have any opportunity to revoke consent. In some states, the signature is considered irrevocable. In other states, there may be a grace period of up to 30 days.[19][20]
- If the birth parents refuse to sign or revoke consent, the adoption cannot proceed.
- In a private adoption, the court will not compel consent or sever parental rights. If the birth parents refuse to consent and are unfit, the child will be taken into state custody.
- A refusal to give consent or a revocation can be emotionally devastating to the adoptive family. You must be prepared for this possibility and have a support system in place to deal with your loss.
- Attend the final hearing. Adoption hearings can either be part of the regular court schedule or on a special adoption docket. Assuming the consent and Home Study are in order, the judge will review the file and issue the orders that finalize the adoption.
- Discuss the hearing with your lawyer. If you are scheduled on the regular docket, do not bring balloons, cameras, or large groups. Your adoption may be scheduled in between a divorce, a child support modification, and a motion about visitation. Do not disrupt or delay the court's schedule. Save the party for after the hearing.
- If you are scheduled on a special adoption docket, the procedure will be relaxed and more festive. However, still check with your attorney before using your camera in the courtroom.
- Unless your state allows for an appeal, the adoption is final when signed by the judge.
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