1 . Most American families are smaller than the families in other countries. Most American families have one or two parents and one or two children each.

Children in the US will leave their parents’ home when they grow up. They usually live far from their parents because they want to find good jobs. They often write to their parents or telephone them. And they often go to visit their parents on holiday.

Parents usually let their children choose their own jobs. Americans think it important for young people to decide on their lives by themselves.

Children are asked to do some work around their house. And in many families, children are paid for doing some housework so that they learn how to make money for their own use.

4 . At Mia's “Reuse-a-Palooza” party, eight colored bins contained items of matching colors. Staff arranged them in rainbow order. Materials included pipe cleaners, buttons, rings, funnels and tubes.     1     Mia, for example, created a pair of glasses from wire, hoops, and orange paper. Mia's party is one of several themed parties at Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse.

Jewelry, sewing, instrument making, and Reuse-a-Palooza have been the most popular themes so far.     2     These include dioramas, marble rolls, birdhouses, bookmaking, yarn crafts, souvenirs, and empty lots. Some of these themes encourage the participants to use skills in addition to crafting. For example, the empty lots theme teaches how to transform vacant lots into green spaces for the community. Kids also learn about environmentally friendly structures like rain gardens and green walls.

    3     Families were requesting them! As of spring 2019, more than 100 kids have participated. The parties are gaining popularity as the word spreads.

Every Creative Reuse party helps our planet. It is estimated that each participant uses between half a pound and one pound of materials. Creative Reuse's executive director Ash Andrews says, “    4     We are measuring those numbers and thinking deeply about them. It's not all just like, ‘We want to make stuff !’We also want to divert things from the landfill.”

    5     In 2018, 75 tons of stuff was kept out of the landfill. That's up from 52 tons in 2017 and 43 tons in 2016. “It's very interesting to see how the impact has grown,” says Andrews.

Ever try to get your children to wear bike helmets? They cry, “Johnny and Sara said helmets are for nerds!” And you respond, “I don't care what Johnny and Sara say. You'll do as I say!” This tactic usually fails, of course. It didn't work when your parents said that to you, did it?

Today, wearing a helmet is vital to your child's safety. Each year, bike-related accidents injure about 350, 000 children age 14 and under. Many suffer head injuries; bike helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries by 85 percent. Yet, peer pressure can be a safety risk for children. Experts say children begin to care more about their friends' opinions than their parents' as early as the second grade. A child may refuse to wear a helmet if friends don't, or if they think wearing a bike helmet is not “cool.”

How can a safety-conscious parent deal with this kind of peer pressure? The National SAFE KIDS Campaign provides some suggestions for parents. You can encourage helmet use before “being cool” matters. Some experts suggest putting helmets on children when they begin riding tricycles. If children get used to wearing helmets before age seven, they may find them more acceptable later. It is also important for you to set a good example. The example of parents strongly influences children. You can set a household rule that applies to everyone: If you ride a bicycle, you wear a helmet. In addition, you can promote bicycle helmet use among other parents. Educate other parents about how helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries. This will reduce peer pressure by making rules consistent from household to household.

Every time your children ride a bicycle, ask them to wear helmets, even if it is a five-minute ride. It is your responsibility as a parent. Take a stand when peer pressure is working against you. Be firm. Make it clear that if your children do not wear helmets, they cannot ride their bicycles.

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