How to Add an RSS Feed on Blogger

Blogger.com is a popular blogging site that provides not only the storage space and bandwidth for a blog, but also a number of tools that can make a blog more effective. One important blog capability is the ability to automatically display new entries from other blogs. Also called "Really Simple Syndication," or RSS. You can add this capability easily to a Blogger.com blog.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• An active Blogger.com account
• An active Blogger blog

1. • 1
     Log into your Blogger.com account. This will take you to your Blogger Dashboard, which is a list of all of your blogs on the site along with controls for customizing them.
   • 2
     Select "Layout" for your desired blog. The "Layout" tab will be displayed, providing a graphical representation of your blog, including the area where blog posts appear and areas where you can add customized elements.
   • 3
     Click on "Add a Page Element." Another window will open with a list of elements that you can add to your blog. Select "Add to Blog" underneath the "Feed" element, which opens a "Configure Feed" dialog box.
   • 4
     Copy the RSS link URL from the external blog. Most blogs place their RSS link as either text or an RSS icon somewhere on their blog. Clicking on this link will open a Web browser page with the feed URL, often a Feedburner.com address. Select this link and copy it to the clipboard.
   • 5
     Paste the RSS link URL into the "Feed URL" box of the Blogger "Configure Feed" dialog. Select "Continue." If you make a mistake, click "Cancel" and start again.
   • 6
     Save your changes. After clicking on "Continue," a dialog box will open showing the title of the blog feed you are publishing, an option to select how many items you wish to display, and check boxes to show "Item dates" and "Item sources/authors." Make your selections, review how the feed will look on your blog, and select "Save Changes" when satisfied.
   • 7
     Place your new feed. The feed you just added will show up as the top item in your list of side page elements. Left-click, hold, and drag the feed element to move it to a different slot on the side, or to the top or bottom section of your blog. When satisfied, click on "Save." Then click "Preview" to see how your new feed appears. Use "Clear Edits" to undo the changes and start over.

Simple Way to Potty Train

Potty training is a big step in a child's life as well as the parent's. However, the task can be quite daunting. Potty training takes place when the child is around 2 years old and is able to sit and walk by herself. Other potty training readiness indicators are that the child has a desire to please their parents and the child has a trusting relationship with the person who will be potty training her. There are many different methods to potty train your child, and every method will work differently with each child.

1. Preperation

   • One popular method of potty training, called the 1-day method, claims that it will be able to potty train your child in 1 day. After you have determined that your child is ready to be potty trained, you will then need to get a few items for the potty training technique. You will need a potty training doll, party accessories and big kid underwear.

   Potty Training Day

   • Put big kid underwear on a doll that you will use for the potty training day. Have your child switch from diapers to normal underwear as well. The next step involves your child teaching her doll how to use the big potty.

     Have your child give the doll a drink of water, and then both of you will go to the bathroom. Pull the doll's big kid underwear down, and the doll will use the potty. Then to show how proud you are of the doll, throw it a big party with balloons and party hats. Lavish attention on the doll. Your child will see how special it is to use the big kid potty, and she will want to use it also.

     In the next step, give your child a large drink. Then, ask your child if she wants to go to the potty. Take her to the potty whether she says yes or no. This helps her to practice pulling up and down her big kid underwear. If your child goes potty, celebrate with a big party. If your child happens to have an accident, take her to the bathroom 10 times over and over so she gets the hang of going to the bathroom, pulling down her pants and sitting on the toilet.

     Once your child gets the hang of it, you should no longer have to use diapers. This method takes lots of patience and encouragement. Remember, even if the child has an accident, do not get upset but be understanding and positive.

Quickest Way to Potty Train

Training a child to use the potty instead of a diaper can be a quick process if you start at the right time. Some children can potty train as early as 18 months but others will need to wait as late as three years old or older. Starting the potty training process before your child is ready will cause the process to take longer. The quickest way to potty train your child is to wait until he is physically and mentally ready and provide lots of praise for success.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Child size potty
• Underwear
• Treats

1. • 1
     Identify whether your child is ready to potty train. There are specific signs that a child is physically ready to potty train, including having dry diapers for stretches of time. This indicates that he is capable of holding his pee for a length of time. He should have regular bowel movements, ask to have his diaper removed after soiling it and he may inform you that he is going to the bathroom in his diaper. This indicates his awareness of the physical aspect of going to the bathroom. He may also wish to wear big kid underwear and may ask to use the big potty instead of a diaper.

     According to the Mayo Clinic, potty training child who is not quite ready will simply make the process take longer. If you wish to potty train your child quickly, then you need to ensure that your child is physically ready as well as mentally agreeable to using the potty.
   • 2
     Purchase a child size potty. This might be a small potty that sits on the floor or a potty seat that sits on top of a regular toilet. This allows your child's small bottom to sit comfortably on the potty.
   • 3
     Purchase your child underwear. You will want to purchase several packs of underwear so that as your child has accidents during the first day or two, you do not have to do laundry every day. Make a big deal about wearing big kid underwear, and always provide lots of praise for keeping the underwear dry, even for short periods of time.
   • 4
     Choose a special treat for your child. This treat is for using the potty and can be a small piece of candy or a sticker. You may need to give a treat for sitting on the potty, for going to the bathroom or for keeping his underwear or diaper dry. Along with the treat, you need to give lots of praise for any success your child has.
   • 5
     Have your child use the potty. Take your child to the bathroom frequently at first and praise and reward him for keeping his underwear or diaper dry and using the potty. If your child was physically ready to potty train, he will learn quickly what the "gotta go" sensation feels like.

     You should also watch for signs that your child needs to use the bathroom, like squirming, holding the genital area or becoming very quiet and focused during otherwise active play. When you notice these signs, quickly escort your child to the bathroom and provide lots of praise for using the potty.
   • 6
     Be encouraging even when accidents occur. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, potty training can take up to several weeks or months for the child to be completely accident free. When an accident occurs, you should not make a big deal about it; simply clean it up and encourage your child to try again.

How to Help Our Teen Girls in Real-Life Situations

Teen girls experience a wide variety of challenges including issues with body image, self-esteem problems, and learning to develop relationships with other teens. Development during these years can be confusing, and girls may often face difficult social decisions and personal stress. Adults can offer support and help teen girls build their resilience by creating steady, nurturing relationships that offer open lines of communication. These relationships offer girls a sense of safety and support, so they are more likely to seek help with real life situations that create distress.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Build a positive, trusting rapport. A teen girl is likely to confide in you and ask for help if she feels a sense of trust and rapport. Whether you're a parent or an educator, you can develop this rapport by being available and showing interest in her activities, school work and social life. Asking questions, remaining open-minded, and offering positive feedback are all important ways to show that you care about her feelings and experiences.
   • 2
     Offer positive role modeling of healthy communication. Parents, educator and other adults can role model positive communication skills by talking opening about problems or feelings. Active listening skills show a teen girl how to accept another person's point of view and also assert her own needs and thoughts in a respectful way. If you're working with a girl who has problems feeling confident about expressing herself, you may want to model assertive communication skills, such as "I" statements.
   • 3
     Provide resources for health, wellness and positive relationships. Teen girls face a variety of difficult decisions and experiences regarding their bodies and their health. From body image to puberty, adolescent development can create some confusing and overwhelming feelings. It's important for a teen girl to know that she has resources regarding health questions. If you're a parent this may mean that you offer your daughter books on health or that you help her schedule health appointments. Keeping communication open about wellness and sexuality will ensure that she feels comfortable seeking out resources.
   • 4
     Set firm limits regarding unhealthy or unacceptable behaviors. As an adult you should be supportive and accessible, but you'll also need to assign consequences for any inappropriate or unhealthy behaviors. For example, if a teen girl goes out to a party and drinks, it's important to be supportive and communicate openly, but it is also critical that she has consequences and limits. She needs to know she can trust you for support, but that you will not allow her to engage in destructive or harmful behaviors.

Techniques to Help Teen Girls Develop High Self-Esteem

Many teenagers experience a drop in self-esteem, but girls may experience a drop twice as severe as boys, according to a 2002 study at University of California Davis. A teenage girl with low self-esteem may worry about body image, social skills, academic performance and other key areas of life. When a girl has strong self-esteem, that confidence will push her to excel. Techniques that boost teen girls' self-esteem will contribute to a brighter, happier future.

1. Verbal Techniques

   • Ask your daughter how her day was and show genuine interest. Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

     Pay attention to your words and the impact they may have on your teen. If you tend to make critical comments about other women and girls, or about your daughter and yourself, start changing this habit. Even humorous or idle comments can impair a teen's self-esteem. When your daughter succeeds, offer genuine praise, and prove you notice her skills and hard work. Build a trusting connection with your teen by talking with her habitually, whether about small daily issues or about larger matters. Show that you care about her opinions on a variety of issues.

   Media Techniques

   • Magazines, movies, TV and other media influences can have a severe negative impact on a teen girl's developing self-image. Rather than preventing your daughter from exposure to media, instead have open discussions about the risks of believing media messages. Talk about the unrealistic expectations that are often presented in advertisements or by fashion models and actresses. Look for shows, movies and magazines that present a more well-balanced view of women's accomplishments and behavior and more realistic portrayals of appearance and body weight.

   Practical Techniques

   • Succeeding academically is one way to empower teen girls. Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images

     Actions speak louder than words, and your teen's self-esteem will grow through activities and participation. Encourage your daughter to engage in activities that break traditional stereotypes. This can include household activities, such as asking your teen to change the oil as well as set the table. Strongly support academic success, and encourage your daughter's interest in science or math. Some teen girls feel insecure about striving for academic success and hide their intellects and talents. Encourage your daughter to succeed at whatever interests her, despite peer pressure.

   Community Techniques

   • While self-esteem starts at home, it continues when your teen is at school, dating or around friends. When your teen girl is involved with a conflict, listen respectfully to both sides and offer guidance to your teen. Talk to your teen about resolving conflicts and standing up for herself without being aggressive. Encourage community participation, such as volunteering or team sports. These outlets will help your teen develop empathy, compassion and teamwork skills, all of which can benefit her own self-esteem and sense of self-worth and pride.

How to Drive Traffic to Your Blog

The best way to drive traffic to your blog is to write excellent articles on a topic that you care about, and to write them at a consistent intervals. In addition, there are a number of ways to help potential readers find you. The key is to remember that maintaining high quality in all dealings will win out in the long run, and help you build a solid readership that keeps coming back for more.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Blog
• Quality Writing
• Consistency

1. • 1
     Write daily or at least consistently. Readers want new material to read and if you take frequent breaks, that is a fast way to lose a reader's interest. On the other hand, too much content can also drive away readers. You don't want reading your blog to become a chore. Shorter, less frequent articles that are better polished and more packed with information are better than long, rambling daily epics.
   • 2
     Visit other blogs that are similar to yours and make comments. Not only will you get to know those bloggers, but chances are their readers will decide to visit your blog as well. Your comments must be meaningful and useful. Obviously self-serving comments such as "Nice blog you got here. Visit my blog at ..." followed by your URL will be ignored. Worse, they could earn you a reputation as an annoying spammer among your target readership.
   • 3
     Join Entrecard. It's a tool for finding other people's blogs and advertising your own blog.
   • 4
     Publicize your blog. Post your new blog posts on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. Set your blog posts set to auto-post to Facebook and Twitter with the Networked Blogs Application and Twitterfeed. Add your blog link to your email signature and your signature on any message boards that you frequent.
   • 5
     Hold a giveaway. Contact a company that sells a product or service germane to your blog and ask if they would be interested in reaching your readership. Post a call for giveaway sponsors on your blog and your social media presences. Contact book authors and companies trying to build recognition for their brand. Don't be afraid to contact big companies, too: some have sponsorship programs already set up for donating products for giveaways.