Soccer - Really The World Game

Soccer: What terrific memories, thoughts and excitement that word generates. At this moment the world is in the throes of the World Championship of Football - yes, I call it football, because I believe it to be the only true "foot" ball game. Just imagine if you will the number of people who are tuning in to watch their country - if they have qualified, compete on the stage of the biggest sporting tournament the world has to offer. The great thing is that all nations hold some interest in this spectacle. It is something tangible from South America to Australia. From Asia through Europe to the United States.

Imagine if you will the passion of supporters of these nations, when they score a goal to either give them the advantage in a particular match, or even more thrilling the winning goal in the World Cup final itself!

OK, now we're in the mood of things, take into consideration that there are people on this planet who have little or no interest in this event or the build up to it. The folk to whom I refer, are those that pursue the pleasure of the other "football" codes on offer in this diverse world of ours.

Let me explain: We have a few other codes of football played worldwide. The United States have their own particular brand and in other countries Rugby League and Rugby Union are followed with a degree of passion, the latter reaching euphoric status in countries like New Zealand. There is another form of football played in Australia called Australian Rules football affectionately known as "footy", although I tend to dismiss this game as somewhat of a novelty sport, because it has never really been played worldwide and can't be compared favourably to the other codes as a spectacle, mainly because of lack of foresight from administrators. That doesn't mean to say that it doesn't have a strong following.

Let me say this first of all. Whichever of the ball games is your cup of tea, fine. I can live with that. It's just the title of your sport that I find somewhat odd. I have heard criticism of football - the real football I mean - making jibes about the ballet-type heading prowess of some of the players and the acting talents of some of its professional participants and, to a degree I cede to that.

But, facts are facts, irrefutable and concrete. This sport is the only football code that encourages the use and skill with the feet for its players. The word, my friends, is "football".

In all the other codes mentioned above, ninety per cent of the time the ball is held in the players' hands. OK so they kick it occasionally - very occasionally in the US version. Incidentally, there could be an argument for not calling that particular code "football" at all when you take into consideration they only call someone on to the playing arena as a specialist to actually kick the ball to either start a game or add "bonus" scoring points to a team's total.

Enough is enough. I could go on forever. Don't think we could ever get to a court of law with this one, because everyone will have their own opinion about their own favourite, but I reckon I've given a good argument for Soccer being the true and only Football.

Win the Battle For a Tidy Room - Organizing Kids Rooms

Keeping some sense of order and organizing kids rooms is an ongoing challenge for most parents. Exactly what level of organization you need will be different for each of us, depending on the age and nature of your kids (as well as yourself), but by taking the time to 'give everything its place', you are giving your kids the ability to keep a tidy room, no matter what their age.

Here's our 5 top tips to get some organization happening in your child's room:

Keep items at a reachable level. Obviously this will change with age, but kids can put toys away when they can reach containers, baskets or whatever storage you choose. If you keep storage out of their reach, then you will always be the one doing the tidying.
Select the type of storage that works for you, and the type of toys your child has. A bookcase is a great starting point in any bedroom, and you can place baskets, plastic storage and other containers on the shelves. Depending on the size of your child's room, you can also go for an under-bed trundle, desk with storage or toy chest.
Use labels, color coding, pictures so that your child knows which items go where. You can pictures of the toys and laminate them and stick them to the front of plastic containers.In my house we have a variety of different coloured and shaped baskets and in time my kids have learnt which items go in which basket.
Kids produce a whole lot of artwork (my fridge is evidence of this!). Display what you can, perhaps on a rotating basis, and keep a folio or low & wide plastic container to keep all their work in.At the end of each year we go through and keep the best, and recycle the rest. Keep the folio where they can help you put creations that they want to keep so that you don't have drawings spread all over your house.
Most kids these days have an excess of toys. Put away toys that your kids don't use all the time, and bring them out occasionally so that they maintain some of their novelty. Encourage your kids to play with one item at a time, and once they finish with it, put it away before starting on the next activity.Obviously for toddlers, this is a challenge, but if this becomes a routine early in life, they will do it automatically as older children!
Establishing a good level of organization for toys, craft and clothes in your child's room might take a little bit of your time and energy. It is a great opportunity to declutter, and donate unused items to friends or charities, as well as providing your child with a space that he/she actually wants to spend time because all their precious things have pride of place.

*Tip- always praise your children if you catch them tidying up on their own, and make tidying fun, do it together, we sing a cleaning up song about cleaning fairies and gnomes!

Nicole O'Reilly is a work at home mother to two girls, and makes a habit of living in a kid friendly, but clutter-free environment! More help organizing kids rooms and decorating kids rooms at Kids Fun and Games.