June 2022 – Page 6 – Pluto Blogs

Children’s Drum Sets

Drum sets are an essential part of any modern orchestra or music band. Drum sets are also called as drum kits and usually contain percussion components such as drums, cymbals and other drumming instruments required for contemporary music such as jazz and rock. Drum sets were originally developed in the United States and were known as trap kits at that point of time. Drum sets are popular amongst all age groups and most children love to hear the booming sound of a drum. There are various drum sets available nowadays that are especially designed for children.

Children’s drum sets are quite different from the normal drum sets available for adults. They generally come as a 3-piece set for children who are in the age group of 5-9 years. These include a bass drum, a snare drum and a tom-tom along with a cymbal and its holder, snare stand, drumsticks and drum pedal. Children drum sets are typically available in colors such as white, red, and black.

Children’s drum sets are often used during ceremonial rights, marching bands and symphonies. These drum sets have all the features and amenities suitable for children. They come with stools that can be adjusted from 13 to 17 inches according to the height of the children using them. Nowadays, children drum sets are available in a variety of styles, designs and shapes. There are certain traditional popular drum sets such as big band drum sets, which are designed for children in contemporary styles and designs. They are scaled down in different child sizes in order to give them an authentic look, but will be comfortable for children to play.

Children’s drum sets are made with attention to minute details such as fixtures, fittings and finishes so that they are safe for kids. These sets mostly come with chrome steel fittings and high gloss paint finishes in bright colors in order to increase their durability and to make them look attractive.

Childhood Obesity

Most often, parents ignore the early signs of obesity in their children by interpreting the signs as indicators of good health and good eating habits. But fat children are not necessarily healthy, just the way lean ones are not devoid of health problems. More often than not, an overweight kid may lag behind his leaner peers in the normal development of numerous faculties. In fact, obesity during childhood is a more serious concern than obesity during adulthood, because an obese child often grows up to be an obese adult; thereby ensuring a lifelong association with obesity related diseases. Moreover, if the causes of obesity are not checked in childhood, the cure of obesity becomes almost impossible when the child grows into an adult. The longer the period of obesity, the more difficult it becomes for the body to shed off the weight it has become so accustomed to carry.

It is extremely easy to identify the causes of obesity in children and adults. Lack of physical activity that is required to burn off is the most common cause. These days, children are more interested in watching television and playing computer games than to indulge in outdoor activities. A large population of children may be prone to obesity because of genetic factors. Children of obese or overweight parents often grow up to be obese.

It is a very easy calculation that is used to determine obesity in both children and adults. All you have to do is calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) of your child. A BMI of 30, according to The American Obesity Association, indicates that your child may become obese, and is at risk for many obesity-related diseases. It indicates a need for a medical examination and the initiation of a weight loss program. Other than the calculation of BMI as a reliable source of the indication of obesity, one may also rely on growth charts (the most reliable source is the CDC). The latest growth charts have included BMI as a parameter for the assessment of the normal growth of a child.

Child Support

Child support is defined in many countries as the ongoing obligation of a non-custodial parent to a custodial parent, guardian, or caregiver to make payment for the support of children who are the result of a relationship or marriage that has broken down. The conditions for child support are often settled as a part of the arrangements of a divorce, dissolution, annulment, or marital separation of a civil union. It may also be arranged as a supplement or in addition to alimony or spousal support.

Child support is established regardless of the child being born within the confines of a marriage. Paternity or maternity has to be established for a child support obligation to be enforced by a competent court.

The idea of child support is founded on the policy that biological parents have the obligation to support their children, even when the children are not living with both parents. Child support is basically a proportion of the costs involved in raising the child. Financial support for a child by a non-custodial parent remains an obligation even when the other parent has been restricted legally from participating in the upbringing or in making decisions for the welfare of the child. In some jurisdictions, however, child support is typically tied to visitation rights of a non-custodial parent. Should the custodial parent refuse to give the other parent visitation rights, the non-custodial parent may ask the court to stop support payments temporarily. The non-custodial parent may also petition the court for additional visitation rights.

In some cases, the court allows the financial arrangements to be settled by both parents; however, in other cases, the court involves the state in the collection of financial support for the child in order to ensure a continuity of the child support payments. Also, in cases wherein the state is not involved in the collection of the payments, the non-custodial parent may petition for the court to order an accounting of the child’s expenses in order to ensure that the payments are solely being used for the support of the child.

Child Support Laws

Family divorce law in most states stipulates that judges may have flexibility in determining the amount of child support. Judges, therefore, also have the authority to go beyond the state guideline amounts as required by specific circumstances.

Income

Typically, the parent who earns more or has significantly larger assets is ordered by the court to shoulder most of the child support. If, for example, the parent responsible for raising the child earns more or has more assets than the non-custodial parent, then the non-custodial parent will be ordered to pay a lesser amount of support. This is still true if the situation is reversed. The standard of living enjoyed by the family before the divorce will be taken into consideration by the judge and, depending on the costs or standards, the judge may order the non-custodial parent to pay much more than the state guidelines in order to achieve the same standards for the children.

Unemployment, health problems, bankruptcy

If the non-custodial parent is unemployed, suffering from health problems or has declared bankruptcy, the judge is subject to consider the inability to pay support altogether and may suspend child support payments temporarily until circumstances change or until the parent finds a better job. After getting a better job, the judge may order the non-custodial parent to reimburse the other parent for the expenses incurred in those months that payment was suspended.

Split custody

Split custody is the situation wherein a child or children common between parents split the year between their parents such as being with one parent for the duration of the school year and spending the summer with the other parent. Another example of split custody is when one child lives with the mother and another child lives with the father. In cases wherein the parents opt for split custody, certain guidelines for child support may also be suspended. The judge will allocate child support based on what is already being paid by both parents each year.

Child Support Enforcement

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are about 68% of child support cases that have arrears owed in 2003, compared to 53% in 1999. This means that there are more non-custodial parents not being able to pay the assessed rates for their child support.

Non-compliance to Child Support.

In most cases, the non-custodial parent is the father and non-custodial parents who avoid or do not comply with their obligations for child support. These parents are termed deadbeat parents, hence the term ‘deadbeat dads.’ It is a stereotype or prejudiced characterization, which fails to consider that non-custodial parents are, sometimes, simply unable to pay the assessed rates assigned due to certain circumstances.

One study shows that in Illinois, 38% of non-custodial parents who do not pay child support claim that they do not have the money to pay; 23% said that their non-payment is an act of protest for the lack of visitation rights given to them; 14% complained that they have no proof of accountability that the money they give will be used solely for child expenses; 13% said they do not want anything to do with their children; and the remaining 12% denied parentage altogether.

State Intervention

Many states have taken to suspending an individual’s licensesx97for example, his or her business license, driver’s license, or contractor licensex97if there is a significant arrearage in child support payments or if the individual does not pay support consistently. This authority of license suspension, however, does not extend to professionals licensed by non-government agencies.

In other states, like Texas, for example, non-custodial parents with accrued payments of up to 3 months are required to make court-ordered payments, which will be deducted directly from their wages. They may also have their income tax refunds, lottery winnings, or money due from the state intercepted by enforcement agencies for child support. Non-compliance of a non-custodial parent to make child support payments may also result in a prison sentence of up to 2 years through a judgment of past due child support.

Child Support Calculators

Child support payments are now required by federal law to be set according to a guideline. These guidelines prevent the amount of child support being ordered in different courtrooms to differ greatly from each other. Most states have established formulas to be used in order to objectively determine the amount of support a non-custodial parent would pay a custodial parent.

Child Support Formula

The formula in determining the amount to be paid for support is based on the net incomes of both parents. In order to get the net income, mandatory expenses such as income taxes, Social Security and Medicare tax, union dues, and health insurance dues are subtracted from a parent’s gross income or the amount of income from wages and investments.

Aside from net income, there are also different factors considered in determining child support, such as the time spent with the child and the number of children between the parents. Special circumstances are also factored into the formula. These include extraordinary medical expenses, travel expenses for child visitation, special education needs, and uninsured losses.

Calculators

Calculations for child support are an important part of settlements after a divorce or separation. Using child support calculators allows couples to determine the appropriate amount to settle the issue of child support amicably.

It is still advisable, however, to consult with a licensed attorney regarding the child support calculations because the results of most calculators online are usually intended for situations wherein there is sole custody of the child (joint physical custody or split custody is not assumed) and are therefore only estimates that would most likely be different from the amount ordered by the court.

Child Support Calculator

Child Support Formula

The formula in determining the amount to be paid for support is based on the net incomes of both parents. In order to get the net income, mandatory expenses such as income taxes, Social Security and Medicare tax, union dues and health insurance dues are subtracted from a parent’s gross income or the amount of income from wages and investments.

Calculators

Each state has a specific formula for child support calculations. There are Web sites that offer child support calculators you can use to come up with estimates of the amount of child support required based on the information that you enter and on the particular guidelines used in your state. These calculators provide you with a step-by-step procedure for determining the amount and at the same time provide you with monthly reports regarding arrears on payments. It is still advisable, however, to consult with a licensed attorney regarding the child support calculations because the results of most calculators online are usually intended for situations wherein there is sole custody of the child (joint physical custody or split custody is not assumed) and are therefore only estimates that would most likely be different from the amount ordered by the court.

Child Psychology

Psychology is by no means only the study of adult minds and emotions. In an increasingly complex and stress-oriented world, children are just as affected by the abnormalities of daily life as adults are. The sad story of modern society speaks of child abuse, incest, family discord, drug and alcohol abuse, and other major problems.

Had child psychology been a better understood subject three or four decades ago, the present rate of juvenile crime and delinquency might not have reached such alarming proportions. It is the feelings about and reactions to the inputs during childhood that formulate a youth’s policies and beliefs for future life.

In addition, there are many problems, unrelated to environmental and social circumstances that affect children in particular. Child psychology addresses clinical problems that beset children and early adolescents. These include mental retardation, autism, learning impairments such as dyslexia, behavior disorders and complications born of deafness, blindness, and the like. Many children’s speech impairments can also be resolved by a trained child psychologist.

It is now well known that psychological problems that crop up in childhood can translate into serious consequences like criminality later on. At the very least, unresolved psychological complications can result in an unhappy and traumatized adulthood. These are some of the potholes along the highway of modern life that child psychologists help to fill.

Interestingly, child psychology finds decisive application in the problems faced by especially gifted children, too. Children with learning difficulties face problems with the educational and family systems. In the same manner, so-called prodigies find themselves alienated from mainstream life by virtue of their exceptional talents and capabilities. In every imbalance of early and late childhood, a child psychologist can avert serious problems.

Child Picnic Tables

Whether for use indoors or outdoors, a child’s picnic table makes for great furniture. Children’s picnic tables are not just for eating meals outdoors; kids can also play board games, work on art projects, or just sit and read. Child’s picnic tables are proportioned to fit children between the ages of 3 and 10 years and can seat anywhere from 4 to 8 children comfortably.

Besides being safe and sturdy, these kid-sized picnic tables are perfect for birthdays and gatherings; they provide kids with a fun place to eat birthday cake and enjoy meals. Picnic tables are also ideal for encouraging social play and interaction.

Depending on your budget and requirements, there are a variety of children’s picnic tables to choose from. Picnic tables are available in wood, plastic, and metal. They come in ready-to-assemble kits that can be bought from any local store. You can purchase completely assembled or partially assembled kits, making for a great family project by which everyone can get together and assemble the table. In fact, if you are the adventurous type, then you can even build your child’s picnic table from scratch – especially since kids love helping out.

If you like wooden furniture, then go in for either a redwood or a cedar picnic table. These woods are strong and durable and require no finish or chemical treatment to withstand environmental elements. Wooden picnic tables usually have splinter-free surfaces and are made of food safe material which are non-toxic and built to last. You can then seal, stain or paint your child’s picnic table and personalize it to suit your child’s taste. If you want, you can colorfully paint your child’s picnic table, giving it a fun and exciting feel.

Folding kids’ picnic tables can be broken down and stacked into easily carried units and transported for family picnics or camping. These tables can be simply unlocked and folded for storage when not required.

There are some very interesting picnic tables designed in such a way that they can be easily attached underneath a child’s Fort or Castle, and bolted in place to create a fun seating area for children. Adding umbrella shades to the center of the table keeps off the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Wheelchair access or universal access picnic tables also allow kids in wheelchairs to pull up to the table and sit comfortably with all the other kids and have a fun-filled picnic.