Your child may have lots of questions about the death of a friend. It is important for you to answer these openly and honestly, again using concrete explanations. Keep it simple. It is also fine to admit when you don’t know something.  Children might wonder if death is like going to sleep. Explain that during sleep the body still works, while with death it doesn’t. Be clear about the differences so that your child doesn’t start to fear sleeping. Kids may also ask about pain, i.e. “Does it hurt to die?” You might say that doctors and nurses can use medicine to take away the pain and make it hurt as little as possible. Be honest if your child asks more generally about death and whether he or she will die. Explain that everyone dies at some point, but that most people live for a long-time – and that someone will be there to look after your child if you yourself die. Questions of meaning are harder. It’s OK to admit that you don’t know why your child’s friend had to die or say that you are upset and confused, too. Should you take your child to the funeral of a friend? The answer to this question is very personal. Your child should be able to join in any mourning ritual – but only if he or she wants to. Don’t pressure the child to do so.  First, explain what your child will see at the funeral or memorial service, i.e. the friend’s body may be in a casket and there will be many others there, too. Explain what will take place, as well. For example, other people will probably speak about the friend who’s died and other mourners may be crying. If you are religious, you can also share your faith’s spiritual beliefs about death and what these mourning rituals mean. Make sure to respect your child’s wants at the funeral, too. Don’t force your child to stay if he or she wants to leave. Children learn how to cope with emotions and to grieve by watching what adults do. They are very aware of how you react to death and loss. That said, try to model healthy grieving. Sitting quietly, crying, and displays of emotion show children that these behaviors are natural and OK.  It is OK for your child to see you cry. This can make the child more comfortable with showing his or her own emotions. Your child should also know that it’s OK to feel strong emotions when a friend has died, like anger, sadness, and fear. Continue to model grief by encouraging your child to express how they feel in healthy ways. Allow adequate time and don’t press the child into resuming “normal” activities before they’ve had a chance to process and deal with the death.  For example, you could give your child the chance to say a final goodbye by writing a letter for the graveside or casket or by releasing a balloon. You can also encourage your child to draw pictures or write poems or stories about the friend and how they feel. Put limits on grieving behavior, though. It’s normal for kids to react to death with some regressive behavior, but limit acting out and displays of physical aggression.

Summary: Be ready to answer questions. Decide whether or not to attend the funeral. Model healthy grieving. Encourage your child to express emotions.


The amount of time it takes for the first shoots to poke through the soil depends on the air and ground temperature. Cooler temperatures may slow the plant’s growth. If there's still no sprout after 3 weeks, carefully dig up the bulb to inspect it for rot. Cut off any bad spots, then plant it again. Since elephant ears are tropical plants, they require a lot of moisture. Water the plant as close to the soil as possible underneath the foliage so you avoid getting the leaves wet. It’s best if the plant is dry at night to prevent diseases.  Never let the plant dry out between watering. This stresses the plant. Drooping leaves signal that the plant needs more water. Elephant Ear plants are heavy feeders and flourish in fertile soil. A slow-release fertilizer keeps your plants fed by gradually releasing nutrients in the soil to promote steady, consistent growth. It also requires less maintenance on your part.  Look for a fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen. Nitrogen helps the plant produce chlorophyll, which gives the leaves that gorgeous green color. Mix compost matter or manure into the soil for extra nutrients. This will encourage new leaves to grow and keep your garden looking lively. Use garden shears to remove the bad leaves as close to the bulb as possible without cutting the bulb.  Wear gloves when you’re trimming the leaves if you have sensitive skin. Their are certain compounds in the leaves that can irritate your hands. A lot of brown or yellow leaves are a sign the plant is either not getting the right amount of sunlight or isn't getting enough water.

Summary: Wait 1 to 3 weeks before expecting your first sprout. Water the plant in the morning at the roots to keep the soil moist. Fertilize your plant once a month with a slow-release fertilizer. Trim away faded or browning leaves as needed.


To attract the most customers, offer several colors, scents, or textures of slime. You can make variations of the same recipe, or choose a few different recipes to work from. For instance, you may want to make kinetic slime as well as glow in the dark slime. Slime can be made with a variety of ingredients to create different textures and effects. Some recipes are simple and only require cornstarch and glue, while others are more complex and add fragrances, colors, or glitter. Types of slime that you can make include:  Rainbow slime Nickelodeon slime Glitter slime If you plan to make large batches of slime, it’s cheaper to buy ingredients in bulk. For instance, opt for a gallon of glue rather than an individual bottle. You may also want a few pounds of cornstarch rather than a small container. Look online and in local stores to find the best prices. Choose cool containers for the slime to attract customers. You could use anything with a lid, like jars, deli containers, small Tupperware tubs, condiment containers, plastic eggs, or even plastic zipper bags. Pick containers that hold the amount of slime you want to sell, like 2 ounces or 6 ounces. Keep in mind that if you’ll be shipping the slime you should choose containers that are easily to ship, such as light, square packages that will fit in a small box. Once you’ve decided what container best fits your product, buy it in bulk to save money. Look online and in stores near you to find the best deals on packaging. If you plan to ship the slime, buy shipping supplies, like boxes, labels, and tape, in bulk as well. To ensure your product stands out from your competitors, choose a color or theme that is unique to your brand of slime. The label should have your name (or your company name, if applicable) and a logo on it so that the package helps to advertise your product. You can also create names for different types, colors, or scents of slime. You can use computer software to create the logo or draw it by hand and scan it to your computer. Then, print it on sticky labels that can be put on the package.
Summary: Offer a few varieties of slime. Choose your slime recipes. Buy your ingredients in bulk. Pick containers for the slime. Buy packaging in bulk. Design a label for the packages.