Problem: Article: Locomotive skills are one of three essential motor skills; the other two being stability and manipulative skills. If skipping is difficult, then start with some of the more basic locomotive skills and work your way up. Marching with high knees mirrors the movement of skipping closely. Bring one foot up and bend at the knee to create a 90 degree angle. As you step forward, bring the other leg up in a quick motion. Keep your eyes focused forward and swing arms opposite of your feet. If the left foot is up in the air, the right arm should swing forward and vice versa. Stand with feet close together and push off with both feet. Try lifting your feet off the ground at the same time. Practice landing quietly by landing on your toes and letting your ankles and knees bend. See how high you can jump. Add a jump rope and try jumping rhythmically. Extend your knees, ankles and hips as you jump. The main bounce should happen in your ankle. Activate the elasticity in your achilles tendon as you jump up and down. Learning to hop on one leg is a prerequisite skill to hopping. Lift one foot up, bending at the knee, and hold it there. Balance on your standing leg and try to stabilize by tightening the muscles in that leg. Once you have steadied yourself, lift off your heel and push off the ground with the ball of your foot. Try landing an inch or two forward back onto the ball of your foot. Keep yourself balanced by bringing your arms to your sides in a wide A shape. Switch feet and try balancing on the other foot. Thrust your foot up and bend at the knee. Step forward with the lifted foot and shift your weight into the foot in front of you. Quickly close the gap between your feet by moving your back foot forward, so it rests just behind the front foot. Continue this motion forward with the same foot. Make sure you switch sides and gallop with your other foot. A gallop is nearly as difficult as skipping. Once you've mastered the gallop, you can then move on to skipping.
Summary: March with high knees. Jump with both feet. Hop one foot at a time. Practice galloping.

Problem: Article: Take the time to build solid relationships with the people about whom you care. Listen to their problems. Help them when necessary. When you offend them, apologize and strive to do better. Practice kind gestures like giving people rides or birthday cards. See Have a Healthy Relationship for more advice. Additionally, practice these behaviors: Build a circle of trust. Make sure your family members and friends know they can share their thoughts openly with you. Do not tell other people's secrets. If someone asks you to keep a confidence, do so. Be compassionate towards others. Even if someone wrongs you, if they are sincere in their repentance, show them forgiveness. Do not bring up their past transgressions in moments of anger. Be direct when speaking to others. Listen carefully and attentively. If you have disagreements, try to fight effectively. That is, do not call each other names. Instead, discuss your problems calmly. Make sure you listen to the other person's point of view. For example, it might be wise during arguments to repeat the other person's point of view. This shows you understand. You might say, "What I'm hearing you say is that you are annoyed by the fact that I am always home so late." Ask rather than assume. If you feel a relationship is suffering in some way, talk to the other person openly and candidly. Part of living a good life comes from building a tight-knit local network. If you have neighbors, be helpful to them. Watch their cat when they go on vacation. Offer to shovel an elderly neighbor's driveway. Practice neighborliness and you might find it is contagious. One way to live a good life is to contribute to the community in which you live. You might volunteer at a soup kitchen or run a clothes drive for refugees. Ask your local government representatives or religious organizations for tips on which causes could use help. You also could plan a fundraiser for a cause in the global community.
Summary: Build strong relationships with close ones. Promote healthy communication. Be a good neighbor. Serve your community.

Problem: Article: If you will be using gluten-free flour for a bake sale, cookie exchange, or gathering at your own home, you may wish to test the recipe with your selected flour in a small batch in advance. This will prevent the unpleasant surprise of hard cupcakes, dry cake, chewy bread, an over- or under-baked pie shell, and some of the other challenges certain gluten-free flours pose for certain recipes. Certain flours carry flavors and textures, baking times, colors, and characteristics that do not equate to traditional wheat flours. Taste and test recipes with different gluten-free flours (such as potato or rice flour) and then compare them to the same recipe using another flour (such as soy or bean flour or coconut flour) to get a feel for the influence on the final product each flour has on particular types of baked goods.
Summary: Test recipes in advance to prevent disappointment. Learn the variations in flour options.

Problem: Article: Many pools and clubs have programs available for kids, but few accommodate aspiring adults or teens. Seek out someone who has had experience working with adults. Make sure their personality fits with yours. You'll need someone who can listen and provide feedback on your strokes. The U.S. Masters Swim Group is a good program for people over twenty looking for a group to swim with. They vary from complete beginners to more seasoned athletes. Your local gym or health club might also offer something similar, and could be a better alternative. You'll find that many facilities near you have pools. Shop around and find the one that is best fit for your price range that has a decent pool. If you are committing yourself to something physically demanding, it might be good for you to have someone who will support you. This person doesn't need to do the exercises with you, but they'll merely act as a support system if you become discouraged. Having a friend who is willing to commit to a swim routine with you is an extra bonus and a good friend.
Summary:
Get a swim coach. Join a swim group. Join a gym with a pool. Ask a friend for support.