Thursday, September 6, 2012
When to look the other way and let kids try their hand at fashion.
I think it is fair to say that every Mom dreams of dressing up their little girls in the sea of adorable outfits clothing manufacturing dream up every year. I will be the first to admit that I while I only bought one or two little boy outfits pre delivery, I bought several perfectly pink frilly ensembles even though I had no idea what I was having. Good news is I was right in my assumption that I would have a girl first. So now that the kids are getting older and their opinions louder when is it time to look the other way and let kids dress themselves? Judging by some of the outfits I see at drop off it can start as early as preschool. Luckily, at that age pretty much anything goes in the fashion department. Little ones can get away with …
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
When it comes to parenting men are still from Mars and women are still from Venus.
Let me start with a disclaimer. I adore my husband and think he is an outstanding Father. My Dad was the best Dad ever, and I think my three brothers do a very good job with their awesome children. There now I can be honest with you. Why oh why do (most) men parent so differently from women? For starters, why don’t Fathers like schedules? They may say they like schedules and they may wake up at the same time every work day but that is about it. It will be 5:30 p.m. and a Father will stand in front of his young children and say something crazy like, “Kids, what would you like for dinner tonight?” Huh? You are asking little kids what they want for dinner at dinner time. Your answer will range from chocolate cake to s ‘mores to dry cereal. I…
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
With summer brings family reunions and that means good food, fun and stress.
When I told my Father-in-Law that I was thinking of writing an article about family reunions he said, “be kind”. I laughed out loud but I knew what he was getting at. It can be crazy but it can be fun too and the fun keeps us coming back. With one family reunion down and one to go this summer I started thinking about what made them successful and what made them stressful. Maybe in a few (hundred) years we can perfect this age old tradition and make it perfect or at least perfectly crazy. Since I haven’t ever hosted one of these family soirées I can only speak as an outsider but sometimes that helps. My first tip, know when people are coming. Sounds obvious right? But when people live close they have the luxury of coming when they can but …
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
In our culture of excess, are we helping or hindering our kids by giving them everything?
A barrage of articles about spoiled American children has popped up in the last few weeks and it got me thinking about the topic and if it is true. Yes, American children have access to a lot of “things” at a younger age and parents have become much more involved in children’s daily lives. But does that mean kids are spoiled? I think it can and the true test of a parent may be managing these “things” while at the same time allowing kids to experience responsibility and consequences. I will admit to turning my nose up at the many “our way is superior to your way” books about raising children that have become so popular in the past few years. I haven’t read any cover to cover and maybe that isn’t fair although I am feeling pretty proud of …
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
There is lots of time for fun this summer but take a minute to talk about water safety with your kids.
Summer is off to a super fun start with camp, family trips and just plain being lazy around the house. But with all of the fun comes the inevitable concern about water safety. Water play is as much a part of a child’s life as bed time stories, bike rides and sleep overs. So start young and teach your kids the dos and don’ts of water fun. I grew up on a lake and later at the beach so water fun has always been a part of my life. My kids are beach goers and have family who have a summer lake house so we started young teaching them about water safety. But when water is a part of your life from day one you often forget or at least minimize the everyday dangers for your children. Now is a great time to remind yourself and your kids how to be …
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Summer is a great time to go on a family road trip but be sure to pack a few tricks for a smooth ride.
This year we decided to ditch the security lines, strip searches and luggage fees and get in the old roadster for a good old fashioned family road trip. We’ve been taking this trip for years now and always via air plane so when we announced this year’s mode of transportation would be our car the kid’s response was less than enthusiastic. My 4 year old was easily talked into the idea with a bribe of a new Wild Kratz DVD but my 6 year old well, she was a different story. “Why can’t we just fly? I will pay for it” she said in all seriousness. I told her it wasn’t about the money. It was about being together as a family on an adventure. It was about being able to stop along the way and discover new towns. It was about bringing our bikes, …
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
As the school year comes to an end, a seemingly endless amount of artwork comes home to fill up your house.
Do you remember the first time your child drew something even remotely resembling something? I bet nobody else had any idea what it was but you and your child. It was a fun little milestone wasn’t it? Fast forward three years and the stuff is taking over your house. I do my best to sort through the “art” but two Home Depot bins later and I am running out of space and excuses for “lost” “art”. I mean really, are we supposed to keep every last piece? Finally I hit my limit and started going through all of the “art” when the kids were at school. Don’t judge me but I threw away the things that weren’t memorable. Yes, I threw them away. I feel better just admitting it. I was caught only once and my appalled response at the mere notion that a …
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Your kids may be counting the days until summer vacation but they may also be sad to leave their friends and a routine they have come to rely on.
Ah, the end of the school year. Those half focused, spring days filled with picnics, field day games and endless hours looking for those unreturned library books. Time to wrap up the school year, say goodbye to our favorite teachers and promise your kids they will see their friends all summer. It’s a love-hate relationship really. The kids love to be out of school and you hate to think of all of the activities you’ll have to line up to keep them occupied. But as much as kids say they love this time of year I think there is a little bit of dread, too. Think about it. Your kids see their friends daily, learn (hopefully) fun and interesting things and get used to a routine they can rely on. In an otherwise uncertain world, this is your child’…
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
We all want to give our kids everything but sometimes a little free time goes a long way.
I bet all of us can remember those long carefree summer days when the sun was about to set and you could hear your Mom calling you to come inside. It may have even been the first time you had been inside all day aside from a food or bathroom break. That is how it was for me too and I worry those days are passing our kids by. We all talk about the fear of over scheduling our kids but do we ever do anything about it? I swore I wouldn’t be “that parent” and have my kids in four activities at a time but I can feel the pull already and my kids are young. Soccer, ballet, piano, swim and t-ball are all competing for your child’s attention. Not to mention computer games, iPhone apps, TV shows and video games. I wonder if kids would know what to do…
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Sometimes it takes losing your voice to find your voice.
Yelling at your kids isn’t something any parent is proud of nor is it something any of us want to do. I am an occasional offender. I admit it and I have read the articles that suggest that kids respond better to calm words. I get it. But never was it more obvious to me than this past week when a spring cold took my voice way for several days. I had no idea how I was going to command my kid’s attention but the days that followed shocked me into believing all of those articles. I whispered my situation to the kids to elicit some sympathy and hoped their compassion would lead to extra great behavior. My kids were intrigued by my silence and offered suggestions of sign language, hand gestures and writing. I smiled at their helpful ideas …
