Thursday, January 24, 2013
A Patch blogger's post about not helping her children on the slide is being debated across the country.
A Patch blog from Alameda, CA, called “Please Don’t Help My Kids” has struck a nerve with readers across the country. Posted in September, the blog has taken off over the past few weeks as it has found a second life through social media sharing. The blog has 124,000 Facebook recommendations and 833 people have tweeted the blog. The blog is an open letter to other parents at the playground. The blogger Kate Bassford Baker’s basic request is for parents to not help her daughters on the slide. She wrote that she wants her daughters to do things and learn things on their own. Learning to walk up the slide’s ladder is the first step to learning new things and overcoming obstacles, she wrote. “Because, as they grow up, the ladders will only get …
Friday, December 21, 2012
A week after the Newtown, CT, massacre, schools have reviewed their safety procedures. Now should parents follow up with more coaching?
A week after the deadly elementary school attack in Newtown, CT, that has rocked the the nation, some parents say their kids remain oblivious to the attack—and the danger. Most teens and children are wrapped up in their own worlds. One mom of a middle-schooler told me instead of being worried about how the Newtown deaths would affect her daughter, she is more concerned that the girl is not aware enough of what took place. And there is only so much the schools can do. So this mom will spin out a scenario of danger and ask the daughter to think through how she might best respond. If you are a parent, are you doing the same kind of 'coaching' with your kids? Should parents be following up and expanding on the schools' safety procedures and …
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 25, 2012
There is so much a parent can do to create a foundation for a lifelong love of reading before a child even steps foot into a classroom.
We all know reading aloud to even the youngest child is beneficial, but it goes so much further than most of us realize. I was lucky enough to sit down with a co-author of an insightful book every caregiver should own. Susan Marx and co-author Barbara Kasok created Help Me Get Ready To Read as a practical guide for reading aloud to children from birth to age 5. Before I met with Marx, a Lexington resident, I thought about my own experience reading aloud with my children and wondered if there was really anything I could do to make it more stimulating and educational. I also thought about the education gap our country is struggling with and how caring parents can help teachers before children even take one step into a classroom. After …
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 …
Lee Coytemore
12:17 pm on Saturday, April 6, 2013
this is Typical 'Liberal behaviour' sickness that 'one' over-reacts consistently in the "prediction of Calamity", and 'fear mongering' without justification. Overly intervening in the lives of other people for their own personal need to feel secure and safe while maintaining to provide these Catastrophic Conclusions All While under the possible discretionary use of Dr. Prescribed medication. -and… more ›